Spa

Pupukea Pampering

Secluded in the picturesque hills of Pupukea, 1,200 feet above sea level on O'ahu's North Shore, the Lisa Carley Facial Skin Care Retreat is the only retreat of its kind on the island. Here skin specialist Lisa Carley starts with a detailed explanation about each treatment and concludes with a set of specifically tailored instructions for a personal skin-care regimen. In between comes a menu of theraply options, from the kukui-and-honey facial to the pineapple-sunflower body wrap and the cinnamon sugar scrub. Don't, however expect to shed your skin altogether. “is there a miracle cream? No: I don't sell you hope in a bottle.” Carley warns. “Ihelp you learn how to best manage your individual skin condition.” The retreat's location makes it a true escape-and an excellent destination for those whose significant others have opted to spend the day on the golf course or in the surf down below. A small path leads past trickling fountains, a koi pond and verdant Hawaiian plants; Ka'ena Point, the dividing line between the island's north and west coasts, floats off in the distance. For reservations, call (808) 637-9400.

SKIN CARE IN THE TROPICS

Skin care in the tropics differs from skin care in the continental United States. There is a vast difference in how your skin will function in a climate close to the equator with warmer temperatures, higher humidity, and more intense sun exposure.

My clients have informed me that their skin products do not work the same for them when they are on the mainland. Oily skin in the tropics becomes drier in cooler temperatures and requires a moisturizer. Skin that is dry requires a heavier moisturizer in cooler temperatures.

Like our skin, our skin care products perform differently when in different regions of the country.Closer proximity to the equator and cumulative sun exposure requires special attention when using product containing higher percentages of glycolic acid. When a higher concentration of glycolic acid is used on the skin in the tropics, the skin becomes photosensitive or more vulnerable to the strong rays of the sun. Irritations and hyperpigmentation can arise due to the rapid exfoliation of the skin and the use ofan effective sun screen is of great importance.

Finding the correct formulation for a certain skin type may be confusing to the consumer when a lot of propaganda is used in selling a product. It is important for an aesthetician to understand the structure of the skin and how skin types react in different environments.

Skin care technology and products are constantly changing and an aesthetician must be knowledgeable about basic skin structure and ingredient formulation in order to recommend appropriate and effective skin care.

Steps to Healthy Skin
by
Lisa Carley

Over the years in my skin care practice I have treated many disorders of the skin. One of the most common skin disorders I have treated is asphyxiation of the skin, often caused by buildup on the surface of the skin. The problem arises from improper cleansing of the skin and neglecting to remove your sunblock or sunscreen. This can lead to lead to surface and texture changes such as rougher, drier skin or oilier skin with blackheads and whiteheads. Extraction from the pores on your face helps to eliminate and control these conditions.

A little inexpensive trick that I have shared with my clients is to remove the sunblock with a little cold crème. Many of my clients have seen an improvement in their skin with this technique using cold crème to remove sunblock, sunscreen or makeup on their face. I use Jergens cold crème to remove my sunblock and makeup. With your fingers, scoop out a small amount of cold crème about the size of a quarter from the jar. Break the product down with your fingers by rubbing your fingers together then apply the crème to your jaw, cheek, nose, and around the eyes and forehead. Emulsify the crème on your face by gently rubbing your skin in a circular motion starting at the jaw line and working upwards towards your cheeks, nose and around the eyes and forehead and don’t forget the hair line.

This next step is important. Use a tissue or soft dry wash cloth to remove the cold crème, as cold crème does not easily rinse off with water. Start at the jaw line using clean areas of the tissue for each section of the face to remove the cold crème. Do not use the same section of the tissue to remove the cold crème from different areas of your face as you would only spread the crème from one section of the face to another. By doing so, you would have failed to remove the sunblock.

You are now ready to cleanse your skin with a cleanser. Cleansers come in many forms such as gels that are better for thicker and oilier skin and crèmes which are excellent for people with sensitive, dry skin.

Moisturizing your skin is an important step, especially for people that lack natural oils. One of the most effective hydrating oils for dry skin is the kukui macadamia nut oil. The oil will penetrate into the top layers of your skin. People with thicker or oilier skin should use a light lotion or gel to hydrate the skin. These steps will help you to manage your skin and have healthier looking skin.

Lisa Carley is a practitioner of advanced skin care and received her cosmetology license from Hollywood Beauty College. She completed post graduate education with the Dermal Institute, American Aesthetics and the Berger Institute of Production Technology and has worked with leading doctors within the industry. Lisa has worked in dermatology including cosmetic dermatology and a day spa in Honolulu and is the owner of Lisa Carley Skin Care in Historic Haleiwa Town. Lisa is a fourth generation local, born and reared in Haleiwa on the North Shore of Oahu.