Pregnancy & Skin Care

Pregnancy, in regards to skin care, is something one only thinks about once they become pregnant. I wanted to devote this week to all you ladies out there that have begun your baby journey and those that are considering pregnancy.
 Skin care during this time becomes a bit more confusing. What is safe to use..why is my skin behaving this way?..and what can I do to the ever changing skin that I am experiencing?  There is much debate whether chemical peels are safe during pregnancy. As a precaution all physician would recommend that you fore go any peels during this time. I tend to agree. However, a great alternative to the classic peels are enzymes, which are made from fruit sources. Vitamin C is a perfect exfoliator to use during pregnancy. It comes in varying strengths from your facialist and I recommend Vitamin C serums for at home use, as well. Look for no more than 10% for home use within a serum or cream form. Some with sensitive skin may find 10% too harsh so it's safe to say that a 5% formulation would be best for all skin types. When it comes to Vitamin C more is not necessary better. The delivery system is key to how it will respond to the skin. If the serum is more "watery" it means that the strength will be delivered faster but may cause irritation. Serums that have more slip will slowly work into the skin and will gently deliver the product without irritation. The benefits of Vitamin C are far reaching.  Firstly, it's an antioxidant so it helps combat free radicals from further damaging healthy skin cells. Secondly, it has repairitive qualities that minimize pigmentation and accelerates healing of blemishes. And lastly, Vitamin C is a nourishing ingredient that helps restore the moisture balance in your skin. In other words, if you have oily skin or dry skin it will regulate the oils so the skin is at a more natural state. You will see these benefits only after a few weeks of consistent use.
Steam, extractions, dermaplaning, microdermabrasion are all safe during pregnancy, as well. Products to avoid would be Retin-A, Chemical peels(glycolic, Salycilic, Jessner..etc), Benzoyl peroxide, and any other harsh chemical that could penetrate your bloodstream. Always advise with your doctor before any treatments in question.
Be prepared for the unexpected and I urge you to be patient with the changes that are happening. I too have been pregnant and although it's a beautiful event in your life; your body and skin will be changing. Enjoy this gift!

Keene Cosmetics
Smart Skin Care

Teen Skin

I get asked all the time about teen skin and how to handle the flair ups. Teens are up against a few factors that cause these breakouts. Firstly, hormones will cause the skin to do some wacky things. Even moms in their thirties deal with these issues! In my opinion consistency and simplicity is the key in any long term skin care regimen. With that said, establishing good hygiene habits is also critical to great results. Teens are coming from a place of ease when hormones strike. They once could go weeks without washing their face only to wake on the eve of their thirteenth birthday with a raging pimple. What happened?? Hormones will increase the activity of the sebaceous gland and can cause overnight breakouts due to clogged pores. As parents, we need to encourage nightly washing from an early age. A mild cleanser that wicks away dirt is appropriate. As they get older have them use a cleanser with a mild acid such as glycolic or salicylic. Always avoid the eye area when using an acid in the cleanser. I try to avoid recommending toners because of the high alcohol content. These tend to dry the skin. The skin then registers that it's  too dry and starts to produce more oil. Hence a vicious cycle begins. Witch Hazel is a calming alternative toner if you feel the need to use one. If a blemish does occur use a low dosage of benzoyl peroxide. Use sparingly and only on the site of the blemish. No more then 3 days in a row. Benzoyl peroxide will dry the site but can also cause burns on the healthy skin tissue if used improperly. Also, be a proponent of sunscreen! A broad spectrum sunscreen that will protect and lightly moisturize the skin is key! Many formulation are non clogging and will assure protection for hours. If breakouts persist I always recommend visiting a dermatologist to talk about options. A word to the wise however, think long and hard before putting your child on strong medication such as Accutane. These types of drugs can have long terms, negative effects. In the meantime take advantage of your facialist to assist your child with monthly facials and education about proper use of products. Sometimes hearing information from a professional source can go a long way in improving the daily habits of your teen.

Keene Cosmetics-Smart Skin Care

Skin Lightening with Hyrdroquinone

   I am continuing the series on skin lightening by talking about one of the most popular lightening products on the market, hydroquinone.
Hydroquinone is a topical cream that helps reverse the signs of sun damage and melasma through interrupting the receptors in the skin that causes the melanocytes to discolor. Hydroquinone inhibits tyrosinase which is responsible for the melanin darkening.
   Hydroquinone can be found in smaller doses blended with moisturizers at department stores. These by law cannot be any more than 2% in strength.  However, the most effective strength is 4% through prescription only. You can purchase 4% strength at medspas and physician offices.
     I would be remiss to not talk about some controversy that has surrounded hydroquinone in the past decade.  Some studies have claimed that there is a carcinogen connection to the use of hydroquinone. In studies lab rats were given high doses (up to 10%) of the ingredient orally and topically. Of course the application is only topical in humans and the FDA has only approved up to 4% here in the United States. Countries in Africa and Asia are known to regularly use up to 10% topical formulations.
As with anything you will want to ask your professional provider if you are a good candidate for the product.
    Check back next week for more information about skin care,  product trends and everything beauty.