Blue Diamond Spa & Skin Care Center

Pumpkin Patch

Experiment with these Jane Iredale mineral cosmetic products

to achieve a beautiful and natural looking sweet and inviting face.

Pecan/Chocolate Eye Shadow

Double Dazzle Highlighter Pencil

Mimosa Puregloss

Moonglow Bronzer/Shadow

There are two primary ingredients we use in skin care to get rid of acne - Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid. In some cases you may have encountered products that use both however many people do not know the benefits of Salicylic Acid or the drawbacks of Benzoyl Peroxide.

The truth about Benzoyl Peroxide is that is dries out your skin. And if you're fighting acne this may sound like a good thing but it leads to irritation. When your skin becomes overly dry it produces more oil to compensate for the dryness and when combined with the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin it can clog pores and actually create more breakouts! An additional issue with Benzoyl Peroxide is that it can cause skin irritations that then increase redness and flaking on your skin and a number of studies have actually linked BP with the creation of free radicals and increased instances of sun damage.

Many skin care professionals believe that the best acne products use Salicylic Acid instead of Benzoyl Peroxide. Acne is not just caused by oil that needs to be dried up on your skin it is also caused by the build up of dead skin cells on the skin's surface - Those dead skin cells then combine with surface oil to clog pores and cause the bacteria that creates acne to multiply. Instead of treating acne by drying your skin up Salicylic Acid helps to shed the dead skin cells from within the pores themselves before dead skin cells can clog pores ensuring that you have clear pores that can’t be clogged.

Salicylic Acid can take up to four weeks to purge and cleanse your pores so you will want to be patient with the results however in the long term it will keep your skin clear without over drying, irritating and ultimately leading to signs of premature aging.

Precautions for Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very exciting time in a woman's life and it is important for therapists and clients alike to know about spa safety and take extra precautions because numerous treatments are contraindicated for pregnant women. In general simple soothing facial treatments and the avoidance of any aggressive treatment are appropriate for pregnant women.

Hormone fluctuations due to pregnancy often result in skin changes and pregnant women may experience an increase in oiliness, flares of blemishes and hyperpigmentation and many of these symptoms will disappear after the baby's birth. On the other hand some women experience excellent skin conditions during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and often after pregnancy or after a woman stops breast feeding more changes occur to where a skin care therapist may have to work more extensively with a client after childbirth.

Pregnant women should avoid any type of Electrical Current being applied to the skin - That includes Galvanic, High Frequency, Microcurrent and others. And avoid any form of chemical exfoliation unless it's doctor approved in writing.

During pregnancy many body treatments should also be avoided and only licensed massage therapists who have been specially trained in pregnancy massage should perform this service. Skin Care therapists must pay careful attention to the application of certain essential oils that may be contraindicated during pregnancy.

The Blue Diamond Spa specializes in pregnancy massage and our staff is fully trained to work on pregnant clients - For a spa appointment or to find out more about our services call (310) 577-2211.

Oily Skin Myths

Hey there, "Pizza Face" - Did you know that eating pizza has NOTHING to do with your oily breakouts?! Furthering your understanding of how to keep oiliness under control can help dispel the many myths about oily skin. Here are just a few to get you started...

Myth #1
Oil Can be controlled by stripping your skin with harsh drying ingredients such as alcohol.

Stripping the skin of oil can actually cause an overproduction of oil and those who self treat oily skin with alcohol based products often end up with dehydrated, irritated and sensitized skin.

Myth #2
Sunscreens increase oil production.

Sophisticated new formulations will not clog pores and some even contain oil absorbing micro-sponges for the ultimate in sun protection and skin care benefits - You Skin care therapist can help you find the right oil free sunscreen for you.

Myth #3
A little sun exposure is ideal for drying up oils on the skin.
Sun exposure is NEVER good for skin. While the sun may temporarily provide a “drying” effect sebaceous glands will fire into overdrive to help replace lost oil, which actually results in more oil on the surface than before.

Myth #4
There’s nothing that can be done to help control oily skin.
False - Don’t give up! An oily skin condition is just as manageable as any other skin condition so speak to a professional skin therapist who can analyze your skin and provide a proper diagnosis which will include a regimen of products and lifestyle changes to keep your skin under control.

Dry Brushing

Dry Brushing is a simplistic approach to healthier skin and an important process in helping you to maintain a healthy body. Stimulating your skin can set into motion natural detoxification and healing pathways within your body.

Individuals who sit at a computer all day or those of us with more inactive lifestyle will particularly take pleasure in the benefits of skin brushing - As you increase blood flow to your sore neck, shoulders and lower back you will experience an increase in electromagnetic energy that permits you to feel energized and invigorated.

Many of our clients ask what they can do to improve Cellulite - Dry Brushing (coupled with a healthy diet program and exercise routine) can break down the toxic materials which accumulate in your body's fat cells and are unable to be eliminated causing unwanted Cellulite.

Other benefits of Dry Skin Brushing include:

Lymph Drainage

Improvement in skin texture

Increased Metabolism/Skin Metabolism

Increased circulation & Tightening of the skin

Even distribution of fat deposits

Increased muscle tone

Elimination of clogged pores

Rejuvenated nervous system

If you would like to make an appointment for a body treatment that includes the dry brushing or to purchase a skin brush for home use please contact Blue Diamond Spa at (310) 577-2211.

BEST OF BEAUTY AWARDS

And the 2010 Best of Beauty Allure Magazine award goes to... Dermalogica!!!

"Best Guy's Stuff"

Solar Defense Wipes SPF15

These wipes are the only way we can get the men in our lives to wear sunscreen

"Best Sensitive Skin Product"

Daily Microfoliant

For dissolving dead skin cells without scratching