Year: 2012

411 on Hyperpigmentation

Posted on Cybil SolynLeave a commentPosted in Skincare

While many people are born with it, some people develop a skin pigmentation disorder over time and don’t even realize it. Pigmentation refers to the color of a person’s skin, and skin pigmentation disorders come in many forms like an uneven or blotchy complexion, age spots, liver spots, freckles and birth marks. When someone has a pigmentation disorder, they are either having an overproduction (think brown, purple, or pink spots) or an underproduction of a certain pigment (think Michael Jackson).

Melanin is the name of this pigment, and it is responsible for protecting us from those harmful UV rays that come from the sun. The more sun exposure we have, the more melanin is supposed to be deposited, and as a result, the skin gets darker, aka a “tan”.

Overproduction of melanin, or “hyper-pigmentation”, can also be caused by damaging the dermis through wounds, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiency or prescription drugs. The sad thing about pigmentation is that once you see it, it’s too late. The damage has already been done.

However, don’t lose hope! There are ways to reduce the pigment and decreasing the appearance of hyper-pigmentation in addition to smoothing and evening out the skin tone. There are lots of products and treatments that work on this. If this is something that bothers you come in and we can start to work on it because no matter what your skin concern, I look forward to working with you to achieve beautiful, radiant skin.

Feel Good With Winter Transition

Posted on Cybil SolynLeave a commentPosted in Wellness

Winter? What Winter?
Living in SoCal makes winter a bit of a joke to those in colder more dreary parts of the country, but there is still a change even in sunny CA. Are you ready for them? Here are some tips and tricks I use to help me transition to “Winter”.
Get Physical
Exercise is always important, but it’s extra important when less hours of daylight and cooler weather leave us more time to sit at home and eat comfort foods. We are lucky enough to have outdoor exercise weather all year long, but when it gets dark at 5pm you may not be able to be outdoorsy as often. Find something inside to do. Yoga, a Zumba class, some free weights, or even the stairs at work.
Eating healthy is equally important. Don’t pass up the homemade sweets your favorite co-worker brings in, but cut down on the soda and chips to leave room for those special holiday treats. I also aim for one salad every day. This keeps me feeling less guilty about the cinnamon roll I had for breakfast!

In an Emotional State
When the holidays approach and things get hectic with relatives coming over and social events that need to be planned, keep things simple and realistic. Instead of trying to please others, think about what you would like yourself. That way you’ll feel less overwhelmed or physically drained – which is really what those who love you want for you.

Relax!
Take time for yourself. I see it every year people dashing about like mad and forgetting how important THEY are. I make you a priority in my studio, and I hope that your time with me reminds you to do the same for yourself.

More Time for You
Think about making an additional visit to me or someone else who helps you relax and recharge. You may want to break up a longer, multi-appointment session into two during the hectic holiday season so you have more opportunities to relax. Remember, no matter how you do it, be kind to yourself.

Real Men Get Facials

Posted on Cybil SolynLeave a commentPosted in Skincare, Wellness

Facials are Manly
This just in – real men get facials. Yeah, really. From your college professor to the fireman who saved your cat from the tree, men are starting to see why skin care is so important and it’s isn’t just to look good – though that’s an added perk.

Men are by nature problem solvers. So unless they see a problem they don’t think about it. Even dudes who go to the gym, watch their diet, and think of their bodies as a temple forget that their skin and face is part of that network.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and our first line of defense against sickness and disease. Men are 37% more likely to get skin cancer over women from ignorance on proper skin care. Tell a man that and suddenly he’s got a problem he wants to solve.

Sure, for some a facial will seem “gay” or just plain scary. But once you explain the benefits of facials and skin care to them, they change those antiquated machismo ideas and become dedicated skin fitness enthusiasts.

