me2 beauty's Blog

It’s Summer which means it is the season…

me2 beauty — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:37:49 +0000

It’s Summer, which means it is the season for waxing. It’s time to shed dry winter skin and be smooth and hair free. You want to look good in your cool cut off shorts, mini skirt and sexy bikini.
Waxing is still the most popular method of temporary hair removal after shaving, and it is still one of the most requested spa services.
What makes waxing so popular? Here are the top benefits of waxing .
1. Waxing lasts six to eight weeks, as the hair is removed at the root.
2. Hair regrowth after waxing is often softer, as the tip of hair has a finer tapered point, unlike the stubbly tip of shaved hair.
3. Reduced growth is a side benefit of waxing. When body hair is regularly removed at the root, the result is damaged and weakened roots and some diminished growth, especially for women reaching menopause.
4. Waxing produces soft, smooth skin, as it exfoliates dead skin cells, along with the hair, therefore allowing a better absorption of sunscreen and sunless tanning products and moisturizing lotions.
5. Waxing is affordable for those who do no have the budget for the more permanent methods of laser hair removal and electrolysis, waxing by a professional effectively removes unwanted hair in hard-to-reach areas for long-lasting results, without breaking the bank.
6. A day after waxing is a great time to apply sunless tanning lotion, hair reducing lotions and sunscreens.

I love the beach I ran this morning…

me2 beauty — Sat, 21 May 2011 15:18:42 +0000

I love the beach! I ran this morning at 8 am with my dog Metta and her friend Marley. Before going out to the beach I made sure to take a shower and wash off any toxins and dirt with a body cleanser without any artificial irritants like sodium lauryl sulfates, applies Affirm serum, conatains 10 anti-oxidants mixed with vitamin c powder and then my Serious Protection SPF 28 on my face and on my body. Was back by 9;30 and will enjoy my day on and off my lounge chair reading and enjoying the beach under my umbrella.

You don’t have to not go to the beach or boat or tennis etc., just do the right thing to protect your skin.

Sun Smart Skin from the Esthetician’s Point of View

me2 beauty — Sat, 21 May 2011 15:10:43 +0000

By Victoria Wigg, LME

Through the ages, having a sun tan has gone from being undesirable to being a show of status. However, as we better understand the damage caused to our DNA from overexposure to ultraviolet light, we recognize the danger behind the beauty of sun-bronzed skin.

Every time we step into the sun, we battle three different waves of ultraviolet light—UVA, UVB and UVC. While UVB is the wave responsible for tanned skin and sunburns, all three, in excess, damage the skin. This damage can range from premature wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and the breakdown of elasticity to DNA damage and even skin cancer. While the effects sometimes take years to show up, many experts believe the majority of damage occurs in the first twenty years of life. Fortunately, by utilizing proven ingredients daily, you can help prevent and reverse many of the signs of trauma.

Sunscreen is a critical part of skin protection. There are certain factors to look for when choosing a sunscreen. For instance, is the active ingredient mineral or chemical-based? Common chemical forms include avobenzone (parsol 1789), octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, ecamule (Mexoryl SX), homosalate, Padimate A and Padimate O. In contrast, there are only two mineral sunscreens approved by the FDA—titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the sun’s rays, while mineral sunscreens reflect them away from the skin. For this reason, many skin professionals today recommend the mineral form, which is also available in certain mineral makeup.

When it comes to combating the signs of damage, antioxidants are essential. UV overexposure often creates free radical cascades where highly unstable molecules with unpaired electrons tax the body. Antioxidants help relieve this stress by sacrificing an electron to neutralize the free radical threat. Look for tetrahydrocurcumonoids, oat glucan, D-alpha tocopherol, tocomin, astaxanthin, gluconolactone, and my favorite, L-superoxide dismutase, when comparing products. Other reparative ingredients to consider include aminoguanidine, aloe vera, copper complex and niacinamide.

Restorative treatments, like exfoliating facials, chemical peels, intense pulsed light and laser treatments, work to correct past damage. Effective corrective ingredients include vitamin A, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, azelaic acid, arbutin, L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), cassia beta glycan and epidermal growth factors.

