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Ugly Ducklings Moles – Part Three – Hold The Mayo

MayoIn the first two parts of my story, I was diagnosed with two atypical biopsies, discovered that the diagnosis was a coverup for a botched lab test and prepared myself for a visit to the revered hallowed halls of the Mayo Clinic. Surely Mayo would be a much better experience. Right?  It can’t get any worse or can it?

Hold the Mayo!

Bob and I arrived in Rochester, Minnesota, yesterday late. It was a long drive from South Central Michigan. We pushed through to make it a one-day trip so that we could relax a bit before my appointment at the Mayo Clinic.

I am not one to ever do things on blind faith. I operate much better when I have a chance to ask my questions, consider the responses, ask some more questions, and then fix on a plan of action.

So, since I was traveling and on my way to Minneapolis, when I received the pathology report, it made sense to secure a referral from my primary dermatologist, so that I could visit the Mayo Clinic Department of Dermatology. 

My primary physician who also helped me with the Mayo referral said my assessment should also determine “were the doctors at Mayo smart enough for me.” I honestly believe it was a little uptown rivalry between Mayo and Johns Hopkins that sparked the comment.

mayoI was surprised to find that so many friends when they learned I was going to Mayo, responded with some apprehension about my visit. It was like they thought it is a oneway door. My attitude about this visit was based on my approaching it from a wellness perspective. Admittedly, most of my hospital, clinic, and doctor experience do not understand visits for wellness. What’s wrong is usually the first words. For some unknown reason, I thought Mayo would be different. Surely they must understand wellness!

I was not sick, I was happy to know that the ugly duckling moles removed were not cancerous…no Melanoma, no basal cell carcinoma and no squamous cell, just atypical. No, I did not know if there was anything to worry about because the labs were botched. I thought Mayo would use state-of-the-art technology to give me a clean review. By now, the biopsies had healed, and I could not even tell where they were.

So from a wellness perspective, I admit that I am a Melanoma survivor who does not quite understand what “atypical” actually means. When I look at my body, many moles look “atypical.” So, my important questions for the doctors at Mayo Clinic: What is my normal? What advanced medical scanning process or techniques can we use to determine how to address my “a-typicalness” given the high number of moles on my body and considering my history of Melanoma and basal cell carcinoma?

My nature is also to be deeply curious, especially when it comes to my body. I am ultimately responsible for how I take care of myself and my skin health. I was interested to learn as much as possible about new advancements and technologies being used for skin screening.

Mehmet Oz (Dr. Oz) would have been proud of me. Being a good patient, I wrote my list of questions and was excited at the prospect of learning more! I anticipated that perhaps I could participate in a more advanced screening process that I hoped that Mayo was using for skin cancer screening. At the same time, I brought along my medical pictures that were taken of my body. I laughed at the thought that (back then) digital cameras were not being used by dermatologists and how arcane these 35 mm photos now seemed in light of the advancements in photo-technology.

Arriving at Mayo seemed very much like coming to a hotel. The covered car entrances had what looked like helpful bellmen, and someone was announcing over a public address system the arrival of this shuttle or that shuttle. It was highly orchestrated and appeared as though it was a well-designed movie set. Once inside the slow-moving revolving doors, my first thought was, I was back in New York at Pfizer corporate HDQ’s building. The eye was drawn to the highly polished marble looking floors and expansive, glass, artwork and artistic chandeliers. When I heard the music coming from grand pianos, I immediately thought of Nordstrom or a big cruise ship. I also thought fleetingly of the Titanic, and wondered if that’s what James Cameron would have said with some attitude while walking in the door? There was no feeling that I was in a medical institution until I saw people in wheelchairs and noticed a sort of uniform look to the staff members. There was a curious absence of white coats.

Mayo is very efficient at moving people through to their appointed time. They take pride in this. The deck of new patient paperwork was a bit daunting. As a first time visitor, it took me about 30 minutes to complete the deck. I realized as I was reading each question and checking off “no’s” and “none,” that the overwhelming assumption is that there is something wrong with you. Otherwise, why would you be there? Leaving the expansive waiting area, I was escorted down the very long corridor by a tall woman in a suit. There were rows and rows of examining rooms behind closed doors. When escorted into the examining room, I was surprised. The room reminded me of coming into a perfectly set hotel room, but with no windows, with a long couch, separate changing room, and an examining table that had a folded card on it saying that it had been sanitized and disinfected with something in a bottle from 3M. (After a day to reflect on this I now realize there were lots of subliminal messages swirling in my head around these visual images.)

The friendly and efficient nurse was welcoming and asked me to get changed into a gown. She gave me a heads up that two doctors would be seeing me today. While waiting for the doctors, the nurse confirmed some pertinent background information: my Melanoma surgery, my basal cell carcinoma surgery, and all the biopsies. She had the most recent pathology report from regarding 2 ugly duckling moles that were excised that came back with the moderately atypical notation. I asked the nurse if they received my pathology slides, as I was told the day before on the phone, that these slides were being FedEx’d in from the lab in Maryland. The nurse said she did not see any record of them and said she would check for them. Damned, they did not send them!

A charming resident doctor then greeted me. She let me know that she would do a thorough visual body screening check for me first. Great! This time gave me a chance to let her know of my primary questions:

Mayo
Wendy Steele, Keys CEO at Mayo

I mentioned that with the high number of moles on my body and with many of them looking more atypical than normal I was hoping to learn more about how I could determine “what is my normal.” I let her know that I was very interested in learning more about what point of care diagnostics Mayo is offering to skin cancer patients like me?

Was Mayo using the Dermatascope? Yes, in some cases for some moles, but not for the entire body. What? Why?

What about cellular scanning? No, not yet. What? Why?

What about body scanners? No, not yet. What? Why? Are you serious?

What about passive thermography? Nope. Uh oh…oh no, I was in shock. 

She said that there were things in the works but not available.

When she asked if I had any other questions, I asked about my pathology slides and wondered if anyone had received them or looked at them? She said she would check. She also wanted to know how long I planned to be in Rochester and I let her know that I was going to Minneapolis next week for business.  

The resident then announced “my consultant” would be coming in shortly. “Consultant?” The card I was given showed he was Dermatology Surgeon. I guess I was expecting a white coat because I was surprised when he walked in an Armani suit. Wait a minute a suit? 

What about my pathology slides? Is Mayo now a part of my dermatologist’s coverup?

My antenna was up, was this a business or a medical facility? I was about to learn that if you are looking for advanced thinking that you probably should not go to an institution touting its past. To me, trying to look for the most advanced thinkers conjures up research facilities and universities with wild-haired young passionate and inquisitive looking characters like you would see at Berkeley or Stanford. 

Determined more than ever now, not to give up, I asked the same set of questions to my “consultant”, to see if he had any further insight. He let me know that there was much they were still learning about Melanoma and that there were many facets to making a diagnosis and that it still relied on identifying the ugly ducklings, then cutting, biopsying and prescribing treatment. He let me know that he did not believe that there would be a time when technology or machines could do better than the human eye and human brain for detecting Melanoma. And that at this time, the best practice was still visually inspecting the body regularly and to have photos taken so that a visual comparison could be made manually by looking at the pictures and comparing them to the visual inspection, real-time of the body. 

I let him know that I was in shock, as I am such a fan of technology and found it hard to believe that current technology would not have some positive impact on people like me. The fact that German scientists are experimenting with skin cancer detection devices based on the iPhone tells me that this is not as much rocket science as the people at Mayo would want me to believe.

How about could we at least start with a more sophisticated way of taking full-body pictures that would accurately show a comparison of changes in moles over time and recognize the fact is that this is not advanced thinking? It is 20-year-old optical comparator technology used in everyday manufacturing.

Finally, my consultant recommended that “given my history and as a precaution,” he would perform another procedure to excise both of the atypical areas on my chest surgically. He described the size of the incisions and said that while one area would be easy to hide the scar, the other would not be so easy. He described the size of the scar and the fact that it would probably pucker a little as it was in a hard area to heal. He asked, “How does that sound?” I felt my face get hot and flushed. I was searching for the right words. What I blurted out: “Honestly, that sounds terrible! It sounds barbaric to me that you are recommending more cutting even though this is not cancerous. Moreover, if I were to do this, I would not even consider doing this without a plastic surgeon!” 

Okay, it was a straight throw down! I realized that I was firmly in control of my body and that I was not ready to check into this hotel. It was at this very moment that I thought, his path was only crossing mine and that we were in two very different worlds.

It became apparent to me that I am off to Stanford or Berkeley or where ever this may take me. In one sense, I am relieved, and in another, I am very disappointed. I realize again never to assume. It taught me a lesson to seek out people and organizations that are on a constant quest to improve and learn, and that do not rest on their reputation alone.

Back to the original test results? My results were not atypical. The test was botched, and they did not want to admit it. These “doctors” put me through a very scary and expensive ringer. As a Melanoma survivor, I have no insurance for this and mine is a vote of no-confidence!

Maybe my experience was a comedy of errors that just seemed to fall in place one after the other.  This was a chronical of my experiences as I saw them.  My message is to be on guard at all times when it comes to your health and wellness.  Please take off the doctor goggles.

You have to be your own judge of your doctors, clinics, and hospitals. Blindly following the system can be harmful to your health.  

Time to Get Wise!

 

Mayo

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Ugly Ducklings Moles – Part Two – A Revelation

My Ugly Ducklings Skin Cancer Story by Wendy Steele

In part one of my Ugly Ducklings story, I explained the process and reasons I went through having three moles , aka Ugly Ducklings, biopsied and tested. My story turned from being alarmed at the doctor’s findings to anger when I realized that there was a coverup of a sloppy lab process. I was lead to believe I had potentially cancerous growths that needed retesting only to find out the lab messed up the test. Not atypical, but typical!

