How to Make Your Pores Look Invisible

Posted on by Candy Langan RN

This is the million dollar question! So let’s talk about why your pores are big, how to reduce the size, and how to make sure they stay that way.

Why are our pores so big?

When our oil glands make too much oil, our pores enlarge. When our pores are enlarged, they clog. The clogged pores then enlarge even more. This vicious cycle creates an unsightly appearance of large pores, which then often filled with debris—becoming white heads or even blackheads.

How do we reduce the size of our pores and keep them that way?

The goal is to first unclog these pores, reduce blackheads, and minimize the appearance of enlarged pores. Next, and most importantly, a good preventative skin care regime must become a routine.

  1. A strong (70%) unbuffered (0.5 pH) glycolic acid peel should be performed first, including a gentle lifting out of the debris, one by one. (No extractor or squeezing, please. This causes scarring.)

2. A daily routine must be implemented of gently cleansing and exfoliating the skin.

3. Use a salicylic acid combined with a low pH (unbuffered) glycolic acid toner. This will be your best preventative solution.

Click here to look at a special kit containing all of these products.

What should we avoid?

Stay away from:

  1. Oily skin care moisturizers
  2. Oily sunscreens

Remember to stay hydrated and healthy, drinking at least two liters of water per day and eating a balanced diet of natural foods. What you eat does affect your skin. Your skin is the largest organ of your body.

Is Pollution Damaging Your Skin?

Posted on by Candy Langan RN

Researchers in Germany, Switzerland, and the USA recently published results on the impact of air pollution on aging in a group of 400 women. The aging of the women’s skin was assessed by a well-established skin aging score called SCINEXA (score of intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging), which showed clearly that exposure to environmental pollution is linked to skin aging and hyperpigmentation (age spots).

First, the small carbon particles in air pollution enter the body and stimulate our cells’ production of the pigment melanin. Several ingredients in skin care products have proven to block tyrosinase (the precursor to melanin). The most effective being Licorice Extract when it is combined with low pH glycolic acid. This combination provides a deep penetration which prevents tyrosinase from stimulating the melanin.

Second, and even more important, these polluted particles penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis and even into the dermal layer of the skin causing inflammation. This increases the rate of collagen destruction, creating aging skin, loss of elasticity, and wrinkles. Remember, by the time we are 30, we will have lost approximately 30% of our collagen cells. So, whether we have skin damage due to the sun, pollution or simply real time aging our goal is to reverse this loss of collagen and slow up it’s destruction. To date the most effective way to stimulate new collagen cells and slow the aging process of the skin is to consistently use a low pH glycolic acid cream at least twice daily.

Third, since pollution actually leaves residue on the surface of the skin and even deeper into clogged pores, cleansing properly is critical. A good fragrance-free cleanser should remove all makeup and debris thoroughly, followed by a gentle buffing of the skin with a cool wet buff puff or sponge to assist in exfoliation.

Fourth, protect the skin from further damage by using a good sunscreen moisturizer daily as well as remembering to reapply when exposed to the sun.

These simple steps, if followed 2 to 3 times a day, will guarantee beautiful, glowing, and youthful looking skin.

Are you damaging your skin when exercising?

Posted on by Candy Langan RN

Anne turned 50 recently and decided it was finally time to get in shape. Membership to the local gym was a delightful gift from her husband Bill. After starting her exercise routine, Anne asked me if working out was causing her adult acne. She wrote, “My goal was to look better not worse! Please help me out.”

Many people notice that exercise perspiration causes not only their face to break out, but their body to show pimples, acne, and bumps as well. Science no longer believes that sweating cleans your pores but that it actually causes your pores to become blocked and grow bacteria. This red inflammation is called a pimple.

Anne can follow a few simple guidelines to resolve this situation before it becomes a major problem. Problems could potentially include permanent acne scaring and an increase in lines and wrinkles, as well as an unsightly complexion.

Here are three tips to use to make sure your workout routine does not damage or ruin your skin.

1. NO MAKEUP AT THE GYM

Unlike, her 20 or 30 year old workout partners, Anne always arrived at the gym well groomed, which meant makeup. The first recommendation is to start your workout with a clean face. That’s easy in the morning but what about the days you go after work? No excuses! You must wash your face thoroughly before beginning your workout. An easy trick is to simply wipe the face down with Academy’s Acne Control-10 if you can’t wash.

