Nothing a baby washcloth can't handle!

The Wonderbar, as you all know by now, is a cleanser, toner and exfoliate. If used on a regular basis, with compatible products, there is really no need to add much more than a very basic moisturizer (if needed) and a good physical block to your routine.  Problems can arise if you complicate things with other products that can be too much for your skin while using the Wonderbar.  As an example, if you try to exfoliate your skin, especially with a harsh scrub, it can be too much.  During the dry phase in the first 2-3 weeks, it would seem that in order to speed things up, you should scrub the dead skin off.  However, doing so is not recommended.  With patience you will see that the dryness passes and the dead skin comes off on its own.  Later on, it can become appropriate on occasion to gently exfoliate once every two weeks or so, but not until you are fully adjusted to the bar.

Exfoliation is the removal of the oldest dead skin cells that cling to the skin’s outermost surface. It is an important part of both facials and body treatments.  When done correctly, exfoliation leaves the skin feeling smoother and fresher looking. It also aids in the penetration of expensive facial products like antioxidant and vitamin serums.

The following are two ways to exfoliate your skin:

1) Mechanical- the dead cells are physically rubbed off with an abrasive.  Examples include salt scrubs, jojoba beads, washcloths and facial loofahs.

2) Chemical- Enzymes or acids are used to help slough the dead cells away.  Examples include AHAs, BHAs, Retin-A and different fruit enzymes.

As mentioned above, you can try one of the two ways and have great results once adjusted.  Using a baby washcloth is my personal favorite…it’s very gentle, not to mention inexpensive.  We hear from many clients that the Clarisonic works well too!

As for Chemical exfoliation, you can try to introduce a product while making sure you pay close attention and look for any adverse reactions such as redness or breakouts…if this occurs, then stop.  Some retinol devotees, in an effort to keep all of their anti-aging weapons in their arsenal, have found a way to use the product with their Wonderbar and are thrilled with the results.  So, you never know how your skin will react, but keep experimenting to find what works best for you.   You can also email us for tips on tweaking your routine!

The nine “top-selling” skincare products on the Sephora website claim to each do one or more of the following things:

fade pigmentation, shrink pores, improve clarity, treat acne, control oil and blemishes, improve appearance of age-related skin issues, reduce stretch marks, restore elasticity, firm and tone skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, moisturize, conquer skin damage……

They might do some of these things, but NONE of them do it all at the same time.  Which means of course that you aren’t getting out the door without two, three or even four products!  That is actually fine for some, people do like products.  The problem comes in when they spend a lot of time and money and ultimately don’t get the results they are expecting.  At least this is what I’m hearing from our clients.

Also, on the Sephora website, they have a list of ten areas of concern for the face, which can each be clicked on to show multiple product solutions for each area of concern.  They are as follows:

Enlarged blackheads and pores, breakouts and acne, dryness, oiliness, fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and uneven texture, loss of elasticity, redness/ rosacea and sun protection!

Hmmmm, that’s all sounding a little familiar…almost exactly like the Wonderbar, which addresses NINE out of ten of them!  The tenth is sun protection and we just don’t do that- but a simple, effective sun block is easy to find.  SO, you can choose from HUNDREDS of products which may or may not address one or two concerns each, OR you can just buy a Wonderbar and an all-natural moisturizer or sun block and call it a day.

For now, let’s keep it between us that the Wonderbar is also a shampoo and scalp equalizer on top of everything else, we do NOT want to sound like we’re bragging!

	Sun Protection

At around the tenth month of using the Wonderbar,  I noticed something interesting.  About once a month, I was getting a dry, invisible layer of skin on my face and neck.  At first I didn’t know what was going on, but then figured out that just because the initial “big” dryness passes after 2-3 weeks, doesn’t mean the bar stops doing what it came to do.  It keeps working.  Realizing that it was the Chlorey’nahre promoting the cells to turn over at a faster rate than normal, I took a baby washcloth and gently buffed the dead layer of skin right off.  There was no irritation or redness, my skin had clearly adjusted to the product, so I knew there would be no harm in giving things a little push.  My skin looked great and healthy (and it was SO soft!).

Gently remove dry skin after applying the Wonderbar....

The great news is that while the bar is an exfoliate and will aid in rinsing dead skin cells away with every use, it is very gentle and occasionally one might notice a gentle buffing just helps things along.  Please note that in the first 2-3 weeks of use, we highly recommend against any scrubbing, exfoliating or buffing.  Your skin most likely has not adjusted to the Wonderbar yet and still needs time.

Everyone’s skin is different, but the one thing that seems to be consistent is that people love it as long as they use it as directed.

The dreaded Karatosis Pilaris!

“Keratosis pilaris is very common, finding a home on the upper arms, thighs, and shoulders. Keratosis pilaris tends to be more severe during the winter months but no one is sure why that is the case and it definitely isn’t consistent for everyone. Basically, the bumpy rough spots are clogged pores that sometimes get red and irritated but rarely itch. Regrettably there is no available cure or universally effective treatment, though it is generally well accepted that unclogging pores and reducing inflammation can improve matters greatly (Source: eMedicine Journal, July 2, 2001, Volume 2, Number 7).”

I had a dermatologist tell me the same thing.  But strangely, since I have been using the Wonderbar, mine is gone.  I don’t ever rinse my hands off after applying it to my face and neck.  I put the leftovers all over the backs of my arms and, as I’m sure you’ve heard me say, my heels.  The little bumps on the backs of my arms have been gone since day 3 of using this product.  Pretty cool, huh?

QUESTION: Can you use sunscreen with the Wonderbar? I normally use a light moisturizer with sunscreen, is that ok? Also, I normally exfoliate a few times a week, should I stop?

ANSWER: Yes, you absolutely can and SHOULD use a good sunblock.  Just make sure you aren’t using any products that contain chemical sunscreen.  Chemical sunscreen penetrates your pores and physical sun block sits on top of your skin and protects you from the sun.  Go for the physical for more effective coverage and for better results with the Wonderbar.

As far as using an exfoliate goes, the WONDERBAR already exfoliates your skin, so you don’t need one in the beginnning.  Let the bar do its job and do not be concerned about the dryness, it is happening for a reason and it will pass.  However, once you have adjusted to the Wonderbar and your skin is no longer in a dry phase. using a baby washcloth or a clarisonic once a week is fine and enhances the benefits of the bar. We do not recommend a ”scrub” of any type…these oftentimes have ingredients that are not compatible with the bar.  There are even clients who actually take the bar with them for use during microdermabrasion.  Remember, overdoing it is never a good thing, so just use your best judgement when adding an exfoliate to your WONDERBAR routine.  Everyone’s skin is different.