Friday, July 23, 2010
Flawed Beauty: Stretch Marks
Flawed Beauty: Stretch Marks: "Most of us have them, whether we got them from pregnancy, losing weight, gaining weight, or blossoming into what we are today. You would thi..."
Stretch Marks
Most of us have them, whether we got them from pregnancy, losing weight, gaining weight, or blossoming into what we are today. You would think that it would make them more of a norm versus unsightly marks. Sorry girls the photoshop software stays on the computer and is not as interactive as we would like. The ones I have didn't bother me too much at first, until I started dating again. I have them all over my stomach, hip bones, butt, you get the picture. Sure everything looks pretty in a package, but once we got to that intimate stage there was bound to be a disappointment. I tried to beat them to the punch and let them know what they were in for beforehand.
So I have been researching and trying things for the last 11 years. I have been dormant in my search lately because I came to terms with my body a few years ago. Then I lost weight and it awakened all those bad feelings. I tried laser which works better on red marks than white because they are newer, so if you just got them this might work. However I had the white ones and after 10 treatments of torture I decided to stop. This time around I am going to try a combination of of things that I have been reading about once the summer is over.
Microneedle Therapy
First I'm going to start with microneedle therapy using a microneedle roller ($30-$120). They are available in different materials with the needles ranging from .05mm to 2.0, the longer the needles the deeper the penetration. This is a form of acupuncture, except it is more aggressive. It's not as painful as it sounds and can be done in the privacy of your own home. I want to try this procedure for 2 reasons. First the pricks from the needles makes your body produce more collagen to heal the tiny pricks, making your skin thicker and firmer, Second, studies show that topical products applied to the skin ( you know those lotions we spend $100 on) get up to 8% absorption, but when done after the therapy they get up to a 40% absorption because the pricks create channels for the creams to go into.
Glycolic body lotion and a prescription Retinoid/vitamin A
In Combination with the therapy I will be using a body lotion with a high concentration of glycolic acid (15% or more) during the day and a prescription retinol at night. The body lotion will
exfoliate and make the top layer of skin easier to remove, which will also make the skin produce more collagen and elastin. The retinol will also stimulate collagen, but it will repair, which seems to be the issue with stretch marks (unlined skin). Last two cents on these products...If your pores clog in certain areas (T Zone), dab these on at the same time in your problem areas.
Silicone patches
After a few weeks, (8 or so) I will take a week off and switch to silicone patches which have been successfully used on burn victims for a while. The patch cost about $40, you leave it on for 2 weeks, take it off and replace it. While it's on it hydrates the skin and repairs it.
During this entire process I will also do a few lymphatic drainage, which, you guessed it stimulates collagen. I will post before pictures with a better camera because the one I own was having trouble picking up the age spots. I will also post after pictures with the results and my opinion. Then I get to get yours! Feel free to try this along with me, I will post links to the products below and if you can't get a Rx Rentinoid don't worry I can show you were to order one, just ask.
With Love,
Elisa
So I have been researching and trying things for the last 11 years. I have been dormant in my search lately because I came to terms with my body a few years ago. Then I lost weight and it awakened all those bad feelings. I tried laser which works better on red marks than white because they are newer, so if you just got them this might work. However I had the white ones and after 10 treatments of torture I decided to stop. This time around I am going to try a combination of of things that I have been reading about once the summer is over.
Microneedle Therapy
First I'm going to start with microneedle therapy using a microneedle roller ($30-$120). They are available in different materials with the needles ranging from .05mm to 2.0, the longer the needles the deeper the penetration. This is a form of acupuncture, except it is more aggressive. It's not as painful as it sounds and can be done in the privacy of your own home. I want to try this procedure for 2 reasons. First the pricks from the needles makes your body produce more collagen to heal the tiny pricks, making your skin thicker and firmer, Second, studies show that topical products applied to the skin ( you know those lotions we spend $100 on) get up to 8% absorption, but when done after the therapy they get up to a 40% absorption because the pricks create channels for the creams to go into.
