Skin Treatments Archives

ICES Long Beach 2016 Mini Haul!

September 15, 2016

Happy Thursday everyone! Over the weekend I attended the International Congress of Esthetics and Spa in Long Beach. It’s a trade show where professionals in the beauty industry can shop and learn about the latest and greatest within our trade and for an esthetician, it’s our version of heaven.

I posted a few snippets on Instagram, but after a while my phone refused to cooperate so I couldn’t really take any pictures. 🙁 However, I can share with you some of the items I purchased, for personal use and to also use in my treatment room.

Let’s get started.

PCA Skin

Nutrient Toner

This toner has a, “combination of vitamins, enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids helps to refine pores, remove superficial cells and provide added nutrients to the skin.” It contains pumpkin wine and lactic acid and it smells really good.

Oxygenating Trio Treatment Protocol

This professional treatment has a formulation that contains antioxidants and enzymes that leave skin smooth, purified and glowing. It contains niacinamide, pumpkin seed oil, hydrogen peroxide, lactic acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid.

Retexturize Therapeutic Pumpkin Mask Protocol

Another professional treatment, the Therapeutic Pumpkin Mask combines exfoliating pumpkin enzymes and salicylic acid, along with a host of purifying and antioxidant ingredients to leave skin glowing following treatment.

Eminence

Soothing Chamomile Tonique

This product was to be purchased along with the enzyme peel I bought. It’s “a soothing and calming tonique to use alone or with enzyme, glycolic and lactic peels for all skin types, particularly normal to oily skin. Soothing herbs will restore the skin’s balance.” This has licorice and the smell is very prominent throughout but disappears after a while.

Pink Grapefruit-C Gel

I’ve been experiencing problematic skin lately and this product was recommended. This C Ester-rich veils skin to fight free radicals, environmental factors, and calm the appearance of inflammation. Refreshing peppermint clears and heals while helping to prevent the appearance of blemishes.

Yam and Pumpkin Enzyme Peel 5%

One of the main products I came to the Eminence booth for, this will, “accelerate the exfoliation process to remove dead skin cells, reduce the appearance of pigmentation, fine lines and sun damage. This delicious purée of yam and pumpkin leaves skin looking firm and radiant. I tried it last night and it had a mild tingling sensation, most likely due to the lactic and glycolic acid in here. My face feels ad looks a bit smoother today. This item is for consumer use.

Le Mieux Eye Wrinkle Corrector

I received a sample of this last year and I absolutely loved it. It’s a “lightweight cream [that] provides intense moisture to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, bags, and dark circles. Features 7 potent peptides, hyaluronic acid, amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants to help promote a bright, youthful appearance.”

Morphe 35O 35 Color Nature Glow Eyeshadow Palette

Of course I could not leave the trade show without purchasing this cult-favorite item. Just look at all these colors-perfect for fall! *Swoon* I will have an individual review for this soon.

(h2t) Natural Pumpkin and 30% Multi Fruit Complex Peel

No trade show is complete without this pumpkin peel. It smells just like a pumpkin pie and I have to keep reminding myself that it’s a chemical and enzyme peel, lol. This is a professional use product that contains a 30% formulation of Glycolic and Lactic Acid with an approx. pH 3.2. Formulated to provide deep exfoliation for facial area, allowing acids to effortlessly penetrate clogged pores and assist in cell proliferation.” I can’t wait to try this and start offering it next month at my spa!

Dermodality Skin Solutions Peptide Plus

Purchased in conjunction with the (h2t) pumpkin peel, this helps to restore vibrancy and health to the skin. It contains cucumber and melon extracts to help calm skin and to help leave it health, radiant and revitalized. I used this at night under my moisturizer and I liked the soothing and hydrating effects of it.

HydroPeptide

Cleansing Gel: Cleanse, Tone, Makeup Remover

An all-in-one anti-aging cleanser that gently and effectively removes dirt and excess oil while toning and lifting away all traces of makeup without over-drying. This gentle cleanser has extra soothing benefits from Chamomile, Allantoin and Cucumber. You definitely get a whiff of cucumber in this product. I squeeze a little bit of product onto a damp cotton ball and it does a pretty nice job of removing eye makeup.

