by Q Pro-team | Feb 24, 2014 | 1.1 Resources & Tips, 2.1 Acne Treatment
You are what you eat: 5 Super foods to get you glowing from the inside out
Let’s face it: everyone wants a youthful, radiant complexion… but where do we start? The old adage ‘you are what you eat’ couldn’t be more accurate, beautiful skin does truly come from within.
Being the largest organ of your body, your skin needs nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants to maintain optimal health. Studies have shown that certain foods can actually enhance and promote a younger looking appearance and even help to fight off various skin concerns such as acne, psoriasis and more.
Here are 5 super foods to help keep your skin in check.
Yogurt
Packed with probiotics which help to fight redness and reduce inflammation, regular consumption of yogurt may help to improve chronic skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and rosacea.
Yogurt also contains lactic acid which works as an active moisturizer for the skin. Many use yogurt as a home remedy to treat dullness and dryness.
Q Tip: To make your own ultra-hydrating mask, coat desired areas with a thick layer of plain yogurt and let it absorb for 25 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and reveal soft, supple skin.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are high in vitamin C which is one of the most beneficial ingredients for the skin. Not only does it build collagen (which is vital in producing younger-looking skin), it’s also a powerful antioxidant – an essential for preventing cell damage.
This fruit’s red pigment (lycopene) helps to protect skin from sun damage kind of like a sunscreen working from within. Make them a part of your mid-day snack, your skin will thank you for it!
Walnuts
This superfood tastes great and you only need a handful of them in order to reap their benefits. Eat them on their own or toss them into your favourite salad for fuller, healthier hair, brighter eyes and more beautiful skin.
Packed with vitamins B and E, walnuts help to lower stress levels and balance your mood. This powerful vitamin combo also fights free radicals, thus slowing the aging process.
Q Tip: Plagued by raccoon eyes? It’s been proven that regular application of walnut oil can lighten dark circles and ease puffiness.
Wild Salmon
Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids and loaded with astaxanthin. This powerful blocker of free radicals prevents damage to cell membranes and DNA which causes the skin to age. While fatty acids like omega-3 have healthy advantages, they also aid in keeping dry skin hydrated from the inside out. Studies have shown that eating one serving every five days can prevent precancerous rough patches called actinic keratoses from developing.
Honey
Honey can do wonders for your skin. Not only is it extremely hydrating, it is rich in antioxidants and has anti-aging benefits. For hundreds of years women have used honey to keep their skin soft and smooth. It has the ability to retain moisture and lock it into the skin.
The advantages span far beyond vanity. Skin concerns such as acne, eczema and psoriasis are just some of the chronic inflammatory conditions that this natural ingredient can help to improve.
Q Tip: Want a homemade zit-zapper? Try applying a thin layer of organic honey to the area and leave on for 30 minutes. You’ll be in the clear before you know it!
Remember, like any new skincare regimin, you need to give it some time to see visible results. Making a healthy lifestyle change can be challenging at first, but like all things that are hard going the results will be well worth it!
by jmtls23 | Feb 7, 2014 | 2.1 Acne Treatment, 2.2 Scar Treatment
I can walk out without makeup now
I came to Q Esthetics for acne scar treatment on my cheeks. At 39, these scars still bother me and play with my self-confidence. I have spent countless amounts of money and tried a wide variety of treatments from peels, microdermabrasion, IPL, pro-fractional laser (ablative) and the results were very minimal.
So to everyone out there who shares the same experience please try a treatment of non-ablative laser resurfacing at this clinic, you will not be disappointed! After just one treatment I had 60% ++ results. It’s the best treatment for me. I can’t wait to see results from treatment number two! It’s expensive and a bit uncomfortable, but it’s WORTH it. I can walk out without makeup now because that’s just how confident I feel. Thank you Nazila.
Julie A. from Etobicoke – Laser Acne Scar Removal (Feb.07, 2014)
by Elizabeth Siegel | Dec 12, 2013 | 1.1 Resources & Tips, 2.1 Acne Treatment
Acne drug users need to know birth control options
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Women using a popular acne drug that causes birth defects need better information about how to keep from getting pregnant, a small study suggests.
