Perfect Your Eyebrows!

    Eyebrow grooming is one of the most important steps that go into making you look great. A well-shaped set of eyebrows can completely alter your look. Take you to the levels of chic and sophisticated from unkempt and primal. A different brow shape also means a different permanent expression, and a good shape implies a good permanent expression. Many people overlook the fundamentals and importance of well-groomed eyebrows and consequently 
lessen the impact of their total look. Don't be an Eyebrow victim! 

   The best way to get the perfect eyebrows for your face shape is to have your brows shaped by the expert estheticians at Plush Medical Spa. We'll shape your brows perfectly every time for only $15. We also perform eyebrow ($15) and eyelash ($20) tinting. Tint lasts 2 weeks and comes in several colors, allowing you to have amazing looking lashes and eyebrows even when you're not wearing makeup! For a complete list of Plush's services Visit Our Services page at www.plushmedspa.com. 
     
     Plush also carries the full line of Jane Iredale cosmetics, including all the brow powders, gels, waxes, pencils, brushes, spoolies, and kits discussed below! You'll need some of these to maintain your perfect brows at home.
     For those that insist on grooming their eyebrows themselves from the get-go, we have the following helpful tips...

FIND YOUR PERFECT BROW SHAPE

     Eyebrows can change the entire look of your face, depending on the shape, width, color and length. The best guideline for do-it-yourself maintenance is to stick with the shape you were born with. Although eyebrow trends can range from thin to thick to nearly nonexistent, it’s best to keep these varying looks for the fashion runways.

     Using an eyebrow brush or spoolie (looks like the end of a mascara wand), brush eyebrows upward and out. Carefully trim any stray hairs with a scissor. Brush hairs back into place. 

     For shape, the eyebrows should start where the inner corner of your eye starts. Hold a pencil vertically against the nose to the inner corner of the eye. Where the pencil hits the eyebrow is where your brow should start. Tweeze any hairs that lay inside of that area, and also in between the brows.

     Next, determine the highest point of your arch. Using the pencil, hold it diagonally against your nostril and “connect” it to the outer edge of the iris, or the colored part of the eye. Where the pencil touches your brow is where the highest point of the arch should be. Pluck from the bottom edge to create your shape.

     Finally, use the same pencil trick again and hold it from your nostril to the outer edge of the eye. The point where the brow touches the pencil is where the brow should end.

     Remember to tweeze sparingly, and stop after a few hairs to inspect your work. A couple of hairs here and there can make a huge difference, and you want to make sure your brows are still even. Don’t tweeze from the bulk of the hair, which could result in uneven patches.

     If you need to fill in your brows, choose a pencil or powder closest to your natural hair color. For fair blondes, choose a color that is slightly darker than your natural color. If you are using an eyebrow pencil, draw light, feathery strokes in the direction of the hair. However, the preferred method is to use a powder and a small, stiff and slanted eyebrow brush. Dip the brush in the powder and fill in the brows starting from the inner corner working outward. 

     We highly recommend Jane Iredale's Brow Kits! They come Blonde or Brunette varieties with 3 shades of brow powder to best match your brow color, a brow wax, an angled brow wax brush, a small metal tweezer and a double-ended angled brow brush and spoolie! Or try the smaller Bitty Brow Kits (pictured left) in Blonde or Brunette. They come with a single brow wax and brow powder with a 2 small angled brow brushes and a small spoolie brush.  AWESOME!

Save the Brows!

     Overzealous tweezing can lead to emaciated brows and bald patches, where hair only grows back irregularly. Use a protein-spiked brow gel to stimulate healthy growth and brow fillers to shade in problem areas. Full brows have been spotted on all the runways and are the hottest trend right now. 

Here are some solutions for common brow problems:

1. BUSHY BROWS

The Plan
Trim and shape hairs while lengthening the brow. Use a brow pencil to fortify and extend brows at ends.