Power Serum Line Lifting Transformation

Aside from DermaQuest, HydroPeptide has really great peptide serums that make skin feel and look firmer. It’s definitely on the pricey side but in my opinion, well worth it. This power packed treatment delivers the most advanced peptides, antioxidants and a growth factor activating plant extract to immediately improve skin health.

Power Lift: Advanced Ultra Rich Moisturizer

I had to pick up this moisturizer again as it made my list of favorites last year in September. Read more about it here.

Solar Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30

A physical sunscreen that features titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, this sunscreen is light and has a blend of green tea, aloe and hyaluronic acid.

That’s all for this year and I’m excited to check out what next year has in store!

See you tomorrow!

Stephanie

Skincare Routines for Every Season!

August 4, 2016

Happy Thursday everyone! Anybody else ready for the weekend?

I have a special post today about seasonal skincare that was inspired by the people over at Dollar Shave Club. As a company that provides an economical and convenient way to deliver razors each month, they also recognize the importance of a good daily skincare routine. They reached out to me to share my tips for keeping skin healthy and glowing all year long so let’s get to it!

Spring

Spring brings with it the renewal and resurrection of nature but, unfortunately, for most of us it also brings one not so great feature-allergies! The watery eyes, itchy throat and nose, and constant sneezing coupled with allergy medication can leave your skin sensitized. Make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen as some medications can cause skin to become more sensitive with sun exposure and keep your skincare routine basic (cleanser, toner and moisturizer) until you’re in the clear.

Summer

Arguably the most favored season, summer signifies endless days at the beach and camping trips which can also bring about sunburns if you’re not careful. It’s imperative to not only wear sunscreen but to also remember to reapply it every two hours or as directed. In the event of a sunburn, ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile and yucca extract can help calm the burning and itchy sensation that often accompanies a sunburn. Dermalogica After Sun Repair is a personal fave!

It’s also good to include some type of exfoliation to help get rid of buildup that can clog pores. Skip skincare products that contain retinols and AHA’s and instead use scrubs that contain spherical jojoba beads for a more gentler form of exfoliation. Low foam cleansers remove oil and debris without stripping skin.

Fall

With summer over and temperatures dropping, now is a great time to step up your skincare routine and address any damage/sun spots that might have surfaced. Incorporating a vitamin C serum in the daytime under sunscreen can help brighten and fade spots over time. Using a retinol serum at night can smooth the appearance of skin and using AHA’s like lactic acid can help both exfoliate and hydrate the skin.

And, with the pumpkin craze that hits the market this time of year, why not add a professional pumpkin peel to your facial. Pumpkin peels are great for stimulating collagen and elastin production and reducing the sings of aging by softening fine lines and wrinkles. A perfect skin treat right before the holiday madness and they smell amazing!

Winter

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, celebrating the holidays with dear loved ones and hanging out in the snow filled mountains; however, cold harsh weather can wreak havoc on skin, making it feel dry. Add in all the indoor heating, and you’re left with skin that is tight and itchy. Combination to dry skin can benefit from a cream cleanser which is more hydrating and a richer moisturizer that contains ingredients like glycerin, squalane and shea butter. Oily and acne skin can still use a low foam cleanser but can implement a hyaluronic acid serum underneath their moisturizer to keep skin hydrated without feeling heavy or greasy.

If your skin is in good condition, you can schedule chemical peels to really resurface your skin and bring about a nice and healthy glow. Just remember that sunscreen is still a must this season and every season. Snow reflects about 80% of UV radiation so you want to make sure you’re protected.

I hope you find these tips helpful!

What are your tips for seasonal skincare?

Stephanie

Reader Question: What Causes Dark Circles?

April 7, 2015

Hello everyone! Hoping everyone had a great Easter weekend!

I’ve been asked about what I recommend for dark circles before and more recently Katie from Plus+Beauty also mentioned this concern (hi Katie!).

Q: What’s good for dark circles under the eyes?

Dark circles can be caused by:

Sun damage
Veins and/ or capillaries showing through the skin
Allergies
Genetics

What to Use/Do

Products with retinol or vitamin C can help brighten the area.
An eye cream with SPF and sunglasses can help prevent more darkening if it’s caused by the sun.
Talking to your doctor if allergies are the culprit to see what options are available
A peach colored concealer can help neutralize the appearance of dark circles
Sometimes fillers like Radiesse or light treatments can help.

