HydroGLOW Facial...Introducing the new ultimate skin refiner

I am beyond excited to announce my newest & greatest facial machine coming to Skin Studio By Megan...the ultimate skin refiner. I have been saving my pretty pennies for a long time for this machine. The ultimate skin refiner is very similar to the popular hydra facial, just a different machine. We start with a 4 step service including, cleansing, peeling, extracting & infusing serums into the skin. This facial machine also offers oxygen infusion, ultrasonic skin scrubber, wet or dry microdermabrasion & micro current. This machine utilizes water and serums to cause a gentle suction that removes dead skin cells, clogged pores and impurities leaving behind healthy glowing skin with each step. Extractions are now easy, fun and painless. This facial gets you glowing, smooth skin with zero downtime. This is an amazing upgrade and alternative to traditional microdermabrasion as its infusing the skin with antioxidants and hydration during the entire treatment.  The most satisfying part is looking at the waste tank after your treatment to see all of your debris floating in the water that is suctioned & extracted from your skin. Schedule your hydroglow facial at Skin Studio By Megan. 

Ultrasonic Skin Scrubber to exfoliate & extract. 

Microcurrent to lift and tone muscles providing an instant face lift. 

Oxygen Infusion kills bacteria, brightens the skin, hydrates, soothes & calms the skin while promoting healing. Provides glowing skin and tightens the appearance of the pores. 

Debris floating in the waste tank post treatment. 

Debris extracted from the skin in the hydrowand. 

New Treatment: Nanoneedling

Skin Studio By Megan is so thrilled to now offer nano needling. All of my clients know I am a huge fan of micro needing so I am excited to offer this less invasive similar treatment called nano needling.

What is nano needling? 

Nano needling uses silicone or surgical steel cartridges. The pyramid-like tips are microscopic, smaller than one single strand of hair. This treatment only effects the epidermis (top layers of skin) so there is no pain or downtime.  When the nano needling pen hits the skin, it creates up to 200,000 nano channels. This technique causes the cells in the skin to re-arrange themselves and allow nutrition to pass through the skin barrier to help the absorption from active ingredients and stimulate collagen. Within 15 minutes after the treatment, the skin cells in the perforated layer return to their original position. This treatment can be used for a variety of skin conditions & cocktail to your individual skin needs. It is great to deliver hydrating properties, lightening agents, active acne ingredients etc. to tailor to your skin.

Benefits:
-product absorption
-gentle exfoliation
-increases hydration
-penetrates upper epidermis
-infusion ingredients trigger the regenerative process of the skin
-increases circulation
-softens fine lines & wrinkles
-evens skin tone
-improves skin texture
-improves acne scarring
-calms inflammation
-creates a beautiful glow

Downtime: 
There is no downtime with nano needling or any need to use topical numbing cream. This treatment feels like vibrations on the skin and is pain free. If using a stronger active ingredient (acne products for example) you might have a day or two of dryness. The next day the skin will be plump and glowing.

Price and treatments:
Skin Studio By Megan will offer your customized nano needling treatment for $125. This treatment is best done in a series, especially when targeting texture or acne scarring & fine lines.

Mandelic Acid Magic

My favorite skincare ingredient of all time has to be mandelic acid. Mandelic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid that is extracted from bitter almonds. Mandelic Acid has the largest molecule size of the AHA's, meaning it doesn't penetrate as deep and cause as much irritation or inflammation. This makes it safe for just about anyone and a perfect peel for a first time peel client. I love the results this ingredient provides without having lots of drying & flakiness. This ingredient is very beneficial for acne, aging & pigmentation. 



Check out this great before and after a mandelic peel. There is much less irritation & inflammation. 

Benefits:
-antibacterial
-anti-irritant 
-anti-fungal 
-exfoliates
-evens skin tone
-improves acne
-suppress pigmentation...fades dark spots
-repairs sun damage
-treats stubborn blackheads 

Down time:
All skin types are different but this peel usually has 0-mild flaking.

Results:
Clearer skin that glows. WHO DOESN"T WANT THAT?

