Isis Skin & Body

Banish Body Breakouts

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:39:39 +0000

Body acne is a common skin condition that shows up most commonly on the chest, back, upper arms and buttocks. Body acne can be caused from dirt and bacteria clogging pores and hair follicles on the body. Here are some tips to banish these breakouts:

- Exfoliate daily. Exfoliation helps to unclog pores and hair follicles. Using a loofah gently with an exfoliating body wash will allow your skin to renew itself and better absorb oxygen. Avoid harsh scrubs with uneven particles (like apricot scrubs) as these may cause micro-tears in the skin, making you even more prone to pimples. We like Cosmedix Body Clean which uses lactic acid to clear pores and wash away dead skin cells.

Need more help? Consider a professional exfoliating body scrub and/or a Rejuvenating Back Treatment. These will also go a long way to relax and rejuvenate you…great for reducing stress-related breakouts.

- Clear and Remodel. Retinol is still the gold standard for acne treatment and will serve as a potent exfoliant and pore-refining agent. We love Body Build by Cosmedix for visible results in no time. Body Build is available to you through a physician only, so be sure to contact us for instructions on proper use of this potent product.

- Wear 100% cotton clothing to allow skin to breath.

- Shower and/or change clothing as soon after a workout as possible. It’s also helpful to keep a medicated spray in your gym bag to prevent breakouts from forming. Try Cosmedix Purity Balance with salicylic acid, lactic acid and tea tree oil to cool and revitalize the skin.

- Become aware of other triggers that may be causing or making body acne worse like dietary changes. Cutting down on alcohol, sugar and other inflammatory substances can make a real difference in the severity of breakouts for many people. For others, hormonal changes may be the culprit. In either case, it is essential that you examine your diet and consider internal treatment in additional to topical. Nutritional supplements with proven results amongst our clients include Cosmedix Clarity Supplements and Balance Greens. Antibiotics are now obsolete in our practice thanks in large part to these highly effective, normalizing supplements.

- Be aware of special circumstances. If you have ingrown hairs, psuedofolliculitis or keratosis pilaris, these conditions can be responsible for your body breakouts. In all of these cases, while the suggestions above will help, you must address the underlying cause…the hair. Consider laser hair removal to get rid of these issues definitively.

Texas Bans Hydroquinone Dispensing by Doctors

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:07:01 +0000

Hydroquinone, a widely used ingredient in skin bleaching and fading creams, has been banned in Asia and Europe for some time due to safety concerns. Now Texas authorities are calling it an unapproved drug, and are confiscating it from physician offices.

View Article: Should Hydroquinone Be Allowed in Cosmeceuticals?

Hydroquinone is a potential carcinogen. It often causes irritation which can lead to more pigmentation. It can also over-lighten the skin, or lighten the normal skin around dark marks causing a halo effect like the one seen here. It can even lead to ochronosis, a condition which leads to a bluish-gray discoloration of the skin which is irreversible.

For the treatment of hyperpigmentation, we recommend the use of natural lighteners like L-arbutin in conjunction with other products and/or treatments to suppress melanin and lift pigmentation without the concerns of carcinogenicity and unwanted side effects.

3 Easy Changes for Clearer Skin

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:47:19 +0000

Sometimes we don’t even think about the ways that our day-to-day routine can negatively affect our skin. Here are 3 easy tips to keep your skin cleaner and healthier.

1. Wash Your Face Well at Night- Nighttime is the most important time to wash your face to remove all of the toxins and impurities that have collected on your skin throughout the day. Your skin also does most of it’s healing and regenerating while you sleep so suffocating it with makeup and grime doesn’t allow it to begin its renewal process.

2. Clean Your Cell Phone- Pressing a dirty cell phone against your skin will spread bacteria. Clean off your phone with an anti-bacterial wipe a couple of times a week.

3. Change Your Pillow Case More Often. Bacteria can quickly accumulate on your pillow case and push toxins and grime into your skin. If you can’t sleep on your back, make sure to change your pillow case at least once a week. Spraying your sheets with diluted tea tree oil is also a great natural way keep bacteria at bay.

What Is My Skin Type?

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:04:08 +0000

Skin can generally be categorized into four main groups: dry, normal/combo, oily and sensitive. Determining your skin type will help you choose the right products and skin care regimen to make your skin look and feel its best.

First, take a look at the size of your pores. Pores are very small on dry skin while, on normal/combo and sensitive skin, pores go from smaller to larger around the nose area. Pore size on oily skin tends to be large all over.

Next, examine your skin without makeup by midday. Dry and sensitive skin may feel tight or look flaky. Sensitive skin may also start looking red and irritated. Normal skin may look slightly shiny around the forehead and nose, while oily skin may look shiny all over.

