“I’m breaking out & need your help today!” Simple steps to take if you can’t see your aesthetician

 

Carolyn, I am having a break out. I think I need to see you if you have any time today?

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see this client that day. However, here are a few tips I sent to help with her immediate issues:

1. Do you have any essential oils at home? Lavender or geranium, for instance? If so, tonight before bed and for the next 2-3 days, put a bit of the essential oil on any red spots that have come up. That will help to reduce inflammation and bacterial infection.
2. Gommaging for 3 days in a row will also help to reduce the problems with breakout.
3. Along with essential oils, you could also dot clay mask on the spots. 

Let me know how your skin is doing next week. It should clear up if you use these tips.

I wasn’t able to see this client’s chart before I answered her email, so I wasn’t sure if she had essential oils at home, but knew she had the clay mask. Even doing just one of the three things listed above would and will help with any breakouts you may be experiencing. More is better, but one could do the trick.

Also keep in mind, the blemish didn’t come up in an instant, so don’t expect miracles. Give it a few days or so to completely go away. And please—don’t pick. As you have no doubt already discovered, this rarely if ever makes things better.

There are several things you can do to help alleviate new (or older) breakout. Please read through the following articles as well as the many sections on this blog that pertain to any skin problems you may be experiencing.

For more information, see:

• Geranium (or lavender) essential oil—spot remover for breakouts: How to use it and how NOT to use it
• What IS Gommage?
• Blemish Help Quick Tip
• A Note to All Pickers—you know who you are!!! Important Instructions: A must read! (I am not advocating—just providing information in case you just can’t help yourself.)

Well, at least time heals all breakouts

Experiencing “The Sugar Blues”? Eliminate sugar to reduce migraines, allergies & more!

There is so much to say about the benefits of cutting back on sugar in your diet. As you will read from this client’s letter, eliminating sugar isn’t just about helping to keep breakouts to a minimum. Limiting or cutting out sugar completely has far reaching positive changes—perhaps more than you know. I received this letter from a client who I gave a recommendation to regarding a classic book on the ills of sugar. If you haven’t read this book and wonder what sugar is possibly doing to your body, skin included, I recommend reading this book now!

Dear Carolyn,

Thank you for sharing the book, Sugar Blues, by William Dufty. After reading it I decided to really limit my intake of refined sugar. In February I cut out all sweets, soft drinks, and sweetened tea. I must say I was surprised by my body’s reaction.

For the first four days after eliminating sugar I felt tense, irritable, shaky, and suffered from a constant headache. I really craved a soft drink! But I stuck to my decision, and I’m very glad I did!

Since taking sugar out of my diet I have not suffered from migraines, and that is huge. I used to take 3-4 Excedrin a week. Plus I’ve been exposed to numerous sick people and I’ve not gotten sick. I’ve always suffered from terrible allergies, and so far this spring and summer, I’ve only had one day I needed medication for hay fever symptoms.

I chose to cut out sugar from my diet as a test to see if it would really make a difference. I can honestly say yes, it has made an amazing difference in my life. I find now when I do indulge in a sweet, I feel nauseous or develop a slight headache. So I prefer to avoid it—the consequences just aren’t worth it!

Thanks again for your knowledge and for the recommendation of this great and very helpful book.

For more information on this blog about sugar consumption and your skin, see:

• Sugar & Skin Problems
• Sugar Addicted? Try a 3-day sugar fast
• Hidden Sugar: Sugar in Unsuspected Places

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comment:

1. 
   Tracy Sturdivant July 1, 2016 at 5:03 AM

   I couldn’t agree more. If you only read one book on health, this would be it. Since he wrote this book, most of what he said has been proven by science. A pediatric endocrinologist at UCSF, Dr. Lustig, wrote a book about how exactly sugar is a toxin and its effect on the body. It’s called Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar. If you don’t want to read the book, he has posted an amazing lecture online that takes only 45 minutes to listen to.

Top 10 reasons for not wearing a hat out in the sun

There are many reasons (or excuses) for not wearing a hat to protect your face from sun exposure aka sun damage. So many clients are so concerned about the aging process and about finding ways to slow it down. Wearing hats is an easy and inexpensive way to help keep sun off your face—or at least parts of your face—and help keep your skin looking younger longer. What is your excuse?

1. I get too hot.
2. I sweat more.
3. Hats mess up my hair or I get “hat hair”!
4. I don’t have a hat.
5. They leave a funny indentation around my forehead.
6. I don’t want to wear a hat.
7. I left it at home, or in the car, or at the last place I vacationed, etc.
8. I want to get sun on my face.
9. Why should I wear one?
10.  I don’t like the way hats look. (True, I’ve said I should go into the hat designing business because hats that are really giving you coverage (especially while exercising) can look goofy. Other than baseball caps and visors, there aren’t many choices for exercise-friendly, skin-protecting hats. And even those offer limited sun protection on the lower parts of the face.)

Unlike in Top 10 reasons for not wearing sunscreen: What’s your excuse?, I won’t go into detail with every excuse for not wearing a hat. We all know that sun exposure can cause skin cancer. We also know we should wear sunscreen and hats as often as possible when outside, so I’ll just leave you with this Top 10 List. Some reasons for not wearing a hat may be more valid than others. Regardless, no one can make you wear a hat if you really don’t want to wear one. As I have come to say more and more now that I’m in my mid-50s—it is what it is.

