A Woman’s Work is Never Done

At home with keyboard, Posey, and white wine

After seeing clients all day, it’s time to kick back, research “lactic acid peels” and new skin care products, write a newsletter, update the blog,  pet Posey, sip some wine, converse with Robert, glance at basketball, read emails, and contemplate the upcoming weekend.  Life is good.

August 2009 Newsletter: Part Two

The People’s Skin Care Newsletter
vol.1, #2                   August 26, 2009

* Summer’s End Skin Care Tips
* Product News
* The Power of Referrals &
   The Greatness of Clients

SUMMER’S END SKIN CARE TIPS

While fall is still a few weeks away,
our skin will be ready to get rid of its
summer buildup of crud…like the
higher SPF you’ve been wearing (you
have, haven’t you!), the extra self-
tanner or perhaps simply the rather
casual way you’ve been cleansing
your face while rafting on the
Deschutes or sleeping in a hammock
in Sisters. 

OK, we’ll forgive those little trans-
gressions and allow you to gently
settle back into your usual diligent
routine.  This should include:

  * washing face & neck at least
     once daily
  * applying a treatment cream/
     serum at least once daily
  * wearing SPF 20 + daily
  * using an eye cream daily
  * using a treatment-oriented
     night cream

These few steps should not take more
than a few minutes AM and PM.  It’s
simple: clean, treat, repair, protect.
Your own skin care routine accounts
for 90% of how your skin looks now
and in the future!  While peels and
facials and light treatments are, of
course, fabulous…it’s your daily skin
regimen that really counts.  In the
immortal words of Tim Gunn, “Make
it work”.

PRODUCT NEWS

What a natural segue into products!
Now I’m going to tell you what to use.

Cleansers are important; should you
spend $40 for one?  I don’t think so
either.  But do spring for one that is
specifically for your skin type, i.e.
Epionce Milky Lotion Cleanser for dry,
mature or sensitive skin; Gentle
Foaming Cleanser for almost everyone
except for the oily folks who will want
the Lytic Gel Cleanser.  All Epionce
cleansers are super-concentrated and
will last for months.

Treatments/Exfoliants are important
because they actually do something
visible.  Over time (I measure “time”
as 1 to 3 months), the Epionce Lytic
products will visibly: help to even out
skin tones, reduce redness, clean out
clogged pores, and overall brighten dull
skin.  Lite Lytic is for sensitive skin,
Lytic Lotion Plus is for oily skin (or
those who want faster results) and
Lytic Lotion is for most everyone else.

Sun protection is essential.  The two
Epionce products are physical blocks
with zinc oxide to protect from UVA
and UVB rays.  They both also contain
antioxidants and are extremely well-
priced at $19 (SPF 30) or $24 (50).

Renewal products are moisturizers
as well as treatment creams.  Call
them two-fers!  For sensitive skin, use
the Facial Cream; for oily skin, the Lite
Lotion, and for everyone in between, I
recommend the Renewal Lotion.  The
Epionce Eye Cream is great for all skin
types.  My favorite Renewal product is
the Intensive Nourishing Cream…just
rich and yummy and perfect for aging
(but still fighting!) skin.

What are we missing?  If you have
more serious hyperpigmentation (pesky
brown/age spots), I am now stocking
a non-Epionce cream that is formulated
for me at Portland’s premier compounding
pharmacy.  It is a blend of two profound
bleaching agents called kojic acid (from
Japanese fungi) and hydroquinoine.  If
spots don’t improve quickly enough using
your regular routine, try this stuff.  It will
bring spots to their knees.

I should also mention taking care of arms
and hands as these are visible targets of
sun damage.  The Renewal Enriched Body
Lotion contains potent antioxidants and
(again, over time) should help with the
pinch-factor on thinning skin.  The amazing
Extreme Barrier Cream is also great for
hydrating dry, even scaly skin on feet,
elbows, hands, nails, you get the picture.

THE POWER OF REFERRALS AND THE
GREATNESS OF CLIENTS

I heart my clients big-time.  Since I’ve
been on my own (three months already),
you have been beating a path to my door
(or me to yours) in numbers greater than
I’d ever imagined and I am so very, very
appreciative.  So appreciative, in fact,
that I’m going to lavish you with….well,
if not riches then rewards!

For every friend/family member that you
refer, YOU will get half off of your next
procedure!  (fine print:  your referral
needs to actually have a treatment/buy
a product to qualify).  Say YOU are into
a course of peels/LED treatments.  You will
save 50% on both your peel and your light
treatment at your next appointment.  Nifty!

May I also tempt you with a Travel Size
Epionce cleanser of your choice just for
being such a good and loyal client?  I think
I will!

Finally, may I invite you to an Event (with
a capital E!) I’m planning in September.
Details to follow but it will include BBQ’d
shrimp, Olive Pit olives, many more tasty
goodies, plus a guest appearance or two
AND 10% off all purchases made at the
event (including gift certificates!).   Stay
tuned for the date.
And once again, THANK YOU, wonderful
clients and friends.

