Ozone therapy in skin care- Vitaderm Lipid Complex with Activated Oxygen

Ozone is one of the most exciting ingredients to appear on the health and skin care horizon in decades.

Selection of oils

What is zone?
In the presence of ultra-violet light, oxygen (O2) is converted to activated oxygen (O3), which is commonly known as ozone. Medical grade ozone is produced by passing pure oxygen trough ultra-violet light.

Properties of Ozone.
Ozone has incredible anti-bacterial and healing properties. There is aa dramatic increase in the use of ozone world-wide. In Europe it is used to sterilize hospital theaters and air-conditioning and in other industries it is used to sterilize food preparation areas.

Recently a technique has been developed whereby ozone may be applied topically. This process allows for Ozone to be infused into naturally derived, organically grown plant oils, at high concentrations under a controlled environment until it slowly begins to solidify.  Doing this effectively captures and preserves the ozone, increasing its lifespan. There is no need to use chemicals, preservatives, or stabilizers. The oil becomes a gel or cream, making it easy to apply to the skin for a variety of conditions with no known side effects.

Good news; Ozonated oils don’t lead to the problem of micro-biological resistance — as do antibiotics. So it is safer to use these oils than antibiotics for acne and skin infections!

Ozone oils moisturise the skin and improve the appearance of blemishes, age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles

According to research, these oils have amazing effects:

• Stimulation of growth for skin cells
• Acts as a free radical scavenger on harmful toxins
• Cellulite Reduction
• Wrinkles reduction
• Soothes and heals burns, wounds, cuts, ulcers, insect bites and stings
• Cleans and sterilizes the epidermis
• Reduces swelling and redness
• Calms the nerves and reduces the amount of pain in skin conditions
• May increase cellular function and cellular memory
• Reduces scarring
• Sore muscles (helps to remove lactic acid from pores)
• Dermatitis
• Diaper Rash

Vitaderm Lipid Complex with Activated Oxygen. 50ml R 376. 

Vitaderm Lipid Comples with Ozone

On special promotion until end of June 2017, only R 320 !

This treatment product is a natural blend of plant based oils that has been infused with ozone.  The addition of sandal wood and chamomile extracts makes this a light textured complex suitable for all skin types, including oily/acne prone complexions. It actively oxygenates the skin, improving colour and tone of the skin.

Please contact me if you have any queries at gerda@agbeautysalon.co.za or Cell 0823989817


#absolutelygorgeous
#beautifulskin

Why do I need a toner in my beauty routine?

The beauty industry use different names for the same product; toners, clarifiers, fresheners, refiners, tonics and astringents.  No matter what it is called, it is a must-have in your daily beauty routine. All these names refer to the product that you use after you have cleansed your skin. 

Toner

A well formulated toner is extremely beneficial for your skin and will improve your skin condition with regular use. 

There are so many beneficial products that can be added into a toner, that it will be easier to list those that should NOT be there:
• SD alcohols, especially denatured alcohols, as it dries the skin out and cause white patches on the skin
• Volatile plant extracts- it can cause allergic reactions
• Ammonia-is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL and can irritate and burn the skin and eyes, leading to permanent damage.
• Camphor- Large amounts of camphor, even applied only to the skin or inhaled, can be toxic. Do not consume camphor or use it on cuts or broken skin. It may produce allergic reactions in some people, advises Drugs.com.
• Petrochemical like mineral oil, since they tend to cause superficial hydration with long term use and occlude the pores
• Chemical colours and fragrances. Some perfumes contains synthetic estrogen that interferes with your normal hormones. 
• Harsh preservatives like diazolidinyl urea and imidazolidinyl urea. Both are antimicrobial preservatives and act as formaldehyde releasers.
• Skin drying sulphates- Sulphates are a salt of sulphuric acid they create a lather and help strip away oil.

A good toner should:

Help to remove the last traces of make-up:
Just in case you missed some during the cleansing, the toning step will remove the last traces of make –up.

Help to refine pores:
Ingredients like mastic resin extract and witch hazel help to reduce pore size!

Witch Hazel Flowers

Help to reduce inflammation and irritation: 
In the case of compromised skin it should soothe and heal. Ingredients such as cotton seed extract, Green tea extract, Chamomile and Aloe vera are ideal for this.  

