Tag: medical skincare

Retinol 101: Do’s & Don’ts

February 12, 2022.Reading time 3 minutes.
Model: Shawna Patruno
Photographer: Margaritaua Photography
Agency: Orange Models
All Rights Reserved

Retinol, also known as Retina A, is such a hot topic for its anti aging properties, keeping pores at bay and helping you keep a clear, blemish free glowing complexion.

Dermatologists talk about it being the gold standard of anti aging ingredients. Retinol helps boost your cell turnover. It helps produce collagen, it’s important as we age to keep our collagen in tact so we can look youthful longer. Collagen depreciates for everybody at about the age of 25. In order to trick the hands of time we can add retinol into our skin care routine and encourage rapid cell turnover so your skin acts younger.

If you are using retinol you’ll need to be using a minimum SPF 30 (the higher the better up to SPF 60) be sure to apply every 3 to 4 hours to protect your new cells and prevent photo-aging (a.k.a dark spots).

Do not apply a retinol in the day time. In all my research and trainings I was told that is a big “no no”. Instead apply at night and allow it work while you sleep. Trust me you will thank me for this tip alone.

Another major tip is to start slow. Start once a week to avoid massive peeling and thinning of the skin. Less is more until you build up.

The seasons and the weather also need to be considered with retinol use. Do not start the use of retinol in the summer months to avoid unneeded sun exposure. Trust me I learned this the hard way. This simple mistake will cost you hundreds of dollars in corrective measures.

Make sure you are using the right moisturizer, you may need to switch for the duration of your retinol routine. Also you’ll need to use a great exfoliator in tandem.

Keep the basics such as a cleanser, toner, moisturizer with SPF 30 to 60 and exfoliator. It’s important to note that retinol is an added tool, not a replacement.

Be careful when applying it and avoid the eye area. The skin around your eye is way too thin and sensitive for this concentration of retinol.

Check with your doctor if you are on any medication that could make your skin thin or sensitive to burning and tell your skin advisor if you have any illness that impacts your skin.

Lastly, create a plan with a professional, don’t go in blind! Most likely you will get pink and when you increase your usage you will peel, this is completely normal.

Beauty Expert Review! Is Cryotherapy worth the hype?

June 22, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

What standing in a literal freezing chamber pretty much naked can do for your body, mind and health for only 3 minuets and why it was one of the first things I did when things opened up from covid.

First off the definition of Cryotherapy is a treatment of extreme cold temperatures, using liquid nitrogen on the body to go anywhere from -160c to -196c in an enclosed space for 1 to 3 minutes. You are simply in your undies with knee high socks, gloves and slippers to protect yourself. It’s a great look!

Cryotherapy tricks your body to go into survival mode. These frigid temperatures trick your body into thinking something extreme is going to happen. Making your major organs the prime focus and therefore your mind sends signals to redirect all you blood to protect your organs. Once completed and you leave the chamber, your mind realizes it’s “safe” again and starts pumping new oxygen rich blood throughout the body. It decreases toxins with the extreme blast of cold.

Its said to decrease inflammation, help produce collagen, detox the blood, boost metabolism, heal injuries faster, improve sleep, hair and elevate your mood and it did all these things for me.

After 5 treatments I noticed a significant decrease in the swelling in my knee, a decrease in pain for up to 4 to 6 hours afterwards, I slept like a peaceful baby that night, my skin looked more toned on my face and body. My water retention also decreased. I noticed an elevation in my mood and my hair is shiny and more manageable, which is rare for me. The results are temporary at this point.

I have done over 50 treatments ish in total to see if the results are long term and honestly this treatment rocks and I’m addicted to my skin looking firmer, and my eyes looking brighter and pain management. You do have to keep up with it so I go at least twice a month now ✨

I would invest in cryotherapy if you are in pain or your an athletic person with aches and pains. It would be highly beneficial if you are jet legged from travelling, as it instantly gives you a jolt of energy. There are skin benefits, but I can’t say if they are long lasting at this point. I’ve been doing it for two years and it has been such a help. However be careful where you go as you need someone experienced.

I would say it’s worth a shot at least once and decide for yourself, however, i f you have heart problems or health issues check with your doctor before proceeding.

Now go freeze your ass of literally 😉 Seriously it burns extra calories too 🌿

MINI REVIEW: OFFECTS SKIN CLEANSER

April 20, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

The ZO SKIN HEALTH OFFECTS cleanser is great for normal to oily skin and people concerned with aging. It has gentle jojoba beads that dissolve and are lightly exfoliating. Your skin feels cleansed, softer and purified. It has ingredients to help limit breakouts and peptides that help produce collagen as well as smells refreshing and clean!

  • Gets rid of surface oils and impurities
  • Dissolves dead skin cells to help unclog pores
  • Has calming and soothing impact on irritated skin
  • Salicylic acid helps with chemical exfoliation to keep pores clear and prevent breakouts

You get 150 ml which typically lasts me 7 month if you use a pea size amount.

Happy cleansing lovelies!

Skin 101

October 2, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

What do you have for the rest of your life and can’t replace ever?! The answer ladies and gents is … your face! Since it’s irreplaceable, let’s treat it with care.

If you neglect your skin you’ll be on the fast track to dissatisfaction and you can expect to see the following as you age; dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, a loss of elasticity, breakouts and thinning skin.

Your skin aging has a few variables, and that depends on your genetic make up and unique lifestyle. If you smoke, drink alcohol and don’t sleep, you can expect to be wearing that on your face, sooner rather than later. Unless you are that one off in mankind, and in that case your genes need to be studied and duplicated.

However, you can prevent distressed and aging skin, even if the signs exist now. Prevention is always easier than correcting skin issues down the road, and so much cheaper. This rings true in just about anything in life.

Example, it’s easier to prevent your leather or faux leather shoes from getting worn out by using a shoe protectant, rather than fixing that damage down the road because you didn’t buy the cheap 5 dollar bottle. Your skin is exactly the same as your precious shoes. Invest now and save money later.

Prevention starts with the basic steps which I will now share. Cleanse, tone, moisturize, apply sunscreen and exfoliate once a week, Non-negotiable!

Shawna Patruno, Skin Care Expert, Beauty Expert, Orangemodels, Canadian Model, Beauty Expert, Reawakening Beauty, Model, Model Management, Portrait

Cleanse in order to get rid of surface dirt and impurities from pollution, oils and make up. bar soap is for your body, it is not cool for your face, so put down the Dove ASAP unless it’s below the neck.

Toner is used to balance the ph level of skin after cleansing and to prep your skin for moisturizer. In my opinion always buy the same cleanser and toner brand, as they balance each other. Think of a husband and wife they keep each other balanced. Now pair up cleanser toner.

Moisturizer is what you use to add back hydration. A good moisturizer will protect, nourish, and allow your skin to feel balanced. It creates a barrier from the elements. A proper skin hydration will allow your skin to properly perform essential functions helping your skin remain youthful and resilient. Without hydration your skin can’t do anything. Imagine you don’t drink water for a day how will you feel and perform.

Sunscreen is needed to protect your skin from the Ultraviolet rays which their are few kinds. UVA means ultraviolet aging, UVB means ultraviolet burning, so slap on that spf and protect yourself from dark spots, wrinkles, and cancer.

Exfoliating is crucial as your skin cells die and sit there. You need remove the dead skin, thus helping with texture, dry patches, and trapped dirt and oil. It allows you to use less products and refines skin.