What is Microcurrent??

Microcurrent is becoming the HOTTEST facial treatment of 2016!   

It's been popular in California; Celebrities have been doing Microcurrent facials to avoid injectables, such as Botox or fillers and even avoid face lifts.

What is Microcurrent??

Microcurrent uses electromagnetic waves that performs two incredible functions:

1) It works the facial muscles (think of it as a workout for the face).  It will minimize fine lines and can even smooth out deep wrinkles as well as lift and tone sagging skin.  

2) It aids in penetration of products - which means that it can help treat skin conditions like Acne, Rosacea and dark spots or uneven skin tone and shrink pore size.

Microcurrent even works under the eye area and can minimize dark circles, fine lines, and even wrinkled, crepey skin in the eye area.

Who can benefit from Microcurrent Facials??

Anyone over the age of 25 who is concerned with aging skin such as fine lines or deeper wrinkles, sagging skin and wants to continue to look young and slow down the aging process!

The earlier you start, the better the benefits are for your facial muscles!  

I've been getting a lot of questions about Microcurrent, so I've added in a Q&A...

Q:  What is a Microcurrent facial??

A:  Microcurrent can be performed with your monthly facial or it can be done as just the treatment.  

Q:  What is the facial consist of?? 

A:  Using 2 probes to lift and smooth out wrinkles and sagging skin, there are a series of movements that target the facial muscles as well as the neck.

Q:  How long is the facial??

A:  The Microcurrent treatment is about 30 minutes. The facial is 90 minutes - that includes your Customized facial with extractions, serums and a mask.

Q:  How many treatments do I need??

A:  If you're 25-35, you will need monthly Microcurrent facial.

* 35-50, you will need 6-8 weekly Microcurrent treatments, then monthly maintenance facials.

* 50+ you will need twice-weekly for 4 weeks, once a week for 4 weeks, then every 2-3 weeks for maintenance.

Q:  When will I see results??

A:  After the first treatment!

I have been practicing on my mom, sister and friend.  I literally watched my mom's dark circles under her eyes lighten up during the treatment!!

These photos are my sister before and after 1 Microcurrent facial! 

Q:  Do I need to continue with monthly Microcurrent facials??

A:  Yes.  Remember it works the muscles of the face & just like with exercise, if you don't keep up, your muscles get weak and you lose muscle tone.  The same applies to the muscles in the face, in order to maintain the results, you will need maintenance facials.  

Most clients come every 4-6 weeks for facials and Microcurrent will be added into that service each month.

Any other questions, please feel free to email me samanthaspagirl@yahoo.com or to schedule you Microcurrent Facial, please visit my website www.skindeepIL.com

If you visit my Facebook page, I have some pics, a video and additional information as well.

Do you REALLY know whats in that product you saved money purchasing online??

We are all guilty for making those online purchases because we can get a great deal.  If we spend $XX we get either FREE shipping or a gift with purchase.  How can you resist???  

Well I am here to tell you WHY buying online isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

Being an Esthetician, I trained & learned about the skin & how the skin works with certain products.  I also understand skin conditions & how certain products can make or break the desired results of your skin.  I understand that I can suggest a product to you & you can turn around & purchase it cheaper online.

Here are 5 reasons why you should take my advice and purchase through a trained professional...

#1 MOST PRODUCTS PURCHASED ON AMAZON OR EBAY ARE EXPIRED!!!!!!!! 

This is why products are sold so cheap!!!  You can be buying expired products, which means that the active ingredients are no longer effective.  Also bacteria can begin to grow because the preservatives begin to lose their effectiveness. 

Or worse yet, you're NOT getting the product that you actually bought, because it's been repackaged!

#2 HAVE YOU HEARD OF DUMPSTER DIVING??

Some people have even gone to extremes and sit outside of Sephora or Ulta or the malls waiting for expired, damaged or already opened & returned products to be tossed and they grab them and turn around & sell them online!

This is really scary, again because even if it's packaged as the product you're buying, it may not be that product!  If a product was damaged, they can replace it as something else.

#3 I WILL SAVE YOU MONEY OVER THE LONG-TERM: 

Here's a great example that I hear a lot in my spa..."I just bought this amazing serum because my friend told me her wrinkles are gone!".  Being a trained professional, I immediately begin to ask questions.  What kind of skin does your friend have?  Are her skin care concerns the same as yours? How does YOUR skin feel when you use it?

I see it constantly, most of us are using the wrong products that just don't work for our skin.  Most OTC product lines carry specific lines, such as anti-aging, acne, rosacea or treatment of dark spots.

