If you are a skincare professional or a skincare junkie, this post will probably bore you. But, we get this question all the time. Mostly from people who are new to skincare and in their defense, these two words DO sound very similar. So lets break it down:
A physical exfoliation done with a scalpel blade. The pressure applied and amount of passes done on the skin determines how much of the top layer gets removed. Most people like dermaplaning for its ability to remove vellus hair or “peach fuzz”.
A physical exfoliation that removes the very outer layer of dead skin. I often compare it to sanding a deck or rough wood. It smooths the surface and allows better penetration of topical products applied. Microdermabrasion is nice for treating superficial texture issues such as pore size and crepeyness and does brighten the skin to a small degree.
There should be no downtime with either of these treatments as they are so superficial. I tell clients to expect to look and feel slightly sunburned for a few hours after IF they are sensitive or if any extractions were done with the treatment.
Dermaplaning vs microdermabrasion Dermaplaning vs microdermabrasion Dermaplaning vs microdermabrasion Dermaplaning vs microdermabrasion Dermaplaning vs microdermabrasion
At Accent Aesthetics we have been treating our clients with the ADVATx for over 2 years. It has quickly become one of our favorite treatments as it offers results with zero down time and can be performed all year round. Below is part of an interview that explains more on why we love this treatment.
Interview with Ms. Trina Barr
A seasoned innovator and recognized expert in medical aesthetics, dedicating the last decade to advancing clinical outcomes and educating the market.
So, initially you used the ADVATx for acne, did you then expand to new indications?
Well, initially it was acne and then vascular. I do a lot of my plasma resurfacing (I was the first to introduce the technology to the United States) and I got great results, but I was unhappy with the transient redness I used to get post-op, so I experimented with the ADVATx and I realized that if I cleared vascular prior to plas-ma resurfacing, I reduced any type of post procedure redness, so I became acutely attuned to pre-treatment vascular muting.
Then, you had a bit of a breakthrough. Can you describe this to us?
I began using both wavelengths in succession and I realized that the clinical end result I was getting confirmed to me that the heat generated by the ADVATx allowed me to get the type of collagen with the right ratios between collagen I and III, elastin and Hyaluronic acid. I am a firm believer that it’s not just about collagen as much as it is about achieving the right ratio! Through previous work, I discovered that, by these combination treatments, if you encompass different layers of the dermis, depending on patient ethnicity and age, and subject them to different temperature levels, fibroblasts are stimulated to produce ratios of response.
And that’s where the ADVATx shines!
With it, we get this brightening effect of true transformation and health, which is what patients want when they come to us: clarity, tone, texture and overall color correction of reds and unwanted pigmentation in a way that is fundamentally different from what you get from a 532 nm KTP or an IPL.
Now that you’ve created this advanced protocol, what do you currently use the ADVATx for?
I use it for Esthetics. By this I mean dermal health. Dermal health first involves overall quality, tone and texture and the ADVATx is its absolute backbone. It’s the Alpha and the Omega, with its ability to target the hallmarks of unwanted inflammation, such as pigmentation, fine lines, crepe skin, enlarged pores, every sign of aging, without significant downtime: It’s the most incredible treatment I’ve offered yet to date!
Do you call it foundational technology because you use it as a foundation to any additional treatment you might provide?
It has become the backbone of any technology that we are offe-ring. We can literally use it to prepare the skin for any additional procedure, even the most aggressive. I can combine the ADVATx with microneedling or bipolar RF, or even fractional CO2. I pretty much use it on all my patients, from the patient just crossing over from a hydrofacial to the hardcore Esthetics enthusiast!
Earlier, you called the ADVATx the Alpha and the Omega. Why?
Because I use it first as a foundation to prepare the skin for other treatments (the Alpha) and then I use it for follow up treatments to remove any residual redness (the Omega). On the strength of this, I’ve trademarked “RPM 360” for restoration, prevention and maintenance, a positive feedback loop for the continuation of care for the patient.
Call 720-420-4090 or click here to schedule a consultation to learn more about how the ADVATx can help give you your healthiest skin!
Here in Colorado, we are constantly battling the effects of the sun on the skin. The sun is the reason we live here but it can wreak havoc, causing sun damage in the form of brown spots, fine lines and wrinkles and chronic redness. Not to mention skin cancer but we’ll leave that to the Dermatologists!
What is Heliocare?
Heliocare Ultra is an oral supplement taken once daily that decreases inflammation in the body and fights off free radical damage. While this is a great thing for anyone in any location, it’s especially important in a state like ours where the UV radiation is so concentrated and intense.
Heliocare’s broad spectrum antioxidant blend is a rare and powerful one. It is derived from a fern native to Central and South America call Polypodium leucotomos. Once an aquatic plant, this fern had to adapt to being a land plant, therefore developing incredible resilance to the sun’s harmful rays. Taken internally it provides HUGE antioxidant and antiinflammatory protection. It even helps block DNA damage and mutation caused by UV radiation which can prevent many, many unwanted side effects.
Studies confirm that the long-term use of Fernblock inhibits photoaging and cancer-forming cells, as well as a decrease in UVB-induced skin changes. We recommend Heliocare Ultra as a powerful addition to your topical skin care regime year-round, but especially in the summer months when sunlight exposure is in its prime.
“Prejuvenation” is just a fun word we use to describe preventative, skin rejuvenation treatments/procedures. It is truly never too early to start preventing a problem. Think about your car- you take it in routinely for maintenance and care to keep it running longer, and your face is no different! Consistent prevention early on can help you maintain a naturally youthful appearance for longer without the need for more invasive or corrective procedures. At the most basic level, prevention starts with home care. A high quality SPF, antioxidant like vitamin C, and a retinol are the absolute must haves for everyone at ANY age.
After good home care, there are a few in office procedures and treatments that we recommend for good “prejuvenation” at any age.
Neurotoxins/neuromodulators (Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, etc)- these relax the targeted muscles to help prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles from dynamic movements. The most common areas we treat include “11s”, upper forehead, around the eyes (crow’s feet), upper lip, DAOs (the muscles on the corner of your mouth that contribute to marionette lines), and platysmal bands (the band like muscles in your neck that give a “turkey neck” appearance. Dosage will vary from person to person depending on age and how you use your face! The best time to start neurotox is BEFORE you ever get a line! Neurotox is truly preventative- it’s purpose is to prevent the motions that cause static lines to form. To some extent you can expect to see some correction of existing fine lines and wrinkles with neurotox, but once a line is deep enough at rest it will never go away with neurotox alone.
Biostimulating Injectables– Collagen and elastin are 2 components that contribute to youthful, glowing, tight/firm skin. Sadly, we start to lose around 1% of collagen per year after our mid 20s, so it is never too early to start replenishing/maintaining those collagen and elastin stores. Sculptra, Hyperdilute Radiesse, Microneedling or Radiofrequency Microneedling, Ultherapy, and Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF), are just a few of the options that can help achieve this. These “biostimulating” (aka collagen stimulating) procedures all work in various different ways to induce collagen synthesis in the skin, which helps combat the annual collagen loss we experience naturally! The results from these procedures look incredibly natural- you look better without being able to pinpoint that you had something done!
Curious about the difference between Retinoids vs Retinol? This is an extremely common question, especially working with Dermatologists. Clients want to know if they should see theDermatologistfor a prescription or use something OTC (over the counter).
The Simple Difference
I like to keep it simple. The way I explain it to my clients is: Retinoids=Prescription strength, Retinol=non-prescription strength. All are Vitamin A. Now there is a lot of wiggle room here as there are a lot of different brands and concentrations out there.
