Dr. Trevor Cates

Repair Sun Damage Naturally

July 27, 2021 by Dr. Trevor Cates Leave a Comment

Sun Damage

About 1 out of 3 Americans have reported experiencing a sunburn each year, making it a common occurrence. Are you recovering from a recent sunburn or skin damage caused by the long-term effects of overexposure to the sun?

Here are short and long term tips to naturally repair and reverse sun damage:

Symptoms of Too Much Sun

Most of the time, overexposure to the sun and the damage we experience is invisible, with sunburns being an obvious exception. While signs of sunburn include redness and painful skin, severe sunburn or even sun poisoning symptoms can include blistering, swelling, a fever, dehydration, tingling, headache, nausea, and chills. If you experience any of those symptoms, you should consult a doctor.

Get Immediate Soothing Relief

Cool Down

Take a cool shower or bath to help soothe your skin, and cool your internal temperature. If you’re unable to take a shower immediately, use a cool, wet cloth or ice compress on the sunburned areas to provide some relief from pulsing heat, reduce inflammation, and relieve the pain. Cool the skin frequently over the first few days until the redness, pain, and swelling subside.

Get Extra Rest

Take it easy and get some extra sleep. Sleep is restorative and provides time for the body to do repairs and manage the damage and inflammation caused by the damage. Sleep and relaxation will aid your body’s ability to heal itself.

Hydrate

Sunburns damage the body’s ability to maintain a healthy barrier protection, which can draw moisture away from your skin. Drink plenty of fluids to replenish electrolytes and water lost. Staying well hydrated will create the ideal environment for your body to start the healing process.

Oatmeal Soak

Take time for a full-body skin replenishment by soaking in an oatmeal bath. If your skin is dry and hot, I recommend taking an oatmeal bath. For a large area of sunburn, an oatmeal bath can feel like a lifesaver. It helps reduce the urge to itch, is anti-inflammatory, and is very soothing for irritated skin. Just add 1 to 2 cups of organic, whole raw oats.

Aloe Vera

Pure aloe vera gel (with no additives) has anti-inflammatory and healing properties to soothe skin. If you have a plant at home, you can cut a piece of the aloe vera fresh, squeeze it, and rub it onto your skin directly.
The Spa Dr.® Daily Essentials 4-step skin care system is a rich source of aloe.

Rejuvenated Sun Damaged Skin

Topical Anti-Oxidants

Avoid excessive peeling and support UV repair with a gentle, clean, and non-toxic plant-based oil. The Spa Dr.® Daily Essentials Step 4 – ENHANCE: Glow Boost can nourish skin and support this repair process. Avoid synthetic oils with mineral oil or are petroleum-based products that may have trace contaminants and lack rejuvenating antioxidants. Look for natural oil ingredients such as argan oil, pomegranate seed oil, raspberry seed oil, and almond oil, nourishing and moisturizing the skin.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating your skin will help reveal newer and younger skin underneath. Using an exfoliant with skin-nourishing ingredients will support healthy skin cell turn-over and address hyperpigmented skin to lighten sun-damaged dark spots.

Vitamin C

Getting your vitamin C fix is crucial because it is vital for collagen synthesis. Some research shows it can help reverse UV damage to the skin. While vitamin C isn’t a sunscreen (it doesn’t absorb the sun’s UVA or UVB rays), its antioxidant feature helps combat the effects of free radicals and protect the skin.

PRP Facials & Microneedling

The PRP micro-needling procedure uses platelet-rich plasma to address the signs of sun damage and rejuvenate the skin. Microneedling
promotes new collagen and elastin, having a tightening effect on the skin, and PRP provides the additional benefit of cell regeneration triggered by the platelets. You may also see benefits like a reduction in loose skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots caused by normal aging and sun damage.

Natural Skin Care

You don’t have to accept damaged aging skin as a preordained fact of life. Use natural skin care products to aid the body’s ability to protect and repair skin with nutrients to combat signs of aging and support youthful, healthy-looking skin, no matter what your age. The Spa Dr.® takes natural beauty and ingredients seriously. We’re committed to providing the best skin care products for a pure and natural approach to radiant, healthy skin.

The Spa Dr.® Approach

At The Spa Dr.®, our approach is to help shine the light on skin care information and offer our guidance to nurture your skin care journey. We believe we provide information that will help support your self-care and healing, and we want you to feel safe and cared for within our community!
The Spa Dr.® offers natural skin care products safe and free from chemicals and toxins that can harm your skin and health. Our products are formulated to contain key nutrients in their pure and active form to provide optimal results. In addition, our products are pH balanced towards mild acidity to promote and protect a healthy skin microbiome.

If you are not already part of The Spa Dr. community, please join us at TheSpaDr.com and on social media.
Share this article with your friends and spread the word to promote natural beauty!

How To Look Good Without Makeup

July 20, 2021 by Dr. Trevor Cates Leave a Comment

10 Easy Steps… How To Look Good Without Makeup

Makeup can come in handy when you want to cover up flaws or play-up assets like your eyes or lips. But you don’t always have time to do a full face, or you might not like the heavy way that it feels on your skin. If you concentrate on your skin care, you don’t need makeup to look good. That’s because a proper skin-care routine can give your clear, glowing skin without a drop of foundation or concealer. It just takes the steps.

