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No matter your age – enjoy clear skin again

Acne, pimples, white heads, black heads – a result of diet, stress and hormones. This pesky skin condition and acne scarring are treatable at Urban Body Laser.

Options for acne treatments here at Urban Body Laser:

Consultation with skin assessment (sessions are approximately 45 mins to 1 hour)

For new clients – an Acne Specialist will take the following steps:

  • Conduct a visual and palpation skin analysis and determine your acne type and grade
  • Go over aggravating factors that make you break out — foods, medications, cosmetics, etc.
  • Teach you how to check your skincare products for pore-clogging ingredients
  • Educate you about the formation of acne and how our system works to target problem areas and get results

If you decide to work with us, we will take the following additional steps:

  • Determine your skin tolerance for our professional-strength products and perform an allergy test
  • Develop an individualized homecare regimen specifically designed for your skin type and acne needs for the first 2 weeks

Acne Consultation with Treatment (sessions are approximately 2 hours)

For new clients. At this appointment you will have the following:

  • In-depth Acne Consultation (see above)
  • A customized Acne Treatment

PLEASE BE AWARE: If you have been on any prescription topical product (i.e. Differin, Retin-A, Clindamycin, Epiduo, etc.) you MUST discontinue use for 2 weeks prior to your appointment, or book the consultation only.

Chin Acne

Our Acne Program

Acne is a complex disease. This is why we utilize a multi-aspect approach with the Acne Program at our clinic. With our Program we don’t just address current breakouts; we focus on acne prevention and on guiding our clients up to the point where their skin stays clear forever. With your commitment to our Program, we will take control of your acne in as little as 10-16 weeks.

Our Acne Program will do the following:

  • Target current breakouts
  • Prevent future breakouts
  • Improve pigmentation

We will take the following steps:

  • Develop a customized skincare regimen at the initial consultation
  • Detect acne triggers in everyday life that exacerbate acne, such as food, skincare, makeup, and birth control
  • Adjust your skincare regimen and perform customized treatments every 2-3 weeks
  • Guide you through the whole process of getting clear. You will contact your Acne Specialist directly!
  • Educate you about how to keep your skin clear

We will need your commitment to:

  • Skincare regimen recommended by your Acne Specialist
  • 3-4 Acne Treatments for mild acne or 6 -8 Acne Treatments for more severe acne
  • Following all recommendations you receive at your Acne Consultation

Acne Treatments

  1. We use the Sciton BBL Blue Light (420nm) to treat inflammatory acne. Our guests come in for 20-30 minute treatments a few times over the course of a few weeks and receive the Blue Light treatment that painlessly destroys the bacteria that causes acne. The skin heals quickly and this process can be used on almost any skin type and level of acne from mild to severe. The treatment is virtually painless (most guests indicate their skin feels warm and tingly).
  2. We use Fontona’s Nd:YAG laser light to target overactive sebaceous glands in order to reduce the risk of developing new acne inflammation. This treatment also speeds up healing and promotes collagen remodeling.
  3. Hydrafacial Acne Treatment can be used for blocked pores, black heads or acne. This is a six-step treatment to clean out pores and calm inflammation. Bonus: it can also be used for large pores, oily, rough or dull skin, wrinkles, fine lines or skin discoloration.
  4. Our Hydrafacial MD  HydraFacial deep pore treatment can be combined with blue LED light therapy that can help with acne. If you’re suffering with , there are a number of treatments that might help. HydraFacial is safe for all skin types and can address a wide variety of cosmetic concerns, including acne, acne scars, discoloration, large pores, oily complexion, rough skin, dull skin, wrinkles, and fine lines.

Acne Scarring

Acne Scar Removal

  1. For acne and other scars, we use Fotona’s Er:YAG laser to gently vaporize the acne-scarred surface to show off the healthy, undamaged skin underneath. We also use the Fraxel, treating fractions of the skin at the same time by using laser skin resurfacing.
  2. We use dermabrasion, microdermabrasion and microneedling to get rid of acne scars. These treatments can be used for other purposes too, such as removing traumatic scars, rhinophyma (nose enlargement in rosacea), wrinkles, and tattoo removal.

