A French Touch Salon

The finest in Parisian skin care on the central coast.

Jan Marini

Your Go-To Guide to Retinol

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We all know as time goes on and we age, so does our skin. With 90% of skin-aging directly attributable to photodamage (California girls…you know who you are), it would be great to turn back the clock and regain the youthful clarity and glow of our skin.  The good news is we don’t have to settle for dull, blotchy pigment.  

Jan Marini’s Luminate line that helps reduce discoloration and targets fine lines and wrinkles. But before you put a new product on your skin, let’s cover the basics of why and how these products can transform your skin!

  • What is retinol?
    Retinol is derived from Vitamin A, and works to boost collagen production to plump and smooth skin.
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  • How does it work?
    Retinoids work by regenerating tissue, resulting in mutiple benefits including reduced hyperpigmentation and enhanced collagen production to smooth fine lines.
  • When do I apply?
    Retinoids may be applied both in your morning and nighttime routine, but sensitive skin may benefit more from application only during your evening ritual – as retinols can decrease tolerance for sun exposure.
  • Where does it fit into my skincare routine?
  • How long until I see results?
    It takes an average of about 12 weeks to see noticeable changes in your skin tone, texture, and overall vibrance!
  • I have sensitive skin! Can I use retinols?
    Yes! We carry plenty of gentle options for your sensitive skin, and using retinol over time can also increase the skin’s tolerance.
  • What about irritation?
    For many retinol users, the first two or three weeks of use may cause slight skin irritation in the form of slight flushing or dryness. However, this is normal! Over time, sticking to your retinol regimen will allow you to see the initial irritation fade and the results will show through!
  • Can I use retinol when I go on a tropical vacation?
    Yes! Changing climates does not cause a new reaction to retinols. If you are traveling to a drier climate, we may recommend you use a richer moisturizer, such as Age Intervention from Jan Marini Skin Research or Nutritive Comfort from SOTHYS.
  • Is it safe to use around the eyes?
    While we should always be careful around the sensitive skin of the eye contour area, retinoids demonstrate amazing results on fine lines and pigmentation around the eye area. But be sure to use a retinol-based EYE cream, not face cream for that delicate skin.
  • How long should I use retinol?
    Generally, the effects of the same retinol can be seen for around a year after first use. After a year, your skin may be ready for a stronger formuls, to keep seeing more amazing results!

Reference: https://www.allure.com/gallery/biggest-retinol-cream-myths

The Eye Opening Effects of Eye Cream

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Treat your eyes delicately

The skin around our eyes is a very important component of our complexion. As we age, this delicate skin can begin to develop under-eye circles, fine lines and wrinkles, and can begin to sag. But the good news is that we can reduce the appearance of these detractors from younger-looking eyes with consistent application of eye serums or creams. But why use a product specifically designated for the eyes? Why can I not use my moisturizer for my eyes as well? The delicate tissue around our eyes (also known as the “eye contour”) is approximately five times thinner than the skin on the rest of our face. So when we use moisturizer on these areas, the larger molecular composition of the cream is not able to absorb into the thinner eye contour tissue. We therefore don’t get the benefit of hydration, wrinkle-reduction or tightening of the eye contour skin. But not to worry, Jan Marini and Sothys have something to address every issue in restoring younger-looking, more rested eyes.

The treatment solutions to revive your eyes from Jan Marini Skin Research & Sothys

Jan Marini offers four proven products to combat aging and dehydration.

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Transformation Eye Cream: The Jan Marini Transformation Eye Cream contains a patented combination of growth factors and peptides to visibly improve texture and restore hydration in the eye area. This will cause a major transformation and improvement to the appearance of the skin around your eyes. It is recommended to use sparingly morning and evening to lower lids and across the brow bone for best results.

Age Intervention Eye Cream: The Jan Marini Age Intervention Eye Cream will help soften, smooth, hydrate, firm and define the appearance of the eye area. It will dramatically improve the appearance of wrinkles around the eye contour area, as retinol is an active ingredient to regenerate tissue. It is also recommended to use sparingly morning and evening to lower lids and across the brow bone for best results (same as the Transformation Eye Cream).

