MEDIAN NERVE ENTRAPMENT,more commonly called carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), is a serious disease that can lead to irreversible nerve damage and permanent disability if left untreated. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, those in the working population are five times more likely to experience symptoms of CTS than those in the general population, with women being three times more likely to develop it than men. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway of ligaments and bones that contain the median nerve, and nine tendons that flex the fingers. If any of these tendons become irritated or swell, pressure is put on the median nerve, causing tingling, burning, weakness in the thumb and first three fingers, pain that radiates from the wrist up the arm, and ultimately results in muscle atrophy and loss of grip. Swelling of these tendons can be caused by a number of factors: hormonal fluctuations, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders, pregnancy and injury to the neck, shoulder or wrist are a few of these. Another cause can be repetitive motions that dry up the fluid inside the carpal tunnel and cause irritation. Additionally, some people simply have smaller carpal tunnels that make them more susceptible to the disease.

The American Board of Family Practice suggests asking these key questions:
• Do you primarily use your hands to perform your current job?
• Do you bend the wrist up and down or from side to side repeatedly more than twice in a minute?
• Do you make repeated fingertapping movements more than twice a minute?
• Do you spend more than four hours per day moving your hands or wrist in the same fashion?
• Do you hold tools that vibrate during most of your workday?
• If you or your client answers yes to at least two of the questions, there is a moderate risk. Each additional yes answer increases the risk.

A regular massage is suggested for anyone who has any of the risk factors listed above.

Highlights from LNE&Spa February 2012 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

(Source: viewer.zmags.com)

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Magazine had a cool article breaking down the different acne medications. Here’s some highlights.

Non-prescription Treatments:

• Benzoyl peroxide - In our clinical practice, we encourage a five-step regimen for the clearing of acne. This involves cleansing, applying ice to reduce inflammation, toning to restore the skin’s pH, using a sunscreen in the morning and a vitamin A product at night. The cleanser used really does make a difference, as many cleansers only sit on the surface of the skin and never reach deep into the pore where the trouble is. The reason why face washing fails to alleviate acne is that the impacted pore lies 2 mm. below the surface of the skin. In order to target it, a penetrating ingredient such as benzoyl peroxide is necessary. The benzoyl pulls the peroxide down into the pore, and the peroxide acts as a bleach, effectively killing the bacteria. If the client is suffering back or body acne, it is often helpful to use only a bit of water and to make a paste with the cleanser, which can be left on for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing, allowing deeper penetration of active ingredients. Should the client have resistant acne, this cleanser can be boosted by increasing the percentage of benzoyl peroxide, or by adding buffing granules. Approximately three percent of the population is allergic to benzoyl peroxide. In this case, a salicylic acid or an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) cleanser such as mandelic or glycolic acid is recommended as a substitute. Benzoyl peroxide is available in cleanser form as well as topical gel formulations.

• Mandelic acid - Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from almonds. Alpha-hydroxy acids are chemicals that aid in exfoliating the skin. For at-home use, products contain AHAs at concentrations of 10 percent or less; for trained estheticians, products can contain concentrations up to 30 percent while doctors can use 70 percent. Chemical peels at this high concentration can offer much benefit to the client. For at-home use, however, mandelic acid in particular is a gentle exfoliant capable of breaking apart the attachments of superficial keratinocytes (skin cells) and unclogging the sebum-filled pore. Being a more gentle AHA, mandelic acid is great for patients suffering from rosacea or for post-procedure care regimens, as it offers anti-inflammatory benefits and tones down redness. Mandelic acid also aids in reducing pigmentation that can occur with acne scarring.

• Vitamin A products - The use of a topical product containing a vitamin A derivative, such as vitamin A propionate, a retinol (non-prescription) or a retinoic acid (prescription) can greatly enhance the exfoliation process and help to reduce impactions (clogged pores). When used regularly, vitamin A derivatives unclog pores, smooth fine lines by building collagen, speed cell turnover and even out dyspigmentation. These products can cause dryness, redness and flaking, but the skin adjusts to this within two weeks. [Clients are encouraged to] push through this cycle, applying the product every other night if necessary. The results are dramatic. The client should avoid receiving any laser or waxing services at this time, as the skin will be more sensitive. 

Here’s an explanation I liked:

Exfoliation: This process removes dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. Some exfoliants use physical beads or particles to scrub off dead skin cells, while others use chemical ingredients like enzymes or alpha hydroxy acids to dissolve and break up dead cells.

Exfoliation reduces blackheads and enhances the look and texture of your skin by accellerating the skin cell renewal process. Meaning the old cells are removed leaving the newer ones exposed. It is recommended that everyone uses some form of chemical exfoliant once a day during their daily regimen and a mechanical exfoliant (i.e. a scrub) 2x per week.

Physical Exfoliants are the scrubs that have a sandy texture. They work by physical scrubbing dead skin cells off. They’re great for getting that fresh face look. The problem with this method is it’s easy to over-do it. The skin on your face is fragile and its easily irritated, that’s why they’re only recommended 2x per week. When you use a scrub, spread the product on your face and gently make small circular movements with your index and middle finger, lightly scrubbing for a couple minutes, then rinse and follow with your usual skin routine.

Chemical Exfoliants remove dead skin cells by dissolving them. There are different types and grades of Chemical exfoliants. What a Dermatologist uses for a chemical peel is much stronger than what’s found in daily use products. The most commonly used exfoliants are salicylic acid and glycolic acid.

• Salicylic Acid is commonly seen in acne lines because in low concentration it is gentle and doesn’t over-dry the skin like benzoyl peroxides or vitamin A derivatives do. It probably wouldn’t do the trick for med-severe acne but is a great ingredient for clearing up clogged pores on non-acneic skin. Be weary of salicylic cleansers though, they can be too harsh if you don’t have an oily skin type. I prefer Salicylic toners or serums for non-oily skin types. I also recommend Salicylic Moisturizers to clients that are uneasy about moisturizers.
• Glycolic Acid is often found in Anti-Aging products because along with exfoliating it can also improve the skin’s texture by firming fine lines and reducing wrinkles. It has a smaller molecule than Salicylic so it can penetrate deeper but can be too harsh for Sensitive and acneic skin.

Here’s some products I like:

For a gentle daily use Salicylic I like Aveda Exfoliant

For a glycolic serum, Bambola Sugar Cane Exfoliant

And for a scrub Epicuren Micro-Derm

It’s the Holidays, which means, family, parties, etc.. so you want to look extra fantastic! I googled all over the place to find an article with some tips on getting that extra special glow but everything i saw was so ad-heavy I wasn’t crazy about it. So here’s my advice I’ve picked up through personal experience, working with clients and reading.

• Go get yo face done gurl! or boy I’m serious, go get a facial, they work. And really, is lying on a comfy padded table while someone puts high end products soothingly on your skin so hard to do?     

It is if you’re broke, which I understand so here’s my version of an

• At-Home Facial. Take a shower or a bath and stay in for at least 10 mins to get your skin warm, soft and steamed. While in the shower/bath cleanse and exfoliate skin. Use an exfoliant scrub with small beads/crystals that way you don’t overdue it and cause irritation. I like Epicuren MicroDerm Exfoliating Cream. Gently rub Exfoliant on your skin in small circles for about 3-5 mins. Next step apply a mask that fits your skin needs. A good one for all skin types is Aveda Tourmaline Charged Radiance Mask. Leave on for 5-10mins then rinse off with warm water. Treat and moisturize as you would in your night time routine. A thicker moisturizer will compensate for the oil taken away in exfoliation.