The Tools
Eyebrow pencil, eyebrow brush, mini scissors and slanted tweezer 
How to Groom
1. Brush all hairs upward with an eyebrow grooming brush or dry toothbrush, then use tiny scissors to trim any tips that stick out.
2. Using a slanted tweezer, pluck strays from beneath your brow to help elongate and slim the face. Grab hairs at the base to avoid painful tugging. Follow the natural curve of your eyebrow.
3. Sharpen the shape: Your eyebrow should arch at a spot above the outer edge of your iris. Carefully remove only the stray hairs below the peak—never dig into its middle. For unruly brow hairs, use a brow gel to set your look. At Plush, we love Jane Iredale's Brow Fix & Mascara. (pictured at right), a clear gel in a double-ended tube with a comb at one end and a mascara brush at the other. Use to hold unruly brows in shape or as a mascara for dyed or dark lashes.


2. OVERPLUCKED
The Plan
Fill in overplucked areas. Focus on the uppermost part of brows to create a natural eye-lift effect.
The Tools
Eyebrow stencil, eyebrow pencil and mini scissors 
How to Groom
1. Use an eyebrow stencil to shape an arch with a brow pencil or powder, applying color in small, upward strokes. Press lightly to avoid a drawn-on look, and keep stepping back from the mirror to check your work.
2. Superskinny brows may still have areas to trim. Cut the spiky innermost part of the brow (closest to the nose) to make an even line. Keep up with this technique while growing brows out, too.

3. BARELY THERE
The Plan
Deepen sparse or light-colored brows to frame the face.
The Tools
Angled brush, eyebrow powder and eyebrow gel 

How to Groom
1. For a natural look that doesn’t seem drawn on, dip an angled brush—it helps with precision—in a powder shade that closely matches your hair color (for superlight hair, you can go one shade darker). Apply it over the existing hairs to better define brows, then continue to fill in any gaps in the shape.
2. Highlight your work with a clear brow gel or cream. We think the best one is Jane Iredale's PureBrow Gel (pictured below). It's colors are ideal for tinting brow hairs the natural way. Formulated with a blend of high-tech sea minerals that condition and protect brow hairs, the gels will make your brows smoother, healthier and more manageable. They also hide gray and will even do double-duty as a light mascara.     

For more info or to schedule an appointment, 

Call us at Plush Medical Spa!

Monday through Saturday 9a-7p

334-702-6869

Clarisonic's NEW Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head

The NEW Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head from Clarisonic is great for cleansing oily skin, skin with large pores, or for those who want to target hard to reach areas of the face like the crevasses around the nose. This new Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head can be used on the Clarisonic Pro, Clarisonic Classic or Clarisonic Mia Skin Care Brush to provide deep, thorough cleansing with noticeable improvement.

Unique bristle and movement design of Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head ensures even deeper cleansing!

The Clarisonic Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head has been designed with a unique graduation of bristle firmness and dual-action movement. It has THREE sets of dual inner rings that oscillate in counter-rotation. The outer rings of the brush head bristles become gradually firmer toward the center of the brush head to provide thorough cleansing of the hard to reach areas of your face. The Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Heads provides even deeper cleansing than the regular Clarisonic Skin Care Brush Head (available in normal, sensitive, or delicate) and is safe to use daily up to two times a day.


This 14 sec video shows the THREE sets of oscillating inner rings (compared to 2 in the other brush heads) in slow-motion:

Watch large pores become clearer and smaller

Using the Clarisonic PRO Skin Care system (available in Pink, Grey orWhite) for facial cleansing has been proven to be two times more effective than manual cleansing and is more effective at removing casual sebum. This sonic cleansing is more than 6 times better at removing mineral makeup than manual cleansing. 

Sonic cleansing is able to get the makeup that tends to get trapped in the fine lines and pores out. Deep cleansing helps to remove daily dirt, pollution, makeup, and sebum that settles in and clogs your pores or other depressions in your face. It you tend to be acne prone, you should see a difference in the number of blemishes and severity of your breakouts. In one study, 70% of patients reported an improvement in the appearance of their blemish prone skin, 68% reported an improvement in pore size.

