Bridal Skin Series | Bridal Beauty Countdown

The International Dermal Institute has the most informative classes! I love heading over there when they have guest speaker events. The last class I attended was called Perfecting Bridal Skin. I learned the best way to incorporate services for brides-to-be, and how to address their skin concerns head on. There was also a live demonstration on prepping and applying bridal make-up which was a ton of fun!

Being that wedding season is quickly approaching, I'm going to break up all of the bridal information into a few separate posts since I have so much new information to share!

First thing I want to talk about is developing a game plan and scheduling your treatments for the big day. Whether you are the bride to be or a member of the bridal party, you are going to want to look and feel your best! Looking good doesn't just happen over night; trust me, it takes time. Planning is everything!

Here is a basic countdown on what you should be doing to make sure you are looking your best for the big day:

12-15 Months Prior

At-Home Skincare Regimen

Solidify your skincare treatment plan. Remember, consistency is key! I cannot stress how important it is to get on professional at-home products. Experts agree that 80% of the results you see on your skin come from what you are doing day to day, at home on your skin. Let's be clear on what are considered professional products; just because you are purchasing an expensive product, does not mean it is going to address specific skin concerns you might have for your big day. Professional products cannot be purchased at department stores due to the fact that they contain active ingredients that are not suitable for a multitude of skin types. Get in touch with your esthetician so she can point you in the right direction as to which products to use. 

Laser Tattoo Reduction

Laser tattoo reduction lightens and removes tattoos without damaging the surrounding tissue. It is scheduled every 4-6 weeks. Please keep in mind that it takes time to remove a tattoo, and rate of removal depends on several factors.

6-9 Months Prior

Laser Hair Reduction

This treatment permanently reduces unwanted hair. Scheduled every 4-6 weeks. Remember, the lighter your skin and the darker your hair the better the results will be. My favorite areas to treat with laser hair reduction are the underarms and the brazilian area. Who doesn't want to be hair-free for their wedding and honeymoon?!  

Cosmetic Injections & Fillers

This may not be for everyone, but if it is, make sure you schedule your first treatment 6-9 months prior to the big day. Injections like Botox or Dysport can help you achieve a wrinkle-free look just about anywhere on your face. Between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and around the eyes to minimize crow's feet are popular injection sites. Clients also request to have the lines around their mouth and their necks treated as well. Also, something to keep in mind, when Botox and Dysport are injected into the underarms and hands it reduces excessive sweating. Facial fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, and Radiesse are available to enhance your lips and cheeks, replace lost volume in the face (due to aging), smooth wrinkles, and fill in scar depressions (including acne scars).  

4-5 Months Prior

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

This treatment helps removes age spots, moles, angiomas (red spots), rosacea, acne lesions, and spider veins. Common treatment area include the face, neck, chest, arms, and upper back. IPL works best in a series of treatments scheduled 4-6 weeks apart. 

Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels

These non surgical treatments are great at treating uneven skin tone and texture, or discolorations caused by acne or sun damage. These work best in a series of treatments, usually spaced about 4 weeks apart, over the course of a few months.

4 Weeks Prior

Spray Tanning
A major pre-wedding no-no is sun exposure! Nothing ages and dehydrates the skin more than the sun does! Spray tanning gives your skin a nice healthy looking glow. Having a good tan accentuates your features and is also very slimming. A nice even tan can minimize the appearance of stretch marks and varicose veins and blends any imperfections. Try spray tanning at least one month prior to the big day so that there are no surprises.

Eyelash Extensions

This is a wonderful treatment to consider! Not only will your new lashes look great in pictures, but you can keep them fluttering worry-free on your honeymoon.

Trial Run for Hair and Makeup

Request a trial run for your hair and makeup. If you plan on spray tanning, make sure you are the color you plan on being on your wedding date as you are on the trial run.

Last treatments in all of your series.
Last appointment for injectibles, if using.

1-2 Weeks Prior

Any facial done within two weeks should be for cleansing and/or hydrating only.

Do not schedule a facial any sooner than one week prior to the wedding.

