But what is it exactly? And what does it do to your skin?

According to Edge Systems, a leading manufacturer of the HydraFacial machine, the treatment constitutes the newest advance in non-laser skin resurfacing.

Alexis K. & Company can’t stop talking about it. They love the HydraFacial so much that they’re offering $50 off at the Alexis K. Autumn Skin Soiree on November 10th.

And apparently the results are amazing…

Check out this video of how the whole process works:

 Click to view slideshow.

The skin sins to leave behind

By Julie Giusti

SKIPPING BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN

The best way to keep your skin from getting wrinkled, saggy, and speckled is sunscreen, SPF 30 at the minimum. Broad-spectrum formulas (meaning they shield against both UVA and UVB rays) with Mexoryl or Helioplex offer the longest-lasting protection.  (We like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55 and La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40.) Apply a whole tablespoon to your face, and the equivalent of a shot glass on your body. For workdays, reapply before your commute home if the sun is still out—even if you’ll be in a car. And for days when you’ll be outside for an extended period of time, reapply every two hours. We know it’s a pain, but come on—you’ll get the last laugh instead of the first laugh lines.

SMOKING

Like you need another reason to quit? Seriously—it’s time. Because if you keep smoking, you’ll not only damage your health, but you’ll develop more and more deep wrinkles and blotchier skin tone. In fact, every decade of smoking results in a perceived extra 2.5 years of age, according to research published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

DRINKING TOO MUCH

Now, we’re not taking away all your fun—you can still have a glass of something. But drink more than one cocktail a day, and your skin suffers. Alcohol increases the level inflammatory agents in the bloodstream—”which can hasten skin sagging over time,” says Fredric Brandt, a dermatologist in New York City and Coral Gables, Florida.

PICKING THE WRONG PRODUCTS

Using stuff that’s wrong for your skin type is a hugely common mistake, says Miami dermatologist Leslie Baumann, author of The Skin Type Solution (Bantam). Here’s what you should know: OILY SKIN: Choose a cleanser with salicylic acid, such as Bioré Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser. Fight shine with an oil-free lotion, such as Vichy Normaderm Pro Mat Ultra-Mattifying Oil-Free Lotion SPF 15. Rub on a chemical exfoliant such as glycolic acid once a week. Try Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel. SENSITIVE SKIN: Wash with a milky cleanser such as Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. Use a fragrance-free, nonirritating sunscreen such as Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer Sensitive Skin SPF 15. Look for anti-aging creams with added hydrators such as hyaluronic acid and shea butter, like Replenix Serum CF. and Estée Lauder Time Zone Line and Wrinkle Reducing Creme SPF 15. COMBINATION SKIN: Choose a foaming cleanser for oily skin. Use a lightweight moisturizer, like H2O+ Face Oasis Hydrating Lotion SPF 30, but dab a thicker one, like Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Cream, on dry spots. DRY SKIN: Nonsoap creamy cleansers, like Eucerin Sensitive Skin Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, don’t strip away protective oils. A moisturizer with trehalose, such as Shiseido The Skincare Day Moisture Protection SPF 15 or Clinique Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer, will prevent tightness. Apply an anti-aging treatment with retinol every other day (daily use could aggravate dryness). Or switch to a cream with kinetin or the Matrixyl—they’re less drying than retinoids.

IGNORING YOUR NECK AND CHEST

Skin care doesn’t stop at your jawline. “These areas are almost always exposed, and yet they rarely receive same level of hydration and sun protection as the face. But the skin there is more delicate and just as vulnerable to photoaging,” says Los Angeles dermatologist Howard Fein. The fix is simple: The next time you apply serum, face cream, or sunscreen or give yourself an exfoliating treatment, extend everything down to your décolletage.

OVERLOOKING MOLES

A study conducted by the National Cancer Institute showed that fifty percent more melanoma cases occurred in women ages 15 to 39 in 2004 than in 1980. The lesson here? Everyone needs to get a mole screening with a dermatologist once a year—and you should also check yourself every month, remembering to examine less-obvious places such as your scalp, the soles of your feet, and under your nails. Look at the American Academy of Dermatology’s guidelines here. Even if your moles pass the test, don’t underestimate the power of gut instinct: “If you look at something twice,” says Philadelphia dermatologist Eric Bernstein, “show it to a dermatologist.”

