What was that?

This is just a quick post to ask you… since you are taking time out of your day to read and pursue my blog (thank you VERY much for that by the way) I want to ask you…

What would you like to know about?

Is what I am providing so far useful? or is it too dry?

I want this blog to not only give me a constructive outlet to show off my abilities, but also inform, give feedback to myself and the world on products, procedures, and give people YOU the working knowledge to be able to go out there and seek the “right” procedure that will make you happiest and give you the gratification you are looking for… with regards to your skin care needs and care.

I will never stop learning and I want you my readers to tell me what you want to learn about, what you have questions about, is there things you wouldn’t ask someone face to face (maybe a bit embarrassing in nature) but it’s something you still have a nagging curiosity about? please feel free to ask me!!!

I am not only a Licensed Esthetician, I am also a certified Medical Assistant, a mother to a nearly 9 year old child, I have a highly inquisitive mind myself and if I want to know something… I’m typically one of those people that will either ask or find the truth/answers for myself.  I am not afraid of delving into the unknown to find details and I will be happy to try and attempt to same for you.

DO not be afraid to ask… the only bad question in my opinion is the one not said.

Someday I want my little blog to “grow up” and I have happy thoughts about it not only giving people a view into what I love and what I do every single day… but I also want it to provide you with the information for what you need answered… find a place in your area, wherever that area might be, possibly give reviews for locations in your area, or IF you like someone in your local area… please let me know and post it in the section for that.  I want this to grow and help you… regardless of what that help may consist of.

I hope you will enjoy this blog as much as I am enjoying creating it… and I hope to hear from you! Good or Bad comments are always learned and I do try to improve by even the worse critiques.

Thanks!

Jamie

 

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. ~ Confucious

Useful Machines and Tools…

This is to cover the many essential and often times overlooked “electric” machines that you will find in most Spas and Esthetic rooms you visit.

MAGNIFYING LAMPS (LOUPE)

The magnifying lamp (also referred to as a loupe pronounced “loop”) magnifies the face or body part to help the Esthetician see, treat, and analyze the skin.  The lamp uses a cool fluorescent light bulb.  The magnyfying has various powers known as diopters. Most lamps in the industry come in values of 3, 5, and 10 diopters, which means 30 times the power of magnification, 50 times the power of magnification or 100 times the power of magnification.

When the Esthetician or Technician is using this over your face for a long period, you should have something covering your eyes, preventing the blight light from bothering you.

WOOD’S LAMP

Developed by an American physicist Robert Williams Wood, it filters black light that is used to illuminate fungi, bacterial disorders, pigmentation problems, and other skin problems.

The Wood’s lamp allows the Esthetician to conduct a more in-depth skin analysis, illumination skin problems that are ordinarily invisible to the naked eye.  Under the lam, different conditions show up in various shades of color.  For instance, the thicker the skin, the whiter the fluorescence will be.  Pigmentation that shows up under the Wood’s lamp cannot be completely lightened with products or treatments because the pigmentation is in the dermis. (The thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis that forms the true skin).

Following are some examples of skin conditions and how they appear under the Wood’s lamp:

• thick corneum layer – white fluorescence
• horny layer of dead skin cells – white spots
• normal, healthy skin – blue/white
• dehydrated skin – light violet
• oily areas of the face or comedones – yellow or sometimes pink
• pigmentation problems – brown

When a Wood’s lamp is being used properly, the room must be totally dark. (NO LIGHT WHATSOEVER)

STEAMER

Many Estheticians consider a steamer one of the most important machines used in esthetics.  There are many benefits to steaming the skin.  Steam helps to stimulate circulation. It also softens sebum and other debris. The warmth relaxes the skin and tissues, making it easier for the Esthetician to extract comedones.  Stema can be beneficial for the sinuses and congestion.  Steamers with ozone (O_{3 )} may have an antiseptic effect on the skin that is beneficial in treating acne and problematic skin.

Still you should be aware that if your skin if inflamed or overly sensitive, too much steam isn’t a good thing; because it dilates the capillaries and follicles, causing more redness and irritation.

Steamers come in a wide variety of styles and shapes and sizes.  They should only be used with distilled water or filtered water, due to the mineral and calcium deposits in tap water that can damage a machine.  The vapor is directed towards the skin’s surface by a nozzle at the end of the arm.  Steamers usually have a place for an aromatherapy ring on the inside of the nozzles hard, and they may have a special feature for oils as well.

