Cut back on the sun exposure.

Try reducing your sun exposure between 11am and 4pm. This is when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest. If you’re like most folks this summer and like a nice tan, then at the very least, work your way up to a base tan. The worst thing you could do is to be fair skinned and want to absorb all of the sun for the entire summer on your first sitting! But seriously, you should try to avoid the sun.

Find the shade.

If a tree is nowhere in site, try creating your own shade with an umbrella, shirt or hat.

Protect your eyes.

Radiation from the sun can damage cells in the structures of your eyes causing the increase in risk of developing cataracts later in life. UV radiation can also contribute to the development of skin cancer on the eyelid or on the surface of the eye. This damage can be prevented by protecting your eyes with sunglasses that protect against 100% UVA and UVB rays.

Cloudy doesn’t necessarily mean safety.

Yep, up to 80% of the sun’s rays can penetrate light clouds, fog and mist. On a cloudy or overcast day, you can STILL get sun burnt.

Stay away from tanning beds and sunlamps.

Believe it or not, indoor tanners or more dangerous than natural sunrays. These lights emit mostly UVA/UVB radiation up to 12 times as much as natural sunlight. This radiation causes premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. Don’t fall for the hype!

Be disciplined with sunscreen – even if you’re not fair-skinned.

Even when it’s true that people with darker skin are less at risk for developing the disease than for those with lighter skin, the risk still exists for everyone. It is important for everyone to protect themselves! So, protect and lather up all areas that are exposed with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, such as one of our best sellers Moitsure Protectiv with SPF20, before venturing outside this summer. It applies with a luxurious, matte finish that feels great on all skin types.

Melanoma is highly curable when detected early, but the average prognosis for Stage IV metastatic disease is less than one year. Have you taken the pledge yet? PREVENT. PROTECT. GET CHECKED.

For more tips and information on how to protect you and your skin, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation at SkinCancer.org.

-WS Team

Have you ever complained about a toner drying out your skin? Many of us do! This is because most toners on the market contain alcohol, which will dry out your skin considerably and promote dry skin cell build up. But, toners that don’t contain alcohol, like Wilma Schumann’s Soothing Toner, will not strip the skin and will help support any beneficial ingredients from the products that you apply afterwards, like a vitamin-enriched moisturizer, which can result in healthier and plumper skin.

2. Use Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is the most effective of the alpha hydroxy acids. Studies show that it helps soften and smooth the skin, reduce clogged pores and breakouts, increase cell turnover rate, fade post-breakout marks and even reduce past sun damage. To keep any type of skin looking beautiful, introduce an alcohol-free, pure glycolic acid serum into your nightly skin care routine. Try Wilma Schumann’s Gylcolic Plus, which contains 10% pure glycolic acid.

3. Wear a Moisturizer with Sunscreen 365 Days a Year

You may say that you’re not out at all during the day. Well, just walking to your car, driving in your car and sitting in your house next to a window will expose you to unnecessary sun damage.  We know that sun exposure is the #1 cause of aging so it is important to use a minimum of SPF 15 everyday, year round, rain or shine and inside and out. Protect against those UV rays and moisturize at the same time with Wilma Schumann’s Moisture Protectiv, which is a collagen, vitamin and essential oil-enriched daytime moisturizer with SPF 20.

4. Properly Care for your Blemishes

First, identify the type of blemish. Is it a cystic or a surface blemish? A cystic blemish is usually a hard, sore lump under the skin and can stay around for weeks.  Do not pick at these types of blemishes! They develop deep in the dermis layer of the skin, and they heal there too. Traditional blemishes, or pimples, are red, moderately sore and form a yellowish whitehead after a day or two. Do not pick at this type of blemish the moment you feel or see it forming. Wait until the infection reaches the surface (usually 1-2 days) and then carefully and gently try to squeeze out the infection. Once the infection is out, apply a spot treatment like Wilma Schumann’s Blemarex because now it can really get into the skin and heal up any remaining infection. Remember, the goal is to remove it AND prevent a mark that lingers for months.

5. Get a Professional Facial

A facial from your licensed esthetician can be considered as maintenance for the health of your skin. Metabolism and circulation slows down as the skin ages, which results in dull and tired skin. A facial can help increase oxygen and circulation, resulting in glowing, healthy skin. This is just one of the many benefits of visiting and maintaining a habitual facial schedule with your esthetician. To find one near you, click here.

So there you have it! It’s not super difficult to have beautiful, healthy skin this spring, but it does require discipline and the use of excellent products.

Here’s to a more radiant, healthy and beautiful you, this spring and all year long.

-WS Team

Whether it’s having to stay late at the office or having to choose between the gym and your skin, relaxing at your spa more than 12 times a year can be unrealistic. But, what if you were given the opportunity to improve your face 730 times out of the year instead of just 12?

Well, now you can! A daily AM and PM skin care regimen with products containing simple and effective ingredients can help transform our skin and adds up to giving you exactly 730 more opportunities a year to maintain the glow we have on our faces when we leave the spa after an incredible  Signature Treatment by Wilma Schumann.

