Have a Beauty-full Summer Vacation!

‘Tis the Season for Vacation!!!

Trips to the beach, camping, family reunions, weddings, you name it!

Unfortunately in today’s day and age, traveling with your favorite beauty products proves more and more difficult each day.

Well have no fear, we at Refresh are here with some great tips for getting the most out of your packing this Summer!

1. No Liquids

With many if not all Airlines imposing regulations on the solidity of your items- it can be quite a challenge to make sure that you have all of your bases covered.

Here are some liquid-alternatives to some of your basic beauty necessities:

• Cleanser: Try ColoreScience‘s new Illuminating Cleanser. It is a powdered, mineral cleanser that foams when you add water! Even better? It comes with its own mini scrubber brush to keep you clean and exfoliated! Have a Clarisonic? The Illuminating Cleanser is the perfect companion- just tap out a bit of powder into the center of your Clarisonic and you’re good to go! ($37.50)
• Sunscreen: Who wants a greasy sunscreen leaking all over their luggage in the first place? Time to switch to ColoreScience‘s Mineral Sunscreen. Available in every color and coverage, these are the only mineral sunscreens with the Skin Cancer Foundation seal of approval! Great for kids and men, too! ($45-$60)
• Hand/Body Lotion: Instead of trying to transfer your lotion from bottle to travel-size bottle (what a mess!), how about pick up a Raw Shea Stick from Queen Bee instead? Her local products are made from the best natural ingredients and with this moisturizing solid stick you and your family will be glowing! ($22)
• Bubble Bath: Really, you say?? Really! Bring along a pouch of Queen Bee’s Silky Milk Bath and you can have a relaxing, refreshing evening even if you are thousands of miles from home! ($24)

2. The Three Ounce Rule

Squeezing and transferring your products into travel containers can be wasteful, time consuming, and sometimes impossible depending on your existing product packaging.

Here are some more practical alternatives to the old switch-a-roo:

• All-Inclusive: By far, our favorite travel system would be the NeoCutis Starter Kit. Included is one Journeé SPF 4-in-1 moisturizer, one Bio Serum pen, and a seven-day supply of each: Lumiere Eye Cream, BioGel, and Hyalis (each conveniently packaged in seven dainty pouches). Perfect for the beauty-conscious traveler! ($99)
• Active Travel: Worried that neglecting your regimen will leave you looking less-than refreshed after your vacation? Pick up a trial kit from IMAGE skin care and you can take all of those important, active ingredients with you! Complete with retinol products, vitamin c, sun protection, and everything you could possibly need to fight the aging process on the road! ($10.50-$12.50)

To purchase, or learn more about any of these products- call or email today:

720.314.1965

refreshlaser@comcast.net

Hot ColoreScience Press from around the web!

Just in time for Summer, the internet is bursting with praises for ColoreScience Mineral Sunscreen!

Gone are the days of greasy, smelly, oily sunscreen that runs into your eyes, attracts sand, and spills all over your towel bag.

And now, with ColoreScience’s newest Sunforgettable Brush with SPF 50 (!!!) there is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t be looking gorgeous (not greasy!) AND protecting your skin!

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Oxygen.com says,

“For most, Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer and all the fabulous things that come along with it: ice cream, sundresses, trips to the beach, etc. It also serves as a reminder to stock up on something we should actually be using all yearlong—sunscreen.

We’re Obsessed with having our fun in the sun, while protecting our skin from its harmful effects! But who wants to slather on some thick sunscreen on top of regular face lotion, every day? Fortunately, mineral makeup lines like Colorescience Pro provide an even easier way for us to incorporate sunscreen into our daily beauty regimen. Their Sunforgettable SPF 50 comes in a powder form that is filled with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sun protection. The chemical-free formula can be worn on the bare face or under makeup. We especially love that it gives us water-resistant protection without any greasy sunscreen sensation. Plus, the built-in brush makes it so convenient for on-the-go reapplying—a sunscreen must!”

And again, TeenVogue.com sings the praises of SPF 50 Mineral Suncreen Powder,

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It reads,

“Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral Powder SPF 50: This colorless SPF 50 sun protectant is my go-to for mattifying my face (hot weather = super- oily skin for me!) and keeping it protected from UV rays. This is perfect for days when I’m mostly inside, but have to run to and from events. $60″

To pick up your Sunforgettable SPF50 brush or the rest of the Sunforgettable line, call or stop in today!
720.314.1965

Protect Your Skin from the Sun the Refresh Way!

Preventing sun damage and skin cancer is very serious business, especially for us folk living so near to the sun here in Colorado.