Chamomile flowers

WESSON Therapeutics has an excellent product range specially formulated for sensitive/compromised/reactive skin!

Restore the pH balance of the skin.
Our skin pH is about 5.5. This is the optimum level as it means that the skin is neither too dry or oily and can better absorb any treatment products that are used afterwards.

Helps with hydration:
Some toners contain ingredients such as avocado, palmarosa and rose geranium extract which helps to restore hydration to the skin as this product is not washed off after application. 

Rose Geranium

Control the oil/water balance:
It is very important, even for oily skin, to have the correct oil/water balance in the skin. 
Many toners for oily and combination skin will do just that with ingredients such as Ylang-ylang and Juniper berry extract. 

Many clients are very sceptical about the use of toners, but I would rather skip the morning cleanser and only tone if I am in a hurry. I use bottles and bottles of the stuff in comparison to my cleanser usage. 

Once you have found the correct one for your soothe any irritations, increase the efficiency of the moisturisers, and improve your skin condition, you will probably never go without it again.

As with the cleansers you should use toners that are skin-type specific and preferable one that compliments your cleanser. In other words, if you use a cleanser from a range of products for dry skin types, the toner that is in this range will 9 out of 10 times be the one that is right for you. 

However, do not hesitate to use a sensitive range toner with a dry skin or a combination range toner with a normal skin. 

I found that if you use a cleanser for your skin type and a toner for your skin condition, you will be happy with the result.

Salon products that I can recommend:

Normal Skin:
Vitaderm: Conditioning Toner
TheraVine: Balancing Toner

Vitaderm Conditioning Toner

Dry skin:
Vitaderm: Conditioning Toner
TheraVine: HydraVine Toner

Oily /Acne Skin:
Vitaderm: Antiseptic Toner, Regulating Toner
Theravine: Balancing Toner

TheraVine™ Balancing Toner

Combination skin:
Vitaderm: Conditioning Toner
TheraVine: Balancing Toner or HydraVine Toner

Sensitive/ allergic skin:
Wesson Calming Facial Mist

Wesson Therapeutics for Sensitive Skn

Mature skin:
Vitaderm: Conditioning Toner
TheraVine: Balancing Toner or HydraVine Toner
Phytomer: Ogenage Toning Cleansing Emulsion
Essel: DNA Epinew Rejuvenating Spritzer

Phytomer Ogenage Toning Cleansing Emulsion

Please read our articles “The importance of cleansing your skin” and “What is in a good cleanser?” to further help you to correctly cleanse your skin.

If you need any further information on how to choose your home care products, please contact us at 082 398 9817 for an appointment or if you want to know more about the products that we stock in the salon, please visit our website @ http://www.agbeautysalon.co.za/

The importance of cleansing your skin

When cleansing you skin, you are removing any make-up, impurities, dead skin cells, sweat, and sebum that have accumulated during the day. Our skin is also a very easy-to-reach dumping ground for dust and other environmental pollutants.

Remove your make-up

If you forget to remove your make-up before going to sleep, it will be more difficult in the morning to remove that stubborn mascara and stay-on-forever lip colour.

 At night, the skin also secretes sebum and sweat and if you are in the habit of sharing your bed with your furry friends, you will probably have some pet hair and other scary stuff on your skin as well. Water alone will not successfully remove this.

Your daily cleansing and make-up removal routine need to start with good products which are suitable for your skin type and lifestyle.

Your skin should always feel clean, soft, and balanced (not too dry or too oily) after any cleansing routine.

The routine usually follows 3 basic steps: cleanse, tone and moisturise.

Please read our article “What is in a good cleanser?” for guidelines about choosing the correct cleanser for your skin.

How to get the best results from your cleansing routine.

Start with your eyes. Always use damp cotton wool, as some of them feels like abrasive pads on the skin when dry. Soak the cotton wool in the make-up remover and place over the eyelids. Wait 5 to 10 seconds for the make-up to softens, then gently stroke the eye lashes from base to tip to remove the mascara. Then, using clean cotton wool in need, stroke from the inside to the outside corner of the eye until all make-up has been removed.