Improve the overall appearance of your skin

Using the Clarisonic Skincare Brush with the new Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head or other brush heads can help improve the appearance of large pores, skin tone, texture, skin elasticity and firmness. Clarisonic cleansing is gentle and safe for daily use without disruption to the skin barrier.

For more information about Clarisonic the skincare brush, the various brush heads or facial cleansers, please call Plush Medical Spa at 334-702-6869 Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time.

Click here it read more about the 4-speed Clarisonic PRO system.

Click here to visit Plush Medical Spa's Webpage!

The Benefits of Massage

How is Massage beneficial?

   Therapeutic massage has been used for thousands of years in many different forms. Massage therapy not only addresses the physical needs of a person, but also their mental and emotional needs and wants in order to help the person feel relief from physical injuries, get rid of daily stress or help them maintain good health in general. Here is a brief list of the main benefits of massage:

1. Massage relieves pain.

   Doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists understand that one of the benefits of massage is the pain relief it can provide. In the hands of a skilled masseuse working under clinical conditions, someone suffering from chronic pain or certain types of injury can experience immediate, partial, or temporary relief. Check with your doctor if you have chronic pain or discomfort about benefits of massage. 

2. Massage eases tension.

   Physical tension caused by standing at your job all day or carrying 20 bags of junk out of the basement can be relieved by getting a massage to relax those worn muscles and limbs. If you can’t afford a weekly massage, opt for a special spa day package after a demanding workout when you can splurge and get the works, including a full body massage. You’ll feel so good afterwards that you won’t put off cleaning the basement so long the next time. 

3. Massage speeds recovery time and eases inflamed muscles.
   Massage can shorten recovery time and breakdown adhesions in injured and overused muscles. Massage improves circulation and can speed removal of toxins and lactic acid deposits. If you play sports, chances are there will be times when you overdo it or perhaps pull a muscle that has not warmed up property. Consider getting a massage to ease the tension and soreness of limbs damaged by sports-related injuries. Check with the doctor and let the masseuse know before getting a massage if you have a muscle injury.

4. Massage is good for your heart.

   For many people, massage can lower blood pressure and pulse rates to contribute to improved cardiovascular health.

Whether you’re feeling sluggish, have been doing too much deskwork, or don’t get enough excercise,  massage can help to stimulate your body tissues and improve circulatory flow. Of course, if you have medical circulation problems or are on blood thinning medications, ask your doctor about getting a massage.

5. Massage reduces stress.

   Massage has been shown to lower cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is detrimental to your health if chronically elevated. A whole-body massage can relax those stiff muscles that may be causing tension headaches. It can help to free your mind of stressful events or difficult emotions, at least temporarily. Having a massage puts the focus on you and the present, taking it from problems and the past or future. You can escape challenges and problems by languishing in the care of a trained masseuse whose firm hands will roll the tension right out of your body

6. Massage enhances your mood.

   Massage causes the release of dopamine and serotonin, powerful brain neurotransmitters known to cause improved mood and lessen depressive symptoms. With feel-good endorphins into your system, massage creates a sense of well being that can make anyone feel better. It’s hard to stay in a bad mood when a professional masseuse is stroking your body in a way that releases natural substances from the brain that evoke a pleasurable response. Plus, just getting away from the hectic pace of everyday life and enjoying a personal indungence can give you a calmer, happier frame of mind.

   Our LMTs carefully customize the right massage treatment to best fit your needs. Great care and special attention are given to everyone, particularly those with injuries, ailments, the elderly and pregnant women, to see to it that they are comfortable and cared for properly and safely.

   A 1-hour (60 min) massage therapy session consists of 5 minutes of therapist consultation, 50 minutes of hands-on massage, and 5 minutes of dressing time. We offer massages from 10 minutes to 2 hours in length.