Isotretinoin – first marketed as Accuttane – is one of the most effective treatments for acne. But isotretinoin is known to lead to severe birth defects. A program known as iPledge is aimed at preventing pregnancies among the drug’s users.
The iPledge program hasn’t been very successful, however, and the new study suggests it should focus on highly effective birth control methods.
“What we found is that people need a clear message about what birth control would be most effective, and currently the iPledge materials don’t make it clear to most women who enroll in the program,” Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz said.
See more information about this issue @ https://bit.ly/1fn97o1 and https://bit.ly/1fn9dMq JAMA Dermatology, online November 20, 2013.
by M. Cameron | Oct 15, 2013 | 2.1 Acne Treatment
My Cyst Removal Experience at Q Esthetics
I would like to tell you about an experience I had at Q Esthetics in July, but first a little background.
What started 12 years ago as a clogged pore, turned into a very ugly,very large, and most annoying cyst on my face. Over the years,I have tried everything to get rid of it. Estheticians have poked and prodded at it; – their efforts always leaving me with huge red marks, sometimes for as long as two weeks. I tried natural remedies, I tried talking to it and willing it away, but it just kept on growing. Before choosing the dermatologist route, I walked into the Q Esthetics Laser Clinic on Eglington Avenue and booked a consultation with Nancy Qiu. She explained to me that it was a cyst, probably an infected one, and I made an appointment to have it removed the following week.
And here is where the magic part of my note begins. Nancy did not freeze my face. She simply made a razor thin slit, pressed very hard, and in less than one minute, she had successfully removed one cyst and several smaller ones. I left with a small bandage on my face and instructions to care for the spot over the next few days. In three days, there was not a mark on my face! Nancy had taken a photo of my cyst before she removed it and so I went back the following week to show her the results and asked her to take another DATE stamped picture because no one would ever believe it. To me it is still absolutely unbelievable what she did and I could not be more pleased. I have recommended her services to all my friends and wanted to let you know, as well, what a happy client I am.
On a completely different note, I have been in the sales and service business my entire career and can’t help but notice when I walk into a professional office and am greeted by a smiling receptionist and my appointment times are kept. The Eglington Office gets five stars from me and I am a hard marker!
by Q Pro-team | Sep 3, 2013 | 1.1 Resources & Tips, 2.1 Acne Treatment
Hidden triggers of Acne
Acne can appear without notice on your face or other areas of your body. The sudden flare up may leave you wondering – what caused this unwelcomed breakout? The truth is there are many sneaky culprits in our daily life that can contribute to acne, here’s what you need to know:
1. Cosmetics
Acne caused by topical creams, lotions, sunscreen, and hair and make-up products is known as acne cosmetica. Cosmetic products with talc powder or mineral oil tend to clog the pores and cause acne breakouts. Always go for oil-free and non-comedogenic products. It is also very important to carefully remove any makeup and wash away heavy hair care products before heading to bed.
2. Medications
Avoid medications that have steroids, cortisone, hydrocortisone and prednisone, also watch out for those that contain lithium, lithium chloride, and any forms of iodine. Check with your doctor and make sure he’s aware of your conditions and concerns.
3. Mobile Phone
Your cell phone accumulates all kinds of dirt and bacteria throughout the day. When your phone rubs on your skin, the bacteria and friction can aggravate your skin and lead to an acne breakout. Clean your cell phone with alcohol or Clorox a few times a week and if you’re planning on a long chit chat, consider using an earpiece.
4. Dead Skin
Dandruff blizzard? Not fun, dead skin often causes pimples in the scalp. Wash hair with anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner and avoid rinsing hair with very hot water.
5. Yoga Mat
Communal yoga mats gather dirt and bacteria after being frequently used by people in the yoga studio. When you drip with sweat and rub your face on the mat, the bacteria there may get in contact with your face, clog your pores, and eventually form acne. Always place a clean towel on the mat during your workout, even if you’re using your personal yoga mat.