Need help determining your skin type or the best treatment regimen to care for your complexion? At Isis, we will perform a complementary skin analysis at your consultation! Contact us to schedule your free consultation today.

Am I a candidate for Laser Hair Removal?

admin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:42:39 +0000

Laser hair removal targets pigment in the hair follicle. As long as you have hair with some pigment (not white, light red or true blonde), you are a candidate for laser hair removal. However, depending on your skin tone, certain lasers may not be safe for you. If you are darker-skinned (type IV through type VI – see below), not all lasers will be safe or appropriate for you. For a free laser hair removal analysis by email that is personally reviewed and responded to by our staff, click here.

Here is an abbreviated version of the skin typing tool we use to determine your skin type:

TYPE I: Highly sensitive, always burns, never tans. Light hair, light eyes. TYPE II: Very sun sensitive, burns easily, tans minimally.
TYPE III: Sun sensitive skin, sometimes burns, slowly tans to light brown.
TYPE IV: Minimally sun sensitive, burns minimally, always tans to moderate brown.
TYPE V: Sun-insensitive skin, rarely burns, tans easily.
TYPE VI: Sun-insensitive, never burns, deeply pigmented.

If you are a type IV to type VI, not all lasers are safe for you. In most cases, the Nd:Yag laser will need to be used (particularly for Type V and VI). The risks of being treated with an inappropriate laser include burns to the skin. We have also seen cases where the settings were turned down low enough not to cause burns, but so low that they were not effective for hair removal. As you are investigating the best laser hair removal establishment for you, inquire about the laser types they use, and also their experience treating your skin tone.

At Isis, we utilize an Nd:Yag laser, the Coolglide, as well as the Prowave 770. Each has its advantages and we sometimes may use both on the same person. Please contact us with any questions you have or to set up your free consultation.

It’s Still Sunny…don’t forget to protect your skin!

admin — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 23:12:35 +0000

Keep Skin Looking Young: Prevention is the key

Protecting your skin from the sun is not just for skin cancer prevention. No matter what your skin tone, minimizing sun exposure also means less fine lines, discoloration, uneven texture and broken capillaries. Sunscreen alone typically does not provide enough protection. Here are nine basic steps you can take to keep your skin healthy and looking young!

Sun Safety Basics:

Avoid outdoor exposure during peak hours (10am to 4pm).
Wear a hat with at least a 4 inch brim to protect the face and neck.
Wear sunblock even below clothing when you plan to be out in the sun (an average t-shirt has an SPF of about 4!)
If you drive a lot, the left side of your face, chest and left arm are at increased risk. UVA rays do pass through glass, so use the same precautions you would when spending the day outdoors.
Wear sunglasses that provide both UVA and UVB protection.
Wear protective clothing (the tighter the weave, the better).
Wear sunscreen with adequate SPF (see details below).
Wear clothing with Ultraviolet Protection Factor. Isis carries a wide range of hats, sunglasses and scarves with UPF built in.
If you have children, set an example! Make sun protection fun and they will grow to love their sunglasses and hats!

Click here to learn more about the controversy around sunscreen and sunblock ingredients so you can make an informed decision about the best choices for you!

Contact us if you have questions, need help selecting the best sunblock for you, or would like to browse our selection of sun-smart hats, sunglasses and scarves!

Today’s Isis Deal of the Day

admin — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:28:16 +0000

Buy a $50 Gift Card and get a $10 Gift Card for Free! Or get a $100 Gift Card and get a $20 Gift Card for Free! Exclusive offers like these are emailed out about twice a week to Isis Deal of the Day members. Sign up for free today and don’t miss any more exclusives like these!

Yummy Antioxidants for Your Skin!

admin — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 10:11:49 +0000

Isis Skin & Body is featured today on Plum District for a Blueberry Smoothie or Pomegranate Peel. Blueberries and Pomegranate, packed with antioxidants, are healthy for you inside or out! The Blueberry smoothie is an intensely hydrating treatment, perfect for a first-time peel. The Pomegranate Peel is a little stronger, clarifying the skin and lifting away dead skin and scale. Both will leave you rejuvenated and glowing! This makes a great gift too! Contact us if you have any questions.

Another reason we don’t perform Botox:

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:45:01 +0000

“…Recent evidence suggests that the use of Botox decreases one’s ability to empathize with others. Users of Botox were discovered by USC and Duke University researchers to have a diminished capacity to read the emotions of others. This seems to be because we naturally mimic others’ expressions which helps us to decode their meaning. Since users of Botox are unable to use all of their facial muscles to make expressions, their ability to mimic, perceive and therefore empathize with another person’s emotions is significantly diminished. And, of course, since their ability to display emotion through facial expression is also impaired, this may lead to a perception of indifference as well…”
Read the full article “Botox: What You Need To Know“: