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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.

The Importance of Sunscreen (and what happens to your skin without it)

We’ve been told to wear sunscreen during the summer months to avoid sunburns and skin damage, but really we should be wearing it year-round as a preventive health measure!  No matter your skin color or tone, you should be wearing sunscreen.

Sunscreen actually dates to ancient Egypt times, where they would use rice bran extract and jasmine to help shield their skin from the sun. In 1936, chemists invented the first commercial sunscreen, and it has been improved upon ever since. Modern sunscreens are water resistant and are included in many cosmetics and beauty products (primers, foundations, serums, and creams).

Did you know that even on cloudy or snowy days you should wear sunscreen?  Up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays can pass through clouds, if you assume it is OK to forgo protection on an overcast day, think again. Snow can reflect up to 80 percent of ultraviolet (UV) rays, increasing your risk of expose to sun damage.

There are two major ways that sun exposure can damage your skin’s health; ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation which speeds up the aging process in your skin and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation which burns your skin cells. The UV rays from the sun can reach your skin not only when you are outside but even when you are inside your home or car through the windows.

“Your skin has its natural defense mechanism to protect your skin from UV radiation at a certain level. But it is insufficient to shield your skin cells from excessive sun exposure, which can result in long-term skin concerns such as age spots, wrinkles, pigmentation, sagging skin, roughness, darkening, and others,” says Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix.

Let’s dive into some of those things that happen to your skin when you do not wear sunscreen:

  • Sun Burns – Your skin may develop mild to severe sunburns which appear as red, hot, painful patches on skin with blisters.
  • Dry Skin – Direct sun exposure on your skin causes loss of moisture and natural oils from your skin. Leading to dehydration and your skin eventually develops dry, rough patches in the affected areas.
  • Sunspots – Or aging spots occur when your skin is exposed to sunlight for a long time. Usually associated with itching, burning sensation, and tenderness.
  • Premature Aging – UV radiation can damage the collagen and connective tissue in your skin, leading to loss of elasticity in your skin, causing wrinkles, saggy and aged skin to appear in younger people.
  • Darkening of Skin – Melanin in excessive amounts produced in your skin as part of its natural defense. This leaves your skin with dark patches and uneven tone.
  • Skin Cancer – Irreparable DNA damage from UV radiation can generate a gene mutation which can eventually trigger cancer in your skin.

It is recommend to reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours. Most people think apply sunscreen with more SPF makes it last longer and ignore the reapplication. But this is a myth.

It is better to use a sunscreen with SPF 30 to 50 and reapply it every 2 hours throughout the day, especially when you are outside. TIP: It takes a minimum of half an hour for your skin to absorb the sunscreen. So, it is better to plan ahead and apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you step outside.

Closely pay attention to your skin, if you notice any new mole, freckle, or brown spot, seek medical attention immediately. If the spot does not heal or turns into an unusual lesion as it can be an early sign of melanoma.

Sunscreen is an important preventive health care habit that should be maintained all year, including cloudy days and winter months. If you find your self with damaged skin from UV exposure, come see us at Precision Wellness. Our amazing estheticians may be able to help reduce some of the signs of damaged skin.

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.

Water intake after a massage ~ Why it is beneficial

If you’ve ever had a massage, your therapist has likely encouraged you to slam water like it’s your job right after. But why?  During a massage, many toxins you have been harboring are released. Great! Right?  While it is great that your body is purging harmful toxins, they must be released somewhere – it is best to chug water post-massage to flush those toxins out of your system!

Detoxification

Water helps flush and purify your kidneys which help process key nutrients and toxins!  The water flushes the free radicals released during a massage out and oxygenates your cells to help produce more of the good stuff.

Kicks Dehydration

Massages, believe it or not, is dehydrating, and our bodies are 60% water after all!  The kneading and squeezing that your massage therapist does to your body releases fluids from your muscle tissues and into your vascular system. This means you need to restock up on all the water you lost during your massage.

Rid Metabolic Waste

Sounds fancy, right? Really metabolic waste is just particles in our body that are of no use to us – during a massage, they are released at a much quicker rate than what our bodies are used to. Metabolic waste can constrict our muscles and lead to improper flow of toxin flushing. Drinking water, you give your muscles a chance to loosen-up and therefore release the tense muscles that hold waste.

Prevent Soreness

It is normal to feel a little sore in focused areas after your massage. Hydrating after a massage can help prevent excessive soreness. Do yourself a favor and add an extra glass or two to your normal post-massage amount if you are still feeling super sluggish or ill.

Pre-Massage Water

Pro tip!!!  Drinking water before a massage can help just as much (if not more) and drinking post-massage!  It helps your kidneys to release the toxins as they work their way out of your muscles during your massage and move them out of your system in a healthy, productive manner.

There is nothing like a great massage to get your body retuned for life. Make an appointment with Precision Wellness to feel refreshed and recover health in your muscles, tissues, and throughout your body. Just don’t forget to chug some water before and after!

