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Five Easy Ways to Prep Your Skin for Spring

I never thought I would be saying the words “third lockdown.”  The first lockdown was unexpected, drastic (so we thought at the time) and surreal.  And yet, here we are again.

I have been coming to the spa daily to catch up on projects and for curbside pick-up.  While I’m here, I can’t help thinking about the services we would offer to our clients this time of year.  When it comes to facials and home skincare, we recommend in-spa peels and increased exfoliation at home in the spring.  With the warmer weather coming, we need to stimulate the skin to shed any build-up of dry, dead cells to reveal brighter, more luminous skin underneath.  Our exfoliating and brightening facials will help boost your skins’ cell turnover to increase glow and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  We all want that radiance back after the cold, dry winter.  The good news is there are some excellent options available from Yonka and GM Collin that will help you achieve extraordinary results at home.

You may be wondering why you should change your skincare routine at any time of the year?  Our skin is exposed to colder temperatures and less humidity in the winter months; it becomes drier and more dehydrated, often leaving it feeling rough and dry.  You might notice that when the seasons change, our skin’s needs change as well.  As the temperatures warm up and humidity increases, it often benefits our skin.  If you are on the drier or dehydrated side, you may prefer switching to a lighter moisturizer after using heavier, richer creams throughout the winter.  If your skin is more oily, you may notice it feels oilier in the warmer months.  Heat increases circulation, thereby stimulating our skin’s functions to produce more oil.  Each skin type has its challenges, but one thing that remains the same is the need from time to time to perform deeper exfoliation, whether in the spa or at home, to boost cell renewal. 

Most of us use weekly exfoliants such as scrubs and enzyme exfoliants to help keep our skin feeling fresh and improve the absorption of our daily serums and creams.

Did you know there are combinations of treatment serums, creams and masks that will exfoliate and can be used as a “cure” for 30 to 60 days as needed?  We call it a “cure” because we introduce products with more active ingredients that increase cell turnover, producing faster, more noticeable results. You will use these on a short-term basis, a few nights, a week or month, 2 – 4 times a year. 

Today I will feature star performers from YonKa.  Depending on your skin type and condition, it will determine which exfoliating treatment is the best suited to your needs.   While I will give suggestions here, I highly recommend that you request a free virtual consultation.  While the spa is closed, I can offer this service to you by video or phone.  I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.  Feel free to email me on our Contact page to start the discussion. 

 

 

Yonka has two exfoliants that we recommend using every week.    

Gommage is a gel-based exfoliant that is exceptionally gentle and an excellent option for any skin type, especially if you have any sensitivity or redness. This soft gel peel can be used three times a week, or if you are too sensitive for a “peel,” you can use it daily for two weeks to give your skin glow, hydration and brightness. 

Guarana Scrub is a creamy exfoliant containing microbeads composed of guarana seeds and brown rice.  This scrub will leave your skin feeling silky and smooth, clean and fresh.  It is best suited for normal to oily, combination skin. 

Next, we have a monthly option.  Using a combination of products that work synergistically can help achieve enhanced results as the ingredients interact, improving effectiveness. 

Alpha Peel and Alpha Fluid can be your go-to products in the spring and again in the fall for achieving brighter, smoother, softer skin. 

Alpha Peel is a gel-textured concentrate that you apply at night.  It contains botanical AHAs, peptides and hyaluronic acid.  

If you have hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and large pores, this product will target those conditions.  The AHAs will stimulate the exfoliation of dead cells triggering new cell growth.  Peptides are amino acids that stimulate fibroblast cells to produce collagen and elastin.  And hyaluronic acid will increase hydration.  You use Alpha Peel every night for 30 days.  In that time, you will notice your skin’s improved texture, tone and decrease in pore size.  Apply all over the face except the eye area and around the lip area.

Alpha Fluid is added to your regimen as your daytime moisturizer containing a blend of fruit acids, peptides and hyaluronic acid that will exfoliate, regenerate and hydrate throughout the day. 

Add the Alpha Contour eye gel with renewing fruit acids to smooth fine lines and soften wrinkles around your eyes and lips.

Use this duo as your 30-day skin renewal program in the spring to rejuvenate dull, tired skin.  