At Skin Studio By Megan I offer a variety of chemical peels that contain mandelic acid as well as many at home products. 


Mandelic Acid Products for at home use:  Face Reality Mandelic Cleanser, Mandelic Scrub and Mandelic Serums in a variety of strengths. 

Eye Serums & Cream: Updated Post

I asked on Instagram what topics you all would love to see next on Skin Studio By Megan's Blog and the most requested was eye serums/cream. I did an older post on this but now that I have new favorites I figured it was time for an update. Working in the industry for almost a decade I have tried many eye products, and it is honestly hard to find ones I absolutely love. I am constantly laughing & smiling so I have lots of fine lines & I also get dark circles and puffiness in the mornings. I need a product that takes care of it all. Here is a list at my top favorites and some questions I frequently get.



Q: Do I need an eye cream or an eye serum and what is the difference.

A:  The biggest difference is how the company formulates it & delivers its ingredients. Most of the time eye creams are thicker and for dryer skin, focusing more on hydration. Serums typically target more of the dark circles, puffiness & fine lines and wrinkles. However, this is not true to all brands and products. For instance, Skin Scripts peptide eye serum is more for brightening. de-puffing and targeting fine lines and their tri-peptide eye cream is for dryer skin types that really need hydration around the eye area. I usually sell their eye serum to most clients and just my older really dry clients the eye cream.



Q: What age should I start using an eye product?

A: NOW....prevention is key people. I usually start clients in their early twenties or late teens. I would definitely add an eye serum in your skincare routine because no one wants wrinkles & crows feet. Plus every age can suffer from puffiness and dark circles.


Below is my list of favorite eye serums and creams, starting with my favorite.




MY RIDE OR DIE HOLY GRAIL:

Viktoria DeAnn Peptide Eye Serum:
This is my absolute favorite eye product I have ever used, and thats saying a lot. Plus this powerful peptide serum is only $38 and lasts forever because one little drop covers both eyes. I cannot keep this product in stock. I also have never had an eye serum that received so many raving reviews and compliments. This bad boy tightens the fine lines & wrinkles instantly, I have never seen anything like it. It also is so good at reducing dark circles & puffiness. I originally found out about Viktoria DeAnn via esthetician forums and discussions about favorite eye serums. This one kept getting a ton of mentions so I immediately reached out to the company and its been love at first sight ever since.

Viktoria DeAnn's peptide eye serum quickly penetrates and helps brighten & firm the delicate skin of the eye area. The signs of aging (stress, puffiness, dark circles & wrinkles) are reduced to improve the appearance of the skin. Acting as an antioxidant & optimizing hydration, green tea extract & soluble collagen are complimentary actives to the UET-3 peptide complex. This product was the 2018 dermascope winner for best eye serum voted on by estheticians.



MY OLD FAVORITE & STILL A GREAT OPTION:

iS Clinical Youth Eye Complex:
This used to be my favorite until I tried the Viktoria DeAnn peptide eye serum. I still absolutely love this eye cream and highly recommend it. iS Clinical is one of the top brands of skincare, however it is more pricey which some clients don't love. This product is $98 but a little goes a long way. I used to always stock this but with the higher price tag, it doesn't sell as well. If you ever need this product I can definitely get it for you or recommend a million places in Lexington, that have it in stock!

iS Clinical Youth Eye Complex combats the visual signs of aging. Clinically proven to target visual areas of concern and, as a result, skin looks firmer & more resilient. Powerful peptides, key growth factors and potent antioxidants help reduce the appearance of wrinkles & visibly brighten under eye area to keep skin smooth, hydrated & protected all day long.



ANOTHER GOOD EYE SERUM:

Skin Script Peptide Eye Serum: 
This product is surprisingly so good. Skin Script is an amazing, affordable skincare line sold only to professionals. I love Skin Script & my clients love the price tag. Good skincare does not always have to be outrageously expensive. I used to always recommend this one for the budget friendly option until I tried the Viktoria DeAnn. I still carry a few of these in stock because it is a little cheaper. The Viktoria DeAnn is only $8 more and definitely worth the difference in my opinion.  This one is $30.