Sometimes dark spots, red spots or purple spots can be left behind after the acne has cleared; we have suggestions for treating these as well.

Microdermabrasion for Acne

Acne is a common skin issue that impacts the lives of many Canadians. However, in this day and age, it can be effectively treated with a wide range of procedures.

For those who are experiencing acne outbreaks or even some light acne scarring, one technique that can be employed is microdermabrasion. (link to micro article on home page) This technique helps improve skin imperfections by removing the upper layer of dead and damaged skin cells. This in turn will reveal fresher, healthier-looking skin in the individual. In addition to this, Microdermabrasion can help promote the production of new skin cells, which in turn will have a higher level of collagen, which can help improve the look of mild acne scars.

Microdermabrasion is great for those with an active acne condition since it exfoliates the skin and helps clear clogged pores of oil and dirt. It should be noted that this procedure is not always recommended in every acne case. In some situations, microdermabrasion can aggravate the condition, however your Technician will be able to provide you with advice as to whether microdermabrasion is right for your acne treatment plans.  To help remove deep congestion you may add a steam and an extraction to increase the intensity and effectiveness of the treatment.

In addition to this, for individuals who have deeper acne scarring such as boxcar scars and ice pick scars then microdermabrasion is not likely the best solution. This would be Microneedling.

Microneedling

Because the microdermabrasion treatment is quite mild, we recommend four to six sessions, spread out across two to four weeks. This course of treatments will likely give you the best results and you should expect your skin to have a much more vibrant and rejuvenated appearance. Typically, most healthy individuals are ideal candidates for microdermabrasion but ultimately when you have an initial consultation you will be advised whether the treatment is suitable in your own individual case.

For those who are looking for a non-invasive treatment for acne, Urban Body Laser (link to homepage) may be the solution for you. Contact us online today or call our clinic based in downtown Vancouver at 604-696-5506 to learn more.

Skin Care
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Understand Your Skin Type To Have The Best Skin Care Routine For YOU

Here at Urban Body Laser, we realize that determining your skin type may feel a little overwhelming, like cracking a super cryptic code or searching for the missing piece of a complex genetics puzzle but it is an absolute necessity when it comes to ensuring proper skincare and overall skin health and longevity.

Knowing (and understanding) your skin type is the first step in the right direction to determining why you could be experiencing certain skin-related concerns and establishing a vital skincare routine – the basis on which all your products and regimens rest.

It will also aid in understanding your skin’s natural behaviors and responses, enabling you to introduce to your routine, better-suited products that are most effective for you, to target skin concerns specific to your own skin.

We would love to help you establish what your skin needs to look and feel its best but in order to do this, you must first understand the different skin types and determine your own skin

type…

Understanding the Different Skin Types

There are five main types of skin, namely: normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive skin. Skin type is predominantly determined by genetics. However, the condition of our skin may vary greatly in accordance with the various internal and external factors it is subjected to, such as climate, hormones, medications, diet and products, to name a few.

1. Normal Skin Type

What is “normal” skin?

The term ‘normal’ skin is widely used to refer to well-balanced skin. The scientific term for well-balanced skin is eudermic. Normal skin: is neither overly oily nor dry; is rarely sensitive or particularly problematic; has balanced sebum production and good blood circulation. This well-balanced healthy skin type has even levels of moisture and hydration, uniform texture and no obvious problem areas.

How to identify normal skin

Normal skin may be identified by the following properties:

  • Barely visible pores
  • A fresh, even tone
  • Soft and smooth texture with uniform transparency
  • Good blood circulation
  • Balanced oil production
  • No blemishes and
  • Minimal sensitivity

As a person with normal skin ages, their skin may become drier.

2. Dry Skin Type

What is “dry” skin?

