The Preston Wynne Spa Blog

Gratitude, Part Two

2010-01-18T14:01:00.000-08:00

My first post of the New Year brings some sad news for the Preston Wynne family--our beloved 80-years-young client "Jenny," featured in my last posting of 2009, passed away earlier this month. She will be deeply missed by all who worked with her.

Jenny's poise, elegance and beauty were an inspiration to me, not just as external qualities I admired as someone in the "beauty business," but because they represented qualities that are all too rare in today's overexposed, frantically tweeted lives. I was grateful to see photographs of the young Jenny at her memorial, and was struck by the fact that her understated natural beauty evolved gracefully over the arc of her life. And as selflessly devoted as she was to her husband and family of rambunctious boys--whose broods ultimately included over a dozen grandchildren--she held a place in her world for self-care.

As professionals who obsess over stray eyebrow hairs, whether a lipstick is too coral or too pink, or the proper way to exfoliate someone's skin, our work doesn't immediately evoke the nobler helping professions, such as nursing or teaching. But as someone who's had the honor to brighten the day and lightly lift the self-esteem of thousands and women and men over the past twenty five years, I can say that there are few careers more gratifying.

In college, I studied painting, and envisioned a fairly solitary profession in a studio. To keep body and soul together, I became a makeup artist, and found myself in the crowded aisles of department stores, painting stranger's faces. To my complete surprise, I fell in love with the "beauty business," and then skin care, and eventually spa. It has been wonderful people like Jenny who have made that career path so very rewarding. These days, I spend much of my time on the "business to business" side, working with spa owners across the US, but moments like the one I was able to share with Jenny this past summer--one on one in a quiet treatment room--are still the most resonant.

My sincere thanks to all of you who have given us the honor of being part of your lives!

Gratitude

2009-08-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had an opportunity I rarely get these days, to give a client a facial treatment. I "retired" from hands-on treatments about ten years ago, but occasionally I get called off the bench when one of our wonderful estheticians falls ill.

"Jenny" was one of my private clients from Day One. Back in those days, Preston Wynne occupied less than five hundred square feet into which we'd shoehorned three little treatment rooms. It was very cozy! As we reminisced yesterday, we realized we've known one another for twenty five years. She is now 81 years old.

Her skin is utterly amazing. This fair-skinned, lovely lady has taken the absolute best care of her skin, and the centerpiece of that regimen has been a monthly facial treatment. She has also been vigilant in her use of sun protection. She was an avid walker for years. It's not often one gets to see the long-term effects of excellent skin care and self care, but it's very gratifying! She has the skin of a much younger person, with superb tone and resilience, and texture like rose petals.

Enjoying an hour in her company, I felt deeply honored that the ritual of her monthly facial treatment--and our wonderful visits--has been a part of Jenny's life for over two decades.

Jenny no longer visits the spa under her own power--for years, she walked into the Village for her treatments. These days, her devoted son drives her, escorting his mother with great tenderness. She's fragile now and moves slowly, but there's a determination in her soft blue eyes that delights me. Her facial treatment and pedicure are a non-negotiable!

As any woman knows, beauty rituals transcend appearance enhancement. They are part of the social fabric of our world, and an opportunity to experience for ourselves a bit of the care and nurturing that we extend to others.

Jenny's visit reminded me how fortunate I am to be in this amazing business!

Getting Wellness

2009-04-20T22:42:00.000-07:00

I'm about six weeks into my got-religion wellness program for rehabbing my arthritic shoulder, and I'm happy to report I'm making progress. Here's the protocol so far:

ACUPUNCTURE: Twice-weekly acupuncture has done wonders for the inflammation in my shoulder. Thanks to Adam for making time for me in his busy schedule. I'm learning that in Chinese medicine, it's all about heat. Ice is for fresh injuries only. After that, heat, heat heat!

HEAT: I am using two (count 'em) heated neck pillows. We sell these at the spa, naturally, and I actually stack mine one atop the other, because much of this arthritic-shoulder business is being caused by stuff going on in my neck. And yes, my neck is sort of long, but the double-pillow trick is good for any tall or large person who isn't getting a neck-ful of heat with just one. I pop them into the microwave when I'm getting ready to sit down at the computer. Wearing them at the computer reminds me about the most important element of my rehab program...

POSTURAL IMPROVEMENT: According to Adam and my chiropractor, these problems are most likely the result of poor posture. I spend a LOT of time at the computer, with my shoulders rolled forward and pectoral muscles shrinking...shrinking...but it's never too late to fix that. I will be starting Pilates with a physical therapist here in Santa Cruz. I have changed my computer posture by keeping my feet flat on the floor and core "engaged," instead of crossing my legs and slumping back in my chair. As well, I am increasing the size of the type on my screen whenever possible to prevent myself from craning and leaning forward. And I am taking much more frequent breaks, which is fun.

ARNICA: I am taking a natural anti-inflammatory, homeopathic arnica (pick it up at Whole Foods, in the supplement area) as well as using arnica-enriched AcquaCures Relief Gel, which goes such a long way. (Don't be afraid of that tiny tube! It reallly lasts.) Remember, when you're using homeopathic medicines, don't consume mint. That means switching toothpaste. I like the Trader Joe's Fennel toothpaste. (Yes, it took a week or so to get used to the refreshing taste of...fennel in the morning!)

CHIROPRACTIC: I see Sheila Campbell, D.C., who practices in the same office as Adam White, our acupuncturist, in Capitola. Tiny but mighty Dr. Campbell has really helped me with neck issues.

