What Is Dermaplaning?

Do you want satin smooth skin and no peach fuzz?

Dermaplaning is a manual, non-invasive exfoliating treatment that provides an alternative to chemical peels or microdermabrasion. 

 The treatment starts with your aesthetician cleansing the skin with a gentle cleanser. After cleansing the next step will be to degrease the skin with an AHA acid or another degreasing agent. This will dry the skin so the dermaplaning procedure can be performed. Your aesthetician will hold the skin taught and use a surgical #10 blade to gently scrape the dead skin cells and fine vellus hair away.  After the dermaplaning procedure is finished  moisturizer and sunscreen is applied. Your skin will feel AMAZING and will have a radiant glow! 

You can have this procedure done as is, or as a complete facial depending on your goal. The aesthetician may add on a chemical peel or other products as well, depending on skin type, condition or treatment plan.

 Dermaplaning is a good choice for anyone who has fine facial hair (vellus hair/peach fuzz), extremely sensitive skin, redness or rosacea, or visible facial veins. 

Dermaplaning improves the appearance of acne scarred skin and smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles. 

It is also an excellent treatment for melasma and environmentally damaged skin.

*If you can't wax due to allergies or medication contraindications dermaplaning is a great alternative!

*Facial hair does not grow back darker and thicker, but returns slowly and becomes sparser with each treatment.

Dermaplaning is recommended for patients who want a non-surgical, non-invasive, affordable skin rejuvenation treatment, with a focus on quick treatment sessions, no recovery time, and no major side effects.

Benefits Of Dermaplaning:

Stimulates skin cell turnover.

Stimulates collagen and elastin production.

Improves uneven pigmentation such as sun spot and melasma.

Decreases appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and acne scarring.

Improves texture of the skin.

Gives the skin a healthy, radiant glow.

Increases skin hydration.

Allows for increased absorption and penetration of skin care products making them more effective.

Removes fine vellus hair.

*Don't Forget Dermaplaning Is A Great Alternative to Facial Waxing*

Contraindications For Dermaplaning:

Current inflamed acne lesions.

Skin cancer.

Active cold sores.

Uncontrolled diabetes

Dermatitis.

Open skin lesions.

Use of Accutane currently or in the past 12 months.

Dermaplaning procedures are gentle and relaxing.

 Of the facial procedures available this is one of the most affordable.

Are you ready to show some skin?

Summer Is Almost Here!!

Are your breakouts on your back making you hide your swimsuits and Tanks? 

No worries there's a trick for that. 

We all get some type of breakouts on our backs. It doesn't matter if you are male or female  it's going to happen.

 A lot of women get breakouts from their hormones, yoga tops, sports tops or bra's. 

Men get them on their back due to blocked follicles, oily skin mostly, not exfoliating and working out. 

Teenagers have this problem as well! Due to rapid hormone changes, Which means excess sebum (oil) production.

So how do we fix this problem? 

Let's go over some products and tools you can use. 

Everyone should use some form of exfoliating brush or body scrub for the back area. Sometimes the back gets neglected when showering because its hard to reach.

 I always have a "dry brush" in the shower. They have wooden handles and  brown bristles. This is a cheap exfoliator ! You can pick them up for around $5.00 at any drugstore, target, or even bath & body works.  

I like using a glycolic acid cleanser or exfoliant with or without the brush as well. As long as you are using one or both you will love it and your back will feel super clean! This would be for minor breakouts or normal exfoliating.

Now if you are having severe acne breakouts on your back, I suggest getting a salicylic cleanser. This is an oil soluble cleanser and will really help to loosen the impaction and help to dry out the lesion . Also I might add a benzoyl peroxide/salicylic lotion or spray. 

* You can get this from a Medspa or doctors office.*

Another problem is using comedogenic products. Using products that are clogging to the pores. There are tons of products that do this. Always pick products that say non-comedogenic. They could be soaps, lotions, body butters ...you get the hint. 

Always remove clothing you wear to and from the gym quickly ! Don't spend the day running errands in them! Germs love hot, damp clothing and it breeds bacteria. This will cause breakouts causing inflammation. Lets be real.... It's not comfortable! 

Comedogenic products will clog your pores causing blackheads and whiteheads or even more inflamed breakouts.

*Another great tip.*

If you have long hair keep it pulled up when at home. I see breakouts on the forehead, back and around the ears due to hair sitting on the skin. The oils in the hair transfer to the skin causing breakouts. If you have breakouts on the scalp, neck or around the face you may want to use a clarifying shampoo a few times a week as well.  