Keep Skin Fresh

When you don’t use foundation or concealer to make your skin look more even or bright, exfoliating regularly to remove dead cells to help get rid of dullness, dark spots, clogged pores, and acne are key. Our Pearl & Rose Petal Facial Exfoliant is a luxurious and natural way to reveal fresh young skin and leave your skin feeling smoother and more radiant looking. The powerful vitamin content of resveratrol and red beet extract boosts wrinkle-fighting antioxidant levels, while pure freshwater cultured pearls effectively remove surface build-up.

Stay Hydrated

Without foundation to give your skin a healthy glow, moisturizer is a must. It hydrates the skin so it looks plumper and healthier, even when you aren’t wearing a stitch of makeup. If you have oily skin, opt for a lightweight organic gel or lotion formula that doesn’t contain oil to prevent clogged pores and acne. For dry skin, look for something richer. To get a dewy look, choose an organic natural or homemade moisturizer with light-reflecting properties so your skin glows even without a highlighter, bronzer, or blush.

Protect Your Skin

If you don’t want to wear foundation, concealer, or powder, try to prevent damage that you would want to hide like age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. The sun is the prime culprit in that type of damage, so wearing sunscreen every day even in winter is crucial. Use a zinc oxide-based sunscreen or facial moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15 and broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays to help prevent sun damage. Apply your sunscreen liberally at least 30 minutes before you plan to head outdoors. Don’t forget a natural lip balm with SPF to protect your lips as well.

What remedy is best for your skin type?

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Groom Your Brows

Without eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara to add definition, your eyes may need a little extra help standing out. Take the time to groom your eyebrows to help frame your face for a more attractive look. Hold a makeup brush vertically against the bridge of your nose, and angle it toward the inner corner of your eye to figure out where your brow should begin, using tweezers to remove any hair that falls outside the area. Next, figure out where your arch should be by lining up the brush with the outside edge of your iris. This should be the highest point of the arch, so pluck any stray hair. Step back from the mirror, and make sure that your brows look even, tweezing any necessary hair for a neat, groomed look.

Groom your Lips

There is no need to use lipsticks or lip stains to change the color of your lips because, in the end, your natural lip color will always suit you best. The only thing that you have to do is bring out that color. In order to do that you should exfoliate your lips every week to get rid of the dead skin and moisturize them so they become soft and plush. There is no need for fancy cosmetic products; all you need is a toothbrush to lightly rub your lips with and any natural or homemade lip balm of your choice.

Nutrition & Sleep

To help your skin look beautiful without any makeup, feed it properly, with lots of water and vitamins. Also, ensure that you get enough sleep and don’t overdo the alcoholic drinks. Think how you look in the mirror the morning after! Taking care of yourself and your body is one of the most essential ways to look beautiful without makeup.

Get Rid of Toxins

What is a better way to take care of your body, skin, and health than by taking care of yourself on the inside? After all, your appearance is the reflection of your internal health and if you want to feel confident about yourself without hiding behind makeup, you should lead a healthy lifestyle. Part of a healthy lifestyle is exercise and a good diet. Both of these things will help you get rid of toxins, and emphasize your natural beauty!

Confidence

If you feel that you look terrible without your makeup, then your lack of confidence in your appearance will show. Believe that you look beautiful without makeup, and others will believe it as well. Many of the ways to look beautiful without makeup have to do with how you feel about yourself, and this is just one of them.

Smile

A genuine smile really does make anyone look great. People will notice your smile rather than any ‘flaws’ and they certainly won’t notice that you’re makeup-free. Avoid a forced grin, as that won’t look all-natural, but let your smile reach your eyes.

Nonchalance

We all have days when we want to disguise dull skin or spots but beware of using makeup to hide behind. So what if you don’t have flawless skin? I can guarantee that the only person who sees your skin ‘problems’ is you. Just don’t worry about it; there really are more important things to think about! One of the best ways to look beautiful without makeup is to have confidence in yourself.

The Spa Dr.® Approach

At The Spa Dr.®, our approach is to help shine the light on skin care information and offer guidance to nurture your skin care journey. We believe the information we provide will help support your self-care and healing, and we want you to feel safe and cared for within our community!

The Spa Dr.® offers natural skin care products that are safe and free from chemicals and toxins, which disrupt hormones. Our products are formulated to contain key nutrients in their pure and active form to provide optimal results. In addition, our products are pH balanced towards mild acidity to promote a healthy skin microbiome.

If you are not already part of The Spa Dr. community, please join us at TheSpaDr.com and on social media.

Feel free to share this article with your friends and spread the word to promote natural beauty.

Take care of your skin with only the best. Order The Spa Dr.® Daily Essentials 4-step skin care system here!

Sun Exposure: Finding a Healthy Balance

July 13, 2021 by Dr. Trevor Cates Leave a Comment

Summer Bliss

If you are like most people, the bliss of summer comes from enjoying your favorite outdoor activities, absorbing some golden rays, and taking time to relax on those lazy lingering days. The warm summer sun is a much-needed elixir for our soul. It can enhance our mood and boost our vitamin D levels, protecting us against various diseases.

The sun can also cause oxidative damage, predisposing us to accelerated aging and skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and its main cause is from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.

Even with the health risks associated with UV rays, we don’t want to let that overshadow the tremendous health benefits we receive from the sun. Finding a healthy balance to maximize the reward of the sun’s golden rays while minimizing the risks associated with overexposure is the key.