Please keep in mind, THIS IS YOUR facial/procedure, you have the control over what is happening to your face.  Your Esthetician should never be too far from you during a steaming procedure and you should be given the knowledge on how to push away said steamer nozzle in the chance she/he has to step away during a longer period of time while you are laying on the table during treatment.  WHY? If the steam becomes too hot, if you start to feel claustrophobic (which does occur frequently) you need to be able to voice this, if your Esthetician is stepping away, then you should be informed to know how to get the steam out of your face or at least further away to lesson the heat and feeling that you are having a hard time breathing.

Steamers are suppose to help you relax, if you are in a panic mode, this isn’t what is suppose to happen, and make sure you feel comfortable with how the steamer feels and where it’s aimed onto your face/skin.

 

VACUUM MACHINE

The vacuum (suction) machine serves 2 main functions.  One is to suction the dirt and impurities from the skin.  The other is to stimulate the dermal layer and blood circulation.  This function thought to help reduce the appearance of creases, such as laugh lines and improve the overall appearance of the skin.

This machine can be used after desinscrustation (see Galvanic Skin Therapy or Treatments…) Is can also be used in place of the facial massage.  It should never be used on couperose skin with distended or dilated capillaries or on open lesions.  Glass and metal suction cups come in different sizes and shapes depending on their use.

 

SPRAY MACHINES

Spray mists are beneficial in calming and hydrating the skin.  The machine is part of the vacuum machine and is attached  via a hose that is connected to a small plastic bottle with a spray nozzle.  This bottle can be filled with a freshener solution or toner (1 part toner; 2 parts distilled water) to gently mist the client’s face after cleansing or another treatment step, such as the facial massage.

Lucas Sprayer: 

Invented by Dr. Lucas Championniere. It is the most unique of all atomizers and sprays.  The Lucas sprayer is used to apply a very fine mist of plant extracts, herb teas, fresheners, or astringents.  The mist is excellent for treating dehydrated, mature, and couperose skins.  The mist can be used warm, to increase blood flow to the skin’s surface, or it can be used cool to calm couperose skin.

 

PARAFFIN WAX HEATER

The paraffin wax heater is used to create a warm paraffin mask for hydrating dry skin.  This device allows the Esthetician to provide a treatment that offers quick results, but it lasts only for a limited period of time.  Heated paraffin is applied to the face, creating an occlusive mask to hold in body heat and promote penetration of underlying products.  The result is a hydrating and relaxing treatment that gives you a glowing complexion.  This is popular with women who want to look their best instantly, especially for special occasions.

DO NOT mistake this as the same paraffin wax treatments you might currently be aware of for your hands and feet; albeit it in the same “family” of waxes, the paraffin wax that is placed onto the face is entirely different with special additives specially designed for your face.  I do not recommend you attempting or trying to use your paraffin wax that you have for your feet or hands, this could be a huge mistake and cause damage or difficulty in removing said wax from your face.

Electrotherapy & Contraindications

ELECTROTHERAPY:

This is the use of electrical devices for therapeutic benefits.  It is important to be familiar with machines even if you choose not to work with them.

It is important to understand to be familiar with machines even if you aren’t sure or don’t think they are “right” for you.  Electrical devices enhance the skin by making it easier to give a skin analysis, achieve better product penetration, or sanitize the skin.  These tools are especially effective for challenging skin conditions.  Machines can be used separately or as a multi-functional tool with many individual machines all on one unit.  Dependent upon the Spa or Esthetician you are seeing will depend upon what you will find in the rooms and being used on your skin.

New machines and technology are emerging yearly.  Estheticians must and should be continuously educating themselves about the latest methods in skin care.  Our clients (you) are typically well informed about the particular procedure they want to have done, and you should expect your Esthetician or Technician to be knowledgeable about what it is they are doing to you or recommending.  Always be sure you are working with licensed and well educated professionals.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: 

There are several contraindications for electrotherapy.  Preventing physical harm to ones client is and always should be number one.  Please make sure you are aware of ALL the below reasons why you may not be a great candidate for any skin care that pertains to an electric machines.

If you have the below conditions, please seek your doctors approval, plus bring a “note” from said doctor indicating why they feel it’s a good treatment, even though you may fall within the below contraindications.  Otherwise, a licensed professional will typically never perform these procedures if they are made aware of your below conditions.