Why Men Love Facials

  1. Looking good. In this day and age men are feeling the same pressures as women to look good. Clean pores, clear skin, and less wrinkles are all things that are important for looking well groomed and professional.
  2. Staying healthy. The skin is a hard working, protective layer the covers the entire body. It connects and touches everything. Proper daily skin care keeps it and therefore you healthy.
  3. Relaxation. Men need down time just as much as women. Study after study has proven that touch is among the best ways for the body to de-stress.
  4. Results. Problem solver men are goal oriented and once a skin care regime is started they get excited about the positive results they see.

So if you’re a dude, or have a dude in your life, go get a facial. Let a trained professional help your skin stay healthy. Trust me, facials are great and you’ll thank yourself later.

Wondering what a first facial might be like? I have an entire page just for first time facial newbies like you.

A Glow That Doesn’t Fade

Posted on Cybil SolynLeave a commentPosted in Skincare

We enjoy getting your skin to look it’s best. It’s our job to make sure that your face treatment is custom to you. We are able to get your face to glow and come alive, however, for continued glow, some help is needed by you. We have outlined some simple hints, according your skin type, to get you well on your way to vibrant skin each and every day.

Normal Skin

Lucky you. Your skin is smooth and isn’t prone to breakouts. That doesn’t mean you can be haphazard with skin care. Use a gentle cleanser, then moisturize with a product that includes a sunscreen to block harmful sun exposure that can prematurely age your skin.

Treat yourself to a spa facial to improve blood flow for your skin and provide overall relaxation. Classic facials consist of cleansing and exfoliating your skin with a massager and mask. Afterwards, we rinse your skin thoroughly and finish with a moisturizer.

Dry/Sensitive Skin

Dry or sensitive skin feels tight, with patchy spots and fine lines. Hydration and sun protection are essential, but heavy, oily products may irritate your skin, making matters worse. Instead, seek products with no dyes or perfumes, or that are labeled “hypoallergenic.” Rinse with cool or slightly warm water and scrub only very sparingly.

Facials for dry or sensitive skin often include masks constraining emollients, with exfoliation done manually. We may leave the mask on your face for 20 minutes or longer to allow for maximum hydration. A rich, yet light moisturizer finishes the treatment.

Oily/ Acne Prone Skin

Oily skin has large pores and shiny spots, especially across the forehead, nose and chin. Acne is a common complaint even among adults. The upside is that oily skin often conceals visible signs of aging. Vigorous cleansing and exfoliation are OK, but don’t get carried away with harsh products or too much scrubbing.

When we give facials to customers with oily skin, we focus on absorbing excess oil and lifting impurities from the pores while maintaining moisture. Cleansing and moisturizing are often followed by a clay based mask. We finish with a water based moisturizer that includes a sunscreen.

Regular cleansing and moisturizing with the right products keeps all skin types healthy. For minor breakouts or other problems, let us help with professional treatments. A facial or massage can also provide a much needed break from your normal, hectic routine.

A Younger You

Posted on Cybil SolynLeave a commentPosted in Skincare

I’m not really sure when it happens but at some point we hit a stage in life where we look in the mirror and think, “Who IS that old person peering back at me?” Or if you’re me you say, “When did I become my mother?!” While it’s inevitable that we all get older we can avoid looking it. In this day and age we have a ton of ways to ward off the signs of aging. Luckily there are skin care treatments and products that address wrinkles, uneven skin tone or whatever is making you look older than you should. You can recapture the fresh look you had when you were younger – without resorting to plastic surgery.

Facials
If your complexion looks dull and lifeless, dead skin cells or sluggish circulation may be to blame. Even if you wash your face regularly, debris and slow skin turnover rates can result in a fatigued appearance. A facial at least once a month with customized products and targeted massage can clear your skin of dead skin and perk it up with better blood flow and good nutrition. The effect is immediate and there is absolutely no down time involved.

HydraFacial
For something even more skin altering a HydraFacial may be what you seek. It’s like microdermabrasion but without any crazy abrading sand blasting. A variety of antioxidant and hydrating serums are pressed into the pored pushing out dirt and debris to be sucked up off the skin. Special tips are designed to gently exfoliate the surface of the skin while the serums are left to heal the skin for up to a week.

