How to Do a Skin Allergy Patch Test

Over the last couple weeks, I have had a few clients react to products, but we weren't sure which one. In cases like this, I always instruct my clients to perform a product patch test.

If you ever have a reaction or if you have sensitive skin that you think might react, here's how you should perform a patch test on yourself.

Skin Allergy Patch Test:

1. Clean a quarter-size area of skin on either your neck or inside of your wrist.
2. With a clean cotton ball or cotton swab, apply the product or skin care recipe to the cleansed test spot.
3. Let the product dry. Don't wash or cover the test spot for 24 hours.
4. Examine the area periodically over the 24-hour period.  If you experience redness, burning, itching, swelling, skin abrasion, eruption, or irritation, in or around the test spot, do not use the product without consulting your doctor or esthetician first.

Source: "Your Best Face Now", Shellie Goldstein

3 Great Summer Skin Tips!

The summer sun is intense here in Colorado, and it is not being shy this season. Give your skin some love by following these three great summer skin tips.

1.  Soothe sunburn with vinegar.

Use a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar to soothe your sunburned face and a paper towel or washcloth soaked in vinegar for the rest of your body. Hold on skin for 15 minutes. Vinegar helps to relieve pain and itching and also prevents blisters from forming.


2.  Fade sun/age spots with lemon juice.

Citric acid in lemon juice helps dissolve dead skin cells and expose new fresh skin underneath. Lemon juice also contains vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that protects you from aging and sun damage.

3.  Relieve itchy bug bites with banana!  

Who knew?! Rub the inside white part of a banana peel directly on a bug bite for 2-3 mins. This helps to moisturize and calm irritation.

Source: Woman's Day, July 2013

FDA Has Issued New Rules for Sunscreen Labels, Banning Misleading Claims

Take a minute to read the labels before you buy sunscreen. The FDA has issued new rules and there are two phrases you should understand.

1) "Broad Spectrum" means the product protects you against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. Both are linked to cancer and cause wrinkles.

2) "Water Resistant" indicates when swimmers should reapply (40 mins after lighter formulas, 80 mins for more enduring ones).

Remember, what's more important than the SPF number on the product is how often you reapply, especially when sweating or doing a sport. Also important, wear your sunblock DAILY. We are even exposed to damaging rays under cloudy skies!

Have a fabulous summer. And make it a safe one!