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
by kderry | Feb 21, 2019 | Dermaplaning, HydrafacialMD, Laser Genesis, Microdermabrasion, Microneedling, Peels, Ultherapy
What is Prejuvenation?
“The term ‘Prejuvenation’ has been coined to describe the increasing use of small, SUBTLE, less aggressive, minimally or non-invasive treatments and therapies to slow the appearance of aging in younger patients.” –Dr. Joel Cohen
Prejuvenation is an increasing trend with Millenials, or Generation Y. (Born between 1980 and 1995). They understand the importance of preventative maintenance and seek out solutions to future aging issues NOW. Luckily, there are many of these types of non-invasive treatments available to us.
Baby boomers and older patients on the other hand, need more aggressive treatments, full RE-juvenation, to pry back the hands of time. Generation X (born between 1965 and 1979), their needs are dependent on how they have cared for their skin up until now. Sometimes we see 40 year olds that look 55 and 55 year olds that look 30!
Prevention is always easier, and cheaper, than treatment. This is a concept we here at Accent Aesthetics talk to our patients about constantly. Plus, keeping the skin healthy and youthful with great home care regimens and routine treatments gives the skin the natural look we are seeking.
Some great examples of prejuvenation treatments are:
Excellent exfoliating procedures to remove unwanted dead skin build up. These all time faves smooth and brighten the skin, help decrease breakouts and reduce the appearance of large pores and acne scars. These treatments also allow for better absorption of active skin care products. A great place to start!
Excellent combination of light physical AND chemical exfoliation with added hydration infusion. Perfect no-downtime, Colorado skin treatment!
Great for skin that needs some changing, (lighten sundamage, decrease redness, decrease pore size or breakout, soften acne scars, diminish fine lines and wrinkles) without severe or prolonged downtime.
Also known as “collagen induction”, microneedling not only treats skin imperfections such as acne scars, fine lines, texture and pore size, it stimulates your body’s own, NEW collagen, keeping it looking younger, smoother and brighter.
This non-invasive laser treatment naturally and effectively stimulates new collagen production to fade acne scarring, reduce fine lines and treat diffuse redness.
The treatment that is going to give you the MOST boost in your collagen production. We call this treatment the “non surgical face lift!” Focused ultrasound reaches depths normally only reached during a surgical procedure. Collagen production at this level gives the skin the most lifting and firming effect available.
Essential, everyday skincare products we recommend for prejuvenation:
1. Non-Soap Cleanser
Soap cleansers tend to have an alkaline pH, drying the skin, oxidizing sebum, which makes blackheads more apparent, and simply wreak havok. A consultation is the best way to find out what is right for your skin and it’s issues.
2. Antioxidant
Topical antioxidants such as a high quality, stable Vitamin C, protect the breakdown of skincells (premature aging) caused by free radicals such as UV rays, pollution etc. They are a building block for collagen production (YAASSS), and they also help to brighten discoloration and reduce inflammation in the skin, creating an even skin tone.
3. SPF
Absolutely THE most important part of preventative skincare! Find one you LOVE and wear it religiously. You will thank me in 10 years!!!
4. Retinol
Vitamin A, promotes cell proliferation, or cell turnover, keeping the surface of the skin free of dead skin build up. This helps with absorption of other ingredients, keeps brown spots from accumulating, keeps oil and dead skincells from congesting pores (acne) and produces collagen in the lower levels of the skin, preventing fine lines, wrinkles and diminishes scarring.
Check Out Revision Skincare
Revision Skincare, one of our top lines, offers everything described above! This is a great way to start on the path of beautiful, healthy skin!
Contact us for a consultation anytime! We’d love to make a skincare plan for the future of your skin.
by kderry | Dec 7, 2018 | Uncategorized
In a perfect world, everyone would start wearing sunscreen AND hats year-round in their teens and early 20’s.
80% of skin aging is caused by chronic sun exposure, and by your 30’s, 40’s and definitely 50’s, it really shows!
UV rays not only cause redness and brown spots but they break down your skin’s underlying structure, causing sagging, hollowed, wrinkled skin.
Your genetics play a role in your aging as well. This is called intrinsic aging. But your long term UV exposure causes the most dire damage, and as a type of extrinsic aging, (external), this is very much preventable!
Beyond sunscreen, what else can you do?
A good, high quality home care regime is hands down the best thing you can do for your skin, especially at an early age. Those good genetics won’t last forever and Colorado’s harsh environment WILL win if you don’t use active, high quality skincare. Notice I’ve emphasized “good” and “quality” several times: we truly believe you “get what you pay for” when it comes to skincare. We have seen the science and the technology that goes into creating effective and transformative skincare products and it’s not cheap or easy. Plan on a budget for your skincare, you don’t need to use 15 products. 2 or 3 excellent quality products can be perfect if your consistent and you start early. What you do at home daily will make the biggest impact on your skin long-term!
Treatments:
We see many clients daily that want a miracle, “magic wand” treatment. The closest thing we have to that is neurotoxin,(botox), and fillers. Many do not want to go down that route. They are wonderful treatments but require constant maintenance. Plus they generally do not CHANGE the underlying structure of your skin, what makes your skin look healthy, youthful and beautiful. ( There are some such as Sculptra that can but that is for another post).
If you want to keep your skin looking it’s best, start with regular treatments early!