Chemical Peels
Standard “peels” are, in my opinion, not the best for your skin long term. Burning the top layers of skin to promote “healthy” anything is as crazy as it sounds! The peels I offer are only called peels because your skin may flake off. But not because you were burned. I feed your skin ingredients that allow it to produce more perfect cells faster. This allows the top layers of dead and damaged skin to flake off the face so the new, healthy skin can take its place. I work from the inside out which lets your true skin heal, not just the top layers. Scars, pigmentation, and aging reverse and are repaired.

You, Only Better
the treatments described above may not replace a facelift, but they can turn back time and slow it way down for most. If you have serious skin sagging and loss of elasticity, a facelift may be your only option. However, if you’ve just begun to show the signs of aging, any one of these procedures could allow us to help you to turn back the clock five or even 10 years. And if you use your products maybe even more.

Fall 2012 Color Trends

Posted on Cybil SolynLeave a commentPosted in Makeup

2b44bf5d-89a0-4300-aed0-2c6a1ffec278I’ve been combing the runway pics and fashion blogs for the fall trends and here they are in a nutshell.

Eyes: are divided this season with purple, browns and charcoals for smokey eyes and bright lips (yes you heard it bold eye AND bold lip!), or vivid jewel colors (especially purple and green) swiped all over the eyelid with long, long, LONG lashes and a nude pink lip. Both of these are matched with silvers and platinum. Gold is out and silver’s in this season.

Cheeks: are bright with orange and reds. When I see pinks they are bold and pop off the face.

Liners: are still trending thick and winged, but in an array of colors. Purple, blue, green, orange and often blends in with the eye shadow color.

Lips: As mentioned in the eye section nudes can be found, but more often red, mulberry, and brown violets are trending.

Brows: These are dark and full with real weight to them.

10 Worst Things You Can Do To Your Skin

Posted on Cybil SolynLeave a commentPosted in Skincare

dead eyes and a spot oh myRadiant skin has the ability to transform us, to take us from drab to stunning. And yet we find ways to abuse it. Here are 10 things we can all stop doing in an effort to make our skin glow.

  1. Going unprotected. We’re all bright enough to know that sunscreen is a must. It protects us from burning, wrinkling, and other signs of premature aging, but many people still make all kinds of excuses not to wear an SPF. STOP IT! There are a ton of SPF options. Whether it’s a weightless, grease-free cream, or a feels like nothing, won’t sweat into your eyes powder, there’s an SPF for everyone.
  2. Soaping it up. Using bar soap instead of facial cleanser on the face is a sure way to strip the skin of healthy oils, leaving it with fine premature aging, irritation, excess oil, and breakouts. If you don’t have a skin professional to help you make the right cleanser decision, try something sulfate free and gentle.
  3. Squeezing when we shouldn’t. As tempting as it may be to pop those zits leave them alone! When a blemish is improperly extracted (aka picked) then it can spread to other pores making the damage far, far worse. Use a spot treatment or mask plus a warm wash cloth to reduce it faster.
  4. Getting all touchy-feely. My favorite part of the movie Contagion is when Kate Winslet talks about face touching. Not only will not touching your face save you from the zombie apocalypse, but it will stop a lot of your breakout.
  5. Aggressive DIYing. There are a ton of at-home products that promise you a “spa-like” chemical peel or microdermabrasion. My client know that I HATE these things. They’re just too darn rough, and these types of kits can be damaging in the wrong hands. A professional is always the best choice if you want to affect bigger change in your skin without damage.
  6. Lighting up. Smoking impairs blood flow, meaning less oxygen and nutrients can get to the skin. Plus, there are at least 4,000 different chemicals in
    tobacco and many of them are known to damage collagen and elastin.
  7. Making poor food choices. Just because we’re adults and can choose our own meals doesn’t mean we should eat a bunch of crap. Plenty of colorful fruits and veggies will make our skin glow from within. They are the original antioxidant!
  8. You are what you drink. Okay, this is admittedly a drag, but caffeine and alcohol sap our skin of hydration, leaving us prone to wrinkles. Try and drink half your body weight in H2O a day and you’ll look like a million bucks.
  9. Skipping your ZZZ’s. I’m the first to admit I’m not the best sleeper, but our body repairs from 10pm-6am so catch as many night time sleeping hours as possible.
  10. Passing on the serum. Serums really do the heavy moisture lifting in the skin care world so find one the feels great and keeps you hydrated. It might even be able to sneak a little something else like anti-aging, blemish repair, or pigmentation lightening into the mix.

