The 10 Most Unwanted Ingredients In Everyday Beauty Products

Are you aware that most of the shampoos and personal care products used today have cancer-causing agents? Here is an overview of the Top 10 Unwanted Ingredients commonly found in shampoos and skin care products and their possible side effects.

 

1. Isopropyl Alcohol This is a solvent and denaturant (poisonous substance that changes another substance's natural qualities). Isopropyl alcohol is found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after-shave lotions, fragrances and many other cosmetics. This petroleum-derived substance is also used in antifreeze and as a solvent in shellac. According to A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, inhalation or ingestion of the vapor may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis and coma.

2. Mineral Oil Baby This is 100% mineral oil. This derived substance is commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin just like also used in plastic wrap. The skin's natural immune barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb and as a the Natural Moisture Factor (moisture and nutrition). The solvent in firm skin's ability to release toxins is impeded by this "plastic wrap,"which can promote acne and other disorders. This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age.

3. PEG This is an abbreviation for polyethylene glycol that is used in making cleansers to dissolve oil and grease as well as thicken products. Because of their effectiveness, Pegs are often used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners and yet are found in many personal care products. Pegs contribute to stripping the Natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic.

4. Propylene Glycol (PG) As a "surfactant"or wetting agent and solvent, this ingredient is actually the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of make-up, hair products, lotions, after-shave, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpaste. It is also used in food processing. Because of its ability to quickly penetrate the skin, the EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with this toxic substance. The Material Safety Data Sheets warn against skin contact, as PG has systemic consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. Consumers are not protected nor is there a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than that in most industrial applications.

5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Used as detergents and surfactants, these closely related compounds are found in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers. Yet both SLS and SLES are used more widely as one of the major ingredients in cosmetics, toothpaste, hair conditioner and about 90% of all shampoos and products that foam. Mark Fearer in an article, Dangerous Beauty, says "... in tests, animals that were exposed to SLS experienced -eye damage, along with depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and corrosion and death." According to the American College of Toxicology states both SLS and SLES can cause malformation in children's eyes. Other research has indicated SLS may be damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin. Skin layers may separate and inflame due to its protein denaturing properties.

It is possibly the most dangerous of all ingredients in personal care products. Research has shown that SLS when combined with other chemicals can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens, which cause the body to absorb nitrates at higher levels than eating nitrate-contaminated food." According to the American College of Toxicity report,"SLS stays in the body for up to five days..." Other studies have indicated that SLS easily penetrates through the skin and enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain. This poses serious questions regarding its potential health threat through its use in shampoos, cleansers and toothpaste."

6. Chlorine According to Doris J. Rapp, M.D., author of Is This Your Child's World? exposure to chlorine in tap water, showers, pool, laundry products, cleaning agents, food processing, sewage systems and many others, can effect health by contributing to asthma, hay fever, anemia, bronchitis, circulatory collapse, confusion, delirium diabetes, dizziness, irritation of the eye, mouth, nose throat, lung, skin and stomach, heart disease, high blood pressure and nausea. It is also a possible cause of cancer. Even though you will not see Chlorine on personal care product labels, it is important for you to be aware of the need to protect your skin when bathing and washing your hair.

7. DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine) DEA and MEA are usually fisted on the ingredient label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocamide DEA or MEA, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. On the show, CBS This Morning, Roberta Baskin revealed that a recent government report shows DEA and MEA are readily absorbed in the skin. Dr. Samuel Epstein, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois said, "repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of two cancers - liver and kidney cancers." John Bailey, who oversees the cosmetic division for the FDA said the new study is especially important since "the risk equation changes significantly for children."

8. FD & C Color Pigments Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death. Debra Lynn Dadd says M Home Safe Home:"Colors that can be used in foods, drugs, and cosmetics are made from coal tar. There is a great deal of controversy about their use, because animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic."

9. Fragrance Fragrance is present in most deodorants, shampoos, sunscreens, skin care body care and baby products. Many of the compounds in fragrance are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic. "Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes," Home Safe Home.

10. Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantoin These are just two of the many preservatives that release formaldehyde (formaldehyde-donors). According to the Mayo Clinic, formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care, antiperspirants and nail polish found in stores contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients.

The Kasia Organics “Informed Beauty” Promise:

We always use: the finest, all-natural ingredients that not only nourish the body but awaken the senses and promote healthy, safe living through informed beauty. The result: radiant, restored skin and hair.

We never use: parabans, petro-chemicals, phthalates, artificial preservatives, lauryl sulfates, artificial colors or dyes, synthetic fragrances, wasteful fillers or animal testing—unhealthy junk your body doesn’t need!