• heart patients
• clients with pacemakers
• metal implants
• pregnancy
• epilepsy or seizure disorders
• if you are afraid of electric current (you may create anxiety attacks)
• open or broken skin
• metal braces on your teeth

There may also be more contraindications for each individual machine depending on the manufacturers guidelines and therefore the above list is ONLY an overall list of the main factors of why you may not qualify for these procedures. Always understand that we are here to help you with your skin care, therefore we don’t want to cause harm or permanent damage to you in any way.  We want you to be happy with the results and overall experience.

 

High-Frequency Machines…

This is a machine I like.  I have found when I get that “one” stubborn pimple or area on my face that has came in the most inopportune time, this machine has helped me rid said issue much faster without a lot of redness, and long waiting for it to go away on it’s own.  You need to be aware if you do use this, it may and can dry that are of your face out; you should be using a good skin care regime that will help assist you with making said dryness a thing of your past.  If used properly this machine is a great tool!

HISTORY: 

High frequency current was developed in the late 1800’s by renowned scientist Nikola Tesla. While it offers a number of functions, prior to the invention of “modern” antibiotics, it was largely used for medical purposes such as an anti-bacterial treatment for strep throat and other infections.

By the 1970’s, high frequency was being used by European spas and salons, they discovered cosmetic and healing benefits of the electrical stimulation and by 1980, the the technology became widely used in North America by skin care professionals.

HOW IT WORKS: 

High Frequency machines are utilizing alternating or sinusoidal currents (sy-nuh-SOYD-ul KUR-unt).  The oscillating circut passes through a divice that allows for the selection of the Tesla pulse current.  This current can produce a frequency of 60,000 to 200,000 hertz, depending on how it is regulated.  Remember that the frequency indicates the repetition of the current per second.  Because high frequency current is capable of chaning polarity 1,000 times per second, it basically has no polarity and in effect does not produce chemical changes.  THis makes product penetration physically impossible.  Product penetration is achieved by using galvanic current (see Galvanic Skin Therapy or Treatments…) The high frequency creates Ozone and this has a germicidal action on the skin.

The rapid oscillation created by the high frequency machine vibrates water molecules in the skin.  This can produce mild to strong heat effect.  It is important to note that esthetic high frequency devices have mild effect.  An exampleof stronger reaction is seen in thermolysis (thru-MAHL-uh-sus), which is used for electrolysis.

This machine is a useful and versatile esthetic tool.  Which can be applied after extractions or used over a product.

Benefits the skin in the following ways:

• has an antiseptic effect on the skin
• stimulates circulation
• helps oxygenate the skin
• increases cell metabolism
• helps coagulate and heal any open lesion after extraction by sparking it with a mushroom electrode
• generates a warm feeling that has a relaxing effect on the skin

HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRODES: 

During manufacturing process, most of the air is removed from the high frequency electrodes, creating a vacuum in the tube.  The air is replaced, mainly with neon gas.  However, some electrodes may also contain argon gas.  As electricity passes through these gases, they emit visible shades of light.  Neon gas produces a pink, orange, or red light.  Argon or rarified gas produces blue or violet light.  Sometimes these lights are inaccurately called “ultraviolet” or “infrared” because of their colors.  However, there are no infrared or ultraviolet rays in high frequency.

There are several types of direct or indirect electrodes available for your esthetician to use.  Each has a unique or special benefit and features that produce specific physiological reactions in esthetic treatments.

THINGS TO BE AWARE OF: 

High Frequency should not be used on clients who:

• have couperose skin or inflamed areas
• clients that are pregnant
• have pacemakers
• heart problems
• high blood pressure
• braces
• epilepsy

To avoid being burned, you should avoid contact with metal during electrical treatments.  You should be aware of what you are wearing and remove all jewelry prior to your treatments.

*some details above were taken from “Milady’s Standard Esthetics: Fundamentals 10th Edition” .

Galvanic Skin Therapy or Treatments…

HISTORY: 

The use of electrical current is named after Italian physician and physicist Luigi Galvani. The first practical use was as a form of electrolysis or hair removal in the late 1800’s. Since then, its primary use has been as a noninvasive means for topical penetration of medications for therapeutic purposes. Low-level galvanic current has been used in skin-care protocols by professionals for the past 50 years.

WHAT IS IT? 

