Information/FAQ

Esthetics is the application of various treatments to the skin, to maintain its health and vitality. Estheticians are trained in skin wellness, helping their clients balance oil and moisture content and achieve a healthy, youthful complexion. As well as various facial treatments (described in more detail below), they commonly also perform body treatments such as salt or sugar scrubs, moisturizing or slenderizing body wraps, hair removal techniques such as waxing or threading, and hand/foot treatments to rejuvenate the skin.

A variety of treatments and products are used to protect skin from environmental hazards and combat fine lines, wrinkles, and a dull, uneven skin tone. Estheticians are also skilled in managing conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and dry skin, to name just a few. And finally, skin care treatments are wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating. If smooth, healthy skin is your goal, visiting a skin care professional can benefit you.

What’s the difference between dermatology, cosmetology, and esthetics?
Dermatology is a branch of the medical profession, practiced by licensed physicians who specialize in disorders of the skin. Esthetic practice specifically excludes diagnosis, prescription, or any other service, procedure, or therapy that requires a medical license. If you’re being treated by a dermatologist, your esthetician can provide complementary and support therapies. In addition, estheticians are trained to recognize early signs of many medical conditions affecting the skin, and will refer you to a dermatologist in such a case.

Cosmetology is the study of beauty treatments including nail care, hair care and styling, makeup application, skin care and more. Esthetics is one branch of cosmetology; some estheticians work in other branches of cosmetology in addition to their skin care practice.

Techniques and products I use 
Techniques used by me dermaplaning exfoliation, IP machine and Skin Classic Lambprobe machines may also be used to help deliver high-tech services.

Visiting an Esthetician
It is always a good idea to schedule a consultation appointment prior to your first treatment, especially if you are new to esthetic treatments. This gives you and your therapist a chance to discuss your goals and expectations for the first visit, and long term goals for the future. During a consultation, your therapist will go over an extensive intake form, and most likely do a cleansing of the skin followed by a detailed skin analysis. This will give your therapist the information she/he needs to create an individualized treatment plan, both for a series of professional treatments and recommendations for products you can use at home.

What about home care?
Much of the success of maintaining a visible improvement after treatment depends on consistent, correct home care. Your esthetician is trained to select the products that will most benefit your skin, and to advise you on how to maintain your professional results between visits. Like medical or dental care, following the right daily regimen at home is essential if you are to get the most out of your visits to a professional.

Your Esthetician
Your skin care treatments should be provided by a properly trained professional. Don’t hesitate to ask me, your skin care therapist about my background, training, and experience—especially as it relates to the treatment you are considering. I have been trained, certified and insured for IPL permanent hair removal and the other services I provide, I keep up with changing trends, making certain you’ll receive the most up-to-date therapies available.

Intense Pulse Light

IPL is the first and only technology that combines optical (light) energy. Gentle pulses of targeted energy isolate the treatment area and leave the surrounding skin free from potentially harmful side effects. In addition to permanent hair reduction for most hair colors and skin types, IPL effectively and comfortably treats pigmented lesions, moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris, ephelides (freckles), and vascular lesions caused by sun damage, age spots, enlarged pores and uneven skin tones. A series of IPL treatments will leave your skin smoother clearer with a tighter more youthful appearance.

IPL HAIR REMOVAL / REDUCTION
Below is a example of the results just 4 treatments can provide.

IPL Permanent Hair Reduction/ Removal

• Dark color hair
• Light color hair
• Course hair
• Fine hair

Target melanin pigments in the hair strand. Light is absorbed by the melanin in the hair is converted to heat and effectively destroying the hair follicle. the principle of selective photothermolysis takes advantage of the amount of pigment found in hair. The greater amount of pigment , the more effective the treatment is.

 Advantages of IPL Hair Removal

1. Little to no shaving
2. Non-ablative
3. Non-painful
4. Simple and quick treatment
5. No down time post treatment
6. Eliminates razor bumps, ingrown hairs and embarrassing hair

IPL  PHOTOFACIAL

What IPL Photofacial Treats

• Skin Rejuvenation
• Pigmentation removal
• Vascular removal
• Wrinkle removal
• Acne removal

Treatment Of Ephelides (Freckles)

Collagen effectively absorbs the spectrum of light. This results selective thermolysis of collagen resulting in heating and contraction of collagen bundles. The retraction of collagen bundles makes this process effective in the management of fine superficial freckles.