Get Infused for Summer - Kasia Skindeep Organic Medi-Peel

Warm weather and sun rays are upon us, and facial ‘peel’ lovers need an alternative for the summer months due to the reaction of the skin with the exposure to UV rays. Ladies you are in luck!  At Kasia we offer a facial peel with the newest technology that delivers a non-chemical peel like no other called the Medi-Facial Peel. 

• No downtime involved
• Dermal therapy peel will nourish the skin while bringing results
• Allowing you the ability to get right back out into the sun (with Kasia "Good Day Sunshine protection, of course!).
• We customize each treatment to meet your needs with an added personal touch.

The  Kasia Skindeep Organic Medi-Peel and/or Facial have a 2.0% Retinaldehyde, making it the only non-acid peel that will infuse the dermis with fibroblast stimulators, immune boosters, antioxidants, pigment lighteners, and calming anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial ingredients.  Expect results with this powerful synergy that rejuvenates the skin by increasing collagen production, fighting free radical damage, scavenging scar tissue and helping reduce hyperpigmentation making it an amazing treatment for any skin type or condition.

To learn more about the facial protocol and Before & After results, visit here! 

How does it work?

This facial treatment

• Increases nourishment to the skin
• Encourages a gentle and natural cellular turnover
• Effectively resurfaces the epidermis
• Resurfacing of the epidermis.  Deep wrinkles will begin to diminish and elasticity and firmness will increase as your skin is infused with essential proven ingredients to help reverse aging and improve the health of your skin.

To learn more about the facial protocol and Before & After results, visit here!

To book an appointment with our Skin Specialist, call 612 824 7611.

IT’S CONFIRMED. DAIRY PRODUCTS AND SUGAR CAUSE ACNE.

DO DAIRY PRODUCTS AND SUGAR CAUSE ACNE?

 The following article is a guest post form Mark Hyman.  I have followed Dr. Hyman since the start of my Functional  Medicine pursuits back in 2007. He sharp, clear, and helps the reader understand at a ground level of how nutrition, hormones, and every day choices inhibit our "beautiful health."

When I was in my 20's, I had cystic acne, and after removing dairy for 2 months, my acnes was almost completely gone.  Food allergies, milk, wheat, etc may be the missing link for many - whether in teenage years, or the return of the pimple in the later stages of life.  Enjoy the article.  

 

As our sugar and dairy consumption has increased over the last 100 years so has the number of people with acne. We now have over 17 million acne sufferers, costing our health care system $1 billion a year. Eighty to ninety percent of teenagers suffer acne to varying degrees.

The pimply millions rely on infomercial products hawked by celebrities or over-the-counter lotions, cleansers, and topical remedies. Recent research suggests that it’s not what we slather on our skin that matters most but what we put in our mouth.

Many have suggested a diet-acne link, but until recently it has not been proven in large clinical studies. Instead dermatologists prescribe long-term antibiotics and Accutane, both of which may cause long-term harmful effects. In 2009, a systematic review of 21 observational studies and six clinical trials found clear links.

Two large controlled trials found that cow’s milk increased both the number of people who got acne and its severity. Other large randomized prospective controlled trials (the gold standard of medical research) found that people who had higher sugar intake and a high glycemic load diet (more bread, rice, cereal, pasta, sugar, and flour products of all kinds) had significantly more acne. The good news is that chocolate (dark chocolate that is) didn’t seem to cause acne.

The dietary pimple producing culprits – diary and sugar (in all its blood sugar raising forms) – both cause spikes in certain pimple producing hormones. Dairy boosts male sex hormones (various forms of testosterone or androgens),  increases insulin levels, just as foods that quickly raise blood sugar, (sugar and starchy carbs) and spikes insulin.

Androgens and insulin both stimulate your skin to make those nasty, embarrassing pimples. One patient recently told me he would give a million dollars for a pill to cure acne. He doesn’t need to. It seems that for many the cure to acne is at the end of their fork, not in a prescription pad.

While pimples are not as simple as too much milk or sugar in your diet, both have a significant impact. Nutritional deficiencies as well as excesses can worsen acne. Correcting common deficiencies including low levels of healthy omega-3 anti-inflammatory fats, low levels of antioxidants such as vitamin E, zinc, and vitamin A, and including an important anti-inflammatory omega-6 fat called evening primrose oil  may all be helpful in preventing and treating unwanted pimples.

I will explain how you can correct and incorporate all of these nutritional elements of your diet and outlines some supplements that will help you fight acne in a moment. But first it is worth taking a deeper look at milk and sugar.

