Let It Glow, Let It Glow, Let It Glow

True, it has been warmer than usual this winter (the second warmest since they started keeping weather records, we're told) but it hasn't been warm enough to hit the beach and keep up that lovely bronze color you sport in the summertime. If you're like most of us, about now you are beginning to resemble Casper The Friendly Ghost.

To add insult to injury, it has been just cold enough to demand the heat go on and, here in the Northeast, that means overheated rooms and dry (sometimes peeling) skin. Pale and flaky—not a good look for anyone.

Not to worry, here at Believe we have the perfect answer: Dr. Dennis Gross' Skincare Alpha Beta® Glow Pads—quite a mouthful, but then they pack quite a wallop. In one single step, these presoaked towelettes exfoliates that dry flaky skin, tightens your pores, gets rid of blackheads and leaves behind a golden streak-free glow (that even helps fade existing sunspots!) That's quite a list of talents for one little pad—but it works. This anti-aging self-tanner contains Active Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin), Microencapsulated DHA, and Soy Proteins that delivers color deep into skin to prevent fading through surface exfoliation.

Alpa and Beta Hydroxy Acids transform your skin from that dull winter texture to that radiant and glowing skin we all associate with summertime. This miracle product can even save money by cutting down on your need for foundation and concealer. Check out some before and after photos here: http://www/dgskinccare.com/pdf/glow_pad_information.pdf

The Alpha & Beta Glow Pad are odorless, streak-free and packaged for ease of use at home. One swipe gives you glowing, customized color. Increase the numbers of swipes to make the glow an even deeper color. (Wash your hands after using or else your palms will glow like they just got back from the Bahamas.) With AHA's and potent antioxidants, your skin gets younger-looking all the while people will be wondering when you found time to take that Caribbean vacation. Let them wonder. It will be our little secret. Come into Believe now and get an Alpha Beta Glow Pad for free to try out. We are sure you are going to love this product (and we know it is going to love your skin.)

Curls Are Cool (Really!)

You know the drill—the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. If you were born with stick-straight hair, you've spent half your life in rollers or connected to a curling iron. But for those of you with natural ringlets --who don't always love what nature gave you—here's a few tips to help you love (or tame) those curls of yours:

Frizz Is Not Pre-Ordained: Curly hair is often dry and nature abhors a vacuum. Not enough moisture in your hair? The humidity in the air thinks your curly hair is the perfect sponge to soak up its moisture and dives right in. Your hair cuticle expands and—voila!—frizz central. What you have to do, Curly Head, is get there before the humidity does and keep your hair full of good moisture. Wash with a moisturizing shampoo like AGADIR made with argan oil, deep condition with AGADIR moisture mask regularly and style with RICCI fortified with keratin to keep your hair plumped up and full of moisture. When humidity (and frizz ) come a' calling, your hair can say, “Sorry, no room at the inn...”

You've Gotta Be You: Ok, truth time. If the weather is humid, you hair is going to curl. No need to spend hours straightening it. Sometimes you just can't fight City Hall. Why not try accepting what you cannot change and let it curl, let it curl, let it curl? It works for Bernadette Peters, Melina Kanakaredes and Taylor Swift. Why not give it a shot? Let the real you out to play (at least every now and again.) Flat-haired women will envy you as you stroll by with those bouncy curls.

Want To Be A Straight Shooter: I didn't convince you to let your curls fly free? Ok, you can straight out those ringlets—it's just going to take some doing. Consider a La Brasiliana Keratin Treatment (one of the services we provide at Believe) and you'll have months of gorgeous straight hair. Give us a call and we will tell you all about it and make an appointment for you. Or you may want to invest in a ceramic flat iron (we at Believe can also help you learn how to use it properly.) You'll get straight hair with no risk of burning,

Make Friends With Your Drier: Remember, sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder. Let your hair air-dry as long as possible and only use the blow dry when you must (and then only with a diffuser). Cup your curls in the palm of your hand and dry from underneath.

Don't Stop Brushing: Yes, we know you look like a poodle after you brush, but you do want to distribute the natural oils from your scalp down the hair shaft. Try brushing your curly hair with a natural bristle brush for two minutes at night before bed and rinse it in the morning. The condition of your hair will improve, I promise.

Did I Mention Conditioning? It's worth mentioning again. Deep condition at least once a week with a hair mask like TREATMENT and every now and then rub a little olive oil on your scalp and down the hair shaft. Brush through, put a shower cap on, and sleep in the oil. Wash it out in the morning.