Move on to the rest of your face. First wet your face slightly with tepid water. Place some of the cleanser in your hands and gently apply to your whole face and always include the front and back of your neck, as well as you décolleté area. . Work from the center of you face and with your fingertips perform small circular movements. Remove with water, damp cotton wool or a face cloth. Tone and moisturise.

No matter what products you use, or how you go about cleansing your skin, always be gentle, do not over cleanse, do not rub and scrub and you should reap the benefits by having a clear complexion and soft, glowing skin!

Some of my favourite cleansers:

Vitaderm Pre-Cleanse 150ml R 255

This popular Pre-Cleanse is essential for a deep pore-cleansing effect without leaving a taut feeling on the skin.

This water-soluble, oil-based gel is incredibly effective in dissolving all oil-soluble impurities on the skin. With the addition of water, this formulation turns into a milky cleanser and rinses away impurities.

It is suitable for all skin types and may be used prior to normal cleansing.

For oily skin types, it is recommended to use one of Vitaderm’s Gel Cleansers afterwards. For dry skin types, the Pre Cleanse may be used instead of the normal cleanser. This formulation is preservative free.

Vitaderm Gentle Eye Make-up Remover 50ml R 85

A mild formulation which gently removes eye make-up.

It contains no aromatic extracts and is therefore highly recommended for sensitive eyes and is ideal for contact lens wearers.

It contains Vitamin B5, which keeps hair healthy! It will not damage your false eye lashes either!

This product is ideal for the removal of water resistant and smudge proof make-up. It is not recommended to remove water-proof make-up. 

If you need any further information on how to choose your home care products, please contact us at 082 398 9817 or agb111@mweb.co.za for an appointment.

If you want to know more about the products that we stock in the salon, please visit our website @ http://www.agbeautysalon.co.za/

Sensitive skin-the good news!

If you describe your skin as sensitive, whatever the reasons may be, do not despair!  We have a product range that will assist you in getting rid of the redness, the patchy spots, the itching and burning.

What is sensitive skin, exactly? Although there is no dermatological definition for sensitive skin, the term is used to describe the skin condition of people who easily break out in rashes and get blotchy, itchy, or stinging sensations.

Our skin is a wonderful organ that protects our bodies from the outside elements, but in order to do so, it needs to be kept healthy, moisturised and oiled. However in our daily lives our skin is exposed to various conditions and products that affect the healthy barrier that makes our skins happy.

Once our skin’s natural protective barrier is damaged and compromised, it warns us by breaking out in rashes, itching, redness, swelling and pain. Finding out exactly what is causing the “skin freak-out” can be very difficult and a large number of conditions, beauty and/or cleaning products can be the culprit.

A compromised skin condition usually refers to damage of the outer epidermis due mechanical (physical) injury to the skin.

A client with a truly sensitive skin is someone who genetically has been predisposed to sensitivity. By this we refer to an easily stimulated, irritated, thin and translucent skin.

A sensitised or reactive skin is not necessarily a sensitive skin.  Sensitised skin usually has its origin in an overexposure to a chemical product, for example a chemical peel, etc.

What causes these skin conditions?

Medication and medical treatments-sensitised
Chemotherapy-sensitised
Cancer radiation-compromised
Cholesterol medication-leads to reduced oil production-sensitised
Diseases like diabetes-sensitised/compromised
Over-exposure to chemicals-sensitised
Nutritional deficiency-sensitised/compromised
Stress-sensitised

If the skin is then already compromised, the choice of skin care products becomes problematic and it is difficult to find a skin care range that will not aggravate the problem

The good news…
Wesson Therapeutics (the manufacturers of Vitaderm) has launched a range specifically formulated for sensitive, reactive and compromised skin.

The Wesson Therapeutics Range of products is ideal for treating all these conditions:
• It has an instant soothing effect
• The formulations have been screened for all known irritants including colourants and fragrances
• It contains specific botanicals to soothe-the main active ingredient is Cotton Seed Extract which promotes skin healing
• Ideal for Roacutane users.


