True or False Facts on Acne

Q. Mineral oil causes clogged pores.  A. False  This is a common belief among professionals and consumers. Pharmaceutical-grade or cosmetic mineral oil is noncomedogenic meaning this will not clog your pores and you won’t  need a sledge hammer to remove them.  Many studies have shown that this does not form comedones. It has shown to actually decreases any swelling in acne patients.

Q. Breakouts after facials are an indication that the skin is purging itself of toxins.  A. False  Breakouts and pimples that seem to surge after a facial are inflammatory or irritant reactions to the methods or products used in the treatment.  Inflammation occurs in the follicle during the facial treatment and causes swelling of the follicle walls, which impairs oxygen from reaching the bottom of the follicle.  Acne bacteria are anaerobic, and thrive in an environment void of oxygen. 

Q. Eating greasy foods will not flare acne.  A.  True Even though eating excessive amounts of fried foods is not a healthy nutrition habit there is no scientific evidence that greasy foods cause or worsen acne.  There is however working in a greasy environment, such as over a fryer at a fast food restaurant, may worsen acne due to skin being exposed to airborne grease from frying foods. Even greasy foods aren’t good for your skin let alone your insides!

Q.  The sun can help dry up acne.  A.  True Ultraviolet rays of the Sun do kill acne bacteria and help to dry up acne lesions.  Additionally, natural pigmentation from tanning can help hide the redness of acne.  Fairer skin tends to show the redness more than darker skin types.  The ultraviolet rays can cause swelling and long-term damage to the skin and you might end of looking like a raisin and may even get skin cancer!  You can use appropriate skin care products to help dry up acne lesions.

Q. Natural products are less likely to cause breakouts.  A. False  I have never understood when people are telling me “but it is natural” during a consultation.  I usually respond with so is strictnine, lead, cocaine from the Poppy flower and pot so?  There is no evidence that skin care products with natural ingredients work better than those made with synthetic ingredients.  Many natural ingredients contain natural oils that can penetrate into the follicle when applied, causing the product to be actually comedogenic or acnegenic.  Essential oils, however, can stimulate and irritate the follicles and usually a carrier oil is used for aromatherapy in the product that are known to be comedogenic.

Getting out of my Shell?

Oh, gosh I am going to have to start networking. Don’t want to. Just want to go home after work and sit on my fat ass and watch some TV and drink some Vino. I know I know not very smart but hey I am pooped after work and just want to go home and destress. Lame excuse. I am a business owner 24/7, I gotta take care of my business or there won’t be a business. Networking is part of the taking care of the business. Don’t get me wrong I like people just want to have them come in my business and I can have a good time with them here. I don’t want to have to redo my make up, tease my hair and try to figure out something so people won’t know that I am fat. I am in a beauty business, feel self-conscious. I should be thin and HOT! But I am not, I am just me trying to give YOU the best treatments and the most bang for you buck. You know the buck doesn’t go far but at my place it does, I make every dollar count. I love you all! You come in hoping to look better when you leave and I DELIVER! Waiting for my sister’s hair to dry so we can leave and get free food and booze. Now, doesn’t that sound like something I should look forward to?

It’s almost over

I have been trying to expand my business since April ‘09. It is just so ridiculous that the banks are still not lending money. I think to myself as I get discouraged, torn apart, wanting to pull my hair out about Elvis Presley who got turned down 12 times by recording studios. I’m I an Elvis and try and try and try? I am getting to the point of is it worth it? Will people come? Will this add stress to my bank account? I am not a person that gives up easily but you would think after 5 months of trying I would get the break that I have so been seeking. I often wonder if it is in the cards for me this expansion of my business. I have been turned down by 6 banks. That is not an easy one to stomach when you have been doing things right in your life like good credit score, equity and a business that is profitable. I keep trying just like Elvis, I get in my older van, I unlock the metal and glass door and walk on my black floors to my place of business. I look around at all the clients pictures, letters of thanks all over my steel gray walls and I continue with the race.