 

The newest member of the YonKa collection is Glyconight 10% Masque.  I am pretty excited about this new treatment that can be used overnight to gently exfoliate the skin while sleeping.  Easy, right?  This mask contains 10% glycolic acid that will smooth wrinkles, apricot kernel oil and brown algae to increase radiance, natural polysaccharides and vegetable glycerin to soothe and hydrate, and YonKa’s well-known quintessence.  You can use this mask every other night for one week as a refresher or nightly for 30 to 60 days.  You can also apply this mask to your neckline to smooth away wrinkles.  Apply this mask after cleansing, and always remember when adding an acid-based treatment to your regimen to introduce it slowly, every other night for the first week.  Avoid using this in combination with retinoic acid or if you are sensitive to glycolic acid.  For more information on using AHAs or peels, please contact me at the spa, and I will happily share tips and advice on how to add these products to your existing routine.

 

 

The last item and the most important in your skin renewal program is sunscreen!  You will see me write about this a lot.  Please do not skip this critical step.  When using any exfoliating products, if you are not using sunscreen daily, you risk hyperpigmentation forming.  Please find a sunscreen that you enjoy using daily.  It is the most important anti-ageing product in your skincare collection.  I can’t stress this enough.  It’s never too late to start.  Are you having trouble finding a sunscreen you like?  Email me at the spa.  I will happily help you sort through the countless options to help you find the best fit for your lifestyle. 

Watch for more Spring Skin TuneUp articles on the blog, including my favourite spring and summer products for skin, hair and body.  Until next time remember your skin is 90% of your selfie. 

GM Collin Vegan Collagen 

$170

Description

A new treatment featuring 100% vegan products from GM Collin. Target dehydration, dryness, pigmentation and de-vitalized skin with this facial. Includes a peel and the newest GM Collin product, Collagen Supreme Serum. Clinical results show a decrease in wrinkle volume and improvement in skin texture and hydration.
(75 minutes)

Yonka C25 Facial

$165

Description

Yon-Ka’s brand new facial, Vitamin C25, provides the ultimate anti-ageing, radiance-enhancing, unifying solution for those searching for even more beautiful skin.


Vitamin C25 combines effectiveness and sensory appeal thanks to the combination of a peel containing 30 per cent glycolic acid and a new professional Serum C25 ampoule, containing 25 per cent stable vitamin C.


Post-treatment, the skin is left re-energized, smooth and radiant while the complexion is refreshed

with an even more healthy glow.

*The link goes to a Youtube video showing the treatment*

(90 minutes)

Teen Facial

$105

Description

The Teen Facial is a cleansing facial that includes consultation, cleansing, exfoliation, extractions and mask. Ideal as an introduction to skin care and maintenance.
(60 minutes)

The Follicle Signature Facial Treatment

$120

Description

The Follicle Signature Facial is an individually formulated treatment that includes a consultation, skin analysis, cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, active concentrate and massage.
(75 minutes)

Specialized Masks

$40

Description

Yonka and G.M. Collin offer specialized masks that will enhance any of our facials by increasing absorption of the serums and creams, as well improving the hydration and texture of the skin. Algomask: Its thermo-cooling effect on the skin makes it a remarkable revitalizing mask particularly for reducing the visible appearance of redness. Yonka Fruit Mask: tones, firms, hydrates & soothes skin. Masque Lift: A smoothing and uplifting mask containing Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid. Add on to any facial.

Yonka Excellence Code

$175

Description

Perfect for mature skin, the Excellence Code Facial is an exceptional anti-aging facial that incorporates a high performance technical treatment. A double deep exfoliation with draining techniques is followed by specific Yon-Ka anti-aging energy points work. This is followed by an exclusive biocellulose mask (used in reconstructive surgery) infused with an intense concentrate to reprogram the rejuvenation of mature skin cells. Excellence Code global youth cream provides 20 key ingredients to act on all signs of aging concerns: lines/wrinkles, collagen and elastin, nourishment and dark spots.

(90 minutes)

Yonka Hydralessence

$155

Description

Yonka's Hydralessence treatment is a high performance, deep hydrating facial that will revive the most dehydrated complexions, eliminating signs of stress and help your skin to re-balance itself. Luxuriate in the warmth of healing hands while your skin is bathed in a moisture surge of oils, creams and elixirs, then sink into the bliss of a double hydrating fruit-based mask.

