Sugar... glycation and it's effect on your skin.

 The story of AGE and your skin.

As Halloween fast approaches, and then the holiday season to nip it in the butt, the sugary treats will be on the rise.  We're here to give you forewarning and bring our "Informed Beautes'" up to speed of how sugar effects the skin.

Conventionally, we know inflammation is bad for the body, and it's influence on our skin and hair. Most women/men are shocked to find out that excess refined sugar is a big contributor to skin aging.   The culprit to be blamed for this is a natural process called glycation, where blood sugar attaches itself to proteins and makes way for AGEs (Advanced Glyacting End products).  These AGE molecules  can cause premature aging, skin dullness and sagging skin and these molecules are directly linked with sugar.

Impacted by Sugar!

Recent research and studies indicate that sugars in the form of added carbohydrates or refined sugars can lead to premature aging, sagging skin and more wrinkles. When we consume simple sugars in the form of starches such as rice, bread, potatoes and sweets, there is a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. This blood sugar then combines with the protein molecules and gives birth to the new AGE molecule. Apart from the usual sugar-related health impact, AGEs also affect the skin in the following ways:

• Damages elastin and skin protein collagen, which are responsible for maintaining the skin’s elasticity and firmness.
• Restricts the body’s ability to utilize and produce anti-oxidants, making the body more vulnerable to damage by free radicals.
• Makes your skin more vulnerable and prone to sun damage (which is one of the leading causes of skin aging) by deactivating the body’s natural antioxidant enzymes.

The more sugar you consume, the more vulnerable you are to the damaging effects of glycation and skin aging. The sugar impact is felt mostly after the age of 35, as tissue regeneration slows down and glycation increases.

Prevention

To prevent the damage caused by sugar you need to cut down on the added sugars from your diet. Though it is not possible to completely eliminate sugars (such as sugars in the form of fructose and sucrose, which are unavoidable and produce end products such as glucose and galactose, which can be easily digested so eliminating these natural sugars is not required), here is what you need to do to avoid damage from high consumption of sugar:

• Avoid foods with added and high sugar content such as sweets, chocolates, carbonated beverages
• Limit the consumption of simple carbohydrates such as potato, pasta, white bread and white rice
• Increase protein intake to control carb cravings

To counteract the damage caused by sugar you need to:

• Replace processed sugars with natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables
• Limit refined sugar consumption to less than 10% of your total calorie intake
• Supplement your diet with essential vitamins such as a daily dose of 1mg of Vitamin B1 and B6
• Fight the detrimental effect of AGEs by reducing/avoiding sun exposure especially between 10 A.M and 4 P.M when UV rays are at their strongest by using a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen
• Increase the intake of vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids by eating brightly colored vegetables, fruits and cold water fish such as salmon and sardines. Add a handful of nuts to your diet and sip on antioxidant-rich green tea instead of coffee or regular black tea
• Enjoy the benefits of Kasia enMoist antioxidant rich anti-aging lotion and follow a  inside/out  skin care routine

Kasia quicknote:  Sugar is notorious for causing acne, yeast/candida, allergies, stress, weight gain, dandruff, inflammation, headaches and taking out the immune system.

Kassie offers nutritional supplements to help buffer your biochemistry helping to neutralize your PH levels, while reducing your sugar cravings.

Stop in or call about being muscle tested and learning more about busting the sugar crave today!   612 824 7611

Article reference: blog.myskin.com

The Basics of Beautiful Health Nutrients

Beautiful Nutrients™

Eating a nutrient-dense and enzyme-rich diet of living fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats have proven to have a profound effect on skin, health and disease.

We want to inspire you with the truth that optimum health and beauty can be achieved by the intake of fresh, anti-inflammatory, chemical/toxin-free, enzyme-rich foods that detoxify and rejuvenate the mind, body and skin.

Anti-Inflammatory

Beware of Silent Inflammation–inflammation that falls below the threshold of perceived pain. That's what makes it so dangerous. If this consistent inflammation goes on unknown for years, eventually it erupts into what we call chronic disease.  We are in control–our food choices are critical when it comes to causing and controlling inflammation.