For more information, see:

• Hats, Hats, Hats! Protect your skin in the sun 
• Sunless Tanning with a Cream
• Skin Cancer ABCs

Yonka’s MASQUE 105—Detoxifying Clay Mask for true-dry and sensitive skin

YONKA CLAY MASK is a great at-home treatment for breakout as well as for all-around clean, healthy skin. Clay absorbs oil and draws impurities to the surface while calming and reducing inflammation. Clay also stimulates blood circulation, getting oxygen and nutrients to the cells, which makes a clay-based mask good for all skin, no matter what “type.” 

Masque 105 is best for true-dry and sensitive skin and is perfect for cleaning out the pores of even the most sensitive skin. Even if you have true-dry (oil-dry) skin, you can always use a good deep cleaning. And all skin types can benefit from the circulatory acceleration that comes from using a clay mask. (Masque 103 is best for normal to oily or problem, acneic skin. This version has a higher concentration of clay making it more detoxifying and clearing.)

  Masque 105 can be used in several ways:

• As a mask, covering the entire face and left on for 15 minutes, once to several times per week. Remember to keep the mask moist by spraying with water or toner.
• For a spot treatment dotted on the blemish at night before bed and left on while you sleep. If the spot is medium to small without a lot of infection, this dotting method can really reduce its size overnight.
• For an extra-strength cleanser, mix equal parts clay mask with your cleansing milk, gel, or wash creme and cleanse as you normally do (apply/massage/rinse). See Advanced Steps for Cleansing (link below).

Essential ingredients:

• 3 clays: 
• Montmorillonite (France)—detoxifies, oxygenates
• Bentonite (France)—purifying, clearing
• Kaolin (China)—balances oil secretions, purifying, clearing
• Savory extract—calms, soothes redness, clarifies
• Essential oil of lemon—tones, brightens
• Yonka “Quintessence” (essential oils of thyme, lavender, cypress, geranium, and rosemary)—purifying, balancing

Directions for use:

Use this clay mask once a week for normal to dry or true-dry skin. If you have sensitive skin plus oily to problem or acne skin, use this mask once to several times per week to keep your skin clean and to help with inflammation. Although it might seem counterintuitive, in many cases clay can actually help reduce redness even in the most sensitive and red skin.

• Apply this aromatic cleansing mask in a thick layer to the entire face after cleansing or after using Gommage
• Leave on about 15 minutes*

*The mask needs to stay moist the entire time it’s on your skin. If you let this (or anything) dry on your skin, it will just dry out the skin’s surface. One step forward, two steps back. This is what I recommend:

• Apply mask and immediately spray your toner liberally over entire face
• After 5 minutes or so, you will need to spray again and can either use the toner or get a spray bottle and fill with filtered (clean) water
• Keep mask moist until you remove it
• After 15 minutes, remove mask with tepid water
• Spray the toner and apply your moisturizer

For more information, see:

• Help For Breakouts
• How to use a Clay Mask—Important Instructions This has important information and more detailed instructions on how best to use Masque 105 or any clay-based mask.
• Advanced Steps for Cleansing
  (This has important information and more detailed instructions on how best to use Masque 103 (or any clay-based mask) - See more at: http://agelessbeautyblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/yonkas-masque-103detoxifying-clay-mask.html#sthash.90hPy4yN.dpuf

Carolyn Ash Skin Care Salon Testimonials

“Thank you for giving me insight into the connection between health and beautiful skin. It is a joy to visit with you, from warm greetings to the finest detail of personal touch. Thanks again.” 

“I really appreciate all the times you’ve squeezed me in and the way you helped me feel beautiful. I know I’m not your biggest client, but you always make me feel special and valuable to your business. I will absolutely continue to recommend you as an amazing aesthetician. You do a great job. Thank you!” 

“Just a quick note to say thanks for providing such great service! I have been in the city for 12 years, and I am sure that I have been to 15 different salons for facials. I love that you focus just on skin care, and I think that makes a world of difference. You take your time and do an outstanding job. When I first came to you about 9 months ago, I was having awful breakouts, and you helped remedy that in no time. I would recommend Carolyn Ash Skin Care to anyone as giving THE BEST FACIAL. Thanks!!!” 

“I’ve been getting so many compliments on my skin. I’ve even gotten emails saying how great it looks! Thank you! I want to make another facial appointment.”

“I had always been unhappy with blemishes and uneven skin tone. I was searching for a good skin care program, then I saw my friend’s skin and I actually asked her if she had a makeover! She wasn’t wearing any foundation--which was unusual—and her skin looked fantastic. I don’t know what I would have done if i hadn’t found your salon and Yonka products. They are so wonderful to use, it has made me pay more attention to my skin. Thank you so much!” 

“My face feels great after the facial. (I have even sent out an email to all my friends!) When I get a chance, I intend to come over and buy the products. My face has never felt better!”

“I just received the best facial I’ve ever had! My skin is still glowing a week later, and people will not stop complimenting on how incredible my skin looks. Carolyn tailors the Yonka products for a maximum personalized result. If you get any facial, make sure you go to Carolyn Ash Skin Care. Her salon is absolutely incredible!”

“I just have to take a few minutes to tell you how much I enjoyed my facial last night. I have had about 20 facials in my life, and your facial was by far THE BEST facial I have ever had—bar none!!! Not only was the facial phenomenal but this morning my face looked so good and bright that for the first time ever I did not put on any foundation over my moisturizer. I just wore my skin with a little bit of eye makeup. It feels great! It was such a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for your skin tips and their simplicity. I will see you soon!”

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! What a wonderful experience this afternoon. I can hardly wait for my appointment next month!”

For more information, see:

• Testimonials for Timeless Skin—my first book
• From Ballet to Beauty—About Carolyn Ash