Cat gives skin treatments
Question: Should I have acid peel or microdermabrasion treatments on the skin on my hands?
Mimi: That is a good but controversial question. One would think that if acid peels or microderabrasion smooth out wrinkles on the face, then they would be good for the skin on the hands also. Many estheticians believe that. I am adamantly opposed to removing the top layer of dead skin from the hands.
Let me explain. When you remove the top layer of dead skin from your face, you reveal fresher, smoother skin. You cause the underlying layers of new skin to push up to the surface more rapidly. You stimulate the production of collagen. With that top layer of dead skin gone, active ingredients from skin care products can penetrate more readily. All this is excellent. HOWEVER, with the top layer of dead skin gone, you skin is left vulnerable to sun and smog damage. So, to protect your rejuvenated skin, you always wear moisturizer and sun block. When I have a guest who wants a microderm or Jessner peel but refuses to wear sun block, I refuse to do the treatment. Ultimately, her skin could look worse than when we started because of the sun and smog exposure.
You wash your hands constantly all day. There is no way that you can keep moisturizer and sun block on them. Your skin is always exposed to the sun, wind, and smog. So keep the protective dead skin on. Lube it up every time that you wash your hands. And wear emollient cream to bed at night. But keep the dead skin on.
There are wonderful treatments that do not remove the skin. Vitamin C actually helps rebuild skin. So have a Vitamin C treatment on your hands. Paraffin hand treatments leave the skin silky smooth. Remember every day as you tend to your face to bring the products down onto your neck, chest, and apply to your forearms and hands also.
My cat thinks that I am her baby so she grooms me by licking me for a bath. The vet says it is because she loves me. My sister says that the cat just wants to lick the salt from my skin. Either way, Henrietta’s rough tongue feels like microdermabrasion. I’m sure that she is abrading the top layer of dead skin. She especially likes to lick the backs of my hands. They are probably all that is exposed when I am wearing my long sleeved Mother Hubbard outing flannel nightgown. I will not let Henrietta lick my face (yuck) or hands. So she gives me loving beauty treatments on my forearms. I can keep moisturizer and sun block on my forearms. I have no age spots or ugly skin on my forearms, so I guess Henrietta’s loving beauty treatments work.
Mimi Barre is the owner of International Day Spa, 325 Cajon St., Redlands.
Send your skin care questions to her at MimiB@INTLdayspa.com. She and her estheticians are available for personal consultations. (909) 793-9080. Past columns of Ask Mimi are on the web at www.INTERNATIONALdayspa.com.