The term ‘dry’ skin is used to describe a skin type that produces insufficient sebum and as a result, dry skin lacks the lipids it requires to retain balanced moisture and build a protective shield against harsh external influences (this leads to an impaired barrier function). Often characterized by its flaky and rough texture, dry skin (or Xerosis) exists in varying degrees of severity and in different forms that are not always obviously distinguishable.

Significantly more women suffer from dry skin than men, and all skin gets dryer as it ages.

The causes of dry skin

Dry skin may affect anyone but some risk factors raise your chances of developing dry skin. These include:

  • Age: as you age, your pores naturally produce less oils
  • Medical history: you’re more likely to experience eczema or allergic contact dermatitis, if there is a history of these conditions in your family
  • Seasons: dry skin is more common during the colder months, when humidity levels are relatively low. In warmer months, higher levels of humidity may prevent your skin from drying out.
  • Cleansing habits: taking long and frequent baths, showers or cleansing with very hot water strips the skin of its necessary oils

Skin moisture is dependent on water supply in the deeper skin layers and even perspiration. Skin is constantly losing water via:

  • Perspiration: active water loss from the glands caused by heat, stress or exertion and is vital for body temperature regulation and overall health.
  • Trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL): the skin’s natural and passive process of water content regulation by diffusing about half a liter of water a day from the deeper skin layers.

Therefore, dry skin is caused by a lack of:

  • Natural moisturizing factors (NMFs): especially urea, amino acids and lactic acid – that help to bind in water.
  • Epidermal lipids: such as ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol which are needed for a healthy skin barrier function.

As a result, the skin’s barrier function may become compromised.

How to identify dry skin

Dry skin ranges from skin that is a little bit drier than normal, to very dry skin, to extremely dry skin.

These differences are normally be distinguished by:

Dry skin

  • Flaky, rough or tight feeling
  • Slight itchiness
  • Brittle, uneven texture
  • Dull looking
  • Low elasticity

Very dry skin

  • Mild scaling or patched flakiness
  • Rough and blotchy appearance (may appear to be prematurely aged)
  • Feeling of tightness
  • Itchiness
  • More sensitive to irritation, redness and risk of infection

Extremely dry skin

  • Roughness and inflammation
  • Chapping, fissures (cracks) and/or calluses
  • Scaling
  • Discoloration
  • Frequent itchiness

Extremely dry skin is most commonly found on the elderly or on severely dehydrated hands.

3.  Oily Skin Type

What is “oily” skin?

The term ‘oily’ skin describes a skin type with heightened sebum production. This excessing discharge of sebum is commonly known as seborrhea.

The causes of oily skin

A number of issues may trigger an overproduction of sebum. These include:

  • Genetics: oily skin tends to run in families. If one of your parents has oily skin, you’re likely to have overactive sebaceous glands, too
  • Stress and hormonal changes: androgens (the hormones mostly responsible for oil production) may sometimes fluctuate, stimulating an increase in sebum production, occurring most commonly during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Stress and illness may also prompt for additional hormones to be released, and with those hormones excess oils may be produced
  • Medications: acquiring oily skin is one of the possible side effects associated with taking oral contraceptives, hormone replacement medication and certain kinds of steroids. Some medications may also cause dehydration which leads to the production of excess oils
  • Enlarged pores: sometimes pores stretch out due to age, weight fluctuations and previous breakouts – larger pores tend to produce more oil
  • Environment: where you live and the time of year may contribute to oily skin. People in warmer, humid climates tend to have oilier skin. You are also likelier to have more oil on your skin during warmer seasons than you would in colder seasons
  • Poor diet: frequent consumption of foods high in sugars, refined carbohydrates and dairy may lead to overactive sebum production
  • Comedogenic cosmetics: frequent use of cosmetic products that cause irritation
  • Methods of cleansing: scrubbing too hard and too often, with abrasive tools or coarse exfoliators, and using harsh chemicals and soaps not suited for your skin type, strips the skin of moisture causing glands to overproduce oil

How to identify oily skin

Oily skin may be identified by the following properties:

  • Enlarged, obviously visible pores
  • Greasy appearance
  • Thicker, pale skin: blood vessels may not be visible
  • Prone of breakouts
  • Inflammation and discoloration in severe cases

Oily skin is prone to comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and to other varying forms of acne.

