​Here on the Simply Skin blog, we talk a lot about acne. That’s because it’s one of the most common skin conditions, affecting around 50 million Americans annually.

But as common as it is, not all acne is created equal. In fact, for all the words we use to describe it — blemishes, bumps, pimples, breakouts — many people don’t realize that there are actually several distinct types of facial acne, each with their own appearance, causes, and treatment options.

To see clearer skin, it helps to know what types of blemishes you're dealing with. In this blog post, let’s explore the different types of acne — how they form, what they look like, and what you can do to treat them.

​We’ve all heard the saying: When it comes to how old you are, age is really just a number. There are a lot more factors to your health (and more interesting aspects of who you are) than how long you’ve been alive. Nevertheless, it’s hard not to notice subtle changes in the mirror as we age, and to long for the youthful skin of your past.

While aging is a natural process, there are many steps you can take to keep your skin looking youthful and radiant. In this blog post, we'll share some tips on how to get younger-looking skin.

​Of course, the best offense is a good defense — which means the best way to have youthful skin is, well, to keep skin youthful to begin with. It’s no use trying to reduce age spots and wrinkles if you’re not also preventing new ones from occurring.

Unfortunately, many of these changes are genetic and outside of our control (the medical term for this is "intrinsic aging"). However, we do have influence over “extrinsic aging,” which refers to the environment and lifestyle choices that can cause our skin to age prematurely. Here are some of the most important prevention tips for how to keep skin youthful as long as possible:

​But if you’re reading this, you’re probably interested in more than prevention: You want to learn how to get youthful skin by actually turning back the clock. In that case, there are plenty of tops for how to get smoother-looking skin regardless of your age.

​Investing in a high-quality skincare routine can help keep your skin looking youthful and radiant. When it comes to how to have youthful skin, many different ingredients are touted to make you look younger, but buyer beware.

Choose products with proven ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, which are known for their anti-aging benefits. Also, be sure to follow the instructions on the product and avoid overuse. Consistency in your routine is key to youthful-looking skin, so use it every day give it time to work to see the best results.

​An anti-aging facial is one of the most safe and effective ways to get younger-looking skin. That’s because the right treatment can yield serious long-term benefits, like restoring lost volume and elasticity and counteracting long-term damage and bad habits.

I’ve found that the most effective facial to get youthful skin is the Dermasound Elite Ultrasonic facial, because it literally helps your skin on a cellular level — repairing and re-balancing skin cells by assisting in the transport of nutrients, eliminating waste, and increasing their energy source for better health, radiance, and vitality. DermaSound also stimulates collagen and elastin production, which helps heal connective tissues and produce smoother, firmer, more youthful skin.

In San Diego, there’s only one place to get the exclusive DermaSound anti-aging facial — and it’s here at Simply Skin.

​Remember, it's never too late to start taking care of your skin and investing in your overall health and wellbeing. I’ve dedicated my life to helping my fellow San Diegans navigate the world of proper skin wellness, and I know how to get you younger-looking skin in as little as 3-6 months. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.

After this uncharacteristically rainy season in San Diego, it’s hard to believe that summer is right around the corner. But as those first few 75-degree days start to pop up on the forecast, we’re all probably ready to emerge from our winter cocoons and start basking in the sunshine again.

However, while the sun is a source of life and vitality (and zoo days, and backyard barbecues), its rays can also be extremely harmful to our skin — causing a variety of skin problems, including premature aging, sunburn, and even skin cancer.

So, before you pull those beach towels out of storage, this is a great time to refresh your memory on the best ways to protect skin from the sun.

​This might seem obvious, but it’s worth stating: One of the most natural ways to protect skin from the sun is to stay out of it altogether.

This should really be considered a "Step 1.1,” since how to protect skin from sun damage begins with wearing sunscreen daily — yes, even on cloudy days, and yes, even if you’re spending most of your time indoors. UV rays can be sneaky, penetrating clouds and windows to cause damage to the skin. So, sunscreen should be a permanent part of your skincare routine throughout the year to protect your skin from the sun.

​Sunscreen itself is nonnegotiable, of course, but you have a couple of options to choose from when selecting a product. The key difference lies in how they block UV radiation:

​Of course, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen — so the best option to protect your skin from the sun is whichever one you like wearing best and will wear most consistently. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Even those who do wear sunscreen often skip some of the important instructions about how to protect skin from sun damage and make it most effective. With that in mind, be sure to follow these tips for proper application:

Because the skin cells on your face are smaller than on the rest of your body, the skin there is also more delicate — making sun protection for the face particularly important. If you’re familiar with the Simply Skin blog, this probably won’t come as a surprise to you — since sun protection and anti-aging go hand-in-hand. If this is your first time here, maybe you don’t mind fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging in the mirror… but if you’re anti-dark-spot, facial sun protection needs to be your # 1 priority.

