Tag Archive for: colorescience

Colorescience
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Sunforgettable Summer with Colorescience

If you’ve ever followed Urban Body Laser on Instagram, visited our medi-spa, or perused through our blog, then you’ve probably heard us say once (or maybe a 100 times) how important daily application of sunscreen is for anti-aging. Not only does it prevent wrinkles, fine lines, and sunspots from prematurely forming, but it also protects you from more serious conditions like severe burns, cancer, or myositis, an autoimmune disease.

So now that Spring is in full swing and summer is on the horizon, this time of year is when many can’t wait to escape from hibernation and head into the great outdoors. Whether it’s Kits Beach or Stanley Park, Vancouver is an oasis for heading out and kicking back. However, with that comes an even greater reasonability to protect your skin.
With so many products out there, we know it can get confusing. Plus, not all sunscreens are created equal, an issue that we blogged about before. To avoid adding toxic chemicals to your delicate epidermis but also gain the protection you want, look no further than Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen.

This little magical wand makes application easier than ever. Not only is it an all natural, non-irritating, and portable product, but it also protects against Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB rays and offers up to 80 minutes of water-resistance. Forget having to apply greasy lotions, the Sunforgettable Wand is safe to use on all skin-types, including kids. And guys don’t worry; it may look like make-up, but we promise it’s completely fella-friendly.
Here’s how easy it is:

  1. Remove rubber band and prime brush in circular motion on top of hand until minerals begin to flow.
  2. Sweep brush over entire face and neck in circular motions to release powder.
  3. Apply liberally and evenly before sun exposure; reapply every two hours throughout the day for continued water resistant protection.
  4. Can be used on head, face, neck, chest and back of hands.
  5. For a full step-by-step process, watch this video on Colorescience!

There are a wide variety of colours that will match any skin tone, including a new ‘Deep’ shade. And incase you need another reason, get 20% off this month for all Sunforgettable products at Urban Body Laser! To find out which colour you should choose, visit our medical estheticians for a free consultation.

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I Let Urban Body Laser have their way with me….

I Let Urban Body Laser have their way with me….

and I think I like it…..

I have always been content with the way I appear on the outside.  I’m no beauty queen, but I’m happy about how I look.

Also, I have never been caught up with getting older.  Some of the most beautiful humans I have ever laid eyes on are in their 80’s.

So, I had never really thought of facial rejuvenation as something I’d be into.  I heard the ads that my friends from Urban Body Laser ran on the PEAK pretty much ever since we went on air.  But, I always thought they were talking to someone else.

Then, recently, I started noticing the effects my love for the sun has had on my skin.  I had so many crazy sunburns on my face, one so bad I had to be hospitalized.  And it realized that my careless ways with the sun were catching up with me.

When I heard the Urban Body Laser ads about Photorejuvenation I started to pay attention.  The idea that maybe some of the spotting and redness on my face can be removed with light therapy began to appeal to me.

So I talked to my friend Janiece at Urban Body Laser.   I had my first photorejuvenation and skin tightening treatment just before the holidays.  I was a little freaked out. I was afraid it would hurt like crazy ( it hurt a tiny bit ).   I was afraid there might be scarring ( there was none – in fact, Janiece made me look better when I left than I did when I walked in thanks to the Colorscience  mineral makeup she hooked me up with ). Mostly, I felt refreshed and relaxed and like I’d been pampered.

The treatment comes with a excellent skin care line for use after to help nourish and protect the skin.  I love it.

I didn’t really notice a difference, but my friends did.  I have already started getting compliments on how great my skin looks.  After one treatment.  Crazy.

Next step, microdermabrasion.  It’s happening soon.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

We’ll be posting the before and after pics of me after I’ve had all the treatments.  But from what I’ve experienced so far, it’s working.

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Best Before and Afters of 2015

Urban Body Laser’s Best Before and Afters

There’s nothing we love more than a good ‘Best before and afters’ story, especially when we’re in charge! At Urban Body Laser in Vancouver, our trusted medical estheticians work day in and day out helping people change, correct, and revamp the way they look and feel about themselves. From pigmentation to acne scars, there’s nothing better than seeing the look on someone’s face when you’ve removed something that was causing them embarrassment, insecurity, or even shame.

If you’ve been following us on Instagram, then you may have caught a few of our favourite before and after shots of recent clients. In case you missed it, here are just a few of the best Urban Body Laser makeovers of 2015!

Rachel came to us this past fall after suffering from extensive sun damage. The sun’s rays are amongst the most harmful contributors to aging, leaving sunspots and fine lines on the skin, as evident on her chest. FotoFacial®-AgeDelay™ is one of our most effective methods to reduce this damage, just check out Rachel’s results after just three treatments! Because you can’t be exposed to the sun after receiving FotoFacial®-AgeDelay™, fall and winter are the best times to get started.

