The Sun and Your Skin

The most common stressors that your skin faces on a daily basis is the sun. You might love the feel of the warm sun on your skin or the look of a bronze summer tan, but the truth is, the sun is damaging your skin both on the surface and deep within its layers. In recent years, research has discovered that the sun’s UV light is the primary cause of wrinkles, aging, pigmentation and melanoma, which can lead to skin cancer.

The radiation that reaches the earth’s surface consists of two types of rays, UVA and UVB. It’s important to protect your skin from both. UVB rays are what causes sunburn, but UVA light passes deeper into the skin, causing damage to collagen, your skin’s DNA and skin cancer. 95% of the sun’s light is UVA.

UVB rays are only about 4-5% of the sun’s light and can reflect off of shiny surfaces. They’re 1,000 stronger than UVA rays and can cause redness, itching, sunburns, cataracts and more. UVB rays can damage the skin’s DNA, leading to benign and malignant tumors and skin cancer. Long-term exposure to both UVA and UVB rays can affect the dermal layer of the skin. And because your skin is a living tissue, the damage can be permanent and visibly obvious. It can appear rough and hyper-pigmented, cause damage to deep nodular blackheads and cysts, damage blood vessels and more. It’s important to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays with a broad-spectrum protection so that it’s not vulnerable to UVA and UVB rays.

To protect yourself, sunscreen on a daily basis is a must. Even if it’s cloudy, it’s important to use sunscreen. A wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses are also important to protect your face from the sun. When you’re out in the sun, it’s important to re-apply sunscreen every two hours. Look for formulas on physical sunscreen (ingredients such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) and stay away from chemical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens create a barrier on the skin that filter out UV rays while chemical sunscreens absorb and scatter the sun’s harsh UV rays. Physical sunscreens work by staying on top of the skin to deflect and scatter damaging UV rays away from the skin.

For a complete skin consultation and analysis of sun damage, make an appointment with one of Beauty Journey’s expert estheticians by schedule online appointment or contact beautyjourney@gmail.com if you need further information.

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Find Ways to Relieve Stress

In certain cases, acne can be caused by stress.

And even when it’s not, having high levels of stress hormones like cortisol in your body has been proven to make skin issues worse.

So on your journey to clear skin, it is crucial for you to find effective ways of reducing stress in your life. Chronic stress, in particular, can really put in a dent in your progress to treating acne, as it constantly keeps your body on edge and affects your immune system over time.

If you don’t want to slow down your healing, here are some simple steps to consider:

• Take a few moments each day to do an activity that calms you down. This can mean walking, painting, dancing or anything that you enjoy.

• Try to pick up meditation if you haven’t already or turn it into a daily habit.

• Be mindful of your thoughts and the negative self-talk that is going on in your head throughout the day.

• Consider cutting down on your coffee intake as it can increase feelings of anxiety and nervousness.

• Spend quality time with friends and family every once in a while.

The benefit of taking up all of these activities is that they not only work to clear your skin, they also prevent future breakouts and help you maintain glowing, healthy skin in the long run.

Follow a soothing home care routine

When it comes to clear skin, if you want to get lasting results then you need to have a powerful routine in place.

And although finding that one routine can seem like a never-ending quest, once you do finally come across it you’ll be one step closer to getting the smooth and vibrant complexion you’ve always wanted.

A good home care routine for clear skin should include 4 major elements: cleansing, toning, exfoliating and moisturizing.

The first should be done with gentle products that are specifically suited for your skin type and issues. You want products that can thoroughly cleanse your pores without being too harsh and leading to dry skin and excess production of sebum that would, in turn, cause more acne.

On the other hand, toning will keep your skin’s pH level balanced and ensure that any residue of bacteria or impurities is eliminated. Exfoliating will also remove any leftover dead skin cells, leading to fewer blackheads and outbreaks.

Lastly, moisturizing helps to repair the skin’s deeper layer and will give you that bright, beautiful glow that you’re looking for. Remember to pick out a lighter moisturizer if your skin tends to be naturally oily.

That’s it!

By following the guidelines above, you’re on your way to getting the flawless and radiant skin that you crave. No more unexpected breakouts, countless hours spent picking at your skin in front of the mirror or feeling embarrassed.

Sometimes, acne can be stubborn

In cases where acne is hormonal or is caused by a different deep-rooted issue within the body, you might need high-end clinical products that are more effective. If you’re interested in finding out more about this, take a look at some of our available treatments here.

Getting clear skin is a process. So feel free to go through the other posts on our blogs to learn more about healing acne long-term. 😉

5 Tips to Get Your Glow On For Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a day for love. Loving yourself, loving the one you’re with, and loving life. Whenever love is in the air, you want to look and feel your best. Here are five tips to help you feel absolutely lovely this Valentine’s day.

• Pack Your Skin Full of Antioxidants and EFAs – Enlighten Serum is the easiest way to lather your skin in all of the vital antioxidants and essential fatty acids it needs. This serum hydrates and tones your skin and gets rid of any visible signs of aging leaving you with a radiant glow. It penetrates deeply to give you a smoother and more youthful complexion. What is more lovely than that?