By using a professional line and getting the help from a Licensed Esthetician, you will be using a product that works and you won't have to waste your money trying all these products that can dry you out, strip your skin of oil or even cause breakouts!

#4 YOU CAN TOUCH, SMELL & FEEL PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS!!

Most spas & Estheticians offer FREE skin care consultations that INCLUDE a Cleanse, Exfoliation & Moisturizing treatment.  We also have you bring in your current products to see what you’re using to ensure nothing will irritate or create a negative effect in your skin.

Again, being licensed in Skin, we can understand if something is not working and we can get you in a product that will work.  

#5 YOU ARE IN THE BEST HANDS (NO PUN INTENDED)...

When my clients come in, the first thing I do is touch their skin & feel it before beginning any service.  This tells me the current condition of your skin and can help guide me to ask questions about products or your current regimen.

I then base my facials to fit specific needs at that time and re-evalute your at home products and adjust at the end.  

Estheticians are your personal skin care consultant.  Find one that you love and stick with her, because your skin WILL Thank You in the end!

Facials aren't just a Luxury anymore

Do you remember being little and watching your grandmother sit with that green mask on & cucumbers on her eyes?? Or better yet, put on that shiny mask she would then peel off??

Yes, because my grandma was one of those women and I remember watching her and being so in awe of how cool she looked & couldn't wait to try it!

I also remember watching movies as a child and every time the "wealthy" mother would get a facial, she would lay with a white or green mask on, cucumbers on her eyes, and a glass of champagne!  

At the time, facials looked so luxurious and seemed that it was only something the rich and famous were able to do.

Even though more and more spas are popping up with Facials being the main focus, many of us still have that thought process about Facials = Luxury!

From an Esthetician's point-of-view, I'd like to change that misperception.

When I was in beauty school, I learned all about pampering and how to give a GREAT European Facial, complete with a full facial & neck massage.

Fast forward to now and the European facial is hardly ever promoted or even given anymore.

Clients are searching for results and want instant gratification, which is why Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion and Laser services have become so popular.

Unfortunately, these treatments cause the skin to become inflamed by removing too much of the skin's delicate barrier.  Inflammation as we all know is swelling.  When you inflame the skin, it swells and that is exactly why Chemical peels, microdermabrasion and most "spa-like" exfoliation treatment is so popular - INSTANT GRATIFICATION!

So now what??

What I'm seeing now from fellow Estheticians, Trade magazines and the Media, is that the majority of us are suffering from some sort of skin condition that makes us uncomfortable and have to wear makeup to "hide" our not-so-perfect skin.

We are seeking Facials that not only relax us but TREAT our skin!  This is where going to an experienced Esthetician comes in...

6 years ago, when I opened my own Spa, I took the time to read, research, and find out exactly what it is clients want NOW.

The answer = RESULTS!!!

There is a way to get a great facial and get results too!  As a client, YOU are the one who has to be 100% on board.  We have the training, education and knowledge to help guide you, adjust products and utilize our tools.  But it is up to YOU to follow through and stick with your regimen.

We are able to help you with Acne and re-hydrate dry skin or  treat Acne, Melasma and control oil all in one treatment.

My biggest piece of advice, is to do your research on your Esthetician.  Go online, check out the spa's website and schedule a consultation with your Esthetician to get a feel for her personality and her recommendations for your skin.

Ask questions and bring in your current home-care so she knows EXACTLY what you're doing at home.  Unless we see your skin and your current products, we can't figure out exactly what's going on or why certain things aren't working for you.

Even though Facials are now results-driven, doesn't mean they're not relaxing.  You get both!!  But instead of the entire facial being all about massage, a portion is because we want those active ingredients to get into the skin and we can't do that without a great facial massage!

Please reach out to me with questions: samanthaspagirl@yahoo.com - I LOVE to help!

Please check out my website: www.skindeepIL.com

Toxic Ingredients in Beauty Products

Many of us are aware of reading food labels and purchasing certain produce because it's on the Dirty Dozen list.  We know that pesticides and GMO's are bad to consume, so we try hard to avoid them on a daily basis.

But did you know that there is a Dirty Dozen in beauty products too??

Certain ingredients that are commonly used in many beauty products are cheap to use and serve as either a great fragrance, smooth application or even as a preservative to keep the product from spoiling quickly.

When big box manufacturers produce beauty products, they dump all their ingredients in a vat and make HUGE batches at a time.  These products are filled with large amounts of fillers and preservatives because they sit on shelves in warehouses for months or even years before you purchase them from a store.

Worse yet, all they need is less than 0.1% of an active ingredient to state on the label that it will reduce wrinkles, minimize acne or even the skin tone.

