Tag

melasma

Featured, Skin, Tip of the Week

Don't Touch Your FaceFeatured

March 3, 2020 by inskin Leave a comment

Paws Off That Fab Face.

You use your hands to touch everything…your phone, keyboard, handrails, others people’s hands, desktops and kitchen counters…everything. Transferring all those microbes to your face increases your risk of sickness and acne, and could trigger a contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis (eczema) or allergic flare-up if you happen to have touched allergens that you’re sensitive to.
Touching your face could make it more tempting to pick at pimples, too, which can lead to further infection, more acne, and scarring.
Got a habit of resting your face on your hands or fingers while at the computer, reading, listening to a lecture or watching a movie? You may not realize that you’re pulling or pushing your skin in different directions, straining its elasticity more than usual and making your anti-aging cream work harder than it has to.
Use your hands to wash your face and apply skincare…then leave your face alone. And, keep a non-drying hand sanitizer, uh, handy at all times to lessen the chances of infection (TIP: our Id and Kid Gloves Monolaurin Gels double as pimple-fighting anti-inflammatories for “acnemergencies!”)

Skin

How To Do A Skin "Detox" (7-Day Skin Fast)Featured

October 1, 2019 by inskin

At VMV Hypoallergenics, we have received less than 0.1% reports of reactions in over 30 years, and almost all of those reactions were due to us not being able to make recommendations based on one’s patch test results, incorrect use of the product, a cross reaction with another product, or an underlying irritation that might have been chronic but not yet obvious. In these cases, a 7-Day Skin Fast normally (over 98% of the time) results in a clearing of the problem and the client’s ability to use the products without a reaction. This process — similar to an elimination diet for food, but for skin — has been so successful for our clients for decades that we created our Skin “Detox” Kit to allow anyone to easily do a Skin Fast at home, any time.

Why Should I Do A Skin Fast?

1. To get your skin back to baseline…
A Skin Fast helps skin return to its most natural, non-irritated state. This can have several benefits (more on these below), including giving your skin a seasonal “reset.” As with all the body’s organs, our skin changes over time. Observing your skin in its natural state now may show you new dryness, for example, that can help you adjust your skincare regimen appropriately.
2. To recover from a skin reaction…
Anyone, even someone who has never had problems using any product before, can develop a skin reaction. Reactions can include an allergic reaction, an irritation, hyperpigmentation (darkening), dryness, redness, itching, flaking, an acne breakout, or other symptoms. Anything applied on reacting skin can worsen the situation. A Skin Fast gives your skin a break from what might be causing the reaction (and other possible contaminants), allowing it to recover.
3. To help identify the cause of a reaction or a chronic skin problem…
Believe it or not, the cause of a reaction is not always (or even frequently!) the last product you applied. A product you’ve been using for a long time “without a problem” could actually have been causing an underlying irritation that was too subtle to notice, increasing your skin’s sensitivity over time until another product (even one you’re not actually allergic to) was the final straw — your skin couldn’t take any more and finally reacted. In food, a common way to help identify a sensitivity is an elimination diet. The Skin Fast works similarly, helping you (or your doctor) more accurately identify the trigger of your skin problem.
Note: While a Skin Fast can help identify a trigger, the most accurate way to identify which ingredients and other substances you are sensitive to is a patch test. If you have a history of sensitivity or stubborn skin problems, or a skin condition that is worsened by external stress, ask your doctor about a patch test (or photo-patch test, for hyperpigmentation).
4. To recover from treatments, clinical procedures, medications, or injuries…
Many treatments (like active ingredients), clinical procedures (lasers and peels), and medications (chemotherapy, certain neurological drugs or even ibuprofen) can make the skin temporarily more problematic. It can develop acne or become drier, more sensitive and/or more photo-sensitive (more prone to sunburn, redness or darkening due to sun or indoor light exposure). Doing a Skin Fast after a procedure, or keeping your skin in a Skin Fast throughout therapy or recovery, can help increase comfort and decrease the risk further vulnerability or injury.
Keeping skin in “detox” can also be helpful when skin is injured from a rash, flare-up, burn or other injury — it keeps the skin cared for very gently, so the skin is left unstressed and its cells can focus on rebuilding and healing.
5. To safely try new products after a patch test (or in general)…
If you have a history of acne, darkening, irritations or other skin problems, or if you’ve just had a patch test, a Skin “Detox” is a very safe way to try new products. With skin in its most non-irritated state and with new products introduced in a very slow, controlled manner, you reduce the risk of reactions and increase your chances of finding products that you can safely use.
For more on possible reasons for product reactions, and tips on how to avoid them, check out: Reactions: About, Allergic, Irritant, Sudden, Prevention, Using VMV & Other Products, etc..

How To Do A Skin “Detox” (7-Day Skin Fast)

Click through the slide show below for a step-by-step guide.
Questions? Or want us to customize recommendations for you based on your patch test results? Contact us here or send us a Private Message on Facebook.
 

