Skin Care Resolutions

Treat yourself to great skin in 2018!

As we step in to the New Year, we’ve been feeling so much positivity and hope. Our clients have been telling us about big plans in their lives – from getting married, to being the mother of a bride or groom, to starting a new job, or opening their own business.

We want to support you, not just with our love and kindness, but with a skin care regimen that will have you looking your most radiant. We don’t want you to have to think about your skin when you are out living your dreams … What we want is for you to SHINE your unique light and live your best life.

So here are a few skin care tips that can help you look your best for all of the successes and joyful moments sure to come in 2018. It takes about 6 weeks for your skin (epidermis) to renew itself – so it’s important to be consistent with your regimen to see the best change.

• Are you using Retin-A yet?

Retin-A is the most researched, time-tested and proven medical-grade skin care “cream”. It promotes proper cell-turnover (a.k.a. exfoliation) and has tremendous anti-aging benefits. We can help you select the dosage that is best for you — we usually start people at .25% and work them up to .5% or even 1%. Generally, we recommend you start using Retin-A every other night, and then, over time, work up to every night. We suggest you apply Retin-A around the edges of your face, and it will spread all over the face. Applying it first around the mouth/chin – as we often do – can leave you with a highly concentrated dose on a sensitive area that tends to peel.

It is also CRITICAL that you wear sunscreen every day, and re-apply often, as Retin-A will make your skin more sun sensitive.
If you could only afford or desire to add in one item on this list, it should be Retin-A. We oftentimes spend the bank on a lux moisturizer, when what our skin really needs is proper regular turnover. Remember, to be consistent, as change takes some time.

• Sunscreen: Are you using it often enough?

I know, I know, reapplying sunscreen messes up your make-up…but did you know that sunscreen only last 2-3 hours. So if you last applied at 6 am, well, by your lunch break – it is gone. We recommend reapplying each time you leave your house or office – and if you really don’t want to use a liquid formula – we carry some great, medical-grade powdered sunscreens. We recommend a sunscreen with a physical block – as that literally deflects the sun’s rays – so you are looking for Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide (or both) on the ingredient list.

• Are you ready to take it to the next level? The Obagi Kit

The Obagi kit is a beloved, time-tested skin care kit that uses hydroquinone based products (in the Clear and the Blender) to both reduce and suppress pigment production. These products can help to clear up the look of brown/age spots, as well as preventing future discoloration. When used in combination with an IPL or laser treatment, you can see dramatic results.

• In the office: Chemical Peels – your Skin Care Secret Weapon

We love chemical peels – and they range from very mild to more intensive and effective. We recommend doing one once a quarter (or 4 times per year) as a wonderful way to deeply exfoliate the skin, soften fine lines, reduce pigment, clear up and prevent acne, and reveal your most radiant skin. Our master medical aesthetician, Laurel, can work with you on your best option – and develop a plan that will keep you glowing all year long!

We want to be part of your support team – helping you live your very best 2018. And if you are in the area, you are always welcome to come in for a complimentary, comprehensive skin care consultation – where we can help you sort out what your best options are.

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