Shining a Light on Light Therapy

So I was recently asked the question "What exactly is Light Therapy and why is it good for me?" This is an excellent question. After some research and my own personal experience I will do my best to explain the magic and wonder that is light therapy without just regurgitating a bunch of facts.

The first time I ever tried light therapy wasn't for my skin at all. I was in Redding visiting from Portland, OR for the holidays. I was stressed out and fighting off depression and a mild cold. I tried it out because Michele recommended it and honestly lying anywhere with my eyes closed and listening to relaxing music sounded amazing. What I discovered was that it was really relaxing and refreshing. I am someone who attempts to meditate, but not very successfully. My mind has a tendency to chatter a lot and it only gets louder and more unruly the more I try to quiet it. While I was lying under the lights it seemed to actually soften to a quiet hum almost effortlessly. I realize this is really not scientific at all, but it was definitely a wonderful side effect. I continued to use the machine while I was home and was pleasantly surprised to feel less tired and my skin took on a healthier glow.

I am very blessed to have good skin, but like everyone I do get break outs and blackheads. Using the light therapy machine always gets my skin back on track. I have also witnessed the positive effects on other people's skin, both with acne and the effects of aging.

Now in my own words, the science behind it (I apologize in advance to all the technical thinkers out there).

Basically, we are made up of cells and healthy cells means healthy beautiful skin. Things like stress, nutrition, pollution, and aging can break down parts of our cells. Independent research has shown that cells in the skin can start reproducing collagen, elastin and certain enzymes with encouragement. That's important because all those things are an imperative part of healthy and beautiful skin. Light therapy encourages your skin to create those parts of the skin's intricate supportive structure. Over time this process actually strengthens the walls of your blood vessels, which in turn increases the amount of oxygen reaching your skin. More oxygen means it is easier for your skin to release toxins, less toxins means clearer and healthier skin.

Back to your cells. Healthy cells are more active and that means they heal quicker and in turn they create healthier cells when they regenerate. Going back to basic high school biology (ya, that wasn't my favorite class either), one healthy cell splits and becomes two healthy cells and two healthy cells split and become 4 healthy cells. You see where this is going. It can work against you too, so it only makes sense to want to have strong healthy cells regenerating instead of sick ones.

The lights used for light therapy target cells in a way we can't see with the naked eye, but the results are definitely visible. You can expect positive changes in the both the tone and texture of your skin. This means clearer skin, minimization of fine lines and wrinkles and the reversal of sun damage and aging.

If you have any further questions feel free to check out our Lumiere Information page.

We are currently offering free trials, so give us a call at (530)245-0404 to set up your free Light Therapy Appointment.

Make-up with Maddison

Since we are now carrying a new make-up line Mineral Mine, Maddison, one of our aestheticians and make-up artist will be sharing make-up tips to help you enhance your own natural beauty. Every few weeks she will post new tips related to a particular feature or certain technique.

Hi Everyone,
The eyes are often referred to as the windows to the soul. They are one of the most prominent features of the face. Why not make them really shine and stand out? Here are a few tips and tricks that I use to enhance the eyes.

1: When using color shadows on the eyes, it is easier to use less at first and increase, layer by layer, until you get the exact color depth and shape you want.

2:When applying eye shadows to the crease of the eye, I recommend keeping the eye open. Besides being able to see the shape you are creating, the color will go into(and slightly above) the crease.

3:Apply eyeliner as close as possible to(and even into) the lashes, to avoid the white line you get when liner and lashes don't connect.

4:Pumping air into the mascara tube(to get more product on the wand) will only dry out the product sooner. Instead, try twirling it around.

5:Concentrating mascara at the base of the lash, then sweeping outward and upward, creates a thicker lash with the ends separated.


Hope this helps you. Have a beautiful day!

Maddison