After much consideration, I'm ready to reveal my first major goal for 2012:
{get professional skin treatments to minimize acne scarring and hyperpigmentation}
I've already started working towards this goal! This past Tuesday morning, I traveled to Bellevue, Washington to the Sports Pro Club's MediSpa. I previously visited to receive a free skin cancer screening back last year and wanted to start the year with a skin consult (see pics of the lavish waiting room and treatment room on Instagram).
I talked to Kristal, a very knowledgeable medical aesthetician and laser technician, and received my first SkinMedica Vitalize peel ($150) the same day. Surprisingly, it was less intense than the 15% and 20% TCA peels I bought from Makeup Artist's Choice and self-administered at home.
The Vitalize peel is non-invasive, well tolerated with little downtime, smoothes fine lines, wrinkles and improves acne, hyperpigmentation, and melasma. And thanks to its unique blend of Retinoic Acid, salicylic acid and Alpha Hydroxy Acids with Resorcinol, it helps treat active acne. By the way, unlike the peels I've used in the past, the Vitalize peel is self-neutralizing.
Kristal cleaned my skin with a rose-scented toner to remove any dirt, dead skin cells and any other skin impurities. Next, she prepped my skin with an acetone-based solution that didn't sting. Then she applied probably 2 to 3 layers of the Vitalize peel. It felt warm and stung a little but Kristal helped minimized my discomfort by fanning my face with a SkinMedica Product Guide pamphlet and a mini electric fan. She talked to me and revealed why she decided to become a medical aesthetician/laser technician.
I've started peeling around my mouth and upper cheeks. I've kept my skin clean with Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar and moisturized with Vivite Replenish Hydrating Cream and Cetaphil DailyAdvance Ultra Hydrating Lotion for Dry, Sensitive Skin. I also went home with samples of SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer and Environmental Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+.
I would need to wait 4 to 6 weeks to get another treatment and would possibly need 3 to 6 peels to see significant improvement in my acne scarring and hyperpigmentation. Until then, I'm refraining from posting pictures.
It does help a lot...