Skin Script Peptide Eye Serum opens the eye zone for a refreshed, youthful appearance. Brightens discoloration, reduces appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, stimulates circulation and improves tissue strength while encouraging healthy cellular skin functions.



A NICE EYE CREAM:

Skin Script Tri-Peptide Eye Cream:
I only recommend this to clients with very dry skin around the eyes or who request an actual cream. I will occasionally use this once a week, or when I am super dry from a chemical peel or treatment. This is a great affordable option for older clients. $30

Skin Script Tri-Peptide Eye Cream is for dry skin. It opens the eye zone for a refreshed, youthful appearance. It softens skin and firms the eye area, stimulates circulation & improves tissue strength.






MY FAVORITE OVER THE COUNTER OPTION:

Dr. Brant No More Needles:
I got a sample of this at Sephora with my points one day and I surprisingly enjoyed this. It really does help with the under eye baggage. It did seem a little on the drying side which I didn't love. This product is $42 at Sephora.


AN OKAY OVER THE COUNTER OPTION:

Clinique all about eyes:
Okay so I really don't get much results from this serum but I just love the roller ball applicator. The metal rolling ball does have a cooling effect which feels so nice in the mornings. My mom always had this & would rub our under eyes (I get it honestly) and it feels so nice. I own one, however I really don't see much effect other than a little de-puffing from the roller ball effect. I still like to use it sometimes for the feeling and then I go in after with my Viktoria DeAnn peptide serum. You could also just buy a jade roller and use in the morning for the de-puffing effect and then use another product after. $32.50




Disclaimer: I usually stick to professional medical grade products. Being an esthetician and skincare junkie I have always used high end professional products. I do try some of the more popular skincare brands found at Sephora, Ulta, etc. to test out. I also get lots of samples of products to try. Medical grade skincare sold from professional estheticians, medspas, plastic surgeons offices, dermatologist, etc. have higher active ingredients. What are your favorite eye products? If you have any questions about the eye area or what product is best for you, email me at skinstudiobymegan@gmail.com.

Skin Studio By Megan's Moisturizing Gel

Skin Studio By Megan has recently launched its very own moisturizing gel. I am beyond thrilled you guys are loving this product as much as I am. I am so passionate about this moisturizing gel and wanted to create the perfect product to provide to my clients.

Skin Studio By Megan’s Moisturizing Gel Active Ingredient: 

Pumpkin Seed, Sea Buckthorn, White Tea Extract, Honeyquat, Aloe & Carrot 

Benefits:

-boosts skin hydration & elasticity

 -full of Antioxidants 

-Omegas 3,6,9 & 7

-Vitamins A,C & E

-helps with skin firmness 

-brightens & evens skin tone

-great for acne 

-fights free radicals

 -gives a great glow to the skin

-strengthens skin natural moisture barrier to prevent moisture loss 

This is amazing for the face AND body...a little goes a long way! I made sure that this is safe for sensitive skin and acne prone skin. I created this product for those who need a good moisturizer but hate the feel of a thick, heavy cream. This product has a very lightweight feel and feels more like a serum/gel. 

Creating skincare products has always been a dream of mine. My good friends at Loco Soap, LLC had previously created my own grape seed oil READ ABOUT IT HERE and I knew they were the right fit for my new product. I took them an example of the consistency I wanted my product to be and we created the perfect list of ingredients that are beneficial to every skin type. They delivered the most perfect product that was every thing I dreamed of and more. I am so grateful for these girls & I am happy to deliver this product to you guys. 

 I’m going to be making samples for clients wanting to try it out. It also smells heavenly with a grapefruit scent. Everyone who has tried is obsessed. I cannot wait to share this amazing moisturizing gel with you all. Here are a few reviews from clients below.

New Treatments at Skin Studio By Megan

I am thrilled to announce some amazing new treatments coming to Skin Studio By Megan. 