What is Brow Lamination

Lamination is no longer just a reference to that shiny, important piece of paper your first-grade teacher sent home. This concept has made a grand return to our adult lives with the latest brow trend! If you have noticed pictures of full, slicked-up brows with a high-shine finish taking over your Instagram – that is brow lamination! More or less, it is semipermanent soap brows.

Gaps, thinning, over-plucking, unruliness – no matter your concern, brow lamination is an amazing solution and great microblading alternative. Brow lamination takes your unruly brow hair and smooths it ,with almost a gel look, while also lifting hair in a more vertical direction.

Brow lamination is basically a perm for your brows. Instead of curls, a setting lotion helps brow hair stay brushed up and lifted upward for about six weeks. The actual process is just a few steps.

            1 – We start by painting a lifting cream onto the brow, creating a chemical process that breaks down bonds in each hair, allowing them to be moved into a new shape.

            2 – The brow hairs are then brushed up into place and a neutralizer is applied to reform the bonds into their new shape.

            3 – Nourishing oil is added to the brows to replenish their moisture after the chemical treatment process.

From here, the brows may be tweezed, waxed, or tinted, depending on the look you are going for.  Your brow lamination can last up to two months, you can prolong the look with a clear brow wax.

In short, brow lamination is like a perm for your eyebrows, similar to the well-known lash lift treatment.

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

What is Cupping?

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine rooting back to Ancient Egypt, although cupping is a part of many ancient healing systems, including Chinese, Korean, Tibetan and more! Cupping Therapy is when a therapist uses special cups on your skin to create suction. This promotes blood flow to the compromised area, enhances circulation and helps to increase the body’s own healing processes — almost like a backward deep tissue massage. 

Cupping is an effective technique to get rid of muscle tension in your lower back; neck and shoulder aches; tension headaches and loosen off tight ‘knots’.  While we all have organs that remove toxins from our blood, cupping gives your body a boost in releasing those toxins by physically suctioning them out of your tissues.  Focused blood flow helps your body by flushing built-up toxins move through the lymphatic system.

These are a few of the many benefits of cupping:

  • Increased Circulation – The suction from the cups increases circulation to the area where the cups are placed. The additional blood flow to that area can help relieve muscle tension and promote cell repair.
  • Reduced Cellulite – You know… The dimples on the back of your thighs that women hate to see. Increased blood flow and suction of tissue can help reduce the formation of cellulite!
  • The Release of Toxins – As mentioned earlier, increased and focused blood flow helps your body flush out toxins – Make sure to drinks lots and lots of water after your session to aid in this process!
  • Reduce stretch marks and scars – Increased blood flow enables your body to dispose of toxins, restores lymphatic circulation, and helps remove edema, reducing the appearance of scarring.
  • Improve Varicose Veins – Varicose veins happen when the valves inside the vein are not working properly, the valves don’t effectively push the blood from the muscles back to the heart. Cupping helps by bringing the fresh blood flow and oxygen back to the problem areas.
  • Clear congestion & helps to treat asthma – The suction from cups breaks up and expels congestion. Bringing oxygen rich blood and lymph toward your lungs and your other respiratory muscles.

Many believe that cupping improves the flow of energy in the body and facilitates healing. That the suction helps balance the yin and yang, or the negative and positive, within your body. Restoring balance between these two extremes is thought to help the body’s resistance to pathogens as well as its ability to increase blood flow and reduce pain.

Wondering if cupping could work for you?  Ask your therapist during your next massage session. Our therapists have been trained and certified in safe and effective cupping techniques.  You can choose to have a cupping-only session or add cupping on to your deep tissue massage.

What is RockTape and how does it help?

RockTape is the evolved and enhanced version of kinesiology tape.  RockTape was created in the heat of competition to meet the demands of athletes – it’s simply the best kinesiology tape around!

The adhesive of RockTape is sticky enough to hold for prolonged periods of time. It can be used to treat sports and non-sports injuries, including shin splints, plantar fasciitis, runner’s knee, and back pain by microscopically lifting the skin away from the muscle and fascia below, creating a decompressive effect.

When applied correctly, RockTape’s unique elasticity causes the skin to form convolutions and wrinkle. This decompresses the tissue immediately below the skin.  It is believed that this has three main effects:

  • Fluid effect– Improving blood and lymphatic flow in the taped area
  • Mechanical effect– Improving the slide and glide between tissue layers
  • Neurological effect– Altering the perception of pain and improving body awareness.

A few other benefits of RockTape:

  • Reduces pain – RockTape is used to reduce pain. Applying RockTape over the area where someone is having pain will actually reduce the pain signals to the brain,
  • Activates Muscles – Often times patients come in with hip pain or knee pain for no reason. Most likely this is because the muscle is not activated, which means it is not initiating motion so other muscles have to create that motion. Applying RockTape in a certain place over a certain muscle will activate those muscles.
  • Stretching is good – RockTape is made with 180% elasticity, allowing the athlete fuller and better range of motion.
  • Reduce swelling – RockTape can also help improve circulation and blood flow helping to reduce swelling in the area where you are hurt. 

The application of RockTape is an add on service at Precision Wellness.  If you feel RockTape could help your healing, talk to your massage therapist to see if this is something that will work in your healing process.