So, let’s dive into the factors that determine what the “right” amount of exposure is, the benefits we receive from the sun, and some tips to help find a healthy balance between the risks and benefits:

Safe Sun Exposure

The amount of sun that is safe for each person is very individual. As a good rule, direct sun exposure should be kept at a minimum—about 5 to 30 minutes’ exposure to arms and legs twice per week. But, multiple factors influence your Goldilocks zone…just the “right” amount of time in the sun.

Factors that can increase or decrease the amount of time you can safely be in direct sunlight include:

Pigment

Melanin is the protective pigment in the skin that helps block UV ray absorption. More melanin means more protection from UV radiation, but it doesn’t mean people with dark skin tones can’t get skin cancer, so protecting your skin is still important.

Age

As we age, our skin changes and our defenses weaken. Skin loses collagen, fat, and water content to become thinner and more penetrable by UV radiation. Additionally, the body’s ability to repair DNA damage diminishes, leaving us more vulnerable.

Geographic Location

November to February, anything North of the 37th parallel (In the US, draw a line between San Francisco, Ca and Richmond, Va) will have an average UV index between 0-1. A low UV index means lower exposure, and the average time it takes to cause skin damage can be up to 60 minutes.

Smog

Living in a city with high smog levels will reduce your UV exposure. The reaction between heat, UV light waves, and smog minimizes the amount of UV radiation that can reach the surface.

Medications

Certain medications such as Retin-A, antibiotics, antihistamines, pain relievers, and medications to manage cholesterol or diabetes can cause photosensitivity. This sensitivity can be due to phototoxic medicines, which will react and damage the skin when exposed to UV light.

Health Conditions

Some diseases (such as Lupus) can increase your skin’s sensitivity to light. UV-Sensitive syndrome can result from DNA mutations, and Solar Urticaria or sun allergies occur when the immune system is activated and reacts when exposed to UV rays.

Benefits of Sun Exposure

The sun sometimes gets a bad rap – but it is not all bad! There are tremendously beneficial effects to enjoying a sunny day. Just make sure to enjoy it safely. Here are some of the excellent health benefits the sun offers us:

VITAMIN D

Sun exposure is a great way to get your fix of vitamin D—a nutrient and hormone in which most Americans are low. Research shows very little exposure is needed to get the right amount of absorption. In fact, simply standing outside for 30 minutes, twice a week, with your arms and legs exposed in the sun can usually provide your body with the recommended intake of Vitamin D. The simplest way to know if your levels are low is to ask your doctor to run a 25-OH Vitamin D test.

Mental Health

The light and warmth generated by the sun release endorphins and enhance our overall feeling of well-being. Low levels of Vitamin D can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder, resulting in depression during different seasons when access to sunlight is reduced. Sun exposure has been shown to decrease these effects and lift the mood. Sunlight increases the brain’s release of serotonin, which can boost our mood and bring a feeling of calmness and focus.

Immune Support

A healthy immune system can help reduce your risk of infections, some cancers, and diseases. Vitamin D is critical in immune health, so getting a good dose of sunlight may be just what the doctor orders to help keep your system strong and healthy. The field of photoimmunology has also studied the energizing effect of the sun to help during infection by activating T-cells, which play a central role in human immunity.

Improves Sleep

The body starts producing melatonin when it’s dark, so you will typically begin to feel its effects about two hours after sunset. Regular exposure to sunlight helps regulate our circadian rhythm, which is the signaling pathway that lets your body know when to decrease or increase the level of melatonin. According to research, giving your body signals about when the day begins with exposure to morning light has been shown to help people sleep better.

Reduces Stress

Besides helping you sleep better, melatonin has a relaxing effect that can be a great stress reliever. The sun’s rays can increase your endorphins and help regulate your circadian rhythm to get enough melatonin. Add in a morning walk outside, and the moderate activity will provide the bonus of helping to amplify the stress-relieving benefits you’ll receive.

Strong Bones

In children, Vitamin D deficiency can lead to soft and weak bones, stunted growth, and possibly lead to skeletal deformities. In older adults, the kidneys cannot convert vitamin D to the active form, increasing the risk of deficiencies—causing brittle, weak bones or possibly leading to osteoporosis. Vitamin D produced by sun exposure and supplementation plays a vital role in forming and maintaining strong, healthy bones.

Cancer Prevention

Excessive sun exposure and damage contribute to skin cancers, but a healthy dose of the sun’s rays can help prevent specific cancers. Research has shown that those who live in places with shorter daylight hours are at higher risk for certain cancers. In contrast, getting a healthy dose of sunlight has the opposite effect, by having a protective quality against cancers, such as colon cancer.

Finding a Healthy Balance

Being in the sun makes us feel good—and can be good for our health in small doses. Finding a healthy balance will help minimize our risks while maximizing our benefits from the sun.

It’s easier than you might think to enjoy the sun safely. These tips will help ensure you get some summer bliss without fear of significant consequences:

Don’t Be Fooled By Clouds

There can be a false sense of security on a cloudy day. While the clouds may reduce some of the sun’s UV rays, they don’t eliminate them. Remember, it’s the UV rays that cause skin damage—not the temperature.

Dress To Protect

Wear long sleeves and pants when possible. There are many excellent UPF tech clothing options made with cooling and lightweight fabrics. Also, rash guards are a great way to minimize exposure while enjoying the beach.

Cover Up

A wide-brimmed hat gives your head and face some added protection. The most common places for skin cancer are on the face and scalp. And don’t forget about your eyes! Wear UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyesight. Ocular melanoma is the most common eye cancer.

