Vitamin C--antioxidant & more!

I am often asked for recommendations regarding skin care so I thought I'd share a favorite ingredient with you! I am a big fan of Vitamin C serum. There is great scientific evidence that VitaminC can help neutralize free radicals in the skin by way of oxidizing them (and trust me, free radicals are not our friends!) They are formed from lots of things such as exposure to UV rays, pollution, stress and smoking -- to name just a few. And anything that damages the DNA of the cell can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. I mean really, who wouldn't want to fight that?!? Vitamin C has also been shown to act as a brightening agent, and is darned important in collagen production.

But here's the tricky part. Vitamin C is fragile--and it's a challenge to keep it stable and bioavailable AND able to penetrate to get to where it needs to be. So picking a reputable brand is important--cause who wants to spend money on something that's already lost it's mo-jo? C comes in many forms with L-ascorbic Acid showing up in many brands, though some scientific minds feel tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate might be even better (an ester form of Vitamin C). You'll probably see serums that also include Vitamin E and other brightening agents in hopes of even kick up its gain even more!

So in considering a Vitamin C serum I'd suggest you find one in a glass bottle, with a tinted/or opaque wrap--and I prefer a pump dispenser all of which reduce the risk of oxidation and keep your serum fresh! Remember that good skin care is not inexpensive-- but , since our skin is part of our identity, protects us from the world, and acts as part of our immune system; don't you think it's worth a little TL(& Vitamin) C? 😉

Tell me more about GENIUS! Microneedling "on steroids!"

For many years I have touted the merit of microneedling for collagen induction—I mean really, who wouldn’t love smoother skin with more bounce?! After scouring the marketplace in search of the most efficient device, that is both cost effective as well as delivering on visible benefits with minimal down time, I have once again turned to Lutronic for their engineering prowess and portable platform that can meet the needs of my audience. I would love to welcome you to experience this incredible platform!

I personally have enjoyed the benefits of microneedling pens as well as Infini (the predecessor to Genius) and can tell you this device is truly incredible. The target group includes those hoping for skin tightening and acne scar reduction.

The Technology

So what makes RF microneedling so different? Well, microneedling is a process of creating controlled trauma using tiny needles to penetrate the dermal layer of skin where collagen formation is imperative. This small trauma is nearly invisible to the eye, but encourages cells within the skin to create a repair sequence “filling in” the tissues. Genius RF microneedling also creates microtrauma, but this time with a burst of thermal energy that truly “forces” (rather than simply encouraging) the fibroblasts to get to the work of repairing damage. So truly, you can consider this a more robust microneedling experience. Lutronic engineers have added smart technology that measures impedance of the skin and how much energy is being absorbed with each pulse, allowing us to adjust the energy being delivered as we treat, letting me know that I’m giving enough, but not too much! After all, you want amazing results, but not unnecessary discomfort.

The needle tips are some of the finest in the industry—Lutronic invested in a mill to create precision tips specifically for this device. The motor is also specialized with graceful and accurate insertion depth. The duration of RF pulse also enjoys precision. Ultimately all these individual factors meld, resulting in less pain and a more accurate treatment.

The Experience

How would I describe the treatment experience? Initially the face is cleansed and topical anesthesia is applied for about an hour. During this time you can enjoy flipping through a magazine, reading a book or getting caught up on social media. Old technology required heavy medication and the need for you to have a driver to pick you up after treatment, but with the Genius, truly you need a bit of acetaminophen, and can transport yourself! There is almost no bleeding with Genius, and recovery time is decreased. My personal course post Genius (with or without LaseMD) is initial pinkness and a bit blotchy day one, day two I can return to my usual tinted sunscreen the next day, and by the third I am back to normal. Those who are prone to acne may still have a rise in congestion several days after, but many do not. Rarely will someone report bruising.

The Results

Lutronic Genius should be considered for anyone hoping for skin tightening and lift or who suffer from acne scarring. Its target is the dermal layer of the skin, where the bounce lives. Paring this with Lutronic LaseMD also adds a brightening component by helping the epidermal shedding and neutralization of pigment irregularities such as sun damage and age spots. The result is a brilliant brightening and tightening that won’t leave your social calendar on hold!

But what about this talk of dermal fillers? What is that???

Dermal fillers may be recommended when creases and wrinkles are deep, or when there has been a natural volume loss in tissue; an unfortunate, but totally normal result of age related skin change. Wrinkle relaxation with neurotoxins works awesome with “animation” wrinkles, and can soften the appearance of some wrinkles at rest when used consistently. But other folds may remain and if they distract you, you might want to consider alternative treatment options--this is where fillers might come into play.

There are many brands and several types of particles used in dermal fillers currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And it's important to know fillers have both similarities to one another, as well as differences-- no one filler is perfect in all instances. Choosing the correct filler should be done by your injector, one who has experience in matching your goals and needs with the right product. As you can imagine--deeper folds might be better off with a thicker product, and areas around the mouth do better using one that has stretch. Fillers may be calcium based, poly-L-lactic acid, or even microspheres; but the most popular in use today are based of hyaluronic acid (HA) gel filler. Your skin has naturally occurring hyaluronic acid already, but as we age the level of this declines. HA is a key component to maintaining moisture in tissue and a great replacement for fluff. HA fillers are biodegradable and are non animal based products (so they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction than a collagen injection might). HA expands and attracts moisture when it is injected into the skin—giving a nice plumping effect from the inside. It serves to elevate fine lines and folds, making them less apparent.

Hyaluronic acid is broken down by hyaluronidase enzyme (also naturally found in skin) making this a semi permanent enhancement. The results typically last 6-12 months in most, longer in some people. I suspect you want to know if it hurts. Well, it is a needle in your face, but it’s a pretty darn small needle. Most clients tolerate the injections well, and most filers include lidocaine, which helps to numb the area during the injection. Of course all procedures have risks, fortunately the most common side effects are temporary and include local tenderness, bruising or swelling. Take comfort in cool packs and on occasion, medication.

So now you know, a little more!