Formerly Fun: beauty

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Dear Formerly Fun : Angels Butts, Clogged Pores, Pro-active & Bat Boy
Sunday, January 11, 2009

Hey There, Beautiful!

I keep meaning to send this along, as I'm kind of at a loss of what to do. If anyone could answer this question, I think it would be you. My younger son (16), who once had the skin of an angel butt is now facing that whole teenager blemish thing. I've bought him ProActive, which might work if he used it on a semi-regular basis. Lots of blackheads on his nose and chin that I am doing everything in my power to avoid "helping" with. So, here's the query: Is it worthwhile to take him to an esthetician to get some extraction-esque facials? Is this done for teenaged boys?I'm just wondering if this could potentially help out, if it were done on a regular basis, or is it just a short-term solution? Inquiring minds want to know. While you're at it, maybe you know what happened to Bat Boy? He's been out of the news lately & I think they're grooming him for heading up Security for the Inauguration.

Thanks in advance for any advice you might be able to provide!
Hugs,
Shelley

Dear Shelley,
First, let me assure you that Bat Boy is alive and well and much to my surprise residing here in Southern California. He has just finished his first screenplay and has been seen several times in a public lip lock with a certain Hilton girl heiress.

As to your oily offspring. First, a little Acne 101. Blackheads, also known as open comedones, are follicles filled with plugs of sebum and sloughed-off skin cells. The oxidation of melanin gives the material in the follicle the typical black color. Blackheads will not magically go away on their own if left alone and acne can result from infection of the oil gland due to the blockage by the blackhead. Therefore, preventing and removing blackheads helps control acne.

You could certainly take your son in for a mini-facial. You could also attempt a basic facial yourself. Perhaps getting squeezed a little will motivate your son to stick to a routine. I frequently do facials on teenagers, though I omit the shoulder and decollete massage because with a teenage boy you never know what might pop up.

Instead I stick to a thorough cleansing with steam to soften the blackheads. I like to use a slightly oilier cleanser because in this instance, like dissolves like. I use a light scrub if there is no active, angry acne(scrub will only further irritate this condition) or a light chemical peel. I then cover my fingertips with folded tissue and gently squeeze to push out the blackhead. Never use fingernails or the metal implements designed for blackhead removal. Fingernails leave small cuts in the skin and with a comedone extractor, it is too easy to use excessive pressure and injure the skin. Plus, they are not very effective. Anything that doesn't come out relatively easy isn't ready yet and should be left alone. Excessive squeezing can damage the skin surround the pore and can actually increase the size of the pore leading to more blackheads in the future.

As far as care goes, your son can keep it very basic and doable. Put the ProActive cleanser in the shower and tell him to lather his face up and let the cleanser sit softening the oil and debris while he "does other things." Have him use the treatment lotion before bed, it's okay if he doesn't wash his face first, not ideal but if he's sixteen let's keep it simple. Then use the toner when possible. Do what I do with my husband, soak a cotton pad with it, find your son somewhere on the computer and swipe it on his face. If he could wash in the am, lotion in the pm, this would go a long way toward keeping his skin the very picture of cherubic heiny it once was.
Postscript: When looking for images, it is advisable not to type in 'angel butt', oy vey, the internet is a begrimed and squalid place.

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Labels: beauty, Dirty Jobs, estheticians, Momma's got to do everything.

Spa Tips From Spa Chic #1
Sunday, May 25, 2008

TAME 'DEM CATERPILLARS

Forgo the dated French-tip acrylics(trust me, they are) and invest a little cash into this feature that often goes overlooked. Brows can polish your look, create an instant eye lift and be great ‘makeup’ for the busy mom or low maintenance woman. Overly sparse, incorrectly shaped brows can make you look old, angry and dated.

This is one area I say skip the DIY and go pro. Yes, there are tutorials online and wierd stencils available, but your best bet is to find your local ‘brow expert’(yes, we’re out there). See a woman with great brows? Ask her where she gets them done. Don’t be shy, woman who spend the money and time will appreciate the compliment. If you can’t afford to see your local eye brow diva regularly, plan a series of visits to get your brows in shape and then watch her carefully. The average non-professional may have a hard time creating a great brow but if you’re careful, you can maintain it.

A word of advice for women whose brows are starting to gray, don’t tweeze the grays, unruly may they be. If you do, over time you will have no brows. Go to the brow expert and have them tinted and trimmed. Tinting is also a great option for blondes whose brows are very light or if you alter your natural hair color and would like brows a similar shade.

You don’t need expensive products to maintain your brows, but you should have the following:

Good tweezers - Tweezerman Wide Grip Slant Tweezers are my favorite. They retail for about $20. I have had the same pair now for 4 years and have done thousands of brows with them.

Brow powder or eyeshadow in a color that blends well with your brow. Using shadow in the right shade is fine just make sure it’s shimmer free. Steer clear of pencil liners, they typically look less natural and are greasy therefore smudge easier and spread on naturally oily complexions.

Angled brush - To apply powder to brows, a good mid-priced brush will do.