My Personal Story
It’s a new year and I’ve set many goals for myself. My first professional goal is to really narrow down and be able to help a special group of people. This does not exclude anyone or any type of skin care because I love it all. However, my passion is truly in helping those plagued by acne; teens and 20-somethings.
Around 13 years old, my skin started breaking out! Oh joy! Just in time to start high-school. As if there isn’t enough stress in starting a new school! New kids, new teachers, finding your away amongst the big kids, wanting to fit in and make new friends, and the list goes on. Lots of stress on top of new hormones. It all seems relative now that I’m older, but at that time of your life, it can be a lot to deal with.
Having these new found ‘things’ on my face, all I wanted was the quickest and easiest way to get rid of them. Thanks to great parents, they were on top of helping me clear up my skin. I tried everything from over the counter products to seeing a dermatolgist. I tried all of the following anti-biotics: Erythromycin, Tetracycline, Minocycline, Doxycycline, Clindamycin, and Accutane. Some of these helped, others didn’t. It was a frustrating process trying to figure out what was working as well as trying to have patience as your skin often got worse before it got better. Some of the medications you had to take with food or without food. Almost all of these anti-biotics make you more sensitive to the sun which didn’t help me either being a fair and freckled kid. So what does one do? Hiding for 10 years definitely wasn’t the answer.
For me, my face cleared due to a number of things. Oral antibiotics and topical treatments as well as using moisturizer and wearing sunscreen. I used the PCA Skin line religiously and did monthly peels to combat the more aggressive acne. Patience with myself and my skin was something I was forced to learn. I’m now 31 years old and still using this line (although adding in more products for aging!). Some other tips are to NEVER sleep with your make-up on, wash your pillow cases often, keep your cell phone clean, don’t touch your face or rest your face on your hands, and don’t get sunburned.
I also have to say there is definitely a pyschological component to having acne. I’ve seen people get depressed, have a lower self-esteem, and withdraw from social situations. To this day, I am thankful that I played volleyball year round to keep me busy or maybe this would have bothered me more. However, I’m not saying there weren’t days I would cry because my skin was cracking from treatments or breaking out…AGAIN!
If you are reading this, and have felt any of the above feelings, please contact me. I’d love to help you through any of these unpleasant feelings in your life and clear up your skin. My personal experience with acne has been the catalyst to me having a career in skin care…and ultimately having a passion for treating acne. Remember that this will not last forever. It’s important to stay on top of acne and be very consistent about taking care of your skin every day. You deserve to have great skin and will! Start today. It’s never too late and don’t forget just how beautiful and special you are!
Warmly,
Colleen, colleen@skincarebycolleen.com, 813.504.9134
Rosacea: What is it and what can you do?
Rosacea, as defined by the National Rosacea Society, is a “chronic and potentially life-disruptive disorder primarily of the facial skin, often characterized by flare-ups and remissions.”
There are theories as to how one gets rosacea. Some articles mention the possibility of everything from genetics, sun damage, immune issues, digestive issues, to name a few. It does not appear that professionals are in agreement to the exact cause of this skin condition.
Rosacea can be identified by a few physical signs. These signs may be flushing and facial redness. Often the redness stays present longer than the quick feeling of blushing from embarrassment. Bumps and pimples not orginating from blackheads, and also visible blood vessels, are among the other signs.
What are the triggers of Rosacea? Throughout my reading, some of the most common triggers mentioned are: extreme weather changes, wind, alcohol, exercise, sun exposure, spicy foods, and digestive problems.
Although there is no cure for Rosacea, you can most certainly treat the symptoms. There are three main factors a Rosacea product should address: 1) Calming 2) Dermis rebuilding 3) Barrier Restoration (www.osmosisskincare.com). Avoid any acid treatments or other harsh exfoliating treatments or products. The skin of rosacea clients is often very dry. This may be due to the fact that the epidermis is starving as it uses up the antioxidants, lipids, protein and enzymes (in the skin) quicker than normal skin. Furthermore, the starvation causes a decrease in barrier function, thinning of the epidermis and dermis. All the while, the skin is still fighting the inflammation. The thinning dermis allows the capillaries/blood vessesl to become more noticeable. This being said, again it is that important to find a product that calms, rebuilds, and restores. Osmosis has two products that treat rosacea; Mend & Calm.
If you would like further information on rosacea, visit www.rosacea.org or www.osmosisskincare.com to read in further detail about this skin condition. Skin Care by Colleen uses Osmosis products specifically designed for rosacea treatment.
Do You Know What’s in Your Skin Care Products?
My best advice is to consult a professional and/or buy a Cosmetic Ingredient book if you have questions about products. My cosmetic ingredient dictionary was one of my best purchases. Do not let yourself be fooled by companies spending a lot of marketing money. Good products do not need to come in a pretty jar, with an heart-warming saying, or be a brand name in a department store. The health and beauty industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Some companies prey on women who will buy a product based on the above marketing strategies just mentioned and more. It’s an emotional purchase rather than one based on the effectiveness and knowledge of a product.
Other things to watch out for…..
Every product is going to be ‘tested in a lab’ or ‘doctor recommended’. Don’t be foold by terms such as those.
Product order on ingredient labels
The first product listed on the ingredient label is the highest concentrated ingredient in the product. The last ingredient listed makes up less than 2% of the product. So, make sure an important ingredient like Vitamin C is not the last ingredient listed. Companies can make that claim of having the Vitamin C as long as the ingredient is in the product (but it could be less than 2%!). Do your research on how much of that effective ingredient is in the product you’re about to buy and use. Your main ingredient very well could just be water!
My last word of advice is to not be afraid of products that are not organic. There is no current FDA ruling on what classifies a product as “organic”. A lot of organic products are chemically altered because natural ingredients are not stable unless mixed with other ingredients in a lab. Watch out for “organic” because you could be spending more money for that term.
There are many wonderful and effective ingredients out there! I’m not trying to scare you about your purchases. I encourage you to ask what the product ingredients are and make your own decision, separate of what you see in ads or hear from the sales woman behind the counter. Educate yourself ladies and you will make a great investment in your skin’s future!
Prevent Wrinkles and Sun Damage
Prevent wrinkles, sun damage, and cancer! Wear your sunscreen daily, especially if you live in FL. There are three types of ultraviolet (UV) rays: UVA,UVB, and UVC. UVC is the worst but does not penetrate into Earth’s atmosphere. UVB (burning rays) cause sunburn, blistering, skin cancer, and are 500-800 times stronger than UVA rays. (Most sun damage is a result of normal sunlight exposure obtained through daily activities.) Get yourself a nice broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks out UVA & UVB rays. Don’t avoid the sun, just be protected to prevent skin damage now and in the future when the signs will be visible.