You are Responsible for Your Health!

I chose the title “You Are Responsible for Your Health” because I have been saying it for years, and I learned firsthand how true this statement is after my experiences over the last two weeks. It does not cut it when people say to me that life is so fast-paced that people make mistakes. This excuse does not fly when it comes to my health. 

To put everything into perspective, I received my biopsy results that showed two of the ugly duckling moles removed were “atypical.” What then happened was weird behavior from my dermatologist. Not at all what I expected!

Almost everyone lives somewhere and develops doctors and services in their community that they frequent. Not Me!

I travel for Keys visiting our customers and resellers 200+ days a year. I often do not have the luxury of getting things done in the same place by the same people. I have trusted professionals all over North America that I rely on for haircuts to healthcare.

A while back, and because of my extensive travel, I joined a Doctor Concierge service offered by my primary physician. I would say he is also one of the more advanced thinking doctors I have met. He is a teaching doctor at Johns Hopkins, and I pay him for a comprehensive annual physical that is wellness-based. Then, as a part of the concierge service, I receive email, phone, and referral help from him while I am on the road. Pretty neat and little did I know I would rely on it when my dermatologist was not able to help me.

Here is the deal in a nutshell. I received the news that my two moles were not cancer, but “atypical.” I thought to myself, what exactly does that mean? I called my dermatologist, and her nurse assistant explained that they wanted to take a more extensive biopsy area and a layer deeper of skin to be sure that they had “clear margins.” As a Melanoma survivor, I want to make sure that any “questionable” area be excised to make sure nothing undesirable is left. I have had numerous Mohs surgeries.

What happened next was minimally very disappointing. I told my dermatologists office that I was traveling and asked if they could give me a referral to the Mayo Clinic. The silence on the other end of the phone indicated they did not know how to do this. So, I began my strange journey to get to Rochester, Minnesota.

Since my dermatologist was not able to help, I thought, “my concierge service”! I called my primary physician, and he called back in just a few minutes. When I answered the call, he said, “Hi Wendy, this is Steve Katz returning your call”….he said, “Steve” not “Doctor Katz”! I was relieved and immediately began to feel better. 

I explained my situation, and he asked me where I was going to be over the next few weeks. I said, Minneapolis, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque. He said, “I will get to work and get back to you.” I hung up and told Bob, “Steve is on the case”!

To my surprise within 10 minutes, I received a call from the Mayo Clinic referral service in Rochester, Minnesota. Steve gave them my information, situation, and timing. He signed me up as a patient and explained that I am a Melanoma patient. A few calls later, literally minutes, and I had an appointment with one of Mayo’s wunderkind Mohs surgeon dermatologists.

What happened next unsettled me tremendously.

Ugly Ducklings
Wendy Steele, Keys CEO

Kelly called me from Mayo Dermatology and told me that I needed to have my dermatologist officially refer me and send my patient records as well as the atypical dermatology report to them. I called and luckily was able to talk to my primary dermatology assistant who agreed to call Mayo immediately. She did, and all was set except for one shockingly simple problem.

Kelly called me back from Mayo and told me that I had an appointment on the following Thursday with a specialist in Mayo Dermatology. Then there was a pause and a bit of silence. Kelly then said that the doctor might not be able to do the additional excision that day because when they asked for the pathology slides from my regular dermatologist, they responded to Mayo that “We do not have them, and no one has ever asked for pathology slides before.” To me, that seemed a normal thing for a Melanoma patient to have their dermatologist keep these. It sounded to me that Kelly at Mayo was shocked at this response from my primary dermatologist’s office, mainly because Kelly repeated that she found this to be “very surprising” no less than 3 times during our conversation. Uh Oh!

Does it not seem strange to you that a doctor, a pathology lab would not keep the slides from the biopsy or images at least from an atypical diagnosis for a Melanoma patient? So, I am going to find out what the heck is going on. I realize the institutional assumption is that I would have to return to the same doc for more work? 

I am taking charge of my health. NEVER ASSUME.

I also hate that phrase on TV…you know the one in the pharmaceutical commercials. “Ask your doctor!” I believe the phrase should be “Tell Your Doctor!”

Ugly Ducklings Part 3 gets even weirder!

 

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My Skin Cancer Anniversary – Lessons Learned

WISDOM FROM “UGLY DUCKLINGS” On My Skin Cancer Anniversary by Wendy Steele

Anniversary is a thing to celebrate and to remember. Sounds strange that I celebrate my Melanoma diagnosis and use this to remember my experiences. What I learned then and know now is that I am in charge of my health and well-being.  

My doctors have all earned a basic level of my trust. The keyword is basic! I never let down my guard and question everything I hear. I respect the doctors I have chosen, but I do not treat them like gods. I have way too many experiences where what they thought or said was just wrong.

I bristle when I hear people that blindly follow their doctors, especially when they assume the worst and use Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt tactics to get me to agree with a treatment. They all do it! It is how they survive in a corrupt and broken medical system. Below is an example of one of my experiences that led me to a terrible experience at the Mayo Clinic a few years ago. As a part of my Melanoma anniversary celebration, the story below is an essential reminder to me.

One Experience Among Many! – Part One!

My experience with several “ugly ducklings” has once again put a bright spotlight on my desire and responsibility to share my personal wisdom about skin health.

Wendy Steele, Keys CEO

So far, I have had the pleasure to personally talk to and meet many of our customers during multiple special events. At one event, I was wearing several flesh-colored bandage strips on my upper chest and self-consciously made sure that I covered those strategically with clothing, as I did not want to reveal those ugly little bandages. I thought later that perhaps I would have been better off letting them show because then I could share more personally my own experiences with “ugly ducklings.” Knowledge is a powerful thing.

As the story goes, I visited my dermatologist for my overdue annual skin check. Because I am a Melanoma survivor, it means that I am, and always will be, a Melanoma patient. I live 365 days a year with the reality that I am a melanoma patient.

Before my appointment, I called ahead, and I alerted my doctor, “ I have several ugly ducklings that I wanted to have excised and checked.” 

So what are ugly ducklings? “Ugly ducklings” are a recognized medical research term being used by skin specialists to help people understand how to recognize and track early warning signs of skin cancer. The more you know about how to identify ugly ducklings, the more effective you may be at beating skin cancer through an early treatment!

On appointment day, the excellent news reality of my melanoma patient status is that I get much extra attention when I have my skin checked. In my case, my Doc and her specially trained RN assistant double-teamed me as they scanned my entire body- scalp to soles of my feet, hands fingers, and places where the sun never sees. I have lots of spots and freckles on my body. The fact is I could easily count more than 100 moles on my body. So many that five years ago my dermatologist decided that they should all photographed so that we could keep track of any changes in my moles! So with double team attention and prior photos in their hands, my body exam took about 15 minutes with two sets of trained eyes on me.

At the end of the exam, in addition to the two ugly ducklings, my Doc identified a third one. All of these were on my upper chest near the pectorals. All three were excised and sent for biopsy.

These moles were not truly ugly. They just looked different to me. Moreover, they looked different to my doctor. So this is the “ugly duckling” practice at work…prompting me to get checked by my dermatologist.  

So what exactly should you be looking for when you check your skin every month? Also, what early warning signs should you pay attention to always and act on immediately? Here’s what I do:

  • I pay attention to any mole that stands out – that is anything that I think looks darker, redder more round rather than oval. These are moles which my eye are automatically drawn to looking at. It is because it just looks different from the other moles that I have! The fact is I know these moles better than my doctor-mainly because I live with them and see them every day! Anything that stands out to me could be the first sign of an ugly duckling, an outlier that bears having checked for any change.
  • I also watch closely any moles where one half of the mole does not look like the other half, this is known as asymmetry
  • I pay attention to moles with blurred, ragged or notched edges – with irregular borders
  • Color changes in moles – from clear to red to brown to black or even blue – all are early warning signs
  • Anything larger than 6mm in diameter, i.e., the size of a pencil eraser bears watching more closely and getting checked
  • Every day we are aging and evolving, and any change or growth in the mole is an early warning sign.

Any of the above signs in new moles or growths or existing moles or growths should be checked immediately by a dermatologist. What I just described above is now known as the A, B, C, D, E‘s of melanoma skin cancer. They are all early warning signs to pay close attention to and pro-actively take action on with your doctor.

Another thing that I have learned is if a mole is itchy, crusty, or bleeds, you should immediately ask your doctor to remove it and order a biopsy. Do not let a doctor freeze or burn off these moles because you will not know if there were abnormal or cancerous cells in the tissue that are burned or frozen off. If you experience a regrowth of an area that was previously burned or frozen, immediately have a re-excision and order a biopsy to be sure it is cleared of any potential skin cancer.

So what was the result of my ugly duckling moles that were excised?

Two out of the three came back from pathology as abnormal! Not cancer, but unusual. Now, I am in the process of learning exactly what an abnormal pathology report looks like up close and personally in real-time. I am about to learn more about the wisdom from ugly ducklings and what my next steps will be. I want to share this experience so that others will not be fearful but instead may learn from my experience.

What came next was initially alarming and later another big lesson why you cannot always trust your doctor. What started as fear turned to anger and a lot of time and expense.   

 

 

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PurPlay Classic – A Personal Lubricant For Dryness

personal lubricant for drynessPurPlay Classic Has Suprised Us!  A Very Pleasant Surprise.

We have learned a great deal very quickly after launching PurPlay just a month ago.  One thing that is clear is that it is much more.  It is also a personal lubricant for dryness.