CASMARA MASKS:

These masks actually cool the temperature of your skin by up to 10 degrees F, providing a lymphatic draining effect reducing puffiness and dark circles under the eyes, while soothing, firming & toning the face. An instant facelift effect which we all need. You can actually place this mask over the neck, eyes & lips as well (only if you aren't claustrophobic). These algae peel-off masks are formulated with seaweed extracts that provides a powerful hydrating effect, along with diverse active ingredients, different with every mask for every skin type & condition. I am so excited to finally offer these amazing fun masks that provide instant results. The great thing about this mask is it peels off in one piece, so you can also take the peeled off mask home and use it again within 24 hours. 



CIRCADIA'S MANDELICLEAR WITH VITAMIN A ACCELERATOR:

The mandeliclear peel system is a deeper peel that was developed specifically for treating pigmentation issues. This unique acid complex will effectively lighten pigmentation due to acne, melasma, or photo damaged skin. The mandeliclear acid complex combined with the Vitamin A accelerator was designed to accelerate physical peeling without excessive damage to the skin resulting in a flawless complexion. This peel will definitely cause peeling, in other words a few days of downtime is needed. I just had surgery this past Wednesday and applied this peel Thursday night. I began flaking Friday afternoon and peeled for several days. I still have a little peeling around my hairline but my skin is as smooth as a babies bottom! This peel is phenomenal and I cannot wait for you guys to try it out. This peel would be great for those with acne, pigmentation & aging. This peel does need to be left on this skin for 12 hours without getting wet. It would be ideal to do on a Thursday afternoon, that way you can peel over the weekend and be good as new by Monday.  I will post some pictures below of my peeling process. 

CIRCADIA'S ALPHA/BETA PEEL:

Fight the signs of aging with the combination of Lactic and Salicylic acids. This unique blend of alpha and beta acids will not only effectively exfoliate the skin but also even complexion. This is the perfect rejuvenator for all skin types assisting in lasting results. This very effective peel uses the perfect blend of acids to explicate without harshness, irritation, or inflammation. A new technology in peeling, clients experience little to no stinging and should not experience flaking or peeling. This peel is great for all skin types, especially those looking to even out their complexion.


I am thrilled to offer these amazing new treatments at Skin Studio By Megan. I am always researching the latest and greatest treatments and skincare to offer my clients.  

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed Oil is my favorite oil for the skin. I have been on a hunt for years for the perfect company to private label my own grapeseed oil. It has been my dream & goal. I finally found the perfect local soap company to private label Skin Studio By Megans own grapeseed oil. Grapeseed oil is my jam for all of its amazing benefits but I also might love it even more because its a by-procduct of the process of making wine. It is pressed from the seeds of the grapes used in the wine making process. I love wine & I love this oil. Being an acne-prone & oily skin girl myself, the thought of putting an oil on my face really freaked me out. I am so glad I got over my fear. Grapeseed Oil is non-comedgonic meaning it does not clog your pores. This makes it safe for all skin types. It actually helps oily skin & acne. The best function of grapeseed oil is it is a nice, silky moisturizer.

Here are all the amazing benefits of using a grapeseed oil on your skin:
-moisturizes
-anti-inflammatory
-antimicrobial
-antioxidant
-regulates oil
-benefits all skin types
-Vitamins C, D & A help reduce scars & wrinkles

The best way to use this is at night time after all of your skincare routine....meaning this is your very last step. I put this all over my body, not just on the face. I am very oily so I only use this at night time, however some of my extremely dry clients will use this in the morning as well. I even have a few clients mix a drop into their foundation for a dewy skin look.

Why do I have still have a red mark after a pimple is healed?

Post inflammatory hyper pigmentation is THE worst. You finally clear your pesky pimple and you are left with a red mark that can last weeks, months & even years. Unfortunately there really isn't much that will help rid you of this mark but time, however a few things that might speed it up. PIH can be a result of acne, ingrown hairs, or any injury to the skin. Due to the injury to the skin, the inflammation has triggered melanin production as an immune response. Picking at a pimple or scraping a scar can make this worse. Here are some things to help speed up PIH.

