For those who know me well, you know I've been an aesthetician for 13 years, good skin care is hugely important to me, and I really look carefully at a product before I introduce it to my practice.  I absolutely believe what you do for your skin ever day matters.  And it matters a lot.  And cleansing morning and night is critical if you want great skin.

Years ago, I started using a very popular cleansing brush system and I have absolutely loved that system.  I don't want to mention it here - you probably know what it is.  The product claims to get skin six times cleaner than cleansing alone and help products to absorb into the skin.  I believed those claims enough to carry that product for several years and use it myself every day.  The one and only problem I have had is that many of my clients find it very cost prohibitive at a retail price of $235.  Considering the track record of that company and how well it works, I've always considered it to be worth the investment, but if clients can't afford it or don't want to make that investment, it limits the people I can share the benefits with. 

Many clients have asked for other alternatives.  I've searched.  And searched.  Most of the brushes you can get rotate, have hard bristles, have soft bristles that do nothing, etc.  There are lots brushes on the market, but nothing I have found is even close to the one I've always recommended.  Until now.......

Say hello to Pulsaderm.  This German engineered cleansing brush system applies sonic mirco-pulses to the skin to remove dirt, impurities, and oil.  Unlike brushes that rotate or oscillate, it doesn't pinch or pull on the skin.  It gently exfoliates the skin and removes dead skin cells.  Cell turnover is a must for anyone fighting acne, wanting to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, or just for anyone who wants more luminous skin.  It pulsates at an impressive 10,000 RPMs, and after it's hard work, your beautiful skin will experience increased product absorption.  

The Pulsaderm comes with its own travel case, 2 face cleansing brushes (regular and sensitive) and a body brush.  It has two speeds (high and low) and a "jitter" mode, which incorprates normal speed and jitter to break up tough dirt and oil.

I've been using it myself for several days.  I love how it feels.  I use the regular brush on low speed and I use it on my face, neck and décolleté.  I use the body brush on my back and it's great.  I like this brush enough to start carrying it in my practice and recommending it to every client.  And I am a very tough customer when it comes to bringing in a new product.  It has to be fabulous, do what it says it will do, and make a difference for my clients.  Pulsaderm fits all of those criteria.  

And here's the cool part - it's only $89!!  I can stand behind this brush wholeheartedly because I believe EVERYONE would see positive changes in their skin - and you now have an incredibly affordable option.  

And for those who travel, Pulsaderm makes the Buddy.  First of all, it's the cutest little thing you've ever seen.  Yes - I love cute.  I had to buy one just to see it because it was so cute on the website. (No lie)  It fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.  It comes in several colors, and also has it's own little bag and 2 brushes (regular and sensitive).  It also has two speeds and it's so perfect to throw in a suitcase and takes up very little space (it's TINY).  And the cost??  This little guy is only $59.

Both brush systems come with a one year warranty.  Contact me at (801) 792-7994 so you can be one of the first to have one of these amazing, affordable Pulsaderm brush systems.  

PART ONE - What You Put In Your Body

People ask me all the time what I do to care for my skin.  I FEED it!  One of the most overlooked "secrets" to healthy skin is diet.  Nutrition and beautiful, healthy skin are closely related.  What you put in your body and what you put on your skin matter so much more than most people think.  In this blog, I'll be addressing what you eat.  I'll cover topical skin care later.

As a competitive athlete, I know that more of my results come from my nutrition - not what I do in the gym.  The same is true for your skin.  So - if you want one more reason to focus on clean healthy, eating - here it is!  

Did you know your skin is the largest organ of you body?  It protects you and your internal organs every day.  Skin provides a physical and chemical barrier between the outside environment and the inside tissues of the body.   When you take steps to keep your skin healthy, it has the ability to respond to challenges that would otherwise undermine its structure and function. 
 
Eating plenty of foods in antioxidants is good for your whole body, including your skin.  Antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamins C, E, and A can curb the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. These molecules can harm skin cells and cause signs of aging.  One of the best ways to get more antioxidants is to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.  Think lots of color!  

Omega-3 fatty acids are very important in keeping skin strong and healthy.  Great sources include wild salmon, sardines, fortified eggs, and walnuts.  Omega-3 are nice, healthy fats.  Your entire body needs them to function properly.  And there is research that and they also help to reduce dryness and inflammation and even reduce sun sensitivity.

Protein absolutely contributes to building and maintaing healthy skin.   
Protein makes up the collagen and elastin in your skin, and help to fuel the skin's normal renewal process.   Without adequate protein in your diet, your body will be unable to produce enough new collagen and elastin to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy.  The result – your skin will feel and appear less elastic, lose its luminosity  and be much more prone to showing fine lines.  Lean proteins from eggs, chicken, fish and lean beef provide building blocks for healthy skin.  I love eggs - especially the whites.  Did you know egg whites contain 40 different proteins and a good amount of water?  And egg yolks help your skin repair itself and are a great source of biotin, which contributes to healthy skin and nails.

Complex carbohydrates like those found in rice, whole-grain bread, potatoes, and legumes serve as your body's sources of energy.   These same foods are also typically high in fiber, which can help your body efficiently dispose of toxins and other impurities.  Do your best to limit simple carbohydrates (white bread, pasta, sugar) which can lead to increased insulin levels.  

Water.  I can't say enough about how important this is.  Water helps rid the body of toxins.  Skin cells, like every other cell if the body, are composed largely of water.  If your skin is not getting the sufficient amount of water, the lack of hydration may cause dry, tight skin.  Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling.  As part of my training plan, I drink a gallon of water a day (yes - that's a lot).  I recommend to everyone to take their body weight, divide by 2, and drink at least that many ounces of water a day (150 person would consume at least 75 ounces).  

So there's a little info on what you can feed your body to help to maintain beautiful, healthy skin that functions optimally.  In a future blog, I'll cover topical skin care and how that can help to protect and nourish your skin.