Summertime for most of us means skin is in! It’s time to pull out our bathing suits, sleeveless shirts, shorts, light revealing dresses, and various other skimpy summer fashions. Suddenly we’re exposing parts of our bodies that haven’t seen daylight since last summer and they look it! Maybe the dry skin of winter doesn’t seem to be gone, we’re hairier than we’d like anyone to know or maybe all that comfort food we ate during the colder months is still clinging to us in an unflattering manner.

There’s only one thing to do, and that’s to keep shaping up! There are lots of ways to prepare your body for the summer, and Harmonie can help you pick the perfect treatments and products to let you dare to be bare with confidence. Let’s tackle some of skincare’s greatest challenges together!

Dry Scaly Skin

You moisturize every day, so where does these dry patches come from? As we age, the renewal process of our skin slows down, leaving extra time for layers of dead cells to accumulate on the skin's surface. This occurs especially in winter when your metabolism slows down; your hair and nails grow slower and your skin's renewal process slows down as well. Heavy winter clothing also tends to dry out your skin as it absorbs moisture. Extreme temperatures will also affect your skin's hydration level.

The key to tackling this problem is exfoliation and hydration. The goal is trap as much moisture as possible on the surface of your skin without feeling like you’re caught in a never-ending rainstorm. The first thing to do is get rid of the dead and dry skin cells. Use a good exfoliating scrub such as sea salts or a brush or loofah in the shower or bath. The combination of the warm water and the scrub will increase blood circulation on the surface of your skin, preparing it to more readily accept your moisturizer. After an exfoliating treatment, your skin will glow and be more supple; the dry parched and scaly patches will disappear, and imperfections will be smoothed. Exfoliation also stimulates the renewal process of skin cells which creates newer and younger looking skin.

Once you have gently removed all of the old skin cells, be sure to immediately follow up with a quality body moisturizing lotion as soon as you finish toweling off. If your skin is very dry, apply lotion or body oil to wet skin before you dry off entirely, then pat the excess water away. This will help your skin retain even more moisture. If you’re going to the spa, be sure to share your concerns with your esthetician. Select the proper exfoliating lotion and moisturizer for your skin type.

Unwanted Hair

Very few women are fortunate enough to be born with a generous amount of hair on their head, shapely eyebrows (that never need tweezing), full lashes, and no undesirable fuzz on the rest of their body. Unfortunately, many of us wage a lifelong battle against facial hair (which only increases with life's hormonal changes), a bikini line that doesn't conform to today's bikini fashions and the mischievous follicles that cover our underarms, legs, arms, stomach and even breasts.

One of life’s little pleasures is undoubtedly the delicious silkiness of smooth hairless skin, however getting and keeping that look can be a hair-raising experience! If you choose to shave daily, you face the terror of razor burn and if you don’t you have to contend with hiding the shame of stubble! Look into having a professional waxing which will remove hair for three to five weeks at a time. The results of which can be enhanced if you use a hair growth inhibiting lotion daily for five to 8 days after each procedure. Quality shaving cream also enhances the feel of your skin after shaving.

Cellulite

You’ve heard the term “orange peel skin”? This refers to the lumpy fat deposits that develop from sedentary fluid buildup under the skin. Believe it or not, this condition doesn’t mean that you are doomed to a life of long pants in 90 degree weather. A little exercise, combined with lots of water -- we can’t stress the importance of drinking water enough this season -- and a good cellulite treatment that stimulates the elimination of the trapped toxins in that fluid can help. Applied once or twice daily, this treatment can significantly eliminate the appearance of cellulite. If you maintain a dedicated regimen for least four weeks, you should enjoy visible results. If you want to speed up the results, visit the spa for an aromatherapy body wrap to decrease water retention or a seaweed wrap to detoxify the skin.

Décolleté

The skin on our neck, chest and upper-torso is often the most exposed by our fashions and yet is the most fragile, showing signs of over- exposure at an earlier stage. These signs can be redness or freckles accompanied by lines and sagging tissue. Because this condition is usually the result of long term skin abuse, it is important that you consistently exfoliate with an alpha hydroxy acid lotion, followed with a good moisturizer containing a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF). To combat freckles, use a hydroquinone-based bleaching agent and make sure to wear a sunscreen after treatment to prevent a recurrence. To tighten the skin on the bust, chest and neck, use a lotion to firm and tone skin while hydrating. Smooth flawless décolleté skin identifies femininity and attractiveness.

Stretch Marks

These little devils just seem to sneak up on you don’t they? Like a bad penny, they seem to turn up even when you’re trying to do something good for yourself like lose weight or have a family. Have no fear however; if caught early enough they can be treated or even prevented. The age of the stretch marks will determine how well they respond to treatment, because they occur when skin has lost its tone. Moisturize your skin daily to prevent the dehydration which can cause skin to lose its elasticity. Stretch marked areas also benefit from a daily exfoliating or brushing treatment which increases surface circulation. This will quicken the renewal process of the skin and encourage the growth of new collagen and elastin fibers.

Whiteness

It’s your first day in your favorite spaghetti strap sundress and when you look in the mirror you are momentarily blinded by the white gleam off of your incredibly pale skin. You need some color and you need it fast! Before you run to a tanning salon or lay in the sun for hours both of which will damage your skin try a self-tanning lotion. Unlike self-tanning products of the past which left you looking like a slightly singed orange, today’s products are specially formulated with natural ingredients that will give you a healthy golden brown glow. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully: exfoliate first, moisturize thoroughly, then apply the tanning lotion with patience and care. Exfoliate and moisturize daily and reapply the self-tanning lotion every few days.

Feet

These guys are probably the hardest working yet most neglected parts of the human body. We run them through burning sand, walk barefoot on every kind of surface imaginable and almost always forget to moisturize the bottom of them. It’s a good thing they can’t go on strike! Treat your tootsies to a spa pedicure to start your summer on the right foot! If you’d rather treat them at home, apply a strong exfoliating lotion with a high percentage of alpha hydroxy acid every night. Try a foot treatment with peppermint oil to refresh and rejuvenate tired feet. You’ll notice a difference is just a few days and nothing will be able to keep you from those strappy sandals you’ve been eyeing!

There’s no time like the present to start a good summer skin regimen. Get started now, and before you know it you’ll be looking forward to showing off your healthy new summer complexion!

Harmonie European Day Spa 14501 Big Basin Way Saratoga, California 95070
(408) 741-4997 (800) 391-3300 customer_service@eHarmonie.com
www.eHarmonie.com

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