We began to think about the PurPlay product line nearly five years ago when women would ask what they could use for vagina personal lubricant for dryness, chafing and minor discomfort from the weather, traveling, etc. Our initial answer was Tortuga lotion and then later AvoJel.

We love to hear from our friends and Keys customers are particularly vocal about what they want and what they like. Over the years, we heard lots of suggestions, and one that was lingering along was the area of a personal lubricant for dryness.  About two years ago, the low rumble of voices became a loud chorus asking us to do something. Customers complained that personal lubricants were full of chemicals. They complained that some reduced sensitivity because they were too thick. Others complained that water-based lubes only lasted a few minutes. Our customers got louder and louder asking for a Keys style of product that was natural, functional, vegan and gluten-free.

PurPlay Classic

Classic was our first experimental personal lubricant product. We looked for oils that when combined mirrored and mimicked natural sexual lubricant produced by men and women. Viscosity and slip were critical to match while sensitivity was a very close third. It was both easy and hard to figure out the right oils because only a few oils are near-water in viscosity, produce good slip with heightened sensitivity, and that would last without reapplying. We discovered that if we refined coconut oil to remove the aggressive properties and blended in, at temperature, organic avocado oil that it nearly resembled the lubricants we all naturally produce. It worked, and beta testers roared.

You learn a lot in Beta Testing

All Keys products are reviewed a tried by people before we productize them. They testers are called Alpha and Beta. Alpha testers test a product before the ingredients and formulation are complete. Beta testers are a different group that examines the final formulations before the product launches and test for precise questions. Sharing this is important to recognize that during Beta, you learn the answers to your specific questions and can re4fine the product based on that premise. When you launch, you learn about many things that you could not envision from actual customers. Often what you learn are revolutionary and exciting features. The critical thing for a designer, you have to listen carefully.

PurPlay Classic – Personal Lubricant For Dryness

Some of our team predicted that PurPlay Classic would be the top seller right out of the gate. They were right, but not for the reasons they gave. All said that Classic would be first because it was pure, chemical-free and so heightened sensitivity for both men and women that it would be a hit. It was and is a hit, but for other reasons.  Yes, it is a world-class personal lubricant, but much more as we are learning.  It is truly a world class personal lubricant for dryness.

personal lubricant for drynessWe harken back to our original customers from nearly five years ago that asked for a personal lubricant that would help with daily vaginal dryness and the associated discomfort that includes chafing. Little did we realize how big a deal this was for many women. So, more than half of the sales of PurPlay Classic seem to be from women seeking a daily lubricant that is comforting. Classic is just that, and you can feel it by spraying a little on your fingers.

Bob and I have a rule in our lives that products that come into our home have to have more than one purpose. PurPlay Classic is probably the best sexual, personal lubricant available. It is also functional in helping women to find daily comfort. Adding to the feelings of safety by being chemical-free, vegan and gluten-free increase the value of PurPlay Classic.

We are just one month into a great and exciting product for us. I am confident I will be hearing and learning more from our customers about how and why they use our PurPlay products. I will be sure to share with you as the list builds.

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Living Strong In A Hostile World – The Realities of Skin Cancer

My 20 Year Journey to Feel Safer in a Hostile Environment

Hostile
Wendy Steele, Keys CEO & Founder

Twenty years ago I learned everything I could about how to protect my skin from ultra-violet radiation. Because I am a Melanoma skin cancer survivor UV awareness is critically important to me. Thus, my mission was to discover how to feel safer in a hostile daily environment.

The sun’s rays are a formidable foe. For millions of high-risk and sun sensitive people the sun is public enemy #1.

Moreover, many years ago, my early stage Melanoma diagnosis served as a fork in the road. With education, I consciously changed all of my thinking about sun exposure. First, the California tan faded. I stayed the course, even when many others were skeptical and even opposed my thinking.

Sometimes I Just Get Angry

Reflecting now on this 20-year journey, I realize I was ribbed and sometimes even ridiculed by others. Many proclaimed that I must have daily sun exposure for healthy Vitamin D levels.   And others lived by the ‘ignorance is bliss’ rule.

This was not an option for me. Based on my skin type and history, those behaviors were risky for me. Instead, I chose to supplement with a daily Vitamin D emulsion. In addition, I have my Vitamin D levels tested regularly.

Consequently, I redefined what I was willing to do to protect my skin and my life! Then I discovered my personal truth that ultimately made me feel safer.

You Have a Choice

hostile
Staying away from UV is the “trick” to Anti-Aging

I learned to change my habits. I shifted outdoor exercise to early morning or late in the day. I limited the amount of time I spent outside when the sun was at the highest UV index levels. Most importantly, I learned to keep my skin covered by wearing protective clothing. I researched and found the widest-brimmed hats with chin strings. I found the most comfortable fingerless gloves for driving and dog walking. I bought the best protective sunglasses I could find. And I applied zinc oxide to my face and neck.

Ultimately, I learned how to demonstrate daily what many should consciously practice. I have been told that I am a walking billboard for high-risk sun sensitive people. Therefore, I am not afraid to talk to people about why I do this.

Nevertheless, I know I am not super woman. I obviously cannot control the power of the sun. At the same time, the science of UV radiation is proven.   The danger is ever-present. Also, I know all too well how easily UVA penetrates through clouds and even rain. UVA-UV Aging and UVB –UV Burning is part of my vocabulary.

I Am Done With Opinions

Simultaneously, I learned that there are hostile people who strongly opposed the use of sunscreen. This hostile group believes that sunscreen use is the cause of more instances of skin cancer. Moreover, I believe I understand why they may believe this. Because I also believe that applying ‘sunscreen’ may give people a false sense of security. However, I also believe that ‘sunscreen’ is just one small part of the protection equation. It is not the ‘end all be all’ answer to UV protection.

hostileFinally the FDA agrees! Yes, the FDA has validated that in the US we live in a hostile UV environment. All sunscreen products now require the disclosure of UVA and UVB protection. The directive on all labels must be clearly stated.   Exposure to sun should be limited. AND to avoid skin cancer, sunscreen is to be COMBINED WITH shade and other protective measures i.e. clothing, hats and sunglasses.  The hostile ignore the data.

Saving Lives

hostileKeys developed Solar Rx over 15 years ago.   We pioneered Solar Rx as the best Moisturizer with Sunscreen. Solar Rx is for daily use on the face, neck and hands. At Keys we continue to educate about sun awareness. Also, we educate customers that our product is not for the beach or pool or for prolonged outside exercise activity.

It is self-evident that continued exposure to radiation from the sun is dangerous. Unfortunately, many have an acquaintance, a friend or a loved one who has been affected by Melanoma skin cancer. Early onset of skin cancer has been attributed to using tanning beds as teens. We read press stories about young adults whose melanoma diagnosis came too late to save their lives.

Moreover, personal experiences now serve as reminder of the horror stories of skin cancer surgery. Dermatology scars are the new normal while many are hidden as badges of stupidity.

As a result of my personal experience with Melanoma, I know so much more than I did 20 years ago. I believe adopting pro-active behaviors allow me to embrace a healthy and safe life. And even in the face of hostile adversity I am grateful and give thanks to everyday I can be outside and feel a little bit safer.

Most importantly, it is my hope that many more realize that knowing better can help you make better choices. With education you can also make better choices for yourself as well as your loved ones and help to save another life.

In closing, education, prevention and early detection are the gold standard to stamp out skin cancer.  Listening to the opinions of the hostile minority could kill you!

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Wendy’s Daily Keys Anti-Aging Regimen

Wendy’s Regimen – Easy Steps for Simplifying Your Daily Skin Care Routine

Wendy's Regimen
Wendy Steele, Keys CEO & Founder

You don’t have to be expert with an overflowing cabinet of miracle products to take good daily care of your skin. More specifically, when caring for your face it is much more desirable to keep it simple. Besides that you are more likely to be consistent with your facial care if you follow a few easy steps.

Consistency is the key to looking and feeling healthy and refreshed! For the past 5 years I continue to use this basic routine on my sensitive face with great results.

Here is what you will need for this step-by-step daily morning routine: Wendy’s Regimen

  • Island Rx Foaming Facial Cleanser
  • OMNI Skin Elixir Spray
  • Reflex ProBiome Anti-Aging Serum
  • Solar Rx Moisturizer SPF30+

Start with a clean face.   Wet your face and use 1-2 pumps of Island Rx Foaming Facial Cleanser.   Apply foam to wet skin. Using fingers, massage foam over face. Rinse thoroughly and lightly pat dry. Island Rx Foaming Facial Cleanser provides a deep and very gentle cleansing.

Follow with a light spritz (2-3 sprays) of OMNI Skin Elixir Spray. The multi-faceted botanical skin elixir is an herbal remedy. It is designed to refresh and soothe the skin.

While skin is still damp from spray, apply 3-5 drops of Reflex ProBiome Anti-Aging Serum. My sensitive facial skin sometimes requires more or less Reflex. Your skin type may vary. It also depends on the amount of dryness or humidity in your environment. Allow Reflex Serum to settle on your face and neck until absorbed. The combination of OMNI and Reflex Serum do a great job of soothing my skin while giving it a refreshed dewy look.

Finally, apply 1-3 pumps of Solar Rx Moisturizer SPF 30+ all over face and neck. I like that Reflex Serum provides a very smooth base for Solar Rx as my pre-makeup primer.

Besides the simplicity of these steps, using these products together reduces the redness in my skin. All provide a smooth clear foundation to start the day.

