What is exfoliation and why is it important?

Exfoliation occurs when the skin is stimulated through buffing, scrubbing, using some kind of device or chemical agent on the surface of the skin to remove dead skin cells and debris. Once this controlled trauma occurs, all of the dead cells are sloughed away and new unexposed skin is now visible. This is the process in which the cell turnover occurs and is necessary for new cell growth.

Based on what kind of procedure you had done and the depth that was achieved, downtime or post care instructions may vary. If treatments are too aggressive, it can lead to other issues like inflammation, broken capillary damage, bruising and hyperpigmentation, just to name a few.

Once the cells are sloughed away,  it is important to take steps to protect the new skin that has surfaced. A great rule of thumb is to apply serums, ampules and moisturizers from thinnest to thickest in texture.  Don’t forget the sunblock either.

Having a routine for at home care is also important because it is necessary to properly exercise the skin. Having specific days of the week to use active cleansers or enzyme masks versus other days where resting cleansers are necessary. Educating yourself on product selection is an important part of the process. Other considerations are any treatments that are necessary for your skin type or skin condition. Once someone is qualified for treatments based on skin type and condition it is important to make a commitment towards better skin health. This includes using products that amplify better results and avoiding activities where one might sunburn or pick the surface of the skin.

The road to better skin health is on it’s way. Staying internally and externally hydrated, as well as, maintaining sunblock can protect your skin and the new investment you have made in yourself.

Take a breathe…

Take a deep breathe in your nose and out through your mouth. Time to center yourself. Time for some necessary grounding. Remind yourself what you are thankful for. A nice stretch and release. Let go of all of the bad energy. Well that energy or those thoughts are from self-doubt or an outside source are weighing you down…let’s shake it out.

Letting go is a hard thing to do. Whether it’s a feeling or thought, something you should have said or done. Start with something you can control like downsizing your stuff…clutter is clutter.

There is emotional clutter, physical clutter even psychological clutter. Let’s simplify together. Positives- less materistic clutter= less laundry, less dusting. Negatives- but, I love that shirt or when I lose weight those pants look great on me. I ready for some changes in my life. It is necessary to downsize my stuff. Only 4 categories- keep, donate, sale and throw away. I’m also ready to eat better and exercise. I feel like once all of the physical clutter is not in my view that it won’t cause unnecessary stress and little changes will start fitting into place. The manifesting that I will be doing along the way and fresh air will create new positive energy. The bullet journaling keeping me focused and the self-care keeping me in a state of peace.

Affirmations

I have to remind myself to stay positive lately. Remind myself to fight the feeling of sadness and loneliness. To truly believe….in love, life and joy. Believe and have faith in God and the universe. They will guide me. Moving forward, maintaining strength, breathing, forgiveness and letting go are all part of this journey.

I am grateful for my mom, my parents. I am grateful for my sister. I am grateful for challenges that humble me. Thank you for the sun. Thank you for the moon. Thank you for the kindness in the world. As I breathe and let go of anxiety, I exhale negative stagnant moments. The tears I cry, I ask that they cleanse my soul. I am thankful for my dogs and cat. Sometimes it’s as if a dog sees right into my soul. As her eyes look into mine, I feel love…real love. No judgment. Each day I will accomplish my goals.

Skin type

Do you know your skin type? Has your skin type changed over the years? Skin type is an important consideration in regards to selecting the appropriate skincare products and makeup, as well as, what treatments would benefit the skin. Skin type is related to the oil content of the skin, as well as, the pore size. These hairless follicles produce sebum. Skin conditions are not always directly related to skin type but, that depends on what kind of disorder the skin is displaying. Hyperpigmentation for example, doesn’t discriminate between skin types.

Oily skin has a higher oil content and larger pore size than that of normal skin does. Do you think that oily skin would benefit more from a light moisturizer or a dense occlusive moisturizer? A light moisturizer is the answer. The more oil the skin holds, the less occlusive a product needs to be. A light mousse-based cleanser or milk type cleanser, a thin moisturizer, even mineral makeup are good options for a client or consumer with oily skin.

Dry skin has a very light oil content and the size of the pores is almost non-existent. It makes sense that a thick occlusive moisturizer or body butter is important for this skin type. This will trap in moisture. So, is dry skin lacking oil or water? Dehydrated skin lacks water. Dry skin is lacking in oil .

Normal skin has balanced oil production and small to medium pores.

Last but not least combination. Generally, this skin type has an oily t-zone and normal to dry chin, cheeks and forehead. Combination is the most common skin type because you could take, let’s say, four models with combination skin and the pore size would be displayed differently for each of them. It is a most difficult skin type to recognize. This client or consumer should purchase products intended for combination skin or target thinner products towards the center of the face.

