SUNSCREEN is the #1 way to fight aging, and skin cancer.

Experts say the best way to stay protected from the sun is to stay out of the sun during its hottest hours (generally 11am-3pm, or when it’s directly overhead), and to re-apply sunscreen every two hours. They will tell you to look for sunscreens with the ingredients of either Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Avobenzene (parsol 1789), or Mexoryl. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are physical blockers, while Avobenzene and Mexoryl and chemical blockers.

Q: What type of sunscreen should I use, and what ingredients should I look for?
A: There are so many types of sunscreen that selecting the right one can be quite confusing.
• Avobenzone (parsol 1789),
• Cinoxate
• Ecamsule
• Menthyl anthranilate
• Octyl methoxycinnamate
• Octyl salicylate
• Oxybenzone
• Sulisobenzone
• Titanium dioxide
• Zinc oxide           
BurnOut 18.6% Zinc Oxide Sunblock / SPF 32 for Sensitive Skin 
To get a bit technical, you want your sunscreen to protect you against UVA and UVB rays. UVA is what is responsible for aging your skin, giving you wrinkles, and skin cancer. UVB is what causes your skin to darken and burn. While all the information I read is a bit conflicting, here is a general idea of how the wavelengths of UVA and UVB breakdown:

UVB (burning) has a wavelength range (in nanometers) of:   
280-320
UVA (aging) has a wavelength range (in nanometers) of:      
320-400

To get the best sun protection, you want your sunscreen to contain ingredients that cover as wide a range as possible in the 280-400 spectrum. Here’s how a few of the best and most common sunscreen ingredients breakdown:

Zinc Oxide 290-380
Mexoryl 290-400
Avobenzene 340-375
Titanium Dioxide 290-340
Octinoxate and Octisalate 280-320
Oxybenzone 320-240

Now many sunscreens combine ingredients to cover a wider range of the spectrum. However, you can see that Zinc Oxide and Mexoryl cover the widest spectrum all by themselves, and they are photo-stable ingredients. This is extremely important, because it means your sunscreen won’t lose effectiveness an hour after you apply it like Avobenzene, for example, which is not photo-stable.  Neutrogena and some other companies use Helioplex, or other ingredients to make their Avobenzene more photostable. I haven’t experimented with these ingredients, but I doubt they are as photo-stable as Zinc Oxide or Mexoryl.
Many new sunscreen ingredients that are approved in Japan and Europe, such as Mexoryl XL, Tinosorb M, Tinosorb S, Uvinil T 150, Uvasorb HEB, and Parsol SLX, have not been approved by the FDA for use in new sunscreens in the United States.

Waxing versus Shaving for Summer

Waxing versus Shaving is the question for Summer. Bathing suit season is upon us, bikini line hair removal is a must to look your best in your swimsuit. But just how are you going to get rid of that hair?

When you wax the hair is pulled out by the root, there is a 50% chance that some hair follicles will die resulting in fewer hairs growing back over time you will have less hair.

New hair will not grow back in the previously waxed area for four to eight weeks.

When you shave the hair is broke off at the surface and seems to grow back in minutes.

Shaving actually causes the hair to become thicker and sometimes you will actually create more hair, have you ever seen two hairs grow out of one follicle? Yup it is true.

So you ask what do I prefer, if you can't afford lazer hair removal waxing is the next best thing. I have had lazer hair removal and I was left with sparce, random hairs everywhere which is kinda annoying. Waxing those random hairs is a must, because like I said, eventually after waxing some of the hair follicles will die, and waalaa less hair.

Almost every part of the body can be waxed, and only 1/4 inch growth is required.

Beware the longer the hair the more it hurts, so be sure to trim up a little before you get waxed. Almost any area of the body can be waxed exception beards, and ears, but nostrils can be waxed and so can the bum. Other frequently waxed areas for women are legs, underarms, bikini line, eyebrows and face. For men: chest, legs, arms, and back.

Now lets talk Brazilian, no not the country. Although I have a cute story about a brazilian. I will tell if you ask. Anyway, brazilian can be preformed on men and women of brave stature.

Actually, it is not that bad when taking a relaxing or sedating medication.

The difference between a bikini and a brazilian is all or nothing. Well, it is left up to you how much my advice is to discuss your style with me your esthetician.

Now lets discuss the after care.
Avoid the sun immediately after waxing recently waxed areas are prone to hyperpigmentation (permanent darkening of the skin) if exposed to the sun. Avoid saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools and other heated sources for at least 48 hours.
Avoid heavy exercise for at least 24 hours after waxing.
Do not use exfoliating products (AHAs, scrubs, etc) and loofas for at least 24 hours after waxing as they might further irritate your skin.
Avoid tight clothing after waxing, especially in the waxed areas. Tight clothing may result in irritation and ingrown hairs.
Regular twice to three times per week exfoliation is helpful to remove dead skin so your hairs can get out above the surface of the pores and not become ingrown.
No hot baths, hot showers or sexual activity for 10 hours after a Brazilian. While your pores are open, they are vulnerable to irritation by the extreme temperatures and infection by bacteria. So, remember if you are suprising someone plan in advance!

Please contact Rhaina for your next waxing appointment 530-305-3908