If you are going to apply make-up, it should be applied after Solar Rx Moisturizer SPF 30+

Wendy’s Regimen Recipe (Print or Save)

Wendy’s Daily Keys Anti-Aging Regimen
Recipe Type: Daytime Daily Anti-Aging Regimen
Author: Wendy Steele, Keys CEO
Prep time:
Total time:
This has been my daily recipe for youthful skin for the last five years.
Ingredients
  • Water
  • Keys Island Rx Foaming Face Wash
  • Keys Omni Skin Elixir Spray
  • Keys Reflex ProBiome
  • Keys Solar Rx Moisturizer SPF30+
Instructions
  1. Wet your face
  2. Apply 1 or 2 pumps of Island Rx Foaming Wash
  3. Lather in hands
  4. Wash face using fingers in a circular motion
  5. Rinse with cool water
  6. Pat dry
  7. Spray Omni evenly over the face and neck with eyes closed. Air dry
  8. Apply 3 or 5 drops of Reflex and spread evenly over the skin. More in dry areas. Let set to absorb
  9. Apply 2 or 3 pumps of Solar Rx over the entire face and neck (more as needed) evenly. Let stand.
  10. Apply makeup on top noting that many people do not use foundation because Solar Rx provides a luminescent finish

Buy all four products and get 10% off your entire order by using the code WENDY (case sensitive) at checkout!  Offer expires June 30, 2017

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Love! The most powerful ingredient in Keys products

The most powerful ingredient in Keys products is Love!

Keys products were born at the intersection of love and positive intention! I believe every product should be made with love and include the power of positive intention.

One of the best parts of my job as Keys CEO is to retell my story. It is a story of how and why this journey of creating clean, simple all natural skin care products actually began.

LoveFirst, Keys is entirely my fault! Our products would not exist today were it not for my journey battling early stage Melanoma Skin Cancer and the pharmaceutical aftermath of treating my sensitive skin issues during my post cancer recovery.

I still feel I am one of the luckiest women on the planet. A very special man in my life, my then boyfriend, found the early stage Melanoma on the outside of my left ankle. Being tall with really long legs, I had a tough time actually seeing this particular spot on my lower leg. In fact I had no clue what it looked like until he held a mirror up to my skin and pointed to the suspicious spot. The spot was not a mole. Instead it looked like a piece of hot wax had dripped on my skin. This thing was clear, almost translucent, slightly raised and the size of the tip of my little finger. Now is was on our radar and we both vowed to regularly and visually check it for any changes.

A Defining Moment

About a month later that the waxy spot turned bright red! Time for a biopsy.  My doctor at Scripps Clinic in San Diego called with the biopsy results confirming Melanoma skin cancer. Cleared my calendar and reported for surgery two days later. Wow, so many thoughts flashed through my mind. Initially, it was an immediate reminder that my dad had successfully battled deadly Melanoma.

He Saved My Life!

LoveThe day after my Mohs micro-surgery, I made the most fateful decision of my life. I decided to marry this very special man because he saved my life!  ?

Amazingly, from day one KEYS products exist because real people designed them with a positive intention for skin health. Designed and produced naturally with love for real people to use and maybe just fall in love with over and over again.

Finally, this is dedicated with love to our formulator and the people that make Keys products every day. Here’s to the genius that saved my life. Here’s to the genius that believed that natural products could be made with less than 10 ingredients and with love and a positive intention.  And to Matt, Marty and the entire team that realized that their positive intention goes into every product they make with love and caring. Here’s to the belief that these products could make a difference for Cancer survivors, for people with sensitive skin, for people who know more and care to learn more – because they did and they do!

With daily appreciation and my deep admiration and love!

Yes, there is love in every Keys product. Unfortunately, the EWG, USDA and the FDA refuse to allow it on our labels.

Where art meets science!

Wendy

 

You can read our entire story by clicking the image below.

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A 20 Year Anniversary – Bob and Wendy Back In Santa Fe

This January 1st marked the 2oth anniversary for Bob and Wendy.  What began as a chance meeting at Larry Wilson’s Ranch in Santa Fe New Mexico turned into a lifelong passion for each other and their projects.  This is one of those stories about how Keys started.

20 Years in a Snapshot

What happens when a brainiac boyfriend discovers his smokin hot girlfriend has Melanoma.  He fixes the problems!

Wendy Steele, Keys CEO and Founder, fondly says that Keys is all her fault. The reality is that she survived deadly Melanoma but could not beat the chemicals in prescription and skincare products that left her skin a train-wreck. Wendy experienced just about every type of skin disorder imaginable and all we traced back to the Dirty Dozen chemicals in about 98% of the skin care and prescription products available OTC and from doctors.

Wendy’s boyfriend, Bob Root, a former Silicon Valley CEO/Engineer undertook the project to develop products to help Wendy. He gathered information from Harvard MD’s turned naturopaths to aboriginal healers. He realized that there was a pattern and scheme to skin health. It was to be Chemical-Free. Thus the Keys tagline of Chemical-Free Skin Health®.

Bob’s products worked and worked quickly for Wendy.   Friends with similar disorders, their family members with something as simple as dry skin, through acne and skin cancer suffers found relief using Bob’s products that he gifted them. Creating the Keys line was not a decision, it was market demand that brought out the initial four products and stunned the burgeoning natural products industry. Why, they all still had some chemicals and Bob’s did not!

Functionality is paramount at Keys. Coming from Silicon Valley, to Bob, products have to do something. Great if they make people feel good, but in his mind, they have to solve problems. He solved his girlfriends problems and the precursor for anything Keys makes is that it has to solve problems people are experiencing without using any chemicals.

So, in a snapshot, here is what you can expect from everything Keys makes:

  • All products solve problems and make people (and their pets) feel good
  • All products are free of man-made chemicals. Ergo Chemical-Free
  • All products use the highest quality whole natural ingredients
  • All products have the highest proportion of functional ingredients with no scrimping or compromises
  • All products are priced fairly well below chemical-laden pharmaceuticals because of the very high tech low overhead business systems Keys employs. They were the first 100% cloud-based company in the natural products industry.
  • All products are natural whole ingredients
  • All products are Vegan
  • All products are Gluten-Free
  • All products are non-GMO
  • All products use organic or wild-crafted ingredients

Bob and WendyBob in his top selling book, Chemical-Free Skin Health®, points out that it was a lot of trial and error to develop those first four products for Wendy. My incentive was that Wendy was in trouble because of western medicine and I was determined to figure out how to solve her problems naturally. The other 45+ products in the Keys line were all inspired by skin disorders and problems related to him by loyal customers that believe in him. He does not take that lightly!

You can read more of the story in detail below. Now Bob & Wendy are married and still developing products, giving speeches, writing books and listening to what customers have to say. Funny, Bob still refers to Wendy as his smoking hot girlfriend and she as her brainiac boyfriend. 20 years solving problems and making people feel good together with chemical-free skin health products.

Read More History Here

You can read Bob and Wendy’s personal story in their book, “Defining Moments” on Amazon

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Keys Saves You Time and Money – Buy Direct or From Our Resellers

keys-newsBuy Direct or Buy From Resellers

Buying From Dealers

Its your choice to buy direct or buy from one of our resellers.  We have a large list of retailers that you can buy from at their establishments or online.  It is convenient to be able to buy Keys while you are shopping for other products.  You can find a dealer near you using our “Dealer Locator.”  The reality is that not all dealers stock all of our products all of the time.  So, it is important that you call them to make sure they have the products in stock.

Buying Direct

The other reality is that when you buy direct, we always have all of our products in stock.  Ordering direct saves you time, fuel, money and no tax.

Discounts & Promotions

There are many ways to save at Keys.  We have created a series of ongoing promotions and discounts to help you save.  These are consumer programs that are automatic when you fulfill certain requirements.

Below are some of the ongoing promotions and discounts that have no expiration date.

Buy Direct

If you are a domestic US customer and buy direct from us spending $75 or more, you will receive free USPS Priority Mail Shipping.  When the net amount of your order exceeds $75 and you are shipping into a US address, your shipping is free

Buy Direct

Our rewards program gives you points that can be used like money to purchase products on future orders.  Every time you buy, you will get 5% of your gross purchase minus shipping charges in the form of usable money that you can apply to future orders or stockpile.  At checkout, you can choose to apply the amount available to you.  The system automatically keeps a record and calculates the rewards points available for you to use.

Buy Direct

For many years we had a “Wendy’s Regime” that required you buy five (5) specific products.  You asked to be able to build your own regimen and we listened.  Now when you buy five (5) uniquely different products or more, you will receive a 10% discount on those products.  Remember they all have to be different and if you buy more then one of a particular product, it will be at the regular price.  This build your own DIY kit rewards buying five unique products at a time.

Buy Direct

A few years ago, we started to receive requests for volume purchases from some of our Cancer survivors.  They had to use a lot of our products like Tortuga and they requested that if they would buy more at one time, would we give them a discount.  The answer is yes and we have had this program where you buy three (3) of a product at one time and you will automatically receive a 5% discount.

Buy Direct

This program is similar to the one above where you buy 6 of a single product, you will get a 10% discount on those products.  You can buy multiples of six of different products and get 10% off on each.  This is not a mix and match program.  You must buy six each of any product to get the discount.

Lastly

Keys products are very rich and emollient.  They go a long way and last a long time.  Less is more!

We also believe our products out perform products sold that can cost 5 to 6 times as much because we do not layer in huge margins for marketing and advertising.  Our brand is one of the best there is, we solve problems with solutions and we are 100% natural, gluten-free, chemical-free and non-GMO…Nothing synthetic!

