How Do Hormones Affect the Skin in Your Teenage Years?

Intrinsic aging is determined by heredity, your genetic programming that controls the hormones responsible for aging. The skin will certainly behave differently under the influences of these hormones, but how do they affect skin during the teen years?

A prepubescent skin (age 9-12) is the skin we all would like to have – smooth, invisible pores and simply flawless. For the most part prior to the teenage years, hormones are not influencing the skin but come age 13 and beyond, this is a different story.

From ages 13-19, hormones can really start to do funny things to a teenager’s skin. The fluctuations alone can aggravate the skin and contribute toward blemishes and breakouts. Estrogen is a natural anti-inflammatory and may keep things calm, but around the time of one’s period, the drop in estrogen very often will cause the skin to flare up. Testosterone and other androgens increase oil production and the tendency towards clogging. Those with sticky sebum or weak follicular walls will experience more severe breakouts, including stubborn cystic acne.

This is because the oil gland is located in a hair follicle with a narrow opening. As a result, sticky sebum makes skin prone to more clogged pores. Additionally, a weak follicular wall causes bacteria to leak out into the surrounding areas. This is why squeezing at your blemishes once they first appear is a very bad idea.) Your immune system perceives this as an infection and fights it by causing inflammation.  -Renee Reloux

Kasia reFresh Cleanser:  Wash with a gentle, anti-bacterial cleanser morning and night.

Cleanse and nourish your skin instead of stripping it! reFresh Face Cleanser gently cleanses without drying, maintains moisture levels and removes makeup without irritating sensitive skin.

Refresh:

• The main ingredient, Aloe Vera, replaces lost moisture, restores radiance and contains over two hundred active compounds to stimulate cell growth and deliver potent antibacterial properties.

Cleanse:

• Mild surfactants derived from coconut gently foam up to wash away impurities without irritation
• Salicylic Acid micro-exfoliates to reveal clearer, brighter skin

Soothe:

• Natural herbs combat inflammation and Aloe Vera preserves skin’s natural moisture balance

Want Better Skin? Take a Look at What You are Eating

You've heard it before......  “You are what you eat”?

What goes into our bodies can make a difference on how we feel and how we look.  A healthy diet, along with exercise and sleep, fuels a healthy body, plain and simple.

Based on the principles of beauty, wellness and education, the Kasia team is dedicated to providing clients with the opportunity to renew and nurture their natural sense of beauty through holistic experiences, mindful services and pure products.

Get Beautiful Health and improve your skin by focusing on eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Next time you go shopping make sure foods with these eleven key nutrients are included in your grocery cart:

1. CATECHINS May reverse the effects of sun damage by neutralizing the changes that appear in sun-exposed skin. Foods include: dark chocolate, green tea, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, plums, raw apples & pears…

2. FLAVONOLS May reduce roughness in the skin and protect against sun damage. Foods include: dark chocolate, blueberries, black & kidney beans, soybeans, eggplants & tomatoes

3. LYCOPENE This phytochemical helps eliminate skin-aging free radicals caused by ultraviolet rays. Foods include: tomatoes, watermelon, pink & red grapefruits, asparagus & red cabbage

4. NIACIN (Vitamin B3) An anti-inflammatory, soothes irritated skin and red, blotchy skin. Foods include: barley, bulgur, peas, tuna, salmon, anchovies, peanuts & chicken

5. OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS Believed to stifle your body’s response to irritation and attract water to skin cells to plump up the skin and reduce wrinkles. Foods include: salmon, walnuts, flaxseed, tofu, shrimp, halibut & soybeans

6. RIBOFLAVIN (Vitamin B2) Involved in tissue maintenance and repair and improves skin blemishes caused by rosacea. Foods include: mackerel, trout, almonds, sesame seeds, cheese, dry roasted edamame & bran

7. SELENIUM Helps preserve elastin, a protein that keeps your skin smooth and tight. Foods include: Brazil nuts, canned tuna, turkey, low-fat cottage cheese & oysters

8. VITAMIN A Maintains and repairs skin cells, a deficiency may result in a dry flaky complexion. Fights free radical damage that can prematurely age the skin and reduces the development of skin cancer cells. Foods include: sweet potato, mango, spinach, cantaloupe, carrots & eggs

9. VITAMIN C Essential to collagen production and the more collagen you have, the less creased your skin looks. May help repair and maintain DNA, basically bolstering cells’ ability to renew. Foods Include: dark leafy greens, broccoli, peppers, strawberries & oranges

