Your skin goes through a lot over a lifetime. As part of its regenerative processes, it sheds dead skin cells and collects debris on the surface. This can cause it to look dull and flat even with your best skincare products. One easy option to transform your skin is dermaplaning, which removes the surface layer of the skin with a surgical blade. Dermaplaning is generally safe for all patients and requires no downtime for healing, which makes it a good option for busy people who want to look their best. Here’s what to know about this option.

What is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning involves the use of a surgical scalpel that “shaves” off dead skin cells on the surface. It also removes the fine hairs that normally grow on the facial skin, called vellus hairs or peach fuzz. As a result, the skin looks smoother, brighter, and more even in texture. It can help reduce acne scarring and give your skin a radiant, glowing look. However, your results can begin to fade as your skin continues its regenerative processes. Fine vellus hairs will continue to grow on treated skin, but will not grow any thicker or darker as a result of treatment. To maintain your improved look, treatments should be scheduled 4 to 6 weeks apart.

Preparing for Your Procedure

To ensure the best results from your dermaplaning procedure, you should make sure you avoid the sun exposure and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen for one week before your appointment to prevent skin sensitivity. Stop using manual or chemical exfoliation products for 3 to 5 days before treatment. Wash your face with a gentle cleansing product to avoid outbreaks. If you have acne outbreaks, you should re-schedule your dermaplaning until they have healed properly.

What Happens During Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is painless, but you may experience a mild stinging or scraping sensation during the procedure. During dermaplaning, your skin technician will carefully slide the surgical blade over the surface of the skin, moving from one area to another. This should only ever be performed by a skincare professional. The procedure generally takes 20 to 30 minutes. After treatment, your technician will apply a soothing compound to reduce sensitivity along with sunscreen to protect your skin.

Aftercare

You will be advised to wear sunscreen every day after your dermaplaning procedure to avoid damage to the skin. You can continue your usual activities but should avoid any strenuous activities as a precaution. Avoid using facial scrubs or other harsh products. Use plain water or a gentle cleanser to wash your face and pat dry. You’ll receive detailed instructions to follow after each treatment to get the best out of your skin.

Schedule a Consultation

Dermaplaning can be a great way to brighten your skin and enjoy a more radiant appearance without the need for lengthy recovery periods. You can often combine other facial treatments with dermaplaning to maximize your results. Your Michigan Advanced Aesthetics skincare specialist can discuss your best options during a consultation, so we invite you to contact our Rochester Hills office by calling or filling out our online form.

Skin care is an essential part of our daily routines. Most of us follow a skincare routine on a daily basis, whether that be once or twice a day. Although facial care is extremely satisfying to do at home, there are certain aspects of care that are best left to a professional. The experts at Michigan Advanced Aesthetics can help you find the right facial care products for your skin type and your skincare goals. One of the most beneficial aspects of facial care are facials. Facials are a great way to repair skin damage, freshen and brighten up the skin, fade dark marks and acne scarring, and soothe sensitive skin.

Stress Reduction

There are studies published that show evidence that facial massage helps to activate the sympathetic nervous system. This, in turn, helps to reduce stress and anxiety and helps to evoke a positive mood change.

Skin Cleansing

Even when facial care is performed consistently and thoroughly, overtime, impurities and skin damage can be rampant deep in the skin. A facial would be beneficial to help to clean deeply to remove impurities, damage, and help to repair and heal the skin.

Prevention of Aging

At a young age, cell turnover is fast and efficient. However, as we age, cell turnover slows down and proper facial care is important to the overall quality of the skin as it ages. Some facials can help the cells to regenerate faster, and can also help with the development of collagen to increase skin elasticity.

The Circulation of Blood

Studies show that massaging parts of the body helps to improve blood circulation; this is especially true for the face. The delicate skin of the face benefits from massage due to the increase in oxygen to the cells and an increased uptake of nutrients as the blood flows through the skin. As a result, the skin is healthier, brighter, and glowing.

Skin Rejuvenation

As the skin ages, its elasticity and glow is reduced, which is a natural occurrence. However, lifestyle, diet, and pollution makes this aging process worse and makes it harder for your skin to bounce back. Facials can help to repair and rejuvenate the skin, and the skincare experts at Michigan Advanced Aesthetics use products, methods, and technology that is best suited for your skin and your skin’s texture.

Skin Detoxification

Detoxification of the skin is an essential process for getting rid of the waste that is built up in the skin over time. When doing skincare at home, it is easy to miss certain steps and products, and this can cause breakouts. In addition to consistent facial care at home, professional facials help to detoxify the skin using special antioxidant-rich products, herbal extracts, and oils.

Schedule an Appointment

There are countless benefits to getting a facial, so there is no better time than now for you to book an appointment with our specialists at Michigan Advanced Aesthetics. Call (248) 542-3700 to set up your appointment.

Aging, sun, and lifestyle factors may wreak havoc on the skin. Fine lines, wrinkles, and stretch marks may cause self confidence to take a hit. There are plenty of options to rejuvenate the skin, but people often want to avoid surgery as long as possible. Microneedling can improve skin naturally.

