Skincare Commandments To Live By

We constantly obsess over wellness, fitness, and skincare. We read countless amounts of articles that tell us one thing (and then another). Although you might receive different advice, the message remains the same: take care of your body and your skin will thank you! Here are five of the top skincare commandments that stem from healthy habits:

Remove Your Makeup
There’s plenty of women who wouldn’t dare to leave the house without makeup, even if it means just going to the gym. But before you doll yourself up before hitting the treadmill, consider this: when perspiration mixes with cosmetics, you cause a buildup of bacteria that seeps into your pores. So skip applying makeup pre-workout (including tinted moisturizer). Sleeping with makeup is also a big no-no. Why? Because the chemicals used in makeup today can stay in your pores if you don’t use the products properly. In other words, remove before sleep!

Apply Toner
There’s a huge difference between those who use toner and those who won’t. Those who skip toner usually have more congested and enlarged pores. Also, keep in mind that it’s important to apply toner after cleansing and before putting on makeup. Toner acts as a drying alcohol, which can help your makeup to stay intact all day long.

Use Sunscreen on the Daily
We’ve got to mention this one! The number one way to prevent skin cancer, brown spots, and signs of aging is to find a sunscreen product that works for your skin type. Be sure to apply every 30 minutes, and always buy waterproof!

Take a Probiotic
They say you are what you eat. Aside from avoiding inflammatory foods like dairy and gluten, make sure you take a probiotic daily to ensure that your digestive track is working well. The way probiotics work is by introducing more friendly bacteria in your system, which can ultimately improve acne and clear up your skin for the long term.

Sleep Enough
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again - beauty sleep isn’t just a myth! Giving yourself 8 to 10 hours of sleep can help the body repair itself, including skin imperfections. Not only can it cure acne, but when you wear an eye pillow (preferably filled with lavender), you can prevent under eye puffiness and wake up feeling refreshed!

Make a promise to yourself to follow these top skincare commandments and the results should come! And don’t forget to pamper yourself with facial treatments from Radiance Medspa! We believe that everyone’s skin deserves special treatment, which is why we offer a personalized skincare approach to help you look and feel nothing short of radiant!

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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DIY Facials for All Skin Types

Flip through any women’s magazine and chances are you’ll come across the latest facial mask to clear up your acne or hydrate your dry skin. But sometimes it’s better to go straight to the professionals for advice, so we’ve gathered up three aesthetician-approved DIY facials that can temporarily fix those pesky skin imperfections:

Lemon and Oatmeal Mask
This facial is ideal for those with oily skin. With lemon and a touch of honey, you can reduce the buildup of dirt and oil in your pores and brighten pigmentation as well as acne scars.

Ingredients:
½ cup uncooked rolled oats
4 tbsps lemon juice
Honey (optional)

Instructions:
Blend the first two ingredients together until you create a paste-like texture. Add in honey. Apply to skin and let settle for about 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat twice a week.

Flaxseed Mask
This facial works great for eliminating dead skin cells and hydrating dry skin after - especially after a long winter!

Ingredients:
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp ground flax seed meal

Instructions:Mix ingredients together in a bowl with a spoon. Apply the mask to skin using a facial brush. Gently massage for 30 seconds and let it sit for up to 2 minutes. Let the lactose in the yogurt dissolve dead skin cells while the honey works to hydrate your skin. The ground flaxseed meal acts as a “physical exfoliant”, which gently lifts dead skin cells.

Nutmeg and Milk Exfoliating Mask
This facial works well for healing sensitive skin, while soothing and exfoliating the skin.

Ingredients:
½ tbsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp whole milk

Instructions:
Mix nutmeg and milk into a small bowl and stir. Apply the mask to your skin (freshly washed and makeup free). Gently massage into your face in small circles, and don’t forget your décolleté! Let mask sit for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse with warm water. Pat face dry using a facial sponge or clean, dry cloth. Apply moisturizer afterwards. Nutmeg has a natural antibacterial and calming properties, which heal sensitive skin, and whole milk can help naturally exfoliate and hydrate.

Need a facial that works more intensively to nourish the skin and treat any skin imperfections you’ve got? Radiance Medspa offers several types of facial treatments - tailored to your unique skin type so that you look nothing short of radiant!

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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Pamper Yourself for Weddings

Spring is the start of wedding season! Whether you’re a bride, mother of the bride, or maid of honor, feeling healthy and beautiful is all a part of feeling good on the big day. Here are a few ways to treat your mind and body before celebrating:

Teeth Whitening 
You’ll be smiling for the camera - a lot! So why not brighten up your pearly whites? Many toothpastes have whitening ingredients in them, but for faster results you can pick up one of those special whitening strips or ask a professional to whiten your teeth about six months prior to the party.

