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What Causes Acne?

popping pimple

Myth: Acne is caused by dirt and poor hygiene
FACT: Acne is not caused by dirt or surface skin oils. Vigorous washing and scrubbing will only irritate the skin, triggering an overproduction of oil, ultimately making acne worse. Because acne is triggered internally, the best approach to hygiene is to use Bioelements line of products for acne prone skin as directed, which fights existing acne, prevents future breakouts and heals visible signs of past acne flare ups.

The medical term for acne is an inflammatory eruption affecting the face, upper back, and chest, consisting of blackheads, cysts, papules, and pustules, and occurring, but not confined to puberty and adolescence.
Acne is a chronic disease of the sebaceous hair follicles that can be successfully treated and controlled by sticking to a strict regimen, but not 100% cured, as in permanently banished. Professional treatment and sticking to a strict at home treatment agenda is crucial. Usage of product outside of the system may compromise best results.

What causes acne?
Hormones prompt your oil glands to produces excess oil, provoking the skin cells in your pores to rapidly shed. When the pore becomes clogged by trapped oil and dead skin cells, it creates a perfect breeding ground for irritating acne bacteria. As your skin tries to deal with the bacteria, it becomes inflamed, eventually causing a full-blown breakout. To stop this cycle from repeating itself over and over, you need to use medical ingredients to control all four trigger factors:

1. Excess sebum
Sebum is produced in sebaceous follicles that are found all over the body except for the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. They may number several hundred per square centimeter on some areas of the face, and there may be about 150 per square centimeter on the back. Human sebum has great complexity containing free fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol, squalane and waxes. The average rates of sebum secretion are higher in people with acne than people without acne.

2. Pore-clogging Dead Skin Cells
The epidermis, or outermost layer of the skin, extends down into the follicles, forming a lining. Dead skin cells shed indie the follicles in large clumps. In people with acne, these dead cells stay in the follicle, where they mix with sebum and form an impaction called a micro-comedo.

When the impaction builds, it flows to the surface of the skin. In some cases, it causes the pore to dilate, creating an open comedone (a blackhead) or it becomes a closed comedone (a whitehead).

3. Acne Bacteria
P. acnes are a natural resident of the skin. They are anaerobic bacteria, which means they hate the air, and so they live inside sebaceous follicles. The mixture of sebum and dead cells there facilitate the overgrowth of P. acnes. The chemicals that P. acnes produce as a by-product of ingested sebum contribute to the final trigger factor inflammation.

4. Inflammation
Free fatty acids released from the P. acnes are a primary irritant. As P. acnes proliferate in the oxygen-free environment of the follicle, the irritation and inflammation increase.

The other cause of inflammation is the body’s response to the development of the acne lesion. White blood cells are the first line of defense on the body’s response to injury and infection. Some ingest the bacteria and cellular debris, others produce a host of antibodies and other substances that kill the bacteria and help repair the damaged tissue. Some cause the tissue to become inflamed as the work.

Benefits of Routine Therapeutic Massage

massage therapist rubbing a clients back with forearm

Therapeutic massage offers many potential health benefits including increased blood flood and circulation, decreased tension in the muscles, and increased endorphin levels. These benefits are helpful in the healing process by bringing nutrition to muscles and easing anxiety to reduce pain and speed recovery. However, one session of therapeutic massage may not be enough. Routine therapeutic massages can have significant additional benefits.

Prevention of Injury

Massage can be a very powerful asset for preventive care. By seeing a massage therapist regularly, you can prevent minor skeletomuscular injuries from becoming major problems that could lead to loss of mobility or flexibility later in life. Therapeutic massage specifically works to lengthen muscles that are stuck in a pattern of chronic shortening. If you’re worried about the cost of regular massage sessions, consider how costly prescription drugs, doctor visits, and surgeries would be. The cost of prevention may be better than the cost of a cure.

Improved Posture

Poor posture often develops over time as a compensation related to joint and muscle discomfort. Routine therapeutic massage combats this by loosening muscles. It also provides relaxation for joints. This allows the body to return to its natural position.