Travel Safe

Protect yourself against the UVA exposure that comes through airplane windows. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and cause wrinkles and age spots (photoaging). Also, not all back seat windows in vehicles have UV protection, so be mindful and take necessary precautions when traveling.

Avoid The Danger Zone

Stay out of the sun between 10 am – 4 pm. The UV rays are most intense at noontime when the sun is directly above us. This is when the rays have the least distance to travel. The UV index in noonday can reach extreme levels at 11+ and cause skin damage within minutes, so take extra precautions if you plan to be outside during these hours.

Use Safe Sunscreen

The last thing you want is to choose a sunscreen that puts you at more health risks with carcinogenic chemicals and endocrine-disrupting. Choose a good mineral sunscreen that will provide safe and natural sun protection. Also, don’t forget to reapply! Sunscreen can protect your skin for up to 2 hours, but if you are sweating or going swimming, plan to reapply every 30 minutes.

Find Shade

An indispensable defense is a shade. There’s no better way to enjoy the warmth of the sun in your backyard than with an umbrella or sail shielding most of the UV rays. But, no shade can completely shield you from indirect exposure. The sun’s rays can reflect off light-colored surfaces and bounce under the shade. Reflected UV radiation is still dangerous, so take precautions.

Share With Others

Okay, this isn’t a direct precaution to protect your health, but it is vital to protecting our loved ones and society. After all, skin cancer IS the most common cancer in the United States. So, share your sun-safe knowledge and habits with others, especially children! It only takes a single blistering sunburn to increase a person’s risk of skin cancer.

Vitamin D Sources

Vitamin D is fat-soluble that has several essential functions in the body, including immune health. But its most vital role is probably the regulation of calcium and phosphorus absorption to maintain healthy bones.

This “sunshine vitamin” is produced naturally in the skin in response to exposure to sunlight. 5 to 30 minutes’ exposure to arms and legs twice per week (without sunscreen) will help produce vitamin D3. I recommend wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a mineral-based sunblock on your face any time you’re in the sun.

The best way to ensure you get your recommended intake of Vitamin D is through foods and supplements like these:

Cod liver oil: 1 tsp has 400-1,000 international units (IU)
Egg yolk: 1 egg has 30 IU
Shiitake mushrooms (sun-dried): 3.5 oz has 1,600 IU
Wild, fresh salmon: 3.5 ounces has 600 to 1,000 IU
Tuna: Canned light tuna has 268 IU
Supplements: The Spa Dr.® Skin, Hair & Nails Support has 2000 IU
Fortified Foods: Many food items like cereals, milk, orange juice, and oatmeal are fortified with Vitamin D to help improve nutrition.

Yes, the sun’s rays are potent, and overexposure can bring some high risks to our health. But, don’t let those risks scare you away from reaping the benefits. Take precautions to protect your skin and health. Then go—enjoy those warm golden rays and find your summer bliss in nature.

The Spa Dr.® Approach

Share this article with your friends and spread the word to promote natural beauty!

5 Natural Non-Toxic Alternatives to Botox

June 29, 2021 by Dr. Trevor Cates 5 Comments

Natural Alternatives To Botox

Botox and fillers are all the rage these days. They can allow people to achieve a younger, more vibrant look with little effort or cost. But like any medical procedure or drug, they come with their own set of risks. If you want to use a natural approach to restore your skin without injecting toxins and fillers, there are some natural, non-toxic alternatives to Botox you can try.

The Source of Botox

Botox’s official name is botulinum toxin from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin is one of the most potent neurotoxin biological substances known today. Every year, foodborne cases caused by Clostridium botulinum pop-up in the news. These cases are typically traced back to home-canned foods (a concentration of 10% salt can prevent the growth of botulism spores in canning) or commercially processed vegetables.

Botulism attacks nerves in the body and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death. The treatment for botulism is the drug antitoxin. Antitoxin cannot reverse the damage caused by the toxin, but it can prevent it from doing any further harm to the body.

Botox Injections

Botox is a protein made from the Botulinum toxin, which comes from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. While the vast majority of the beauty and medical community have adopted Botox as a safe treatment, there are many known short-term adverse effects like blurred vision, urinary retention, breathing difficulties, itching, dizziness, and anaphylaxis. A drug review suggested that serious adverse events may appear after the 10th or 11th injection, indicating more research is needed to understand the potential long-term effects of Botox use.

In addition to the possible adverse effects from the toxin, there is still practitioner error. Some people end up with eyelids drooping, uneven smiles, drooling, and other signs that their facial muscles are not quite working right for weeks to months. Some experts believe Botox can make your muscles more vulnerable (than natural aging) to sagging skin. This may be attributed to Botox freezing and weakening your muscle.

Holistic Approach

Enjoying healthy, glowing, youthful-looking skin starts from the inside out. From the foods we eat to the liquids we drink and the skin care we use – our exposure to various levels of toxins directly correlates to our level of health and the youthfulness of our skin. If you want to age gracefully, then take care of your whole body from the inside out.

Choose a natural approach to care for your overall health and vitality. The choice is up to you, but in the two weeks it takes for Botox to kick in, you could instead be on your way to smoother, more youthful-looking skin without the toxins. Here are 5 natural alternatives to Botox that can help you keep your skin looking smooth and youthful for years to come:

5 Natural Botox Alternatives

1. Protect with Sunscreen

Many people use Botox to smooth wrinkles on their faces. So, be diligent about protecting your skin from sun damage. Always wear sun protection when you will be out in the sun. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, non-toxic mineral sunscreen, and stay out of direct sunlight. UV rays are the strongest between 10am and 4pm, so take extra care during these hours. Participating in outdoor activities is good for your body and soul, so enjoy those activities – just be sure to play safe with good sun protection!

