Thank you to Suyin Karlsen, West Coast Educator & Master Esthetician, A Natural Difference, for the following article:

SPIN TRAPS

Stopping Free Radical Damage

Before it Begins

HOW DID SPINTRAPS COME ABOUT?

Scientists and doctors know that FREE RADICALS cause a lot of damage to a cell. They can also harm DNA.

But they didnt know exactly what type of damage they caused or the extent of that damage.

The idea came about to TRAP free radicals for study. But how to trap them? Well, as usual, the answer lay in good chemistry!

Certain chemicals, it seemed, readily attracted free radicals and sent off magnetic signals. Scientists were able to measure these magnetic signals using a measurement process called Electron SPIN Resonance.

So there you have it! The 2 words SPIN and TRAP.

At first, scientists used Spintraps solely to trap and study free radicals, also known as rogue molecules. Spintrap research was used to help doctors detect the presence of free radicals - what type and how dangerous - in diseases.

But they discovered a very exciting side benefit -- that side benefit being even more valuable than the intended benefit!

So the name TRAP became self-fulfilling. From wanting to trap free radicals for study, it turned out that the chemicals scientists used to trap the free radicals also stopped them from spreading.

What are these amazing chemicals?? For starters, the most frequently used Spintraps are called PBNs: phenyl-butyl-nitrone.

Spintraps are todays most powerful antioxidant. They can distinguish good oxygen molecules from bad ones (reactive oxygen species.) And they can stop cellular damage before it occurs.

Spintraps, the higher IQ antioxidant, stop the wild spinning, out-of-control free radicals and e****ts these wayward rogue molecules back into the respiratory cycle where it is utilized in tissue respiration.

It's like a cowboy throwing a perfect lasso over the head of a wild horse about to run off track and do damage in a meadow of beautiful lilies.

Currently, other nitrones have been found to be 20 times greater than PBN!

Today, Spintraps are used widely to treat stroke victims. Administered over time, they can reduce paralysis and speech problems.

Spintraps can be found in A NATURAL DIFFERENCEs Rejuvenation Skincare and other products:

Rejuvenation Concentrate, a serum

Rejuvenation Crme, a moisturizer

Rejuvenation Eye Creme

Rejuvenation Masque

Repair Serum

Cherry Berry Solution

Pumpkin Peel & PPE Nutritional Solution

Oxy Gel for acne, oily, problematic skin

Rosa-Derm Solution for calming rosacea & couperose.

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Contact Fern @ 818.422.3381 for more information.

Did you look in the mirror one day and see some ugly brown spots on your face, where they never were before?

Why are they there, what does it mean, and what can you do about it?

Excess sun causes our skin to produce melanin as a protective reaction to the suns burning assault on our skin.

Melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, acts as a barrier to further damage by absorbing ultraviolet light. A suntan results from this attempt by the skin to protect itself. You can think of these as a band -aid your skin creates.

Referred to as hyperpigmentation, those dark spots on your face were caused by the sun damage you got between ages 9-18, and now, 20 or 30 years later, you have uneven skin tone.

What once was a burn or a tan is now a scar on your skin, and these scars been slowly rising to the surface of your skin ever since.

Treating hyperpigmentation from too much sun can be successful, over time, and with focused daily skin care. Peels are a great approach, and when combined with microdermabrasion, the results are impressive.

The peels I use are made from mangofruit enzymes, and are effective in sloughing off the dead and discolored uppermost layers on your face. This mango peel exfoliates, smoothes, encourages cellular turnover, and has aromatherapy benefits.

This peel is a perfect prelude to the mechanical exfoliation provided by the microdermabrasion process, which sloughs off more dead skin using crystals through a hand-held wand.

I recommend a series of 6 microdermabrasion facials over a 6-12 week period. When done in a series, the first facial is 80 min and includes the mango peel, followed by 60 minute treatments with microdermabrasion only. Monthly maintenance continues from this point with the 80 minute facial.

The results are a smoother, healthier-looking, brighter skin. However, you must continue the brightening and smoothing process on your own at home.

I have a recommended regimen of products which will build on the process begun during your hyperpigmentation treatments.

Over time and with this series of treatments, along with your diligence at home, you will see that these brown spots are diminished, and that your skin is fresher and cleaner. This treatment works well for old acne scars too.