Despite the effectiveness of today’s treatments, it is still much easier to protect the skin than to reverse the signs of damage. Using proper sunscreen, avoiding the sun at the highest point of the day—11 a.m. to 3 p.m.—wearing a large brim hat and using an umbrella are sensible ways to enjoy the sunshine and soak up a little vitamin D without reaping all of the negative benefits of UV exposure. For existing sun damage, see a licensed skin professional for a complete analysis of your skin and recommendations on how to correct it.

I am supplementing my diet with an Aquab…

me2 beauty — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 02:21:14 +0000

I am supplementing my diet with an Aquabotanical superfood called E3Live. It is on of the fastest and healthiest ways to kick start your health.

Why Mangos are Good for Us

me2 beauty — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:44:58 +0000

Mangoes are delicious and have wonderful health benefits. A new study by Texas AgriLife Research food scientist examined five varieties of mango most common in the US: Ataulfo, Francine Haden Kent and Tommy Atkins, and found that the tropical fruit has anti-cancer properties.
When exposed to a variety of cancer cells in the laboratory, mango turned out to be e specially effective against certain breast and colon cancers. The researchers attribute the cancer-fighting properties to the fruit’s polyphenolics, a class of bioactive compounds responsible for preventing or stopping cancer cells. As one might expect with an all natural anti-cancer agent, normal cells were not affected by the mango, which targeted only cells that had gone bad, by interrupting their mutated division cycles.

Source: Texas A&M AgrilLive Communications, 2010

Today’s Better Retinol Alternative Retaining Your Youthful Complexion with AGP Complex

me2 beauty — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:20:02 +0000

If you have been on the search for an anti-wrinkle cream, you’ve undoubtedly come across skin care products that contain retinol. Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is an antioxidant, fat-soluble vitamin important for vision and bone growth. When used effectively in skin care products, retinoid forms of vitamin A derivatives increase the rate of cell turnover and promote collagen production.

Why, then, are many retinol creams virtually useless? The main reason is that they do not deliver enough retinol into the skin cell to produce significant change. A seemingly natural solution is to increase the percentage of retinol; however, this is ineffective because a product with a high concentration of retinol may be irritating. Additionally, retinol is relatively unstable, so most creams lose potency during storage and use.

As a breakthrough solution to the retinol challenge, CosMedix utilizes an exclusive ingredient called AGP Complex. This ingredient consists of retinol with arabinogalactan-protein conjugates (AGP). Together, these two powerhouse ingredients serve to encourage the growth of new skin cells and tighten and protect the skin without the irritation of retinol by itself. The result? A radiant complexion with diminished fine lines and improved skin texture, color, firmness and smoothness.

The unique component in AGP Complex that warrants additional discussion is AGP. AGP is an essential part of what makes wine healthy. It is comprised of relatively high amounts of proteins and the basic amino acids lysine and arginine that are important to skin health. When complexed with retinol, the ingredient’s core purpose is to balance the retinol irrita-tion factor.

When retinol is applied to the skin, it can settle on the surface to cause irritation. By introducing AGP to the retinol formulation, the acid content including uronic acid, glucuronic acid and galaturonic acid neutralize the retinol, making this complex far gentler to the skin. Because of its visible anti-aging properties and non-irritating delivery mechanism, the fast-acting, permeable functions of AGP Complex serve as one of the best fibroblast stimulants available.

Call or email ileana for further information or to purchase Cosmedix products at 561.361.0602 or ileana@me2beauty.com.

All the Rage – Micro-Current and what it does

me2 beauty — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:54:30 +0000

The Role of Micro Currents in the Human Body

Facilitates metabolism and removal of body waste accumulated in the body. Increases the generation of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) by up to 500%
Activates the production of a variety of bio hormones and promotes the synthesis of proteins.
Activates the function of one’s tissues permeability of cell membranes
In addition, the micro currents accelerate the synthesis of DNA, thereby making the functions of the body regular and increasing the speed of recovery. Further, the activation of T cells is promoted, and the power to produce antibodies against diseases inside the body is enhanced