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Showing posts with label anti-aging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anti-aging. Show all posts

Monday, April 20, 2015

Why makeup cleansing towels are actually BAD for your skin


Makeup cleansing wipes are every lazy girls dream...I myself can be lazy about washing my face at night after a long day of work or a night out with friends. I used to stash them beside my nightstand,convenient  right? WRONG. I have tried out many different brands of these wipes and have never been satisfied...then I decided to investigate them a little more. Why am I never happy...because these wipes are doing more harm then good.

Lets break down some of the ingredients:

These wipes contain high levels of alcohol which is very drying to the skin & can cause premature aging. 

Most brands contain fragrances which are very irritating to the skin. 

These are packed full of preservatives to make their shelf life longer...irritating to the skin.

Surfactants are detergent like chemicals to remove makeup and grime from the skin. However these surfactants are left just sitting on top of the skin creating a film. Think of covering your face with plastic wrap all night.

Ingredients to avoid in these wipes: 

Phenoxyethanol is an irritant.
Propylene glycol is an irritant.
2-Bromo 2 Nittropane-1, 3-Dio are anti-microbial agents that carry the highest hazard rating in Skin Deep Ingredients Database. 


Damaging while using: 

These wipes are okay every now and then if you are traveling or camping but daily usage is actually doing more harm then good. Sure they are simple, cheap & quick but it is SO worth it just to get out of bed and give yourself a good cleanse. Here are some reasons why: 

-Eye makeup can sometimes be a pain to get off. Constant pulling & tugging of the skin to get all your mascara off is very damaging because the eye area has such delicate skin. You are actually causing aging by rubbing those wipes harshly. 

-Yes these wipes remove makeup but they also remove natural oils of the face which protect our skin. 

-Any products you apply after using these wipes will not penetrate the skin properly due to the film left on the skin. AKA you are wasting your products. 

-Using these wipes means you are essentially just wiping the bacteria on your face back & forth....gross. 

-Because of the film left on the skin from these wipes, your skin cannot breathe. 

-These wipes cause dryness, redness, irritation, premature aging & acne. No thanks

-Soaked in potent chemicals 


All in all these wipes are a no no. If you are  going to use these wipes make sure to rinse with water immediately. If you are traveling or camping dampen a paper towel and gently wipe the water on the skin to remove the film. 




























Sunday, April 12, 2015

Nerium...the FATAL scam

                                                     
      

The pushy, uneducated sales reps: Last week I had a potential new client come in for a skin care consultation. After arriving twenty minutes late we continued into her skin care consultation. She then approaches me asking if I have heard of a line called Nerium.. ARE YOU SERIOUS? She then tells me she is a brand representative and I nicely (as nicely as possible) denied her from contiuing on. Nerium is the WORST most toxic product on the market and today we are going to break down why.

First off their pushy sales representatives DRIVE ME CRAZY. There is nothing worse to me then MLM product lines...except Nerium, its the worst! MLM is a multi-level-marketing pyramid scheme. Basically you buy into a company, get commision for your sales & have people sign up "under your team" and get commision for them joining. Now I am not going to knock all MLM lines because there are a select few that actually have decent products (nutrition, makeup, etc.) but what kills me are these woman selling skin care products with NO PROFESSIONAL LICENSE. They have no education on the anatomy of the skin at all...so why would anyone in their right mind trust them to educate them on skincare. Sure they have a webinar or some training, but they are NOT licensed skin care professionals...most of them are at home moms trying to make an extra buck and get a new lexus. 

Now lets get into the actual product. MLM product lines are not regulated by the FDA. Another red flag to me is the "automatic reorder". If the product worked you wouldn't need to use this sales tactic. Nerium claims to reverse wrinkles in two weeks. This is impossible. It takes 90 days to build collagen, not 14. Also this product doesn't penetrate deep enough to actually reverse the signs of aging.


Now lets talk ingredients. Nerium consists of Nerium Oleander leaf extract which is TOXIC...so toxic if you ingest it, it is fatal. Who in their right mind would apply a product to their skin that is FATAL. Nerium Oleander is a deadly plant and so deadly one leaf can kill a small child. Not only would I not put this on my face, I wouldn't keep it in my house. Reps claim that they use small amounts in their product and it cannot reach the bloodstream. However the company will not release how much of this toxic deadly plant is actually in their product....RED FLAG. They also will not release any of their scientific research...HELLO why not? I would never use a product which company will not release their research to the public.  There is no evidence that this product has any anti-aging benefits. 

