Collagen Archives | The Beauty Saint

Skin Care

October 5, 2018

My Experience With The Hollywood Peel

As an educator for Dermaesthetics, I often attend and support events with our local partners, which is not only one of my favorite aspects of the job, it’s also a great avenue for exploring advancements in aesthetics. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Li Plastic Surgery during their annual patient appreciation event. Dr. Ka Ming Li offers surgical procedures while his incredibly sweet and talented RN wife, Dawn Li, performs non-surgical aesthetic procedures and consults s patients on unique treatment options.

My primary skin insecurities are melasma and volume loss, so during a break in the event, I spoke to Dawn about viable treatment methods. She educated me on the features and benefits of Radio-Frequency Microneedling and the Spectra Laser. While I’ve learned microneedling can effectively treat melasma, it’s rare for lasers to be FDA approved methods, as heat exacerbates melasma. Dawn decided to demo both treatments and asked if I was interested in testing out the Spectra – I’m certain I said yes before she could complete the question, haha.

* SPECTRA FEATURES & BENEFITS *

The Spectra is often referred to as “The Hollywood Peel” as there is zero downtime with immediate illuminating results. It’s designed to treat acne and hyperpigmentation/Melasma, and also effectively removes tattoos . The laser has 4 specific wavelengths that penetrate into the dermis to stimulate collagen production, break down pigment, and reduce sebum production for an instant boost to skins firmness and radiance. Post-procedure, you’ll experience refined pores, reduced inflammation, and overall improved skin tone and texture. In addition to these benefits, the real selling point is that it’s said to be virtually painless.

* MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE HOLLYWOOD PEEL *

After removing my makeup, Dawn applied a carbon based lotion on my face that is similar in appearance to a clay mask. The carbon lotion absorbs the lasers heat while simultaneously allowing the laser to penetrate the skin and work its magic. Dawn explained I’d hear faint “snapping” sounds when the laser established contact with the carbon, but assured me not to be alarmed. I was also given a cooling wand to follow along with the laser to mitigate any potential discomfort. To my surprise, on a scale of 1-10, the level of activity I experienced was barley a 1!

The entire procedure was only 15 minutes or so and I was able to wear makeup immediately after. I would typically allow my skin to “breathe” after a treatment, but we were still working the event so I had to look presentable, haha. Thus far, I’ve experienced a beautiful glow to my skin, lightened hyperpigmentation, and reduced pore size. It also effectively minimized the size of a keloid I’ve had on my nose for years. I also feel more firm and supple which has created a lifted appearance in the lower half of my face. The effects appear to be improving over time which has been quite the pleasant surprise! I’ve also been layering the EGF and DNA Serums from Dermaesthetics along with our Colorlite Plus Gel and White Cotton Cream to achieve optimal treatment results.

Several of my friends have asked what I’m doing differently with my skin as they’ve noticed an improvement in the texture and tone of my complexion. Needless to say, I am very pleased with the results and highly recommend The Hollywood Peel to anyone seeking restoration of their youthful complexion. I especially recommend this treatment to anyone struggling with Melasma as there are very limited options available to us.

* TIPS *

Similar to most treatments, you’ll receive optimal results with a series of sessions spaced as little as 7 days apart. Your clinician will determine the best course of action based on the severity of the skin concern being treated, but you should anticipate committing to at least 3 treatments. Pricing varies on location and discounted rates are typically offered with packages.

Should you happen to reside in the San Gabriel Valley, I highly recommend Li Plastic Surgery for The Hollywood Peel. Dr. Li offers a variety of surgical procedures while Dawn administers Botox, a variety of fillers, High-Frequency Microneedling, and chemical peels. Their entire staff is lovely and well-versed in all things aesthetics, so you can absolutely trust them with your pretty face. I’ve observed Dawn perform a number of treatments and injectables which all resulted in satisfied patients, and Tina, their Aesthetician, is truly a skin expert you can trust.

You can also purchase Dermaesthetics post-procedure products directly from them to ensure your skin heals properly, and don’t forget to tell my girls I sent you in when you schedule your consultation!

Remember, great skin doesn’t happen by chance, it happens by appointment!

xoxo

Skin Care

January 22, 2018

Perfecting The Complexion While You Sleep

Hopefully you’ve taken notice of my obsessive rants on washing your face at night and are actually being compliant – if you are, THANK YOU!!! I’m sure you’ve also gathered that I’m also obsessed with regimens. Like the body, your skin rejuvenates itself while you sleep, so maintaining a healthy nighttime regimen is a great way to effortlessly perfect the complexion while you snooze – helllloooo, that’s why it’s called “beauty sleep”!

