by Katherine Bredice | Jun 16, 2020 | accent aesthetics, Botox, Dysport
Neurotoxins aka: neuromodulators, such as Botox, Dysport and Jeuveau are wonderful, magical treatments to prevent and reduce wrinkles. But it’s important to know that every person who foregoes treatment to reduce wrinkles can have very different results. No neuromodulator is exactly the same just as no person who receives it is the same. And results can differ at each treatment. Let’s discuss some factors that may effect your wrinkle reducer results:
1. The Size and Depth of Your Wrinkles
If you’ve had your wrinkles for years to decades, chances are they are deeper or “thicker scowls”. These will probably require more product to correct than fine lines as they are bulkier muscles. This is one of the reasons we recommend starting neurotox treatment when your wrinkles are just appearing when at rest. Fine lines and wrinkles do not generally require as much product.
2. The Area Being Treated
Results in the forehead and between the eyebrows generally last the longest.
3. Your Facial Expressions
Some people, (looking at myself) show every emotion on their face. Some people, (also me) always have a furrowed brow even when not angry, upset etc. Smiling and laughing a lot will also get those lines setting in quicker although we do recommend that! I distinctly remember seeing crow’s feet starting about 6 months after my son was born, just smiling at him all the time. Totally worth it, but it happens!
4. Your Activity Level
This is a huge factor here in Colorado, the land of over-active outdoor enthusiasts! Neuromodulators tends to wear off faster if you are consistently raising your heart rate for long periods of time. Again, we recommend this along with smiling and laughing a lot so it’s just one of things you deal with.
5. Your Personal Metabolism
Your unique body chemistry will process neurotoxin on it’s own time frame. For most people, the effects last 3-4 months.
6. Frequency of Treatment
Our personal opinion with these treatments are: space them out AT LEAST 3-4 months. We strongly feel that when clients get neurotoxin too soon, or before 3 months, the body builds up antibodies to the product and the results dwindle dramatically. It’s easy to get “addicted” to the smooth, wrinkle-less look, but trust me, getting it too soon will not pay off in the end.
7. The Skill and Accuracy of Your Injector
There’s a reason the best injectors are booked out weeks to months. They know that not every face is the same. They assess the clients unique anatomy and inject accordingly.
If neuromodulators are something you are curious about, schedule a consultation with one of our amazing injectors!
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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
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by Katherine Bredice | Apr 29, 2020 | accent aesthetics, skincare colorado
The questions I get asked most when it comes to a personal skincare regime is “what is toner?” and “do I need it?”, and these question have many answers.
What is Toner?
First of all, “Toner” can mean many different things. There are several different types of skincare products that classify themselves as toner and they all do very different things for the skin.
Secondly, every skin is different and has different needs.
For the most part a toner is a watery like product that you apply after cleansing to prep your skin for corrective products. Some will be astringent-like to reduce sebum production and kill bacteria. Others will sooth and calm irritated skin. And some will hydrate. The best ones will do it all!
Do I Need It?
I prefer and would recommend using a “toner” to help spread products on the skin. Good quality, highly active corrective products such as retinol, vitamin c and hydrating serum are not cheap, using the correct “toner” will help them last much longer while providing pH balance.
They should ALL help restore the skins pH post cleanse. The pH of the skin is of the utmost importance when is comes to consistency of home skincare, but that’s for another post…
If you’re oily and or acneic, do not use anything with denatured alcohol in it. Remember Sea Breeze? If you’re over 40 like me, you do. It was the go-to toner in the 80’s and dried the skin out terribly! While that feels and looks good temporarily, drying the skin out disrupts the pH, throws oil production out of whack, causes inflammation and irritation and just makes every skin issue worse. I would recommend oily and acneic skin use a toner with witch hazel.
Good quality witch hazel not only has astringent qualities which fight bacteria and lessen sebum production, but also acts as an anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory which is essential when dealing with acneic skin. Witch hazel is derived from a plant and contains tannins. These tannins are responsible for decreasing swelling, speeding wound healing, warding off infection and the added bonus of antioxidant protection!