Promotion of Circulation

Therapeutic massages help blood and other essential body fluids to flow throughout the body. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to organs and muscles within the body for optimal functioning. Lymph is a fluid that carries away toxins and impurities from tissues. A regular massage routine could help to lower blood pressure, potentially preventing chronic illnesses.

Strengthened Immune System

Therapeutic massages can help boost your immune system by increasing the activity level of the body’s defensive cells. Routine massage treatments promote the body’s ability to naturally fight bacteria and infection. If you are always getting sick, or just tend to feel “under the weather” more than most people, a regular massage routine might help you bounce back.

Can Massage Therapy Help Me?

Hands-massaging-a-back

Generally, people use massage for either general relaxation and wellbeing, or to address a specific complaint, such as pain or limited range of motion. Research suggests massage therapy may contribute to both goals.

Some of the general benefits of massage therapy may include:

  • Physical relaxation
  • Improved circulation, which nourishes cells and improves waste elimination
  • Relief for tight muscles (knots) and other aches and pains
  • Release of nerve compression (carpel tunnel, sciatica)
  • Greater flexibility and range of motion
  • Enhanced energy and vitality
  • Some clinical styles may help heal scar tissue as well as tendon, ligament, and muscle tears

What specific conditions can massage therapy help?

Massage therapy may help the body in many ways.  Massage can relax muscle tissue, which may lead to decreased nerve compression, increased joint space, and range of motion. This may lead to reduced pain and improved function.

Massage therapy may also improve circulation, which enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells and helps remove waste products. These circulatory effects of massage may have value in the treatment of some inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis or edema (an excessive accumulation of fluid in body tissues, which may be reduced using manual lymph drainage).

Massage therapy is also thought to induce a relaxation response, which lowers the heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure; boosts the immune system, and generally decreases the physical effects of stress.

These effects suggest that massage may be helpful for a wide range of conditions.  Some of these are listed below.

Decreases pain and increases functioning in these conditions:Helps treat and manage symptoms or complications of:Other psychological,  emotional, and physical benefits:
Carpal tunnel
Sciatica
Tension headaches
Whiplash
Scoliosis
Torticollis
Tendon and muscle tears
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Varicose veins
Pregnancy-related back pain and other discomforts
Myofascial pain
Sore or overused muscles (prevents and treats)
Muscle injury (offers rehabilitation)
Gout
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Muscular dystrophies
Raynaud’s Disease
Diabetes
Hypertension and congestive heart failure
Reduces risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes autoimmune diseases
Improved mood
Reduced anxiety
Lower stress levels
Lessening of depression
Reduced anger and aggression
Improved sleep patterns and decreased sleep disturbance
Reduced fatigue
Enhances immune system
Improves athletic performance and enhances recovery

Fibroblast Therapy? What is that?!?!?

fibroblast gloved hand near eye

People of all ages, shapes, and sizes have loose skin.  Although it is common, having sagging skin can cause embarrassment and discomfort. IN the past, the only way to deal with sagging skin was through invasive surgical procedures. Now you have the option of Fibroblast Therapy!  This revolutionary new skin tightening procedure can create similar effects as surgical options without ever having to under the knife.

You’re unfamiliar with the term Fibroblast, these are the collagen and protein producing cells in the dermis – the layer of skin just below your outermost skin layer.   Fibroblasts play an important role in helping skin wounds heal as well as maintaining skin firmness and tightness.

How does Fibroblast Therapy work?

Your esthetician uses an electric handheld device called a plasma Fibroblast pen for the procedure.  This pen uses a metal probe to ionize atmospheric gas between its tip and the gasses that the skin naturally emits.  This forms a plasma charge.  The electrical arc is then created, shrinking the targeted skin.  Your tissues will retract and tighten, providing you with a more youthful-looking appearance.  As your skin continues to heal and repair post-treatment, your skin elasticity will continue to improve and tighten.

What are the benefits of Fibroblast Therapy?

Plasma fibroblast therapy is a nonsurgical treatment that may be used to treat skin conditions such as acne scars, age spots, seborrheic keratosis, and wrinkled skin.

Cosmetic specials may also use plasma fibroblast therapy as an alternative to lip fillers to make the lips look fuller.

Are there any side effects of Fibroblast Therapy?