Practice stress management techniques.
Keep your pillowcase extra clean.

Stay away from dairy and sugar.

Avoid wine as much as possible.
Hydrate! Water! Water! Water!

4-5 Days Prior

Hair Removal

Get all remaining hair on your body waxed, including your brow, to prevent redness or irritation on the day of.

2 Days Prior

Spray tan, if that is something you have planned on doing.

Fill eyelash extensions, if you've decided to have them.

1 Day Prior

Deep-conditioning treatment on hair.
Exfoliate and moisturize your entire body.
Manicure and pedicure.



No matter what regimen you decide on remember to talk to your esthetician and/or skincare professionals and thoroughly communicate your needs and concerns. I hope that you'll use this countdown all the way until your wedding day as a helpful guide of when to schedule your beauty treatments!

So... What are your favorite ways get wedding-ready???

The PicoSure Laser for Tattoo Reduction & More

Tattoo reduction is on the rise, and having a laser platform proficient in removing tattoos as well as being able to effectively provide additional skin treatments is an excellent investment as a clinical esthetician, in my opinion. I couldn't be more excited to be getting training on this! It is estimated that approximately twenty percent of people with tattoos regret at least one of their tattoos! Laser technology has come a long way over the years. It is much less painful now, and significantly more effective. the It's no wonder that there was a forty-three percent increase in the number of tattoos reductions in 2012; and those numbers continue to rise.

Tattoo reduction lasers work by delivering short, powerful pulses of energy to the tattooed skin, which shatters the ink into particles. The body's natural immune system then responds by flushing away the shattered ink over the course of several weeks. PicoSure utilizes extraordinarily short pulses; a picosecond, or one trillionth of a second in length. Other lasers utilize nanotechnology, which delivers pulses in nanoseconds, or one billionth of a second. Until PicoSure was developed, Q-Switched lasers were considered standard for tattoo removal. Q -Switched lasers use photo-thermal energy to break up the tattoo ink, which cause heat and injury to the surrounding tissue. The photo-mechanical pressure wave technology utilized by the PicoSure laser enables tattoo ink to be broken into smaller particles. This translates to faster clearance with decreased recovery times.

The PicoSure laser platform has a combination 755nm/532nm wavelength to treat a full spectrum of colors, and it is currently the only platform in its class to provide that type of coverage. The 755 wavelength reduces purple, brown, and black ink. This includes stubborn blue and green tattoo ink as well. The 532 wavelength also effectively reduces red, orange, and yellow tattoo inks.

The same photomechanical laser technology safely be used on the décolleté, face, hands, legs, and more to treat various types of skin conditions. The PicoSure laser can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as acne scars. The PicoSure laser also effectively treats conditions associated with pigmentation in the skin, such as hyperpigmentation and freckles. All of which are in high demand by today's consumers.

Exfoliation Products

I'm back from a blogging hiatus! With the holidays, traveling, work changes, school, illnesses, and significant injuries to both my kids; things have been a little super crazy around here. I'm glad to report that everyone is okay and that my little family is finally getting back on track.

Now that I am back, I wanted to talk about exfoliation, and how important it is to incorporate it into your skincare routine. Surprisingly, it is one of the most commonly overlooked steps in what I consider a healthy daily skincare routine. When you exfoliate your skin, you are removing the outermost layer of dead skin cells. You will see immediate results; your skin will instantly look brighter and healthier. Aside from the instant gratification of exfoliation, it has long term effects as well. When you exfoliate you allow for additional products (ie. serums, moisturizers, etc) to penetrate your skin deeper. You will also notice that open comedones (aka blackheads) also decrease over time when you incorporate an exfoliant into your daily skincare routine.

My exfoliant of choice is the Iluma™ Intense Brightening Exfoliating Powder by IMAGE Skincare. The Iluma line is new to IMAGE and is an excellent choice for those of you who wish to lighten, brighten, and illuminate their skin tone. The new line includes a cleanser, lightening serum, bleaching serum, brightening crème, brightening eye crème, hand lotion, and body lotion. The line utilizes Vectorize-Technology™ and includes active ingredients such as peptides, plant extracts, stem cells, and lightening agents.