WORKING OUT: Interestingly, my shoulder feels best when I've had a very active week, especially when I run on the beach or trails, or even do yardwork--like my weedinator weekends, spent obsessively raking and hoeing. Adam says while this seems counterintuitive, it's really about increasing circulation.

READING: I have to say, one of the best books I've ever read, "Healing Back Pain" by Dr. John Sarnow, encourages plenty of physical activity and encourages us to stop thinking of ourselves--and particularly our spines--as fragile and breakable. Just knowing you're not going to hurt yourself by working out releases a great deal of the "protective" muscle tension that is keeping your body in spasm.

MASSAGE THERAPY: Last but not least, I have benefited from the work of the cranial-sacral angels of Preston Wynne Spa, including Frankie and Ellen. Weekly massages (darn it) are part of the plan. This subtle but powerful form of bodywork is fantastic for anyone with neck issues. That would be about 90% of the guests we see!

I know this sounds like a lot of work--after all, the orthopedist offered to shoot some cortisone into my shoulder and send me on my way. But the benefits extend beyond my shoulder. Not only does that part feel better, I am finding that this program--and particularly the acupuncture--has energized me and helped me de-stress, too.

Time to get serious...

2009-03-10T22:59:00.000-07:00

Self care isn't selfish. You're not of much use to others if you're not taking proper care of yourself. During stressful times, self care can seem frivolous. But nothing could be further from the truth!

I received a sobering diagnosis today from an orthopedist. I have severe degenerative arthritis in my left shoulder. It's been giving me pain. And I've been ignoring it for awhile, hoping it would go away. That's been a fairly successful strategy of mine in the past.

During my granddaughter's recent visit--she is just five months old--I had difficulty lifting her out of her stroller. Absurd. Unacceptable! I need to be a fit and flexible Grandma. Bone spurs, bone schmurs.

So, to my self care routine of daily workouts, frequent massage, almost-daily meditation (getting there!) and eating well, I'll be adding a program of regular acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture delivers outstanding results for arthritis. I've recommended it to plenty of people. Now it's my turn.

Adam White, L.Ac., is at our spa weekly. We are fortunate indeed to steal him away from his thriving practice in Capitola. He is an expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine, has researched, taught and lectured extensively, and has helped many of our clients in the past several years.

I'll let you know how my treatment progresses!

Fake it til you make it!

2008-09-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

Billy Crystal's immortal Saturday Night Live character, Fernando, said it best: "Dahling, it's better to looook good than to feel good." I would amend his philosophy a bit, and say that it's sometimes easier to looook good than to feel good.

This week, the shortcut of choice to your Happy Place just might be a new lipstick.

Generally the domain of those of us lucky enough to have two X chromosomes, cosmetics can work wonders to lift spirits when you don't feel your best. (Gentlemen, a little undereye concealer or some bronzer this week might not be a bad idea at all.)

Ladies, I'm as guilty as you of trying to get away with my Beach Face in autumn. It's tempting to stay in easy summer makeup habits (slathering on tinted sunscreen, lip gloss) long after it's time to bust out the lip liner and Big Girl eye shadow.

Clients suffering from Summer Makeup Syndrome are complaining this month of looking "faded" and "tired." In response, I whip out real lipstick. Yes. Stuff you actually have to use a mirror to apply. Maybe even...red.

If you're flashing back to your Madonna Wannabe past, relax. This season's red is reassuringly lovely. It's rich, it's well-bred, it's extremely flattering. It won't make you look like Joan Crawford. But a good red lipstick takes some lip liner and a lip brush and little more focus than the ADD-friendly lip gloss in the bottom of your purse. If you're over 35, you'll want a little Lip Keep to prevent "feathering." (Such a nice word for such an unpleasant phenomenon.)

We make it painless at PW to figure out what to wear on your face. Call us. Come in and get a free makeup consultation. You'll leave feeling like a million bucks.

And even in today's dollars, that's still a lot!

Stress SOS! Self care skills for scary times

2008-09-23T11:45:00.001-07:00

What a week. What a month. Like you, I'm feeling the stress that goes along with so much uncertainty. Operating a business that sells something as "discretionary" as spa treatments has always been, as the Chinese would say, interesting during recessions and slowdowns.

We are in the de-stressing business, which means that people need us now more than ever. But we all respond to stress differently.

Following the Loma Prieta earthquake, which impacted many of our clients, I received these phone calls within five minutes of one another:

Caller #1: Oh my gosh, the earthquake! I need to cancel my appointment!

Caller #2: Oh my gosh, the earthquake! I need a massage!

Self care is critical during scary times. While we may convince ourselves that remaining "alert" or "vigilant" is helpful, it's actually not. Now is the time to work out, eat well, meditate. In short, it's the most important time to nurture yourself.

This isn't about denial, it's about diet. Just like "you are what you eat" you also "are what you see and hear." What you put into your brain profoundly affects your well-being. You actually do have a choice.

Avoiding excessive amounts of negative "input" keeps you better prepared to respond rationally, if indeed a response or decision is necessary. Our choice, when confronted with a slow motion train wreck on TV? Turn it off.

One of the temptations during a time like this is to believe the line the media uses to get us to tune in to their 24/7 "anxiety feed": "information is power." Subsisting on a steady diet of doom and gloom doesn't prepare us to be more effective. You will rapidly encounter the diminishing returns of this sort of "information."

Here are some ways to keep yourself healthy during a scary news cycle:

1. Limit the amount of news you consume. Set a time limit of 20-30 minutes per day to catch up on breaking news. Listening to pundits argue for two hours will not benefit you (ever.) Don't constantly peek at headlines online throughout the day.