We recommend Meg 21 Moisturizing Toner. Witch hazel is only 1 of the stars of this toner. It contains sodium hyaluronate, derived from hyaluonic acid to bind essential moisture to the skin but is a smaller molecule that can more easily penetrate the skin deeply. It also contains several antioxidants, lemon peel for brightening the skin, especially post inflammatory pigmentations from acne, and then of course, their signature ingredient supplemine.
Supplemine is an anti-glycation ingredient, breaking down toxic sugars in the skin before they can break down it’s collagen and elastin, making it the perfect “toner” for anyone fighting aging. It is also the perfect “toner” for anyone fighting with acne because it provides the skin with essential hydration it needs to maintain a healthy pH which helps decrease a KEY component of acne which is inflammation.
Another amazing one we recommend and carry is Revision Skincare Soothing Facial Rinse. This “toner” is a little thicker, still water-like consistency but slightly more dense which I LOVE because I’m SO dry. It contains many plant extracts including algae which leaves the skin smooth and plump, not dry and tight.
Arnica which is high in flavanoids giving it a high antioxidant property, and quickly sooths the skin. Grapeseed extract which is rich in antioxidants to prevent oxidative stress to the skin. Pro-vitamin B5 which intensly hydrates and nourishes the skin. And Vitamin K which speeds wound healing, decreases the appearance of dark spots, bruises and scars.
Using one of these products before my Vitamin C in the morning and my Retinol at night not only help spread the product ensuring I use less and that these correctives last longer, but they also create a blanket of hydration to the skin sealing more moisture in which every skintype desperately needs here in Colorado!
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by kderry | Jan 9, 2019 | Uncategorized
I recently read an article that really made my blood boil. Here it is: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/01/skin-care-secret-wealth/579337/
As a long time Aesthetician, this sort of writing is infuriating. Many of us work very hard to make skin-care accessible to most people. Yes, we have very expensive treatments and products, but we also have products that aren’t expensive and treatments that are very reasonable and we work hard to make consistency EASY by providing things such as discounts on packages, weekly specials, holiday specials, birthday product discounts, annual open house specials, etc., etc.
Look, everyone has their priorities. If your skin is one of them, you will find a way to pay for it. Take for example our family dinner/movie night last weekend, which most people I know, who are NOT rich, do once a month or more:
3 of us. 2 adults, 1 child. Imax movie tickets=$54.00. 2 waters, 1 soda, 1 popcorn and 2 candies=$39. Parking=$7. Dinner and drinks beforehand at a mediocre restaurant downtown=$83 with tip. $183!!! For 3 1/2 hours of our weekend! For $183 our clients can get a complete skincare kit with top of the line cleanser, retinol, vitamin C lotion, and tinted or non tinted SPF. Or many other combinations of beautiful, prescription strength, high potency skincare products that will last them 3-6 months! If you break that down per month its less than $50/month for amazing, everyday skincare that will actually change your skin. For $183 or LESS, you could have an amazing Hydrafacial or one of many chemical peels, among several other treatments that will give you great results. Plus you can stay home and rent Netflix and make grilled cheese and soup and all snuggle on the couch for FREE and have just as much fun!
A day on the ski slopes, a football game, a new outfit, the newest techy gadgits such as phones, watches, earbuds. Everything adds up and we all choose how we want to spend our money. We all have a smart phone or a computer or Kindle Fire or whatever, and we’re not all rich. It’s about where our financial priorities lie. If improving your skin is truly a priority for you, you will eat out less, spend less on clothes and makeup, choose $5 drinks instead of $12 drinks when you go out. Use the old Iphone you have another year. The list goes on and on.
The worst thing you can do, and what this article implies, is to say “well, I’m not rich and not a celebrity, so i shouldn’t even try.” NO! Everyday we do consults on people who are saving for a house, sending their kids to college, newly retired and on a fixed income, etc. We work with them, discuss what they need and how to get there within THEIR budget. That’s what we do! We want everyone to feel good about themselves and their skin. The author of the article probably doesn’t understand our industry nearly as well as we do and certainly does not understand what is possible within it.
Hmmm, maybe I’ll send her my card, sounds like she needs a good aesthetician….