Product Recommendations

Kate Somerville Line Release Under Eye Repair
Algenist Firming and Lifting Eye Gel
Dermaologica Total Eye Care SPF 15
Le Miuex Eye Wrinkle Corrector
Renee Rouleau Vitamin C Eye Brightener
Eve Pearl Dual Salmon Concealer

These are a few products I have tried and liked but if you have another eye cream that works, please share!

Have a lovely Tuesday!

Stephanie

Reader Question: Treatments for Hyperpigmentation!

February 26, 2015

Hi readers! Anyone else excited that it is Thursday? 🙂

Someone recently asked me about what they can do regarding sun spots. What is commonly referred to as sun spots or age spots is hyperpigmentation. Simplified, hyperpigmentation is caused by an overproduction of melanin (brown pigment that gives skin color) that causes the darkening of the skin. Below are causes of hyperpigmentation along with possible treatments.

Causes of Hyperpigmentation

Overexposure to sun, tanning beds, fluorescent and ambient lighting
Hormones/ Pregnancy
Medications- birthcontrol, thyroid, hormone replacement therapy (*Note: Never discontinue medication without the approval of your physician)
Stress
Inflammation/trauma caused by heat, acne, wounds, burns, eczema, etc
Age

Treatment Options

Exfoliation/chemical peels such as TCA, Jessner’s peels or lactic acid peels
Increased cell turnover with retinol/retinoids (Retin-A)
IPL/Laser
LED Light Therapy
Skincare products that contain arbutin, kojic acid, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), lactic acid, azelaic acid, phytic acid, and licorice extract. Hydroquinone is another option available but it is a controversial ingredient that has a high risk of creating skin sensitivity. Hydroquinone also must be used in 3/6 month cycles meaning you can only use it for a few months at a time and then cycle off.
Sunscreen! Important no matter what! None of the above treatments will be effective if you don’t protect your skin from sun damage-you’ll end up right back where you started and can even cause more pigmentation problems.

Remember that these are guidelines and the treatment option that will work best for you depends on a consultation with a skincare professional/dermatologist.

I hope this was helpful. 🙂

Thanks for reading,

Stephanie

Needles For Aging Skin?

September 23, 2014

One of my readers asked me about micro needling so here’s the breakdown on this popular anti-aging process.

About Skin Needling

Skin needling, also referred to as microneedling or collagen induction therapy, is the use of multiple needles at one time on a set gauge or length that is either rolled or stamped onto the skin. Originally recognized as a method to repair scars in 1995 by Norman Orentreich, MD, and David S. Orentreich, MD, it was Des Fernandes, MD, who introduced skin needling as a skin rejuvenation method.

Different needle lengths will yield different results. For example, shorter needles will increase product penetration and stimulate collagen production while longer needles may be used to treat deeper wrinkles and scarring.

How it Works

Skin needling is based on the premise of a controlled wound response than in turn stimulates collagen production. Basically, anytime your skin is injured, it begins a process of wound healing that is followed by the production of new collagen and elastin. In skin needling, the needles create tiny ‘injuries’ that prompt this wound healing process.

Skin needling treatments will also be followed by applications of, but not limited to vitamin C, retinoids, peptides and/or hydroxy based exfoliants. Whereas microdermabrasion or chemical peels drive ingredients further into the skin by removing a layer(s) of skin, skin needling does the same without removing the top layer of skin.

Who’s A Good Candidate?

Most skin types and conditions can benefit from this treatment but may not be suited for skin that is sensitive or inflamed. Skin needling is used for fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and stretch marks. Treatments can be tailored according to skin types and conditions by changing the device, needle depth and frequency of treatments.

Things to Consider

A series of treatments are needed to achieve optimum results.

Treatments can range from $200-$500 per treatment.

The longer the needle is, this risk for infection increases; therefore follow your physicians instructions.

Procedures like these are usually performed in a medical office or medical spa- make sure the person performing the treatment is qualified and that he/she wears gloves at all times.

Although a topical numbing cream will be used prior to treatment, expect some discomfort.

Bottom Line: Skin needling is just one of many anti-aging options available that can generate great results. However, always do your research and consult with a professional to determine what works best for you.

I hope this article is helpful and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

*Note: Although I love DIY treatments, this treatment is best left to professionals. Doing this yourself can cause damage and lead to severe infections.