Q & A: Ask the Esthetician Part 2

Last week I sat down with our primary esthetician here at the Hot Springs to answer some of the most commonly asked questions from guests about basic skincare. This week we turned to Linda again to get some more answers to questions about peels, eye creams, and serums.

Q: What is a peel?
A: A peel is a chemical, herbal or enzyme exfoliation of the epidermis. Peels help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve texture, even skin tone, and treat acne and dehydrated skin conditions. The level of exfoliation ranges from very superficial to aggressive, so talk to your esthetician about your skin care concerns and desired results to help determine the right peel for you. There's a great article on Spa Magazine's website if you want to learn more about peels.

Q: Eye creams are so expensive - do I really need one?
A: Your eyes are the quickest area to show signs of aging so it is important that you do use an eye cream. At Glen Ivy, we use and recommend GloTherapeutics' gloEye Restore - it contains green tea which acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps reduce puffiness caused by fluid retention. It also contains Vitamin K and A to diminish dark undereye circles and crows feet. Not all eye creams are expensive, either, so shop around and find one you like. GloEye Restore is $36 and will last about 4-5 months.

Q: How can I repair my skin after sun exposure and damage?
A: Heal your skin first with an anti-inflammatory and antioxidants. To correct the damage, you need a combination of peels and a professional skin care regimen to do the trick. Consult and esthetician or dermatologist.

Q: What products do I need to add to my skin care routine as my skin matures?
A: You need to add products that exfoliate to encourage cell turnover. Look for products that contain peptides, retinol, and/or alpha hydroxy acids in them.

Q: Are serums necessary in my skin care regimen?
A: Yes! Serums pack the biggest anti-aging and treatment punch. Use a serum if you want to preserve, change or correct any issues with your skin. Serums are the most concentrated piece in a skin care line and will help you achieve the results you're looking to see.

A big thank you to Linda for answering all of our skin-related questions! Make sure to check out our Pomegranate Enzyme Facial available November 1-30 and our Winterberry Facial available December 1-31. If you have more questions, we have more answers - feel free to comment below!