By C.A Vargas

Not using organic skin care products can lead to your skin becoming dull and lifeless, causing premature aging, wrinkles and ultimately damage on a cellular level thus making it hard and in the end impossible to repair the skin damage. I know from experience, over ten years as an aesthetician and not because I used synthetically made skin care products, but because I have see the results that come from long exposure to them and the damage they cause the skin. A finely crafted organic skin care product from France is Phyt’s, Masque Reviderm.

This mask is great for anyone who has dull, tired looking skin. Its a truly revitalizing mask! It brightens, regenerates, balances and hydrates your skin leaving you with a wonderful glow.

Contains a unique mixture of essential oils such as Cypress, Clove for its antibacterial properties and a host of other appealing ingredients like Oregano, Orange, Cardamom as an antioxidant, Magnesium to help draw out toxins and smooth out the skin, Chlorophyll, a powerful antioxidant, Cinnamon, Palm and Hazelnut.

Apply a thin layer over entire face and neck after cleansing. Leave mask on the skin for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse with tepid water. Follow with Reviderm Serum and Creme Reviderm. Can be done either day or evening once a week.

Place your order now via our online store and get a 10% off code with your welcome email and redeem it during the check out process and get free shipping within the United States. If you have any questions you can call Joanna Vargas Skin Care in New York City at 212.949.2350 or email us at Salon@JoannaVargas.com

By C.A. Vargas

By using organic skincare products we give the skin a break from the many key factors which result in premature aging and skin damage. The obvious culprits, the polluted environment in which we live as well as the many toxins found in your average skincare product.

Add to that the stress of our over-booked lives and over exposure to the sun and its no wonder why our skin looks dull and lifeless. There is a finely crafted organic skin care line that I use and recommend in my treatment rooms and a product within that line which will benefit normal to dry and even sensitive skin.

This mask, from the French line Phyt’s, called Masque J12, is great for hydrating normal, dry as well as sensitive skin. Hydrating is essential for skin to remain supple, firm and young. This is the trick to reversing the signs of aging and for staying young. Its great for after air travel.

It contains a delicious medley of organic ingredients that bring health and live to your skin. It contains Clove, Hazelnut for soothing and healing, Lavendin, as an anti-bacterial, Lemongrass, Oregano, Cypress, Rosemary to stimulate sluggish circulation and Palm. These blend of essentials are vital for your skin to soak up and get revitalized.

Apply a thin layer over entire face and neck after cleansing. Leave mask on the skin for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse with tepid water. Follow with a serum and moisturizer. Can be done either day or evening one time per week. Additionally this line is Ecocert certified.

Place your order now via our online store and get a 10% off code with your welcome email and redeem it during the check out process and get free shipping within the United States. If you have any questions you can call Joanna Vargas Skin Care in New York City at 212.949.2350 or email us at Salon@JoannaVargas.com

By Elizabeth Hall

Bottled Water: Not As Pure As You May Think

The idea of bottled water often evokes an image of pure crystal springs of flowing water. Unfortunately, recent tests by organizations such as the Environmental Working Group have discovered an alarming array of toxic contaminants in our bottled drinking water. Theses toxins affect all areas of our body, especially skin.

Tests have found that chemicals used in the production of the plastic bottles contain synthetic estrogen, which leaches out into the bottled water. Excess estrogen is found in other plastic items as well, including plastic storage containers and zip lock bags. The fumes and particles that escape off the plastic leach into our body, and can cause us to produce more estrogen.

A woman’s estrogen level is constantly fluctuating even without the added possibility of excess estrogen. The hormonal imbalance caused by the excess estrogen wreaks havoc on the skin, which is the first place to show visible signs of the body’s disruption. This shock to the system causes inflammation and irritation to the skin, such as rashes and discoloration. Estrogen also causes women to breakout into painful cysts around their jaw line, chin and neck. It can also make the skin very oily and difficult to manage.

Solutions to this issue of contamination include drinking filtered tap water, using methods including reverse osmosis. For everyday use and travel, consider using approved containers such as glass containers, or aluminum bottles, which do not break as easily as glass, and help to keep your water or other liquid cold. It is also important to remember this information when considering your children’s containers as well.

Our skin reflects the treatment and condition of our body as a whole, and often even the slightest disruption or imbalance can be seen. It is important to maintain a healthy way of life on the inside, so that it may reflect outwardly through healthy looking skin. 