2. Choose the news delivery system that has the least hype and programs on TV with the fewest split screens, and those godawful "tickers." One of the most stressful things you can do is overload your brain with too many different ideas and thoughts. Avoiding TV news altogether and sticking with newspapers or online news sites can be helpful.

3. If you want to be "informed", choose programs that delve into the subject in more depth, rather than headline-driven hysteria and panic-punditry.

4. Navigate with care through the blogosphere. There's lots of rumor, conjecture and inaccurate information out here on the wild frontier.

There are few emotions more powerful than gratitude for creating health and happiness. It may be challenging, but the best strategy during scary times is regularly expressing gratitude for what we have, and what is going well in our lives.

In the coming weeks, we'll be expressing our gratitude for you, our Preston Wynne guests and friends, more than ever. We know that to keep our business healthy we must rise to the occasion when times are tough, and deliver even more value to you. As your designated de-stressers, we're busy cooking up new ways to make that as easy and affordable as possible.

Watch out. We have ways of making you relax!

Staycation Nation!

2008-08-19T17:10:00.000-07:00

When you skipped the trip to Paris or Maui this summer, whether you knew it or not, you were on the vanguard of the latest trend in travel: the Staycation.

Staycationing is a fine art, and while intrepid globetrotters might dispute this, one not without a significant element of challenge. Instead of deciphering a Costa Rican road map, clambering up a glacier in Patagonia, or communicating your drink order to a sullen waiter in Prague, your challenges are not answering e mail, not heading to PetSmart for cat litter, and not returning phone calls from those people you foolishly told you were “just sticking around town.”

The joy of the staycation is discovering great new places and activities, close to home, that are as satisfying and horizon-stretching as ones you find in distant lands. (Caution: staycationing can make you unbearably smug, as you listen without a drop of empathy to tales of airport delays and hacking toddlers in adjacent seats.)

For future reference, here are some helpful guidelines I’ve amassed from my staycations this summer:

1. Have a plan. Like any good vacation, it’s important to stake out some key activities. Some marquee activities or events form the armature of a good vacation. Danger awaits those who don’t plan. Before your staycation, do some research, just as you would if you were heading to a new destination. In the weeks and months prior to your next staycation, keep a file of articles you run across on day-trip destinations. Encourage your family to make contributions.
2. Don’t have too many plans. An overly full schedule will make your staycation feel like a forced march. Alternate structured and unstructured days. A trip to the De Young museum and lunch at the Ferry Building in San Francisco one day, followed by a refreshing palate cleanser of hammock-and-novel time the next.
3. Completely alter your daily routine. The danger on a staycation is that you will lapse into (or never venture out of) familiar routines. Even if it’s as small as going to a different coffee place for your morning double-half caf-mocha-latte-ya-ya, your brain will be refreshed. And while you’re at it, you might get a little crazy and try the acai-soy-chai-latte.
4. Don’t discount “touristy” activities. Many of us have never visited the key attractions of our area, fearing the crowds of, uh, tourists. Oh, get over yourself! Has a line ever stopped you from visiting the Louvre, or caused you to leave Disneyland in a fit of pique? When you’re on “vacation” your sense of time and perception of inconvenience undergoes a radical shift. Instead of watching precious minutes of your much-too-brief weekend tick away in a queue for theatre tickets, you’ll view the inconvenience in a different context when you’re staycationing.
5. Take enough time off. For some reason, staycationers often cheat themselves of a full vacation (cutting a full week down to five days, say), citing excuses like “well, I would have spent that time on a plane, anyhow.” No ma’am. Spend that day glorying in all the things you can do when not imprisoned in an 18” wide seat, legs pinned by the reclined seat in front of you (Yes, I’m writing this on a plane.)
6. Avoid the news. On staycation, news-avoidance is an essential brain detox. I increasingly think this is a good practice for daily life, too.
7. Make sure all members of your staycationing family are on the same page. Set groundrules, but keep them playful. Are we allowed to pick up voice mail, call the office? How long should these tasks take? Institute fines for running over time on “real world” activities, with punishments like foot massages or a freshly prepared batch of Mojitos served by the perp. The Wii may make a curious and untimely disappearance. More than a coincidence?

I’d love to hear staycation stories from you. What was your staycation discovery this year? Please share!

HOLIDAZED

2007-12-03T11:55:00.000-08:00

Do you "get" winter? In this era of so-called seasonless living, we've lost our connection to the natural rhythms of the year. (My 20-something stepdaughters' 365-day-a-year addiction to flip-flops comes to mind.) It's not as if we're still huddling in caves in January with our dwindling supply of nuts and berries. So why are the seasons relevant? Or are just *so* last millennium?

It wasn't that long ago that our ancestors *were* crouched in caves snacking on squirrel jerky, so our mind/body system is still designed to respond to the changing seasons in what Traditional Chinese Medicine calls an "appropriate" manner. In winter, it means slowing down (conserving calories during the food-scarce months) and turning inward (not that much to do in the cave, after all, and too much cave chatter makes for some pretty frayed nerves by spring.) It means eating more warm, cooked foods, things that we can gather and store, such as root vegetables. Not a lot of salad in the ol' cave.

Before you chug that nice chilled glass of orange juice to ward off a cold, imagine what happens when that cold, raw food, not to mention all that sugar, is introduced into your system. Your body is cooled both by the temperature of the juice and by the inherent property of raw fruit, which is "cooling" to the body. Sugar is particularly problematic during cold season, because it causes mucous to form. A great alternative: a cup of ginger tea with a generous squeeze of lemon, a little bit of real maple syrup or honey, and a dash of cayenne pepper.