Galvanic uses two polarities—positive and negative current. Most apparatus have a separate electrode for each. One electrode is held by the person receiving the treatment, while the other is maneuvered around the skin by the technician administering the treatment. This creates a simple circuit.
The current, depending on the polarity and the acidity or alkalinity of the product, causes a chemical reaction when the electrode is applied.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Galvanic Current is used to create 2 significant reactions in Esthetics:

• Chemical: desincrustation (des-in-krus-TAY-shun) 
• Ionic: iontophoresis (eye-ahn-toh-foh-REE-sus)

The Galvanic Machine converts the alternating current received from an electrical outlet into a direct current.  Electrons are then allowed to flow continuously in the same direction.  Creating a relaxation response that can be regulated to targe specific nerve endings in the epidermis.

It is common and quite normal for the machine to leave a metallic taste in your mouth.

DESINCRUSTATION:

Estheticians use desincrustation (anaphoresis; an-uh-for-EE-sus) to facilitate deep pore cleansing.  During this process, galvanic current is used to create chemical reaction that emulsifies or liquefies sebum* and debris.  This treatment is beneficial for oily or acne skin because it helps soften and relax the debris in the follicle before extractions.

In or to perform desincrustation, an alkaline-based electronegative solution solution is placed onto the skin’s surface.  This solution helps soften the sebum and follicles for deep pore cleansing.  The solution is formulated to remain on the surface of the skin rather than being absorbed.  When the Esthetician is conducting desincrustation, the client holds the positive electrode, the positive polarity.  The Esthetician uses the negative electrode, set on negative polarity, on the face.  This creates a chemical reaction that transforms the sebum or the skin into soap – a process known as saponification (sah-pahn-ih-fih-KAY-shun).  Soap is made from fat and lye (sodium hydroxide).  When the electrical current interacts with the salts (sodium chloride) in the skin, it creates the chemical known as sodium hydroxide – or lye.  This soapy substance helps dissolve excess oil, clogged pores, comodones*, and other debris on the skin, while softening it at the same time.

IONTOPHORESIS:

Is the process of using electric current to introduce water-soluble products into the skin.  The process allows Estheticians to transfer, or penetrate, ions of an applied solution into the deeper layers of the skin.  Ions are atoms or molecules that carry an electrical charge.  Current flows through conductive solutions from the positive and negative polarities.  This process is known as ionization (eye-ahn-ih-ZAY-shun) the separating of a substance into ions.

Theoretically, iontophoresis is based on universal laws of attraction.  For example, negative attracts positive, and vice versa.  Similar to magnetic response, iontophoresis creates an exchange of negative and positive ions or charges.

The process of ionic penetration takes two forms:

• Cataphoresis (kat-uh-fuh-REE-sus): refers to infusion of a positive product.
• Anaphoresis: refers to the infusion of a negetive product.

***to always avoid health complications or harm to the skin, you should not be having the Galvanic Current procedures when you have the following conditions: 

• metal implants or a pacemaker
• braces
• heart conditions
• epilepsy
• pregnancy
• high blood pressure, fever, or any infection
• diminished nerve sensibility due to diseases such as diabetes
• open or broken skin (wounds, new scars) or inflamed pustular acne
• couperose* skin or Rosacea
• chronic migraine headaches

Sebum: an oily/waxy matter,secreted by microscopic glands in the skin called sebaceous glands

Comodones: blackheads

Couperose: skin that has dilated or has broken capillaries.

**The details above were taken from “Milady’s Standard Esthetics: Fundamentals 10th Edition” .

REVIEWS for SPAS, Salons, and Professionals in the business…

I am wanting you to take your time and give me details about your visits to your favorite spots… the best Salons, Spas and the professionals you have come into contact with!

I want to provide these details for anyone to use, and maybe it will help you find a great location and professional that might have otherwise been overlooked without your help.

If you had a bad experience, please feel free to critique, however, please do not be mean.  Just let us know what you thought without bashing and being vulgar.  If there is anything nasty or vulgar I will have to delete your posts, and I truly don’t want to do that.

Please give the information about the professionals, the Spas, the salons and anything else you liked.  The item on the menu you tried and have tired and what you liked about it.  Tell us why you’d definitely go back… and Maybe something you would like to try when you DO go back the next time! I would like to give shout outs to the great professionals and I hope this page will one day do this as well!

Thanks for taking the time!!!

