by ramie | Jul 21, 2020 | accent aesthetics, Aquagold Fine Touch, Dermaplaning, HydrafacialMD
The Importance of Skin Treatments
Summertime in Colorado can be brutal! And by now you know that excessive sun exposure and just UV rays in general, are THE number one cause of aging skin. Mix that with the harsh elements that come and go during these months such as wind, rain, hail, and it’s tough to know what skin treatments are going to be beneficial to the skin versus harmful.
With many advanced aesthetic procedures we want to cause a controlled injury to the skin in order for it to form new cells, colllagen and elastin but that requires time out of the sun and elements for it to heal properly. Us Coloradoans are outside so much more in the summertime that it’s very difficult to take the appropriate amount of time out of these elements for our skin to heal properly. Aggressive skin treatments this time of year can actually cause more damage than when we start. SO…. which skin treatments are beneficial for you this time of year?
Best Skin Treatments For You:
A combination of light physical exfoliation, light yet customizable chemical exfoliation and lots and lots of hydration, antioxidants and peptides! The perfect treatment for any skin woe or just some much needed R&R. Ours includes LED light treatment as well to sooth inflammation, stimulate collagen and kill bacteria! HydraFacial can be done all year round but is especially great for dry, dehydrated, broken out skin.
This treatment is best known for removing the vellus hair or “peach fuzz” from the skin. It also lightly exfoliated dead skin cells. Together it leaves the skin smooth, soft and glowing without compromising the skin’s barrier, therefore no downtime!
Cutting edge, one of a kind technology, AdvaTx does it ALL! Specifically designed to treat undesired vascular abnormalities such as rosacea and facial redness from sundamage. Acne and scars. Hyperpigmentation, melasma, and poikioderma. Fine lines, wrinkles, pore size and unwanted texture. The list goes on and on. What makes this treatment so unique is there is little to no discomfort, little to no downtime and only about 24 hours is recommended until you can be in the elements again. Most clients leave the table looking better than when they got on!
This treatment takes good skin and makes it great! With our special cocktail, Aquagold tightens pores, diminishes fine lines, deeply hydrates and leaves the skin luminous and radiant! Known as a “Red Carpet” treatment, this is an excellent choice before a special event or photos.
If you have any questions about what skin treatments and products are best for YOU this time of year, call us at 720-420-4090 and book a consultation.
by Katherine Bredice | May 22, 2020 | Uncategorized
Mascne is basically acne caused from wearing face masks and face coverings. Something I never thought I’d be wrinting a post on. BUT these are the times we are living in and Mascne is real and probably here to stay, at least for awhile.
SO….Mascne is a type of acne called acne mechanica. Acne mechanica is a form of acne that anyone can get, but it’s especially common in athletes, teenagers and soldiers. Typically these are the people wearing helmets, chin straps, headbands and face masks, but nowadays, this applies to everyone! This type of acne is triggered by excess heat, pressure, friction or rubbing of the skin. Basically effecting skin areas that are under occlusion. Acne mechanica can develop anywhere on the face or body (like the back, shoulders, or buttocks). But right now it’s showing up on my face from constantly wearing a face mask and face shield. And I know this is true for so many of my clients and others.
The combination of sweat and oil under occlusion can lead to the pores becoming clogged and then inflammed. This is a recipe for acne in all different forms. Whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, pustules and papules.
Since this type of acne has clear causes you can try to prevent some of these aggrevators as much as possible:
- Make sure the skin is clean before applying anything onto it
- Do not wear makeup under your mask or face shield
- Try to remove the mask and/or face shield as often as possible to give the skin a break, allowing for air and proper circulation
- Shower or cleanse the skin as soon as possible when you get home
So let’s talk about some great products to help you treat and prevent mascne. PCA BPO (benzoyl peroxide) wash is AMAZING at quickly reducing inflammatory acne and reducing blackheads and whiteheads. This is a better option for oily skin as it can be drying. Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser is a great option for dryer skin types or sensitive skin. PCA Acne Gel can be a great addition to your regimen when your having a flare up OR to prevent one. This is a salicylic acid gel that can be used full-face ( I like to add a pump to my serum or moisturizer ) or as a spot treatment for just the areas breaking out. Salicylic acid is derived from aspirin so you can imagine how effective it is at reducing inflammatory acne. It also kills bacteria and breaks down oily plugs that block the pores. If you are on the dry side, you can add 1 pump of acne gel with 1 pump of Revision Hydrating Serum.
If your not using a retinol nightly, first of all, START! Retinol is our do-it all product! We always recommend it for anti-aging because it helps prevent collagen loss and stimulate collagen production. It does this by increasing cellular turnover. By increasing the cellular turnover, the pores remain less clogged and blocked, reducing acne. So as you can see its a win/win product. If your acne is more advanced and aggressive, extremely inflammed, etc., retinol will also help minimize the appearance of scarring and prevent new scarring. If you are new to using a retinol I recomm Revision DEJ Night. A combination of the infamous DEJ moisturizer and a gentle .25% retinol. Very little to no acclimation with the skin. It is actually quit soothing and anti-inflammatory while providing the cellular turnover result you need. If you are already using a .25% or .5% retinol you can easily bump up to a 1%.