As we have said before, and will again: There is an 8-10% increase in UV intensity for every 1,000 feet gained in altitude.

Here’s a great way to visually see what variables effect UV intensity:

Now, before we even get into the great ways to protect yourself from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, let’s lay down some serious (and frightening!) facts about Skin Cancer:

• Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More that one million skin cancers are diagnosed annually.
• Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of breast, prostate, lung and colon.
• One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer; about one million of the cases diagnosed annually are basal cell carcinomas. Basal cell carcinomas are rarely fatal, but can be highly disfiguring.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. More than 250,000 cases are diagnosed each year, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths.
• Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two major forms of non-melanona skin cancer. Between 40 and 50% of Americans who live to age 65 will have either skin cancer at least once.
• In 2004, the total direct cost associated with the treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers was more than $1 billion.
• About 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
• Up to 90% of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun.
• Contrary to popular belief, 80% of a person’s lifetime sun exposure is not acquired before age 18; only about 23% of a lifetime exposure occurs by age 18.

Onto the good stuff!!!

Vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid): Vitamin C (applied topically) is truly a wonder vitamin for you skin in terms of sun care, and most importantly anti-aging. According to the American Chronicle,

“Vitamin C, being an anti-oxidant, reduces the sun damage caused on the skin by neutralizing free radicals. It thus reduces sun damage to an extent. Though it cannot be used as a sunscreen, but if formulated with sunscreens, it adds to the property of protection against sun damage. Vitamin C also stimulates collagen and elastin production in the skin. As we age, we lose collagen. We also lose collagen because of sun exposure. Vitamin C helps reduce this loss of collagen. Vitamin C topicals are therefore used to reduce age lines and sun damage. It may also protect against sunburn to a certain extent.”

In a similar article, the role of Vitamin C in photoaging is discussed,

“Vitamin C plays a potent role in diminishing the effects of free radical damage and in this role can be quite effective as a protectant from ultra violet (UV) light damage. The advantage of Vitamin C over a sunscreen is that Vitamin C can be absorbed into the cells and is generally still present about 30-36 hours after it has been applied topically to the skin. It will, therefore, still give sun protection even though the subject may have washed their skin or gone swimming. As a result of this we can expect that Vitamin C can slow down photoageing.”

Here are our favorite Vitamin C products:

• ViDerm Vitamin C 20% Serum: Contains the highest concentration of Vitamin C available, visibly and immediately tones and firms skin, leaves skin glowing, and stimulates collagen. Plus, it goes on silky smooth and absorbs immediately- no sticky or filmy residue like some Vitamin C serums. ($80 Buy it now)
• Vital Therapy’s Vitamin C with Caffeine: Ted (owner/scientist/skin care god) says, “This is probably the most important skin care product. It only protects the skin from UV damage, it also is the best anti-aging compound for the skin. The increase of collagen and elastin only takes place if Vitamin C is present in the skin! This [...] is a highly concentrated Vitamin C serum with proven antioxidant and regenerative properties to help fight and repair the signs of aging by building collagen and elastin. The ingredients in the Vitamin C serum contain active ingredients that provide a direct benefit to the skin and are not just carriers.” It also contains 20% Vitamin C. ($40-$80 Buy it now)
• C-Vit Revitalizing Facial Lotion: Reduces wrinkles and signs of aging such as spots. It can help control losses of luminosity, flaccidity and skin lacking smoothness. It prevents facial photoaging and fights free radicals. ($40 Buy it now)

Sunscreen (at least SPF 15. At least.): According to the Skin Cancer Foundation,

“Sunscreens are chemical agents that help revent the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin. Two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, damage the skin and increase your risk of skin cancer. UVB is the chief culprit behind sunburn, while UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply, are associated with wrinkling, leathering, sagging, and other effects of photoaging. They also exacerbate the carcinogenic effects of UVB rays, and increasingly are being seen as a cause of skin cancer on their own. Sunscreens vary in their ability to protect against UVA and UVB.
Most sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher do an excellent job of protecting against UVB. SPF- or Sun Protection Factor- is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin. Here’s how it works:  If it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer- about five hours. Another way to look at is in terms of percentages: SPF 15 blocks approximately 93% of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%. They may seem like negligible differences, but if you are light-sensitive, or have a history of skin cancer, those extra percentages will make a difference. And as you can see, no sunscreen can block all UV rays.
But there are problems with the SPF model: First, no sunscreen, regardless of strength, should be expected to stay effective longer than two hours without reapplication. Second, the ‘reddening’ of the skin is a reaction to UVB rays alone and tells you little about what UVA damage you may be getting. Plenty of damage can be done without the red flag of sunburn being raised.”

