So I recently arrived back from the Epicuren Symposium and here is a quote from their material about their enzyme:

“Aerobics for the skin: Medical studies and life experiences prove that when you exercise your body, your metabolism and cellular activity increase – keeping your body young and fit.”

I love when others validate my own thinking!

Oh the on going saga of my time with the CA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology continues. It would seem that I didn’t sign the bottom of the form I sent in with my check for an establishment license and the fine that went with it. So I am now in big trouble and owe a $575 fine instead of my $25 one. *sigh* So I called and asked what was up with that since I got this form stating I owed money and no reason checked. After the usual 40min on hold I spoke to the usual b*tchy state board employee. The lady said that there was no appeals process and that I needed to pay the full fine. When I told her that a $25 to $575 fine seemed ridiculous considering I sent in my paperwork and check in ample time. She stated, “If you can’t follow simple instructions like signing the bottom of the form then what do you expect?” I said I expected someone to notify me that my paperwork was incomplete and that I had X number of days to rectify the problem or a $575 fine would be instated. Her reply was, “I assure you ma’am there is NO appeal process and you must pay the additional fine for this violation or we will revoke your esthetic licence. We don’t have time to contact everyone who can’t follow directions.” Yes indeedy this is how the state board treats everyone. Since I believe in Karma I must assume I pissed of some God to get this kind of crap sent my way, but I am comforted in knowing that if Karma pays out to everyone who is treated the same by the Sate Board as I am (which is everyone) then they will all be horribly maimed in the next Sacramento based earthquake.

We’ve all had it happen – a zit pops up and we need it gone NOW! As an Esthetician with a room full of products and tools I could easily zap that sucker fast, but if you just don’t have the time to rush over to me here are a few zit zapping tricks.

DON’T PICK IT!

I am not kidding. Don’t do it. Your fingers are not a tool. In fact, they are a scar forming destructive force of oil and bacteria. If you pick the thing you are going to create a mess. I promise you, you aren’t going to be able to make the thing look better. Instead the inflammation and redness will increase. This means your concealer isn’t going to stick to it as well and it’s going to be puffy under the concealer too!

Instead…

If you have a couple of days to make it go away use a spot treatment. My two favorites are the overnight treatments Osmosis Clarify Serum for red, pussy, puffy pimples, or Bioelements Kerafole Mask for scabby or “underground” pimples. Put a little bit of either product on the spot (more isn’t better!) and sleep with it on. In a day or two the spot will be gone. You can also use an over the counter benzoyl peroxide cream, but it never works as well and usually leaves you dealing with flaking skin in that area which is almost as annoying as the zit!

If today is the big day and the zit just appeared (damn that stress!) then first realize that we are only going to do damage control. We will be able to help the blemish a bit and then cover it. That’s it. Think Better Not Perfect.

Damage Control Home Facial

1. Wash your face.
2. LIGHTLY (please don’t go rubbing your face off!) exfoliate the area with a light scrub or mild acid mask.
3. Use a warm compress on the spot for 5-10 minutes (I like to wet a wash cloth, fold it, and stick it in the microwave for 15 seconds). You want it warm but not scalding. Then use a cool compress (DO NOT USE ICE) for an equal amount of time. This stops the swelling.
4. If there is a white top on the pimple try to lightly rub it off with a warm wash cloth or gently stab it with a CLEAN needle. Let it ooze out on its own. DO NO SQUEEZE!!!
5. Apply an anti-acne mask like Bioelements Kerafole Mask to fight the bacteria and sooth the area.
6. Apply an SPF to stop scaring.
7. Use a good concealer, preferably one that will help heal the zit at the same time like Jane Iredale’s Disappear. Ignore what people say about green concealer. That’s just crazy in this day and age.
8. If the spot is still really red so the concealer won’t cover it soak a cotton pad in Visine and apply to the area for a minute or two. This constricts the blood vessels for a couple of hours. This is ONLY to be used in emergency circumstances. Long term it isn’t good for the skin. Now apply concealer.
9. Dust some powder over the spot.

Viola! You are ready to go.

There’s been a ton of buzz about a new berry called Sea Buckhorn. China has been keeping it a secret since they started studies on it in the 1930, but everyone is now jumping on the band wagon. Usually I am wary of any “NEW AMAZING” ingredient, but the studies on this one are compelling. So far the best results for healing and anti-aging are to take it internally or eat the whole berry, but post op and burn victims who have been treated topically with this berry have healed faster and with less scaring than with the usual treatments.

The magic of this little fruit is what it contains: Vit E, C, B. 36 kinds of flavanoids, folic acid, and 106 types of oils and organic acids which include quinic acid, malic acid, palmitic acid, and linoleic acid. And Carotenoids like beta carotene, lycopene, and zeaxanthine.

Keep your eyes peeled for this one. I know I am!