Retinol Example
Retinoid Example
Retinoids vs Retinol Explained
A patient would see a Dermatologist for an Rx retinoid cream such as Tretinoin or Tazorac for conditions such as severe acne, scarring, etc. These are converted to retinoic acid rapidly in the skin and begin the cell turnover process very fast. This is good for getting results quickly.
The downside of these can be, (for some, not all), extreme irritation and dryness. Because it works so quickly and strongly, it runs the risk of degrading the skins barrier function, leading to dryness, redness and overall intolerability. The problem with this is that a lot of clients will not use them consistently, which is crucial for improvement. For example: they will apply it Sunday night and become so dry and irritated for 2-5 days, then use it again once their skin has returned to normal. While this will still give a result, It is uncomfortable and not as efficatious.
Retinol on the other hand takes a bit more time to be converted into Retinoic acid in the skin but sometimes this is a good thing. Our favorite Retinol products fromRevision Skincarearetime releasedso the skin absorbs it in a very controlled manner, decreasing downtime and irritability. It also has several antioxidants including bakuchiol which is a broad spectrum antioxidant that increases the efficacy of the retinol, and contains several other antioxidants to help sooth the skin.
All of the Revision Skincare products contain peptides that do all sorts of things like help the skin hold on to precious moisture and help prevent loss of collagen and elastin, decrease inflammation, lighten hyperpigmentation, the list goes on and on. Revision has been a pioneer in the retinol business.Their products deliver prescription strength results but feel like a nuturing, luxury line.
Vitamin A derivatives are the ONLY product clinically proven to treat fine lines and wrinkles, so regardless of which one you choose, just use it! You will thank me later…
If you are unsure of which retinol to use, come in for a consultation. We are happy to find you the perfect fit for your skincare goals!
Retinoids vs retinol Retinoids vs retinol Retinoids vs retinol
By now, we all know the benefits of Vitamin C and what adding a high quality, medical-grade Vitamin C to your skincare regime can do for your skin health. It is one of the most multi-functional and beneficial correctives you can use!
Some of the benefits of Vitamin C include brightening existing brown spots or hyperpigmentation and preventing new ones, decreasing overall redness in the skin, and preventing fine lines and wrinkles.
Our bodies do not create or store Vitamin C, which is essential for collagen production. Adding Vitamin C topically helps to produce and maintain collagen in the skin, a HUGE anti-aging benefit!
Breaking Down The Benefits of Vitamin C
Lines and wrinkles can form on the skin due to oxidative stress, a disturbance caused by unstable electrons that attack healthy cells and change their structure. Oxidative stress mainly occurs when the skin is exposed to pollutants and environmental aggressors, such as the sun’s UV rays. When an anti-oxidant such as vitamin C is added to the skin, it combats the oxidative stress, slows the aging process and protects the skin.
It’s important to know that not all Vitamin C’s are created equal. As we like to say, “you get what you pay for”. Vitamin C can be highly unstable if exposed to air, heat, etc. Make sure yours is sealed off to air and has been tested extensively for temperature regulation. If not, you are most likely putting something oxidized on your skin, the opposite of what you want.
In addition to ALL of that, we are now finding that Vitamin C topically can boost the efficacy of your SPF by 80%! Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which helps fight off free radicals. The sun’s UV rays being one of the most damaging. Vitamin C and other antioxidants, protect the skin even further from sun damage, therefore boosting the protective power of SPF.
A lot of Vitamin C’s have a low pH, making them irritating to the skin. This could possibly present as red, rashy skin or the product stinging when applied. That is the opposite of what we want to achieve with this product.
A high quality Vitamin C should be more neutral in pH as not to upset the skin’s natural and delicate acid mantle which is essential for keeping the good things in (moisture) and the bad things out (bacteria, free radicals). Revision Skincare’s Vitamin C Lotion is a 30% concentration, time-released formula, and one of the most potent and effective Vitamin C products available.
Schedule a consultation with one of our providers to find out which products can help you achieve your healthiest, most beautiful skin ever!
