When using a BHA such as salicylic acid at home as a treatment or for maintenance for the skin, the ideal dosage is between 0.5-2% for professional products. Anything lower than that is ineffective. Salicylic acid for home care use typically comes in the form of a serum. The serum can be combined in a moisturizer. It can also come in the form of an exfoliant or a cleanser.
If you are using a salicylic-based serum it is important to combine it with a moisturizer. More specifically, a moisturizer that contains hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Acneic skin types should go for an oil-free moisturizer.
On the other hand, if you have a sensitive skin type or rosacea, you would benefit from a soothing moisturizer that has calming ingredients such as aloe vera.
Notes for BHA Home Use
If you are using salicylic acid serum, it is important to let it sit until it is fully absorbed before applying a moisturizer. If you have sensitive skin or if you are new to using acids on your skin, it is recommended that you apply 2-3 times a week in the evening after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Do this for two weeks or until you notice that the sensitizing effects have reached a plateau. From there you can start using it on daily basis and even up to twice a day.
Avoid using salicylic acid serum around the eye area as it can be drying.
Product recommendations for cleansing
If you are looking to introduce salicylic acid into your routine in a cleanser, try the Purifying Gel Cleanser. It is good for oily skin, congested skin, and for acne maintenance.
However, if you have severe acne or inflamed acne, try the Beta Clarity Cleanser. This one is also great for use on back acne.
If you have Rosacea or sensitive skin, try the Hydra-Bright Polishing Cleanser because you can use it as an exfoliant but also as a mild foaming cleanser on a daily basis.
Product recommendations for moisturizing
If you are using salicylic acid at home, you should be moisturizing as well.
For combo to oily skin types, we recommend an oil free moisturizer. Very oily to acne prone skin should try the Oil Control Emulsion. Keeping the skin hydrated when using salicylic acid is very important. Both of these moisturizers contain effective dosages of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid attracts and maintains hydration to hold 1000 times its weight in water.
On the other hand, if your are using BHA to treat sensitive skin, we recommend the Phyto Calm Aloe Hydrator. As the name implies, the aloe vera improves skin hydration and delivers strong anti-inflammatory benefits.
BHA is used to treat a variety of skin conditions. It is an organic acid derived from willow bark. In the skincare industry it is known as a chemical exfoliant. The ph level of this acid is typically between a ph of 3-5.
BHA is considered to be a fat soluble solution. In other words it dissolves in fats. As a result, it can break through the lipid layer which is the oil layer of the skin. For that reason, it is recommended for oily and acne-prone skin types.
However, that is not the only use for BHA on the skin! It is also a recommended treatment for sensitive skin types because it has a lower risk of irritation versus other types of acids.
How does BHA interact with the skin?
BHA produces exfoliating benefits by dissolving the build-up at the surface of the skin which then balances the oiliness of the skin. It is also able to penetrate into the pores which then dissolves the build-up in clogged pores.
It treats conditions that involve scaling or overgrowth of skin, like milia.
BHA helps with milia because it has resurfacing properties. So, not only does it help remove excess oil on the skin, but it helps to exfoliate by removing the dead skin cells so it dissolves the binding glue or the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together so it reveals a fresh new layer of skin at the surface which then pushes impurities up to the surface such as milia and deep acne.
Anti-inflammatory properties
BHA also has anti-inflammatory functions which makes it a suitable treatment for inflamed acne and/or rosacea. Compared to other acids such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid has a more superficial affect on the skin by interacting mainly with the lipid layer.
In other words, it is not as irritating because it won’t penetrate as deep. However, it will promote exfoliation which in turn promotes cell growth. These new skin cells have been strengthened by that process and so the skin is improved overall.
Finally, BHA is also very good at treating Keratosis pilaris which a is a condition that affects the back of the arms and legs.
Facial redness can be a symptom of irritation, inflammation, damage, trauma to the skin, allergies, or skin conditions.
Should I be worried about broken capillaries?
Broken capillaries on the nose.
Although broken capillaries do not typically cause discomfort, they can cause inflammation due to an increased circulation to the area. In turn, this can cause enlarging of the pores. So, the concern is not so much from a health perspective as it is from an esthetic concern.
If the visual appearance bothers you, you should be concerned! If left untreated, it’s going to continue to progress and can cause other unsightly or esthetically unpleasing effects to the skin. It always good to consult with physician or a dermatologist to be aware of what the causes or contributing factors are.
Broken capillaries and redness on the face can make you photosensitive, meaning more reactive to sun exposure.
How do you get rid of redness and broken capillaries on your face?
The first step is to get the contributing factors under control if possible. From there, you can remove the redness and broken capillaries with phototherapy, in particular, Intense Pulse Light (IPL) photofacials.
The reason why IPL is highly recommended for alleviating broken blood vessels and inflammation on the skin is because of it’s target precision. IPL is a very targeted treatment that goes straight to the source without injuring or traumatizing the surrounding tissues or cells. It will not cause further damage or irritation as the light penetrates into the skin thereby preserving the surrounding tissues.
Other treatment options.
Second to photofacials, you can treat using an acid-based method. These treatments are on a topical level. We treat redness using salicylic acid. It helps reconstruct the superficial layers of the skin by causing controlled injury to the skin. In turn, this stimulates the skin to rebuild new cells and also helps to take down inflammation.
