The Best Tips & Advice for All Your Skin Care Needs

A year of Struggle, Growth and Gratitude

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 18:42:11 GMT

A Year Of Struggle, Growth and Gratitude

**A Year Of Struggle, Growth, and Gratitude.** As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting deeply on the myriad difficulties that come with running a small business. The challenges have been significant and, at times, overwhelming. However, amid these struggles, I have experienced remarkable growth, both personally and professionally. My heart swells with love and appreciation for my loyal clients, who time and again share how transformative the MaxAesthetics skin treatments have been for them. Their stories of renewed confidence and self-esteem remind me why I started this journey in the first place, filling me with gratitude for the opportunity to make a positive impact in their lives.

I am truly honored to have been able to navigate and thrive in the ever-evolving business environment for nearly two decades now. Reflecting on this incredible journey, I recognize the challenges and opportunities that have shaped my experiences along the way. Each passing year has contributed to my growth and understanding of the industry, and I am grateful for the lessons learned and the relationships built throughout this remarkable time.

I eagerly anticipate 2026 as I work to enhance MaxAesthetics in every possible way, with the goal of launching more effective skincare products that you’ve requested to complement our existing range. One such product is our Retinol Brightening Serum. You expressed a desire for a light skin-brightening serum, and we listened.

The team at MaxAesthetics is absolutely eager and excited to serve you in the upcoming new year. We can hardly wait to showcase some of our new and innovative services, including the highly sought-after Pico laser treatment and our revolutionary Cold laser therapy. These advancements are designed to enhance your experience and deliver exceptional results.

Wishing you and your loved ones a truly marvelous, healthy, and joyful new year filled with happiness and new beginnings!

MaxAesthetics Triple Exfoliation Facial

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 21:54:57 GMT

What Are The Benefits Of Triple Exfoliation

What Is Exfoliation

Exfoliation involves the removal of dead skin cells and buildup from the outermost layer of your skin—the epidermis. You can choose either a chemical or physical exfoliation method to eliminate old skin cells. This practice helps prevent clogged pores, reduces oil buildup, and reveals the fresher, healthier skin lying underneath.

Exfoliation supports your skin's natural cell turnover process, which starts in the deepest layer of the epidermis where new skin cells are formed. These newly generated cells then ascend through the outer layers of the epidermis until they ultimately reach the surface of your skin.

Skin cell turnover is a natural and vital process for maintaining healthy skin, but unfortunately, it tends to slow down significantly with age. In general, this rejuvenation process typically occurs in healthy, young skin approximately every 27 to 28 days. However, as we age, this cycle begins to take a considerable amount of time, often extending anywhere from 40 to 60 days or even longer. As a result, those dry, flaky skin cells are not being shed and replaced as swiftly as they once were. This slowdown can lead to a variety of skin concerns, including a lackluster appearance, uneven skin tone, and an increased likelihood of breakouts due to clogged pores. Consequently, maintaining healthy skin becomes more challenging, requiring additional care and attention to support the skin's natural renewal process.

What Are the Different Types Of Exfoliation

There are two types of Exfoliation used to reduce dead skin cells- Physical exfoliation and Chemical exfoliation

The most used Chemical Exfoliation Agen t
Glycolic Acid (AHA)
Lactic Acid (AHA)
Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Fruit Enzymes (such as papaya enzyme, pineapple and pumpkin)

Physical exfoliating products consist of tiny particles, such as coffee grounds, jojoba beads, or sugar granules. These products necessitate manual application, allowing the particles to effectively slough off dead skin. Other instances of physical exfoliation include microdermabrasion treatments, as well as textured face mitts or washcloths that help eliminate dead skin and impurities. Additionally, dermaplaning involves the use of a fine surgical blade to remove dead skin cells along with vellus hairs.

MaxAesthetics Triple Exfoliation Facial combines two types of Physical Exfoliation and a gentle fruit enzyme exfoliation.

The benefit of the Triple Exfoliation Facial are the following:

Exfoliation lifts away dead cells and unclogs pores to keep them clear.

Reduces the likelihood of acne-causing bacteria thriving in the pores and sparking breakouts.

2. Diminishes the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles

While exfoliation cannot completely eradicate fine lines and wrinkles, it can significantly reduce their visibility. By exfoliating and sloughing off the top layer of dead skin, your skin takes on a smoother appearance, making fine lines less noticeable.

3. Promotes a brighter, more uniform skin tone

When your complexion is overdue for exfoliation, it often looks thick and dull due to an accumulation of dead skin cells. By removing these old cells, your skin can appear instantly brighter and revitalized. Over time, this process contributes to a more even skin tone and may lessen the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

4. Enhances the absorption of skincare products

Concluding our list is a lesser-known advantage of exfoliation. Did you know that it can actually enhance the efficacy of the active ingredients in your other skincare products?

MaxAesthetics triple Exfoliation Facial gives you the oppotunity to indulge in a superior skin-smoothing experience with our enhanced exfoliating facial treatment. Combining the benefits of microdermabrasion polish, derma-planing, and a rejuvenating blend of Vitamin C and brightening Pumpkin enzyme peel, this luxurious service promises a revitalized complexion. By incorporating derma-planing, we effectively eliminate peach fuzz and exfoliate dead skin cells, revealing a luminous radiance.

This treatment offers chemical peel-level exfoliation without the peeling, perfect for sensitive skin.

The Top Anti-Aging Benefits of Exercise

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 22:14:26 GMT

It's common knowledge that exercise helps maintain our health and fitness. Yet, its benefits extend beyond merely keeping our bodies in prime shape. Exercise plays a crucial role in delaying or reducing various physical, mental, and emotional effects of aging. Moreover, it contributes to a more youthful appearance and enhances our overall well-being! Through regular activity, we can combat the signs of aging from within.

Younger Looking Skin

Engaging in exercise at least three times a week has been proven to diminish the visible signs of aging, allowing our bodies to appear more youthful. Exercise is beneficial not only for those in middle age but also for older individuals who consistently adhere to their fitness routines.

One of the skin's layers that greatly benefits from regular physical activity is the stratum corneum. Experts indicate that exercise helps maintain the health of this skin layer and can even reverse some of its aging effects. The stratum corneum is particularly susceptible to showing signs of aging, such as sagging, wrinkling, drooping, and thickening, all of which stem from reduced elasticity and the natural decline of cells that occurs with age.

Smarter Brain

Scientific research suggests that aerobic exercise enhances memory retention and learning capabilities. Engaging in at least thirty minutes of walking, four times a week, significantly boosts blood circulation to the brain. This increased blood flow delivers more oxygen to the brain, helping to prevent the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques, which plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

So playing crossword puzzles, Sudoku and other mentally-stimulating games is definitely not the only way to keep your brain sharp. Exercise will too!

Improved Balance

As we grow older, we become increasingly vulnerable to falls and the fractures that often accompany them. Nevertheless, a 2010 study revealed that engaging in regular exercise can significantly lower the risk of falling by as much as 13 percent. While this figure may appear modest, research indicates that one in three adults aged 65 and above experiences a fall each year.

Falls can lead to fractures, injuries to tissues and organs, and even death. Tai Chi stands out as one of the most effective exercises for enhancing balance. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that Tai Chi not only helps individuals reduce their fall risk but also contributes to improvements in mental health.

Stronger Bones

Engaging in weight-bearing exercises promotes the formation of new bone tissue, resulting in stronger bones and muscles. The great news is that you don’t need to be an athlete to reap these benefits. These exercises are simple and can be performed almost anywhere.

Some examples include climbing stairs, jogging, running, walking, playing tennis, dancing, basketball, and many others. If you have children or teenagers in your family, encourage them to join you in these activities.

Not only does this promote exercise among them, but it also helps “future-proof” their bones against weakness. The most significant increases in bone mass occur during puberty, so it’s vital for them to build as much bone mass as possible while they are young, ensuring they maintain greater bone density as they age.

But don’t be disheartened—bone density and strength can be enhanced at any age.

If you’re interested in exploring additional ways to maintain youthful skin, consider the Anti-aging Microcurrent Facial Toning. This non-invasive treatment exercises your face, aiding in lymphatic drainage and blood circulation. Learn more about Microcurrent and its benefits for your skin.

If you enjoy our blog, we invite you to follow us for weekly skincare and health tips.

Any questions? Feel free to call us at 267-528-3859 or email us.

Laser Hair Removal For Dark Skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 23:06:36 GMT

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe For Dark Skin Tones

How Laser Hair Removal Works for Darker Skin Tones

Laser hair removal is a permanent or semi-permanent, depending on how often you go to get it done, treatment that uses amplified light to remove hair. The energy from the light safely removes hair by targeting the pigment or melanin in each follicle. What makes laser hair removal slightly different for dark skin is that the laser targets the pigment (melanin) in your skin in addition to the pigment in your hair follicle, thereby increasing the chance of burning your skin. So the question remains: Can a dark-skinned person get laser hair removal? If you have dark skin, you can absolutely get treatments like laser hair removal—but first, you must be aware of a few key things before booking a laser hair removal treatment.

Laser hair removal is a safe and effective solution for removing unwanted hair, but it's essential to take into account the potential risks and considerations associated with darker skin tones. The increased melanin in darker skin can make the treatment more challenging, as the laser may inadvertently target the skin's pigment, leading to burns or discoloration. Therefore, it's crucial to find a skilled and experienced practitioner who understands the specific needs of dark-skinned individuals when performing laser hair removal. Additionally, a consultation with a qualified professional can help determine the most suitable laser and treatment plan for your skin type, minimizing the risk of adverse effects.

It's also important to note that not all laser technologies are suitable for darker skin tones. Certain lasers, such as Nd:YAG and diode lasers, are specifically designed to target the hair follicle while minimizing the impact on the surrounding skin, making them ideal for individuals with darker skin. These advanced laser systems can effectively remove hair without causing harm to the skin, providing a safe and reliable option for dark-skinned individuals seeking permanent hair reduction.

Moreover, proper preparation and aftercare are essential for dark-skinned individuals undergoing laser hair removal. This includes avoiding sun exposure, using sunscreen, and following the recommended skincare regimen to protect the skin and enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. By taking these precautions and working with a knowledgeable professional, dark-skinned individuals can achieve successful and long-lasting results with laser hair removal.

In conclusion, while laser hair removal is a viable option for individuals with darker skin tones, it's crucial to approach the treatment with caution and awareness of the unique considerations involved. By seeking out a qualified practitioner, understanding the appropriate laser technology, and adhering to The Main Questions To Ask Before Getting Laser Hair Removal If You Are Dark Skin:

How Long Has the Med-spa , spa or practice been offering laser hair removal
Is the Laser technician trained and certified
How much experience with laser hair removal on dark skin does the laser technician have
Does the Med-spa or laser hair removal center have the right laser machine for laser on dark skin?

What Is The Best Laser Equipment For Laser On Dark Skin

We already know that laser works by light adoption into the follicle by way of the melanin in your hair. The contrast between the color of your skin and the color of the pigment in the hair follicle is what allows the laser to easily pick out what to target

As you can imagine, it's easier to decipher dark hair from fair skin than it is dark hair on dark skin. However, thanks to advancements in laser technology, there are now safer and more effective options available for dark skin types.

Among them is the Cutera Xeo and the Cutera Excel Hr. The Cutera Excel HR is safe for darker skin types because it offers two wavelengths: one being a 755 nm wavelength or a 1064 nm wavelength. The 1064 nm wavelength, also known as the Nd:YAG wavelength, is not as highly absorbed by melanin as other wavelengths. Due to this, the wavelength can safely treat all skin types because it deposits its energy deep into the dermis without relying on melanin to be effective. Nd:YAG 1064 Nanometer lasers essentially bypass the epidermis thereby reducing the chance of your melanin in the skin absorbing much of the laser lights. Another reason why the Excel Hr And XEO laser machines are safer for darker skin tones is the built in skin cooling safety mechanism in both of these Yag lasers. The cooling option works by keeping the laser handpiece continuously cold so that your skin surface is never overheated, a safety for all skin , but particularly useful for dark skin.

How Much Can Laser Hair Removal For Dark Skin Cost?

Treatments can range from $75-800 per session, depending on where you live (State & City) and what part of the body you're lasering.

Is It Safe To Use At Home Laser Hair Removal Device On Dark Skin

While at-home devices do exist for a fraction of the cost and for convenience

"At-home devices are safer for lighter skin types because most at home laser devices use shorter wavelengths that are unsafe for dark skin. Although there are some newer devices that filter those wavelengths better to make it safer for darker skin types, you must do a truly in depth research on the wavelength and proper usage .

Another problem with At Home Laser devices is that they will not give you the permanent laser hair removal results that a professional Laser Hair Removal machine will.

At Home Laser Devices are good at slowing the growth of hair for a time period

How Should I Prepare For My Laser Hair Removal Treatment

To ensure your safety as a patient, following pre- and post-procedure guidelines are a must. That includes reviewing any medications and skin care products that you're using with your laser service provider especially if you are taking oral medications that affect your skin.

In general, topical products with ingredients that result in photosensitivity or sun sensitivity like Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Salicylic Acid ,Retinols ) should be avoided for at least one week before your treatment.

As for oral medications If you're using Accutane it's recommended that you do not undergo any laser treatment for at least six months after stopping medication to avoid the increased risk of burning and scarring.

If you are taking oral antibiotics , it recommended to wait at least two weeks after stopping your Antibiotics before starting your laser treatments due to the possible photosensitivity.

It is ideal to have the practitioner perform a test spot in an inconspicuous area and wait for approximately 48 hours post-treatment. This is an added safety precaution. If the reaction is good, then you can proceed with your laser treatments

What To Expect After Laser Hair Removal On Skin Of Color

After you undergo laser hair removal, there are certain things you'll want to do and others that you'll want to avoid to ensure you get the best results possible. "To reduce any redness or swelling after treatment, it is recommended to apply a cool compress, Aloe Vera, and topical corticosteroids morning and evening for about five days post-treatment . Other Topicals such as Vitamin E, Vitamin K, or Hydrocortisone can be used to prevent swelling and inflammatory reaction.

Are There Activities That Should Be Avoided After Laser Hair Removal?

After your laser hair removal You should forgo any activity that may irritate the skin during your post-treatment care. For instance, exercise or yoga should be avoided for 24 hours.

Avoid Direct long term sun exposure on areas treated for at least a month after your procedure or throughout the treatment series in order to avoid sunburn, which increases your chance of developing hyperpigmentation in the treated area or areas.

How Many Laser Hair Removal Sessions Is Needed To See Results On Darker Skin

Typically, six to eight laser treatments are required to see results of at least 70-80% reduction or hair loss. With that said, do keep in mind that treatment results vary from person to person. "Hair growth is reduced after each treatment, and the number of treatments required will be based on your hair color and hair type, body area, and skin tone. The darker your skin is , the more laser treatments you may require due to the decrease in laser energy heat that will be used for skin types 5 and 6 and increased cooling that may be required to protect your skin.

How Should I Prepare For Laser Hair Removal

Just like any treatment or procedure it’s important to prep the area that’s about to get lasered. Make sure the area that will be lasered has not been waxed, threaded, plucked or used any other method of hair removal that pulls out the root for at least 4- 8 weeks. Only shaving is acceptable.

Avoid using any harsh products on the area to be lasered for at least two weeks before getting lasered and subsequently after the treatments. These products include retinols, alpha hydroxy acids, beta and glycolic acids, or topical acne medications such as Retin A.

Can I Get Laser Hair Removal If I Am Bi-Racial Or Mixed Race

The Short answer is Yes you can get laser hair removal if you are Bi- Racial or Mixed Race. The Process for laser hair removal is the same for Bi racial clients as it is for all skin of color or brown skin tones.

The ND YAG 1064nm wavelength laser is the same laser technology that is safe and effective for laser hair removal on any one with Mixed Race or Bi-Racial background. Any Ethnicity with Brown Skin and Dark skin can be safely treated with The Cutera Excel HR Yag Laser.

The same laser process and protocols are implemented to protect your skin from laser burns and possible scars. The positive part of being Biracial and getting laser hair removal is that your skin may have a bit less Melanin (skin type 4) than someone who is a darker skin type 5 or 6 and therefore you may be able to get treated at a bit higher laser setting and you may require a bit less superficial skin cooling which may result in faster hair reduction that an individual with a darker skin tone .

At MaxAesthetics Spa In Philadelphia Pa, We offer Laser Hair Removal for Darker skin tones of black skin types 5 and 6 , brown skin tones of skin types 4 such as Mixed Race skins, Asian Skin Types, Middle eastern Types , Spanish and Latin Skin types and East Asian skin Types.

Call MaxAesthetics Spa For A Free Consultation And Free Sample For Dark Skin Laser Treatment

267-528-3859

What Causes Under Eye Puffiness and how to prevent eye puffiness

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 02:36:01 GMT

Under eye bags and puffiness usually the result of fluid retention. Lymph is a clear fluid similar to plasma that cleans up cellular waste, bacteria, and protein. Sometimes Lymph becomes sluggish and pools in certain areas causing puffiness or swelling. Lymphatic fluid edema or fluid retention can be caused by many things.

A few of the most common culprits are:

Eating Salty Food - Consuming too much sodium, and too little water, causes your body to hold onto all the moisture it can to prevent dehydration. That excess water weight can make you feel bloated and puffy all over, including your under eyes.
Age - Thanks to gravity, the cushion fat deposits along the orbital bone starts to sag as we get older. The skin around the eyes also changes, the tissue becomes thinner and less elastic.
Hormonal Fluctuations - Menstruation, pregnancy, and other things that can cause hormonal imbalances or fluctuations can lead to puffy eyes.
Changes in the Weather - Heat and humid conditions can throw off the moisture content of your eyes, leaving them drier and more sensitive. As a result, the mucous membrane of your eyes becomes irritated and causes swelling of the eye area.
Sleeping on Your Side or Stomach - Gravity is at work while you sleep! Lymphatic fluid can pool around the eyes if you sleep on your side or stomach.
Allergies, Illnesses, or Dermatitis - Exposure to pollutants, irritants, and allergens can lead to puffy eyes, dark circles or under eye bags. Thyroid conditions can also cause eye issues.
Genetics - Unfortunately, dark circles, eye bags, and eye puffiness can be hereditary.

There a are a few steps you can take to reduce or prevent under eye puffiness or undereye bags

Use a cool compress or even better , try a cool teaspoon pressed under your eyes and keep it on your eyes for about 5 mins. The cold temperature will help relieve puffiness.
Cut down on fluids before bedtime and reduce salt in your diet.
Don't smoke.
Get enough sleep and if possible sleeping on your back will help to prevent fluid build up under your eyes.
Sleep with your head slightly raised to enable proper fluid drainage.
If allergy is the culprit for you, then anti-histamines may help.
Use cosmetics products to help minimize the look of puffy eyes. Either eye concealers or a depuffing eye tool that massages lightly to improve fluid and lymph drainage

There are also effective professional spa treatments for Eye-depuffing.

MaxAesthetics Microcurrent Eye-depuffing treatment is a great option to reduce eyebags by draining fluid and lymphatic drainage.
Radio-Frequency Eye Tightening utilizes the skin tightening power of radio frequency to both drain fluid and tighten your eye.

Call Us at MaxAesthetics to see how we can help you resolve your Undereye puffiness

How Proper Hydration Benefit Your Skin During The Winter

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 20:44:20 GMT

Proper Hydration From The Inside Out

One of the best ways to have skin that is healthy, moist and glows with hydration is to hydrate inside and out. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods with high water content such as Cucumbers, Watermelon , Apples, Oranges and Spinach just to name a few helps your skin radiate, plus look and feel healthy.

One of the fastest emerging and arguably better ways to achieve internal hydration Hydrate is via IV hydration therapy . By using IV hydration/infusion therapy, liquids with vitamins and minerals are directly into the blood stream giving you rapid hydration and healthy look and feel.

Skin is one of the largest organs of the body. Its main functions are to protect, regulate our temperature, and create sensations. Taking care of our skin is important because it is subject to illness, injury, and disease like any other part of the body. One of the keys to keeping skin healthy is hydration.

There are a lot of products on the market that help keep skin hydrated and healthy. Before choosing products that are right for you, it’s important to know that there’s a difference between hydration and moisturizing and that they go hand in hand.

Hydrating is the act of adding hydration to the skin. Moisturizing refers to keeping the hydration in the skin and preventing evaporation- which is a natural occurrence in our skin. Creating a barrier that reduces evaporation helps keep the skin hydrated longer especially during the harsher cold winter. Take a look at three types of products that help keep your skin hydrated…and moisturized.

Sunscreen -While it may sound repetitive, sunscreen is essential for safeguarding the skin from the sun and environmental damage. Traditionally, sunscreen and moisturizers have been viewed as separate products, leading to confusion about the order of application. To simplify this, consider using a 2-in-1 moisturizer with SPF such as Maxine Dean Daytime moisturizer with SpF 45 sunscreen. It's important to select a product that suits your skin type, age, and activity level, as these factors determine the right SPF and moisturizer for your needs.

Body Lotion- Our bodies develop natural oils that help keep our skin moisturized. Taking baths and showers can strip oils and leave skin dry. Our bodies also naturally shed skin cells and rely on moisture to create new cells keeping skin young. Body lotions can help hydrate and moisturize skin so it can heal and repair itself. Look for lotions that have hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and proteins to help stay hyFace masks are an essential part of any skincare routine. They work by directing concentrated ingredients directly into your skin, allowing your pores to soak up the beneficial products and get a high concentration at one time. With a wide variety of masks available, some dermatologists recommend sheet masks over cream varieties. Sheet masks are known for their exceptional hydrating properties, while other masks focus on addressing specific skin care needs such as acne, dryness, or anti-aging.

It's crucial to take care of your skin, as it can be at great risk for losing moisture if not properly cared for. Products like sunscreen, body lotion, and face masks all contribute to increasing and locking in moisture, ensuring that your skin feels and looks healthy. With regular use of these products, you can maintain a radiant, hydrated complexion that's well-nourished and protected from environmental stressors. So, make sure to incorporate face masks into your skincare regimen to keep your skin in optimal condition.

Reduce Your Holiday Stress

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 22:17:31 GMT

Why Are Holidays so Stressful and How to Slow Down

According to an article from Entrepreneur.com, more than 60% of baby boomers, gen Xers and millennials report feeling increased stress at holiday time. This is at least partially owed to strained relationships and forced interactions with family during the most socially overbooked and financially burdensome time of year.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/253953

So why, when we think of celebrating another year coming to a close, and celebrating that with our relatives, does this incite panic attacks and neurosis rather than a peaceful, and benevolent feeling? And a better question, how to avoid conflict at Christmas? Below, some reasons and solutions to family stress at the holidays.

Clashes of Personality

Not everyone has the same ideas about things, and that's no more apparent than when the entire family gets together. Whether it's quibbling over how long to cook the turkey, arguing over who gets to host and who gets to make the trip… not agreeing on how much to spend on presents, or navigating conversational minefields… different family personality types can come into conflict at holiday time for sure.

What to Do About It

The best way to deal with personality conflicts at family holiday gatherings is to put each person in charge of a specific task or job and then just let them handle it without interference. If socializing sends sparks flying around the holiday table, strategic seating works wonders. Finally, if a few different people really don't know how to play nice at family get-togethers, you might consider hosting different events for different sets of family members.

Money Matters

Financial stress ranks high on the list of reasons why families argue during the holiday season. Different people may have very different thoughts about what is a reasonable amount to spend, whether it's on gifts, parties, outings or something else. Grandma's idea for having the entire family board a plane to Disney during winter break may not have been in your budget plan for the year.

What to Do About It

The key to avoiding family arguments over money is to initiate frank discussions and come to a compromise. The first step is to give enough lead time to allow each branch of the family tree enough time for budgeting and planning. A sit-down discussion or group email conversation may be of help if you need to hash out details. Questions like "How much do we all agree to spend on each child in the family" "Will adults be exchanging Christmas gifts, and what's our budget for this?" can help put everyone in a cooperate frame of mind. Some fun workarounds to keeping the holiday gift budget low and minimizing Christmas shopping confusion include Secret Santa, Grab Bag, and the "Take Or Pass" Christmas Present Game

Family Members Who Drink Too Much

Family members who imbibe to excess take family holiday celebrations to a new and exciting level of dysfunction. The most obvious objection to this is the possibility of someone getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. Barring that, just being in the presence of a drunk person affects all members of a family. Mood swings, aggressive behavior, unpredictable antics, and of course the trickle-down effect of having to take responsibility for someone who won't be responsible for themselves or their children if they're a parent, can really do a number everyone involved.

What to Do About It

Tipsiness happens at the holidays. So if someone has a few too many glasses of wine, doesn't plan to drive and isn't impacting anyone else other than maybe laughing too loud, that's forgivable. However, if you find yourself enabling an alcoholic or addict over the holidays or that things are getting ugly, it may be time for a family intervention. You might first approach the loved one closest to the problematic drunk in question, such as a spouse, parent or live-in partner. If that doesn't seem to be working, you do have permission to not include alcoholics at family gatherings with the understanding that they will be welcomed back into the fold after they learn to control themselves and get a handle on their addiction.

Why Are Holidays so Stressful and How to Slow Down

Do you approach the holiday season with a Norman Rockwell vision that never seems to pan out? Aren't holidays supposed to be a time for peace and joy? When did the Christmas season go from being a time of gratitude to a time of stress and dread?

Below, a few reasons why the holidays are stressful and how to cope.

Expectations.

In the old days, Christmas meant that kids got a few pieces of candy in their stocking and maybe a single toy that they'd been wishing for. The focus was on a single day when family got together to feast on delicious food and enjoy each other's company. But slowly, over generations, Christmas has become an unattainable, larger-than-life ideal of excess consumerism and not a lot of quality bonding.

If you're balking at the list of overpriced, cheaply constructed toys on the kids' holiday list this year, thinking you'll never be able to handle the explosion of holiday parties and all the obligatory shoulds that go along with them… then maybe it's time to tone down your to-do list and instead focus on what really matters. Each other!

Guilt.

Even if people still say "Money can't buy happiness," they still try like heck to make the opposite true, at Christmas time more than any other time of year. Probably the biggest reason why we try to outdo ourselves with gift-giving for our families each Christmas is that we're trying to overcompensate for something that we can never get back: lost quality time.

This is the information age, a time when technology drives our every action, and it can make people bonkers not to mention take us away from what's really important - being 100% present and available to the people who matter most, like our children and our partners.

Somewhere, buried deep in our psyches, is this feeling of perpetual guilt at all we aren't able to give to those who mean most, because we're busy, distracted, grumpy and trying to be everything to everyone all the time. So to make up for this, we search for the ultimate retail Christmas gifts for family. And actually, if we just did the opposite, which is lower our expectations to something reasonable, a Christmas miracle might actually occur. We'd get what we really want for Christmas: quality time and connection.

Over-indulgence.

December is a month-long celebration, with one party after another. Drinks flow, rich and fattening food is plentiful, and we find ourselves engaging in the act of Christmas cookie cramming just to get rid of the stressed-out, crappy feeling that's leftover from trying to herd the entire family into the mom-van and battling holiday traffic in lousy weather so we could show up in our holiday-best for yet another merry mixer.

You may wonder how to possibly avoid over-eating, drinking too much, partaking in too many sweets, and generally feeling the after-effects of the constant sugar high and crash that is the entire month of December. The key is in the planning.

Having a stockpile of healthy snacks on hand will keep you from careening into the DD drive through after a frustrating and draining retail shopping experience. Think trail mix with nuts and dried fruits, a bag with sliced apples and chunks of cheese. If you plan to hit the road with the kids in tow, pack a family food bag with healthy foods so you won't skip lunch and then make a bad choice later.