How Does Microneedling Work?

During a microneedling treatment, the doctor or technician will use a pen, stamp, or roller covered with numerous fine needles and move it along the skin carefully. The needles will make tiny holes in the skin, often referred to as micro-channels. These holes act as a signal to the body that it’s been wounded. The body then responds to the wounds by producing collagen and elastin in the skin.

Collagen and elastin are what give the skin its support. They make the skin supple, strong, and firm. Stimulating the body to produce more of these building blocks will improve the tone, texture, and appearance of the skin. It also helps to counteract the collagen loss that happens naturally in the skin as a part of the aging process. The skin will produce new cells and will have a rejuvenated, healthy appearance after treatment. Three to six treatments are recommended to attain optimal results.

What Makes Microneedling Popular For Skin Rejuvenation?

It’s clear there are many options on the market. Everything from facelifts to lasers, fillers, and dermabrasion are available. What’s the appeal of choosing microneedling to improve and renew the skin instead? There are three main reasons why it’s gaining traction as a go-to option.

Safe Choice For All Skin Type

Some skin improvement choices such as lasers may be less-effective or not recommended for darker skin complexions. Darker skin tones may risk scarring or hyperpigmentation.

Those who struggle with acne scarring or stretch marks also benefit from microneedling treatments. It can help to rebuild and fill in the underlying tissue which makes the skin look much smoother overall. This is especially helpful for those people whose skin is prone to scarring and are unable to do laser resurfacing.

Microneedling is safe and natural. It’s extremely low risk and often gives incredible results.

Useful For Skin Nutrition

Another thing that sets microneedling apart from other skin treatments is that it can be used to deliver nutrition deeply into the skin. When the channels are created, serums that contain vitamins and minerals may be applied. The skin absorbs these serums and uses them to repair and restore from the inside out. Some of the nutrients that may be applied include Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C.

Speedy Recovery

Unlike an invasive surgical procedure, there is no downtime with microneedling. There may be a slightly flushed or sunburned appearance to the skin for a few days afterward, but most activities are safe to do immediately. Sunscreen is recommended for protection, especially as the skin heals.

If you are interested in improving your skin via microneedling, call Michigan Advanced Aesthetics today.

Age spots, sun damages, and spider veins are common, and they pose cosmetic problems to many people. Like other scars, they are hard to treat, meaning that most individuals live with them. Do not allow the spots to damage your beautiful face. You can always benefit from some of the available treatment options.

One of the biggest problems with skin treatments is that they are time-consuming and they have downtime, something that makes many people avoid them. Many people are now going for Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment because it takes less time – around 15- 30 minutes per session – and it fits perfectly in the modern lifestyles. You can go back to your daily routine after the procedure because there is no downtime.

So, What Is IPL Treatment?

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a form of treatment designed to treat hyperpigmentation (age spots) and broken capillaries resulting from sun damages and age-related issues. The therapy stimulates the production of elastin and collagen to plump up your skin and provide you with a fresh appearance. You have to get several treatments, which can be up to one month apart, for the best results.

IPL treatments use blasts of high-intensity polychromatic light that penetrates below the skin to damage the melanin, which forms age spots. The polychromatic light also damages the blood vessels, which make blood capillaries. After the treatment, your skin will repair the damages naturally to leave an even skin tone.

Apart from treating wrinkles, sun damages, age spots, and stretch marks, IPL also erases irregular pigmentation or freckles and brown spots on the neck, face, and chest. Some individuals rely on it to treat hair reduction, which often requires many treatments. Only get the treatment from experienced skincare specialists, such as Laura E. LoCricchio of Michigan Advanced Aesthetics, if you want lasting results.

Who Are Good Candidates for IPL Treatment?

Before going for treatment, consult a licensed dermatologist to know whether you are a suitable candidate. IPL treatment works better for individuals with fair skin. If your skin contains a lot of melanin, you are at a higher risk of scarring and hyperpigmentation after an IPL treatment. As a rule of thumb:

• Any skin that burns when exposed to direct sunlight can benefit from IPL treatments.
• Any skin that tans easily or darker complexions are not ideal for the IPL treatment.

IPL is a perfect choice for young individuals who have started developing mild wrinkles or bothersome brown spots that are not severe enough to warrant repeated treatment. Some conditions that warrant the treatment include skin laxity, sun damage, and broken capillaries. IPL treatment solves the three issues at once.

Individuals with dark skins, including Asians, should be cautious about the IPL treatment because their skin absorbs light energy in large amounts. If you have a darker skin tone, consult your physician to know the best treatment options for you.

Is It Worth It?

The treatment option is worth every single penny you spend on it. You can schedule several treatments during winter to get rid of the skin damage that occurred in summer and go for follow up procedures in spring. The purpose of follow-up treatments is to help keep your skin fresh during the hot summer months.

Conclusion

In addition to getting IPL treatment, avoid exposure to sunlight, especially the harshest sunlight occurring between 10 am and 4 pm each day. This will ensure that you get long-lasting effects. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen cream with a 30+ SPF rating each day. Moreover, eat healthily, reduce consumption of refined carbs, take vitamins, and get enough sleep each day.

