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How To Incorporate Vitamin C Into Your Skin Care Routine

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Incorporate Vitamin C Into Your Skin Care RoutineWhile most of us know Vitamin C as a dietary supplement and a fundamental component of citrus fruit, it can also be used topically to reduce skin discolouration and wrinkles.  If you’re looking at how to incorporate Vitamin C into your skin care routine, we’ve put together this handy guide.

Vitamin C Skin Care Products

You’ll find all sorts of skin care products that contain Vitamin C:  toners, moisturizers, cleansers and more.  However, it’s widely agreed upon by dermatologists that serums are the best way to apply Vitamin C to your skin.  Serums are generally more concentrated than other types of skin care products and therefore more effective at providing the beneficial qualities of topically applied Vitamin C.

How To Incorporate Vitamin C Into Your Skin Care Routine

Vitamin serums are best applied in both the morning and the evening.  After cleansing your skin in the morning, applying a Vitamin C serum followed by a moisturizer will help protect your skin from UV rays throughout the day.  It’s important to note that it takes time for the serum to be absorbed into your skin, so applying it a half hour or more before you go outdoors will increase its effectiveness.  Following the same regime before you go to bed will help enhance the serum’s restorative qualities.

What Can Vitamin C Serums Do For Your Skin?

Vitamin C is an integral part of your body’s skin repair processes.  It helps stimulate collagen production, improves skin hydration by reducing water loss and retaining moisture, reduces melanin production which causes dark spots and hyperpigmentation, acts as an anti-inflammatory, neutralizes free radicals and speeds up the healing process.  

How Often Should You Apply Vitamin C Serums?

Generally speaking, Vitamin C serums should be applied twice a day every day.  That said, everyone’s skin sensitivity is different, so if you have sensitive skin, you should first test a Vitamin C Serum and closely observe any reactions.  If you’re having no problems with an initial test, you can slowly work up to applying it twice a day.  If you do find yourself sensitive to Vitamin C serums, you may want to try lower-concentration formulas until you find what works best for your skin type.

Four Laser Hair Removal Myths Debunked

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Laser Hair Removal MythsThe tales and stories surrounding laser hair removal are enough to fill an entire set of encyclopedias.  Like virtually every other business vertical, the laser hair removal industry is awash in myths and secondhand stories.  To separate the fact from the fiction, we’ve compiled a list of the top four laser hair removal myths debunked.

Myth:  Laser Hair Removal Doesn’t Work On Those With Dark Skin

Fact:  It is true that at one point in time, laser hair removal only worked on those with light-coloured skin.  This is because the laser energy targets pigmentation which makes it difficult to hone in on hair follicles growing in darker skin.  However, laser hair removal technology has advanced to the point where using different laser wavelengths for different colours of skin is possible.  If you have darker skin, make sure that your practitioner is well-versed in using the appropriate laser wavelength.

Myth:  Laser Hair Removal Hurts

Fact:  Again, there was a time early on in the field of laser hair removal when the process was, well, let’s say, less than comfortable.  However, with time the technology has vastly improved to the point where laser hair removal SHOULDN’T hurt!  If you’re feeling discomfort during a session, make sure to voice your concerns to your practitioner who can make the necessary adjustments to reduce the discomfort.

Myth:  Laser Hair Removal Is Only For Women

Fact:  It’s a world of equality we live in and many men undergo laser hair removal as well.  Men who have unwanted hair on their back, neck, chest and elsewhere have all benefited from laser hair removal.  The fact that laser hair removal works better on thick, coarse hair actually makes many men ideal candidates for the procedure.

Myth:  You’ll See Instant Results

Fact:  As opposed to waxing where hair is pulled from the skin, laser hair removal is a much slower process that acts beneath the skin.  Laser hair removal targets the root or follicle of the hair.  This means that existing hair doesn’t fall out immediately, but that future growth is inhibited.  Over time and multiple sessions, you’ll notice the amount of body hair you have is vastly reduced.

