Through the power of Hyaluronic Layering—a three-layer process—your skin is infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid, enriched with vitamins and botanicals. Experience an immediate plumping effect, with your skin drenched in moisture and glowing from within, effectively halting premature aging in its tracks. And if you are prepping for a big event, your makeup will flawlessly glide on atop your revitalized complexion. Intraceuticals Rejuvenating Treatment $99 (value $125) Add-on treatments (call ahead to reserve additional treatment): Full facelift using micro-current $35 Dermaplaning $15

Remove facial fine hair and dead skin cells with this gentle mechanical exfoliation. Facial hair will not grow back coarser. This gentle but effective treatment is great to condition, hydrate, and brighten your skin plus minimize fine lines. Superior product penetration and smoother makeup application are achieved after this treatment.

Can you influence how your skin ages? Did you know that genetics, accounting for 40% of your skin's aging, could either be comforting or concerning? But fret not, as you have control over the remaining 60%. Here's how skin ages: 40% Genetics 30% Skin Care 30% Lifestyle These factors work hand in hand, offering numerous ways to help your skin age gracefully. And here's a crucial reminder: the sun plays a significant role in damaging your skin or accelerating aging issues such as crinkly skin, dark spots, and texture changes. Sun damage accumulates over time, with just 10 minutes of exposure daily potentially causing significant issues. Despite recommendations for 15 minutes of daily unprotected sun exposure for Vitamin D, opting for a quality supplement is a safer choice. Remember, your lips, eyes, and hands also require sun protection. What happens to your skin in your 20s and 30s? In your 20s, your skin undergoes minimal changes. It remains soft, well-hydrated, shedding dead cells every 3 to 4 weeks, maintaining a fresh appearance. However, you may notice a gradual decrease in water retention capability, as hyaluronic acid begins to deplete due to factors like UV rays and pollution. Consequently, your skin may feel drier, less supple, and lose its radiance. While collagen loss initiates, it hasn't become evident yet. Hence, protection is vital during your 20s. Moving into your 30s, minor changes become noticeable, such as expression lines around the eyes and forehead, and dark spots from UV damage. Your skin may also become drier and more sensitive to temperature changes. However, this is the time for action. As you begin to notice these changes, it's crucial to switch to a more hydrating cleanser, incorporate ample moisture, and add a treatment product at night. Protection and prevention become paramount. Thoughts on Prejuvenation Care: Your skincare routine in your 20s and 30s significantly influences your skin's aging process. While injectables and advanced treatments like Botox or fillers can help correct aging issues, they aren't necessary for prevention. Adopting good lifestyle and skincare habits is key. Starting injectables at a young age is costly and lacks a good history, with potential long-term effects unknown. Skin Care Strategies for your 20s - Protect & Maintain: Establish a gentle yet effective cleansing routine, avoiding harsh ingredients. Apply sunscreen daily, ideally starting in your teens, with SPF 30. Incorporate an eye cream from age 25. Include Vitamin C for moisture, antioxidant protection, and collagen stimulation. Use a nighttime moisturizer tailored to your skin type. Schedule facials seasonally to hydrate and treat your skin. Consider micro-dermabrasion for a refreshing and brightening boost. These are basic recommendations. If you have specific concerns such as acne, break our prone skin or rosacea specific treatment plans should be followed. Skin Care Strategies for your 30s - Protect & Prevent: Build on the strategy for your 20s by adding a treatment skin care product at night. Doesn’t have to be a retinol, but could be a good hydrating peptide cream that starts to work on stimulating collagen & elastin so the loss is reduced and good moisture levels maintained. Ingredients that build collagen include cooper peptides and neoderlym. Professional treatments 4 times a year. Select ones that are hydrating and can stimulate collagen & Elastin such as chemical peels, micro needling, or micro-current. And polish skin with Micro-dermabrasion or dermaplaning for fleshing and brightening. A note about your eyes! Remember, the skin around your eyes ages faster, necessitating a dedicated eye cream. While Botox may seem tempting, long-term use can pose risks, making a good eye cream a safer option. Be cautious with false eyelashes or extensions, as the glue can damage delicate skin and even cause permanent eyelash loss. Instead, opt for eyelash growth products like Latisse or RapidLash. General Lifestyle Tips: As noted above, lifestyle can have a significant affect on how your skin ages. Good lifestyle habits that impact your skin include: Prioritize sufficient sleep for optimal skin repair. Regular exercise improves circulation, enhancing skin radiance. Opt for a balanced diet, avoiding processed foods and excessive sugar, which can cause glycation and alter skin texture. Skin Care Tips: Establish consistent skincare habits with proven products. Never sleep with makeup on, as it can accelerate aging and cause breakouts. Combine injectables with a reliable skincare routine for a healthy, beautiful appearance. Choose skincare products wisely, opting for medical-grade options for optimal results. Understand the difference between drug store, department store, Facebook, Sephora, Ulta, and medical-grade products. They can all be expensive so invest wisely. Avoid overusing potent ingredients like retinol or alpha hydroxy acids, as they can irritate the outer layer or protective layer of your skin. As your skin changes with the seasons and over the years, adjust your skincare routine accordingly. Regularly reevaluate your regimen to accommodate hormonal changes and maintain skin health. At SkinTrust, our "Ask the Esthetician" service ensures personalized care tailored to your skin's needs.