Spring is a time for renewal, including for your skin. Follow these eight skin care tips this spring, and bask in how renewed your skin looks and feels.

Exfoliate for Radiant Skin

As the old saying goes, out with the old and in with the new. Exfoliating your skin helps remove dead skin and restore your skin’s radiance. Be sure to do this for your entire body, not just your face. Take a long, hot bath, and use your favorite body scrub, paying extra attention to hands, elbows, knees, and feet. Be sure to use a gentle, less abrasive scrub on your face, however, as the skin there is more delicate.

Lighten Up on the Moisturizer

While winter required a thick moisturizing regimen to combat dryness, the arrival of spring signals a shift to a lighter moisturizer. Keep your skin hydrated but not weighed down. As outside temperatures continue to rise and humidity levels increase, you only need a lightweight moisturizer to keep your skin healthy.

Add Sunscreen

Although sunscreen is recommended for every season, it is even more important as you enter spring and on into summer. With longer days and more intense sunshine, you need to be diligent in applying sunscreen, even on the overcast days. Use a sunscreen containing between 30 SPF and 50 SPF to reduce sun damage. Be sure to reapply throughout the day.

Stay Hydrated

Keeping your body hydrated benefits all the body’s organs, including its largest, your skin. Water helps flush out toxins, which can lead to different skin ailments. It also helps to retain your skin’s elasticity, which can lessen the signs of aging.

Eat Well

With gardens and markets beginning to provide an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, eating well for your health and your skin is getting easier. Snack on fresh vegetables and fruit for important nutrients and vitamins, and also to keep hydrated. Try adding citrus fruits, apples, watermelon, grapefruit, broccoli, and lettuce to your diet.

Exercise

Exercising can provide additional help in keeping your skin healthy by increasing blood flow. Spring weather allows you to vary your exercise routine by allowing you to get outside more. Thirty minutes a day can do wonders.

Spring Clean Your Cosmetics and Skincare Products

Since you’re already tackling spring cleaning in the rest of your house, be sure to sort through your skincare products and cosmetics. Check expiration dates and toss. In particular, toss those products you use on and near your eyes and lips. Wash all your brushes, and clean bath sponges and loofahs.

Steer Clear of Harmful Chemicals

Spring cleaning products may contain harsh chemicals that can have adverse effects on your skin. Be sure to read all labels and, if possible, choose more natural products, or make your own.

You may want to consider taking your Spring skin rejuvenation one step further with a facial or chemical peel to remove all those winter layers and reveal your skin’s true radiance. For information on options available, contact Michigan Advanced Aesthetics today to schedule your consultation.

Dry skin can be a challenge, especially when winter weather takes a toll. Most people experience dry skin during the winter, meaning it’s important to adjust your regimen and habits accordingly at certain parts of the year. Still, it can feel like you just don’t get results no matter what you do. If you’ve been struggling with dry skin, then here are some ways to manage it during the winter months.

Stay Hydrated

One reason your skin can become dry is that you’re dehydrated. Although many people equate dehydration with the summer months, it’s easy to become dehydrated in the winter. Combat this by drinking more water and eating foods full of natural moisture like fruits and veggies. When your skin has the hydration it needs, it can more effectively combat dry, cold weather.

Limit Your Showers

Long, hot showers can be a blessing in the winter but they can also take a toll on your skin. Hot water and steam exposure for long periods of time can damage the lipid barriers in your skin, making it harder to retain moisture. Try limiting your showers or baths to ten minutes or less, or turn the temperature down as far as you can stand.

Find the Right Moisturizer

Moisturizers help lock hydration into the skin. However, not all moisturizers are created equal. During the winter, moisturizers that are thick and creamy are able to truly penetrate the skin’s surface. However, these types aren’t always best for certain types of skin, so you should check with your skincare specialist. If changing your moisturizer doesn’t cut it, consider including additional oils or hydrating serums into your regimen.

Check Your Soaps and Cleansers

Consider checking your soaps and cleansers for ingredients like alcohol, heavy fragrances, and antibacterial detergents. These ingredients often exacerbate dryness and other associated problems. Instead, look for gentle, unscented cleansers or soaps and even try using them less frequently.

Use a Humidifier

If you don’t already use a humidifier, consider putting one in your bedroom or living area to add moisture back into your environment. Winter and dry, cold weather can suck moisture out of the air, meaning being inside your home isn’t much of a relief for your skin. Sleeping or relaxing with a humidifier nearby can passively add moisture back.

Assess Your Wardrobe

Although it’s tempting to bundle up with warm fabrics like wool, these can be rough on your skin and rub away at its protective moisture barriers. The result is exposed skin that dries out quickly. Consider wearing softer fabrics like cotton against your skin to get some relief and protect it from chafing.

Schedule a Consultation

If you can’t find relief at home, our team can help. During a consultation, we can create the right treatment plan for dry skin with the right lifestyle changes and products for you. To get started, we invite you to contact our Rochester Hills office by calling or filling out our online form.