When a product DOES work to reduce wrinkles, it's NOT the active ingredients working, it's the fact that your skin has had a reaction to the fillers and irritating ingredients and becomes inflammed, which causes the skin to swell or "plump" the skin which gives the appearance of diminished fine lines and wrinkles.

The problem is that this causes MORE aging to the skin and overtime creates unnecessary skin sensitivities that can be prevented.

Without further ado, I give you the Dirty Dozen in beauty products...

1) Sodium Lauryl or Laureth Sulfate (SLS)
Used in garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers, this ingredient is in 90% of our beauty products. SLS is what gives our products their ability to foam.  SLS can poses serious health threats and young eyes may not develop properly.  SLS may also damage the skin's immune system.

Found in baby washes, baby shampoo, antibacterial hand soap, shaving cream, shampoo & body washes.

2) Propylene, Butylene and Ethylene Glycol (Propylene Glycol is the most common)
Found in Antifreeze and used to de-ice planes.  Glycols acts as a surfactant (wetting agent & solvent) that penetrates the skin & weakens the protein & cell structures.  Glycols are strong enough to remove barnacles from boats and factory workers are required by the FDA to wear protective clothing when using & disposing of these ingredients. 

Found in baby wipes, diaper creams, baby lotion, facial cleansing cloths, facial cleansers, body washes, shampoo & toothpaste.

3) DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine) & TEA (Triethanolamine)
Hormone-disrupting chemicals that can form cancer-causing nitrates.  These ingredients can potentially increase the risk of liver and kidney cancers which can be more prominent in children.

Found in body lotion, body washes, cleansers & shampoo.

4) Polyethylene Glycol
Carcinogenic petroleum-based ingredient that reduces the skin's natural moisture.  Polyethylene Glycol increases the appearance of aging and leaves you vulnerable to bacteria.

Found in baby wipes, diaper creams, baby lotion, cleansers, body washes & deodorant.

5) Sodium Hydroxide
This caustic Lye is the main ingredient in Drain-O.  May be fatal or cause permanent damage if swallowed - AVOID all contact with skin, eyes, mouth & clothing.  Olives are soaked in Sodium Hydroxide to give them their "black" color.

Found in toothpaste, baby lotions, hand & body creams.

6) Triclosan
Commonly used anti-microbial agent that accumulates in our bodies and has been linked to hormone disruption and the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria.  Triclosan is found in our sewage treatment plants, ground, surface and drinking water and CANNOT be completely removed during water treatment processes.

Found in antibacterial hand washes, soaps and toys.

7) DMDM and Urea
These formaldeyhde-releasing ingredients are KNOWN carcinogens.   These ingredients act as preservatives and can cause joint pain, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pain, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep.

Found in body washes, body lotion, antibacterial hand washes, cleansers and shampoo.

8) Parabens
Have the ability to cause estrogenic-effects in the body.  The problem is, the Dutch study that started the paraben scare, was a blind study and only showed that parabens were present in ALL breast cancer patients.   Parabens are a preservative and are seen as methyl-, ethyl, propyl-, and butyl-parabens.

Found in baby wipes, baby lotions, baby washes, antibacterial and hand soaps, facial wipes, body lotions and shampoo.

9) Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40)
Drying, irritating solvent that strips the skin of its natural moisture and immune barrier, making us vulnerable to bacteria and viruses.  Made from the same petroleum-derivative as shellac and antifreeze.  Alcohol promotes brown spots and premature aging.

Found in creams, lotions and deodorants.

10) Mineral Oil
Petroleum by-product that coats the skin, similar to plastic wrap, which clogs the pores.  Mineral oil interferes with the skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promotes acne and other skin disorders.  It also slows down skin function & cell development, which promotes aging.

Found in lotions and creams.

11) FD&C Color Pigments 
Synthetic coal tar that deposits toxins on the skin, causing skin irritations.  Absorption of certain colors can deplete oxygen in the body.

Found in makeup, shampoo, toothpaste, body washes, cleansers, baby products, wipes, hand washes, deodorant, lotions and creams.

12) Fragrance
Can contain one of 4,000 ingredients (which over 2,000 are toxic or carcinogenic).  Fragrances are NOT regulated by the FDA and a fragrance is a general word put on a food or beauty label.   Fragrances affect the Nervous System and can cause headaches, dizziness, allergic reactions, depression, nausea, vomiting, coughing, skin discoloration, hyperactivity and irritability.

Found in practically EVERYTHING!!!  Even non-fragrance products contain some form of fragrance!!!!!

Here's the bottom line, print this out and read labels when shopping for beauty products.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me, I'm happy to guide you to safer products for you and your family.