Courtesy of Bay Harbour Med Spa. Thanks for stopping by our informative skin care blog. For those of you who are not familiar with us, our authentic European med spa is located within walking distance of the luxurious St. Regis hotel in Bal Harbor, Florida.

Today’s topic will cover skin care specific to pregnant women. Here are some common skin problems affecting pregnant women, as well as their solutions:

• Pregnancy Mask, aka melasma and chlosma- this basically means that the skin’s pigment becomes darker in areas of the face. You may know this to be called as pregnancy mask. Appearance usually is noticeable on the forehead and cheeks. Hormones are increased during pregnancy, causing hyperpigmentation. There are several options you have. The first, stay out of the sun and use sunblock during pregnancy. After giving birth, if not breastfeeding, you should use a hydroquinone free skin lightening product to lighten the dark spots. If you don’t live in the Miami area, we offer a worthy skin lightening system on our online store at: http://skin-lightening-store.com.
• Broken capillaries: Basically, they are tiny dilated blood vessels, which break (so to speak) by increased blood circulation. They usually appear on the face, neck and chest during the last trimester. It’s important to limit sun exposure in these regions during pregnancy. The effects usually disappear shortly after delivery; if not, gentle microdermabrasion treatments may help.
• Stretch marks: usually appear as pinkish streaks running down your abdomen and/or breast. A vitamin E lotion may help, as well as Cocoa Butter lotion, which will help keep the area hydrated and lubricated.
• Sensitive skin: The skin is more sensitive during pregnancy, especially to the sun. We advise that you use simple products (naturally derived, with not much alcohol in them), and use sunscreen If you live in South Florida, we offer customized skin care products at our skin care bar. We will be blend products containing only the purest of natural ingredients, specific to your skin’s needs. Please feel free to call us at 30.864.8824 for a complementary consultation.

If you’ve found this article helpful, please feel free to share it with your friends.

Wishing you a nice day,

Bay Harbour Med Spa

Thanks for stopping by Bay Harbour Med Spa’s blog. If you’re not familiar with us, we are an authentic European med spa, located minutes from the luxurious St. Regis Hotel and Resort in Bal Harbor, Florida.

Today’s short article will cover your skin’s DNA. If your skin seems dull, uneven, blemished, or the aging process has expedited, your skin’s DNA needs repairing. Sounds complicated, does it not? Actually, it’s not!

DNA damage to the skin is caused by excess exposure to the sun, bad eating habits, tanning beds, excessive alcohol consumption and the like. We’re sure you get the idea. If any of this is familiar to you, the solution is simple. Avoid the bad habits above, and in no time, you will experience the renewal and protection of skin tone and texture.

Bay Harbour Med Spa (located between Sunny Isles, Miami and Miami Beach) specializes in skin care specific for men’s skin. As a matter of fact, 45% of our clients are men. Men need skin care services just as much as women.

It’s extremely important that if you’re a man (not matter the age), you take note of why skin care, facials and proper skin care regimen is so important. Why? Well, simple! Think about the problems caused by shaving and excessive sun exposure from long hours of exposure to the sun (from playing golf, to driving from place to place, from the beach, from playing sports and so on).

What’s more, many men do not have the best eating habits and poor food choices often lead to poor skin complexion and texture. An added issue, is that most men either do not read labels or don’t know what to look for when buying skin care products. They just pick whatever they see on the shelves of drug stores and the like.

While many men have thought or considered a facial, they may be shy or uncomfortable because of the stigma that only women should get facials. Or that it’s not a masculine service to seek out. Nothing can be further from the truth! Good skin care and a healthy balanced diet is no less masculine or feminine. It is imperative for overall good health.

Men from their teens on, will benefit from a deep and purifying skin rejuvenating facial which includes the following: steaming, exfoliation, abrasion and extractions. We apply corrective serums on sun-damaged or irritated areas, followed by natural, nourishing, healing masks which we apply onto the face, neck and upper chest.

Once you experience a proper men’s facial at Bay Harbour Med Spa your skin will look and feel like it never has before.

