Why is it that sometimes when our clients ask us, “What can I buy that is going to help me best achieve my skin goals?” the truthful answer is not sitting on our shelf? When we know that their issue is systemic, selling them a topical would be like offering an aspirin to a friend to cure a broken leg. Sometimes, we need to accept the responsibility to “go deep” and offer some free, yet invaluable advice that will help our clients address the root of their skin care challenge. Being truthful also helps to build trust and a happy loyal customer is priceless. So, here are three indispensable items we should “sell” our clients on for clear, healthy, youthful, skin!
SWEAT
Many know the benefits of exercise. Human growth hormone, HGH, (otherwise known as the “fountain of youth”) does not come in a cream or serum but rather from being in the gym. A vigorous 20 minute workout can increase HGH production up to 771 percent leading to benefits including but not limited to increased hair growth, skin repair, stronger bones, and increased collagen production! Accompanying a great workout is another great skin solution – perspiration. Sweating helps to boost the immune system, flush out excess salt, reduce the chance of kidney stones, and keeps you from overheating. Sweat helps us get rid of junk in our body.
A drop in the skin’s pH observed with sauna could strengthen the skin’s acid mantle creating a more acidic environment making it more difficult for P. acnes to grow compared to the other bacteria on the skin. P. acnes being the main bacterial beastie for creating zits and the like. But wait, there’s more. Dermcidin, an antimicrobial protein that prevents the proliferation of P. acnes, is commonly found – guess where – yup, in human sweat! Dermcidin reduces this bad bacteria’s ability to create RNA and proteins necessary for survival.
Sweat also washes out all that clogged up debris hanging out in pores. While simultaneously warming the skin, it allows excess oil to be flushed out when it is still in the liquid state. Recommend that if your client has not broken a heavy sweat in a few months and they have not been extracted by a licensed esthetician in a while, start with the extractions. Those big old plugs of oxidized, solidified oil, salt and dirt are like giant boulders that need to be removed from the stream before the river runs through it.
SUGAR
As estheticians, we may have heard the phrase “no grease, no dairy, no sugar” to guarantee a clear glowing complexion. Although grease and dairy may not be healthy for our bodies for a myriad of reasons, there is no consistent strong scientific evidence that they lead to breakouts. Sugar on the other hand, can be disastrous. When asking your client about their sugar intake, explain to them that “sugar” creates an insulin response and includes not just delectable desserts, but also bread, tortillas, rice, crackers, pasta, fruit, many sauces including BBQ, salad dressings, ketchup and possibly even their morning cup of java. A lot of clients will then realize that their diets are packed with high glycemic fare and admit that their consumption is quite lofty.
Too much sugar equals inflammation
So what’s the bother? Too much sugar equals inflammation, oxidative stress, can feed cancer cells, increase hormones, and erupt skin. Our noshes can damage DNA and collagen creating fine lines, wrinkles and an aged appearance. Plus, according to a 2014 study in The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, refined carbs are the main culprit in the rise of adult acne cases!
Loren Cordain, a professor of health and exercise science at Colorado State University in Fort Collins studied 1,200 Kitavan Islanders of Papua New Guinea, including 300 between the ages of 15 to 25, and 115 Ache hunter-gatherers of Paraguay, including 15 between the ages of 15 to 25. “We didn’t find a single case of acne,” Cordain says. Is a western diet to blame? In the USA, about 80 to 95 percent of teens develop acne and even middle-aged adults aren’t spared. In search of an explanation, the researchers examined the diets of the two primitive cultures. They primarily consumed fish, vegetables, peanuts, rice, some wild game and fruit with almost no processed foods and only a small amount of pasta, bread and sugar. Cordain strongly believes their diet is the reason they had blemish free skin. Alternately, a steady diet of high glycemic foods can trigger a “hormonal cascade” with insulin triggering the release of male hormones and growth factors that leads to more oil, increased cell sloughing, clogged pores and acne.
SLEEP
How much shut-eye is enough? About seven to nine quality hours will bring you the boon of snooze. Sleep is our body’s time for general repair and restoration but you can share the following specific benefits with your clients. Water balance occurs when we sleep; the body efficiently utilizes H2O hydrating the skin while simultaneously flushing out the excess. In a recent study in Japan, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increased (which can create dry, wrinkled skin) with a lack of sleep and had a greater impact on skin hydration than dietary intake and eating behavior [8]. At the same time, excess water is flushed from the system reducing puffy eyes and bloating. The brain also gets a cleanse during sleep with an influx of cerebrospinal fluid carrying out waste twice as fast as during waking times making you more beautiful and brainy!
Sleep deprivation lowers circulation decreasing the rosiness of skin and in conjunction with a decrease in HGH, increases healing times of pimples and other wounds and leads to accelerated aging. The increase in inflammation that occurs when the body cannot restore itself wreaks havoc on the immune system making it difficult for the body to not only fight off infection but also keep immune related skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis from flaring up. These itchy skin states can keep people awake creating a vicious cycle with both quality sleep and the skin condition worsening together. But a date with the sandman can help skin to heal faster which can encourage a more restful repose – a real win-win. Bedtime is also an idyllic opportunity to apply skin treatments because it helps to slow TEWL, skin is in a heightened state of repair and there is no potential for an adverse effect from the sun. So when you do sell them that cream, sack time is the perfect time to apply!
