How to get rid of Blackheads
When I do facials I find that most people, no matter what their age, have blackheads, especially on their noses. Luckily there are a few different methods for getting rid of blackheads but persistence and patience is needed in order to see results.
What Are Blackheads?
Simply put blackheads form when sebum (oil) and dead skin cells clog the inside of the sebaceous (oil) glands and form a cyst. Blackheads are open comedones, the word doctors use for blackheads and whiteheads, which means that the dermis has not covered the clogged pore over, and the comdone oxidizes in the air and turns black. Just because the comedone is black does not mean that it is dirty or that there is dirt there. This type of blockage starts deep inside the pore and builds up until it reaches the surface. Blackheads typically grow to between 2 to 4 millimeters and can remain in place for months and even years.
What Causes Blackheads?
There are few different contributing factors to the formation of blackheads. One is that your body is producing excessive amounts of sebum or oil and that oil does not exit the pore properly. Another contributing factor are dead skin cells that also do not exit the pore properly – rather they stick together and get stuck in your pores. This, by the way, can be a genetic condition. Certain make-up and skincare products can contain ingredients that can contribute to clogged pores. Not removing all your make-up at night certainly doesn’t help to keep your pores clear of debris.
How Can You Get Rid of Blackheads?
Two things are important to remember about blackheads when you go to treat them. One is that the oil and dead skin cells that are blocking your pore and have lead to the formation of a blackhead have accumulated deep inside your pore so you need pretty powerful ingredients that penetrate deeply into pores in order to dislodge the stuck debris. Simply cleaning your face with a scrub or rubbing away at your blackheads will not help dislodge them since the debris is stuck deep down in your pore. Secondly, as I wrote above blackheads can stick around for months or even years which means that you need patience and persistence when you want to remove them.
The two best ingredients for getting rid of blackheads are salicylic acid and retinoids. Salicylic acid is oil soluble which means it can penetrate into your clogged pore and help to dissolve the oil trapped in the pore. Retinoids help to regulate skin cell turnover and prevent the dead skin cells from sticking together and staying in your pores. Many people might find it too strong to use products simultaneously with those ingredients so I would choose one or the other ingredient. But be sure to be patient! The blackheads formed over time and it will take time to remove them.
Should You Squeeze Your Blackheads?
It is extremely tempting to squeeze your blackheads, but if done improperly you can actually cause quite a bit of damage to your skin. Ideally if you want to get rid of blackheads go get a facial. During a facial the esthetician properly prepares your skin for extractions and then knows how much to squeeze and for how long. For instance, don’t go squeezing your skin for more than 10 minutes since that will just end up causing trauma to the skin in the end. If you insist of doing your own extractions at home I suggest doing them immediately after getting out of the shower and after having washed your face. Make sure your hands are cleans and wrap your fingers in clean tissues. Squeeze gently and don’t keep poking at your face for more than 10 minutes. If you can’t dislodge the contents of a clogged pore easily leave it alone! Pushing and pushing will just damage your skin. Finish your extractions by wiping your face with toner or witch hazel oil.
Recommended Products to Try:
Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Pore Therapy – 2% Salicylic acid eliminates residue on the skin and minimizes blemishes. $35 4fl.oz
Obagi Tretinoin CreamUSP .025%, .05%, .1% – A topical prescription treatment for acne. Use as directed by your skin care professional. $68 – $88
CosMedix Purity Balance Exfoliating Prep – natural cleansing and clarifying ingredients remove impurities from the skin and encourage healthy sebaceous activity. Combining cleansing tea tree oil with two high powered exfoliants—lactic acid and salicylic acid—this nourishing and stimulating tonic soothes, cools and revitalizes oily, breakout-prone and sun-damaged skin. $34 3.3fl. oz
CosMedix Refine Plus - restores life to environmentally damaged skin to reduce signs of premature aging and improve skin texture and tone. This potent, chirally correct refinishing treatment combines 4% of CosMedix’s proprietary retinol complex with key amino acids and powerful moisturizers to help stimulate collagen production without irritating or drying out the skin. $65 .5fl. oz
Jane Iredale mineral make-up approved and recommended post treatment
Why jane iredale minerals are approved and recommended post treatment:
- Broad Spectrum Protection: jane iredale mineral foundations are a chemical free, dry UVA/UVB sun protection.
- Anti-inflammatory, Conceal and Heal: calm and cover redness from facial, chemical peel, waxing or microdermabrasion.
- Weightless: no talc, fillers or pore colging ingredients.
- Pure: no allergic risk due to the purity of minerals.
- Inert: pure minerals will not harbor bacteria.
- Non-comedogenic and oil free
- 5 core products carry Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation.