This inflammation may be caused by:

-      Eating a pro-inflammatory diet (i.e., high glycemic carbs)

-      Excess exposure to ultraviolet light

-      Environmental stressors            – Weakened immune system

-      Hormonal changes            – Stress

The most important factor in fighting inflammation is the food you eat every day. Studies have shown that when foods like fruit, vegetables and fish are digested, they produce anti-inflammatory metabolites. In contrast, red meat and dairy produce pro-inflammatory metabolites.

Improve Your Digestion

Contrary to what we have been lead to believe, we are not just what we eat–more importantly we are more about what we can digest and absorb. The health of our digestive tracts is highly integrated in our overall health.

The classic signs that all is not quite as it should be in the area of digestion are often low energy, poor skin, headaches, foggy thinking and food allergies.  This leads to all sorts of other symptoms–from depression to weight gain, to aches and pains to arthritis.

The basic principles of gut health are essentially the principles of good health in general: Eat natural foods, including lots of fiber, hydrate thoroughly, choose low-glycemic carbs, and avoid sugar, white flour, and processed food.

Toxin/Chemical Free

Eating foods grown with chemicals and prepared with synthetic preservatives and additives have shown to create accumulative reactive toxins, resulting in acne, rashes and other problematic skin conditions.

Over a period of time, toxins in the digestive system clog the pores and internal channels that carry moisture and nutrients to the deeper layers of the skin.  Results from this are: aging skin/spots, wrinkles, and dullish look.

Healthy skin depends on reducing the levels of toxins in your body, and the first step to doing this is to take fewer toxins in.

Essential components of what you should eat to reduce inflammation are Omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

Cold-pressed Seed Oils/

Essential Fatty Acids

The most dramatic and positive skin changes come under the influence of an essential fatty acid intake/supplementation.  Dry and sensitive skin affects one in every two women.  An inadequate essential fatty acid intake induces water loss across the epidermis.

Kasia suggests supplementation with revolutionary Immuno-Viva’s Core seed oil, offering both a cold-pressed essential fatty acids and free radical prevention in one!

Did you know?  Topical skincare products address about 20% of your skin’s needs. The other 80% comes from proper nutrition.

Beautiful Nutrient Suggestions

Immuno-Viva’s nutritional supplements help to heal and strengthen cellular membranes and protect cells’ internal structures.  They work synergistically with Kasia Organic Skincare’s topical products to improve the health of skin, hair and nails.

Immuno-Viva Core ™

Immuno-Viva Core’s rich Omega fatty acids and diverse blend of antioxidants help your body fight the aging process from the inside out, and counteract many health problems associated with modern living.

Immuno-Viva Probiotic+ ™                                                        Good health begins with a balanced digestive system. Immuno-Viva Probiotic+ delivers a robust blend of seven probiotics, or "good flora," balancing your system and enabling your body to efficiently absorb the nutrients your skin, hair and nails need to thrive.

Cold-Pressed Oil Synergy of Black Cumin With Other Oils Multi-antioxidants, with addition of black cumin produced by plant seed oil extraction, can yield super-potent antioxidants greater than their weighted averages (synergism). Black caraway adds stability.

Example of Daily Nutrition

Breakfast: Organic/natural yogurt with chopped fresh fruit and nuts OR fresh fruit!

Lunch: A big salad. rich with colorful fresh vegetables, sesame or pumpkin seeds, olive oil, and using lemon juice and herbs for flavor!

Dinner: A hot meal of fresh (organic) fish, chicken or lean meat or a vegetarian alternative made from beans, lentils or tofu.  As a side you can steam vegetables with a small amount of oil and water.

Snacks: Fresh fruits, raw vegetables, raw nuts anddehydrated crackers.

Drinks: At least six glasses of fluids/liquids a day:  water, herbal and fruit, juicing of fresh fruit and vegetable, and once in a while, dairy-free smoothie.

Steer clear of protein bars, high-energy drinks, and starches.  These foods make our hormones and adrenals get out of  balance, and leaves us severely dehydrated. _____________________________________________________

About the Author: Kassie Kuehl, a natural products hair stylist and health coach, and believes that it is important for women pay close attention to the ingredients in their hair, skin, and body care products. Her goal is to help you wake up to the power of the choices you make every day, and how those choices impact your health and well-being.

