Targeted Topical Therapy for Rosacea and Post-Procedure Bruising with SAIAN® Vital-K™ Creme

We all know that aloe vera is soothing and cooling, and chamomile is relaxing, but did you know about Arnica? This amazing medicinal herb has been taken internally in Europe for centuries to heal organ trauma, and applied topically to reduce swelling, treat bruises, wounds and bug bites. It has anti-inflammatory properties, and is mild and non-agressive in topical skin care products. What is really amazing, is Arnica's ability to reduce bruising - the mechanism in lies in the herb's ability to stimulate blood flow and move stagnation through the veins and capillaries. When a lesion of capillaries is traumatized by physical impact, or inflamed from exposure to the harsh elements, we see the dark color on the skin's surface. Applying an Arnica creme to the area significantly reduces the swelling and dark patch, and brings the color back to normal, as well as moves blood through the damaged capillaries for reduced discomfort and pain.

We recommend SAIAN® Vital-K™ Creme - the most-effective paraben-free topical creme which works wonders on postoperative bruising following cosmetic surgery or injections, rosacea, dark circles, and hyperpigmentation. 

Bruising and dark spots are the appearance of blood which has been released from the tiny capillaries of the battered area into the tissue under the skin. Over time the color eventually fades as the blood is absorbed back into the body and away from the surface. To halt the expansion and deepening of unsightly discoloration, we use Phytonadione (Vitamin K). This is the body's natural blood coagulating agent which stops the spread of blood from seeping further. Individuals with low levels of Vitamin K will often experience wider and darker bruises, taking excessively long periods of time to recover because is not enough Vitamin K in their systems to prevent this from occurring. Not only is this creme perfect for post-surgical and injection-site bruising, but also ideal for cuperose, rosacea, and dark under-eye circles.

SAIAN® Vital-K™ Creme provides a powerful dose of Vitamin K to repair the damaged area, supplying your skin with the means to halt the flow of bruising and pause discoloration. To maximize and quicken the recovery process, we use Arnica. This natural herb, rich with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties is a highly efficient vasodilator of blood capillaries. Arnica drastically increases the fade back time, by escalating the recession of blood away from the damaged capillaries and back into the body. This helps return your skin to a flush and even color in a fraction of the time it would usually take. The mechanism lies in the herb's ability to stimulate blood flow and move stagnation through the veins and capillaries. When a lesion of capillaries is traumatized by physical impact, or inflamed from exposure to the harsh elements, we see the dark color on the skin's surface. Applying SAIAN® Vital-K™ Creme to the area significantly reduces the swelling and dark patch, and brings the color back to normal, as well as moves blood through the damaged capillaries for reduced discomfort and pain.

By combining these two powerful ingredients in a natural, paraben-free product, SAIAN® Vital-K™ Creme speeds up the color neutralization process and restores your skin in just a few daily applications! For best results, apply this creme to the affected area twice daily. This creme works best for under-eye dark circles when applied on top of SAIAN® Clinical Strength Under- Eye Serum.

Selecting the Best Serum

As skin care professionals, we all know what a dramatic difference using an amazing serum can make. It can take years off our client’s appearance, reduce fatigue, tighten the pores, minimize rosacea, soothe dryness, reduce hyperpigmentation and diminish wrinkles!

What is so special about serums? The wonderful thing is that they pack a powerful punch of concentrated active ingredients! A serum's molecule is usually very small, and delivers the ingredients to all skin layers without clogging the pores with any oil, glycerin, or other comedogenic fillers. A product like this is usually gel-like, and water-based, so it absorbs instantly, and doesn’t sit on the surface of the skin. The benefit of this gel-like oil-free consistency, is that (unlike some cremes) a serum can be used very closely around the eyes without causing the development of milia and irritation. While younger clients like the tight feeling of an oil-free product, such as a serum, older clients may feel like their skin is too dry, and choose to apply creme over the serum, to replenish. This is a great way to provide a barrier that keeps the serum from evaporating, as well as provide a double layer of active ingredients (such as peptides and hyaluronic acid).

In recent years, there has been a plethora of advances in product formulation, the best being the elimination of parabens and chemicals from many product lines. Natural preservatives such as citric acid, ethylhexylglycerin and phenoxyethanol efficiently provide a two year shelf life for most serums, and don’t have any toxic side effects that are associated with parabens and similar chemical preservatives. The best base for serums is water, and to get that silky smooth gel feeling, the best, and most potent moisturizing ingredient on the market is Hyaluronic Acid. Did you know that the loss of skin elasticity that comes with aging, is often the result of decreasing Hyaluronic Acid (HA) levels? HA is the best topical hydrating agent and a potent anti-inflammatory that stops itching and burning, is very soothing, and results in smoother skin. The best type of Hyaluronic Acid is a vegan low molecular weight HA. This is not harvested from a rooster comb, or chicken cartilage, but is plant-based, and manipulated in a lab for a perfect, hypoallergenic product! This ingredient is the same type of gel that is used in dermal fillers such as Restylane® and JUVÉDERM®, and is completely safe.