Treatment of Vascular Lesions & Moderate Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris

The target chromophore for vascular lesions is hemoglobin. The light absorbed by hemoglobin is converted to heat thereby effectively cauterizing the endothelial walls of capillaries.

Treatment of Pigmented Lesions

Light is absorbed by melanin is transformed into heat energy. This process causes the breakdown of pigment molecules and is cleaned and by phagocytes and are also shed off by the normal process skin renewal. Transient erythema and darkening of pigment molecules can be expected.

Difference Of IPL vs Laser

IPL (Intense pulsed light) is the use of intense pulses of non-coherent light over a range of wavelengths from 500nm – 1200nm Xenon flash lamps produce high output bursts of broad spectrum.

Light emitted by normal means such as a flashlight or a bulb, is incoherent or the photons of the many wave frequencies of light are oscillating in different directions. It is not a stream of light.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL is different and uses coherent laser light. (Monochromatic/ visible light of a narrow band of wavelengths) Laser can be painful and only treat 1 hair at a time.

Coherent light is a beam of photons (almost like particles of light waves) that have the same frequency and are all at the same frequency. Only a beam of laser light will not spread and diffuse.

Pre-Treatment Care

• Avoid sunlight /artificial UV light exposure 2-4 weeks prior to treatment
• No spray tan
• Discuss current treatment plan
• Clarify and confirm expectations
• Rule out any conditions contraindicating the treatment
• Discuss the possible number of treatments required
• Discuss possibility of stinging/warm sensation
• Discuss the possibility of transient erythema
• Patient shave day of treatment if you are not able to reach the area to be shaved book extra time ahead prior to treatments. You will be charged $15 for shaving to pay for razor and time. For women who do not like to shave their face, I recommend a buffer, trimmer or small brow shaver.
• Area must be cleaned with mild soap. Remove also deodorants or other cosmetic products.
• No exfoliation 2 days prior

Post-Treatment Care

• Clients must wear SPF 30 for at least 2 week post-treatment. It is recommended you wear it EVERY DAY and with EVERY TREATMENT! I carry Image skincare SPF and will give a sample at treatment time I carry a full stock on my retail shelf. Image skincare SPF is approved for after treatments.
• Clients will avoid the sun 2 weeks to ensure no burning, peeling or overly tanned skin prior to and after treatment. I cannot treat anyone for service if you have sunburn in the area or a spray tan.
• Clients should not participate in aerobic exercise, drink alcohol, or engage in any other heat- or circulation-inducing activity (sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi) for      approximately 24 hours post treatment this could trap heat in the skin and      potentially cause burns or other complications.
• Avoid any additional laser treatments of any kind in the same area for 2-4 weeks in between.
• No tanning bed
• Wait at least 2 weeks to receive another skin treatment (i.e. Peels and Micro)
• No antiperspirant 24 hours after treatment
• Do not pick at any scabbing or flaking, as it can result in changes in pigmentation
• For photofacials apply appropriate serum and SPF DO NOT apply moisturizer as it will inhibit pigment from flaking off post-treatment for 2-5 days A peel or micro can be done 2 wks after to exfoliate the skin.

Possible short term complications include:

• Short term discomfort – or a stinging sensation – similar to a wind burn
• Redness and mild swelling that may last from 2-48 hours (Erythema)
• Blistering and bruising, blisters normally dry up after a few days and the scab generally fall off in 1 to 2 wks. An antibiotic ointment can be applied to prevent infection and to fasten healing.
• Darker patches of pigment on the skin may occur a couple of weeks after treatment. This can last from 2 weeks up to 1 year. However there is a special cream we can use to reduce the pigment. You are more at risk of this occurring if you have a darker skin type. (This is not the immediate darkening of pigment we expect when treating pigmentation).
• Whiter patches on the skin can occur. This can last 2 weeks up to 1 year though also has the potential to be permanent. You are more at risk of this occurring if you have a darker skin type.
• Unintended loss of hair (this can be permanent and uneven) around the areas of IPL treatment
• Hyper- or hypo-pigmentation may occur,
• Scars and/or infection most cases this is on tanned, burned or dark skin
• Unintended loss of hair (this can be permanent and uneven) around the areas of IPL treatment