Visit Joanna Vargas online store to get the very best in organic skin care from Europe and get a 10% off code with your welcome email to redeem during checkout. In addition get free ground shipping anywhere in the United States. And to Experience any of Joanna Vargas Skin Care treatments call the salon in New York City at 212.949.2350 or email us at Salon@JoannaVargas.com.

By C.A Vargas

Having lots of theories is good but a theory is only as good as it can produce results. This philosophy has brought Joanna Vargas the title of skin care guru and as a result been lauded for her achievements in the skin care industry. The organic skin care products found on her website are the ones used in her treatments rooms and what she recommends to her clients.

One such organic skin care product is Masque Revelateur from Phyt’s. This product is ECOCERT certified and comes from France. Of course the French are known for being innovators in the skin care industry and obsess about anything beautiful. That is why they demand results from their skin care products.

This mask, as you will find out, is the most amazing purifying and calming mask Joanna Vargas has ever worked with. It works wonders if someone has oily skin as it re-balances and normalizes the skin.

In addition it brings comfort and really takes away redness from breakouts. Contains Lavender, Oregano, Camphor stimulates circulation to the skin, Mint, Clove, Palm and Sunflower, it encourages the skin to maintain proper oil balance.

Apply a thin layer over entire face and neck after cleansing. Leave mask on the skin for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse with tepid water. Follow with a serum and moisturizer. Can be done either day or evening once a week.

Get a 10% off code that can be used for your entire order when you sign up and receive free shipping anywhere in the United States. And Joanna Vargas Skin Care guarantees its organic skin care products for 60 days, even if you tried them. I am fully confident that you will love any product found in our website.

By C.A. Vargas

As an esthetician Joanna Vargas has come across all types of skin and skin care products. What she has fund out is that European countries have some of the strictest guidelines and regulations for skin care products. They do this to protect the public and of course prevent misinformation regarding what these skin care products can do.

In the same vein European organic skin care product go through a rigorous certification process or qualifying steps in order to be called organic skin care. One such product is the ILA face mask, which Joanna Vargas found through research and because many of her clients from across the pond used it.

It is biodynamic and has great restorative powers. In my opinion it helps the face to recover from much of the elemental abuse it gets everyday and the usual factors that cause skin to age.

This face mask will bring back a much needed glow to tired, listless skin. Your skin will become hydrated and full of light energy, bringing tone and new radiance to your face. It provides minerals in ional form for effective absorption into the skin.

It contains mineral rich clay which tightens and re-hydrates the skin, Damascene Rose Otto, Argan oil, highly anti aging and Rosehip Seed Oil, both are rich in essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants. Apply a thin layer of the mud smoothly and evenly over your face and neck, avoiding the eyes and lips. Allow to dry for 15 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.

Get a 10% off code that can be used for your entire order when you sign up and receive free shipping anywhere in the United States. And Joanna Vargas Skin Care guarantees its organic skin care products for 60 days, even if you tried them. I am fully confident that you will love any product found in our website.

By C.A Vargas

When clients come to Joanna Vargas Skin Care, most want a luxurious and pampering experience and indeed, that is what they get. However, there is an underlying practical philosophy that I impart and it is my operating basis for skincare. And that is, that a facial should be done as part of a regular skin care regime and used as a means to prevent and protect the skin from the factors which cause skin to age prematurely. Joanna Vargas Purifying facial delivers all the fundamentals of beauty in one simple facial.

The “PURIFYING FACIAL” is a deep cleansing facial that uses an innovative and safe method of microdermabrasion using a diamond tip wand instead of abrasive materials.

It safely removes the top layer of dead skin preventing unwanted adverse reactions such as irritation, redness, broken capillaries, scratching etc.

Once the microdermabrasion is completed we use organic products that are healing, nourishing, soothing and are customized for the individual skin type. This step helps to remove excess oil and impurities which can clog pores and prevent beautiful skin.

Then, the final touches are done and the results are fantastic, leaving the client with a fresh new face and a foundation for truly beautiful skin.

To Experience The Purifying Facial Call Joanna Vargas Skin Care In New york City at 212.949.2350 Or Email Us at Salon@JoannaVargas.com And Book Your Appointment Now. And buy your organic skin care products on our online store and get 10% off code with your welcome email.