We all suffer from the occasional pimple, but before you start layering on concealer, please check the ingredients. Most conventional make-up you find at the drugstore is filled with chemicals, fragrances, and toxins that clog your pores and aggravate the skin, often causing more breakouts. Pictured above is a client who contacted us for a Colorescience application, a luxury make-up line that uses natural ingredients that not only covers those pesky pimples, but also nourishes the skin. Interested? Call us to book a skin analysis!

Do you suffer from skin discoloration from birthmarks or scars? Photorejuvenation may be the answer you’re looking for. We use Sciton’s BBL, a safe and effective system that specializes in darker skin tones. After just one treatment, our client’s knee is looking shades lighter! We’ll be sure to update you once she’s finished her program.

Did you know that laser hair removal for your underarms not only reduces the hair, but also decreases sweat? We call that a #winwin. If you find your light shirts discolor from sweating, or the constant shaving has caused thick hair you can’t seem to rid of, ask our medical estheticians for a custom laser hair removal program.

Interested in these or more of our services and products? Contact us and start the New Year as a new you.

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Sunscreen 101: Physical vs. Chemical

With summer looming, all we seem to think about are beach days and sunset nights. But before we can catch a glimpse of those beautiful rays, there’s one important tool we need before we can step out into the sun: sunscreen.

Even on cloudy days, the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays can penetrate the epidermis, causing premature aging and sunspots. That’s why choosing the right sunscreen for your body is so important. But with seemingly endless choices like waterproof or water-resistant, face or body, lotion or mist, not to mention a multitude of different SPF levels, it’s hard to figure out which one to go with. So here’s a tip when you’re in that drugstore wavering between SPF 4 and SPF 60: there’s only one type of sunscreen you should be using. And chances are, it’s not available in the aisle.

Physical Sunscreen
Physical sunscreen, or physical blockers, is a non-toxic substance that uses ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are natural minerals that have been grounded into fine powders. Physical sunscreen works by deflecting the sun and blocking those harsh UV rays from damaging the body. Try adding some into your moisturizer or foundation to easily incorporate it into your morning ritual and ensure your skin is protected. Being that physical sunscreen is so pure, only a little amount is needed for you to get the right amount of protection.

Chemical Sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens are what you would typically find at the drug store. This type of formula is combined with 12 different chemicals, some of which have not been FDA approved. Chemical sunscreens can produce free radicals that can cause irritation and damage to the skin. They’ve been proven to interfere with hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid, which have been linked to breast, ovarian and prostate cancer.

That’s why our medical estheticians always choose physical sunscreen since it’s a non-toxic, specially formulated product that offers safe protection. We swear by the Sunforgettable line by Colorescience, a skin care collection that’s infused with physical blockers designed to make using sun protection like the Sunforgettable Brush part of your daily routine. Use the Hydrating Spritzer throughout the day to replenish the skin with ingredients with Vitamin E and SPF, particularly before and after spending time in the sun.

We are exposed to the sun all year round; therefore, sun protection is an essential no matter what season you are in. Our medical estheticians are a helpful guide for finding the best products for your skin type, so contact us any time. 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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Feel Good This Fall with Urban Body Laser

With every ending there is a new beginning, so as we wave farewell to summer, we say hello to a fresh new start. It’s during these times of transition that we like to set our intentions and goals for ourselves to accomplish. The team at Urban Body Laser has decided that Fall is all about feeling good. Check out a few ways we plan to ensure we’re at our very best this season.

1. Get pampered. Everyone needs a confidence boost from time to time, which is why having the right treatments and services to make us feel beautiful is so important.

2. Sleep. Without enough shut-eye, your skin, body, and mood are all negatively affected. It doesn’t help that long hours of darkness causes increased levels of melatonin (the sleep hormone) that make you feel sleepy in the day and restless at night. Therefore, we’re aiming to go to bed at the same time each evening — no matter how good that Netflix movie is.

3. Eat in-season. Sweet potatoes, pumpkin, apples, and pears are just some of the ultra-healthy foods that are in-season this time of year. When produce is at its peak, the flavor and nutritional content is also at its highest, making you feel good from the inside out.

4. Get Photorejuvenated. We all need a little photorejuvenation from time to time. With consistent treatments, this effective and non-invasive method can help fight acne, pigmentation, and vascular issues like rosacea, telangiectasia (“spider veins”), and red spots. Using pulsed light, it penetrates the skin to restore skin’s youthful, flawless appearance.
5. Stay active. Don’t let Fall weather turn you into a couch potato. The key to feeling good is staying active, so we plan to try at least one new workout this season. Whether it’s yoga, boxing, or hiking in North Vancouver, challenge yourself and get your body moving!