USING DIRTY MAKEUP BRUSHES

Eh, why bother, you think. Here’s why: Skip washing your brushes and you could wind up with muddied colors, clogged pores, and bacterial infections. Once every three weeks, lather brushes with a gentle shampoo such as Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo, rinse well, and let them dry overnight or use wipes, such as Japonesque Parian Spirit Pro Brush Cleaner Wipes. Another option: Clinique The Brush Collection—they’re treated with a microbial solution that destroys germs. (You still have to wash them, but only about once a month.)

CONSTANT PHONE CHATTER

Resting your chin or cheek against a phone—cell or old-school—can lead to breakouts, whether or not the phone is clean and bacteria-free. “Just leaning your face against it can cause friction, occlusion, and heat, all of which can make you break out,” says Bay Area dermatologist Katie Rodan. If your chatting habit is too ingrained to shake, consider a headset.

OVEREXFOLIATING

Sorry—while squeaky-clean pores may initially feel good, “harsh cleansing or too much exfoliating can actually exacerbate oil production and worsen breakouts by spreading bacteria,” Fein says. A gentle alternative: Use a glycolic peel, such as Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel, three times a week.

STAYING UP LATE

“Sleep deprivation causes stress, which can aggravate all skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis,” says Karyn Grossman, a dermatologist in Santa Monica and New York City. “Sleep is also the time when your body repairs the damage from the day, and interrupting that process will slow down cell turnover.” In the short term, this can mess with the way blood flows to the skin, which can make your complexion sallow.

NOT WASHING YOUR FACE AT NIGHT

Letting skin marinate in makeup—not to mention a day’s worth of oil buildup—can lead to clogged pores and zits, especially if you’re prone to acne. “Your body temperature increases slightly when you sleep, which can enhance absorption of whatever’s on the surface,” says Rodan. “So you really want only beneficial ingredients on your face when you sleep.”

EATING JUNK FOOD

Conventional wisdom used to be that diet didn’t affect your complexion. But sorry—no more. A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that people who replaced processed carbs with high-protein foods and whole grains broke out less. The reason? “High-glycemic foods cause your blood sugar to rise, triggering a surge of insulin. The insulin stimulates oil-producing hormones called androgens, leaving you with pimples,” says Baumann. Cut the junk, and you could see an improvement in acne in about six weeks. Instead, reach for snacks like peanut butter, nuts, and avocado—these healthy fats provide nutrients for the hair, skin, nails, and basic metabolism.

NEGLECTING YOUR EYES

Not only is the skin around your eyes thinner than practically anywhere else on the body, it’s also the victim of a lot of abuse. First, resolve to stop rubbing. “Every time you do, you risk breaking delicate blood vessels, which leads to darkening, dulling, and thickening of the surrounding skin,” says New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco. Then make sure you always apply an anti-aging eye cream. If retinol is too strong, consider peptides (try Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum or Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Facial Firming and Lifting Serum) or Baumann’s current favorite ingredient for the eye area, zinc (found in Relastin Eye Silk.). “It’s been shown to increase elastin production, which can reduce crepiness,” she says.

POPPING ZITS

We know, we know: It’s tempting. But the reality is that squeezing a pimple just pushes bacteria deeper into the pores, causing inflammation, infection, and scarring—and almost doubling the zit’s life span (from about one week to two). Napalming it with the harshest chemicals in the bathroom won’t help, either. “Treating any breakout with too much benzoyl peroxide damages the skin around the spot and can cause more irritation,” says Boston dermatologist Jeffrey Dover. Here’s what you should do: Use a spot treatment with no more than 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide at night, and reapply it to major zits in the morning. Try Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment For persistent acne, a prescription retinoid, such as Retin-A, helps prevent blocked pores—but doctors warn it can exacerbate the redness of existing pimples, so avoid slathering it over full-blown ones.