2. EXERCISE IN MODERATIONyoga

Everything in moderation! Unless your goal is to train for a triathlon, I like moderate exercise including Pilates and yoga. I’ve always believed excessive jogging and fat burning does created an aging, sickly looking face. Fortunately, for those who have abused their faces with extremes, we can offer solutions such as non-permanent fillers and Academy medical based skin care products.

3. CLEAN YOUR BODY AND CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES IMMEDIATELY

Always take a cool shower, shampoo your hair, and change your clothes as soon as possible after exercising. Remember to rinse the conditioner out of your hair thoroughly before washing your face and body. The residue of the conditioner could be affecting your skin. Use Academy’s Gentle Facial Cleanser to cleanse thoroughly and calm your facial skin. Pat dry and wait one minute before applying Academy Hydrolight Plus 15 to prevent breakouts. In the presence of active breakouts, use Acne Control-10 instead.

Also, if your exercising brings you outdoors you’ll be wearing a hat and sunscreen, both of which may cause you to breakout. Sweating under your hat for long periods of time is a likely culprit of clogged pores. Remove your hat as soon as possible and wipe quickly with Academy’s Acne Control when water is unavailable.

Take less than 10 minutes to practice these easy steps to guarantee your face will look as healthy as your body feels.

How to Make Your Pores Look Invisible

Posted on by Candy Langan RN

This is the million dollar question! So let’s talk about why your pores are big, how to reduce the size, and how to make sure they stay that way.

Why are our pores so big?

When our oil glands make too much oil, our pores enlarge. When our pores are enlarged, they clog. The clogged pores then enlarge even more. This vicious cycle creates an unsightly appearance of large pores, which then often fill with debris—becoming white heads or even blackheads.

How do we reduce the size of our pores and keep them that way?

The goal is to first unclog these pores, reduce blackheads, and minimize the appearance of enlarged pores. Next, and most importantly, a good preventative skin care regime must become a routine.

  1. A strong (50%) unbuffered (0.5 pH) glycolic acid peel should be performed first, including a gentle lifting out of the debris, one by one. (No extractor or squeezing, please. This causes scarring.)

2. A daily routine must be implemented of gently cleansing and exfoliating the skin.

3. Use a salicylic acid combined with a low pH (unbuffered) glycolic acid toner. This will be your best preventative solution.

Click here to look at a special kit containing all of these products.

What should we avoid?

Stay away from:

  1. Oily skin care moisturizers
  2. Oily sunscreens

Remember to stay hydrated and healthy, drinking at least two liters of water per day and eating a balanced diet of natural foods. What you eat does affect your skin. Your skin is the largest organ of your body.

Is Pollution Damaging Your Skin?

Posted on by Candy Langan RN

Researchers in Germany, Switzerland, and the USA recently published results on the impact of air pollution on aging in a group of 400 women. The aging of the women’s skin was assessed by a well-established skin aging score called SCINEXA (score of intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging), which showed clearly that exposure to environmental pollution is linked to skin aging and hyperpigmentation (age spots).

First, the small carbon particles in air pollution enter the body and stimulate our cells’ production of the pigment melanin. Several ingredients in skin care products have proven to block tyrosinase (the precursor to melanin). The most effective being Licorice Extract when it is combined with low pH glycolic acid. This combination provides a deep penetration which prevents tyrosinase from stimulating the melanin.

Second, and even more important, these polluted particles penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis and even into the dermal layer of the skin causing inflammation. This increases the rate of collagen destruction, creating aging skin, loss of elasticity, and wrinkles. Remember, by the time we are 30, we will have lost approximately 30% of our collagen cells. So, whether we have skin damage due to the sun, pollution or simply real time aging our goal is to reverse this loss of collagen and slow up it’s destruction. To date the most effective way to stimulate new collagen cells and slow the aging process of the skin is to consistently use a low pH glycolic acid cream at least twice daily.

Third, since pollution actually leaves residue on the surface of the skin and even deeper into clogged pores, cleansing properly is critical. A good fragrance-free cleanser should remove all makeup and debris thoroughly, followed by a gentle buffing of the skin with a cool wet buff puff or sponge to assist in exfoliation.

Fourth, protect the skin from further damage by using a good sunscreen moisturizer daily as well as remembering to reapply when exposed to the sun.

These simple steps, if followed 2 to 3 times a day, will guarantee beautiful, glowing, and youthful looking skin.