What’s your on Feel-Good-Fall list? Let us know!
To learn more about the services we listed, feel free to contact us for a consultation.

Photo Source: Foodtodo; 

September Promotion: Skin Tightening + Colorescience Application

It’s hard to believe that we’re approaching our last few days of summer. Just when we’re getting used to weekly beach sessions and leaving our sweaters at home, Labour Day Long Weekend is already upon us. So to make bidding farewell a little less somber, the Urban Body Laser team have a September promotion that will make you cheering for the new month ahead.

Our Skin Tightening treatment uses broad band light to reduce one’s appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. How it works is that it stimulates collagen production by putting heat into the tissues, causing them to contract and tighten. Collagen is a protein molecule that is found in the skin and provides basic structural support. With age, collagen is gradually lost causing deterioration and deflation in the form of facial lines, sagging, and wrinkles.

While virtually painless, you may experience a warm, tingling sensation, causing redness after the treatment. That’s where the Colorescience application comes in. If you haven’t heard of this luxury make-up line, this is unlike anything you’ll find in a drug store or make-up counter. It’s the only type of makeup our medical estheticians will use.

Take a look at the before and after of this Skin Tightening and Colorescience combination:

Whether it’s your birthday, anniversary, or you just want to turn heads during a night out, this combination of Skin Tightening and Colorescience will stop people in their tracks. It’s also a great gift giving the person you love a little pampering.
Have questions? Book an appointment!

Colorescience
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Colorescience: The Only Make-Up You Need

When it comes to make-up, our clients tend to fall in to two categories: those who wear it, and those that don’t. With so many brands, colours, shades, and products to choose from, stepping into stores like Sephora or even strolling the drugstore can become overwhelming. Luckily, no matter how much or little you wear it, we have a one-stop solution: Colorescience.
Whether you’re heading to work or a night on the town, Colorescience Mineral Make-Up is versatile, easy to use, and (more importantly) won’t pollute your skin. As medical estheticians, we see a lot of people visit us with breakouts and irritations that have been caused by using cosmetics that are full of fillers and cheap chemicals. However, Colorescience is so pure and natural that it actually nourishes and protects your skin while also offering the same coverage as regular make-up. That’s why we always remind clients to use half of what they would typically use with other brands of make-up because with Colorescience a little goes a long way.
Though we carry an extensive list of products from this line (we really love it!), we’re listing just a few of our favourite products that are staples in our make-up regime. Plus they’re easy to pack in your purse when you’re on the go!

Urban Body Laser’s Colorescience Must-Haves

EYES
Colorescience Palettes

Colorescience palettes are designed for correcting and highlighting all areas of your face. Apply as a concealer, corrector, eye shadow, highlighter, bronzer or foundation all in one easy-to-pack and convenient package.
This kit contains five complimentary colors combining pressed minerals designed for your skin tone and condition. Each colour can be used separately or blended to cover or camouflage any imperfections like blemishes, dark circles, scars and broken capillaries.

Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35

The most delicate skin on our bodies is around the eyes! This is why it ages the quickest. Especially if you don’t take care of it properly. Treat your eyes to Total Eye™ 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35 to visibly improve the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles while protecting the delicate eye area against photoaging with 100% SPF 35 mineral sunscreen.

COMPLEXION
It doesn’t get any easier than the Loose Mineral Foundation. Just sweep the brush over your entire face and neck in a circular motion and you’ll have lightweight coverage that’s not only water resistant, but also contains SPF 20 to protect your skin.

To finish the look, add a sun-kissed tan with the Mineral Bronzer. This product contours and highlight your complexion by adding richness and warmth. Plus they contain Vitamins A & E, pearl powder, and oat powder that help sooth and condition the skin.

Final Step: Set It!
A few spritzes of the Setting Mist keeps make-up and sun protection in place all day and activate the vibrancy of minerals for an ultra-natural, luminous look.
These are just a handful of products from Colorescience that we recommend, but to learn more about which shades and other types of make-up they offer feel free to contact our medical estheticians for a free consultation.

Urban Body LaserUrban Body Laser
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Keep Calm: You’re Turning Thirty

It can be a scary transition departing your twenties and entering your thirties. As a 21 year old, no one expected you to think about saving for retirement, making your mortgage payments, or climbing up the corporate ladder. But now that you’ve reached a new decade in your life, it’s not just your responsibilities that may be plaguing your mind. There could be an unwelcomed change that’s also starting to take shape: wrinkles.

Wrinkles are faint lines that appear on the face and usually affect people who are 35 and under. We all know aging is inevitable, but many don’t expect to see crow’s feet and frown lines as they push thirty. The good news (yes, there’s good news!) is that you don’t need to have painful surgery in order to fix them. There are actually a number of effective ways our medical estheticians can help reduce and eliminate the appearance of wrinkles.