To schedule a free consultation, please call: 305-864-8824.

Our skin care bar offers corrective skin care products such as:

• Gentle, natural shaving foams
• Alcohol-free, healing after shave moisturizers, containing essential oils, instead of artificial fragrances
• Eye cream blended to help reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes

For a complementary consultation, please call: 305-864-8824.

Here’s a great article courtesy of Yahoo!:

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/mood-boosting-bacteria-found-dirt-213800904.html

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/skin-conditions/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-your-skin

Dear clients,

As 2012 has come upon us, I wanted to open this year with my thought of the year- a new tradition I’m embarking on. I feel that while many of you are good about coming in for skin care treatments, there is a common denominator amongst most of you- stress and exposure to toxins (both inwardly and outwardly). The human body is a toxic waste dump. Toxins exist in cars, in your home and at work. Pollen, dust, mold, mildew and air conditioners are major contributors.  As a matter of fact, the FDA has released a report that more than 14,000 man-made chemicals are contained in our food supplies. Therefore, it’s important to stay educated and be aware of the toxins we put in our bodies.

Over a year ago I made some dietary changes which consist of fresh vegetable juices on a daily basis. I feel a world of difference, and would love for each and every one of you to feel better than you ever had. I urge you to take a few minutes to read this article I’m putting together for you.

I bet you didn’t know that every year individuals consume on average 140 pounds of sugar, 10 pounds of salt, 16 pounds of food additives, 2 gallons of pesticides and exposure to over 3 gallons of solid pullotion we inhale into our lungs.

Let’s go over the toxins that we can all cut back on:

• Aspartame (Equal and NutraSweet): Some of the symptoms caused by this toxic substance include dizziness, nausea, headaches, epilepsy, and menstrual problems. There are studies which show that pregnant women who consume aspartame actually put their fetuses at risk for mental retardation. Yikes! I don’t think I need more convincing than that.
• High fructose corn syrup: Approved by the FDA in the mid 80’s, this substitute can be found in breads, breakfast bars, cereals, condiments, fruit juices, lunch meals, salad dressings, sodas syrups and some yogurts. It’s potential to cause diabetes and hypertension is reason enough to cut back on the above mentioned foods. However, for those of us who are more concerned about our figures, consuming sodas alone can add on between 10 to 20 pounds per year! Combine the toxins included in sodas with the sugar substitutes used in diet sodas, you’re headed for a toxin overdose!
• Nitrite and nitrate have been used for decades to preserve meats. If you eat fried meat or roasted meat, you are converting nitrate to nitrite through the exposure to heat, which causes a chemical reaction in your body which results to toxic over load! If at all possible, avoid eating bacon and fried meats.
• Olestra (oh, how I wish the FDA pulled this off the market): This substance flushes out valuable nutrients and may result in GI problems such as diarrhea and abdominal cramping. The worst part, it prevents the body from retaining the vital vitamins our body is need of such as vitamins A, D, E and K.
• Sulfite: I definitely enjoy a glass of wine every night, but am rethinking this as well. Sulfite is used to prevent bacterial growth in wines. It is also used to keep cut fruits and vegetables look fresh. It’s used in dried fruit and shrimp packaging to prevent discoloration. Over consumption of sulfites may result in headaches and allergic reactions.

The reason my diet consists of mainly freshly made vegetable juices is because toxin overload in our bones, fat, brain and body tissues can cause illness.

Do you suffer or experience any of the following?

• Headaches
• Migraines
• Joint pains
• Respiratory problems
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Allergies
• Insomnia
• Mood changes
• Constipation
• Sinus congestion
• Ulcers
• Skin conditions
• Arthritis

If you answered yes to one or more of the above symptoms, chances are your body is overexposed to external and intrinsic toxins. Eating well, drinking water, sleeping properly and getting a handle on the factors that cause you stress or travail, will help you to decrease the overexposure to toxins and future illnesses.

I know that many of you will not be able to live on mainly fresh vegetable juices as I do, however, you can begin with eliminating alcohol, caffeinated sods, over-the-counter drugs, cigarettes, tobacco, refined sugars and saturated fats.