1) Mandelic Acid: My clients are very aware of my obsession with Mandelic Acid. Mandelic has the largest molecule structure of all the Alpha Hydroxy Acids, meaning it doesn't penetrate as deeply causing lots of dryness, downtime or inflammation. Mandelic Acid is an amazing ingredient for acne, aging and pigmentation. I love mandelic acid in all of my at home skin care products and in office treatments.

2) IPL: Intense Pulsed Light for vascularity can help some with PIH but won't always get rid of it completely. IPL is a little uncomfortable and does feel like a hot rubber band snap. I love to get an IPL done once a year for my redness in my face or any pigmentation I have. Sometimes it can take multiple treatments but one or two a year does it for me. Make sure you research who you go to for your IPL treatments. I have tons of clients who have gone to places with poorly trained technicians and have permanent scarring left from IPL. I personally do not perform IPL on my own now but have tons of places I recommend to go have it done.

3) Lactic Acid: Lactic Acid is a very gentle yet effective ingredient in peels and at home products. Lactic Acid is exfoliating, increases collagen and elastin, super moisturizing (great for dry skin), fades pigmentation, and gives an amazing overall glow to the skin. I love in office lactic acid peels, in office enzymes containing lactic acid and Viktoria DeAnn's 5% Lactic Acid & Collagen peptide product. It is a mild at home peel and delivers excellent results.

4) Microneedling: Microneedling is my favorite thing ever. It uses a pen device or roller with small tiny needles to puncture the skin and create tiny "holes" in the skin. This stimulates the skins wound healing response to stimulate collagen and elastin, it is great for tightening the skin, pitted acne scarring, surgical scars, etc. It also really helps with the red acne marks as well. I love microneedling more than most lasers for scarring and tightening. It is nice because you have very little downtime and amazing results. You can have it done at most med spas, derms or plastic surgeon offices. They will numb you prior so there is very little pain. You will experience redness the day of and usually pink the next day or two, you can also have a little bit of dryness with this treatment and flake for a few days. It is my favorite treatment ever & I have had the best luck with acne scarring with this treatment.

5) Kojic & Arbutin: These lighteners are in lots of products/peels and also help lighten PIH. These are in my Skin Script Glycolic/Retinol Pads as well as my face reality peels. These ingredients do a great job to lighten pigmentation and even skin tone.



Products that I recommend to help lighten PIH:

-Skin Scripts Glycolic/Retinol Pads

-Viktoria DeAnn 5% Lactic Acid & Collagen

-Skin Scripts Retinol Scrub/Mask

-Face Reality Mandelic Cleanser or Mandelic Scrub

-Face Reality Mandelic Serum

Why does dry skin itch?

Have dry skin that gets itchy? Todays post is all about the reason why dry skin itches and how you can help prevent this.

Skin becomes dry when water or moisture escapes from the surface layers of the skin. It also is from lack of natural sebum protection. Dry skin gets itchy because it has exposed gaps in the barrier function, making nerves exposed. When surface cells dry. they become more brittle and itchy. When you scratch the itchy skin, these dead dry skin cells are removed and skin becomes inflamed.

How to help...
-Use a good moisturizer suited for your skin type.
-Try using a moisturizer with cortisone in it for extremely itchy skin.
-Try using a humidifier to help
-Get facial treatments to help remove dead skin cells and hydrate the skin
-Avoid extreme cold temperatures & wind
-Take shorter showers with luke warm temperature...not HOT water.
-Can be treated but consistency and frequency is key

OXYGEN RX TREATMENT

Oxygen facials are finally available at Skin Studio By Megan. Oxygen facials have gained a huge celebrity following for their amazing rejuvenating and restorative actions. They plump the skin and give a glowy appearance making it perfect for events. Oxygen facials can be used on any skin type. Due to the germicidal acton, it makes this procedure extremely beneficial for any one with acne & also rosacea. The lightening & vascoconstricting capabilities give instant results. Oxygen facials are quick, easy and pleasant. Oxygen is essential to life and keeping skin looking young & healthy. The end result is clear & luminous skin with a feeling of firmness. You can repeat as often as weekly.

