Why I nag my family, friends, and clients about the sun-

Yes…I nag them. Sometimes you just have to! But here is why I nag them about baking in the sun and tanning beds. I get that everyone loves the sun—I even love the sun believe it or not! I am not perfect about protecting myself either!  These last few weeks I have come across a lot of people rolling their eyes and saying yes, yes you have told me this before :) Being smart about the sun is the key to being healthy and safe.

I will start with my superficial side (I mean I am an esthetician). IT GIVES YOUR WRINKLES! And sun spots! The sun is the number one aging factor. So yes, part of me just wants us all to look good forever and delay or slow down the aging process by being sun cautious. 

I mean who wants to look like this!? ;)

Now lets get to the main reason. Skin cancer. Its not to be taken lightly. Estimated for 2014 there are 76,100 new cases of melanoma and 9,710 deaths from melanoma. That is 9,710 families grieving a family member just in 2014. Last weekend my sister and I volunteered at the melanoma walk. As we were standing there helping people stay on the right path a family was walking toward us with a few young kids. One of them was crying so as mom/aunt we gave them the warm been-there-i-get-it smile assuming she was just tired of walking so long. It turned out to be much more than that. They stopped by us and the mom asked what was going on. The dad replied that she misses grandpa and doing the walk brought back a lot of emotions. The grandma with them then said here honey do you want to wear grandpas hat? He would be so proud of you for supporting this. It brought us both to tears that these kids grandpa is gone too soon because of Melanoma. Skin cancer is no joke. That same week I had a friend who is a skin cancer survivor tell me about finding a spot on her that brought her to tears after finding out everything was ok. It really is no joke.  I am not an expert about melanoma by any means but I do have some tips that can help keep you safe from the sun!

Here are a few tips to stay safe in the sun this summer—

- Get a good physical block sunscreen. Physical block sunscreen containing Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide is the best protection from the sun! There are 17 individual sunscreen ingredients that are FDA approved: 15 of these are clear chemicals that absorb UV light and two are made of minerals that reflect UV light. Of these 15, nine are known endocrine disruptors. To be effective, chemical sunscreens need to be rubbed into their skin 20 minutes before sun exposure. They do a pretty good job at blocking UV light, but they actually get used up as the sun shines on them. In fact Some sunscreens lose as much as 90% of their effectiveness in just an hour, so they need to be reapplied often. This is not the case with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the two mineral, or physical, sunscreens. These two work very differently – they sit on the surface of the skin and physically block UV light.

- Stay out of direct sunlight during peak hours (10 AM- 4 PM) or take shade breaks. This is one that people always look at me like I am crazy. I don’t mean not to leave your house between those hours! Those are the hours that the sun is hottest and most harmful. If you are out during these hours take breaks or switch off between and little time in the sun and some time in the shade!

- Wear a hat and protective clothing. This is a great way to be out enjoying the weather with a little more protection. Take a look at your clothing though. Some items say UV protective on them but some clothing is not! Espically light fabrics. Same goes for the hats. A big sun hat is great (love that they are in style for beachwear!) but some straw hats or woven hats with small holes still let the sunlight in.  Also, sunglasses that are UVA/UVB protective are a must!

- Reapply, reapply, reapply, your SPF. Especially if you are swimming.

That friends, family, and clients is why I remind you ten times to wear a good spf and take shade breaks. I love the sun as much as you do but not more than I love you! 

You can't stop aging but you can slow it down

Did you know that there is a difference between how many years you have been alive (chronological age) and your biological age?  Biological age is the measure of the rate of aging in the cells of tissues and organs. How old you are doesn't necessarily reflect the amount of wear and tear on your body or its overall health. In fact by the time you are thirty, how old you are is more correctly measured by health of the system rather than number of years.This is very true when it comes to the look of your skin too. One person might be 25 and starting to get wrinkles while the next may be 55 and not have and wrinkles yet! Here are a few premature aging causes-

Sun exposure

Illness

Lack of rest

Stress

Over-treatment with skin care products

Sudden weight loss/gain

Menopause

Genetic factors

Free-radical damage

Malnutrition

Grief

Medication

Excessive alcohol intake

Harsh climate conditions

Dietary deficiencies

The things listed above then cause these physical changes in your face- degeneration of connective tissues, slowing of the keritinization process (cell turnover rate), and reduction in circulation just to name a few.

How do we reverse this premature aging?

One factor to slow the aging process and age gracefully is the amount of vital life force, known as chi, in you. Chi is what gives a person that positive energy and joy of living. You know that person you meet and think wow she is glowing and just has great energy! We all know a few and we cant help but want to be more like them. Well chi is the answer. The woman in her 60’s with a vibrant chi force can radiate youthfulness more than the 20-30 something with depleted chi. How do you get that energy and glow called chi? ACUPUNCTURE is your answer. It is a great way to build and balance your chi. Not only general body acupuncture but facial acupuncture too! But that’s a whole other post in itself! (coming soon) Getting to an acupuncturist and getting regular treatments to build and balance energy will help your aging process tremendously! 