Adding a clay mask 2-4 times a week can make a HUGE difference. Revision Black Mask draws out and absorbs oil while reducing inflammation. This mask also contains some salicylic acid to reduce inflammation and bacteria while providing a lot of antioxidant benefit.
As you can see, inflammation is mentioned over and over again in this post. Inflammation is 1 of 3 major components of acne, the others being oil and bacteria. The reason why i talk about inflammation so much and products that help reduce it is because if we can shut down the inflammation you run less risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and scarring.
If you continue to see breakouts after adding these acne fighting products, we recommend you see a dermatologist or PA at Accent Dermatology. You don’t want to let acne get out of your control!
Please contact us for a consultation if you are struggling with this new and unusual skin concern in this new and uncertain time. 720-420-4090
by Katherine Bredice | May 8, 2020 | Microneedling
Radio Frequency Microneedling is absolutely, hands down, one of my favorite treatments. Microneedling ALONE is fabulous for almost all skin concerns but add in the heat and energy of radio frequency and you’ve got a treatment that smooths lines and wrinkles, pore size and scars, helps reduce acne, inflammmation and sebum AND lifts and tightens the skin! Here at Accent Aesthetics we use INTRAcel, the Ferarri of RF Microneedling devices.
How Does Radio Frequency Microneedling Work?
Put simply, through microneedling and radio frequency technology (bulk heating), Intracel works to introduce a controlled trauma to the skin, which in turn reduces oil and bacteria at the treatment site, but also, and most importantly, promotes collagen repair and renewal.
It does this by using ultrafine needles, 49 needles to be exact, to puncture the skin creating a wound at an exact depth in the skin. The device’s tiny insulated needles then effectively heat the tissue to the desired temperature within microseconds. This wound triggers the body’s natural wound healing process and the bulk tissue heating triggers the skin to constrict and tighten. As the skin heals from these wounds, your body’s collagen production soars, resulting in taut skin. Surface scarring is eliminated and fine wrinkles are softened, if not erased!
As you can see from the pictures the results are extremely exciting! The treatment is typically used for general firming, skin tightening and wrinkle reduction on the face, neck, jaw, upper lip, around the eyes, mouth and jowls. However, it’s equally effective when applied to other areas of the body such as the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and knees.
Not only is this the treatment we recommend for all signs of aging but also an incredible treatment for anyone dealing with chronic, inflammatory acne and the scarring it leaves behind.
How Many Treatments are Needed?
Much depends on the location and general condition of the area to be treated. Typically, however, patients need between 2 and 5 treatments for best results. The treatments are usually spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, although this is relatively flexible.
Right after the first treatment most patients report their skin starting to feel smoother and tighter, but the results will continue to improve for a period of up to six months. As with many cosmetic procedures, the final results tend to vary from person to person and are at least partially determined by the overall health of each patient’s skin and the degree of damage that needs to be addressed.
As it takes years to decades for the skin to lose its firmness and structure, acne to cause scarring, etc., it will take time to rebuild your skin’s layers, but by combining these 2 technologies, your skin has no choice but to “shape up” and look and act young and healthy!
Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have about this amazing treatment! You can also check out several videos of INTRAcel on our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/accentaesthetics1
radio frequency microneedling radio frequency microneedling radio frequency microneedling radio frequency microneedling
by kderry | Sep 6, 2019 | Uncategorized, accent aesthetics, Peels, skincare colorado
Chemical peels can sound scary. “Chemical?”, ” will my face be burned?”, “how long will i peel?”, “what will the peeling be like?”. And of course a reference to Samantha from Sex in the City. Yup, you know that episode.
These are all very good questions and the answers are different for everyone and for every chemical peel.
Why do we love chemical peels? Well…when we’re young our skin cells are constantly turning over and sloughing off naturally, being replaced with new, beautiful skin cells. As we age that process slows down and dead, damaged cells pile up creating the skin we don’t like. Fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, brown spots, dryness, loss of firmness and acne scarring. Chemical peels are also wonderful, low risk treatments for pesky acne and acne scar prevention!
There are many, many types of chemical peels. Alpha Hydroxy Acids, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid. Beta Hydroxy Acid such as salicylic acid. Fruit enzymes such as bromelain and papaine (from pineapple and papaya). TCA, Phenol, the list goes on.
They can also be categorized into superficial, medium and deep. Referring to the level of skin they reach.
What type of chemical peel we use is determined by many things such as skin type, skin color, skin tolerance, skin issue or concern. ie:, acne, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, etc., and also how much “down time” or possible peeling you’re willing to undergo.
Chemical peels are so wonderful because they tend to do many things at the same time. They “burn” the top portion of the skin in a controlled manner, which causes a wound. The body senses this burn/wound and kicks starts your natural wound healing. This process produces new, healthy cells and sends them to the top levels of the skin to replace the damaged ones that will slough or “peel” off. Along the way, collagen is stimulated and the skin takes on a plumper, smoother, brighter appearance. In a sense, chemical peels can not only get your skin healthier and younger looking but they can cause your skin to act younger and healthier.
We absolutely love chemical peels and know you will too. Come see us for a consultation to determine which type is right for you!
Accent Aesthetics: 720-420-4090
