By Tia Cristy
I’ve been asked many times, what do I use on my skin, or have I had any procedures done to maintain its youth and glow? The fact is I haven’t had any plastic surgery, but I’m not opposed to those that have, nor am I ashamed of caring for my skin as best as I can. I’ve been doing it since I was a little girl. My grandmother didn’t have a huge impact on many aspects of my life, but this is the second time I’ve mentioned her in a beauty article in the last year. So, I would say she must have left an impression on me when it comes to beauty regimens. I was four years old when she grabbed my face and told me I had peaches and cream skin and I had to protect it. I remember the Barbie I was eyeing at the time was named Peaches and Cream, so I guess it kind of resonated with me. When I told my dad what she had said to me, he confirmed and said, our skin is the largest organ and we only get one in our entire life, so I better take care of it. At the age of four, his words rocked me. One. That’s it?
It was at that moment, that I made a promise to myself that I would take care of my skin and all my organs from that point forward. That’s a pretty solid vow for a toddler.
I would later learn that we have seven beautiful layers of skin, and we shed daily, but yes, I also learned that prevention is key when it comes to the health of our bodies and skin.
Sunblock
Yes, you will hear this time and time again. Protection from the sun’s rays will help keep your skin more supple for longer. There is a catch-22, though. We also need Vitamin D for health, and we get that naturally from the sun. Vitamin D will not be absorbed through sunblock. So, what’s the solution?
We only need 10 minutes of the sun to receive our daily dose of D. So, what I do every morning is hit the porch for my daily dose of sunshine. After that, I get into the rest of my morning routine. I apply SPF on my face, chest, and shoulders before any make up and that gives it plenty of time to set before going out into the sun again.
Remember in the summer, you may need to reapply SPF several times throughout the day if you are sweating or near the water.
Vitamin Intake
What you put in your body is equally important to maintaining healthy skin and a glowing face. Beyond drinking plenty of water, getting your necessary amino acids, vitamins, and minerals will keep all your organs performing at an optimal rate.
For healthy skin, several vitamins are essential, as they play key roles in skin health, cell regeneration, and protecting against damage from the sun and environmental stressors.
Here are some important vitamins for healthy skin:
1. Vitamin A (Retinol)
Benefits: Vitamin A is crucial for skin cell production and repair. It helps maintain the integrity of the skin and supports the development of new skin cells, preventing dry, flaky skin.
Sources: Sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, kale, and eggs.
2. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Benefits: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps with collagen production, which is essential for skin elasticity. It also aids in reducing skin discoloration and dark spots.
Sources: Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons), strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, and kiwi.
3. Vitamin E
Benefits: Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that helps protect the skin from oxidative stress and UV damage. It also promotes moisture retention and healing of the skin.
Sources: Almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach, avocados, and olive oil.
4. Vitamin D
Benefits: Vitamin D plays a role in skin cell growth and repair. It helps protect the skin from sun damage and inflammation.
Sources: Sunlight exposure, fortified milk, fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), egg yolks, and mushrooms.
5. Vitamin K
Benefits: Vitamin K is important for the healing process of the skin. It may help with conditions like dark circles under the eyes and bruising by improving blood circulation and promoting tissue repair.
Sources: Leafy greens (kale, spinach), broccoli, and cabbage.
6. B Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B7, B9, B12)
Benefits: B vitamins, especially B3 (niacinamide), B5 (pantothenic acid), and B7 (biotin), are important for maintaining skin hydration, reducing inflammation, and promoting skin renewal.
Sources: Whole grains, eggs, nuts, seeds, poultry, legumes, and leafy greens.
7. Vitamin F (Essential Fatty Acids)
Benefits: This refers to omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help retain moisture in the skin, reduce inflammation, and improve overall skin texture.
Sources: Fish oil, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and avocados.
Tips:
Remember, hydration is absolutely key: While vitamins are important, maintaining adequate water intake is also essential for keeping your skin hydrated and healthy.
Topical skincare: Some of these vitamins can be applied topically through creams or oils to enhance skin health.
Light Therapy
I love light therapy! Red, blue, and green all have benefits when it comes to skin health. I’ve used them all for many years. If you’re looking to invest in an at-home device. There are handhelds and panels. Either is fine, but know the basics of what you need to get benefits. Not all lights are built the same.