It appears that anabolic or sex hormones in milk contribute to acne …

Stay Away from Dairy and Avoid Acne

One scientist referred to milk as a “complex aqueous, suspended fat, liposomal, suspended protein emulsion”. What we do know is that milk is designed to grow things – namely, babies – and in the case of cow’s milk, calves. It is naturally full of what we call anabolic hormones (the same ones that body builders and A Rod use to grow big muscles, and which cause bad acne).

These are mostly androgens (like testosterone) and growth hormones including insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). There is no such thing as hormone-free milk.

Here’s a short list of the 60-some hormones in your average glass of milk – even the organic, raw, and bovine growth hormone free milk:

• 20α-dihydropregnenolone
• progesterone (from pregnenolone)
• 5α-pregnanedione
• 5α-pregnan-3β-ol-20-one, 20α- and 20β-dihydroprogesterone (from progesterone)
• 5α-androstene-3β17β-diol
• 5α-androstanedione
• 5α-androstan-3β-ol-17-one
• androstenedione
• testosterone
• dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate acyl ester
• insulin like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF-1 and IGF-2)
• insulin

This is what our government suggests we drink in high doses—at least 3 glasses a day for me, a healthy adult male, according to the mypyramid.gov website. Those guidelines have been strongly criticized by many including leading nutrition scientists from Harvard such as Walter Willett and David Ludwig.

The famous Nurse’s Health Study examining health habits of 47,000 nurses found that those who drank more milk as teenagers had much higher rates of severe acne than those who had little or no milk as teenagers. If you think it is the fat in milk, think again.

It was actually the skim milk that had the strongest risk for acne. In other studies of over 10,000 boys and girls from 9 to 15 years old, there was a direct link between the amount of milk consumed and the severity of acne.

It appears that it is not just the anabolic or sex hormones in milk that causes problem but milk’s ability to stimulate insulin production. It actually may be the lactose or milk sugar in milk that acts more like a soft drink than an egg. Drinking a glass of milk can spike insulin levels 300 percent.

Not only does that cause pimples, but it also may contribute to prediabetes. This is true despite studies funded by the dairy council showing that milk helps with weight loss. The question is compared to WHAT diet – a diet of bagels and Coke, or a healthy phytonutrient, antioxidant-rich, plant-based diet with lean animal protein?

Stay Away from Sugar, Refined Carbs, and Pimples

If a glass of milk causes pimples, that may drive you back to your Pepsi. But not so fast. Recent studies also show that sugar and refined carbs (a high-glycemic diet) cause acne. More importantly, taking kids off sugar and putting them on a healthy, whole foods, low-glycemic load diet resulted in significant improvements in acne compared to a control group eating a regular, high-sugar American diet.

In addition to less pimples, the participants lost weight, became more sensitive to the effects of insulin (resulting in less pimple-producing insulin circulating around the blood). They also had less of the sex hormones floating around their blood that drive pimples. We know that women who have too much sugar and insulin resistance get acne, hair growth on their face, hair loss on the head, and infertility. This is caused by high levels of circulating male hormones and is called polycystic ovarian syndrome but is a nutritional, not gynecologic disease.

But the dietary influences don’t stop there. It is not just sugar, but the bad fats we eat that may also contribute to acne.

Get an Oil Change

Our typical Western diet is full of inflammatory fats – saturated fats, trans fats, too many omega-6, inflammatory, processed vegetable oils like soy and corn oils. These increase IGF-1 and stimulate pimple follicles. Inflammation has been linked to acne, and anti-inflammatoryomega-3 fats (from fish oil) may help improve acne and help with many skin disorders.

Balance the Hormones that Cause Skin Problems

The link is clear - hormonal imbalances caused by our diet trigger acne. Our diet influences sex hormones like testosterone, IGF-1, and insulin, which promote acne. The biggest factors affecting your hormones is the glycemic load of your diet (which is determined by how quickly the food you eat increases your blood sugar and insulin levels), and the amount of dairy products you eat. The good news is that eating a healthy diet and taking a few supplements can balance those hormones. Exercise also helps improve insulin function.