Skincare features and benefits:
PurePressed Base: best for normal to oily skin, semi-matte finish
- Zinc oxide is anti microbial
- Pomegranate extract: Protects and aids in minimizing UV damage
- Extracts of Sea Minerals – Soothe, Nourishes and Aids in hydration
Amazing Base: best for normal to dry skin, satin/dewy finish
- Pomegranate- Protects and aids in minimizing UV damage
- Extracts of Sea Minerals- Soothe, nourishes and aids in hydration
- COQ10- Helps to reverse the signs of aging and protects
- Hyaluronic Acid – attracts moisture, can hold up to 40 times it weight in water
- Extracts of Sea Minerals – Algae Extracts- Soothes, nourishes and aids in hydration
- White Leaf Extracts – Calms, soothes and protects
- D2O – Refreshing and hydrating
- Balance – Helps to balance out the PH of the skin with Green Tea extract and Tangerine extract
- POMMIST – Hydrates and protects. Pomegranate extract is great for the Environmentally Challenged skin – someone with alot of sun damage or someone with rosacea.
Happy Birthday Alexandra! What a great party!
This gallery contains 6 photos.
Alex, Happy B-Day!! Your party rocks! We had a ton of fun in New York! Your the best! Cathryn Hello Alexandra, You are absolutely Awesome!!! I <3 you soooo much! You are the best at coming up with b-day party ideas!! You are the best person ever. <3 Erin P.S. I <3 you <3 ur [...]
Q. What is a medical spa?
Technically, it means that a medical doctor is involved with the spa. Because the doctor is involved, we are able to offer medical/pharmaceutical grade products and equipment for services. The benefit to our client is that you will get faster results.
Q. How is “kai – the medical spa” different from the other medical spas or even other spas?
There are several factors:
- As the owner, I like to approach everything from the client/employee point of view. In other words, how do I want to be treated in that situation? I always try to put myself in that person’s shoes and then make decisions accordingly.
- Other places may take the vendor rep’s opinions and not actually test out the product. At Kai, we are constantly researching the products and machines out there. First of all, we do that to know if the product/equipment will really deliver what the company claims to deliver. Secondly, if it does provide results and I decide to bring it in, then I want my team to know what to expect because someone or several members of the team have tried it.
- Lastly, educating the public is a big focus of mine. So many people do not know what is true or false. I believe in educating people by offering complimentary consultations. Many times, people know what they want to look like, but do not necessarily know which services or products to use to achieve desired results. I do not feel like anyone should charge to help someone figure that out. Other ways we educate: lunch and learns; evening events that mix learning with wonderful appetizers, networking and wine; etc.
- I believe strongly in giving back and supporting your community. We donate to silent auctions of schools and charity organizations. For a complete listing, please see our charity section on our website: kaimedspa.com
Q. Grace, I am leaving in 2 days to go on a whirlwind romantic weekend and I want to look my best. Any suggestions on spa treatments that will make me look younger in such a short amount of time?
That is not much time, but there is plenty you can do. It really depends on your skin condition, but typically a microdermabrasion is usually a good place to start and see results. This is a breakthrough skin resurfacing treatment that leaves your skin feeling like a baby’s skin. It smoothes fine lines and lifts the dull skin giving you a younger more vibrant look with a warm rosy glow that lasts a full week. You can also do a customized airbrush tan for that “safe” and healthy glow.
Excellent massage at kai!
Sandra’s massage was terrific! Took me to another world. It was so wonderful to just
“BE” for a while. Thank you! C.R.
Alexis Stackhouse’s 11th Birthday “Spa Diva” Party at Kai
Alexis Stackhouse celebrated with 9 of her closest friends, her mom and family at Kai – The Medical Spa, Johns Creek on 8/28/10. They enjoyed parafin wax treatments, facials, chair massages, make-up applications/lessons, manicures, Verazanno pizza, birthday cake, punch, popcorn and other snacks. Thank you for a fabulous time!
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- Happy 11th Birthday Alexis Stackhouse!
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- Alexis’s girlfriends and moms
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- Girls in robes ready for treatments!
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- Awe…the facial feels so warm and cozy…
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- Smile for the camera : )
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- Enjoying a chair massage from Amy…
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- Look at our parrafin wax on our hands…we loved this part!
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- Chamonica and Ramirra: beautiful moms!
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- Alexis’s Birthday Cake
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- Make-up and nail polish done…looking gorgeous
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- MacKenzie, Alexis and Cassidy strike a pretty pose!
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- Pretty blue eyes! Like mother, like daughter.
kai the medical spa and jane iredale
Today, I am going to write about jane iredale’s mineral make-up line. As I have written in the past, we at kai the med spa test every single product that we bring into our spas. By test, I mean we set specific parameters for the products, use the products ourselves for extended periods of time and evaluate our research. Then and only then do we decide to introduce a product or service into our spa.