Healthy Diet
Eating loads of sugar and sodium can make you feel sluggish and bloated on the big day. Switch to eating lots of fresh vegetables and fruits (and even a little dark chocolate). Shy away from highly processed carbs as well and try not to binge on junk food. The biggest piece of advice? Cook as often as you can!

Hair and Trial
You might have an idea of what you want your hair and makeup to look like for the wedding, but it might look completely different in person. Schedule a trial a few weeks prior so you can make adjustments as needed.

Facial
Get a smooth face before you or your loved one walks down the aisle. Medspas offer plenty of customized facials to help you achieve a healthy skin tone and banish those pesky imperfects.

At Radiance Medspa, treat yourself to one of our many facial treatments! We believe that everyone’s skin deserves special treatment, which is why we offer a personalized skincare approach to help you look and feel nothing short of radiant on the big day!

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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What Are The Common Causes Of Skin Damage?

Healthy skin is everything. It gives us a boost of confidence and makes us feel like we’re doing something right. Unfortunately, there are certain culprits that can damage our skin without us even realizing it. Here are the top five causes and how they impact your skin’s health:
 

Sun Exposure
You might think getting a tan looks healthy, but in reality, getting color is your body’s way of healing damaged skin. Not to mention, ultraviolet rays that you expose yourself to can cause the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin - one of the reasons tanning bed addicts have such dry, wrinkly skin. To avoid skin damage, stay out of the sun for long periods of time and wear protective clothing on top of sunscreen. Rule of thumb: 30 SPF or higher - apply every hour to two hours. 

Smoking
It is commonly known that smokers don’t necessarily have the healthiest skin. Smoking cigarettes causes your blood vessels that nurture the outer layers of your skin to constrict, leading to more wrinkles. 

Chemicals
From detergent to cleaning products and even facial cleansers, there are many irritants that can cause allergies or facial redness to arise. For example, ammonia has the tendency to irritate the skin, so wash your hands thoroughly after washing clothes and try to eliminate products with harmful chemicals for your skin’s benefit.

Poor DietNot eating enough antioxidants in fruits and vegetables as well as drinking too little can have a major impact on your skin. Make sure to: maintain a balanced diet (but allow yourself cheat days), increase your intake of omega-2 fatty acids can keep skin-cell membranes strong, and boost your intake of water each day for hydrated skin.

Free Radicals
What exactly are free radicals? Free radicals are “unstable oxygen molecules with a single electron”. They are a result of long exposure to tobacco, and researchers believe that they pay a part in the development of skin cancer. To help lessen the effect that free radicals have on your skin, we recommend you increase your intake of vitamins C and E and maintain a healthy diet filled with vegetables and fruits rich of antioxidants.

Looking for new and innovative ways to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy? Treat yourself to one of our many facial treatments! We believe that everyone’s skin deserves special treatment, which is why we offer a personalized skincare approach to help you look and feel nothing short of radiant!

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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The Best Foods For Your Skin

Want to achieve a radiance glow without throwing money away for skincare products that don’t work? The key to healthy skin is in part due to your diet. After all, “you are what you eat”! Here are a few of the best foods for radiant skin and why they work:

Yogurt - Pick up some greek yogurt at the grocery store for a smoother complexion. The protein you receive from eating yogurt protects your skin from wrinkles. Take an extra step and apply a yoghurt soothing gel to the skin to cure irritations.

Dark Chocolate - We’ve heard it be said a few times. When you eat some chocolate that’s at least 70 percent cocoa, you can boost the levels of antioxidants in your diet. Plus, the caffeine in dark chocolate can temporarily reduce puffiness - perfect for those rough weeks at work!

Walnuts - Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to boost your skin's collagen production. Grab a handful as a snack before lunch or dinner and watch your complexion transform!

Green Tea - Beat winter redness with a cup of green tea, which helps to fight inflammation of the skin. Green tea is high in antioxidants, including EGCG, and has an overall calming effect on the body.  Steep daily for about 3 to 5 minutes and sup for the best results.

Incorporating these yummy foods into your diet is a sure way to promote healthier skin. And don’t forget to pamper yourself with facial treatments from Radiance Medspa! We believe that everyone’s skin deserves special treatment, which is why we offer a personalized skincare approach to help you look and feel nothing short of radiant!

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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New Year, New Beauty Routine

If the New Year means being the best version of you, why not pamper your beautiful skin? The secret to radiant skin is all about hydration and protection. As beauty products evolve and your daily routine changes, here is how you can change up your beauty routine for 2016:

Treat your neck. Don’t neglect your neck and chest area just because it’s turtleneck season! Continue to hydrate your decolletage just as you would during the summer months simply by taking advantage of vitamin B3-rich masks as well as facials. 

Purchase a humidifier. The dry, cold winter air can suck all the moisture out of your skin. Rehydrate by getting a humidifier and using in your home or even in the workplace often. Did we mention it can also double as a fan in the summer months?