How to Reduce Stress During the Busy Holiday Season

Are you tired of the holidays being synonymous with stress? Do you yearn for the simple sentiments of Christmas past, and to stop buying so many darned Christmas presents?

Here are a few ideas for bringing meaning into your merrymaking this holiday season.

Choose Simple, Thoughtful Gifts.

It may seem easier to just hit the mall on a big sale day, but retail Christmas gifts rarely deliver in the meaningfulness department. A picture frame filled with special family memories, a hand-knitted hat and mitten set, or even an agreed-upon family getaway in lieu of mall gifts for Christmas, can really set the tone for a special and meaningful holiday.

It's Okay To Say No.

You really needn't feel obligated to attend every event that crops up during the busy month of December. If you, like most of us, have trouble figuring out when "fun plans" are morphing into "If I have to show up at another event wearing another ugly holiday sweater I'm going to lose my mind," then do this. Try to shoot for ONE plan per weekend day for the entire month of December. In rare cases, for example if you're doing volunteering in the morning and a Christmas party in the evening, then it could be two. But DO try not to overbook this year. I promise it will greatly enhance the quality of your social interaction this holiday season!

Give yourself and your family the gift of time.

If you're doubling and tripling up on Christmas plans in a single weekend day (such as a Saturday), then it's too much. If you're trying to cram in Christmas tree and house decorating weekend with other social plans, it's too much. If you're having to be two places that are more than 30 minutes away from each other within a span of 4 hours, it's too much. We can't do and be everything to everybody, even more so at holiday time. So give yourself permission to save your Yeses for the things and people who matter most, and offer a polite "no thank you, maybe next time" to everyone and everything else!

Stockpile Goodies and Little Gifts.

How much holiday baking and shopping can one person humanly accomplish and still manage to enjoy themselves? A good way to not be so frazzled this Christmas season is to keep some ready-to-go gifts and goodies on hand. This way, if you accept an unexpected last-minute invite, you won't be stuck in your kitchen trying to will the oven to bake faster. You won't be cussing under your breath at the automated checkout line in the grocery store. Think cheap but festive holiday tins, packaged cookies, chocolates and candy canes, and anything small like a holiday votive candle set that would make a nice take-along last-minute gift.

Shop for gifts online .

Online shopping is one of the best ways to feel WAY less stressed during the holiday season! Nothing beats having the entire family's cache of Christmas gifts delivered right to your doorstep. You can't go wrong with Amazon Prime for speed of delivery and value price. And if you want vintage and homemade, then head on over to Etsy.com to get your pick of handmade and handcrafted items to hand out at the holidays this year.

How to Sneak Healthy Benefits into Your Christmas Social Calendar

Do you feel pressured to meet up for cocktails and cookies during the busy, busy holiday season? Feel like you'll soon be cheating on your diet and giving up those healthy habits you worked so hard to cultivate?

Getting together with friends and family for Christmas gatherings needn't be a recipe for excess or an excuse to make unhealthy choices. Here's a list of head and heart-healthy events to attend with friends and family for a holiday season that will benefit you body, mind and soul.

Massage Meetup.

Send massages of good cheer! This year, invite a small group of girlfriends for a "spa day" complete with relaxing professional massages, and your choice of personal pampering. Cleansing facials , body wraps and sauna time could all be a part of your relaxing and rejuvenating girls' day out.

Sing Together.

Singing is exercise for the lungs, as you're practicing breath control without even thinking about it - not unlike meditation. When we blend voices in harmony, we spread positive, feel-good vibes. And as you breathe in a big gulp of air before drawing out a long note, you're taking a deep inhale of oxygen which heals and nourishes the entire body down to the cellular level. So put Christmas caroling and Christmas karaoke down on your list of must-do healthy activities this holiday season. Singing makes you feel great because it truly is great for you.

Host a "Healthy Holidays" Party.

Bets are good that more friends than you realize may be wishing for more healthy choices and less fattening fare around the holiday table. If you're hosting this year, let it be known that December's gathering will be a "pot luck" of everyone's favorite, healthy holiday dishes. Think fruits and veggies, healthy proteins, vegetarian selections, and baked goods made with higher quality ingredients like whole grain flour and less sugar. Relatives and friends will more than likely be grateful for your candor and happy to healthily accommodate.

Do Holiday Handicrafts.

Making things with our own hands helps us feel grounded and reduces feelings of stress and overwhelm. This holiday season, why not host a crafting party with your girlfriends, or with moms and kids? Christmas ornament painting, knit and crochet, needlepoint or woodworking can make an enjoyable and satisfying activity that puts everyone in a relaxed mood. And what's more… in the end, everyone will have a special, handmade gift to give.

Peace And Joy Can Be Yours With Yoga.

Yoga is a simple and enjoyable way to improve your health through stress-relieving exercise. If you usually do yoga alone, why not branch out and make it a group event this holiday season? You and your friends can leave the yoga studio with a yoga high and a mission to spread peace, love and joy this holiday season.

Happy Holiday From MaxAesthetics Spa In Philadelphia Pa. Call Or Email Us with Your Skincare Questions And Concerns

Aloe Vera Plant : Ancient And Modern Benefits For Your Skin

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 20:16:21 GMT

Get your skin glow on with Aloe – the “Wonder Plant”, its amazing benefits on your skin

Get your skin glow on with Aloe –

Aloe Vera has been making an impact on the skincare market as of late- aloe Vera gels are being purchased by every person who yearns for the feel of smooth skin in the morning; and more aloe plants are being bought to gain a more accessible supply of the plant’s juices right at their very own garden. Aloe is most commonly known to be a skin exfoliant but discovery of the uses of the “wonder plant” dates back to many centuries ago- almost 6,000 years to be exact.

The first documented usage of Aloe was traced back to ancient Egypt. It was first regarded to as the “sacred plant” that Cleopatra used for her daily beauty care routine because of the belief that it kept the secrets to eternal beauty and immortality. The nourishing liquid of the plant was greatly valued and frequently sought out during the ancient times to attain peak physical beauty. The use of aloe was not limited to the living only- the dead were embalmed with the liquid of the plant under the belief that it could stop the decomposition process. It was also believed that eternal life could be achieved on both physical and spiritual level hence, aloe was also named the“ plant of eternity”.

In modern times, the original use of the plant is still relevant and proven to be true to its word- its uses were infused in food, medicine, cosmetics of course, skincare.

Aloe also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties while still being gentle on the skin- but what do these terms mean exactly?

Benefits Of Aloe Vera On Your Skin

Moisturizes – Most packaged aloe Vera gels advises the user to leave the gel on their face overnight and for good reason- aloe helps to seal moisture into your skin- for dry and oily skin alike.

Provides UV protection – Ultraviolet radiation from the sun may cause ageing and skin irritation such as sunburn. Aloe extract provides skin protection when you are exposed to sunlight.

Soothes minor burns and cuts – Aloe extract has the ability to relieve pain from small burns or cuts. The plant’s antioxidant and inflammatory components also allows minor injuries to heal faster.

The natural extract from aloe Vera is readily available in the market but you can also opt to take care of one in your very own home. The aloe Vera is a plant that is not only beneficial to your skin- it also an easy and eye pleasing plant to take care of when done properly.

A few tips to care for an Aloe Vera plant:

· You could keep an aloe Vera plant inside your home- granted you provide it with direct sunlight.

· Make sure that the environment around your home is ideal for the plant which is around 13 to 27°C.

· Water the plant every three weeks or so --don’t let the aloe Vera plant’s soil be watered down for too long because the roots will rot. Let the soil dry out slightly before watering again.

When the plant is ready for use, Following the instructions below makes for the best harvest of your aloe.

· Check for any molds or damage that the plant may have.

· Pick out the thickest leaves in the outer section of the plant and cut there- most of the beneficial nutrients of aloe are stored at the base of it.

· Wash and dry the harvested leaves properly before cutting the horny edges with a knife.

· Separate the outer portion of the leaf with the gelatinous interior and let the yellow sap drain. The yellow sap is called the aloe Vera latex which can be used to help a variety of problems including constipation.

· Cut the aloe gel into slices or cubes and throw them into a blender for a smoother substance.

· It is best to use the cut aloe leaves immediately for better benefits but if you are not using it right away, store it in the freezer for later use.

Buying an aloe-based product such as gels is fine too, but make sure to check the label for products with high percentage of aloe. One way to heck is to look and see if aloe Vera is the first ingredient or at least listed in the top 10 ingredients.

Aloe Vera serves as a very useful hydrating plant and as we know, hydration is a must for skin that is healthy and vibrant. Whether you prefer buying an aloe product or grow a plant of your own, this wonder plant really is a product worth investing in.

How to Get Rid of Post-Summer Sun Damage

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Goodbye brown spots! The Best Treatments to Repair Summer Skin Damage

Now that summer is over it's time to undo sun damage! Sun damage is accumulative, so spending long, summer days out in the sun takes a hefty toll on your skin. Sunspots, hyperpigmentation broken capillaries, clogged pores, redness, dull skin, enlarged pores and sagging skin are just a fraction of ways the sun affects your skin.

We all know we need to protect our skin, but sometimes life gets in the way. Luckily there are ways to undo some of the damage caused by UV rays. Below you'll find the best treatments to get rid of summer sun damage.

IPL Photo Facials

One of the most obvious signs of sun damage is sunspots. Small pigmented lesions that can occur on the face, chest, hands or anywhere that is exposed to the sun on a regular basis. We become more susceptible to sunspots as we age, and the presence of these dark spots can make your skin look older than it is! That's why an IPL Photo Facial is the perfect treatment to repair the skin after spending hot summer days in the sun.

IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light , IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light, is a light based treatment that gets rid of dark spots and hyperpigmentation and refines the skin, leaving your complexion looking clear and healthy. Through a process called 'photo-rejuvenation' IPL eliminates sun spots, freckles, mild acne blemishes, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and treats redness, mild rosacea, and broken capillaries while refining the overall skin tone and texture. Pulses of low-energy of broadband light are administered into the skin. Pigmented spots absorb the light and heat and within a few days flake off the skin. Broken capillaries and redness are similarly affected, the damaged blood vessels are minimized, or in some cases outright dissolved, after treatment.

Micro-needling

The sun's harmful rays are responsible for collagen damage, which can cause sagging or lax skin. Micro-needling is an all-over rejuvenation treatment that improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, large pores, uneven texture, acne scarring, pockmarks, stretch marks and aging skin. During Micro-needling treatment, a pen with 12 ultra-fine needle glides across the skin to create thousands of tiny micro-channels. These microscopic channels stimulate the skin's healing process and kick-start the production of new collagen and elastin for firmer, plumper skin. The results of Micro-needling treatments are similar to a fractional laser, without the risk of burning the skin.

After several micro-needling treatments, your skin is plumper, firmer and more refreshed. Micro-needling can also be combined with other collagen boosting treatments like Laser Genesis , and Radio Frequency Skin Tightening . Micro-needling provides long-term results, thanks to its collagen building function. Your skin will continue to repair itself and smooth away fine lines and wrinkles.

Facials
Sometimes all you need is a good facial. A deep cleansing facial is the perfect post-summer treatment. Professional facials deeply cleanse the skin, removing toxins caused by pollution, oil, and dirt found in the environment. Hot, sweaty days, layers of sunblock and humid city pollution can clog your skin and make it look dull and tired. A good facial will purify your skin, removing summer congestion and nourish the skin with botanicals, antioxidants, and vitamins.

Chemical Peels

Chemicals peels can also refresh dull skin after a long summer. Facial chemical peels are used to treat imperfections such as hyperpigmentation, uneven or coarse skin texture, fine lines, sun damage, and acne. Chemical peels exfoliate the skin to reveal clearer, healthier skin. Multiple treatments may be required for optimum results.

Protect Your Skin

When it comes to sun damage, prevention is the absolute best thing to keep your skin healthy. Sun damage is responsible for over 80% of the visible signs of aging, so remember to take a minute to apply a good sunscreen before you leave the house. Apply SPF 30 or higher on a regular basis and wear protective clothing when you know you'll be out in the sun for long periods of time.

A diet rich in antioxidants will also help protect your skin. Antioxidants help minimize free radical damage and protect against UV damage from the sun which can cause cell mutations, dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles and lax skin.

If your skin shows the ravages of summer, don't fret. Call MaxAesthetics at 267.528.3859 or contact us online for a free consultation, and try one of the best treatments to repair sun damage yourself!

Skin Food: Carrots

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Carrots are extremely high in beta-carotene, which is a form of vitamin A. Beta carotene is perhaps one of the best antioxidants that prevents aging by reducing the degeneration of cells so you can maintain a youthful look. Vitamin A is also good for the growth of tissues, improved vision, healthy bones, and healthy teeth.

The vitamin A and carotenoid antioxidants found in carrots support cellular turnover which can help improve skin tone and acne by keeping pores clear.

The vitamin C you’ll find in carrots will increase the amount of collagen in the body and collagen improves skin’s elasticity to prevent wrinkles and deflect the typical signs of aging.

Carrots are also high in potassium, which helps keep the electrolytes in the body balances, reduces acne, and increases the growth of healthy, new skin cells. Potassium can also relieve you of scarring as well as the dark spots so often seen in aged skin.

Acne Tip: Hands Off!

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 16:23:20 GMT

Acne Awareness Month

Hands OFF! It’s seriously tempting to pop the latest pimple and sometimes even though you’re resisting the urge, you still find yourself touching it and playing with it. This is an unhealthy practice because you’re just pushing bacteria into the pores and making the problem ten times worse. Picking at your skin can cause extra inflammation and irritation which could lead to acne scars and hyperpigmentation. Instead, keep your face clean, and dab on some Acne Clear Serum until they heal. Schedule an Deep Cleansing Facial , complete with extractions performed by a professional.

Or try a cool acne hack!
When you feel a new blemish coming on, use an ice cube to dramatically reduce inflammation and the severity of the acne. Icing a blemish will reduce swelling, shrinking the size of the spot and reducing redness. This will also help cut down the lifespan of the blemish! Icing is also particularly good for deep, painful cystic acne.

How to: After applying your Acne Clear Serum , wrap an ice cube in a very thin washcloth or paper towel and gently massage the ice over the blemish or affected area for ONE minute. Allow your skin to rest for 5 minutes and reapply the ice for another minute. You can repeat this process as often as needed. After icing, reapply the Acne Serum!

Skin Food: Watermelon

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 22:13:18 GMT

How Watermelon benefits the skin and acne

Watermelon is a source of lycopene, which protects the skin from UV rays. Packed with lycopene, watermelon acts as a natural protector from the harmful effect of ultraviolet rays that damage and ages the skin, and creates sunspots.

Watermelon is also great for acne prone skin! Unique amino acids found in watermelon help the body create nitric oxide. A compound that accelerates wound healing.

Watermelon is also packed with water to help hydrate and plump your skin for all natural anti-aging. Next time you're craving a snack, choose a a slice of watermelon, which will provide you with a bit of hydration and give your complexion a boost!

Acne Tip: Be Gentle with Your Skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 21:35:43 GMT

Acne Awareness Month

Be gentle with your skin. Some people with acne think they can scrub away their pimples, but in reality over-exfoliation can make your skin much worse! Using harsh scrubs, washcloths and face brushes can cause inflammation, and make your skin feel red, irritated and raw. The same goes for poking and prodding your face! Picking, popping and squeezing can lead to slower healing, scarring and infection.

When washing your face, use warm water and your fingers to massage the cleanser into your skin for about 1 minute. Your hands are the only tools you need to adequately clean your face on a daily basis. A gentle scrub, like the Microdermabrasion 2-in-1 Scrub + Mask , one to two times a week is all you need to properly exfoliate your skin. Treating your skin gently will prevent unnecessary inflammation, and help your skin heal faster.

Skin Food: Green Tea

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 24 May 2018 15:21:01 GMT

When you drink green tea, especially if you steep loose tea leaves for about 5 minutes, then you’re on your way to preventing wrinkles via the catechins found in green tea. Catechins are compounds that help cells grow and function properly. They also contain antioxidant properties, which help clear away free radicals that harm the skin due to sun exposure.

Green tea also contains polyphenols that help reduce the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer as well as help replenish skin cells to keep them hydrated and healthy.

10 Fitness Tips For Beginners

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 16 May 2018 18:06:49 GMT

If you’re thinking of starting a new fitness regime, use these 10 tips for beginners to make sure that you reach your goals!

Make Your Workout Worth It

If you want to get the most out of your workout, you need to remember that around 80% of the results that you get from your workout actually come from just 20% of your workout.

That means that in an hour’s session, only 12 minutes of the workout will contribute to the bulk of your results. You need to make those minutes really count. Use compound movements that work more than one muscle group at a time to really make the most of your time.

Remember To Eat Healthy
Any body shaping goals can only be achieved by eating a healthy diet. If you’re going to the gym so that you can go home and eat a double triple cheeseburger with a 2-person serving of French fries, you won’t do your body any favors.

You should make sure that you eat in moderation, and remember that if you’re burning off more calories, you will need to eat that little bit more so that you have enough energy. Balance your nutrition and avoid faddy diets.

Change Your Eating Habits
You need to make sure that you eat properly as well as eating healthily. Eating properly includes eating at the right times of the day. Skipping breakfast is a really bad idea and you shouldn’t eat too late in the evening either. Speak to a personal trainer about what would work for you so that you can achieve your goals.

Plan Out Your Routine
To make sure that you know just when you’re going to be working out and when you can look forward to some downtime, you really should come up with a plan.
Remember to include rest days and be realistic about how much time you can make free. Remember to stick to your schedule as much as possible so that you don’t slide into the habit of skipping the gym and make your targets achievable.

Make A 100% Commitment
You need to remember that your body transformation needs complete dedication from you. You can’t skip a day or two here and there, because you feel as though you deserve it. Plan when your rest day will be and stick to that. Even if you have a vacation planned, check out the local gym, and make sure to take an hour out of each day to continue to work out. Keep up with the healthy eating too.

Don’t Let Preconceptions Put You Off
It’s easy to look at a female bodybuilder and suddenly panic if you’re a woman who is trying to lose weight and develop a petite and slender figure. The reality is that it is virtually impossible for women to bulk like that; it requires a particular plan and effort. If you stick to a plan that your personal trainer has given you, you won’t go wrong.

Keep It Simple
You should remember that you are only starting out with fitness. In order to avoid injury and to avoid putting yourself off continuing with your training, you should make sure that you familiarize yourself with the basics first.

Start off with some shorter sessions and then expand your workout as you become more confident and as your fitness, levels start to rise.

Prepare For Your New Routine
Make sure that you make yourself available to workout and have a rough plan of how you would like your workout to go. You need to come up with some realistic goals too, so if you want to have 6-pack abs, aim to achieve some muscle definition within 6 months or if you would like to lose 2 stone, make sure that the time frame that you set yourself is achievable. If you don’t know what your targets are, no personal trainer will be able to help you.

Remember Cardio
So you want to get 6-pack abs, bulging biceps, and strong legs? You can’t get those things by just lifting weights. You must remember that while you’re working out, you should fit in a good amount of cardio. If you’re already carrying excess weight, you need to make sure that you burn off the fat by doing frequent cardio and eventually the muscle will start to show through.

Use A Visual Inspiration
It is very helpful to have a visual inspiration to keep you motivated to lose weight. Try performing a Google image search to find photos of people who have a body shape and size similar to your own ideals.

Print out the image or images and display these where you will see them all the time, for example near your work desk, on your car dashboard or on the fridge. This will ensure that you have a visual goal that will keep you motivated every single day!

The Dangers of Sugar & Its Effect on Your Skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 15 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT

When you hear the word sugar, do you start to salivate? If so, you are not alone. You may understand that sugar is probably not the healthiest food. Yet you might still crave it on a daily basis. This is not at all uncommon, thanks to the fact that processed food probably makes up the largest part of your diet. Intentionally hidden by manufacturers behind names like agave nectar, fruit juice, barley malt and dextrose, sugar is a prevalent but dangerous food ingredient.

Like salt, sugar addiction is rather common. Health professionals, unfortunately, agree that beating a sugar addiction is just as tough as kicking cocaine, heroin or a tobacco habit. There are neurological and physiological processes triggered by sugar which create this powerful addiction in some people. If sugar was not such a deadly food when taken in excess, this would not be a problem. From weight gain to premature aging, promoting cancer to boosting your risk of diabetes, sugar can be downright deadly.

The Effects of Sugar on Your Skin

The consumption of sugar and simple carbohydrates cause insulin levels to spike, resulting in inflammation. Inflammation produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin resulting in sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. The digested sugars attach to collagen in a process called glycation.

The digested sugar molecules react with proteins and fats in an abnormal way, producing harmful molecules called “advanced glycation endproducts," also known as AGEs. The body doesn't recognize AGEs and produces antibodies to combat the new sugar proteins, leading to inflammation. The more sugar or high-glycemic foods that are consumed, the more AGEs are produced. When the body becomes overwhelmed with AGEs, collagen and elastin become comprised resulting in accelerated visible signs of aging. AGEs activity increases with age, and with UV exposure.

Glycation affects the skin's structure at a cellular level resulting in accelerated aging, as well as worsening of other skin conditions.

The following are some of the visible signs of glycation:

Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Decerlation of Cell Turnover
Loss of Elasticity & Sagging
Stiffness, or Hardness of the Skin
Poor Circulation
Loss of Facial Volume
Age Spots, Uneven Skin Tone & Hyperpigmentation
Worsening of Acne, Rosacea & Eczema

How to Counteract the Effects of Glycation

Watch What You Eat. Choose foods that are low on the glycemic index. These foods take longer to break down and help stabilize blood sugar levels. Avoid high-glycemic foods and sugar that will cause your blood sugar levels to spike.

Increase Your Antioxidant Intake. Antioxidants can protect your cells and help counteract the damage caused by glycation.

Exercise. Working out and maintaining a healthy weight can help control the formation of AGEs. Being overweight, and the reduction of muscle mass can increase blood sugar levels and increase AGEs. Muscles consume glucose. The more muscles you have, the more glucose your body with use up. Muscle loss is a part of aging, however regular weight training and exercise can help counteract these effects.

Protect Your Skin. UV exposure increases the formations of AGEs, so it is vital that you protect your skin from the sun. Apply SPF daily to your face, neck, chest hands and any other exposed skin.

Your Daily Recommended Allowance of Sugar is...

The World Health Organization lowered its sugar intake recommendations by 50% in 2014. They now suggest no more than 5% of your daily calorie intake should be delivered by sugar. What does that mean? For the normal person, it means 25 grams (roughly 6 teaspoons) of sugar per day. You may be thinking, "I am safe. I don't add anywhere near 6 tablespoons of sugar to my food on a daily basis." Unfortunately, you don't have to. Normal foods are so chock full of sugar that there is a good chance you could be over your sugar RDA without reaching for the sugar bowl.

The American Heart Association recommends sugar levels similar to the levels the WHO suggestions. The AHA suggests male adults take no more than 150 calories of sugar per day (9 teaspoons). They suggest 100 calories per day as a maximum (6 teaspoons) for adult women.

How to Avoid Sugar

Be Careful of Foods Advertised As Fat-Free
Fat, both healthy and unhealthy varieties, delivers a lot of flavor. That's why it is used in a lot of processed foods. In an effort to eat less fat, some people reach for fat-free foods and beverages. Make sure you are reading your food labels when you do so. Fat is often replaced by sugar in foods which are sold as fat-free.

Learn to Read Food Labels
Panocha, refiner's syrup, Florida crystals and diastatic malt are all deceptive efforts by food manufacturers to hide the presence of sugar.
The next time you are online, type "different names for sugar" into your favorite search engine. Prepare to be overwhelmed. Print out this list and keep it with you when you go shopping. Avoid these ingredients as much as possible.

Skip Any Foods with Ingredients Ending in "OSE"
The last tip was a good one. But in case you get stuck shopping for groceries and you forget your list of alternative names for sugar, don't fear. Just skip food ingredients with an 'ose' suffix. Galactose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, maltose, and dextrose are all synonyms for sugar.

Cut Back on Soft Drinks and Energy Drinks
Remember earlier, when you learned your body needs no more than 6 to 9 teaspoons of daily sugar to operate properly? A single 12 ounce can of most sodas delivers 120 to 150 calories from sugar (7 to 9 teaspoons.) The sugar content in popular 8 ounce energy drinks averages between 100 and 125 calories (6 to 7 teaspoons.) This puts you at or over your DRA of sugar after just one beverage and does not include sugar already found in the foods you eat.

Avoid Added Sugar Altogether
Your body doesn't need you to feed it sugar. When you get ample carbohydrates in your diet, your body uses them to manufacture sugar. This is where you get your energy from. This is also why sugar leads to obesity. When you get too many simple carbohydrates in your diet, like those found in sugar, your body stores those carbs as fat. As long as you are eating enough healthy carbohydrates, you can avoid sugar altogether.

5 Simple Solutions That Work To Help You Get Rid Of Acne Fast

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sun, 13 May 2018 23:42:12 GMT

5 Simple Solutions That Really Work To Help Get Rid Of Your Acne

Getting Rid of Your Acne – 5 Simple Solutions That Really Work To Help You Have Healthier Skin

Acne plagues millions. And when you suffer from acne and breakouts it can have a negative effect on your confidence. The good news is to get rid of acne, there are simple solutions that really work.

#1. Cut back on sugar. There are both good and bad bacteria that live in our bodies. And some bacteria, the kind that can cause acne, thrive on sugar. Additionally, sugar affects your hormone levels and blood sugar levels both of which can cause a strain on your body. This strain makes it difficult for your body to fight any kind of infection, even a small pimple.

Cutting back on sugar helps balance your body’s systems and it eliminates the food bacteria thrive on. If your diet is particularly high in sugar and starchy carbohydrates (think white bread and baked goods) then going on a sugar elimination diet will show dramatic improvements in your skin.

There’s a reason chocolate is so often linked to acne, because it’s high in sugar. It’s also high in dairy and if you have a dairy sensitivity, which many people do, it can cause acne. Additionally, dairy is often full of hormones added to the cows to help them produce more milk. These hormones can wreak havoc on your system. Common foods that can cause acne include sugary foods, dairy, alcoholic beverages, fried foods, meat treated with hormones, and common allergy causing foods like nuts.

#2. Exfoliate and moisturize. Exfoliation of your skin keeps the pores from being clogged. Clogged pores are the precursor to a blemish. However, beware of harsh abrasives. Many facial scrubs are just too abrasive for sensitive skin. Instead, use facial scrubs that are non abrasive such as Maxine Dean 2 in 1 Non- Abrasive Microdermabrasion Scrub and Mask or use products with alpha hydroxy acids, retinols and salicylic acids to remove dead skin and debris from your face gently and consistently.

A common protocol might be to use a cleanser with salicylic acid and a night cream with retinol or alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs. Some skin care protocols for teens with acne contain benzoyl peroxide which can work quite well if you have particularly oily skin. However, for adults and those prone to dry skin, it can worsen the acne problem so be diligent in determining the right products for your type of acne.

#3 . Watch what you put on your face and when. Makeup can clog pores. If you wear makeup choose a non-comedogenic versions. Don’t wear makeup when you exercise or when you’re going to be outside in the sun for extended periods of time.

#4 . Avoid a lot of stress. Easier said than done, right? Stress has an effect on our hormones and can cause breakouts. If you’re going to be dealing with stress, say you have a big project coming up, up the vitamin B complex and get some sunshine or vitamin D. Vitamin B helps your body manage stress and it helps protect your skin. Vitamin D, which our body makes when we get about 20 minutes of sunlight each day, helps promote healthy skin.

