Microdermabrasion is a great alternative to laser or chemical peels.  It is a non-invasive, pain-free and non-surgical treatment.  Unlike chemical peels this treatment can be performed year round.  It is a resurfacing technique that is safe and effective in improving the appearance of aged skin, wrinkles, skin texture and color by removing the dead topmost layer of skin, leaving it softer, smoother  and more  vibrant.  It also stimulates the elastic tissue beneath the surface of the skin.  This results in a healthier and firmer appearance over time.

After years of experience using various different  microdermabrasion machines, our preference at Aroma Essence Skincare is the crystal-free  diamond head wand, most  describe that it feels like a cats tongue as the wand glides across the surface of your skin.  The diamond head gently removes the dead layer  while the suction lifts the skin, removes the  debris and allows for a clear  view so that  the esthetician can  work deeper  when needed.  Our microdermabrasion is not painful  but relaxing,  a calming mask follows each treatment and an option to add a cool oxygen  mist to restore the skin with vitamins and moisture is recommended.

The length of the treatment and number of sessions vary depending on skin type and condition.  I recommend  you  meet with an esthetician before scheduling a microdermabrasion series.  A facial is a great way to prepare your face for the treatments; plus it gives you a chance to learn more about the procedure and what to expect.

Written by Julianne Bacialli, Licensed Esthetician, Owner Aroma Essence Skincare.

These days you can’t open a magazine or turn on the TV without seeing a smooth-faced middle-aged actress or model touting skin care products that can “reverse the clock” on aging skin.  “Free radicals”  and antioxidants have become buzzwords in the quest for eternally radiant skin.

What are these “miracle” ingredients and how do they work? Can they actually erase wrinkles, repair sun damage, or diminish age spots?

The  following  is a guide to some of the best ingredients being used in skin care products that may benefit your skin.  Use this information to sort through the various lotions, creams and gels on the market.  Note  the  difference in products  purchased at the drug store verses your local skin care professional.  A higher percentage of  active ingredients are often  found  in products sold in a Medical Office or  Skin Care Business,  for the best results a short consultation is recommended before purchase.

Here are a few of the antioxidant ingredients you should know about.

Alpha- Lipoic Acid  has been called a “universal antioxidant” because it’s both water- and fat soluble. That makes it able to penetrate skin-cell membranes at all levels to protect them from free radicals, keeping the body and its skin strong.  As a primary ingredient in many skin-care products, alpha-lipoic acid can erase fine lines and wrinkles, diminish pores, and give the skin a healthy glow.

Retinol Vitamin A and its derivatives are powerful and proven anti- aging antioxidants. Retinol is a topical ingredient proven to promote collagen production and plump out skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.  It  also improves skin tone and color, and reduces mottled patches(hyperpigmentation) on the skin.

Many dermatologists prescribe retinol’s stronger counterpart, tretinoin, or similar products to slow skin aging, improve pigmentation, and clear up acne.  Over-the-counter products containing retinols may be weaker, but are still effective in improving appearance.

Although retinol hydrates the lower layers of the skin (the dermis and hypodermis), it sometimes causes the top layer (epidermis) to become dry and flaky.  Be sure to wear moisturizer when using it or speak to a skin care professional about alternatives.

Looking for more affordable options?  More and more skin-care and cosmetics companies are incorporating natural components such as  botanicals and minerals into their  product lines,  the benefits are still there and they often cost less to produce.   Here are a few of my favorites,  these  ingredients  give  excellent results and will not “break your pocket book.”

Alpha-hydroxy Acids (AHAs)  are a group of natural-based acids found in a vast number of skin-care products include glycolic, lactic, citric and tartaric acids.  Glycolic acid was the original AHA and remains popular for its ability to remove dead skin cells and leave skin smoother, softer and more radiant.

AHA’s are used to exfoliate the skin, reducing fine lines, age spots, acne scars, and irregular pigmentation.  Peels with higher concentrations of AHAs are usually administered by an esthetician or dermatologist, but you can use lower concentrations- between 5% and 10% – in cleansers,  creams and lotions on a daily basis.  To help avoid irritated skin, start with a low concentration and apply every other day, gradually increasing to every day.   Even at lower doses, however, the acids may irritate and dry the skin, as well as increase sensitivity to the sun. Moisturizer and sunscreen are a daily must when using  AHAs.

Which brings me to my favorite sun protection ingredient,  Micronized Zinc Oxide.  I can not say enough about Zinc Oxide, it  calms irritated skin, heals acne and physically blocks out the sun without leaving your skin white in color.  Probably the most effective and least  irritating UVA sunscreen  available today that is safe  for daily use.

Is one products better than the other?

Technology prevails as sun protection becomes more effective.  We all know how important it is to get our daily dose of Vitamin D. Unfortunately, longer  periods of outdoor activity can cause the skin to age, progressing into sun spots and for some skin cancer.  Hence, the importance of using the right sun protection when experiencing extended periods of sun exposure.

The active ingredients of  Zinc Oxide and Titanium  Dioxide  can actually offer more sun protection than its man-made competitors. These minerals come from clay and beach sand deposits. Unlike chemical sunscreens that absorb ultraviolet light, nature provides us with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that remain on your skin to reflect and scatter away both UVA  and UVB rays from your body.  How do they do this? Quite simply, by forming a physical barrier, without irritating,  clogging your pores or leaving the skin white in color.  In fact, Zinc Oxide has been used all over the world for over 75 years as a safe sunscreen to help prevent excessive sun exposure.

When shopping for sun protection  read the  labels,  seek out the healthier, less irritating and more effective ingredients. Ideally, a Titanium Dioxide & Zinc Oxide  SPF30  will protect the skin for extended periods of sun exposure.   SPF 30 chemical sunscreens are often unstable after exposure to UV light and will need to be reapplied more frequently  to receive  the same amount of protection as the physical blocks.  Enjoy the  sun and  stay healthy!

Living at altitude and exposing our skin to the elements can cause a thick layer of  build up, making lines and spots more noticeable.  Fall is one of the best times of the year to shed these layers and give the skin a boost of energy.

Peeling the skin promotes new skin growth, removing old damaged  skin and replacing it with shiny, youthful  and  healthy skin.  Repairing the unhealthy cells that could some day become  skin cancer.   Other long term benefits are  increased collagen production that improves the quality of the skin.  Most noticeable is the immediate change in texture and often  color of the skin  as the surface below is stimulated  causing  the old layers  to shed exposing the new healthier layers on top.

Lactic Acid is one of my favorite treatments for  dry sun- damaged skin exposed to  elevation.  It works deep below the surface  to slow down the production of brown spots,  improving moisture levels  in the skin. With lactic acid you have  very little if any peeling as most of the action occurs below the surface.

Having a peel does not prevent you from going to work or doing other activities,  a good moisturizer and SPF  is recommended on the days that follow.  Done in a series, a peel  should  begin mild with very little down time ,  increasingly becoming  more stimulating  with each treatment depending on the results you desire and your lifestyle.  There are peels for every skin type,  a variety of cocktails  and  applications.  Before  a peel  I recommend  having  a consultation or facial to  address  your concerns and decide the best treatment  for your skin type.

Written by Julianne Bacialli Licensed Esthetician, Owner Aroma Essence Skincare.