The Retail Range consists of the following products:

Product                              ml Retail Price
Emollient Gel Wash              100 119
Calming Facial Mist              100 123
Repair Serum                        30 280
Recovery Cream                50 270
Squalane Complex                30 260
Micro Exfoliant                        50 180
Hydrating Gel Mask                50 240
Sunscreen SPF30                50 103
Multi-purpose Cream      100 115
Multi-purpose Cream      100 115
Ozone Balm                        15 135
Soap Bar                         150gm   43

Wesson Sensitive Facial Treatment 60 minutes R 400
This treatment offers the ultimate care for sensitive, re-active and sensitised skin conditions. Containing Cotton Seed Extract, this treatment will promote skin healing and also has an anti-inflammatory effect. It will calm and sooth dehydrated and very dry skin. It is an ideal treatment for Roacutane users as it will not sensitise the skin .


Prices correct as at 1 May 2016

Please contact me at agb111@mweb.co.za

or 082 398 9817 for more information.
Please also visit our website at: http://agbeautysalon.co.za

Hyper-pigmentation, a 3-step treatment success

Autumn is the perfect time of year to give serious attention to hyper-pigmentation as the sun’s power is on the wane and the UV radiation weakens. The sunlight hours are also getting shorter and this all helps to make the treatment of all pigmentation problems so much easier.

All skin types are effected by hyper-pigmentation

Pigmentation is a pesky problem that normally has its origin in overexposure to the sun, hormonal imbalances or some medical conditions.  I am not going to go into all the medical reasons for pigmentation, but will concentrate on sun exposure and hormonal issues.

This is the short version of how our cells react to sun exposure:
Skin colour is determined by the amount, distribution and type of melanin.  Melanin is the dark pigment that one’s skin produces, in the melanocytes, that shows up as a “tan.”  The “tan” that so many of us desire, is a result of a chain reaction that occurs to protect our skin from the harmful UV damage by forming a protective layer over the chromosomes in the cell and therefor protects the cells’ DNA.

The longer version is a bit more, well longer, and involves explaining all the chemical processes, enzymes, proteins, amino acids, hormones and much more that are involved in the chain reactions that form pigmentation.

I always refer to a tan as a CRY-OUT for help from our skins to “please stop the damage and get out of the sun!”

How do we tackle this complex problem?
Before starting an anti-pigmentation treatment course, one has to accept that it will take time, patience, determination and above all an understanding that one’s skin does not react overnight to any treatment protocol, no matter which product range one uses.

The best way to treat hyper-pigmentation is a 3-Step approach that:
1. Treats and corrects most of the causes of pigmentation- removes and minimises visible pigmentation
2. Restores the damage to the skin-hydration and strethening the skin
3. Protect the skin from future damage-anti-oxidant care and UV Protection

“A time has come where a scientifically advanced, cosmeceutical skin care brand such as TheraVine™ produces innovative skin care products formulated to address skin concerns related to pigmentation while promoting luminous, even skin tone and effective controlling hyperpigmentation caused by the natural ageing process, sun damage, excessive UV exposure and hormonal imbalances”-Lisa Smith, creator and CEO of L.S.Enterprises.

The TheraVine™ MelanoVine™ range addresses hyperpigmentation by making use of 2 cutting edge melanosome inhibiting peptides, a combination of 5 active ingredients comprised of Advanced Hydrating Systems and Anti-Oxidant Phyto-Chemistry as well as the nano-encapsulation technology of a revolutionary bilayer liposome leaving the complexion brighter, younger and more uniform.

The TheraVine™ MelanoVine™ range consists of the following products:

MELANOVINE™ BRIGHTENING MILK CLEANSER          250ml R        331.00
MELANOVINE™ BRIGHTENING CONDITIONER                  250ml R        311.00
MELANOVINE™ SOLUTION+ CONCENTRATE                  30ml R        595.00
MELANOVINE™ BRIGHTENING C+ DAY PROTECTION  50ml R        564.00
MELANOVINE™ RECOVERY+ NIGHT TREATMENT          50ml R        585.00
MELANOVINE™ BRIGHTENING C+ DAILY MATTIFIER  50ml  R        574.00

MelanoVine™ Brightening C+ Daily Mattifier Treatment Cream

MELANOVINE PRO-BRILLIANCE BRIGHTENING FACIAL  30 min
Normally R500  Now only R350 until end of May 2016 

Combining advanced technology with the latest skin brightening research advances delivered a unique facial treatment using specialised skin care techniques to provide effective and visible brightening results.