While plasma fibroblast therapy can offer results, they are not likely to be as dramatic as a surgical procedure.    Examples of side effects include redness, swelling, mild hypopigmentation, mild hyperpigmentation, skin peeling and crusting.  When you consider that you are getting a skin tightening solution without the need for dangerous surgery, these side effects are much easier to swallow.

Will I see results from Fibroblast Therapy right away?

You will notice some results immediately after your appointment.  As cell turnover occurs and the product of collagen increase, you will notice further changes to your skin.  You should expect to see the full results of your treatment around three months.  Fibroblast procedure results typically last for three years.

If you are feeling self-conscious about the state of your skin, call your esthetician at Precision Wellness to discuss if Fibroblast is right for you!

How does a facial help with anti-aging?

anti aging forehead massage

As skin ages, it becomes duller and develops lines, wrinkles, and folds.  Anti-aging facials are cosmetic procedures designed to restore a youthful appearance to the face.

Facials are non-intrusive skincare procedures designed to improve the appearance of the facial skin.  Most facials are multi-step treatments, combining various skincare products and techniques to target different aspects of the skin. 

Anti-aging facials are facials designed specifically to rejuvenate mature skin. They do so by improving the thickness and smoothness of the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, creases, and folds, as well as brightening up the tone of the skin.

Most anti-aging facials have the same three goals:

  • Thicken the skin
  • Improve the elasticity of the skin
  • Restore a vibrant skin tone

By thickening the skin and improving its elasticity, anti-aging facials reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkle, and folds.  By restoring a vibrant skin tone, they reduce dullness. Together, this gives the skin a more youthful appearance.

Here are some of the anti-aging facials options available to you:

Exfoliating facials

Exfoliating facials are designed to remove dead skin cells from the outermost layers of the skin, revealing the younger, healthier cells underneath.  This makes them a highly effective way to give the skin a more vibrant tone.

Collagen facials

Collagen facials are creams, serums, and masks designed to replenish the collagen in facial skin.  By doing so, they help to maintain the skin’s thickness and elasticity, ensuring a smooth, taut appearance.

Hydrating facials

The primary goal of a hydrating facial is to moisten the skin.  Making the skin appear plumper and more vibrant, these products help to sooth dry skin and prevent cracking or flaking.

Light therapy facials

Light therapy facials use powerful, medical-grade LED light to rejuvenate the skin. They do so by increasing collagen levels in the skin, thereby improving skin thickness and elasticity.  This is also an effective way to reduce excess pigmentation, which is often caused by sun damage.

Microdermabrasion facials

Microdermabrasion is an exfoliating treatment in which abrasive crystals are shot against the skin. Like other types of exfoliations, microdermabrasion removes dead cells from the top layer of the skin to reveal younger, healthier skin.

If you are ready for an anti-aging facial to help your skin appear younger and more vibrant, call Precision Wellness today!

What is TMJ & How Massage Can Help

tmj face with towel massaged

The Mayo Clinic describes TMJ as the temporomandibular (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lur) joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull.  You have one joint on each side of your jaw.  TMJ disorders – a type of temporomandibular disorder can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.

The exact causes of a person’s TMJ disorder is often difficult to determine.  Your pain may be due to a combination of factors, such as genetics, arthritis, or jaw injury.  Some people who have jaw pain also tend to clench or grind their teeth and can also be genetic.

In most cases, the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders is temporary and can be relieved with self-managed care, massage and in extreme cases may require surgery. For some, the pain comes and goes and is triggered by doing something like chewing a piece of gum all day.  For others, TMJ can be chronic and very painful. Here’s some good news – a TMJ massage can help relieve your pain!

When the jaw muscles are overly tight or imbalanced, manual therapy works well to help restore normal muscle tone and balance between the TMJ muscles.  Now, let us discus the fun part so you can get some relief!

  • TMJ Kneading Massage provides constant, circular motion against the joins and muscles most affected by TMJ paint.
  • TMJ Friction Massage – For some people, pressure alone is enough o find some relief.  That said, it needs to be done correctly and in the right place. 
  • TMJ Stretching Massage – If you liked the friction massage, the TMJ stretching massage could further your relief and “exercise” the muscles most responsible for TMJ disorders.

