We know that the skin’s condition is affected by environmental factors and also what we put into and onto our skin and so it makes sense that for clients to get the best results from a course of SkinBase facials we need to make sure they are not sabotaging our best efforts elsewhere!
SkinBase Facial Journal
We have come up with a set of 8 rules which will help clients to get the most out of a course of facials. You can download a copy of the journal here to share with clients, they work best if they are filled in daily to keep track of the rules.
The 8 Rules
Rule 1 – Drink 1.5 liters of mineral water per day
Drinking plenty of water can benefit the skin in two ways. Firstly, dehydration can make the skin look dry and wrinkled. Secondly, adequate water encourages the kidneys to excrete waste compounds from the body. This can help clear up skin complaints, brighten your complexion and your eyes. It is not only your skin that will benefit by adhering to rule one. Your muscles will not fatigue as easily and you will have more energy. Drinking water can help prevent kidney stones and help maintain normal bowel function. In fact, some doctors believe that many complaints of backache can be caused by not being sufficiently hydrated! Drinking adequate amounts of water is a cornerstone of the SkinBase™ programme.
Rule 2 – No tea or coffee after lunch.
Caffeine found in tea, coffee, cola drinks and some medicines is the enemy of a good night’s sleep. Not only that, but caffeine is a diuretic and so can cause dehydration. Drinking plenty of water will prevent dehydration which can make the skin look dry and wrinkled. Too little sleep makes you look and feel tired. One of the first places lack of sleep shows up is on the face, with dark circles, bags under the eyes and sagging skin. By reducing caffeine during the day (with none in the evening), avoiding eating at least 2 hours before bedtime, and maintaining a sleep routine that includes going to bed at the same time each night, you can increase the length and the quality of the sleep you get. Do not underestimate the effectiveness of sleep when it comes to repairing skin damage.
Rule 3 – Breakfast every day on either porridge, yogurt, smoothie or 2/3 pieces of fruit.
We are what we eat! There is growing evidence to suggest that when it comes to overall skin health we should be looking at what we eat far more closely. Everything you eat becomes a part of not only your inner being, but the outer fabric of your body as well. The healthier the foods that you consume, the better your skin will look. The reverse is true as well. The less attention we pay to what goes in our mouth the more problems we may see cropping up with our skin.
Rule 4 – Replace any white refined carbohydrates with brown unrefined carbohydrates.
One of the most aging foods we eat is sugar. Obviously sugar exists in fizzy drinks, sweets, cakes and processed foods. However, refined, processed ingredients like flour are quickly broken down by the body into glucose (which is just another form of sugar). Sugar actively damages collagen production which affects bones, tissues, and causes skin to wrinkle and sag. Rule 4 is a simple way to reduce your blood sugar levels without having to make drastic changes to your lifestyle or diet.
Rule 5 – Avoid Cigarettes
With regards to premature aging, smoking is by far the worst thing you can do to your skin next to sun damage. Professor Young of Guy’s School of Medicine in London was the leader of the team that demonstrated how collagen loss was accelerated by smoking. They found that: “Smoking exerts such a noticeable effect on the skin that it’s often possible to detect whether or not a person is a smoker simply by looking at his or her face. Smokers have more wrinkles and their skin tends to have a greyish pallor compared to non-smokers.” By adhering to rule 5 you will at the very least lose your greyish pallor! Not only that, but you will feel fitter, your food will taste better, and your teeth will be whiter. Result! If that is not enough, think of the money you will have saved!
Rule 6 – Avoid Alcohol
Generally, one or two glasses of wine or beer can be good for you. However, in order to see the best results from your 6 weeks transition, we recommend that you try to avoid alcohol altogether. Heavy drinking can lead to aging blotches, broken capillaries, and dehydrates your body and skin. Excess alcohol robs your body of vitamins and minerals and can interfere with your circulation causing broken veins, wrinkles, and a dull complexion. We have to be realists, however. If you do find yourself on the wrong side of a bottle of Merlot, please drink one glass of water to each glass of wine. Also, remember that alcohol will interfere with a goods night’s sleep so get to bed a little earlier than usual… you need to get your beauty sleep!
Rule 7 – Exercise for 25 minutes, 3 times a week
Exercise can help to reduce the signs of aging – if not directly, then at least by promoting other parts of a healthy lifestyle that directly fight the signs of premature aging. Exercise improves circulation and invigorates skin, helps supply oxygen to skin cells, and is a great way to combat stress. All of these are factors when trying to maintain a youthful appearance. Exercise tones the muscles lubricates the joints, helps keep that troubled midsection under control, and keeps your metabolism functioning properly. There is a consensus, however, among skincare providers that too much exercise can actually promote the signs of premature aging, so be careful not to overdo it!
Rule 8 – Follow a simple daily skin care routine, cleansing and moisturizing day and night.
As you get older the skin begins to produce less of its own natural oils, leaving you susceptible to wrinkles. Following a simple skin care routine you can make sure the skin is kept moisturized to keep those wrinkles at bay. It’s also important to use an SPF to protect skin. SkinBase homecare cream has been specifically formulated to be gentle and soothing following MD treatment and contains SPF30 to provide an adequate level of protection from UV and achieve the best results.