5
Beauty
QUESTIONS
YOU’RE TOO
EMBARRASSED
TO ASK
YOUR
ESTHETICIAN
Don’t worry - she’s heard them all!
by Karley Ziegler Mott
W
e all struggle with skincare dilemmas
we are embarrassed about -- enough so
that we don’t even fess up to our closest
friends and family. If asking someone you
love and trust the most seems daunting, it’s doubtful that
you’re asking your esthetician.
What may seem mortifying to you is all in a day’s work
for your esthetician. Remember, she is a trained professional who is there to listen and help. In fact, your esthetician wants you to ask these questions. It helps her treat
your skin in the best possible way.
1. Help! I have butt-ne! What can I do about
it?
Breakouts on the buttocks are quite common. Cell turnover isn’t as speedy on the
butt, so exfoliation is extra important. The rough
bumps you are experiencing are likely a buildup of
dead skin cells that have not yet been shed.
Tackling butt-ne necessitates a two-step
approach. First, use a body scrub to slough
off dead skin cells. Then follow with a
lightweight body lotion containing lactic
acid to help make your skin-- well -- as
smooth as a baby’s bottom!
If this approach does not do the trick, a
visit to the dermatologist may be in order.
Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu says that sometimes medication is
necessary for stubborn breakouts. “I often
prescribe clindamycin wipes for my patients with stubborn butt-ne,” Wu says.
Try: AmLactin Moisturizing Body Lo-
66
COSMOBIZ SALON APRIL 2016
tion (walgreens.com, $16.99)
2. Why do I have red bumps all over the
back of my arms? I keep trying to scrub it
away without luck!
Chances are you have Keratosis Pilaris, which is a
common hereditary skin condition that causes very small
white or red bumps to form on arms, cheeks, thighs, and
bottom. They are painless and tend to resemble a rash.
People sometimes call it “chicken skin,” and the bumps
look very much like red goosebumps. The texture in the
affected area tends to be quite rough and dry, worsening
in the winter.
What causes Keratosis Pilaris? You have no doubt
heard of keratin. Keratin is the protein that protects the
skin, hair, and nails from infection. It is fibrous. Sometimes too much keratin builds up. It ends up clogging
the hair follicles, forming a plug. The result? Rough,
scaly bumps. It is that simple. There is nothing
that you are doing wrong to create this problem. Even those who are extremely conscientious about their skincare routines can still
have Keratosis Pilaris.
Experts agree that the worst thing you can
do for your KP is harsh exfoliation, so nix the
scrubs. You risk scarring by using abrasives
like loofahs or scrubs.
Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid) is a
highly effective Keratosis Pilaris treatment.
BHA has the ability to get into the pores
and help release the congestion. Applying
a BHA treatment daily will help clear most
cases of Keratosis Pilaris gradually over