Possible rare long term complications include:

• Unintended loss of hair (this can be permanent and uneven) around the areas of IPL treatment
• Hyper- or hypo-pigmentation may occur,
• Scars and/or infection
•  Unintended loss of hair (this can be permanent and uneven) around the areas of IPL treatment
• Unintended gain of hair growth in some individuals. Based upon currently available data, the highest risk groups for this response are females of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian heritage treated on the face and neck.

Treatments will be performed as follows:

Face/Neck (front and back): Every 4-5 weeks

Body: Torso (clavicle through bikini area): Every 5-6 weeks

Legs: Every 6-8 weeks (upper:6-7; Lower:7-8)

Length between treatments will be adjusted throughout the process as needed, accommodating for the hair cycles as the growth begins to slow down. The length of time between treatments is recommended so that the IPL is targeting the most possible hairs in the Anagen Phase, or active growth cycle, giving the client the best possible results.

Usually 8-10 treatments for the body and 10-12 treatments for the face are recommended for full reduction. I always recommend 6-8 treatments to start and give 50% off  after 8 treatments in the same area.

The Skin Classic treats various minor skin irregularities usually in one treatment

• Skin Tags
• Milia
• Fibromas
• Flat Hyperpigmentation
• Sun Spots
• Cherry Angiomas
• Sebaceous Hyperplasia
• Telangiectasia
• Blackheads
• Acne Pimples
• Clogged Pores

These treatments have been a huge success with our clients.

Dermaplaning is a skin care treatment that removes dead skin cells and vellus fine hair. The blade is used on clean, dry skin on the forehead, cheeks, chin and neck. You can expect to see an instant improvement in skin texture and tone, while the long-term effects are increased cell turnover, fewer wrinkles and dark spots, reduction of acne scarring, better product penetration and the removal of fine facial hair.

Acne is the most common skin disorder, and 85 percent of all Americans will experience it some time in their lifetime. While commonly thought to be an adolescent problem, it can appear at any age, most often on the face, back, and chest.

The causes of acne are complex, but usually involve the overproduction of oil, the blockage of follicles that release the oil, and the growth of bacteria in those follicles. This can be triggered by many things, including a change in medications or a change in hormone levels caused by stress or other factors. It’s important to treat acne early to avoid scarring.

There are 4 grades of acne. Grade 1 is the mildest form, with open and closed comedones (whiteheads and blackheads). Grades 2 and 3 include papules and pustules as well. Grade 4 is the most advanced form, with all the above plus the appearance of cysts or nodules beneath the skin surface, that can be dime size or larger and often require medical attention to treat. Acne is not only painful but can be very emotionally and psychologically challenging as well.

Who can benefit from acne treatment?
Anyone who has acne can benefit from treatment. Acne sufferers often state their quality of life and self-esteem improves dramatically once their acne is alleviated. If you are seeking a licensed esthetician’s care, chances are you’ve already tried over-the-counter preparations with disappointing results.

Depending on the grade of your acne, your esthetician will go over the treatment options that would be the most successful for you. If you have Grade 4 acne, your esthetician will refer you to a dermatologist who can treat it medically. Once your acne is under control and improving, your esthetician can suggest treatments that will assist you in accelerating the healing process, relieving pigmentation which often accompanies acne.

Visiting your esthetician for acne treatment
Be ready to fill out a medical questionnaire and describe what medications and skin care products you are using. Your therapist will do an analysis of your skin, look for any interactions between products and medications, and devise a treatment plan that’s suitable for your unique needs. Keep in mind that results require a commitment on your behalf to follow a prescribed home care and professional treatment program. This often involves a series of professional treatments. It takes time to balance the skin and treat acne. Though results may not happen overnight, you are on the path to reclaiming your beautiful, clear skin!