BENEFITS:
-increases skin function
-decreases erythema
-skin lightening agent improves scars and lightens sun damage
-vasocontricting
-stimulates fibroblasts to produce more collagen in the dermis
-oxygen kills bacteria

New Product Alert: Viktoria De Ann Peptides

Hi everyone I am SO excited to announce a new product line coming to Skin Studio By Megan. Viktoria De Ann products are top of the line. These line of peptide treatments will soon be taking over Skin Studio By Megan. After sampling the products for several weeks on clients and myself, the results are amazing & I cannot wait to share these products with you. 

What are peptides? Peptides are one of the best ingredients for age management. These active molecules work by penetrating the top layer of the skin and sending specific signals to our cells to let them know how to function. Each peptide helps the skin to achieve a specific result, whether you desire more collagen, need to tone, lift, correct, hydrate, etc. Each peptide in your regimen can and will yield significant, visible changes within the skin when used in a routine. These peptides send specific messages to the skin and target the dermal growth areas of the skin producing positive changes within the layers of the epidermis. Viktoria De'Ann Peptide Cosmeceuticals provide cumulative results that don't plateau leaving your skin in optimum health.

Here are a few of the products from this line I will be offering...

LIFT: Tightens the cellular tension of the cell structure and literally tightens and lifts neck, jowls, cheeks, eyes... wherever it is applied. $70

TONE: Relax that forehead of yours! A natural muscle relaxer and is an excellent alternative to BOTOX. If you have botox, this will help make it last longer. I am loving this product so far & can really tell a difference in my forehead.  $70

REJUVENATE: Initiates cellular responses of repair and regeneration. $70

EYE SERUM: Reduces puffiness and dark circles & firms delicate skin around the eye area. This serum is what sold me on this line. The signs of aging (stress, puffiness, and dark circles) are reduced to improve the appearance of the skin. Acting as an antioxidant and optimizing hydration, green tea extract and soluble collagen are complimentary actives to the UET-3 peptide complex. It is my new favorite eye product & you all know how picky I am with eye creams/serums.  $38

I'm in LOVE with this product line and you will be too! I am also testing out their lash growth serum. You guys know I love my GrandeLash MD, so I am testing this out to see if it is better. It is more pricey ($90 compared to Grande at $65). I will bring it on as well depending on results but so far I am seeing more growth! I can't wait for you guys to get your hands on this line. 

November is National Healthy Skin Month

November is National Healthy Skin Month! Which means Skin Studio By Megan will be giving out daily tips for your skin. Follow these tips & tricks for happy, healthy, youthful & glowing skin!

1) Don't skip your SPF.

2) Don't drink from a straw, it will create wrinkles around the mouth. 

3) Exfoliate 1-3 times per week, depending on your skin type. Ask your esthetician how often you should exfoliate. 

4) Make sure you have a product with Hyualoronic Acid in your skincare regimen. 

5) Drink more water. Hydrate from the inside out. More water means less breakouts, redness and gives a glow to the skin. 

6) Stop going to the tanning bed.

7) Get your skin glowing with greens. Eat more dark leafy veggies or drink them with juices. 

8) It is never too early to start a good skincare regimen. Treatments with your esthetician only go so far...you must have good home care. Think about if you work out a few times a week but eat like crap...not good results.

9) Don't squeeze your pimples. Most of the time you are only making it worse...leading to scabbing, scarring, bleeding & inflammation. 

10) Eat and drink your antioxidants. They fight free radicals (the bad guys). Green tea is a great form. 

11) Add a form of retinol to your regimen. Retinol, retin-A, tretinion is a topical form of vitamin A. It desquamates the follicle lining...AKA turns over your skin cells faster. This is a process that slows down as we age...our goal is to speed it back up! 

12) Moisturize your lips. A good cheap way is aquafor....it is amazing for dry, cracked lips.

13) Add a few drops of liquid chlorophyll to water to combat breakouts.

14) Oily skin ladies...use salicylic acid, either treatments or in your home care. It dissolves oil & helps with breakouts. 