SKIPPING THE GYM

Along with lifting your mood, exercise increases blood flow to the skin, causing a healthy-looking flush. Both immediately and over time, it has been shown to decrease tension, which can result in better skin. “When you’re stressed, cortisol levels rise, and that leads to acne and other skin aggravations,” says Rodan. “Lessen your cortisol spikes, and your skin will become smoother and clearer.” (Of course, you should wash your face immediately after that workout.)

TANNING

Bronzer? Fine. Self-tanner? Fine. The real thing? So not fine. “In trying to protect itself from continued exposure to the sun, skin thickens and produces melanin, the pigment that darkens cells,” explains Miami dermatologist Flor Mayoral. “Any pigment change from UVA or UVB light can cause premature aging and increase the likelihood of skin cancer.” And tanning beds can be even worse, since they emit concentrated UVA light, which penetrates deeper than the combination of UVA and UVB rays found in sunlight, Mayoral says. (Indeed: They’ve recently been considered to be on par with arsenic and mustard gas in the top cancer risk category.) Be sure to protect yourself by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 every day, and if you’re in the sun, reslather it every two hours. And never, ever use a tanning bed. Instead, try a self-tanner from the St. Tropez collection.

OVERLOADING ON PRODUCTS

“I ask patients to walk me through their routine, and they bring in shopping bags full of products,” says New York City dermatologist Patricia Wexler. “They add things without checking to see whether they’re duplicating ingredients or realizing that some aren’t compatible.” Sometimes, active ingredients cancel one another out—Other times, they double up and cause irritation or skin damage. “Negative interactions are most likely to happen if someone is treating different problems at the same time, such as sun-damaged skin and adult acne, and the ingredients are either too harsh together or incompatible,” says Baumann. The biggest culprits: retinol, glycolic acid (aka AHA’s), vitamin C, and benzoyl peroxide—avoid layering them, or at least try to use them at different times of day.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), Alexis K. served as the proud sponsor of a local, independent fund-raiser that took place earlier this month and rasied more than $9,000 for the American Cancer Society. The event was hosted by Team Rocky, one of the many teams that will participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of San Diego walk slated for October 16, 2011.

“We are so excited about the money that is going toward breast cancer research, supporting those with cancer, and educating the public about how to prevent cancer. We really believe in this cause, and we hope you’ll choose to donate,” said Darlene Tando, one of the founding members of Team Rocky, along with her partner Stella.

For those who’d like to donate to Team Rocky, or even join the team, please visit the Team Rocky website by clicking on the icon below.

By Kelley Carlson
Contributor

When Mike Barbanti first started trying to make a gluten-free dessert that everyone would love, he discovered that the process wasn’t going to be a piece of cake.

But after numerous tries, a cake is what he came up with — a lemon layer that he felt could hold its own against one made with wheat.

“The true test would be to show up at a party and not tell anyone it was a wheat-free cake,” Barbanti said in a news release. “My friends can eat wheat and some of them are food snobs, and all of them are critics, so I knew I’d get honest feedback. I believed this cake was good, really good, but I never expected to hear things like, ‘This is the best lemon cake I’ve ever had,’ and ‘I don’t really like lemon cake, but this is excellent.’ ”

These days, Barbanti is co-owner of the gluten-free 2Good2B Bakery & Café with his business partner Diana Benedek.

Before turning to this specialty type of food and collaborating in a business, Barbanti and Benedek both had plenty of experience cooking.

Barbanti said in an interview that while growing up, he helped his mom in the kitchen. She would often prepare “comfort-style food,” which was big at the time, in the 1970s. Barbanti continued to develop his passion over the years, and in the process became an addict of the Food Network.

But in 2007, he was diagnosed with Celiac disease, a digestive condition that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. Those who suffer from Celiac disease can’t tolerate gluten, a protein in barley, wheat and rye.