What should I expect from my acne treatment?
You should expect regularly scheduled treatments every 2 weeks until cleared. Your treatment program will begin with a cleansing then I IPL acne photofacial directly after.  

What about home care?
Your esthetician can provide the best guidance on caring for your skin between treatments. Generally, this will involve keeping your skin clean and avoiding picking at your blemishes—the single biggest cause of scarring. It’s very important you follow instructions given to you by your esthetician. Untreated or under treated acne can lead to continuing, worsening outbreaks and scarring. Your esthetician will be in close contact with you to be sure your products are working effectively for you. As your treatment progresses, your esthetician may change your home care routine to fit your changing skin’s needs.

Rosacea (rose-AY-sha) is a chronic skin disease that causes varying degrees of redness and swelling, primarily on the face, but also at times on the scalp, neck, ears, chest, and back. It is considered a vascular disorder (a disorder of the blood vessels).

The condition can develop over a long period of time and is more common in adults, particularly those with fair skin. More women get it than men, though in men the condition is often more pronounced. Severe, untreated rosacea can lead to a disfigurement of the nose called rhinophyma.

There are four grades of rosacea:

• Grade 1: Mostly redness.
• Grade 2: Pimples and other blemishes.
• Grade 3: Edemas (swelling due to fluid retention) and inflammatory bumps on the nose.
• Grade 4: Symptoms affecting the eyes.

No one knows the cause of rosacea, but it is thought to run in families and can be aggravated by environmental factors and diet. Although rosacea can be accompanied by pustules, it is not acne. Researchers believe rosacea might be caused by several things: abnormal function of the blood vessels, sun damage, and an abnormal inflammatory reaction.

People with rosacea often learn that certain things trigger their flare-ups. It is believed that fluctuations in temperature (especially extreme heat or cold) is a common trigger. Spicy foods and alcohol consumption can also cause flare-ups.

How is rosacea treated?
The key to rosacea treatment is to catch it early. It may start with skin that merely flushes red. Reducing skin temperature and calming the skin is usually the first objective. Once inflammation is under control, other treatments follow. There are many treatments, including topical agents containing azelaic acid or the antibiotic metronidazole. Both have proven helpful in relieving the symptoms of rosacea. Your physician may also prescribe internal antibiotics in the tetracycline family.

Esthetically, rosacea can be treated with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) 

While not a cure, any of these treatments can help control symptoms, sometimes for several years. Self-treatment is not advised, beyond a simple and gentle cleansing routine. Some over-the-counter remedies may actually worsen symptoms, as will aggressive scrubbing and rubbing.  Your licensed esthetician may refer you to a dermatologist for evaluation and medical support.

What to expect from a rosacea treatment
Be ready to fill out a medical questionnaire and describe what medications and skin care
products you are using. Your therapist will do an analysis of your skin, look for any interactions between products and medications, and devise a treatment plan that’s suitable for your unique needs. Be prepared to commit to a series of treatments and a home care regimen.

After your professional treatment, your skin care therapist can recommend a home treatment plan, as well as follow-up professional treatments. Your skin may be more sensitive after treatment. Many professional skin care lines provide specialized products that sooth the inflammation of rosacea. Your esthetician will carefully choose products for you that are least likely to irritate your skin.

What about home care?
Your esthetician can provide the best guidance on caring for your skin after a treatment. In general, people with rosacea should keep a diary of things that trigger their condition: environmental factors such as sun, wind, stress, exposure to heat or severe cold, alcohol or spicy food consumption, and irritating face products. Responses to treatments vary widely; trial and error is unfortunately part of the process when working with rosacea.

Thanks to the wonders of science, and innovation by skin care professionals, you can choose from a wide range of antiaging treatments. You need not have wrinkles or discoloration to actively participate in an antiaging regime—many smart consumers begin caring for and protecting their skin at a young age.

Consumers today are opting for minimally invasive procedures to avoid downtime and the unmistakable appearance of having had surgery. People may notice after treatments with your skin care professional you simply seem healthier, happier, less tired, and more confident.