Be sure to ask your esthetician for product recommendations. These trained and licensed skin care professionals have the ability to properly assess the skins condition and treat it with the proper products and procedures. Do not put this responsibility in your own hands.

A habitual skin care routine is vital and must be a part of our daily hygiene regimen. Make your spa visit count by using your recommended products everyday. So how can these products boost your facial? They cleanse, moisturize and protect your skin daily… that’s how.

Cleanse with Soothing Cleanser to gently treat dry, sensitive or mature skin types without removing the skin’s natural moisture.

Moisturize with Collagen 2000, which hydrates the skin, reduces trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and aids the skin in its ability to retain moisture.

Protect with Moisture Protectiv that has been formulated to provide outstanding sun protecting benefits while infusing the skin with moisturizers, antioxidants, elastin and collagen.

Maintaining a daily skin care regimen has it’s advantages. A licensed esthetician can make sure you are getting the best possible products for your individual skin concerns, while giving your skin the chance to enjoy 730 more opportunities a year to improve itself by maintaining a steady skin care routine.

Your skin will thank you later!

- WS Team

The basics of good skin care are really quite simple. Skin requires nutrients and hydration to function optimally. The goal of skin care products is to facilitate this process in essentially four ways:

- Cleanse and tone the skin for proper repair and hydration.

- Provide nourishment to allow the skin’s natural repair process.

- Hydrate to provide an optimal environment for skin’s natural function.

- Protect skin from damage caused by environment.

With these four steps in mind, think about the overwhelming volume of beauty tips, special serums and solutions that are found in the marketplace. If you walk into any department store, make-up and skin care products take up half the main floor. In most women’s magazines there are more ad pages on anti-aging, skin care and beauty products than actual articles. How do you know who to believe and what to choose?

Mr. Ortega-Dardet of Wilma Schumann provided us with much needed guidance. “What matters most when you are selecting a skin care product line? The bottom line, you absolutely want a product that delivers results.” If something is labeled organic or costs a fortune, that doesn’t mean it necessarily delivers. Look for a reputable brand, one that has been in business for years. The largest brand is not necessarily the best either. At Wilma Schumann, the skin care products are designed to provide excellent results, by working with nature and the natural processes of the skin.

According to Mr. Ortega-Dardet, “we believe in serums and emulsions with a high concentration of active ingredients that nourish and protect your skin. The goal is for products that penetrate easily, because that is the best way to assist skin in staying healthy.”  Wilma Schumann’s skin care line is mostly water-based because of the ease of penetration.  Oil based products tend to sit on the skin and do not penetrate as easily.

The experts at Wilma Schumann use formulas and serums made from natural botanical ingredients with safe and proven preservative systems. Today consumers hear a lot about removing preservatives, such as parabens from skin care products so that they are “100% pure, natural and organic.”  However, according to Mr. Ortega-Dardet, this is somewhat misleading.  “Experts know that any skin care product made with fresh botanicals, will grow mold or bacteria in just the same manner as fresh fruit left out on the kitchen counter will. A powerful preservative system must be added.” What matters most is using a safe preservative system and in the right concentration.

At Wilma Schumann new and safer preservative systems – ones that won’t harm your skin as you are working to improve it – are incorporated into their products. With better and more stable formulations the amount of these next generation preservative systems needed in the product formulation can be reduced and thus create even less irritation. Short of picking the right botanicals from your backyard garden, it’s unlikely that any organic natural product contains no preservative.

Wilma Schumann has been in the professional skin care business for over 25 years and has expanded their product line to 55 products that are distributed worldwide. Available through salons, spas, clinics and medical offices. For a location near you and for more information visit www.wilmaschumann.com.

Trend # 1 – More Science Impacting Skin Care and Beauty

Wilma Schumann Skin Care is a leader in professional skin care. As such, the company is careful about product development and studies the science behind ingredients to know what works and what is just junk science. Here are ingredients to watch for:

Stem cells in skin care products claim to trigger cell growth including rejuvenation of the skin. However, since stem cells currently used are non-embryonic, not alive and can’t penetrate the skin, topical creams or serums that include them won’t produce the kinds of biological results often claimed. Current formulations focus on the use of peptides and/or enzymes from plant stem cells. These peptides and enzymes may, in fact, be effective in protecting your skin’s own stem cells from further environmental damage. Thus providing your skin with the best chance to repair itself and produce its own cells and tissue.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids similar to proteins that are currently very popular in skin care formulations. Peptides are currently used to, among other functions, help lift the skin and create collagen and elastin. Their benefits are gaining popularity and their use will continue.

Antioxidants help the body fend off free radical damage. Antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C and E, alpha-lipoic acid, DMAE, Ubiquinone and others often found naturally in fruits and vegetables such as pomegranate, açai berry, broccoli, green tea, spinach, chocolate and others abound and will continue to enjoy widespread use in skin care. And rightly so.