“Eating the gluten-free products that were available kept me from getting sick, but I was making my family and friends sick because I was complaining so much,” Barbanti said. “Something had to change.”

So Barbanti began changing his cooking methods and experimenting with gluten-free items. After developing the lemon layer cake, he debuted a carrot cake at a Thanksgiving dinner, which also garnered praise.

In 2009, Barbanti developed his talents into an online business called 2Good2B … gluten-free. Initially, it was a side venture for him, but it grew in popularity.

Benedek discovered Barbanti when ordering a cake for her son, who is physically unable to tolerate gluten. When she served the dessert at a party, there was a lot of positive feedback, and she became interested in Barbanti’s mission of providing gluten-free products that taste better than those made traditionally. Gluten-free items often taste sandy and gritty, she said in an interview.

Also a self-described “foodie,” Benedek grew up with many ethnic influences — her grandfather was Turkish; father, Portugese; mother, French; and she is Brazilian. She lived many years in Europe and Quebec, Canada, and developed a special fondness for bread — especially French baguettes.

Benedek said she would cook when not working — at one time, she had an international career in water/wastewater treatment at SNC-Lavalin and ZENON Environmental Inc.

Around the time she retired from her professional career, Benedek dedicated herself to preparing food, but that same year, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia (long-term, bodywide pain and tenderness in the joins and tissues), herniated cervical disks, early Hashimoto’s disease (dysfunctional thyroid) and arthritis.

Rather than go through surgery to get relief from back pains and headaches, Benedek decided to experiment with her diet, and eliminated gluten, corn and soy. The Rancho Santa Fe resident began feeling healthy again and avoided surgery and medications.
After crossing paths with Barbanti, Benedek joined forces with him, and together they opened 2Good2B Bakery & Café in June at the former location of It’s a Grind coffeehouse in Encinitas.

Among the items offered are desserts, bread, panini, quiche, Neopolitan-style pizza and baguettes.

“We wanted it to be a bakery for everyone,” Benedek said.

Barbanti said they have received a lot of positive response. Some people drive many miles to come to the bakery.

“They say thank you … for being here and giving us real food again,” he said.

“The cupcakes and cookies are unmatchable in the gluten-free industry today, anywhere,” said customer Dr. Charley Scott, a chiropractor who also specializes in nutrition and gluten intolerance from the alternative side.

Barbanti and Benedek said they plan to expand their business after the holidays. There will be full menus that will include comfort foods such as baked mac ‘n’ cheese, pot pies, soups, lasagna and meatballs, and a takeout service will also be offered.

In addition, there will be more catering options — right now, 2Good2B offers desserts and breads, but full meals will be offered, as well, once the restaurant changes occur.

“We’ll never introduce a product that only people forced to eat gluten-free will tolerate,” Barbanti said. “Whether it’s a loaf of artisan bread, a quiche or toasted coconut cake, everything has to be excellent by anyone’s standards. Our name isn’t ‘Kinda Good’ or ‘Sorta Good.’ It’s ‘2Good2B,’ and the name says it all.”

Fast Facts
What: 2Good2B Bakery & Café
Where: 204 N. El Camino Real, Suite H, Encinitas
Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday
Contact: (760) 942-4663; www.2good2b.com

The San Diego-wide competition attracted more than 6,700 businesses. Winners in 135 categories were determined by 138,000 votes from the public. Alexis K. beat out 150 nominees from al over San Diego County—which marked its second consecutive first place ranking.

The business, nestled in the heart of the Cedros District, also took home second place in the Best Facial category.
“I am thrilled with this win because I really believe we are the best and it’s nice to know others agree,” said Alexis Koravos, owner of Alexis K. “We are a small but very unique group of girls with a lot of heart and a ton of talent.”

With 15 years of experience in the skincare industry, Koravos solidified her burgeoning career as an eyebrow artist when she opened Alexis K. in 2009 as a way to cater to a thriving and loyal clientele.

The boutique takes a no-nonsense approach to waxing, skincare, sunless tanning and eyelash maintenance-which includes lash perms and tinting.