Some antiaging treatments as your skin care professional I provide are a variety of dermaplaning facials, phototherapy (exposure to light-emitting diodes or intense pulsed light), 

Who can benefit from antiaging treatments?
Anyone who is smart enough to use sunscreen is already participating in an antiaging regimen, and there is so much more you can do. Treatment recommendations will vary according to skin type and condition, chronological age and skin maturity, level of sun damage (everyone has some), and the goals you have for your skin. Your esthetician can outline your options and make recommendations.

How should I prepare for the treatment?
Be ready to fill out a medical questionnaire and describe what medications and skin care products you are using. Your therapist will do an analysis of your skin, look for any interactions between products and medications, and devise a treatment plan that’s suitable for your skin type and condition. If possible, come to your appointment without anything on your skin; otherwise your skin care professional will cleanse your skin. Start your care when you are ready to commit to a series of treatments and a home care regimen.

What to expect
The results of your treatment may be obvious right away or may take some time to achieve. This depends entirely on your program and the methods used. Your skin care professional should be able to outline realistic goals for you. In some cases, skin is in poor condition and needs to be strengthened and conditioned before antiaging treatments can be performed. If you are suffering from acne, dermatitis, or rosacea, you may have to set your antiaging goals aside until you’ve cleared those symptoms. The good news is you may gain younger-looking skin as a side benefit of clearing and treating these conditions.

What about home care?
Your esthetician can provide the best guidance on caring for your skin after a treatment. He or she may have products available for your use. It’s key to commit to a home care regimen in order to maximize your investment in the treatments your esthetician provides.

Like many people, you’d love to have that bronzed look but don’t want to expose yourself to harmful ultraviolet rays. With spray tanning and airbrushing, there are ways to get this attractive look safely.

The tanned look has been popular for decades and reached a new level of sophistication in the 1970s when tanning beds were invented. Many people found them a fast way to get an even, year-round tan. However, dermatologists soon became alarmed at the growing incidence of skin cancer and started educating the public about the dangers of overexposure to ultraviolet rays.

Some manufacturers of tanning beds promote the misconception that getting a base tan in a tanning bed will protect you from an even more damaging sunburn. But dermatologists agree there is simply no safe way to sunbathe or use a tanning bed.

Spray and airbrush tanning
Fortunately, there are safe alternatives. Most dermatologists consider spray and airbrush tanning as safe as applying makeup.

The active ingredient for sunless tanning, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), is derived from raw sugarcane and sugar beets, which reacts with the skin’s amino acids to produce color. This color develops three to four hours after application, deepens over the next 24 hours, and lasts one week to 10 days. A session usually takes 30 minutes or less and may be performed in a spray booth or with a handheld spray unit. Clients undress to their level of comfort; many wear bathing suits. The solution easily washes out of fabrics you wear to your session and, in general, does not rub off onto clothes.

You’ll still need to wear sunscreen, as spray and airbrush tanning don’t provide protection from the sun.

Help or hype?
It’s also helpful to know which sun protection aids on the market measure up to their claims. Following are a few products and procedures you may have heard about.

• Some companies promote ingestible pills that purport to provide sun protection. Experts say there is insufficient scientific evidence to support these claims.
• There are bracelets that manufacturers claim will signal you when it’s time to apply more sunscreen or to move into the shade. Experts don’t consider these an adequate safeguard.
• While some companies claim their contact lenses protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays, this is a little misleading since the entire eyeball needs protection. For best results, use a pair of comfortable wraparound sunglasses with an ultraviolet block and polarizing lenses.
• Cellulose fabrics, like acetate and rayon, block some ultraviolet rays. Rit makes a product called SunGuard, a detergent you add into your washer, that significantly improves the sun protection factor of cotton clothes for about 20 washings.
• For maximum safety, look for some combination of these ingredients in a sunscreen: avobenzone, mexoryl, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.
• Your car windows are already protecting you from 50–75 percent of the sun’s rays. Film that rejects as much as 99 percent of ultraviolet rays can be applied to windows. Have this done professionally, however, as the do-it-yourself products are very difficult to apply effectively and often bubble. Many states govern how much you can tint certain car windows, such as the windshield and driver’s side front window. A window-tinting professional can provide guidance on this.