Trio of women reveal their skin-care secrets

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Count on a meteorologist to tell you the weather. It takes a dermatologist to let you know cool temperatures and dry air are no BFFs to your skin.

Scratchy scalp, blotchy face, chapped lips, rough elbows, knees and feet — you've got the wintertime picture for nearly everyone.

But other, more serious factors can also contribute to skin problems. We found three women whose skin-care enemies range beyond the elements. In their search for products and treatments to tackle specific concerns, the three friends found a skin regimen that bonds them.

Gina Andrews, 35, and Jodi Martinez, 41, are both breast cancer survivors. The women went through combinations of chemotherapy and radiation, leaving their skin parched and peeling.

"After the treatments, I broke out due to the amount of stress," Andrews says.

"My skin was actually burned, and I had problems with tone and texture," Martinez adds.

Dolores Mouras, 51, has olive skin that's sensitive. She has tried a variety of products to deal with age spots and acne scars, but nothing as invasive as surgery. She also takes medication for rheumatoid arthritis, and the treatment is hard on her skin.

"I used to wear makeup and powder to hide the flaws," Mouras says.

All three women now use a skin-care system from Provo, Utah,-based Nu Skin. It's called Galvanic Spa System II. Mouras learned about it in last May. She then introduced it to Andrews, who introduced it to Martinez.

The system, which also is used by professional spas, is available for in-home use by women and men. The Galvanic Spa's hand-held device uses a low-level electrical current that massages the skin while delivering topical treatments that target issues like hyperpigmentation (brown spots), loss of elasticity (over brows and the jawline) and those pesky fine lines and wrinkles.

Tania Bliss, a spokeswoman for Nu Skin, says the first Galvanic Spa was introduced in 2001. The product has been updated twice.

She says the $300 price tag, while high, is an investment if you add up how much a consumer might spend on doctor-supervised procedures (Botox), monthly treatments (facials) and/or a cabinet full of over-the-counter products.

Bliss says the Galvanic Spa can be used two to three times a week; each treatment takes about 10 minutes. The system includes the hand-held device with three attachments: one for the face, one for the body and one for the scalp.

For Andrews, the system not only has improved her skin — she no longer has breakouts — but she uses it on her abdomen after having a baby to diminish stretch marks.

Martinez, who has been using the system about a month, says it has brought her skin "back to life."

"As a (cancer) survivor, it's so nice to receive such a compliment, you instantly feel great."