The Essential Skincare Correctives You Need in Your Regime

skincare correctives

Skincare Correctives: What Do We Mean When We Talk About These?

You’ve got your basic skincare products: cleanser, maybe a toner, moisturizer, and SPF. But what skincare products do we all need to really see a change in our skin? To see a healthier, clearer, younger-acting skin? These are our essential skincare correctives for almost all skin types and skin concerns.

Retinol

Vitamin A derivatives are a must for almost every single person who walks through our door. Retinol is the only clinally proven skincare ingredient shown to actually reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and if you’re a retinol junkie like us, you know it does that and then some.

Our skin cells naturally regenerate every 28 days when we’re young, that slows down significantally as we age, leading to a build up of dry, dead skin, dullness, dark spots and crepey texture. Acne can also be caused by this build up of dead skin in the pores, forming a “traffic jam” with our sebum leading to congestion. This is why we see so many clients with dry yet acneic skin.

Consistant retinol use keeps the cell turnover going at an excellerated rate. This allows for better absorbtion of other skincare products, a decrease in unwanted pigmentation (sundamage), fewer fine lines and wrinkles, less congestion of blackheads and whiteheads, more hydrated skin, more even skintone, less scarring, production of new collagen and  prevention of collagen loss that we already have and want to keep! That’s pretty fantastic! We joke around here that if you have wrinkles: retinol, acne: retinol, boyfriend dumped you: retinol, and on and on! It really does help EVERYTHING!

The sun can deactivate the vitamin A so it is always recommended to use at night. This also encourages us to cleanse and prep the skin before bed which we all know at this point is crucial for healthy, beautiful skin!

Vitamin C

An absolute must for any Colorado skin, Vitamin C does so many things. Our bodies don’t store or produce Vitamin C and it’s essential for collagen production. It’s also great for lightening hyperpigmentation or sun spots, or just overall brighteing of the skin. Vitamin C can also help reduce chronic redness in the skin as it acts as an anti-inflammatory. Acne is often improved with Vitamin C use as well, as inflammation is a key coomponent of acne.

Hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries and diffuse redness can all be signs of sundamage and that’s important to know living in a state with an elevation like ours.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent and reverse oxidative damage caused by UV rays. The sun, especially at our elevation, causes so much more oxidation (free radical damage) on our skin than that of sea level. We recommend this important ingredient to every person and skin concern we see, even if it’s preventative.

Eye Cream and Neck Cream

These are often at the bottom of the priority list for people and they should absolutely be at the top! The signs of aging on the neck and around the eyes are not only some of the hardest to treat but some of the most common concerns we hear.

The skin around the eyes is the thinnest skin on the body and often lacks active oil glands, combine that with constant motion from smiling, etc. and fine lines, wrinkles and laxity show up quickly!

The neck will often show signs of aging from “tech neck” or the constant position of our heads and necks looking down at out screens all day, everyday. Sleeping also causes creases and wrinkles on the neck and chest from prolonged postitions. The skin on the neck is often neglected when it comes to basic skin care products such as moisturizer and spf leading to a quick onset of lines and wrinkles. The neck and chest are thin and need not only the basics but the corrective skincare treatments just as much as your face. Trust us. You’ll thank us later.

Scheduling a consultation is the best way to learn what medical-grade skincare products are best for you.

What is LED Light Therapy and How Can it Benefit Me?

LED Light Therapy

LED or Light Emitting Diodes, were originally researched and developed by NASA. Researchers found that these lights, absorbed at different wave lengths and colors, helped the wound healing of astronauts in space. Then they discovered that LED’s helped them grow food faster in that same environment.  And now, thankfully, we in the skincare industry have gotten our hands on it to bring you LED Light Therapy!

There is A LOT happening when we place these light panels over your skin. They produce a natural photobiochemical reaction similar to the process of plant photosynthesis and have various biological effects on cells and tissues. They help restore and regain vitality to compromised cells in a natural way. The boost in cellular energy leads to a cascade of wonderful metabolic events!

Blue, red and near-infrared are the most commonly used wavelengths and exactly what our panels provide. These specific wavelengths are well researched and scientifically proven to produce therapeutic benefits.

Blue LED Light Therapy

Blue LED Light Therapy penetrates through the epidermis, or the top layer of skin, and is known to kill P. acnes bacteria and shrink oil glands, not only clearing up existing blemishes, but preventing future breakouts.  We use this setting for all of our acne facials at 4-6 week intervals and 2-3 times a week as a stand alone 30 min treatment for those wanting quicker results in reducing breakouts and inflammation which decreases the  chance of scarring and in some cases may prevent the use of prescription medications.

blue LED Light Therapy
blue led light therapy

Red LED Light Therapy

Red LED Light Therapy penetrates into the dermal layer and has been shown to enhance collagen and elastin production through photobiostimulation of fibroblasts. If you don’t already know, fibroblasst are EVERYTHING! They synthesize collagen and produce the structural framework for our skin. They also play a huge role in wound healing which is why we may use this treatment post laser, micro-needling, chemical peel, etc.

In an observational study using our LED panel to treat facial wrinkles, 80% of participants said they experienced an improvement in skin texture, 77% reported an improvement in skin firmness and 66% reported an improvement in facial wrinkles after 4 weeks.

red led light therapy
red led light therapy

Near-Infrared LED Light Therapy

Near-infrared penetrates deepest and increases micro-circulation (tissue repair), decreases inflammation and helps with pain relief. This wavelength creates a deeply relaxing trance like state and allows you to sit under the panel for long periods of time in deep relaxation!