2. Hydrate with Water

Because our bodies are composed of mostly water, it’s essential to keep our cells and skin hydrated to maintain optimal function and detoxification. Just be sure you’re hydrating with the best liquid – water! No sugary sodas or juices that are full of sugar and chemicals. Drinking plenty of water keeps your body and skin hydrated so your skin stays both smooth and clean. The Spa Dr.® True Hydration Drops is a highly concentrated electrolyte blend to support rapid nutrient replenishment to optimize your hydration.

3. Avoid Age Accelerators

Stay away from age-accelerating habits. Avoid smoking, excessive alcohol, drug use, processed foods, sugar, and carcinogens. Instead, start to make age-defying lifestyle choices to slow the signs of aging. Eat nutrient-rich foods, exercise regularly, get some beauty sleep, manage your stress levels, and have a good skincare routine. Healthy habits will directly impact your physical and emotional health, which will positively affect your skin’s appearance.

4. Anti-Aging Foods and Nutrients

The beauty industry wants you to believe that glowing skin is only skin deep. All you need is their product or injection to look young and beautiful. But the truth is that the foods you eat have a tremendous impact on the health of your skin. Here are some of my favorite foods and nutrients to slow the signs of aging:

AHA’s: Almost every skin care product boasts that it contains AHAs. Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) is an umbrella term for a variety of fruit acids including glycolic, citric, lactic, malic, and tartaric acids. One of the BEST and EASIEST ways to get these hyaluronic acids to work is from the inside out, when you eat organic produce. A fruit mask is one ideal way to benefit from AHA with no side effects.

Lemons: Try adding fresh lemon to water or herbal teas. Lemons are low in sugar and full of collagen-enhancing vitamin-C.

Apples: They are great for people on the go. You can store them just about anywhere without having to worry about temperature. These are full of fiber and vitamin-C.

Papaya: They are one of the best fruits for the skin. Papaya acts as a natural, plant-based alternative to chemical exfoliants. The AHAs (alpha hydroxyl acids) act to break down proteins and dissolve the dead skin cells.

Berries: Berries are full of antioxidants these tasty treats help reverse age-enhancing oxidative damage.

Greens: The next time you are prepping your leafy greens, especially Kale and Spinach, save the juice! You can create a concoction that can have a smoothing effect on your skin. Spinach and kale are specifically rich in chlorophyll, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that will leave your skin glowing.

Bone Broth and/or Gelatin: If you’re vegetarian, you’ll want to skip this one, but these are full of collagen, which helps keep the skin soft, subtle, and more resilient to the aging process.

5. Age-defying Natural Skincare Ingredients

Be sure to look for natural skin care products that contain natural, safe, and effective ingredients. Ingredients that are free from hormone-disrupting chemicals or toxins, and will be pH balancing to promote a healthy skin microbiome. Here are some age-defying ingredients to look for in good skin care or DIY recipes:

Cranberry Seed: What’s exciting about cranberry seed oil is that it has the perfect ratio to omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which means that this oil will absorb amazingly into your skin, giving your skin greater hydration. Your skin will benefit from the flurry of antioxidants contained in this oil, including vitamin E.

Raspberry Seed: This oil is jam-packed with skin-loving goodies. It is one of nature’s natural SPFs. Raspberry seed is rich in antioxidants and superior anti-inflammatory properties.

Virgin Sea Buckthorn: Encourage cell turnover and increase your skin’s collagen levels with this amazing oil. The high concentration of the “rare” omega 7 concentration in this oil intensely moisturizes and improves and helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

Manuka Honey Extract: It’s not just good to eat! This well-documented extract makes it one of the most biologically active and beneficial honey for the skin. It’s perfect for enhancing your skin’s renewal process.

Camelina Oil: The nourishing and protective properties of this skin oil reduce the signs of skin aging and improve skin elasticity. This light ingredient contains vitamin E and omega 3 to effectively improve fine lines and wrinkles without the need for needles!

If you’re really looking to replace Botox, here’s the natural skincare ingredient that creates immediate results:

Pullulan – This polysaccharide is produced by the fungus Aureobasidium pullulan. Pullulan is an ingredient specifically in anti-aging products because of its ability to provide an instant skin-tightening effect as it adheres to the skin. It can quickly form a sheer film that improves skin’s texture and appearance. It is temporary and will wash off when you cleanse your skin, but it is a great, natural, non-toxic alternative to Botox. (Botox doesn’t even work that quickly!)

Are you excited about these natural skincare ingredients? I know I am! These ingredients, along with a plethora of other amazing ingredients, are featured in The Spa Dr.® natural, non-toxic skincare line, available here.

The Spa Dr.® Approach

If you are not already part of The Spa Dr. community, please join us at TheSpaDr.com and on social media.

Feel free to share this article with your friends and spread the word to promote natural beauty.