• Have a Spa Day with Your Loved One – Dose up on quality time and some skin TLC. Bring your loved one with you to get a True Oxygen Therapy, and watch your skin get instantly hydrated. To learn more on the treatment, Click Here. Or if you prefer, try any of our other Signature facials. We promise you’ll leave feeling refreshed and pampered.

• Clink Glasses of Bubbly – Bubbly water, that is. Drink some water this V-day and rehydrate your skin. There is no easier way to improve skin tone and elasticity. Increasing your water intake will rebalance the dehydrating effects of all that sugar and alcohol that might also be part of your Valentine’s day. Try setting a timer on your phone to remind you when you need to finish your glass of water and start a new one.

• Skip the Alcohol Valentine’s Eve – If you truly want to look your best Feb. 14th, skip the drinks. Alcohol restricts oxygen flow to your cells. Plus it can also lead to multiple skincare woes, including dehydrated skin, puffy eyes, and dullness. It also causes dehydration and water retention and decreases your body’s vitamin A levels. It even causes lingering redness, making breakouts appear more irritated and noticeable. Red is the color of Valentine’s day, but you definitely don’t want to be sporting it on your face.

• Cuddle Up With Your Valentine – Get your beauty sleep, so take your partner or your favorite pillow and hit the hay early. A good night’s rest will do your complexion a world of good. When you sleep, your body increases the blood flow to your skin, helping your skin to take on a rosy and glowing complexion in the morning. Additionally, while you sleep, your skin cells turn over and repair themselves to rectify any damage done during the day. This includes any damage from your Valentine’s binge

Does Your Skin Feel As Dry As Aunt Tilly’s Fruitcake

Winter is the season where humidity outside drops and moisture evaporates more readily from the skin. This means skin feels dry, tight and flaky. It feels just as uncomfortable as a dry and crumbly Christmas fruitcake. Maybe she had her oven set too high. Maybe she didn’t add enough liquid or maybe she over beat the eggs. Regardless of what mistake she made, if the cake is dry, there is an adjustment somewhere that she didn’t make. The same is true for your skincare routine. It needs to be adjusted to account for the differences in the weather during the winter months or else you’re going to see and experience negative results that will leave your skin feeling chapped, taut and uncomfortable. During this time of year, it’s imperative to keep moisture in the skin and one way to do that is to adjust your skincare routine accordingly.

So what steps should you take?

Treatments:

If you’re already feeling the effects of dry, lackluster skin, and want to reset yourself on a more nourishing course, you can opt for a treatment to correct what’s going wrong and set you on a path toward smooth and supple skin across all seasons.

There are two great options when it comes to dry skin. The first is our Restorative Treatment, which is a hydrating treatment that provides much-needed oxygen and enzymes to the skin. The Restorative Treatment is non-abrasive and includes a non-acidic vitamin peel. It’s all about infusing the skin with nutrients and revitalizing all of the skin’s layers so that you can recapture that youthful glow and even out dry and blotchy skin tone.

The other option is our DMK treatment. DMK treats and strengthens the skin at the cellular level. It’s all about removing the dry, dead cells, rebuilding the skin, protecting the new cells, and maintaining that health. It’s all about taking the skin you have and flooding it with enzymes that trigger healthy function, making your skin stronger and healthier.

Either of these treatments is a great step in the right direction and have your skin feeling resilient to the elements.

Food For the Skin

You wouldn’t skip meals or skip taking your medications. Food for your skin is just as important. It’s important to continue to feed your skin the nutrients it needs regardless of the season. When you remember to consistently nourish your skin, it will reward you with by never becoming dry, tight, or flaky.

Exfoliation & Masks

Your skin is constantly shedding the old and creating new cells. But if you don’t remove these dead cells, they will stick around and create problems. DMK’s Exoderma Peel and Foaming Lift Masque exfoliates these dry and dead cell materials and helps to detoxify and purify the skin. It also activates microcirculation, increases hydration, and keeps the skin functioning at optimal levels so your skin won’t feel dry, irritated or flaky. Plus once the dead cells are removed, you’ll be less likely to get breakouts, or suffer the effects of oily or sensitive skin.

Sunscreen for All Seasons

Most of us put the sunscreens away for the winter. Days are shorter, cloudier, and we’re spending less time outside, but that doesn’t mean the sun isn’t just as damaging as it is during the summer months. And the trouble is, winter tends to be when the sun can get the best of us because we’re not paying attention to it. You may not know this, but the pink in the face that you get after some time outside on a wintry day is not windburn like we might imagine. You’ll know if the redness doesn’t subside within an hour. If it sticks around, you know you got a sunburn.

Any skin not covered by clothing should be covered with a broad-spectrum sunscreen protecting against UVA and UVB rays and applied fifteen minutes prior to going outdoors. Then remember to apply about every two hours while outdoors. Yes, even in winter months.

