May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month so we thought it’d be fun to quiz you on how well you know your sunscreen stuff! Below are the questions, the answers will be posted at the end! We’ve also included the link to a video from the FDA about the new sunscreen regulations.

watch?feature=player_embedded&v=f80iPEfwE80

Test Your Sunscreen IQ

Question 1:  When should you apply sunscreen?

A: 5 minutes prior to sun exposure

B: 10 minutes prior to sun exposure

C: 30 minutes prior to sun exposure

D: Immediately before sun exposure

Question 2: Which of the following medications and products increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun?

A: Retinol

B: Birth control pills

C: Pain pills

D: All of the above

Question 3 : The healthiest way to tan is?

A: Tanning beds

B: Burn so you gradually tan

C: Use high SPF to slowly build color

D: Sunless tanning products

Question 4: What does SPF stand for?

A: Serious protection factor

B: Sun protection factor

C: Skin protection failure

D: None of the above

Question 5: What is the difference between UVA & UVB rays?

A: UVA rays cause sunburn while UVB rays cause skin damage

B: UVB rays aren’t harmful

C: UVA rays cause premature skin aging and UVB cause sunburn

D: There is no difference

Question 6: First-aid measures for a severe sunburn are:

A: Drink cold water

B: Apply a cold compress

C: Seek professional medical attention as soon as possible

D: All of the above

ANSWERS!!!!

Question 1: C

Question 2: D

Question 3: D

Question 4: B

Question 5: C

Question 6: C

Lets be honest, when we’re applying sunscreen to our faces who is really thinking “Oh ya, I need to lather up my hair with some sunscreen”.  When it comes to sun protection my skin is my number one priority and I never thought that my hairs condition could be linked to sun exposure.  I always thought that my split ends, frizzy and dry texture was caused by my flat iron and blow dryer but hair damage goes way beyond that.  The sun’s UV rays penetrate our hair cuticles and can cause dryness, brittle or weak hair, split ends and faded color. We spends all this money on color and cuts, hair products and expensive styling tools but we greatly overlook the basis of our hairs health – protecting it from damaging sun exposure.  Here are some suggestions for keeping your hair protected against sun damage.

• Wear a hat – Not only does wearing a hat protect our hair, but it protects our skin as well. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
• Use products that provide UV protection – Look for shampoo’s or conditioners that have UV protection, but every couple days you’ll want to use a clarifying shampoo because these products can build up on the hair.
• Deep condition – Every few days use a deep conditioner or do a keratin treatment to recover hair hydration and softness.
• Let your hair air-dry – Blow dryers fatigue our hair and can make it more susceptible to damage. Letting your hair air dry will help the hair retain some hydration and strength. Whenever you use heat on your hair, always use a thermal treatment!
• Protect your part – Always apply sun protection to your hair part. We often forget this and end up with a burned line down our head that peels and looks like dandruff.

Hello all!  There have been some great product features in recent magazines and we wanted to share them!

glominerals gloGloss Pink Blossom was recently on the Today Show!  Recently, gloProfessional has joing forces with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to support and bring awareness to breast cancer and how important it is to be screened on a regular basis.  They are promoting this adorable baby pink lipgloss in support of their cause.

To check this product out on our site, visit the link below:

http://sap193.channeladvisor.com/p-1580-glominerals-glogloss.aspx

La Roche-Posay recently launched a new product, Anthelios 50 Primer which as been a knock out and was featured in the May issue of Redbook Magazine.  It was a winner of their MVP Beauty Awards for ‘Best Face Primer’.  This product we literally cannot keep on our shelves!  It was also mention in an article called ‘Your Sunscreen Shopping List’.  This product is so versatile and is perfect for all skin types to keep makeup fresh while providing great sun protection. To check this product out on our site visit the link below:

http://sap193.channeladvisor.com/p-4238-la-roche-posay-anthelios-daily-anti-aging-primer-50.aspx

And last, but not least the infamous Redermic R was feature in VOGUE MAGAZINE! The article was titled, “The Return of Retinol” and it highlights the amazing anti-aging benefits of the ingredient and names Redermic R as a ‘revamped retinol’.  This product is phenomenal, our clients and staff are obsessed with it! Here are some lovely shots of the magazine.

To check this product out on our site visit the link below:

http://sap193.channeladvisor.com/p-3197-la-roche-posay-redermic-r.aspx

If you have any questions, please let us know.  As always, all of these products are available on our site.  We hope you have a lovely weekend. Ta-ta for now!

Since summer is practically here, I thought this would be a good comparison of the differences between sunblock and sunscreen.  It’s extremely important to know the differences so that you are selecting the right products for you.

SUNSCREEN!