Here are our favorite Sunscreens:

Sunforgettable SPF 30 Retractable Brushes: The first mineral sunscreen with the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of approval! ColoreScience SPF rated products are full-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. These products are rated “very water resistant.” The key to physical sun protection is micronized titanium dioxide and micronized zinc oxide. Found naturally in minerals, neither will clog pores nor dry the skin. Both are quite remarkable in that they allow light to pass through the visible ray region (light is needed for healthy development of skin) while intercepting ultraviolet rays. Both ingredients guard against the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays ,while giving the skin a natural looking, flawless finish. Research shows that both provide a natural barrier to UVA and UVB radiation without irritating, burning, or stinging. Available in All Clear, Perfectly Clear and Almost Clear ($45 Buy it now)

Wild to Mild SPF 20 Skin Bronzer: This product truly does it all! It is a sunscreen, a bronzer, a makeup primer, a skin soother, line smoother, and an antioxidant!!!! Whew! And although it appears very bronze and café au lait in color- the nature of the minerals allow for a very sheer application that blends to any skin tone. Or, crank up the volume and get tanfastic the safe way! ($45 Buy it now)

Sunforgettable SPF 30 Eyescreen: This silicone-based powder comes in the softest shade of pink to not only protect that delicate skin around the eyes from sun damage- but also to conceal those obnoxious dark circles. It goes on like butter and really should be a necessity in any gal’s makeup bag. ($20 Buy it now)

And lastly, I think this is really useful information for us ladies who awake each morning, only to stare into the abyss that is our cosmetic bag and go, “Well- what do I do???!”

Take the Skin Cancer Foundation’s word and follow these steps:

“If you’re a regular sunscreen user who also uses cosmetics or topical medications, you’ve probably wondered what the proper order is for applying these products. Does sunscreen go on first? Last? In the middle?

“I suggest if you’re a regular sunscreen user who also uses cosmetics or topical medications, to apply them first, then suscreen,” says Bradford R. Katchen, MD, associate professor of dermatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City. “If sunscreen is applied first, it might interfere with the medication’s penetration and might inactivate the active ingredient. For that reason, medication should always be the first product applied to a clean, washed face.”

“If you’re also using a moisturizer, it should go on after the medication and before the sunscreen,” adds Rosemarie Ingleton, MD, attending physician Beth Israel Medical Center and clinical instructor, Mount Sinai Medical Center. “Applying a moisturizer after the medication could actually enhance penetration of the medication,” she notes. “If the moisturizer does not contain an SPF, apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher next. Finally, apply foundation, powder, blush, and any other colored cosmetics.”

To recap, the layering process goes as follows: medication, moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation, powder, and blush.

To get any more information about skin care, preventative care, or any of the products mentioned:

Call 720.314.1965

Really?

One of my favorite columns on the New York Times is called “Really?” by Anahad O’Connor. It debunks common myths and sets the facts straight on everything from wives tales to doctor’s orders. Recently, they brought to attention something that we think is really important- and very misunderstood.

With the Spring approaching, it is time for all of us to get our game faces on and prepare for the vicious Colorado sun. However, (I sniffle as I write this….) coming out of the icky Winter, a lot of us are still fizzing the Alka Seltzer and finishing our remaining antibiotics from cold and flu season. And we have got to know the facts about photosensitivity and the medications that exacerbate it.

Here’s what O’Connor says:

“Most people know what precautions to take to protect their skin at the beach this summer: slather on the sunscreen, reapply as needed and take breaks in the shade as often as possible. But few people know that a number of common medications can intensify the effects of sunlight, greatly raising the risk of burning, rashes, and other skin problems, even after only a little time in the sun. Studies show that this can happen in at least two ways.

One, known as photoallergic reaction, occurs when a certain medicine or substance is applied to the skin. Ultraviolet light from the sun transforms the substance in a way that provokes the immune system, leading to irritated skin and eczema-like rashes. The onset of visible symptoms is usually delayed 24 hours to several days.

Far more common is a phenomenon called phototoxic reaction. It occurs when a person ingests the drug or substance in question, then spends time in the sun. Exposing the skin to ultraviolet rays excites molecules of the ingested substance, causing damage to tissue- severe redness and sunburn, for example – that is almost immediately apparent.

The list of drugs that can cause sensitivity is long, but among the most common culprits are antibiotics like tetracycline, certain antihistamines and topical antimicrobials. The best remedy is either to limit the use of the offending substance or to take extra precautions, like wearing protective clothing.

Bottom Line: Many drugs can raise a person’s sensitivity to sunlight.”

