Skincare Clinic

[GentsLLC Shaving/Skincare]

Jeff-

Here's a listing of the ingredients:
Water (Aqua Purificata) Purified, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, DMDM Hydantoin, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate Retinyl Acetate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

I don't think that the glycolic can do terrific damage considering that you are not leaving it on (as you would with a moisturizer that had glycolic in it.) That said, it would be much better for you to use a cleanser which did not have a harsh detergent in it like the sodium lauryl sulfate. This is a very stripping detergent which is cheap to buy in bulk and foams very well and so is a favorite (along with its cousin, sodium laureth sulfate) of many manufacturers. One or the other is in most cleansers and shampoos-just start looking at some ingredient labels. So basically, your "buffing" with the glycolic and "stripping" with the sodium lauryl sulfate every day. One other gripe that I have....if a company is going to donate a portion of the proceeds of their sales to prostate cancer, why not take out some of the funky chemicals (which give many of their products the blue, green, etc colors as well as the chemical preservatives ie. methylparaben and proplyparaben which are considered suspect re:cancer???)

_________________
Nicole Sommers
www.gentsllc.com
nicole@gentsllc.com

[GentsLLC Shaving/Skincare]

cotton swab
hydrogen peroxide
½ oz. powered oatmeal
½ T. fresh lemon juice
¼ c. egg whites
3 drops honey

Directions:
1. Dab cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide and cleanse the infected area. (This will keep the infection from spreading.)

2. Mix everything else in a small bowl.

3. Cover blemish with mixture and leave on for twenty minutes.

4. Rinse with warm water.

5. Store leftovers in fridge for up to one week. Apply twice daily until pimple disappears.

_________________
Nicole Sommers
www.gentsllc.com
nicole@gentsllc.com

[jallen013]

[GentsLLC Shaving/Skincare]

Good for you ! Please let me know how it works out.

_________________
Nicole Sommers
www.gentsllc.com
nicole@gentsllc.com

[GentsLLC Shaving/Skincare]

Compared to pale skin, brown skin contains more melanin, or pigment in the uppers layers in cells known as melanocytes. These cells are very sensitive to an array of assaults including the sun, irritation from injury, rough treatment and medicines. These cells are more likely to react (if provoked) with discoloration, as seen in hyperpigmentation (dark spots) or hypopigmentation (light spots.) Brown skin is also slow to rebound and prone to develop discolored spots and scars from acne, psoriasis, eczema and sometimes from the treatments for these conditions. Also, the darker the skin color, the more likely the person will be predisposed to hyperpigmentation. Unlike pale skin which reacts more immediately to irritation but recovers quickly, darker skin may be slower to react but the aftereffects will linger.

People tend to assume that dark skin is thicker and oilier and therefore more sturdy and resilient. Not true. Heavily pigmented skin is far more reactive than is fair, Caucasian skin. Sometimes clients with dark skin complain of dryness but see a shine and think that they are oily when in fact the shine is actually a reflection of light. Generally, the size of the pores will dictate oily v. dry conditions. In fact, dark skin is very prone to dehydration.

The sensitivity of darker skins requires caution when it comes to products for at home use as well as for treatments at a spa. In particular, my preference is to avoid using glycolic acid or benzyl peroxide. If you are seeking treatment for hyperpigmentation, I would avoid using traditional fade creams containing hydroquinone, which has been condemned for it's cancer-causing properties, not to mention a tendency for the skin to suddenly develop extreme sensitivity to it even after years of use. There are many natural and botanical ingredients like licorice and rice bran which are "skin lighteners" although treatment requires great patience given that hyperpigmentation is one of the most difficult skin conditions to address. As far as spa treatments, I would be cautious about peels, microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing treatments as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation with potential scarring can result.

The good news is that darker skin is more resistant to sun damage (although it still can burn and requires protection with sunscreen) and is slower to display wrinkles, rough texture and age spots. Still, once every month, your skin must be examined from head to toe, paying particular attention to your hands, fingers, feet, toes, nails and mouth, where melanoma type skin cancers are more likely to appear in people of color. Look for dark brown or black spots in these areas no matter how small. Pay particular attention to new spots or spots that change. The change can be an increase in size, shape or color or a raised bump that develops within the spot. A bump on the foot or toe that is sore or does not heal is another tip off for skin cancer. Be on the lookout for dark streaks or lines along one fingernail or toenail only. If you find anything unusual, any area that you think might have changed or any particularly dark or irregular spot, see your dermatologist right away.

Contrary to popular belief, darker skin is not tougher; in fact, while extra melanin does have its benefits -- sun protection and slowed signs of aging -- it makes the skin more sensitive and vulnerable to injury.

So, we want to be gentle and make sure to AVOID INFLAMMATION:

1) Cleanse skin daily to remove dirt but avoid abrasive cleansers or products (puffs, loofahs), which can irritate skin of color. Don't overdo it. Cleansing too often or too roughly will harm brown skin.

2) Use products designed for your skin type but avoid those that contain potential irritants such as fragrance, alcohol, propylene glycol, dye and lanolin.

3) Keep the temperature down and exfoliate gently without over exfoliating.

4) Do a patch test for new products.

5) Use a quality sunscreen without fragrance or PABA

**Skin color also affects what is going on internally as darker skin is less likely to absorb the sunlight necessary for the body to manufacture sufficient amounts of vitamin D and so supplementation is often necessary.

_________________
Nicole Sommers
www.gentsllc.com
nicole@gentsllc.com

[GentsLLC Shaving/Skincare]

Dear All,

I know that it's been a long time since my sudden absence in '06 but I unfortunately had breast cancer and found it very difficult at the time to announce this on the forum (or anywhere else for that matter.)

I'm fortunate to have my health back and wanted to pick up where I left off as I love to write and educate.

Please accept my apologies for leaving you all so suddenly - it was a very difficult time for me.

I hope that you'll have me back.

_________________
Nicole Sommers
www.gentsllc.com
nicole@gentsllc.com

[GentsLLC Shaving/Skincare]

Try to avoid moisturizers containing mineral oil, which is petroleum-based. They tend to be greasy and clog your pores. Products containing alcohol will usually dry your skin instead of moisturizing it.

In addition, try to avoid moisturizers with artificial fragrance as well as those that contain too many preservatives because they are more likely to cause allergic reactions. Some examples of preservatives include various parabens and sodium benzoate.

_________________
Nicole Sommers
www.gentsllc.com
nicole@gentsllc.com