LED Light Therapy

What is it?

The “Cold Light” Technology is based on established research using Light Emitting Diodes to deliver specific wavelengths of Red, Blue, Green and Yellow Light energy to your skin.

How does it work?

This light energy passes through a layer of phytogel to stimulate, regenerate and hydrate your skin. According to NASA space program research (they developed the technology), the specified wavelengths found in the Cold Light stimulate cellular growth and metabolism, resulting in increased collagen production. The Cold Light is indicated for
the improvement of overall tone and texture of the skin, rosacea, acne, acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and soft tissue (myofascial) pain management.

What benefits does it has?

  • No pain, side effects, or downtime
  • Safe and effective for all skin types
  • Non-thermal, non-invasive, and non-ablative so there’s no injury to the skin surface
  • Fast and convenient
  • Treats large areas such as the entire face or chest at once
  • No aftercare is needed
  • Follow up is a home routine of skin care
  • Skin care professionals report high customer satisfaction

Hydration for Vanquish fat loss treatment

Hydration for Vanquish fat loss treatment

Why is it so important to stay hydrated?

Your body depends on water to survive. Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work correctly. For example, your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste, and lubricate joints. Water is needed for good health in general and is also important to facilitate the breakdown and elimination of fat cells.

But why is it so important for Vanquish?

Our skin contains about 70% water. Fat contains only about 10% of water.
The more hydrated the skin tissue, the less resistance it has towards the RF energy being used to target those fat cells. Hydrated tissue enables the energy to travel more easily through the skin in order to reach and selectively heat those fat cells. This means both a more effective and more comfortable Vanquish treatment.

How much water should I drink each day?

You may have heard different recommendations for daily water intake. For most people that is about 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of water each day, which is a reasonable goal.

If you are concerned that you are not drinking enough water, check your urine. If your urine is consistently colorless or light yellow, you are most likely staying well hydrated. Dark yellow or amber-colored urine is a sign of dehydration.

Could what you eat and drink dehydrate you?

There are a number of foods that can decrease your hydration levels. It is important to increase your fluid intake if your diet is high in any of the following: caffeine, alcohol, protein, and herbal supplements.

What if I workout?

When we sweat, we experience fluid loss. With any activity that causes perspiration it’s important to increase your water intake in order to rehydrate.

Tips for staying hydrated:
Keep it handy: If you have easy access to water throughout the day you will be more likely to make it a habit.

Spice it up: If you don’t love the taste of plain water try adding a hint of fresh fruit or herbs to the mix. Rosemary-Watermelon, Strawberry-Kiwi, Pineapple-Mint, and Lemon-Cucumber are just a few delicious and nutritious combinations to try!

Swap your snacks: Carby snacks like granola bars, chips, & crackers all have a low water content. Instead, reach for fresh fruits and veggies or healthy smoothies that will all help to keep you hydrated. Celery & peanut butter or veggies with hummus are both great refreshing mid-day pick-me-ups.

Pile on the produce: Aim for half of your plate to be made up of fruits & vegetables; both for their higher water content as well as a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals & fiber.

Mens Skincare 101: perfect your mug in four easy steps

Mens Skincare 101: perfect your mug in four easy steps

These days it seems to be all about aesthetics; the grooming industry is at its pinnacle and great skin is in!

While this multi billion dollar industry is indeed dominated by women, there has been a significant rise in men who are taking more of an interest in their appearance.

Maybe you’ve heard about the new ‘Brotox’ fad? The hype is all about men who swear by Botox injections as part of their anti-aging regimen.

While routine injections may seem like extreme measures for your average Joe, the popularity in men’s skincare has become a priority and focus for guys all over the globe.

We know that serums, eye creams and cleansers can seem foreign and overwhelming to a newbie, so we’re here to make your life easier! Here are the basics for putting your best face forward:

Wash your face

That doesn’t sound so hard does it? There IS a catch though:
Say goodbye to your bar soap. Bar soap is probably one of the worst things you can use on your face. Your facial skin is not the same as the skin on your body. While your favourite soap may leave you feeling fresh and clean, it can wreak havoc on your face.

Bar soaps strip your face of its natural oils and throw off your PH levels which can cause your skin to go into overdrive to make up for the lack of moisture.

What does that mean?

Extra dry skin, aggravation of skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea, or an abnormal buildup of sebum oil. Probably not the look you’re going for.

What can you do?

Use a cleanser! Find a cleanser that works with your skin type to keep your PH levels balanced and your skin squeaky clean.

We recommend using Total Wash Face & Body Cleanser by PCA Skin. Suitable for all skin types, this cleanser is formulated to keep your skin smooth while preventing irritation caused by shaving.

Try a Serum

Now that you’re comfortable with using a cleanser, here’s a little known trick for your face that produce maximum benefits: serum.

What is serum?

Essentially, it’s a booster. Basically a serum is able to penetrate into all three layers of the skin while a moisturizer alone only absorbs into the first layer. Serums have a high level of active ingredients, each specially formulated to target your individual skin concerns.

A daily routine using a serum under your moisturizer will show improvements in as little as one week!

To get you started, we recommend following your cleanser with PCA Skin’s Total Strength Line & Pore Minimizer. After cleansing and shaving, apply two pumps to your entire face and neck. For maximum skin strengthening, be sure to use twice daily!

Moisturize

With all of the pollution, UV rays and extreme temperatures; your face really takes a beating. As a result, environmental conditions can cause your skin to become dry, flakey and irritated.

Moisturizing your skin on a daily basis is essential for everyone. It helps to increase skin cell regeneration, promote hydration and not to mention the barrier it creates to block damaging weather conditions that can cause premature wrinkles.