Common Skincare Beauty Myths Busted—PART I

May 11, 2021 by Dr. Trevor Cates Leave a Comment

Common Skincare Beauty Myths – PART 1

Beauty myths have existed throughout time—from the beliefs that arsenic could lighten skin and belladonna could dilate pupils, to the bizarre notion that the warm urine of young boys could smooth wrinkles. Today, it’s clear how ludicrous and potentially dangerous these ideas were. But comparatively, many of the beauty practices used today are just as unscientific and irresponsible. Which of our current beauty practices will we look back on in a few decades and cringe about?

In part 1 of this 2 part series, I’ll cover 8 of the most popular beauty myths I’ve collected from beauty experts, The Spa Dr.® followers, and my patients. Let’s burst the beauty myth bubble once and for all!!

Beauty Secrets That Are Really Beauty Killers

Over the years, I have encountered several myths and misconceptions about skin care that are detrimental to beautiful skin. It’s time to clear the air and put these beauty myths and urban legends to rest.

In part 1 of this 2 part series I’ll cover 8 of the most popular beauty myths I’ve collected from beauty experts, The Spa Dr.® followers, and my patients. Let’s burst the beauty myth bubble once and for all!

Here Are The First 8 Skincare Beauty Myths To Bust:

MYTH #1. Skin Gets “Used To” Products – So You Need To Switch Them Up

The simple answer is NO — over time, your skin doesn’t build up an immunity to skin care products. What does change is your skin needs. For example, the weather, your bathing habits, dehydration, poor diet, hormone imbalance, and using harsh endocrine-disrupting soaps and detergents can all play a role in triggering skin issues. It may be tempting to blame your skin care. But this would be a mistake if you already use a high-quality natural, safe, and effective skin care system. In fact, switching up your skin care may even have the opposite effect and slow your progress to achieving glowing skin.

Whether your skin easily breaks out, is uneven, sensitive, inflamed, showing signs of aging, dull or dry — start paying attention to the messages your skin is sending. Beautiful skin starts from the inside out, so instead, make sure you are well hydrated; focus on nutrition and incorporate more Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet; use a gentle cleanser that is pH balanced and won’t harm the skin’s microbiome; slather on a nutrient-rich antioxidant serum to protect against free radical damage.

MYTH #2. Washing Your Face More Can Help Reduce Breakouts

Trying to get that ‘squeaky clean’ feeling is terrible for your skin. It means you’ve washed away not only all the dirt but also all of the natural protection too. In fact, washing your face more often may produce the opposite results — like more breakouts and skin issues.

Instead, be consistent with washing your face twice a day and use a gentle and soothing pH-balanced cleanser free of toxins. One that can remove sweat, dirt, debris, and pollution from your skin without disrupting your skin’s barrier protection—like The Spa Dr® CLEAN Body Wash. Your goal should be to cleanse the skin and decrease harmful bacteria on its surface without stripping all the good bacteria and protective natural oils in the process.

MYTH #3. Lip Balm Dries Out Your Lips

Lip balms or lip hydrators contain waxes or emollients that create a barrier to seal in hydration to the lips. This barrier helps protect against weather, sun, and pollutants that can cause chapped lips. It is practically impossible for lip balm to be the cause of dry lips. And there is no good evidence that lip balms are chemically addictive to the lips.

So, it turns out lip balm addiction isn’t a thing. Unless, of course, you are using a lip balm or chapstick that contains harmful ingredients that can dry out your skin. For help finding safe skin care, Download a FREE Skin Care Ingredient Shopping Guide Now! It includes the top best ingredients to look for and the top worst ingredients to avoid.

MYTH #4. Putting Vaseline On Your Face Gets Rid Of Wrinkles

Vaseline or petroleum jelly contains mineral oil. Mineral oil is derived from crude oil, and there are some concerns about its safety. Because the refining process may not remove all the harmful impurities such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogenic.

Additionally, petroleum jelly can create the illusion of moisturized, hydrated skin — all the while suffocating, clogging, and hindering your skin, and causing skin issues. The result of using petroleum products that potentially exposes your skin needlessly to carcinogens could be the cause of fine lines and wrinkles, not the cure. To be safe, avoid mineral oils and petroleum products altogether.

MYTH #5. You Don’t Need To Use Anti-Aging Products Until You’re Older

It’s never too early to start taking care of your skin and counteracting the visible signs of aging. Properly caring for your skin is analogous to caring for your health. You wouldn’t wait to start eating healthy or exercising until you turn 50 to maintain and enjoy good health.

Your skin will benefit at any age from skin care products that contain natural and organic ingredients that promote ageless beauty and a youthful glow.

It’s also never too early to protect your skin (and health) from the sun’s damaging UVB, UVA, and IR rays. Use a mineral-based sunscreen to protect against oxidative damage directly to the skin caused by UVB and UVA rays, and take antioxidant-rich supplements to protect against internal free radical cell damage caused by IR rays. Both oxidative and free radical damage will cause inflammation, collagen breakdown, DNA damage, and pigmentation changes that contribute to premature aging of the skin.

MYTH #6. Steam And Hot Water Open Your Pores

Most people believe using steam, and hot water to wash your face will help because it ‘opens your pores.’ Your pores aren’t muscle – they can’t open and contract regardless of water temperature. And there is nothing that can physically ‘make’ the pores smaller or bigger.

However, warm water can make the skin structure more pliable and help loosen residue, debris, oil, and dirt in the pores. Not too hot, though — hot water can break down proteins and damage the skin’s barrier protection, leading to breakouts, eczema, and dry, irritated skin. Using warm water combined with a gentle cleanser and exfoliating sponge will safely clear pores for clean, silky smooth skin.