• Provides partial protection
• Tends to have a greasy texture due to the oil content required for the chemical sunscreen to dissolve
• UVA or UVB protection, sometimes both
• Oil base locks in heat which promotes bacteria production and breakouts and irritates rosacea
• Stops working after 2 hours

Our hands are exposed to environmental damage, sun damage and other harsh elements on a daily basis.  After washing them several times a day with harsh anti-bacterial soaps the skin on our hands becomes dehydrated, tough and can crack and bleed.  When applying SPF to our faces and body who really remembers to apply it to our hands?  After moisturizing and applying treatment products to our faces who repeats this process on their hands?  While our faces remain youthful and soft our hands start to become discolored, dull and dry which can be more age revealing than wrinkles this is because the skin on the hands is very thin and there is almost no fat under it.  As we grow older, any fat there lessens and the skin becomes dry and loose which exposes more and more veins.  Here are 5 tips to getting younger, softer hands.

#1 — Apply lotion throughout the day that contains SPF, this will keep your hands hydrated and protected from the sun.

#2 — Exfoliated your hands 2-3 times a week to remove dull, dry skin.

#3 — What works for your face will work for your hands.  If you are noticing age spots or unwanted freckles, use a lightening agent as a spot treatment for these areas on the hands.

#4 — Wear gloves whenever you can.  Our hands are in water much more than we realize so it is important to protect our hands as often as possible and keep moisturizing hand creams or lotions close by.

#5 — Eat a balanced diet.  When our diet lacks essential vitamins and minerals our skin and nails can suffer.

With every season we should be reevaluating our skin care regimens and reclassifying our skin type.  In the winter months as the temperature drops and the air becomes drier our skin becomes drier, flaky and less vibrant.  Your skin will let you know what it needs but you have to be aware of the change when it occurs.  Sadly, not everyone can get away with using the exact same products all year round.  Here are 5 recommendations for accommodating your skin hydrated during the fall and winter months:

5. Avoid soap. Most generic soaps contain chemicals and ingredients that dry the skin out.  Use a moisturizing body wash or body bar that contain ingredients like shea butter and are completely soap free.

4. Exfoliate regularly.  During the winter our skin becomes dry and our skin’s regular shedding process of dead skin becomes harder.  Exfoliating regularly will help along the natural process as well as promote better absorption of moisturizers and hydrating treatments.

3. Avoid hot baths or showers.  Hot water can strip the skin of essential moisture especially when combined with harsh chemical soaps.  Shower or bathe in warm water and avoid bathing more than once a day if possible.

2. Switch to a more hydrating moisturizer.  Common sense would say this is the most obvious choice in keeping skin more hydrated during the winter but this is why it is important to re-evaluate your skin with every changing season and tweak your regimen as needed.

1. Keep a humidifier in your bedroom.  The heaters in your home dry out the air which drys your skin out by removing all of humidity.  Keep a humidifier in your home, particularly in your bedroom to return some of that humidity.

Continue to wear sunscreen or sunblock during the winter.  Even if it seems too cloudy and overcast to possibly need it, those sun rays are sneaky and they always find a way to peak through.

Here are our Fall Favorites for 2011!

Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Peel & Reveal Dermal Resurfacer -

This 3-in-1 peel, resurfacer and exfoliant reveals smooth, radiant skin that looks years younger and feels amazingly smooth! Helps even out skin tone, smooths fine lines and wrinkles and clarifies the skin with delicious pumpkin enzyme and aluminum oxide.

June Jacobs Creamy Cranberry Cleanser -

Preservative and paraben free, this rich creamy cleanser is ideal for all skin types especially dry.  Cranberry Extract and Jojoba Seed Oil helps the skin retain essential moisture while protecting the skin from environmental damage and stressors that cause aging.

Eminence Cinnamon Kiss Lip Plumper -

This spicy lip plumper increases circulation in the lips which increases lip ‘plumpness’ while moisturizing and healing for the perfect pout. Great clear gloss by itself or paired with a lipstick or lip liner.

last but not least..

La Roche Posay Redermic [R] -

This brand new, phenomenal anti-aging treatment has been featured in Allure Magazine, the Today Show and many other media networks for it’s powerful anti-aging benefits without the irritation of a traditional retinol.

Recommended eye creams for dark circles, puffiness:

• Cellex-C Under Eye Toning Gel - link
• Jan Marini Age Intervention Dark Circle Eye Defense - link
• Yonka Phyto Contour Eye Care - link

Recommended Under-Eye Concealers:

• gloMinerals gloConcealer Under Eye - link
• Jane Iredale Active Light - link
• Colorescience Eyes Wide Open - link

Besides the amazing gown and jewels, the best wedding day accessories for Kate was her makeup and hair.  According to rumors, Kate did her own makeup the day of her wedding.   Who knows the contours of your face and the way you like your liner better than you? Kate reportedly wanted to look like herself so that William would recognize her by the time she got the alter. We think she did an excellent job of keeping it natural and fresh, a vision in white.