Vectorize-Technology™ is currently only available from IMAGE Skincare, combining the active ingredients mentioned above into one molecular sphere. This sphere has many layers that are both water and lipid (oil) soluble. As the product penetrates the skin, the sphere "peels" and releases the ingredients into the skin in a time-released fashion for up to 48 hours. This is beneficial by allowing for deeper product penetration into the skin, as well as an accumulation of active ingredients which increase product efficacy.

The Intense Brightening Exfoliator Powder is a micro exfoliating powder that is good for all skin types, but especially beneficial for clients concerned with a loss of radiance or dull skin. It helps buff away dead skin cells, revealing smoother skin that is ready to absorb additional products better. It is gentle enough to be used up to twice a day, morning and evening. It can be used on both face and body as well.  To use the exfoliant, simply shake a small amount of the product into wet palms. To activate the product, rub hands together to form a light foam. Gently massage the product into the face, avoiding the eye area. The exfoliant can be left on for 5-20 minutes for added benefits, if desired. You can also mix the exfoliant in with your cleanser as well. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.

This exfoliant uses many high end ingredients that nourish the skin. Coconut milk powder that is rich in protein and vitamins is used to aid in the regeneration of skin cells. Pumpkin is considered a powerful enzymatic exfoliant and is used to exfoliate dead skin cells and other impurities while delivering vitamins and nutrients to the skin.  The Intense Brightening Exfoliating Powder utilizes a protein peptide complex, that includes whey protein and lactic acid, which aid in cell regeneration and correct uneven skin tone. The ingredients also include licorice extract, a natural skin lightener, and green tea leaf extract, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Ethyl ascorbic acid is a stable and water soluble form of Vitamin C that has been added to increase product penetration, diminish dark spots, and nourish the skin with antioxidants.

In conclusion, I find this product to be superior to other similar daily exfoliators, due to the quality of the ingredients. Dermalogica® has their Daily Microfoliant® which is also a very good exfoliant. Both can be used daily, are in powder form, contain licorice extract, and are applied in a similar fashion. However, the Microfoliant uses a rice-based enzyme as the main exfoliating agent, while the Iluma exfoliant uses a pumpkin enzyme. The Mircofoliant uses salicylic acid, while the Iluma exfoliant uses lactic acid. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) which addresses acne. Lactic acid, in contast, is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and is used as a skin brightener and to help increase cell turnover rate while improving texture of the skin. Both products have their advantages, and what may be preferable for one client may not be for another. For me personally, I deal with hyperpigmentation and fine lines; therefore, I am more drawn to the Iluma exfoliant. However, for a client with less mature skin that is more acneic, the Microfoliant might be preferable when considering a daily exfoliant.


Disclaimer: Exfoliating isn't for everyone. Those with skin conditions such as inflammatory acne, cold sores, and warts can make symptoms worsen by manually exfoliating the skin. Please consult your skincare professional or dermatologist. 

Ingredients That Fight Hyperpigmentation

What do kojic acid, lactic acid, l-ascorbic acid, malic acid, and glycolic acid all have in common? Well, aside from the fact that they are all acids, they are all ingredients that are commonly used to help treat hyperpigmentation. All are also naturally derived and relatively gentle on the skin if used properly.

Kojic acid is naturally obtained from mushrooms that are native to Japan. It is a natural skin-lightening agent and also classified as an antioxidant. It works by limiting skin’s production of melanin, what gives our skin it's unique color. Kojic acid works by suppressing an enzyme necessary to produce melanin.

Another natural ingredient used to treat hyperpigmentation is L-absorbic acid.  More commonly known as Vitamin C, it is a powerful antioxidant. It can help reverse damage from the sun and stimulates collagen production for tighter skin. It also slows the production of melanin, or hyperpigmentation. One detriment of l-absorbic acid is that it undergoes chemical changes upon exposure to light, heat, or air, becoming inactive. Therefore, the product needs to be used relatively quickly to be beneficial.