Choosing a good moisturizer for your skin can seem overwhelming, however, once you determine what type of skin you have, that will help you to narrow it down.
As a rule of thumb: the richer the texture, the more hydrating the moisturizer. If you tend to feel tight and flakey, you probably have dry skin and a rich cream will work wonders for you.

If you notice your face is always shiny, your pores are large and you often break out, chances are you have oily skin. A medicated moisturizer or gel based moisturizer may be the best fit.

Normal skin doesn’t produce excessive oil, feel tight or flaky. If you have normal skin, your pores aren’t super noticeable and you may experience minimal shine across your T-zone. Products that bring hydration into the skin while balancing the PH level work best for this skin type.

There are many combinations that you may fall into and that is why we recommend starting with a free consultation. We are here to help! Our trained skincare specialists will create a regimen specifically designed for your skin.

Sun Protection

Whatever the skin type, no matter the regimen, SPF is one product you mustn’t forget. Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays will not only prevent visible signs of aging and sunspots; it will also help to prevent you from developing skin cancer.

We recommend the Elta MD line for optimal protection. This medical grade SPF will shield your face while also hydrating, tinting or clearing acne depending on the product you choose.

Sticking to a skin care routine can seem daunting and overwhelming, but once you reap all the benefits, you will wish you started sooner!

The Clear Skin Solution

The Clear Skin Solution

Let’s face it: acne is no fun and it doesn’t discriminate. Over 85% of people between the ages of 12-25 suffer from this unsightly skin condition which can leave them feeling self conscious and depressed.

While there are many causes and factors to consider, luckily there are also a variety of solutions:

1. Choose Breathable Makeup

If you insist on wearing makeup to conceal your acne, it is essential that you use the proper cover-up to ensure you aren’t perpetuating the state of your skin.

Look for products that are non-comedogenic and breathable. At Q Esthetics, we recommend Lycogel Breathable Camouflage. This hypoallergenic makeup promotes skin repair, while disguising your blemishes.

2. Clean your screen

Living in the age of technology means we are constantly attached to our smart phones. With all the texting, tweeting and tagging, our phones are the one thing we incessantly touch before and after contact with germ-infested door handles, buzzers, bathrooms and common objects.

It’s no wonder that a simple act like answering the phone can cause major damage to an already acne-prone face.

Keep your screen clean, use Bluetooth or speakerphone where possible and practice holding your phone slightly away from your face. It could make all the difference for your skin.

3. Quality over Quantity

If you’re suffering from acne, chances are you’ve tried everything. It’s easy to spend a small fortune on drugstore brands that just don’t get to the source.

Make sure to consult with a skincare professional to help get you started on an acne system. Many skin care clinics carry medical grade products that are considerably more active then anything you can purchase at your local drugstore.

Although these skin care systems can be more costly, they are sure to be more effective in their delivery of active ingredients – thus saving you money in the long run.

4. Be Consistent

Everyone wants instant gratification; however, good things come to those who wait! Eliminating acne takes time and consistency.

It’s important that you develop a strict skincare regimen if you want to reap all the benefits. Results won’t be optimal until after a full cycle of skin-cell turnover occurs. This can take between 6-8 weeks, so don’t be discouraged if you aren’t getting the results you want over night. Consistency is the key to clear skin.

5. Seek Treatment

So you’ve tried everything and now you’re ready to pull out the big guns? Laser acne treatments are a highly effective way of targeting the active acne by eliminating blemish-causing bacteria and slowing down overactive sebaceous glands. Many clients start to see improvement in as little as a single session. Laser treatments are a powerful way to terminate your acne issues altogether, with no downtime.

Remember: Nothing lasts forever and there is no reason your acne has to!

The ABC’s of Vitamins

The ABC’s of Vitamins

Not a pill popper? That’s okay. Your skin generally likes it better when you slather on the vitamins anyway!

We know you want to achieve or maintain that youthful glow, so here are the A, B and C’s of vital skin care supplements:

Vitamin A: Anti-aging

Derivatives of this powerful wrinkle warrior are called retinoids which are a game changer for your skin care regimen.

Not only is Vitamin A amazing for smoothing fine lines, it also combats hyperpigmentation, helps to slough away dead skin cells, and fights acne.
I’m sure you’ve all heard people rave about their retinols before and that’s because they may be the only reliable wrinkle reducer on the market.

Q Tip: PCA Skin’s Intensive Clarity Treatment pairs 0.5% pure retinol with phytic acid. Apply at night, before you hit the hay to promote an even skin tone and flawless complexion.

Vitamin B: Beautiful

An essential ingredient for diminishing dryness, Vitamin B is known for giving your skin a healthy, beautiful glow by improving texture, balance and moisture retention. This multi-purpose vitamin will illuminate a dull complexion, treat eczema, and vastly reduce pigmentation issues. Vitamin B is also known for aiding and preventing skin lesions and conditions such as vitiligo.

Q Tip: PCA Skin’s Hydrating Serum combines a specialized blend of antioxidants and humectants to leave skin soft and hydrated. Loaded with vitamin B3, this lightweight serum will provide maximum hydration and supple skin. After cleansing, apply evenly to entire face and neck in the morning and evening for the ultimate in skin hydration.

Vitamin C: Collagen

This potent antioxidant is essential to any skin care regimen. Vitamin C is known for its collagen boosting benefits, resulting in firmer, more elastic skin. While lightening and brightening your complexion, this powerful nutrient has not only proven to protect against free radicals, but it also helps to reverse DNA damage; thus dissolving the appearance of surface spots on the skin.

Q Tip: Use Obagi Professional-C Serum 15% to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This blend of vitamin C and L-absorbic acid will detox, hydrate and strengthen your skin. After cleansing and toning, apply 5 to 7 drops to entire face and neck in the morning, before sunscreen for maximum benefits.