Education

Gone are the days of luxury as the preeminent requirement for a spa experience. It’s no longer good enough to be slathered in chocolate or gold flakes in order to make the grade for a quality skin care treatment. People want results, and science-backed skin care procedures and products are visibly improving the skin’s appearance and health.

One of our most results driven treatments at Spruce Body Lab is the Spruce Skin Deep Facial. This treatment incorporates technology to increase the benefits of the skin care products and produces ionic responses which improve the pH balance, circulation and tonicity of the skin.

Because all of Spruce Body Lab’s treatments are customized to each individual’s skin condition, the Spruce Skin Deep Facial has many variations on how the technology and products can be used. For instance, one of the applications that is used during this treatment is called galvanic iontophoresis, galvanic is the type of electric current being used and iontophoresis means “to wander through a cell”. This technology can be used to penetrate a lactic acid based exfoliant deeper into the skin to address photo-damage, as well as penetrate hydrating and antioxidant ingredients deep into the skin. Galvanic iontophoresis allows for products to reach layers of the epidermis that are impenetrable otherwise as the current moves past the “rheins barrier”- a layer of the skin that determines what goes in and comes out of the skin.

From this perspective, the Spruce Skin Deep Facial is clearly results oriented- but it doesn’t stop at product penetration. The ionic shift that takes place in the skin during the application of current creates an acidic pH balance- which is extremely important to skin health, vasoconstriction which calms and cools the skin; all the while water is drawn up from the dermis (where  80% of the skin’s water is retained), into the epidermis which normally holds a mere 20% of the skin’s water content. This all translates into a smoother, brighter, calmer and better hydrated complexion.

For clients suffering from adult acne, the high frequency component of this treatment is very beneficial. The high frequency electrode, creates ozone- an anti-bacterial treatment for the skin. The circulation created by the current paired with the ozone effectively dries up, clears and heals active and would-be break outs.

Although this technology has been around for many years, it has been largely overlooked in North America and has recently seen a resurgence in use. I’ve even seen home high frequency kits that are sold on the Home Shopping network.

I wouldn’t encourage using this technology at home, as I can’t speak to the efficacy of equipment that is made for this use, but I can certainly attest to the results that a technology facial can bring.

Stay tuned for our Mother’s Day Interlude- a special package for Mom’s to enjoy this results-driven treatment while taking some time out to relax.

What is the cause of adult acne?

More than 17 million adults are diagnosed with acne in the US, 50% are woman and 25% are men. In the past decade adult acne has been on the rise; studies indicate that between 40 and 55% of the adult population in the 20-40 age group are diagnosed with a low grade, persistent acne and oily skin. So why is this skin disorder no longer just a teen skin problem?

Teen vs Adult Acne

Teen acne is primarily found in the t-zone of the face and is largely associated with the hormones related to puberty. Adult acne is usually found on the sides of the face, chin and jaw line, extending onto the neck. The primary aggravating factor leading to adult acne is chronic stress… Our body’s response to stress is to activate the adrenal gland which in turn raises testosterone levels. This hormone triggers an increase in oil production and the result to our skin is the appearance of oily shine and clogged pores.

So we’ve established we’re stressed, then we get break outs. Then we get stressed about the break outs, which leads to more break outs. Another unfortunate side-effect is the bacteria spreading on the skins surface when the breakouts have been improperly extracted, leading to further inflammation, possible scarring and more eruptions.

Post-Inflammatory Pigmentation

Not only are we dealing with more stress, but our skin is aging. With the aging process comes longer healing time- so the break outs can last as long as 5-10 days. There’s also the risk of more scarring as inflammation also accompanies break outs. Our skin sends melanin to the site of inflammation and we’re left with discoloration once the break out has healed.

Effective Treatment- The end of the line for adult acne.

Dermalogica has recently revised their acne products to address the unique factors associated with adult acne. Most acne products are designed for teenage skin, making them too harsh and irritating for adult acne sufferers. This can cause flaking, peeling, excessive dryness and even additional break outs. The MediBac Clearing System takes into account these factors and works to treat, clear and prevent adult acne while addressing the needs of adult skin. Regular professional exfoliation and extraction work will help get this difficult skin condition under control Introducing mediBac Clearing products into a skin care regimen will continue to clear and improve the health of the skin.

Get Face Mapped by a Spruce Skin Care expert to see what the best plan of action is for your skin and say good bye to adult acne.