Headbands Hide All Manner of Sins: If you've got to run, put a headband over your damp hair. It'll make the crown flat, and the curls stick out the ends, like you actually meant to do it. You could start a signature headband collection. (It used to work for Hilary Clinton.)

Keep Curly Hair Well Cut: Make an appointment at for a good haircut. Our stylists understand curly hair (and the frustrations of it) and will help you come to love—and not loathe—those curls. Call us today!

Peel Back The Mystery Of Exfoliation

The supernaturally beautiful, Christie Brinkley (honestly--does that woman ever age?) told an interviewer recently that her secret for looking so young was exfoliation. (It had occurred to her, early in her career, that they reason men look so young is that they shave every day, taking off a layer of epidermis every stroke.) Since we women can't be shaving our face everyday, we should heed her advice and learn more about exfoliation...

Exfoliation is the process by which the oldest dead skin cells on the skin's outermost surface are removed-by microdermabrasion or chemical peel in a salon (like Believe) or a doctor's office. Milder at-home peels are also available. (We carry a fabulous one—Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Peel—which is called a “miracle” by some of our customers.)

Exfoliation has a history. The ancient Egyptians used the surrounding sand for exfoliation (we bet Cleopatra didn't have flaky dry skin) and, in The Middle Ages, wine (with its active agent, tartaric acid) was used. The Romans scraped their skin with blades and oil, rather than use soap for bathing, and their language Latin, is where the word Exfoliate comes from—it means to strip off leaves.

Why is exfoliation so important?

Every month, from skin's lower layer, the dermis, cells migrate to the surface of the skin and become more acidic. This causes the cells to die and become saturated with kertain—the tough stuff that protects skin from outside elements. This (combined with aging, especially for woman post-menopause) causes the skin to become uneven—dry and rough. In order to get rid of this scaly layer, exfoliation is used. This unclogs pores, keeps skin clean, and reduces breakouts (for men, it even exposes the hair follies and allows for a better shave.)

There are basically two kinds of exfoliation: Mechanical and Chemical. Microderambrasion is a mechanical method of exfoliation and we will educate you about how we accomplish microdermabrasion at Believe in a later blog, but for now, let us tell you about Peels.

Peels use salicylic or glycolic acids, also hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) or enzymes that loosen the glue-like substance that holds the cells together, allowing them to ease away. Each of these ingredients has value in exfoliation:


Lactic Acid – is hydrating and helps even skin discoloration.


Malic Acid – aids in hydration. 


Glycolic Acid – has very fast penetration, reaching deeper levels sooner.

Citric Acid – naturally oil controlling, this prevents/corrects the thinning of the skin associated with aging

Tartartic Acid – provides natural antioxidant action from grapes.

Mandelic Acid – helps even skin discoloration.

We use only the PCA Skin line of products like the TCA peels, which use the acids above in Ph-balanced formulas produce dramatic results without discomfort and downtime.

Here are three peels we use at Believe:

Ultra Peel® Forte I Exfoliating Treatment

Those with resilient skin who have more dramatic wrinkling, sun damage and acne scarring are the most suitable candidates for this deeper and more active treatment. Ultra Peel® Forte will effectively treat aging skin, acne, pigment disorders, smoker’s skin and photo-damaged skin. This treatment is ideal for dehydrated and aging skin in need of rejuvenation.

Ultra Peel® I Exfoliating Treatment

Specially formulated to treat dehydrated, maturing skin, Ultra Peel® I is also appropriate for many skin types, conditions and sensitivities. It will help treat smoker’s skin, pigment disorders, sun damaged skin and acne. This treatment is especially ideal for sensitive skin, as it produces only a mild tingling sensation. Moderate to aggressive exfoliation will be experienced, depending on the number of layers applied. Overall, the final result will be plump, hydrated and ultra-soft skin.

Sensi Peel® Exfoliating Treatment

This gentle solution is formulated primarily for ethnic skin, and other extremely sensitive skin types. Sensi Peel® will strengthen and brighten the skin while helping to treat sun damage and other forms of hyper-pigmentation (skin discoloration). This multi-faceted treatment also provides anti-inflammatory, anti-acne and antibacterial action, making it an excellent choice for helping calm rosacea, as redness and inflammation can subside substantially after treatment.

At Believe, we offer facial peels by our master medical aesthetician Jackie. Lay back in our cozy treatment room while years are lifted from your face. These peels will all make fine lines and wrinkles disappear, dramatically lessen deep wrinkles, and encourage the production of new skin cells and collagen, leaving your skin smoother, plumper and glowing. Make an appointment with us at Believe and get on the road to younger-looking skin today.