7 Tips to Help Your Clients Achieve Healthier Skin
From sun exposure to sleep deprivation, certain daily habits can be bad for clients’ complexions. Steer them in the right direction with these seven strategies for healthier skin.
The reality is that spectacular facial treatments will only do so much for the person who burns the candle at both ends, brakes in the sun or subsists on junk food. Moreover, if estheticians don’t offer guidance about behaviors that can help or harm skin health, they’re doing their clients–and their spas–a disservice. So we sorted through the latest science and spoke with pros in the know to bring you seven key skin-saving suggestions that you should be sharing.
Feed Your Face: The skin needs to be nourished, and not just from the outside. For starters, its very structure requires protein to keep it intact, notes Christian Jurist, MD, medical director of global education for Pevonia in Daytona Beach, Florida. “Daily protein intake supports collagen, elastin and other fibers to maintain healthy, firm and young-looking skin,” he explains. A cup of chopped chicken breast provides 43 grams of protein; Greek yogurt offers 23 grams per cup; and most fish provides more than 20 grams per 3-ounce serving.
Drink Up: Failure to get enough fluids can dry out the skin and leave it more vulnerable to signs of aging. “When we’re dehydrated, our organs have a harder time working efficiently, natural detoxification slows down and the skin starts looking weathered,” notes Snyder. The ideal amount of water consumption varies, depending on factors including body weight and activity levels, but the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, recommends daily averages of 9 cups for women and 13 cups for men. It’s also worth advising clients that certain medications can lead to dehydration, as can extreme weather and excessive sweating, smoking (a major skin-ager for many reasons!), and ingesting too much alcohol or caffeine. Above all, encourage them to be proactive with water intake, rather than wait until they feel thirsty.
Take Shelter: Spending too much time in the sun is arguably the biggest lifestyle factor affecting skin health. “Exposure to sunlight is the primary cause of premature skin aging,” says Cynthia Rivas, a medical esthetician at the office of dermatologist Monica Halem, MD, in New York City. “UVA rays break down collagen, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles, dilating pores, and causing pigmentation such as melasma and brown spots.” To limit UV exposure, the American Cancer Society recommends staying in the shade when outdoors (especially between peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), as well as wearing brimmed hats and wraparound sunglasses, and applying an SPF 30+ formulated to block UVA/UVB rays (Dr. Halem strongly suggests a product containing at least 9 percent zinc).
Keep it Clean: Another enemy to the skin is air pollution. A review of studies published in the journal Cosmetics (January 2018) noted that exposure to environmental pollutants (both indoors and outside), including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds, can cause premature skin aging, pigmentation spots and acne, as well as more chronic conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. To counter the effects of pollution on clients’ skin, emphasize a skincare regimen that includes: an antioxidant serum and a barrier protection product in the morning; and a thorough, non-stripping cleanser and calming, moisturizing and nourishing skin recovery system before bed. “If you don’t cleanse your face at night, you make it difficult for your skin to repair itself because it has to fight the pollution, bacteria and dirt you didn’t wash off,” warns Rivas.
Get Your Beauty Sleep: As Snyder points out, “After just one late night, we start exhibiting haggard-looking skin, red and puffy eyes, and dark circles–those effects indicate adrenal exhaustion.” The adrenal glands, located just above our kidneys, are responsible for producing and releasing powerful hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol and aldosterone. “Higher cortisol levels may lead to acne, psoriasis and rosacea flares; alopecia (hair loss); and eczema,” says Rivas. “Elevated cortisol also causes blood sugar levels to increase, triggering glycation, a process that can break down collagen.”
Stress Less: Similar to a lack of sleep, excessive angst spurs potentially destructive hormones into action. “When you’re under a lot of stress, your body releases more cortisol,” says Rivas. This can lead to all the aforementioned skin issues, including collagen breakdown. “The skin loses elasticity and becomes saggy,” she notes. Even its ability to hold onto water is compromised. The result: age spots, sunken eyes, wrinkles and a duller complexion overall. Stress also contributes to sleep disturbances, leaving the skin caught up in a vicious cycle. The best way to break that cycle is with techniques such as meditation (“which also helps relax facial muscles,” reminds Pink), mindfulness, yoga and tai chi.
Move More: Physical activity can do wonders for the complexion. “The increased blood flow from exercise delivers vital nutrients and oxygen to skin
cells,” notes Rivas. In fact, a study led by researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, suggested exercise may slow or even reverse skin aging. Ultimately, every lifestyle choice, from nutrition and hydration to workouts and relaxation, has the potential to boost overall health, as well as the health of the body’s largest organ. The good news is that, for the most part, skin is pretty forgiving. As Snyder notes, “You can expect to see more of a general ‘glow’ in only a few days, once you’ve consciously shifted toward healthier habits, including consistent physical activity.
Team Rejuvee