#5. Try not to touch your skin. This goes beyond not squeezing or picking at your acne. Our fingers are full of bacteria. If you’re prone to acne much of it may be from simply transferring the bacteria on your hands to your face.

Overall, take good care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep, exercise, fresh air and a good healthy diet. Good overall health helps your skin stay healthy and acne free. It helps your body manage obstacles, like stress and hormones, without suffering a breakout.

What is Rosacea? And How To Treat Rosacea

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 04 May 2018 22:41:48 GMT

What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a relatively common but not very well understood condition of the facial skin that is estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans. And many of them don't even know it. As a matter of fact, a Gallup survey revealed that 78 percent of the people in this nation don't know anything about this disorder, how to recognize it, or what to do to cope with it. Unfortunately, rosacea is not curable, but it is treatable with a variety of medications, natural remedies, and lifestyle changes.

Many who suffer from rosacea noticed that it began after they were over 30 years old and starts mildly as a noticeable redness on the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, neck, chest, scalp, or ears. It is a progressive disease and will get worse if left untreated, as it often is in the beginning because it is mild and not life-disrupting.

If not treated, the condition will cause bumps and pimples to develop. In the most severe cases, your nose may become swollen and bumpy. Its also fairly common for rosacea patients to suffer irritated, watery, and/or bloodshot eyes.

How To Prevent Rosacea Flare Up?

The National Rosacea Society (NRS) recommends several actions to keep your rosacea at bay in their "What is Rosacea Guide":

Always protect your face from the sun.
Stay inside, in air-conditioning cool, on hot and humid day.
If you must be outside when it's hot, be prepared with cold drinks and do not over-exert yourself. Chew on ice chips to lower facial temperature and/or continuously spray your face with cool water.
In the cold weather, cover your face with a scarf.
In the winter, use a moisturizer daily.
Reduce stress. Take care of yourself by eating healthy foods, exercising enough, and getting a good amount of sleep. Do not drink too much caffeine. When feeling overwhelmed or stressed, try deep-breathing exercises, use visualization techniques, stretch out and relax all your muscles.
Eating (and drinking) right for rosacea suffers means avoiding hot soup or drinks, spicy foods, and alcohol.
Other foods that you might want to avoid if you notice flare-ups after consumption include cheese, sour cream, yogurt, citrus fruit, liver, chocolate, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract, vinegar, eggplant, avocados, spinach, broad-leafed beans and pods, and foods high in histamine or niacin.
While exercise is a good thing overall, if you suffer from rosacea, you might be better off toning it down a bit, and do not get too overheated.
In facial cleansers or moisturizers, avoid all ingredients that sting, burn, or cause redness. Some of the main culprits include alcohol, witch hazel, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus oil or clove oil.

What Are The Treatments For Rosacea?
There are various topical Rosacea products that can help keep flare ups at bay

1. Metronidazole: Available as a gel or cream, this Rosacea treatment has been used for years to treat the acne-like breakouts of rosacea.

2 Azelaic acid: Azelaic acid is in a class of medications called dicarboxylic acids. It works to treat rosacea by decreasing the swelling and redness of the skin. It works to treat acne by killing the bacteria that infect pores and by decreasing production of keratin, a natural substance that can lead to the development of acne.

Most patients apply this medicine twice a day — in the morning and again in the evening.

Metronidazole: Available as a gel or cream, this treatment has been used for more than 60 years to treat the acne-like breakouts of rosacea. Research studies show that it can effectively reduce both the redness and the acne-like breakouts.

Some patients are able to stop applying this medication and keep the results they gained by using metronidazole. In one study, only 23% of patients had a rosacea flare-up 6 months after stopping metronidazole.

If you need stronger medication to control your rosacea, your dermatologist may prescribe metronidazole along with other treatments. Using everything in your treatment plan can improve results.

Possible side effects of using metronidazole gel or cream include itching, stinging, irritated skin, or dryness where you apply the medication.

Sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur: You’ll find these ingredients in treatment that you can buy without a prescription, such as a cleanser, and prescription medication that you apply to your skin.

These ingredients have been used to safely treat the acne-like breakouts of rosacea for years. It’s considered safe, but be sure to tell your dermatologist if you have kidney disease or are sensitive to sulfur.

You can improve these results by following your rosacea treatment plan and avoiding what triggers your rosacea.

Possible common side effects from sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur include itching, dryness, temporary redness, or irritated skin. These tend to decrease as you use the medication.

Retinoid: This is a form of vitamin A that can irritate skin with rosacea. Once you get the rosacea under control, however, applying a retinoid can help you prevent flare-ups. It can also reduce signs of aging on your skin.

Antibiotics: Works by quickly destroying bacteria and the acne-like breakouts and redness.

Antibiotics, such as minocycline, doxycycline, or erythromycin, may effectively treat rosacea.

If you need an antibiotic, it will generally be prescribed to get the rosacea under control. Once under control, most patients use another treatment to maintain results.

Isotretinoin: Approved only to treat severe acne, this medication may be an option. It has been shown to reduce the redness and acne-like breakouts. Because isotretinoin can cause serious birth defects, it’s not an option for every patient.

Procedures To Help Reduce Rosacea

Laser or light therapy Such As Such IPL And Laser Genesis These can effectively treat the redness and acne-like breakouts by shrinking oil glans, reducing bacteria and inflammation and calming inflammation. Light based treatments for Rosacea require multiple treatments over a few months to see results

To maintain results, most patients also need follow-up laser or light treatments either annually or more often

MaxAesthetics Spa In Philadelphia Offers Light Based Therapy to help resolve the inflammation, acne bacteria, and Erythema associated with Rosacea Flare Ups.

Follow MaxAesthetics For more skin care information or call MaxAesthetics For A Free Consultation 267.528.3859

Read More About The Light Based Treatment Used At MaxAesthetics

Skin Food: Brussel Sprouts

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 15:09:55 GMT

If you gave your mother a hard time eating your brussel sprouts, now is the time to call and apologize!

Key Nutrients:

Vitamins A, B, C and K

Minerals: Manganese, Copper, Potassium and Iron

Fiber

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Protein

Benefits For Health:

Provides digestive support. With their high fiber content, along with the many potent antioxidants, decrease the risk of digestive issues arising or indigestion occurring.

Promotes healthy skin. Brussels sprouts contain many antioxidants can offer support comparable to broccoli. In addition, the presence of omega-3 fatty acids helps to balance the levels of pro-inflammatory Omega-6. These cute vegetables also contain wrinkle-fighting agents such as vitamins C and A, as well as folate. Vitamin C helps with the production of collagen, while the last two helps protect your skin against sun damage.

Pro Tip: Similar to Broccoli, some phytonutrients in Brussels sprouts become more efficient after heating. For example, it’s cholesterol reducing components become approximately 33% more efficient at removing bile acids after being cooked (preferably steamed.)

Skin Food: Apricots

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:26:23 GMT

Key Nutrients:

Vitamin C and A (particularly pro-vitamins called carotenoids)
Minerals Potassium and Copper
Fiber

Health Benefits:

Decreases Age Related Vision Decline - Although inevitable to an extent, the high content of carotenoids (Vitamin A like molecules) and other bio-flavonoids found in apricots, significantly slow down macular degeneration, help strengthen the optic nerve and preserve vision for much longer than it would left unmanaged.

Boosts Skin Health - The phytonutrients found in apricots, along with its rich bioflavonoid levels promote synthesis of collagen in the body. In case you’ve never heard, as we age, collagen levels decrease, resulting in connective tissue (skin, cartilage etc.) weakening and drooping. That’s why collagen supplements are so highly touted in skin health, as it preserves the suppleness of skin.

Maintains Fluid Balance - Apricots also contain high levels of potassium, a key, yet underrated mineral that keeps electrolyte levels in check. Without sufficient potassium, sodium levels go out of whack, resulting in dehydration, cramps, or even heart rhythm anomalies.

10 Real Risks For Heart Disease In Women

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 19:29:35 GMT

What is Heart Disease?

What is Heart Disease? “Heart Disease” is difficult to narrow into one particular category. It is an umbrella term that can refer to defects in the heart or blood vessels present from birth, enlarged hearts, or inflammation in the lining of the heart. The kind of heart disease that is widely discussed in popular culture, however, is atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which is often directly linked to lifestyle habits like diet and an active lifestyle. This hardening of the arteries is what often leads to a heart attack or stroke.

Women And Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women over age 40. There are warning signs that make women more likely to develop the disease. Yes, these issues are common for women, especially women in developed countries, but take heart! Most of these problems can be treated if present or avoided altogether, and it is never too late to make lifestyle changes.

Despite increases in awareness over the past decade, only 54% of women actually recognize that heart disease is their number 1 killer. In fact, 1 out of 4 women older than 65 has some form of identified heart disease. 64% of women, which equates to almost 2/3, who die suddenly of heart disease have no previous symptoms.

10 Risk Factors for Heart Disease

1. Stress & Anxiety - Stress and heart disease have always been strongly linked, and women are twice as likely to have an anxiety disorder as men from the onset of puberty to age 50. Stress can directly increase blood flow thanks to our natural fight-or-flight response, and this leads to the possibility of a heart attack.

2. Obesity - Obesity puts a strain on all organs of the body, but especially the heart. A clinical study has shown that women are more at risk for obesity with each child added to the family, where a 7% increase in risk of obesity is seen for each additional child. Stress and obesity are closely linked, so having one risk factor can increase the chances of the other. Obesity is a strong predictor for heart disease in women whose body weight exceeds desirable weight by 20%. 1/3 of all women are obese in the U.S. Belly fat increases the risk versus women with more fat around the hips.

Also, Metabolic Syndrome, the combination of fat around the middle, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high triglycerides affects women at greater rates than men.

3. Smoking - Unfortunately, it is often more difficult for women to quit smoking than men. Often, fear of weight gain, the social and behavioral aspects of smoking that medication can’t treat, and the hormonal changes associated with quitting are enough to keep women from breaking the habit. Stress can also lead to smoking, so women are more likely to develop this risk if they already have the risk factors listed above.

4. High Blood Pressure - Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is associated with stress, smoking, and obesity. More pressure is placed on the cardiovascular system, and this makes hardened arteries more likely to rupture, causing a stroke or heart attack.

5. Diabetes - Poses a greater risk for heart disease in women because it cancels the protective effects of estrogen in pre-menopausal women. Women with diabetes have a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease than men who have diabetes.

6. Depression - Depression rates are two times higher in women than in men and depression makes it more difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which can lead to heart disease. Researches are also finding that heartbreak can actually affect women’s hearts that can result in mild forms of heart problems.

7. Lack of Exercise - A sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise is a major risk factor for heart disease.

8. Low Levels of Estrogen - As result of menopause, low estrogen levels, pose a significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in the smaller blood vessels, also known as microvascular disease. Researchers know this is due to decreasing levels of estrogen during menopause that typically starts at around the age of 50. Estrogen decreases are also connected to higher cholesterol, because it lowers "good cholesterol" and decreases the bad, which poses extra risk for heart disease.

9. Birth Control Pills - Raise blood pressure, and blood sugar levels in women, and increase risk for blood clots, thereby increasing risk for heart disease, which is even higher when the woman also smokes. Risks increase with age.

10. Excessive Alcohol Use - Too much alcohol use may result in obesity, raise triglyceride and blood pressure levels, cause heart failure, and lead to stroke. Moderation is key, which means one drink per day.

How to Manage Risk Factors

Unfortunately, science has yet to develop a cure-all to solve symptoms, and the best way to take care of heart disease risks has stayed the same for decades: a diet low in saturated fat, sodium and sugar, a regular fitness routine, and cessation of smoking.

However, there is a reason that these methods have stood the test of time, even if the general population only changes their behavior by rolling their eyes. These methods are time-tested, and even small lifestyle changes, like eliminating sugary drinks or joining an aerobics class, can be enormous when the change becomes a permanent part of a woman’s lifestyle.

Many of these risk factors are closely related, so the benefits are abundant for all risk factors. Yes, the statistics are frightening, but with the support of doctors, coaches, and friends, there the promise of a healthier, longer, and ultimately more fulfilling life.

F or more information about Heart Disease, please visit the American Heart Association.

Skin Food: Onions

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 15:59:18 GMT

Key Nutrients in Onions:

Vitamins B and C
Manganese and Copper
Fiber
Antioxidants

Benefits For Health:

Skin Health - containing the powerful antioxidant quercetin, onions are a great health booster and a wonderful addition to any diet. Onions contain sulfur, which help keep the skin supple, smooth and protected from harmful external factors.
Bone And Joint Health - the high Sulfur content of onions, coupled with their nutrient profile and anti-oxidant potential can help prevent age associated bone loss, or joint degradation. Since Sulfur is an important part of the connective tissue of joints, onions may also possess advantages for cartilage regeneration as well.
Cancer Prevention - onion has been shown to decrease the risk of various cancers even when consumed in moderate quantities weekly. It is believed that higher levels of consumption also translate to added layers of protection from various cancers.

Tip:
Precise peeling of the outermost layer of the onion contributes to maximum retention of the nutrients contained within. Peeling too thickly can result in loss of over 75% of some beneficial compounds found closely underneath the outer peel.

Skin Food: Grapes

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 22:47:35 GMT

The skin of grapes contains polyphenols called resveratrol, which act like antioxidants and help fight inflammation. Resveratrol reduces the damage from UV rays. Some studies also show that it may slow down the aging process.

The Best Spa Treatments To Have In The Winter

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 19:15:23 GMT

Top Treatments to Transform Your Skin Before Summer

Take advantage of these dreary winter days to transform your skin!

Are you dreaming about warm, sunny days of summer? We are, too. But did you know that December through April is the BEST time for skin rejuvenation and laser treatments?
So what are the best spa treatments to have in the winter. Here are some of the Top winter spa treatments offered at MaxAesthetics Skin care spa in Philadelphia.

During the winter, the days are shorter and the sun is less bright overhead. Everyone is already bundled up and covering their skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, and spending more time indoors. This makes winter perfect for lasers and skin rejuvenating treatments!

Lasers and light based treatments put A LOT of heat and energy into your skin, leaving it especially sensitive and more vulnerable to UV damage. Excess sun exposure after a laser treatment will intensify your skin's sensitivity, and may interfere with the results of your treatment!

Lasers typically work best on skin that hasn't had recent sun exposure, and can't be used on sun burnt skin. In the winter, most of us are at our palest and have had enough time for our skin to recover from summer sun exposure.

Rejuvenating treatments like chemical peels, slough off dead skin to reveal new, fresher skin. This new skin is ultra photo-sensitive, so precautions need to be taken to avoid UV exposure in order to prevent hyperpigmentation or other issues. Remember, sun damage is the biggest offender in causing the visible signs of aging!

Winter is the ideal time of year for the following spa treatments that may be affected by excess heat and sun exposure:
Laser Rejuvenation such as laser Genesis will aid in tightening the skin and shrinking large pores for a softer smoother skin.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser Vein Removal
Skin Resurfacing
Skin Lightening : Winter may be the best time for skin lightening since the treatments required may be affected by sun exposure
Microneedling : Microneedling offers a wide range of healthy skin benefits from scar repair to collagen boost.
I PL Photo Facials : Gets rid of Dark spots , freckles and sun damage.
Chemical Peels
Scar & Stretch Mark Reduction

So don't let these colder months go to waste! Transform for your skin for summer, now!

Anti-Aging Health Benefits of Red Wine

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 15:59:55 GMT

Have you been looking for more reasons to enjoy red wine? There’s good news, because it really does provide you with a host of health benefits. Just remember to limit yourself to no more than five glasses of week (and certainly no more than two glasses a day.)

Red wine is so beneficial to health is due to its ingredients, it’s the flavonoid content which boosts your health.

Quercetin is known for its ability to impact heart disease, chronic disease, allergies, high cholesterol, diabetes, skin disorders, gout, stomach ulcers, eye issues, cancer, and cognitive impairments.
Resveratrol is another key compound, and it is known for its ability to support the health of cells and tissues, protect against diabetes, promote circulation, fight oxidative stress, protect against cancer, prevent premature aging, and improve energy.

Just look at the following incredible health benefits of red wine!

Skin Health

Red wine helps slow the effects of aging on the skin. The resveratrol found in red wine has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve longevity, has shown immense promise in slowing the rate of telomere splitting, effectively slowing down aging.

The antioxidant benefits from red wine combat free radical damage, allowing collagen and elastin to keep skin looking firm, smooth and youthful.

Resveratrol is also found in red grape juice, but we think red wine is a little more fun to drink.

Heart Health

Red wine contains a variety of active compounds that contain properties to protect your heart health, including quercetin, polyphenols, and resveratrol. There have been numerous studies looking at how moderate enjoyment of red wine can be beneficial to various aspects which relate to heart disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, resveratrol can prevent blood clots from forming, raise healthy levels of cholesterol, and help prevent the damage that bad cholesterol causes arteries.

According to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, found that Quercetin promotes heart health through reducing inflammation, and regulating blood pressure.

Fights Bad Cholesterol

A study from Copenhagen’s Royal Veterinary and Agriculture University found that the level of wine consumption was directly related to the level of good cholesterol, with participants seeing an improvement of 5% after enjoying red wine in moderation. Additionally, Australia’s Curtin University completed a study that discovered that regularly drinking red wine could reduce the level of bad cholesterol, specifically in postmenopausal women.

Free Radical Fighting

Free radicals build up in your system and cause a variety of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular problems, arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases, and more. Red wine contains antioxidants that counteract the stress that is caused by free radicals. These antioxidants bolster your immune system, and reduce the risk of a variety of serious health problems.

Diabetes Management

Red wine can reduce the speed with which glucose passes into the bloodstream through the small intestine. This helps with the prevention of blood sugar spikes that type 2 diabetes causes. When consumed in moderation, red wine can form part of a diet plan for those with type 2 diabetes. The reason that red wine is so much more effective than white wine is because red wine contains over ten times the number of polyphenols.

Prevents Weight Gain

The grapes that are used in red wine contain piceatannol, and this is similar in structure to the compound resveratrol. However, what piceatannol does is block immature fat cells from growing. Where it is present, it prevents cell development from progressing. It’s so effective at this because it can destroy these fat cells early on in the process, thus preventing the accumulation of fat cells and gains in body mass. How? By binding to the insulin receptors that are located in the fat cells, and then blocking insulin from controlling the cycle of those cells. Additionally, it blocks the activity of insulin to activate fat formation genes.

Dementia Preventing

The Mediterranean diet has long been known for its vast health benefits. Red wine is central to the diet, and according to the National Institute on Aging, those who follow it reduce the risk of dementia by 48%.

There has been more research completed on red wine as an effective preventative measure for Alzheimer’s. It is resveratrol that is highlighted as the key compound in red wine that can prevent or slow down the progression of dementia. This is because of its ability to reduce inflammation, and serve as a protectant to neurons.

Here's to Your Health - Cheers!

Skin Food: Spinach

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 17:40:39 GMT

Along with other dark, green vegetables, spinach is loaded with the anti-oxidant vitamin C, which can increase collagen levels. Spinach is also a great source of beta-carotene and vitamin E, as well as several other nutrients that help keep wrinkles at bay. It also has high levels of glutathione, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps, fight off inflammation and harmful free radicals that accelerate aging, including that which affects the skin and its appearance. mThe anti-oxidant properties of spinach will fight against oxygen free radicals that helps prevent collagen from weakening.

Spinach juices great, and has so many other health benefits that it really is a great choice in juicing. Spinach is one of the best juicing greens for its health benefits, as it offers high levels of Vitamins A, C and K along with a major dose of iron, which is vital for production of hemoglobin.

Skin Food: Sweet Potatoes

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 18:42:43 GMT

These delicious vegetables can help delay the signs of aging because they contain the carotenoid, beta-carotene. They are also a great source of vitamin C. Sweet potatoes help support collagen production and hair, skin and eye health.

The best part about eating sweet potatoes is that studies show that they help produce HA (hyaluronic acid) which helps keep the skin supple and smooth and is mainly produced by the body. Unfortunately, the body’s ability to produce this acid decreases with age, but adding sweet potatoes to your diet can help keep the levels of HA at a steady level.

How to Stick to Your New Year's Resolution!

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 15:55:22 GMT

5 Tips To Actually Keep Those New Year's Health Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions are famously difficult to keep. Every year thousands of people promise themselves that they are going to give up smoking, get in better shape or finally get around to going on a diet and every year thousands of people fail to follow through. Well, this year you are going to have some help!

We are giving you five tips to ensure that no matter what health-related New Year’s resolution you make you will have the greatest possible chance of seeing it through.

Tip #1: Make It Achievable

This is a very obvious tip but it is one that some people don’t really consider when making their New Year’s Resolutions. In order to gauge whether or not your goals are actually achievable, you are going to write down the steps that you will take to manifest them.

Let’s take an example of a 40-year-old person who makes a New Year’s Resolution to lose 50 pounds. If that person thinks that, they are going to easily lose that much weight and get back the body they had when they were 25, obviously this is a goal that in 90% of people is completely unachievable. Why? Because it places an immense amount of immediate stress and targets a much more long-term goal.

However, setting a more realistic short-term goal that focuses on losing the first 10 pounds, is a great resolution, and is much more user-friendly and realistic. The smart approach is to set both long-term goals, say the 50 pounds, with a set of short-term goals as stepping-stones to get there.

Write down the steps that will get you to your goal and be honest with yourself when considering whether or not you are actually going to be able to achieve it.

Tip #2: Daily Intention Setting & Self-Hypnosis

Once you have decided on exactly what your resolution is, you are going to remind yourself of it every day, and you are also going to program yourself for success. Write down what your goal is and post it in at least five places around your home so that you see it and be reminded of it every day. This will help you to stay on track and not forget what you promised yourself you would achieve.

Also, every single morning of every single day you are going to visualize success. You can do this in bed when you wake up or you can spend 5 minutes doing this once you have gotten out of bed and organized all of the morning tasks to be done. Find a spot where you can be alone for 5 minutes and visualize yourself having already achieved your goal.

Feel the feelings of accomplishment and happiness at having achieved your goal.
Imagine how you will feel and think at that point in your life.
Make the visualization extremely rich in sensation, meaning imagine all the senses at work, what you will hear, what you will see and how you will feel, imagine how proud you can be letting everybody know that you achieved your goal and imagine how happy other people will be for you.

This is an extremely powerful way of programming your brain for success because it will begin to believe that you have already achieved your goal and it will transform your body and thoughts in accordance with that.

Tip #3: Join Forces

Another way to help you to achieve your goal is to join forces with a friend or family member who wants to make either the same or a similar New Year’s Resolution. Being able to offer each other support and encouragement will give you more motivation to stick to your plans and achieve success.

Just make sure that the person you choose to join forces with has a high level of motivation to achieve their goal too and you will guarantee that you both get the support you need.

Tip #4: Tell Everyone What You Are Going To Do

Tell everyone that you know what your plan is. Doing this will mean that if you fail your resolution you are going to have to explain to everyone that you know, one by one, how you failed, and no-one likes to admit defeat. Make the thought of failure so uncomfortable that you have no choice but to continue working towards your goal.

Tip #5: Make a Bet

Once you have given yourself a realistic target, you are going to find your loudest and most obnoxious friend, then you are going to make a monetary bet with this person stating that you will stick to your resolution and achieve your aim, or else you will have to pay him/her $100.

This is a sure-fire way of boosting your motivation, however, make sure that the amount of money you bet is going to cause you to want to avoid losing the bet. If $100 is not a lot of money to you then try $500 or even $1000.

The fact that you made this bet with your most obnoxious friend will make you want to achieve your goal even more because no one wants to lose a bet that they will have to hear about repeatedly every time you meet with that person.

Another way of doing this is to give a trusted friend or family member the money up front and tell that if you fail your resolution then they can keep the money; otherwise, they have to give it back to you when you achieve success.

The Bottom Line

So there you have five simple but powerful tips to help you keep your New Year’s Resolutions. Put all of them to work and you will guarantee that you have the highest possible amount of motivation for staying on track.

This time, keeping your New Year’s Resolution is going to be easy as pie, just keep telling yourself that and if you believe in yourself enough, you will guarantee that it will come true!

What Is The Best Cleanser Or Face Wash For Acne Skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 19:39:52 GMT

Find Out The Top 5 Ingredients You Should Look For In Your Acne Products

Acne Prone Skin requires a balance of detoxification to reduce or kill the P acne bacteria, exfoliation to break down and remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, and calming ingredients to reduce inflammation , redness and the prevention of possible blemishes and even scars.

When you suffer with acne prone skin, choosing the right cleanser and other skin specific products can aid the process of ridding your skin of the bacteria that make their way into pores and lead to inflammatory breakouts and even infection. A thorough cleansing with the proper exfoliation also removes dead cells on the surface of your skin, which makes for better absorption of the acne product that follows cleansing.

The Top 5 Ingredients to look for in your acne cleanser and other acne products either for your face or your body are as follows:

1. Benzoyl Peroxide: is a topical antibiotic that kills Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne inflammation. Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial agent due to its oxygenating property which moves oxygen into clogged pores thereby killing the P acne bacteria which cannot survive in an oxygen rich environment.

Benzoyl Peroxide products come in varying strengths ranging from 2.5% to 10 %. The percentage you will need may depend on the severity of your acne and the amount of bacteria in the skin.

2. Glycolic Acid: a form of alpha-hydroxy acid generally derived from sugar cane works to gently exfoliate dull skin cells, unclogging pores and aids in the regulation of sebum.

3. Salicylic Acid: is a keratolytic agent or exfoliant. It belongs to the same class of drugs as aspirin ( salicylates ). It works by increasing the amount of moisture in the skin and dissolving the substance that causes the skin cells to stick together and is an anti-inflammatory.

4. Echinacea Purpurea Extract : Herbal extract derived from the leaf; detoxifying, healing and is used as immune stimulant when taken internally.

5.Chamomile: promotes healthy skin by relieving irritations thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Chamomile’s flavonoids and essential oils penetrate below the skin surface into the deeper layers . As a traditional medicine, it’s been used for centuries to treat wounds, skin irritations, eczema, gout etc.

At MaxAesthetics Skin Care spa we utilize customized skin care products for acne that incorporate all of the above ingredients.

The Acne clear Cleanser incorporates a 5% Benzoyl Peroxide to kill acne bacteria fast resulting in detoxification.

The Acne Clear Convenient Acne Pads used to reduce oiliness incorporates both Glycolic and Salicylic acid to produce a mild exfoliation that will balance oil production and reduce inflammation.

The Acne Clear Serum incorporates All elements of a great acne product. It kills bacteria, exfoliates and unclogs pores, it reduces inflammation and heals the skin thus reducing the chance for acne blemishes and scars to develop.

Skin Food: Tomatoes

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 16:40:17 GMT

Tomatoes get their skin boosting qualities from the antioxidant Lycopene. The lycopene in tomatoes is excellent at preventing UV damage to skin cells and their high vitamin A content supports healthy skin cell production to keep skin firm. Tomatoes are also very hydrating thanks to high water content.

Benefits of Lycopene:

Overall Skin Health
Skin Hydration
Boosts Protection from UV Damage
Heart Health
Bone Health
Stroke Prevention
Cancer Prevention
Anti-Aging

The nutrients found in tomatoes are linked to prevention of the sticking together of blood platelets in the arteries, which helps reduce risks for stroke and heart attack. While lycopene is present in raw tomatoes, even more lycopene is liberated when tomatoes are subjected to mild heat. Cooking tomatoes doubles their lycopene power and maximizes their anti-aging effects

Best known for containing lycopene, which helps wipe out the harmful effects of UV rays, tomatoes are a great addition to your diet. Found also in watermelon, pink grapefruit, carrots, guava and red pepper, lycopene also boosts the vascular system, giving your cheeks a nice rosy color.
Lycopene is better absorbed by the body when it’s in the form of processed tomato products, such as tomato paste, pasta sauce, and ketchup, and when tomatoes are cooked. When eaten with foods containing beta-carotene, it’s absorbed even more by the body, which is lucky for us because tomatoes also contain beta-carotene. Tomatoes also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, mainly because they contain vitamin as well which helps produce collagen and plump up skin cells.