With mild acne, a significant number of comedones appear on the face and frequently on the neck, shoulders, back and chest too.

In moderate and severe cases, papules (small bumps with no visible white or black head) and pustules (medium sized bumps with a noticeable white or yellow spot at the center) appear and the skin becomes red and inflamed.

4.       Combination Skin Type

What is “combination” skin?

The term ‘combination’ skin describes exactly that – having a combination of oily skin in some areas and dry skin in other areas. Typically, there’s a mix of oily and dry areas on different parts of your face, with the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) being slightly to very oily and the cheeks being normal to dry.

The causes of combination skin

The oilier parts of combination skin are caused by an overproduction of sebum. The drier parts of combination skin are caused by a lack of sebum and a corresponding lipid deficiency.

A number of factors may cause combination skin. These include:

  • Genetics: if one of your parents has combination skin, you’re likely to have it too
  • Climate: you may see a change in your skin’s appearance depending on the change in the climate. You are likelier to have more oil on your skin during warmer seasons and your skin may feel dry in colder seasons
  • Products: the use of harsh products may and contribute to excess sebum production in the T-zone

How to identify combination skin

Combination skin may be identified by the following properties:

  • Oily T-zone (forehead, chin and nose)
  • Enlarged pores T-zone area, perhaps with some impurities
  • Prone to breakouts only on forehead, chin and nose
  • Normal to dry cheeks
  • Sensitive cheeks

5.       Sensitive Skin Type

What is “sensitive” skin?

The term ‘sensitive’ skin generally refers to skin that is more prone to inflammation or adverse reactions. People with sensitive skin are likelier to have strong, negative reactions to chemicals, dyes, and fragrances present in products that come into contact with the skin.

The causes of sensitive skin

Just like there are varying degrees of severity of dry skin, there are also different levels of sensitive skin. These may generally be divided up into four main types, namely, naturally sensitive, environmentally sensitive, reactive, and thin.

  • Naturally sensitive skin: the cause of this is genetics and may be linked to inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea
  • Environmentally sensitive skin: this type of sensitivity, as the name implies, is triggered by the environment. Factors such as sun exposure, cigarette smoke, air pollution that come into contact with the skin may cause irritation
  • Reactive skin: direct contact with certain products may cause the skin to react, becoming irritated, resulting in papules or pustules, warmness, redness and/or inflammation forming, where the irritant came into contact
  • Thin skin: as we age, our skin naturally becomes thinner, and thinner skin is easier to irritate

How to identify sensitive skin


Sensitive skin may be identified by the following properties:

  • Skin feeling itchy and tight
  • Uneven texture
  • Oily in warmer seasons
  • Dry in colder seasons
  • Reacts easily to certain skincare products
  • Redness after a hot water application (bath or shower)
  • Feels itchy while wearing tight clothes
  • Flushes easily after eating spicy food

If you need help with identifying your skin type, we’ve included below a very basic skin type test, which may be a useful tool:

Determining Your Skin Type

If…

• Your skin doesn’t get more oily or drier during the day
• You only experience dry parches or excess oil seasonally
• You rarely experience breakouts or are sensitive to products

Your skin type is likely…

If…

• You experience dry patches or flaking skin mid-day
• Your skin is rare oily, even at the end of the day
• Your skin often feels tight, itchy, or dry after cleansing

Your skin type is likely…

If…

• Your face is shiny or greasy by mid-day, regardless of the season
• You frequently experience breakouts
• You have large and visible pores

Your skin type is likely…

If…

• Your T-zone is consistently oily and your cheeks are often dry
• Your visible pores are concentrated in your T-zone area
• You experience acne and dry patches at the same time

Your skin type is likely…

If…

• You often experience redness or irritation after applying new products or products with ingredients, like fragrance
• You have skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis

Your skin type is likely…

However, if you need further advice, we highly recommend that you contact us for a free consultation.