Featured, Skin

Get A Patch Test Or Photo-Patch TestFeatured

October 9, 2016 by inskin Leave a comment

This is one test that can change your life.

If you’ve had skin problems for years, a patch test is one of the most powerful tools to help you finally achieve clarity.
This painless procedure shows you exactly which ingredients or materials you, in particular, are sensitive or allergic to. A photo-patch test is similar but shows what is triggering your hyperpigmentation. The results from these tests can help you more accurately select products that do NOT cause your skin problems, and help you steer clear of ingredients (but also textiles, plants, and other substances) that you need to avoid, resulting in…
…no more (or far less frequent) redness, itching, and rashes;
…relief from chronically dry skin, scaling, and flaking;
…more consistent clarity in inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis;
…clarity of acne (allergens don’t clog pores the way comedogens do, but can irritate pores, causing infection and acne);
…more effective lightening of dark spots, blotches, and larger areas of skin.
Check out Skintelligencenter.com to learn more about patch tests and photo-patch tests.
To find a dermatologist near you who does patch tests, visit the American Contact Dermatitis Society.

Featured, Skin, Skinthusiasm

Refrigerate Your Skin Care?Featured

September 1, 2016 by inskin Leave a comment

Fan Tip: Chill Your Skin Care! 

Razor burn? Puffy eyes? Got a reaction that needs calming? Or a pimple that needs flattening? Want to tighten your pores…or just a fabulously cool feel when applying your skincare?

“Throw some of your favorite VMV Hypoallergenics products in the fridge, especially in the summer!” – skinthusiast Earl Chad Palacios Estenor‎

Fellow “skintellectual?” Avid “skinthusiast?” Share your tips with our “skinfatuated” community! Tag @VMVHypoallergenics on Facebook or Instagram, or @VMV on Twitter!

Click through the slideshow below to find out the surprising benefits to keeping skincare in the cold!

Featured, Skin

Smooth OperatorFeatured

June 30, 2016 by inskin Leave a comment

smooooooth operator

BARE NECESSITIES

Incredibly lightweight yet packed with virgin coconut oil, coconut fatty acids, glycerin, and antioxidants, it’s hard to believe how intensely moisturizing and reparative this all-over lotion is.
The smoothest move you’ll ever make for parched skin.


EssenceLotion-PAH-VMV-sm-01.11.'13-57347
Try it after our hypoallergenic waxing service for instant softness and anti-inflammatory healing!

Featured, Skin

Skincare Is Healthcare, Not Vanity (But Yeah, That's A Pretty Great Side Perk)Featured

June 29, 2016 by inskin Leave a comment

Arguably the worst thing you can do to your skin is treat it like a fashion accessory…

…something that you only care about when you want to look good.
Your skin is your body’s largest organ and deserves to be cared for properly.

  • Your skin is crucial to your overall health: it protects you from infection, for example, and regulates your body temperature;
  • It can show signs of internal problems before more intrusive or expensive tests (like a blood exam or MRI);
  • It’s one of the most important ways we communicate with each other and the world; and,
  • Its health can impact how you feel about yourself (visible skin problems can lead to poor self esteem, bullying, and depression, for example).

To learn more about how important skin is, check out Skin: Far More Vital to Your Overall Health Than You May Think.
Stop treating skincare as a fun thing to experiment with. Learn the basics: keep your skin clean, help it stay hydrated, and protect it daily with sunscreen.
Get started with a regimen here, and follow our 30-Day Healthy Skin Challenge:

  1. Your Skin Needs Sleep
  2. Your Skin Needs You To Stop Stressing
  3. Get The Right Diagnosis
  4. Your Hair Care Can Help (Or Hurt!) Your Skin
  5. A Skincare Regimen Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
  6. Treat Your Makeup Like Skincare
  7. Fix Your Skin With…Laundry Soap?
  8. Get A Patch Test Or Photo-Patch Test
  9. Choose Hypoallergenic Over Natural
  10. Keep Your Sunscreen Next To Your Toothpaste
  11. Less Is More In Skincare, Too!
  12. Junk Food Is Junk For Your Skin
  13. Your Skin Wants You To EAT Your Antioxidants
  14. Your Skin Wants You To Exercise Daily
  15. How To Choose The Right Toner
  16. Your Sweat Acne Could Be A Fungal Condition
  17. Like A Dental Cleaning For Your Face…The Facial
  18. Clear Your Acne, Rashes, Darkening & Dryness With…Toothpaste?
  19. Your Vitamins Or Meds Could Be Causing Your Skin Problems
  20. Wash Your Face Before Going To Bed
  21. Drink Lots Of Water
  22. Your Makeup Brushes Could Be Causing Your Acne or Sensitive Skin…Clean (& Choose!) Them CarefullyHow To Cleanse Your Skin? Think Goldilocks…Not Too Little, Not Too Much
  23. How To Choose The Right Moisturizer
  24. What Was Meant To Help You May Hurt You — Ease Up On The Topical Steroids
  25. Stubborn Skin Problems? You May Need An Investigative Dermatologist
  26. Don’t Touch Your Face
  27. Don’t Dismiss Dry Skin…It Could Be A Sign Of Another Problem
  28. Active Skin Treatments Are A Marathon, Not A Sprint
  29. Skincare Is Healthcare, Not Vanity
Featured, Skin

Sunscreen Isn't Just For Summer (And Your Laptop Could Be Causing Your Dark Spots)Featured

June 20, 2016 by inskin 1 Comment

Sunscreen isn’t a summer thing.