Luminate Eye Gel: The Jan Marini Luminate Eye Gel is specifically designed for the delicate eye area, as it reduces the appearance of under-eye circles, crepey skin and fine lines and wrinkles. You will also experience brighter and more radiant looking skin around the eyes with this amazing eye gel. This product should be used sparingly morning and evening to lower lids only. It is part of Jan Marini’s Luminate line and has received excellent reviews!

C-Esta Eye Repair Concentrate: The Jan Marini C-Esta Eye Repair Concentrate is an intensive antioxidant formula containing high concentrations of Vitamin C along with DMAE, CoEnzyme Q10 and other revolutionary topical agents to address multiple visible signs of aging around the eye. It will help lift, firm and tone your eye contour area. (If only it could do that to our entire body…) It is recommended to use sparingly morning and evening to lower eyelids and upper eyelids down to the crease, and can be used alone or with other Jan Marini eye creams for additional hydration.

SOTHYS

SOTHYS offers three products to fight wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness: Anti-Puffiness Gel, Multi-Action Eye Contour & Dark Circle Eraser.Eye-Contour

The SOTHYS Anti-Puffiness Gel is a unique roll-on applicator with a cooling effect that instantly reduces puffiness. Lupine seed extract decongests, improves micro-circulation and prevents the slackening of lower eyelids. This product should be applied to the lower lids (under-eye) morning and evening for intensive results.

SOTHYS Multi Action Eye Contour is just that- a multi-action: formula that reduces lines & wrinkles, diminishes dark circles and puffiness, hydrates and protects. It is formulated with Alfalfa extract and stimulates the synthesis of collagen and prevents breakdown of fibers. The Multi Action Eye Contour should be used morning and evening to lower lids (under eye area) and across the brow bone.

The Dark Circle Eraser conceals darks circles and reduces their appearance overtime. Mineral pigments and Soft Focus Powders visibly smoothes lines, and Vitamin PP + Yeast extract fights dark circles and reduces hyperpigmentation.

SOTHYS Secrets Eye Serum is composed from the same botanicals (Tex-OE prickly pear extract) and luxurious, rich texture of the SOTHYS Secrets anti-aging line, this intensive, total anti-wrinkle formula treats puffy eyes, dark circles and wrinkles. Its emollient, velvet quality penetrates quickly, leaving the delicate eye contour fresh, nourished and radiant.

Trust us to recommend the best eye contour care for you. Come in for a consultation.

 

Do you know what hyaluronic acid can do for you?

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WHAT IS HYALURONIC ACID?

 

Hyaluronic acid comes naturally

We love talking about Hyaluronic acid (HA)! It’s a substance that is naturally present in the human body. I’ll spare you all the scientific dialogue and give you the good stuff so, you can see why we love this ingredient so much. First off, know what skin type you have so you know what skin care product will work best for you.

Hyaluronic acid supports many important areas of the body: hair, nerves, skin, eyes and most notably lubrication of joints . Youthful skin abounds with hyaluronic acid so, it makes sense that this wonder ingredient is used in products to promote moisture and create fullness. Hyaluronic acid is also a “smart nutrient” as it can adjust its moisture absorption rate based on the humidity—relative to the season and the climate. In skin care, you can find hyaluronic acid creams, serums, injectables, and hyaluronic acid supplements.

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Hyaluronic acid benefits

Hyaluronic acid plays a critical role in skin health with its unique ability to hold in moisture (1000 ml of water per gram of hyaluronic acid) and 50% of it is found in our skin tissue. The bad news…is there any good news in aging? … As we age our production of HA lessens, skin moisture can drop significantly, which makes the skin lose elasticity, sag, wrinkle, and increase dryness.

So, it makes complete sense why it is used as a dermal filler, as in Restylane and Juvederm but, there are quality products with hyaluronic acid that give an extra boost of hydration, moisture and restore the skins elasticity with each application, preserving the skins youthfulness, making lines less noticeable and giving skin a rejuvenated feeling.

We carry some of the best hyaluronic acid products on the market and we can’t wait to share them with you.

 

NEW HYDRATING RANGE!

4X MOISTURIZING POWER

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Based on its latest Advanced research discoveries, Sothys is now revealing its new hydrating range.  A genuine concentration of innovation to act deep within the skin, this new programme combines depending on the product 4 sources of hyaluronic acid and 2 patented active ingredients derived from the Sothys Advanced Research.