Evaluating skin type and condition

Unlike skin type, skin condition may vary greatly during a person’s lifespan. There are many internal and external factors that determine and affect its condition, including: climate and environment, medication, stress and illness, hereditary traits which influence the levels of sebum, perspiration and natural moisturizing factors that your skin produces, and even the products you use and the skincare choices you make.

Skincare products should ideally be selected to match skin type and address skin condition. Dermatologists and other skincare experts determine a person’s skin type condition by measuring the following factors:

Signs of Aging

Our skin type can evolve during our lifetime. Those with an oily skin type in their teenage years can find their skin becoming drier post-puberty and those with a normal skin type can find their skin getting drier as they age.

 

As all skin types age, skin loses elasticity, volume and density, fine lines and wrinkles appear and changes in pigmentation can occur. Understanding and measuring the signs of ageing helps us to determine the condition of our skin.

Skin Color

Skin color and ethnicity influences how our skin reacts to external forces such as the sun, pigmentation disorders, irritation and inflammation. Basic skin color is determined by the density of the epidermis and the distribution of melanin.

The redness of skin is also a useful measure of skin condition; it indicates how successful our circulation is and is helpful in identifying conditions such as couperose (or rosacea).

Sebum and Sweat Production

The amount of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands in skin controls the efficacy of the skin’s barrier function and, as a result, the condition of skin. The overproduction of sebum can lead to oily, acne-prone skin, while low sebum production causes dry skin.

The perspiratory glands in skin produce sweat to help the body to maintain its optimum temperature. Excessive or low sweat production can influence skin condition.

Skin Sensitivity

Sensitive skin is skin that is easily irritated and is more reactive to different factors, that are generally tolerated by well-balanced (normal) skin. For some people, sensitive skin is a permanent condition; for others, sensitivity is triggered by certain internal and external factors. It occurs when skin’s natural barrier function is compromised, causing water loss and allowing penetration of irritants. Symptoms are exacerbated by factors that facial skin is most exposed to, from the sun to some ingredients in cosmetics and cleansers. Identifying and evaluating symptoms such as redness, a rash, stinging, itching and burning help in determining skin condition.

Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs)

Naturally produced in healthy skin, NMFs such as amino acids help to bind water into the skin, maintain its elasticity and suppleness and prevent it from becoming dehydrated. When the skin’s protective barrier is damaged it is often unable to retain these essential NMFs so skin moisture decreases and condition is affected.

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

We sincerely hope that this article has helped you to understand the importance of knowing and understanding you skin type and want you to know that our friendly and qualified staff are always here to give you any recommendation, with utmost passion for skincare.

We proudly invite you to peruse our incredible product range at https://urbanbody.myshopify.com! Our collection of R3 Derma Health products contains the highest concentration of active and natural ingredients, best suited for those individuals who desire faster results.

If you have any further questions, you are welcome to contact us at info@urbanbodylaser.com, live chat or at (604) 265-7507. Or, if you would like to take advantage of our promotional offers, please visit https://www.urbanbodylaser.com/promotions for more information.

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R3 Derma Health Aloe to the Rescue!

Getting outside and taking advantage of life’s small adventures is absolutely something we encourage. Just like too much sun exposure, there are other risks that come with being bold. Case in point: When one of our daughters recently set out to play on her long board, she experienced an unfortunate meeting between pavement and forehead. The result: a big, sticky scrape across her face in the middle of a hot summer. Poor girl!

In a moment of inspiration, we realized that we had the perfect product right at our fingertips to take care of this dilemma. In our R3 Derma Health line we have an amazing Organic Aloe Gel that harnesses the healing powers of aloe for so many different uses. We figured, why not try it on a scrape! The effects couldn’t have been better. The gel was applied to the wound every day 4-6 times, and on day 6, her scab came clean off to reveal healed skin. So quick!