Solyn Studio 2.0 Launches

Posted on Cybil SolynLeave a commentPosted in Business

As October draws near Fall is in the air and the launch of Solyn Studio 2.0 is on its way. Thanks to everyone who filled out your survey so I could really hone in on what you all wanted.
Facial Menu
My new menu has new facials that include more time with me, and eye, lip, neck, and chest treatments included in the services.

Sugaring
It’s now officially on the menu and has new “official” prices to match. For the past three years I’ve been practicing and honing my skills on all my faithful clients off menu. Thanks to those brave souls I’m now as good at sugaring as I am at waxing and my new menu and prices reflect that. Haven’t tried sugaring? I’ll have a special soon!

Waxing
Waxing prices are increasing a bit. I’ve kept prices the same for the past four years as the price of shipping and supplies have increased but now it’s time to bump them up. I think it sucks, you think it sucks, we all think it sucks, but it’s a small increase and we’ll hardly notice after the first month.

Sample of The Month
I had a number of people request more samples. This is a tricky spot for me since I don’t really do “samples” of random products to people. In general, if I think you need or would benefit from a product I sell it to you. If I think you might not like a product you need, or I’m not sure it’s a good fit, I’ll sample it to you first. As most of you know I’m pretty good at my gig – hence the reason I don’t sample much.

BUT people asked so I’m going to give it a go. Starting in October the Solyn Studio Facebook page will have a Sample of the Month posted to it. Come in and as for it, and you’ll get a free sample to use, give to a friend, hoard in a drawer, or whatever…

The following month that product will be on SALE! Now that’s a sample program I’m kind of excited about. 🙂

Facial of the Month

So just like samples, I’ve never really liked special facials of the month because I give you the facial you need. I’m not really about gimmicks and froo froo facials, but since so many people asked I wracked my brain to figure out how to try it.

So I’ve created a Facial of the Month for the next six months and we’ll see how it goes. The facial is good for all skin types and can still be slightly customized for each person. It will have a seasonal smell and feel and be a lot like the Customized Corrective facials of old. It still includes the eyes, neck, lips, and chest too!

Other Stuff
I have some other tricks up my sleeve based on your requests. Please keep the feedback coming with these new changes. My goal is to give you all the best care and experience possible.

Face Facts: AM Face Washing

Posted on Cybil SolynLeave a commentPosted in Skincare

fd85e836-bbf1-4f1a-ac9f-12a6425f2771I know it’s a race for time in the morning as you get ready. The morning skin care routine seems like another chore and another snooze means finding another way to cut corners. I often hear that it seem more expedient to wash your face in the shower with that bar of soap that sits on the ledge, than putting a pump of your face wash on, but this seemingly time saving device is a harsh decision.

Your facial skin has an exact PH level that keeps the moisture content and acidity in balance. That balance is your acid mantel. Using the correct cleanser, one at a good PH level, will keep the skin in balance reducing irritation, dryness, and break-outs. It’s important to keep the face clean so that your product penetrates well and oil and debris doesn’t build up and create bacteria, but you don’t want to strip the skin of its natural moisture content. This can cause pre-mature aging, irritation, clogged pores, and wrinkles.