Think about the noun, "cold." It says it all. Cold = colds. Your grandma was right about staying out of a draft and wearing a muffler. Protecting the vulnerable back of your neck is a bit of an obsession in Chinese medicine. So is eating warm food, and using seasonal produce.

Kale, spinach and other winter greens are fantastic sources of antioxidant vitamins like A, C and E. It's easy to grow these and other winter greens, like arugula. For the most seasonally-attuned preparation, steam or braise them. I love them with a nice filet of wild salmon over high-protein udon noodles, which I use in place of pasta in many recipes.

Some other nutritional tips for staying in balance with the season:

- If you're prone to sinus problems in the fall and winter, eating warm, moist and oil-rich food is thought to be particularly beneficial; oily fishes, olive oil, nut oils and even ghee (Indian style clarified butter) are wonderful. Applying warm oil or anti-inflammatory, rich shea butter to the skin is also helpful.

- Eat locally and organically. Produce that's grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, in our area, is in sync with your climate and season-the same natural rhythms that are influencing you everyday. It's easier than ever to do, with our fantastic farmer's markets. A chef who worships local produce (and has nearly everything grown locally, at Love Apple Farms in Ben Lomond) is David Kinsch at Manresa. On his plates, you'll get acquainted with amazing heirloom vegetables you've never heard of before.

- For a fast winter dinner, I quickly chop the greens, and then dunk them, some udon noodles and some wet-smoked salmon into Trader Joe's Ginger Soy broth and cook until the greens are done but still bright green. Voila!…A seasonally attuned meal in a scandalously fast 12 minutes. In contrast, a seasonally attuned summertime dinner would be rich in raw vegetables and finished with some luscious local fruit.

- Drink water. Hot water. Tea is much better for you than cold water. Don't overhydrate in the wintertime; the season is ruled by the Water element in Chinese medicine. (But if you want to feel weak and weepy, drink up!)

For the social animals that we are, winter is our annual low point. Summer is the natural season for gatherings and celebration. What's wrong with this picture? Just when nature is telling you to retreat within, turn down the volume, give it a rest, and chill out, you're pounded with the holiday season and its demands, from shopping to partying. No wonder we get the holiday blues.

One of the best antidotes for our perpetual mind-body imbalance is meditation. Yes, the M word is awfully intimidating, with its image of rigorous practice and stringent self-discipline. But even if you don't meditate, just sit quietly and breathe mindfully, for 10-15 minutes a day. If you miss a day, don't worry. If you miss more, don't worry. Just do it as often as you're able.

I was recently inspired to renew my meditation practice by a book which explained that would-be meditators often give up because they set too high a standard for themselves. Even if you manage to meditate one day a week, or one day a month, resist the urge for self-flagellation. Occasional meditation is much better than none at all, and semi-regular meditation is downright health enhancing. The lower you set the bar for meditation "success" the more inclined you'll be to do it. (My lap-averse cat now shows up when I'm meditating, and curls up on my half-lotus, something she's never been known to do when alpha waves were not present. Though it's not in the official meditation playbook, I can't exactly turn her away when she's seeking enlightenment.)

So as you make your way through this winter, take a page from the cave-dwellers you descended from. Stay as warm as you can, eat food that's in season, and find a place to hide out from the hectic pace of the holidays, if only for a few minutes. And you'd like to do something a little more evolved, there's nothing like a spa treatment for reuniting body and soul!

Ziplock Beauty--What's in Your Bag?

2007-08-01T19:02:00.000-07:00

Traveling light and looking great have become exponentially harder in the brave new era of the Ziplock-as-cosmetic-bag. But I confess, I’ve been humbled by the realization that the five pound case I used to lug has been pretty effectively replaced by a humble plastic bag.

If you’re paring down, which of your grooming essentials make the cut?

It depends on where you’re going. Today we’re heading for the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Orange County for a few days with grandson Tyler. Emphasis on “beach”. It’s hot and humid and foggy too. That means hair will be hopeless, so I’m ditching the blowout aids and letting nature take its course with some de-frizzing curling balm. It also means that we’ll have decent amenities in our shower, so for two nights it’s worth risking the use of hotel hair conditioner. (But not shampoo; I’m faithful to Redken Smooth Down, which James Craig has in a cute little travel size.) I usually carry my own Wynne Elixirs shower gel, too, in a relaxing scent like Fiji Exotic. It’s one of the bath rituals from home I can’t give up. I’ve found that nice hotels tend to have very heavily perfumed products by fragrance manufacturers.

Beach means sun. I’m toting a nice full 2 ounce bottle of AcquaCures HydraSun. I love it because it affords instant protection. I “cocktail” together a drop of our Perfect Blend foundation (I carry about a quarter ounce of it one of our little plastic sampling jars—yes, you can have one!) with an equal drop of Hydrasun and smooth it on generously for a natural outdoor finish that still hides my hyperpigmentation.) And, thank heavens it’s a powder--a brushful of Preston Wynne Mineral Makeup completes the sun protection strategy.

When I go to a fun-in-the-sun destination like family favorite Kona, where I’ll be applying a full-body thermonuclear shield every day, twice a day, for a week, I confess I head for Walgreens. I buy a giant tube of Water Babies sunblock in 50, so I’ll be sure to use enough. HydraSun for the face and neck, though! And since I’ve yet to manage carrying on to Hawaii, that honkin’ tube goes into the suitcase. My husband ruefully submits to a liberal slathering of the stuff each morning in paradise, reminding me of the expression my cat wears while submitting to far worse indignities on the vet’s exam table. (He was recently taunted by colleagues for not returning from his Hawaiian vacation with a tan.)

