Cellular Recovery Serum is PRIORI’s latest product in a new line called Target Skin Therapy.  In a nutshell, it contains a living microbe that repairs damaged DNA for superior anti-aging results. This technology is unparalleled in the skincare industry today.  For a more in-depth description, please read on. 

DNA is the key to all life, all cellular metabolic activity and the most important element in determining our health and appearance.  However, UV light and other sources of toxic free radicals can damage DNA, and if left unchecked, this damage leads directly to premature skin aging, cell death, and even skin cancer.

Antioxidants (such as Idebenone) provide the cell’s first line of defense against damage caused by oxidative stress from free radicals (sun, stress, poor nutrition, alcohol, prescription and non-prescription drugs).    Cell repair mechanisms, such as DNA repair enzymes, provide the second line of defense to reverse damage already caused by free radicals.  The DNA repair enzymes have the ability to target and excise the damage in the DNA.  Once the damage is removed, the DNA has the ability to self-repair and return to its normal, healthy state.

PRIORI’s DNA repair enzymes utilize 3 natural liposome encapsulated DNA repair enzymes from botanical and microbial sources to repair cellular damage.    It contains key antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients for soothing and calming the skin, and hyaluronic acid for superior skin moisturizing.    Studies have shown DNA repair enzymes have been shown to diminish the effects of harmful UV radiation, accelerate the improvement of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation, and reverse cellular DNA damage.

The new Cellular Recovery Serum is a lightweight formula that is applied to the skin immediately after cleansing, once or twice a day depending on the skin condition.  We recommend Cellular Recovery Serum along with one of PRIORI’s two Idebenone formulas in order to take advantage of both first and second lines of defense in anti-aging.

Cellular Recovery Serum can be used successfully with any skin care line to enhance its performance.

I want to share with you the buzz that’s happening at Abundance.  The feedback we’re receiving on the Advanced AHA peel has been phenomenal!   After one treatment, clients see a significant difference in the quality of their skin – so much so that although peels are generally done in a 6 to 8-week series, we can offer this as a stand-alone treatment.   Because this peel is so gentle, we have even chosen it as the primary treatment to use with our popular collagen-building GentleWaves LED photomodulation treatments.

So what is Advanced AHA?

Advanced AHA Cosmeceuticals are one of the three PRIORI lines.  It’s the latest advance in AHA technology from Joe Lewis, the nation’s top skin care formulator, utilizing a novel (proprietary) LCA complex that combines lactic acid and a multifunctional essential skin vitamin complex (Vitamins A, C and E and pro-vitamin A) in a time-released formulation to enhance product performance and results.  It’s the first step in the PRIORI skincare collection designed to restore basic skin health and fitness, the foundation of any skincare regimen.

Over the past five years, we’ve had the privilege of having the most progressive anti-aging lines at Abundance, but PRIORI’s Advanced AHA peels out-perform them all without redness, flakiness, or downtime.  After 6 to 8 peels, the skin is corrected, hydrated, lines diminished, with a beautiful, even skin tone.  In addition, the sophisticated new technology allows us to treat even the most sensitive skin without adverse reactions.

Week after week, I hear feedback such as:

“I can see a change in my skin after one treatment …”

“My pores are smaller.”

“Even my husband noticed my skin!”

“I love how Advanced AHA feels on my skin.”

We invite you to come in and experience this extraordinary peel treatment.  We know you’ll love it!

At any rate, I’m here to tell you that yes, I agree that we all need a little sun every day, but most of us can get our requirement for Vitamin D from the sun in about 10 minutes but after that, that sunshine is aging us, inside and out. It gets more serious … although it’s my business to be concerned about the beauty of the skin, I’m much more concerned about the greater damage that can be caused by the sun: damage to our long-term health.

On the lighter side, excessive sun sets off a chain of free radical reactions that derails the immune system, leaving us with a trail of symptoms such as fatigue, dehydration, and damaged (fried) hair and skin which leaves us tired, cranky, and looking a little thrashed. Notice how your hair gets dry and frizzy after a day in the sun? (Not to mention the irritating sunburn.) There is new evidence to suggest that inadequate amounts of Omegas in our diet can reduce our natural resistance to the sun. If your immune system is already taxed, you are likely to become burned more easily.

On the darker side of things, excessive sun can trigger aggressive skin cancers, even in the very young. Skin cancer is the #1 cause of death in women between the ages of 22 and 29. One theory is that the packaging for cosmetic products containing SPF has decreased the sales of dedicated sunscreen products to this age group. According to educators at SkinCeuticals, it would take 2 tablespoons (ok, for the non-culinary inclined, that’s a shot glass full!) of liquid make-up or a moisturizer containing SPF to achieve the protection level stated on the label. That’s 2 tablespoons applied to the neck and face, which is not practical (or possible).