Leave blemishes alone. This year, put behind the bad habit of picking away tiny imperfections. Turns out that imperfections, such as white spots protect your skin from infection and aid in the healing process. Instead, let them heal on their own.

Disinfect everything. From your makeup brushes to the screen on your mobile device, be sure to disinfect everything that comes in contact with your skin. All the oils and bacteria that collects on such objects can cause serious breakouts on your face, so disinfect them with cleansing towelettes.

Make a promise to yourself that you will create the best and most radiant version of yourself by adopting new skincare techniques. And don’t forget to pamper yourself with facial treatments from Radiance Medspa! We believe that everyone’s skin deserves special treatment, which is why we offer a personalized skincare approach to help you look and feel nothing short of radiant!

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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Skincare Resolutions for the New Year

New year, new you? If your New Year’s resolution is to be your best self yet, why not start with your skin? Healthy skin means you’ll feel more comfortable and confident in your body.

At Radiance Medspa, we want to help you look and feel radiant as ever! So make the new year all about taking care of your skin and overall health with these four beauty tips for 2016:

1. Quit smoking - Smoking is bad for your health for many reasons. One of those reasons being poor skin. You’ve probably heard that more puffs means more wrinkles and premature aging. The reason? Smoking lowers your body’s source of vitamin C, which means you’re more susceptible to sunburn. So if you've been meaning to put a stop to this bad habit, 2016 is the perfect opportunity to do so!

2. Eat a more balanced diet - From vitamins to water, there are plenty of ways to adopt a more balanced diet. Eating healthier is a common New Year’s resolution, but if you’re specifically looking for foods that support your skin, try adding more anthocyanin, vitamins, and healthy fats to your diet.

3. Get a better night's sleep - It’s not just a myth! The more rested you are, the more your skin will thank you. The more beauty rest you receive, the less cortisol (stress hormone) your body will produce, which means less inflammation and eczema.

4. Treat your skin - Facial treatments are a wonderful way to reward yourself after a long, hard-working year. Chemical peels, for instance, can rejuvenate your skin and safely treat fine wrinkles without any downtime at all! And custom facials are designed to prevent aging skin and promote the growth of healthy cells and collagen.

At Radiance Medspa, ring in the new year by treating yourself to one of our many facial treatments! We believe that everyone’s skin deserves special treatment, which is why we offer a personalized skincare approach to help you look and feel nothing short of radiant!

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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Facial Treatments to Freshen Up Your Holiday Look

The holidays are approaching, which means you’re bound to run into old, familiar faces. With that being said, it’s time to put your best face forward by giving your skin a little TLC! So go ahead and pamper yourself this season with these facial treatments to freshen up your look:

Photorejuvenation - Get rid of sunspots from the summer, facial veins, and aging spots with photorejuvenation, designed to remove the skin’s most common imperfections. Spa treatment utilizes intense pulsed light and is a guaranteed safe treatment.

BOTOX - Don’t let wrinkles ruin your holiday look! Turn frown lines upside down with this non-surgical, cosmetic procedure. Botox treatments are designed to restore that youthful look you strive for and beautify aging wrinkles.

Latisse - Don’t forget about your lashes! Get thicker, longer eyelashes with Latisse, designed to beautify your eyes in just a few, quick months! Start this FDA-approved treatment today as the perfect holiday gift!

Thanks to the latest skincare technology, freshening up your look for the holidays is easier than ever before. At Radiance Medspa, we offer the latest treatments in skincare to help you achieve your best look yet! To learn more about our services, call us at (630) 221-1883. And to further help you get the treatment you’ve been dreaming of, we’ve teamed up with Brilliant Distinctions® so you can now freshen up you look on a budget! 

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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How to Reduce Facial Redness

Feeling cursed with facial redness? You’re not alone! Many of us suffer from skin conditions, like dermatitis, especially when the climate becomes more dry during the cooler months. But despite the cause of redness, there are a few simple cures to neutralize your skin’s pigmentation:

Facial masks. Although there is no scientific evidence to prove that facial masks can cure redness, many have turned to this home remedy for hundreds of years. Two of the most popular types are cucumber and oatmeal masks. If you choose the cucumber remedy, make sure the cucumbers are cool right out of the fridge. And if you decide oatmeal is better for your redness (especially for eczema), pour a few teaspoons of pure oatmeal into your hands and mix with water before applying to your skin.

Diet change. Making a few changes to your diet can have a significant impact on your skin. To get rid of your facial redness, stay away from spicy foods and drinks that are extremely hot. Instead, try fish oil supplements and probiotics. It also helps to eat more natural foods, such as apple, coconut, melon, spinach (and cucumber, of course).

Chemical peels. If home remedies aren’t doing the trick, it might be a smart idea to look into chemical peels. This type of treatment is designed to safely cure acne, sun damage, pigmentation, and other causes of facial redness. Chemical peels are one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures out there today. Why? Because they’re quick, painless, and most effective.