Lip Protection

Remember to protect the lips too. Use lip balm or lipstick to keep your lips moist all the time. Try my personal favorite. I’ve been using if for years. It keeps my lips moist and pink.

Drink Up, Cells

I get asked this all the time, “Kristina, you said I need to increase free water so should I drink more water to keep my skin hydrated?” Drinking water is great, and I’ll never tell you not to drink more as it’s super beneficial, but drinking water will NOT increase free water levels for your cells. However, taking EFAs will help with this dehydration. You could also tweak your other habits, use a specific mist or serum to help restore moisture.

Bundle Up

Dressing warmly not only retains body heat, but also minimizes the effects of cold winds striking bare skin. Hands and feet are at the greatest risk of frostbite, which is caused when the skin and sometimes the tissue beneath the skin freezes from prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Bundling up and protecting your skin with layers is the best way to avoid damage to the skin. Dress in loose layers, wear socks, cover the head, wrap a scarf over the mouth, wear insulated gloves, and always be sure to properly prepare for the weather!

The Essential Ingredient for Clear and Healthy Skin

If you want great skin now and in the future, there is only one ingredient that you need. It’s not an ingredient that you’ll find on the back on any bottle. You can’t buy it in a store or extract it from a plant in the Amazon. It’s not a grocery store ingredient that has been re-purposed by the skincare industry like avocado or oatmeal or coconut.

The biggest secret to having and maintaining healthy skin is accessible to everyone, and acquiring it is as simple as making a decision to have it.

That ingredient is: Commitment

If you are committed, you can have great skin. That’s a guarantee.

Whether your skin is in perfect condition at the moment or whether it could use some TLC, the biggest difference-maker when it comes to your skin is the commitment to taking care of your skin. And the best way to care for you skin is to maintain a healthy daily regimen, and to stick to a treatment plan.

Your skin responds to what you put on it, your diet and how you treat it. The best way to ensure that your good skin stays that way, and that your sub-par skin improves is to commit to a regular regimen.

Keeping your skin healthy is much luck keeping your body healthy. If your goal is to look good in all the clothes in your closet, you wouldn’t “treat yourself” to a workout every couple months and spend your evenings eating pizza and drinking beer. Most likely, you’d create a regimen or schedule. You would do cardio three days a week and lift weights or do Pilates the other three days with one day to rest. You’d stock up on vegetables and lean proteins so that all your hard work was reinforced by your diet, and you wouldn’t stray from this schedule even when you did reach your goal because you’d understand that you’d need to maintain this lifestyle to ensure stay lean well into the future.

Unfortunately, this mindset somehow doesn’t translate over to the skincare industry. People often assume that getting a skin treatment is a “treat” or a “luxury.” They leave it for those months when they have a little extra cash in the bank or when they’re a little unimpressed with the reflection staring back at them from the mirror.

But there would be far fewer of those “bad face” days if you put in the time and energy on a consistent basis. Having a solid daily skin regimen is the first step in ensuring that all your days are “good face” days. And if you don’t know what the best regimen is for your particular skin, scheduling a skin consult is the best way to find out.

Once you get on track with Beauty Journey, we can ensure that you are doing all the right things on a regular basis so that every time you look in the mirror, you feel good about yourself. It’s always more difficult to fix problems once that have gotten out of control due to a flawed or absent regimen. The best time to attack problem issues on the skin is before they become a problem.

You can also think about skincare like maintenance on your car. If you neglect to bring your car in for oil changes and regular maintenance, things might go well for awhile; but eventually, all of that neglect will catch up to you, and you’ll have a much more serious problem on your hands than if you had been following up on a timely schedule.

Invest in the small, frequent check-ins, and you’ll save yourself bigger headaches and expenses later on. It’s true for cars, it’s true for your health, and it’s just as true for your skin.

Make a commitment to have great skin and now forever. If you don’t know where to start, let us get you on track. Head over to Beauty Journey to schedule an appointment.

7 Tips for Stunning Summer Skin

Summer is finally here, and along with all the joys of the season come many challenges for your skin. We certainly don’t want to destroy all the progress we’ve made all year by falling victim to longer days, brighter sun, and higher temperatures. That’s why it’s so important to change your skin routines when the weather changes. We don’t want to counteract all the good we’ve done to this point. And of course, we don’t want to miss out the time outside with your friends and family.

So what precautions should you take during these summer months? Here is a list of 7 tips that will ensure your skin remains glowing and healthy during the summer and all year long.

• Hydrate – When we say hydrate, we mean hydrate on the inside and the outside. Drink plenty of water. The water you drink (or don’t drink) absolutely affects your skin. You’re sweating more in the summer, so you’re losing more water than you would in the winter. Adding a couple of glasses per day will help considerably. If you find it difficult to drink plain water, try adding some fresh fruit and a squeeze of lemon or lime to help add a bit of flavor. Moisturize your skin. It’s likely that your skin might appear oilier in the summer, but this does not mean that you don’t need to moisturize. If anything, use a light moisturizer like our Enlighten Serum . This is a unique solution with exceptional hydration and mild daily exfoliation.

