If you’re like me, you’re probably getting antsy for some nice weather, outdoor social activities and longer sunny days. And that will come soon enough. In the meantime we can savor these last three months till summer and take advantage of the time to rejuvenate and transform your skin. Significant skin changes are based on two main pillars : professional treatments and home care. Both of these are essential and skipping one or the other will thwart the process. Let’s look at the most common skin concerns and what can be done about each one.
Acne:
Professional Treatments: every 2-3 weeks
- Acne Facial – this treatment will unclog your pores, remove dead skin and kill acne bacteria, thus speeding up the clearing process. A recommended enhancement is adding on an LED treatment to enhance your body’s healing mechanisms.
- Chemical exfoliation – this advanced technique uses different AHA and BHA combinations, penetrates deeper into the epidermis and helps lift pigmentation spots, sloughs off surface dead skin and stimulates collagen and elastin production. This is able to reach and treat the deeper non- inflamed acne lesions /sand-like bumps under skin/ as well.
Home Care:
- Every single product that goes on your face needs to be non- comedogenic. Don’t trust what labels say, as comedogenic ingredients are not regulated. Check for yourself ! Click here for the list of ingredients to avoid.
- Use a chemical exfoliator daily. It eliminates the excess dead cells and oils that are clogging your pores, diminishes blackheads, stimulates cellular turnover, lightens pigmentation and is a great anti-ager. Recommendations: #SKIN AHA 5% Serum , Face Reality Mandelic Serum 8% , or Skin Script Beta Carotene and Papain Serum . The latter is best for sensitive skin types and those of you that are trying to get or are pregnant.
- If you have inflamed acne / red, painful, elevated lesions/ you need to have an anti- bacterial agent as well. Benzoyl Peroxide is the most effective one out there. It is basically a form of oxygen, that is very potent. Make sure you consult us on how to introduce it to your skin, because it can cause severe irritation if not used properly. Recommendations : #SKIN Acne Cream 5% or #SKIN Acne Cream 2.8% for sensitive skin.
- Always , always protect your skin form the sun! Look for a broad spectrum SPF that will shield you form both UVA and UVB rays. **
Aging and Hyperpigmentation
Professional Treatments: every 3-4 weeks
- Chemical exfoliation – a series of these can do miracles. We usually use a combination of different low concentration AHAs. It is customized to the client’s specific concerns. The way it works is by applying AHA masks, we trick your skin to react as though it has been injured. The receptors in your epidermis then signal the dermis that is needs to make new cells and more collagen to repair itself. So after a few treatments you end up with fresh, younger looking and even toned skin .
- In addition to exfoliation we need to also nourish your skin by infusing anti-oxidants, peptides, stem cells and growth factors. A good analogy is getting a good workout/ exfoliation/ and then getting a protein smoothie / nourishing facials/ to help your body recover and build muscle /enable your skin to regenerate itself /.
Our Hollywood Red Carpet Facial is the perfect combination of exfoliation and skin nourishment. Other options are the Skin Perfecting Treatment, Microdermabrasion and Dermal Leveling . To boost your results even more you can add LED Light to your facial.
Home Care:
In the morning: 1.Use a mild anti-oxidant cleanser such as #SKIN Hydrating Cleansing Gel. 2.Follow with a Vit C treatment to brighten skin complexion and protect you from environmental aging. I like PCA Vit C&E or #SKIN Vit C& Hyaluronic Acid Serum. 3.Finish with moisturizer and SPF**. Skin Script Acai Berry Moisturizer or Face Reality Cran-peptide are both packed with nourishing and firming ingredients.
Evening skin care is essential! Your skin regenerates while you sleep and your evening routine should be enhancing that process. 1.Start by removing your make up. I use either micellar water or #SKIN Chamomile Make Up Remover . For those with dry or very sensitive/ irritated skin, you can use food grade Grapeseed Oil. 2.Wet your skin with luke warm water and polish it with a fine scrub to remove dead cells and debri and to prep your skin for absorbing all the goodies later. I like Dr Lancer’s Polish or Face Reality Antioxidant Scrub. This step should be skipped by those with sensitive skin. 3. Cleanse with AHA cleanser such as Skin Script Glycolic Wash. Doing this after polishing provides the ultimate deep cleanse and allows your skin to breath and recover. 4. Apply nourishing ingredients such as EGF, peptides, retinol and stem cells. My favorites are : Georgia Louise EGF Serum, Circadia Night Repair Cream , #SKIN Firm & Fade , Dr Lancer Retinol Cream.
** Sun causes pigmentation, skin cancer and ages your skin prematurely by ruining your collagen fibers. So PLEASE use SPF daily!!!
Recommendations: #SKIN SPF29 Spray for oily/normal skin , Face Reality SPF28 for sensitive skin, Face reality Daily SPF30 for normal skin, #SKIN Moisturizing SPF30 for dry and/or aging skin, Dr Lancer Sheer Fluid Sun Shield SPF30 or Elta MD SPF 40.
“Big things have small beginnings” – Promethus
P.S. What small thing will you do today to make a big change in your skin or any aspect of your life?!