MYTH #7. “Natural” Means It’s Good For You

The lack of regulation in the skincare industry combines with an increase in customer demand for natural skincare has left the door open for many mainstream companies to misrepresent their products as “natural” or “clean.”

Many consumers rely on advertising and labels to help them choose products they believe to be safe and healthy. Unfortunately, many companies exploit this and knowing mislead consumers with terms like “natural.” When in fact, their products contain fragrances and ingredients linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive harm.

Choose pure and natural skin care, like The Spa Dr. ®’s Daily Essential system, which is EWG VERIFIED™. This indicates the products meet the Environmental Working Group’s strict standards for transparency and health.

MYTH #8. You Should Exfoliate Your Skin Daily

Over-exfoliating daily may strip the skin of its barrier protection and physically damage skin cells—leaving it chronically irritated, inflamed, and hypersensitive. This damage can lead to more breakouts, skin issues, and accelerated aging.

While we all enjoy the radiant look that younger skin cells provide— once or twice a week is typically enough to help slough off dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores. Your exfoliation schedule will depend on your skin type.

When exfoliating, use very little pressure. Also, minimize friction by applying water or a cleanser as a light lubricant. It should feel good both during and after the treatment. Also, use a gentle exfoliant, like The Spa Dr.® Pearl and Rose Exfoliant, to do the job while preserving your skin’s protective barrier qualities.

The Spa Dr.® Approach

Morals and fears won’t keep women from wanting to look younger. And why should they settle for a less-than-ideal look? The good news is this goal can be accomplished naturally and without exposure to possible health harms lurking in many foundation bottles, eyeshadow palettes, and the like. We need to stop looking for hope in a jar and turn our focus to address the issues from the inside-out.

The Spa Dr.® offers natural skin care products that are safe and free from chemicals and toxins that can harm your skin and health. Our products are formulated to contain key nutrients in their pure and active form in order to provide optimal results. In addition, our products are pH balanced towards mild acidity to promote and protect a healthy skin microbiome.

If you are not already part of The Spa Dr. community, please join us at TheSpaDr.com and on social media.

Share this article with your friends and spread the word to promote natural beauty!

15 Tips For Aging Gracefully And Naturally

April 27, 2021 by Dr. Trevor Cates Leave a Comment

Aging Gracefully

Skin aging is the loss of elastin and collagen in the skin, which causes the skin to show signs of wrinkles and sagging skin. The rate of this aging process can differ from person to person and also depend heavily on various factors – including genetics, lifestyle, stressors, and sun exposure, to name a few. So, it is no surprise that when it comes to our skin care goals, “aging gracefully” ranks near the top of the list for most of us.

In our pursuit to maintain a youthful, glowing complexion and prevent premature skin aging, we’re willing to do practically anything — that is safe and natural, of course. Thankfully, you don’t have to resort to going under the knife or using botox to get amazing results. There are some simple yet effective ways to slow the aging process and prevent premature damage to your skin — so you can age youthfully!

Whether you are 16 or 61, aging gracefully and maintaining beautiful skin doesn’t happen by chance; it takes effort. There is no single magic bullet, but here are 15 natural tips to support aging well with beautiful skin to help ensure you are the best version of yourself at any age!

1. Stay Hydrated

Water alone isn’t the fountain of youth, but it can work magic on your skin. Water flushes out toxins for a clear complexion; helps the skin maintain elasticity and moisture levels for a supple, plump look; and supports a healthy pH in the body to help maintain balance. The amount of water you should drink depends on factors like activity level, environment, and weight. Aim to drink between 3-4 Liters per day or more, depending on your individual needs. And be sure to add electrolytes to your water for balance and replenishment.

2. Protect With Mineral Sunscreen

Natural mineral sunscreen is a physical barrier, so as soon as you apply the sunscreen, it starts to protect your skin. For best results, apply each morning (and year-round) as the final step of your skin care routine (before applying makeup) to protect against UV & UVB rays. These rays are the primary culprit of color and texture changed to the skin, resulting in signs of premature aging. Choose a natural broad spectrum mineral sunscreen, such as this one, that goes on smoothly and protects — but won’t soak in and be endocrine-disrupting.

3. Choose Natural Skin Care Products

Do your skin and health a favor — avoid the many products on the market laden with harsh and toxic ingredients. These products will speed up the aging process and wreak havoc on your health and the environment. Instead, choose skin care products that are natural, safe, and gentle yet effective. The best skin care products are made with only natural and safe ingredients.

4. Eat Super Foods

The foods you eat have a tremendous impact on your overall health — including your skin. Eat a diet packed with the best foods for the skin, including those foods that will best support aging gracefully. These ‘superfoods’ are loaded with antioxidants, healthy fats, water, and many essential nutrients. These nutrient-dense powerhouses can help to replenish, protect, and strengthen the body and skin for optimal aging youthfully.

5. Supplement Your Collagen

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body—and your skin. As we age, our production of collagen slows, and our body’s reserves are depleted. So, supplementing is vital to support healthy connective tissue and skin. Choose a supplement like The Spa Dr.® Collagen Plus formulated with collagen peptides and other nutrients that help support collagen. The peptides makeup the basic building blocks of collagen. So, your body can use peptides to produce more collagen and support the skin’s cellular renewal process to promote healthy, glowing, firm skin.