Kate’s look was very ‘english rose’, pink cheeks and matching gloss with a soft smoky eye.  The great thing about her look was that it enhanced her natural beauty, which every brides makeup should do.  She looked refreshed and glowing, not over done or bland and especially not overly bronzed.

Here are some ways to recreate Kate’s flawless royal look,

1) Flawless complexion – Kate’s skin is flawless.  She has a very balanced complexion that has a very pretty glow to it.  Choose a foundation that gives your skin a bit of a dewy, healthy finish nothing too matte.

2) Pink cheeks – Kate’s blush was a perfect shade of pink.  It was just enough to give her complexion a rosy hue. Choose a blush that is very soft and natural and apply it to the apples of the cheeks and along the cheek bone.

3) Natural gloss – Kate’s lip color is very soft, with just a slight hint of color to it.  Choose a lip liner that is the same color as your lips and fill in the lips, top it off with a gloss that has a tinge of pink or peach to it.

4) Soft yet smoky eyes – Kate used a smoky yet natural shade of colors for her eyes.  The color didn’t over power her eyes and was very appropriate for the spring inspired colors she used on her cheeks and lips. Choose a very light taupe or brown to cover the entire lid then follow in the crease with a darker chocolate brown shade and blend well.  Top it off with some eyeliner and mascara.

5) Natural brows – Brows are the cherry on top, they bring the whole look together.  Kate’s brows are not overly plucked and have a very nice shape to them.  They matched her hair color perfectly as well.  Always fill the brows in with some kind of color whether it’s pencil, gel or powder.  This will give the face a completed look.

Overall, Kate Middleton’s makeup was phenomenal.  It wasn’t too natural, and it wasn’t too overdone.  It was the perfect combination of spring colors and an absolutely gorgeous bride & the best part is, this look is fantastic on everyone.

To achieve this look, we recommend the following products:

• Jane Iredale Liquid Foundation: Light coverage that doesn’t drown the skin. Reduces appearance of pores and fine lines.

http://www.prettyskin4less.com/p-1567-jane-iredale-liquid-minerals.aspx

• Jane Iredale Blush – Barely Rose or Whisper : Gives your skin a soft, touch of color. Is dye and chemical free.

http://www.prettyskin4less.com/p-1562-jane-iredale-blush.aspx

• Glominerals Liquid Lips – Pink Sugar : Keeps lips looking moist and beautiful.

http://www.prettyskin4less.com/p-1582-glominerals-gloliquid-lips.aspx

• Jane Iredale Daytime Eyeshadow Kit : Has a variety of shades that look great on every skin tone.

http://www.prettyskin4less.com/p-1606-jane-iredale-daytime-eyeshadow-kit.aspx

• Glominerals gloMetallic Smokey Eye Kit : Includes some darker shades with a hint of shimmer.

http://www.prettyskin4less.com/p-405-glominerals-glometallic-smoky-eye-kit.aspx

There are 4 major types of melanoma:

• Lentigo maligna melanoma usually occurs on elderly people.  It is most common on the face, neck and arms.

• Superficial spreading melanoma is the most common form of melanoma.  It’s irregular in shape and is usually flat with different shades of brown.
• Nodular melanoma is a raised area that is dark-blackish blue or bluish-red.  Although some do not have any color.

• Acral lentiginous melanoma is the least common form of melanoma.  It occurs on the palms, soles of the feet or under the nails. It is more common in African Americans.

The risk of getting melanoma increases with age but can affect young, healthy people.

Risks for melanoma include:

• Tanning beds
• One or more blistering sun burns during childhood
• Jobs or activities that require prolonged strong sunlight exposure
• Sunny climates or high altitudes

Other risks factors:

• Certain types of moles
• Weakened immune system
• Close relatives with a history of melanoma

Prevention

The American Cancer Society recommends getting professional exams every year for people 40 + and every 3 years for people ages 20 – 40 as well as performing self-examinations often.  You should check your entire body, use a mirror to help you check all areas.  Contact your doctor if you notice suspicious changes.

Always apply a sunscreen daily of SPF 30 or more (even during the winter). Avoid tanning beds and minimize sun exposure during the summer between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., hats and sunglasses are always in style.

The ABCD system can help determine features that might be signs of melanoma :

• Asymmetry: One half is different than the other
• Borders: Has irregular edges
• Color: The color changes from one area to another – brown, tan or black or may contain a mixture of colors
• Diameter: Is usually (but not always) about 6 mm in diameter  – about as big as a pencil eraser.

Research has shown that tanning beds increase the risk  of melanoma up to 75%.  Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and is the leading cause of death from skin disease, 1 person in the U.S. dies of melanoma every hour.