•  Swedish - The Classic massage
•  Deep Tissue - Firm pressure and trigger point 
•  Couples - 2 clients, 2 tables, 2 therapists, 1 room, Swedish or Deep Tissue
•  Hot Stone - Heated stones are used for massage  

For current prices, click here to view Our Services

on PlushMedSpa.com!

   Plush Medical Spa employs only professionally-trained  Alabama-Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs) who meet all state and local requirements. To protect both client and therapists, no inappropriate behavior will be tolerated. Our therapists are held to higher standards of practice than required by some state or local laws.

Massage Therapist performs & discusses massage on Plush Tonight!:

Click here to see a full list of Plush Medical Spa's staff, Including our massage therapists:.

"Waxing" with Nufree

     Plush Medical Spa uses Nufree "wax" for hair removal. What is Nufree, and why is it so special?
      Nufree is an anti-microbial, wax-free, sugar-free, 100% botanical hair removal product that is gentle & extremely effective.
     Developed over 30 years ago to remove hair from a patient before plastic surgery, nothing is more effective & safe than Nufree. Nufree is the ” gold standard” in hair removal and is safe for removing hair from over 98% of the body.

      Nufree is a thick liquid product that joins with hair oils, NOT the skin. Because Nufree is not a wax it never sticks to the skin, so clients do not experience as much pain, redness or swelling associated with traditional wax treatments. Just silky-smooth skin. Nufree actually uproots the entire bulb and hair shaft and does not break the hair off the way depilatories and waxes often do. Nufree is soft at room temperature, so no HOT wax required. We warm Nufree to make it easier to spread and more comfortable for you. Nufree is the only one antimicrobial, non-wax hair removal system in the world!

HAIR REMOVAL
     Any part of the body can be treated with Nufree, including eyebrows, face, bikini area, legs, arms, back, abdomen and feet; and it was clinically developed for sensitive skin.
     Bikini hair removal, or pubic depilation, is the safe removal of body hair in and around the pubic area. Originally meant to prevent the pubic hair from being visible around the edges of a bikini or swimsuit, it now often includes areas covered by bikinis. At Plush, an extended bikini wax within the areas covered by a bikini is called a "Bikini Plus."A Brazilian is the complete removal of hair from the all non-mucosal areas, front to back. It is best to avoid bikini hair removal during your menstrual period, as the sensation of pain tends to be heightened. Ideally Nufree bikini hair removal should be done every three to four weeks, all year round. Hair will become noticeably thinner and will grow more slowly leading to less frequent treatments. As general rule of thumb hair needs to be a quarter-inch long if it’s fine and half-inch long if it’s coarse. For current prices on these services, check out Our Services page at PlushMedSpa.com.

To avoid cross contamination while carrying out hair removal services, we use a new spatula each time we make contact with your skin. We never double-dip!

FINIPIL

     After hair is removed, Finipil cream is applied to cool, soothe and protect the skin. Patented antibacterial and antimicrobial Finipil cream protects against ingrown hairs and bacteria.  The certified formula destroys 99.99% of all bacteria like staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa and E.coli, as well as fungi-yeast like aspergillus niger, candida albicans. When used daily, it lengthens the time between hair removal treatments and helps to slow the hair regrowth.

• Finipil slows the development of new hair cells when used in conjunction with Nufree.
• Finipil cools by dropping the temperature of the empty follicle, lessening swelling due to water retention, hot showers or aerobic workouts.
• Finipil should be used daily on damp skin after showering or bathing to activate it. This keeps the skin sanitary and the follicles clean and free of foreign matter.
• Finipil protects against ingrowns and rids the area of old ingrown hairs caused by waxing, shaving at home, and hard water.

Stay Clear of Bikini Bumps!

