What is your skin type actually?

We have all heard of the skin types, oily, combination, dry, sensitive, etc. But were you aware that there is actually a difference between skin types and skin conditions? There are three skin types that you are predominantly born with - they don't change, that is defined as your genetic skin type. The three main skin types are oily, dry or permanently diffused redness; however a combination of dry/oily is a possibility. There are many skin conditions, of which are acquired and can be treated. These are prematurely aged, sensitive, dehydrated, asphyxiated, pigmented, sun damaged (photo-damaged), acne, and many more.

The first skin type, oily, we have all heard of. But to ensure that you aren't stripping your skin of necessary oils, we need to determine that this is your actual skin type. Oily skins have large pores, a dull lack-luster appearance and are oily to the touch. If your skin appears oily, though the pore size is quite small, you may in fact be suffering dehydration, and not be a true "oily" skin. Though if in doubt, visit a beauty therapist for professional skin care advice on which products are best suited to your skin type. Often skin care brands found on the supermarket shelves combine oily and acne skin together in the same product - while this may not be "wrong" many acne care products are anti-bacterial, which may not necessarily be what your skin needs and can be far too drying for the skin, if it isn't truly acne. I will later post another blog on the many forms of acne, and misdiagnosing a few random pimples as "acne". It is best to use a product that is for oily skin, so look for the words "foaming", "oil-free", "oil-balancing", "gentle" and "light". Again, if in doubt, visit a beauty therapist.

The second skin type is dry skin. Dry skin means lack of oil, so therefore it is NOT necessarily dehydrated, but in fact lacking OIL. The products to look for when needing a product for dry skin is "nourishing", "rich", "creamy", "milky". Dry skin has the appearance of small pores, it may be flaky, thin, crepey, and this skin type often gets more wrinkles.

The final skin type is permanently diffused redness - which can also be called sensitivity, although is called permanently diffused redness due to sensitivity being a skin condition. Permanently diffused redness can be seen as redness on the skin, these people are often reactive to touch and go red very easily when embarrassed for example. They also tend to go quite red when they are drinking, or if it is a particularly hot day. These people need to use sensitive products. Look for the words "sensitive", "nourishing", "Tone-balancing". 

Then there is the commonly used term combination or "normal skin". Normal skin is when they don't fit one hundred percent into the above categories, and often have perfectly clear skin with balanced oil over the face. Combination skin is when it is oily in the t-zone and dry on the outer. (NOTE: the t-zone is the forehead, nose and chin). The products for combination skin are "complexion-balancing", "oil-balancing".

The skin conditions are quite different, and many of you will already understand each of them simply by reading the words. There are two that I particularly want to talk about, sensitivity and dehydrated. Sensitivity has the same appearance of a permanently diffused redness skin, yet this is an acquired condition due to many things, including wrong product choices, using too many fragrances, stripping the skin's acid mantle (The protective barrier of the skin made from oil {lipids} and sweat {perspiration}.) , not using any products, exposure to the outside world of pollutants. Then there is dehydration, now this and dryness is often mixed up. Your skin is dry if it lacks oil, it is dehydrated if it lacks WATER. It is extremely important to use a moisturiser for this specific reason. People with oily skin often don't use moisturiser because they think it will make their skin oilier - this is wrong. The only thing that makes an oily skin oilier is wrong product choice. An oily skin requires hydration just as much as a dry skin, or a condition called Trans-epidermal water loss (T.E.W.L) can occur.