 You also need to seek out an esthetician who you would like to build a relationship with and see every 3-4 weeks. The circulation of massage included in facials helps to tone muscles and bring blood flow back to the skin. You might also receive some alternative treatments such as peels, special masks, MLD for reducing inflammation and for detoxification, Accutonics, or essential oils. Peels are a great option when seeing an esthetician. Glycolic peels will break down the dead skin cells resulting in smoother, more radiant skin. It will also help moisturize the skin as well as reduce hyper pigmentation and fine lines.

There are also diet, lifestyle, and supplement changes you can make at home starting today to slow the aging process- 

Regular exercise

A diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein

Drinking ½ your body weight in ounces of water daily

Drinking detox teas

Green smoothies

Yoga or meditation

Flax seed oil

Using sunscreen daily

Following the at home skin care regime from your esthetician 

So if you are starting to see signs of aging it is defiantly not too late to go back! And it is also not time to do anything drastic. Making these fairly simple lifestyle changes can be your difference between the left and right side of the face in this picture! 

Au Naturale..at least for the weekend!

Could you go without makeup for a month? Week? 1 day??  

I have been thinking a lot this weekend about how much we rely on makeup. Even if it is just a little but of concealer and mascara! I took all of my makeup and every makeup brush I own to my sisters house to do her makeup on Friday morning for a video she was shooting. Saturday morning while getting ready for work I realize..ohh Sh**! ALL my makeup is at her house! Too far to go pick up before work and I am going to be there Monday morning anyways so I will just go Au Naturale for a few days...no big deal! Right! 

After getting out of the shower and getting dressed, I didn't know what to do with myself next! I don't wear a lot of makeup, but being an esthetician I like my skin to look flawless when I go to see my clients. Since that really wasn't an option I just thought well this is it, put on my moisturizer and left for work. To my surprise I didn't get any of the "are you feeling ok?" or "oh you must be tired today!" comments I thought I might get. :) In fact, I actually forgot I was Au Narurale after I left the house. Today I am on day 2 of no make up and going in public again to my in-laws house dinner. 

On the radio the other day this subject was brought up and there were women calling in whose husbands of 10-30 years had never even seen them without their makeup let alone anyone else! I feel sorry for those women that they don't feel comfortable enough with themselves to just take it all off every now and again! My husband sees me without makeup every night and days that we are just hanging around the house. Same with my family and friends they have all seen me without makeup all the time! 

I love this women who was recently on the Katie show who gave up makeup, hair products, and jewelry for a whole year. I personally feel like makeup, hair products, and jewelry are FUN to wear and can make you feel great but should not be the main reason for being happy or feeling unhappy.

Here is a link to the video! It is def worth a watch- http://www.katiecouric.com/on-the-show/2013/01/11/going-au-naturale-how-the-pursuit-of-beauty-impacts-us/

SO in the end, to my own surprise, I am ok with going without makeup! 

What about you? Do you let your family and friends see you with no makeup? Could you go a few days, a week, or longer?? If you have already..tell me about it!!

(Pre Makeup on my wedding day)

Foods that suck the life out of your skin!

Everyone wants glowing skin..right?! Right! Here is a list of a few foods to avoid and consume to beautify your skin. 

Foods to Avoid- 

Hydrogenated oils: Trans-fats can be found in fried and packaged food products. These fats can cause cellulite and acne. 

White foods: Also known as simple carbs. This includes white rice, refined sugars, white potatoes, white enriched flour. Any nutrients in these are removed through over-processing. these foods will cause fluctuating blood glucose levels, which increase the process of aging.

Milk Products: Did you know that most of the population does not digest cows milk properly? Milk is frequently not tolerated by the gastrointestinal tract. Cows are given hormones that will cause them to grow adult size in 6 months. These drugs are passed through the milk and effect your body. For many, milk can cause bloating, constipation and even reflux. Milk may also be linked to increased eczema, worsening sinus problems, migraine headaches and joint pain. 

Carbonated Beverages: Carbonated beverages can rob the body of 20% oxygen for up to 3 hours. They also allow bacteria to grow and die which causes acne, body odor, and low energy. It can also be hydrating causing the skin to look dull and wrinkled. 

Foods to get you glowing- 

Water: Stay hydrated! Dehydration makes the skin appear dull, rough and older regardless of what you're eating!

Vegetables: Organic green-leafy and other vegetables are essential for maintaining great health overall.They are packed with vitamin A which supports cell turnover. 

Almonds: One of nature’s greatest gifts to the skin! They are packed with antioxidant vitamin E which helps build collagen. They are also packed with fiber, and omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, which help maintain the skin’s elasticity and suppleness. 

Whole Grains: Whole grains are great for the skin as any other part of the body. Their high fiber content helps your body stay hydrated and flushes out toxins. The high concentration of B vitamins aids metabolism. 