• Exfoliate LIGHTLY exfoliate skin before waxing. This helps rid the follicle of oil and debris. The waxing may bring this oil and debris to the surface, but now the skin is more vulnerable and can cause it to become irritated. 
• Apply some heat by taking a warm, not hot shower or bath, or applying a warm compress right before waxing will open up the skin’s pores and soften the skin, allowing the hair follicles to come out easier. This not only helps with the pain factor, but helps prevent irritation.
• Fight the bump. Several days before waxing, start using Finipil to help keep bumps from appearing. Continue to apply product daily for at least 3 days after waxing. Hydrocortisone cream is another option that most people have in their cabinet which will help soothe irritation and any itchiness.
• Avoid heat & moisture after hair removal by wearing loose-fitting clothing, cotton underwear and staying cool for 48 hours. Microbes flourish in moist, warm spaces. Bacteria and the inflammation they cause in the empty hair follicle, are a major cause of the dreaded "red bumps." You can shower & swim as usual.
• Stick with it. Usually waxing bumps lessen over time as your skin adjusts if you continue to wax somewhat frequently.

For more information on Nufree hair removal at Plush Medical Spa

Or to schedule appointment, call us at 

334-702-6869

9am - 7pm 

Monday - Saturday

~ TANTASIA Sunless Tanner ~ New, revolutionary self-tanner!

Do you want a sunless tanner that...

•        Doesn’t streak or leave you with an orange glow?
•        Has natural ingredients & antioxidants?
•        Builds to a natural looking tan in 3 days?
•        Is sensitivity tested for use on your face and body?
•        Stimulates your melanin production without the sun?
•        Provides natural hydration to your skin?
•        Makes your skin feel like silk?
•        Doesn't have the unpleasant smell other tanners have?
•        Doesn't stain your pillows, towels, or clothing?
•        Is formulated by Jane Iredale, whose makeup is known in the mineral makeup industry as The Skincare Makeup?

Jane Iredale’s Tantasia Self Tanner is the product you’ve been looking for! 

     Like all Jane Iredale products, Tantasia uses ingredients that you expect from the best skin care products. It builds a perfect color that lasts much longer than most self tanners, because it is actually your own tan! The unique ingredients in Tantasia work with your own cells and melanin to produce a tan that is yours alone. Jane Iredale Tantasia features a buildable, moisturising formula that suits all skin types, producing a tan that suits every skin tone. It contains wheat protein to provide skin with hydration and vegetable-sourced natural silicone to leave skin silky and smooth. The tan builds evenly and gradually with a light fragrance that ensures no after-smell. You’ll actually like the fresh citrus scent! 

     Apply Tantasia once a day for 3 days, and watch the color develop! When you have enough tan (does that ever happen?), enjoy your new color. Then simply touch up when you see the color fading.

No Streak & No Stink!

Available NOW at Plush Medical Spa,

Come in and try our testers!

~Click here to visit our website~

FREE !

Jane Iredale Dreamweaver Bling Coin Purse

With any Tantasia purchase!

A $12 value, FREE while supplies last!

(picture above with Tantasia sample inside)

Thermage CPT Skin Tightening

Plush Medical Spa is excited to be Dothan's exclusive provider for

Thermage CPT skin tightening treatments!

    Thermage is the only non-invasive procedure that helps tighten and contour your skin in a single treatment—with no surgery, no injections, and no downtime. Instead,    Thermage uses unique radiofrequency (RF) technology to safely heat the deep layers of your skin, while cooling the surface of your skin to keep it intact during the procedure.This deep heating stimulates your body's natural skin renewal process, which helps tighten existing collagen and form new collagen. Over time, sagging or wrinkled skin is replaced with smoother, tighter skin; improved tone and texture; and an overall younger looking appearance.

   Thermage can be used to rejuvenate several areas of your body, including your face, stomach, knees, arms, legs or buttocks. Thermage was originally used to tighten facial skin, smooth wrinkles and improve facial contours without incisions or downtime. The procedure is often a good option for people who don't want a full facelift, and for those who worry that an injectable filler like Restylane, Juvederm or Radiesse won't have results lasting long enough.