One more thing on combination products … moisturizer molecules need to be smaller to penetrate and be of service. Sunscreen molecules are large. Therefore, it stands to reason that the moisturizer, which represents the costly part of the product, is not able to adequately penetrate the skin and do its job (thereby wasted). It’s generally true that combination products are almost always made of chemical sunscreens (which most likely contain one or more of a scary list of ingredients known to cause damage to DNA) to neutralize UV. These chemicals must penetrate the skin to neutralize UV, which increases redness and heat in the skin, worsening those enlarged red vessels. On the other hand, physical sunscreens, which are made of minerals (zinc and titanium dioxide) lay on top of the skin, and reflect UV and keep damaging heat from penetrating. For these reasons, I almost always recommend a physical (non-chemical) sunscreen, which is non-toxic and keeps harmful chemicals and heat from penetrating the outer layer of the skin.

Sun protection for healthy skin:

1. Cleanse your skin.
2. Moisturize your skin.
3. Apply sunscreen daily.

Sun protection for beautiful** skin:

1. Cleanse your skin with an anti-aging cleanser.
2. Apply an anti-oxidant serum.
3. Apply a moisturizer for your skin type.
4. Apply a physical sunscreen made of zinc oxide or titanium.

**Some of my readers just want healthy skin and don’t really care about beautiful skin, but for those of you who insist on seeing changes in your skin, you must come in to the salon and see our current line-up of cosmoceuticals, those amazing science-based products that can make your skin smoother and more radiant.

I am thrilled with the results that I’ve seen among my clients using PRIORI’S AHA line. It’s the perfect line if you want to correct ill-behaved skin, seriously hydrate your skin, remove fine lines, or smooth out the texture of your skin. Seriously, I’ve had several clients report that even their husbands noticed the new glow in their skin.

So get out there and enjoy the summer. Ride your bike. Play volleyball on the beach. Work in the garden. Drink wine on the deck with your friends. But don’t forget, it’s very cool to wear sunscreen.

Chrysann

At Abundance, budget has always been a factor in designing an effective home care program. All skin care products we recommend must add value and deliver results. We carry five skin care lines, each with its own properties, benefits and price points, which assure that we are able to meet a wide variety of needs. When it’s time to change products, we are conscientious about keeping track of what products the client is using, and making those transitions when bottles are empty to minimize waste. Each product on your bathroom counter should have a specific purpose and add value to your anti-aging program.

We continually educate our clients on the proper use of professional products. In most cases, professional formulations are different than those of over-the-counter products and far less product is required. Anti-aging serums have a smaller molecular structure in order to penetrate more readily, so less product is required. Re-training clients to use products properly is an ongoing part of client education.

Making judicious recommendations is important. Generally, we won’t send a client home with an anti-aging serum that can’t penetrate because the epidermis is too thick. Instead we prep the skin with the appropriate exfoliator to increase absorption before introducing an expensive serum.

The current economy hasn’t changed the way we approach skin care at Abundance ~ ~ we always have and always will design and evaluate our skin care programs to factor in the ongoing needs of each client.

All the best for a beautiful, blustery March 2009,

Chrysann Rudig, L.E.
Esthetician, Owner

Injectables are a highly misunderstood category of skin rejuvenation practices. They are classified as minimally invasive, because they are administered with a fine needle. However, the ingredients used (primarily hyaluronic acid) are, in almost all cases, naturally found in skin. Over the years, I have observed some poorly administered Botox and fillers that have been administered too aggressively. We have all witnessed the surreal features that trademark overuse. It is critical that dermal fillers and wrinkle correction procedures are performed by a skilled professional with many years of experience and knowledge of many different dermal products. When wrinkle correction is performed with knowledge and experience, the result is a smooth, very natural and rested look without adverse effects.

Each client has his or her own unique goals and concerns about skin and aging. It is up to each individual to determine the best solution. It is my goal to offer my clients the very best in anti-aging treatments and products. Likewise, for those services that are not featured on our menu, to offer the very best information and referrals for the anti-aging services requested.

This month I am very excited about our event with Dr. Bradley Greene on November 17. Dr. Greene is a facial plastic surgeon, specializing in reconstructive surgery. He is also an expert with injectables and dermal fillers. He will be doing a presentation at Abundance on Monday afternoon at 4 p.m., to discuss advances in skin care and specifically injectables and the newest dermal fillers. Following a period for questions and answers, Dr. Greene will be taking appointments.

If you have had experience with dermal fillers and injectables, you will appreciate this opportunity to save 20%. If you are curious or have questions about dermal fillers and injectables, we look forward to seeing you on November 17 at 4 p.m. Don’t forget to RSVP ~ 650-560-9600.