By Joanna Vargas
And C.A Vargas

Every once in a while I still hear the phrase, “we need to learn to age gracefully”. Until a few years back, it somehow always bothered me. Aging gracefully sounded like a code for giving up. As I matured, I noticed that the women that I admired the most were the ones who were vibrant, full of life and above all, confident. I had some clients who at 60 years old looked much younger and energetic than some of my 30-somethings. So what was different in the way these women were living their lives?

The answer lies in their daily routine. They were all practicing healthy, balanced routines to care for and maintain optimum health for their great physique and glowing skin. As an esthetician, I adapted this approach for my way of teaching people to care for themselves. Here at the salon we feel that skin care should be approached from a preventative viewpoint. In the same way you go to the gym and eat nutritious meals for good health, so too we must feed the skin nutrients and take good care of it.

The rewards of maintaining good health are a new found self confidence and of course healthy, youthful looking skin. This practical approach in skin care allows for us to see the future of your skin. And those consequences, good or bad, depend on what it is that you are doing, here and now with your skin.

One simple thing that you can do at your spa or skin care salon is to get regular treatments of microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is one of the top three most popular non-surgical procedures in the United States. This survey was released by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Topping the list was Botox, laser hair removal and Microdermabrasion. Consider it when you next check out your skin in the mirror!

Microdermabrasion extreme popularity is due in part because there is no down time and most importantly because it yields result over time. Microdermabrasion is a skin resurfacing technique that is far more gentle than dermabrasion or chemical peels. And it has been around in some form or another since ancient Egypt.

The process has been refined greatly since then but in essence, it has the same basic principle behind it. Although perhaps not known in ancient Egypt, the removal of the top most part of the skin will cause the skin’s healing mechanism to trigger thus stimulating collagen and elastin. These two proteins are vital for youthful and vibrant skin.

The usual process of exfoliating the top part of the skin is done by directing abrasive particle in a dual form of “sand blasting” and suction. Over time this can diminish fine lines and wrinkles and reverse sun damaged skin. This process although good, is I believe, dependent upon the skill of the practitioner. In less skilled hands it can cause scratching and some mild redness.

Joanna Vargas uses an innovative form of microdermabrasion, a far more effective and gentler method. This form of exfoliating the skin uses a diamond tip wand that gently removes the top surface of the skin. This type of skin resurfacing gently removes dirt and surface impurities that can cause the skin to clog and therefore cause breakouts.

Exposing this fresh new and vibrant skin will allow the regenerative factors of the body to function at an optimum. Your skin breathes better and its not being suffocated by the uppermost layer of dead skin.

Microdermabrasion is essential for healthy skin. It repairs damaged skin, eliminates fine lines and wrinkles, acts as a form of detoxifier because it removes surface impurities and dirt, and will improve your overall appearance with vibrant and glowing skin.

AT HOME CARE TIP:

In between microdermabrasion treatments, that should be done at least once a month for better and faster results. You should use an organic exfoliator at home. I recommend, ECOCERT certified, Phyt’s, Gentle Gommage Exfoliator, it is gentle enough for any skin type yet it exfoliates with visible results. It does it without damaging the external layer and you can even use it on your eyes and lips. It will help keep your skin oxygenated and bright.

By C.A. Vargas

According to the American Cancer Society, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. So it is vital that one learns the potential risks and the preventative solutions associated with skin cancer.

The first thing to know is that the skin does not repair itself as well as we age. And that sun exposure increases the damage and affects the health and beauty of your skin. This can be verified by a simple observation. Compare the sun exposed skin to areas of your body that are normally covered, and you will see a difference between the two, in color and texture. And as you can see, sunscreen is an anti-aging essential.

The Two Culprits: UVA (ultraviolet-A) AND UVB (ultraviolet-B)

The fundamental difference between these two rays is that one has a longer wavelength, UVA, and therefore can penetrate deeper into the skin. UVA are the aging rays, and according to research is the leading cause behind wrinkling, leathering and other aspects of photoaging. UVA is also present all year round and is as penetrating at 9AM mid December as it is at 3PM in July.

UVA is also less likely to cause sunburn but works to increase UVB’s cancer causing effects and according to some dermatologist may directly cause some types of skin cancer.

UVB has a shorter wavelength and is the ray that causes suntans and overexposure to the sun, is the ray that produces sunburn. These UVB rays penetrate the top surface of the skin and causes it to produce more melanin or more color, in essence the suntan. But in sun damaged skin it produces what we call liver spots or age spot.