It’s as daily a must as brushing your teeth: both help you look great and prevent serious damage!

You’re not out frolicking in the sun? It’s important to remember that sun damage is cumulative — every bit of exposure adds up. Your skin doesn’t “reset” when you’re back in the shade (and UVA is present on cloudy days). The little bit of sun you’re exposed to when walking from the arrival terminal to your car, or crossing the street for your morning latte, adds to whatever damage occurred while beach baking last year (it’s why a bad sunburn in childhood can increase the risk of melanoma…the risk doubles, on average, with more than five sunburns). Applying sunscreen every day ensures you’re protected from accidental exposure.

Featured, Skin

Choose Hypoallergenic Over Natural: 30-Day Healthy Skin ChallengeFeatured

June 9, 2016 by inskin Leave a comment

Some things in nature can hurt you.

Natural ingredients could be causing or worsening your acne, sensitive skin, psoriasis, eczema, or hyperpigmentations.
While natural is WONDERFUL — eating natural, less processed foods so important for your health and using skin care with more natural, less processed ingredients can also be good (chemicals used in processing can be even more allergenic than the ingredient itself), natural does not mean hypoallergenic…and many natural ingredients are common allergens.
To learn more about what hypoallergenic means and how it can help several skin problems, check out Hypoallergenic: What Is It Really?
To learn more about the difference between hypoallergenic and natural, check out Is Natural Hypoallergenic? The Answer May Surprise You (But Shouldn’t)

Featured, Skin

Take A Walk On The Mild Side: Skin-Friendly Laundry!Featured

June 3, 2016 by inskin Leave a comment

Your laundry could be affecting your skin.

Clothing contact dermatitis can be caused by the elastics of your undergarments, dyes in clothing, as well as “mordants” (chemicals related to metal present in some fabrics to help colors bind better).

Check for skin abnormalities in symmetrical shapes or patterns where clothing normally touches skin: on the waistline, on the perimeter of the underarms, where bras come into most contact with your torso, on legs for reactions to jeans (which is a lot more common than you might think!) and on ankles or calves for reactions to sock elastics.

In laundry detergent, fabric softeners and drying sheets, some of the common culprits are fragrance and preservatives. If your skin is dark, red, itchy or dealing with stubborn acne that just won’t go away even after proper prevention and therapy, check where the skin issues occur. The underarms and neck are common problem sites, but “private parts” can itch from contact with underwear and the sides of the face can be affected by contact with your pillow when you sleep.

FawnLaunder-BasketLamb-2013-sm-20160407
Laundry soap so mild, you could bathe with it!

Fawn & Launder is a uniquely skin-safe, ultra-gentle laundry shampoo that is allergen-free…and it contains coconut-derived monolaurin plus skin-soothing antioxidants!
Use this skincare-as-laundry for the clothing and linens of: infants and children; those with extra-dry, sensitive, atopic, or hyperpigmented skin; or those with contact acne and/or clothing contact dermatitis.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to fawn as you launder (the closest thing to a hug in a laundry basket).

Skin

Bright Lights, Big Problem: What Is Causing Your Hyperpigmentation?Featured

November 6, 2015 by inskin Leave a comment

Treatment + Prevention = Clarity.

Because the melanocytes of darker skin produce more melanin, hyperpigmentation tends to be more common in deeper skin tones. But dark spots and blotches can occur in all skin phototypes. The top cause: exposure to sun and light, including indoor lights, TV/stage lights and computer screens…and even heat from cooking, fireplaces and saunas.
Skin traumas like pimples and rashes, or even lasers or peels (or highly irritating medications like hydroquinone), can result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Other culprits include photo-allergens, hormones and even certain medications which can be photo-sensitizers (read more about common causes here: “Shining The Light On What Causes Dark Spots & Blotches“).
Effective treatment needs active tyrosinase inhibitors to prevent melanin over-production, plus a daily sunscreen tested for indoor lights and heat (why an Armada Post-Procedure Barrier Cream 50+ comes with all Illuminants+ Creams), as well as proper prevention (why we minimize or omit allergens in our active products and recommend allergen and photo-allergen-free products for everything else you use, from hair, body and bath care to makeup).
If you’re doing everything right and still have stubborn melasma or other hyperpigmentations, see a dermatologist to rule out other possible conditions like diabetes or a thyroid or endocrine problem, and ask about a photopatch test, which could reveal surprising causes of your hyperpigmentation.