10. VITAMIN E Protects skin cells from UV Light and other environmental factors that generate cell damaging free radicals. Its rich oils help protect against skin damage and premature aging. Foods include: olive oil, 100% whole wheat, kale, almonds, papaya & kiwi

11. ZINC Contains anti-inflammatory properties and affects sebum production a deficiency that may contribute to acne. Foods include: oysters, walnuts, chickpeas, cashews, nonfat and low-fat plain yogurt & milk

Don't forget to add your sunscreen (like Kasia Sunscreen), adopting a daily skin care moisturizing regime, and start looking at what’s on your plate. I assure you, some TLC care and nutrients will help your  skin look and age better!

Kassandra Kuehl is the founder of Kasia Organic Salon. Kasia Organic Salon is the pioneer of healthy beauty that delivers results to fit your lifestyle, because only Kasia is the authority in 100% natural products & services.  Visit www.kasiaorganicsalon.com and become an "Informed Beauty." 

Resources: http://www.reneerouleau.com/default.aspx Keri Gans, MS, RD, CDN

Get Schooled on Brushes!

photos: denman, ibiza, cricket, warrentricomi, spornette, mason pearson, denman post designed by kristin ess

#1 The Denman Paddle Brush. You can detangle with it, blow dry with it, massage your head with it, and tease hair with it. It doesn’t pull or scratch because of its perfectly rounded nylon pin-bristles, it doesn’t cause static, and is padded with an air cushion. On a daily basis, I use it to blow my hair out quickly before I curl it with a curling iron.

#2 Ibiza Round Brushes. These are my favorite round brushes for home use. They’re gentle enough to give in to a tangle, but strong enough to get tension for smoothing out waves. This brush is packed with the perfect amount of bristles. Your hair practically jumps around the brush and blows itself out.

#3 Cricket Metal Round Brush. This brush acts as a curling iron when it heats up. Most people use this when they want a little bend on their ends without using a curling iron. It has a hollow core which allows air to flow through. In other words, your hair is being dried from the inside as well as the outside, and that speeds up drying time. This brush is not my particular favorite because they often scratch the scalp and if you don’t move fast enough, there can be too much heat between your blow dryer and the metal of the brush.

#4 WarrenTricomi Metal Core Brush. This is like #2 and #3 mixed together. Since this brush has both boar bristles and nylon bristles you have more control over the hair than you do with a regular metal core brush. The boar hair bristles also help prevent excessive contact between the hair and the metal. This is a rather versatile round brush. It can be used to create smooth straight hair or hair with lots of body.

#5 Spornette- “porcupine” G36. This is my all time favorite brush for bangs. I have it with me ALWAYS. It’s under $10 and it’s the boss of your bangs when they act like they can’t hear you.

#6 The Mason Pearson. This is what’s considered by many to be the “Holy Grail” of brushes. While I love a Mason, I lose things a lot and I can’t quite justify spending $150 every time they escape my kung fu grip.

#7 The Mason Pearson’s cheaper, slightly less sophisticated cousin…The Denman Large Boar Bristle Brush. I use this a lot for updos and smoothing down fly aways. It’s also a great brush for soft teasing!

Resource: http://thebeautydepartment.com/2011/04/brush-up/

Underlying cause of bags and dark circles and.. what causes wrinkles?

Research suggests that the sun is what causes wrinkles and 80% of all of the signs of aging and the other 20% of the signs of aging are caused by toxins and environmental damage.

Free of artificial preservatives, parabens, or other harfmul ingredients, Kasia onCure Eye Cream takes the efficient, but safe approach to treating under-eye wrinkles and the other signs of aging.

The eye area is one of the first regions of the face to show the signs of ageing. The skin around the eyes is deprived of oil glands and is very delicate and that’s why the skin doesn’t have a protection against the environments influences and UV rays.

Other underlying cause of bags and dark circles is poorly circulating fluids due to weakening capillaries.  You can improve the strength of those capillaries, with the right nutrients internally, as well as applied directly in order to quickly get rid of wrinkles, bags and circles.

 

To get rid of eye wrinkles, you also need to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.  Kasia onCure delivers amino acid protein peptides that have been proven scientifically to help you do just that. 

Kasia OnCure Eye Cream

 

* Reduces dark circles, shadows and fine lines.

* Prevents puffiness and reduces eye bags.

* Reinforces firmness and tone.