Skin Food: Pineapple- How Pineapple benefits your skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Are Pineapples good for your skin?

Bromelain enzyme is a substance found in pineapple that contains anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent acne, dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. It's a high source of antioxidants not only benefits your skin, hair and health but also boosts your immunity.

Pineapple is high in the enzyme bromelain, which is good for both the skin and for digestion. Bromelain is so good for the skin that it is often used as a topical agent in masks used to exfoliate and clear the skin! The bromelain found in pineapples also support a healthy digestive system. Similar to Papain (the enzyme found in Papayas), Bromelain helps with digestion, most important of which is protein.

How does Pineapple help acne?

Bromelain enzyme is a substance found in pineapple that contains anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent acne, dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. Bromelain Is an antioxidant that not only benefits your skin, hair and health but also boosts your immunity.

Pineapple is also rich in manganese, which is essential for activating a certain enzyme called Prolidase. This enzyme provides the amino acids needed for the formation of collagen in the skin, providing you with healthy, youthful, radiant skin.

Pineapple supplies several important trace minerals, which are important in the synthesis of enzymes and immune anti-bodies.

How to make a Pineapple enzyme mask for your skin?

Chop up 5 cubes of pineapple and toss it into a blender with 1/2 cup coconut milk. Apply the mask on your face and neck, and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Pineapple is packed with antioxidants known to protect your skin from free radical damage, while coconut milk cools and moisturizes skin while reducing swelling and redness.

Top Ten Healthy Benefits of Pineapple For Your Skin

Pineapples could enhance your complexion in several ways.

Calms inflammation
Potentially reverses skin disease like eczema and psoriasis
Fights damagin g free radicals
Boosts collagen production which combats aging
Speeds wound healing
Inhibits hyperpigmentation and reduces sun spots
Protects against UV damage
Reduces acne and acne blemishes
Reduces sunspots
Aids in proper Digestion

At MaxAesthetics Spa in Philadelphia we utilize Pineapple enzyme in our deep cleansing enzyme facial to exfoliate, brighten and heal your skin.

Call MaxAesthetics Now , to see how Fruit enzymes can be used to help your skin 267.528.3859

How to Make a Skin Smoothing Scrub at Home!

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 22:33:40 GMT

DIY Face & Body Scrubs Made with Ingredients from Around Your House

Making your own beauty products can be fun and exciting. Some of the easiest products to make at home are exfoliating scrubs. These products can usually be made with things that you have lying around your kitchen anyway. Let’s look at some of the best exfoliating scrub recipes that you can make at home.

If you're too busy to throw together a scrub at home, try the Microdermabrasion Scrub + Mask from MaxineDean Skin Care.

This scrub is a favorite because of how easy it is. With only two ingredients and an easy to remember ratio, everyone can make this scrub in no time.

1 tablespoon Coconut oil, or whichever oil works best for your skin such as Olive oil, Argan oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Seabuckthorn Oil, etc.
2 tablespoons sugar

You will want to combine the oil and sugar in a small container. Rub the scrub on your neck, face and other skin in small circles for about 60 seconds.

The nice thing about this recipe is that with the coconut oil you are going to be moisturizing while you exfoliate. Make sure you rinse your face with warm water when you are done.

If you want to make a bigger batch for your body, no problem, just increase the amounts but keep the 1:2 ratio the same. The mixture should keep for about three months, but you may want to keep it in the fridge, especially if you live in a hotter climate.

If you ever had chicken pox or poison ivy as a child, you may have gotten a good oatmeal bath from your mother. Oatmeal can be wonderful for the skin, so it’s no wonder it made it into this scrub.

½ cup uncooked oats, use whole or do several pulses in a food process to break up the oats slightly.
2tbsp honey
1tsp nutmeg (optional)
1 tsp dried lavender (optional)

This simple exfoliating facial scrub takes the calming nature of oatmeal and the antibacterial properties of honey to help calm your irritated face. If a sugar scrub is too tough on your skin, you may want to keep this one in mind. The nutmeg and lavender also soothe the skin as you work the scrub into your skin in small circles for about 60 seconds.

Rinse with warm water. Remember to rinse over your kitchen sink, or to use a strainer in your bathroom sink. You don’t want to have to call a plumber to catch those pieces of oatmeal when they’ve clogged your pipes.

Don’t make this one in big batches. The oats will soften and lose their exfoliating power. Make sure, when you prepare this scrub you plan to use it right away.

Coffee isn’t just good for waking up; it is also an excellent anti-inflammatory product and can boost collagen production in the skin. Caffeic Acid, the ingredient that causes all of these amazing properties is found in coffee and argan oil. For this scrub, you’re going to use both!

1 tablespoon coarsely ground coffee
1 tablespoon argan oil

You will use this exfoliating scrub like any other scrub and rub your skin in small circles for about 60 seconds before rinsing. You will want to put a mesh coffee filter in your sink before rinsing your face to catch any coffee grounds that you miss. When rinsing, use warm water. Also, because of the moisturizing effects of argan oil, you can skip the moisturizer after you exfoliate with this amazing scrub.

This is another great scrub to use on your whole body.

Be Creative!

As you can see, there are lots of options for at home facial scrubs. These are just a few of the easiest to make at home. You can get really creative with your exfoliating scrubs by choosing your own ingredients to rejuvenate the skin. Feel free to substitute the oils used. Coconut oil might be a godsend for some, but for others it can make skin breakout overnight.

If you are like many people out there, time is of the essence. Having a simple go-to exfoliating scrub is going to be all that you need to get you through your beauty routine.

Whether you need the extra moisturizing benefits of the argan and coconut oils or you are looking for something that will help soothe irritated skin, these three exfoliating scrubs will have everything that you need to keep your skin looking at its best.

Skin Food: Blueberries

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 20:29:11 GMT

If you’re looking for something to add to your diet that has major benefits bundled together, look no further. Blueberries, as well as raspberries, contain antioxidants, probiotics, anthocyanins, vitamins, polyphenols, and flavonoids. They truly are the whole package. Moreover, they help the skin regenerate new cells, which, slows the aging process. They also fight off free radicals while helping replenish the skin cells natural plumpness and elasticity.

Blueberries are highly nutrient rich fruits that should be enjoyed every day. These delicious low calorie fruits are loaded with antioxidants to fight free radicals that can damage cells in the body and cause wrinkles.

Blueberries contain compounds that help prevent inflammation and oxidative damage, both of which are linked to age-related memory and motor function issues.

A study published by Tufts University reports that the blue color of blueberries results from anthocyanins, which help prevent oxidative stress, one of the key components of unhealthy aging. Anthocyanins also promote the production of dopamine in the brain helping to keep memory function healthy and boost positive mood.

Blueberries have more antioxidants than almost any other fruit. These antioxidants help protect skin cells against harmful UV-related damage from sun exposure, pollution and stress. Vitamin C keeps your skin looking youthful and wrinkle-free.

Skin-Boosting Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 17:28:41 GMT

A Anti-Aging & Hydrating Smoothie with a Holiday Twist

This bright and creamy Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie gives you all the flavor of the Thanksgiving classic without all the guilt! Skin-boosting ingredients like sweet potato, citrus fruits and nuts provides immune support in addition to healthy, glowing complexion!

What Makes This Smoothie So Great For Your Skin?

Sweet Potatoes - These delicious vegetables can help delay the signs of aging because they contain the carotenoid, beta-carotene. They are also a great source of vitamin C. The best part about eating sweet potatoes is that studies show that they help produce HA (hyaluronic acid) which helps keep the skin supple and smooth and is mainly produced by the body. Unfortunately, the body’s ability to produce this acid decreases with age, but adding sweet potatoes to your diet can help keep the levels of HA at a steady level.

Sweet potatoes are high in alpha and beta-carotene. These together form active vitamin A, which is good for your bones, eyes, and immune system. One sweet potato provides more than the maximum daily allowance of vitamin A along with healthy amounts of vitamins B6 and C, manganese, potassium, zeaxanthin, and lutein.

Oranges - Eating a large orange will also provide you with a good amount of vitamin C, as well as hydrate your skin and keep it supple since oranges are full of water. Studies show that those who regularly incorporate foods rich in vitamin C into their diets reduce their risk of wrinkles by 36%. Their skin also showed signs of being well hydrated, which means radiant, younger-looking skin. Vitamin C also protects the skin against UV radiation.

Oranges contain one of the best sources of vitamin C, which is used to make antibodies and white blood cells in the immune system. Oranges are high in antioxidants that protect the cells from oxygen free radicals that can damage cells. Whole oranges are high in fiber as well and contain a great deal of folate, which a large study showed to help women significantly reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, a major contributing factor to heart attacks.

Allspice - Allspice has great nutritional value and some antiseptic, antioxidant, analgesic and pain-relieving properties. Rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and niacin which provides great antioxidant support for the whole body.

Nuts - Similar to olive oil, nuts in general are a great source of unsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Eating a handful of mixed nuts for an afternoon snack provides you with a healthy portion of omega-3 fatty acids to nourish your skin, as well as anti-inflammatory properties to help treat and prevent skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

How to Make a Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup Sweet Potato - chopped (If your blender has trouble with sweet potatoes, lightly steam them to soften them up before blending.)
1 Orange - peeled
1/2 tsp Allspice
2 tbsp Pecans
1 cup Vanilla Almond Milk
1 cup Ice
Optional - a few Mini Marshmallows for garnish

Directions
Blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Makes 2 servings.

Skin Food: Cucumbers

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 15:23:09 GMT

Cucumbers with an unwaxed peel offer silica to boost collagen production and reduce wrinkles for younger looking skin.

Cucumber are very hydrating to improve skin moisture and being that vitamin C is one of the most important antioxidants, it can help your skin to maintain a youthful appearance.

Cucumbers are very high in water, in fact, they are mostly water, and they contain vitamin C, and caffeic acid that helps soothe irritations and swelling of the skin, which is why cucumbers are often recommended to be placed over swollen eyes to get rid of puffiness and a fatigued look when you have not had a restful night’s sleep.

Skin Food: Green Beans

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 16:09:08 GMT

Green beans are very healthy for your skin. They contain hyaluronic acid, which fights aging of the skin and hold onto water so the skin is moisturized thereby reducing wrinkles and fine lines. The skin is kept smooth and moist by the addition of hyaluronic acid.

Beans also increase the synthesis of collagen and promote the growth of healthy skin. Your joints are healthier and your skin will be more toned. Hyaluronic acid is also important in the proliferation of healthy skin cells and in the migration of those cells to the outermost parts of the skin.

Cranberry Antioxidant Face Mask

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:49:27 GMT

Ah, the benefits of berries never end!

They are good to eat and good for your skin. Cranberries naturally exfoliate dead skin and contain vital antioxidants to promote anti-aging skin health, improve skin texture, tone and firmness.

Vitamin C increases collagen production, reduces redness and brightens the skin. Vitamin A is supports healthy pore function, and cell turnover.

Vitamin A helps keep pores clear, which can help reduce acne and oil production.

Cranberries contain polyphenols, including proanthocyanidins and flavonols , which are antioxidants known for their powerful anti-aging effects. The polyphenols in cranberries help fight free radicals, the damaging byproducts of environmental toxins, UV Damage, and other stressors, to repair damaged skin and reduce the signs of aging. The polyphenols found in cranberries :

Provides skin soothing properties to reduce inflammation and redness.
Enhances, and amplifies the antioxidant properties of Vitamins A, C, and E.
Improves circulation
Slows damage caused by oxidative stress, which may help reduce sun related aging.
Repairs UV Damage, and helps slow damage of oxidative stress, which may help reduce sun related aging.
Helps repair collagen, and Inhibits the enzyme that breaks down collagen for smooth, firm, elastic skin.

The Natural Fruit Enzymes in cranberries gently exfoliate the skin by dissolving dead, dull skin. Revitalizes skin, bringing new, fresh skin to the surface to brighten and reduce signs of aging.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that strengthens the skin’s natural barrier function to prevent moisture loss, fights free radicals and protects skin against UV damage.

Cranberries are rich Essential Fatty Acids . Cranberries have a unique 1:1 ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which is the perfect ratio for maximum absorption into the skin. Essential fatty acids improves skin elasticity, and keeps skin hydrated, nourished and radiant.

Ingredients

10- 15 Raw Cranberries, either fresh or frozen (thawed)
2 Tablespoons of Raw Honey
2 Tablespoons of finely milled oats. Use a knife or use a food processor to
1 Tablespoon of Plain Greek Yogurt

Directions
Mash the cranberries by hand or use a blender to form a paste. Stir in the honey and greek yogurt and mix until all ingredients are completed blended together. Slowly add just enough oats to thicken the mixture into a paste. Refrigerate the mask for about 20 minutes.

After cleansing, apply the mask to your face, neck and chest. (You may want to wear an old shirt while you wear the mask, as the cranberries could stain some fabrics.) Relax for about 10-15 minutes, or until the mask has dried. Splash your face with water, or use a damp washcloth to moisten, and soften the mask. Gently exfoliate the skin, by scrubbing in circular motions. Rinse the rest of the mask away using lukewarm water, and pat dry. Apply the rest of your skin care and enjoy your revitalized skin!

You Are What You Eat: How Food Affects Your Skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 18:07:49 GMT

It is safe to say that how you eat does ultimately affect the health of your skin. Aside from the overall benefits of eating healthy; research points to the fact that eating the right foods also helps keep skin looking young and healthy. There is also evidence showing that when we don't care about what we eat our skin definitely suffers.

Continue reading at Maxine Dean Skin Care!

Skin Food: Pumpkin Seeds

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 18:15:37 GMT

A healthy diet goes hand-in-hand with healthy skin. Take care of your skin from the inside out with 'skin foods' like pumpkin seeds!

Pumpkin seeds contain so many wonderful vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fatty acids that are great for your skin. And they make a tasty snack too! Pumpkin seeds are packed with antioxidants like Vitamin E, Carotenoids (Vitamin A,) Zinc, Manganese, Phenolic antioxidants, and Phyto-nutrient antioxidants. These anti-aging antioxidants protect against harmful free-radical damage and help improve your overall health.

Pumpkin seeds are also anti-microbial and have been shown to eliminate unhealthy microbes from the body, prevent yeast overgrowth and to improve skin conditions and inflammation.

Pumpkin seeds are one of the best sources of Zinc , which is an excellent anti-aging and acne fighting mineral. Zinc supports cellular regeneration, collagen production and skin elasticity for firm skin, and has been shown to improve acne. The zinc found in pumpkin seeds also helps reduce inflammation inside the body, supports your immune system, metabolism, sleep, mood, hormone production and overall skin, hair, and nail health.

Selenium found in pumpkin seeds neutralizes free radical damage and protects against inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and damage caused by UV radiation. By protecting skin from UV damage, selenium helps prevent the breakdown of collagen which causes skin laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles. Selenium also supports clear skin by strengthening your body's ability to fight infections like acne, and by reducing inflammation.

The essential fatty acid, Alpha-Linolenic Acid , regulates oil and moisture levels in the skin. Fatty Acids regulate the cell membrane, keeping nutrients and water inside the cell and filtering out waste and harmful fats. A diet rich in essential fatty acid keep cells moisture levels high which improves the visible signs of aging, as well as acne-prone and oily skin.

Pumpkin seeds also contain Tryptophan , an amino acid that our bodies convert into serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is linked to improved moods and social interactions. Melatonin promotes restful sleep and improved mood. A good night's sleep is crucial for maintaining healthy skin, as the majority of cell turnover, or regeneration, occurs in the REM sleep cycle.

The Best Anti-Aging Foods for Healthy Skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 19:11:20 GMT

We've previously written about how an Anti-Inflammatory Diet can help your whole body look and feel it's best. Your dietary and lifestyle choices play a big role in how your body (and skin!) ages. Even though you make the effort to exercise and eat right, you should always be looking for ways to fight aging through eating anti-inflammatory foods. Below we complied some of the best anti-aging food for healthy skin.

Among the many benefits of a healthy diet is keeping your skin looking young as you age. Do you remove the peel of apples before eating? Well you shouldn’t, as many of its skin defending nutrients are found there. For example, the compound quercetin protects against sun damage and cancer causing UV rays. An apple a day could very well keep the doctor away!

As we age, collagen levels decrease causing sagging and wrinkles. Pomegranate seeds and their juice have high levels of vitamin C that’s essential for collagen synthesis to improve skin appearance.

Dark chocolate has a host of benefits, including anti aging skin care thanks to the presence of flavonoid compounds that fight free radicals. In addition to exerting an antioxidant effect, they also help remove toxins from the skin and improve blood flow to enhance that radiant glow. Always choose at least 60% cacao chocolate, not processed candy bars.

The lycopene in tomatoes is excellent at preventing UV damage to skin cells and their high vitamin A content supports healthy skin cell production to keep skin firm. While lycopene is present in raw tomatoes, even more is liberated when tomatoes are subjected to mild heat. Tomatoes are also very hydrating thanks to high water content. For best results, eat tomatoes a few times a week at a minimum to enjoy their anti-aging skin benefits.

Sweet potatoes are extremely rich in beta carotene that is converted to vitamin A in the body, and beneficial for healthy cell turnover, prevention of cell oxidation and blocking of UV rays. This is why many skin care products include the Vitamin A derivative retinol in their formulas.

Cold water fish , such as tuna, trout, and salmon are loaded with both protein and omega-3 fatty acids that are important for slowing down the appearance of aging on the skin. Fatty acids help to maintain cell membranes allowing them to keep their structural integrity. As we age, the skin naturally loses hydration, hence the need for moisturizers, but omega 3 fatty acids hydrate your skin from within to keep it soft and supple.

Spinach has high concentrations of B vitamins and folate that help repair abnormalities in DNA and prevent development of skin harming free radicals that cause premature skin aging.

Avocados are rich in vitamin E that blocks age accelerating free radicals to reduce wrinkles and retain a youthful appearance. It inhibits pro-inflammatory processes in the body, and promotes hydration to ease and prevent dryness.

The Best Anti-Aging Skin Care Treatments

A healthy diet can help stave off damage due to extrinsic aging. Extrinsic aging is preventable aging caused by lifestyle choices and environmental damage. Excessive sun exposure, pollution, certain medications, tobacco use, lack of sleep or exercise, poor diet can all lead to premature aging.

However the natural aging process, or intrinsic aging, is mainly controlled by genetics. With time and age, the skin becomes thinner, drier and more fragile. Aging or Mature Skin produces less collagen and elastin resulting in lax skin that lacks the fullness, smoothness or the glow of youth. Although it can't be truly prevented, there are treatments available to correct or stall intrinsic aging.

To find out more about the Best Anti-Aging Skin Treatments please visit the MaxAesthetics's website for more information on Microneedling , Radio Frequency Skin Tightening , Microcurrent Facial Toning and Facials.

Pumpkin Mask for Glowing Skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Brighten & Smooth the Skin with a Facial Mask That's Good Enough to Eat!

Fall is right around the corner and we couldn't be more excited. Embrace the season with this homemade facial mask made with fresh pumpkin puree. If you want naturally radiant and glowing skin while you sip your next pumpkin spiced latte, this mask is for you!

Pumpkin - Pumpkins are loaded with anti-aging antioxidants including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Carotene, Linoleic Acid, Lutein making it the perfect base for a natural facial mask! Vitamin A and C help to refine skin texture and tone for a brighter, smoother face. Pumpkin has natural enzymes that help to gently exfoliate and brighten the skin. And unlike other plants, pumpkin doesn't contain fragrance chemicals that could potentially irritate the skin.

Honey - You already know we love honey around here! Honey provides exceptional hydration and soothing nourishment to all skin types - even acne prone skin!

Greek Yogurt - Yogurt contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, which exfoliates and hydrates the skin to brighten, smooth and calm the skin. Reju

Inngredients:

2 cups of raw pumpkin puree (fresh is best!)
4 tablespoons of honey
3 tablespoons of plain Greek Yogurt (Kefir works too!)
1/4 cup of coarse almond flour/meal (or you can ground your own almonds in a food processor until powdery.)

Directions:
Blend all the ingredients together. It's possible to mix by hand, but we recommend a blender or food processor to ensure the mask is throughly mixed!

Apply the pumpkin mask to your face and neck (and a friend's face and neck, there'll be plenty to go around!) Let the mask sit on the skin for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cool water, using circular motions to exfoliate skin with the ground almond meal. After the mask is throughly rinsed away, pat skin dry with a clean towel and apply an appropriate moisturizer for your skin type. And enjoy your smooth, glowing skin!

Anti-Aging Cinnamon Apple Smoothie

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 18:26:02 GMT

An Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie for the Perfect Fall Treat

Our dessert inspired smoothie is a packed with ingredients that support skin health from the inside out. This smoothie is loaded with antioxidants, fatty acids and nutrients that help repair skin damage and keep cells nourished, plump and moisturized. And don't worry - it tastes good too! The Swiss chard compliments the sweetness of the apples with a light, earthy flavor and the cinnamon, walnuts and quinoa add a fun, fall twist.

Swiss Chard - Dark leafy greens are amazing for your skin. Swiss chard is an excellent source of chlorophyll, vitamin K, vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, and alpha-lipoic acid. Swiss chard also contains biotin and folate, both B vitamins. Biotin supports skin, hair and nail health and folate helps repair DNA. The beta-carotene found in swiss chard converts to vitamin A in our bodies, which helps support cellular renewal for glowing skin!

Cinnamon -The antioxidant effect of cinnamon is effective in scavenging for damaging free radical, and neutralizes them before they can harm good cells. Helps keep blood sugar levels stable by improving insulin sensitivity, and two by decreasing the urge to binge on sweets. It also reduces inflammation, and helps to fight bacterial and fungal infections.

Apples - Loaded with vitamins, phyto-nutrients, minerals,electrolytes, and fiber. The vitamin C found in apples reduces free-radical damage and supports healthy collagen and elastin to keep your skin looking young and fresh.

Quinoa - A health fibrous grain loaded with vitamins, minerals and amino acids that are great for your skin, hair and whole body. Contains Lysine, an important element in the creation of collagen and elastin. The body does not naturally produce lysine, so it's important to get it through your diet. Lysine helps repair damaged tissue and speeds healing. Quinoa also has high levels of riboflavan which supports skin's elasticity.

Walnuts - A great source of Omega-3 Fatty acids which moisturize the skin from the inside out. Omega Fatty Acids plump up skin cells, making them well hydrated, less wrinkly and more protected against sun damage. They're great for your heart too!

How to Make a Healthy and Delicious Cinnamon Apple Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 Cup Swiss Chard
2 Organic Apples - Chopped
1 Tsp Ceylon Cinnamon
1 Tbsp Quinoa Flakes
1/4 Cup Walnuts - Chopped
1 Cup Water or Nut Milk (Unsweetend vanilla almond milk pairs very well with this smoothie.)
1 Cup Ice

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Sprinkle a little more cinnamon on top of the smoothie before serving.

Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Why You Should Indulge in Some Dark Chocolate for Your Health

Everybody has a sweet tooth, and chocolate is a no-fail satisfier. Dark high quality chocolate in particular (not your typical Snickers) has several health benefits that make it a bit more justifiable to snack on!

For many years, chocolate has been viewed as the ultimate comfort food and it has become one of the most popular foods in the world. However, due to the over consumption of this silky, dark, sweet food many health practitioners warn against it. They say that it’s calorie-laden and does little in the way of ‘real’ nutrition.

Are there any health benefits to consuming dark chocolate?

Obviously, over-consumption of any food can have a detrimental effect on general health. Recent studies, however, have shown that consumption (in moderation of course) of dark chocolate has many health benefits. So eating about an ounce of dark chocolate every day is actually a good thing!

The first question that many may ask is: why dark chocolate, not milk chocolate?

The reason is that when you compare dark chocolate with milk chocolate, dark chocolate comes out trumps when it comes to nutritional benefit. Dark chocolate has more fiber and nutrients, but less sugars and cholesterol.

It has to be said that, when talking about dark chocolate, we are talking about chocolate with a cacao percentage of 70% and more.

The Main Health Benefits Of Dark Chocolate

• Lowers Cholesterol - In studies, dark chocolate has proven to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol). As we know, too much bad cholesterol is not good for us. These studies showed that dark chocolate actually provided health benefits when it comes to cholesterol.

• It’s Good for the Heart - Perhaps the most well-known reason, dark chocolate is good for the heart. Dark chocolate contains nutrients that are known to help lower blood sugar and increase blood flow. In addition, anything that lowers cholesterol is good for the heart. Some observational studies have showed that dark chocolate can reduce cardiovascular death in men by up to 50%. These aren’t scientific studies, but given that dark chocolate lowers cholesterol and can lower blood pressure, then these findings are significant.

• It Improves Your Skin - Dark chocolate contains lots of flavanols, which protect the skin against sun damage. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can do without sun cream! However, it does mean that the flavanols will reduce the damage on the skin due to the sun. Therefore, if you are planning a summer vacation, then you could start increasing your intake of dark chocolate a few weeks before your holiday. In general, dark chocolate has a positive effect on the skin.

• Can Prevent Diabetes - Insulin is a word associated with diabetes. Many studies have shown that dark chocolate improves insulin sensitivity. This means that dark chocolate can improve blood sugar levels. Because of its properties it can actually be incorporated in a diabetic diet

• It’s Nutritious - There are many good aspects to chocolate. Of course, chocolate contains calories – up to 242 per 100 grams. This means that it should be eaten in moderation. However, dark chocolate contains minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper and manganese, zinc, potassium and selenium. It is also a good source of fiber, containing about 11 grams.

• Good Source of Antioxidants - Dark chocolate also contains a vast amount of antioxidants, which are great for promoting heart health, decreasing risk of infection, and fighting free radicals in the body. The cocoa tree is one of the best source of antioxidants on the planet. This means that its fruits – the cocoa pods also have antioxidant properties. Many studies have shown dark chocolate to have a higher amount of antioxidants than blueberries or Acai berries.

Although dark chocolate has a higher calorie, fat and saturated fat content than milk chocolate, its health benefits are much higher than milk chocolate. If you consider that dark chocolate has 22% more iron, four times more fiber and 242 grams more theobromine (the alkaloid which reduces blood pressure) per half bar than milk chocolate, then the picture becomes clearer that dark chocolate has many health benefits.

It is also worth considering that dark chocolate has less carbs and half the sugar of milk chocolate and it’s easy to see why dark chocolate has many health benefits.

Dark chocolate is definitely the preferred flavor of chocolate when it comes to those midnight snacks or holiday treats. Just make sure you don’t over indulge!

How to De-Stress Your Skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:11:24 GMT

How to Relax When You Constantly Feel Overwhelmed

It is easy to feel overwhelmed these days. You have a lot on your plate. It seems that each day you put off some task or responsibility until tomorrow, until you have such a backlog of things to do that you feel like your brain is going to explode. It is difficult under these circumstances to relax.

However, putting aside anxiety and stress is crucial for a lot of reasons. Simple daily stress and anxiety can build up, and lead to a medical diagnosis of overwhelm. When someone is clinically diagnosed as overwhelmed, they have reached the point where they cannot function normally, and they cannot get through the simplest of daily routines.