How to Prevent and Treat Acne

Eight simple steps to help most overcome their acne problems:

1. Stay away from milk. It is nature’s perfect food – but only if you are a calf.
2. Eat a low glycemic load, low sugar diet. Sugar, liquid calories, and flour products all drive up insulin and cause pimples.
3. Eat more fruits and vegetables. People who eat more veggies (containing more antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds) have less acne. Make sure you get your 5–9 servings of colorful fruits and vegetables every day.
4. Get more healthy anti-inflammatory fats. Make sure to get omega-3 fats (fish oil) and anti-inflammatory omega-6 fats (evening primrose oil). You will need supplements to get adequate amounts (more on that in a moment).
5. Include foods that correct acne problems. Certain foods have been linked to improvements in many of the underlying causes of acne and can help correct it. These include fish oil, turmeric, ginger, green tea, nuts, dark purple and red foods such as berries, green foods like dark green leafy vegetables, and omega 3-eggs.
6. Take acne-fighting supplements.Some supplements are critical for skin health. Antioxidant levels have been shown to be low in acne sufferers. And healthy fats can make a big difference. Here are the supplements I recommend:
   • Evening primrose oil: Take 1,000 to 1,500mg twice a day.
   • Zinc citrate: Take 30 mg a day.
   • Vitamin A: Take 25,000 IU a day. Only do this for three months. Do not do this if you are pregnant.
   • Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols, not alpha tocopherol): Take 400 IU a day.
7. Try probiotics. Probiotics also help reduce inflammation in the gut that may be linked to acne. Taking probiotics (lactobacillus, etc.) can improve acne.
8. Avoid foods you are sensitive to. Delayed food allergies are among the most common causes of acne—foods like gluten, dairy, yeast, and eggs are common culprits and can be a problem if you have a leaky gut.

Following these simple tips will help you eliminate acne and have that glowing skin you have always dreamed of. And it’s much cheaper (and safer) than expensive medications and dermatologist visits. Improve your diet and take acne-fighting supplements and you will watch your pimples disappear.

For more information on how to optimize your nutrition and improve your skin, seewww.drhyman.com.

Now I’d like to hear from you.

Have you struggled with an acne or skin problem? Have you noticed any link between your skin? What seems to be a problem for you?

Why do you think we are encouraged to consume so much dairy when the risks to our health (and our skin) are so high?

What other steps have you taken to fight acne? What has worked? What hasn’t?

Please leave your thoughts by adding a comment below – but remember, we can’t offer personal medical advice online, so be sure to limit your comments to those about taking back our health!

To your good health,

Mark Hyman, MD

References

1. F. William Danby, MD, Nutrition and acne, Clinics in Dermatology (2010) 28, 598–604
2. White GM. Recent findings in the epidemiologic evidence, classification, and subtypes of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol 39(2 Pt 3):S34-7 (1998 Aug).
3. Lello J, Pearl A, Arroll B, et al. Prevalence of acne vulgaris in Auckland senior high school students. N Z Med J 108(1004):287-9 (1995 Jul 28).
4. Venereol 21(6):806-10 (2007 Jul).
5. Wolf R, Matz H, Orion E. Acne and diet. Clin Dermatol 22(5):387-93 (2004 Sep-Oct).
6. Magin P, Pond D, Smith W, et al. A systematic review of the evidence for myths and misconceptions’ in acne management: diet, face-washing and sunlight. Fam Pract 22(1):62-70 (2005 Feb).
7. Spencer EH, Ferdowsian HR, Barnard ND. Diet and acne: a review of the evidence. Int J Dermatol 48(4):339-47 (2009 Apr).
8. Bendiner E. Disastrous trade-off: Eskimo health for white civilization, Hosp Pract 9:156-89 (1974).
9. Adebamowo CA, Spiegelman D, Danby FW, et al. High school dietary dairy intake and teenage acne. J Am Acad Dermatol 52(2):207-14 (2005 Feb).
10. Adebamowo CA, Spiegelman D, Berkey CS, et al. Milk consumption and acne in adolescent girls. Dermatol Online J 12(4):1 (2006).
11. Adebamowo CA, Spiegelman D, Berkey CS, et al. Milk consumption and acne in teenaged boys. J Am Acad Dermatol 58(5):787-93 (2008 May).
12. Hoyt G, Hickey MS, Cordain L. Dissociation of the glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to whole and skimmed milk. Br J Nutr 93(2):175-7 (2005 Feb).
13. Kaymak Y, Adisen E, Ilter N, et al. Dietary glycemic index and glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3, and leptin levels in patients with acne. J Am Acad atol 57(5):819-23 (2007 Nov). Cordain L, Lindeberg S, Hurtado M, et al. Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization. Arch Dermatol 138(12):1584-90 (2002 Dec).
14. Smith RN, Mann NJ, Braue A, et al. A low-glycemic-load diet improves symptoms in acne vulgaris patients: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 86(1):107-15 (2007 Jul).
15. Smith RN, Mann NJ, Braue A, et al. The effect of a high- protein, low glycemic-load diet versus a conventional, high glycemic-load diet on biochemical parameters associated with acne vulgaris: a randomized, investigator-masked, controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol 57(2):247-56 (2007 Aug).
16. Smith RN, Braue A, Varigos GA, et al. The effect of a low glycemic load diet on acne vulgaris and the fatty acid composition of skin surface triglycerides. J Dermatol Sci 50(1):41-52 (2008 Apr).
17. Zouboulis CC. Is acne vulgaris a genuine inflammatory disease? Dermatology 203(4):277-9 (2001).
18. James MJ, Gibson RA, Cleland LG. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory mediator production. Am J Clin Nutr 71(1 Suppl):343S-8S (2000 Jan).
19. Simopoulos AP. Essential fatty acids in health and chronic disease. Am J Clin Nutr 70(3 Suppl):560S-9S (1999 Sep). 26. Kaaks R, Bellati C, Venturelli E, et al. Effects of dietary intervention on IGF-I and IGF-binding proteins, and related alterations in sex steroid metabolism: the Diet and Androgens (DIANA) Randomised Trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 57(9):1079-88 (2003 Sep).
20. Fulton JE, Jr., Plewig G, Kligman AM. Effect of chocolate on acne vulgaris. Jama 210(11):2071-4 (1969 Dec 15).
21. Anderson PC. Foods as the cause of acne. Am Fam Physician 3(3):102-3 (1971 Mar).