Here are a few more useful tips (please check with your physician before consuming any of the herbs or vitamins I’m about to suggest):

• It’s January, so why not start a new exercise program. Even if it’s only a couple of times per week.
• Regular bowel movements are vital for ridding the body of toxins.
• Burdock, chlorella, dandelion root, green tea and milk thistle cleanse and protect the liver. Since the liver requires certain nutrients to activate the detoxification process, it’s important to get plenty of vitamin C. Vitamin C produces glutamate, a natural compound that drives away toxins.
• Fiber from brown rice, fresh fruits, vegetables, beets, radishes, artichokes, cabbage, broccoli, seaweed and other greens will help the blood circulate.

If you want to kick detoxing up a notch, here are tips and tools which I have personally utilized and continue to do so on a frequent basis:

• Colonic hydrotherapy is so beneficial in toning and rinsing out the bowels. My daughter goes to Bernie of Aventura Natural Health. If you’re considering a colonic, I recommend you schedule an appointment with Bernie.
• Fasting at least once a month is a natural way to restore the body. To fast, go on a juice diet of fresh fruits and vegetable juices for three to seven days. My daughter and I often opt for a detox that lasts for 21 days or longer. Reason being is because any diet that last for three to 21 days and removes toxins from the body allows the body to self-heal, which results in increased digestion, increased energy and circulation, while reducing bloating, migraines, premature aging and sickness.

I combine my detox with my Infrared treatments, VelaShape cellulite treatments and Ionic foot baths offered at my med spa. I urge you each to try and incorporate one, some, most or all of the tips I listed above, in order to rid your body of harmful toxins.

As always, please remember to consult with a physician before starting up a new dietary change of any kind.

I wish each and every one of you a happy and HEALTHY 2012! Here’s to a toxic free body!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

– Eva Taub

As the new year has embarked upon us, Bay Harbour Med Spa would like to challenge those of you who drink sodas to give up these sugary drinks which contain way too much sugar and way too much toxins. We’d like to introduce you to an electrolyte-rich beverage which is all natural. We’re writing aboout coconut water. The juice of young coconuts is mostly  water (about 95 percent). It’s a great source to hydrate the body. It is full of potassium (almost twice the amount of that found in bananas) and electrolytes, as well as minerals like magnesium and calcium. When considering the benefits that coconut water has on beauty… its ability to efficiently re-hydrate the body helps to hydrate the skin from within. Pure water will do the trick, but coconut water offers extra nutrition benefits.

As some of you may know, at Bay Harbour Med Spa (located between Miami Beach, Sunny Isles and Aventura) we have our Custom Blending Skin Care Bar. We personalize skin care products according to your skin’s exact needs. The following are just some of the high-end ingredients we use in our skin care products. If you don’t live in South Florida, please look for the following in your skin care products:

1. Epidermal Growth Factors- (EFG) is an active ingredient resulting in dramatic and rapid improvement of advanced signs of photo damage such as age spots, discoloration and pronounced wrinkling as it encourages skin to continue its natural regeneration processes.
2. DNA Repair Enzyme- Active DNA repair enzymes support the proliferation of fresh, young skin cells and encourages the recognition and elimination of DNA damage as it delivers protective antioxidants to moisturize skin during the recovery process.
3. Hellianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil- Sunflower seed oil contains a surplus of vitamins A, D, and E to help smooth and condition the skin.
4. Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil- coconut oil  as an effective moisturizer that soothes the skin. It also contains antimicrobal, antioxidant and antibacterial properties that work to delay signs of aging.
5. Grapefruit Oil- Grapefruit oil is most commonly used to cleanse and tone the skin.

We hope you’ve found this short but useful article helpful. To schedule an appointment to discuss personalized skin care products at our Custom Skin Care Bar, please call: 305-864-8824.

We have hundreds of blog entries, but this one tops them all. We’ve taken the time to help you understand acne. If you live in South Florida, please feel free to call us at 305-864-8224 if you’d like to discuss your acne issue.