• Exfoliate – It’s extra important to exfoliate in the summer, removing the build-up of dead skin cells. You’ll also improve circulation and allow the nutrients from your moisturizers and masks to penetrate. Plus build-up of dead cells can block pores and cause flare-ups. The Enlighten Serum works as exfoliation too.

• Bulk up on Antioxidants, Vitamins, and Minerals – Again we stress how important it is to add these to both your diet AND your skincare regimen. By eating foods high in omega 3s and vitamin C, you’ll be giving your body the nutrients it needs to keep your skin healthy. Antioxidants and protein will help stimulate collagen production, keeping your skin strong and supple. Salmon, sardines, eggs, dark leafy greens and citrus are all great choices. These same nutrients that help from the inside do wonder when applied topically as well. Our Enlighten Serum is a fantastic way to drench your skin in nutrients. It will fight UVA/UVB damage that’s already happened and revitalize your skin.

• Remember the SPF – Your face should get a layer of SPF moisturizer every single day, whether it’s overcast or sunny. And remember to reapply every few hours. A broad spectrum is best as it will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. If white color bothers you, we suggest using a tinted SPF like our Replenishing Tinted Sunscreen. This way you save your skin without sacrificing that healthy glow.

• Limit Your Sun Time – The hours between 10 AM to 2 PM are when the sun is at its most potent. If possible, limit your direct exposure during this time. If you must be outside, try to cover up with stylish wide-brimmed hats in addition to the SPF.

• Cleanse Morning and Night – Remember with the higher temperatures, you’ll be sweating more. Try going with less or lighter makeup in the summer and cleanse in the morning and night with a cleanser to reduce build-up that could cause blemishes.

• Keep Up With Your Treatments – Often times in summer, you come off your normal routines we’ve kept up all year long. Don’t let vacations and relaxation get in the way of your treatment schedule. Skincare is just as important especially during the summer months. Plus consistency is king. Keep up your schedule, and we’ll keep you on track.

Everyone Deserves To Show Up With Beautiful Skin

Getting and maintaining beautiful skin depend on using the right skin care products properly and consistently and adopting healthy regimens. Lack of sleep, lack of exercise, over-exposure to the sun, poor diet, stress, and consuming harsh products are all possible causes of unhealthy skin. The following are some of the ways to maintain a healthy skin.

Using Products With non-harsh chemicals

Some cosmetics and skin products may be full of harmful synthetic chemicals. Such products are unhealthy for the skin. They could cause the skin dry and moisture lost, inflammatory acne, and PH imbalance. Over-exfoliating skin could damage the skin by removing the skin’s protective layer.

Using Clinical Skincare Products

Clinical skincare products are usually full of active ingredients and less likely to cause skin irritation. They are critical for people with specific skin care concerns.

Treating Acne Scars

Even after acne is treated, you may be left with plenty of acne scars. There are many varieties of treatments that are quite effective to treat acne scars. Ask us how @ 714-726-0504. However, you can always use Aloe Vera, coconut oil, sugar scrub, honey, cucumbers, potato juice, vitamin E to soften the scar. These are inexpensive but not for rebuilding your skin architecture.

Drinking Plenty of Water

Drinking water can help you solve your anti-aging skin issues. It makes the occurrence of wrinkles less visible. It flushes out toxins and leaves you with glowing, healthy skin. It also reduces the concentration of oil on skin and therefore reduces the possibility of breakouts. That does not mean that drinking plenty of water today will give you healthy skin forever. You need to keep hydrating to maintain the youthful looks inside and outside by taking DMK's EFA's and have True Oxygen Therapy.

Including Antioxidants In Your Diet

Foods that are rich in antioxidants include: nuts, blueberries, dark chocolate, spinach, pomegranates and purple grapes. They help the body to fight skin damage and inflammation which in turn slows down the aging process.

Detox

The human body needs to be cleaned occasionally due to exposure to toxins. There are various ways to detox your body but a juice detox is recommended or taking supplements is another alternative way. Be sure to ask your Doctor before taking any detox supplements.

Sleep

When you sleep, the skin gets a chance to repair and rejuvenate the damaged cells. Getting quality sleep for at least eight hours every night is a good way to maintain healthy, youthful skin.

Invest In Good Sunscreen

The rays of the sun are so harmful that they could cause skin cancer. They also cause sunburns, premature aging, and rashes. It is, therefore, important to wear physical Not Chemical sunscreen every day.

At Beauty Journey studios, we offer personalized beauty treatments and try to establish the cause of skin concerns for our clients. Our products are the purest high-grade skincare line with many active ingredients. Our approach is gentle and non-inflammatory. Check out our Before and After pictures.

You may contact us @ 741-726-0504 to book an appointment or visit our studio at Garden Grove, CA for all your skincare needs.

Is Your Skin Vulnerable to Danger?