Discover a new professional Intensive treatment and four products for home use to offer immediate, long-lasting hydration through synergistic action. A new high-performance youth solution because well-hydrated skin appears visibly younger and copes better with the passage of time.

 

Intensive Hydrating Serum: Essential for every single skin type! Designed to work like a skin architect, this intensive serum aims to lastingly boost hydration mechanisms. Its light-as-water texture is rich in liposomes and instantly melts into skin.

 

Hydrating Youth Creams: Designed to work like a protective shield against dehydration, these creams aim to immediately plump skin and reactivate its moisture memory.

Results: Day after day, skin regains an optimal level of hydration, becomes soft, smooth, and visibly plumper, and is lastingly protected.


A choice of 2 textures for an everyday customized approach:

  • Satin cream for normal to combination skin
  • Velvet cream for normal to dry skin

 

Hydra-plumping mask:

Designed to provide an instant burst of hydration, this mask also has a pleasant rich and enveloping texture. In minutes, skin is visibly plumper and smoother and the complexion glows once again.

Results: Skin is intensely hydrated, suppler, more radiant, comfortable and seemingly rejuvenated.

 

New Treatment – The Hydrating Intensive Treatment:

The absolute hydration solution with 6 stages to quench, hydrate and plump the skin, renewing its youthfulness. This high-performance treatment combines 4 sources of hyaluronic acid with 2 patented Sothys active ingredients. It is recommended as a series of three treatments.

Results: After the first treatment, 100% of people say the skin is hydrated, softer and more radiant.*

 

JAN MARINI

Age and sun damage diminish the body’s ability to produce and maintain youthful levels of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) in the skin; leading to loss of volume and visible signs of aging. Hyla3D takes a 3-Dimensional approach to restoring HA and volume to the skin.

  • 1) Multiple forms of HA apply deep, long-lasting hydration.
  • 2) Advanced technologies enhance HA within the skin.
  • 3) Peptides and antioxidants boost collagen and elastin.

Hyla3D restores hydration while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful, contoured look.

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Homecare How-To’s

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Bonjour everyone!

Are we keeping up with our homecare regimen? This may actually be the best time to focus and give your skin the full attention it needs. 

Many of us are now 2 months behind on our monthly facial schedule- ouch! The good news: masks that keep us all safe also keep the lower half of our faces protected from sun-damage. That leaves the upper half to continue to protect with Colorescience Total Eye SPF35 for the delicate eye contour and SPF50 Mineral Face Shield in Regular or the new Glow version (see video below) read physical Zinc and Titanium Dioxide for the forehead and of course the decollete!

Since “Peel Season” (Spring) came and went without enjoying your peel series, you can still offer yourself a mini home peel weekly, combined with the right mask, to achieve noticeable results. 

Let me recommend some home options for EXFOLIATON + INTENSIVE MASKS to help maintain that lovely skin, until I have a chance to personally attend to it for you 😉

Concern: Your skin may be looking dull or lackluster and in need of radiance through cell turnover and regeneration. 

Solution: 

1.Exfoliating Multi Acid  Pads (Jan Marini) ONCE/WEEK. These come 30 pads per jar, giving you 7 months of weekly homecare peels. Though not the 40% solution I offer in-salon, the 12%  acid  cocktail  will SHAKE, not just stir up your regimen!

Apply a pad over clean skin and let activate for 10 min (tingle tingle!) Wash off.

2.Luminate Mask (Jan Marini) with a brightening complex to also help with dark spots (aka hyperpigmentation). 

Follow above Multi Acid Peel with thin application of this mask, leave on 10-15 min. Wash off and apply serum and cream, et voila!

Concern: Dry, Sensitive Skin that can’t handle strong acids but needs a boost of hydration and light exfoliation.

Solution:  

1.SOTHYS Lactic Acid Daily Exfoliator. This alpha hydroxyl acid is gentler than most (and you know the French prefer gentle care) and ideal even for sensitive skin. Just because it’s sensitive doesn’t mean it won’t benefit from dissolving that dead, dry layer of skin to reveal brightness.

2.SOTHYS Hydra-Smoothing Mask with Boletus mushroom extract and hyaluronic acid for intense skin hydration.

Have a specific skincare concern? Call Patricia at (805) 785-0340 to schedule a free virtual skincare consultation.