This gel is made from our own formulations and tested by our team. We are so happy with it’s results! Used regularly, this lightweight gel hydrates and softens skin. It can reduce redness and swelling due to sun exposure, windburn, razor burn, bug bites, and hypersensitivity reactions, among other applications. Users with sensitive, acne prone, and combination skin re-purchase this gel as they find it doesn’t clog sensitive pores or cause breakouts, even reducing the frequency of blemishes.

Aloe straight from the plant is protective, restorative, anti-inflammatory, healing, and so much more. It is one of the best things to have on hand for at home remedies. Our formulation packs in 200x concentrate, meaning you just need a small amount per application to enjoy an impactful dose of the medicinal properties of straight aloe. Included is a select blend of essential oils to provide additional anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial benefits.
Our team loves to see the products we create making a difference in the world. We’re not the only ones who have been singing this product’s praises. See for yourself!

Consumer Reviews (Amazon.com)
“I wasn’t sure what to expect especially because I’ve tried so many expensive products and am now moving into the holistic approach for better skincare solutions. Your product has actually helped to heal a couple stubborn face issues I’ve been struggling with. Within 24 hrs, I could actually see the scar that wouldn’t go away actually dissolve from my face. I am using your product everyday and can’t wait to see what else it helps my skin with. I know aloe vera itself is healing, I’ve been using it directly from my plants. But your product was even more concentrated and made a big difference. Please keep up the good work!! Thank you!!!!” – Truth411 CN

“This product is perfect. It’s just the right consistency. Not too runny and not too thick. It has a very light, pleasant smell that goes away quickly. I use it on my face, neck and hands when I want something light and penetrating that has all of the benefits that Aloe Vera offers. I’ve used several types of Aloe Vera. This will definitely be the one I reorder.” – Kathy K

“I was super nervous about trying something new on my face being as it is so sensitive and every little things breaks it out, but this aloe gel is everything!!!! My face is softer & doesn’t seem to break out as much as before, I will definitely be repurchasing.” – Chelsea Davis

Contact:
Urban Body Laser
777 Hornby St #860, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2G3
(604) 696-5506

Teen Acne
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9 Skincare Lessons from Urban Body Laser

After years of helping people with their skin, we can safely say we’ve seen just about everything. From dry to oily, young to mature, our medical estheticians have worked with hundreds of people from all corners of Greater Vancouver to help them achieve healthy, glowing, and flawless complexions.
Throughout the years, we’ve learned a thing (or nine) about how to the body’s largest organ. And lucky for you, we’re giving you the inside scoop by sharing our top 9 skincare lessons that will help your skin from the inside, out.
1. Cleanse. We’ve all had those mornings where we’ve woken up with raccoon eyes from last night’s mascara and our foundation strewn across the pillow (yuck!). We know life gets busy, but if there’s one thing you absolutely must do, it’s cleanse before you hit the sack. Here are a few of our faves:

2. Sunscreen. Don’t let Raincouver fool you; those grey clouds aren’t enough to fight off the sun’s harmful rays, causing premature aging and upping your chance of developing skin cancer. Applying sunscreen should be part of your all-day routine, no matter what time of year it is.

And not all sunscreens are created equal; as we’ve mentioned, you need to opt for Physical sunscreen, which protects your skin from the sun by deflecting or blocking the sun’s rays. It uses non-toxic, mineral-based ingredients like titanium dioxide (a naturally occurring mineral) and zinc to block the sun’s entire spectrum of UVA and UVB rays. This differs from the typical chemical forms you find at the drugstore, and are made up of more than 12 different chemicals, many of which have not been FDA approved. These are then absorbed into the skin and can interfere with the normal function of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid.Our go-to physical sunscreen is anything in the Sunforgettable Collection by Colorescience. Pack in your purse and reapply any time of day for easy-peasy application.