Malic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is naturally derived from apples and used to exfoliate dead skin cells, treat melasma, and aid in the treatment of acne. Malic acid also promotes the production of collagen and reduces sun-induced signs of aging after months of daily application. While able to correct photo aging, unfortunately it concurrently makes skin more vulnerable to hyperpigmentation.

Another AHA, lactic acid is naturally derived from milk. It is a skin brightener, that helps to increase cell turnover rates, and improve the texture of the skin. The regular use of lactic acid may also help with product absorption rates as well. Commonly used in chemical peels, lactic acid is relatively mild and requires little to no downtime. It is suitable for both dry and oily skin types, and does not have a photosensitizing effect.

Glycolic acid is also an AHA, and naturally derived from sugar. It has the smallest molecular structure of all the AHA's making it most effective for treating fine lines, acne, blackheads, dullness, oiliness, and of course - hyperpigmentation. Like lactic acid, it is also commonly used in a series of chemical peels. It is a transparent, colorless, water-like liquid. It is considered a mild to moderate peel, and strengths come in varying percentages, that usually range from 30% to 75% concentration. It is said that glycolic acid is slightly more aggressive than lactic acid.

All of the ingredients listed above need to be used in conjunction with sunscreen to prevent further hyperpigmentation and sun damage and to maintain desired results.

How to: Oil Pulling

Once again the topic of interest this week is oral health. Good thing, too, with all the sugary treats coming our way with the holiday season quickly approaching.

Like I said in my previous post, prevention is everything, & good oral hygiene is a must. Oil pulling is not meant to replace proper dental care. I am simply using it as a supplemental therapy. I still brush my teeth twice a day, floss before bed, & see my dentist twice a year.

What is Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling is definitely a growing trend, but it is definitely not new either. This type of oral therapy is a type of Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine dating back 3,000 years. Its a very simple technique, only involving swishing oil in your mouth for up to twenty-thirty minutes at a time, & then spitting it out. 

While you could use any high quality oil to do this, coconut oil is the oil of choice for oil pulling. Coconut oil has lauric acid in it, which has anti-microbial & anti-fungal properties. Recent studies have also shown coconut oil being used to prevent tooth decay. Coconut oil also contains vitamin E, a natural antioxidant.

Why is it so important to oral health?
Oil pulling helps fight cavities, gingivitis, plaque, & microorganisms that cause bad breath (halitosis). Most cells in our mouth are single in nature. Those single cells are covered in a fatty membrane. When these cells come into contact with oil, a fat, they naturally attract & stick to each other. When you spit out the oil, the bad cells that are bound to it, come out with it.

Other benefits of oil pulling include:

• Whiter teeth
• Stronger teeth
• Stronger gums
• Improved sleep
• Improved sinus issues
• Improved skin conditions (acne, psoriasis, and eczema)
• Can alleviate headaches
• Can reduced jaw pain (excellent for those suffering from TMJ)
• Can reduce hangover symptoms

Instructions:

Oil pulling is best done on an empty stomach. So try oil pulling first thing in the morning.

Get 1 tablespoon of coconut oil & gently swish in your mouth for as long as you can. A minimum of 5 minutes is recommended, & up to 20 minutes.This should not be vigorous or aggressive, as your mouth will get tired. Just gently swish back & forth in your mouth, & gently suck oil between teeth. I have found coconut oil to work best when in liquid form, otherwise it takes some time to melt the oil in your mouth.

As you swish, the oil begins to swell, or grow in mass. This is completely normal & is primarily due to the toxins being drawn out of your body.  

Don't swallow the oil! The harmful bacteria you are trying to remove from your mouth is now inside the oil.

If you feel the need to swallow, you probably have too much oil in your mouth. Spit out & start over with a smaller amount. 1 tablespoon of oil is recommended, but not required to be effective.

When you are done oil pulling, spit the oil into a wastebasket. Spitting the oil down your sink could clog your pipes, as coconut oil does solidify in lower temperatures.

You will notice when you spit the oil out, that it is white and cloudy - that's a good sign!

Good luck on your oil pulling journey!

FDA Disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease."