More TIPs for Summer Skin Care:

Summer is here! We all need to make some changes in our routines to help maintain and protect our skin for this hottest of seasons. The first and foremost direct action we can take, living in the climate that we do, is to make the effort to protect our skin by using a sun screen or sun block daily. This is factually the most important thing we can do to help prevent hyper-pigmentation, reduce the risk of skin cancer, delay over-all aging and help prevent wrinkles and general sun damage.

Presently, there are some really great organic sun-protecting products out there. The best one that I have come across, and the one our Master Esthetician endorses, is a product made by IMAGE. This is the best

totally organic product for sun-screen and contains the perfect amount of zinc. Others that are also very good are a product made by DNA and another made by ATZEN, which also has an almost totally natural and organic content.   Personally, I will only recommend professional quality products as these are formulated to be superior and contain the most pure.

Now, if you need something to hold you over until you can get one of these, a little trick is to just add whatever sunscreen you have to your existing moisturizer or foundation - not for long term use but
better than nothing.

More TIPs for summer skin care:  When going to the Spa during the hot season, very strong chemical peels are NOT recommended - these could potentially do more harm than good with regards to hyper-pigmentation and sun damage. Some very beneficial alternatives are: 

1) Organic Peels - there are a variety of all natural peels with wonderful results that help with lines, wrinkles, acne and over-all skin smoothing. 

2) Deep Pore Cleansing Facials  - these entail more skin exfoliation and pore refining, with a focus on skin hydration - especially good due to the excessive perspiration in the summer time. 

3) Micro-dermabrasion - this is okay in the summer as long as it’s not done too frequently or in excess. Two favorites  are the Vitamin Oxygen Facial and Lymphobiology.

The Vitamin Oxygen Facial is all natural. It plumps the skin, helps with dryness and also helps eliminate wrinkles.  There is nothing harsh or abrasive used during the Vitamin Oxygen Facial and it’s always a
terrific “quick fix” yet still gives excellent results that last quite a while.  Another is the Lymphobiology. This moves the lymph (you can do this on the face, body or both) and it helps the body to eliminate
toxins which subsequently gets rid of puffiness, lines and wrinkles.  Lymphobiology also helps with cellulite and overall body toning.

Now, if you could be so blessed and have an Esthetician who is specially trained in the techniques of Lymphobiology where the procedure is performed with the hands, you could get what we call the

“2000 Dollar Face Lift” (without surgery!)   This particular technique can create quite the face-lifting effect - raising eye-lids, you name it. I have seen people coming out of the facial room looking 15 years younger! And now for more of what you can do right at home. First of all, try to use products that contain vitamin C. This is a great anti-oxident and helps with hyper-pigmentation.  Continue using cleanser to keep the skin fresh, find a great exfoliating scrub (there are many organic alternatives out there) and continue using toner as this refines, smooths, and seals the skin.  Also continue using moisturizer; just be sure to add a sunscreen to it.  Finally, as always, drink plenty of water as this makes a huge difference in keeping your skin properly hydrated.

I hope this has been helpful and informative for both Spa Tips and at-home alternatives.

Dawn Shannon Intuition Salon & Spa
418 Laura St. Clearwater, Fl. 33755
727-433-2927. www.IntuitionSalonandSpa.com