6. Dairy Products
Dairy products are said to be one of the leading causes of breakouts. If you are prone to acne you should decrease the intake of dairy products such as milk, ice cream, butter and cheeses that are high in fat.
7. Stress
Studies show that stress raises the level of the hormone cortisol, which increases oil production, and leads to bouts of acne or aggravates existing acne. Research also found that college students experience breakouts the most during their exams, when they usually feel most stressed.
To deflate stress, make sure to sleep well, exercise regularly, and allow yourself time to relax or to do something that you enjoy each day.
There are so many other factors that can also contribute to acne outbreaks, for example, many people experience acne as a result of pregnancy or weight gain. Understanding the various causes can help you get to the root of your acne to prevent and control breakouts, or clear away the condition completely with the appropriate treatments or skin care products.
by Q Pro-team | Jul 26, 2013 | 1.1 Resources & Tips, 2.1 Acne Treatment
4 Best Home Remedies for Acne Treatment
Are you looking for all-natural home remedies to cure your acne fast? If so, you’ve made the right decision. Many over-the-counter creams and medicines don’t really work—if they did, you wouldn’t see people walking around with pimples! The problem is our diets and lack of healthy practices for our bodies and skin cause acne and once it’s there, it’s super-hard to get rid of. Thankfully, there are home remedies for acne that are quite effective.
Let’s see what acne-fighting alternatives Mother Nature has to offer that can help get rid of your acne for good.
The Four Best Home Remedies for Acne
We’ve put together the four most effective (and 100% natural) ways to get rid of your acne at home:
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is used for acne by making a mask that cleanses and reinvigorates the skin. Not only that, but the baking soda will reduce inflammation around your existing acne and your dead skin cells will be exfoliated. This is a key step in good skin health and vital to maintaining an acne-free complexion. Further, thanks to the powerful exfoliation benefits of baking soda, existing pock marks and acne scars are reduced as well.
To get started, simply place three teaspoons of baking soda in 1/2 cup warm water and mix until it becomes a paste. If it’s too watery, add more baking soda—too thick, add more water. Then, apply the baking soda paste to your face and let it sit for about 15 minutes at first. Over time, you can build up to leaving this baking soda acne mask on overnight, but remove it at the first sign of discomfort. You should start to see results in a few days.
2. Egg Whites
When most people hear egg whites, they think of healthy omelets. When it comes to egg whites for acne and your skin, you don’t eat them, but rather use them to make a facial mask. Egg whites contain oil reducers that draw out impurities from your skin and then contracts your pores to make sure they close up afterward. This means that dirt, makeup, sweat and other pore-clogging debris has a harder time getting back into your skin, resulting in less acne.
To use egg white masks for pimples, simply crack the egg in half and separate the yolk from the clear part (the egg white). Then, apply the egg white with a cotton ball to the affected areas and after a few minutes, you’ll feel your skin tighten up—this is a good thing. You can leave this home acne remedy mask on for about thirty minutes, wash it off, and enjoy the immediate glow your skin takes on.
3. Honey
Honey is another great moisturizer for your skin that contains antiseptic properties which works extremely well on acne. For an added effect, mix nutmeg with some honey to create a facial mask and apply it to your skin for thirty minutes each day. For severe acne, you can do this once in the morning and once at night.
After the time is up, rinse the mask off with warm water and then cold water, since honey is pretty sticky. Within a few days, you’ll see amazing results and have soft, smooth skin straight from nature.
4. Eating foods that are rich in Vitamin B5
Our final home remedy for acne is more of a lifestyle adjustment that changes the environment that acne thrives in. While the rest of the home care tips for pimples we’ve given have stayed on the surface of your skin, this will help attack the problem from the inside out. After all, acne comes from underneath your skin, not above it.
Vitamin B5 is called Pantothenic Acid and can be found in eggs, bananas, oranges, whole grain breads and products, poultry, meat, fish, seeds and mushrooms.