Kassie has many educational articles and info about her Organic Salon Services at www.KasiaOrganicSalon.com.

The Cocktail of a Chemical: Informed Beauty Guide.

We tend to forget that the skin is the largest organ of the body,and every day we apply a chemical cocktail of substances in ignorant bliss, there is continual studies suggesting that up to 60% of anything applied topically can be absorbed into our bodies. As the average woman uses up to 10-14 different skincare and cosmetic products each day, this calculates a high level of different chemicals each year seeping into our systems.

So why does this matter?

With many of the synthetic ingredients used in everyday skin care being potentially toxic to humans, you may like to reconsider some of the following:

Petrochemical derived ingredients (such as mineral oil) are extensively used in skin care as they help prevent water loss. While this may seem beneficial, they actually prevent the skin from breathing by forming an occlusive barrier, disrupting the skins normal functioning.

Parabens (a common preservative) have demonstrated oestrogen mimicking activity which disrupts the body's normal hormonal balance. In addition, parabens have also been shown to cause abnormalities in cell reproduction, an issue also associated with cancerous cells.

Sodium Laurel Sulphate (SLS) (a foaming agent) used in toothpaste, shampoo and foaming cleansers. Numerous trials showed that SLS can increase transdermal water loss causing the skin to become dehydrated and cause skin irritation.

Phthalates are a group of synthetic chemicals that are used in the production of various substances such as plastics, beauty products and artificial fragrances. Phthalates can interfere with reproductive tissues in both men and women leading to issues such as infertility and birth defects. Specifically it targets the testes in men and breast tissue in women.

Parfum and synthetic fragrances are the most common cause of adverse skin reactions. Propylene glycol is implicated in contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities. It also damages cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage.

Finding safe and natural products can often be confusing - at Kasia Organic Salon, we have removed any guessing game from your "Beautiful Health" hair, skin, and service needs.

Ultimately, what you use on your hair or skin is an individual choice, and issues such as skincare goals, sensitivities or allergies, and personal values need to be taken into consideration. If you do choose to avoid ingredients such as those above the best way to do so is by reading product labels and making an informed decision. But if reading packages is not your style, it's usually safe to say that organic ingredients are best.

Kasia Organic Salon continues to launch options that are safe for you and your family.  Drop us a line or stop in for a consultation and learn more about our Ammonia Free Hair Color, Smoothing treatments, Medical Grade Facials, and more! 

Article Source: Ananda Mahoney

Detox daily with these summer foods!

Do you know that what you eat now in these warm summer months can protect you from colds and flus in the fall and winter? If you want to avoid a bad week of coughing and a stuffy nose in the near future, there are 3 main foods,  eat more of this summer that will help you feel more energized, lean and clear.

Eating more of these foods will also help your skin look radiant and you will have less cravings for foods that don't make you feel good.

Top 3 Summer Detox Foods

1. Eat dark leafy green vegetables every day, such as salads, micro greens, sprouts or steamed kale.  Pile greens into your wraps and sandwiches, your tacos and burritos and even in your fruit smoothies (try spinach or romaine).
2. Enjoy decadent amounts of berries, such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.  They make great desserts, toppings and even taste delicious in salad.
3. Drink copious amounts of plain water to stay hydrated.  Aim for 1/2 your ideal body weight in ounces every day (if you weigh 120 pounds, drink 60 ounces of water per day).

When you eat light, juicy seasonal summer foods, the intestinal mucosa in your digestive system will stay clear and healthy.  Remember, in nature it is not about avoiding certain foods.  It is about eating more of the good ones.

Learn more about this article from John Douillard!   Summer Grocery List : By John Douillard, DC, PhD

Are You Allergic to Hair color? Subtle Nuances.

At Kasia Organic Salon we receive multiple calls weekly  nationwide on what color line we use, and if it would work for them because of their new or current allergic reactions/symptoms.  For many women, they hide and do not speak about their "itchy and watery eyes" after leaving their service or at home, and just put up with it.  Well, the truth  is, over time, the body can be overwhelmed enought to make it an unbearable situation. Our staff always offers clients with a patch test prior to a color service.  We also offer highly recommended practitioner referrals to pin point the allergy, and/or lifestyle causations.  Reactions  are becoming incredibly common in ammonia and PPD based hair color and this can be very hidden.

