Skin Care Myths Debunked

Do department store beauty products work better? Does acne mean your face is dirty? There are many skin care myths out there we bet you can’t wait to clear up. So, as your trusted Wheaton skincare and laser clinic, we’ve put together the following list of common myths and their truths to help you understand your skin a little bit better:

Myth: Only pricey skin care products work the best.
Fact: Don’t be fooled by brand names - drugstore brands are just as good as department store products and are less expensive! Similar to the more pricey products, these brands perform scientific research on women and contain many of the same ingredients. With that being said, don’t drop all of your earnings on the pricey ones! Less expensive products are just as good regardless of its name. 

Myth: Acne means your face is dirty.
Fact: Women with acne-prone skin believe that removing excess oils makes their skin more clean. The truth is that washing your face too often can actually create worse problems, like skin irritation. It also dries up the skin and produces more oils that make your complexion look even more greasy. So ladies, don’t get tripped up by this false myth!

Myth: Cocoa butter helps prevent stretch marks.
Fact: Many women swear by the benefits of cocoa butter, especially for preventing stretch marks after pregnancy. We wish we could say it’s true; however, DNA is the more likely cause of resilient skin. While cocoa butter can moisturize your stretch marks and scars, it doesn’t necessarily prevent them. If you’re one of the lucky women that doesn’t suffer from scarring or stretch marks, you can thank your healthy genes!

Myth: If you have darker skin, you won’t get sunburn or skin cancer.
Fact: According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, although women with darker pigment in the skin are less likely to get skin cancer, they are more likely to experience the worst prognosis. This means it’s extremely important to take precautions, such as wearing at least SPF 15 daily, covering up with sunglasses and a hat, as well as going for routine dermatologist examination.

If you struggle with sun damaged skin or acne, Radiance Medspa can help! We offer personalized facial treatments to help restore beautiful, glowing skin for each individual. Schedule your free consultation here and receive $50 off your initial Radiance Treatment Package.

Established in 2006, Radiance Medspa is located in Wheaton, IL. Visit our website for more information or connect with us on social media.

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Summer Activities that Will Shape Your Abs

Crunches, dumbbells, and bicycles are a sure way to whip you into shape this summer, but there are even more fun summer activities that are just as effective. Most of us dream of having a six-pack in time for beach season, so here are some exciting new ideas to give you a great workout without you even realizing it:

Stand-up paddleboarding. Looking for a relaxing sport that engages your entire core? Try paddleboarding! If you want to stay balanced on a paddleboard, you need to use all of your ab muscles. It will amaze you how sore (and strong) they will feel after just an hour session. Are you a beginner looking for similar results? A helpful tip for newbies of this sport is to start on your knees, as this “lowers your center of gravity.” Either way, you’ll be working your middle and building up your abdominal strength. 

Hula-hooping. If you thought hula-hooping was only for kids, think again! This activity is a great way to target your ab muscles and have fun. In fact, a recent study focused on thirteen women who were asked to use a weighted hoop for five days a week for a total of six weeks - practicing longer and longer each day. The results showed that the average woman lost 3.4 centimeters from her tummy and 1.4 centimeters from her hips. Need we say more?

Beach volleyball. Volleyball is a classic summer exercise that can easily help you achieve that six-pack you’ve always wanted. Moving side-to-side and up-and-down on an unstable, sandy surface is a sure way to activate your core muscles. Playing on a large team can be fun, but joining a smaller group is the best way to ensure you move more and burn more calories!

For more summer activities that will shape your abs, click here.

Sometimes a six-pack can be hard to achieve no matter how hard you try. If these summer sports don’t give you the results you’re looking for, Radiance Medspa can help! We offer Liposonix treatments, perfectly tailored to give you the waistline you desire.

Established in 2006, Radiance Medspa is located in Wheaton, IL. Visit our website for more information.

Sunscreen Dos and Don'ts

Summer is here, which means you’ve probably already gone shopping for a new bottle of sunscreen. With the amount of sunscreen on the shelves, it’s no wonder so many people struggle to choose the right kind for them. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn't use any at all.

At Radiance Medspa, we are dedicated to helping you keep your skin healthy, which is why we’ve compiled the following list of things to look for when picking up sunscreen:

DON’T buy oxybenzone or vitamin A.
There are a few chemicals found in sunscreens, like oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate (vitamin A), that you’ll want to avoid. Oxybenzone is a chemical that seeps through the skin and produces free radicals, which attack DNA cells. Similar to oxybenzone, vitamin A can pose a danger once exposed to UV sunlight as it also produces harmful free radicals.

DO buy zinc oxide.
One of the safest ingredients on the shelves! Unlike oxybenzone, zinc oxide doesn’t penetrate the skin, which means it protects you against UVA and UVB rays. This ingredient can be found in mineral sunscreens, which is a product you should absolutely look for this summer!