Are you looking to get rid of pesky redness? If so, chemical peels might be the answer for you! We have many different types of peels that can be used together or separately to correct skin pigmentation. At Radiance Medspa, we believe that everyone’s skin should be treated uniquely, which is why we offer a personalized skincare approach for all of our clients.

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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Why Your Skin Complexion Changes With Seasons

Now that fall has arrived, you probably notice a slight change in your complexion. That’s because it’s easy for your skin to change in accordance with the seasons. In other words, your skin has a way of telling you whether it’s hot, cold, humid, or dry. Here’s how:

Fall & Winter

Between the cool temperatures and blistering winds, it’s not uncommon to look a bit more pale and feel more dry during the cooler months. The primary reason you lose color in your skin is likely due to wind. Not only can cool wind take away your skin’s natural moisture, but it can also cause redness, dead skin cells, and clogged pores - the likely cause of acne during the fall and winter months. As a result of such dry conditions, we tend to apply extra amounts of facial moisturizer and body lotion to counteract the harsh wintry weather.

Spring & Summer

Warmer weather usually restores moisture, which improves your complexion and brings more color to your face. However, the most obvious reason that your complexion changes around this time of year is due to increased sun exposure. The more sun you’re exposed to, the more the pigment in your skin changes. But like anything else, there are a few drawbacks to summer weather as well. For instance, your acne could get worse as a result of increased sweat production and clogged pores. In addition, the heat and humidity that you experience more during warmer months can also cause bacterial and fungal infections, which could very likely change the you skin’s complexion.

Don’t let the cool weather leave your skin feeling dull! At Radiance Medspa, we offer a wide array of facial treatments and advanced combining technologies to help keep your skin looking radiant all season long!

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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How to Achieve a Flawless Face

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you question how you can get more collagen back and look young again? Believe it or not, achieving smooth skin takes just one step: Ultherapy.

What is Ultherapy?
Ultherapy is a clinically proven procedure that helps to lift, tighten, and smoothen out the skin. The best part about this form of treatment is that it is non-invasive and has no downtime at all, which means you can visit Radiance Medspa during your lunch break and return without anyone knowing your little secret!

How does it work?
This method involves radio frequency and ultrasound, which tightens the existing collagen and naturally helps your body to produce more. Ultherapy works by safely heating the inner layers of your skin, which stimulates a natural and biological reaction. This reaction causes the old collagen to thicken and contract while stimulating new collagen. Allow approximately 4 to 12 months to notice maximum results, as your body does take some time to react. However, in the long run, the results are completely worth it!

Are you ready to get back to looking young again? It might sound impossible, but thanks to Ultherapy, achieving smoother and tighter skin is right at your fingertips! 

To rejuvenate and tighten your skin, look no further than Radiance Medspa! We offer this treatment along with other combining technologies and can address all of your skincare concerns.

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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How to Improve Your Complexion

Let’s face it - most of us rely on products to enhance our complexion. But did you know there are many natural tricks that can help you achieve beautiful glowing skin without the use of chemicals? That’s right, say goodbye to creams, sprays, serums, and hello to these all-natural life-changing beauty hacks you can start using today:

Sleep the right way. Believe it or not, there is a right way to sleep. The answer? Become a back sleeper! This method of sleeping is effective because you will avoid wrinkles that can potentially develop if you sleep on one side of your face. So, if you find yourself waking up on your side, try placing pillows around you to keep your head from rolling over during the night.

Drink lots of water. It may sound simple, but it’s a key reminder! One of the best ways to avoid wrinkles and improve your complexion is to make sure your body has plenty of water. Why? Because a lack of fluids can lead to dehydration, which can ultimately take a toll on your skin.

Go green in the kitchen. Is your skin tired? The way you can find out is by looking at the color. If it appears pale, then you’re probably dehydrated and need a little green pick-me-up! For an instant boost of hydration (and nutrition), mix 1 green apple, 1 handful of parsley and kale, 2 handfuls of romaine, 3 celery sticks, ½ of a cucumber, juice from ½ of a lemon, and finally 1 ginger. Blend together for a green juice that will re-energize you to the fullest!

Add shine to your hair. How else can you tell if your skin lacks a glow? Take a look at your hair and you’ll find your answer. If your locks looks dull, then your skin probably needs a little TLC. One trick you can try is to mix apple, cider vinegar, and water together in a spray bottle, and then spritz the combo into damp hair. Once it dries, your hair should look lively and so should your complexion!

Looking for more tips on how to improve your complexion? Click here.

If your skin is being stubborn and won’t react to any of these beauty tricks, turn to Radiance Medspa! We offer personalized facial treatments to help you achieve beautiful, rejuvenized skin. 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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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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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