The second ingredient found in this product is aloe barbadenis...just a fancy form of aloe vera. The rest of the ingredients can be found in any basic over the counter terrible skin care products. 

What about all these "wow" before and after pictures? Nerium Oldeander leaf is a skin irritant that causes swelling of the skin. If your skin is swollen & inflammed, your fine lines & wrinkles will appear smoother. However, having your skin in a constant state of inflammation is terrible for your skin. There is also a law suit against Nerium with actor Ray Liotta who has never used or heard of these products till he saw his before & after pictures posted everywhere with Nerium. Clearly lots of photoshop went down since he has never even heard of this product.


Conclusion: So ladies & gentlemen..please throw away this toxic fatal product. If there was such a fabulous miracle all-in-one product that Nerium claims to be estheticians, dermatologist, and doctors would be selling it everywhere. Instead we all strongly dislike this product & everything the company stands for. This product was given me to sample however there is no way I would apply this to my body or face. This product smells terrible. Also, you are given a list of ingredients that you cannot use with Nerium. Salicylic Acid was on the list and as an acne suffer, I could never go without my Sal. Acid. 

This product has no scientific research provided for the public, is toxic & fatal when ingested, causes inflammation of the skin in a negative way and is expensive.

Lastly, there has been lots of feedback on several forums about people using Nerium having cardiac issues. Once they stop using the products their issues stopped. Clearly the cardiac issues are linked to the poisonus fatal plant they are rubbing all over their face daily. 











Thursday, April 9, 2015

Why you should toss your St. Ives Scrub

After my post on why you should toss your cetaphil (check it out HERE) I decided to make a series on terrible yet popular over the counter skin care products. Tonight I am breaking down why you should throw away the ever so popular St. Ives Scrub.


This product claims to be "all natural" and hypoallergenic but have you looked at the actual ingredients? If you have a bottle of this terrible scrub I am assuming no....go ahead and toss it in the trash now. I like to think of this product as taking glass putting it in a blender then rubbing it on your face. Lets break down a few of the ingredients.

The walnut shell powder creates microscopic tears in the top layers of the skin. The granules are jagged making the product scratch the skin not exfoliate the skin. This makes it perfect for bacteria to clot. 

This product is full of ingredients that have fragrance....very irritating to the skin.

A lot of the ingredients are highly comedogenic for example ceteareth-20 an emmolient. 

Propylene glycol leaves a film on the skin and is toxic.

Most ingredients are very irritating to the skin.

They claim to be "all-natural" (which means nothing but a marketing ploy) yet fail to mention synthetic surfactants, emulsifiers, preservatives & fragrances. Not so natural is it?

This product is seriously damaging the skin. The redness and tearing is at a microscopic level which cannot always be seen or noticed when using. This product causes premature aging, discoloration, scarring & broken capillaries. It also makes the pores appear larger. So please do your skin a favor and TOSS the St. Ives.





Sunday, March 29, 2015

Pinterest Skin Care DONT'S



 I am a HUGE pinterest fan, I think it is a fabulous app/website...many great ideas come from pinterest. Although there are some things I see on pinterest that make me cringe, and skincare treatments & products are one of them. Please people be careful what you do/put on your skin.Today I am going to bust some of these DIY pinterest skincare myths. 






Pictured above is a DIY microdermabrasion...microdermabrasion is mecahincal exfolation using a diamond wand tip or crystals. There is nothing you can do at home that will provide benefits of a microdermabrasion. I laugh so hard on the inside when my clients tell me they have had microdermabrasions but not done professionally. The biggest one I hear is Mary Kays microdermabrasion (not knocking Mary Kay I love some of their products) & I even sell an exfolationg scrub called Nitty Gritty that has the same crystals used in microdermabrasion. These products have NO comparison to a microdermabrasion treatment done by an esthetician. Read more about microdermabrasions in an older post microdermabrasion blog  




Here are some ingredients found in various DIY skincare treatments & scrubs that are harmful to the skin & here is why:

Baking Soda- Baking Soda has a pH of 9 which is way too alkaline for the skin. This causes moisture loss & strips the skin of its natural barrier. 