Five Skin Care Tips for Winter

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Winter Skin CareWhen it comes to skin care, winter is one of the seasons where extra attention needs to be paid.  Cold, dry air can cause problems not only for sensitive skin but for all skin types.  To help you make it through the colder months relatively unscathed, we’ve listed five skin care tips for winter.

Avoid Long, Hot Showers And Baths

While the cold weather may make you want to spend more time in longer, hotter baths and showers, doing so ends up stripping away the natural oils that keep your skin moist and hydrated.  This is even more problematic when experiencing the cold, dry air often associated with winter.  Try to use warm, not hot and avoid extending your time in the water.

Increase Your Indoor Humidity

Dry air sucks the moisture out of your skin.  If the relative humidity in your home is on the low side, use a humidifier to ratchet it up.  This will help your skin retain its moisture, prevent it from drying out and reduce the inclination to scratch, rub and further irritate your skin.  An indoor humidifier will also do wonders for your nose and throat in the inter months.

Stay Hydrated

While a humidifier will help with retaining moisture on the outside of your body, drinking plenty of fluids will keep you hydrated from the inside.  If you already drink enough water, there’s no need to drastically increase your consumption, but if drinking water doesn’t come naturally and your skin is feeling dry, consider adding a few more glasses to your daily routine.

Keep Using The Sunscreen

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean the sun’s UV rays can’t damage your skin.  In fact, if there’s snow on the ground, you may be exposed to more UV rays than you would in the summer.  Sunscreen should be used all year round. 

Switch To An Oil-Based Moisturizer

Although oil-based moisturizers may feel too heavy or greasy during the summer months, the oil’s added layer of protection will do you well in the winter.  Consider swapping out your regular summer moisturizer for a heavier, oil-based one in the winter.

How Does Acne Scar Removal Work

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Laser Acne Scar RemovalAlthough not harmful, acne scars can cause embarrassment, lower self-esteem and reduce quality of life.  And while it may be impossible to completely remove deep acne scars, some treatments can significantly reduce their appearance.  So, how does acne scar removal work?  In this post, we’ll go over the various options for those who seek help with acne scarring.

Laser Treatment For Acne Scar Removal

Laser treatment for acne scar removal aims to remove a fine layer of skin while stimulating the production of collagen and new skin cells.  Scar tissue is broken up by the pulses of laser light which creates a new surface for skin cell growth.  It’s important to remember that laser treatment won’t cause severe acne scars to completely disappear, but it can help to minimize their appearance and reduce any pain associated with them.

How Does Acne Scar Removal Work?

When undergoing laser treatment for acne scars, the heat and light emitted by the laser remove the top layer of skin. This includes scar tissue caused by cases of acne.  The laser’s heat and concentrated light also stimulate the production of collagen and new skin cells.  The result is shrinkage of blood vessels in the affected area, reduced inflammation and healing of the skin.  Over time, the acne scars will become less noticeable.

Types Of Laser Treatment For Acne Removal

There are three main types of laser treatment for acne removal:  ablative, non-ablative and fractionated.  Ablative laser resurfacing removes the top layer of skin.  Non-ablative resurfacing stimulates collagen production.  Fractionated lasers reduce dark pigmentation caused by acne scars.

Acne Scar Removal Preparations

Your dermatologist will give you personalized instructions to help prepare for your treatment, but you should expect to be told to avoid taking any blood-thinning medications or using retinol-based skincare products.  You’ll also need to avoid smoking for at least two weeks before your session.

Post Treatment Expectations

You’ll need to take special care of your skin for several weeks after treatment.  Avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and using sunscreen are musts.  You’ll be prescribed moisturizers and possibly other skincare products.  You may experience redness as your skin heals.  You should begin to see positive results after a week or so of healing.