Skin Cancer on the Rise in Young Women

 

 

 

 

On a hot July day last summer, I was lying on the beach at Coney Island with my younger brother when he noticed a dark mole on the back of my arm. “You should really get that checked at the dermatologist,” he said in a worried tone.

 

It turned out that the mole on my arm was fine, but another one on my cheek was basal cell skin cancer. A few weeks later, I had surgery to remove it and left the plastic surgeon’s office with a 1.5-inch scar sloping down my right cheek.Friends and colleagues were surprised to see the scar because I was only 28. Even the medical resident who attended my operation said I was the youngest skin cancer patient she had met.But as I learned more about skin cancer, I discovered that it is becoming increasingly common, especially among young women. A recent study by the Mayo Clinic found that melanoma, the most serious type, had increased eightfold for women under 40 since 1970.

The author at Sandy Hook beach in New Jersey with her husband last summer, a few months before she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.

“There is this thought that, ‘It won’t happen to me because I’m young,’ but that’s not true anymore,” said Dr. Jerry Brewer, a dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic and an author of the study.

Experts say that tanning beds are a major factor behind the increase in all three types of skin cancer for young women. More than 20 million people use tanning beds each year, and 70 percent of customers are young white women, who are at increased risk of developing skin cancer. The lamps in tanning beds can give off 10 to 15 times the UVA radiation of normal sun exposure, accelerating the process of skin damage. Instead of getting skin cancer 30 or 40 years down the line, many young women are getting it 5 or 10 years later, Dr. Brewer said.

Though I have never used a tanning bed, my dermatologist said I had an unlucky trio of risk factors: fair skin and blue eyes, an upbringing in Texas, where I spent long days in the sun growing up, and a family history of skin cancer. My grandmother and aunt had melanoma and survived, and my mother had basal cell carcinoma too.

While more than three million cases of basal and squamous cell carcinoma are diagnosed each year, only about 2,000 people a year die from these non-melanoma skin cancers. Melanoma is a far more ominous diagnosis, causing about 9,400 deaths each year in the United States.

Dr. Darrell Rigel, a dermatology professor at NYU Langone Medical Center, says that every month at his New York practice, about two women in their 20s are found to have early melanoma, a dramatic rise from 20 years ago. Once melanoma is the size of a dime, there is a good chance that it has already spread and treatment may not work, Dr. Rigel said. “I know I’m looking at a death sentence on their arm, and they feel perfectly fine,” he said. “It’s absolutely awful.”

This year, the Food and Drug Administration proposed new regulations for tanning beds that require them to have labels warning that they are not recommended for people under 18. And in April, New Jersey joined several other states in passing a law to prohibit indoor tanning for those under 17.

Even children can get melanoma. A recent study in the journal Pediatrics found that the number of cases among children and adolescents has been increasing each year by about 2 percent.

Another recent study, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, found that while young women are more likely to be given a diagnosis of melanoma, young men are more likely to die from it. Researchers said the disparity was probably a consequence of behavioral tendencies — men are less likely to see a doctor or perform a skin self-examination — and possibly biological differences as well.

