au naturale, castor oil, clarisonic, dermablend, dermatology, dr.callender, face wash, grapeseed oil, lupie chick, lupus, moisturizer, neutrogena, oily skin, skin care, tea tree oil, vitamin c

REQUESTED – My Skin Regimen

Hi loves,
Thank you for all the compliments you guys have given me about my skin ( and hair). I appreciate all the love and I’m shocked that so many of you have noticed.  Most of you know that I had scarring left from a Lupus flare up and I was really embarrassed and insecure about my face. I wore full coverage makeup( foundation)  along with Dermablend – EVERYDAY – including hot summer days. I now only wear press powder ( yes!!!). I eventually found a dermatologist who took the time to access all of my skin care issues & needs. My dermatologist is Dr. Callender. She has taught me how to care for my skin at home and has turned my skin around!!!!! I started to see improvement in 4 weeks. Click Here to revisit ” Loving the Skin I’m In” The number one thing she has taught me is SPF!!! Yes, ladies- if you’re African American YOU STILL NEED SUN SCREEN!!!! ( because I have Lupus I have to use SPF 70, but all of my products contain at least SPF 50)

Naked Face ** Summer 2011 **
MAY-May 9, 2012- Naked Face
I tried to get up close so that ya”ll could my skin

Alot of you have asked what am I doing for my skin. I will share my regimen with you all, BUT this is a regimen that works for me and my skin type and was pescribed to me by Dr. Callender. I highly suggest that if you’re experiencing any skin issues, you should consult with a dermatologist before starting any new regimen or before applying new products to your face.

Skin Type: OILY- problematic, sensitive skin with large pores..

Morning

Evening

  • Remove makeup with a makeup wipe ( I use neutrogena makeup remover pads or unscented baby wipes)
  • Do the oil cleansing method ( 50:50 mix of Grapeseed oil & Castor oil, 2 drops of vitamin E) ** I only do this if I’m wearing makeup.. If not I skip this..**
  • Steam face with a warm  (soft) wash cloth, wipe away oil residue
  • (1) pump of neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser ( purple bottle)
  • Apply with hands/rinse with cool water
  • Pat  dry
  • Spritz face with rose water
  • Apply 4% strength hydroquione with a q-tip to any dark marks or blemishes
  • Apply a thin layer of Differin Gel

Weekly

  • Change my pillow cases
  • Wash my makeup brushes ( using EVOO and Johnson and Johnson Baby Shampoo)

 Monthly

  • First Sunday of every month Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

Bi-Monthly

  •   See Dr. Callender

Quarterly

Today May 9th- Pressed Powder, Blush, Eyeshadow,
 & LipGloss ( Hair Flat-Twist Out)

There you have it!  That’s my regimen- and  I stick to it- no matter how sleepy or tired I maybe.  I take the time to do all the above. Be sure to drink plenty of water and get rest. Suffering from insomnia I’m still struggling with getting enough sleep. ** Baby steps**

Dr. Valerie Callender is an internationally recognized Board Certified Dermatologist, who is known for her expertise in Pigmentation Disorders and the medical and surgical treatment of Hair Loss in Women.Dr. Callender has written twelve (12) textbook chapters and many articles for academic journals. She has recently co-edited a textbook on the Treatment for Skin of Color. Dr. Callender is a frequently invited speaker at national and international meetings.Dr. Callender has been a visiting Professor of Dermatology at Brown University, the University of Maryland, the University of Florida, Boston University/Tufts and the State University of New York. Dr. Callender has conducted and participated in over forty (40) research studies and clinical trials for both therapeutic and cosmetic products and is a consultant to many cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Callender is frequently quoted and featured in both print and electronic media (including a recent segment on the Dr. Oz Show on Hair Loss In Women) and serves on the Boards of the Women’s Dermatologic Society, where she is Secretary; the Skin of Color Society, where she is a founding member and President, and the North American Hair Research Society.


Dr. Valerie Callender
Dermatology & Cosmetic Center
1200 Annapolis Road
Suite 315
Glendale, MD 20769
301-249-0970

au naturale, clarfying shampoo, dandruff, flaky scalp, generic, hair treatment, lavender, mint, miss sixx, mz sixx, paul mitchell, sally beauty supply, shampoo, tea tree oil, tree tea shampoo

Monthly Hit Or Dis(aster)

Product: GVP ( Generic Value Product) Tea Tree Oil Lavender Shampoo ** Sally Beauty Supply Stores**

Price: On sale 2 for $10 ( reg price $7.49)

Size: 16 Ounces

Hit or Diss: HIT!!!!!!!!

Comparable product: Paul Mitchell Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo

Product Info: Enriched with tea tree oil, Invigorating fragrance, Rich lather

Soothes scalp GVP Tea Tree Oil Lavender Shampoo is a moisture rich shampoo that hydrates dry hair. Enriched with tea tree oil, lavender and mint. Nourishes dry, thirsty hair, while adding body and shine.