Lemon- Lemon is known all over pinterest for brightening the skin & clearing blemishes. However the pH of a lemon is only 2, throwing off the pH balance of the skin & is very irritating. 

Toothpaste- Toothpaste is known as a great DIY spot treatment for pimples...but it is actually harmful. This strips the lipid barrier of the skin. Applying toothpaste directly to your skin is very drying & irritating. This can also cause pigmentation & acne scars. Instead look for a spot treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. My favorite is Skin Scripts blemish spot treatment.  




Vasoline- Vasoline is recommended for dryness but I recently saw a blackhead remover using vasoline. Vasoline is too occlusive for the skin and is very pore clogging. 

Sugar- Sugar is in a lot of DIY scrubs & exfoliants. However sugar is too rough & has uneven jagged edges that can actually tear up the skin. 

Coconut Oil- I am a big fan of coconut oil, although it should never be used by someone with oily acne prone skin. Oils are a big fad in skincare and yes oil does dissolve oil, but coconut oil is not good on acne prone skin unless you want a breakout. 

Rubbing Alcohol- Rubbing alcohol is too drying for the skin to be used daily. It will cause a buildup of dead skin cells.

Milk- Lactic Acid derives from milk but that doesn't mean you should apply milk directly to the skin. Milk can actually spoil on your skin & it is not strong enough to deliver any lactic acid. 

Egg whites- Egg whites sometimes contain salmonella, if you ingest any of this you can get sick. 






Another no no I have seen on pinterest is making your own products & sunscreens. Most of us are not chemist so please do not try making your own products. You most likely will do more harm then good to your skin. Leave it to the professionals people. 










Monday, March 16, 2015

Why you should toss your Cetaphil

Cetaphil is not the holy grail of cleansers it is made out to be. Actually you should throw away your Cetaphil cleanser. 

Cetaphil doesn't have a SINGLE anti-aging ingredient...or ANY beneficial ingrediets for that matter. This cleanser that is so well known has no benefits for your skin. This product claims to be "gentle & non-irritating" but lets review its ingredients. Oh wait there is only 8 ingredients.

1. Water
2. Cetyl Alcohol (fatty acids)
3. Propylene Glycol
4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (surfactant, strips dry skin & irritating)
5. Stearyl Alcohol (fatty acids)
6.Methyl Paraben (preservative)
7.Propylparaben (preservative)
8.Butylparaben (preervative)

The three parabens listed are actually on the list of cosmetic ingredients to avoid.

So why are so many dermatologist recommending this cleanser? Politics of course....dermatologist have a great relationship with Galderma the company that makes Cetaphil & they send thousands of samles to dermatologist. Another reason this is recommended is it containts no artificial fragrances & dyes. Dermatologist do not have time to research over the counter products to recommend to their clients. Dermatologist also know more about skin care conditions then skin care products. 

This cleanser may not irritate your skin but it is most certaintly not helping your skin. Talk with your esthetician or dermatologist about cleansers that are actually beneficial for your skin. 

Ladies toss away the Cetaphil and start using cleansers with anti-aging ingredients that help your skin.

Happy Monday.










Thursday, March 12, 2015

Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin

                           

With spring around the corner it is time to get rid of the dull, itchy & dry winter skin. To do this first you must determine if your skin is dry or dehydrated. MOST of my clients have no idea their skin type or often think they have dry skin when it is really just dehdrated. So lets discuss the differences in dry & dehydrated skin.

DRY SKIN:
-dry skin is a skin type
-genetics play a big role
-lacks sebum (oil)
-small pores due to lack of oils
-feels dry all over the body
-more suseptible to premature aging
-try using a humidifier, gentle exfoliator & rich moisturizers

DEHYDRATED SKIN:
-skin conidtion not a skin type
-lacks water
-can be experienced by anyone
-comes & goes based on diet, products & treatments
-may experience breakouts
-needs water rich products
-key to fix is retaining moisture
-common for oily & acne prone skin that uses harsh exfoliating products that strip the skin of water
-I recommend a hyaluronic acid product, go easy on exfoliation & use sulfate free cleansers & drink lots of water













Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Layering Skin Care Products


                          
    

After several questions this week from clients on layering products I decided to do a post on this topic. Many people have no idea which products to apply first or last. Which order you apply your products makes a huge difference in the potency of products. 