Red Light Therapy Device
Red light therapy goes deep. These devices use LED (Light Emitting Diodes) to emit red or near-infrared light in specific wavelengths, typically between 600 to 650 nanometers for red light and 800 to 900 nanometers for near-infrared light. These wavelengths penetrate the skin to stimulate collagen production, improve circulation, and promote skin healing.
Blue Light Therapy Device
Blue light therapy is a treatment commonly used for managing acne and improving overall skin health. It utilizes blue light, typically in the range of 405 to 420 nanometers, which has the ability to penetrate the skin and target specific skin issues, such as acne, without harming surrounding tissue.
Green Light Therapy Device
Green light therapy is a relatively newer and emerging skincare treatment that uses light in the 520-570 nanometer range, a wavelength that sits between blue and red light on the light spectrum. This light has a unique combination of benefits that makes it suitable for various skin concerns. Green light therapy is often used for its calming, soothing effects and its ability to treat pigmentation issues, skin discoloration, and even certain signs of aging.
Practice safety with proper eye protection and hydration. Do not go over 20 minutes using light therapy on the face. And, please note that the skin might be more sensitive or hydrated, so continue with a gentle skincare routine. It’s important to avoid harsh exfoliants or products with strong chemicals immediately after treatment.
Lasers, Fillers, and Botox… Oh My
When it comes to non-surgical procedures on your face, it is best to do all the research you can and speak directly with your doctor. I’m not opposed to using these procedures if they help correct issues like, twitching, chronic sinus infections, headaches, scaring, swelling, or make you simply feel fresher. However, starting these procedures too young or using them too often can cause facial fatigue. Facial fatigue is a real thing that can actually make your skin look worse and damaged.
Some individuals become almost addicted to chasing youth and end up looking older and more damaged because of it. Aging is a beautiful, natural process of life. So, caring for your skin properly will allow you to age gracefully. If you are considering any procedures, remember they can be expensive and there are a lot of scary stories out there if you look, but there are a majority of successful stories out there that are never written, so talk with your doc about any concerns.
New Year NuFace
Microcurrents are like a mini workout for the face and body. I used microcurrents years ago and didn’t enjoy the painful shocks I was feeling. However, I learned using it correctly with the proper face gel makes it painless. So, I gave NuFace a try a few weeks ago and I’m not disappointed at all. They claim it’s only a commitment for five days a week for five minutes for the first 60 days, and then, only three days a week, thereafter, is all you would need to achieve remarkable results.
My opinion… Well, first off, it was painless when using their face gel. Second, only after two weeks, I had already started seeing tightening in areas of my face. Now, I think some areas looked worse at first but smoothed out with consistent use. Again, don’t overuse it! Only five minutes, all over the face is all that is needed, every few days. So, what is NuFace?
The NuFACE device uses microcurrents — tiny electrical impulses — to stimulate the facial muscles. These low-voltage currents are safe and are designed to mimic the body’s natural electrical impulses.
The stimulation helps to increase circulation, improve muscle tone, and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, both of which are vital for youthful, firm skin.
Thanks to Chillax OM in Evergreen, Co. with Dr. Andrea Renee, I learned a great deal about acupressure and acupuncture for skin care. She highly recommends using NuFace for those who are noticing gravity starting to pull down the skin, especially around the jowls and cheeks.
You could spend hours learning face yoga, which may or may not work, or invest in a device that stimulates the body’s natural electrical currents.
Get more information on NuFace devices available and which one could work best for your needs as well as facial acupressure and acupuncture techniques from Dr. Andrea Renee at https://chillaxom.com/anti-aging-facial-care-course/.
Best Face Thoughts
There are many practices and regimes for taking care of your largest organ, your skin. I would say start with the inside and work your way out. Prevention will always be key, but the skin is incredibly resilient. So, once you start caring for it, remember to stay consistent without overdoing it. If needed, make a calendar or put a reminder on your phone to help assist you in maintaining skincare programs. Not everyone feels they have enough time in the day to practice skincare, but with these easy tips, how can you not invest some time into your long-term skin health?
