So how does one decide which facial is best for their skin type? Spa owner Launa Stone says the best place to start is the medical spa’s website. Her Calabasas facials spa offers full descriptions of each of the facials it offers online. Stone recommends taking a moment to look at what options are available before coming into the spa. If no one single option seems right, then she recommends trying a custom facial.

At Stone’s medical spa in Calabasas, facials always include a free consultation to determine the client’s skin type, along with what her needs are. Based on this analysis, a determination will be made as to what type of facial is going to help the client get the best result in as little time as possible.

Every client’s skin is different, explains Stone. Some people are acne prone, some people are sensitive, some people have sun damage or dry, aged skin, and some have combination skin that includes features from every category mentioned above. Thankfully, unique facials have been developed to address each of these issues.

The most popular facial option at Stone’s facials spa in Calabasas is the signature treatment. The Launa Stone Medical Spa signature facial, which is called the ‘Dripping with Diamonds’ facial, is an excellent option for people with all skin types. It starts out with microdermabrasion to remove all the dead skin cells, then vacuums out the pores to get rid of the makeup, smog, pollution, and dirt that is clogging the skin. After this, clients can expect to immediately see smoother, softer skin.

The next step in the signature facial is the hydrofacial, which is like a steam cleaning for the face. This process flushes out the cells with a special tip that forms a vortex and swirls away any residual dirt that has been left in the bottom part of the pores. At the same time, the hydrofacial deep cleans the face while infusing vitamins and antioxidants into the skin.

Finally, the last step of this special facial involves using liquid nitrogen on the skin, which is very cold and very soothing. This step of the process is meant to close off the pores and seal in those vitamins. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, an anti-microbial, and an anti-bacterial.

For more information on facials and laser hair removal, Stone recommends getting in contact with her spa to learn about all the options that are available.

According to Elizabeth Goldberg, MD, of Urban Dermatology, a practice that includes both medical and cosmetic dermatology in Soho, NYC, patients often aren’t aware of how effective lifestyle changes can be in controlling various skin conditions. Here, she explains some of the most common environmental  dangers to skin and how they can be managed.

Sun Exposure

The sun is the most obvious and significant environmental factor that affects skin’s health and beauty. The sun has long been known to cause skin cancers, some of which can even be deadly. But skin cancer isn’t the only risk associated with sun exposure. The sun can also speed the skin’s aging process, contributing to wrinkles, sagging, brown spots, broken capillaries and more.

Luckily, preventing the effects of prolonged sun exposure is fairly simple. Consistent, proper use of a high quality sunscreen on all exposed areas of the skin is the best way to ward off sun damage and keep skin healthy and youthful for as long as possible.

Wind and Humidity

The air around us can also contribute to a variety of skin conditions. Wind can cause dryness, as can the wintertime drop in humidity. In summer, particularly in New York City, Dr. Goldberg says, the inevitable humidity combined with airborne dust and dirt can cause acne breakouts and other problems.

Countering the effects of wind and humidity requires tailoring your daily routine to the season. For example, in winter, you should expect to use more moisturizer. In the summer, it becomes much more important to keep skin clean.

“While it seems simple, many of us just don’t think to change our normal routines,” says Dr. Goldberg. “When I work with my patients, I try to help them understand what they can do on a daily basis to prevent skin problems rather than just treat them later.”

Food and Drink

Food sensitivities can also be significant factors in the development and severity of certain skin conditions. There is evidence, for example, that dairy is involved in acne. Dr. Goldberg often advises her acne patients to moderate their dairy intake to see if the problem improves without resorting to medications.

Rosacea is another skin condition that can be triggered by certain foods and beverages. Red wine, for instance, is known to cause rosacea-related redness and pimples in many rosacea sufferers. Tomatoes and spicy foods can also be problematic for some rosacea patients.

Adjusting your food and beverage intake to improve or prevent skin conditions may involve a bit of trial and error. While there are some common culprits, everyone is different, and what works for one patient will not necessarily work for another. But, Dr. Goldberg says, it’s important not to overlook the role that food and drink can play in various skin conditions. “It’s just a matter of being aware,” she explains, “and being willing to look at making changes to see if things improve.”

As the staff nurse and co-owner of Young Medical Spa, a Pennsylvania facility offering everything from body sculpting and shaping to chemical peels and facials, Paula Young has seen her fair share of patients with dry skin. While she agrees that there are numerous options for treating dry skin, she also thinks it’s important to examine the factors that can commonly contribute to dry skin, including the following:

The environment, both indoors and out
Although excessively oily skin can quickly become unattractive, human skin needs a certain amount of oil to stay healthy. Unfortunately, numerous environmental factors work to strip the skin of these essential oils, thereby causing dryness. One of the most typical culprits is cold winter weather. When skin is exposed to the chilled air and wind, it can quickly dry out and become noticeably cracked. To combat this, those concerned with keeping their skin in good shape can apply moisturizer to protect their faces and make a habit of wearing gloves to shield their hands from the elements. Of course, the outdoor environment isn’t the only contributor to dry skin during the winter. When it’s cold outside, the average person will want to heat her home. Unfortunately, most heating systems are notorious for supplying households with dry heat, which can just as easily wreak havoc on the skin. While moisturizer and body lotions can certainly help, those whose indoor air is exceedingly dry can help themselves by using humidifiers to introduce moisture into their household environments.

Dehydration
Just as the body needs water in order to stay healthy, so too does the skin require hydration in order to remain vibrant. While some people may be good about drinking water, others will barely consume the equivalent of two out of the recommended eight glasses per day. Anyone looking to avoid dry skin should therefore make a habit of drinking more water and avoiding beverages that only work to dehydrate the body and dry out the skin. These common offenders include coffee, soda, and alcohol. Along these lines, smoking cigarettes can also bring about skin issues (not to mention breathing problems and cardiac troubles galore). Anyone who’s serious about protecting her skin should quit smoking or pledge not to take it up in the first place.

Sun exposure
Some people believe that their skin is somehow magically immune to the often harmful effects of the sun, and as such, tend to skimp on sunscreen or avoid it altogether. Not only can sun exposure cause the skin to burn, it can also cause it to dry out. Those looking to avoid the physical and social discomforts associated with dull, flaky skin should make certain to wear sunscreen all year — not just during the summer. These days, most moisturizers happen to contain built-in sunscreen, making it that much easier for folks to keep their skin in good shape.

Long, hot showers
Long, hot showers can feel good on many levels, but they can also cause the skin to dry out almost immediately. Just as cold winter weather and dry indoor climates can strip away the skin’s essential oils, so too can an extended showering session result in skin that is dry, flaky, and itchy to boot. Anyone who prefers to avoid this problem should consider foregoing a long, hot shower in favor of one that is shorter and lukewarm.

Improper skin care habits
Many people don’t realize how important it is to find the right products for their skin and use them in moderation. Something as simple as using the wrong type of soap can result in skin that is lifeless and dry. Additionally, cleansing and exfoliating far too often can all too easily damage the skin. Those looking to avoid such self-inflicted skin damage should consult with a skin care expert to learn how to choose the right products and practice the proper at-home habits. Sometimes, all it takes is a few minor adjustments to produce skin that is healthier on a whole.