6. Use Adaptogenic Herbs

Adaptogenic herbs can help support and protect the body from physical and emotional stressors. They are packed with powerful nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and prebiotics that support aging gracefully. You can create various DIY facial treatments with herbs — or choose a skin care system that is synergistically formulated to optimize the herbs for your skin. Ginseng, turmeric root, sea buckthorn, wild yam, cordyceps, holy basil, ginkgo biloba, licorice, and green tea are a few of my favorite adaptogens to support healthy aging.

7. Sip On Green Tea

Enjoy the skin anti-aging benefits of green tea by using it in your beauty routine. You can enjoy the benefits by drinking it, taking supplements, or applying it to your skin. Internal use reduces the risk of certain cancers, supports healthy metabolism, and can do wonders for your skin! You can also use it topically, like in this DIY oat, green tea and yogurt face mask to utilize the antioxidant EGCG that is abundant in green tea — which will rejuvenate, repair, and protect skin cells from premature aging.

8. Exfoliate Dead Skin Away

Exfoliation once a week will help slough off dead skin cells and bring young, vibrant skin cells to the surface — to create a healthy, youthful, glowing complexion. Use a very gentle exfoliant, like The Spa Dr.® Pearl and Rose Exfoliant, to carefully remove surface build-up while avoiding damaging the younger skin you are working to reveal. Also, the powerful vitamin content of resveratrol and red beet extract found in The Spa Dr.® exfoliant is packed with anti-aging and wrinkle-fighting antioxidants.

9. Care For Your Gut

The skin is a magic mirror — it gives us clues about our overall health. When it comes to gut health, your skin is more like a window. There are numerous studies that directly connected skin diseases, such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis, with the gut microbiome. And, when it comes to aging, your gut health plays a crucial role in the process. To support a healthy gut microbiome to age gracefully — eat prebiotic and probiotic foods, take a high-quality probiotic supplement, and cut back on excess simple carbohydrates and sugars.

10. Eat Healthy Fats

Focus on incorporating healthy fats like nuts, avocado, flaxseed, fatty fish, and Omega 3supplements. These sources of the potent essential Omega-3 fatty acids provide powerful antioxidant properties, skin health, anti-inflammatory, and gastric health support. Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary to maintain youthful skin that is thick, supple, and moisturized. A study found a 39% increase in skin hydration by consuming as little as 1/2 tsp of omega-3-rich oils daily. This is important because dehydration weakens the skin’s defense and can cause sensitivities, irritation, and premature aging.

11. Healthy Skin Microbiome

Your skin’s microbiome health matters because a healthy and balanced microbiome will impact how your skin looks. A healthy skin microbiome protects against environmental toxins, UV damage, stress, and infection — all of which play a direct role in the rate of photoaging and intrinsic aging of the skin. Care for your skin microbiome by choosing a safe, natural, and effective skin care product system. A skin care system that maintains a healthy microbiome and promotes graceful aging will be:
perfectly pH balanced — to protect healthy skin microbiome
antioxidant-rich — to promote ageless beauty
effective at clarifying and balances — for a radiant, flawless glow
and is safe and gentle without sacrificing results!
The Spa Dr.® Daily Essentials is a natural, luxurious, and effective 4-step system designed to cleanse, nourish, protect and revitalize any skin type at any age.

12. Exercise

When it comes to your skin, exercise is youth-promoting. It increases blood flow to flood your cells with nutrients and oxygen, while supporting the removal of free radicals and toxins — all of which will help you maintain a healthy, youthful glow! Regular exercise lowers cortisol, the stress hormone. This is particularly important since elevated cortisol can lead to premature skin aging. So, to slow the aging process and keep your skin younger, get out there for 30 minutes each day!

13. Supplement With Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the best antioxidants around for glowing youthful skin. It is a natural component in the skin’s dermis and epidermis layers and is vital in promoting collagen and elastin production. Vitamin C has powerful antioxidant properties to help reduce UV light-induced oxidative damage, leading to premature signs of aging from skin photoaging and hyperpigmentation.

14. Get Your Beauty Sleep

Beauty sleep provides optimal conditions for your body to repair and revitalize. For example, during deep sleep, your body and mind are rejuvenated at the cellular level, restoring strength and function throughout your body. Research points to poor sleep as a major contributing factor to premature skin and overall aging.

15. Take Niacin

Also known as Nicotinamide (or Niacinamide) supports the repair and renewal of cellular function, increases collagen synthesis, and helps moisturize the skin and keep it elastic. It helps build cells in the skin while protecting the cells from environmental stresses, such as sunlight, pollution, and toxin. Niacin has been shown to lighten age-spots and decrease wrinkles.

SKIN QUIZ

Take my Skin Quiz to find out your skin type. Knowing your skin type will help identify your skin’s needs. Then you can take an individualized approach to introduce the necessary habits to enjoy aging gracefully with the beautiful, glowing skin you deserve!

The Spa Dr.® Approach

At The Spa Dr.® – our approach is to help shine the light on skin care information. We also strive to offer guidance that will nurture your skin care journey.

Book a free virtual consultation now with any of our skilled estheticians — their here to help answer any of your skin care routine questions.

We believe the information we provide will help support your self-care and healing, and we want you to feel safe and cared for within our community!

Join The Spa Dr.® community on social media to meetothers on their skin care journey and learn more about the healthy habits that support beautiful skin and aging gracefully.

I hope you enjoyed these natural skin care tips. Feel free to share them with your friends, and spread the word to promote natural beauty!