Another beauty staple that will always fit in the Ziplock is a teeny bottle of eyedrops. Airplane rides and sunny days have a tendency to give your eyes an unflattering pink glaze, and that umbrella-bedecked cocktail will dilate frazzled blood vessels even further. If you have thin skin and a tendency to flush, you may look like you’ve been on a two week bender after one glass of wine. I always use eyedrops before a dinner out or party and I “touch up” if it’s a long evening.

What else gets into the bag? Right now, current faves for my dehydrated, 46 year old skin are Wynne Omega Silk Cleanse, WynneEver hydrating toner (great for airplane misting), AcquaCures Gentle eye makeup remover, climate-appropriate moisturizer, and another teeny jar of AcquaCures HydraRadiance.

As much as we’d all love to have travel sizes in our favorite products, we’ve found they can cost almost as much to manufacture as “real” sizes. So it’s off to the drugstore for little bottles and jars. It’s easy for refilled jars and bottles to become contaminated, so run jars through the dishwasher and replace containers regularly.

Finally, don’t run afoul of the Lipgloss Terminator at San Jose airport! She’s the only TSA agent who has ever insisted that I stuff my half dozen tubes of gloss into the full-to-bursting Ziplock. To evade her eagle eye, I carry over ten lipstick shades in our very handy refillable palette compact, a traveler’s best friend.

Happy trails!

Getting to the Bottom of Mystery Zits!

2007-06-10T15:35:00.000-07:00

True acne is a capricious condition that usually has several contributing causes. But acne cosmetica, acne that’s caused by stuff we apply to our face, is easily controlled. It also has some telltale characteristics. If you are already an acne sufferer, you will be particularly vulnerable to cosmetic acne. In this entry I’ll talk about two of the most common sources of acne cosmetica and how you can prevent and treat them.

Forehead, Hairline and Side-of-the-Face Breakouts
A person plagued only by breakouts along the hairline or on the forehead is usually getting those from hair products. It’s a good idea to cleanse your skin after washing and conditioning your hair, to ensure that those products have been completely removed. The surface of your skin is covered with dead skin cells, which are made of the same keratin protein as your hair. Conditioning ingredients especially are designed to bond with the keratin of hair, coating it with emollients and waxes that will smooth down the cuticle.
The other forehead breakout culprits are styling products, particularly hair sprays. Even if you protect your face with a towel when you use hair spray (and you should) the product will rub off onto your skin as the hair comes in contact with it throughout the day. Bangs are a particularly effective delivery system for the acne-causing ingredients in hair products.
Remember, hair products are formulated for your hair, not your skin. I’ve yet to see a “non comedogenic” hair spray! It may take some trial and error to discover which styling aids are least aggravating for your skin, but a general rule of thumb is, “the stronger the hold, the bigger the breakouts.” Sticky lacquers are not skin-friendly.

Cheek Area Breakouts
If you have lumps, bumps, blackheads or pustules in the cheek area only, there’s a very simple explanation: it’s your blush. I’m not talking about breakouts that cover the cheeks and jawline, but breakouts that occur right in the area where you apply blush. With the return of cream and gel blushes, this condition is more common than ever.
What causes these breakouts? F D & C red dyes, used in cheek colors and lipstick, are highly acnegenic. Does this mean that first time you apply blush you’ll break out? Probably not. It can take up to 90 days for a comedone (pore impaction or blackhead) to form. Comedones don’t always turn into pustules—in other words, they don’t always blow up into a full fledged “zit.” You may just have congestion and clogged pores in this area. But many women and girls have full blown acne in the precise region of their blush.
What to do? In years past, we substituted a blushy-looking eye shadow for our client’s cheek color. Eye shadows are not permitted to contain the F D & C red dyes, because of the permeability of the eyeball membrane. Instead, a colorant called carmine is used. Carmine comes from a natural source—a South American insect, the cochineal. (Fun fact: before artificial red pigments were invented, carmine was one of the world’s most precious substances. Today the cochineal is still cultivated, harvested, boiled, dried, and turned into powder. I know, beauty isn’t pretty.)
The good news is that carmine does not cause acne, unlike its artificial red dye counterparts. The bad news is that finding eye shadows that looked like blush got very hard after the creepy pink and red eye shadow trend of the late 80’s was over.
Finally! At a recent cosmetics conference in New York, I was introduced to a new cosmetics company that is producing mineral blushes (talc free) that contain no F D & C red dyes. I nearly kissed the feet of the formulator. Now we have an abundance of blushes, in very lovely colors. Set up an appointment for a complimentary makeup update and see which one will work for you. (This same company is creating gorgeous lip glosses that we’re now carrying, too. If you’re a Nars fan you may spot a couple of “tributes” in the collection.)

Getting Smooth and Clear
Because it takes a long time for a comedone to form, it also takes awhile for the skin to purge the congestive material that is already down in there. Don’t expect an overnight clearing when you get off your old blush.

Here’s how to get unclogged fast:

1. Wash your blush brush. Get all the old dye out of it. Or treat yourself to a soft, fluffy new one.

2. Use a product containing a mild concentration of salicylic acid. Our Botanical Balancer is a perfect blend of healing aloe, antibacterial essential oils like Tea Tree, and Salicylic Acid, which helps to unblock clogged pores by exfoliating them. Yes, your pores are lined with dead skin cells too. Virtually any alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) will help, but Salicylic is the best pore decongestant. This is a great treatment for periodic breakouts, and it’s 100% non-drying. A lot of our very acne prone clients and eruptive teens use Botanical Balancer as their oil-free moisturizer.