Now that you know skin types and conditions, I strongly encourage that you ensure you are using the correct product for your skin. Visit a beauty therapist, have them analyse your skin and recommend the right products for you. Professional products are also a good idea. If you don't want to waste money, fair enough. But just remember this: the allowed amount of active ingredients in a product sold on super-market shelves is far lower than that of what a beauty therapist is allowed to sell, due to their knowledge of the skin. Your skin is an organ, it needs to be looked after. If you had a heart condition, you would go to a doctor to medicate it or operate, etc. If you had trouble with your eyesight, you would visit an optometrist, so why not look after your skin as well? There are many professional products, that while initially a larger outlay of money is necessary, the products are professionally formulated, have a higher quality of ingredients, a higher active ingredient percentage, and in fact last longer than your 5 dollar cleanser from the supermarket. You may spend up to 80 dollars for some quality skin care products; however you will have great skin and it will last you a couple of months, rather than a couple of weeks.
-Beauty Geek x

More than just pretty faces

Ever since I decided upon Beauty as my course of study, I have received criticism and ridicule. Things such as, "So, you want to do makeup for the rest of your life?" Well, sure, make-up is a part of beauty; however there is so much more to it. So, I thought, why not start a blog so that people can understand what beauty truly means and is. I will be posting helpful information for those who would like beauty for their future career choice. I want to get out any of the misconceptions that beauty therapists, or beauticians don't do or know much. 

Firstly, a beautician and beauty therapist, or aesthetician  are completely different things. A beautician is, in Australia, qualified at a certificate 3 level in beauty services. So a beautician is qualified to perform make-up, waxing and tinting, mini/demo facials, manicure and pedicare (never call it a pedicure, podiatrists don't like it), as well as artificial nails, if they so choose. There are also optional courses that fall under the beautician banner, being intimate waxing (Brazilians), spray tanning, ear piercing, and lash extensions. So when you truly think fluffy, maybe this is what you are thinking. What you may not know is that to obtain this certificate, you have to have knowledge of the skin, all of its layers and all the nerves, capillaries and all of the hidden extras (melanocytes, lymphocytes, etc). The bones, muscles, veins, arteries and capillaries of the arms and legs are also a need to know. Besides that, Beauticians also study colour.

Now a beauty therapist, or aesthetician, as some prefer to be called, are quite a bit more knowledgeable. To earn the beauty therapist title, one must complete a certificate 4 or diploma level of study. During the course of the certificate 4, extensive knowledge of the skin, bones, muscles, and many more things is developed. To add to the skills already earned upon the completion of the certificate 3, certificate 4 gives its students the competency to perform body massage (for relaxation - we specialise in Swedish-therapeutic massage), body wrap & slimming treatments and to perform facials as well as to use electricity in beauty therapy, such as the vacuum, brush machine, spray machine (these three don't take a genius), galvanic Iontophoresis and Disincrustation, Direct and indirect high frequency, G5 machine, EMS machine and Faradic machine. In order to perform facials, we need to have an extensive knowledge of the skin, beyond what was learnt during certificate three. All of the chemicals of the skin need to be learnt and the role that they play within the skin. Beauty therapists are also required to understand the cosmetic chemistry of ingredients we are using, and are taught with high quality ingredients that simply aren't available on the supermarket shelves. As a certificate 4 student, we also need to learn the many forms and grades of acne, as well as all primary and secondary lesions of the skin. We learn many disorders, and how to spot them; however are unable to diagnose a condition without a PhD.  We also are required to understand the various systems of the body, including the digestive, endocrine, excretory, lymphatic and cardiovascular systems. We are required to know the muscles, bones, veins, arteries and lymph vessels and nodes of the body. We also  learn about nutrition, being the guidelines of vitamins, minerals and energy requirements of necessary nutrients. Still sound fluffy? 

Upon my blogging, I wish to inform my readers of many useful articles and even some of my own essays. I want to change the world's view on Beauty therapy - it is so, so much more than make-up and looking good. It's about getting results from the inside out. Working in conjunction with doctors, dietitians/ nutritionists, podiatrists and dermatologists, in order to achieve results. Being healthy, looking after yourself. After all, the skin IS the body's largest organ. We should really be called skin therapists. Would we then be taken seriously? In a world where health is more and more becoming a centre focus, and people are becoming more aware of what they are putting into and onto their bodies, I feel it is necessary for the general public to have an understanding of our body's first line of defense - the skin.