Add Stress Relief to Your Schedule

The key to relaxing in today's hectic, stress-filled, "Go, Go, Go!" world is to prioritize time for stress-relief. You must make time in your daily and weekly schedule planning for "down time" and de-stressing. This could mean adding to 10 minute sessions of meditation to your daily routine, or trying a few of the tips listed below. Whatever calms your mind and takes you to your "happy place", make sure you schedule enough of that activity.

Declutter Your Life

Clutter kills productivity, and unconsciously causes your brain to stress out. Your brain automatically tries to deal with every bit of sensory input you receive. This means that the things you see, touch, hear, smell and taste all have to be dealt with by your brain. When you have too much input coming in, especially when it is unnecessary, this clutter creates anxiety and stress.

Avoiding the feeling of being overwhelmed is always preferred to having to deal with it once it develops. This means delegating and outsourcing those tasks you do on a regular basis which you really shouldn't be worrying with. If you are a micro-manager, you feel like you have to do everything. Stop believing that. The reason why a lot of people feel stressed and overwhelmed is they attempt to do too much. Delegate the menial tasks in your life, and you can keep overwhelm at bay.

Another way to relax when you are feeling overwhelmed is to use visual cues. This could mean placing post-it notes in your home and office reminding you to calm down and enjoy a deep breathing session. It could be as simple as placing happy pictures of the ones you love where you can see them as you move throughout the day. These positive visual cues that make you feel good are simple stress-relievers that can keep you from giving in to feelings of overwhelm.

How to De-Stress Your Skin

You already know how much stress can wreak havoc on your skin. Dehydration, accelerated aging, dullness, dryness, irritation, and of course the dreaded adult acne. When you are stressed out, so is your skin and it can’t act correctly if it’s out of balance. Much like you yourself struggle to cope with stress, your skin becomes irritable, depleted, and exhausted. Follow some of the tips below to de-stress your skin and your life!

Relaxed Skin

You may have noticed that when you’re under your stress your muscles hurt because you’ve been tensing. You’re doing the same to your skin, which is why worry lines across the forehead are fairly common. Provide yourself with reminders throughout the day to take a moment and let your entire body (thus your face) relax. The more frequently you do this the more you will realize just how tense you’re holding yourself.

Get Glowing Skin

Your skin cells are less active when you’re stressed which makes your skin look dull. So, make sure you’re exfoliating and moisturizing. Consider a DIY mix using items that are probably already in your fridge and/or cupboards.

Protect Your Health

Stress tends to send us right for the junk food that is if we can be bothered to eat at all. You might be exhausted, completely drained of energy and run down, but it is vital that you make the time to eat the right foods and drink plenty of water. Check out these tips for eating healthy on the go!

SPF Protection

Sunlight is great for your skin and it’s great for your stress; just don’t forget to layer the sunblock on to protect yourself from UV Rays. There’s no need to risk skin cancer and horrible wrinkles! Find out which type of sunscreen is best for you!

Prevent Eye Puffiness

The most effective way to get rid of those bags under your eyes is by getting seven hours of sleep every night. Remember, the screen of your phone or tablet simulates sunlight so ditch them at least an hour before you’re going to sleep. Create a healthy pre-bed routine to get yourself ready for sleep.

If the morning rolls around and you still have puffy eyes try using a cold spoon. Give it some time in the fridge and then press the back of it beneath your eyes and give yourself a light massage from the inner to the outer corner. This will expedite the drainage of the fluid that has accumulated. You might be tempted to turn straight for concealer to cover it up, but this usually just draws more attention to the area, because unless you’re a makeup artist you aren’t equipped to handle that puffiness. Don’t even try it, turn to the spoon immediately, and work at sleeping on your sides or back. Get rid of those bags under your eyes is by gettingenough sleep every night.

Fresh-Faced Skin

The most effective way to keep your skin dewy and fresh is by properly hydrating, so make it your goal to drink at least 64 ounces of water each day. If you live in the heat then increase that! Green tea is also a great choice as are foods with a high water content, like celery, cucumbers, watermelon, beets, and tomatoes.

Another excellent way to give your skin a moisture boost is with a DIY mask like this easy Avocado and Honey Mask !

Deep Breathing

Learning how to deep breathe is an effective way to counteract stressful situations. When you feel yourself particularly stressed take notice of your breathing. Is it shallow, take a few minutes to correct it with some big breaths. It’s simple, draw in enough air to fill your belly and hold it for a few seconds before slowly exhaling. This should help you manage any adult acne breakouts or other skin conditions that affect you because of stress. Harvard University has found that this technique truly helps to control blood pressure and stress levels.

Calm Skin

We mentioned the importance of breathing exercises above, but if you suffer from hives or rashes, you should consult a doctor. There may be probiotics that can help your situation by balancing your gut bacteria. Of course, you can try buying probiotics over the counter before you make an appointment with a medical professional. That may be enough to clear up the problem, if not, head to the doctor for medical-grade goods.

Preventing Fine Lines

The best way, of course, would be to stop furrowing your brow or scowling. It sounds easy, but it takes time to get your muscles to relax. If you get stressed out at work then put a piece of tape between your brow arches. You may look silly, but every time you furrow you’ll be reminded by the crinkle of tape to change the behavior. You can do the same for above your lip if you are a lip purser. It won’t take too long before you’ve ditched the habit altogether. If your colleagues say anything about it just let them know you’ll have the last laugh when their faces are etched in worry lines and you’re sitting pretty.

Smile

Try to smile more, even if you don’t feel like it. Smiling relieves stress and it can help you recover from a stressful situation or activity much quicker, too. That doesn’t mean you’re ignoring your emotions or compartmentalizing, it’s all about positively overcoming obstacles and by faking it till you make it you’ll naturally boost your mood. Try to take notice of your unconscious grimaces and flip them upside down.

Yoga

Yoga is an excellent way to bring balance to your life. It assists the nervous system thus relieving stress and of course, helping you keep your skin fresh and clear. So, consider practicing yoga to manage your stress levels. You don’t need to find a class if you aren’t inclined to do so, you can practice basic poses at home and it only takes 10 minutes or so. It’s a great way to start your day or to enjoy before bed. You’ll find it invites deeper sleep, relieves the symptoms of mental health problems as well as stress.

And don't forget about that 'yoga glow!' Yoga poses, such as the Sun Salutation, the Child's Pose, and the Downward-Facing Dog and improves blood circulation, which sends surges of healthy oxygen to the skin. There is also research that showed yoga to have reduced inflammation and stress - two things that speed up the aging the process!

Getting Rid of Redness

Another case for deep breathing, because redness and flushing tend to stem from stress and shallow breathing. You can take it to the next level by practicing your deep breathing with an aroma diffuser to provide you with some mood boosting, stress relieving scents like chamomile, lavender, and patchouli.

Of course, you can save time by running that diffuser while practicing yoga.

Tea

As it turns out, people aren’t drinking tea because they’re relaxed, they’re drinking it to relax. The University College London completed a study which found that drinking black tea is great for de-stressing due to its ingredients! So, you might want to consider swapping coffee for tea sometimes, you get the added bonus of de-stressing with your caffeine.

Research shows that green and black teas provide protective compounds called EGCG and theaflavins that prevents the breakdown of collagen that causes wrinkles and they also may help prevent skin cancer.

Talk It Out

Stress has taken over your life, your face has broken out, and the last thing on your mind is hanging out with a friend. However, diving head first into a social situation is exactly what your body needs. When you’re stressed out you often isolate yourselves in your own emotions. So, reach out and talk it out with a friend to destress, your skin will thank you.

Alkaline Hydration

Choosing alkaline water is a healthy way to keep your body hydrated while driving impurities and toxins from your body. It also happens to help minimize puffiness by helping skin cells operate normally.

Stick to a Skin Care Routine

It doesn’t need to be a theater production; it’s all about following a regimen that takes your skin type and qualities into consideration. Choose products that calm, soothe, and hydrate. You should be washing your face 2x daily and exfoliate two to three times a week. Sticking to a routine is just as important as using the right products for your skin. Call us for a consultation, and our helpful skin care technician can help design a skin care routine for you!

Healthy Food Choices

Your diet should be packed with lean proteins, whole grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. When it comes to the last two eat with the season so you’re getting the freshest products possible, it’s what your ancestors would have done and each seasonal fruit and vegetable provides you with what you need for the current weather and time of year.

Spend Time In Nature

The more time you spend in nature the lower your cortisol levels will be, so find time to take a hike, read in the back yard, or even do your yoga in a field. The more time you spend outdoors the better (don’t forget that sunscreen!), but even grabbing five or 10 minutes a day will be enough to make a difference.

Music

It doesn’t matter whether you sit down to play the piano or you fire up a record player or your iPod. Music is an effective way to soothe your mind and reduce those cortisol levels. The most effective types of music for reducing cortisol levels are instrumental, but you should choose whatever type of music calms you the most effectively. It will lower your stress levels, thus improving (and protecting) your skin.

Superfoods

Okay, you know you need to eat a healthy diet to keep your skin looking young and destressed, but superfoods are a sure way to give skin a boost. Make sure there’s room in your diet with dark greens like asparagus, spinach, and broccoli. Fruits that are high in Vitamin C like oranges and berries are also excellent for your skin.

Let It Out

Even in the strongest of friendships and relationships, problems happen. It's impossible to expect to get along with someone all the time, and when relationships are strained your stress levels increase. If this sounds like some of your friends then learn to let it out. How will they know what they’re doing wrong unless you tell them?

You may think that avoiding confrontation is the wiser choice, but really, you’re just fueling your own stress levels. So, stop avoiding talking about your feelings and let it out! Just be sure that you’re being reasonable and not annoyed about something else entirely.

Massage Therapy

A weekly massage is an excellent way to boost your immunity and reduce your stress levels. The benefits of which last for several days after each session. If you can afford to have more regular sessions then you will experience results even more profound, however, one a week is plenty. Don’t worry, you don’t have to pay for it if that’s your concern. You can either practice a bit of self-massage or rope your partner or friend into it.

Meditation

Many people like the sound of meditation and would love to experience the benefits of it, but just don’t know where to start. It isn’t a complicated process, in fact, you’d be surprised to find out just how easy it is.

The UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center have made a variety of guided meditations available and that is a great place to start for any beginner. It’s an effective way to relieve stress and help you bring your focus to the present and of course, improving your skin

Final Thoughts..

Following these hints and tips will help prevent your skin from looking stressed and rescue you from many of the early signs of aging. It’s all about finding ways to enjoy life, it flies by too quickly to miss out on it. Besides, who wants to live a stressful life instead of a happy one?

However, it really doesn’t matter what types of tips and tricks you try to improve and destress your skin if you aren’t getting the basics right. So, make sure that you are exercising regularly (that means at least four times a week for at least 20 minutes a session), drinking plenty of water, and eating a healthy, balanced diet.

The other key to healthy and happy skin is in managing your stress levels. As noted above it can wreak havoc on your entire body, including your skin. Remember stress can impact your sleep, but a lack of sleep can also increase your stress levels, therefore it is vital that you manage this effectively to prevent things from spiraling out of control.

Generally, three nights of taking a sleep aid is enough to help you get your sleep pattern back on track, however, if you have tried this and you are still struggling with it a trip to the doctor may be in order. It will be a process and that may involve cutting your caffeine take (especially after three in the afternoon, which is when it gets dicey and may prevent you from getting a good sleep.)

Every decision that you make has a consequence, so when stress leads you to indulge in fatty, sugary foods and attach a caffeine drip to your life you will lose sleep, your stress will go up, and your skin will pay the ultimate price. So, really, it is imperative that you look after the basics in order to achieve healthy, destressed skin.

Stress & Your Skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:10:37 GMT

The Effects of Stress on Your Skin

Stress causes the brain to kick into high gear, tripping signals telling the nervous system it’s time to engage the fight or flight mode. This triggers the release of chemicals and hormones like cortisol that are released into the bloodstream and these can directly affect how your skin heals and functions.

Stress can wreak havoc on your skin in a variety of ways, including dehydration, accelerated aging, dullness, dryness, irritation, and of course the dreaded adult acne. When you are stressed out, so is your skin and it can’t act correctly if it’s out of balance. Much like you yourself struggle to cope with stress, your skin becomes irritable, depleted, and exhausted.

Unfortunately, at some point stress will happen to you, because it happens to everyone. It’s pretty impossible to avoid paying bills, going to work or avoid the typical anxieties of life.

Moving house, divorce, changing jobs, having children, these are all on the list for the most stressful life events, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that stress is unavoidable. The most effective way to handle stress is by learning how to manage it because it’s impossible to avoid.

Just think about the times you have experienced stress in the past. What types of issues did you notice? You probably thought you had aged, the new gray hairs had appeared from nowhere, that your skin was a funny color, and that you just didn’t look like your old self. Well, you were right. Stress can show in your nails and your hair, and even bigger… On your skin.

Of course, managing stress includes sleeping properly, eating well, and regularly exercising, but before you can tackle the bigger problems you need to know exactly how stress can show on your skin, so, this is how.

Acne & Oily Skin
You know, once you escape the terror of the teen years you expect your skin to fall in line and look flawless and smooth all the time. Then the truth comes out and you realize adult acne is real and it’s a major problem for you. Stress is a big trigger for acne (or eczema and psoriasis, if you’re prone to it) and it’s because cortisol upsets the balance in the rest of your hormones leading to breakouts. It can also have a hand in upsetting the balance of gut bacteria, which can also trigger an acne breakout.

In times of stress the body's ability to stay hydrated is compromised, which can cause sebaceous glands overcompensate and produce an excess amount of oil. Excess oil can clog pores, leading to congested skin and acne. This is way people tend to breakout before a big event!

Dull, Dry, Flaky Skin
Cortisol also decreases the amount of hyaluronic acid, a moisturizing humectant that the body naturally produces. Hyaluronic acid helps skin retain water, without it skin becomes dull and dehydrated. The lack of natural moisture can damage the skin's protective barrier function leaving the skin susceptible to aging free-radicals and other damage. This can trigger flare-ups of eczema and psoriasis. Some types of stress may cause the body to release adrenaline. The presence of adrenaline causes a decrease in blood flow, depriving your skin of much needed nutrients and oxygen which causes a dull, congested or aged appearance.

When you are under severe stress, there is a fairly good chance that you aren’t drinking sufficient amounts of water. You’re probably turning to soda, coffee, and energy drinks for your fluids because the only type of drink you’re interested in is one that contains caffeine and can provide you with a boost. Those are the types of beverages that dehydrate meaning you need to drink even more water to make up for it. Otherwise, you get that crepe paper look and feel to your skin, and nobody wants that.

Fine Lines
Cortisol raises blood sugar levels and kicks off a process called glycation, a stress effect that damages and hardens collagen. This damage, paired with dryness exacerbates the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Remember when your mom told you that if you keep making that face it would stay that way? As it turns out, if you make the same facial expressions all the time you will get fine lines that lead to wrinkles. Are you a brow furrower or a lip purser? Then your face will show it. Most people can live with laughter lines, because hey, they’re just evidence of living a happy life, but lines across the forehead and those that gather above the upper lip are just not a good look.

Eye Bags
There is nothing worse than catching sight of yourself in the mirror only to see large dark bags under your eyes. A lack of sleep triggers fluid to pool in the area and you find yourself faced with a puffy mess come morning. There’s more bad news for those of you who suffer from puffy eyes… it’s even worse if you happen to sleep on your stomach.

Diffuse Redness
Stress can cause you face to flush. Can trigger a rosacea flare-up. One thing that the majority of people tend to do when they’re under stress is breathing wrong. Your breaths become short and shallow, and you may even catch yourself holding your breath. This causes redness and a flushed face.

Eczema & Psoriasis
We’ve discussed how excess cortisol sends your hormones haywire, but it also has a serious impact on your immune system. It’s during these times where people who are prone to eczema and psoriasis experience outbreaks. People who have these types of conditions often suffer from anxiety; it’s a sort of cyclical situation with each issue feeding the other, which can make it difficult to manage.

Hives & Rashes
Dysbiosis is a gut imbalance and this can result in hives and rashes. They become a problem for people who are so extremely stressed that the bad bacteria have completely outweighed the presence of good bacteria in the gut.

Have you noticed you don't look your best when your busy or stressed? Let us know! And don't forget to check these tips on how to relax when you're stressed and overwhelmed!

The Anti-Aging Diet

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 14:32:52 GMT

Anti-Inflammatory Foods And Diet To Combat Aging

Aging gracefully means being as healthy as you can be for as long as possible. Your dietary and lifestyle choices play a big role in that. Even though you make the effort to exercise and eat right, you should always be looking for ways to fight aging through eating anti-inflammatory foods. All of the anti-aging philosophies, promises, and products can be daunting. You may wonder whether or not eating anti-inflammatory foods is helpful to you. It turns out that the body’s aging process can be accelerated by inflammation in the body. You need to talk to your doctor, dietitian, or nutritionist to find out more about this.

What is inflammation and how can it affect your body?

The immune system responds to injury and diseases by providing you with inflammation. This is a normal process that is important for healing. One the other hand, not all inflammation is healthy for you.

When inflammation gets out of hand, it can attack the normal cells of your body and the process that is supposed to heal you becomes self-destructive. It is now well known that chronic inflammation is the root cause of many serious illnesses, especially those related to the aging process.

Persistent stress, over-exposure to environmental toxins, and poor diet can all contribute to this type of inflammatory process.

Can Something Be Done?

The good news is that there are some lifestyle choices that can help this process. Following an anti-inflammatory diet is one way to control the aging process. While it sounds like a good idea, be wary. The anti-inflammatory diet is an eating plan you follow through on throughout your life in order to combat the aging process. It isn’t technically geared for weight loss but rather helps improve your overall long-term health.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet

The anti-inflammatory diet places a focus on whole foods that are whole and unrefined, high in anti-inflammatory spices, high in healthy fats, and high in omega 3 fatty acids. Some things to include in an anti-inflammatory diet include the following:

Soy products, such as tofu, soy milk, tempeh, an edamame
Healthy fats found in extra virgin olive oil of high quality, beans, avocados, seeds, and nuts
Vegetables and foods that are brightly colored, such as dark berries, fruits, and vegetables
Clean water and green tea as a beverage
Spices that are anti-inflammatory, such as cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger

Foods to Avoid

It is also important to decrease your intake of foods that cause inflammation. Highly processed foods are inflammatory as are carbohydrates that are quickly digested, such as sugar and sugary snacks. You need to stay away from foods containing vegetable shortening, partially hydrogenated oils, and polyunsaturated oils, such as soy, corn, safflower, and sunflower oils.

It may be difficult to know if you are eating any of these foods, which is why you need to read the food labels to see if any of these inflammatory foods are in them. When you’re not sure, you should buy raw unprocessed foods and cook them yourself. Food that are labeled “raw” or “organic” can be seen as good foods to choose in an anti-inflammatory diet.

Does an anti-inflammatory diet work?

According to the expert dietitians, there is good evidence to show that monounsaturated oils and omega 3 oils can fight inflammation. On the other hand, some of the information is off when it comes to taking anti-inflammatory foods to combat aging. One study indicated that heredity can play a role in who gets the disease and who doesn’t. While diet is important, genetics also plays a role in the aging process. You can decrease the effects of chronic diseases by eating an anti-inflammatory food diet. Don’t make big changes all at once. Start introducing anti-inflammatory foods gradually into your diet and take away inflammatory foods so that eventually your diet represents an anti-inflammatory diet as much as is possible.

Are there risks to an anti-inflammatory diet?

According to experts, there are no known risks to taking an anti-inflammatory diet. You should, however, take precautions if you have food allergies. You should talk to your doctor about finding ways to use this type of diet to your advantage.

Are you ready?

Are you willing to try the Anti-Aging Diet? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

How to Get Rid Dark Spots from Summer Bug Bites

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 17:22:41 GMT

Top Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Bug Bites & Dark Spots

Summer is the time of year when people are out soaking up sun and engaging in fun outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, taking trips to the beach and exploring other parts of nature. While the warm air, sunny skies, free time may be just what the doctor ordered, summer is also a time when people are most susceptible to bug bites.

While virtually harmless, bug bites can be troublesome and painful, too. They can show up just about anywhere on the body and can leave you feeling itchy and sore for days or even weeks, not to mention the unsightly scars they can leave behind.

There are plenty of ointments, creams, and sprays available to prevent summer bug bites, but they're not foolproof and sometimes we don't think about bug spray until it's too late! For those who don’t want to suffer from their bug bites, try out some of these top remedies to soothe the skin and the treatments available to get rid of dark spots that bug bites leave behind!

How to Soothe Bug Bites

Hydrocortisone: Hydrocortisone is a topical steroid that reduces inflammation, redness and swelling of the skin. Hydrocortisone blocks the body's chemical responses that naturally occur when the skin is exposed to certain irritants, and constricts blood vessels to calm and soothe the skin.

Witch hazel: Witch Hazel is a natural astringent, which means it helps to kill bacteria. Some people use witch hazel for acne and blemishes, but it is also incredibly effective for itchy bug bites. Simply soak a cotton ball with witch hazel and daub the affected area. It should relieve pain and itching and also reduce any swelling and inflammation. Witch hazel can be found in your local grocery.

Ice: It may sound simple, but a common ice pack can help soothe and heal summer bug bites. To tackle the swelling and itching that may occur from bites, stings, and rashes, apply a homemade ice pack. The best way to do this without causing harm is discomfort is to put some ice in a plastic baggy (or frozen veggies), wrap the pack in a towel, and apply directly to the affected area. The towel should help the skin from getting too cold too quickly, which can lead to pain and further injury. Just the right amount of cold therapy can reduce swelling and soothe itching.

Tea Tree Oil: Refreshing and fragrant, tea tree oil is a great for treating itchy, swollen insect bites. Only a little bit of this oil is needed; simply dip a Q-tip or soak a cotton ball and apply directly to the bite. This remedy should take away the itch and pain of most summer bug bites.

Corn Starch: Corn starch is one of the most common natural remedies out there. You can make a thick corn starch paste by simply mixing the starch with water and mixing well. Once the mixture is done, apply to the bite or sting and wait for the itch to disappear!

Garlic: It may sound strange, but garlic is a wonderful way to stop painful insect bites. Simply mash the clove of garlic and rub it directly into the bite. The pain should instantly go away and any swelling should be reduced as well. You may mind the smell, but this one is a quick fix!

Charcoal: Pure charcoal can help remove impurities from a summer bug bite by drawing out toxins and venom. Mix the charcoal with a little water until it creates a fine paste. Once done, rub the paste into the bite, then cover with a band aid, and allow it to heal. This should remedy both itching and swelling fairly quickly.

How to Get Rid of Dark Spots Caused by Bug Bites

Chemical Peels: Chemical peels can help brighten dark spots left from bug bites by sloughing off the top layer of dead skin, revealing a brighter, more even skin tone. By removing the damaged, pigmented outer layer of skin, the cellular regeneration process is jumpstarted for faster cell turnover leaving you with clearer, brighter skin.

Lightening Creams: Medical strength bleaching creams can offer a simple solution to discoloration on the body. Body lightening creams often contain a high percentage of the bleaching agent Hydroquinone, along with other acids to assist in exfoliation and cellular turnover for faster lightening. The 12% Hydroquinone Body Cream with glycolic acid applies just like a regular lotion for easy skin lightening at home.

Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion can provide gentle exfoliation just about anywhere on the body. Similar to chemical peels, microdermabrasion helps to slough off the dead, pigmented skin cells, and overall smooth the skin. Microdermabrasion can also be combined with a brightening chemical peel for faster results.

Laser: In some cases, laser treatments can help fade dark spots from bug bites. IPL and Laser treatments are particularly good at resolving post-inflammatory hyperpigmenation. IPL is suitable for lighter skin types as it targets areas of pigmentation and delivers a shot of intense pulsed light to the area. Pigment in the treated areas rises to the surface of the skin, and flakes away. Laser Genesis can help resolve some redness associated with post inflammatory hyperpigmentation by heating dilated capillaries that cause redness.

If you're struggling with dark spots and scars left from summer bug bites, call MaxAesthetics at 267-528-3859 or email us at maxaesthetics@maxaesthetics.com for a free consultation.

Hydrate & Restore Smoothie

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 16:03:41 GMT

Packed with Protein and Moisture Rich Coconut Water for Refreshed Skin!

This refreshing smoothie is an excellent choice for dry, dull skin that needs some extra TLC. These ingredients were selected to nourish, condition and hydrate the skin for a radiant complexion. Tastes great too!

Hemp Protein contains essential fatty acids, vitamins and amino acids that helps generate collagen and elastin production, conditions and moistures the skin.

Blueberries are a superfood packed with antioxidants, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C and flavonoids. These antioxidants neutralize free radicals, and help to strengthen blood vessels and the healing of broken capillaries.

Dandelion Greens are an excellent source of Vitamin K, a vitamin known help skin conditions such as bruises, inflammation, under-eye circles, stretch marks, spider veins, dark spots and scars due to it's skin repairing properties.

Coconut Water prevents and treats dehydration. Just as your body can become dehydrated, so can your skin. When your skin is dehydrated it can feel tight and look rough and dull.

Avocado contains healthy, monosaturated fats which helps maintains the water content in the skin and supplies the fats that keeps cells healthy, moisturized and glowing. Avocados also contain omega-3, an inflammatory that's good for your skin and whole body. By reducing inflammation, you can ease signs of aging and acne.

Cacao is an usually tasty source of sulfur, an essential mineral that helps a host of skin ailments by reducing inflammation, inhibiting bacterial growth on the skin, clearing pores and aiding in the shedding of dead skin.

Ingredients :

1 Scoop of Hemp Protein
1/2 Cup Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
1/2 Bunch Dandelion Greens (no stems)
11 Ounces Coconut Water
1/4 Avocado
1 Tablespoon Raw Cacao Powder

Directions : Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth.

How to Get Rid of Acne Scars

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 20:19:24 GMT

The Different Types of Acne Scars & How to Treat Them

Acne, a common skin disorder that people spend millions of dollars trying to heal, generally affects 80% of our youth and 5% of our adult population. Scarring is the unfortunate result of some cases of acne. For those who suffer with acne scarring, the effects can be more traumatic than the initial acne. Billions of dollars have been spent researching acne, acne scarring, and scar solutions.

Scars are indications that the body has repaired itself in one way or another, either due to injury or infection. Once these events occur, white blood cells from the body accumulate at the site to fight further infection and repair the damage that has taken place. Once that process is complete, scars often form. This process can be compared to a seam being sewn into a piece of torn fabric. The skin (or seam) will never be quite as smooth as it was before the damage.

There are different types of acne scars and different degrees of each type. Some people may develop worse scars than others, depending on their individual tendencies.

There are two different types of scars caused by acne. The first type, depressed scarring, is caused by tissue loss and the second type, keloids, is caused by tissue formation:

1. Depressed Scarring

This type of scar is caused by the dermis being attacked by toxins escaping the skin. Once a cyst ruptures, it expels pus, oil, bacteria, and other poisons into the surrounding areas. White blood cells rush to the site of infection to repair the skin and, in the process, valuable collagen is lost, causing skin recesses or depressions. The skin above the injury will then develop scars most commonly called ice pick scars . Other scar types are soft, mascular, and fibrotic like rolling scars , or boxcar scars .

2. Keloid Scarring

This type of scarring results from fibroblasts being triggered by the body during the repair process. Once collagen starts decreasing, the fibroblasts produce excessive collagen, resulting in tissues called keloids . They usually form on the male body and are sometimes called hypertrophic scars .

Ice Pick Scars

Ice Pick Scars are scars that look like you skin was pierced by a needle or pin. The scar resembles a hole and the larger ones look like open pores. Ice Pick Scars are deep and narrow and usually extend to the dermis. These scars are left behind by cystic acne and deep blemishes.