However, UVB because of its shorter wavelength, is less likely to cause injury during the winter months, when the Earth is slightly tilted away from the Sun and therefore cannot reach the Earth’s surface.

Sunblocks And Sunscreens:

Just like there is a difference between UVA and UVB, there is a basic difference between sunscreen and sunblock. Knowing this essential difference can help you in choosing the best in sun protection. Sunscreens chemically absorb UV rays, while sunblocks physically deflect them.

Sunscreen has long blocked UVB effectively, but until recently it provided less UVA protection. And although the technology has advanced and new products have some new and revolutionary chemicals that work well against all UVA wavelengths, mineral based sunblocks are preferred.

Mineral based sunblocks seem to be the more natural and “organic” choice in sun protection. New preparations such as micronized titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, used in sunblock to prevent or treat minor skin burns and irritation, and iron oxide are used to successfully reflect the harmful effects of both UVA and UVB.

And when these minerals are used in conjunction with multiple antioxidants, you have a unique product that counteracts free-radical damage and increases protection against UV rays. Joanna Vargas Skin Care salon carries “Solar Protection Formula”. It is a unique solar protection product that is highly effective and is used as a preventative measure for maintaining the health and beauty of your skin.

Unfortunately this product is not sold in stores or any website and is solely available through your skin care professional. THEREFORE WE ASK THAT YOU CALL THE SALON TO PLACE YOUR ORDER AT 212.949.2350.

By C.A. Vargas

LASER

Photo source: http://www.candelalaser.com

Photo rejuvenation is a term that can be broadly applied to the three basic forms of light therapy. Each treatment, although different can be used for skin care aesthetic procedures. These very specific forms of light can bring about significant positive results in a persons appearance. However, it is important to know how these treatments and their various forms work as they could have adverse side effects.

The most aggressive form known as laser resurfacing is a surgical procedure and it requires significant down time and recovery. This procedure uses a laser that causes water molecules to vaporize outside and inside of cells, causing thermal damage to the surrounding tissue. The body in response to this “attack” produces more collagen and elastin, two vital proteins needed for youthful skin.

Laser resurfacing is the most effective in severely damaged and aged skin but it also has the most potential side effects.

Some of the benefits include the removal of deep wrinkles, age spots, sun spots, freckles, superficial blood vessels, tighter and more youthful skin. The overall result is dramatic as the youthful appearance of the person is undeniable.

Side effects include significant swelling, flaking, dry or itchy skin, over or under pigmentation, redness and the recovery time could be up to a couple of months. Additionally during this time the person receiving treatments will need downtime as they will appear red and burnt looking.

INTENSE PULSE LIGHT

Photo source: http://www.realself.com

Intense Pulse Light or IPL is a gentler form of laser resurfacing but not considered ablative. Although not as aggressive as laser, it is in my opinion an invasive procedure as it causing thermal damage to the skin. This will force the skin’s healing mechanism to kick in and reverse signs of damage.

IPL is a procedure that resurfaces the skin in a series of treatments over the affected area. A cooling gel is applied before the procedure is begun in order to make the experience as painless as possible. The feeling is similar to a small rubber band snapping on the surface of the skin. In some cases a topical anesthetic is applied for people with a low pain threshold.

A series of sessions, three to six, is recommended for best results. And it is best to treat the entire face rather than a specific area. This will yield a more even and pleasing aesthetic result. Treatment can be given as frequently as every three weeks.

Intense Pulse Light works well on pigment irregularities, like dark spots and redness in lighter complexions, therefore achieving a more uniform color, fresher look, loss of sallowness and even an increase in firmness can be expected. In addition it treats rosacea, sun damage and even acne scars.

People with dark skin should be warned that hyper-pigmentation is a high risk not only with IPL but also laser treatments.

Immediately after treatment the client can expect that the skin may appear flushed, like a mild sunburn, and might persist for 2-3 hours after treatment. Brown pigmented spots may appear darker, and capillaries may be more visible. In rare instances, temporary swelling and/or blistering can occur.

The treated area can take up to 10 days to heal and can turn brown or crust. Therefore do not rub, pick, or use any kind of exfoliation until it heals.

After laser or IPL the client should avoid direct sunlight and wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher while you’re healing. Further protect yourself by wearing wide-brimmed hats if you expect to be out in sun.

