Why You Don’t Need Eye Cream

Posted on by Candy Langan RN

The first place we start to show age is around our eyes. Because we become desperate, eye creams have become one of the most popular gimmicky cosmetic products advertised today.

The eyeball is actually surrounded by fat and a thin muscle holds the fat back into place. When the muscle weakens through age or genetics, the fat becomes “bags” under your eyes. These “fat bags” cannot be reduced by topical chemicals, skin care creams, or under eye rollers & massage. The best way to correct this problem is with a surgical procedure called a blepharoplasty, either through a skin incision made under the eyelashes or through an invisible incision made on the inside of the lower lid.

So, let’s talk about what we should do to slow down the aging process of our eyes. First, let’s not forget that our eyelid skin is thin and delicate. Both our epidermal (outer layer) and our dermal (inner alive layer) are equally delicate. Remember our goal in medical skincare is to decrease the dead outer layer and increase the alive inner layer. This reversal is what anti-aging skin care is all about.

With this understanding, it makes sense to apply your Academy by Candy Glycolic Crème-10 to your eyelids. But how? Simply, massage a small amount of crème over your entire face and neck and use the remaining bit both under and over your eyelids.

Voila. This will help tighten the area around your eyes.

Self-Love and Skincare (Ali’s Journey)

Posted on by Candy Langan RN

I just saw a patient today who was so sad. She broke my heart. Her name was Ali and she was exhausted, frustrated, alone, and unhappy. Actually, I hate to say it, but she “looked a mess.”

Ali was a caretaker all her life. I don’t think she has ever done anything for herself. Her self-esteem is at 0. Not knowing which way to turn, she came to me for a complete consultation to discuss all of her options to make her look better and feel better.

We spent our time together beginning first with what bothered her the most about her appearance. We then discussed all options available today to improve those features. We talked about everything from invasive surgical procedures (such as a facelift or eye lift), non-invasive techniques (such as Venus Legacy and Zerona technology) for skin tightening and body contouring, and of course medical strength glycolic acid for facial skin rejuvenation.

Ali decided she was neither ready psychologically or financially to begin anything major. Fortunately, she was able to begin doing something for herself by using my Academy by Candy Medical Skin Care Products.

Just sending her home with a positive outlook on life was not only important to her, but to me as well. I have spent my life working with women like Ali. A little can improve so much. I’ve seen it happen over and over again. Her skin will no longer look gray and dull. Her fine lines will be gone and she will glow not only on the outside, but on the inside as well. Together, we will follow Ali’s life in upcoming articles.

Ali’s Journey Part 2

Ali’s Journey Part 3

Why You Won’t Have Gorgeous Skin & What To Do About It

Posted on by Candy Langan RN

Sun worshippers and smokers won’t have gorgeous skin. 

A gorgeous complexion just isn’t going to happen for you if you fall into one or both of these categories. Here’s why.

Sun Exposure

Minimizing sun exposure is key, but how? All too often, our patients disparagingly admit to baking in the sun while in their youth, using oils and reflectors. However, as adults, many of these people continue to bask. They may say, “I don’t sit in the sun.” But, they admit to walking in the sun, playing tennis, and playing golf. The sun rays do not offer special dispensation for these activities. Sun exposure is sun exposure! If the sun is unavoidable, then frequent application of a good sunscreen is mandatory. Read our FAQ on sun damage. 

Smokers

Smoking “reeks” havoc with the skin. It reduces the oxygen-carrying blood supply and nutrients vital to healthy skin. The result is a dry, flaky, wrinkled, discolored facial surface. While most of the damage caused by smoking is therapeutically reversible, those who still smoke will continue to damage their skin.

So, how do you not only acquire but maintain a beautiful, smooth facial surface?

First, a note on your genes. Good genes provide the basis for quality skin. Fortunately or unfortunately, we have no control over our inherited familial characteristics. Similarly, as aging is part of life, how we age is, to some degree, genetically pre-determined. However, we can significantly influence the quality of our aging facial skin by paying judicious attention to appropriate skin care. So what can we do to help our skin appear well?

Nutrition and Exercise

A good nutritious dietary regime including adequate hydration with ample fluid intake and consistent moderate exercise program tend to promote overall health that includes our largest organ, the skin.

Moisturize

Preventing skin dryness with constant topical moisturization plays a major role contributing to a smooth healthy appearing skin.

Exfoliate

In addition to keeping your body healthy and moisturizing, the most proactive consideration in achieving and maintaining a radiant, youthful smooth skin tone is the adoption and incorporation of the Academy by Candy Skin Care program, based on medical strength glycolic acid.