   When applied to the face, Thermage can lift sagging eyebrows, increase the prominence of cheekbones, and redefine the jawline. Additionally, Thermage can tighten wrinkled facial skin, improve the appearance of double chins and turkey necks, stretched-out tummies, saggy knees, waving underarms, and the signs of aging on the hands.

What is different about Thermage CPT?

    The new Thermage CPT System represents a leap forward in skin tightening and contouring technology. Superior results and greater patient comfort are at the core of the new system, which leverages our proprietary Comfort Pulse Technology™ and a vibrating handpiece for more comfortable treatments. This next generation Thermage CPT is MUCH less painful than previous Thermage units, providing optimal comfort while delivering the maximum energy possible.

The Procedure

    Thermage is typically performed in a doctor's office and takes about an hour, depending on the size and condition of the treatment area. The Thermage CPT is applied to your skin and you feel warmth. The experience is often described as a deep heating or mild pinching sensation, but the new vibrating hand piece has led to significantly less discomfort.

   Thermage delivers radio frequency energy to heat collagen, a structural protein located in the deep layers of the skin. Thermage helps build and contract collagen, which in turn tightens the appearance of the skin's surface. During each pulse, the outer layer of the skin is cooled while the deeper layers of skin and fat are heated to induce collagen tightening. Each energy pulse takes two to seven seconds. The entire face may require 400 to 600 pulses, and the stomach area may require 400 pulses. The amount of pulses for other treatment areas varies.
   After the procedure, you can go right back to work or your regular routine with absolutely no downtime!

The Results

  Thermage results may be apparent after just one procedure. In fact, some women who have undergone body contouring around their love handles with Thermage have lost 1.5 inches of girth around their abdomen immediately after one treatment.The skin tightens during the initial process and continues to tighten for three to six months afterward. The procedure also stimulates your body's healing process, which produces more natural collagen over time. That means pictures are important, since over time we forget just how different we looked before Thernage.

Best Candidates for Thermage

   Thermage may work best for people who require a few millimeters of facial tightening, compared with the 1 or more centimeters offered in a brow lift.

   Body contouring candidates include those who have lax skin in the lower abdomen, such as women who have had children. Women with flabby upper arms, inner thighs and buttocks are also candidates for Thermage.

Thermage Side Effects
   Thermage side effects are rare, but can include swelling, redness, blisters, peeling, bumps or dimpling. If a side effect occurs, it usually goes away within a few days to a few weeks.
Pricing
   Plush Medical Spa is offering introductory pricing on Thermage CPT - so low we can't advertise it! Call 334-702-6869 to schedule your free consultation with Dr Bell.

PICTURES, VIDEOS & PHYSICIAN REVIEWS

 

Here are a few Plush patient pictures:

Watch a Thermage video! More before/after videos at the bottom of this post!

Physician Reviews of Thermage

By Grant Stevens, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

The newer Thermage CPT has much more consistent results then the old Thermage.  The old Thermage energy distribution was different, the hand pieces and sizes of the tips have changed and vibration mechanisms have been added.  Patient comfort is high, virtually painless, and results are consistently good to great.  We are thrilled with what Thermage CPT has done for our patients.  Thermage is the best non-surgical skin care device out there at this time. 

By Grace Liu, MD - Newport Beach Dermatologic surgeon

With the new Thermage CPT upgrade, the results are consistently much better an the older machines. I think one of te most important factors is appropriate patient selection. If a patient has too much laxity that would be better addressed with a facelift then I will refer the patient to plastics. One of the interesting things I have noticed in our diverse patient populations is that Asian, mediterranean, and Latino skin types seem to be slam dunk consistently repeat great results.

By Jordana Gilman, MD - New York Dermatologic surgeon

Thermage is a non-surgical skin tightening treatment that provides subtle skin tightening and contouring.  It absolutely works, but it isn't surgery so no one should expect the same results as with surgery.  Anyone who expects dramatic skin tightening is going to be disappointed.  People choose Thermage because they want skin tightening without the risks of surgery, without the downtime, and without anyone knowing they have had anything done.  They also choose Thermage to postpone or prevent the need for surgery, or to maintain their surgical results.