Botox Before The Holidays: When to Make Your Appointment

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botox before holidaysAfter a couple of years of muted celebrations due to Covid-19, we may be out of practice when it comes to holiday season socializing.  But it looks like this year will be somewhat back to normal with company-wide office parties and full-sized family get-togethers on the calendar.  This also means copious selfies, neverending posed group shots and sneaky candid photos that will require us to look our best.  If you’re looking to schedule a treatment of Botox before the holidays – when to make your appointment is something that you’ll need to consider.  

When Is The Best Time To Get Botox Before The Holidays?

When to make your appointment can be confusing if you’re unsure about the length of time needed after your treatment to be looking your best.   Depending on your situation, the best results can take a couple of days or up to a couple of weeks after Botox injections.  If you’ve never had a Botox treatment before, scheduling an appointment at least two weeks before your big event will allow for the possibility of any swelling or bruising to heal.  Just like any type of injection, some people experience swelling or discoloration whereas others don’t.  If you’re an experienced Botox recipient, you may already know how long it takes before you see the best results. But if you don’t want to risk it, there are other wrinkle reduction treatments available. 

How Long Before The Best Botox Results?

Generally speaking, results from Botox injections will be immediately noticeable to you, but for the effects to be noticed by other people will take a week or two.  By then, muscles will be completely relaxed and wrinkling will have smoothed out.  That said, the changes produced by Botox injections are temporary and will usually last anywhere from four to six months.  If you’re just getting a touch-up after having recent Botox treatments, you should be camera-ready within a week or so.

Can You Fly After Botox Injections?

Flying is generally not a problem after Botox injections.  While it’s recommended to avoid applying excessive pressure to the treated areas, changes in air pressure experienced on an airplane are not enough to cause any problems.  So, feel free to schedule Botox before the holidays when flying to see family and friends.

Why Get a Chemical Peel to Prepare for Winter?

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chemical peel winterThere’s never a bad time to get a chemical peel, but it might seem surprising to some that getting a chemical peel during the winter months may be ideal.  So, why is this?  Why get a chemical peel to prepare for winter?  In this post, we’ll provide reasoning for the benefits of a winter chemical peel.

A New Year’s Resolution

One of the main reasons that people get chemical peels in the winter is because of new year’s resolutions.  Most people want to begin the new year looking and feeling better than they did before Christmas.   Quite often a beauty treatment can be a great way to boost self-confidence, create a more positive self-image and improve mental health.  By starting the new year on a fresh foot (and with a fresh face!) the rest of the winter doesn’t appear as bleak.

Working With The Weather

Humidity generally drops during the colder months which can lead to drier, damaged skin.  Opting for a chemical peel during the winter will remove the seasonally impaired surface and offer up a fresh new layer of smooth, hydrated skin cells.  Another reason why getting a chemical peel in the winter can be a smart choice is that the newly exfoliated skin will not be exposed to as much heat and direct sunlight.  Chemical peel recipients are advised to avoid prolonged exposure to sun and excessive heat for up to four weeks after a treatment.  This can be much more easily accomplished in the winter months than it can be in the middle of the summer.

Prepare Your Skin For The Warm Weather

By planning ahead and scheduling your chemical peel for the winter, you’ll be looking your best once beach season comes around again.  Any after-effects of a light or medium chemical peel will be long gone by the time summer rolls around.  You’ll be able to enjoy the heat and the sunshine without having to worry about doing damage to freshly treated skin.  Make the most of your summer by getting your chemical peels done in the winter.

How Often Should You Get A Chemical Peel?

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How Often To Get A Chemical PeelIf you’re looking for a non-invasive treatment to even out your skin tone and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, a chemical peel might be the procedure you’re looking for.  Chemical peels come in a variety of strengths but are linked by the fact that they use a chemical solution to exfoliate the skin’s uppermost layers.  So, how often should you get a chemical peel?  This depends on the type of treatment you get as you’ll see below.

