Sunscreen vs Sunblock

By Lauren Krug, NYS Licensed Esthetician and Nail Specialty

Spring is finally upon us and summer will be just around the corner, at CNY Healing Arts in Latham NY, we want your skin to be prepared! The sun’s rays are more powerful then ever and its time to start protecting your skin from damage that can be caused by over exposure to the sun. As you are preparing for outside get togethers, walks in the park and days by the lake, attention must be paid to you and your family’s skin health. Now the big question: Sunscreen VS Sunblock? Is there a difference? Does it really matter? Truth be told, it does matter depending on what you’re looking for. Let’s break it down.

Sunscreen is the more commonly used of the two sun protection lotions. An easy way to remember what sunscreen does is to use the word “screen” from it. Sunscreen, just like a screen on a window or door, filters; letting some things in but keeping most things out. Therefore sunscreen allows some UV rays to reach your skin but deflects most. The SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, determines the amount of UV rays that reach your skin. The higher the SPF rating, the less UV rays reach your skin while the lower the SPF the more UV rays will reach your skin. Since sunscreen acts as a screen letting only some UV to reach the skin, a sunscreen lotion will allow some tanning of the skin while helping to prevent the skin from sunburn. Sunscreen lotions are less visible on the skin then sunblocks and most will protect against UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate our skin more deeply than UVB rays and have been known to contribute to skin aging, wrinkles and skin cancer. UVB rays affect our outer most layers of skin, causing reddening and sunburn we have after too many hours in the sun. Sunscreen must be applied every few hours because the ingredients in the lotion break down after extended exposure to sunlight. Please remember also to reapply sunscreen after going in the water or after excessive perspiration!

Sunblock is not as widely used as sunscreen mostly because of its thick opaque white consistency. Sunblock literally acts as a “block” for the sun’s UV rays, composed mostly of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Because of the thick texture of sunblock, most people do not use it all over their body. Infants and young children should always have this sun protection lotion applied to them since their skin is more sensitive than adults and will burn easier. People with more sensitive skin who tend to burn or freckle very easily should also use sunblock rather than sunscreen.

There is no clear winner over the battle between Sunscreen vs Sunblock. If you desire sun protection but would like to get tan during those nice summer days, sunscreen is your best bet. For those with children and sensitive skin, go with a sunblock for total protection from the sun’s harmful rays. With either one you choose, just be sure the bottle says “broad spectrum”, “multi spectrum” or “UVA and UVB protection”. Also the SPF rating should be 15 or above. This way you are getting the most out of your sun lotions, while protecting you and your family from all the damaging rays of the sun. Sunscreen and sunblock should be used on a daily basis regardless of the weather to help protect your skin from UV damage. After shopping for the proper sun protection, take a trip to CNY Healing Arts in Latham NY for more skin care advice and a personalized tour of our amazing spa!

By Lauren Krug
Licensed Esthetician
CNY Healing Arts, Albany NY
518.724.5750

How To Be TRUE To Yourself

By Lauren Krug, NYS Licensed Esthetician and Nail Specialty

At CNY Healing Arts Latham NY, our esthetics team strives to give our clients the very best options for all their skin care needs and concerns. But with so many skin care options out in the market these days, it has become difficult to know exactly what products will work best for you and your unique skin care needs. The reality is most people simply won’t take the time to research products and understand what ingredients work and what ingredients are actually bad for your skin! It has come to light that alot of commonly used skin care ingredients will actually harm your skin over time, some of these ingredients being mineral oil, fragrances, parabens and alcohols.

I have worked with dozens of skin care lines over the years and I have to say, TRUE skin care has managed to merge both a wellness experience and dermatological results. One of TRUE’s philosophies is every ingredient and every product counts. There are no fillers, no harsh fragrances and the light refreshing scent of the products comes from pure botanical oils to calm and soothe the skin. TRUE products address all skin types and conditions, as therapeutic essential oils will compliment a variety of different types of people.

TRUE consists of three core collections for skin types – Restoring for Dry, Balancing for Combination and Harmonizing for Oily. For specific skin conditions, there is Purifying for Acne and Comforting for Sensitive. The Anti-Aging Collection compliments all with clinically proven results featuring the powerful, multifunctional antioxidant Idebenone. Clinical studies show the Anti-Aging Collection delivers a 92% overall improvement in skin after 6 weeks of use. Idebenone is a breakthrough cosmeceutical and multifunctional antioxidant known for its powerful, anti-aging and skin brightening capabilities. By effectively neutralizing toxic free radicals, Idebenone reduces cellular oxidative stress to revitalize cells, visibly regenerating and strengthening skin from the inside out. What results is smoother, brighter and more youthful-looking skin.

During our classic European facial at CNY Healing Arts, Latham NY, you will be amazed by the relaxing treatment room and be lead through your facial experience with a fully customized treatment to your unique needs. We offer an upgrade to our European facial, the Personalized Experience facial. During this facial you will receive an enzyme peel which will gently exfoliate dead skin cells and leave your soft and luminous. The facial will include extractions, luxurious arm/hand and neck/shoulder massage.

Treat your skin to the very best we have to offer! Every facial will end with recommendations of products you can add to your current skin care regime. Let us at CNY Healing Arts be your stop for wellness based skin care and work with estheticians that truly love and believe in what they do!

By Lauren Krug
Licensed Esthetician
CNY Healing Arts, Albany NY
518.724.5750

Awaken Your Skin With a Fall Glow

Everyone’s skin reacts to the weather and change of seasons regardless of your skin type, and when cooler temperatures roll into town, it’s time to give your skin a little TLC! Your skin contends with a lot during the summer months: Heat and humidity churn out loads of oil, the sun leaves skin dull and sunscreen can clog pores. Fortunately, a great exfoliant can help! In keeping with the spirit of fall, a Pumpkin Peel Facial may be exactly what your skin needs to restore its radiance and keep a healthy glow. A Pumpkin Peel Facial is full of rejuvenating antioxidants to help combat damage your skin has endured over the summer months. The star of this facial is obviously the Pumpkin, which contains more than 100 beneficial nutrients, including high levels of Vitamins A and C, to help to reverse the signs of aging. Pumpkin’s natural properties stimulate skin circulation, fights free radical damage, and provides nourishment for sun-damaged, dry and weathered skin. Read more