Acids such as glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids help exfoliate dead skin. Careful, controlled and professionally supervised acid exfoliation is an excellent component of a healthy anti-aging beauty regime. But, be careful not to overdue your exfoliation. Remember that skin is a live organism and it can be damaged. There will continue to be a need for acid exfoliation for the foreseeable future.

Trend #2 – Aligning Organic Sensibilities with Proven Results

While there is a lot of buzz on going “organic,” there’s more to it than that.  For starters, organic products still need a tandem preservative system to keep the product stable. Otherwise, the product’s short shelf life would make the product commercially unviable and even potentially harmful as bacteria and fermentation could develop. Also, some skin care lines beef up on less expensive “filler” ingredients to “bulk up” their products. Make sure that the products you use have a large concentration of the actual active ingredient that you want.  Just because a product is labeled “organic” doesn’t mean it’s the best for your skin. Remembering that not everything organic is good for you and not everything not organic is bad for you, seems to be a good rule of thumb. Proven products with a high concentration of the active ingredients that truly work may count for more than a “USDA Organic” label.

Trend #3 – Committing to a Healthy Lifestyle

If your diet is full of excessive amounts of processed food and exercise only means opening the refrigerator door, your skin won’t look its best. DNA and body composition also play a large role in how your skin will look, but that’s a variable that we can’t control. Instead the focus must shift to things we can control:

Eating healthy is the most fundamental way to improve your body and skin health. We already mentioned that antioxidant rich foods abound and that their consumption can keep your organism healthy and thus able to repair itself. In addition, daily application of topical skin care products rich in antioxidants, amino acids, hydrators and protectants offer your best strategy against premature aging of your skin. Good nutrition and beauty do go hand in hand.

Exercise is an excellent way to clear out toxins and improve circulation. It also flushes your lungs with fresh air, pumps your blood and oxygenates the skin. Exercising 3 to 4 times per week circulates nutrients around the skin which provide the building blocks for repair and growth. Exercise also allows you to flex and stretch your skin which in turn increases circulation and stimulates your lymphatic system. Periodic facials and massages are particularly healthy for your skin. Exercise is a great way to get that healthy “glow”!

Reducing stress keeps wrinkles and frown lines away. This is no joke! Frowning, and worry lines are caused by facial expressions induced by stress. Stress also weakens the body’s ability to defend and repair itself. Reduce your stress by learning new coping skills such as meditation, breathing and spirituality. Mind, Body and Soul are not just 3 words that go together well. They should become part of your everyday philosophy and beauty regime.

Getting rest is critical because it relaxes your body and enables your body to repair itself. How can your body function optimally if you’re exhausted all the time?! Make time for sleep and give your body a chance to regenerate.

Trend #4 – Increasing Use of Skin Care Professionals

The trend towards high cost and invasive plastic surgery procedures has declined. The tough economy has played a big role in the slow down of this trend. In 2011, many people will shy away from these expensive procedures and will instead select less invasive procedures such as Restylane®, Hyaluronic Acid and Botox® injections as well as Laser and Acid peels. The focus will be to delay the effects of time by doing what you can today. In addition to the use of the above procedures, consumers will include regular visits to their skin care therapists, spas and skin care clinics. These skin care professionals have the tools and techniques to really improve your skin. New devices and new active ingredients form part of a powerful arsenal of non-invasive, anti-aging tools that a licensed skin care therapist has access to. Take advantage of their expertise and pay them a visit. Regular visits to your skin care professional are the best way to keep your skin looking its best.

Trend #5 – Protecting Our Skin with More than Just Sunscreen

While many people use sunscreen, other irritating ingredients such as cigarette smoke, dust and harsh and dry environments also damage your skin. There is a constant exchange of molecules between the air around you and your skin.  If you’re having trouble breathing, you can be sure your skin is too. Protecting your skin with proper clothing and cleaner air will be on the rise in 2011. In addition to protecting from the sun, protection of your skin’s moisture barrier is indispensable. Hydration mornings and evenings are, of course, a necessary first step. But, what about hydration during the rest of the day? There is a new breed of spray on moisturizers that can maintain your hydration level without having to remove your make up! They fit inside your purse and can be used at all times. And don’t disregard your water intake either! Remember to drink at least 6, 8 ounce glasses of water every day to keep your body properly hydrated. Soft drinks don’t count, sorry.

And Finally

Taking care of your skin health and routine skin care are some of the most impactful ways in which you can maintain your overall wellbeing. Proper hydration and protection of your skin, staying informed on advances and the usage of the right products will, in the long run, prove to be your best strategies for your overall long term skin health. After all, isn’t your skin worth it? It just happens to be the most visible and largest organ in your body!

——–

Pedro Ortega Dardet is the President of Wilma Schumann Skin Care. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Wilma Schumann Skin Care has been in the professional skin care business for over 25 years. The brand is used daily by thousands of skin care professionals and VIP’s who depend on the quality and performance of Wilma Schumann formulations for their livelihood. You can learn more about their products at www.wilmaschumann.com.