My brush with skin cancer has certainly changed how I view the sun. I don’t want another scar — or worse, a diagnosis of melanoma. I wear a 30 SPF sunscreen on my face every day and bought several sun-protective long-sleeve shirts to wear outdoors this summer. I am visiting my dermatologist every three months for a full body scan. (One annual checkup is recommended for those without a previous diagnosis.)

I returned to Texas in April for a friend’s wedding at a resort in the woods. After a long winter in New York, my husband and I were excited to go swimming at a pool near our cabin. In the past, I would have grabbed a lounge chair in the sun, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to arrive at the ceremony with a sun-kissed glow. But this time, I picked a chair under a wide umbrella. It’s just not worth it anymore.

Even a few sunburns can significantly raise your risk of skin cancer, Dr. Brewer said.

“Deciding how much sun you want to get is like asking how much cyanide you want in your breakfast cereal,” he said. “There is no amount of tan that is healthy.”

Emma G. Fitzsimmons is a freelance reporter in New York and a news assistant at The New York Times.

Stay protected - and stop sun- aging in it's tracks!  

Kasia Good Day Sunshine Sunblock

Super-potent yet lightweight, Good Day Sunshine allows you to savor your sun-drenched days safely, without damaging your lovely skin. Non-nano zinc oxide provides the safest possible form of broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, while antioxidant-rich oils soothe and hydrate, combating free radicals to promote a youthful, flawless complexion.

Purchase and Protect HERE

Bronzed Beauties: How to Get Glowing the Natural—and Safe!—Way

It’s officially summer —and finally warm here! The sun is out, the sky is blue and we’re wearing our favorite summer uniform of a breezy lace tank and comfy cutoffs. Other summer staples we make sure to always have on hand: sunscreen and self-tanner. Because even though that sun-kissed look makes us feel healthy and radiant, overexposure to the sun’s warm rays means damaging free radicals (read: lines and wrinkles!) and the increased chance of skin cancer.

Ready for a bronzed glow that’s as safe and natural as they come? Pick up Kasia Organic’s Honey-Dip Natural Sunless Tanner and Anti-Aging Cream. Reformulated with nourishing, anti-aging ingredients and an ultra-lightweight feel, it effortlessly gives skin a healthy glow. With 10% naturally-derived DHA, Honey-Dip offers a flawless, buildable tan, and perhaps most importantly, it smells divine and won’t ever look orange or have a typical self-tanner aroma. Perfect for getting that day-at-the-beach tan without damaging your skin!

Also currently slathered all over our face and body is Kasia’s Good Day Sunshine Sunshield. The SPF 35 product packs a vitamin- and antioxidant-rich, anti-aging punch that hydrates skin while protecting it from the sun’s harmful rays. It smells light and fresh, goes on smooth and comes in a mineral non-nano formula that means it’s safe for the entire family.

What’s all the hype about nano particles? Kasia founder Kassandra Kuehl explains:

“Sunscreens have been closely watched both by the consumer and the regulating organizations for the past few years, and rightfully so. With a brother who passed away from skin cancer at the young age of 24, I have been personally invested in formulating a sunscreen that is safe for all ages. Within the past two years, broad spectrum sunscreens have exposed a new danger: Sunscreen manufacturers are now adding nano particles to sunscreens with titanium and zinc oxide to make application more smooth and clear (versus the traditional white effect). Unfortunately, nano particles are being added without appropriate labeling or reliable safety information, as they pose potential long-term risk to health.”

At Kasia, we put your "beautiful health" first and foremost. We are committed to using non-nano ingredients and have formulated a blend of broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with food-grade certified organic ingredients and antioxidant-rich oils to hydrate, protect, combat free radicals and promote youthful, flawless skin.

Contact our team at 612.824.7611 or Kassie@kasiaorganicsalon.com

Retinaldehyde vs. Retinols - Which is best for your anti-aging skin?

 What is Retin A do?  What are retinols?

Vitamin A - also known as Retinaldehyde, is your multi-purpose skincare ingredient keeping your skin young and healthy.

Kasia Organic Skin Treatments use the safest and most effective form of Retinaldehyde through our Skindeep Organic Medi-Peel.

Let's take a deep look at what makes Retinaldehyde so beneficial and why we use this anti-aging power packed ingredient in Kasia treatments. 

Retinaldehyde is the most exciting and well researched skin care ingredient on the market today!  For years is has been researched and applauded as one of the most active ingredients in the skin but has been too expensive to use in skin care products.  Through our unique partnerships with industry leaders, we are able to bring to you our liposome coated Retinaldehyde.