Ideal for a dull, devitalised skin with discolouration concerns, this treatment is specifically aimed at diminishing uneven skin tone while also minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Targeting hyperpigmentation at various levels with scientifically advanced actives and natural lightening plant extracts, this treatment will aid in a rehydrated complexion, leaving your skin
looking luminous and feeling radiant.
Prices correct as at 19.4.2016


For more information or to book a consultation, please call Gerda on 0823989817 or contact us agb111@mweb.co.za

Advanced Skin Care: Oils, Balms and Serums

The use of oils, balms and serums in skin care are an excellent way to boost the skin with specific ingredients to get a quicker and better result for a particular skin concern. 

Most oil treatment products contain essential oils and/or plant based extracts. These blends are usually highly effective skin conditioners, enhancing the effectiveness of the emulsions that they are applied with.

Depending on the skin care range that you use, it can be used underneath, on top of or mixed in with the moisturizer or treatment cream that you use daily.

How to apply oils:

Pour 2-3 drops of oil into the palm of your hand, cover it with your other hand to warm it up. Lightly press you hand over you cheeks, forehead and neck until all the oil has been used. You can apply this in the morning and/or at night.

Serums can come in a gel or cream base, depending on the skin type or concern that it was formulated for.  Serums contain high percentages of a specific ingredient (hyaluronic acid for an intensive hydrating serum) to assist the treatment cream to enhance the effect on the skin. Serums are usually used underneath the appropriate moisturizers or treatment creams.

How to apply serums:

Apply  2-3 pumps  into the palm of your hand, cover it with your other hand to warm it up. Gently press and hold for 2-3 seconds on your cheeks, forehead and chin. Use your fingers and tap lightly over your whole face. If there is still some serum left on your hands, press lightly as before.

Balms are thicker formulations that normally form a substantive film on the surface of the skin. It  can be used to protect against the elements, to prevent moisture loss on the skin, to restore the skin’s natural acid mantle  and to help balance the skin natural oil/water content in dehydrated, compromised  skin. These products should be used over the appropriate day and/or night treatment creams.

How to apply balms:

Use a spatula-tip amount and spread between the palms and press on the skin OVER the moisturizer/treatment cream. 

Please contact us at agb111@mweb.co.za for information on how to balance your skin's oil/moisture level. Or visit our online-shop at http://www.agbeautysalon.co.za

How to remove your eye make-up without trauma and tears…

Follow these easy steps to stress-free makeup removal:

• Use a good salon make-up remover and damp cotton wool, as some of the cotton wool feels like abrasive pads on the skin when dry. 
• Soak the cotton wool in the make-up remover and place over the eyelids. Wait 5 to 10 seconds for the make-up to softens, then gently stroke the eye lashes from base to tip to remove the mascara. 
• Then stroke softly (not rub and scrub!) from the inside to the outside corner of the eye. 

Be gentle with skin around your eyes

• Repeat this process until all make-up is removed. If there is still be some stubborn make-up, especially eyeliner around the lashes, use an ear bud (Q-tip) soaked in the remover and gently wipes it away. 
• Now you can cleanse your whole face with your skin specific cleanser. Use a gentle toner and the correct eye cream for your age and gently tap it on the eye bone.

Products to try:
Vitaderm Gentle Eye Make-up Remover
Removes water resistant and smudge-proof makeup

TheraVine™ Ultimate Eye Make-up Remover

Ultra fine oils formulated to delicately help remove stubborn eye make-up whilst moisturising the eyelids.

Vitaderm Pre-Cleanse

Highly effective pre-cleanser

Please also read the following articles:

The importance of cleansing your skin

Which cleanser for my skin type?

If you need any further information on how to choose your home care products, please contact us at 082 398 9817 for an appointment or if you want to know more about the products that we stock in the salon, please visit our website @Agbeautysalon

First Aid for Sun-Fatigued Skin

Too much sand, sun and salt is extremely detrimental to all skin types.  Over-exposure to these elements can result in dry, flaky and dull-looking skin.  This damage can take 4-6 weeks to heal if left with no help.