Are you having jaw pain? Call Precision Wellness for a TMJ massage!

What are the Long-Term Benefits of a Regular Facial?

Woman-with-towel-on-head-and-facial-product-on-face-puckering-lips

Most of us consider a day at the spa a luxury.  At the end of the day, you probably look forward to being pampered and prettied up in a relaxing environment.  One particular indulgence that does more than just spoil you, is a facial.

Staggering amounts of pollution, dirt, grime and dead skin accumulate on our faces.  This build up is unavoidable.  We can do the best we can to keep the skin clean, but it is not always enough.   Many advocates compare getting a facial to going to the dentist.  We brush our teeth, floss (when we remember) and still acknowledge the importance of going to the dentist for a regular deep clean.  Keeping on a regular dental schedule saves us a lot of money down the road.  Like our teeth, the skin needs to be evaluated and cleansed by a trained professional every so often to maintain a healthy complexion.  Getting facials on a regular basis, even once every few months or year, will save you from needless spending in the future.

What are some of the benefits of a routine facial you ask?  Let’s dive in:

  • Regular facials provide noticeable improvements to your skin tone, texture, and appearance.
  • Regular facials lead to less pronounced wrinkles and keeping your skin hydrated.
  • Your existing creams and moisturizers will be more effective.
  • Healthy skin is our body’s first line of defense against illness, bacteria, and disease (it is extremely important to take care of it!).
  • Professional facials help increase circulation in your skin by promoting new skin cell growth which leads to healthier and younger looking skin! 
  • General recommendation is a facial every three to four weeks (or once a month).  The life cycle of skin cell development and exfoliation.
  • Facials help this process and assure your skin always glows!
  • Removing blackheads and exfoliating dry, flaky skin, facials help fade dark spots from long-term damage and bad habits.

Are you wondering the disadvantage of regular facials?  The most common side effects after a facial are redness and blotchy skin due to the pressure of exfoliation and extraction.  You should avoid wearing makeup or using any of the products on your skin during the day or two that follow your facial to give your skin time to heal.  That’s it… that is the only disadvantage! (now that is a side effect I’m ok with!)

One important note to remember is that a single facial will not improve the quality and healthy of your skin in the long-term.  Much like going to the gym, improving the health of your skin is a continual process, requiring commitment and dedication.

At Precision Wellness, we offer a wide variety of facial services customized to fit the needs of your skin type and goals for your skin you’d like to achieve. 

Body Hair From Around The World

illustraction of nine different women in bikinis

The grooming habits of American women are well known today.  Like most things’ appearance-related, they are media-driven.  The removal (and trimming) of pubic hair in the US appears to be tied to the invention of the bikini in the ’60s. 

Different countries prefer specific hair removal methods to others.  These might include waxing, shaving, depilatory creams, laser hair removal, or threading.  What are the personal grooming habits of women around the world?  We’re here to tell you!

The UK:  The UK is most like the USA in preferring waxing and laser hair removal.  Shaving is another popular method simply because it is more accessible, convenient, and costs less.

Japan:  Women in Japan have preferred to shave only their legs and underarms, leaving the bikini and pubic area untouched.  It is also quite common to remove facial hair and peach fuzz for a smooth, glass-like appearance. 

Australia:  Australian women are known for being beach babes, and what those beach babes do not want is unwanted hair.  Removing their leg, underarm, and facial hair as well as hair in their bikini region with laser hair removal or waxing is not uncommon.  Australians are so into hair-free, smooth skin that those that do not remove their hair are considered outliers.

India:  Predominantly it is the women of upper classes that now remove their unwanted leg, underarm, and pubic hair in India with their chosen removal method being primarily depilatory creams.  However, laser hair removal is quickly becoming more popular as laser technology develops for use on darker skin tones.  With laser hair technology, it is becoming more popular to remove hair from the chin, upper lip, underarms, cheeks, and bikini area.

Brazil:  You likely assume that the term “Brazilian wax” comes from Brazil, but that is not true.  It is American and is not very popular in Brazil.  The most popular grooming style among Brazilian women is to leave a “landing strip” of hair.