Key Active Ingredients

Prunus Armeniaca (apricot) Kernel Oil

Commonly referred to as Apricot Kernel Oil, this oil is pressed from the kernels of the Apricot fruit. It is rich in essential fatty acids, which are vital components of the human organism. As a result, this nourishing oil helps to replenish and rebuild the skin.

Borago Officinalis (borage) Seed Oil

Used to prevent aging and wrinkles by fighting dehydration and the loss of skin elasticity. Borage also stimulates skin cell regeneration and rejuvenation, and is rich in minerals and linoleic acid.

Butyrospermum Parkii (shea) Butter

Kasia chooses shea butter for it’s unique fatty acid profile, which gives the ability to moisturize and retain the elasticity of the skin.

Chrysin

Chrysin is a naturally occurring flavone, extracted from the blue passion flower.  It promotes the elimination of blood originating pigments from under the eyes.   Chrysin eliminates the by-products of hemoglobin degradation, which aids in reducing the appearance of dark under eye circles.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3

Kasia trusts this protein will bring direct action to noticeably reduce under eye puffiness in four weeks.  This product is clinically proven to help correct poor drainage by increasing the lymphatic exchange and achieving proper circulation of the extra cellular fluids. This powerful peptide counteracts skin slackening, perking up and increasing the firmness of the fragile skin area around the eye.

It also decreases irritation that could lead to puffiness.

The skin around the eyes is very delicate and sensitive, and that’s why you should use special eye creams or gels that are specifically made for the delicate eye area. Most of them contain ingredients that relax the muscles, vitamins, retinol and collagen.

Other tips for treating wrinkles

* Always apply sunscreen, especially during the summer months

* Avoid using creamy eye shadows- they may seep into your fine lines and accentuate them even more

* Get plenty of sleep

* Drink lots of water, at least 1.5 liter

* Wear hats and black sunglasses especially during the summer

* Avoid smoking – it makes you squint and deprive your skin from “air”

* Take vitamins and eat lots of vegetables and fruits

Kasia Organic Salon is the pioneer of healthy beauty that delivers results to fit your lifestyle, because only Kasia is the authority in 100% natural products & services.

Learn more about Anti-Aging, and the “Underlying causes of skin health” at  www.Kasiaorganicsalon.com

DIY: Top Heavy is IN!

Being TOP HEAVY is IN!

Everyone women loves an easy - no hassle -  out of the face hair-doo!

DIY Classy Braid

This is a great style idea for your next wedding or special event!  You may need an extra hand for the braid -  but it's a easy and fast style!  Cheers!

2012 Fall Hair Trends

It's August and it's BACK TO FALL TRENDS time! 

This Fall trends represent the return of many  favorites, while also showcasing some new bold ideas. Whether you’re looking for a totally new hairstyle, or a simple way to spruce up your old one, there’s something for everyone to try. Take a look and contact Kasia Organic Salon for  the latest hair ideas for the the upcoming Fall season!

Blunt Bangs – Wear this trend fringed out for a truly fashion forward feel.

Retro 1960′s Bouffants – Many designers favored this retro 60′s classic. 

Perfect Ponytails – While ponytails remain a runway classic, this season they’re kept perfect and polished.

Sleek Hair – Hair that is kept perfectly polished and sleek straight was the preferred look on the runway.

Twisted - While the braid has been a favorite for quite some seasons, the twist is now in full swing and can be seen in the form of updos, and half up down styles for a new edgy take on the braid.

 Embellished Hair Pieces - Keep your style perfectly in place with some of this season’s extraordinary head pieces, from hair pins, barrettes to sparkling headbands.

Shoulder Length Angled Bob – The most sought after haircut of the season.

Red Haircolor – The most popular fall 2012 hair shade is the look of red hues. Try hues of copper or ginger to make your skin tone pop.

Ombre Haircolor – The head turning look of ombre is still popular for fall 2012.

 Contact the Kasia Team at 612.824.7611

Resources: Images from elle and becomegorgeous

Get GROUNDED with Kasia *NEW* Pure-Essence "Plant-fume"

A 'Beautiful Health' evolution is a constant at Kasia. Take note! 

What's NEW!

We are anxious to share our new Pure-Essence "Grounded" scented roll-on! Read about the Beautiful Health benefits!

Now Available!!