Having a healthy barrier layer is essential to having clear, healthy skin. But did you know that 9 out of 10 people have a compromised barrier, and they don’t even know it. Instead, they are walking around in the world with their defenses down. So it’s no surprise that their skin isn’t reflecting back vibrant, healthy skin when they look in the mirror.

When your barrier is compromised, your skin is vulnerable to the elements. The barrier is what protects you from bacteria, toxins, infections, harmful UV rays and pollutants. When this layer isn’t functioning at its peak, all of these negative forces are free to penetrate the surface of your skin and cause damage on a deeper level.

The reason that you have a barrier layer to begin with is a lot like why you lock the doors to your house. You want to keep the bad stuff out. Without the lock, your home is susceptible to anything. It’s unfortunate but not unsurprising when your house eventually gets robbed. When your barrier layer is impaired, you are allowing all of these negative forces access to your deepest skin layers. So it’s not surprising to us that many of our clients’ issues stem from a compromised barrier layer.

If your skin is dry, flaky, sensitive, red, itchy or inflamed, these could be signs that your barrier is broken down. And the irony is that when your skin starts to act out in these ways, we usually seek out harsher chemicals, cleansers and treatments to try to repair the problem because that’s what the typical advertisements tell us to do. But in fact, those harsh cleansers are probably just making things worse.

Over-exfoliation, harsh topical products and even hot showers can contribute to a diminished barrier. Many medications have side effects that could compromise the barrier, but it’s not often pointed out by doctors. Also taking things like Accutane and antihistamines could have an effect on our barriers ability to protect us. Then there are the external elements that play a role without our knowledge. Windburn, cold weather, sunburn, certain detergents, perfumes and abrasive materials are all forces that can damage this barrier layer leaving us and our skin susceptible.

So what can be done? It sounds like we’re not safe anywhere, and we might as well put a mask on and stay inside. The solution lies in knowledge. Knowing the right ingredients to put on our faces and understanding the proper ways to heal, strengthen and hydrate our skin are the keys to ensuring that our barrier, and therefore our complexion stays healthy and nourished.

The products and treatments that we offer at Beauty Journey do exactly this. Stick with us, and we’ll steer you in the right direction. Two great products for healthier, clear skin are our Enlighten Serum and our Restore Cream.

Interested in learning the state of your barrier layer and what you can do to strengthen it?

Schedule an initial consultant or contact us at (714) 726 - 0503.

Why Everything You Know About Healthy Eating Could Be Wrecking Your Skin

When you hear the word fat come up in discussions about food, what is your first reaction? If you’re like most of the American population, your reaction is likely negative. Fats are synonymous with the word, “bad” in our culture. When we are inspired to get healthy, the first thing we tend to do is cut out fat from our diet. We seek out low-fat alternatives and limit our fat intake as much as we possibly can.

But when we eliminate the fat from our diet, we are doing ourselves a huge disservice in terms of our health. Because contrary what we’ve become accustomed to believing, fat is actually good. Somehow along the way “being fat” got confused with “eating fat,” and the result is that in our efforts to avoid being fat, we simply refuse to eat large quantities fat.

Granted there is one kind of fat that is bad for us. That’s trans fats, found in processed and refined foods, but aside from these fats, the rest of them are vital to our health. And perhaps the most vital of these fats are known as Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). They are known as essential because our bodies can’t produce them on our own. They MUST come from our diet. And the low fat fad diets are one of the primary reasons why 8 in 10 people are deficient in EFAs.

So big deal. We are probably deficient in all sorts of vitamins and minerals that are important, and nothing much happens as a result, right?

Wrong.

Without getting too much into the science of it, EFAs are vital for a whole slew of functions within the body. We need EFAs to maintain a healthy heart, to lubricate our joints, to assist with brain function AND to maintain healthy skin. EFAs allow our cells to protect themselves from damage and to regulate the nutrients that get through. And they also play a big role in hydration and maintaining the free water levels beneath the skin’s surface. When we are low on EFAs, our body adapts and sends whatever is available to the most important areas first. That means the heart and brain are at the top of the list. And what do you think is at the very bottom?

That’s right – the skin.

When the skin isn’t getting enough EFAs, it means that the skin cells can’t properly do their job, resulting in holding onto old cells longer than they should and the inability to flush out harmful toxins and waste.

For the skin, this means a flat, matte appearance, redness, breakouts that won’t heal, eczema and related dry conditions, capillary damage, premature aging, loss of resiliency, and a plethora of other unattractive conditions. If you’ve ever wondered why it seems like you’re doing all sorts of healthy skincare treatments, eating a low-fat “healthy” diet and still not seeing the results you hope for, EFA deficiency could be the cause.

Expecting your skin to look vibrant and healthy without providing it with EFAs, is like sending your kid to school without books, pencils and notebooks. They are in the right place, but don’t have the tools to achieve anything. Our skin is in the same situation when we don’t provide it with EFAs.