August Newsletter: Part Uno

“The People’s Skin Care Newsletter”
vol. 1, #2      August 20, 2009

This month’s highlights:

* New Services Update
* New Online Ordering
* Summer’s End Skin Tips
* Product News
* The Power of Referrals &
  The Greatness of Customers

NEW SERVICES UPDATE

Starting in September, I will begin using
an FDA-approved device for SKIN TONING
and TIGHTENING called Bio-Therapeutic
Microcurrent Platinum.  This machine has
morphed from a strictly medical device to
an aesthetic one used by both physicians
and aestheticians.  It is used on both the
face and the body to LIFT and CONTOUR.

Why would YOU consider microcurrent?
If you look in the mirror and see those
tell-tale signs of loose skin around the
eyes, mouth, “jowls”, jawline, or neck,
then microcurrent can help TIGHTEN
those areas.

The Platinum machine also works on body
regions such as the bust, upper arms,
buttocks, and thighs.  It has shown success
on the abdominal region when excess fat is
low. This is not a weight-loss device.  It
will tone to the degree that it CAN tone.

For those of you who experienced, or should
I say endured, THERMAGE…microcurrent
will be a welcome and painless alternative.
Treatment consists of a series of sessions
over the course of several months, with
regular maintenance to keep up the results.

After my personal training next weekend
with the international trainer, I’ll have
many more details to share with you.  This
is an exciting, non-invasive alternative to
surgery and laser resurfacing.  No, it’s not
a facelift or a tummy tuck but microcurrent
has a well-documented track record for
tightening, toning and contouring skin.  And
I’m getting the best FDA-approved device on
the market!

Increasingly I find that clients prefer the
non-invasive approaches that I can offer
such as LED light, peels, and now micro-
current.  They’re effective, pain-free, less
expensive and natural.  WaaHOO!  Could you
ask for anything more?

NEW ONLINE ORDERING AT
http://www.peelstothepeople.com

If you want to continue using medical
skin care products that I’ve recommended
over the years, you can continue to order
them via my website.  Plus, you can get
up to 20% off of these products by
entering a special code that you’ll find
under each skin care manufacturer.  And
you’ll get home delivery, often with no
shipping fees!  Orders are shipped within
48 hours.

Say you love SkinCeuticals C & E Ferulic.
You like to use it every morning with your
Epionce products.  OK, go to my online
store, search by manufacturer, click on
SkinCeuticals C & E Ferulic, look for
“coupons”, click, click and click and you
just saved 20%.  Now what could be
easier?

I’m STILL studying the vast array of
products on this site.  I’m particularly
interested in skin lightening agents…
that is, products to reduce brown spots,
hyperpigmentation and melasma (the
“mask” of pregnancy).  Epionce is weak
in this area (they’re working on it!), but
here are some excellent products to
consider IF you’re trying to lighten
dark spots:

OBAGI:  their products can be harsh
but I can recommend two of them that
work well without irritation (CALL ME
for directions!).  They are (1) Blender,
a combination of vitamin E, lactic acid
and hydroquinone, and (2) C Clarifying
Serum, a combo of vitamin C and 4%
hydroquinoine.

PCA Skin:  pHaze 13 Pigment Gel with
hydroquinone…less expensive than
Obagi, but I have no personal experience
with it.

Other Online Finds continued….

KINeSYS (stoopid name!) for spray-on
sunblocks for children, athletes, etc.

NeoStrata makes a great Hand & Nail
Cream that’s very inexpensive.

Neova Lash Conditioner will give
Latisse a run for it’s money!

Nioxin…if you’re already using this
line for thinning hair, it may be less
expensive on my site.

Well, obviously, I’m Chatty Cathy on
my newsletter SO….this will be Part
One and you’ll have to wait (with
baited breath!) for Part Two ASAP.

Thanks again for your encouragement
and continued support.  Go Raiders!
(that’s for my husband who is so
supportive of my home-based biz).

July 2009

  
   
        “The People’s Skin Care Newsletter

             vol.1, no.1                       July 5th, 2009

 

Welcome to the Inaugural Edition and thanks for reading on…if you’re receiving this, you’ve indicated by phone, email, or survey that you want to keep in touch.  If that’s not the case, let me know because I don’t want to bug anyone who doesn’t want up-to-the-minute information on skin care, new ingredients, new procedures, old procedures, gossip and general musings about life’s little absurdities–involving skin of course.

SURVEY RESULTS

Thanks to so many of you who took the time to complete my survey.  If you didn’t receive one, you were not slighted!  You were already on my big-time radar and may have already had an appointment scheduled in May or June.  Or perhaps, I read your mind and decided to interpret your thoughts!

At any rate, the survey was surprising in that the majority of you would like to come to me for treatments rather than my traveling to you.   Either way is just fine with me because I’m so delighted that you (a) trust me with your skin, (b) believe I’m ethical and honest, (c) rely on my suggestions for products and procedures, and (d) don’t want to clean house before I come!  Many of you were also interested in peel parties.  You also 100% wished me good luck on this venture.
 
WHERE TO COME

If you want to come to my house, I’m set up to receive you at the world headquarters of Peels To The People in close-in North Portland. 