I love this product. I accidentally purchased this product at Sally Beauty Supply, once I was home and realized my error, I figured I would try it anyway since it was on sale. I used it as a clarifying shampoo, and it worked wonderfully!!!! I wet my hair, applied a quarter size amount into my hands and worked it into my hair. A rich lather formed and I felt some “tingle” on my scalp. I repeated the process once more and rinsed with cool water. I then followed with my conditioning treatment and style.

Pro’s:

  • SAME ingredients as the Paul Mitchell Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo
  • My hair was SQUEAKY clean-removing all product buildup
  • Price: GREAT value ( any 2 generic products for $10), regular price $7.49
  • Serves double duty as a great cleanser for make up brushes!!!!!

Con’s:

  • If you are sensitive to the smell of Tea Tree Oil, Mint, or Lavender-you may find this item offensive. ( After I rinsed the product from my hair, I didn’t notice the smell, but other reviewers complained of the “medicinal smell)
  • If you are “particular” about the ingredients in your shampoo- this one isn’t for you- it contains Sulfates.

** What products or methods have you tried? **

**Where they a hit or a dis(aster)?? Lets Dish**

au naturale, baking soda, lavender, miss sixx, no poo, rosemary, shampoo, tea tree oil

The No Shampoo Alternative: NO POO


The main reason to go no ‘poo is your health. The number of chemicals in shampoo and other bath and body products is frightening. Your skin is the largest organ on your body. Whatever gets put on your skin gets absorbed into your body, into your bloodstream and into your organs, as has been proven by many studies. Essentially, whatever is toxic to put in your mouth is toxic on your skin as well.

Chemical Content of Shampoo

Following are just a small sample of the toxins found in most shampoos and their detrimental side effects.

Alcohol, isopropyl (SD-40) is a very drying and irritating solvent and dehydrator that strips your skin’s moisture and natural immune barrier, making you more vulnerable to bacteria, molds and viruses. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative, and is found in many skin and hair products, fragrances, antibacterial hand washes as well as shellac and antifreeze. It can act as a “carrier,” accelerating the penetration of other harmful chemicals into your skin.

It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin. A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients says isopropyl alcohol may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis, anesthesia and coma. A fatal ingested dose is one ounce or less.

FD&C color pigments are synthetic colors made from coal tar, containing heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and death. Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic.

Mineral oil is a petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. It interferes with skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders.

Propylene glycol (PG) and butylene glycol are petroleum plastics which act as surfactants (wetting agents and solvents). They easily penetrate the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. Commonly used to make extracts from herbs, PG is strong enough to remove barnacles from boats!

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are detergents and surfactants that may pose serious health threats. They are used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers — and in 90 percent of personal care products that foam. Animals exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and even death.

How to No ‘Poo

Dissolve about 1 tablespoon of baking soda in just enough water to make a paste. Apply this to your roots only; work it in and let it sit for a minute.

In order to stimulate blood flow, clean your pores and get off built up grime, use your finger tips to massage your scalp. Start by making a circle on the top of your head in the area you’d wear a crown. Focus on the back of this circle to begin with. Next, fill in the circle. This is where your part will be; grease here affects the way your hair looks. Trace while still scrubbing with your fingertips around the bottom edge of the circle. Keep making massaging circles underneath each one, drawing lines in circles around your head.

Lastly, massage the back of your skull and your temples/sideburns. This will result in less grease and more growth. After doing this, your scalp will feel alive. Many women swear their hair grows faster after a visit to the salon — it does, and this massage method is why.

When scrubbing, you’re actually rubbing your fingers back and forth in short movements. Be gentle; you don’t want to break your hair. Next, pour about 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a cup and add water. (I keep two plastic 12-ounce cups in my shower and just mix when I get in.) After you rinse the baking soda out, pour the apple cider vinegar over the ends of your hair, let it sit for a minute and then rinse it out. That’s all there is to it!

No ‘Poo Troubleshooting

Remember, there is a transition period from two weeks to two months depending on the person. Here are a few tips:

• If your hair becomes frizzy, try using less baking soda or leaving it on for a shorter period of time. Adding honey may also help.

• If your hair becomes greasy, try using less apple cider vinegar, switching to lemon or lime juice, leaving out the honey, and/or using a comb instead of a brush. Also, make sure you’re applying the apple cider vinegar just to the ends of your hair.

• If your scalp itches, try the following essential oils; tea tree, lavender, rosemary. If your hair becomes dry, try a tiny bit of oil (any oil, I use olive) smoothed on bottom of hair.

Ready to make the change? Sure! Don’t be afraid to go no ‘poo. You know how to do it! Enjoy the journey – you’re on your way to a healthier you!