Probiotics and the Skin: MyBody Skincare

This past week at the school I teach at, we had mybody come to speak to my Future Professionals about their medical grade skincare line. The ladies were excited and so was I to hear all the innovative things they had to share. This brand also intrigued me because they were only offered in medical offices or medspas. Their products would not be gracing the shelves of Ulta our Sephora. So as an esthetician, my ears perked up. What made this line medical grade? So the professional product they have is a type of "Probiotic Peel". This is the big bulk of their sales but isn't limited to just that but it's their bread and butter from what I gathered. So, the pitch went on to talk about these products using biomimcry (aka technology that mimics our biological processes) and that contain no gluten, no SLS, and contain no parabens. So okay...how does it work?

Well, the professional product contains a certain percentage of AHA's which exfoliate the skin and create a wound on the face where it's applied. Also within the product is a certain strain of lactobacillus which stimulates a healing response to help the results of the peel. I was somewhat intrigued and so I was curious to know how it worked on an even smaller level....so I had to do some research. So first of all, it's not labeled what type of bacteria is within the peel. It's only said that it is a type of lactobacillus derivitive that is nonliving but comes from a living bacteria. With that information, I was confused.

Aren't probiotics technically considered alive? So I tried doing my homework and found out that a derivative is actually a part of the once alive bacteria but with this, it can still stimulate the same response from our body. Meaning that it will still carry out the function because our body has still identified this object as a positive bacteria.

  Awesome, so what about probiotics make them good for the skin? Well probiotics are supposed to be good for our overall health. WebMD says, "The normal human digestive tract contains about 400 types of probiotic bacteria that reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and promote a healthy digestive system." For the skincare works, it's important to maintain all of our body systems because all of them effect the skin. More importantly, problems can manifest through challenges with our skin. Proper channels of removing waste are vital. Toxins and waste will be removed from our bodies any way they can...including through our pores. Breakouts and other disorders can occur because of this. So that's bueno for our skin. Eczema is said to be linked to malabsorption! Bingo, this can help by regulating our digestive track. Also, being able to decrease the amount of harmful bacteria is going to be beneficial. P. Acne, which causes acne, is a strain of bad bacteria that can be regulated by the good guys! The most popular of these boogers is Lactobacillus acidophilus. But then that got me thinking...

Are there any other types of probiotic that is good for skin? So technically, I could see how that could be beneficial for suffers of aneic skin...and the others? Well,there is another strain of probiotic called Lactobacillus Rhamnosus that is usually found in the digestive tract which helps heal the linings from acid corrosion. Pretty much stimulates the healing response within the epithelial cells--the intestinal lining is compromised of these cells which act as a covering. To relate to skincare, skin cells are a type of epithelial cell. Now back to the

Professional Vs...Not.

Can you remember the last time that you were so sick that you had to go to the doctor?

The last time I had gone to the doctor, I had a sinus infection that I could not shake. It was miserable, not matter how many Tylenols I popped for the pain- it was bothering me. So, I had to gather all my energy and finally make an appointment. When I went in I waited about 45 minutes in the waiting area, got called back and sat in a very bare room, waited another 15 min for a nurse to come fill out my chart, nurse left and another 10 minutes passed until I saw my doctor. He asked me a few ho-hum questions and scribbled on a little tablet. And there it was...the answer to all my problems...a prescription to feel better! TADA!

No imagine that you are suffering from something a little less dramatic...sort of. Working in a spa, I've had many people present me with challenge after challenge. " I want to look 20 years younger. I want to clear up my skin. I want to get rid of the unwanted spots.." While I can do my darndest while you are on my table results come from 30% treatment and 70% at home care. Which means I will have to PRESCRIBE you product for maintenance and to look better! Think of your skin care professional as a doctor and their prescription as their take-home recommendations...if you want to see a change, you have to follow instruction. Not only that but if you're wanting to "get better", professional skin care products are going to do the job better than what you can get in the aisle of your convenience store (oh hey, kind of like your medication when you're sick!).


How can you tell the difference?
The difference between Over the Counter (OTC) and professional products are that professional products are sold at establishments in which a licensed esthetician or medical practitioner are located.  For you to be able to get the results you need and to get clear instruction it has to be so! Professional products have a higher amount and quality of ingredients designated for balancing out the skin and/or treating skin conditions. A lot of these professional products contain ingredients that could do some damage if not used correctly. OTC products can be sold by anyone, usually aren't recommended based on YOUR needs only what you think your needs are, and in the end can cost you more money for the results you want. Used correctly, your professional products will cost you less and with quicker results than the OTC messes.

And that's just professional product...don't make me show you pictures of crazy people doing professional grade treatments at home...seriously. Would you inject yourself with a vaccine? Probably not. Something could go wrong! You aren't the expert! So leave it to those who are! Plus, I don't think giving yourself a massage feels as good as getting one by a professional.

So needless to say, I'm an advocate for your local esthetician. Need one? Check out Spa Finder for day spas and medspas in your area. Sign up with their newsletter and they'll even send you info on SPA WEEK which is an amazing event where a gazillion spas offer discounted services! Who could pass that up? Even if you don't have a challenge...atleast you could go in for a wellness "check up".

I'll get off my little soapbox now...but what would you guys like to know? I'm open to some questions! If you aren't up to posting a comment feel free to email me at soskinsmart@gmail.com. Let's hear it!

Where To Start Your Smart Skin Decisions

Growing up I've always heard, "beauty is only skin deep..". 
A cliche we've all come to love and know. However, as a licensed esthetician I've grown to understand it's true meaning. To really appreciate beautiful skin is to chase after it like millions of us around the world are!

Maybe I need a little introduction- my name is Chelsea and I'm a licensed esthetician and esthetician instructor. So I assure you, this comes from a good place! Obviously my students have a ton of questions but I also have many clients who all wonder the same things...what will work for me? So this blog as stemmed from those pleas! So here we go...

Did you know that $53.7 billion have been spent by the U.S. alone in 2013 on COSMETICS? Cosmetics are defined as products "intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions." That's a lot of money being invested in our beauty wouldn't you say? The majority of that money stems from make-up which is used to enhance your beautiful features and conceal the less attractive...but the rest? The rest of that money is spent on those skin care products that fill that space under your bathroom sink. And why does it sit there out of sight? Because those products don't work for you or they don't live up to expectation. How do you know which products are for you?

Or what about that cool  skin treatment you just saw on that reality TV show about over-privledged sisters? Does it really work? In 2011, the spa industry's revenue was recorded at 13.4 billion dollars!  Not only is that money spent but what about the hours spent at the spa? Is it worth it? No worries, you have the internet...the answer to all your problems! Maybe. You can go on Youtube these days and find people doing chemical peels on themselves at home with no education whatsoever! For every successful one there is probably 5 botched "at home treatments". Is a chemical even the right treatment for you? So please, don't burn your face off!

As a professional, my ultimate goal is to educate everyone on not what's the trend but really the basics and foundation that you as a consumer need to know.  It's only then that you can come to a conclusion on what your skin care regimen should entail, what ingredient best suits your needs, what plan of action is going to help you with your skin care challenge. Not only am I here to tell you what you need but how your skin represents your internal health. With my background and knowledge I hope to answer some of your questions and infulence some of your smart skin decisions!

Looking forward to jumping right in!