(90 minutes)

Yonka Advanced Optimizer

$155

Description

Advanced Optimizer is lifting and restructuring, and this anti-aging treatment acts like a "personal trainer" for the skin. Rich in re-densifying thickening hibiscus and lupine peptides and highly hydrating marine collagen and hyaluronic acid, it reinforces the structure of the epidermis and uses co-enzyme Q10 to protect the skin cells from free radical attacks.

(90 minutes)

Yonka Vital Intense

$155

Description

Yon-Ka's Vital Intense treatment is recommended for all ages. This treatment will re-infuse your skin with the vital energy that it sometimes lacks after sun exposure, during pregnancy, during menopause, or simply after a spell of ill health or tiredness. Essential oils of beech bud, anti-free-radical vitamins and trace elements will help your skin rediscover all of it’s balance, elasticity and vitality.

(90 minutes)

GM Collin Sea C Spa

$150

Description

The Sea C Spa facial is a powerful age-defying skin care treatment designed to delay the visible signs of aging and to energize the skin. Formulated with marine and vegetal ingredients (Vitamin C Concentrate, Algae Biomatrix Patches, and Thermal Organic Mud). This treatment is exceptional for both pre and post-sun exposure. Ideal for people who live in urban areas with high pollution levels. Benefits

  • Reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles
  • Evens out skin tone
  • Illuminates the skin, thus restoring its youthful appearance
(90 minutes)

GM Collin Hydrolifting

$140

Description

GM Collin's Hydrolifting treatment will visibly restore your skin to a youthful look. It includes a double exfoliation, utilizing both enzymatic and chemical actives, eliminates the dead skin cells to instantly clarify the skin and allow an increased absorption of the subsequent ampoules. The delicate texture of the hydrolifting fluid imparts hydration to the skin providing a silky comfort. You enter your relaxing journey with a flowing massage of the Restorative Cream followed by the Hydrolifting Toning Mask, allowing you to succumb to a restful destination. This treatment profoundly improves the visible toning of the face and neck and improves hydration for an age-defying radiance.
For all skin types. (60 minutes)

GM Collin Botinol

$170

Description

G.M. Collin’s Botinol treatment is their signature age-defying treatment. A non-invasive anti-aging dermo-procedure. This innovative, clinically proven treatment combines 5 peptides with retinol, for a Botox-like effect-without any needles. After just one treatment, lines and wrinkles are improved and skin appears plumper. Benefits

  • After just one treatment, expression lines appear relaxed
  • Lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced
  • The skin appears visibly younger

(90 minutes)

GM Collin Collagen 90-II

$165

Description

The GM Collin Collagen 90-II treatment is a highly respected and sought-after age-defying skin renewal treatment that hydrates, smooths and tones wrinkles to combat the visible signs of aging. This intensive anti-aging treatment hydrates, rejuvenates, tightens and reconfigures the skin’s surface to subdue the visible signs of aging. Unequalled for skin renewal.

(90 minutes)

GM Collin Peel Series

$99

Description

The GM Collin Peel Series is the perfect solution for fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, and flaking skin. Your series will be customized to your skins’ personal needs by working with a selection of 4 peels. It features Glycolic Acid which evens out the top layers of the skin and stimulates collagen as well as Lactic Acid which provides a hydrating effect and is less irritating. This helps if sensitivity, dryness or dehydration occurs with the other peels. Salicylic Acid can be used for oily or acneic skin by eliminating sebum and debris that can cause blackheads, whiteheads and enlarged pores. Derm Renewal is formulated with a patented complex of 30% AHA (Glycolic and Lactic acid) coupled with the amino acid Arginine. Ask for a complimentary consultation and we will prepare a personalized treatment plan just for you. When booked as a weekly series of 4 or more treatments. $99 each treatment.

(30 minutes)

GM Collin Oxygen Treatment

$130

Description

This revolutionary GM Collin Oxygenating treatment is designed to revitalize fatigued, stressed and dull skin. It is also beneficial for oily or acne-prone skin and is designed to clear skin congestion. The 5-step treatment, formulated with BHA (2% Salicylic Acid), AHAs (15% Glycolic & Lactic Acid), and a unique Oxygen Complex, normalizes, detoxifies and hydrates in depth to give the skin back its natural radiance and glow. To obtain maximum results, one treatment per week is recommended for five consecutive weeks. (60 minutes)