Salmon: With its high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, oily fishes such as salmon and tuna help with decreasing clogged pores. Salmon is also loaded with selenium, a trace mineral that helps smooth the skin and acts as a powerful antioxidant when paired with vitamin E. 

Positive Body Image in 2013

With the new year approaching so many of us have big resolutions to lose weight or get skinny. I have decided this year to be HEALTHY and have a healthy body image instead of trying to be skinny. I know...super cheesy right?! It might be but it is more important to be happy at a healthy size and to feel comfortable with yourself than to be skinny and malnourished.

We all see pictures flipping through magazines or on TV of super skinny size 0 models and have all thought at least once-- I wish I could look like that! I have so much respect for people that eat healthy and work out hard and often. That is what we all strive for and it is healthy. What we all have to remember is that not every one has the body shape of a model. Some people are built with bigger hips and can be very healthy still wearing a size 10-12. 

Here are a few of my favorite photo-shopped before and after pictures. 

Don't get me wrong, I have never had a professional picture taken and asked them to not photo-shop it. I do understand that part of the photographers job is to make us look good in their photos. I am all for skin touch ups and small enhancements but what gets me is in all of the photos above the models are fit and healthy looking in the BEFORE picture. A lot of them have inches taken off their bodies. My favorites are the last 2 pictures. Faith Hill's before picture looks like a healthy and fit mom. In the after picture her arm is half the size and so is her waist and side of her bra area. It creates an unrealistic image. 

I also love this photo of the Dove real beauty campaign vs. the Victoria's secret love my body campaign.

Ok-- I will step off the soapbox. I just want this to be a reminder in the New Year to: Love yourself, take good care of yourself, eat healthy non processed foods, and be confident with the way you are!  

I want to leave you with these great steps to positive body image that I will be hanging on my mirror as a daily reminder! :) 

Exfoliation 101.

Exfoliate: Verb. 1. to remove the surface of scales or body cells. 

For such a simple definition, there are so many questions! 

Why is it so important? 
Removing the dead skin cells has a significant effect on improving many skin disorders and conditions. It also preps your skin for product allowing them to penetrate deeper. 
Your skin has a natural cell renewal cycle that cause skin cells to slough off on a regular cycle. This process needs some help because it can be slowed by so many every day factors such as stress, pollution, hormones, make-up, aging, and illness to name a few! 

Benefits of Exfoliation: 
Improves hyper-pigmentation
Allows ingredients in your products to penetrate deeper
Keeps your skin soft and glowing
Help your pores from clogging 

2 types of exfoliation: 
Manual exfoliation uses granular based products that use friction to remove the dead skin cells. This can include scrubs, brush machines, and microdermabrasion.  
Chemical exfoliation uses chemicals to loosen the skin cells from the skins surface. Chemical exfoliation products either dissolve the karatin or loosen the bonds holding the cells together. 

Even though it is so important to exfoliate, it is also important not to over-exfoliate. Excessive exfoliation can change the pH of the skin which can cause loss of the barriers ability to protect the skin. Over-exfoliating can also cause sensitivities, and cause your body to over compensate for oil loss by producing more oil. I recommend exfoliating 2-3 times per week. How often your exfoliate varies by your skin type and what type of exfoliating you are doing.  

What works best for my skin type is glycolic peels. A gentle, creamy manual exfoliation usually works best for sensitive skin. If you are looking to work on skin problems such as texture, hyper-pigmentation  aging, sun damage, acne and clogged pores; alpha hydroxy acid peels work well. Common alpha hydroxy acids are glycolic and lactic acid. What have you found works best for your skin type? If you aren't sure yet, visit an esthetician for an appointment to find out what type of exfoliation is best for you. 

Feel free to leave me any of your questions about exfoliation! or email them to marcy@2bwell.net

Hello Beautifuls!

My name is Marcy and I am so excited to get this blog going! :) But first I want to tell you who I am, what I do, and why I am here. 

A little about my education-- I attended the Euro Institute of Skin Care where I had practical training and certifications in skin analysis and diagnosis, European and naturopathic Facial techniques, Ayurvedic skin and body typing, manual lymphatic drainage, product recommendation, body treatments, kneipp therapy, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and waxing and sugaring techniques. I believe skincare is much more than just treating the superficial level with products. Although I do love my products :) My approach and training in holistic skincare allow me to think outside the box and get to the root of the problem. 

Now for the fun part-- A little about what I enjoy outside of work. I love spending time with my husband, family, and friends! My husband (Nick) and I love to spend time at our family lake house on lake Coeurd'Alene year round. We also love taking weekend trips to the beach. In my free time I love reading/researching all things health, wellness, beauty, skincare, and makeup related! I ADORE my 1 1/2 year old niece- I am sure I will just have to post a picture or two at some point! 

I hope you will enjoy reading all things related to the health and beauty industry! If you have any topics related to skin care that you want to know more about, email me and I will answer it here. Marcy@2bwell.net