As far as conditions are concerned, certain conditions are more likely have the characteristics of certain skin types. For example, dry skin may have more broken capillary damage or oily skin a higher potential for acne. Either condition, if not treated properly could result in sensitized skin. Sensitive skin is a condition that has it’s own market. Sensitive skin could have a ceramide deficiency or be skin that has been stripped of natural oil production resulting a compromised barrier which can result in acne. Research is important in your search for proper ingredients and treatments to use.

Skin health

The skin is our body’s largest organ. We have to remember that in order to keep it healthy. It is important to exercise the skin as we would exercise our body in order to maintain our physical health. By using certain product ingredients, as well as, the practice of exfoliation, we can achieve so many of skincare goals. Other elements include maintaining a good regimen and staying hydrated.

Researching product ingredients is key when determining what to use. Using products that are appropriate for your skin type is an important factor, along with a routine that you can follow. In order to regenerate healthy skin, using specific products and services can assist you in jumpstarting cell turnover. Utilizing an active cleanser a few days a week is good practice. Certain scrubs and enzyme masks also play a role. These products are effective because they are lower on the pH scale and promote a healthy basal layer while encourages mitosis. This process prepares the cells to divide. Once a person receives a controlled exfoliation service, the dead skin cells slough off and new cells begin to graduate towards to skin’s surface. Over exfoliation and oxidative stress harm the skin, along with fatigue and sun exposure, etc. These factors contribute to the damage exhibited on the surface of the skin. Maintaining good hydration levels both internally and externally and a diet filled with antioxidants can combat free radical damage and assist us in maintaining beautiful skin while slowing down the aging process.

Dealing with grief

Part of letting go is actually moving forward. The idea of establishing habits and an itinerary is helpful because it’s gets you out of a rut and not accomplish anything. This is a plan or list for focus as to not feel depressed because I have an immediate task or goal. This is a way of keeping busy and great for my mental health. Not everything on my list is “a job”. Some are for self-love and self-care like…give yourself a pedi or face mask and bath bomb/bath….it can be difficult to stay motivated….learn to breathe and stretch.

Self Improvement

Everyday I am trying to move forward and feel growth. Journaling has been extremely helpful. Designing pages with bullet journaling has helped me compartmentalize and stay focused on my tasks, choices and allows elements of design into my thought process, which keeps me inspired. It is so satisfying to write lists and physically check items off to actually feel the accomplishment. I think this would be helpful for anyone who has extra time on their hands and wants to be and stay motivated. Whether someone is empty nester, recently out of a relationship or out of work and at home due to the pandemic, or dealing with the loss of a pet or loved one this has really helped me organize my thoughts to stay focused and deal with the grief that is in my heart. I went to 2 appointments today and plan to do laundry, stretch and meditate, as well as, plant some succulents that I bought and make a cute little succulent garden. I feel good about letting go of grief that and healing. I don’t I am loving myself more everyday and like actually spending time with myself.

Who am I?

I am a single woman in Colorado. I have never been married and have no children. During highschool, I attended beauty school and was raised in my mom’s hair salon and around many of my instructors that she worked with in my older teenage years. I worked some retail jobs and got comfortable with customer service and listening to what people want and need. I ended up going to college, where I received my bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Throughout my college years, I worked in the Admissions office and worked retail at The Buckle. I always have had a passion for writing and expressing myself. I have always been very good at writing and editing and get excited when I am working on something.

In 2006, my mom, sister and I opened New Dimensions Beauty Academy. We had 15 years of dedicated work, financial aid, state and federal regulations, a loyal staff, talented students and wonderful clients. This experience was like no other. I grew and learned a lot about myself and was able to recognize the compassionate leader that I had become. I wore many hats and miss my clients, students, and staff terribly. We were forced to close our doors a few months ago due to the effects of Covid. This news was devastating. Losing my students was like losing a limb. I lost a part of myself. Through several years of self help and therapy, I feel that I am grieving very effectively. Different tools have really been useful during this process and I am grateful that I have such strength and courage to move forward with grace. The knowledge and experience that I have developed over the years is exciting. I will always continue learning and growing and look forward to what the future holds.

Introduce Yourself (Example Post)

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

  • Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
  • Because it will help you focus your own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

  • Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
  • What topics do you think you’ll write about?
  • Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
  • If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.

Introduce Yourself (Example Post)

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

  • Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
  • Because it will help you focus your own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

  • Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
  • What topics do you think you’ll write about?
  • Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
  • If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.