Glycolic body lotion and a prescription Retinoid/vitamin A
In Combination with the therapy I will be using a body lotion with a high concentration of glycolic acid (15% or more) during the day and a prescription retinol at night. The body lotion will
exfoliate and make the top layer of skin easier to remove, which will also make the skin produce more collagen and elastin. The retinol will also stimulate collagen, but it will repair, which seems to be the issue with stretch marks (unlined skin). Last two cents on these products...If your pores clog in certain areas (T Zone), dab these on at the same time in your problem areas.
Silicone patches
After a few weeks, (8 or so) I will take a week off and switch to silicone patches which have been successfully used on burn victims for a while. The patch cost about $40, you leave it on for 2 weeks, take it off and replace it. While it's on it hydrates the skin and repairs it.
During this entire process I will also do a few lymphatic drainage, which, you guessed it stimulates collagen. I will post before pictures with a better camera because the one I own was having trouble picking up the age spots. I will also post after pictures with the results and my opinion. Then I get to get yours! Feel free to try this along with me, I will post links to the products below and if you can't get a Rx Rentinoid don't worry I can show you were to order one, just ask.
With Love,
Elisa
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Age/Brown spots, Hyperpigmentation, Melasma
I noticed my first spot in 2007 after a year worth of tanning on a bed. I never liked wearing cover up but had to start to cover my spot. The spot appeared on my right cheek, under my eye near my nose. I invested in all sorts of skin brighteners from Concha Nacar to the expensive ones they sell at Macy's and Nordstroms. None of them did the trick so I started exfoliating and getting facials on a regular basis, didn't work. Then I noticed another brown spot by my ear on the same side in 2008 and an identical spot on the other cheek in 2009. By then I was using a primer and blush along with my cover up. In 2010 I discovered a new brown spot on my forehead and that was my drawing stick. I started researching products like Obagi Nu-Derm, and laser treatments. I decided to go to a dermatologist that specialized in a variety of things and had good reviews.
They did a photo complexion analysis on me (which was free) that looked at wrinkles, spots, pores, evenness, bacteria in pores, and UV spots. I past most them with flying colors, with the exception of UV spots. The darker the spots are on the picture the deeper they are, hence you have to go through more layers of skin to remove. The one on my forehead and near my ear were light, however the ones on my cheeks that had become mirrored images of each other were very dark. The dermatologist said the lighter ones were more than likely sun damage, but that the dark ones almost seemed like Melasma. She wasn't a doctor so she couldn't diagnose Melasma, but her hint was loud and clear. Melasma is caused by hormones and has to be diagnosed by a doctor. It is common in women who use birth control and low and behold I have been on it for over a decade on and off, but more on than off. I didn't go to a doctor because in my experience if I tell them I think I have it, they tell me I have it.
Next we talked about treatments and to my dismay lasers are typically only used on women with fair skin, not olive, or dark because there are risks of more pigmentation coming out. Thus making the situation worse. We talked about 2 different type of peels one that is stronger and comes with a full line of products called Melanage ($825) and TCA ($95) peels that work gradually. Melanage sounded very similar to Obagi Nu-derm ($500) so I asked what the difference was and she said Obagi was a more aggressive treatment
. I decided to go with the TCA peels and a brightener ($60) that I started using before my first peel. The TCA peels are composed of trichloroacetic acid. There is a light and medium version, which means the light one is more diluted than the medium. When you first start off they do the light one in two layers.
They put on the first layer and observe how your skin reacts, and then put on the second layer. The same goes for the medium peel. The skin brightening serum is an in-house product that contains asorbic acid, kojic acid*, green tea, salicylic acid, and hydroquinone*. The ingredients with the asterisk are key ingredients and are what make the product work, so if you are buying stuff over the counter make sure it has these in it.
