Mid America Events & Expos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Keep your skin’s summer glow all winter long
Skin care expert and registered nurse offers her best cold weather tips

Winter’s short, gloomy days and icy temperatures don’t have to result in dry, dull complexion. More and more women are taking steps to keep their skin healthy and enjoying a year round glow.

“As you age, your skin naturally loses some of that dewy look we associate with health,” says Robin Bernens, R.N. and owner of Belladerm Med Spa in Maple Grove. “The good news is that there are a number of things you can do at home or in a spa to restore some of that glow.”

Bernens recommends that every woman start with an unbiased, scientific analysis to get a baseline determination of her skin’s condition. “The VISIA Complexion Analysis is ideal because it uses multi-spectral imaging to reveal damage on and beneath the surface of our skin that is not detectable by visual examination alone,” she explains. “Your complexion’s health and appearance is evaluated based on six criteria: wrinkles, spots, pores, skin tone, porphyrins (evidence of bacteria in your pores), and visible as well as invisible UV damage.”

Belladerm is offering a free VISIA Complexion Analysis ($80 value) to everyone who attends the Girlfriends Shopping Extravaganza, being held November 17-18 to the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota campus.

Bernens’ tips for keeping a healthy glow all year round include:

Eat right. “Healthy skin starts from the inside, so eat a well balanced diet, and be sure to include a good antioxidant such as vitamin C.”
Stay active. “People don’t think of activity as being good for your skin’s condition, but it helps your body get rid of impurities.”
Drink plenty of water. “It helps your skin stay moisturized, which is particularly important because the air inside our homes and offices is often very dry in the winter months.”
Always use sunscreen. “We still meet a lot of women who stop using sunscreen during the winter. Even though it’s not as bright or as warm, you need protection because the sun is still out there and it can still damage your skin.”
Choose high quality skin products. “There is a big difference between pharmaceutical grade cleansers, toners, moisturizers etc. and those you buy over the counter. Those that are pharmaceutical grade tend to have higher levels of active ingredients, and you need a medical license to sell them to the public. They are also made in smaller lots to control their efficacy. Over the counter products, by comparison, are often made in large vats. The product may sit in a storeroom so long that the active ingredients are no longer as effective as they once were.”
Consider professional exfoliation. “Intense pulse light machines help with fine lines, wrinkles, discolorations and do a small amount of collagen re-building. Peels can have dramatic results – your skin immediately looks brighter and healthier. And there are new dermabrasians that eliminate the risks associated with crystals and suction but have the same great results. You can go to work right after most professional skin treatments.”

Bernens will be at the Girlfriends Shopping Extravaganza to take the mystery out of the many skin care treatments and products, and help women determine what skin care regimen is best for them. For answers to many frequently asked skin care questions, visit www.belladermmedspa.com.

Additional information about the event, including an online catalog of some of the items that will be featured during the show, is available at www.101expos.com.

Benefiting Other Area Women
One dollar of every paid admission will be donated to WomenVenture, a nonprofit economic development agency for women. WomenVenture’s mission is to assist women in securing their own economic success and prosperity. WomenVenture helps women start and grow their own businesses, change or develop careers, and train for well-paying jobs in non-traditional industries.

Admission is $3 with the half price coupon available on the Web site (www.101expos.com), and free to kids 17 and under when accompanied by an adult. Further information is available on the expo hotline: 612-798-7256.

The Girlfriends Shopping Extravaganza is sponsored by FM 107, Belladerm MedSpa, WorldClass Travel Network and Shorty’s Loft.

Media Note: For additional information, or to schedule an advance interview, contact Media Relations, Inc. at 612-798-7220.