Microdermabrasions, light chemical peels, Laser Genesis, microneedling, etc. These non-invasive treatments exfoliate or create tiny wounds that stimulate the wound-healing process which stimulates new, healthy cells and along with them COLLAGEN!! Excellent for changing the skin over time and definitely preventing signs of aging. These treatments are best every 4-8 weeks.
by kderry | Oct 24, 2018 | Uncategorized
Please check out this wonderful post by one of our favorite skin care lines! Meg 21 is all about stopping glycation in the skin. Glycation is the damage to proteins caused by sugar molecules and has become a buzzword amongst skincare experts, has long been a focus of study in people with diabetes, and now as part of the skin aging process. Meg 21 has been utilizing this anti-aging skincare process for over 30 years! Seems a fitting read this time of year!
3 Ways to Avoid A Halloween Skin Nightmare
Americans purchase nearly 600 million pounds of candy each year for Halloween.
That’s a lot of sugar! “Not to worry,” you say. “I’ll go easy on sugar and treat myself to Fun Size candy bars.” Nothing like moderation, but don’t fall for the hype. Fun Size Skittles, for example, contains over 11 grams of sugar. It’s equivalent to swallowing almost 3 teaspoons of sugar–and the recommended daily intake is 6 teaspoons. There goes half the “fun” in your holiday!
There is not a single benefit to your skin from consuming excess sugar. Countless studies confirm the harmful effects of sugar on health and wellness. And for skin, sugar is a real nightmare. Excess sugar is a skin-aging accelerator. Dr. Annette Tobia published Glycated Sugar: Why It Kills Skin and What to Do About It in Skin Inc. magazine showing the link between sugars and skin. This research came out of 18 years of research in aging and diabetes at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia by a team of scientists who at the same time, serendipitously discovered that those same toxic sugars that cause complications in diabetics, also causes advanced aging in skin.
Sugar is not the only bad trick Halloween can play on your skin. Before you head for your neighbors’ houses or a rocking costume party, beware of the damaging effects on skin of thick pancake makeup. Sure it’s fun to transform your face from normal to Nightmare on Elm Street. But keep in mind, the heavier products used for costume makeup contain excess oils, irritants, and pore-clogging ingredients. You don’t want to wake up the morning after Halloween looking scarier than you did the night before!
Here are 3 easy steps to protect your skin during Halloween.
1. Send the Scary Sugar-Goblins Running
Our body produces sugars as part of the natural metabolic process. But these sugars, in combination with added excess sugars from your diet, lead to the perfect trifecta of accelerated aging: Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Glycation. These “toxic sugars” attach to your collagen and elastin, causing it to become hardened and brittle, weighing it down, and eventually forming a wrinkle.
Recommendation: Use a product that contains ingredients to block toxic sugars from attaching to collagen and elastin. The MEG 21 line of skincare products contain Supplamine®, the only patented skin-care ingredient with clinically proven toxic sugar-blocking technology.
2. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
Skin that is hydrated provides a flawless canvas for your makeup application.
Recommendation: Regularly moisturize your skin with a product that contains emollients to bond moisture to skin, smooth fine lines, and nourish. We favor jojoba oil, squalene, shea butter and coconut oil.
3. Cleanse for Glow in the Dark Skin Radiance
Be sure to cleanse off ALL traces of makeup before bed. It’s the first “must” step in your nightly routine.
Recommendation: Do a double cleanse. First, use a cleanser that can be applied without water. This helps makeup bond to the cleanser, which then gets wiped away in one gentle movement, using a cotton round or tissues. Second, perform another cleanse with water to ensure everything is removed. Follow with a spritz of tonerand your favorite sugar-blocking moisturizer, such as Smooth Radiance Face Treatment.
by kderry | Sep 28, 2018 | accent aesthetics, Aquagold Fine Touch, Botox, collagen induction therapy, Cosmetic Dermal Filler, Dermaplaning, Dysport, HydrafacialMD, IPL Limelight, Laser Genesis, Laser Hair Reduction & Removal, Microdermabrasion, Microneedling, Pearl, Peels, skincare colorado, Sun & Skincare, Ultherapy, Uncategorized, Vein Treatment
I think by now we all know there is no miracle in a bottle, and botox has been the closest thing we have seen to astonishing results with minimal side effects.
However, optimum skin health goes beyond botox. It is similar to the health of our bodies- to be optimally healthy you have to work on several factors- diet, cardio and strength training. Having youthful healthy skin is much the same. IF you only do botox, you are only addressing one aspect of what takes place as we age. The aging face is multifactorial and thus your anti-aging treatments should be so as well. Bone loss, descent of fat pads, skin texture changes, dermal thinning and photodamage all contribute. When you work with a dermatologist and their staff, you are offered non-invasive treatment options to address these different aspects of aging.
Technology advancements in the field of cosmeceuticals has brought us amazing topical skin care products. I recently attended a conference where a scientist was reviewing various ingredients/ peptides and said to conduct the research, develop best formulations and then bring those highly active ingredients to market costs money! If you are getting a Vitmain C serum on Amazon for under a certain price point- do not expect much change to your skin. Even when we find highly effective products it is good to change your regimen every so often. We do not like to use growth-hormone products long term and not every person can tolerate tretinoin. So partner with someone who can help you achieve your best! Last but not least- healthy inside will reflect healthy outside- clean eating, restful sleep, adequate water intake, physical exercise…..and wear an SPF 30 on your face daily!
I always tell patients our goal is find the treatments that will give the most bang for the buck and find the balance between a treatment that is highly effective while still being safe. You want to partner with a skincare expert who attends educational events, stays up on current trends, has access to multiple modalities to use and works alongside a Board-Certified Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon to minimize unwanted side effects. Look for someone who will be candid, give realistic expectations and instead of trying to sell you something- will give you both short term as well as long –term goals for your skin.
Written by Kerri Zukosky, PA-C