3. Ditch the Drugstore. Here’s why: they’re filled with chemicals that will only harm your skin. Better to make life simple and go for the natural, holistic, and scientifically proven good stuff:  Colorescience and R3Derma.

4. Moisturize. Yes, that includes people with oily skin. No matter what skin type you have, moisturizer should always be in your arsenal. Here are our faves.

5. Wash Up. And not just your face. We’re talking about your brushes, pillowcases, and face cloths; anything that touches your face on the reg, as these materials can easily absorb and pass on bacteria that can clog pores.

6. Don’t Pick! Whether it’s pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads, keep your hands off and away from your face, as you’ll likely only do more damage. Suffering from scars? Our Foto-Facials will do wonders to remove discoloration.

7. Easy on the Exfoliation. Rule of thumb: you should be exfoliating gently and no more than twice a week. Your skin is sensitive, and while exfoliation is vital for removing dead skin cells and other pollutants, there’s no need to sand it down completely. These exfoliators and masks from Osmosis and Pro-Derm are gentle yet incredibly effective.

8. Ban the Tan. Baking in ultraviolet rays, whether it’s the tanning bed or on the beach, needs to stop immediately. Premature aging, wrinkles, fine-lines, pigmentation, cancer – you name it; it’s all caused by tanning.

9. Bar the Bar. Using a bar of drugstore soap to cleanse is one of the worst things you can do, as it strips our skin of natural oils and causes a PH imbalance, resulting in dry, oily or acneic skin. Do yourself a favour and try R3Derma Cleansers that deeply clean the skin and thoroughly remove dirt, make-up, and environmental toxins.

Now that you have our skincare secrets, feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our tips, recommendations, and products. We’re happy to help!

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Winter Skin Care Tips

Winter Skin Care Tips

Have you noticed that your skin has become incredibly dry in the past few weeks? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Cooler temperatures always affect the moisture of your skin, especially on your face, hands, and feet. As a result, cracking, flaking, and redness are all side effects as winter weather sweeps in.

It also doesn’t help that as the temperature drops outside, we’re turning up the heat inside, which also causes the skin to dry out. Thankfully, the Urban Body Laser team has assembled their Winter Survival Kit so ensure your skin receives the tender loving care it deserves. Check out our top picks:

R3 Derma Organic Aloe Gel
We recommend using this in the morning and evening to regenerate the skin’s protective film, or any time after bathing, showering or shaving.

R3 Derma Revive Serum
This helps calm and soothe very dry skin with Konjac Root Extract. Our owner, Janiece, swears by it! In fact, she loves applying this to her hands and lips before bed.

R3 Derma Health Pro Products

R3 Derma Enrich Plus

This anti-aging hydrator is perfect for under your mineral makeup to leave you with not only a photo finish but also a silky feel. Can be used upon waking and/or before bed.

Colorescience Pep Up Gel
Give your skin a jumpstart every morning with this amplified Anti-Aging Serum. This collagen renewal treatment for face and neck is formulated with a 10-peptide blend to specifically target aging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. This radiance-boosting formula with deep hydration and advanced antioxidant support makes your skin look and feel younger. Light-reflecting pigments diminish imperfections, improve the appearance of redness, and brighten sallow tones.

Colorescience Pep Up Gel

R3 Derma Refresh Hydrating Mask
Maximize topical hydration and enhance your skin’s natural moisture barrier with this thirst quenching Mask which contains water based humectants that attract and bind moisture to the skin. Infused with powerful resilience-enhancing actives, this mask will provide immediate and long lasting hydration, skin will feel supremely nourished, refreshed, hydrated and balanced.

With this dream team in your corner, you won’t have to suffer from another season of chapped lips and cracked hands. Best of all, these are available at our clinic or on our online store! Though all of these products can be used on any age or skin type, there may be some that are better suited for you than others. If you need help deciphering which ones are best for you, contact our team any time, we are more than happy to help.