1. Start with a clean canvas by washing your face.
2. Serums (thinnest) should be applied first. This is because these products deliver the most active ingredients. If you apply a heavy thick moisture first, your active ingredients cannot penetrate as deep.
3. Target treatments should be applied next (acne spot treatments, lightening tx, eye creams, etc.)
4. All over treatments.
5. Moisturizer
6. SPF

Remember thinnest to thickest is the general way to go when applying products. Your skin care routine doesn't have to be complex. Always consult with your esthetician or dermatologist on your daily & nighttime skin care routine. Some products may dilute others and some products when mixed can have bad reactions. This is why you need to go over your products and routine with a professional! 

Give the skin a break when applying products, give each product enough time to dry. Try applying one product then make your morning coffe or brush your teeth before applying your next product.

Don't forget our skin repairs itself at night. During this time is when re texturing products work best. Make sure you are using a form of retinal at night.


NEVER forget your daily SPF


If you have questions about your skincare routine feel free to message me at skinstudiobymegan@gmail.com 









Saturday, March 7, 2015

Skin Care Ingredients 101

SKIN CARE INGREDIENTS 101

Many people know certain ingredients are important in skin care but aren't really sure what they mean. Retinols, Salicylic Acids, Enzymes...we know we need to look out for these products...but do you know which ingredients are best for your skin? Here is a quick breakdown of common ingredients found in products & treatments and which skin type they are most suited for.

Antioxidant- Antioxidants are perfect for EVERYONE. Antioxidants prevent damage of free radicals. Free radicals are chemically unstable molecules caused by environmental pollutants and UV exposure which cause damage to the skin. Basically antioxidants fight off the bad guys. I love getting my antioxidants in with my Vitamin C serum & drinking lots of antioxidant packed foods & teas. 




Enzymes- Enzymes are mild, natural, and great for sensitive skin. Enzymes are ingredients designed to dissolve keratin proteins on the surface of the skin, resulting in exfoliation and softer, smoother skin. I love skin scripts enzymes. They are fruit based enzymes that smell amazing. I love to add them before a microdermabrasion or chemical peel. Here is a guide to Skin Scripts Enzymes that I use in the treatment room. 





Salicylic Acid- This ingredient is perfect for acne prone skin. It is anti-inflammatory &  great for reducing the appearance of large pores. Salicylic Acid penetrates into the pore dissolving dead skin cell buildup and promoting cellular turnover. However this is not suitable for dry skin since it is oil based. I like to use a Salicylic Acid based cleanser (Clinical Care's Cleanszit) along with monthly Salicylic Chemical Peels to keep oil and breakouts at bay. 



 


Benzoyl Peroxide- An acne fighting ingredient that is used to dry and exfoliate. Benzoyl Peroxide releases oxygen which helps in killing the bacteria that causes acne. I love to spot treat with Benzoyl Peroxide (since it can be drying I don't like to apply it all over my face). Be careful B.P can stain your sheets & pillow cases. 



Hyaluronic Acid- Hyaluronic Acid is suitable for all skin types. It binds moisture to the skin for an instant plump. My newest HA product I am loving is Skin Scripts hydrating ageless serum. Skin Ceuticals hydrating B5 serum has to be my all time favorite however. A good HA serum is perfect for extra hydration and preventing TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Skin scripts hydrating ageless serum can be applied all the way up to the lash line, preventing & helping milia. 


  


Lactic Acid- Lactic Acid is a derivative from milk. It is suitable for sensitive, dry & mature skin. It is a hydrating exfoliant that draws moisture from the dermis & surface. This is also a good product for a person with dry skin & acne. It lightens & brightens the skin.


Retinol- A form of Vitamin A to desquamate skin cells. It increases cellular turnover, increases collagen, evens skin tone, clears up acne impactions. Retinol is my favorite product that EVERYONE should be using. Many clients say retinols are too strong on their skin, however decreasing your usage or the percentage of active retinol in the product can help sensitivity. There is usually a form of retinol for everyone (even very sensitive skin). 