15) Get an enzyme treatment...I LOVE these. Enzyme treatments help break down the cornfield layer, "opens" pores & softens solified sebum. 

16) Commit to a good daily gentle cleanser. It is also nice to throw a treatment cleanser in 1-3 times a week. I love the Skin Script Glycolic Acid Cleanser.

17) Use luke warm water when cleansing your skin & showering. Extremely hot water will dry out your skin.

18) Use an eye cream or serem...prevent those crows feet before they begin. 

19) Get monthly facials, chemical peels or microdermabrasions. It is like a workout for your skin. Also getting monthly treatments helps speed up that cellular turnover rate we talked about earlier. 

20) Use a good mask 1-3 times per week. 

21) Address gut health. Adding a daily probiotic can really help the skin clear up & have a nice glow. 

22) Get a good amount of sleep. 

23) Clean your makeup brushes.

24) Toss your makeup wipes....80% of them are terrible for the skin. Swap these out for micellar cleansing water.

25) Get a high frequency treatment. High frequency kills bacteria, soothes skin, minimizes redness, decongests puffy eyes, stimulates cell renewal, calms inflammation, speeds up the healing process. This only takes a few minutes and is the bomb for busting breakouts. 

26) You must be using a Vitamin C in your home care regimen. Vitamin C used topically tightens, lightens & brightens the skin. It is packed full of antioxidants leaving a healthy glow. It also protects from sun damage (still need to use a SPF) & helps reverse old damage. Check out one of my favorite Vitamin C products on this blog post ----> CLICK HERE

27) Add Omega 3's to your skincare routine to help fight inflammation that leads to breakouts and for a healthy glow. 

28) Don't forget to use skincare products on your neck, chest & hands. They age too!

29) Peel away pigmentation...don't be afraid of chemical peels. 

30) Give yourself an ice facial. Wrap an ice cube in a paper towels & rub over your face. It helps with redness, decreases the appearance of the pores, decreases breakouts, and gives an amazing glow. 

Best Exfoliating Duo: Skin Scripts 2% Retinol Exoliating Scrub/Mask

I love a good mask just as much as I love a good exfoliating scrub. Skin Scripts Retinol Exfoliating Scrub/Mask gives me both for the price of one. EVERYONE should be using a form of topical Vitamin A (retinol, retin-A, tretinoin) in their home care skin routine. Why is topical Vitamin A so important to our skin? It helps promote a healthy cellular turnover, unclogs pores, boosts collagen to reduce fine lines, evens discoloration, smothers & resurfaces skin. Most women as soon as early twenties will benefit from adding a retinol product to their routine.

Skin Scripts 2% Retinol Exfoliating Scrub/Mask with Kojic and Malic Acid

Functions: This scrub exfoliates while brightening to promote a clear, healthy skin tone. It is a powerful cellular turnover scrub. It also encourages the breakup of blackheads. Kojic lightens age and sun spots & blemishes from scars. 

Recommended For: All skin types as an exfoliant. Great for aging and acne. 

How to use: After cleansing, apply a thin layer and allow the active ingredients to penetrate into the skin for 5-10 minutes. Add a minimal amount of water and work in circular motions to exfoliate the skin. Remove completely with water. Use this 2-3 times per week, depending on your skin type. If dryness occurs, reduce usage. For a booster, cleanse with glycolic cleanser then add this mask over top. Steam up for 10 minutes in the shower, then gently remove in circular motions. 

Benefits:

-resurfaces and refines skin

-lessens visible aging

-lightens discoloration 

-provides chemical and physical exfoliation

-promotes collagen synthesis

-assists in healing and rejuvenating. 

Active Ingredients:

Jojoba Beads- provide physical exfoliation and gently buffs away dead surface debris. Leaves behind jojoba esters which is a moisture retaining component of natural skin sebum.

Kojic Acid 2%- lightens skin discolorations, slows the production of melanin and assets in maintaining the desired skin coloration after aggressive depigmentation treatments. 

Retinol- dissolves keratinization, resurfaces and smoothes the skin, stimulates collagen production to improve skin quality and youthfulness. 