Germany:  It is common for women to shave their legs, underarms, and the bikini region in Germany.  Much like in the US, it is extremely popular to be smooth and hair-free.  Laser hair removal is the most popular hair removal method because it is most effective, efficient, and permanent.

China:  Hair removal in China has not been a significant beauty ritual, up until recently.  Chinese women didn’t bother to remove their leg or armpit hair, as hair was just part of your body and nothing to be ashamed about.  Body hair is considered completely natural.  Hair removal methods (for those mostly in big cities) use depilatory creams or shaving.

As you can see, women throughout most of the world remove at least some of their body hair.  While the parts to be plucked may change according to trends, if time tells us anything, it is that women will continue to want to keep at least some portion of their bodies hairless.

Benefits of Massage

Therapist-giving-foot-massage

We know that there are many benefits to massage therapy. One main benefit is relaxation but there is much more than that. Here are some ways massage therapy will help you stay fit.

1 – Counteract all that sitting – Most of us are dealing with postural stress. Often, this type of stress tends to settle in your shoulders and neck. You have a ‘desk job’, you may notice postural stress as pain or weakness in the low back and gluteal area caused by prolonged periods of sitting.

2 – Reduce pain – Sore muscles? Massage therapy can help with that! Massage increases and improves circulation. Just like when you knock your elbow on a table, you rub it to help relieve the pain. A professional massage therapist will be able to accurately target the source of your pain and help achieve the perfect massage regimen.

3 – Improve Circulation – Loosening muscles and tendons allow increased blood flow throughout the body. Improving your circulation can have several positive effects on the rest of your body, including reduced fatigue and pain management!

4 – Improve Flexibility – Massage therapy will loosen and relax your muscles, helping your body to achieve its full range of movement potential.

5 – Reduce Fatigue – Stimulation of the lymph nodes re-charges the body’s natural defense system.

6 – Improves Sleep – Not only do the benefits of massage encourage a night of restful sleep, but it also helps those who cannot otherwise comfortably rest. Going to bed with relaxed and loosened muscles promotes more restful sleep, and you’ll feel less tired in the morning!

7 – Eliminate Toxins – Stimulating the soft tissues of your body will help to release toxins through your bloodstream and lymphatic system.

Now that you see the benefits of regular massage therapy, book your massage with Precision Wellness!

Staying fit with Massage Therapy

staying fit woman strong arm

Massage therapy can go a long way helping your body restore nutrients to sore muscles, improving flexibility, and building your immunity. Did you know that massage can help make working out better too?

Here are seven  ways a massage can improve your overall health.

  • Post workout recovery – A good, therapeutic massage helps loosen up your muscles after an intense workout, allowing you to recover from the impact better and faster than you normally would.  Massage helps restore some pliability.
  • Soothe Sore Muscles – Your muscles can really ache after you put them through the ringer at the gym or while pounding the pavement during a run.  Massaging and stretching them can help work out the nots, flush out the toxins and get the blood flowing again so they do not hurt so much.
  • Release tension – Painful trigger points, which are common in the back, are created by old injuries and can be relieved with specific massage techniques.  Trigger point massages help target areas that radiate pain, signaling the body to release these ultra-tight muscles and get bloody flowing again.
  • Better working muscles – Regular exercise puts strain on your muscles, ligaments and tendons, and messes with those connective fibers under the skin known as your fascia – fascia helps the muscles work smoothly and efficiently when they are in good shape – the fascia can get really gunked up with repeated exercise, making it harder for muscles to slide past each other easily.  Massage helps loosen up those fibers, so the muscles are doing what they are supposed to with much less effort.
  • Recover – A deep tissues massage targeting the big muscles you use the most – like quads and hamstrings – can help loosen up the muscles and restore some flexibility.
  • Mental stability – If you are beating yourself up with high-intensity classes or weight training, massage can give you a nice balance with the happy endorphins from working out.  It is also a cortisol reducer (stress reliever).
  • Prevent future injuries – Massage is amazing way to boost muscle recovery!  It corrects muscles train, muscles tension, and even the effects of stress or poor posture! 

Turns out massage is not just a luxury you splurge on at the spa! Call Precision Wellness to book your post-work out massage today!

PRECISION WELLNESS

Therapeutic Massage, Esthetics and Yoga

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