Here’s a more detailed list of photo-sensitivity  inducing drugs to keep you informed this bikini season:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Keoprofen, Naproxen, etc)

Diuretics (Furosemide, Bumetanide, Hydrochlorothizide)

Retinoid- This one is SO important- All Vitamin A and/or Retin-A products will cause extreme photosensitivity.

Hypoglycemics

Neuroleptic drugs

Antifungals (Itraconazole, voriconazole, griseofulvin)

These other drugs: Para-aminobenzoic acid, 5-Flurouracil, Paclitaxel, Amiodarone, Dilitazem, Quinidine, Hydroxychloroquine, coal tar, Enalapril, Dapsone, Oral contraceptives

ColoreScience In New Beauty Magazine!

We LOVE the new Let Me Be Clear Primer from Colore Science, and we are certainly not alone! This is what New Beauty Magazine had to say today:

If there’s anyone reluctant to use foundation primer, surely it’s those with acne-prone skin. Just the thought of a smothering an extra layer can make a person break out. It’s rather unfortunate, since many primers provide such a beautiful canvas for makeup; but now a new primer is standing out from the pack by going beyond prepping skin to help clear it up.

Like other primers, Colorescience PRO‘s new formula smoothes skin texture and lessens the look of pores with dimethicone polymers. Unlike other primers, however, Let Me Be Clear Primer for Problem Skin addresses acne with a touch of salicylic acid—the key ingredient in many, if not most, blemish treatments.

Because pimples aren’t the only symptom of acne, other ingredients in Let Me Be Clear—such as vitamin E, minerals, aloe, algae, lavender, cypress, ylang ylang and melissa—tackle the redness, irritation and dehydration that often accompany the condition. Between the velvety feel and citrus scent, there’s almost no way of knowing that this primer doubles as an acne remedy—that is until you start seeing clearer skin under your makeup.

However, what New Beauty did not mention was that the Primer is only part of a 3-Step Kit that will truly do wonders for ANY skin type. The Let Me Be Clear Kit includes not only the Primer, but an On The Spot Powder, and our favorite L.M.B.C. Finishing Brush (with SPF 30!). Used synergistically, these three products will help clear problem skin wonderfully. And since they all contain salicylic acid, their light exfoliation helps tremendously with anti-aging, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reducing pore size.

As the New Beauty article mentions, those of us with acne-prone skin (or wrinkles) are reluctant to pile more products on, especially if our skin is on the oily side.

The Let Me Be Clear Collection comes in three colors: Fair Play, Middle Ground, and Deep Cover. However, the Primer itself is only available sans pigment.

At first I was a little bummed out that it wasn’t providing actual coverage, but after using the LMBC Kit for nearly two and half months now, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Mainly, I have found that mixing the On The Spot Cover with the Primer allows the Primer to go on as smooth as silk, stay on longer, and provide me perfect coverage that I get to control. It also means that those of you afraid of wearing pigment on your face (hello, gentleman!) can rest assured that no one will know!

Plus, now that I have reaped the benefits of the salicylic and my skin is much clearer, I notice that I add less and less powder to my mix, using the On The Spot to only spot-treat my blemishes as they arise (hardly ever)!

I love that you get to customize how much coverage you have, and get to see your skin transform over just a few weeks (or less!).

Stop in today to get your Let Me Be Clear Kit for only $99 (a $120 value!)

Eye Love ColoreScience!

In July of this year, ColoreScience launched their Sunforgettable SPF 30 Eyescreen, yet another way protection is made pretty. Kimberly has been using {and swearing by} the EyeScreen since we received it. It has done wonders for not only covering the dark spotsand circles under her eyes {hyper-pigmentation}, but also reversing it!

Not that I was skeptical because I, too, swear by the entire ColoreScience line- but I thought that as a 24 year old with minimal sun damage, it would just find its way to the bottom of my makeup bag. Until about 15 minutes ago. I got myself an orb and thought I would see what a difference it would make.

And, oh my, what a difference it made!!!

Instantly, my eyes looked brighter, wider, more awake, and more evenly blended into the rest of my makeup. I initially put it on just one eye to see if I could actually tell a difference. I had to go back and put it on the other to even myself out. I looked quite strange with one radiant, bright eye and one darkish, tired looking eye.

It’s official. I’m hooked.

And truly, this product is revolutionary in its essence. For, although we do our best to wear sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen, that oh-so delicate skin around they eye really needs special attention. And with EyeScreen’s added bonus of concealing, this is honestly one of the best tools you can have in your makeup bag {or dopp bag, gentleman- you know you get dark circles, too!}.

