Month: August 2023

By: Danielle LeBlond LE, CLT

Skin concerns like dark spots and red marks can be frustrating, but understanding the differences between Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) and Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE) can help you choose the right treatments. Let’s dive into what these conditions are and how you can address them.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH):
PIH occurs when the skin responds to inflammation or injury by producing excess melanin, leading to darker spots or patches. This often happens after acne breakouts, cuts, burns, or aggressive skincare treatments.

Treatment Options for PIH:

• Topical Treatments: Mikel Kristi Vital A and Vital C serums and Skin Medica Even and Correct serum and dark spot corrector. These products can help fade pigmented spots by reducing melanin production and promoting cell turnover.
• Chemical Peels: Such as our Cosmelan peel, Vi peel or Skin Medica peel are exfoliating treatments can help improve the appearance of PIH by removing the top layer of skin and encouraging new, even-toned skin to emerge.
• Laser Treatments: Certain laser treatments like our most popular Halo Laser can target melanin, breaking down dark pigments and encouraging their removal.
• Microneedling: This treatment involves the use of tiny needles creating controlled micro- injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production and aiding in the fading of spots.
• Sun Protection: Wearing sunscreen daily is essential to prevent further darkening of existing spots and to protect your skin from UV damage.

Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE):
PIE manifests as red or purplish marks caused by damaged blood vessels due to inflammation. These marks often result from acne, injuries, or inflammatory skin conditions.

• Laser or Light-Based Treatments like ( BBL) BroadBandLight treats blood vessels, reducing redness and promotes healing.
• Topical Treatments: Some serums which included our Mikel Kristi Bio Peptide Serum promote healing and creams with anti-inflammatory ingredients like Mikel Kristi’s Calendula Moisturizer can help calm the skin and reduce redness.
• Camouflaging Makeup: Using makeup to conceal red marks temporarily can help improve your appearance while waiting for them to heal.

Both Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) and Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE) are common skin concerns, but they have different underlying causes and require distinct treatment approaches. Whether you’re dealing with dark spots or red marks, consulting a skincare professional is always a good idea. We can help you determine the best treatment plan tailored to your specific skin type and condition, helping you achieve the clear and radiant complexion you deserve. Remember, consistency and patience are key when it comes to improving these conditions.

Come in for a complementary consultation to learn more!

By: Yoko McCall LE, CLT

We’ve seen the commercials and walked by the advertisements – well known over-the-counter (OTC) brands marketing their latest anti-aging products containing vitamin c, retinols and peptides, all of the ingredients we know help our skin turnover and stimulate collagen production. They’re half the price of the products sold at your medical spa or dermatology office so why would you pay more for the same ingredients?

The difference between Over-the-Counter Products and Cosmeceuticals

Cosmeceuticals are products formulated with bioactive ingredients that can penetrate the skin into the epidermis and dermis to alter and improve the function and appearance of the skin. Most OTC products are not considered cosmeceuticals and have active ingredients that just sit on the surface of the skin and don’t create anti-aging changes. Remember, one of the most important jobs of the skin is to act as a barrier to the outside of environment and luckily, it’s pretty good at that! Cosmeceuticals use advanced delivery systems, such as encapsulated technology and nanotechnology to change the particle size to allow for better penetration into the skin. Cosmeceuticals often contain active ingredients with higher concentrations, intended to provide more targeted and noticeable improvements in skin issues such as wrinkles, pigmentation, and acne.

At Skin Appeal, we love seeing amazing results and know the importance of good skincare when it comes to seeing impressive improvements in the skin. Investing in good skincare alongside your treatment protects your investment and can enhance your results dramatically. This is why we offer 20% off our 90 day packages. 90 days to more beautiful, healthy skin includes your treatment, DiamondGlow Facial, Mikel Kristi Skincare Collection and sunblock of your choice. This offer is all year round! For this month only, receive 15% off any Mikel Kristi or SkinMedica products.

“I don’t have the time for downtime right now.”

“I can’t take time off of work to peel.”

“I don’t want anyone to know I’ve had a treatment done.”

Have you ever found yourself listing any of these concerns to your Skincare Provider? These are common barriers we often see patients run into when wanting to receive their skin rejuvenation treatments. 

Life is busy. Healing can take time and commitment that we don’t always have to dedicate. So how can we keep up with our skincare treatments when managing a busy schedule at home or work? Luckily, the technology available to us in the aesthetics industry has allowed us to be able to perform deep skin rejuvenation treatments like Virtue Radiofrequency Microneedling with little to no downtime.

What is Virtue RF Microneedling?

VirtueRF Microneedling is unlike any microneedling device currently on the market. While still being minimally invasive, VirtueRF is able to reach deep into the dermis of the skin by bypassing the epidermis, leaving it intact. RF Microneedling is an incredibly effective treatment for skin tightening/lifting, texture improvement, improving fine lines and wrinkles, reducing scarring, and more.

The microneedling portion of the treatment creates thousands of microchannels in the skin to stimulate collagen production, while the radiofrequency is delivered with each pulse to promote collagen & elastin remodeling, and tissue contraction to tighten the skin.

Why is Virtue RF better than other radiofrequency microneedling devices?

• Minimally Invasive
• Minimal to No Downtime
• More Comfortable Treatment
• More Dramatic Results

Radiofrequency Microneedling vs. Traditional Microneedling: Which Treatment is Right for You?

-Truthfully, VirtueRF can be a great treatment for almost anyone! If your main concerns include lifting, tightening, texture/scarring reduction, and more, VirtueRF is going to be the way to go!

-I typically do not recommend VirtueRF for darker skin types due to the heat delivered by the device, so that may be when traditional microneedling is a more suitable treatment for you. However, I always recommend coming into the office to see which form of microneedling is the best option for you!

How Does Skin Appeal Set Our Radiofrequency Treatment Apart?

While doing a VirtueRF treatment on its own is still incredibly effective, here are some ways we utilize other treatments and tools available to us at Skin Appeal to make your results that much better:

-Combining VirtueRF with Exilis Ultra for more tightening. This is also known as our Lift Package, which is one of my favorite treatments for lifting and tightening around the neck and jawline!

-Combining VirtueRF with Neogen Plasma laser for more tissue coagulation. More heat in the skin = more tightening and textural change!

-Topping off your treatment with Exosomes. In simple terms, Exosomes help your cells communicate. When your cells communicate more efficiently, especially post-treatment, you get 30% more collagen production and your recovery time is practically cut in half!

VirtueRF is an incredible treatment and extremely versatile in treating so many different skincare concerns. If you’re still not sure if VirtueRF is the right treatment for you, I welcome you to come into the office for a complimentary consultation with one of our Certified Laser Technicians, including me!