Menopausal women struggle with EFA deficiency the most. As menopause occurs, many women notice an increase in weight due to slower metabolism and hormone changes. Naturally, they combat this weight gain by eating less and cutting fat like we mentioned earlier. This usually doesn’t help their weight much AND leaves them short of EFAs and now struggling with their skin as well.

Supplying your body with EFAs is the first step to any successful skincare regimen. Lots of times when a specific course of action is not working at the salon level, it’s because a person is deficient in EFAs. That means no matter what we do in the spa bed, it will have little to no effect.

That’s why it’s vital to do your homework once you leave the salon. Eating enough EFAs through diet alone can be tricky and difficult to measure. But, not to fear - supplements can achieve the same effect as diet changes, as long as they are high quality and reputable. And we’ve made it incredibly easy to get your hands on these supplements by offering them at Beauty Journey.

If you’re wondering if you might be EFA deficient, ask your therapist at your next appointment, and we can steer you in the right direction. Of course, please understand that though we have lots of knowledge in this arena, we are not doctors. We can make helpful suggestions, but it's best to always run any supplement plans by your doctor just to be sure.

You can also peruse our line of EFA supplements HERE

Summer - A busy time of year

Summer is a busy time of year - which can really disrupt your self-care! Pool party, vacations and the kids are home from school. Your calendar is jam-packed with activities, and it’s easy to lose sight of your beauty and wellness routines amid the hustle.

Just because your schedule is turned upside down, it doesn’t mean that your self-care should be thrown out the window. Reconnect with your inner self, and what matters most to you: a healthy, beautiful skin and energy filled body.

Try a few of these summer self-care tips to keep your beauty skin and health on the right track:

• Welcome beauty into your life - Find the things you love that soothe you, whether it be Beauty Journey Treatments with calming music or fresh-cut flowers. Also, take a few moments each day to appreciate the beauty all around you. It comes in so many forms such as treating yourself with one of our Facial Sculpting.

• Avoid Sun/UV damaged - Sun-damaged skin often shows signs of premature aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. That's why it's imperative to use sun protection every day. Our Replenishing Tinted Sunscreen guards your skin against UV rays while providing nourishing coverage that can be used underneath or in place of foundation.

• Hydrates your skin from the inside out - Hot or warm water with lemon in the early morning. Drink cool water with few slice of Lime or add few slices of Strawberries for your favor. How much of water do you need to drink? Drink at least half of your body weight. For example, your weight is 100 pounds, then drink 50 ounces.

• Try some new healthy activities - You don’t have to drag yourself to the gym when you can get outside and enjoy the fresh air! Explore the world around you by riding a bike, hiking or swimming, and gain a fresh perspective on your life. We are part of nature, but often lose our connection. Stop your busy mind to take in the wonder and abundance.

• Beauty Sleep - Too much party and not enough sleep doesn’t make you look good or feel good. Sleep has a profound effect on our appearance, weight, stress level, mood, memory and overall well-being.

• Disconnect - Setting your smartphone down can be difficult! However, you’ll enjoy your life and your family more with less digital distractions. Appreciate every moment you have together, and you’ll improve your personal connections. Try to set some rules, such as no digital at the dinner table and at least 30 minutes before bed.

• Antioxidant - Antioxidants are good for you but do you really know what they do? Antioxidants actually protect your cells against free radicals: the molecules produced when your body is exposed to things like stress, pollution, tobacco smoke and radiation or when your body breaks down food. These free radicals can be harmful to your cells and can contribute to diseases. Eat more chia seeds, kale and acai—they contain a larger amount of vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants than other foods and help promote internal health and external beauty. Apply Enlighten Serum topical protecting against free radicals also improves skin viability, increases skin hydration and dermis thickness. It has the power to protect skin against the sun and pollution.

• Surrender to interruptions - Very little in life ever goes according to plan. Let’s yourself laugh it off, and be ready with a backup plan or just go with the flow. We forget we can remove much of our mental suffering by learning to let go of expectations and trying to control much of life. We can learn to surrender and embrace the opportunity of unknowns.

When you focus on self-care, you’ll be more present for your loved ones and more energized to take on summer’s offerings. It all starts with keeping the “me-time” in your life and not losing your sense of self and the fundamental prerequisites to maintaining your beauty skin and well-being year round.

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Why You Should Be Using Professional Grade OVER Over-The-Counter Products

After a facial or treatment, your skin is sure to be glowing, plump and radiant. But it’s just as important to nourish and treat your skin at home as it is to receive regular facials from a professional. And while you think you may be giving your skin what it needs with department store or drugstore products, the truth is that you should be using professional grade products to prolong the benefits of your facial and maintain all of the great results your treatments give you.