If you’ve visited me… Please review my services:

This area I am going to leave more open.

I want to be able to have an open forum for ANYONE that has been treated by me already or will hopefully want to come see me in the future as well.

I want to ask if you plan to post a reply to this part of my blog that you only be honest, truthful and please don’t cut corners.  Details are great.  I want to know if I was a great Esthetician, and I am also want to know if I need improvement!  I know without solid knowledge in my abilities and knowing I am screwing up… I cannot improve and make the best experience possible for my clients.

SO please… by all means give it to me… obviously I HOPE that they will always be great… but, I will always be just as happy with someone being honest and telling me what I need to do to improve.  Please refrain from just being mean.  I like to know I need improvements, however, we all have to deal with so much negativity in this big world… I just don’t want my blog to become a sporting event to put me or others down.

So… please let me know what it is I did, the service that is. When it was, what you liked, anything you enjoyed… please feel free to say what you want.  If there could be room for improvement… please tell me! I am ready for the good and the bad!

***THIS PART OF MY BLOG IS ONLY FOR REVIEWS ON ME***

I will be placing an additional page for you to review Spas, Estheticians in your particular area and places to miss and places to definitely make sure we visit and whom to ask for!!! So please feel free to use that part of my blog too! I want this to be user friendly and add to everyone’s experience, not just me and my own benefits, I want to help others in my profession as well!

So thank you everyone for taking the time to give me your critiques. 🙂

Fitzpatrick Scale?

Fitzpatrick Scale (aka Fitzpatrick skin typing test or Fitzpatrick phototyping scale) is a numerical classification schema for the color of skin. It was developed in 1975 by Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, a Harvard dermatologist, as a way to classify the response of different types of skin to UV light. It remains a recognized tool for dermatologic research into the color of skin.

It measures several components: Genetic Disposition, Reaction to Sun Exposure and Tanning Habits

THE FITZPATRICK SCALE: 

• Type I (scores 0-7) White; very fair; freckles; typical albino skin – Always burns, never tans

• Type II (scores 8-16) White; fair – Usually burns, tans with difficulty

• Type III (scores 17-25) Beige; very common – Sometimes mild burn, gradually tans to a light brown

• Type IV (scores 25-30) Beige with a brown tint; typical Mediterranean Caucasian skin – Rarely burns, tans with ease to a moderate brown.

• Type V (scores over 30) Dark brown – Very rarely burns, tans very easily

• Type VI Black – Never burns, tans very easily, deeply pigmented.

EXAMPLE OF A FITZPATRICK SKIN TYPING CHART: 

http://www.hollywoodtansatlanta.com/The_Fitzpatrick_Skin.pdf

You will find that as you answer the questions on the link provided above, it will eventually link you to the above scale.  Just dependent upon what you answer truthfully.  Please note, not everyone will land where you “assume” you will just by the above scale.  I myself tend to be quite “fair” however, because of my genetics, and my skin coloring I fall more into the “Type III” area.  However, when we analyze skin types, typically we tend to rate you on a lower number, for safety and making certain not to cause or create skin issues during any kind of procedure, especially if it’s your first visit with your Esthetician.  It’s very common to weigh on the lower number, until we “get to know” your skin better.

Microdermabrasion: the History & What-Not…

 

HISTORY:

(Precursors to Microdermabrasion)  The concept of abrading the skin, or removing the upper layers, for skin rejuvenation dates back as far as 1500 BC, when Egyptian physicians used a type of sandpaper to smooth scars.  More recently, in the early 1900’s in Germany, Doctor Kromayer used rotating wheels and rasps to remove the upper layers of the skin.  It was Kromayer’s passion to perfect a practical device to help small pox victims minimize the disfigurement of scarring from this epidemic.  Because these instruments were human-powered, they weren’t very easily operated and therefore not used very often.  In the mid 1950’s motorized wire brushes replaced their human-powered predecessors and the use of dermabrasion became a more commonplace. There were, sadly, many problems with dermabrasion during these times, including:

• Pain – the procedure had to be performed with anesthesia.
• Long downtime – the top layers of the skin had to heal back in and this took weeks.
• Scarring – even though dermabrasion was used to treat scarring, it often caused scars to develop.
• Wound care – Taking care of the denuded (or stripped down) skin was a lengthy and a difficult process.
• Infection – The risk of infection with abraded (or scraped) skin was high.
• Danger to practitioner – The abraded skin particles were aerosolized exposing the practitioner and staff to possible infection.

