I Heart Rosehip seed oil :)

Rosehip seed oil is an amazing product believed to be the best oil available for anti-aging and skin rejuvenation. Rosehip seed oil contains Vitamin A, which helps delay the defects of aging, assists in cell regeneration, and promotes collagen and elastin levels to increase. This results in firmer, smoother and more youthful skin with greater elasticity. Rosehip seed oil also contains a high amount of essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, which further promotes healthy skin. It is particularly rich in linoleic and linolenic acids, which are important skin nutrients.

Rosehipseed oil has been used to treat the following skin problems:

Stretch marks

UV Damage from sun exposure

Scars from surgery, burns, and acne

Eczema

Psoriasis

Wrinkles

Hyperpigmentation

Dermatitis

Age spots

Brittle nails

Rosehip seed oil may not be right for every skin type to use on the face. It is oil, so if you get breakouts or have oily/combination skin it probably isn’t for you. But if you have dry skin it would work wonders! What I most recommend rosehip seed oil to my clients for is stretch marks, and to use on the hands, neck, and chest. Women start to realize their age is showing on the hands, neck, and chest because they have neglected them over the years that they used products on the face. Rosehip seed oil is perfect for those areas to help with sun spots, age spots, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.

Not So Glowing Skin???

So I recently took a good look at my skin….and said what the heck is going on! Where did my glowing skin go?? So I thought hard about what I had been doing differently recently. STRESS!! The new year can sometimes be a stressful time trying to start the year right getting everything and anything done, getting back to work after a long break, already trying to reach a resolution…sound familiar to anybody??

Stress plays such a huge role in our skins appearance. Although it may be true that everybody handles stress differently emotionally, on a physiological level our bodies respond very similarly.  Stress is one of the main contributors to an increased population of free radicals in the body, which is a major cause of premature aging. Emotional or mental trauma can cause you to screw up your face or frown or pout, and constant muscular contractions can eventually become permanent fine lines and wrinkles.

Stress prompts the production of adrenaline. One of the actions of this hormone is to direct blood away from the skin and send it to the muscles for increased strength to deal with emergency situations.  Not good!! Blood and lymph are the skins main source of nutrients. This constant adrenaline rush from stress eventually gives the skin that pale and sallow look.

Intense emotions like anger, frustration and excitement stimulate the release of certain hormones and enzymes, which activate the overproduction of sebum which can cause breakouts.

These are just a few of the ways stress affects the skin. Unfortunately, stress brought about by modern living does not give us that much needed rest. Day in and day out, stress is always there with us every step of the way. Stress might follow us from the time we wake up in the morning until the time we are about to retire for the night. At times, stress even follows us in our sleep! If you have been noticing your skin has been looking a little dull or having unusual skin conditions for your skin type, take a look at your stress level, it could very well be the main issue with your skin.

It may be impossible in today’s world to completely illuminate stress….but let’s try to minimize it!

-         Take some down time for yourself! Get a facial, massage, sit in a sauna—whatever you enjoy most!

-         Meditation/Yoga/Pilates

-         Acupuncture- An amazing treatment that is deeply relaxing and will help balance your body from the inside.

-         Don’t be afraid to say NO!! Would you mind joining our group that meets twice a week?? Will you sign up to bring snacks for the class?? Etc. sometimes we simply just take on too many tasks which causes a lot of stress!

Sometimes it takes an internal change to change the appearance on the outside.  You will be amazed at the difference in your skin from taking your stress level down a few levels! J

New Year, New Treatment!

Acutonics, n. 1. System of vibrational sound healing rooted in Oriental Medicine and philosophy that utilizes tuning forks and symphonic gongs tuned to the planets, Tibetan bowls, bells, drums, and rattles. Connecting body, mind, and soul in the journey toward optimal health, harmonic attunement or at-one-ment with all things in the Universe. 2. The integral way, undifferentiated wholeness, the essence of Tao.

I am trained in Acutonics in relation to skincare. Acutonics is an application of precisely calibrated tuning forks on pressure points of the body to bring about balance, healing and relaxation. You will hear the soothing tone and feel the vibration of the tuning fork run through your body as it balances the flow of Qi, the life force referred to in Chinese medicine. It is truly a unique and deeply relaxing experience.

This treatment makes me so excited because the results will be stellar! It includes a skin anyalasis, enzyme peel, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Acutonics on the body and face, an ampoule and to finish off the jade roller will be used on the face.  So there are probably a few things in that list that made you go huh??

Manual Lymphatic Drainage on The face works to get rid of excess fluid in the face, reducing bags under the eyes, making eyes more clear and leaving the skin with an inner glow. It is also a deeply relaxing treatment.

The Jade Roller has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years. On the face it feels cool and smooth which is very relaxing. Some of the benefits of it include: Aids in closing pores, helps tightening and firming, reduces puffiness, aids in lymphatic drainage, increases blood flow to the face, helps tone facial muscles, increases oxygen supply to the face. To get the most benefits from the Jade Roller it is recommended to be used daily. This is something that you can add into your normal skincare routine at home. We have Jade Rollers available to order at Skin Zen. Check out our website under prices and Specials for more info on this Facial! http://www.skinzenpdx.com/

CHEERS TO GOOD HEALTH IN 2011!

CHEERS TO GOOD HEALTH IN 2011!
By: Jessica Tatieze Temgoua, LAc

Happy New Year everyone! This last year has completely flown by at the speed of light! And according to many of my older, wiser patients, it only goes faster each year! While it may be unbelievable that it’s here, New Years is a fresh start and always a great opportunity to re-evaluate what is important to us and what goals we want to pursue for the upcoming year.

What are your New Year’s resolutions? If any of them involve improving your health or looking great, Skin Zen Acupuncture & Esthetics may be your first step toward following through and meeting your goals. Whether your goals involve getting a handle on acne or those wrinkles that appeared out of nowhere! Or maybe you want to lose weight, reduce stress in your life, stop smoking, or get rid of your pain...Skin Zen has something for everyone with the variety of services we offer.

Esthetics:
Before my sister, Marcy, became an esthetician I had never had any kind of treatment for my skin besides prescriptions from my dermatologist. Boy was I missing out! Facials and body treatments are so relaxing and leave your skin feeling and looking great. I notice after a facial, when my skin looks great I feel better and more confident. Whether you’re focusing on treating acne or anti-aging, or just want to relax and keep your skin looking young and bright, Marcy’s holistic approach to skincare is just what you need. One of my New Year’s resolutions is actually to take better care of my skin and get facials more consistently because even though I’m still young, prevention is the key! Plus, the relaxation is amazing!

Chinese Medicine- Acupuncture & Massage:
I have found that stress is one the most detrimental things to people’s health, yet many think of massage and relaxation as luxury rather than necessity. How about one massage per month to relax tense muscles and release stress? Now that sounds like a resolution that you would actually want to keep! And you’ll be surprised at what a difference it makes in your life. Many people are also surprised at how relaxing acupuncture is no matter what their being treated for, but specific acupuncture points can also be used to reduce stress. Since acupuncture works to balance the body, it can treat a large variety of issues, such as insomnia, anxiety, menopause, PMS, pain, infertility…the list goes on and on! Click the link below to see a list of some conditions that the World Health Organization has identified acupuncture is effective in treating based on research studies done: http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4926e/5.html

From us at Skin Zen to all of you….Wishing you a happy and healthy 2011! We can’t wait to help you keep all of your resolutions and hope to see you soon!