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Solar Rx – Top Ranked by EWG 2016 Sunscreen Report

Solar Rx Top Ranked Ten Years

by Wendy Steele, Keys CEO

srx-maskedI am always please to be ranked in the safest and most efficacious category for our products.  Solar Rx has been ranked by the EWG 2016 Sunscreen Report top in the “Moisturizer with Sunscreen group.  It has been at the top of the list since it was introduced over ten years ago.   We have made some improvements making it a primary moisturizer with SPF for thousands of people for everyday use.  Solar Rx has been in numerous movies, TV shows and commercials because of its luminescent properties that optically smooth the skin while also providing deep natural chemical-free moisture.

Solar Rx is completely and fully all-natural, vegan, gluten-free and free of man-made chemicals.  Punta!

Double Down On Anti-Aging

Solar Rx provides such good anti-aging for the skin in two distinct ways.  The UVB (burning) rays and the UVA (aging) are physically blocked by our spherical OptiFX® zinc oxide particle.  UV radiation is the number one cause of aging around the world.  Protecting your skin from UV is the #1 thing that you can do to never look your age.  Secondly, Solar Rx is a huge anti-aging product because it uses our Luminos™ Moisturizer as its base lotion.  The lotion is made with vegan oil and homogenized into a ultra smooth lotion.  Pharma grade avocado, carrot seed and black seed oil are blended with wild crafted Ghana Shea Butter to provide deep moisturizing.

No Pilling Under Makeup

Solar Rx OptiFX® Zinc Oxide particles are blended to provide the maximum UV protection.  They are spherical by design making them transparent to visible light while opaque to invisible UVA, UVB and UVC rays.  This means maximum protection with no white or blue cast.  Many makeup artists use it as a base foundation to layer makeup on top.  The fact that it has no silicone makes it play very well with both water and oil based makeup.

Solar Rx is Not for the Beach

What makes Solar Rx a great moisturizer providing everyday SPF protection is that it is water soluble.  It provides deep moisturizing  because of this design.  So, it works everyday and all day as long as you do not perspire.  It is not designed for Go To Beach, swimming or sports use.  And, no we do not make a regular sunscreen.

Cover Up! Stop Melanoma!

Solar Rx
Wendy wearing a SunBody Hat and Columbia Omni-Shade® Clothing

The reason we do not make a active life sunscreen is because as I am a Melanoma survivor.  19 years now free from skin cancer.  Some people consider me an expert in skin cancer prevention.  I am adamant that sunscreens give a false sense of protection.  I subscribe to wearing big brim UPF rated hat, UPF rated sun clothing and UVA rated sunglasses.  Only exposed skin should wear sunscreen.  Avoidance of peak sun hours will protect you from over exposure to UV and make you younger looking.  “Brown leather is out!  Skin that is!  So, it is time to get wise and avoid the sun.  Make your own shade!”  I say!

My personal favorites are SunBody Hats and Columbia Sportswear OmniShade® clothing.  I do have various brands of UVA rated sunglasses with Oakley being my long time loyal favorites.  When I started looking for sun clothing after my Melanoma surgery, it was hard to find anything to wear.  I started with Sun Precautions and Oakley. THEY WERE IT!  I now love love love my Columbia Omni-Shade® because they are stylish, cool and come in a wide range of colors.  My SunBody hats are as chic as a big sun hat can get.  I have tested them to over 100UPF.  I love them also because they have stampede straps for high wind situations.

To read more about sun protection and anti-aging, read an article I wrote Here

Solar Rx is available both in a 100ml airless container and in sealed foil packets.  It is the top selling Keys product.

To learn more about Keys “Clear Cosmetics,” Click Here

Click the Buy Button to go to our online store.  Solar Rx is available at natural markets, naturopathic MD’s, functional medicine MD’s and apothecaries.

Buy Solar Rx

Keys--Solar-Rx-banner

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Keys Tortuga Lotion for Vaginal Dryness & Menopausal Symptoms

Keys Tortuga Lotion for Vaginal Dryness

 

Wendy Steele

Keys CEO

We get a lot of questions on our Keys Customer Service system. Among the top questions are about wendy_hat_dipdealing with the symptoms of menopause. Recently, we have had a very large number of women reaching out to us and asking about using our Tortuga lotion for vaginal dryness and using Tortuga as a personal lubricant.

This is a touchy subject, but not for the reasons you might expect.

First, we have many women that use Tortuga and Luminos for vaginal dryness. Our customers tell us that not only do they reduce dryness, but that pain during intercourse is virtually eliminated. I will get into the details in a bit, but it is important to understand that we do not use preservatives and my recommendation is if you use either Tortuga or Luminos for vaginal dryness, that you refrigerate it to maintain the integrity of the product for this use. Of course warming is recommended before use.

Menopausal Dryness

Vaginal dryness is a symptom of menopause. It is also a common disorder among women of all ages and can make every day life and sexual connection difficult. Stress, diet & chemicals in products can also be a mitigating cause of the dryness, so it is important to try to search for the cause of the dryness. As remarkable as it may seem, laundry detergent that uses sulfates, vaginal products that contain glycols (PEG’s), parabens (bactericide preservatives) and dimethicone (silicone lubricants) are probably exacerbating the problem. It is important to gather all of the products that you use in or near the vagina and determine what is in them to assure that they are as natural as possible. The rules here are as follows:

  • If there are no ingredients on the product label, do not use it.
  • If you cannot pronounce the ingredient, research it to find out what it is before using it.
  • Make sure that you trust the company to list all the ingredients and that they do not have constituent ingredients added secretly.  Hard to do I know, but those hidden chemicals could be the problem

It gets more complicated and therefore adopting a “simpler is better” philosophy is better.  Meaning, you might want to DIY anything that you use in your private areas.  You would be amazed at how many women have found relief by eliminating commercial products alone.

Hormonal disruption is another thing to consider.  By no means am I a hormonal disruption expert.  I am a strong studier of the subject and many organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Safe Cosmetics and many holistic health organizations attribute sexual disfunction to many chemicals like phthalates in products used in an on the body.  Yes, these chemicals that are used in perfumes and fragrance are linked to premature menopause and symptoms like vaginal dryness.   Please, do not take my word for this.  Google and research!

So, there is a link to chemicals and vaginal dryness.  Equally, chemicals like propylene glycol (PEG’s) are also known to promote a need to reapply frequently causing more drying effects while trying to stop the problem.  So imagine that the more you apply of a product containing glycols (PEG’s) that the dryer you get and the more you need to reapply.  Not a good cycle to get into.  Those of you that have used products containing glycols either know what I am talking about or now understand why they feel the way they do.  No good!

Tortuga As A Personal Lubricant?

Keys Tortuga Lotion
Click To Visit Tortuga Lotion Page

I have a close girlfriend who has struggled with vaginal dryness since her thirties.  It became worse when she started to lose her hormones and began menopause.  This myth that life is better after menopause is debatable and different for every woman.  It certainly was not better for her.  Tortuga for her was a very good solution because I knew what is in it.  So, when I asked her to try Tortuga versus the synthetic personal lubricant she was using, she agreed.  The marketing hype of some personal lubricants caused her to read the labels, so it was an easy sell.  The lure of enhanced pleasure and increased sexuality was quickly dispelled after reading these labels.  Admittedly, most had no ingredients listed which caused me to worry for her.  I know what naive manufacturers use in skin care and I know that most of the ingredients would be the same in the personal lubricant category.  When I did find a company that listed their ingredients I was horror struck that they really expected anyone to use that stuff inside.

Again, many of our customers use Tortuga as a personal lubricant and find it sensational.  I do recommend, because there are no preservatives, that you refrigerate it and if you have any reaction at all, stop.  Use something else that is natural avoiding some ingredients like coconut oil or EVOO (olive oil) as they can be harsh and aggressive.

Okay, here I get to preach a bit and alert you that there are alternatives to post menopausal problems.  Yes, diet is important and using chemical-free products are of equal importance, but lets just get real.  There is one major thing that you can do that I did a few years ago.  Go BHRT!

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Dear Suzanne Somers, Thank you, thank you, thank you for introducing me to Dr. Jonathan Wright!  Dr. Wright you know I think you walk on water and talk to the gods!  Thank you for all my friends that you have helped with your knowledge and expertise!  Wendy

In a number of Suzanne Somers books, she talks about the benefits of BHRT for both men and women as they age.  Dr. Wright says that we should start to pay attention to our hormone levels as early as our mid-thirties.  Simple testing sets the levels and the most youth preserving thing we can do is to maintain our hormone levels.  I got wise in my early 50’s I was tired of experiencing brain fog, tiredness and feeling cold.  Yes, using Tortuga Lotion combats the dryness, but as good as Tortuga is, it cannot take care of all the other symptoms of post menopause.

Dr. Wright's Tahoma Clinic
• • • • • Click to Visit • • • • •

Suzanne’s suggestion to visit Jonathan Wright was more about wellness than dealing with problems. I had read all his work on thyroid and nutritional anti-aging, but my interest was in taking charge of my well-being.  When I learned about Dr. Jonathan Wright’s work with BHRT, I was at his Tahoma Clinic in a flash.  Okay, I am a Cancerian and all Cancerian’s know that we experiment with everything from diet to what goes on our bodies.  Before my appointment, I read everything that Jonathan Wright wrote about BHRT and I was convinced before starting out on BHRT that it was the right thing for me.  Just let me say that it was the best investment I made on myself in my entire life.  I am feeling pre-40 again!  My husband says I look 40 again!  Enough said?

Here is a link to a video that you should watch to form your own opinions.  Dr. Jonathan Wright on BHRT

Finally!

The cause of any problem is always what we should hunt for and not just solutions to symptoms.  My friend who has always struggled with vaginal dryness went on BHRT as well.  The combination of BHRT and Tortuga as a personal lubricant is now a part of my friends life as it is with the others that I have recommended visiting Dr. Wrights Tahoma Clinic near Seattle.