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

Or to put it another way, what do you need?  Is it time for a product review?  Do you need a skin care consultation?  A facial?  Has it been awhile since you’ve had a chemical peel?  Or have you never had a peel and want to try one?  Do you need your brows shaped or waxed, lashes or brows tinted, facial hair removed?  Are you interested in non-invasive, cost-effective and painless skin rejuvenation (yes, you heard me right!) using light treatments?  Let’s explore…

Product Review:  you’ve been using the same stuff or some new/some old, some from the clinic, some from Nordstroms or the market…in other words, the usual hodgepodge that most of us find in our drawers.  How about a plan, a program, a goal…a concept even!  A way to help your skin look it’s best.  A product review does just that…you bring in your stuff and we go over it.  We assess your goals and then pitch old stuff or add fabulous new stuff accordingly.  This should certainly be done once a year.  Isn’t it time?  I can come to you or you can come to me.

Skin Care Consultation: practically identical to a Product Review but we also concentrate on areas of concern such as acne, adult acne, rosacea or my personal favorite:  aging, sun-damaged skin on the face AND body.  Yes, the body too since skin occupies more than just our face and I don’t know about you, but I’m seeing more and more slippage around my knees.  Yuck!  Back to your consult….we can discuss whatever you’d like to and if I don’t know the answer or think someone else would, then I’ll send you off in another direction.  I know a lot about Botox, fillers, facial plastic surgery, and can usually identify those pesky “barnicles” on the skin that we’re better off not messing around with.  I can also advise on laser, light-based and skin-tightening treatments since I’ve done them all before and know what works, what is marginal, what hurts, what doesn’t and so forth.  I’m just a fountain of knowledge!  I can come to you or you can come to me.

Facials:  for many years, my facials have been strictly clinical…clean, steam, extract, mask, sunblock…out.  Well, now that I’M in charge, I’m applying the Golden Rule to facials:  do onto others the way you’d want it done to yourself.  I honestly don’t trust very many people to touch my face so I know what I like: do what needs to be done (clean, etc.) and then add some features that are special like hand massages, foot treatments (using this fabulous Indonesian ginger scrub… it’s organic!) and what we all need more of, neck and shoulder massage.  So now my facials are more than facials, they’re Golden Rule Facials!  Of course, if what you want is a strictly clinical treatment, I’m still there for ya.  Facials can ONLY be done at my house due to the extent of equipment.

Peels:  well, we could talk for hours, here at Peels To The People, about peels.  I’ve always been a big fan of peels for extra exfoliation of dead skin to accomplish a number of things:  lift off debris, dry up active acne, diminish acne scarring & fine lines & age spots, jumpstart a new home-care program, even out skin tones, make you feel better about yourself for less than dinner out.  We can talk about peels during a consult, product review, or facial, or we can talk via email or phone.  Peels are appropriate for just about every one and I have a nice range of peels to offer you.  Peels are the ultimate to-go service but if you’d like to come to me, that’s fine too.

Waxing and Tinting:  yes, I do both and a darned good job, if I say so myself.  I can come to you or you can come to me.  These are very portable services.

LED skin rejuvenation:  FINALLY, a light-based treatment that’s painless yet potent.  Is it a facelift…no.  Is it like Thermage…not exactly.  Does it work…yes, gently and over time.  LED is a safe light treatment that’s been around for over 40 years.  NASA uses LED when astronauts have cuts or wounds in space!  The light stimulates collagen regeneration 20-40 minutes at a time.  A program of 6 treatments, 1-2 weeks apart, is recommended, followed by maintenance every 1-2 months.  Your skin will gradually take on a tighter, brighter appearance.  It can be used on the face, neck, chest, hands…probably knees too!  What’s really exciting is that LED can be used right after peels for even better results.  This is a medical device, developed by dermatologists, but available to medical aestheticians who know what they’re doing.  I think you’ll want to try it, either at my house or at yours.

WHAT IS EPIONCE?

This small skin care company based in Boise is wonderful to let me carry their line.  I love their products and think they work really well for so many skin types and conditions.  I really like that they “brew” their products in small batches so that when it comes to you, it’s fresh and very active.  That’s why it works so well!  If you haven’t tried EPIONCE before, I encourage you to try it.  I have samples galore so please call for a consult.  You can also go to their website www.epionce.com and read up on Dr. Carl Thornfelt and his clinical studies from OHSU which formed the basis of the Epionce skin care line!

RAMBLING:

Yes, I realize I’m rambling on but there’s so much to share!  This coming weekend I’m going to San Jose for the 2009 Face and Body Show where there will be hundreds of skin care manufacturers, gadgets and wizardry to absorb.  I want to be able to offer you the soundest, best products and services available in the western hemisphere, or at least in Portland, Oregon.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST:

I’m currently available just about 24/7 as Peels To The People takes off but I also need 24 hours for a cancellation.   Please check out my website: www.peelstothepeople.com for details about services, prices and lots more.  I look forward to hearing from you!

UP NEXT:

More info about Peel Parties, a wonderful way to get together with friends or family who want a great peel experience.
Best regards,

Susan Thompson
Peels To The People
503-781-8209