Boxcar Scars

Boxcar Scars are wider than the Ice Pick scars. They appear as round or oval in the skin with steep vertical sides. They form small pits and are commonly called pox marks. This is because they resemble the scars left behind from chicken pox. This type of scar is a result of lost tissue in inflammatory breakouts.

Rolling Scars

Rolling Scars resemble a wave in the skin but smooth on the surface. This is a result of fibrous tissue bands that develop between the skin. The bands pull on the epidermis and bind it to the deeper skin structures.

Keloid Scars

Hypertrophic or Keloid Scars are firm raised tissue masses. These scars are larger than the original wounds. These type of scars are not due to loss of tissue but because of the over production of collagen. Keloid scars are best treated with the help of steroid injections, tapes, or creams. All of these help shrink and flatten this type of scar.

How to Get Rid of Acne Scars

As you can see, not all acne scarring is the same. Different treatments, or a combination of treatments may be more suitable for particular individuals over others. The top 3 Acne Scar Treatments are Microneedling, Laser Genesis and Chemical Peels.

Microneedling is a treatment that can help resurface acne scarring by creating micro-channels in the skin to help break up scar tissue and signals the body to rebuild new collagen. Microneedling utilizes your skin's natural healing process to increase collagen and elastin production, thus minimizing the appearance of scarring and uneven texture.

Microneedling, also known as collagen Induction therapy, uses a pen with a tip that is covered with 12 ultra-fine needles that is used on the targeted areas to create small channels in the skin. As the device glides along the skin, these needles penetrate the upper layers of skin, producing thousands of tiny micron channels. The creation of these tiny channels encourages the dermis to produce new collagen and elastin, which generates new skin cells. The result is skin that is thicker, plumper, smoother and more youthful.

Laser Genesis is a YAG laser treatment that delivers pulses of energy to gently heat the dermis, well below the skin's surface, stimulates collagen regrowth to smooth skin texture, and minimize the appearance of scarring.

The Laser Genesis procedure utilizes non-invasive laser technology to safely, painlessly and effectively treat acne and acne scarring, as well as calms inflammation and breakouts from stubborn acne, reduces pore size, shrinks sebaceous glands, heals the skin and smooths skin texture. The treatment activates collagen and elastin production to rebuild the skin's surface and provides an overall glow to the skin.

Chemical peels can refine and improve skin texture, and help correct hyperpigmentation. Chemical peels are the application of specific chemicals, acids or enzymes to exfoliate the dead layers of the skin. The dead, outer layers of skin slough off to reveal healthier, brighter, more even-toned skin.

Acne can leave behind post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which are those pesky dark spots that linger way after blemishes have healed that. Sometimes these dark spots can look worse than the initial acne! Chemical peels can help lift dark spots and even out your skin tone.

By removing the build-up of dead skin cells via chemical peeling and stimulating the regenerative process, you will notice marked improvements in the formation of wrinkles and fine lines, texture, tone of the skin, increased hydration, reduced pore size, clearing of blemishes and dark spots and an overall healthier appearance.

Getting Started

Getting rid of acne scars is a process, it takes time and patience. Do not be discouraged by how many treatments you may need, or how long it takes. The treatments listed above help your skin rebuild itself over a series of treatments, and how many treatments needed will depend on the severity of the acne scarring. We offer customizable packages for maximum results and maximum cost-effectiveness.

At MaxAesthetics, we find a combination of microneedling, Laser Genesis and chemical peels provides the most dramatic results. If you suffer from Acne or Acne Scarring, call MaxAesthetics at 267-528-3859 or email us at maxaesthetics@maxaesthetics.com for a free consultation, and a treatment plan recommendation. You can have beautiful, clear skin. You deserve it.

How to Deal with Acne as a Parent

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 16:47:36 GMT

Tips for Parents of Teens with Acne

It's that time of year again! Back-to-School season is in full swing. If your child is struggling with acne, this time of year can be terrifying. Acne is so much more than a cosmetic issue, it can affect your child’s self image as well as their overall social life, and in severe cases can lead to depression and withdrawal.

Let your teenager know that you are available and that you are willing to help him or her with their acne. Acne has affected all of us at one time or another, so talking about your own experiences may help them relate and quite possibly, give them a broader perspective on the condition. Even if they don't want to talk about it, dealing with acne is one of their major concerns.

Consequently, your teenager may be trying everything he or she can to control it. Talking with your teenager about acne can be difficult because they might be embarrassed by their appearance and would rather pretend it wasn’t an issue. The key is to be supportive and understanding. Provide information and advice about how to treat their acne. You can make skin care an activity you do together. Start a nighttime skin care routine you can do together, this will help keep your child accountable for keeping up with proper skin health and it'll feel like less of a chore. For in-office acne treatments, making to the spa together a 'day out,' or treat, rather than a doctor's visit.

One of the most effective ways is to learn as much as possible about the various types of acne and how it can be treated. Simply doing this can go a long way in providing more effective guidance for your children when confronted with decisions related to their treatment. You will be able to help them in the selection of acne treatments such as laser , chemical peels , facials , microneedling and acne products formulated for their needs .

For more information about acne, please read some of our previous blogs. Here you can find helpful infomation about the different types of acne, how they are treated and some tips to try at home to reduce the appearance of acne:

If you have a teenager struggling with acne please call MaxAesthetics at 267-528-3859 for a free consultation.
We can help your child achieve clear skin, and regain the confidence needed to start the new school year on the right track.

How to Determine Your Skin Type

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 18:42:43 GMT

There are many factors to take into consideration when we look at what type of skin a person may have. Aside from genetics things like what’s going on internally in our bodies and environmental factors are also part of the equation. Internally factors such as our state of health, hormones, and what we put in our bodies affect how we look.

This of course includes the health of our skin. Environmentally, we face things like pollution, second hand smoke and the sun which also affects our skin both health wise and visually.

There are 5 general categories that are used when we speak of skin types.

NORMAL SKIN

Does your skin:
Feel well balanced; neither too dry or tight, not shiny or oily?
Have no blemishes, or rarely experience breakouts?
No discernible sensitivity to products or other external factors?
Have a clear, radiant complexion with barely visible pores?

Normal Skin is considered skin which looks for the most part healthy or “normal” with no abnormal or sickly indicators. It also has good circulation which gives it a good healthy color with vibrancy to it. The oil glands which produce sebum in the skin produce it in a moderate rate thus the skin has a balance to it. When a skin is balanced it is neither to oily or too dry. This is why normal skin looks plump, moist and radiant. Its the type of skin we refer to as having a healthy glow. Normal skin also has a supple and elastic feel to it. It doesn't feel saggy or loose. Out of all the skin types; normal skin is the least problematic.

DRY SKIN
Does your skin:

Feel tight or itchy after cleansing?

Experience flakiness, rough or scaly patches?

Stay matte throughout the day?

Show premature signs of aging, such as dull skin, skin laxity or crepiness?

Easily irritated by external factors like changes in temperature or environment?

Dry Skin is a result of an under active or non productive sebaceous glands. With dry skin the oil glands either barely produce or do not produce at all enough oil to keep the skin naturally lubricated. Dry skin looks dull in appearance. In addition it may have a flaky look to it with dry patches at times. It tends to be itchy and sensitive. People with chronic dry skin have to hydrate their bodies by drinking a lot of water. And, it is suggested besides using moisturizing skin products people with this skin type should mist their faces with water to maintain its lubrication. Dry skin may be tight and lack elasticity. People with dry skin tend to have a sallow skin tone. They tend to wrinkle prematurely and their skin irritates at the drop of a hat. Dry skin is fragile and vulnerable to changes in temperature and humidity.

OILY SKIN

Does your skin:

Get shiny, or oily all over?
Have large pores?
Dull, or shiny rough skin?
Breakout in blackheads, pimples and other blemishes often?

Oily Skin is due to active sebaceous glands. It produces too much oil and the skin is over lubricated. Because too much sebum is produced the skin is greasy, looks very shiny and the pores are large and clogged. The texture is slippery but coarse do to the enlarged pores. It is acne, blackhead and other pimple problem prone. It does have acne eruptions frequently. This is due to the sebum trapped under the skin causing pus filled lesions called comedones. There can also be flaky patches on oily skin where the oil dries. Ironically though, this skin type retains a youthful appearance because oily skin is not prone to aging and wrinkles.

COMBO SKIN

Does your skin:

Get shiny in the T-Zone, and stay tight or matte in the cheeks?
Get noticeably oiler in warmer months, and notably dryer in cooler months?
Breakout in blackheads, pimples or other blemishes often?
Have enlarged pores in your T-Zone?

Combination Skin is dry in some spots, oily in others and even normal or sensitive in other spots. People with combination skin are frequently referred to as people with T- Zone faces. The T- Zone covers the forehead, nose and chin making the shape of a T on a combination skinned face. With combination skin the oil parts of the face are the forehead, nose and chin while the skin around the eyes and mouth are dry. In some cases the cheeks could be either oily or dry. As a result T-Zone would be treated with products to help with oil reduction the oily parts of the face while the other dry parts would be treated with moisturizing products. Most people are combination skin types. This is a very common type of skin.

SENSITIVE SKIN

Does your skin:

Look red or blotchy a majority of the time?
Breakout in an itchy rash or irritation when you try new products?
Get red from touching your skin, or gently washing your face?
Get easily irritated from external factors like changes in temperature or environment?

Sensitive Skin can be oily, dry or normal. Sensitive skin is more of a condition than a skin type per say. It is any skin type that is easily irritated. The typical reactions of sensitive skin are itching, burning, chaffing and stinging. It can be blotchy and irritated frequently and is prone to rashes and redness. There are also visible broken capillaries if the skin is light enough. A sensitive skinned person may wash their face and feel dry itchy and irritated after they do so.

Sensitive Skin can also reacts because of sensitivity to environmental conditions. Because of this, sensitive skin may require different special treatments and special products to remain in good condition through various affecting factors. This type of skin may also have allergic or adverse reactions to certain types of cosmetics with ingredients containing alcohol bases, synthetic ingredients, oil bases, fragrances and artificial colorants. Many sensitive skinned people have to use hypoallergenic products or those containing all natural ingredients to prevent skin reactions.

Your skin type determines the products and type of treatments you use on your skin. If you're having difficulty determining your skin type, call MaxAesthetics at 267-528-3859 for a free consultation.

Ginger Melon Smoothie

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 19:49:14 GMT

Delicious Smoothie to Brighten Your Day

Cantaloupe contains loads of antioxidants including Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. The Vitamin A in cantaloupes come from beta carotene, this antioxidant supports cellular regeneration and helps thin the outer layer of dead skin cells to keep your complexion smooth and clear. Vitamin C supports collagen production for firm, supple skin and protects against free radicals. The water content in the melon helps keep cells moisturized and healthy.

Greek Yogurt has an array of B Vitamins that keep skin looking plump and glowing, and supports cellular regeneration. Greek Yogurt also contains a lot of Zinc, an inflammatory that helps reduce redness and irritation associated with acne or rashes, and regulate sebum production for well-balanced skin. The Lactic Acid found in yogurt exfoliates and moisturizes the skin, and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation.

Ginger is true superfood containing more than 40 antioxidants that will help protect against aging free-radicals. It has significant anti-inflammatory properties, and is widely known to relieve stomach problems and digestive upset. Studies have shown that ginger can fight bacterial and fungal infections, and helps manage pain associated with menstrual cramps, migraines and arthritis.

Raw Honey is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and even probiotics that nourish and protect your whole body. Raw Honey has anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties to help fight off infections, like acne. Honey reduces inflammation and hydrates the skin, providing moisture thanks to its humectant qualities. Raw honey is loaded with antioxidants to protect and nourish the skin, promoting it to repair itself.

How to Make a Ginger Melon Smoothie:

Ingredients:

2 Cups of Ice Cubes
2 Cups Cantaloupe (about ½ melon, cubed)
6 oz Greek Yogurt
½ tsp Grated Fresh Ginger
Sweeten with Honey to Taste

Directions: Blend all ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

DIY Egg Yolk Mask

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 14:39:00 GMT

Egg yolks are pure magic for skin and one of the best options for dry, flaky, and stressed out skin. They contain a lot of fat, which is a water-binding agent that traps moisture into the skin cells for ultra softness.

Key Nutrients In Egg Yolks:

· Protein, the building block of skin tissue that promotes elasticity and repair.

· Vitamin B3, an anti-inflammatory and humectant (hydrating) for moisture.

· Vitamin B2, an antioxidant that protects cells from free radical damage.

· Zinc that slows the aging process and heals acne.

· Vitamin A that heals itchy, and dry skin.

Directions:

· Separate the yolk of a large egg from the whites into a bowl.

· Spread the yolk on your face

· Let dry completely for about 15 to 20 minutes. Try to hold your face still to prevent the drying egg from cracking while it’s on your face.

· Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a towel.

· Follow up with your skin care routine and enjoy the softness!

Anti-Aging Tips From Around The World

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 20:08:17 GMT

Looking young and healthy as you age does not always mean splurging hefty amounts of money on beauty products and commercial cosmetics. Mother Nature already has everything that you need in order to protect yourself against premature aging. Below are some anti-aging tips and tricks from around the world that are worth utilizing as they are natural and free from unwanted side effects.

China

As part of their beauty regimen, many women in China make a habit of drinking tea in the morning. But, they do not drink just any kind of tea. They use shredded ginger mixed with honey in a glass of hot water.

Ginger is known to have anti aging benefits as it contains gingerol, which is an antioxidant that protects the skin against collagen breakdown. Honey has antibacterial compounds that are beneficial for reducing inflammation. This combination of ingredients makes this tea a wonderful addition to anyone’s anti aging daily routine.

Mexico

Even if we can hide the signs of aging that appear on our face, it is hard to do the same in our hands. As we age, the skin’s fullness and elasticity will reduce and this is one of the reasons why Mexican women create their own natural scrub to be used on their hands as part of their anti aging treatment.

They mix lemon water with sugar and scrub it onto their hands. They believe that sugar crystals will help remove the dead skin cells that make their hands look dull. Lemon juice is rich with alpha hydroxy acid that also peels away dead skin cells. The better you naturally exfoliate your skin, the more likely it will be for your skin to absorb any moisturizers that you subsequently apply. If you plan on trying this tip, make sure you rinse your hands well with water after applying the lemon juice, and apply an SPF to your hands if you'll be outdoors as lemon juice can increase the risk of burning.

Poland

If you worry about your hair getting thinner as you age, you might mimic what Polish people do to strengthen their hair. They use egg yolks mixed with some drops of lemon juice and olive oil as their hair mask.

They leave this to moisturize their hair for not more than 15 minutes before they rinse it completely. These egg yolks, lemon juice and olive oil contain vitamins and minerals that nourish their hair and keep it stronger against breakage and premature thinning.

Finland

Finnish men and women love to take time for a good sauna bath as they believe that this will help them stay young and healthy. Sauna allows your body to perspire strongly so that the process of flushing toxins can occur.

As sauna helps to deep cleanse your skin, it can also be helpful for soothing your aching joints and muscles. To enable better exfoliation, many people in Finland apply honey or salt on their skin before indulging in their sauna.

Italy

Have you heard of an Italian facial mask? It’s not expensive, but it is natural and effective. Italians use plain yoghurt and apply it to their face followed by a layer of fresh tomato juice. If you have problems with cracked heels, use sea salt mixed with olive oil for exfoliating.

Another Italian facial cream that is purely natural and devoid of chemicals is fresh grapefruit juice mixed with egg whites to tighten skin pores and provide skin that younger-looking glow. Italian women turn to natural and quality ingredients from the garden or store , instead of expensive beauty products and creams to defy the aging process.

It's fun to indulge in natural skin care. You can try to incorporate some of these quick beauty hacks into your self-care routine with items you probably already have on hand!

For serious anti-aging skin care, we do recommend using anti-aging products formulated with peptides, vitamins and botanicals such as the Wrinkle Smoothing Cream , along with customized facial treatments geared towards reversing the signs of aging like Radio Frequency Skin Tightening , Microneedling , Micro-Current Toning and IPL Photo Facials . Beauty remedies are fun, and can be great in a pinch, but in order to see maximum results give MaxAesthetics a call at 267-528-3859.

What's your favorite beauty tip? We'd love to hear from you!

The Importance of Skin Care

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 18:04:42 GMT

Known as your biggest organ, the epidermis is incredibly large, highly important, and in need of a lot of care. As the first line of defense for your body, this protective shield is tough but thin, waterproof but able to absorb moisture, strong but soft and in some cases, highly sensitive. Your skin needs proper care and attention in order to fight against outside intruders such as bugs, germs, scratches, abrasions, and other wounds, and of course the different elements such as extreme cold and heat.

The epidermis is also the main protector of the second layer of skin, or the dermis, where many important physical structures such as sweat glands and hair follicles are kept. When kept healthy, your skin will be beautiful, strong, and durable, able to keep you safe from harmful outside agents and healthy both inside and out.

Different Duties of Your Skin

While you know that your skin protects your body from the outside world, this is a general phrase to cover all that the skin actually does. In addition to protecting the dermis and keeping you safe from the elements and outside intruders, your skin also protects against harmful UV rays from the sun, works to repel harmful bacteria and viruses, and even contains a number of cells that support your immune system by constantly fighting unknown substances from entering your body.

The body is assaulted by germs and viruses all day long; while we can still get sick, it is no doubt impressive how much the skin fights off and protects the body from on a daily basis.

How Skin Changes Over Time

When first born, your skin is incredibly soft, pliable, and stretchy. It acts as a plush covering around your entire body that grows and stretches with you. Baby skin heals well, doesn’t leave dark or tough scars, and contains a healthy glow. This is because the skin is fresh and new, free from damage from the elements, man-made products, and activities such as shaving or waxing. While things like sunshine, wind, makeup, and shaving are not bad, there is no doubt that they change your skin, causing it to lose its youthful elasticity and softness.

As you grow, your years in the sun, wind, water, and other elements will change your skin, perhaps making it tougher, dryer, or even more sensitive. The elderly often have very delicate skin that is prone to wrinkles, bruises, and tear or cuts. While this is the natural progression of the epidermis, you can combat this decline by actively taking care of your skin throughout your life.

When well taken care of, people have found that their skin has few wrinkles, remains soft, and even keeps its youthful glow over time. Though you cannot stop your skin from aging, you can slow the damaging effects of age with regular skincare routines.

Regardless of the type of skin you have, you need to know what kinds of skin care products are good for you. Some people focus exclusively focus on their face when, in actuality, all the skin on the body needs to be cared for. Skin care is important at any age. The earlier you start cleaning, toning, and moisturizing skin, the less your skin will age over time.

Whether you prefer a clean, classic appearance or an elaborate makeup look, being beautiful starts from the inside, it is therefore very important to nourish the skin to make the most of your natural beauty. This makes make-up look better and even if you don't wear a drop of foundation, lipstick, or eyeliner, you can still maintain a fresh and glowing complexion.

DIY Moisturizing Avocado & Honey Mask

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 22:07:43 GMT

Avocados make a great mask for beautiful skin. Packed with emollient avocado oil, avocados are a wonderful source of antioxidants and fatty acids to replenish the skin. Honey is a humectant that will draw moisture from the air into your skin. Honey has some amazing antioxidant properties as well as amino acids, peptide and probiotics to soothe and nourish the skin. The antibacterial qualities of honey also help protect the surface of your skin.

For skin that needs a little extra TLC, mush half an avocado along with a with a quarter cup of honey. Apply directly to the skin for at least 15 minutes. Rinse it off using a moist, cool washcloth, wrung out with water. Pat dry and follow up with your usual skin care. For dry or aging skin we recommend a cream packed with skin repairing peptides to prevent, and reduce the signs of aging.

(Tip: This is a good remedy for moisturizing your hair too although you use one avocado mixed with just a couple of tablespoons of honey for a half hour before rinsing the hair clean with warm water!)

Defy the Effects of Aging with Antioxidants

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 18:19:01 GMT

Adding Antioxidants to Your Diet to Prevent Signs of Aging

Just as antioxidants keep your skin looking youthful, they can provide the same effect for your whole body! A healthy diet is important at any age, but becomes critical, as you get older. The truth is that lifestyle diseases that stem from diet and lack of physical activity are killing us.

According to the Centers For Disease Control, almost 900,000 Americans die prematurely every year from lifestyle diseases, which include heart disease, stroke, and cancer and 20% to 40% of these deaths are preventable. More often than not, it is lifestyle choices that dictate these conditions. The World Health Organization reports that lifestyle diseases account for a staggering 70% of all deaths, and that more than ever before diet and lack of physical activity is driving these numbers in both industrial regions and developing countries.

Aging is an inevitable process; it will happen regardless of what you do. However, there are ways you can take the process in hand that offer a bit of a “slow down” of the process in order to avoid many preventable diseases that cause premature death.

The best place to start? By feeding your body with the foods, it needs to optimize performance and health.

The Single Best Way To Slow Down Aging - Consuming Antioxidants

You would have likely heard the word antioxidant but may not fully understand what it means or what it does within the body. Let’s clear that up.

See, as we age, every single day of our lives we are exposed to oxidative damage. It is simply a fact of life. Cells and DNA become worn out the longer they exist, and eventually they are unable to replicate to 100%.

This is the process of aging taking place. Stress from everyday life just compounds oxidative damage, and can accelerate the aging process, exactly what we are trying to avoid!

Anti-Aging Benefits Of Anti-Oxidants

1. Prevents UV Damage From The Sun - Damage from the sun can accelerate aging of the skin and result in cell mutations, including dark spots.

2. Boost Heart Health - can keep cholesterol levels within a normal range, clear blood vessels and promote normal heart rhythm.

3. Strengthens The Immune System - you become less susceptible to illnesses that sap away health, and more resistant to types of cancer.

4. Improves Skin Health - By neutralizing free radicals. Free radical damage causes fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots/ age spots, loss of elasticity and firmness. Anti-aging skin treatments like radio frequency and microneedling can help restore skin.

With that in mind, where are these antioxidants found? Luckily, in a variety of veggies and fruits, so for best health, and graceful aging, consider getting more of these in your diet:

Berries - Berries are among some of the fruits with highest antioxidant content, being able to positively boost health. Think of blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries as ones you should be getting more of.

Though not ideal to be consumed in mass amounts (due to sugar content) they do provide a massive dose of antioxidants, reducing pro-inflammatory compounds and slowing down hastened aging and they are also one of the lowest sugar fruits.

Cocoa - Cocoa has many more functions that making chocolate, as it is actually a health food. Rich in polyphenols, one of which is epicatechin, cocoa has a myriad of health benefits, including potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ability. Cocoa is actually superior in antioxidant profile when compared with green tea or even red wine.

Cruciferous Veggies - Extremely rich in anti-oxidants and phytonutrients, cruciferous vegetables can help prevent cancer, improve blood lipid values and encourage the removal of waste from the body. Coupled with the fact that they’re excellent free radical scavengers, cruciferous vegetables can and should be consumed daily.

Brightly Colored Veggies/ Fruits - Think of carrots, bell peppers and citrus, all foods that contain high number of bioactive compounds. In terms of carrots, they contain high levels of Beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A that has super potent antioxidant abilities.

Coupled with the high Vitamin C levels of bell peppers and citrus, these fruits and veggies provide a massive anti-aging effect in those who consume it. Tomatoes are also rich in lycopene, a rare antioxidant that is especially helpful to men’s health.

Antioxidants are your best insurance against the rigors of aging. They help safeguard heart health, eye, and skin along with fortifying your immune system.

Consuming a mix of both fruits and vegetables ensures you get the widest spectrum of phytonutrients available to prevent lifestyle diseases and maintain a healthy weight.

How to Use Raw Honey for Glowing Skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 19:17:08 GMT

DIY Recipes Using Natural Ingredients

There are many homemade beauty tricks, but one of the greatest basic ingredients for homemade facials and masks is honey!

Raw honey is loaded with antioxidants, enzymes and probiotics to protect and nourish the skin. It reduces inflammation and hydrates the skin to provide moisture due to its humectant properties, meaning it draws moisture from the air into your skin. Raw honey even has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties!

Raw honey is great for acne-prone skin, especially raw Manuka Honey! When mixed with water, raw honey forms hydrogen peroxide to kill acne causing bacteria and prevent infection. It may also help control oil by keeping skin moisturized and supple. Honey prevents the skin from becoming dehydrated, which may cause overactive sebaceous (oil) glands. The antioxidant properties of honey help protect the skin from free radicals, allowing the skin to heal itself more efficiently.

For dry or mature skin, raw honey will provide much needed hydration. Raw honey's humentact properties draw moisture deep into the skin to plump and smooth. The small amounts of alpha hydroxy acids found in raw honey provides gentle exfoliation - just enough to add a glow to your complexion, without causing any irritation.

Make sure to use the highest quality raw honey, organic is best, and one jar will cost you much less than just one spa facial and will last for months to come. Pasteurized honey will not have the same effects on your skin. Raw Honey is suitable for most skin types including sensitive, normal dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, mature skin, inflamed or irritated skin, and those prone to eczema and rosacea.

While you can always apply raw honey straight from the jar for a indulgent mask, here are a few of our favorite ways incorporate raw honey into your DIY skin care routine.

Honey & Strawberry Acne Mask: Strawberries are a natural source of salicylic acid and Vitamin C. Salicylic acid breaks down the gunk that traps dead skin and debris within pores, and gently exfoliates the skin. Vitamin C is an all star antioxidant that protects skin from free radicals, repairs sun damage and brightens up the skin, which is perfect for post-inflammatory inflammation and those pesky dark spots left from old blemishes! Mash 2-3 strawberries into a pulp and add enough honey to create a smooth paste. Massage into clean skin and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.

Honey Sugar Scrub: A sweet, scrubby mask to exfoliate and smooth the skin. Mix a tablespoon of raw honey with a teaspoon of brown sugar and apply to damp skin. Massage into skin for 2-3 minutes, or until the sugar begins to dissolve. Leave on the skin for 10 minutes as a mask. Rinse with cool water and pat dry. If you'd rather save the sugar for a sweet treat, try the Microdermabrasion 2 -in-1 Scrub + Mask. It's made with sugar cane!

Moisturizing Honey Bath: Add a cup of honey to your bubble bath to make your skin soft and smooth. Use a loofah to exfoliate for an extra glow. Adding 4 tablespoons of whole milk powder will clarify the skin, as it did for Cleopatra, who loved milk baths.

Egg Yolk Glow Mask : Egg yolks are mostly water and lips, or fats, which are fabulous for replenishing skin. Mix two egg yolks with a little honey and apply to the face, let dry and rinse with warm water. This homemade treatment creates a great deal of moisture.

Would you try your own DIY honey mask? Let us know!

Tips for Boosting Your Metabolism to Stay Young!

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 16:57:20 GMT

How to Raise Your Metabolism for a Healthy Body & Youthful Complexion

Many people complain about their increasing weight as they age, even though they have tried to eat less than they did years ago. Aging can certainly be accompanied with increasing body weight; however, it is something that can be avoided or at least minimized.

Your BMR as You Age

BMR or Basal Metabolic Rate refers to the number of calories that you burn every day to be able fuel the involuntary processes that are taking place inside your body as your heart beats, your brain functions and your digestive system continues to perform its duty.

It is an estimation of how much energy your body needs to maintain its status quo in a resting state. Intake of energy above this level, minus energy expended on physical and mental activity, will determine if there is likely to be a net gain or loss in body weight.

A person’s BMR depends to a large degree on their body composition. This means that people who have more muscle mass will have more calories burned within a 24-hour cycle. This is because muscle needs more calories than fat to sustain. Muscle cells are more active than fat cells which are principally storage cells.