Kasia Salon offers an alternative color VOID of these active agents with no silent substitutes. We do all that we can to find an alternative option.  Still nervous? Another alternative we can offer you is by stacking heavy foils to blend out gray, or add tone (leaving the color off scalp) or applying a complete direct dye with no other added ingredients/reactions.

Allergy Introduction to PPD

The most common allergen found in hair color is PPD (paraphenylenediamine), which is mostly found in permanent hair color. If you have never had your hair colored, or if PPD allergy runs in your family, there is an easy way to find out if you are allergic in the salon. Licensed Cosmetologists can do a patch test in the salon, which will determine if you will have a skin reaction to PPD-based hair color. Ingterestingly, PPD is also found in fur coats, ink tatoos and wigs.

“Positive patch test reactions to p-phenylenediamine (PPD) are common. PPD is used in oxidative hair dyes and is also present in dark henna temporary ‘tattoos’. Cross-sensitization to other contact allergens may occur.”

About 25% of people allergic to PPD may also be allergic to ingredients found in semi-permanent hair colors, of which may also be found in pen inks and may be used to color certain foods and pharmaceuticals. Semi- permanent and demi-permanent hair colors are usually ammonia-free but the ammonia substitute, ethanolamine, may produce a reaction in some people. Again, a patch test can be done in the salon to determine if you are allergic to either semi- or demi-permanent hair colors that are carried in the salon. Reactions to PPD include

• Itching scalp/skin
• Redness
• Swelling
• Mild dandruff like symptoms
• Scaly skin
• Pain
• Sneezing or other hay fever/cold like symptoms when ever hair dye applied
• Nausea when dye applied
• Sever swelling around eyes
• Scaly skin on ears, face and neck

The patch test is simple. Your stylist will apply a small amount of color mixed with developer to behind the ear (if your hair is short) or to the inner bend of the elbow. This has to be allowed to dry and to remain uncovered for 48-72 hours. If no irritation or rash occurs between the time the patch test is applied and 72 hours is complete, the test is negative, and you can proceed to schedule a hair coloring service.

Call Kasia Organic Salon and avoid the continual build up of chemicals and allergic reactions.  We've been so pleased to be able to service those that come with these complications and to those who wish to just make a better choice, keeping the hair healthier and lasting color.

Kasia Organic Salon stylists are the leading experts in NO Ammonia,  NO PPD, and NO MEA color services.  Kassie (owner) started testing the "new way of hair coloring" as it was in it's testing stage.

Call us today with any questions you may have!

612 824 7611

Learn more here --

Safety Issues of Hair Color Products and ‘PPD’

Spring into saving time and money with these Express Treatments!

Save Time and Money!

Everyone needs a break!  Clean up this spring with express services that offer a shorter, quicker and less expensive version of some of our staple treatments.

Enhance, nourish, and encourage your DNA, hair and skin in less time. Instead of forgoing your needed relaxation all together due to lack of time,  save time... money.... and catch deep breath with our  team....."auhhh."

NEW Express Keratin Treatment at Kasia!

Take a small bit of your time to go deep down to reconstruct your stressed, dry or damaged hair with protein, moisture, strength and shine.

Frizzy and dry hair needs a deep Conditioner for moisture teamed up with a  high concentrations of protein, amino acids and other essential nutrients in order to build and protect. The results are long lasting but not permanent. The more often you use it, the more beautiful your hair will be.

 

Express Keratin Treatment --

This professional, semi-permanent service creates smooth, shiny texture through a enriching, chemical free, and deposit-only process.  Results last 7 to 10 shampoos. It's the go-to solution if you are seeking a sleeker look without the commitment returns to its original texture.

**This $50 treatment lasts for two to three weeks and takes 45-60 minutes.   Add a treatment to your hair color (additional 15 minutes) and receive 20% OFF!