To speed things up, it is essential to exfoliate and hydrate at least once a week to help skin cells heal and repair. Yes, I said once week… All my clients know that this is not something that I recommend normally, but this is no normal situation and extra TLC is surely needed.

Use a good exfoliator, like Vitaderm Skin Polishing Cream or in the case of sensitive skin, Vitaderm Enzymatic Gel Exfoliator.  Both these products will gently remove all dry and dead skin cells to reveal  a fresh and radiant complexion without over-stimulating circulation and irritating the skin.

Follow this is up with a mask that will hydrate, sooth and speed up skin renewal. The Vitaderm Skin Renewal Gel will do just that.  It is a hypo-allergenic gel that soothes all damaged and dehydrated skin and is especially well tolerated by sensitive skin. It is highly effective in restoring the skin’s natural balance and speed up the skin renewal/healing process significantly.

The Vitaderm Skin Renewal Gel can also be used after waxing, laser treatments, any burn and insect bites to quickly heal compromised skin.

Use a good skin type specific moisturizer to round of the treatment.

Please look at my previous post: Get your glow back....  to learn more about exfoliating and other relevant subjects.

Vitaderm is offering a duo pack containing 1 x 60ml Vitaderm Skin Polishing Cream and 1 x 60ml Vitaderm Skin Renewal Gel for only R 441-you save R 78.  

See more about the offer here 

Vitaderm Introductory Skin Care Kits for gifts and first-time users

Introductory Kits

Vitaderm is launching new Introductory Kits in December 2014. The first four kits will each contain the following items:

Cleanser 50ml, Toner 50ml, Day Cream 20ml, Night Cream 20ml as well as a specialized item such as a Complex or Serum 15ml.

Oily/Acne Prone Kit

Thi skin care selection is suitable for Oily skin that is prone to breakouts and contains Purifying Gel Cleanser/Antiseptic toner/Pore Minimising Gel/Purifying Cream/Skin Renewal Gel.

Normal/Combination Kit

This kit is recommended for Young, Problem Free skin types, as an initial introduction to skin care program and contains Mild Gel Cleanser/Regulating Toner, Ultra-Light Moisture Cream/Hydrating Treatment Cream/Soothing Complex.

Dry/Dehydrated Kit

This skin care collection is suitable for Dry Skin that is prone to dehydration. It contains Gentle Cream Cleanser/Conditioning Toner/Hydrating Treatment Cream/Protective Cream/Hydrating Complex.

Dry/Alipidic Skin

This kit is recommended for Dry and Very Dry skin, lacking sebaceous activity and contains Nourishing Cream Cleanser/Conditioning Toner/Ceramide Treatment Cream/Vitamin Night Cream/Regenerating Complex.

Normal Retail Price:  R392  Special Retail Price:   R333

New products

I am extremely excited to let you know that I am now a stockist and salon service provider of Vitaderm. Vitaderm is a South African company that manufactures one of South Africa’s top skin care brands.

Vitaderm is a results-orientated range that combines the latest advances in ingredient technology with skin nutrients to achieve maximum therapeutic benefits.  The addition of botanical extracts assists in addressing specific skin conditions to ensure a more radiant complexion. The advanced multi-active formulations incorporate state-of-the-art ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glutathione, arbutin as well as protein peptides to actively renew the skin’s vitality.

Safety in cosmetics is of paramount importance at Vitaderm.  All ingredients that are suspected of being harmful, or irritating to the skin, have been excluded from the range. Due to increasing concerns over our health and environment, Vitaderm is committed to producing a range of products that is free of harmful ingredients.  We do not make use of the following:

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde-donor preservatives like imidazolidinyl urea or diazolidinyl urea

Paraben preservatives

Phthalates (commonly found in perfumes)

Sodium Lauryl sulphate

Triethanolamine

Cyclomethicone and cyclopentasiloxane

Petrochemicals

Although the following two ingredients are not considered harmful as such,

Vitaderm has chosen to exclude them due to skin care concerns.

Mineral oil – has been found to dehydrated the skin with long-term use

Isopropyl Myristate – considered to be comedogenic

Vitaderm supports beauty without cruelty

You can now buy these products directly from the salon or shop online-no credit card required