By Tina Carver, Columnist
Let’s face it. We are all looking for quick and easy ways to save a buck or two. That’s why we teamed up with the owner of Nu You Med Spa and Laser Clinic in Bedford, Vanessa Delorey, to pick her brain and get all the deets on taking care of our skin without breaking the bank!
So, let’s get right to it. First and sometimes forgotten is your sunscreen. It’s a must… all year round… “The suns’ rays are very powerful and can cause a lot of damage”, says Delorey. With proper protection, at least 45 SPF, you’ll be able to enjoy the sun without paying the price down the road. Even in the winter, you can get sun damage while driving your car… crazy right? You’ll always notice that side of your face is always worse when it comes to age spots. That’s why SPF protection is an essential step.
If you love a tan, we get it! We do too! We love a good spray tan! You can have it done or buy a bottle and do it yourself… or do both. I can usually get an extra week out of a spray tan by adding in some self tanner to my daily routine! All the bronze glow without the sun damage is a win in my books.
Have you thought about changing your pillowcase more often? This is especially helpful if you suffer from acne…. One study suggests that after just one-week, pillowcases can contain approximately 3 million bacteria per square inch, which is approximately 17, 000 times more than the average cell phone. YIKES!! Changing it more often can make a real difference in your skin.
Next let’s talk about cleansing your skin. It’s most important to be consistent with your routine. Never go to bed without taking the time to give your skin a thorough cleanse. This removes dirt, oil and debris and helps keep the pores from getting congested. We like Cetaphil and The Ordinary… both Canadian companies… and lots of options for around the $10-20 price range.
Ok on to the scrub…. it’s great to do at least once to twice a week. Take your time and get into all the areas around your nose, chin and forehead… and always include your neck…. A good rule of thumb is if you can see it while wearing a V-neck t-shirt… then include it as a part of your skin care routine. As we age, the skin cell turnover slows down from about 14 days in our youth to up to 60 days in our golden years. With a regular exfoliation routine, the cell turnover process speeds up revealing smoother, glowing skin.
Did I mention to always start your skincare routine with clean hands and a clean cloth and towel? Well, I meant to! You wouldn’t want to know how much bacteria we are adding to our skin from just simply not using clean cloths and not washing our hands first!
Lastly, always moisturize your skin. It’s always best to apply this on damp or wet skin… this will help to lock in hydration and leave your skin feeling smoother. Damp skin is more absorbent so your product will penetrate deeper, as well as making your products go further.
Now these are just the basics when I come to skin care. It’s a great place to start and if you follow these easy and inexpensive tips, your skin will reap the rewards. “People sometimes forget how important the basics are and how much of an impact the little things can have on your skin “, says Delorey.
If you have more complicated skin issues, we can definitely help you and we promise, it won’t break the bank. Consultations are free and we have budget friendly packages. We specialize in treating hyperpigmentation, acne, fine lines, deep wrinkles, under eye dark circles and puffiness, double chins, body and face contouring and so much more.