"Yo"...girl-on-the-go Organic Facial

For a much-needed glow, introduce your skin to a "girl-on-the-go" Organic Facial, a 30-minute Focus Facial customized to each of your own skin needs. The treatment uses custom masks and skin products and includes an express version of cleansing, exfoliating and hydrating without the time crunch.

**This facial will only set you back $55.  Add a brow wax to your Focus for 50% OFF!

"Beauty sleep" and stress. More important than you think, do you know why?

As you probably already know -- stress is bad for our health, and many of us are affected differently. Frustration can create havoc on your skin and as a matter of fact too much stress triggers your skin to start the aging process prematurely leading to wrinkles and fine lines before you want to have them.  Stress can actually age you as far out as three to six years!

Stress causes our hormones to operate ineffectively, run down the wrong pathways and to become unbalanced.  Radiant skin comes from great skin care routines, protection from environmental damage and UV rays, good nutrition, adequate hydration, and getting plenty of sleep.

Dermatologist have come to agree that during hours of sleep, cortisol and insulin production inversely peak so that collagen production is accelerated.  Collagen production firms the dermal layers so evaporation is reduced and water retention is maximized.

Resting Tips for “Beautiful Health” Skin

Surroundings:

While you slumber, your skin produces more collagen, which gives it the support to counteract the forces of gravity.  If you have a radiant heater or air conditioner running, this can result in evaporation in your skin and water loss.  This contributes to dry skin, especially if you don’t use a high quality facial cream/serum, or do not replenish intake of water hydration through your day.

Bio-chemical Requirement

As the body enters the deepest stage of rest (Delta Sleep), our growth hormones peak and turn on cell and tissue repair.  When there is restless or limited sleep, we cut ourselves short of this crucial restorative process.

In order to give your skin beautiful health it deserves in repairing, rejuvenating, and producing collagen with minimum natural moisture loss, you need a good 6 – 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.

Additional science on how stress can affect your skin include the following:

* Cortisol degrades collagen and directly leads to the formation of wrinkles in the skin.  When you live in a chronic state of stress your body finds it harder and harder to repair itself naturally and so you develop more wrinkles and fine lines.

* The stress hormone CRH can fuel inflammation in the skin and that in turn can cause acne.  Since acne is an inflammatory disease all it takes is in increase in inflammation in the body to cause more acne.  And if you are stressed you are more likely to pick at your breakouts which could lead to even more breakouts.

* Stress hormones can cause your body to release histamines, which can cause a range of skin conditions like dermatitis, irritation, hives, or inflammation or aggravate existing skin conditions like psoriasis.

* Stress can make your hair fall our and make your nails brittle

* Stress makes your eyes look tired.  This could be because you are not getting enough sleep since you are stressed out.  A chronic lack of sleep could lead to fluid stagnation under the eyes and then dark, puffy under-eye circles in the morning.

* Stress could cause your skin to enter mini-menopause.  A chronic flow of cortisol causes a drop in estrogen, which means your skin produces less collagen and less moisture.  Your skin could end up looking dull and dry as a result.

Not just your skin…yes, your belly.

I have learned first hand the effects of too much of the stress and the ramifications of the increased hormone of cortisol.  Lack of sleep and rest leads to our adrenal glands pushing out too much of this belly fat-promoting, collagen-destroying hormone.  The flip side to this is that when getting enough sleep, our cortisol levels reduce. In fact, a landmark sleep study found that those who sleep between 7.5 and 8.5 hours a night secrete half as much cortisol as those only sleeping 6.5 hours or less a night. This can mean significant weight gain of 33 pounds or more!

Excess cortisol turns your once flatter stomach into fat deposit because the abdominal region contains four times more cortisol receptors than other areas in the body.

Researchers have also found that lack of sleep can cause cravings for sweet and salty foods.   We end up compromising and eating foods lacking any nutritional value and lack hydration.  Our waistline or our skin responds well to this kinds of lifestyle for a period of time.

Other studies have found that sleep deprivation leads to inflammation and oxidative stress. One of these studies found that women who don't get their beauty sleep experience disruptions with their skin barrier function, have more water loss in their skin and have extremely high levels of inflammatory chemicals circulating in their bodies.  If we are under chronic stress, cortisol will disrupt collagen production, making skin thinner and weaker.