 

In our bodies we convert Beta-Carotene into Retinol,  Retinol into Retinaldehyde, and then Retinaldehyde into Retinoic Acid (Retin A).  All of these retinoids have important and proven activity in the skin in an escalating level from Beta-Carotene to Retinoic Acid, respectively.  Retinoic Acid is the only retinoid that requires a prescription even though Retinaldehyde has a similar activity level.  Both Retinoic Acid and Retinaldehyde are substantially more active (500 times more!) than their Vitamin A counterparts which means we can use smaller amounts to achieve desired results.  The importance of this will be explained shortly.

 

All of the retinoids have a tough time penetrating through the epidermis because of their large particle size.  One study showed that only 2% of a topically applied retinol penetrated through the upper barrier of the skin.  Therefore, to have an effect on the dermis, larger volumes are often required.  Unfortunately, that means that 98% of those larger volumes of retinol are sitting on top of the skin doing nothing but working against you by irritating and over-exfoliating.  The advantage of using Retinaldehyde or Retinoic Acid is that smaller amounts, with much higher activity levels, can be used very effectively.

 

 Retinoic Acid and all retinoids are most effective in their "all-trans" configuration and that is how most Retin A  is delivered.....The bad new is that "all-trans" retinols are significantly more expensive and by law are identified on the labels are "all-trans"....(not L-retinol AGP, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol/Vitamin A)  The other bad news is that All-trans Retinol has a defect in its methodology... 

 


Once the skin converts Retinaldehyde to Retinoic Acid, it cannot be reconverted to a form of Vitamin A that can be stored in the skin!  That is why the skin converts only enough to perform the desired function and leaves the rest in the skin's storage units in forms of Retinaldehyde and/or Retinol.

 

If you apply topical Retin A (tm), the skin cannot shut it off which results in two things; irritation from over-stimulation and over-exfoliation and a probability for the Retinoic Acid receptors to down regulate.  All-trans Retinoic Acid has, by far, the most receptors of any retinoids and that is what makes it so potent.  However, chronic stimulation (as in the case for every receptor in the body), results in fewer active receptors and thus diminished results over time.

 

 Retinaldehyde is the best form possible from the above listed retinoids.  In addition to having its own receptor activity, it is the immediate precursor of Retinoic Acid so the skin will convert a significant amount to that form upon application.  The good news is that there will never be an over-stimulation problem because the skin regulates that conversion and uses just what it needs.

Research has repeatedly shown that Retinaldehyde has a similar activity profile to Retin A ,but with much less irritation.

The issue of penetration remains the same for retinaldehyde as is does for the other forms.  To fix this problem we have incorporated liposomes to enhance the penetration of Retinaldehyde. Coating this ingredient in liposomes also helps to prevent oxidation which occurs with all retinoids.

Until recently, this ingredient was far too expensive to use in skin care formulations.  But through our unique lab partnership, we are able to use the highest percentage of this active ingredient and bring it to the professional marketplace.

Get Top of the Line Facial Results at Kasia!

Kasia Organic Medi-Facial

A revolutionary facial treatment that will have you rethinking the average facial “peel.” This treatment is safe, painless, and will not strip or damage your skin.

The  Kasia Skindeep Organic Medi-Peel and/or Facial have a 2.0% Retinaldehyde, making it the only non-acid peel that will infuse the dermis with fibroblast stimulators, immune boosters, antioxidants, pigment lighteners, and calming anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial ingredients.

Expect results with this powerful synergy that rejuvenates the skin by increasing collagen production, fighting free radical damage, scavenging scar tissue and helping reduce hyperpigmentation making it an amazing treatment for any skin type or condition.

Reference:  
Pure Skin Junkie

Turmeric's Amazing Benefits for Beautiful Health + Bonus Smoothie Recipe!

Are You Ready to Add More Spice to Your Life --

Add this anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich staple from the spice rack!

Beautiful Health through Turmeric:

• Supports healthy joint function
• Promote radiant skin
• Improve digestion
• Supporting your memory function
• Promoting your heart health
• Boosting your immune system

Curcumin can potentially benefit you by:

• Helping maintain your healthy digestive system
• Supporting your healthy bones, joints, and overall skeletal system
• Helping you maintain cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range
• Promoting your healthy blood and liver functions

How Turmeric Provides Antioxidant Nutrient

You probably know that antioxidants are important nutrients in supporting your health by slowing down free radical damage that can seriously damage your cells, organs and DNA.  Turmeric helps protect your cells -- and  counteracts free radical damage (aging).

The antioxidant content within turmeric comes from active compounds called curcuminoids. These curcuminoids deliver antioxidants that are:

• 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamin E -- and also stronger than vitamin C
• 3 times more powerful than grape seed or pine bark extract
• Strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical -- considered by many to be the most reactive of all oxidants.