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Serums 101

You may have noticed more advertisements and buzz around serums. A relatively new product in the skincare market, serums are gaining a loyal following for many reasons. However, we find many clients are confused over why, when, and how to use them.

A common misconception is that serums can replace moisturizers. This is completely false as they both have very different purposes. Facial creams have been around for a long time and are still the most popular form of skin care. They’re a vital component to any skin care regime and should never be replaced with serums or any other products. They’re typically made by mixing oil with water and are primarily meant to hydrate the skin.

Serums, on the other hand, are a concentrated way to get key ingredients into the skin. The main reason you’d want to use a facial serum is to get added nutrients into deeper layers of your skin that a regular moisturizer is not able to reach. The junction between the two main layers of our skin (epidermis and dermis) is extremely hard to penetrate. While this is a good thing because it protects our skin, it also means it’s difficult to get the active ingredients into the depths of your skin where it is needed.

This is why you need a serum with an effective delivery system. So before you purchase one, make sure that it has a delivery system for those active ingredients to properly penetrate into the deep layer of your skin. Otherwise you’ll be wasting your money.

All of the serums we offer at our office and online store have this essential liposomal delivery system, which means you can treat and correct any skin ailments that you may be experiencing. For example, the R3 Derma Soothe Serum is an all-natural product; R3 Derma’s Remedy for rosacea reduces and reduces redness while restoring the protective barrier. It also reduces scarring, minimizes the visibility of capillaries, and rebuilds the thinned epidermis.

Other common skin conditions that serums can help treat are acne and pigmentation. To apply, you can either add 1-2 drops/pumps to in the morning and night to your entire face or you can use as a spot treatment. You can find both serums from the R3 Derma line in our online store.

Serums are excellent for anti-aging. This Anti-Aging Serum in particular has a 10-peptide blend that specifically targets aging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. Our staff love this product because it gives your skin an instant boost, diminishing imperfections and improving the appearance of any redness almost immediately.

As you can tell, serums can be extremely beneficial for the skin and a vital component to a youthful, radiant, and flawless complexion. But before you invest in a serum, it’s best to contact our medical estheticians to find which one is right for you.

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Urban Body Staff Pick: The Dermal Roller

We’re so excited to talk about one of our favourite products, the Dermal Roller! For a limited time, if you purchase a Dermal Roller you’ll receive a free treatment, valued at $200! So what exactly is it? We’ll explain.

The thought of needles makes many of us start to cringe. From the day we’re born, needles have always been affiliated with pain and illness; something that is forced upon us in order to protect or heal. Even as adults, this fear continues to linger. But what if we told you that there are actually needles that can make you look years younger?
The Dermal Roller is a tool covered with tiny needles which creates very minor (almost microscopic) trauma that last for a short period of time. This process has two major benefits:
1. It effectively stimulates collagen formation, which is the protein responsible for skin elasticity. Therefore, it will lead to smoother skin as it breaks down wrinkles and scarring.
2. Once your skin has been treated, it will easily absorb whatever products you apply afterwards. The light pressure literally creates microscopic holes where ingredients can penetrate, improving the look and feel of skin over time. That’s why it’s important to ensure you’re using the best products possible without harmful toxins or ingredients. Our estheticians can help distinguish which of our skincare products will best suit your skin type.

Dermal Roller and Skin Needling: How Does it Work?

Skin has a natural ability to repair itself whenever it encounters physical damage such as cuts, burns and other abrasions. Immediately after an injury to the skin, our body reuses the damaged collagen and elastin fibres as well as other damaged skin components to produce new ones. Skin Needling allows for controlled induction of the skin’s self repair by creating micro-“injuries” in the skin, triggering new collagen synthesis. The result is smoother, firmer and younger looking skin.

We offer the Dermal Roller in two different varieties: 0.3mm and 0.5mm – both have 560 titanium needles.

Take advantage of this awesome deal while it lasts! Contact our medical estheticians to find out which one is right for you.