September's Special at Faces by Fern is the Microdermabrasion and Fruit Enzyme Facial. Click on the tab MONTHLY DEALS above for details.

Everyone has heard of the damaging effect free radicals have on our skin and in our bodies, accelerating aging and leading to damage on a cellular level.

Free radicals are unstable, unpaired electrons which attack other cells and lead to the disruption of these living cells and harm our DNA.

In some cases, our body's immune system produces its own free radicals to kill viruses and bacteria. Most free radicals, though, are created from outside sources like pollution, radiation and cigarette smoke.

A few free radicals aren't a big deal for our bodies. But after years of accumulation, they attack our bodies as we age, resulting in damage and destruction of our elastin and collagen.

Vitamin C and Vitamin E are antioxidants which neutralize free radicals, and help prevent the kind of cell and tissue damage which could later lead to cellular damage and disease.

Our bodies don't make Vitamins C or E, so we must get these from our foods, supplements, and our skin care. This is why we are told to eat our fruits and vegetables - to help us get enough of these vitamins to protect our bodies against this internal destruction.

So, what do spin traps have to do with free radicals and antioxidants?

There is a scientific method to trap free radicals, through a measurement process called Electron Spin Resonance. That's how the term came about: Spin Trap.

After scientists used this process to detect the presence of free radicals, they discovered a wonderful side benefit:

Spin traps prevent the free radicals from moving from cell to cell, causing damage to our cells, and spreading their destruction throughout our bodies.

Spin traps have the ability to distinguish the good oxygen molecules from the bad ones, and can stop cellular damage before it happens.

The most exciting result is that spin traps are formulated into the products I use to treat your skin!

A Natural Difference (A.N.D.) has an entire line containing this spin trap technology. These products are in A.N.D.'s Rejuvenation line, and include:

Rejuvenation Concentrate, Rejuvenation Creme, Rejuvenation Eye Creme, Rejuvenation Mask (great for mature skin,), Repair Serum, Cherry Berry Nutritional Solution (a toner,) and their Pumpkin Peel.

You have to try these products! Call me to schedule your facial - you will enjoy the experience AND know you are getting the best products science has to offer!

Clients often ask me what they can do to counter-act the signs of aging on their face.

Here are 5 things everyone can do:

Use Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential in rebuilding collagen which makes the skin look firmer and plumper.

Use after cleansing, before moisturizer. Vitamin C is both an antioxidant and collagen booster.

Begin with one application in the morning, every other day, and slowly move to using daily. You may use morning and evening.

Use Vitamin A

Also known as retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate and retinoic acid, Vitamin A is a proven anti-aging ingredient. It works by stimulating cell turnover, which resurfaces and smoothes the skin.

A retinol cream is also good for blemished skin as it helps to keep the pores free of excess skin cells. Use in the evening after cleansing. Use either Vitamin A or Vitamin C.

Eat protein

Proteins provide most of the bodys amino acids which give the body all it needs to build collagen and elastin, the two substances necessary for supporting firm, smooth skin. Click here to read about other foods that benefit skin health.

Wear sunblock

Wear it every day, no matter the weather and make it part of your regular morning routine. Click here to read about the best sunscreens.

Get regular facials

Facials remove the upper layer of dirt and dead skin, and along with techniques and products, will promote healthier, younger-looking skin.

Faces by Fern is offering a special for February: Cherry-Chocolate Rose Facial.

This is an anti-aging treatment, using pure plant and fruit compounds. Not only will you enjoy the vivid scents as each product is applied, you will love how your skin looks afterward!

Read more about it in the Monthly Deals, then come on in!

While you are here, you can choose your Vitamin C serum, Retinol Cream, or Sunblock, and take $10 off your purchase!

Skin Tags may be linked to sugar intake & increased insulin levels. Why? When you eat foods high in carbohydrates like pastries, white rice and white potatoes, your body creates insulin to remove the sugar from the food.

"Skin tags are small, soft, finger-like lesions most commonly found on the neck and under the arms. They are skin-colored and benign." Shelley Burns, Skin Deep, May/June 2010.

People with 30+ skin tags indicates increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Solution? Focus on low-glycemic foods: apples, berries, brown rice, pears, vegetables & multigrain and multi-seed breads.

You may need to visit your dermatologist to remove existing skin tags if they are a source of discomfort, but you may be able to prevent new skin tags by decreasing your sugar intake, and thereby, decreasing your risk for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

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