3. Get a facial treatment and add a Purifying Deep Pore Session ( $30) an extra 15 minutes of focused extraction work. Or cut to the chase and schedule our Express Cleanse ($70), which is a no-frills session focusing purely on exfoliation and extraction.

Enjoy your happy new skin!

What to do when skin care routines veer off course! The Skin Analysis and Home Care Review

2007-05-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

The science of skin care has evolved tremendously from when I began my career as an esthetician in 1984. These were the very early years of “anti aging” products. I remember the first one: “Night Repair” by Estee Lauder, the first serum to be introduced to the mass market. It was a blockbuster. Since then, legions of blockbusters and breakthroughs have followed. Retin-A. Glycolic Acid. The list goes on and on.

The skin care landscape is incredibly cluttered and confusing. From infomercials to physicians, we’re bombarded with different messages, warnings and philosophies on a daily basis. We’re all tantalized by the latest technology every time we pass a cosmetics counter, or visit the dermatologist, or have a spa treatment. Even our friends make recommendations based on what they like, and what works for them.

Not surprising, then, to learn that more and more clients are complaining of excessive sensitivity and inflammation, products that no longer “work”, allergic reactions, and overall diminishing returns from their home care. Many of us are figuring out the hard way that more is not better.

How can you get a skin care routine back on track?

A great, tried and true method is to put everything you’re using in a bag and schlep it in to your professional esthetician for a complimentary analysis and consultation. (Don’t be shy. We know that, statistically, about a third of the products in your bag will be PW offerings!)

It’s important to have a trained skin care professional review the ingredients in the products you’re using to check for conflicts, as well as redundancies. Too much of a good thing is…well, bad. Beyond brand-specific “product knowledge,” estheticians are trained to understand the cosmetic chemistry of any product formulation. If you’re acne-prone, they can spot hidden comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients. If you’re sensitive, they can identify “hyperactive” ingredients that may be overwhelming your skin. If you’re chronically dry, they can explain to you why the cleanser you’re using is too stripping, or how lack of toner afterward is causing you to dehydrate.

Inflammation has now been shown to be the biggest culprit in skin aging. All the villains you’re familiar with—the sun, hot water, too much exfoliation—are villainous because they create inflammation. So one of the principal objectives of a “tuneup” consultation is to weed out products or product combinations that may be creating inflammation.

Another option is to alter the frequency or sequence of use. Some products are very beneficial for you daily. Some are more beneficial if you alternate them. Many clients find they need two different products for the same purpose, used in alternation. Neither one quite gets the job done on its own.

Others, happily, can get away with a simpler routine. I am a pragmatist myself. I am not, despite the fact that I've developed skin care products myself, a product geek. I don't have time to apply that much stuff twice a day. Nor will it all fit into a Ziploc bag when I fly!

The myth that we need to use only products from one line is pure hooey. However, combining products willy-nilly is a worse idea. A solid understanding of what ingredients actually do is crucial to putting together an optimal “mixed” skin care routine. Good chefs don't have to follow recipes to the letter because they understand which ingredients combine effectively.

Today’s skin care consumer is, also in the words of one skin care manufacturer, “promiscuous.” We spread the love around. We flit from counter to counter. We order online. We change it up constantly. The grass is always greener on the other side of the aisle. This restlessness rarely results in a truly effective skin care regimen. It results in what I call a “permanent work in progress.”

The goal of a skin care regimen tuneup with an esthetician is to coordinate the regimen again, and get it working harmoniously and even synergistically. It’s definitely not to get you to toss out everything you’re using now. (No, I will not tell you you have to part with your beloved Creme de la Mer. I might mention in passing, however, that the famous balm was based on a 1920's-era Swiss formula still used for our Cellular Repair Cream. And I could, possibly, give you a sample of that...)

As an esthetician, my motto is always, “Whatever works.” I once gave a facial to an 85 year old woman, an avid golfer, whose skin care routine consisted solely of smearing Mentholatum on her face daily. She had nary a wrinkle on her skin. It was spectacular. What was I, a whippersnapper esthetician, going to tell this amazing octegenarian? To change her skin care routine? She had found something that worked for her—though how it did, I can’t begin to explain!
The key to good skin care is finding what works for you, and then being sensitive to changes in your skin that may require adjustments. It’s pretty much a given that you will be increasing the amount of emollients in your skin care products as you get older, for example. Some people who grew up with acne are loathe to do that, and may require some assistance in overcoming that mental block, even though their skin is dry and flaky at 45.

As well, your skin changes seasonally. Many routines need to be adjusted for summer and winter conditions. Sometimes that’s a small tweak. Sometimes that’s a wholly different routine.

In skin care there are no absolutes. There is only what works for your unique skin conditions, which are forged by diet, genetics, environment, emotions. Three of those four conditions are constantly shifting; is it any wonder your home care routine is a moving target?

Today’s professional esthetician functions more as an enlightened editor than the scolding authority figure of yesteryear. He or she provides the best service by collaborating with the guest, not dictating to them. The Home Care Review is the perfect way to experience the benefits of such a partnership.

To schedule your complimentary Skin Analysis and Home Care Review, call us at (408) 741-5525 (Saratoga) or (408) 335-1777 (Hotel Los Gatos). We'd love to help you get your skin care routine back on track.

Water, Water, Everywhere!