Modern Microdermabrasion: In a response to the risks of dermabrasion, the first microdermabrasion machine was developed in 1985 in Italy by Doctor’s Mattioli and Brutto. This first machine was a “closed-loop” system, meaning the skin that was abraded was returned to a “dirty” container in the machine instead of being aerosolized. Microdermabrasion machines were introduced in America by Mattioli Engineering in the mid-late 1990’s, and the production of microdermabrasion machines has exploded.

What is it? Answer: 

A cosmetic procedure that can be performed at a spa or dermatologist’s office. A technician uses a machine to rapidly discharge super-fine crystals onto the skin’s surface, removing the outermost layer of the Stratum Corneum (The top layer of the skin, or the uppermost layer of the epidermis, made up of tightly packed cells that are constantly being sloughed away). The crystals are then vacuumed away. The treatment is not painful, and there is no recovery time. It is best for those with non-inflamed acne, many blackheads and/or whiteheads.

The precursor to the machines we typically see in the market now at most day Spas and Dermatologists offices are similar to the machines that were approved by the FDA, for usage in America in 1994; being originally developed by the above mentioned doctors from Italy, in 1985, their company: Mattioli Engineering.

By 2005 Microdermabrasion was one of the top 5 Esthetic procedure performed in the U.S.  There were approx. 150,000 recorded procedures performed that year, which was an increase of 26% from 2003.  With this procedure growing in popularity every year, there have been advances to the safety and how its administered and what you can do along with a microderm.

There are typically two kinds: a micro crystal that is used or a diamond tip.

• Crystal Machines:    The first microdermabrasion machines worked by circulating a cream infused with exfoliating crystals, or aluminum oxide, onto skin. The crystals clean the skin’s top layer, removing dead skin cells. A resurfacing wand massages the top surface and cleans pores. The resurfacing wand has strength levels that can be adjusted by the user. With crystal machines, a handheld device pushes a high-speed flow of aluminum oxide crystals to the skin. While this occurs, a vacuum sucks away dead skin cells, used crystals and dirt.
• Diamond Tip:   Diamond-tipped machines are accompanied by wands of differing sizes and coarseness, which can be used for various skin types of resurfacing depths. The wand’s tip consists of natural diamond chips that resurface and remove dead cells. The cells are then vacuumed back into a waste filter. The diamond tips are easier to control and cause less skin irritation.

FACTS ABOUT CRYSTALS -VS- DIAMOND:

Crystal:   Aluminum oxide crystals are the second hardest mineral after diamonds. Because the crystals have an irregular shape, they are an effective abrader. As an inert material, the crystals cause no allergic reactions and are non-carcinogenic.
Diamond:   Diamond-tipped machines are accompanied by wands of differing sizes and coarseness, which can be used for various skin types of resurfacing depths. The wand’s tip consists of natural diamond chips that resurface and remove dead cells. The cells are then vacuumed back into a waste filter. The diamond tips are easier to control and cause less skin irritation.

There is some controversy about using aluminum oxide. Most doctors, however, agree that using the crystals for skin resurfacing is safe. The older crystal machines, however, are slowly being phased out and replaced with diamond-tipped microdermabrasion. While diamonds leave no chance of crystal damage or ingestion, the machines are not without risk, such as damaging the skin or scarring. Bacteria from the skin being exfoliated remains on the wand’s tip and could be spread to other areas. This type of machine is also less effective on irregular surfaces, since there are no crystals for an exact fit. The price for both machines is about the same, ranging from $75 to $200 per treatment (please keep in mind this is “average” cost, not what it may or may not cost in your area).

BENEFITS: 

• Immediate results and continuing improvement
• Equally effective for all *Fitzpatrick Skin Types
• Causes no or minimal patient discomfort
• Produces no side effects
• No anesthesia or recovery time required
• Can be performed quickly (about 15 to 20 minutes)
• Patients return immediately to daily activities
• More affordable than laser, surgery or other methods

INDICATIONS FOR USE:

• Sun-damaged skin
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Acne scars and some other forms of scarring
• Enlarged or oily pores
• Blackheads and whiteheads
• Age spots/superficial pigmentation/Hyperpigmentation
• Post-traumatic pigmentation
• General exfoliation/rejuvenation
• Adjunctive to cosmetic surgery
• Blending post-lasered skin
• Uneven skin tone
• dullness skin from aging
• Keratosis Pilaris** (seen as skin bumps)
• Some stretch marks
• A Brief History of Microdermabrasion

