about us >>
Beth Bailey, RN, BSN, Licensed Esthetician, is an expert in salon skin care and cosmetics.

nature's best wrinkle fighter >> We'll tell you how to use skin beautifying treatments that loosen and remove dead cells from the skin's top layer, making it appear firmer, smoother and absolutely glowing! A recent study with hundreds of female test subjects concluded that a hydroxy acid formula similar to this stimulates collagen production, lightens age-spots, and evens out skin tone to encourage a more beautiful complexion.

beautiful skin >>
Alpha & beta hydroxy skin care products refine skin texture, reduce appearance of fine lines, decrease signs of premature aging, brighten skin tone, reduce blemishes, speed up skin cell renewal, attract and retain moisture to skin, strengthen collagen and elastin to promote firmer, younger- acting skin.

active ingredients >>
Alpha & Beta Hydroxy Acids- (AHA/BHA) removes top layer of dead skin cells to reveal a softer, smoother, renewed complexion
Vitamin A (retinol), Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Vitamin E (tocopherol)-   anti-oxidants reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, increase skin firmness, minimize pores

sunscreen >>
As part of a good skin care regime, daily use of a sunscreen with at least SPF15 is highly recommended. Sunscreen offers limited protection from the sun's UV rays that have been shown to contribute to premature aging and skin cancer.

f.y.i. >>
Facial exercises and facial exercise machines DON'T firm skin. Wrinkles are caused by breakdown of collagen and elastin in the dermis (the middle layer of the skin). Exercises and machines stretch, fray and cause further stress to collagen and elastin support fibers. (AHA/ BHA can help rebuild some of those fibers.)

shop >>
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skin care basics >>

When you look in the mirror what do you see? Ideally, your reflection should reveal a healthy complexion that is smooth, soft, glowing and free of blemishes. What you are actually looking at is epidermis, the visible layer of skin. The condition of the epidermis gives a picture of how well you have been caring for yourself.

Each day, you have the potential to improve your skin's condition and appearance through the natural process of cell renewal. This begins at the bottom of the epidermis in the stratum germinativum, or basal layer, where new skin cells grow. Over time, new cells move up through the layers of the epidermis and become flat and hard with keratin protein. The skin you see in the mirror is composed of keratinized cells held together by the body's oils, sweat, moisture, and cellular glue.

This top layer needs to be removed in order to stimulate new cell growth in the basal layer of the skin. If not removed, the accumulation of dead cells makes skin look dull and tired, deepens premature fine lines, and clogs pores, causing blemishes. This holds true for all skin types; normal, dry, mature, oily, and/or combination.

The middle layer of skin is the dermis, the site of collagen and elastin, fibrous bands of support tissue that are abundant and strong in young skin. Breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers through the aging process, exposure to sun, smoke, pollution and improper care shows up on the epidermis as wrinkles, sagging and discoloration.

The innermost layer of skin is subcutaneous tissue, fat that gives the body smoothness, contour and protection. All layers of skin are interconnected, nourished by blood vessels, lymph, oil and sweat glands within the dermis. In addition to proper skin care, nutrition is vital to the skin's condition and appearance. Healthy diet, exercise, adequate sleep, a daily multi-vitamin, 6-8 glasses of water each day, regular visits to your medical doctor and daily sunscreen use with at least SPF15 can make a big difference in how you look from the inside out.

alpha & beta hydroxy acids >>

AHA/BHAs are fruit acids found naturally in lemons, limes and grapefruits (citric acid) and apples (malic acid). Milk, yogurt and tomatoes (lactic acid), wine and grapes (tartaric acid), and sugar cane (glycolic acid) are all AHAs. Enzymes such as bromelain and papain (from pineapples and papayas) are BHAs. Each of these substances have been shown to remove the top layer of dead surface skin cells and stimulate new cell growth. Alpha hydroxy acid loosens dead skin cells from the epidermis by dissolving the skin's cellular glue. Beta hydroxy agents complete the removal process (exfoliation) by digesting the dead cells. Regular use of both alpha & beta hydroxy agents improve skin smoothness and clarity, fade discolorations and soften the look of fine lines.

Women throughout history have used alpha & beta hydroxy acids as part of their beauty routine. Cleopatra bathed in milk. Courtesans in 18th century France applied white wine poultices to soften skin. Your great grandmother may have used glycerin and rosewater as a moisturizer. Housewives in the 1940s and 50s rubbed lemon halves on elbows to eliminate dry, cracked skin and on cheeks to lighten freckles. Teenage girls in the 1960s rinsed hair with beer to make it shine and used mayonnaise as a conditioner.

Today, licensed estheticians perform salon peels with alpha hydroxy acid (usually glycolic acid) at up to 20-30% strength, depending on state laws. Physicians offer monitored peels at 50-70%. Higher strength alpha hydroxy peels give faster results, but may have unwanted side effects such as hyperpigmentation (dark or unevenly colored skin patches) and sun sensitivity.

For home care, strength of the alpha & beta hydroxy agents should be approximately 5% with a pH similar to the skin's natural balance of 4.5 to 5.5. Using the home peel kit to "jump-start" results, you should see improvement in 4-6 weeks. Continued use will maximize benefits.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration publication, FDA Consumer (March - April 1998; Revised May 1999), cautions consumers to use treatment products where "the AHA concentration is 10 percent or less, the final product has a pH of 3.5 or greater (lower numbers indicate greater acidity), [and] the final product is formulated in such a way that it protects the skin from increased sun sensitivity or its package directions tell consumers to use sunscreen products."

dermatologist's alpha hydroxy at-home peel >>

alphamax home peel kit In a recent skin care breakthrough, two Beverly Hills dermatologistshave successfully created the first at-home facial peel containing alphahydroxy acids. With the introduction of Alphamax, women everywhere,can experience an in-depth skin care procedure similar to thoseperformed in a doctor's office or by a professional esthetician. Normally,such treatments cost $500 or more, however Alphamax delivers similarresults for a fraction of the cost, and without the discomfort of red,chemically peeled skin.