Jill joined PHTV Channel 4 of Palos Heights to discuss skin through the ages. Tune in to hear Jill share her story - how and why she made skin care her passion and career. Learn about why skin ages and what you can do about it.

Why does skin age? And how can you best care for your skin through the ages? We begin aging from the moment we enter this world. It's an inevitable part of life. However, as we grow older, it's essential to maintain a positive self-image both internally and externally. While Baby Boomers lead the charge, younger generations also have piqued interest in combating the visible signs of aging that express on our faces. Remember, it's not all about vanity but about nurturing self-esteem and practicing good self-care. But how do you navigate the abundance of options available? There's so much to consider! Boy, what a change from when I grew up (read my story). Since becoming an esthetician 13 years ago, I've studied the industry, advocating for a sensible approach to skincare. It all starts with grasping the following fundamental facts. Skin Ages Due to: 40% Genetics 30% Lifestyle 30% Skin Care (or lack thereof) Aging brings forth various changes to our skin, affecting its appearance, texture, and functionality. There are two categories of aging to consider: 1. Intrinsic Aging - what is happening inside you: Genetics Hormones Metabolism 2. Extrinsic Aging - choices you make that influence your aging process: UV radiation Lifestyle choices Environmental factors Facial expressions Skincare habits Collagen and elastic fiber changes Hydration and moisture levels Cellular changes A healthy lifestyle, proper skincare, and sun protection can minimize the effects of aging. So where do you begin? Genetics. Start by taking a look at your parents. You likely inherited facial skin and features from them, both favorable and unfavorable. Identifying your genetic predispositions will empower you to accentuate the good and improve the not-so-good. Next, evaluate your lifestyle. Consider factors that can hinder or help how your skin ages: Sun Exposure Smoking Stress Exercise Alcohol consumption Diet Sleep Pollution Menopause You know the big one on this list - sun exposure! Sun exposure, in particular, warrants attention as it can lead to dark spots and hasten collagen and elastin loss. Research indicates that dark spots more visibly age you than wrinkles. In the normal aging process, here is what happens to your collagen and elastin: Starting at 18, you lose 1% each year. By the time you’re in your mid-30s, the loss doubles to 2%, By the time you’re in your 50s, the loss again doubles to 4% each year. Then, you reach a “tipping point”, when visible damage is obvious (especially if you have not cared for your skin). This loss typically progresses with age but is accelerated by external factors. Sun exposure will accelerate the rate of loss well beyond the percentages outlined above. And that’s just the effect of the sun! Add in other negative lifestyle influences like smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet, too much wine, not enough sleep, pollution, and then the inevitable arrival of menopause. You get it! It all adds up to the perfect storm on your skin. But all is not bleak! It's essential to cultivate healthy lifestyle habits, even if you can't adopt them all. Start with a few: Wear sunscreen with blue light protection (Circadia has a new one - how can we put that on the website). Reduce processed foods and sugar from your diet. Try to exercise a couple of times a week. Exercise will help you sleep better. If possible, don’t smoke. Good lifestyle choices will compound. For example, exercise can lead to better sleep (this is when your skin repairs itself), and better sleep helps control food carvings. Over time, good habits make a lasting difference. Here are some of the common ways in which the skin changes with age: Wrinkles and fine lines Loss of Elasticity Thinning of skin Dryness and dehydration Uneven skin tone and dark spots Decreased blood circulation Slower cell turnover Decreased oil production Loss of facial fat Reduced collagen production Impact of gravity Let's talk about caring for your skin. Let me start by saying - it is never too late. And if you start earlier, it’s much better. Remember, caring for your skin makes up 30% of how your skin will age. While nobody wants a 100-step regimen, effective products and consistency are key. You can establish a skincare routine tailored to your needs that takes less than 5 minutes in the morning and night. A sensible plan for your skin is establishing a regimen based on understanding and assessing how your skin is aging, how you have cared for your skin, and your lifestyle choices.  Then add the right ingredients to guide your skin through the aging process and understand the right treatments for your skin. There is so much available in this industry that it can be daunting to know what to do. Using an esthetician can guide you through this process and we specialize in this with Ask the Esthetician at SkinTrust. Stay tuned! In upcoming months, I will share skin care tips for each decade, so you can care for your skin through the ages. Caring for Your Skin in Your 20s and 30s