DON’T buy sprays.
They may be easy to apply, but they can be incredibly toxic to your health. Because the products in these aerosol sprays are easily released into the air, you’re at a high risk of inhaling dangerous chemicals. Even the FDA has expressed their concern over this type of sunblock, so you’re better off skipping it to be on the safe side.

DO reapply often.
For prevent sunburns, you should reapply every two to three hours, especially if the UV rays are very high. And don’t let waterproof sunscreen trick you - these also need to be reapplied often as well since they wash off more easily than most people expect.

For more dos and don’ts of sunscreen, please click here.

If you already suffer from sun damage, the facial treatments at Radiance Medspa can restore beautiful, healthy skin! We offer a personalized approach to skincare because we believe that everyone's skin is unique. Schedule your free consultation here and receive $50 off your initial Radiance Treatment Package.

Established in 2006, Radiance Medspa is located in Wheaton, IL. Visit our website for more information

How to Get Your Arms Ready for Summer

Sunday marks the official start of summer, which means we’ll be spending more time lounging poolside or at the beach. Are you ready to get outside and show a little shoulder in your swimsuit? If you’re not, don’t fret - we’ve got you covered! We understand that you’ll be switching to lighter layers and may not be too comfortable showing off your arms just yet, which is why we’ve put together a list of common problems and solutions to help you feel more confident in your skin:

Rough skin. The first step to getting your arms ready for summer is to exfoliate. Exfoliating is an essential part of your daily skincare regime that removes dead cells and smooths out any rough patches. For optimal results, it is recommended that you use a washcloth instead of a loofah, as cloth can reduce the risk of inflammation.

Dark elbows and sun spots.  If you suffer from sun-damage on your arms, you can easily reduce its appearance with the help of chemical peels. Chemical peels are a quick, effective, and painless treatment that requires little to no downtime at all! However, if you’re affected by dark elbows rather than sun spots, the trick is to clean off dirt and dead skin. To combat this issue, take advantage of the bleaching and exfoliating properties in lemon juice, which will ultimately lighten the area. Pretty neat, huh?

Arm flab. One of the most common troubles among women is a little arm jiggle - who doesn’t hate it? If arm flab keeps you away from your summer wardrobe, an effective solution is to workout targeted arm muscles. Arm workouts, like bicep curls and tricep extensions are a sure way to achieve toned arms! Bicep and tricep exercises typically require the use of lightweight dumbbells, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can always opt for arm circle exercises. Arm circles are a beneficial workout that don’t require the use of weights, which means you can do it anytime, anyplace!

Scarring. Are you hiding your beautiful arms because of a little scarring? You’re not alone! Many people are affected by scarring, which can easily be resolved by micro-dermal needling. Through the use of this treatment, MD Pen revitalizes the skin by sparking cellular regeneration and aiding the absorption of cosmetic topicals to reduce unwanted scarring. Radiance Medspa offers micro-dermal needling - learn more to see if it’s the right solution for you!

Are you ready to get the summer arms you’ve been dreaming of? If these tips aren’t giving you the results you desire, Radiance Medspa is here to help! Our Chemical Peel and Micro-dermal Needling treatments are safe and pain-free! Schedule your free consultation here and receive $50 off your initial Radiance Treatment Package.

Established in 2006, Radiance Medspa is located in Wheaton, IL. Visit our website for more information or connect with us on social media.

Cellulite: Myth Vs. Fact

Feeling stuck to a lifetime of pesky cellulite? You’re not alone: about 90 percent of women are affected by it at some point in their lives. And while some facts don’t make us feel any better, it’s important to know there are ways to banish those bumps! In an effort to clarify the myths, here are three facts: 

Myth: Cellulite only happens to people out of shape.
Fact: This is an absolute myth. While being overweight does make cellulite more noticeable, it can happen to people of all shapes and sizes. Even Victoria’s Secret models? Yes, them too. They might eat clean, work out often, and do everything they can to prevent the appearance of cellulite, but they still have it.

Myth: Exercise can reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Fact: It’s true! Having a regular exercise routine may not be the cure for cellulite, but it sure can help prevent it from being noticeable. Keep elasticity of the skin strong by making muscles under the skin firm. Toning muscles that target the areas with cellulite will tighten the skin, which gives the illusion that it’s gone!

Myth: Creams can cure cellulite.
Fact: Unfortunately, there are many skin-firming creams on the market that just won’t do. Disregard what you read on labels whether prescribed or bought over the counter. Creams do not have the magic to permanently reduce cellulite. However, it is said that products containing retinoids can create thicker skin, camouflaging the appearance we so desperately want to get rid of.

Have you tried using creams and other stimulant ingredients that only leave you feeling disappointed? At Radiance Medspa, we offer Cellulite Reduction services to help you get the firm skin you desire! Schedule your free consultation with us and receive $50 off your initial Radiance Treatment Package.

Established in 2006, Radiance Medspa is located in Wheaton, IL. Visit our website for more information or connect with us on social media.