​The tips for how to protect your face from the sun are similar to the rest of your body:

Protecting your skin from the sun is essential for maintaining a healthy, glowing complexion — and by following these tips, you can reduce your risk of skin damage and premature aging. But at the end of the day, the best way to maintain proper skincare all year round is by working with a licensed esthetician. I can help you customize a skincare regimen for your unique needs, so you can quit worrying about the mirror and get back to having fun in the sun.

​Gone are the days of thinking that facials are just for women. As the importance of good skincare has become more understood in recent decades, men are taking better care of their faces even beyond the bathroom mirror. While we try to maintain healthy skin with an at-home routine, there are some things — like taxes and automotive repairs — that are just best left to the professionals.

Enter the men’s facial, a spa treatment that feels luxe but can also be found at accessible prices. Even Men’s Health Magazine now recommends facials as part of a regular grooming routine. If your complexion is in need of some maintenance and you want to transform your skin from rough to smooth, a men’s facial might be just what you need.

​Here in San Diego, men’s facials are particularly common — but they’re growing in popularity everywhere. That’s because facials for men focus on issues common to male skin. Research has shown that men and women’s skin can actually be very different — from hormone metabolism to hair growth, sweat rate, oil production, and more. So for men, facial care might work to address common issues like razor burn, ingrown hairs, flaky skin, or sensitivity.

Not to mention, the term “thick-skinned” is not just a metaphor: Men’s skin can be up to 20-25% thicker than women’s, which can make men facial treatments even more important to ensure that products are able to penetrate the skin effectively.

More great reasons that men should get facials:

​Typically, men have higher testosterone levels than women, which helps explain why they produce more oil. Combined with the fact that men also tend to have rougher skin and larger pores, this creates a high exposure to dirt and grime… and when not cleaned properly, that can lead to pimples and blackheads.

During a men’s facial, most estheticians will perform extractions — which is the very precise removal of oil and dirt that’s clogging pores. Facials for men can also help avoid further skin problems like skin tags, age spots, breakouts, and more.

​Whether it’s every day or every two weeks, the continuous dragging and scraping of a razor across your sensitive skin can cause irritation — from razor burn to inflammation to ingrown hairs.

Fortunately, a good men’s facial treatment will help deep clean bumps and soothe irritated skin. The combination of exfoliation, essential oils, masks, and moisturizers that an esthetician applies during your session will address shaving’s side effects. And the smoother your skin, the smoother your shave.

​A professional esthetician makes it their business to learn about your skin and how to address the problems that concern you the most. They can look at your skin and see things you won’t from looking in the mirror. It’s like having a mechanic peek under the hood of your car.

If you’re new to men’s facial treatments or skincare in general, they can teach you about your unique skin type and how to take care of it. They’re also able to give you advice on the best facial care products for men to incorporate into your skincare routine at home.

​And of course, while men’s facial care has plenty of benefits to skin health, it can also just be a luxurious way to spend an hour. Like a good barbershop visit, getting a men’s facial means laying back in a relaxing environment while an expert gets to work helping you look your best. And while a spa facial for men might sound a little intimidating, you can get the same services from your local esthetician’s office for a fraction of the price.

​One note of caution on facials for men (or anyone, really): Don’t do your first facial before any kind of a big occasion (your wedding, a media appearance, your TED talk). As with virtually any treatment, there are potential side effects — and this is especially a factor for those with sensitive skin. If you’re prone to having reactions to certain skin care ingredients, be sure to talk to your esthetician beforehand about the treatments they’ll be using.

Don’t feel the need to shave before your appointment — whether you have a full beard or slight stubble. In fact, some facial care products for men can actually benefit your facial hair, making it look healthier and feel softer. That said, if you do prefer a clean shave, make sure to do so at least 24 hours beforehand — since shaving can leave skin feeling tender, sore, and especially sensitive to products.

​Here at Simply Skin, I provide facials for men, women, and children of all ages. Whatever your skincare goals, I can recommend a facial treatment that will help you look and feel your best. If you’re ready to improve your complexion and enjoy your newfound confidence, schedule your free consultation to see if a men’s facial is right for you.