With other factors being equal, those who are overweight, inactive and have a diet based on simple carbohydrate foods will have a lower and slower BMR than someone who is active and has a diet based on protein, healthy fats and whole foods. The concept of “fat-burning” includes actions which increase the BMR.

Most people tend to decrease their level of physical activity as they age. This means that their bodies need fewer calories now than they did when they were still young and actively working or playing sports with their peers.

The average individual will lose about 10 per cent of their muscle mass per decade starting at the age of 45. Therefore, by the time they reach 45 years old, they will start losing up to one-half pound of muscle every year while their body gains the same amount of fat. If you are now in your 60’s your body will no longer need as much calories so you should adjust your intake accordingly.

The Importance of Having a High-Nutrient Eating Plan

Many studies have concluded that caloric restriction is one consistent factor that helps prolong a human being’s lifespan. It is increasingly obvious that a healthy diet, which means consuming the right types of food daily, will help reduce the body’s desire for more caloric intake.

Simply focusing on counting calories, but basing intake on simple carbs, sugars and starches will lead to constantly feeling hungry and deprived. Eating nutrient-rich food with adequate protein and fat included will help feel sated with less calories consumed.

This will help to increase both BMR and lifespan. When your body becomes accustomed to eating less calories you will find it easier to enjoy food without the need to battle against the urge to overeat.

Exercise Remains the Safest Way to Raise Metabolism

During exercise, the body’s peripheral tissues will be activated, causing the body to utilize more calories while also increasing total muscle mass. This will result in increased total caloric expenditure. It is also well-known that exercise is essential for promoting longevity.

Combining healthy eating patterns and exercise routines that include aerobic and strength components will contribute greatly to delaying the adverse effects of aging on health and wellbeing.

The Effects of a Slow Metabolism on the Skin
When your skin metabolism is functioning at it's best, skin cells communicate with each other, ensuring cells are being exfoliated naturally, collagen is being producing and damage is being repaired. A slow, aging metabolism also expresses itself in your skin. Loss of elasticity, sagging of the skin, dullness, fine lines, and wrinkles are just a few of the signs that your cells are sluggish, and that the rate of cellular renewal has declined.

To combat aging skin metabolism:

• Exfoliate - Skin cell's do not self-exfoliate as efficiently as they once did, so it's important to exfoliate the skin to allow for increased absorption of nutrients, for smooth skin texture and even tone, and to prevent clogged pores. Microdermabrasion is a great way to keep the skin smooth and exfoliated. You can also exfoliate at home with the Microdermabrasion Pore Cleaner and Microdermabrasion 2-in-1 Scrub + Mask .

• Stimulate & Energize - Spa treatments like Microneedling , Radiofrequency Tightening and Micro-Current Toning can rejuvenate your skin by stimulating collagen production in your skin. Each treatment sends a unique message to your skin cells, signaling them to wake up and boost the production of collagen and the regeneration process for a firmer, plump and youthful look.

• Treat & Protect - Feed your skin with antioxidants and nutrients to keep skin cells working in tip-top shape. Sun protection is a major component in preventing and repairing the signs of aging. Look for a broad spectrum sunscreen like our UVA/UVB Defense SPF45 , which has Zinc to physically deflect UV radiation, as well as anti-aging ingredients to fight free radicals and keep your skin looking its best.

5 Healthy Habits You Can't Live Without!

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 15:12:18 GMT

Easy Lifestyle Changes to Increase Your Energy & Improve Your Mood and Skin

Many chronic diseases are caused by lifestyle. People tend not to exercise as much as they should; they allow themselves to become overweight, by indulging in unhealthy foods and habits that may lead to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and strokes. The problem with unhealthy and bad eating habits is that they are difficult to turn around. Many people try to change their lifestyle all at once, which is extremely difficult to accomplish. As a result, they often give up all of their healthy habits and resort to the usual negative health habits that they had before they attempted a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes it just takes a few days or a few weeks of trying to live healthy before the individual becomes overwhelmed and gives up. They stop exercising and go back to eating processed foods and junk foods.This is why it is better to change your health habits one habit at a time so that you don’t become overwhelmed and stop trying to be healthy altogether.

Most weight loss programs work if they are done carefully and don’t deprive the individual too much. The same is true of exercise programs. If you choose an exercise that you really enjoy or increase your physical activity gradually, it will be a lot easier to stick to the program so that you don’t become discouraged and quit exercising altogether.

The trick to healthy living is to begin gradually. Don’t try any trendy diet or fitness fad. If you try a fad with gusto, you are likely to respond negatively and you won’t stick with the programs. There are a few simple things you can do to live a happier and healthier life. Start with just these 5 changes in health habits:

Try eating one healthy meal a day. Even if you eat processed foods most of the time, by eating just one healthy meal each day, you will feed your body with good nutrition and healthy proteins. Healthy meals consist of mainly fruits and vegetables, supplemented with whole grain products, and lean meats.

Drink a glass of water before each meal. Water is perhaps the best liquid you can drink. By drinking a glass of water before meals (an 8-ounce glass is enough,) you will feel fuller before eating, and you won’t eat as much.

Be active during lunch. Try eating your meals and then take some time to exercise. You don’t have to work out excessively but you should be able to take a brisk walk. Not only will this energize you but also it will help burn off the calories and aid in the digestive process. It really doesn’t matter what type of exercise you do as long as you choose something reasonable that will help you feel better after eating your lunch. Exercising also helps decrease stress.

Try a Meal Replacement Bar. This involves eating a healthy protein bar as a snack instead of junk foods. Most meal replacement bars contain a lot of good nutrition and fiber. They are also not as calorie-rich as you would think. They help stave off hunger pangs that are typical by mid-afternoon time. Keep a stash of these protein bars in your desk at work or in your purse or briefcase so you can grab one whenever you feel hungry. It will keep you from going to the vending machines and making poor food choices. Try eating a meal replacement bar that is high in fiber and that has at least 10 to 15 grams of protein per bar.

Exercise regularly. If you have a gym membership, try working out at least 3-4 times per week. Choose an activity you enjoy and make the most of it for at least a half hour per session. This will help energize you, may build muscle mass, and will help you lose weight by burning off excess calories.

Follow MaxAesthetics For More Healthy Tips And Advice On Skin Care , Nutrition And Beauty.

How to Prevent Premature Wrinkles

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 18:57:02 GMT

Stop These Wrinkle Causing Habits for Younger Looking Skin

When we think of the visible signs of aging that we most want to overcome, facial wrinkles are at the top of the list. We are constantly made aware of the major common causes of wrinkles - the sun’s ultraviolet rays, stress, alcohol, cigarette smoking and simply getting older.

However, there are some lesser-known factors that may be contributing to your display of facial creases. These may not have the macro effects of the causes already mentioned, but if you are quite concerned by the appearance of wrinkles you may wish to consider every possible option. One or more of these may be influencing your appearance, so consider running a self-check to monitor their impact.

Sleeping on one side all night

Research has shown that sleeping on one side the entire night can cause creases on your skin to develop. This is because as you press your skin against your pillow, creases may develop on your chest, chins and cheeks.

Unfortunately, as you get older, your skin will no longer be capable of smoothing out or springing back as quickly as when you were still young. Try to minimize the habit of sleeping on only one side as much as possible. You may also opt to use silky soft pillowcases to reduce friction on your skin.

Spending long hours inside the vehicle

It is a common fallacy that being inside the car totally spares you from the harmful rays of the sun. However, if you drive or stay inside the car for long hours you can still be a moving target of the sun’s UV rays. One way to prevent this from happening is to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily when travelling. Wear sunglasses as well to prevent squinting – another wrinkle-maker.

Repeated facial expressions

If you have the habit of frowning or squinting whenever you are trying to express yourself then chances are there are already several grooves forming beneath the surface of your skin. Gradually, these grooves will become obvious marks that are known as wrinkles which are also referred to as laugh lines, frown lines and forehead folds.

Eat a balanced diet

We are made aware from some quarters that over-consumption of meat can be bad for our health. The real problem is if meat is eaten to the exclusion of other necessary food groups, especially fruit and vegetables. When it comes to fighting wrinkles, we often tend to forget about the importance of eating plant-based foods which are loaded with anti-oxidants that fight against premature signs of aging.

Meat can have benefits to the body’s overall health but avoiding those greens and other colored vegetables can speed up age-related symptoms so skin wrinkles will appear sooner than they should. A great way to combat these wrinkles is to load up your plate with fish, olive oil, fruits and vegetables. Remember that you need to be beautiful inside and out!

Washing too much

Cleanliness might be a virtue, but habitually washing too much can have a negative effect on the health of your skin. Over washing your face can deplete its natural moisturizers resulting in dry skin that is susceptible to wrinkle formations.

Some soaps and cleansers contain ingredients which are harsh to the skin, especially if not quickly rinsed off. Make sure to use mild soaps and also avoid applying too much makeup.

How to Choose a Good Sunscreen

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 20:14:17 GMT

What is the difference between Chemical & Physical Sunscreen?

There are two forms of sun protection, physical sunscreen and chemical sunscreen. The biggest difference between the two is that physical sunscreen blocks ultraviolet radiation from penetrating the skin while chemical sunscreen absorbs and deactivates ultraviolet radiation that has penetrated the skin.

Physical sunscreen , sometimes called mineral or natural sunscreen, is comprised of either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Physical sunscreens work by deflecting the sun’s rays - effectively blocking them from penetrating the skin. The major benefits of physical sunscreen are that it does not decompose through sun exposure and is effective upon application. Zinc Oxide covers the entire spectrum of UVA and UVB spectrum and it is suitable for the most sensitive of skin. The downside of some physical sunscreens is that they can feel heavy or greasy on the skin and may leave a white cast. Our UVA/UVB Defense SPF45 is a great example of a physical sunscreen that doesn't feel heavy on the skin and doesn't leave a white cast on the skin after being rubbed in.

Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin to absorb or scatter the ultraviolet radiation that reaches your skin. Chemical sunscreens can offer more coverage, but they can take up to 20 minutes after application to become effective. The most common ingredients in chemical sunscreens are oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Chemical sunscreens are typically color-less, odorless and more viscous compared to a physical sunscreen. Some of the chemical filters used in this type of sunscreen can cause free radicals that can age the skin and cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people.

Ultimately, the best sunscreen is one that you will use!
Most sunscreens on the market offer a combination of both physical and chemical properties - so be sure to check the ingredients! Be sure to wear enough sunscreen to be effective and reapply often.

A sunscreen with SPF 30 applied to every 2-3 hours provides enough coverage for the average person. A general rule of thumb when applying sunscreen is that 1 oz, or a shot glass, worth of product is needed to cover your body and a nickel to quarter size amount for your face and neck.

It's always great to layer your sunscreen with makeup that also has sun protection, but never rely on your makeup alone to protect your skin.

5 Tips to Clear Acne Fast!

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 16:28:12 GMT

Don't let blemishes hold you back. Take control of your skin with these 5 tips and tricks for clearer skin!

1. Choose the Perfect Cleanser ! Acne prone skin needs a face wash that's powerful enough to clear away oil, dirt and dead skin, but gentle enough not to irritate the skin any further.

A daily face wash containing micronized benzoyl peroxide (a form of benzoyl peroxide that is 10 times more effective than the regular benzoyl due to its smaller molecule) can make a world of difference, with blemishes starting to clear in a little as 5 days. Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide kills acne causing bacteria on the surface of the skin and deep within pores, while reducing oil production, inflammation AND redness.

Tip: Massage the cleanser into the skin, focusing on pimples and leave on for 5 minutes before washing it off.

2. Use an effective acne treatment serum ! Serums are typically a lightweight, super concentrated, treatment that penetrates deeply, to deliver potent ingredients into the skin. After cleansing, apply an acne fighting serum to your face, avoiding the eye and mouth area. A serum with micronized benzoyl peroxide, glycolic , salicylic or Lactic acid.

3. Ice it! When you feel a new blemish coming on, use an ice cube to dramatically reduce inflammation and the severity of the acne. Icing a blemish will reduce swelling, shrinking the size of the spot and reducing redness. This will also help cut down the lifespan of the blemish! Icing is also particularly good for deep, painful cystic acne.

Tip: After applying an acne serum , then wrap an ice cube in a very thin washcloth or paper towel and gently massage the ice over the blemish or affected area for ONE minute. Allow your skin to rest for 5 minutes and reapply the ice for another minute. You can repeat this process as often as needed. After icing, reapply the Acne Serum.

4. DIY with a Homemade Mask! For a quick and easy way to soothe and treat your acne, try this Strawberry and Honey facial mask. Strawberries are a natural source of salicylic acid and Vitamin C. Salicylic acid breaks down the gunk that traps dead skin and debris within pores, and gently exfoliates the skin. Vitamin C is an all star antioxidant that protects skin from free radicals, repairs sun damage and brightens up the skin, which is perfect for post-inflammatory inflammation and those pesky dark spots left from old blemishes! Honey is antibacterial and a humectant, which will draw moisture to the skin and keep it well hydrated.

Tip: All you need is 2-3 medium sized, ripe strawberries and about a tablespoon of honey. Mash the strawberries into a pulp and add enough honey to create a smooth paste. Massage into clean skin and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse, pat dry and enjoy your smooth, nourished skin!

5. Have a snack! Snack on some cantaloupe, affectionately called a "beauty fruit!" Cantaloupe is rich in vitamin C and beta carotene, which our body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A promotes healthy skin by thinning the outermost layer of dead skin cells that often get clogged and causes breakouts. It also improves skin elasticity, which means less wrinkles and signs of premature aging. Also, keeping up with your recommended daily amount of water is a must! Proper hydration helps your cells flush out built-up waste and helps your skin self-moisturize, Drinking plenty of water won't 'cure' your acne, but it'll put your body at a better advantage for clear, healthy skin.

What is Benzoyl Peroxide?

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT

How Benzoyl Peroxide Clears & Prevents Breakouts

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide is one of the most tried and true acne treatments. BPO is an effective treatment for active breakouts and as a preventative treatment that has been used for over fifty years.

Benzoyl Peroxide has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It penetrates pores and kills p.acne, the strain of bacteria that causes breakouts. BPO even fights bacteria that is resistant to topical antibiotics. It's also a keratolytic, which means that it'll help breakdown the buildup of dead skin, dirt and oil trapped inside pores. With continued use, BPO reduces sebum production which helps control oil.

Types of Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide is easy to find and relatively inexpensive. It comes in a variety of forms including gels, creams, cleansers and body washes. And it's available in several concentrations, 2.5%, 5% and 10% being the most popular.

Look for Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide - a finely milled version of traditional Benzoyl Peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is not very water soluble, traditional BPO molecules have the tendency to crystallize and form clusters that can be too large to effectively penetrate pores. Benzoyl Peroxide is micronized to produce smaller, more consistently sized particles that are able to penetrate pores easier and more efficiently.

Using Benzoyl Peroxide

When adding benzoyl peroxide to your skin care routine, you'll want to start with a low concentration - this will be either 2% or 5% to avoid possible side effects and to allow your skin to adjust. You can gradually build up to a higher dose if necessary, however studies have shown that 2.5% BPO is just as effective as 10% without the increased risk of side effects.

BPO works well by itself, as well as part of a routine with different acne treatments. Alpha Hydroxy Acids such as Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid are often used in conjunction with Benzoyl Peroxide to treat severe acne. Salicylic Acid and Glycolic acids gently exfoliate the skin and increase skin cell turnover, allowing benzoyl peroxide treat the skin more effectively.

Benzoyl peroxide can potentially damage the skin's natural barrier function, and deplete antioxidant and moisture content by oxidizing fats from the skin. This is what causes dryness and inflammation. To neutralize this effect, it's recommend to follow up BPO with a moisturizer - even for oily skin!) or use a formulation with skin soothing ingredients like the Acne Clear Serum and Acne Clear Pads.

Side effects of traditional benzoyl peroxide include redness, dry, flaky or itchy skin and mild irritation. These side effects usually subside within a week or so, once your skin has adjusted to the BPO. If you experience irritation, you may want to use BPO once a day or every other day to allow your skin to adjust, or use products formulated with micronized BPO that do not cause irritation. Be mindful of getting dressed while using Benzoyl Peroxide, as it can bleach clothes, towels and pillow cases.

Once you've cleared your acne with Benzoyl Peroxide, you still need to use it as a maintenance measure. BPO is only effective because it kills the bacteria that causes acne. If you stop using Benzoyl Peroxide, then the bacteria will come back - along with breakouts.

What's Your Grade?

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 16:06:15 GMT

How to Identify the Different Types & Grades of Acne

Dermatologists and skin care professionals diagnose acne type and severity with a grading scale. Acne grades are determined by the amount of blemishes, the type of blemishes, the location of the blemishes and the amount of inflammation present. Acne grades can help you and your doctor determine the best treatment plan for your skin.

Grade 1

Grade 1 acne is characterized by a few blackheads, whiteheads and the occasional papule.
Skin is not inflamed and blemishes are confined to the face.
The nose and forehead are the areas most commonly affected.
Grade 1 acne is common among both adolescents and adults.
This is the mildest form of acne and typically treated successfully with over the counter acne products.
The 30 Day Acne Package is designed to clear up Grade 1 Acne. This package contains a series of acne facials, microdermabrasion and an acne clearing cleanser for home use.

Grade 2

Grade 2 acne is considered moderate acne.
With Grade 2 acne there are a good deal of blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules with some inflammation.
Larger, more obvious pustules with some inflammation become more common.
Breakouts can be found on the cheeks, chin and jaw in addition to the nose and forehead.
Grade 2 Acne can turn into Grade 3 if left untreated, or if picking or squeezing of pimples occurs.
Moderate acne can be managed with over the counter topical treatments and specialized products. Facials, chemical peels, laser and IPL treatments are beneficial at this stage, but not always necessary.
The 60 Day Acne Package is designed to clear up Grade 2 Acne. This package includes a series of laser facial treatments, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, along with a skin clearing cleanser and serum for home use.

Grade 3

Grade 3 is considered severe acne.
This grade is characterized by the addition of cysts, nodules and more inflammation and irritation as well as an increased number of pustules.
Grade 3 acne is spread from the face, down the neck and shoulders, the chest and upper back.
Grade 3 acne should be treated by a dermatologist or skin care professional. Left untreated this stage could turn into Grade 4 acne.
The 90 Day Acne Package is designed to clear and heal skin with Grade 3 & 4 Acne. This package contains a series laser facial treatments, chemical peels, microneedling and skin specific products for home use.

Grade 4

Grade 4 acne is very severe and will need to be treated by a dermatologist or a skin care professional.
Grade 4 acne marks an increased amount of painful cysts and nodules- this stage is sometimes referred to as cystic or nodulocystic acne, and inflammation.
This grade is characterized as an extreme amount of pustules, cysts, nodules and edema/swelling.
Breakouts are widespread, covering the face, chest, shoulders, the entire back and upper arms.
Grade 3 and Grade 4 acne needs to be handled aggressively and systematically to reduce the pain and discomfort related to cystic acne and the accompanying inflammation.
Treatment for severe acne may include systemic treatments such as laser, chemical peels, antibiotics, oral isotrentotin, or hormonal therapy, and topical treatments like retinoids, topical antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide.
The 90 Day Acne Package is designed to clear and heal skin with Grade 3 & 4 Acne. This package contains a series laser facial treatments, chemical peels, microneedling and skin specific products for home use.

What's Causing Your Breakouts?

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 19:10:32 GMT

The Factors That Cause Acne

ACNE MYTHS: Will Popping A Pimple Make It Go Away Faster?

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 18:54:36 GMT

Can You Squeeze Your Way to Clear Skin?

MYTH: If you pop a pimple, it will be less noticeable and go away faster.

TRUTH: Instead of speeding up the process of healing, popping pimples actually makes them stick around much longer! Popping a whitehead causes the bacteria inside to be pushed deeper into the skin, allowing more infection to grow.

After popping a pimple, the area will get redder and more inflamed - typically more noticeable than if you had left it alone in the first place. Popping pimples leads to scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, both of which last much longer than a pimple.

If you need to calm down a pimple right away, try covering an ice cube with a cloth or paper towel and gliding it gently over the affected area. Keep the ice moving and never hold it down on one spot of your skin.

ACNE MYTHS: Does Dirty Skin Cause Acne?

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 18:47:03 GMT

Is Poor Hygiene the Cause of Your Acne?

MYTH: Acne is caused by being dirty.

TRUTH: Having acne doesn't mean your skin is dirty or unhealthy!

Acne is not caused by poor hygiene but by hormonal changes taking place within the body. Sometimes the sebaceous glands within the dermis become overrun with oil and block nearby follicles. This causes clogged pores, which turns into acne characterized by pimples, zits, pustules, and even cysts.

It doesn’t matter how often you scrub your face or other areas affected by acne. In fact, a rigorous regimen of washing and scrubbing can actually irritate the skin and make the acne worse, not better.

Acne is not caused by poor hygiene. It doesn’t mean that hygiene isn’t important, but it's not the cause. Good hygiene in conjunction with acne treatment products can help. Rather than frequent, harsh washing, it is generally recommended that you wash your face twice a day with a cleanser formulated for your skin type and then pat it dry - never scrub your skin dry. Washing your face any more than twice a day can aggravate your skin and actually make acne worse.

What is Acne?

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 19:49:28 GMT

All About Acne - The Most Common Skin Condition

Acne is estimated to affect 650 million people worldwide, making it the most common skin condition. Although it's a very common problem for adolescents and teens, acne can affect anyone. Left untreated, acne can leave scars, lead to anxiety and negatively impact self esteem. The more you know about your skin, the easier it is to manage your acne and uncover clear, beautiful skin.

Acne vulgaris is a broad term for several different types of lesions found on the skin, these include blackheads, whitehead, papules, pustules and cysts. Acne occurs when pores become clogged with oil and dead skin. Acne is typically accompanied by oily skin, inflammation and scarring. Dead skin and sebum can become trapped inside pores or hair follicles to form a plug. These clogged pores are called a comdeones. If bacteria is present in the comedo, then the pore and surrounding cells may become inflamed becoming a blackhead, whitehead, papule, pustule or cyst. Hormones, diet, lifestyle and medication can aggravate acne.

There are a couple different types of acne lesions:

Blackheads are open comdeos. When a comedo is open and exposed to air the dead skin and oil that clogged the pore oxidizes, turning it black.

Whiteheads are closed comedos. The opening of the pore is either very narrow or completely blocked by skin. Whiteheads are clogged pores just like a blackhead, only they have not been oxidized and remain white.

Papules and Pustules form when a pore becomes so irritated the walls collapse, these are generally what we call pimples. The pore and surrounding cells are inflamed and can be painful. Papules are raised, solid bumps that are typically red and may be painful. Pustules occurs when a papule becomes infected, or “comes to a head” and fills with pus. Not all papules turn into pustules and may resolve on their own.

Cysts are hard, pus filled lesions that rupture deep beneath the surface of the skin. Cysts are often large and quite painful. Cysts occur when the oil gland within a pore becomes engorged and hardened. Unable to push the excess oil and debris through the pore, it ruptures leaving behind a painful, swollen mass under the skin. Cysts are the most severe type of acne lesion. They can last anywhere from a couple of days to weeks, and usually leave a scar.

Acne is classified into 4 grades. Each grade is characterized by the types, the severity, and the number of blemishes present. These breakdowns aid dermatologists and other professionals in determining the best treatment plan for your skin:

Grade 1 is mild acne consisting of a few blackheads and papules that are not deep or inflamed.
Grade 2 is moderate acne, with 10 or more blackheads, papules, milia, pustules with redness and inflammation.
Grade 3 is severe acne involving 12-20+ blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts and a lot of redness and inflammation. Acne generally spreads from the face down the neck, the chest, shoulders and the upper back.
Grade 4 is often called cystic or nodulcystic acne. severe acne involving 12-20+ blackheads, papules, pustules, multiple cysts and a lot of redness and inflammation. Infection is deep and widespread, affecting the face, chest, shoulders, the entire back and upper arms.

Acne treatments at MaxAesthetics in Philadelphia are used to increase cell turnover, eliminate acne causing bacteria, reduce inflammations and help regulate oil production. A cne is usually treated with topical products such as salicylic acid, retinoid, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid or laser treatments.

'Beet It' Smoothie

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sat, 27 May 2017 17:59:46 GMT

Tell Blemishes to "Beet It" with this Skin Clearing Smoothie

This delicious smoothie is packed full healthy foods to clear your skin and nourish your whole body!

Ingredients:

1 Small Roasted Beet
1 Cup Frozen or Fresh Strawberries
½ a Fresh or Frozen Banana
1 Kale Leaf (torn into small pieces)
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 Tbsp. Almond Butter
½ Tbsp. Hemp Hearts
½ cup Water

Directions: Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth.

Beets are a wonderful source of dietary fiber, potassium, manganese, folic acid, Vitamin C, zinc, copper, and iron. Beets also contain the antioxidants polyphenols and betalains. They are a unique source of betaine, a nutrient that protects cells from environmental stress and reducing inflammation. Zinc and folic acid are known to help clear acne.

Strawberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C and Ellagic Acid. Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant known for strengthening your immune systems and anti-aging benefits. Ellagic acid acts as an antibacterial and an antioxidant. Studies show that ellagic acid helps to negate skin damage caused by UV Radiation such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, the breakdown of collagen and inflammation.

Kale contains many vitamins and nutrients that are good for skin and whole body, like beta carotene, vitamin k and lutein. Our bodies convert beta carotene into Vitamin A, an antioxidant that increases the rate cellular turnover which can help reduce clogged pores, acne, wrinkles, discoloration and dryness. Vitamin K improves circulation, helps to reduce dark under eye circles, and improves skin elasticity. Lutein, a carotenoid like beta carotene, can provide a bronzed glow to skin when consumed in large quantities.

Hemp Hearts are rich in two essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) that maintain healthy cells, keeping you skin looking hydrated, plump and youthful. These fatty acids strengthen the skin barrier function to protect the skin from free radical, and can help soothe inflammation and dryness from a variety of skin concerns.

Almond Butter is loaded with Vitamin E and fatty acids that help keep skin supple and hydrated. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, strengthens capillary walls, improves moisture, reduces inflammation and aids in the healing of skin. By reducing inflammation and speeding up skin regeneration, Vitamin E is a great help to resolving acne. Vitamin E also helps your body create stores of other vitamins, making them work better.

How Stress Impacts Your Vital Organs

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 25 May 2017 15:28:25 GMT

Stress affects just about everyone’s daily lives. Unfortunately, stress is not a benign thing. It can affect your body in ways that canhave a long lasting impact on your health. Here are some ways stress can affect your health:

The Effect Of Stress On Your Brain - Stress can cause you to lose your concentration and memory abilities. Whether this is psychological or physiological is not completely clear. When you are under stress, parts of your brain associated with memory, such as the hippocampus, do not work well and you cannot turn short-term memory into long-term memory. You can also fail to concentrate on things you hear or things you are reading. It isn’t clear whether this is a long-term effect or short-term effect; however, things like stress reduction techniques seem to be able to restore your ability to think.

The Effect Of Stress On Your Gastrointestinal Tract - Stress triggers the body’s fight or flight response so that epinephrine and norepinephrine are released from your adrenal glands. This has multiple effects on the body. One thing this phenomenon does is shunt blood away from the gastrointestinal tract and toward the muscles of the body as a way of gearing up to “fight or flee” from a real or imagined opponent. This can lead to a decreased blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract, which translates into indigestion and poor uptake of nutrients. Fortunately, this can be short-lived unless you live under situations of chronic stress. Then the GI system will be more permanently affected.

