It’s “Back to School” season! Just because you’re no longer a student doesn’t mean you can’t learn something new, especially when it comes to your skin. With hundreds of new products and treatments launching every year, there’s a sharp learning curve when it comes to staying on top of the skincare industry. Let’s take a look at three treatments that anyone can benefit from to ace the ABCs of healthy, beautiful skin!
A is for Acne Scarring Treatments with SkinPen® Microneedling
Nothing can throw a spoke in the wheels of your “skin confidence” like acne can. The first step of addressing your acne is identifying what type of acne you suffer from and working with your dermatologist and licensed esthetician to reduce breakouts. But, millions of people who have successfully cleared or outgrown their acne still suffer from the scarring that can be left behind. Microneedling is an effective treatment to help smooth these scars with little to no downtime!
“Our SkinPen® Microneedling treatments are wonderful for acne scarring not just because the technology works, but also because it can fit so easily into your busy schedule,” says Amie, an Advanced Practice Esthetician with FACE Cosmetic Skincare.
“Unlike some laser resurfacing treatments commonly used to treat scarring, there is minimal downtime with microneedling, and you can wear makeup the next day,” she continues, “this makes it easy for students and busy professionals to improve their acne scarring without a big hindrance to their busy lifestyles.”
SkinPen is a medical-grade, state-of-the-art tool, which is available only through licensed skincare professionals working under medical supervision. The “pen” has a disposable tip that is comprised of 14 surgical-grade stainless steel needles; hence, the process is called “Microneedling.” Microneedling works by gently creating hundreds of microscopic channels into the dermis as the pen safely glides over your skin. When skin is injured, it heals itself by creating new collagen and elastin. These are the very components of our skin that breakdown with scarring and aging and can lead to uneven skin texture. As a result, SkinPen controls the rate of injury to safely and predictably encourage new collagen and elastin production, leaving your skin smoother and healthier over time!
B is for Banishing Brown Spots with BBL and HALO™
“I always notice a sharp increase in the amount of sun damage and dark spot consultations I do when Fall comes,” shares Amie. “People’s Summer tans start to fade, and they begin to notice dark spots of sun damage and uneven pigmentation that are left behind. My favorite ways to address this damage is with Broadband Light (BBL) and our new HALO™ laser.”
Forever Young BBL™ utilizes the power of light to safely treat a whole host of skin concerns in one treatment virtually anywhere on your body. During treatment, a broad range of light is directed onto the skin that is absorbed by your skin’s melanin, or pigment. This feature is what allows BBL to be so effective in the treatment of sun damage. Because sun damage is comprised of pigment cells that have accumulated, they stand out as a distinct and obvious target to BBL. In turn, they intensely absorb the light, and pigment is broken down and destroyed. Your provider may also adjust your BBL treatment to target hemoglobin in blood instead of pigment, thus allowing the BBL to target small broken blood vessels and diffuse facial redness. As an added benefit, BBL encourages the production of collagen and elastin during treatment which leads to an improvement in the appearance of fine lines and enlarged pores.
“BBL is incredible for dark spots and little broken blood vessels, but when a patient is also concerned about skin texture, I like to recommend our HALO™ laser because it treats ALL of these concerns in ONE treatment,” explains Amie.
HALO™, by Sciton®, is the world’s first hybrid laser treatment that combines two types of wavelengths, non-ablative and ablative, to achieve transformational results with minimal downtime. This feature allows patients to enjoy the dramatic effects of ablative laser resurfacing without the discomfort and lengthy downtime traditionally associated with this procedure. Also, patients reap the benefits of non-ablative lasers without the need for multiple sessions. The HALO™ treatment diminishes the appearance of the fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation, even hormonally induced melasma. It is also an effective treatment for acne scarring, rough skin texture, and enlarged pores.
C is for Correcting Common Skin Conditions with Chemical Peels
“I love the versatility of chemical peels!” says Amie. “What many people don’t realize is how customizable peels are,” she continues, “we can literally match your skin concern to the peel with the acid blend that is ideal for treating that very condition. This can range from salicylic acid peels to clear acne, light glycolic acid peels to gently resurface and get skin glowing, and even deeper peels that have multiple acids to smooth fine lines and wrinkles.”
Unlike their exfoliation counterparts, Microdermabrasion and Dermablading, Chemical Peels rely on a chemical reaction, not physical, to dissolve the bonds between dead skins and our skin. With most chemical peels, flaking and peeling will begin after 2 to 3 days. With some peels, like the light peel including with all of our HydraFacial treatments, you willnot even notice the flaking. For others, it can be dramatic! This sloughing of dead cells can continue for up to 10 days, depending on which peel is being used. Many patients love the way their skin looks immediately after a peel — fresh, dewy, and hydrated. Once the peeling process is complete, you’ll enjoy fresh, smooth, and vibrant skin for weeks to come!
Want to take the guesswork out of deciding what treatment options are best for you and your skin? Consider joining our MRewards Program and get partnered with one of our Advanced Practice Estheticians. They will perform an in-depth skin analysis and map out an annual treatment plan of the best services and products for your skin. In the meantime, consider following the recommendations of the Skin Health Pyramid!
DAILY / WEEKLY – Use physician-grade skincare that is designed for your specific skin type and skin concern.
MONTHLY / QUARTERLY – Maintain and enhance your skin’s health with monthly HydraFacials and quarterly BBL and injectables.
ANNUALLY – Consider a yearly package of SkinPen microneedling treatments to boost skin’s collagen production and an annual HALO™ treatment to address fine lines, wrinkles and pigment damage!
Want to increase your Skincare IQ and get started with one of the treatments mentioned above? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a FACE Cosmetic Advanced Practice Esthetician to discuss your options. Call (651) 632-9700 to begin your journey to more healthy and beautiful skin!