I started using the brightener as soon as I got home as saw results the next morning, loved it. I kept applying it and it kept lightening up the spots. When I had my first peel it tingled and itched like crazy during the procedure, it started peeling a little 3 days after the process but that was it, nothing major. I know it takes patience to see results and I was a happy camper with my brightener. The second peel which was stronger, did not feel as strong during application but it peeled the next day vigorously and continued for about 5 days. My skin felt smooth, tight, and the spots looked like they were breaking apart. On the downside I did notice my pores had more texture and black heads a few weeks after. I hate black heads, it's one of my pet peeves, so I started removing them which irritated my skin. So I stopped using the brightener until my skin felt better, and there were those mingy spots again.
So I learned that the brightener works, you just have to keep using it. I had the microdermabrasion ($125) done yesterday and I love the way my skin looks and feels. The pores are a lot smaller, there is a glow to it, and everything glides on. I have to decide if I want to take the peel path or the microdermabrasion path my next visit in 4 weeks. I'm leaning towards microdermabrasion and I still want to do the Obagi system since it is more aggressive, cost less, and is monitored by an RN.
I will post pictures of the spots after I take off my make up so you see what I'm working with. Since not all of you live in the area, there is a brightening gel below with a good concentration of hydroquinone.
Good Night!
They did a photo complexion analysis on me (which was free) that looked at wrinkles, spots, pores, evenness, bacteria in pores, and UV spots. I past most them with flying colors, with the exception of UV spots. The darker the spots are on the picture the deeper they are, hence you have to go through more layers of skin to remove. The one on my forehead and near my ear were light, however the ones on my cheeks that had become mirrored images of each other were very dark. The dermatologist said the lighter ones were more than likely sun damage, but that the dark ones almost seemed like Melasma. She wasn't a doctor so she couldn't diagnose Melasma, but her hint was loud and clear. Melasma is caused by hormones and has to be diagnosed by a doctor. It is common in women who use birth control and low and behold I have been on it for over a decade on and off, but more on than off. I didn't go to a doctor because in my experience if I tell them I think I have it, they tell me I have it.
Next we talked about treatments and to my dismay lasers are typically only used on women with fair skin, not olive, or dark because there are risks of more pigmentation coming out. Thus making the situation worse. We talked about 2 different type of peels one that is stronger and comes with a full line of products called Melanage ($825) and TCA ($95) peels that work gradually. Melanage sounded very similar to Obagi Nu-derm ($500) so I asked what the difference was and she said Obagi was a more aggressive treatment
. I decided to go with the TCA peels and a brightener ($60) that I started using before my first peel. The TCA peels are composed of trichloroacetic acid. There is a light and medium version, which means the light one is more diluted than the medium. When you first start off they do the light one in two layers.
They put on the first layer and observe how your skin reacts, and then put on the second layer. The same goes for the medium peel. The skin brightening serum is an in-house product that contains asorbic acid, kojic acid*, green tea, salicylic acid, and hydroquinone*. The ingredients with the asterisk are key ingredients and are what make the product work, so if you are buying stuff over the counter make sure it has these in it.
I started using the brightener as soon as I got home as saw results the next morning, loved it. I kept applying it and it kept lightening up the spots. When I had my first peel it tingled and itched like crazy during the procedure, it started peeling a little 3 days after the process but that was it, nothing major. I know it takes patience to see results and I was a happy camper with my brightener. The second peel which was stronger, did not feel as strong during application but it peeled the next day vigorously and continued for about 5 days. My skin felt smooth, tight, and the spots looked like they were breaking apart. On the downside I did notice my pores had more texture and black heads a few weeks after. I hate black heads, it's one of my pet peeves, so I started removing them which irritated my skin. So I stopped using the brightener until my skin felt better, and there were those mingy spots again.
So I learned that the brightener works, you just have to keep using it. I had the microdermabrasion ($125) done yesterday and I love the way my skin looks and feels. The pores are a lot smaller, there is a glow to it, and everything glides on. I have to decide if I want to take the peel path or the microdermabrasion path my next visit in 4 weeks. I'm leaning towards microdermabrasion and I still want to do the Obagi system since it is more aggressive, cost less, and is monitored by an RN.