One of the products that made it past our testing is the jane iredale line of skin care makeup. With a multitude of mineral make-up choices, we found that jane iredale uses the highest grade of minerals and has the greatest selection of colors. As every woman knows, make-up is one of the hallmarks that make us feel like a woman. Make-up when applied correctly can make us invincible and applied incorrectly can take our self confidence away.
Even the finest make-up applied correctly can produce adverse reactions. How many times have you tried the “latest and greatest”product only to wake up the next day with swollen eyes, puffy checks and cracked lips? Unfortunately this
More colors for your enjoyment
$200.00investment has just found its way into the garbage can. I can tell you this has happened to me more times than I care to admit.
This is where the jane iredale line comes into play. Yes, this line has all the complimentary colors based on your skin type and has a full line of products for all your needs. More importantly though, this line offers benefits that most lines do not. These include: LOW allergy risks (because of the minerals used), provides UVB and UVA protection up to SPF 30, is an anti-inflammatory (it actually soothes your skin), offers complete coverage of an array of skin conditions (you know what I am talking about), contains no talc AND is non-comedogenic (which means it wont block your pores).
Now you know why we brought jane iredale into the spa!!
If you are one of the millions of women who want to look great but are frustrated with the grade of products on the market today, stop by one of our three locations in Sandy Springs, Johns Creek or Alpharetta, GA and we will be more than happy to introduce you to the jane iredale line.
In addition, one of our staff will answer any questions you have about skin care and make recommendations based on your specific skin.
We know you will enjoy it as much as we do and will be happy with the results it provides.
Colors you can use and enjoy!
For more information about kai the med spa, please visit our website at www.kaimedspa.com
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend and we look forward to seeing you.
Mahalo,
Grace
How often should I get a massage?
In my line of work, I am always asked the question, “How often should I get a massage?” Of course my first reply is that you should get a massage every day! Then I am asked, “Do you get a massage every day?” No, sadly I do not and even more tragic is that I own my own spas!! Then I am asked if you own your own spas and do not get a massage everyday, why not? To that, I reply “with my hectic schedule of running three locations, planning a fourth one, meeting reps from the different lines we carry and providing my clients with exceptional one on one interaction, who has the time?
Yes, time is always a factor when it comes to getting a massage and the other factor is usually money. In today’s economic climate, getting a massage everyday can become cost prohibitive for most people. How often you should get a massage is really based on the goals you have for what you want to get out of your visit.
What I mean by this is simple. What do you want to accomplish when you come in for a massage? Are you looking for a relaxing day to pamper yourself and your friends or do you have specific pain or tenderness that you would like us to address? We service clients at both ends of the spectrum as well as everywhere in between. You have seen us on T.V. pampering The Real Housewives of Atlanta with the luxury of services we provide and we also help marathon runners and cyclists who come to us two to three times a month to help with their recovery. Each of our clients is unique and each one has different needs.
After we sit down with you and determine what your needs are, we can then determine the frequency of your visits as well as the type of massage best suited for you. Usually we will mix up the massages as each type of massage is designed to address a specific need. Your life changes minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour and your massages should reflect that.
Do you want to leave with more energy or do you want to leave like you are floating out of the door? Depending on the type of massage and how your body reacts to that massage we can get you what you want. At kai the med spa, we offer over 50+ types of massages. We have the lighter touch Swedish massage; Sports massage for the athletes; Deep tissue for those tough, tight areas; a very unique Thai Herbal ball massage (this is the one that the Real Housewives did on the Bravo episode); Prenatal massage for those achy backs; Couples massage for any two persons in the same room who want to share their experience together; Back/Neck/Shoulder massage for those sitting at computers all day; Head and Scalp massage; mix and match a few different types…the possibilities are endless. You can add essential oils or add facial pressure points too in order to enhance your massage experience. Which one is right for you is determined that day during our consultation.
No matter which spa treatment you choose, the answer that I always give when asked, “How often should I get a massage?” is this. The true benefits of a massage are felt over time. Unlike a service like Fraxel, which can be seen in as little as 24 hours, massages are a holistic approach to helping your body. Take time to put together a REGULAR schedule of massages and your body will feel better in the short AND long term.
Stay tuned for my next blog wherein I will answer some of the common questions we get about massages. For more information about kai the medical spa click on kai med spa.
Mahalo
:: kai – the med spa: Does This Tan Make Me Look Fat? ::
I am as white as can be. I came out of the womb this way, and I have never been one of those girls who gets a natural glow about them after a summer at the beach…instead, I turn a fetching shade of pink in just a few minutes. I even spent a good deal of my childhood in California, but all I have to show for it is a collection of freckles that grows more dominant by the year.