Often, broken capillaries are accompanied by a general redness or flush to the skin. This is usually caused by inflammation. Salicylic acid reduces the inflammation which helps to shrink down the pores. It also helps to decongest the pores that clogged up as a result of them opening up more than usual due to the inflammation.
Finally, acid-based treatments strengthen the skin and help to rebalance the skin’s ph level.
Salicylic vs Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Betahydroxy acids work more on a superficial level than alpha hydroxy acids. They don’t absorb as deep. This makes them ideal for treating sensitive or sensitized sin.
Home tips for redness and broken capillaries.
Avoid extended heat and sun exposure. If or when you do experience extended exposure, use different means to cool your skin down as soon as possible. We recommend putting spoons in the fridge (not freezer) and using them to calm the skin. You can also use cooling eye gel packs. Finally, use products that contain aloe.
How do I know if I have rosacea?
There are 5 telling symptoms of rosacea. Symptoms of rosacea include sensitivity, enlarged pores, constant flush to the skin, broken capillaries, and pustules. Consult with physician or a dermatologist if you think you have rosacea to be aware of what the causes or contributing factors are.
What is the best moisturizer for rosacea?
Use a nourishing moisturizer that is ph balanced and is hydrating to the skin. It should contain aloe or other active soothing ingredients.
Does rosacea get worse with age?
Yes, rosacea is a progressive skin condition that is not known to have a cure. But never fear, there are steps you can take to manage rosacea symptoms. The cause is unknown but can be linked to genetics.
The meaning of the SPF number in sunscreen has caused much confusion. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number afterwards comes from a formula. The formula is used to calculate the number of minutes your skin be safely exposed to the sun before it starts to have negative effects.
Think of it as a stop watch that starts when you step out into the sun. The higher the number, the more minutes it buys you.
Protection increases slightly as the SPF number goes higher by allowing less percentage of rays to hit your skin.
Do SPF 15 and 50 have the same ingredients?
SPF 50s will have more zinc. The higher the zinc the more protection, but also the whiter the cast that it leaves. In fact, you can buy a zinc stick, which is like a chapstick for areas where you’re highly exposed.
Keep in mind that sunscreens do not always protect you from burning. It will definitely extend the amount of time you can safely be in the sun before it starts causing damage. However, for some skin types will burn anyway with or without sunscreen.
Physical vs Chemical?
Physical sunscreens are made of minerals and act like sunglasses for your skin. Zinc is a mineral. It is a finely ground rock that has been finely crushed that sits on the skin. When you apply it, it binds to your skin at the surface and provides a “shade” over your skin.
Physical sunscreen is the best type of sunscreen to use over your face or for sensitive skin types. On the other hand, they tend to be a little greasier because they do not absorb into the skin. Also, they can leave a white cast depending on how high your SPF is.
Chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin right away, they are not greasy and do not leave a white cast. however, they are actually going into your skin and interacting on a cellular level, coating each cell. While they have benefits, the fact that they are going into your cells leaves room for adverse reactions.
New day sunscreens
Some product lines have become more sophisticated with their formulations and are able to dilute the white cast without losing efficacy or adding ingredients.
Now that you know the meaning of the SPF number in sunscreen, which SPF is right for you?
IPL Phototherapy uses light energy to treat major skin conditions and permanently remove unwanted hair. It delivers pulses of UV light into the skin on areas of the face, neck, arms, hands, and legs. The depth of light penetration is measured according to the condition being treated.
With just a quick pulse of light we can diminish brown spots, redness, broken capillaries and remove unwanted facial and body hair.
Browse through our selection and descriptions to see which treatment suits your skin’s needs most. We offer free consultations with our Skin Experts who will analyze your skin condition, outline the benefits, and help you select the best treatment option.
Our chosen technology
There are 2 important factors when determining eligibility for IPL Hair Removal
We use the Sharplight Formax system. It features a patented Dynamic Pulse Control (DPC) technology.
You may have heard that phototherapy can be painful, but with the Sharplight Formax system, you can rest assured that your service will be a breeze. The system features a cooling window that cools your skin to a safe temperature during your treatment. As a result, your skin feels cool and comfortable throughout!
IPL: PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL
Our IPL Hair Removal treatment will deliver permanent results on any area of face and body, including male facial hair. Above all, razor burn, ingrown hairs, and embarrassing stubble will be a thing of the past!
IPL: PHOTOFACIALS
ALISA (Skin Tightening/Rejuvenation)
Ideal for treating dull skin appearance, textural damage such as scarring, fine lines, wrinkles, and mature skin.
The ultimate solution to clear hyperpigmentation, for example, sun spots, pigment scarring, age spots, or dark spots on the face. Also treats acne scarring.
Book you and a friend
& each receives 20% OFF
ANY MedEsthetics service!
Just in time for Mother’s Day, have a spa day with a friend and each receives 20% off any MedEsthetics service!
Our advanced treatments are tailored to treat major skin conditions and deliver maximum results. With our MedEsthetics menu, we can smooth skin, diminish brown spots, redness, broken capillaries, and remove unwanted facial and body hair.
Try our TREATMENT SELECTION GUIDE to see which MedEsthetics service is best suited for your skin concerns.
Offer ends May 31, 2016. This special is not valid with any other offer/promotion. No pre-purchasing.
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