Cannabis topicals (i.e. balms & creams) can alleviate muscle and joint pain caused by injuries and soothe daily aches. However, cannabis can also help keep your skin looking young and healthy due to its abundance in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Our skin forms free radicals during the natural process of daily living. Too many free radicals can cause oxidative stress and translate to wrinkles, loss of collagen, dark spots, reduced elasticity, and other signs of aging. Premature aging and skin damage caused by oxidative stress occurs when there are more free radicals than there are antioxidants to neutralize them.

Antioxidants in skin hunt for the free radicals and neutralize them before they do damage. Cannabinoids (i.e. THC, THCA and CBD) have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, stronger than those of vitamins C and E. And, because our bodies' natural endocannabinoid system includes a multitude of cannabis receptors in our skin, it makes a lot of sense to have cannabinoids in products for your face and neck.

Hyaluronic acid, now found in many skin care products, is a substance produced naturally by the skin. Although our body produces hyaluronic acid naturally, the skin produces less as we age, making the skin drier over time. It’s a humectant, absorbing and retaining water to give support and structure to the skin. It can plump up the cells, making the skin dewier and more moist, and minimizing the appearance of fine lines. Hyaluronic absorbs and retains up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it a powerful hydrator. When used in moisturizers and serums, it penetrates the skin barrier to increase hydration. Hyaluronic acid is suitable for all skin types, often soothing sensitive skin conditions.

1. Double cleanse the face, neck and décolleté.
2. Apply a masque, liquid or sheet, and remove after 10-20 minutes.
3. Tone the skin.
4. Apply your serum of choice to the face, neck and décolleté. Look for serums containing salicylic acid, Vitamin C and/or AHAs/BHAs.
5. Apply an overnight masque (I use https://imageskincare.com/vital-c-hydrating-overnight-masque) over moisturizer. Massage until absorbed and rinse off upon waking.

For a multi-use serum that's moisturizing and lightweight at the same time, try adding hemp seed oil to your daily skin care routine. Hemp seed oil contains little to no THC or CBD and is extracted for its healthy fatty acid profile (omega-3, omega-6, and polyunsaturated fatty acids). 

Hemp seed oil is great for soothing dry skin and inflammation. It also possesses anti-inflammatory, moisturizing and anti-oxidant (vitamins A, C, and E) properties that protect the skin against environmental damage. Try adding a few drops in your day or nighttime moisturizer, or facial toner, for an easy boost to your skin health.

Hydrodermabrasion is the latest in skin care treatments, utilizing the healing powers of oxygen and water to exfoliate, not the crystals or textured tips of traditional Microdermabrasion. Virtually painless and suitable for all skin types, Hydrodermabrasion disperses air and water at a high speed to peel off dead and damaged cells, resulting in ultra-hydrated skin. This treatment can also aid in removing blackheads, hyperpigmentations, and scarring. A Hydrodermabrasion facial requires no downtime and will leave skin glowing and deeply cleansed without irritation.
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Hydrodermabrasion is highly effective for:
- Improved skin texture and tone
- Reduced fine lines and wrinkles
- Deeper skin hydration
- Increased blood flow leading to collagen and elastin production
- Reduced/improved acne scarring
- Improved uneven pigmentation
- Reduced skin congestion, blackheads, and acne

Even though those of us with oily skin might forgo moisturizing so as not to appear shiny, if you don’t moisturize, your skin can look dull, increasing the appearance of wrinkles. Look for oil-free, magnifying, and/or lightweight moisturizers that contain dimethicone, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide. Niacinamide absorbs sebum, stimulates collagen production and strengthens our skin’s barrier. It's can also reduce hyperpigmentations and large pores.

​For dry skin, look for glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. Ceramides are fats that occur naturally in our skin, soaking up water so the skin cells stays hydrated.

Microneedling, once viewed with skepticism, can be an effective procedure to improve the skin. Microneedling, also referred to as percutaneous collagen induction, uses pen-shaped or roller devices armed with fine needles to make minuscule, evenly spaced punctures in the skin. The small wounds created by the needling devices, which sometimes allow a pinprick of blood to rise to the surface, induce the skin to start a wound healing response. The body rushes to patch up the injury by growing fresh collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are what give your skin its strength and ability to stretch and make it appear more youthful.

Microneedling is what is referred to as a type of fractional treatment, in which only a fraction of the surface of the skin is affected, leaving skin unharmed around each micro-wound. This allows for rapid healing and a short recovery time associated with the procedure. The healing response triggered by the treatment can also improve scarring, including acne scars, and help reverse skin damage from the sun.

In addition to stimulating production of new collagen and elastin, microneedling can also provide a means of getting therapeutic products through the skin barrier, where they can work more efficiently. It's also well tolerated by most skin types, including darker skin. Microneedling is not a quick fix. Changes with microneedling take time, because your body is actually repairing itself and growing new tissue.