Three Different Kinds Of Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are generally divided into three different strengths:  Light, medium and deep.  The strength of the treatment you receive will determine how often you should get a chemical peel.  Similarly, the strength of the chemical peel that’s right for you will depend on the skin condition you’re trying to correct.

Light Chemical Peel

Light chemical peels are good for minor skin problems such as dryness, uneven tone, shallow acne scars and light wrinkling.  Light chemical peels typically involve the use of glycolic, salicylic or lactic acids and exfoliate only the outermost layer of the skin.  You can safely undergo a light chemical peel once or twice a month.

Medium Chemical Peel

Medium chemical peels are used to treat moderate acne and the resultant scars, hyperpigmentation and other skin damage.  Medium chemical peels involve the use of a stronger glycolic or salicylic acid compared to the light chemical peel or a combination of various acids.  Medium chemical peels exfoliate the outermost and middle layers of skin.  They are only recommended once every four to six months.

Deep Chemical Peel

Deep chemical peels are often used for precancerous growths, deeper wrinkling, heavy acne scarring, severe hyperpigmentation and other serious skin problems.  A deep chemical peel often uses trichloroacetic acid, a relative of vinegar, or other highly concentrated acids.  As the name suggests, deep chemical peels penetrate even farther than medium chemical peels.  Deep chemical peels require some recovery time – most often a minimum of a week or two.  You may only need to undergo a deep chemical peel once, however, if repeated treatments are required, they would only happen every two to three years.

Top Botox Myths Debunked

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Top Botox MythsWhile Botox may be one of the most popular cosmetic treatments going these days, there is still a lot of misinformation and ignorance surrounding the subject.  Many people, most often those who have never had any experience with Botox, spread misconceptions about the safety and efficacy of the treatment.  In this post, we’ve put together a list of the top Botox myths debunked.

Botox Is A Poison And Therefore Unsafe

While it’s true that large amounts of Botox can be toxic to humans, smaller quantities can be used safely for a wide variety of conditions.  This not only includes the reduction and prevention of wrinkles, but it can also be used to treat migraine headaches, excessive sweating and misaligned eyes.  Just like small amounts of snake venom can be used to treat a poisonous snake bite, controlled amounts of Botox can be used for positive medical purposes.

Botox Will Create A Frozen Face

The fact is that the majority of Botox treatments are barely noticeable to those who wouldn’t know any different.  Instances of the so-called frozen face are rare and are generally instances of extreme applications that get more publicity than warranted.  When properly administered, most Botox treatments are subtle, natural and unnoticeable to others.  Most Botox patients are often told that they look relaxed and refreshed.

Botox Is Addictive

Botox is not addictive in the strict sense of the word.  This means that you will not get physical cravings or become ill if you do not continue to get Botox injections.  That said, some people who get Botox injections may feel a psychological need to continue getting them because of how good they feel about themselves afterwards.  In this sense, it’s similar to how someone would feel after having their teeth whitened or getting a tattoo.

Botox Is A Generic Term

Botox is actually a brand name owned by the pharmaceutical company Allergan.  Similar to names like Kleenex, Fibreglass or Bubble Wrap, the name Botox has become so popular that it’s often used to describe every type of product that provides similar results.  The fact is that there are several types of injectable treatments that are marketed under a wide variety of brand names that provide a similar effect as Botox.  It just so happens that Botox is the most popular.

How Often Should You Get A Microdermabrasion?

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MicrodermabrasionMicrodermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure that gently exfoliates the skin without any need for anesthetics or convalescence. It’s a quick, painless way to improve the appearance of the skin by minimizing fine lines, mild sun damage and moderate scarring. So, how often should you get a microdermabrasion? While the answer will vary depending on your skin type, most people start with weekly treatments and then scale down to monthly or bimonthly sessions.