Professional grade products work differently than anything you can buy from even the most high-end counter at the department store. Generally, the products that are carried on the market have about 4% active ingredients, the rest of the product, whether it’s a serum or a cream, is just fillers, water, preservatives and fragrance. And while you may be getting visible results from something you find from a designer beauty brand, the fact is that it’s only working on the surface of your skin and most results are just cosmetic – products can trick the eye with special light-reflecting ingredients to blur wrinkles or cause minor inflammation so that your skin looks temporarily full. Professional grade products, like the ones offered at Beauty Journey, contain 90% active ingredients, giving your skin what it really needs to look its best. While most products work on just the surface of the skin, professional grade products penetrate deeper, right into the dermis, where skin problems form. By working under the surface, professional grade products can prevent, reverse and correct existing skin issues and work to prevent any problems from developing. Professional grade products also have more elegant formulations that feel better on your skin and more sophisticated ingredients with proven results.

To get your customized product recommendations, contact Beauty Journey at 714-726-0504.

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Skin Basics - How It Protects You from the Surrounding Environment

Your skin is divided into three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutis (hypodermis). To understand how skincare, especially anti-aging skincare, works, it is important to know just how your skin works to repair itself and protect you from the world around you. Skin is your body’s largest organ and it’s the only thing that is keeping the environment’s pollutants out of your system, so it is crucial to keep it working at its best and to make sure that all of its processes are running smoothly.

The top layer of your skin is the epidermis, which forms a protective barrier on the surface of your skin. While many skincare experts may lead you to believe that this layer of "dead" skin cells is unnecessary and can lead to a dull or lifeless complexion, it is an important part of your skin. The dead cells are a part of a layer of protection, keeping your skin from being affected by infection, dehydration and are a key part of anti-aging. Television commercials and skincare companies want you to believe that it is imperative to get rid of every single last dead skin cell, but in truth, that first layer of skin reflects up to 80% of damaging UV radiation. So while exfoliating is important, it’s also important to make sure that you aren’t over-exfoliating and causing more damage to your skin. The epidermis also contains a layer of lipids, which keep your skin from drying out. Many products can strip this lipid layer, leaving skin dehydrated and accelerating aging.

The second layer of skin is the dermis, where many skin problems develop. It is the thickest layer of your skin and is where collagen, elastin and other important cells are housed. Every day, the dermis is pushing new cells up into the epidermis. The dermis beings thinning between the age of 20 and 30, and continues to lose about 1% of density per year. Keeping your dermis healthy is where professional grade products and nutrition come into play, since most products can’t penetrate deeply into the skin and a healthy diet keeps your skin working its best. When you do not provide proper nutrition and hydration to your skin, the effects are shown in the dermis and can lead to the formation of wrinkles, acne and inflammation.

Underneath the dermis is the subcutis, which is where your skin keeps a steady supply of stem cells, vitamins, minerals and more. There isn’t much UV damage down at this level, since the bulk of damage occurs above, but it’s important to note that nutrition, stress and other factors can affect the subcutis and can lead to cellulite and other skin concerns.

Together, the three layers work to protect your body from outside stressors, so it is important to keep them working their best. A combination of professional grade products, regular visits to Estheticians and proper UV protection will keep your skin healthy and you’ll see the results in a healthy, glowing and radiant complexion.

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Are You Suffering from Inflammation? Find out NOW

What your body considers a natural reaction can actually be a bad thing for your skin. Inflammation occurs when your body encounters something that activates its defenses. Bacteria, viruses and injuries can all activate an inflammatory reaction in the body, which brings white blood cells to an area of the body to start the healing process. But, sometimes, the process lingers and can lead to low levels of chronic inflammation, affecting your blood vessels, joints and yes, even your skin.

Nobody can pinpoint one thing that affects skin inflammation, but diet, stress and lack of sleep can all be culprits. As the body’s largest organ, and one of the most active, your skin is usually one of the first places that inflammation can appear. Staying on top of stress levels, maintaining a healthy diet and getting plenty of sleep can all work to keep inflammation in check, but not all of us can juggle those things. Inflammation can show up on the skin in the form of Rosacea and wrinkles as well as sagging skin. Wound healing and collagen production can slow and your skin can appear sallow when you’re being affected by inflammation. Acne can also flare up when inflammation levels are high, but there are a few ways to keep everything in balance so that your skin can look its best.

Diet is one way that you can monitor the inflammation in your body. Eating a diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fats, which can be found in fatty fish, can keep inflammation away. Antioxidants from fruits and vegetables can battle inflammation by reducing the amount of free radical damage in your skin. If you find yourself with dull-looking skin, dry patches or become prone to sensitivity, a visit to Beauty Journey can help, too. Working from the inside out, our treatments in conjunction with lifestyle changes can lead to improved skin. Using high-tech treatments and products with a high percentage of active ingredients, inflammation can be tamed and your skin can look its best.

To find out which treatments will help calm your inflammation and which products can keep it away — all while nourishing, protecting and providing anti-aging ingredients, contact Beauty Journey.

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Is It Possible to Shrink Large Pores?

So you have large pores on your face? Are you also suffering from blackheads which tend to go hand in hand with enlarged pores? If you are, here’s a bare face fact.

