Dermaplaning vs Microdermabrasion: What’s the Difference??

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:

 

Dermaplaning vs Microdermabrasion:

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.

Both of these treatments are offered in our Basic Membership Program. For more info or to schedule an appointment call us at (720)-420-4090.

Dermaplaning vs microdermabrasion Dermaplaning vs microdermabrasion Dermaplaning vs microdermabrasion Dermaplaning vs microdermabrasion Dermaplaning vs microdermabrasion

Heliocare: SPF in a pill?

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

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.

heliocare

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.

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What Melasma Looks Like

melasma

What is Melasma?

A skin condition presenting as brown patches on the face of adults. Both sides of the face are usually affected. The most common sites of involvment are the cheeks, bridge of nose, forehead and upper lip.

Who gets Melasma?

It mostly occurs in women, with only 10% of men being affected. Dark skinned races, particularly Hispanic, Asian, Indian and African American tend to experience it more than others due to the increase of melanin or pigment cells.

What causes Melasma?

The precise cause is unknown. People with a family history of melasma are more likely to develop it themselves. A change in hormonal status may trigger the condition. Melasma is commonly associated with pregnancy and also called chloasma or the “mask of pregnancy.” Birth control pills may also contribute or cause melasma, however, hormone replacement therapy used after menopause has not been shown to cause the condition.

Sun exposure is also a contributor. Ultraviolet light from the sun, and even very strong light from light bulbs, can stimulate pigment producing cells, or melanocytes, in the skin. People with skin of color have more active melanocytes than those with light skin. These melanocytes produce a large amount of pigment under normal conditions, but this production increases even further when stimulated by light exposure or an increase in hormone levels. Incidental exposure to the sun is mainly the reason for recurrences of the skin condition.

Any irritation or trauma to the skin may cause an increase in pigmentation in dark skinned individuals, which may also worsen melasma. It’s not associated with any internal diseasesor organ malfunction.

How is melasma treated?

While there is no cure, many treatments have been developed. Melasma may disappear after pregnancy, it may remain for many years or a lifetime.

Sunscreen is essential in the treatment of process. They should be broad spectrum, protecting against UVA and UVB rays from the sun. A SPF of 30 or higher should be selected. In addition, physical sunblock lotions and creams such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide are preferred as they do not protect the skin in a chemical way which may cause inflammation and exacerbate the condition. SPF should be worn daily, whether or not it is sunny outside or if you are outdoors or indoors. A significant amount of ultraviolet rays is received while walking down the street, driving in cars, and sitting next to windows.

A variety of lightening creams are available for treatment. These creams do not “bleach” the skin but rather decrease the activity of melanocytes, pigment producing cells.

Other medications which have been found to help are azelic acid, kojic acid, niacinimide and Vitamin C. You will have to talk to your Dermatologist or Aesthetician to know what is right for your condition.

Chemical peels, microdermabrasion and various laser treatments may help melasma. They should only be used by a medical skincare professional and in conjuction with a proper regimen for melasma specifically.

 

Crank Up the Collagen!

ultherapy
ultherapy

Collagen has now become the single most googled word, replacing “Botox”!

Collagen is everywhere: powders, pills, drinks, shakes, bars, you name it. And people are counting on some pretty miraculous results from these ingestable products. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good collagen peptide powder every morning in my coffee ( See post from 8/11/2020 ) but ingesting it can only do so much and may simply be a clean source of protein.

For those of us who are ready to really crank the collagen production into high gear and see changes in our skin, there’s Ultherapy treatment.

What is Ultherapy?

Ultherapy has been around since 2004 and continues to show impressive results. People often compare it to treatments such as Radio Frequency, Thermage and a multitude of different lasers.

While most of these treatments work by creating heat in the skin to stimulate collagen production, Ultherapy is the only device that allows us to see EXACTLY where we are placing the heat. It is also the only technology to get to the deepest depths of the dermis, a depth which can only be replicated in a surgical face lift.

Radio Frequency gets results by creating bulk heating, which we love but often times only stimulates certain types of collagen and some elastin and in a more superficial layer in the skin.

What makes Ultherapy so powerful is that it places very high heat at an extremly deep layer in the skin, a medium depth and a more superficial depth, depending on where the protein is needed most. Ultrasound technology allows us to see all of this and create a very specific, customized treatment for the individual.

Results do take 3-4 months to see but with little to no downtime, this treatment is worth the wait!

ultherapy
ultherapy

Exciting New Product Alert!

PCA Skin Vitamin b3 Brightening Serum - 1 fl oz

I’m certain we here at Accent Dermatology and Accent Aesthetics will always have our favorite, can’t live without skin-care products. So when something new comes along that we LOVE, it’s news worthy!

PCA Skin just came out with their Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum and we can’t keep it on the shelves!

This heavy hitter uses a 6% Niacinimide (A type of B Vitamin). Typically this ingredient has been used to reduce reds in the skin and help with acne. At a higher concentration of 6%, we are seeing not only a reduction in the reds caused by rosacea, acne, etc but also an excellent reduction in brown spots, photodamage and especially melasma!

This is an exciting new tool to add to anyone’s toolbox, especially those looking to reduce BOTH reds and browns and definitly breakout. It leaves the skin very hydrated and calm by strengthening it’s barrier function.

PCA SKIN Vitamin b3 Brightening Serum | LovelySkin