Bar soaps are made for getting rid of the grease and grime. They contain harsh chemicals that strip the skin. Quite often we need to apply hand lotion after using these soaps because they are so drying. Just think of what this will do to the delicate PH of the face!

Another thing to think about is you see that soap scum in your shower? Well that’s a film from the low PH soap you’re using! The body really deserves better so think about a gentle gel body wash that’s PH balanced for the skin. You’re skin will thank you, and you’ll clean your shower a lot less.

So what cleanser is right for you? If you’ve seen me then you have the correct cleanser. If you haven’t my go to for every skin type is an oil cleanser or gentle cleanser. Not only will it keep the skin clean and balanced, but it will won’t strip it either.

Finally, why not put your facial cleanser in the shower? That way you never even look at that bar of gross soap? If the shower is too far from the sink you wash your face in at night (and yes night time washing is just as vital as morning!) why not buy another facial cleanser for each place? Most cleansers have a two year shelf life once opened, so if you’re using them both AM/PM they won’t go bad and your skin will thank you.

The Disservice in Your Service

Posted on Cybil SolynLeave a commentPosted in Opinion
me in a lecture!
that purple jacket and brown hair on the left is me!

I took a class at the Las Vegas skin show in June called “The Disservice in Your Service.” Now, I have to admit I’m a bit jaded when it comes to marketing and business classes since I’ve been taking them for so long and at some point they all seem the same, but this was a new lecturer and the title intrigued me. I ALWAYS want to improve my service to my clients, and I’m constantly trying to find ways to better my care to all of you. So I made the time and went to the class…and left eighty minutes later knowing I had to make some serious changes.

 

dis·serv·ice/disˈsərvis/
Noun: A harmful action.

Do you all brush your teeth in the morning? Do you do it because it’s fun, or because you know it’s good for you? When you were a child did you want to brush them, or did your more responsible and knowledgeable parent teach you to? If your parent hadn’t made you brush your teeth would you think they did you a disservice? Would a mouth riddled with cavities, sore with gingivitis, and probably costing you a lot of money in repair that could have been avoided with proper care be your fault or theirs?

This is how the class started. The lecturer then asked, by a show of hands, how many of us used SPF, eye cream, neck or bust cream, and added treatments like neck, eye, lip, and chest services to facials they got when at a spa. As the room filled with skin care professionals raised their hands to all of these questions, the lecturer then asked how many of us make sure our clients do the same.

And that’s when I got sick to my stomach. I knew where this lecture was going and I was guilty of not providing the best service possible to my clients. Yes, I always use SPF, eye cream, and neck/bust cream. Yes I always add a neck, chest, eyes, and lip treatment to every service I pay for at a spa. I even give myself mini treatments every other week. Yes, I do all these things because they are vital to keeping those incredibly easy to age and hard to repair areas young and healthy. And yet, I haven’t educated my clients on their importance or recommended them to add these treatments on to every service. And for that I’m deeply sorry.

Like a parent who didn’t teach their child the importance of brushing I haven’t done my duty and taught my clients the importance of taking care of areas like neck, eyes, lips, and chests. All of these areas damage so easily and once they are damaged they are hard to repair. Sure I tell you how to use your eye cream, and I mention that you can bring your product down your neck and chest. But I need to make all of your skin as important to me as your facial skin because you are putting your trust in me as your Skin Fitness Expert. I’m your first, last, and often only line of defense against aging.

So I’m sorry. Terribly, terribly sorry. I want to apologize to each and every one of you. You put your skin in my care and I’ve done you and it a disservice.

Please forgive me.

Luckily, I learn from past errors and starting in October you will see a new service menu. That menu will reflect changes that many of you have been requesting. It will also have facials that include the neck, eyes, chest, and lips.

Change for the better is in the air, and I look forward to providing you even better care. This is why I continue to take classes, because there’s always more to learn.