Citrus Medica Limonum (lemon)- is astringent, purifying, toning, brightening, promotes a taught toned skin tissue. 

Malic Acid- enhances desquamation of the stratum corneum and improves the appearance of the skin. 

Get this product into your weekly routine. Available at Skin Studio By Megan. This product is $43 and usually lasts me at least 3 months since it is used sparingly. This is definitely a staple product and a best seller.  

How to achieve the perfect LASH LIFT.

Todays post in on how to achieve the best lash lift. Lash Lifts are an amazing service if provided by a great lash artist. A lash lift permanently curls your own natural lash by lifting them up & out. A lift will last until all the lashes fall out naturally (generally 6-12 weeks). We typically shed 1-5 lashes per day. Make sure your lash artist has lots of before & afters showing their work. The biggest problem with lifting lashes is some artists don't separate the lashes on the rod properly. See photo below.

Here are some tips for better lifts:

-Using a lash growth serum will make your natural lashes longer, thicker & fuller, resulting in a better lift. I love and retail GrandeLash MD $65. If you have short and brittle lashes, use a serum 8 weeks before getting a lift.

-Do not use waterproof mascara the week of your lift, before the lift & after. It is really tough on the lashes and hard to remove.

-Avoid wearing eye makeup for 24 hours after the lift.

-Tinting the lashes (darkens natural lash) will make the lashes appear longer...resulting in a better lift.

-Don't touch or play with the lashes after the lift.

AFTERCARE:

-no steam, heat, saunas, water, oils, lotion, shampoo, face wash, makeup remover wipes for a minimum of 24 hours after the lift. This will cause the lift to fall. Be careful even cooking (boiling water, grill, etc.).

-try not to side sleep

-avoid oily face washes, this will cause lift to drop prematurely

Lashes should always be dried before leaving the appointment. Water will weigh down and cause the lift to drop. I always fan dry clients lashes before they leave.


Here are some of my favorite lifts I have personally done at Skin Studio By Megan in Lexington, KY.

Fight inflammation with food

Inflammation is part of the bodies immune system. When inflammation is out of control, it can damage the body. Foods with sugar and saturated fat can spark inflammation. We all know inflammation leads to breakouts and makes them worse, as well as other skin conditions. So lets chat about the foods that reduce inflammation. Hit the grocery store and stock up on these items:

-tomatoes
-olive oil
-green leafy veggies (spinach, kale)
-nuts like almonds and walnuts
-fatty fish (salmon, tuna,sardines)
-celery
-beets
-broccoli
-blueberries
-pineapple
-ginger
-raw oats
-green tea
-dark chocolate
-red peppers
-tumeric
-black beans

Those are some of my favorites that are easy to add into your diet. Smoothies & juicing can be amazing for reducing inflammation & can combine several anti-inflammatory foods. What are your favorite anti-inflammatory foods? Email me at skinstudiobymegan@gmail.com to chat more.

Eliminating Bruising After Injections

HOW TO PREVENT BRUISING FROM INJECTIONS 

 Arnica Montana is a game changer to help with bruising, swelling, aches & pains.  

Arnica is an herb used for bruises, swelling, aches & pains. This magical supplement is not only good for fillers/botox injections but great for the following:

-pre-surgery 

-pain

-swelling

-insect bites

-cartilage pain

-arthritus

-injuries

-bruising

Arnica is one of the best remedies available to heal bruises faster, speeding up the process of healing. It also sends more white blood cells to repair bruising. 

How to use it: 

Arnica comes in oral form or a topical gel. The topical form is great to rub on sore muscles. For oral supplements, you simply dissolve them under the tongue. Most recommend using arnica 4 days before and 4 days after injections.  

I recently had a terrible bruise on my knee, thanks to arnica it healed quickly. This also helps relieve my shoulder pain and inflammation. 

Other Tips For Limiting Bruising with injections:

-avoid alcohol 

-avoid aspirin & NSAIDS

Keep in mind I am NO doctor hah, so check with your doctor before taking any supplements.