You might find comfort knowing that enlarged facial pores is one of the most common skin problems in Asian women. In fact, you’re most likely to notice enlarged pores around your nose, because that area has more oil glands per square inch than any other part of your body.

What is the large pore?

Pore serves the skin by allowing sweat and sebum, a naturally produced oil, to exit the skin and carry away toxins and debris. As we age, pore may enlarge as a result of excessive oil production or thinning skin. In moving toxins out of the body through the skin, the pore will take a hit and exhibit inflammation. The toxins we eliminate are not totally benign, and as they irritate and inflame the skin they may result in atrophy immediately around the pore.

Over time, the atrophy surrounding the pore becomes even more pronounced because we lose our collagen infrastructure in the dermis. Imagine that the hair follicle is a tent pole and the skin a tent. Even though the extruding hair is soft, the follicle root is fairly rigid, enough so that it causes the skin to be held up slightly. Over time, sagging in the skin around the follicle will occur. Without the stability previously provide by the presence of robust collagen levels, the epidermis collapses beside the pore, enhancing the appearance of enlargement. This appearance can be further exacerbated by dirt that collects in pores from the surface or by overactive sebaceous glands.

Fortunately, enlarge pores can be treated by rebuilding the collagen and elastin matrix in the dermis. Through stimulating collagen and elastin and by decreasing sebum output, we can significantly reduce the appearance of enlarge pores by using Fancy Jasper from Beauty Journey.

Click Here to see what Beauty Journey says about Fancy Jasper Serum:

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Important Safety Information about BOTOX

This is a post from Allergan:

Please read, print and share to your friends or family members.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to temporarily improve the look of both moderate to severe crow’s feet lines and frown lines between the eyebrows in adults.

BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX® Cosmetic:

• Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months.

• Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.

The dose of BOTOX® Cosmetic is not the same as, or comparable to, any other botulinum toxin product.

There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect when BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used at the recommended dose to treat frown lines, crow's feet lines or both at the same time.

Serious and/or immediate allergic reactions have been reported. They include: itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, or dizziness or feeling faint. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you are wheezing or have asthma symptoms, or if you become dizzy or faint.

Do not take BOTOX® Cosmetic if you: are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX® Cosmetic (see Medication Guide for ingredients); had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA); have a skin infection at the planned injection site.

Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects including difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing from typical doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including: plans to have surgery; had surgery on your face; weakness of forehead muscles, such as trouble raising your eyebrows; drooping eyelids; any other abnormal facial change; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if BOTOX® Cosmetic can harm your unborn baby); are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed (it is not known if BOTOX® Cosmetic passes into breast milk).

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Using BOTOX® Cosmetic with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines until you have told your doctor that you have received BOTOX® Cosmetic in the past. Especially tell your doctor if you: have received any other botulinum toxin product in the last 4 months; have received injections of botulinum toxin, such as Myobloc®, Dysport®, or Xeomin® in the past (be sure your doctor knows exactly which product you received); have recently received an antibiotic by injection; take muscle relaxants; take an allergy or cold medicine; take a sleep medicine; take aspirin-like products or blood thinners.

Other side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic include: dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, and eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes.

For more information refer to the Medication Guide or talk with your doctor.

To report a side effect, please call Allergan at 1-800-433-8871.

Please see BOTOX® Cosmetic full Product Information including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.

© 2014 Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA 92612. ® marks owned by Allergan, Inc. Dysport is a registered trademark of Ipsen Biopharm Limited Company. Myobloc is a registered trademark of Solstice Neurosciences, Inc. Xeomin is a registered trademark of Merz Pharma GmbH & Co KGaA. APC45MQ14

Are Eye Creams a Scam?

The skin around the eye area differs vastly from the skin on the rest of your body. It is the thinnest and the most delicate, far more sensitive to pollutants, sun damage and allergens than the rest of your body.

In fact, it’s the thinnest skin on your body. And unfortunately, it gets even thinner as we age…and more dehydrated…and more irritated. You get the picture.

Periorbital dark circles have a great variety of different causes, genetics being the biggest culprit, especially those with pale thin skin which will have superficial blood vessels which results in purplish-blue hue showing.

Also, we tend to lose fat tissue and collagen as we age – causing the eyes to appear tired and hollow. Collagen supplies the firmness and tautness in young skin while elastin gives the skin its elasticity. Wearing sunscreen everyday (rain, snow or sunshine) and large sunglasses will help protect the skin’s structural integrity.

Eye creams are specially designed to be soothing to the skin by applying the proper moisture content. They should create a smoothing effect for fine lines and wrinkles and firm the skin by promoting cellular regeneration and stimulating collagen production.

Beauty Journey’s TIME REVERSAL EYE REPAIR SERUM targets concerns typically associated with chronological aging in and around the eye area. It strengthens capillaries and reactivates micro-circulation. Skin complexion becomes more even resulting in a younger and a more vibrant appearance.

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"Information is courtesy of www.thebeautyjourney.com, a website with skin care tips, products, treatments and advice from skin care expert and licensed esthetician, Kristina Trinh."