The Best Treatments for Wrinkles at Thirty

Collagen and elastin keep our skin plump and flexible. Unfortunately, we lose both as we age. To replace it, we offer Skin Tightening treatments that work specifically to increase collagen. Our systems use broad band light (BBL) which stimulate collagen production by putting heat into the tissue, causing it to contract and tighten.

After your Skin Tightening treatments, we recommend following-up with Photorejuvenation. Fast and convenient, Photorejuvenation treatments can be done over your lunch hour. This also uses non-invasive, innovative BBL technology that is extremely effective to reverse the signs of aging. In fact, a recent study from Stanford University revealed BBL treatments can actually change a person’s genetic DNA to help reverse the aging process.

While these treatments will produce effective results, in order to maintain them you need to be using products that will continue to hydrate and nourish your skin. Like we said in last week’s blog post, it is so important to use the right skin care because what you put directly on your epidermis can determine the look and texture on a day-to-day basis.

If you were trying to hide a baseball under a bed sheet versus a fluffy down comforter, which would you think would do the better job? It’s the same with your skin; fine lines can disappear when your epidermis is evenly hydrated. To ensure you’re receiving enough moisture, the Colorescience® Even Up® Clinical Pigment Perfector® Sunscreen works amazingly well.

Other must-haves are the R3 Enrich and R3 Enrich Plus. Enrich contains highly concentrated Hyaluronic Acid serum that attracts and maintains skin hydration with high and low molecular weight proteins which permeate the skin and address aging where it begins, while Enrich Plus stimulates elastin, smooths fine lines, tightens, firms and fortifies.

No matter what birthday you’re celebrating this year, embrace your age and feel comfortable in the skin you’re in—with a little help from us 😉
To find out more about our skin care services and products, contact us.

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Celebrity Skincare Treatments At Urban Body Laser

Although good genetics have some part in it, it definitely takes celebrities work to stay flawless. To help keep them looking their best on the red carpet, it’s a combination of a healthy diet, preventative work, high-quality products, and professional skincare treatments. From microdermabrasion to Colorescience, here is how some of the most famous faces stay picture perfect.

The Top Celebrity Skincare Treatments

Microdermabrasion: Gwenyth Paltrow

Gwenyth Paltrow has called Microdermabrasion “a miracle”and for good reason. Often compared to the texture of your cat’s tongue, microdermabrasion gently rejuvenates the skin by a non-invasive exfoliation. By gently removing the outermost layer of dead skin cells microdermabrasion leaves the skin feeling smoother and dare we say, younger.
Microdermabrasion is a favourite among celebrity skincare treatments because it effectively treats and minimizes a wide range of skin conditions including fine lines and wrinkles, discolored and congested skin, and ingrown hairs.
Laser Hair Removal: Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian has publicly said she wants a “hairless body” and uses laser hair removal to achieve it. The old fashioned methods of removing hair like shaving, tweezing, creams, waxing, are not only time consuming but also don’t last long. Continuous laser hair removal treatments will get rid of the hair for good, and now is the best time to start in order to be hairless by summer.
Colorescience: Kerry Washington

It’s no wonder that Colorescience Pro is a favourite of celebrities like Kerry Washington and Kate Hudson, as it’s not only easy to use, but also doubles as a skincare product. It works to clear your complexion while simultaneiously protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun and the environment.
If you want to learn more about these celebrity skincare treatments, just stop by our office or contact us for more information. Our medical estheticians can give you a free consultation on how to achieve flawless, youthful skin.

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Meet the Urban Body Laser Staff: Miranda!

The Urban Body Laser staff are more than just medical estheticians, they’re clients themselves, which means they use all of the services and products we provide. If it doesn’t meet our approval, we won’t offer it to our clients.
We sat down with one of our staff members, Miranda, and asked her what her favourite skin care and beauty products are that she can’t live without.

What do you love most about working at Urban Body Laser?
The environment, I’m lucky to work with a great staff and awesome clients!
What’s your favorite Colorescience product and why? 

The Pressed Mineral Foundation. It has the best coverage and feels virtually weightless.

What’s your favorite Osmosis product and why?
Quench. This is a great moisturizer for me because I have super dry skin in winter and oily in summer. Quench provides the perfect balance for both dry and oily like mine.

What’s my favorite treatment and why?

Laser hair removal (light sheer) because its less painful and can get at my lighter hair, and of course in the long run I won’t have to shave ever again!
Have a question for Miranda? Tweet @urbanbodylaser and she’ll give you the inside scoop on her favourite beauty tips, tricks, and secrets!