Brenda Berndt

Brenda Berndt
esthetician and owner of glo facial spa & skin center

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Preparing your skin for a beautiful airbrush tan!

Airbrush tanning is becoming a popular way to get a sunkissed look, the healthy way.  In fact, the solution used at glo facial spa contains ingredients that will firm and hydrate your skin!  Just how does it work?  A natural sugar derived from sugar cane reacts with amino acids in your skin causing oxidation and natural browning.  The best way to get the most even results is to hand apply (airbrush) the DHA solution on to skin that has been prepared to absorb it.

Skin prep -   at least 24 hours before your appointment, use a salt or sugar scrub to exfoliate or schedule a whole body exfoliation.  Wash only with a body wash that is ph balanced.  (We carry an excellent line of pre-and post tan products that are reasonably priced at glo)  If it doesn't sting your eyes....it will work.  Be sure not to apply any moisturizers to your skin the day of your tan. 

Tan day - Remember, no moisturizers and only ph balanced wash!  Come wearing loose fitting dark clothing.  We will apply a bronzer with the sugar solution that may get on clothing (don't worry, it comes off in the wash)  Avoid water or sweating for at least 6 hours.  Your first shower should be with water only.  The bronzer will come off in the shower and in a few hours your natural tan will emerge.

Post Tan - Your next shower can be with ph balanced body wash, not exfoliants.  Be sure to start moisturizing your skin day and night with a good moisturizer or one with tan extendors.  Remember to wear spf if you are outside, airbrush tanning solution does not contain spf and you may burn in the sun.
Your tan will last 5-7 days and up to 10 with the tan extender...Enjoy your tan!

Monday, September 5, 2011

"In the Clear"

Ah, the changing of the seasons, it is an exciting, invigorating time no doubt. Fall is the time when we are often filled with a new vigor to clean out those closets, get organized, and get back on track and on schedule. A fresh new start…what about your skin? Some acne may have been lulled into hibernation with the summer sun, only to return with a vengeance ready to wreak havoc on your skin and your confidence. Other acne sufferers were afforded no such reprieve and truly feel that they have tried everything under that sun and still their acne persists. This article address the three T’s of acne control: Understanding Triggers, Knowing Treatment options, Teamwork the key to success. When all these are implemented, you can be on the path to clear skin once and for all!

Understanding acne TRIGGERS – Acne is a disease that has no known cure at this time. It is believed to be hereditary. Acne lesions begin with hyperkeratosis. This is simply when, for some unknown reason, keratin loaded skin cells increase at an abnormally rapid rate in a follicle. These dead skin cells clump together. In a normal follicle the hair acts as a wick to get the oil that is produces by the sebaceous glands to the surface. When a follicle is compacted with these dead skin cells, combined with bacteria and oil, the oil flow to the skin is reduced and an acne lesion begins to form. The baby lesion or microcomedone can take different paths and develop into either a non- inflamed or inflamed acne lesion. Known acne triggers include stress, hormones, excessive iodine, androgen based birth control, pore clogging ingredients in skin care, even fabric softener that we use in our dryer and more. The hormone testosterone is increased when we are under stress or taking some forms of birth control. Testosterone stimulates our sebaceous glands, producing more sebum or oil which further crowds the follicle already crowded with extra layers of skin.

Know Your TREATMENT Options –An esthetician who specializes in acne treatment is your best defense. Knowing which type of acne you have is important as non- inflamed and inflamed acne are treated differently. In cases where there is a combination, the inflamed acne is controlled first and then the non -inflamed lesions are treated. The best ingredients for topical treatments are: alpha and beta hydroxy acids such as mandelic, glycolic acids, salicylic acid, retinoids and oxygenating ingredient to exfoliate the follicle and kill bacteria on the surface of the skin. Ingredients that will fade dark spots (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) from acne lesions are also important. Skin treatments with an acne specialist will speed up clearing of your skin. Professional extractions and peels combined with calming and hydrating ingredients and technology to keep your skin’s lipid barrier healthy are important to ensure your overall results and work synergistically with your homecare.

TEAMWORK, Your Key to Success - Let’s face it, you can have all the best information or tools but if you don’t know how to use it, it’s not going to work. That about sums up the frustration so many feel about past acne treatments. The true key to success is to find an acne specialist who will take the time to determine your type of acne, acne triggers in your life, and develop a game plan for you. An acne specialist will track your progress and change your homecare as your skin adapts to the ingredients, because it can. Acne treatment ingredients should be started slowly with an overall plan in mind. A good esthetician who specializes in acne treatment will take photos and track your progress along the way.  The end result is to not only get clear, but to stay clear!


Brenda Berndt
Owner/esthetician glo facial spa & skin center
9460 Karlyn Ct. Bloomington, IL 61705
glofacialspa.com 309-846-4045

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Welcome!

Hi!  My name  is Brenda Berndt, esthetician, permanent cosmetic technician and owner of glo facial spa & skin center.  I am so excited to share this portion of our website with you. 


 I am so blessed to have the opportunity to do what I absolutely love - helping people.  That may be in the form of helping you clear acne...even after years of trying, or helping you put some more hours in your day with no fuss natural looking permanent cosmetics, or providing a much needed escape from the pressures of daily life with a blissfully relaxing, massage laden facial.


I am also an educator.  I taught student taught esthetics at Midwest College of Cosmetology  then Paul Mitchell the School Normal, and later opened my own business.  It was thrilling to teach the love of skincare.   Another definition of a teacher is a life long learner.  Skin health is constantly evolving and I love finding even better ways to deliver skin heath.    The purpose of this blog is to share that with you....to share the glo!