Glycolic Acid- This acid dissolves desmosomes between cells to keep skin cells exfoliated. This is a great solution to help purge closed comedones. It clears blocked pores, smoothes texture, and removes hyper pigmentation. I love Glycolic Acid and usually suggest Glycolic Peels to all my clients. 




I am currently LOVING these skin script retinol & glycolic pads. They retail for $22.50...could that price get any better? I have been testing these out for the past few days & I have decided to bring some in to retail so I can share the love with you all! These come with 50 pads that break up surface oil to refine pores and reveal fresh, healthy skin. Kojic and arbutin lighten sun spots and scars left from blemishes. Clear up those left over acne marks, current breakouts & pigmentation while stimulating collagen & elastin for fine lines & wrinkles. Miracle product?...I think so!

Of course there are TONS of ingredients to look out for in skin care products. These are just a few common ones I get questions on a lot. If you have any questions on skin care products or ingredients feel free to ask me. Email me at skinstudiobymegan@gmail.com 



Friday, March 6, 2015

3 WAYS TO STOP THE SIGNS OF AGING ON YOUR HANDS

Here are 3 helpful tips on how to stop the signs of aging on your hands. I cannot stand when I see an older woman with a face free of wrinkles and her hands are covered in sun damage & wrinkles. When guessing the age of someone I immediately check their hands and chest as well as face. With my 24th birthday coming up this month, I have been thinking about what else I need to add into my skincare regimen for anti-aging purposes. I have always used anti-acne products and some do contain anti-aging properties, however I am just using these on my face. I need to start focusing on neck, chest, and hand protection as well. If you are in your twenties or even in your sixties, you can start applying these tips to your regimen today. 



1. SUNSCREEN- All day every day people. Like I mentioned in my post on winter skin 
( http://skinstudiobymegan.blogspot.com/2015/02/winter-skin.html ) you need to wear sunscreen even in the winter. Applying sunscreen to your hands will prevent sun damage and pigmentation problems.

2. Microdermabrasion & Chemical Peels- This is the easiest and quickest service to add on while you are getting a facial, chemical peel, or microdermabrasion...not to mention good on the wallet. I charge $10 to add on microdermabrasion or chemical peel on the hands during a treatment. I recommend doing this about once a month. This is great to start even in your twenties. The best way to avoid pigmentation is preventing it. Getting regular mechanical or chemical exfoliation treatments will help with pigmentation as well as fine lines & wrinkles.

3. IPL ( Intense Pulsed Light )- I would recommend IPL if you already have sun spots on your hands. If they have been there for quite awhile, this is your best option for removal. IPL feels like a rubber band snap. Later I will write a post all about IPL. I love IPL treatments. Your brown spots on the hands after treatment will appear darker then flake off...then nothing but amazing results with no downtime.


Don't forget to always apply a moisturizer to your hands as well as topical antioxidants(love to put my vitamin C serum on my neck, chest & hands). Start using these tips today to keep your hands appearing youthful! 



(photo's not mine)

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Winter Skin

Winter means one thing...dry skin! All of my clients, family & friends have been asking tips & tricks to hydrate their skin this winter. In Lexington, KY we have been snowed in all week! This has definitely wreaked havoc on clients skin as well as mine. Here are just a few tips to beat those winter skin blues. Don't forget you can always give yourself an at home facial....I will list steps for that as well. So make yourself a hot cup of tea and enjoy this post.

1. Moisturize- I cannot stress this enough. I have so many clients complain about dry skin and they are only moisturizing at night...HELLO. Make sure you are at least moisturizing twice a day. Also make sure you are keeping up with your exfoliation treatments. If you remove the dead skin cells sitting on top of the skin, you will maximize your moisturizer. Try switching from a gel cleanser to cream cleanser or switch to a more hydrating moisturizer. 

Instead of your normal moisturizer try this



2.Exfoliate- Exfoliation is the key to healthy, youthful & clear skin. Make sure to keep up with your monthly microdermabrasions, peels & facials especially in the winter. Products will penetrate much deeper with clean, clear pores. I love Nitty Gritty from Clinical Care Skin Solutions. This highly effective formula polishes skin with Aluminum Oxide crystals, which are the same crystals used for microdermabrasion. If you are acne prone, try Scrubzit from the same company. 
Another great way to exfoliate is using a Clarisonic brush.Sure they are a bit pricey for some people, but they are amazing & definitely worth the money. I have had mine for years & it is still in perfect condition.