BENEFITS TO USING MICRODERMABRASION:

• Improvement in Sun-damaged skin
• Smooths Out Fine lines and Wrinkles
• Improves or Removes Age Spots
• Improves or Removes Hyperpigmentation***
• Evened Pigmentation
• Reduces or Removes Acne scars (and other forms of scarring)
• Improvement in Enlarged or oily pores
• Removal, Improvement or Cleanses Blackheads and Whiteheads
• Improves Post-traumatic Pigmentation
• General Exfoliation/Rejuvenation
• Adjunctive to cosmetic surgery
• Blended post-laser skin
• Blending and Brightening of Uneven skin tone
• Bring a youthful appearance to dull aging skin
• Improve Keratosis Pilaris (rough skin bumps)
• Improve Some stretch marks

MICRODERMABRASIONS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED OR USED FOR: 

• If you are currently using or in the past 12 months been using any form of prescription acne medications such as:  Isotretinoin is the Generic form, however, there are MANY prescription acne meds, BEFORE you do any skin care procedure you should consult your regular primary care physician to confirm you are okay’d to do said procedure.
• If you’re taking any topical Retinoids;  These can make your skin more susceptible to irritation. (Other topical acne treatments can too, so tell your technician about everything you’re using on your skin.)
• You have moderate to severe inflammatory acne.Microdermabrasion isn’t the treatment of choice for inflammatory acne.
• Any kind of Steroid. You might have been on it for a sore throat, a bladder infection or a virus of some kind, however, if it’s been within the past month, make sure your technician performing the procedure is aware, because dependent on how long ago it was, you might need to wait another week or two.  Steroids can make your skin very fragile, and we never want to create an issue with damaging the skin.
• ANY kind of medication that indicates Avoid long amounts of sun exposure, this happens often in antibiotics, it’s typically a short time you are taking said medications.  But if you have to avoid the sun, chances are it’s making your skin more fragile.
• Your doctor nixes the idea. If you’re under a dermatologist’s care for acne, check with your doc first. You’ll want to get the OK before having a microdermabrasion treatment done.  This is for your own safety and well being of your skin!

**Please note: this is only a short list of reasons why you shouldn’t be getting this procedure done.  Please keep in mind when scheduling to make such an appointment with your local Esthetician or day spa for a Microderm, you need to be honest and complete the forms they give you.  IF you are in fact not a candidate that day, please try to understand the reason why we choose NOT to give you said procedure.  We want you to have a good experience, enjoy the results.  If you push to have this done and you are taking some of these medications or are hiding something about your skin, then you are taking a chance in permanently damaging your skin forever.  Bottom line is we want to please our clients and when it gets right down to it, we want you to come back and be a happy customer…

*The Fitzpatrick Scale (aka Fitzpatrick skin typing test or Fitzpatrick phototyping scale) is a numerical classification schema for the color of skin. It was developed in 1975 by Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, a Harvard dermatologist, as a way to classify the response of different types of skin to UV light. It remains a recognized tool for dermatologic research into the color of skin. (see post with better more defined details)

**Keratosis Pilaris (KP, also follicular keratosis) is a common, autosomal dominant, genetic follicular condition that is manifested by the appearance of rough bumps on the skin. It most often appears on the back and outer sides of the upper arms (though the lower arms can also be affected), and can also occur on the thighs, hands, and tops of legs, flanks, buttocks, or any body part except glabrous skin (like the palms or soles of feet).  Less commonly, lesions appear on the face, which may be mistaken for acne.

***Hyperpigmentation is the increase in the natural color of the skin.

Evolution

Evolution.

An amazing photographer… his work is definitely a look see… there is so much artistic creativity in his work… he truly has an “eye” for saying so much with a simple photograph…

often times he seems to magically make taking a photograph too easy… I find for me… photography can be so captivating, and definitely Aesthetically pleasing for the mind, eye, and our emotions… you can see into the photographers expression, how they might even be feeling as they photograph their images.  Photography is a living, breathing, ever changing… catching ONE special moment and being able to feel so much with that one shot…  that’s true art.

He’s definitely got the gift and it only gets better… please if you have a moment… take the time and appreciate some amazing art!