Now that we know the best base for a serum, let’s talk a little about the best active ingredients that we can add to the blend! Since we want to reduce wrinkles, and give the face a more youthful appearance, peptides are a great choice. Peptides are small fragments of proteins, and proteins are the key building blocks of most living tissues. Certain kinds of peptides have an avid affinity for copper, to which they bind very tightly. The resulting compound consisting of a peptide and a copper atom has become known as a copper peptide. A distinctive feature of GHK copper peptides is that they reduce scar tissue formation while stimulating normal skin remodeling. In other words, they help better restore the damaged area to its original look.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline®) improves wrinkle depth, wrinkle volume and roughness. This peptide can significantly modulate muscle contraction, thereby destabilizing the cell so it cannot release the neurotransmitters that make the muscle contract thus preventing formation of lines and wrinkles. Argireline® reduces pre-existing wrinkle depth and relaxes facial tension. Matrixyl-3000® minimizes crow’s feet and laugh lines, and prevents from further damage and wrinkle formation. Trylogen® boosts synthesis of Collagen I, III, and IV, uniforms fibril diameter and spacing, and inhibits enzymatic breakdown, avoiding excessive collagen damage.

 

I also see many serums made with powerful brighteners and antioxidants, such as Vitamin C. Three of the most potent forms of Vitamin C available on the market today are Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate. This powerful antioxidant combination in a serum fights free radicals, stimulates collagen production, nourishes the skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and brightens skin tone while keeping stable.

Some wonderful brightening ingredients have emerged recently, as alternatives to the toxic Hydroquinone, which is steadily losing popularity on the market during the past 5 years. Three of the most potent non-toxic whitening agents available on the market today are Tyrostat™ (derived from Rumex Occidentalis Extract), Nonapeptide-1 (Melanostatine®5) , and α Arbutin, which address the affects of discoloration and hyperpigmentation on the skin. These amazing new natural ingredients prevent hyperproduction of melanin and further activation of tyrosinase, thus blocking melanin synthesis for better control over skin tone and brown spots. When used daily, a serum with α Arbutin promotes brightening on all skin types, minimizes the appearance of liver spots and age spots, can reduce the degree of skin tanning after UV exposure.

It’s always best to apply serums after cleansing the skin, and before the application of moisturizers. This is typically the last step in a facial, and I recommend to use your galvanic machine to increase the serum’s penetration, since most are ionizable. A treatment like this, with the right product, is guaranteed to wow your client, and provide her with a healthy lift and glow!

Rocasea - Treatment and Daily Care

I often hear people say "I have rosacea" without giving much thought to the accuracy of the statement. Many of us believe that rosacea is an absolutely normal state, and it is not treatable. 

Sometimes, babies are born with very red cheeks, and the doctor doesn't give it much thought, even though it is an obvious red flag signifying allergies in the body. In a small child, red cheeks may flare up from over consumption of citrus fruit, or strawberries. This may later lead to complications, such as the development of bumps on the upper arms, and poor digestion. Remember, we must never ignore any of our body's symptoms, including rosacea. Symptoms, such as allergic reactions, are a sign that our body is struggling, and needs our help. Timely treatment of these symptoms will help you reduce redness on the face, and calm the fire that is ignited by allergens within the gut.

Rosacea is essentially redness caused by breaking capillaries, (couperose skin) but present as a chronic condition. Usually we see rosacea on the cheeks, and sometimes on the nose. Sometimes this redness can be accompanied by postules and blemishes. these can be quite sensitive and painful. For topical treatment, we must remember to shield the face from exposure to wind, sun, and extreme temperatures (hot or cold). This also applies to daily cleansing - ABSOLUTELY no hot showers, hot baths or steaming the face. A knowledgeable esthetician will not use a steamer on her couperose client. 

I don't recommend using acids, or products containing alcohol for cleansing the face. These particular products dry out the face, and tighten it, when our goal is to moisturize and nourish. Avoid using scrub to exfoliate the face - only light enzymatic masks are OK. The perfect mask for the rosacea client is SAIAN Enzyme Mask - it cools down the redness, and effectively cleans and brightens the face. This product has received praise from skin care professionals worldwide for its amazing rosacea results. 

The most important step in rosacea care is moisturizing - first step is to apply SAIAN® Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, and second step is to apply SAIAN® Hyaluronic Acid Creme. Hyaluronic acid is not the acid that burns and dries the skin (like AHA, Glycolic, Salicylic, Lactic, Pyruvic, Mandelic, Kojic)  but one that soothes and hydrates. Hyaluronic acid is the base of most facial fillers such as Restylane® and JUVÉDERM®. It has amazing anti-aging properties, as well! 

To complete the daily skincare regimen, the rosacea patient needs to use sunscreen daily. I repeat, DAILY. This is regardless of season, since the sun shines on us every day of the year. I recommend SAIAN® Sunscreen Mist SPF 29, and SAIAN® Green Tea Sunblock SPF 30  both of which are non-comedogenic, and non-toxic. Remember to choose a sunscreen, such as these, with physical blocks like Zinc and Titanium dioxide, as opposed to chemicals which will enter the bloodstream and cause long-term damage in the long run.

As for internal treatment, the best way to reduce flare-ups is by avoiding all hot and spicy foods that cause the rush of blood to the face, breaking more capillaries. It may seem like a hard task to some people, but it will be much harder trying to camouflage the redness from day to day with cake make-up. There is nothing better than the freedom of letting your skin breethe without make-up!

Hopefully this post has been of help.
If this is a problem you have been struggling with, I'd like you try these simple suggestions, and document your progress!