Yes, this is a very personal subject, but don’t you owe it to yourself to find relief?  Dr. Maya Angelou said it best when she said, “Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better.”

Yes, Tortuga is wonderful and a pure product.  Realizing that we have choices in taking charge of our own personal wellness and health is a revelation.  As we always say at Keys;  It is Time to Get Wise!

Wendy

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Keys Celebrates Ten Years With News – OTC & New Director of Sales

Press Release:

Keys Plans OTC Natural Product Line

Taps Industry Veteran To Innovate Sales Effort.

 

Today, Wendy Steele, Keys CEO announced that the Keys brand of skin care products is planning to expand into the OTC (over the counter) segment with a line of natural remedies.  She also announced an expansion of Keys brand sales efforts to strengthen the move into OTC by tapping an industry veteran as their new Director of North American Sales.

wendy_glowWendy Steele offered, “Keys celebrates its 10 year anniversary by innovating new products and augmenting our sales efforts.  This is a back to the future moment for the Keys brand.  Keys products have always been functional.  Our products have solved skin problems for our customers and made them feel good since we began the Keys brand.  The natural products industry has become a strong part of everyone’s lives in the nutrition and supplements area.  It is time for natural skin care to become a part of this OTC market segment.  As industry innovators, we are taking the first major steps instigating a needed change.”

In the next few months, Keys will introduce new products that are designed to replace many familiar conventional brands with naturally derived extract based products.  These natural OTC innovations are designed to mimic the mainstream products with functional natural solutions.  Steele added, “We have ten “Back-Country Medicine” products in the pipeline based on our own natural extracts developed in cooperation with Applied Alchemy, Inc.  Each product combines extracts that we have developed in our laboratories with natural whole essential oil combinations to solve skin problems.  Examples are a chemical-free broad spectrum natural insect repellent and skin conditioner that will compete with Avon’s Skin So Soft and a first-aid spray that will be a natural alternative to Bactine.”

New Keys Sales Leadership

AnneWendy Steele also announced today that supplements industry sales veteran, Anne Otis will join the Keys brand as its new Director of North American Sales.  Otis is a 13 year sales professional joining Keys from the natural health industry.  Steele added, “We are thrilled to have Anne join us because she is both a practitioner and sales expert in the business of building a solution oriented sales channel.  Over the last ten years, I have watched the natural health industry grow and mature while the skin care portion has become a scent focused daily discounter commodity industry.  We want to grow and support retailers who are trusted advisors to their community and who compete with green washing big box and luxury natural market stores.”

Anne Otis is a 13 year sales veteran who has her masters degree in nutrition.  Anne offered, “There are natural markets, co-ops and natural practitioners that have stayed the course of offering their customers resources, knowledge, information and trusted personal advice.  Keys has always been a brand offering natural remedies and solutions.  As we innovate new products, it is my charter to innovate the sales channels.”

Wendy added, “Anne’s charter is to grow our sales systemically by focusing our resellers on the features, benefits and advantages of the Keys brand and the new OTC products coming soon.  We want to support resellers who are trusted advisors in their communities with products that the big box and glamour retailers cannot get.”

Orion Learning International Inc. was established in 1999 as a marketing and consulting firm focused primarily on the pharmaceutical and technology industries.  Clients include companies like Pfizer, Qualcomm and other advanced thinkers.  The Keys brand was a spinoff based on Wendy Steele’s successful defeat of Melanoma skin cancer.  The company has been innovating solution based functional natural skin care products since 2005 and is credited with numerous “firsts” in the industry.

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Keys Solar Rx – Now Smoother!

As a Keys follower, you know that we are always on a constant quest to make our products more effective, more functional and feel better.  This quest is a constant look at ingredients and processes.  Keys Solar Rx is the latest upgrade in a process that makes it smoother, silkier and feeling better.

We have not changed any ingredients in Solar Rx.  It is the same efficacious moisturizer with sunscreen as before.  What we have done is to make it feel better by modifying one of our processes.

Our patentable use of sound to homogenize Solar Rx was originally to keep air/oxygen out of the recipe.  Some new breakthroughs in our process have improved the performance of our use of ‘infrasonic’ sound waves to make Solar Rx even smoother than before.  These sound waves agitate the molecules of Solar Rx in such a way that makes the recipe more consistent and blended by a significant factor.  Those that tested the process change before changing the production process were amazed.  Our super acid test, Wendy Steele –  Keys CEO, was a hit with her and she has been using her prototypes ever since she received them.

wendy_glowSolar Rx was developed for Wendy after her bout with Melanoma and it has undergone a few changes since it won the Consumer Reports Top Pick.  Wendy said, “I could never imagine Solar Rx getting better than it was.  When I tried the latest process change for Solar, it was significant.  So significant a change that I requested that the next production run be updated to the new process even before our beta testing team had a chance to comment.”

You can Click Here to go to the Solar Rx page on our store.

For our customers that use Solar Rx for rosacea, eczema, psoriasis or for diaper rash, Solar Rx will perform the same way as it always has, only smoother and silkier.

Note: Our retail stores will take a while before they receive the new production process for Solar Rx.  The turnover on dealer shelves is very fast for Solar Rx, so they will be current very soon.  Our current inventory online is all the new process.  Again, there is no change in the efficacy of Solar Rx.  Only the feel.

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May is Melanoma Awareness Month at Keys

It is Time To Get Wise!  by Wendy Steele, Keys CEO and Melanoma Survivor

wendy_glowThose of you that know me, know that it is my fault for the creation of Keys.  Well the truth is, it was a diagnosis of my Melanoma and a reaction of prescription products and over the counter chemical laden products that created the need and our inspiration.  That is not why I write today.  It is the fact that May is Melanoma awareness month here at Keys and throughout the world.  It is the beginning of sun season and that is why May is the month to celebrate and to inspire.  It is a time to celebrate all the lives that have been save and time to become aware through education so that we can save many more lives.

It is now over 20 years since Bob discovered the Melanoma on my left ankle.  My legs are long and it was impossible to see it myself.  He asked what the waxy stuff was on my ankle.  Holding a mirror up for me to see, it looked like a drop of hot wax was dropped on my ankle.  A few weeks later, it turned bright red and through a friend, we got an appointment with the top Mohs surgeon at Scripps Clinic in San Diego.  Hugh Greenway took a look and said, “This is not good.”  After a biopsy, he had me clear my schedule for Mohs surgery.  It was Melanoma.  This was the beginning of my advocacy for 365 days a year Melanoma awareness, skin cancer education and ways to prevent skin Cancer.

I wrote an article in 2007 called Solar Flare  Please read it.  In 2011, some suspect “ugly duckling” moles sent me to the Mayo Clinic where I realized how out of touch even the top clinics are when it comes to the dignity of people and skin cancer.  Read “Hold The Mayo” as well.  Please!

Now that you have done that, start to realize how delicate your body is and that the skin being our largest organ is bombarded daily by UV, pollutants and all sorts of allergens.  Our skin takes care of us, if we take care of it.

New_CancerCard_BackSo lets start here with this image of a card we produce that will help you identify strange and unusual moles.  Remember mine was clear and about the size of a pencil eraser.  So please look at this image and check out any unusual moles you have on your body.  Click on the image and save it to your smartphone to use as a comparative tool.  Better yet, have a friend check you over.  It can be fun if you let it be, but it is serious business.

I have literally hundreds of moles on my body.  I am fair, Germanic/Hungarian and very prone to skin cancer.  If you can count more than 50 moles on your body, you are a candidate for very close examination.  Don’t wait for the dermatologist visit.  Become your own sleuth and be aware.  It just might save your life.

20 years later, I have had numerous basil cell cancers removed and I have found them all myself and Bob’s vigilant eyes.  Know yourself and know your skin.

An interesting thing to really let sink in is that your body talks to you.  In my case, five years before discovering my Melanoma, I was on a vacation with Bob in Eleuthera.  I became sort of ill without a good description of what was wrong.  We got back to the mainland and I went to an internist who discovered a small red dot on my ankle.  For a while, he thought it was a tick bite and I had symptoms of inflammation in my blood test.  They suspect rheumatoid arthritis.  I knew it could not be a tick bite, but I always wondered what it was.  Five years later, it was exactly the same are that we discovered my Melanoma.  Coincidence?  I don’t think so.

Finally, lets say you find something.  Don’t play around.  Get to either a dermatologist or Mohs surgeon.  Insist on a biopsy.  Do not take no for an answer.  If you can, find the youngest most technically savvy doctor you can.  Tell them what it is you discovered and that Wendy Steele said to not fool around scraping, burning or freezing.  If they refuse, find another doctor!

My own experience is that universities like Stanford and Johns Hopkins are on top of their game.  If you are in the EU, you are luckier than we are in the US because awareness and prevention are paramount.  One of my tricks is that when I am traveling and want something checked, I ask the doctors office is they have a Dermascope® that they use.  If yes, this tells me they are on their game and my trust level goes up significantly.

I cannot say it enough that if you have moles, you must become your own best expert.  Follow your intuition based on a lifetime of study.  Early prevention can and will save your life.

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Keys diy – How To: Make an Omega Protein Facial Mask

Keys DIY or “Do It Yourself” for younger clearer looking skin

how-to-logoMany people have asked why we do not make a facial mask.  The simple answer is that the best mask for the skin has to be made fresh to have the greatest benefit.  As much as we try, there are somethings that you cannot bottle and are best when you make them yourself.

This recipe is great for the face, neck and hands.  The mixture reduces fine lines, fades skin spots, softens the skin and super hydrates to create a natural glow.