LED or LIGHT EMITTING DIODE

Photo source: mylightwave.com

Light Emitting Diode is an electronic device that generates light when an electrical current is passed through it. The most common uses have been in, flat screen videos displays, digital clocks, flashlights and as a general source of light. Thus not harmful or invasive in the least.

However, in Europe, LED has been used successfully for about 50 years in the treatment of muscular pain, scars and the healing of wounds. It is so efficient that the NAVY SEALS and NASA have adopt it for similar purposes.

The technology works by stimulating the body’s tissues to convert the light energy into cellular energy. It boosts collagen production and scavenger cells that remove excess pigmentation or scar tissue. This advance technology is noninvasive and does not cause thermal damage to the skin. Yet it is powerful enough to bring about a reversal in aged or damaged skin.

The more advanced machines, in my opinion, are not hand held, and have multiple settings depending on the skin care treatment being used for. Research shows that it is the combination of red and infra-red light that work best in the successful treatment of wrinkles or age spots.

Led light therapy not only works well on the face, but can easily be done on other skin areas like the decollete and hands.

Most people can see results right away but it is common for at least three treatments before one can see a major difference. After the initial treatments of at least six, Joanna Vargas recommends treatments once a month for beautiful, radiant skin. The effects are cumulative as many will attest, and although gradual, one can expect the luminous glow of healthy skin in a relative short space of time. The health of your skin will continue to improve with every visit and can be done even weekly with no side effects.

The benefits are many: lymphatic drainage, reduced pore size, diminished lines and wrinkles, the erasure of dark spots or sun damaged skin, increased collagen and elastin production, and it can even possibly improve your mood as endorphins are stimulated.

The many side effects associated with laser and Intense Pulse Light can also be treated with LED light therapy as it will boost the regenerative power of the skin and therefore cut short the recovery time of laser resurfacing or IPL. LED can even help in the recovery time of cosmetic surgery as it has been successfully used for wound and pain management.

The degree of expertise from your skin care professional will determine results but also the instrument being used can significantly help in the recovery efforts or the maintaining of youthful and beautiful skin. As always, life style and other such factors should be discussed carefully so that you can have a proper expectations of results in any of the above skin care treatments.

By Elizabeth Hall

1. Drink eight glasses of water a day. The average adult is made up of about fifty or sixty percent water. Replenishing your body daily helps to distribute nutrients and keep skin healthy and clear.

2. Wear sunscreen. It is vital to protect the skin from the sun, which can prematurely age skin, and cause wrinkles and sun spots. Using a daily sunscreen for both face and body will keep your skin looking young. Still want golden, sun kissed looking skin? Try a sunless tan.

3. Wash your face every night. This does not mean simply splashing your face with water. Cleansing the skin every night with a foam or cream wash rids the face of dirt and excess oils that can clog pores and cause breakouts. Avoid bar soap, as it tends to be too harsh for the skin.

4. Moisturize the skin. Everyone should moisturize, even if your skin seems oily. Dehydrated skin looks dull and tired, and dehydration prevents the skin from repairing itself. This can lead to wrinkles and premature skin aging. Choose a moisturizer that fits your skin type to avoid clogged pores.

5. Feed your skin and body with lots of greens, the darker the greens, the better. Healthy rich green vegetables not only replenish nutrients to your body, they feed the skin as well. Vegetables such as spinach or kale contain vitamins and minerals and a high dose of antioxidants that help nourish the skin and prevent premature aging.

6. Exercise. Regular exercise plays a significant role in healthy and young looking skin. Physical activity aids in circulation, which helps to displace free radicals and control breakouts. It also aids in the production of collagen, which combats fine lines and wrinkles.

7. Exfoliate twice a week. Unfortunately, many people tend to skip this step in their weekly skin care regimen. A gentle face scrub exfoliates the skin and removes the top layer of dead cells, leaving the skin with a fresh healthy glow.

8. Drink a shot of pomegranate juice every morning. Pomegranate juice is packed full of powerful antioxidants which, among other things, help to fight cell damage and inflammation.

9. Take vitamins. Vitamin supplements, such as a daily multivitamin restore health to the skin by depositing essential nutrients into the circulatory system to be absorbed by the skin. These hydrating, rejuvenating nutrients help give dull, tired skin life from the inside out.

10. Last but not least…Rest! Get at least seven hours of sleep a night. We all live busy, hectic lives and it is easy to neglect your body’s need for sleep. Unfortunately, one of the first places fatigue shows is in the skin. A proper nights rest allows your entire body to recharge and heal itself.