Renew Your Skin with Refine Peels

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Essential for Fall and Spring, our Jan Marini Peels exfoliate the skin more deeply than our home-care products, working to not only clear away the dull-looking top layer of debris but also to revitalize your skin’s natural glow and beauty by stimulating the collagen layer. According to Jan Marini Skin Research, peels are one of the most popular aesthetic treatments available and are effective in treating acne, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, photo-damage, lines, and wrinkles. AND you don’t have to worry about downtime, often a side-effect of more intense peels.

The Refine Peel is our first clinical peel and should be done in a series of 3, 3 to 4 weeks apart, due to the strength of the peel. The Refine Peel uses Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Citric Acid to provide excellent overall skin rejuvenation with less peeling and downtime than more aggressive treatments. It works to visibly combat uneven texture, fine lines and wrinkles, acne, and uneven pigmentation while rejuvenating the deeper levels of your skin.  The application of the Refine Peel is followed by a high-powered Retinol Activator—with Retinol, Anti-Aging Peptides, and calming Green Tea Extract—which synthesizes collagen as it regenerates tissue. Finally, we top off your experience with our signature Sothys hand treatment and Green Tea with Citrus, apply our popular, elegant  Antioxidant SPF33 Sunscreen, and off you go! 

You may see flaking that lasts from 3 to 5 days, easily minimized with our efficient Skin Zyme Mask (see above) and BIOSHIELD home care cream.  In fact,  Jan Marini’s new BIOSHIELD is a rapid recovery complex that was designed specifically to speed up recovery and enhance treatment results from these peels. Unlike most petrolatum-based (yes, read “petroleum”!) products recommended post-laser or post-peel,  this formula delivers Epidermal Growth Factor, Palmitoyl Oligopeptides and Tetrapeptides to stimulate collagen and reduce inflammation and Co-Enzyme Q-10 super-antioxidant to reveal healed, healthy, GORGEOUS skin!  

Our Peels provide collagen stimulation, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, even skin tone, reduce pore size, and even clear acne. Peels even help your other skin care products penetrate more deeply and work more effectively; your skin will look healthier, and your other home-care products will absorb so much more to reveal your most beautiful skin!  If you have any questions or aren’t sure whether a Refine Peel is right for you, the following video features an explanation and demo of our Refine Peel, and you can always call or email us to set up a free 15-minute consultation with our expert, Patricia. Don’t forget, you can always purchase and schedule with us online, too! 

Non-Invasive Peels for Spring

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Perfect for those wanting noticeable skin-smoothing and brightening exfoliation without the downtime and irritation caused by aggressive treatments. Glycolic acid peels result in a more uniform complexion and smoother skin. They eliminate cellular debris and dead cells that congest the pores and dull the skin. By resurfacing the skin, peels minimize fine lines, control acne-prone congestion and lighten uneven pigmentation for more refined, radiant skin. Health benefits include exfoliation of abnormal cells that can lead to skin cancer.

Intensive Refine Peel

The Refine Peel is designed for all skin types for more significant skin rejuvenation in fewer treatments, and with less downtime than more aggressive procedures. Peel application is followed by a highly concentrated Retinol Activator containing peptides and antioxidants to enhance recovery and maximize results. Consultation required. Recommended homecare includes Retinol Plus for two weeks prior (stopping 2-3 days before), and beginning the following day. Homecare helps to condition, sustain, and accelerate results.

Jan Marini 40% Glycolic Acid Peel

This Glycolic Resurfacing treatment resurfaces and refines skin texture, minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, assists in resolving acne and fades the appearance of discoloration to even skin tone. 

Enzyme Peel

The Glycolic and Green Papaya Enzyme Resurfacing is an accelerated facial treatment that incorporates two effective topical exfoliants. The combination of glycolic acid and proteolytic enzymes safely intensifies the resurfacing action and provides dramatic results for virtually any skin type.

Brilliance Retinol Peel

This peel incorporates 1% retinol to enhance skin-refining for greater smoothness and brightness, and will assist minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acne, sun damage and hyperpigmentation. Recommended homecare includes Retinol Plus for two weeks prior (stopping 2-3 days before), and beginning the following day. Homecare helps to condition, sustain, and accelerate results.