3. Sunscreen- Yes you need to still wear sunscreen EVERYDAY in the winter. It amazes me everytime someones says they don't need to wear it during the winter. The UV rays don't hibernate, they actually reflect off of the snow. 

4. Bath/Showers- Make sure you are using lukewarm water when taking a bath/shower. Hot water strips the skin and hair of natural moisture & oils. I am guilty of taking extremely hot showers. Make sure you are using an exfoliant not only on your face, but body as well. My favorite cheap body exoliant is Dr. Teals eucalyptus epson salts. You can get this at kroger, target, etc. Mix some in a warm bath or mix a handful into your favorite body wash and gently scrub into skin. 
5. Lips- Nothing is more annoying, painful & unattractive then chapped/cracked lips. Many chapsticks are actually drying to your lips, it feels good temporary but isn't healing long term. I have two favorites for winter lips. The first is hydrating with aquafor. I absolutely love this stuff. Every time I have a laserpeel or deep peel, this is my go to for healing my skin. This stuff is also great for chapped lips. If I have dry skin patches I always moisturize with this.
My second favorite is Clinical Care's Sugar Lips, its a lip exfoliant and plumper. Not to mention it tastes amazing. My husband is the chap stick king and he loves this stuff. 
6. Hydrate- I know I say this all the time but I cannot stress the importance of hydrating your body & skin. Keep a water bottle with you at all times. I used to track my daily intake when I first started to drink more H20...there are a few good apps I used to keep track. Also warm up this winter with a cup of hot tea. My favorite is Yogi Skin Health (for normal skin) and Yogi Skin Detox (for acne-prone skin). Last night I tried Aloe Water for the first time & was blown away how yummy it tasted (I hate coconut water). I love to spice things up with lemon water as well. 

At Home Facials- Try giving yourself an at home facial. Start by cleansing your skin using small circular motions. Next use your favorite exfoliant (Nittygritty, Scrubzit, clarisonic brush). Again, use small circular motions working the exfoliator into the skin. After rinsing, apply your favorite mask. While the mask is sitting on the skin, dampen a facial washcloth & heat in the microwave. I warm mine up in 30 second intervals, make sure to check the temperature before putting on your face. Apply the steam towel & let sit on skin for 10 minutes (this will help remove your mask). If you cannot remove the mask completely, cleanse the skin again. Next apply your serums (Vitamin C, lightening creams, etc.). Apply your moisturizer & follow up with a sunscreen. 

I hope you enjoy these winter skin tips & tricks. If you have any questions regarding your skin type & treatment, message me at skinstudiobymegan@gmail.com






Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Derma Roller

Have you ever heard of a dermaroller? 

Well this little device is AMAZING & here is why you need to be using this at home. 


What exactly is a dermaroller? A dermaroller is also known as micro-needling or Collagen Induction Therapy(CIT). By rolling this device over the skin lightly, the micro needles penetrate into the skin creating micro injury to the skin. The skin then reacts in a wound healing response to stimulate collagen & elastin. By creating these micro tears in the skin, products can penetrate much deeper. It works sort of like a laser does, except it is mechanically instead of heat and light. You can use this not only on the face but other areas of the body. The results are fabulous with no to little downtime. The non-surgical face lift. Dermarolling is used at plastic surgeons offices, doctors offices, dermatologist, and med-spas, however you can purchase a dermaroller for at home use. ALWAYS consult with an esthetician about proper usage and disinfection. Using a roller without proper training can result in damaged skin. 


Dermarolling benefits the following conditions: 
  • Stretch marks
  • Acne and surgical scars
  • Wrinkles and anti-aging
  • Ice pick- and chickenpox scars
  • Enlarged pores
  • Lack of skin firmness and cellulite
  • Age spots & sun damage
  • Hair loss
  • Hyper pigmentation


Is there downtime? It is possible to have some pinpoint bleeding directly after rolling, however this is superficial and washes off easily. Right after rolling the skin will have redness & sometimes slight swelling occurs. However I usually love the little bit of swelling after rolling because my face looks nice & plump and my fine lines are diminished. After rolling you do not want to apply makeup for at least 6 hours...I usually roll at night so I do not have to worry about it. My face post treatment looks similar to post microdermabrasion, some redness but nothing terrible.