Depending on my mood, the products I use at night differ from the ones I use in the AM. I tend to layer on more serums and a heavier moisturizer at night, which ensures I wake up with supple and hydrated skin. You should sleep on your back as to not rub off all those expensive skincare products or cause unnecessary friction on the skin (wrinkle causing). My regimen is detailed below, and I hope it inspires you to create and maintain your own!

CLEANSE
To gently remove makeup, I swear by double-cleansing at night. My first cleanse is an oil based cleanser which easily removes my makeup. The second cleanse is typically an exfoliating one to promote healthy cell turnover. You can use one with a little grit or an exfoliating chemical – glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid are all effective options.

TONE
Stay away from alcohol based toners as they will dry out your skin – i.e. witch hazel. Instead, opt for nourishing toners that suit your skin type. I’m currently obsessed with the Kypwell Signature Flower Mist Toner at night. It refreshes the skin while balancing the PH and smells lovely!

SERUMS
I love to infuse hydrating products before bed. My latest favorite nighttime serum is the Moisture B5 Serum by Dermaesthetics. It provides tons of hydration and makes my skin feel soooo soft! I also struggle with hyperpigmentation and like to layer on a serum to treat it in the AM and PM. I go between a Vitamin C and color correcting serum.

MOISTURIZER
I don’t like to use a heavy moisturizer during the day, but surely love one at night. Depending on what my skin is up to, I may even double up on the moisturizer to treat it with extra nutrients. Lately I’ve been loving the Intensive Retinol Repair by NIA24 as it combats aging and pigment while also hydrating the skin.

The trick to properly applying skincare is to layer based on product consistency – lightest to heaviest provides ideal ingredient infusion. It’s totally fine to adjust your regimen based on your lifestyle and get as creative as you’d like. Should you require guidance on creating a regimen, feel free to send me a message to schedule a virtual skin care assessment. To purchase any of the Dermaesthetics products mentioned here, use the discount code “thebeautysaint” for 10% off any online product purchase 🙂

xoxo

Skin Care

October 18, 2017

Should You Wash Your Face Before Bed?

If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me if they had to wash their face before bed, I’d be…well, not rich, but I’d surely have some decent pocket change, haha. It’s common to skip the nightly cleanse for someone who doesn’t suffer from breakouts and/or doesn’t wear makeup. Nightly cleansing isn’t encouraged strictly because makeup itself is unhealthy, sleeping with the grime of the city on your face is, in my opinion, the bigger issue. It’s frequently suggested that sleeping with makeup on actually ages your skin 7 times faster!

Often times, ingredients in our cosmetics are comedogenic and wreak havoc on the skin when not removed thoroughly. For individuals not breakout prone, cleansing at the end of the day isn’t a priority. Another common mistake is trusting that mineral cosmetics protect your skin from breakouts, even after failing to wash your face before bed. Makeup basically acts as a sponge for soaking up pollutants from the air, so while cosmetics alone may not impact your complexion, pollutants trapped on the skin certainly do.

Air pollutants that affect the skin are smog, soot, tobacco smoke, fireplace/stove emissions, and other types of debris drifting in the air. Similar to UV rays, these pollutants convert to free radicals that damage your cells, steal your youth, and cause disease. Visible damage will present itself in the form of fine lines/wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dulled complexion, and sensitized skin. These pollutants can also exacerbate existing skin ailments, such as, eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

To protect yourself from premature aging and irritated skin, I recommend incorporating the double cleanse method to your nightly routine. Your first cleanse should consist of an oil based cleanser followed by your favorite daily face wash. Proper removal of that grime allows your skin to breathe and cells to regenerate. Your skin will maintain an even tone, elasticity, hydration, and firmness if nourished and allowed to heal while you sleep.

Should you already have visible damage, incorporate an exfoliating cleanser to address your skin concerns. I loooove a good glycolic wash for a deeper cleanse, followed by a balancing toner, nourishing serums, and protective moisturizer. For those nights when you simply can’t muster the strength to double cleanse, keep a pack of makeup wipes on the nightstand. Removing the days pollutants with a wipe is better than no removal at all!

xoxo