Our Celluma LED panel is included in every HydraFacial treatment and can be easily added on to many other treatments.

Contact us and schedule a consultation to see if this amazing technology can help you reach your skincare goals!

Essential Pre-Wedding Skincare: Tips to Get That Gorgeous Bridal Glow!

So many people dream of that special day. And 100% of the time, that dream includes gorgeous, glowing skin.

Just like a wedding, beautiful skin takes planning and patience. We love working with Dermatologists because together we can address serious issues such as cystic acne, rosacea, melasma and scarring. And if you’re already starting with non-problematic skin we can keep it that way and get it looking even better!

Here are our pre-wedding skincare recommendations for achieving the skin you want on your BIG day!

Pre-Wedding Skincare Recs:

#1: Come in for a professional consultation

This is the first place any bride or groom should start on their journey to gorgeous skin. Ideally this would happen 6-12 months before the wedding date. Skin issues can be stubborn and take time to remedy. The sooner we start, the more relaxed the process will be. We can address all of your skin concerns, set up a scheduled timeline of treatments and start you on a premium skincare regime at home.

If you’re considering injectables for dark circles, wrinkles or to add volume to the face, start sooner than later. A good injector will need time to see what and how much of a product works.

#2: Stay consistent with your skincare regime

A consistent morning and evening skincare regime is what will give you long term results. Many home-care products work better over time, so you must be diligent and consistent! While these products are often medical-grade and very active, they are going on the skin and take time to penetrate and achieve desired results. This is also why it’s important to start this journey early on so we can see what works and what doesn’t in your home-care regime.

#3: Set up a skincare treatment plan and stick to it

Together we will create a timeline of treatments best suited to your needs. Every person is different and has different issues to address. If your concern is acne, you may need to have an exfoliating and extracting treatment done every 2-6 weeks to get it under control.

If Laser Hair Removal is at the top of your priority list, it’s important to start 6 months to 1 year before the big day, depending on the area being treated.

Other skin concerns require monthly or every other month treatments.

A month or 2 before your wedding, we will really “fine tune” your skincare plan, making sure you look your absolute best!  Laser Genesis gives the skin a beautiful rosy glow right before the special event. HydraFacial can plump and hydrate the skin a few days before and AquaGold gives a luxurious “Red Carpet” luminous, finishing touch to skin about a week before the big day.

#4: Don’t neglect your neck, decollete’ and back

Chances are you’ll be wearing something that will highlight one or all of these areas. The skin in these areas can be different from the skin on your face and require different treatment. Talk to your Aesthetician about your vision and your planned attire. We offer many treatments for these often neglected areas. Together we can make you glow from head to toe!

#5: Get your mind and body right!

It’s important to FEEL your best, so let’s talk about stress reduction, healthy diet and water intake. All of these things are important to not only get your skin looking it’s healthiest but to ensure you’re keeping it that way.

Planning a wedding is in the TOP 5 most stressful situations a person can go through, next to moving and death! WOW!

To avoid a complete breakdown, sleep, nutrition and a healthy diet will be a lifesaver and assure your skin is in tip top shape.

Working in western medicine, there truly are no conclusive studies linking nutrition and skin conditions, BUT I think we all know in our hearts and minds that what we put in our bodies shows up on our skin. So through this journey we will discuss what may be effecting certain skin issues and start the process of elimination.

#6: Go with the best makeup artist:

If your looking for an amazing Colorado Makeup artist, I’m linking one here: antlersandrose.com

Brook at Antlers and Rose’ is an amazing makeup artist based out of Vail, Colorado. She is also an amazing stylist, lifestyle blogger, wife, mother and human! Check out her website and all of the services she has to offer. She is simply the best!

pre-wedding skincare

pre-wedding skincare pre-wedding skincare pre-wedding skincare pre-wedding skincare pre-wedding skincare pre-wedding skincare

What are these tiny, red bumps on my arms???

Keratosis Pilaris aka KP is an annoying skin condition that MANY people deal with. September seems to be the high time for weddings which prompted this post. Soooo many brides come to us asking about this condition as they are getting ready to bare their arms in their strapless gowns. Keratosis Pilaris can also appear on the thighs, buttocks and facial skin in children.

What causes KP?

KP is caused by the build up of dead skincells in the follicles, causing a dry, bumpy, sometimes irritated skin surface. Sometimes it shows up as just tiny, red dots. Sometimes it just textural and rough with little to no redness or discoloration. And sometimes it’s both. Our dry, Colorado climate definitly contributes to this skin condition.

So how do we treat KP?

Keratosis Pilaris has no known “cure”, but it is a dry skin condition, therefore, we treat is very similarly. Microdermabrasion is excellent for removing the impacted dead skincells and smoothing the surface. Microdermabrasion also allows the topical treatments to penetrate more deeply. Topical treatments include moisturizers of course to soften the skin and keep it hydrated but also chemical exfoliating products with Glycolic Acid or Salicylic Acid to slowly dissolve the impactions such as Revision Brightening Wash. Chemical peels can also be a great treatment especially if there is discoloration associated with the bumpiness. Children should see a Dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

As always, a consultation is best so we can assess your exact skincare needs.

Accent Aesthetics: 720-420-4090