Is this treatment painful? Some areas can be more uncomfortable then others. The forehead usually feels the worst to me because the skin is so thin and there is not fat to cushion it. I don't think it is painful at all. Most people say after their first time rolling, they get used to the feeling.

How often should I roll?
0.5mm: 2-3 times a week
1.0mm: Once a week
1.5mm: Once every two weeks if used lightly, once every 3-4 weeks if used more vigorously.
2.0mm: Once every five weeks
 **Over using this device causes the skin to stay in a constant state of inflammation. When the skin is constantly inflamed it destroys healthy collagen, limits cell renewal, and slows the healing process. 

When will I see results? Remember that collagen production takes several months of skin needling before you see any real difference. Most of the time you will have visible results after 6 weeks that will continue to improve overtime. Have patience and results will come.

What products do I apply after? By creating micro holes in the skin surface, products penetrate much deeper into the skin when applied directly after dermarolling. ALWAYS consult with your esthetician or myself on what products you can apply after. Some products are not meant to penetrate deep into the skin and will cause burning, irritation, etc. I LOVE to apply my SkinCeuticals hydrating B5 gel post treatment. 

How to care for my dermaroller? Always disinfect your roller prior to use & after. I pour 70% alcohol into a small bowl and submerge the needle portion of the roller for 20 minutes before and after rolling. Always rinse the roller off after soaking, or the alcohol will burn when rolling the skin. 




I used to perform this treatment on clients using Dermapen in a doctor's office. The pen performs a little different then the roller. I would always recommend using a dermapen and having this treatment done professionally, however I understand not everyone's budget can afford that. I have seen amazing results with micro-needling for acne scars, fine lines & wrinkles, stretch marks & surgical scars. I had two patients have better results with micro-needling than Fraxel laser resurfacing. I myself had better results for acne scarring with dermarolling than laser resurfacing. 

JUST REMEMBER: ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS consult with your esthetician about proper usage and disinfection. Not using this device properly will result in damaged skin. I am more than happy to talk to you about proper usage, disinfection, if you qualify to be a good candidate for dermarolling & products to use pre & post care. 






Buy a dermaroller for ONLY $20 from me. Call or text 859.619.2155 or email skinstudiobymegan@gmail.com to place your order. 









Monday, February 9, 2015

Ultrasonic Facials

I am beyond thrilled to introduce my new beauty tool coming to Skin Studio By Megan. This my friends is the Ultrasonic Skin Scrubber. With the help of micro bubble jet energy, ultrasonic energy and electronic properties of ions, SkinAqua Ultrasonic provides three professional grade skincare treatments in one. 



1. Soft Peel & Cleansing Mode: During the first step, the machine is loosening dead skin cells.The peeling step of this process pulses water quickly into the skin to bring out trapped dirt and oil.


2. Nutrition Mode: During the second phase of ultrasonic, the skin scrubber penetrates product deeper into the skin. This allows the product to reach deeper into the skin than it normally would. 

3. Firming Mode: During the final step of ultrasonic, the machine allows the esthetician to tone and lift the face. This results in elasticity to the skin, eliminates fine lines & wrinkles, and shrinks the appearance of pores.



Benefits of Ultrasonic Facial Treatments:
- Uses noninvasive sound waves.
-Millions of tiny vibrations to remove dead skin cells for clear & radiant skin with no redness & irritation that can sometimes occur with microdermabrasion or chemical peels...making this perfect before a big event! 
-Loosen & remove oil, dirt & sebum from pores and hair follicles resulting in less breakouts & blackheads.
-Noticeably tighter pores.
-Gently stimulates skin to encourage collagen and elastin product, with a series of treatments fine lines & wrinkles will be less noticeable & skin tone & texture become more even.
-By stimulating blood flow the skin gets an instant glow.
-Facilitates hydration & plumps the skin filling out fine lines & wrinkles. Gives the skin an instant "face lift" making it perfect for big events. 

Try this new procedure with NO downtime or redness....add on to your current microdermabrasion for FREE for your first trial....after your first trial add on for only $10....included in all express & custom facials


This new tool literally extracts pores in front of your eyes. Interested in this treatment for at home use? Message me at skinstudiobymegan@gmail.com or call/text 859.619.2155 for information!