What Is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a type of skin exfoliation treatment that uses a machine to spray the flesh with fine crystals. A vacuum then sucks up the crystals and any skin cells that are dislodged by the procedure. Microdermabrasion is considered non-invasive and low risk with a minimal recovery period. In fact, many people get it done on their lunch break and return to work immediately after a session. It’s used to minimize fine lines, age spots, sun damage and superficial scarring of the face, neck, chest, back and hands. Microdermabrasion is considered a far milder treatment than laser resurfacing, dermabrasion or chemical peels.

How Often Should You Get A Microdermabrasion?

The typical schedule for someone just starting with microdermabrasion treatments is to book three or four weekly sessions. Of course, these initial treatments should be monitored to ensure the skin isn’t too sensitive for this type of frequency. If it is, more time should be allowed between treatments. After the initial few sessions, most people scale back to monthly or bimonthly treatments. On average, skin cells regenerate every 30 days which is why it’s advised for treatments to be repeated at these intervals. It’s generally recommended that treatments continue for about a year for optimal results.

What Are The Results Of Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is used to mildly exfoliate the skin which means that the outer layers of skin cells are removed. This generally results in softer, smoother skin with less noticeable lines, discolouration or scarring. Microdermabrasion also encourages collagen production which results in fresher, younger-looking skin. After a treatment, the skin may become slightly pinker, but this usually diminishes within the hour. Some recipients also have the sensation of a mild sunburn for a couple of days after the procedure.

Top Fall Skincare Tips

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Fall Skincare TipsTypically, as summer turns into fall, we begin to look at our skincare regimens differently. Not only is the weather changing, but quite often, autumn also ushers in a change in environment. People head back to school, businesses move into a different cycle and a whole new set of holidays begin to make their effects felt. So what are the top fall skincare tips to go along with all these changes? In this post, we’ll examine the transition.

Moisturizing Becomes Even More Important

The fall brings cooler, crisper weather, reduced humidity and stronger winds. This can all lead to drier skin that needs to be moisturized more often. Products or procedures that make use of hyaluronic acid can be of great help when the weather turns. And while it’s important to keep your skin moisturized, it’s also important not to overdo it. Too much moisturization can lead to clogged pores and other skin problems.

Keep Using Sunscreen

Just because you’re no longer lounging on the beach or spending the majority of your time outdoors doesn’t mean you should give up applying sunscreen. A sunscreen of at least 30 SPF should be part of your daily skincare regime all year round – even on cloudy days. There are plenty of light, effective and easy-to-apply daily sunscreens on the market these days. Find one that suits your needs and use it regularly.

Keep Hydrated

Again, keeping a cool beverage at hand shouldn’t be something that’s exclusive to the warmer months. Staying hydrated is important all year round. In fact, with the changes in the weather, it may be even more important to ensure you’re fully hydrated when summer transitions into the fall. Drinking water is the best method of keeping hydrated, but you can also rely on fruits and vegetables with high water content to help keep your skin supple.

Consider An Exfoliation Treatment

An exfoliation treatment might be just the boost your skin needs to carry you through the cooler months. Chemical peels or microdermabrasion treatments can lessen sun damage that occurred over the summer, help illuminate your skin and reduce hyperpigmentation. An exfoliation treatment can be a great self-care strategy that helps you take on the latter part of the year with gusto and zeal.

Welcome to Leeza’s Laser

Leeza has been operating a hair removal business since 1987, starting with electrolysis services and then evolving to laser hair removal and laser skin treatments. Being aware of the many different types of laser hair removal technologies available, her method of choosing a successful product was to personally undergo the procedure herself...read more

Leeza's Laser Hair Removal Clinic is located in downtown Toronto. We offer the best prices on permanent laser hair removal services (using elos technology), with the best results and no pain. We treat all skin types and hair colours. Other services include anti-aging treatments, acne scar laser treatment, cellulite and circumferential reduction (Velashape), skin rejuvenation, microdermabrasion, and facials.
20 Eglinton Ave E
Toronto, Ontario
M4P 1A9
Canada
Phone: (416) 493-9999

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