So here is a simple recipe using Keys Tortuga lotion and some fresh ingredients.

Omega Protein Facial Mask
Recipe Type: Facial Mask
Cuisine: Face, Neck and Hands
Author: Keys Geeks
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Mix all the ingredients together and use immediatley
Ingredients
  • 2 pumps Keys Tortuga Lotion
  • 1 egg (white only)
  • 1/8 avocado ripe
Instructions
  1. Place all the ingredients together in a small glass bowl.
  2. Muddle or mash them until the mixture is smooth and even color.
  3. Apply immediately.
  4. Let stay on for at least 30 minutes.
  5. Rinse with cool clear water.
  6. Let air dry
Notes
This recipe is great for the neck and backs of the hands to smooth and reduce spots. Adjust the recipe as needed to create an even smooth mask.[br][br]This recipe super hydrates the skin, shrinks pores and the Tortuga/Avocado will help to slowly fade skin age spots caused by the sun because of the natural form of retinol they contain.

 

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EWG Sun Safety Campaign – Keys Supports Effort

Keys Supports Efforts of the EWG Sun Safety Campaign with New Book and Website Banners

 

EWGSS-Logo-3Keys is a proud supporter of the EWG Sun Safety Campaign.  For over ten years, Keys CEO, Wendy Steele, has pounded on the industry to create a campaign to educate end users about the effects of UVA and UVB radiation.  She was one of the first to help identify that the UVB or burning rays should not be the focus.  Moreover, UVA or the aging rays should be the primary focus of education and protection.  Steele pronounce over ten years ago that sunscreens were a minor solution with the emphasis needing to be on wearing a hat, UPF protective clothing and sunglasses with UV filtering.

Keys-300x300-bannerThis new logo will begin appearing on various websites and you are one of the first to see it in use.   The Sun Safety Campaign will also feature Keys and these new banners on their website.  All coming soon.

Wendy Steele and Bob Root are in the process of writing a new book with the working title of “Its Your Skin”  where they outline important actions people need to take to minimizing skin aging.  First on the list is avoiding the sun.  This further supports the EWG Sun Safety basic tenants to stay out of the sun.  Click on either Keys EWG banner to go to the EWG Sun Safety site.

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Traveling Light with Keys Eye Butter

simply_wendy_bannerTravelers Trick

I have had a few people ask me for traveler product sizes for some of the daily regime type products. We are working on bringing back some of our travel sizes and we are having difficulty sourcing some of the containers for our soaps. Hopefully this will resolve itself in the near future.

Keys Eye Butter Eye Cream
Eye Butter Eye Cream

Bob Root, Keys formulator and founder has the distinction of having a lifetime American Airline Black Platinum card with 3 million miles emblazoned on it. Traveling with him is a real education. I shared that I have heard that people want to have smaller versions of our products and also find that the sachets do not work for them. He affirmed that we have tested all the lotions in our 15ml airless and that we are still looking for a 50ml mini-foamer that will work with our essential oil based soaps. He did offer a trick or two for our travelers that he does when he travels.

So, here is what Bob does for lotions and butters. He carries a single airless tube of Keys Eye Butter and does the following:

  • Use Eye Butter directly on the eyes and lips
  • Dilute Eye Butter by applying a small drop to wet hands and wet face as a moisturizer
  • Mix Eye Butter with water in the palm of the hand to make a lotion consistency to use as a dry skin lotion
  • Put a pea size drop into wet hair as a conditioner. (note, Bob has short hair)

owl clipBob also reinforced that he does carry the sachets and some of those square “owl” paper clips to reseal them after they are open. He noted that once open, you can fold over the top and those squareish paper clips made of plastic or metal do a good job in a small ziplock.

So, I tried the above and it works great. I still carry my Solar Rx, but I was able to get through my days with a lot less product.

Still, we are working on the travel sizes, but this is a good interim solution.

Wendy

Buy Travel Eye Butter Now! Here

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RediCare – Surgical Recovery and Scars

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Wendy’s interview with Rhonda-youthful looking, vibrant & active 45-year old.  Fan of KEYS RediCare Healing Therapy Spray.

by Wendy Steele, Keys CEO

Last October, Rhonda started experiencing periodic trouble swallowing.  There were sporadic times when she was gasping for air for no apparent reason.  For several years she has lived at over 6,000 feet elevation and has been acclimated to high altitude living.  While she did not have pain-she knew she did not feel normal.

Her first thought was to visit her chiropractor for a full alignment.  After her chiropractic visits she realized the feeling in her neck had not improved.  In February, Rhonda visited her regular doctor who theorized that she could be experiencing a side effect of her celiac condition or acid reflux.  As a precaution, her doctor referred her to a thyroid specialist.  Her thyroid doctor could physically feel lumps around her trachea.  Ultra-sound revealed lots of little nodules and 3 substantially larger nodules.

Rhonda agreed to follow up with her thyroid doctor for needle biopsies to determine if the 3 larger nodules were cancerous or benign.  The needle biopsies were deemed “inconclusive”.   However, she was advised that there was a possibility that they could be cancerous.  Her doctor recommended surgery to remove both sides of the thyroid to be sure. Rhonda scheduled her surgery for a Monday and stayed overnight in the hospital for routine observation of her vital signs.

Post surgery, Rhonda learned that the pathology report indicated there was a small cancerous area that had been completely removed.  Her doctor indicated that she would need to follow up, by taking a radiation iodine pill, but only after her TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels were deemed adequate to begin that treatment.

In the meantime, post surgery, Rhonda wanted to immediately concentrate on assuring the best possible healing of the incision on her neck.  She decided to use KEYS RediCare Spray Healing Therapy because she could simply spray on the lotion and she did not need to touch it to rub it in.  This was critically important, as the incision was very tender and sore to touch.  While still in the hospital Rhonda decided to take a selfie of her same day surgery-neck incision.  Thereafter, every Monday, Rhonda took selfies for the next eight weeks.  She thought that the results were remarkable and was very pleased with the scar healing she experienced while using RediCare.  She contacted KEYS to let us know how happy she was with her healing experience with RediCare.

Click on the video below to see the nine-weeks animation of Rhonda’s healing process while using RediCare Healing Therapy Spray.

[jwplayer player=”4″ mediaid=”2979″]

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Kyle to Keys! My Hair is Growing!

wendy_glowBy Wendy Steele, Keys CEO & Founder Keys

Keys Customer Service forwarded an urgent email to me last week.  It made reference to a note included on an order from a Keys customer named Kyle.  The note on his order read as following:

“I LOVE THESE PRODUCTS! I have had Alopecia for 10 years and these products are growing my hair back!  Whoever is reading this PLEASE, I urge you to relay this information to the company founders and owners and whoever oversees product development.  I highly recommend that these products be marketed toward people like myself who have Alopecia of any kind.  I have full body hair loss and the fantastic products at Keys Soap aren’t just growing little amounts of hair..It’s coming back over my entire body.  The NAAF needs to be made aware of my results and shown by example how NATURAL skincare and lifestyle overall are the superb choice over pharmaceutical drugs.  THANK YOU KEYS, God Bless! :)”

Wow, this was an inspirational note to receive! We love to hear from our customers.  Continue reading Kyle to Keys! My Hair is Growing!

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Anti-Aging Tip – Avoid Perma-Frown by Getting CNN-Free

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By Wendy Steele, Keys CEO

Did your mother every say to you, “Don’t make those faces, it may just freeze that way forever!”  It’s true!  This could be the greatest anti-aging advise of all time!

Our body language and facial expression do more than communicate our mood and intensity.  The way we appear to others can be a lasting reminder on our face of our attitude toward things, our environment and people.  Simply, if you frown all the time you might just end up with “Perma-Frown.”  Those deep ruts in your forehead age your visual appearance.  Perma-Frown makes you look older than you are by the very nature of the shadows those deep furrows create.  Remember it is the shadows that our wrinkles create that makes them look older.

Laughter is an age old beauty secret because it raises our Oxytocin hormone levels which washes us with a feeling of wellbeing.  This cuddle hormone is also created with a warm hug or even just being out with that someone special.  The skin glows and a more youthful appearance accompanies the warm feeling.  This can all be negated if our natural core state is negative.  Could your cellphone be a contributing factor to your aging?

Today’s social society is way overloaded with smartphone interaction which maybe fun and warm, but generally does not release oxytocin.  Worse, peering all day at your cellphone has two potentially negative results.  The first is if you are reading bad news all day, aka CNN, that frown may probably become perma-frown.  Secondly, if you are walking and reading and getting a little older, that squint could become perma-squint.  Be careful watching too much CNN can also create the dreaded permanent aging look called perma-scowl.

There is no question that drinking lots of water, regulating hormones as we age and using natural skin care will be your best anti-aging secret for the skin.  Those wrinkles, ruts and furrows are probably an indication of how happy you are or how much CNN you are exposed to.

So next time you are reading CNN, Fox News or one of the other negative press sources, take a quick selfie to check out how you are responding…Then try to laugh it off.  Yoga has taught me to see a different way of life and create an internal smile.  Being CNN-Free for the last ten years is priceless.