Professional Treatments

If you start using some of these tips you still may want to schedule an appointment with your esthetician. We can perform back treatments with steam and professional products you can't purchase. We are also trained to perform extractions. 

When I perform a back treatment on my clients they feel very relaxed. You get a great exfoliation, mask and a massage. It's worth giving a try! 

Julie Canoutas-Aesthetician 

910-452-3666

Why is Exfoliating Important?

The Importance Of Skin Exfoliation

Physical, enzyme and chemical are the three types of exfoliation methods. Learn the differences and why it is important to exfoliate.

What is exfoliation? Exfoliation is when you remove the dead skin cells from the stratum corneum (the outer layer of skin).  When you exfoliate you are stimulating new cells to rise from the basil layer to the surface. Some exfoliants also stimulate collagen production as well like microdermabrasion and chemical peeling!  This will give your skin a smooth texture and nice refreshed glow. 

Everyone should be exfoliating a few times a week depending on their skin type. If you have combination, acne prone or oily skin this is very important! Exfoliating removes the impurities and impactions out of the pores. This will also make your pores appear smaller.

When you exfoliate dry skin types you will notice that make-up goes on smoother. You will have a more even texture and fine lines and wrinkles will not be as noticeable. You will feel more hydrated because your products will go on more evenly and penetrate deeper.

When using professional exfoliating methods you can also target and treat melasma, acne, fine lines, wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation and scarring. 

Physical Exfoliation: Examples of physical exfoliation would be mechanical brushes, dry brushing, exfoliating scrubs, microdermabrasion, derma-planing and ultrasonic facials. These forms also removes the dead skin cells from the surface and stimulate cell turnover. 

Chemical Exfoliation: Examples of chemical exfoliation would be using a Beta-Hydroxy acid or Alpha Hydroxy acids. This helps to dissolve oils in the pores and loosen the bond between the cells increasing cell turnover. This will lift the dead skin cells making the skin flake or peel off. There are many different strengths of chemical peeling agents. Chemical peels range from 20% - 70%. 

*Always tell your doctor or aesthetician if you are taking any medications orally or if you are using topical medications. If you take any of the following medications discontinue at least 3-5 days before any exfoliation method. Check for any contraindications below. These are a just a few medications.  If you have herpes simplex take your prescription 3 days prior to your peel to avoid any outbreaks and continue for 10 days.

*Stop using Retin-A, Retinols, Renova, Tazorac, Clindamyacin, Accutane, Alpha hydroxy acids, Benzoyl peroxide, Beta-hydroxy acid, Differin, Antibiotics, any medications that may be drying or irritating 3-5 days before any professional exfoliation.

Contraindications : Active cold sores, herpes simplex, open lesions, sunburned skin, excessively sensitive skin, dermatitis, inflamed rosacea, accutane within the past year, chemotherapy, aspirin allergies, rashes, pregnancy, vitiligo, broken capillaries,  and autoimmune diseases. 

* Beta-hydroxy acid - Salicylic acid is the only beta-hydroxy acid. This acid is better suited for oily, acne and combination skin types because salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This means it will attract the oil in the pores and dissolve it. Salicylic acid also speeds up cell turnover, removes impurities from the skin and pores. Salicylic acid is also an antiseptic.

* (If you are allergic to aspirin do not use salicylic acid thats where aspirin is derived from.) Make sure you always tell you aesthetician or doctor about any allergies to medications, foods, or  ingredients.

* Alpha-hydroxy acids - Glycolic, lactic, malic, citric and mandelic acids are water soluble and are the most common used acids in skin care. This also helps to stimulate cell turnover, and remove dead skin cells from the skin. AHA's can be  used to treat any skin type.   

* Enzymes - Enzymes can be found in fruits and vegetables like pumpkin, papaya, avocado, lemon, orange, grapefruit, passion fruits, cranberries and many more. This is a gentle way to exfoliate and would be recommended for first time peels or people with rosacea or sensitive skin. You can find enzymes in peels, masks, and cleansers. Enzymes digest the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin and feed your skin vital antioxidants. So just think of little pac-men eating the dots.  

Exfoliants are great for full body skin care ! You can use body scrubs and get body treatments from your spa as well. 

Exfoliating also helps product penetration. So when you cleanse your skin and exfoliate your serums, moisturizers, night creams and eye creams are more effective! 

You should have professional exfoliating treatments performed every 4 weeks for optimal skin health. Home care is key! Your aesthetician can recommend a home care regime that is tailored just for your skin type.

Body Lotion By Glytone

Great for moisturizing and exfoliating!

* Always consult your doctor or aesthetician prior to professional skin care treatments*