Clean out that make-up drawer!

A survey carried out by Mintel showed that ‘funny smells’ or discoloration would only push 28 per cent of women surveyed to discard products such as make-up, shampoo or shower gel.  The survey results suggest that industry could play a bigger part in helping to raise awareness of the hazards relating to using cosmetics and personal care products that are past their best through enhanced labeling and marketing campaigns.

Not only do personal care products lose their efficacy with age – a process that happens even quicker if they are not stored correctly – but they can also become breeding grounds for bacteria that, when applied to the skin, can increase the risk of rashes and even infection.

Greater awareness of this kind of risk would obviously help to prevent consumers suffering such consequences, ultimately serving to enhance the brand image and increasing positive associations consumers have with them.  Likewise it could also serve to increase sales if consumers are encouraged to discard older and deteriorated products in favor of replacement purchases.  The Mintel study draws a comparison with food products, underlining the fact that consumers would be far less likely to eat food that was beyond its sell-by date or clearly not safe to consume.

“It is not simply a matter of products no longer performing to optimal standards, old said Alexandra Richmond, senior beauty analyst at Mintel.  ”Repeated exposure to bacteria from the mouth affects lip color cosmetics, while out-of-date mascara and eye pencils can raise the risk of infections.”  Richmond also went on point out that often natural and organic products – currently an area of the market that is enjoying huge consumer interest and growth – are more susceptible to spoiling because they use fewer and sometimes no preservatives.

Mintel’s survey results also show that many women struggle with the concept of sell-by dates for cosmetics and personal care products, with most indicating that they would continue to use it until either it runs out or when it is clearly off.  Another problem is that many labels indicate that the product should be used within a certain period after opening. However, a significant number of women surveyed said they had problems keeping track of when products were first opened.

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as those that send heat deep into the skin, can be used to suppress the oil glands in an effort to stop the breakout cycle.

Smoothbeam is the most popular diode laser used to shrink the size of the oil glands and suppress their activity. It heats the outer layer of the gland and creates a mild thermal injury that decreases sebum production. In addition to reducing active lesions and preventing new ones from forming, the nonablative resurfacing effect of collagen remodeling also helps reduce scarring.

Patients usually see a 40% to 50% improvement after the first treatment, but three to six are normal, with severe acne and scarring requiring up to 12 treatments.

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The rejuvenating effects of oxygen can also be put to use as a form of skin rejuvenation, designed to help make skin more radiant and to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

How It Works

Therapeutic oxygen has long been used to aid in healing and to prevent infection after surgery or a wound. In traditional oxygen therapy for medical conditions, patients are placed inside an oxygen chamber in which they breathe concentrated oxygen to help stimulate their body to heal.

When oxygen is used as a skin-rejuvenating tool, this same therapeutic oxygen is used. However, as a cosmetic procedure, the concentrated therapeutic oxygen is applied to the face using hyperbaric pressure. Often, other supplements are also added to the oxygen infusion in the form of a binding agent called hyaluronic acid. These supplements include vitamin C or amino acid complexes, which also serve to improve the appearance of the skin.

Application

Doctors administering oxygen therapy typically use on oxygen infuser that releases this concentrated oxygen. The infuser is held at a 90-degree angle approximately 1 millimeter from the skin’s surface and oxygen is applied to the face.

When the infuser is held at the appropriate angle, a pressure bubble forms, causing more oxygen to enter into the epidermis of the skin. This outer epidermal layer is stimulated by the increased presence of oxygen. Collagen formation is also encouraged by the presence of the oxygen and other compounds. The overall result is healthier skin that is plumper, smoother and fresher looking.

Results

Many patients report an instant improvement in the appearance of their skin. Results improve with repeated applications. Most doctors recommend a series of six treatments in order to achieve maximum benefit.

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