2007-02-26T17:25:00.000-08:00

Keeping your body hydrated is important. It's one of the keys to beautiful skin, too. By now, we all know that we're supposed to be consuming 64 ounces of water each day. Yet clients who are diligently drinking this much water lament that they're constantly in the bathroom.

Good news. We've got 24 hours in a day, so if we spend 8 hours of it sleeping--and we don't want to quaff a big glass of water before bedtime--that leaves us fifteen glorious hours to hydrate. A glass of water here, a cup of tea there, and you've met your hydration obligation without spending half your day in the restroom.

It's also important not to over-hydrate. Yes, it's possible to have too much of a good thing. If you notice that you feel lightheaded or a little shaky after gulping your sixteen ounces of Fiji, ease up a bit! I hate to break it to you, my health conscious friend, but your electrolytes are becoming diluted. No, that's not the outcome we're looking for. It's best to consume water 3-4 ounces at a time. This also prevents you from overtaxing your kidneys and bladder.

So next time you contemplate that towering bottle of AquaFina, breathe easy--you've got all the time in the world to hydrate.

THE FEBRUARY, 2007 SPA INSIDER NEWSLETTER

2007-02-07T16:22:00.000-08:00

The Spa Insider
Intelligence for Smart Spa Goers

I know how hard it is to carve out the time for well-being and self care, and truly appreciate the effort and investment that you’re making to take care of yourself. So I would love to hear from you if there is anything I can do to make your spa visits more satisfying or enjoyable. You can reach me directly at (408) 741-1750, ext. 30, or via e mail at pwb@prestonwynne.com.

Enjoy!

Peggy Wynne Borgman
Founder and President,
Preston Wynne Spas

DE-AGING GRACEFULLY:
THE NEW HYDRA-FACIAL WAVE MACHINE IS HERE!

The three pillars of De Aging Gracefully at Preston Wynne:
1. Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation
2. The HydraFacial Wave Machine
3. The Wynne Omega Skin Repair System

Microdermabrasion enters a new era at Preston Wynne with the debut of our state of the art HydraFacial Wave machine on February 1. This high tech device uses a powerful blast of salicylic acid or beta hydroxy acids instead of crystals to deeply exfoliate the skin. That’s right—it’s liquid microdermabrasion. (As my husband exclaimed, “Oh! Pressure Washing!”) If you didn’t know the difference, you’d swear it was was crystal microderm—you’ll experience the same “cat’s tongue” sensation, and of course, a profound resurfacing exfoliation.
Two additional advances: because the treatment liquefies pore impactions, it can perform a fabulous “hydraulic extraction” leaving pores amazingly clean in a short period of time. (If you wish your treatments were longer on “fun” and shorter on extraction, this is your answer—it’s amazing on noses!)
The second phase of the 45-minute, intensive treatment is perhaps the most remarkable. Using the same technology and a different setting, the HydraFacial hand piece infuses an anti oxidant hydrating serum deep into the epidermis. Its gentle but highly focused pressure pushes fluid into the tissue, resulting in noticeably plumper skin and instantly firmer facial contours. The HydraFacial produces astonishing results when combined with our Acupuncture Facelift. The HydraFacial, by hydrating and exfoliating the skin, actually makes the acupuncture treatment even more effective.
Ask your esthetician if the HydraFacial is right for you! Or just ask our concierge to schedule a complimentary dermal analysis with one of our expert licensed estheticians.

SMART SUN CARE: IS YOUR SUNSCREEN SAFE?
Is sunscreen actually bad for you? Lately, much has been made of the fact that some sunscreen users have shown an increased incidence of skin cancer, giving the public the impression that the product itself caused damage. Actually, it’s the improper use of sunscreen that can leave the wearer vulnerable. Here are three tips for optimum protection:
1. Sunscreen must be applied generously; a teaspoonful is the official amount for the face and neck if you want full SPF benefits. Try two successive half-teaspoon applications to cut down on the “goop factor.” Be sure to allow your sunscreen to sink in. Application of other products (makeup, moisturizer) may affect SPF; check with your esthetician for the correct application sequence for your skin type and choice of sunscreen.
2. Like a good scout, be prepared! Always apply well before sun exposure—at least 30 minutes.
3. Always use fresh product—the active ingredients in sunscreen are notoriously volatile—they’re light and heat sensitive (oh, the irony.) Last season’s “expired” bottle and can leave you vulnerable to a surprise sunburn.
Preston Wynne offers a plethora of sunscreen options, with something for every skin type. AcquaCures’ HydraSun SPF 30, is all-natural, super hydrating oil-free formulation that protects with Titanium Dioxide ($45, 2 oz.) My personal favorite is Intercept, Wynne Imagine’s new 30 SPF anti-oxidant enriched blend of chemical and topical zinc oxide protection. Designed to soothe micro-inflammation as well as protect against sun damage, Intercept comes in an ingenious airless pump jar. It features a matte finish. (It was originally offered under the name Solaris.) ($32, 30 ml.) Cosmedix, our cosmeceutical range, offers two popular options: Reflect, SPF 30, and Protect, SPF 17, both $52.25. Your esthetician can help you choose the perfect formula!

A Real Solution for Chronic Winter Dryness
SAVE ME, WYNNE ELIXIRS ORGANIC SUGAR SCRUB!