Why you should choose a Custom Facial

A custom facial session is designed specifically for your skin type – utilizing a variety of products and techniques based on your therapist’s knowledge. Your esthetician may integrate holistic and skin-soothing techniques and/or the clinical application of products. Depending on your goals, your facial can assist with advanced exfoliation, hydration, acne treatment, and inflammation reduction.

A basic facial is the same for everyone. It’s a great way to hydrate and calm your skin, but it doesn’t offer much more than that. If you want customized service from an esthetician who knows about all of your needs (whether medical or aesthetic), then book a custom facial because the esthetician will be able to guide you to your skins specific needs, and offer you advise on what products to use at home.

Facials are more than cleansers and masks, they also include facial massage. It’s more than just for relaxation – it’s anti-aging, relieves sinus pressure, and helps with blood flow which leads to that beautiful glowing skin! With a custom facial, this massage can be more targeted to your specific needs. Our therapists can even give you tips on how to perform your own facial massage at home!

Add On Services Offered:

The benefit of getting custom skin care treatments is that these are often added-on in sessions for unique needs.  Some of these may be offered in conjunction with your custom facial while others may be available as a separate service:

  • Dermaplaning: This treatment is the best way to remove peach fuzz and dead skin from your face. Learn more here.
  • Microneedling: Microneedling is a form of dermal needling that involves puncturing the top layer of skin with tiny needles. The goal of the treatment is to create tiny channels in your skin that can help stimulate collagen production and improve the overall appearance. Learn more here.
  • Facial Reflexology: Using facial reflexology techniques stimulates both physical and emotional wellbeing by calming the nervous system promoting feelings of relaxation, decreasing stress levels, and infusing a sense of empowerment while encouraging freedom from negative thoughts. Learn more here.

Looking to get a custom facial in Springfield Missouri? Book Online Today!!

Relaxation vs Deep Tissue – What is the difference?

With so many different types of massage out there, it can be difficult to choose which therapy is right for you.  Some days you may want to unwind and relax while others you need targeted relief from tension and stiffness after a particularly stressful week.

To help you choose which therapy is most suitable for your needs, here is a look at two of the most popular therapies:  Deep Tissue and Relaxation Massage.

Keep in mind that every client, therapist, and massage session may be different.  This is just a basic outline.  Treatments by our therapist as Precision Wellness will be tailored to you.

What is the difference?

The short answer: Pressure.

Soothing massage that is gentle enough to put you to sleep on the table?  Relaxation massage can do the trick!

Do you crave that good-pain feeling that really works out the kinks?  If you’re a fan of firmer pressure from the elbows and knuckles, a Deep Tissues massage would be great for you.

There is no set guideline for great massages.  Your therapist will use differing pressures and parts of their hands and arms depending on the area of focus.  If you are an office working, your neck may be stiff from long days at the desk.  For construction workers, your shoulders may harbor a lot of tension from a labor-intensive day.  Tell your massage therapist what is ailing you and they will work some magic!

Tell us what you want

Clear communication about what you want and don’t want is very important!  Therapist may have magic hands, but they are not mind readers. If your therapist is doing something that feels great, let them know so they can do more of it! Just as importantly, if there is a technique, pressure, or area of focus that you are not enjoying, make sure you communicate that early on so they can adjust accordingly.  Simply, clear communication results in you enjoying your massage experience from start to finish.

Deeper benefits

Deep Tissue Massage – This is a full-body massage that generally uses a bit more pressure. Your therapist can target more trigger points and aim to get those knots worked out while still making you feel like they have covered the entire body.

“Deep Tissue” implies a specific focus on dense layers of muscle and fascia, it does not always mean deep pressure – “deep” can also refer to the impact of the massage on your body as a restorative therapy.

With numerous benefits, and not just limited to pain reduction, consistent Deep Tissue massages can help break down scar tissue and “knots” and promote long-term muscle rehabilitation.

Some of the conditions that could benefit from a Deep Tissue massage include:

  • Lower back and neck pain
  • Repetitive strain injuries
  • Sciatica
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic pain
  • Limited mobility
  • Injuries and muscle tension
  • Post-workout fatigue

Deep Tissue may also aid in lowering high blood pressure and cortisol levels, reducing stress and anxiety.  If you are seeking relief from any of these things, book your next Deep Tissue massage online instantly!

Time to relax

Relaxation – the main goal of this massage is to fully relax. Therapists will typically use long soft strokes directed towards the heart to improve circulation and may target a few trigger points if you want that.

You can also enjoy an improvement in skin tone and appearance due to improved blood circulation. Some people have reported an increase in flexibility post-massage.

While reducing physical and emotional stress, a Relaxation Massage may also temporarily lower blood pressure and help manage stress-related affiliations. This massage also stimulates the release of positive brain chemicals that promote a feeling of well-being.

The ultimate goal for our massage therapists at Precision Wellness is to provide you with the most enjoyable massage experience possible.  They will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed, whether that be through a Relaxation massage or a Deep Tissue massage. Book online today!

PRECISION WELLNESS

Therapeutic Massage, Esthetics and Yoga

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