By Kim Taylor

Blue skies and warm breezes make summer a favorite time of year. Now that we are in full swing with the season, it is vital to remember the importance of a solid skincare routine for your face AND body. Every fall we notice an increase in scheduled skincare treatments; an effort to fix the damage done over the summer. What many don’t realize is there are ways of preventing and reversing damage to their skin, even in the summer. We start this process by incorporating three things into our routine; exfoliation, hydration, and sunscreen.

You’ve heard it said a million times- hydration, hydration, hydration. YES! Hydration is ultra-important, especially in our dry climate. Drinking tons of water is key, but hydration also happens from the outside. The challenge with hydrating topically is that as we age, our dead skin cells do not slough off as quickly as they should, creating a barrier against our skincare products. Additionally, our skin toughens over time to protect us from environmental exposure. This also makes it hard for moisturizers to penetrate deeply into the skin, affecting their ability to heal and hydrate.

This is where exfoliation becomes important. Regularly exfoliated skin is able to accept all of the essential vitamins, nutrients and moisture that our skincare products provide. There are different methods of exfoliation; some are more aggressive (and effective) than others. For the body, we offer sugar and salt scrubs as well as dry brushing. These exfoliating treatments are paired with massage to hydrate the skin and provide therapy for the muscles.

At Essence, there are two categories of facials: signature and specialty. All include the fundamentals: cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, and protect. EVERY facial we offer is customized based on a skin analysis before your treatment begins.

Signature facials are designed to maintain healthy, youthful skin. They are both relaxing and effective, including a mild exfoliation that is often in the form of a scrub or gentle mask.

Specialty facials are designed to treat a wide array of challenges such as acne, hyperpigmentation, and aging skin. The exfoliation techniques used in specialty facials include glycolic and salicylic toners, scrubs, gommage, and enzymatic masks.

Beyond facials, our estheticians offer many types of treatments for the face, neck and chest. During your skin analysis, your esthetician may recommend a treatment that is deeper and more effective than a signature or specialty facial. This is based on what your skin analysis indicates that your skin will yield the highest benefit from. Two Client favorites are dermaplaning and microdermabrasion; for their effectiveness and for the way they make your skin feel soft and smooth. We also offer chemical peels, which have a wide range of strength and effectiveness. Peels can be given as a single treatment, but they are most effective when done in a series of four to six treatments. Many times, these “super treatments” take the same amount of time as a facial or can be added to your appointment that day, making it easy for you to modify your service if you choose.

Regardless of what you do each day, sunscreen should be a part of your routine. Use SPF 30 if you are driving to work & back with less than 3 hours of total sun exposure. For prolonged exposure, SPF 50 is more appropriate and will protect you for a longer period of time. Look for cream based physical sunscreens that list Zinc Oxide as the main active ingredient- it is the safest and most stable. Don’t forget to reapply regularly while outdoors- sun damage is a key factor in our skin’s aging process, making sunscreen an imperative defense.

At Essence, we believe that a strong homecare regimen combined with regular professional intervention is essential. Consultations are always complimentary; we look forward to helping you find the best combination of home and professional treatment for your skin!

Finally, do you have an upcoming vacation, wedding, or just plain desire to always look your very best? Essence offers full face and body waxing (brows, bikini, arms, legs, etc.) as well as spray tanning, a healthy and quick alternative to tanning beds.