The Effect Of Stress On Your Cardiovascular System - Stress causes the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which automatically raises your blood pressure and heart rate. This puts more stress on your heart and puts you at higher risk of suffering from hypertension-related diseases like heart failure, stroke, and heart attack. These kinds of things do not happen overnight but if you suffer from chronic stress, the long lasting implications of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, heart failure, and stroke are real possibilities, especially if you do not eat well or have a strong family history of heart disease.

The Effect Of Stress On Your Immune System - Excess stress also causes the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex. Cortisol has many effects on the body but one of the main ones is that it suppresses the immune system. High levels of cortisol mean that you are at greater risk of getting colds and the flu and have a harder time healing from open sores, cuts, or wounds. Cortisol can suppress several aspects of the immune system so you will find yourself sicker more often when under stress than you would be if you were under less stress.

Things You Can Do To Reduce Stress

Because stress can wreak havoc on your body, you need to do what you can to lessen the stress on your life so you can remain healthy. Sometimes it is just a matter of reducing the things in your life that are major sources of stress. It might mean getting out of a stressful relationship, getting your finances in order or changing your job situation so you don’t go to work each day with stressful feelings.

If you can’t change your circumstances, you may want to practice stress-relieving techniques. These include things like meditation, Tai chi, yoga, and Qi gong.

These activities can be easily learned through attending classes at a local health club or buy purchasing a DVD that will teach you ways to reduce the amount of stress you perceive in your life so you can live a healthier life.

Another great way to reduce stress is to take a vacation, or spend time in nature that naturally calms the mind, body, and spirit.

Sunshine Probiotic Smoothie

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Wed, 17 May 2017 20:34:53 GMT

Weekly Summer Smoothie Recipe for Healthy, Glowing Skin

This tropical smoothie is packed with vitamins and nutrients for glowing skin and a healthy body.
Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups Fresh or Frozen Mango
1 Cup Fresh or Frozen Strawberries
1 Cup Frozen Pineapple
1 Cup Kombucha (any flavor desired)

Directions: Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Use all frozen fruit for an frosty, refreshing treat!

Kombucha is fermented tea drink loaded with naturally occurring probiotics, vinegar, vitamins, enzymes, and acetic, gluconic and lactic acid. Kombucha tea helps with digestions, relieves inflammation, provides antioxidant support to prevent free radical damage, and supports collagen production for the prevention of fine lines and wrinkle and joint damage!

The fruit in this smoothie are all antioxidant powerhouses that are sure to give your skin an extra boost!

Pineapples are an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Manganese, the enzyme Bromelain, and dietary fiber. Eating pineapple provides antioxidant and immune support, and is an anti-inflammatory that can help reduce signs of aging and breakouts.

Strawberries are extremely high in vitamin C, folate, potassium, manganese, dietary fiber, magnesium biotin, and ellagic acid. Biotin is essential for strong, healthy skin, hair and nails, and ellagic acid protects elastin fibers from sagging, for firmer skin!

Mangoes are high in vitamin A which supports health skin function and cellular turn over, for clear and bright looking skin. Mango is a natural source of quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat, and enzymes that have been found to protect the body against certain cancers.

What You Should Know About Your Skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 12 May 2017 19:07:48 GMT

How Our Largest Organ Works

It's hard to think of skin as being an organ much less the largest one of the human body. Skin is the largest organ of the integumentary system of human beings. It is our protective barrier against the environment as well as the protective covering for our internal organs and body parts. It helps keep germs and other organism from entering our systems. It serves as our first line of defense against dehydration, extreme temperatures and injury. The skin actually detoxifies harmful substances and germs much like our liver does for us internally.

The average adult has from 18 to 20 square feet of skin covering their entire body which weighs approximately 6 pounds. Skin is one unbroken piece of tissue that covers the whole person. It's amazing to think that just one square inch of skin has 6 million cells. The human skin consists of 3 layers. The top layer which is what we see is called the Epidermis. The middle layer is called the dermis and also contains connective tissue. The third layer is called the Hypodermis or the subcutaneous layer. This layer contains adipose (fat) tissue and blood vessels. Skin has 5,000 sensory points throughout the body. It has 100 glands throughout the skin system as well as 15 sweat glands. Human skin is 00.7 or 2mm in thickness.

The outer most layer or the Epidermis is where melanin is produced. Melanin is the substance that gives us our skin colors as well as helps to protect us against sun rays. The darker a person is the more melanin their skin contains. In the second layer or dermis we find nerve endings sweat and oil glands as well as hair follicles. It is in this layer when the sebum which is the oil produced by the oil glands is produced. The sebum travels to the first layer and gets trapped in the pores creating skin conditions like acne because of this.

Another interesting fact about skin is that skin cells constantly regenerate themselves. This means human skin is always regenerating. The process of skin cellular regeneration begins in the dermis. A skin cell is generated in the dermis first. The same cell travels to the epidermis outer layer over a 14 day period. By the end of 14 days it finally reaches the bottom of the epidermis layer. Once it reaches there it continues to travel upward until it reaches the outermost layer or top of the Epidermis. After it reaches our outermost skin layer it takes two more weeks flattening out there and then it eventually dies. When it dies the cell sheds and then the process starts all over again. So this is how our skins constantly renew its self. We have billions of skin cells that shed daily.

This same idea of shedding the old cells and rejuvenating our skin is used in products to keep us youthful and our skins looking healthy.

The premise is that the old skin needs to constantly be shed so the young skin can remain exposed. That's why there are exfoliating products available for all skin types. These type of skin products do just that it helps with the shedding process. It is important that our bodies do this naturally to keep our skin looking young and remaining healthy.

Foods that Fight Acne!

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 05 May 2017 15:21:55 GMT

What to eat for clear skin!

Start a food fight with your acne! Learn what foods can help your body's defense against acne. Anti-inflammatory foods heal the body and the skin by preventing skin issues such as acne, eczema and more. By reducing inflammation in the body in general, we can prevent skin disorders.

What Are Complex Carbs And Why Do You Need Them

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 23:40:41 GMT

What are the benefits of eating complex carbohydrates

What Are Complex Carbs and Why Do We Need Them?

Have you heard someone mention "complex carbs", and you wondered what they were talking about? Basically, carbohydrates are either simple or complex. At first glance, you may think that simple carbohydrates are better for your body. They are broken down simply, so doesn't it make sense that these would be healthy for you? Actually, the opposite is true.

The Difference Between Complex (Good) and Simple (Bad) Carbohydrates

Complex and simple carbohydrates very differ in how they are absorbed into your body. They are also digested differently. Think of simple carbohydrates as simple sugars. Simple carbohydrates are broken down quickly, and deliver no nutrition, just energy. Complex carbohydrates deliver lots of nutrients and minerals, as well as energy.

Complex carbohydrates have longer molecular chains. So it takes your body a long time to break them down and absorb them. This leads to an even distribution of energy over a longer period of time, and a much longer feeling of fullness. Simple carbohydrates, like those delivered by refined sugar, enter your bloodstream immediately. They are processed quickly, have little nutritional value, and lead to fat storage, short spikes in energy and an energy crash.

Why Your Body Needs Complex Carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates are important for a few reasons. As mentioned above, they are nutrient and mineral rich. They have all of the vitamins, phytonutrients and healthy, natural goodness your body needs to function properly.

They are usually also very high in dietary fiber. Fiber keeps your digestive system working properly, and helps you regulate a naturally healthy body weight. Complex carbs are energy rich, and deliver that energy consistently over a long period of time.

"Good" carbs promote proper sleep, boosted brain function and a healthy nervous system. In many cases, they are also low in calories, as opposed to unhealthy simple carbohydrates. Simply put, complex carbohydrates deliver much-needed benefits that promote inner and outer overall health.

Some Examples of Complex Carbohydrates

The following list includes some healthy complex carbohydrates you definitely should be eating more of.

· Quinoa

· Oats

· Broccoli

· Oatmeal

· Spinach

· Brown rice

· Cucumbers

· Peas

· Asparagus

· Beans

· Soy Milk

· Whole grain breads

Simple Carbohydrates to Avoid

Avoid or limit the following simple carbs. Your health and waistline will thank you.

· Sugar

· White carbohydrates – rice, bread, pasta

· Potatoes - technically a complex carbohydrate, they are treated like simple carbs in your body

· Desserts, pastries

· Artificial syrups

· Candy and cookies

· Soda and energy drinks

Complex carbs also have great benefits for the skin due to the anti inflammatory properties they posess.

Eat more healthy complex carbs and watch your skin improve

For more information and skin care tips email us @ maxaesthetics@maxaesthetics.com

Visit Us For More Healty Tips Or A Free Healthy skin consultation

Unrefined vs. Refined Foods- Is one better than the other

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 16:37:30 GMT

What's the Difference?

If you look up a definition of unrefined, you will be presented with something that roughly says “not processed to remove impurities”. In essence, that is what unrefined food refers to. However, this could lead to some confusion. In general parlance, we tend to think of refined as being superior to unrefined. When it comes to foods, the opposite is often true. Refined foods tend to be heavily processed, altered or ‘enriched’ foods, whereas unrefined foods are those foods occurring naturally and unaltered. The development of refined foods has grown exponentially in recent years, as society has become busier and more reliant on these convenience foods.

In modern society, refined foods serve an important purpose. Unfortunately, their role has grown in stature in the average person’s daily diet. This is not a welcome development. Store bread, packaged pasta, breakfast cereals, flavoured chips, candy bars and soft drinks all hold a strong place in many people's diets, and yet none of these foods are naturally occurring. On the contrary, they are full of artificial preservatives and lacking in many of the necessary and fundamental nutrients and minerals that our bodies thrive on.

We are a society that demands instant gratification, and that attitude has filtered down to our food. We want quick cook pasta, instant rice and frozen ready meals that can be easily heated up for convenience. From a health perspective, this is incredibly worrying. We are becoming increasingly dependent on these refined foods and moving away from the basic unrefined foods that are so critical to our health. Fruits and vegetables, fatty fish, nuts and seeds and unrefined whole grains are all excellent sources of the fuel that our body craves, but their perceived lack of convenience means they are increasingly shunted to the side.

The benefits of adopting a diet more weighted towards unrefined foods cannot be overstated. As with any diet plan, balance is important, but when there exists a choice between unrefined and refined, unrefined should always be the victor. Choosing fresh vegetables and fruit over frozen and canned alternatives is an easy switch to make, but one that all too few people make. Similarly, the difference between making your own home style French fries and cooking frozen ones might be only ten minutes, so why do so few people choose to make their own? To truly overcome our reliance on refined foods, we must first change our convenience approach to diet.

Is Canned Food as Healthy as Fresh Food?

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 16:37:22 GMT

The Good and the Bad of Canned Food

While canned food used to be limited to simple vegetables, fishes and beans, the increase in modern demand for long lasting preserved foods has resulted in all manner of food types ending up in canned forms. Canned potatoes, canned burgers and canned whole chickens are just some of the strange offerings that have made their way to shelves in recent years. For many people, canned foods can never or will never be as good as the fresh alternative. However, the reality is not as clear cut as you might think. While some canned produce is undoubtedly less healthy than the fresh alternative, there are some anomalies.

Beans are one of the most commonly canned goods. From baked beans to kidney beans, the vast majority of beans are sold canned. And are they unhealthier as a result? Not quite. Although being canned does rid beans of some of their folic acid, they retain much the same levels of iron and calcium as with fresh beans. Similarly, canned beans are also a superb source of fibre. When comparing canned to fresh, the argument against canned beans is weak.

Corn, or sweetcorn, is also one of the most heavily canned vegetables on our shelves. While there are a number of varieties with canned corn, there remains one fairly inarguable truth; canned corn gives just as much fibre as fresh corn, and does so at a cheaper cost. You do sacrifice some vitamin C along the way, but few people are eating corn because they are looking to get the vitamin C for the day. Much like the beans, canned corn stands up pretty well to scrutiny.

Tinned tomatoes are a life-saver. The variety of chopped, peeled, diced or whole tomatoes allow even the laziest of shoppers to find exactly what they want at very affordable prices. That may be all well and good, but what about the nutritional content of tinned tomatoes? The canning process for tomatoes involves preserving them with heat. This process releases a certain carotenoid which has been linked with reducing the risk of certain types of cancers.

So as you can see, there are huge benefits from some canned goods. This is not to say that you should soon be going out to buy a whole chicken in a can - far from it. However, you also know that not everything in a can is to be avoided. Do your research, and you’ll find that there are some cans worth picking up.

Are You Getting Your '5 a Day?' Do you have a hard time eating 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day?

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 16:37:09 GMT

Do You Eat Enough Fruits and Vegetables Every Day?

Many of us grew up with parents and teachers advocating that we should be eating fruit and vegetables 5 times a day. “One of your 5 a day” has long been an advertising slogan for branded foodstuffs, more often than not slapped on an item that really shouldn’t be considered a fruit or veg helping. Yet, in adulthood, we often forget that which we learned as a child. Few people doubt that fruits and vegetables are a good source of vitamins and nutrients, but does that mean that we are eating enough of them?

Consensus differs amongst academics regarding specific quantities, but the most up to date recommendations on this subject would advocate that an adult eat five servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit every day. That might sound like a lot, but when you break it down it really shouldn’t be considered all that much. In fact, it should be a basic standard.

When considering breakfast, many people will stick to that which they know. This often involves toast, cereal or even nothing more than a cup of coffee. Whether breakfast is or is not the most important meal of the day may be debatable, but there is no doubt that a good breakfast sets your body up for the day ahead. Very few people consider fruit for their breakfast, when it should be a staple. Switching a bowl of cereal full of added sugars for a banana could make a huge difference in your overall diet.

Lunch is a great time to load up on vegetables. Again, all too often people repeat the same mistake that they make at breakfast time. Deli made sandwiches and rolls may taste nice, but they are packed full of carbs and calories, and are often severely lacking in proper servings of vegetables. Swapping the sandwich for a homemade salad can be the perfect way to redress an imbalance you may have in your diet. Vegetables also make for ideal snacks. Ditch the packet of popcorn, the biscuits or the fizzy drink you have to keep you going between lunch and dinner and swap it for a piece of fruit, or even a fruit and veg smoothie.

These are all small changes you can make to your diet, but these small changes can do wonders for your health, and your waistline. Fruit and vegetables should be at the core of our daily dietary intake, and yet they are all too often forgotten about for their more attractive carb-cousins. Ask yourself this; are you eating 5 servings of veg and 2 of fruit every day? If not, you’re probably not eating enough fruit and veg.

Besides your health, fruits and vegetables have minerals and vitamins that do wonders for your skin. So Do your skin a favor and eat your fruits and vegetables 5 servings a day

The Risks of Skin Lightening Creams with Steroids

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 17:54:12 GMT

Long-Term Side Effects & Damage Caused by Steroids

Corticosteroid and steroid creams are prescribed by doctors to treat inflammation from skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis. These corticosteroid or steroid creams contain powerful ingredients like Clobetasol Propionate, Fluocinolone Acetonide or Betamethasone Dipropionate. Although these are legal creams that if used properly have good effects, they are being misused and abused due to the skin lightening side effect of steroid creams.

Many have been illegally selling and marketing steroid creams as skin bleaching creams. This is a way to capitalize or monetize the known side effects of using steroid creams. The mechanics behind steroid cream-induced skin lightening is not yet understood. However, one theory is that steroids may reduce the number of melanocytes or melanocyte activity in the skin.

The Black Market sale of steroid creams as skin lighteners pose a huge treat to consumers who buy these creams with the belief these creams are safe for bleaching. Most users of these creams are unaware of the dangerous side effects of prolonged steroid use.

Steroids by nature are :

Anti-Inflammatory
Immunosuppressive
Anti-Proliferative
Vasoconstrictive

Skin damage from inappropriate steroid application can be visible as early as 2-3 weeks of use. Side effects of prolonged steroid use include:

Skin Thinning
Stretch Marks
Enlarged Blood Vessels
Easy Bruising
Localized Increase of Hair Thickness & Length

Most may improve once steroid use has ceased, although it may take months to even years to recover. However, issues like stretch marks and thin skin are difficult to repair.

If you have have hyperpigmentation, it's best to seek professional help. There are options available to lighten hyperpigmentation and even out the skin without the dangers of steroids. Chemical peels and lightening creams provided by skin care professionals can provide a safe alternative to steroids.

Best Ways to Exfoliate the Skin for a Healthy Glow

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 20:07:08 GMT

Exfoliation Tips for Healthy Looking Skin

Exfoliation is the means by which we slough of dead skin cells from our skin, either on the face or the body. There are two ways to exfoliate, Physical Exfoliation or Chemical exfoliation .

1) Physical Exfoliators are either products with granules or substances that physically scrub the skin such as walnut hulls, almond or corn meal granules, jojoba beads and so forth. Other physical scrubs are machine or equipment based, such as Microdermabrasion machines used in spas by a professional, or scrubbing brushes, like the Clarisonic Brush.

Facial scrubbing brushes, like the Clarisonic, use vibration or oscillating movements to exfoliate the surface of the skin while removing makeup and oil. A Microderambrasion treatment gives you an even deeper cleaning than a brush. Microdermabrasion uses either crystals that blow through a wand, producing a sand blasting effect, or a diamond tip wand which deeply scrubs, buffs and suctions the dead skin cells of at the same time, producing a smooth polished look to the skin.

2) Chemical Exfoliators go even deeper than Microdermabrasion by loosening the “glue-like” substance that holds your skin cells together. This allows dead skin cells to slough or peel off over a few days usually 2-5 days depending on the strength of the chemical peel exfoliator. The strength of chemical exfoliators can be modified so as to produce a gentle mild exfoliation (flaking of the skin) or an aggressive deep peel that can last up to a week.

There are different types of chemical exfoliators.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids like Glycolic and Lactic are primarily used in anti-aging treatments.
Beta Hydroxy Acid, generally known as salicylic acid, is usually used for acne or oily skin.
Retinoic acid, derived from Vitamin A, can be used on all skin types.
TCA is beneficial in both acne and anti-aging treatments.
Mandelic and Citric acids, which are much gentler, can be used on normal to sensitive skin types.

If you are seeking a chemical peel, it is better to seek one from a professional who can analyze your skin and determine the best peel for your skin type in order to prevent a chemical burn, which is a possibility when using any chemical peel.

Exfoliation is a great way to keep the skin looking healthy and smooth. A weekly peel is recommended for oilier, acne prone skin and a biweekly gentle exfoliation is recommended for normal to sensitive skin types. Be careful not to overdo any form of exfoliation as this may cause more harm than good! Be gentle, and when in doubt, seek a professional treatment.

For a Free Chemical Peel Consultation at MaxAesthetics, Please call 267-528-3859 or Request An Appointment Here

A Quick-Fix Solution for Acne & Pimples!

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 22:10:01 GMT

Reduce Acne Inflammation Over Night With This Quick Trick

Pimples are more than just a nuisance, they can also be emotionally challenging! However, there are a few at home remedies that can be used as a quick fix to assist in the healing of inflamed skin. This quick remedy can be followed at least two to three times a week to help keep breakouts at bay or to quickly calm the skin.

1. Start out by preparing the diy acne mask. Simply take a heaping tablespoonful of plain uncooked oatmeal, mix it in whole milk, add one uncoated baby Aspirin (crushed up) and let it stand for 30 minutes or until the oatmeal and Aspirin are soft enough to stir up into a paste that has the texture of a face mask. Oatmeal acts as a natural exfoliant, and instantly soothes the skin. Aspirin is a form of salicylic acid, which is in a variety of acne treatments. It reduces inflammation and helps keep pores clear. Whole milk is gentle source of lactic acid, an aha chemical exfoliant.

2. Prep your skin by cleansing with a good salicylic face wash, or a 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Wash . Massage the cleanser into the skin and leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat excess moisture of your face.

3. Apply the mask mixture to your face, focusing on the areas of inflammation and acne or pimples. Allow this mixture to set on your face for 15 minutes or until it is completely dried before rinsing off with lukewarm water.

Try to integrate this method at least twice a week, as it takes very little time and effort and will yield great results.

4. After removal of the oatmeal mask, take a cool compress, ice pack or cold gel pack and apply it to pimples or acne for 5 minutes, then finish with an application of a moisturizer containing either 2.5% or 5% Benzoyl peroxide .

Follow MaxAesthetics Skin Care Blog for more Acne Information, and for information on how to join our upcoming Acne Management Membership Club.

Natural Recipe To Brighten And Soothe Your Skin

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 22:31:26 GMT

Healthy skin is beautiful skin, and it all begins with good nutrition. Skin is an organ that requires nutrients just like every other part of our bodies to thrive, and remain healthy, especially as we age. That radiant healthy glow can be achieved with regular intake of plant foods that provide key vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support the health of the skin. Juicing your fruits and vegetables is a great way to get your antioxidants to benefit both your health and your skin.

Try this quick easy recipe below for a few days and see how you feel.

This is a juice that works for any skin type. It contains parsley, which detoxifies the system and stimulates the lymph system to reduce water retention. The spinach has omega fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid), that helps skin glow. Green apples are better for the skin than red apples and will both tone and brighten the skin. This makes for a dark green juice that is sure to protect your skin from damage and keep it bright and toned.
You can juice these ingredients by using a juicer, a blender( just add a cupful of water or you can use something called the NutriBullet . This is what I use at home for all my green juices and smoothies.
You can even add a bit of protein powder, a handful of nuts, or some Greek yogurt for a creamy smooth effect and you will be getting your protein also.
Ingredients:
 4 Carrots

 Handful Of Parsley

 1⁄2 Green Apple

 Handful Of Spinach

Top Five Ways To Eat Healthy For Your Skin And Your Overall Health

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 22:50:14 GMT

Healthier Eating for the Very Busy

I t can be a real challenge for busy people to eat healthy and nutritious meals. There is of course the time issue – just not enough time in the day for shopping, preparation, and cooking. This means that busy people often eat ready-made meals, which are high in fat, salt and sugar content. Then there is the fact that very often, busy people will go to restaurants more often and eat out more often, especially at fast food establishments. This of course, means eating foods high in fat and calories and lacking in the nutrients the body needs.

It is possible, though, for very busy people to eat healthier. Eating healthy will actually make a person more productive at his work. So, healthy eating habits should be considered to part of a person's work schedule.

What are 5 ways that very busy people can eat healthier?

1. Always have breakfast . This is often the most skipped meal in the day, but it is the most important meal. Skipping breakfast can lead to weight problems and diabetes .What constitutes a great, healthy breakfast? Foods rich in fiber. Fiber rich foods make the feeling for being full last much longer, therefore reducing the tendency to snack. Foods like whole oats oatmeal, whole grain cereal, fruits, and vegetables. Protein from eggs is also a great way to nutrify the body in the morning. Foods with high sugar content and low fiber (doughnuts and pastries) should be avoided.

2. Plan ahead. As a busy person, you will be used to planning in advance to get things done. You would never think about going into an important meeting without planning. Eating healthy requires the same planning. When should this be done? Of course, everyone's schedule is different, but it should be possible to use some time in the week to plan for meals. Weekends could be good days to use some time to prepare and plan meals. Remember to also plan your snacks, and make sure that you have healthy options. For this, food prep containers are a must - Try a healthy mason jar salad !

Try shopping for groceries online and have them delivered to your home or workplace. This could free up a lot of time shopping. Of course, any shopping has to take into consideration healthy foods. Choose whole grains, fresh produce, and lean fresh meats. Even the busiest people can take advantage of the many markets that sell prepared baked chicken, to save cooking time and have a source of healthy protein on hand.

3. Keep hydrated. A healthy body requires fluid. Make sure that you have plenty of water with you if your place of work doesn't have a water cooler. Drink water frequently during the day. Don't overdo the coffee intake. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and remember that fruit juices are often high in sugars and low in fiber.

4. Make healthy choices at restaurants . When at restaurants choose the healthy options. Many menus now have the calorie total for each meal and this can be a good guide. If there are no calorie guides then stick to this rule of thumb: meats should be grilled, potatoes boiled or mashed and vegetables steamed. Soups are good for entrees and for deserts choose fruits.

5. Limit alcohol intake. Many use alcohol to wind down after work and it is tempting to join with work colleagues after work. While an occasional glass of wine won't do any harm (and some studies even show that there are health benefits,) you need to remember that alcohol is just empty calories. The over consumption of alcohol can also have a negative impact on health in general.

Even though you have a very hectic and busy work schedule, it doesn't mean that your health has to suffer. The 5 top tips for a healthier lifestyle here are very easy to implement. It just takes a bit of forethought and planning. Taking care of your health will result in a more productive day's work and a longer life and beautiful skin!

What is your skin type? How to determine your skin type

medspa1@gmail.com (Maxine Dean) — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 19:36:31 GMT

How to Determine Your Skin Type

Just as there are different types of people in the world the same is true for skin. Not everybody has the same skin type. Some have oily skin, some have dry skin, some have combination skin and the list goes on. Besides genetics which may give us a predisposition to a particular skin type there are other factors to consider as well. You have to take into consideration your state of health, your internal system and what
you eat and put into your body. It is a fact that what goes on in the inside of us affects what we look like on the outside.

Environmental conditions also affect our skin. Things like pollution, second hand smoke and the sun all affect our skins in adverse ways for the most part. It is up to us to keep as healthy as possible. Keeping healthy includes eating right and staying hydrated to help us fight those things which we cannot change in relation to our skin like environmental factors.

So “What is your skin type?" There are five categories that describe the overall condition of skin, determining its type:

1 )Normal Skin is any skin that is neither too oily nor dry and looks for the most part healthy. When you touch skin that is considered normal there is a supple and elastic feel to it. It is neither to saggy or loose. Of all the skin types Normal Skin is the least problematic.

2) Dry Skin This is skin that looks dull with flakes, patches or crusty in appearance. This is due to the skins oil glands not producing enough oil called “Sebum." What happens with dry skin is that the oil gland does not produce sufficient amounts of “Sebum” or oil to keep the skin naturally lubricated. People with dry skin need to keep hydrated and to use moisturizing products to help counter the problem of dryness.

3) Oily Skin the sebaceous glands produce too much oil. The skin as a result looks greasy or shiny and feels grimy from the over production of oil. When skin is oily the pores look large and they are usually clogged due to the oil build up in the pores. The texture is also slippery but course do to the enlarged pores. Because oil gets trapped under the skin and clogs the pores oily skin is prone to breakouts. People with oily skin have to use products that help clean out the pores and prevent the skin from clogging such as physical scrubs and or salicylic and glycolic products. It is ironic though that oily skin does not wrinkle or age the same way as dry skin. Oily skin is less prone wrinkles due to the natural moisturizing factor of the production of sebum, so seek a balance in regulating oil production as opposed to drying out completely.

4) Sensitive Skin This skin type can be oily, dry or even normal. Sensitive skin is more of a condition as opposed to a skin type. With this type of skin there is a tendency for sensitivity to different stimuli. It can be touch that aggravates it, as well as a product used or something eaten. Typical sensitive reactions are blotchiness, redness, swelling, itching, burning and or chaffing. This kind of skin generally has to use products that are soothing, calming , have no chemicals or dyes nor artificial scents or fragrances. Fortunately there are a variety of Sensitive skin” products on the market for people with this type of skin. Products labeled Hypo allergenic are usually good for sensitive skin types. These products are designed for people that have allergic sensitivity to certain ingredients that may be in in regular products.

5) Combination Skin This skin type may be a combination of two or more of the above mentioned skin types. Dry in some spots, oily in others and normal or sensitive in others. People with this type have faces that are categorized as T Zone face. This is because usually the Forehead, nose and chin are generally oily in a T formation. While the cheeks, eyes and mouth are dry. This is a very common type of skin. In this case a person would use a combination of products to suit the different areas of the T Zone.