I had to have Tamara on Midlife Conversations to talk all about fascia in midlife. With over 30 years of experience in the aging well space, she is transforming not just how we look, but also how we FEEL as we age. She is one of the first people who actually taught me about nutrition over two decades ago! Most of us understand that nutrition and activity plays an important role in our overall health, but fascia creates another important layer in our health that has been ignored for so long because it took so long to learn about and acknowledge it.
I am 5 1/2 months post explant…and I have been asked a lot of questions regarding my explant! Here are my answers to the most frequently asked questions and a list of resources for you regarding my personal breast explant journey.
We get a lot of messages from women in midlife who seem to have simply given up on life. They have a ton of stories that are NOT aided by the masses and the media. But it does NOT have to be that way! No, it’s not just aging! It doesn’t HAVE TO BE LIKE THAT! And no, it’s not all about looks. It’s about the labs, the aches, the pains, your HEALTH and vitality.
As women in our 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, we HAVE done some damage to our skin from sun and years of the wrong products. Continuing on the path of my non-toxic journey, I wanted to have Gin Amber, a holistic esthetician, and CEO of Gin Amber Beauty. As I was sharing about foods for thriving in midlife on a stage recently in the Dominican Republic, Gin was sitting in the audience agreeing to everything I was saying. The more we started talking, the more I began drooling over how amazing her skin was! Come to find out, she was the creator of the non toxic brand Gin Amber Beauty, and I wanted to have her teach us how we can prevent further damage and what we can do about the damage that has already been done!
If you see her on video, you would never imagine that Gin had struggled with really bad skin issues. I mean, her skin is literally flawless. But she was battling A LOT of skin issues that eventually started really taking a toll even on her mental health. In time, she realized just how much diet, nutrition, lifestyle, our thoughts, our sleep, what we put on our skin, etc. really played a very important role in our skin and health OVERALL.
Our skin absorbs things within 26 seconds and goes into the bloodstream – and when your skin starts screaming at you (in any way, shape, or form), it’s screaming that your body is actually full of toxins so badly that it’s seeping through the surface. What’s crazy about the skin is that it’s the LAST place these issues will actually show up. In fact, by the time you have “sensitive skin”, you already technically have an immune system weakness.
What’s The Deal with Retin-A and Hydroquinone?
Retin-A and Hydroquinone are both prescription strength products for your skin. Ironically, they are both also forbidden for use if you are pregnant. Which leads the question – if they can’t use it pregnant, should you be using it either? These products will lead to not only disrupted hormones, but also lead to sensitive skin and further skin issues.
Everything Is Toxic Though…What’s the Point?
We can’t avoid 100% of toxins – but we can significantly reduce…whatever we have control over. It’s more about REDUCING your toxic load than cleaning EVERYTHING up because the truth is, even the air we breathe is toxic. The goal is to reduce as much as you can, even if it’s a little bit at a time.
What to Look For In Your Skincare Brands
Skincare in the United States is unfortunately not regulated by the FDA. There is no regulation on what you can do and what can be included in the products you are purchasing and applying to your body. You have to check for third party certifications and do your own research. In order to obtain these, you have to submit paperwork, labs, samples, etc. in order to get these stamps of approval. You definitely want a product that has these certifications. And honestly, the smaller the business, the better the quality oftentimes.
What About Microneedling vs. Dermaroller?
Microneedling/derma-rolling is the BEST way to increase collagen in your skin. Microneedling is also called collagen induction therapy. When you roll the needles over your skin, you are creating micro-traumas that encourage your skin to repair and heal itself. When you break down the skin properly, you start growing healthy new skin cells.
But with anything, it’s important to do your own research. But from Gin Amber’s point of view and research, as long as you are using the RIGHT type of needles on your dermaroller, it does not make a difference if you are doing the treatment at home vs. in the spa/clinic. However, there ARE a lot of companies that make “dermarollers” just to make a buck, but they do not make the dermaroller properly with needles and the way they make them can actually DAMAGE your skin instead of encouraging it to heal and repair itself.
How Do I Start Dermarolling?
If you’re new to dermarolling, it is recommended that you start on the smaller size (0.25mm) once per week. If you’re using one of Gin Amber’s rollers, you can use it 10 times before you need to replace the roller because it will become dull. Make sure to disinfect the roller before and after use every single time you use it. You can use rubbing alcohol, but this step is very important.
✨ Learn more, take the quiz, and shop non-toxic skincare and dermarollers at https://ginamber.com/ – be sure to use the code NATALIEJILL at checkout to save!
About Gin Amber
Gin Amber has had a lifelong passion for wellness, skincare, and beauty. She is passionate about her work because at the heart of it is you. She wants you to be the best version of yourself – confident, healthy, and beautiful. That’s why she iscommitted to bringing you the best skincare tools, and natural and organic products with high-quality ingredients.
Her commitmentis shaped by her personal struggles, including her battle with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder that caused her much pain and suffering. Gin overcame this disease, and she shared her story and other life experiences, as well as tips on health and overall wellness because she believes that beauty starts from within.
Certain conditions of course can only be treated surgically. However, with technology, nutrition, and supplements, there is SO MUCH we can do short of surgery to help us feel and look good on the inside and outside! I happen to be the age where tanning beds were THE thing in our teens and twenties and I feel like the skin changes that are coming with aging are some of the biggest changes I see! But the GOOD NEWS is that Dr. Youn said this is the easiest and least invasive part of aging we have control over and when addressed, you can see changes in as little as three weeks!