Along with long, skinny legs, washboard abs and a flawless complexion, a natural tan has always been one of my goals in life. For just one summer, I would love to have a perfectly golden tan that I can rock with a cute sundress and blonde highlights. I am a shallow individual who wants nothing more than to look like Sienna Miller, so when I got the opportunity to try this new spray tan, I was all over it.
But back to the point: It definitely pays to do a little homework before you decide on the right one. Before you spray tan, there are a couple things you should know. A gentle exfoliating scrub will help remove dead skin cells and your top layer of skin, revealing a fresh layer that will absorb the DHA (dihydroxyacetone) from the spray tan a lot better. (DHA is the main ingredient within the spray tan solution which literally dyes your skin to give you an all natural tan without the risks of UV lights. Also remember not shower or swim for at least a couple hours afterwards.)
I think I need a little sun
Day 1
Along with my photographer, co-worker and dear friend Kim, I showed up at Kai ready to get gorgeous. My spray tan technician, Cari, escorted us to a private room on the second floor where I got to strip down to well…nothing. (Clients have the option of getting sprayed in a bathing suit or their birthday suit, but for our photos, I have spared ya’ll and kept the suit on.) After the photo shoot, however, I lost the suit so that I would have no tan lines. (I had a low-cut dress to wear to a wedding that weekend and tan lines were not an option.)
To start, I stood on a paper mat with my arms out and my legs about a foot apart so that Cari could hit me with some water-based lotion on areas like my toes, elbows and knees. This is so that the tanning solution won’t look too heavy on that rougher skin.
Next she loaded up the airbrush with the lightest shade of dye and began to spray me down. This part is not uncomfortable at all – it just feels like a little blast of cold air.
I rotated in a full circle, raised my arms, spread my legs…and Kim got to see a lot more of me than she wanted to that day, bless her heart. But Cari was very thorough and got all of my crevices, dimples and even my face.
When she finished, I stood in front of a big fan for a few more seconds to make sure the dye was entirely dry. This entire process took no more than about 20 minutes, and I was able to put my clothes back on and get back to the office by the end of my lunch hour.
The good part? No funky smell and no rub-off on my clothes. The even better part? All of my co-workers noticed immediately…one even said it made my teeth look whiter. The best part? A tan is incredibly helpful if you are trying to look thinner. If you have muscle tone, it definitely highlights it, and if you don’t, well…tan fat looks better than white fat in my opinion.
In only a few minutes I look like I have been to the islands for weeks!
Day 2
I woke up the next morning looking like a toned golden goddess. Well, maybe not toned, but my teeth still looked really white and my hair even looked a little blonder. Most importantly, I had the illusion of health and fitness, and really, that was my goal. I don’t always have the time to actually BE healthy and fit, but if I look like it to others, well…my mission is accomplished.
I showered first thing, and there was definite run-off in the water, but my tan was still intact when I looked in the mirror. And that is exactly what I did, like, all day. (Looked in the mirror, that is.)
Day 3
My spray tan was still with me and still looking nice and even. I was a bit nervous about shaving my legs in case it stripped some of the color, but no such thing happened. Phew.
…and since this was the day of the wedding, it figured I would wake up with an eruption on my face. But luckily I discovered another added bonus of a spray tan: They help disguise any blemishes on your skin. (Trust me on this, ladies. Your glow will detract from any of these imperfections.)
So along with my drop earrings, strappy sandals and gold purse, my spray tan and I attended this wedding in style. My Caribbean glow complimented my plum dress quite nicely, and not one person asked me if it was fake. Hooray.
Day 4
My arms and legs still looked bronze and even today, but my face and chest are starting to fade. Not too bad considering it is Day 4 though. This is still the tannest I have ever been in my life.
Day 5
Today my chest and stomach were looking a little splotchy, so I tried to preserve it as best I could with some unscented lotion. ::Fingers crossed I can stretch this out for a full week.::
Day 6
Sadly my bronze glow faded considerably today and my illusion of Sienna Miller is becoming a faint memory. Still, my arms and my legs look like they have been on vacation. Not too bad considering it is six days later…
Day 7
Those girls at Kai weren’t joking when they said this spray tan would stay with me for a full week. True, I resemble my paste-y white self a lot more now than I did seven days ago, but I think my spray tan and I had a pretty good run. It beats subjecting my skin to actual UV rays, and let’s be honest, it looks a heck of a lot better than my overabundance of freckles.
So I hope this helped if you’re considering a spray tan. If you’re anything like me, you don’t have enough hours in the day to work out, primp or lounge in the sun like I’m sure Sienna Miller does. And if you have an event and you need to look cute FAST, this really is the perfect solution. You can look rested, blemish-free, and most importantly, like someone who exercises for four hours a day. It is definitely fun while it lasts…
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