Oxidation by free radicals can damage cells and DNA -- and thus impact your overall wellness and speeds up the aging process.

Why this Herb Can Help Enhance Your Outer Beauty

Speaking of antioxidant nutrients and their potential to impact the aging process, some of the first aging signs you may see as you get older are changes to your hair and skin. GOOD NEWS!  By including Tumeric in your daily foods, you can contribute to the process of radiant beauty!   Turmeric helps you:

• Cleanse your skin and maintain its elasticity
• Provide nourishment to your skin
• Balance the effects of skin flora

Your Cellular Booster and Adaptogen

Another potential advantage from turmeric usage involves the smallest living things within you -- your cells.   Turmeric can assist your cells in three ways, by:

• Maintaining your cells' integrity when threatened by occasional environmental stressors
• Helping you neutralize substances that can cause cellular stress
• Providing the antioxidants you need to help support your cells against excessive oxidation and free radicals
• Helps women's general fertility 

Summer Tropic Turmeric Smoothie Recipe:

Fill blender with…

• 8 oz unsweetened almond milk
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½” piece fresh ginger
• 1 cup frozen pineapple
• ½ frozen banana
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp chia seeds

Blend ingredients until smooth and enjoy your organic Tropical Turmeric Smoothie.

Kasia Recommends:  Premier Research Labs Turmeric

 Premier Turmeric is imported from India, freshly ground, and then encapsulated immediately to retain its unparalleled, active volatile essential oils.

Key Benefits:

• DNA repair and liver cleanser*
• The antioxidant potential of curcuminoids in turmeric are 300 times more potent than vitamin E
• Contains remarkable, immune modulating properties*
• Assists the detox mechanisms of the body, especially the liver*
• Helps alleviate stiff and painful joints*
• Helps improve and balances metabolism in the body*
• Promotes healthy digestion, peristalsis and relieves gas*
• Helps purify the subtle nerve channels of the body (known as the acupuncture meridian system)*
• Non-irradiated grade 10 quality from India

Daily Protection

Because of the proven liver cleansing and rejuvenative properties of turmeric, supplementing daily with grade 10 Indian turmeric may provide significant support the body’s primary detox organ, the liver, as well as protection against environmental and dietary toxins.

Stop in Kasia Organic Salon to pick up some power packed Tumeric. Contact Kassandra at Kassie@KasiaOrganicSalon.com.

Informed Summer Beaute' | Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Your Sunscreen

Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Your Sunscreen

Organic or not, avoid these ingredients when shopping for safe sunscreens. 

• Nano-Particles - penetration enhancers, creates free radical damage when exposed to sunlight, increases the risk of certain Cancers.
• Retinyl Palmitate – a form of Vitamin A can speed the development of lesions and tumors when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight.
• Avabenzone, Oxybenzone – hormone disruptors, photoallergic reactions, immunotoxicity, probable carcinogen, endocrine disrupter, enhanced skin absorption, bioaccumulates to dangerous levels, biochemical cellular changes, developmental and reproductive toxicity.
• Phenol - reproductive and developmental toxin and pollutes wildlife.
• Octinoxate (Octyl Methoxycinamate)- listed as made from cinnamon, endocrine disruptor, hormone disruptor, penetration enhancer.
• Octocrylene - penetration enhancer, creates free radical damage when exposed to sunlight.
• PABA (Octyl Dimethyl PABA, PABA Ester) – cell mutation, Nitrosamine contamination (carcinogenic), creates free radicals damage when exposed to sunlight, penetration enhancer, hormone disruptor.
• Chemicals That Kill Coral Reefs – paraben, cinnamate, benzophenone, and a camphor derivative.
• Synthetic Fragrance – contains phthalates, developmental and reproductive toxin, respiratory toxicant, probable neurotoxin, possible carcinogen and endocrine disruptor, bio-accumulative in wildlife, immune system toxicant,  can contain between 10 and 300 different chemicals, many of which have never been tested for safety.
• Parabens - alter hormone levels, increase risk for certain types of cancer (especially breast), impaired fertility, alteration of the development of a fetus or young child, studies have found parabens in breast tumors, probable skin toxicant, animal studies show brain and nervous system effects.
• Petro-Chemicals - contaminated with impurities, linked to cancer or other significant health problems, bad for the environment.

90% of skin damage is from the SUN!   Improve & protect the appearance of your skin… lightly tinted and unscented.

15% OFF Organic Tinted Moisturizer with purchase of Good Day Sunshine

Promo Code: 

Reference:  Glamorganic Godess