I call them “Lizard Legs.” Itchy, dry, awful, late-winter skin. Here’s a foolproof way to get them smooth and soft again. Treat yourself to our amazing hour long Wynne Elixirs Organic Sugar Scrub and bask in the glory of our Steam Canopy. Let our expert body therapist polish away your reptilian crust. After your dead cells are just a dusty memory, and your legs have a sexy red carpet sheen, take home some of your favorite “flavor” of Wynne Elixirs Sugar Scrub. Yes, it's okay to have more than one favorite flavor. Once a day, do a quick self-scrub when you shower. Trust me, it’s addictive! (Winter time seems to call for the spicy scent of Malaysian Silk.) Finish with a small amount of Wynne Elixirs Body Butter. As rich as it is, it quickly penetrates for a luscious dewy glow. The final secret: Alternate with our Glycolic Body Smoother once a day. This will keep the dead stuff from building up again, no matter how dry it gets!

Preston Wynne Spa reservations: Saratoga Spa: (408) 741-5525, Hotel Los Gatos: (408) 335-1777

Choose your favorite way to be reminded! Receive your appointment confirmations by phone or via
e mail! Just let us know which you prefer. (No more automated calls. Ugh—she’s gone!)

Get in even more trouble during your late-night internet wanderings: You can now make your own reservations online…just ask us for your login and you can set your own password!

Copyright 2007, Preston Wynne, Inc.

De-Aging Tips for Your Lips!

2007-01-15T21:38:00.000-08:00

If you're a guest of our spa, you may be familiar with our new De-Aging Gracefully program, a combination of treatment modalities and alternative therapies that are designed to help you look your best without medical intervention. For example, we have a new HydraFacial machine that performs microdermabrasion with water pressure, and infuses hydrating serums into the skin to provide instant firmness. And we have a sensational Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation program, commonly referred to as an Acupuncture Facelift. But today I'd like to talk about good old fashioned artifice!

One quick way to De-Age your makeup is to De-Age your lips. You can do this instantly when you rediscover lipliner, lipstick and the lip brush. Just as clothes are becoming a bit more constructed, so is makeup. We're not talking heavy--we're talking artful. And we're especially talking about the art of illusion.

Ladies, we've been awash in lip gloss and those forgiving little sponge applicators a bit too long. (Like roaming around the house in sweatpants for too long, after awhile you just feel a little sloppy.) One of the things that happens as we age is that the "ruby" (the pigmented portion) of the lip begins to fade. Another thing (yes, there's more) is that the fatty pads under the face shrink. For a moment, resist that overwhelming urge to pump your pouter full of Restylane and consider the power of the humble lip pencil.

STEP ONE: PRIMER
Many of us women-of-a-certain-age have what are politely called "whistle lines" around our lips. These lines attract lip color--the last thing in the world you want. This is called "feathering," and it's the quickest way to Re-Age your lips! We have a creamy, colorless product in a tube called "Lip Keep" that can be applied to the lips and the skin just outside the lipline. Let it dry, and you've got the perfect feather-prevention system. You may want to reapply it after eating a nice greasy hamburger (heaven forbid) but otherwise it will stay in place.

STEP TWO: LINER
If you've been wandering in the glossy wilderness, you may very well enjoy having a freshly sharpened lip pencil in your hand--it's a feeling of...control. Sketch, don't outline your mouth. By this I mean use a series of small, fine lines, feathered back into the body of the lip. We don't want to have ring-around-the-mouth when it wears off.

I'd recommend something close to your natural lip color--not surprisingly, we have a color called "Natural" that is extremely versatile. And my second choice is "Pink Glass", which is a very juicy warm pink, ideal with some of the clearer rosy shades. While we do have lovely, creamy, automatic lip pencils, for real artistry, nothing beats the old-fashioned, wood-encased version. Yes, they're harder, but they hold a point better.

(If you're wearing red, you're best off with a red lip liner. "Earth Red" is a rich, slightly warm red that works well on lots of different coloring.)

STEP THREE: LIP COLOR
I've rediscovered the joy of real lipstick lately. Why? It stays on, and it moisturizes better than gloss because of it. Want to find your most wearable, versatile lip color? Look at the inside of your lip. The hue you see there is your perfect color--simply a brighter, deeper version of what's on the outside. You'll be able to wear it with virtually anything. If you're lucky enough to live in Silicon Valley, drop into the spa or call us for a complimentary makeup consultation. Our artist will pick out a great shade for you.

You've got a real, Big Girl lipstick now. But wait, don't scribble away with that tanklike tube--for heavens sake, get out your nice sable retractable lip brush and use it to apply the color. While you're doing that, you're blending your lip liner in, as well. When you're done, flash a big smile in the mirror to check for gaps.

Blot very lightly with tissue. (If you want your lipstick to last forever, pull apart a two-ply tissue and apply loose powder to your lips through the thin single sheet lips with a brush. Reapply another layer of lipstick, repeat, and forget about it. And omit the last step, below)

If you're flashing back to the 80's with me right now, that's okay. Breathe through it! And notice how great your mouth looks. Firmer, fuller--dare we say it? Younger!

LAST STEP: Add a little gloss just in the center for highlight. It gives the effect of a moist, sensual mouth without making you feel like a Venus flytrap. A tiny touch of "Baby Lips" Lip Lacquer is very long lasting. This is also a great "going to the gym" lip color on its own.

De-Aging Etiquette: I was recently asked by a young client why her mother would never let her put on her lip color in public, but shooed her off to the restroom instead. Life is complicated! When you leave the innocent world of lip gloss behind, and graduate to the fine art of the lip brush, you'll need to use a mirror to touch up. And the official rule thumb for public preening: if you can do it without a mirror, you can do it in public. So if you must get out the heavy equipment, you'll have to head offstage! While you're at it, you could actually powder your nose...