Here at the Spa we see this damage almost daily. With the help of our new Reveal Imager, we can see underlying sun damage, and the majority of the time the pictures come out and literally, the area around they eye looks almost black because the damage is so severe.

Unfortunately, it is an easy area to neglect. We think our sunglasses have got us covered, and the last thing anyone wants is goopy sunscreen around their eyes with the chance of it getting in their eyes. Ouch!

Here’s what ColoreScience says about their amazing new product:

The light pink powder plays tricks on the eyes, camouflaging dark circles and fine lines in just a few quick magical strokes. Velvety in feel, Eyescreen brightens the eye area while concealing. Merciless sun rays are often to blame for breaking down the skin’s elasticity and natural resistance around the eyes. This leaves an already sensitive area even more prone to dreaded wrinkles and age spots. Protect, diffuse and accentuate with Sunforgettable SPF 30 Eyescreen by Colorescience.

And for only $20, this is a steal. The orb comes with its own lovely brush and is about the size of golf ball. I would guess that one orb should last at least eight months if not more. I think this is the ultimate Winter must-have. We tend to be more tired in these cold, grey days, so what could be better than perfect, bright eyes to combat the Winter doldrums?!

As the Summer of 2009 rounds to a close, it is important that we address the dangers of Sun Damage, as well as what can be done to not only reverse the damage but instill better habits for the future.Living in Colorado, we have countless excuses to spend excessive amounts of time in the sun {biking, camping, gardening, pedestrian malls, the kids’ ball game, etc}. Unfortunately, with all of these glorious distractions it is far too easy to forget your sunscreen! And although we are further from the Equator than, say- Florida, we are still at very high risk because of our altitude. Shockingly, it is estimated that there is an 8-10% increase in UV intensity to be had for each 1,000 ft. of altitude- and we’re a mile-high here at 5,280 ft. So, although there is no beach, us mountain-friendly folk are still at serious risk.
Considering the prevalence of Skin Cancer in America {1 in 5 will develop it in their lifetime}, I feel there is an amazing amount of awareness on the issue. We all know that if we go without sunscreen we have an excellent chance of joining that statistic.

What you may not know is how much sun damage plays a role in our aging process. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 90% of visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun. Just imagine how gracefully you could age with proper skin care and sun damage prevention!

Fortunately, {as always} we can help! Here at Refresh Laser Spa, we have numerous options to help reverse the signs of aging and assist you in your new sun damage-prevention routine!

Our newest product in our sun-damage reversal artillery is the VI Peel, a revolutionary chemical peel that is safe and effective for ALL skin types. The VI Peel helps to reduce or eliminate age spots, reverse sun damage (works on neck, chest, and hands, too!!), reduce freckles and wrinkles, and bonus- clears acne! The peel itself takes only 20 minutes, and within 7 days you will have glowing, beautiful, clear, toned, and firmer skin. About two weeks ago, one of our estheticians gave herself the peel and seven days later her skin looked great. However, speaking with her yesterday, I noticed that her skin is looking even better! The VI Peel stimulates collagen and elastin production, meaning your skin will actually look better as time passes!

Another wonderful option is the MediDerm dry peel. The MediDerm Laser is a customized skin rejuvenation treatment that reduces wrinkling and skin imperfections, ultimately giving you a smoother, younger look. It is virtually painless and requires no downtime, unlike other chemical peels or invasive surgeries. The MediDerm dry peel literally allows a new layer of skin to regenerate, giving you a more uniform texture and younger looking skin- immediately.

Lastly, is the Rolls Royce of sun-damage repair, our SmartSkin CO2 Microablative laser, which can take 10 years off the appearance of your skin. The SmartSkin CO2 laser treats skin one micro portion at a time- repeated thousands of times. Each micro column receives just enough laser energy to vaporize the aged skin while also stimulating new collagen growth of surrounding tissue. Similar to, but even more so than the VI Peel, your results from the CO2 treatment will only get better over time. And here at Refresh, will not only pre-condition your skin before the treatment, we will equip you with all of the best products to maintain your amazing results for years to come.

And for those not ready to take the jump into reversing your damage, we carry ColoreScience products, that are the only mineral cosmetics/sunscreens recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. We carry everything you could need, from mineral sunscreen powder for a day hiking in the mountains, to everyday coverage primers (with SPF 30), red hot lipstick, and beautiful pearlized blush for a wine-lunch with your girlfriends on the 16th St. Mall.

So please, take care of your skin in these remaining weeks of Summer (hello, Labor Day Weekend!) and call today to get on the right track of reversing a lifetime’s worth of sun damage.