By the time we hit age 30, 50% of our collagen and elastin is lost. And each year after that, we generate less and less—causing lines, wrinkles and sagging to occur. What we want to do is to trigger the collagen and elastin again. Academy products have the ability to travel to the deeper dermal layer of the skin where our collagen and elastin cells live. The low pH glycolic in Academy by Candy products “smacks” the cells in the deep layer of skin back into rejuvenation. With the collagen and elastin working again, the aging process is slowed down and reversed.

The Academy System consists of a program of home maintenance with the application of Academy Glycolic Acid every morning and night. We have Hydro Light Plus-15, and Acne Control-10 for your individual skincare needs.

We have long-term experience of 30+ years employing the Academy System of medical skin care. Our many happy patients who have been absolutely thrilled with their lovely facial skin speaks volumes about the effectiveness. They no longer feel ashamed to show their skin, enhancing self-confidence and self-acceptance.

As I always say:

Looking good is feeling good. Feeling good is looking good.

7 Skincare Mistakes and Misconceptions

Posted on by Candy Langan RN

That expensive cost-more-than-botox “celebrity favorite” moisturizer isn’t shrinking your pores.

It’s shrinking your wallet.

I have seen tens of thousands of patients over the last 25+ years as a Registered Nurse, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgical First Assistant, and Clinical Specialist for Head and Neck, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

What do many of my patients have in common?

Besides wanting their skin to glow, be as smooth as a baby’s skin, and stop the skin aging process, they have committed some major crimes in the skin care arena.

Here are 7 of the most common mistakes and misconceptions people make regarding their skin care. 

Mistake #1: Believe every advertisement.

The first and foremost mistake is believing everything we read, hear, and see. Commercialism is amazingly brainwashing. Remember, their goal is to sell, sell, sell. So when they tell you that the collagen inside the product will plump your skin, think again. (This is actually impossible.)

Mistake #2: Change skincare products often because your skin adapts.

Good skin care habits should be exactly that: a good habit. A habit means consistency, not a walk through the mall this week to purchase “this” and next week to purchase “that” because “this” wasn’t your miracle and the new ad promises that  “that” will definitely be your magic wand. Stop wasting your money. Use a really proven effective product and stick with it. You’ll be amazed. Over time, you’ll achieve dramatic improvements.

Mistake #3: Apply a variety of different skincare products to maximize the result.

Applying too many different products is also a mistake. More is not better. Keep skin care simple but effective.

Mistake #4: Food doesn’t affect your skin.

Don’t think you can mistreat your body all you want and that the latest product on the market will fix your damaged skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body and it protects all the other organs. So let’s protect it by being proactive. Make no mistake, diet plays a very important role in good skin care. Reduce intake of alcohol, sugar, caffeine, and salt. Everything in moderation.

Mistake #5: Smoking won’t age your skin if you use anti-aging products.

Smoking is fine as long as you wash your face well and use an anti-aging cream. WRONG! The effect smoking has on the skin is as damaging as it is to your other organs.

Mistake #6: Only use sunscreen when you go to the beach.

Though we all know how bad the sun is for our skin, we think applying sun screen before venturing to the beach is all we need to do. Most people give little thought as to how and where to apply this annoying cream that we really don’t want on anyway. First, make sure all exposed areas of the body are covered including ears, lips, hairline, feet, etc. Second, and very importantly, REAPPLY, REAPPLY, REAPPLY!

Mistake #7: Expensive skincare products work the best. More money = better results.

“You get what you pay for.” WRONG. Believing that the more expensive your product is, the better it must be is a big misnomer. The truth is most often your dollars are paying for expensive packaging as well as very expensive advertising. Buyer Beware!

Think you’re making a mistake but not sure? Received conflicting advice? Leave a comment or write to me personally to find out.

Look Younger With a Slap in the Face

Posted on by Candy Langan RN

A slap in the face will stimulate collagen.

slap-me-again-im-looking-for-that-youthful-glow--910ff

Temporarily!

This is seen in micro-dermabrasion or other so-called collagen stimulators. It is so temporary that once the initial swelling and/or puffiness is gone, so is the collagen. This usually happens within hours.

Our goal at Academy by Candy is to continue collagen and elastin regeneration far longer than simply a few hours.

With daily use of a properly formulated glycolic acid creme, this is possible.

Why do we want to stimulate collagen?

Remember, by the time we reach 30 we have lost about 50% of our collagen and elastin cells.

Loss of collagen = wrinkles.

Loss of elastin = sagging.

Scary isn’t it? Not any more.

Now, we have proven that Academy glycolic acid, with its small molecular size, can penetrate deep into the level of skin where your collagen and elastin cells are born. This is the basis of anti-aging skincare.

With Academy’s low pH, we are slapping them into reproduction.

Who’s ready for a slap in the face today?