If you need more encouragement to turn in early every night, then keep in mind that adults who sleep five or less hours a night have a 15 percent chance of dying early from any reason you can think of. Why? Because lack of sleep ages your body.

Supplement to Sleep

Supplements like GABA and melatonin are known to have a muscle-relaxing effect and may improve sleep quality. In turn, better sleep can lead to greater skin repair capabilities, a better-looking complexion with fewer wrinkles and dark circles and less overall dullness.

GABA is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter with a proven connection to the quality and quantity of sleep we achieve. The brain chemical -- gamma-aminobutryric acid, or GABA -- is involved in regulating brain activity.

"It's the brakes of your brain," says Karl Doghramji, MD, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. "It stops activity."

Both sleep problems and anxiety disorders may result from problems with GABA, which helps neutralize the effects of glutamate, a brain chemical that causes excitement. When there is too little GABA, it causes those racing thoughts that characterize anxiety -- and keep you up at night.

Gaba increases the integrity of collagen and elastin and both preventing and counteracting sagging skin.

Melatonin is one of the most powerful antioxidants produced in the body. In addition, since it is both water and fat soluble, melatonin can reach almost every single cell in the body.

Since it cannot store in the body, it must be replenished daily. This would normally not be a problem, except  exposure to artificial light reduces production of melatonin in our bodies.

Mood Elevator: Nighttime melatonin levels are low in people with major depressive and panic disorders. Individuals with noticeable mood swings or who are melancholic also have depressed melatonin levels. Both seasonal affective disorder and non-seasonal cyclic depressions are related to the peaks and valleys of melatonin levels.

Contact Kassie at Kasia Organic Salon for more info on supplementation of Gaba and Melatonin.

Kassie Kuehl is a respected leader in, and advocate for, natural health and beauty care. The founder of Kasia Organic Salon, a stylist, and developer of Kasia natural line, Kassie combines her experience as nutritionist and living foods educator with her ongoing Functional Medicine research to apply a whole of body “Beautiful Health’ approach to hair care and styling. She can be found at www.kasiaorganicsalon.com.

SOURCES: American Medical Association's 22nd annual Science Reporters Conference, Philadelphia, Sept. 11-12, 2003. Karl Doghramji, MD, director, Sleep Disorders Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; professor of psychiatry, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.

Get it while it is HOT!

Get it while it is HOT!

The Kasia Team has been busy keeping the heat on this month!  In the Infrared...that is!

We celebrate the growing visits of cleansing and relaxation as well as the ability for you  to take the time out of your schedule to pay attention to YOU

If you have not tried this new modality of "Beautiful Health" ...here is your chance!

I think you would agree Contact First Name, the time of year in using a sauna could not be better.  Remember, you can adjust the heat as you build up your comfort and sweat.

Get it while it is HOT! The Power Of 10!  ..... Save $110!

Our Power of 10 Special is a package of 10 sessions of thirty minutes of relaxing sauna sessions for $290 (originally $400)

Our Power of 5 Special is a package of 5 sessions of thirty minutes of relaxing sauna sessions for $175 (originally $200) Have you detoxed lately?

Treatment and therapy for many symptoms can incorporate FIR saunas and their powerful effects.

Your Skin: A study published in The Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy showed significant improvements in skin appearance after just 12 weeks of sauna skin therapy using near-infrared technology. Participants experienced a reduction in wrinkles and crow's feet, as well as improved overall skin tone, including softness, smoothness, elasticity, clarity and firmness. Sunlighten's Solocarbon Custom Spectrum is the only infrared sauna heater on the market with near-infrared technology!

Healthy Weight:  When it comes to burning calories with infrared heat, only Sunlighten saunas have been clinically shown to dramatically aid in weight loss. Results from a 2009 study indicated that Sunlighten saunas are beneficial for lowering weight and waist circumference in just a 3-month period.

Additional FIR sauna benefits can include:

* * promoting killing of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi & parasites * * reducing stress, fatigue, pain & sleep disturbance * * reducing depression * * preventing seasonal affect disorder

Learn more HERE

Stop by Kasia Organic Salon to cleanse, relax, and rid some stubborn calories today!