Natural and Non-toxic PEDICURES   

*NEW*  Pure-Essence "Grounded"  An aura of pure aromatic essential oils frame Kasia's captivating and mysterious scent "Grounded" Pure-Essence. Made from the purest plant-based ingredients with no chemicals, synthetic scents or man-made additives, our Pure Essence allows you to stay "grounded" naturally. Free from alcohol, artificial fragrances, phthalates, parabans, and other chemicals, all Kasia Pure-Essence scent blends are handcrafted in small batches using therapeutic-grade essential oils. Properties: Patchouli: alleviates anxiety and brings focus Sandalwood: relieves agitated emotional states and gives strength Frankincense: calms and improves concentration Bergamot: relieves nervous energy and encourages contentment Cedarwood: combats nervous tension and boosts positivity  Kassandra's Tip: Did you know that traditional fragrances are made with about 884 toxic substances? Toluene is a neurotoxin, and according to recent EPA fragrance testing, every single fragrance tested was found to contain toluene. Fragrances are not just perfumes; they are included in most personal care products on the market. And because the formulas are proprietary, the manufacturers are not required to divulge their ingredients. Avoiding perfumes and products with added fragrances will help you eliminate an additional hundreds of unknown toxins. INGREDIENTS: Pogostemon cablin (patchouli), Santalum album (sandalwood), Boswellia frereana (frankincense), Citrus bergamia (bergamot), Cedrus atlantica (cedarwood)

Top 5 Mineral Makeup Tips .... every Informed Beaute' should know! Kasia Salon recently hosted Jennifer Honeycutt, an international makeup artist and La Bella Donna Regional educator. We want to thank everyone who came out for their mini-makeover.  Lovin' La Bella I have not found a competitor that comes close to La Bella Donna. With just four ingredients, their formulas are actually healthy for the skin because they are made from natural elements: mineral-based pigments for natural-looking color and micronized Titanium Dioxide, a non-chemical sun block (SPF 20), for environmental protection. Iron Oxides provide the source of color, while Bismuth Oxychloride and Zinc Oxide act as anti-inflammatories.  TOP 5 TAKEAWAYS from recent training. 1. La Bella Donna mineral powders contain only four ingredients. They are anti-inflammatory, soothing, anti-aging, and non-clogging - ideal for all skin types, as well as allergy-prone skin. 2. ALL products within the line can be used interchangeably on the lips, eyes or cheeks, giving you more bang for your buck. 3. If you still have older makeup that you don't want to go to waste, simply apply La Bella's loose mineral products to protect your skin from synthetics and dyes! 4. Always apply loose minerals first, followed by your liquid base and concealer (especially under the eye). The concealer/liquid melts right into the skin, evening out the skin tone. 5. We LOVE the Baci-Baci Moisturizing Lip Sheer. Developed as a vitamin C and organic lip treatment, these lip sheers contain antioxidants and sodium hyaluronate, which plumps the lips and creates a moisture barrier. BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN   WELLNESS AND BEAUTY La Bella Donna Loose Minerals provide a natural alternative to chemical makeup in order to ensure the health of the skin, as well as the body. Our skin is our largest organ, and everything we put on it is filtered through the liver, just like with the food we eat. The goal is to avoid absorbing chemicals into our bodies. Because La Bella Donna Minerals are made from rock and are not diluted with fillers, they provide many benefits to the skin that other products cannot provide. Book your mini-mineral-makeup makeover TODAY! # 612.824.7611

Natural - Non-toxic Pedicures   Our pedicure stations offer a brush of Acquarella, a high-quality water-based line of polish in a gorgeous array of colors. Choose from three luxurious and indulgent pedicure options. Acquarella's non-toxic polishes are odor free and formulated without formaldehyde, phthalates, petrochemicals, or solvents of any kind. Save money! No pre-coat or top-coat needed. Our polish is specifically designed to hydrate the nails with an innovative fast-dry formula. Book Today! The Organic Treatment Relax in a vibration chair with a cup of Kasia Fair Trade Tea and heated foot jets while we pamper your feet with a scrub, massage, nail-shaping and polish, using natural, non-toxic and organic products. 45 minutes - $45 (choice of polish or massage) 60 minutes - $65 (includes massage and polish) 90 minutes - $75 (includes paraffin wrap for hands) Rejuvenating Foot Ritual: Take your pedicure (without the polish) to the next level with an invigorating treatment designed to revitalize your skin and stimulate your senses. A warm whirlpool foot bath is prepared using aromatic oils and is followed by a signature foot massage incorporating a touch of reflexology to melt away stress. 40 minutes - $45   Book your pedicure today!  612.824.7611

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