Extensive studies over the past decade have turned what we once knew about sunshine on its head. In New Zealand it is important to protect the skin from excessive amounts of harsh sun exposure, but it is equally important that we get a daily dose of Vitamin D, an all-important element found in fatty fish, shiitake mushrooms and specific supplements, but also gained by a few minutes in the sun each day. Our bodies can’t make the vitamin, so instead converts ultraviolet B light into vitamin D when sunlight hits the skin. Vitamin D does far more than build bones. It also regulates the immune system, encouraging anticancer actions within the body. About 10 minutes of exposure on our hands, arms or legs each day is sufficient. Lucy & the Powder Room recommends using a sun protection cream with an SPF16 to help minimise pigmentation and aged skin.
Sun damage is caused by frequent exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. There are two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and are the major source of early aging and skin cancer. UVB rays primarily access the surface of the skin and are the key source of sunburns. From spidery veins to rough, dry skin to pigmentation and sunspots, the damage that overexposure to the sun can cause can be enormous, so the best line of defense is prevention. The best sun protection creams include UVA and UVB protection (called broad spectrum) and a high quantity of antioxidants.
- When choosing a sunscreen, it is important to select a reflective, non-absorbent formula, as the UVA & UVB chemicals are less likely to be absorbed into the bloodstream and are easier to wash off. Look for a sunscreen high in antioxidants. A relatively new concept in protecting the skin from damage by UV rays, antioxidants “mop up” any unstable free radicals and modifies their harmful effects.
- Don’t use sunscreens from the previous season or that have expired.
- It’s also important to be aware the SPF in sunscreen denotes the chemicals present in the formula. A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or 50 indicates larger quantities of sun protection chemicals. However, this doesn’t mean it provides significantly more protection against the sun. Increasing the SPF to 30 or 50 will only provide an extra 10 minutes of protection, not several hours.
- If you can already see signs of sun damage in your skin, intensive infusions of vitamins A, C, E and antioxidants can repair the skin and sun damage at a cellular level, restoring it to a healthier, fresher state Lucy & the Powder Room stocks Environ RAD, a broad spectrum & antioxidant rich Sunscreen Hormones and Nutrition Today we recognise the importance of hormones and their impact on our quality of life. Hormones affect every type of cell in the human body. Even tiny changes in hormonal levels can have a significant impact on our general wellbeing. This shows in the appearance of hair, nails, skin and even in our general state of mind. But through diet and specific supplementation, hormonal imbalances can be minimised, while topical applications of vitamin A and C antioxidants can support the skin to achieve a healthy glow and minimise the effects of hormonal changes. When it comes to nutrition, knowledge is power. At Lucy & the Powder Room, we take a holistic approach to beauty and provide expert advice on the best way to achieve youthful, healthy skin. A diet rich in EPA, DHA and polyphenols is essential. Polyphenols are phytochemicals that give fruits and vegetables their colour and provide powerful health benefits through their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions. Many leading endocrinologists (hormone experts) believe this is the best way to slow aging. Daily supplementation with a high-quality fish
oil and a live food rich in phytonutrients is recommended. *Lucy & the Powder Room now stocks a high quality Fish Oil available to clients. The Wonder Ingredient ~ Vitamin A Since 1911 we have known that vitamin A is essential for healthy, normal skin, and since healthy skin is beautiful, our skin should be rich in vitamin A. Exposure to more than 20 minutes of sunlight will significantly deplete vitamin A, C & E in the skin as well as in the blood, not only on blisteringly hot days but even on cloudy or rainy days. The significant combination of vitamins A, C, and E antioxidants, along with peptides in the Environ skincare range help normalise the skin and minimise unwanted skin
conditions.
- Skin cell proliferation is stimulated through the use of vitamin A, aiding the skin to build up healthier layers and heal faster. Vitamin A encourages healthier collagen to form and increases the secretion of glycosaminoglycans, which allows the skin to retain more water, thereby gently plumping out wrinkles and leaving skin soft and smooth.
- In the harsh New Zealand environment, most skins will benefit from graduating to stronger doses of vitamin A. An expert skin therapist can identify and analyse these needs and prescribe accordingly. Recent evidence indicates vitamin A improves the function of the Langerhans cells, which aid in the removal of errant, potentially malignant cells, thereby potentially preventing skin cancers. *Lucy & the Powder Room stocks Environ, a vitamin & antioxidant rich product range created specifically for sun damage.
A women who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.
— Coco Chanel
- Apply to pulse points such as the folds in your elbow, back of knees, wrist, neck and cleavage.
- Make sure you do not rub wrists together as this crushes the scent.
- Do not simply apply to the neck. Always work up the body as the scent rises.
- Layer your scent. Start with a body oil or lotion, followed by a perfume in the same scent.
- Be patient. Some perfumes take more than an hour to truly develop their character.
- Perfume lasts longer on moisturized skin but will evaporate quickly on dry skin. Solution; apply a rich unscented oil or cream before applying a perfume for extra staying power.