Thermage CPT is different from previous versions of Thermage.  There is more cooling of the skin surface and more energy delivered with each pulse.  More energy means a more effective treatment.  There is also vibration with each pulse, and between the vibration and the increased cooling the treatment is quite comfortable.  Patients do not need any pain medication and report that the treatments do not hurt.  Thermage CPT gives a more comfortable, more effective treatment.

Winter Skin Rejuvenation!

The winter is a challenging time for your skin. Cold, wind, temperature changes, and central heating all cause damage. But with the right routine and the best tools you can prevent the dreaded flaky skin and chapped lips that characterize most people’s winter faces.  Here are some tips on how to improve your skin this winter:

Amp up your regimen!

If you are not already using a prescription skincare line, wintertime is the best time to start. At Plush, our Licensed Estheticians have training in all areas of skincare, including extended training in the Obagi Medical Skin Systems. Along with Dr Bell they can customize a medical-grade routine for you whether your focus is anti-aging (dark/age spots and wrinkles), acne, rosacea or anything in between. Make an appointment for a free skin care consultation at Plush, and we can answer all of your questions.

Winter is the right time to renew your skin, because we tend to get much less sun exposure in the winter months. This is the ideal time increase your usage of Retin-A (tretinoin) or up the concentration of your current tretinoin cream or gel.  Dr Bell dispenses Retin-A micro at Plush. We offer a price that the chain drugstores can't beat and save you the trip to the pharmacy. 

The 1st 1-3 months on any retinoid is a challenge for most, with new skin production causing flaking of dead skin, and overuse in sensitive areas potentially causing tender redness. If irritation occurs, stop using it for a few days, then start back more conservatively, perhaps mixing your Retin-A with moisturizer. For those with sensitive skin, use Retin-A every other night, at the 0.04% concentration. Use it very sparingly around the eyes and mouth to avoid irritation. After this transition period is over, you will most likely be able to use Retin-A every day without difficulty. Retin-A can make the biggest anti-aging difference in your skin, more than any other product or regimen.

Exfoliate & Renew
Flaky, dry skin is dead skin that should be removed to achieve a smooth appearance. Medical microdermabrasion and chemical peels are the best way to remove the outer epidermal layers, and winter is, once again, the best time to have these procedures. Removing excess epidermis is important for evening skin texture and tone as well as shrinking those pores! Sun protection (SPF) is very important after chemical peels and while using Retin-A because new skin is very vulnerable to developing hyperpigmentation (dark spots).  You can't skip the SPF, even in the winter, if you want to maintain youthful skin.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Moisturizing in the winter months is one of the best things you can do for your skin. It’s really important that you moisturize when the weather is cold to help keep your skin soft and chap-free. Applying body lotion after a bath will protect from loss of natural oils and keep your skin protected. Leave your moisturizer on your face longer than usual to keep the skin as soft and hydrated as possible.

Protect your lips

The skin on your lips is thinner than the skin on the rest of your face, so it's particularly susceptible to damage in the cold. Dry, chapped lips can be sore and look unsightly, so it’s important that you protect your lips whenever you go out. We recommend Jane Iredale Lip Drink to protect lips in the winter. Or even better, exfoliate (with brown suger!) then plump while moisturizing with Jane Iredale's double-ended Sugar & Butter pictured here! Awesome!

Switch from bath to shower 
Long hot baths may feel fantastic, but they aren’t good for your skin. Hot baths strip your skin of their natural oils leaving your skin extremely dry.  Ideally the water should be luke-warm every time you bathe, though if you do prefer to have a hot bath, try and cut them down to two to three times a week rather than every day. If you just can’t give up your hot baths, try a bath cream that contains a deep moisturizer.