I will post pictures of the spots after I take off my make up so you see what I'm working with. Since not all of you live in the area, there is a brightening gel below with a good concentration of hydroquinone.
Good Night!
Introduction
Hello everyone! My name is Elisa and I am starting this blog in hopes that I can answer some questions and stop people from getting swindled by sales or making the wrong decision on a product or service. I have always been an insecure person like a lot of women out there whether they admit it or not. Even before I had my daughter I was embarrassed to wear a 2 piece swim suit because of all the stares, if I only knew then that I wouldn't get to appreciate that again without those pesky stretchmarks. Boy did she do a number on me! As I age there are new things to add to the list age spots, droopy eyelids, puffy under eyes, laugh lines, cellulite. Most people would say I'm crazy at the mere age of 31, and they're probably right. However I fall victim to our society's pressures and notice all the little changes I was too naive to appreciate when I was younger.
I believe that we live in a society were there are expectations, stereotypes, and biased decisions because of this. Men expect us to be the exact version of what the media portrays as beautiful, tall, slim, long hair, great skin, great smile, oh and let's not forget huge boobs. The women who do fit this category get isolated by the ones that don't and it's really a no win situation. If an attractive woman gets a job/raise/promotion/bonus it's always because she's pretty. If an average woman doesn't it's because of that or if she does it's because she's smarter than the attractive one. There are so many spins on this, but let's not get distracted by the norms of society.
On my quest to perfection I have tried hundreds of products, techniques, and procedures. I have spend thousands of hours on the Internet researching results, reviews, comments, comparisons, before I made my decisions. I am not an expert, simply on the same path as most women, with a slight OCD for information. I apply this to all the categories in my life, whether I'm picking a school, looking for a lawyer, in need of a mechanic, etc. But on this blog we will talk about beauty based on my experiences.
There are a few things that I have already battled successfully and won't touch on too much unless there is a lot of interest. Those things include breast aug, healthy extensions for your hair, and weight loss. I might change my mind later, but again that all depends on feedback. Currently I am on the ever lasting search for an answer to stretch marks, hyperpigmentation on face, droppy eyelids, and preserving youth. I will post before and after pictures, information on treatments I have tried, how many sessions, cost, and my opinion on the result. I look forward to your responses and please no mean comments, I have to deal with that in real life and that's more than enough.
With Love,
Elisa
I believe that we live in a society were there are expectations, stereotypes, and biased decisions because of this. Men expect us to be the exact version of what the media portrays as beautiful, tall, slim, long hair, great skin, great smile, oh and let's not forget huge boobs. The women who do fit this category get isolated by the ones that don't and it's really a no win situation. If an attractive woman gets a job/raise/promotion/bonus it's always because she's pretty. If an average woman doesn't it's because of that or if she does it's because she's smarter than the attractive one. There are so many spins on this, but let's not get distracted by the norms of society.
On my quest to perfection I have tried hundreds of products, techniques, and procedures. I have spend thousands of hours on the Internet researching results, reviews, comments, comparisons, before I made my decisions. I am not an expert, simply on the same path as most women, with a slight OCD for information. I apply this to all the categories in my life, whether I'm picking a school, looking for a lawyer, in need of a mechanic, etc. But on this blog we will talk about beauty based on my experiences.
There are a few things that I have already battled successfully and won't touch on too much unless there is a lot of interest. Those things include breast aug, healthy extensions for your hair, and weight loss. I might change my mind later, but again that all depends on feedback. Currently I am on the ever lasting search for an answer to stretch marks, hyperpigmentation on face, droppy eyelids, and preserving youth. I will post before and after pictures, information on treatments I have tried, how many sessions, cost, and my opinion on the result. I look forward to your responses and please no mean comments, I have to deal with that in real life and that's more than enough.
With Love,
Elisa
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