Wendy

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KODA ProBiome – Part of the Solution for Dog Tear Stains

simply_wendy_bannerIt was two years ago to the day that we rushed our Bichon, Jasper, to the vet in Palm Springs California.  His eyes were so swollen and he was running a 106 degree fever.  After literally 1500 miles driving back and forth over a two week period and a $3,000 vet bill, he came back to us on Christmas eve.  He was so sick and the diagnosis of Blepharitis lead to major courses of Prednisone and a Doxycycline to quell the severe inflammation.  It was a very nice Christmas present.  We do not let these sorts of things go un-acted upon.

jasper-table_2

Jasper’s battle was the trigger to start the KODA dog line because our vet was all about solving the problem, but nothing about his wellness.  Inquiring to pet insurance companies became the design architecture of our five internal supplements and five topical solutions.
Part of Jasper’s issues was and is a chronic eye drainage issue.  He is well known in his travels for eye staining.  The eleventh product that is yet to be released was the first product we wanted.  It was not only an eye stain removal product, but a product that would also reduce the potential for eye infections.  In the two years since, we have been trying to find a product that will work and we are very close to launching it.  Perhaps even in Q1 2014.

Continue reading KODA ProBiome – Part of the Solution for Dog Tear Stains

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Keys KPRO Cosmetic Products – Now Available!

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windsatr-wendy

KRO Product Description and Use.

We are there!  We have the first production run of our new KPRO product line.  We want to give you some details of the new products prior to them now that they are available.

The planned release of the KPRO product line was October 1, 2013.  Our team surprised me by finishing a few days early.  I am so proud of this team.  The surprises are always good!

 Just as a refresher, Keys has introduced a new series of Hollywood inspired products named KPRO or Keys Professional line.  Keys KPRO products use OptiFX™ Adaptive Color Technology to provide an illusionary appearance creating the hot trendy nude bare skin look in a 1-step chemical-free foundation.

Developed in concert with Hollywood makeup artists and filmmakers, this correction cream fills, hides fine lines and skin imperfections.  The technology literally copies and clones skin color, tone and texture transmitting vital characteristics to neighboring skin.  Like a virtual projector, 1 micron organic and plant-based structures transmit a smooth and vibrant skin finish.

Keys patentable technology works to reflect, refract and smooth skin tones adapting to light changes and environments automatically.  This is a true anti-aging product because rarefied ingredients help condition, moisturize and reverse skin aging as well as providing the cosmetic effects.  This is a revolutionary 1-step foundation with optical technology that transforms even lifeless skin to exciting dewy beauty.

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5-Minute Skin Clinic at the Airport

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by Wendy Steele
Keys CEO

Secrets to flying simply with stunning results!

 The 2:30 am wake-up call was all my fault. I had booked a 3,000 mile trip from the East Coast to get back West and it was the first flight out at 6am Eastern! I knew that I had better get a good night’s rest before flight day. I concentrated most of my prep efforts the night before so that I would have the fewest amount of moving pieces on the morning of the flight. So the night before I packed the suitcase,laid out the clothes and shoes ready to slip into. Ticket and rental car keys were at the ready.

The morning of my flight- to insure I was on my way to the airport at 3:15 am, I really needed to be awake at 2:30am.  After 2 wake up calls, I followed with are freshing shower, hot libation, and a phenomenally simple skin treatment.

g5At 4:30 am I breezed through the rental car return and airport security.I felt awake and had time to relax before boarding.  After a fairly short first leg flight, it was just after 7:30 am Central time when I arrived at my connecting airport in Chicago. I deplaned and walked to my new departure gate B-5 with ticket in hand.  I was just about to inquire with the gate agent when I was truly surprised by a 30-something woman who whisked up to me and said;  “I am sorry, I just have to interrupt you to ask you—how do you get skin that looks like that?”

The gate agent looked up and smiled at me as if to say; “I’m all ears.” Continue reading 5-Minute Skin Clinic at the Airport

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REvolutionary Skin Ideas -from Hollywood and Apple!

Simply-Wendy200

More than what meets the eye

REvolutionary Skin Ideas -from Hollywood and Apple!

by Wendy Steele  Keys CEO

 

wendy_hat_dipI have marveled at the popular news headlines and headliners over the past year as they have surprised us, sometimes even shocked us.  There are signs everywhere that Hollywood has begun to break free of old patterns, habits and ideas about what makes an individual look and feel beautiful.  Curiously, these examples have also caused us to think and began to influence how we view ourselves outwardly, with a surprising affect on our own health and wellbeing.

People Magazine’s recent Most Beautiful issue featured celebrities going au natural! Yes they were photographed fresh faced, their absolutely beautiful natural skin tone glowing .  Yes, these women were totally make-up free!

oprah_fondaI watched a recent Oprah’s Next Chapter interview with Jane Fonda, when Oprah asked Jane what is the most important thing she has learned so far in her life.  I found it fascinating when Jane, who freely talked about her being 75 years old, replied “I’ve learned what’s really important for me is skin and kindness…”

Then, this weeks USA Today headline caught my attention:

 “The Hollywood tan loses its luster” Continue reading REvolutionary Skin Ideas -from Hollywood and Apple!

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Time To Get Wise – Dear 16 Year Old Me!

Time To Get Wise

by Wendy Steele, Keys CEO

May is Melanoma month and it is not a celebration.

Around the world, there is a celebration at the beginning of May.  For me as a Melanoma survivor, it is a month where I give thanks for surviving.  It is the first day of May that I begin my summer long campaign to share my concerns, my knowledge and my experiences with people.  My goal is to save lives.

I am not cancer free, but I am free from cancer.  My advocacy has taken me to many places and I have met many survivors and unfortunately too many people that have lost loved ones, friends, spouces and parents.  What makes me sad is that they have also lost children.

The stories are wide and varied.  Here is just one subject that I hear all to often every May.

A frantic Mom and  a concerned Dad asking me for advice for their 16 and 17 year olds respectively.  Both the concerned parents were asking essentially the same thing: “How do I convince my teen daughter that she could wear anything and her skin will still look incredibly beautiful?”  Well, as it turned out, this was not just about teen fashion.   This was about preparation for the prom!  It turned out that the biggest issue was caused by the color of the dress and their teen’s steadfast belief that they could not possibly look beautiful in a white dress without tanned skin!  To prepare for their prom, both of these teens were insisting on sunless tanning.  I realized there must be thousands of parents going through this same drama, trying to win over the peer pressure their teens felt to spend the weeks before prom on tanning beds.

I received these requests for advice, because I am a melanoma skin cancer survivor and a skin health advocate.  I briefly pondered the fact that I do not  have a teen son or daughter…and I quickly found myself saying, but if I did I would share with them what I have learned in my life so far. Continue reading Time To Get Wise – Dear 16 Year Old Me!

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A Close Shave

 

Close Shave?  I am often asked why we do not make a shave cream or shaving soap.   My answer?   We already do!

I was recently at a farmers market in the California Desert and asked by a man who complained of razor stubble and bumps from his shaving cream.  He asked if we would develop a shave cream that was all-natural, would not burn his skin, would not chafe, would not dry his skin and would not drag like other natural shave creams.   I said we already do and a lot of men and women use this special product every day.   Smiling, I told him that it was our Mangrove Shampoo!Remember that Keys believes in making products that solve problems and make people feel good.  This is our mantra.  We also say that our products do many things beyond what the label says.

Continue reading A Close Shave

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Skin Cancer & “The Ugly Duckling” …Hold the Mayo! (Update May 21st)

WISDOM FROM “UGLY DUCKLINGS” by Wendy Steele  (Original Post May 9, 2011…See updates below)

My recent experience with several “ugly ducklings” has once again put a bright spotlight on my desire and responsibility to share my personal wisdom about skin health.

So far in this month of May, I have had the pleasure to personally talk to and meet many of our mid-west customers during multiple special events.  At one event I was wearing several flesh-colored bandage strips on my upper chest and self-consciously made sure that I covered those strategically with clothing, as I did not want to reveal those ugly little bandages.  I thought later that perhaps I would have been better off letting them show, because then I could share more personally my own experiences with “ugly ducklings”.   Knowledge is a powerful thing. Continue reading Skin Cancer & “The Ugly Duckling” …Hold the Mayo! (Update May 21st)

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Keys Omni – New Revolutionary Skin Spray Elixir

Omni – Skin Elixir Spray 60ml (2oz)

Omni is a revolutionary product from every aspect.  Omni is a technology term derived from the Latin word Omnis meaning “all.” When we began to develop AquaVit, it became clear that our Ariane ingredient had wonderful properties. Omni was originally being developed with an ingredient we named Miras. Miras is a special ingredient that comes from the fruit of the Forsythia plant and has very high levels of Oleanolic which is known to have many healing and cleansing properties for the skin without harming the skins probiotic EcoSystem.  We then combined Ariane and Miras together for a combined effect that rivals any skin care, anti-aging or beauty product in the world.  Of course, I am biased. Continue reading Keys Omni – New Revolutionary Skin Spray Elixir

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New AguaVit – Toner Tonic from Keys

I am very happy to announce a new product long in development called AguaVit

AguaVit is more than a toner. Take one sniff and the scent conjures deeply rooted emotions of times gone by. AguaVit means “Water of life.” It is made from a functional ingredient created by Keys called Arianne. To make Ariane we blend & distill whole organic orange, lime, cranberry, cucumber, juniper berry, star anise, cassia cinnamon, anise seed, ginger and clove. Continue reading New AguaVit – Toner Tonic from Keys

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Wendy’s #1 Life Rule: Simplify!

Wendy’s #1 Life Rule:  Simplify!

Keys Products Have Many Uses!

We design products that can simplify your life.  At Keys we think differently!

Over six years ago, when we started designing and manufacturing skin health products, we had a fundamental belief that we could invent products that would solve skin issues and make people feel good.  We were inspired by our imagination and explored the use of revered healing natural ingredients so that each of these products effectively would have more than one use.  We believed they should be simple, safe and make life less complex every day.   What a concept and it is our reality! Continue reading Wendy’s #1 Life Rule: Simplify!