Month: November 2023

By Savannah McLaughlin, LE, CLT

Every year when winter rolls around, do you ever find yourself wondering why your skin is so dry? You spent the entire summer with your dream skin; it was supple, hydrated, glowing even. Then one day you wake up and it’s as if all the moisture has been sucked right out of your skin. Well, you’re not alone! In fact, dry skin is one of the most common complaints I hear from patients every single winter.

As temperatures get colder, the air’s ability to hold moisture decreases. Since there is less moisture in the air available for our skin to hold onto or draw in for hydration. In order to aid our skin in being able to draw in and retain more moisture, it’s extremely important to use specific ingredients found in our skincare that supports our skin to do so. Here are 5 products with all the right ingredients to help keep your skin glowing this winter.

1. Biopeptide Hydrating Lotion by Mikel Kristi

Intensely hydrating yet lightweight moisturizer that boosts collagen and brightens the skin ALL in ONE product. This is by far my personal favorite moisturizer from Mikel Kristi with powerful ingredients such as:

• Sea Algae– Nourishing antioxidant
• Hyaluronic Acid– Hydrates & prevents transepidermal water loss
• Peptides- Stimulates collagen
• Songyi Mushroom- Brightens and evens skin tone.

2. HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator by SkinMedica

Hyaluronic Acid is our body’s very own natural hydrating molecule. However, applying it to the skin has been proven to be very beneficial in restoring skin hydration. SkinMedica’s HA5 is a blend of 5 different forms of hyaluronic acid that:

• Immediately hydrates
• Smoothes and soothes
• Gives the skin sustained release of HA that provides long-lasting hydration for up to 8 hours.

3. Biopeptide AM/PM Eye Cream by Mikel Kristi

The eye cream of your dreams! No one likes dry skin around the eyes. I love this eye cream by Mikel Kristi because it gives that enriched, moisturized feel while depuffing around the eyes and even stimulating collagen. Not to mention, for being a medical grade skincare product, the Biopeptide AM/PM Eye Cream is definitely on the more affordable side, which is what we LOVE to hear, right?

By: Melanie Keith FNP-BC

What is Skinvive?

Skinvive, a Juvederm product, is the newest injectable offering at Skin Appeal and most certainly a standout product on the injectable market. Skinvive is the first and only hyaluronic acid microdroplet injectable available for the purpose of improving skin smoothness on the cheeks. Unlike all other hyaluronic acid injectables, which are designed for lifting and volume replacement, Skinvive was created to address skin quality through prolonged hydration in the deep dermal layer of the skin. Skinvive provides deep, lasting hydration that smoothes the skin and provides a luminous glow for up to 6 months! Skinvive is the answer to truly achieving next-level, lasting skin hydration, like no other product on the market.

How does Skinvive work?

In the U.S., the efficacy of Skinvive was demonstrated via a large clinical trial. Trial participants were chosen based on specific criteria; only patients with visible textural abnormalities were included in the study. Four weeks following administration of Skinvive, over half of the study participants saw a visible improvement in overall texture and skin smoothness. In addition, greater than 50% of participants reported an improvement in fine lines and over 70% reported having developed a noticeable glow to the skin and an improvement in skin hydration.

A European study demonstrated the efficacy of Skinvive on a cellular and molecular level. Baseline skin biopsies were collected from each of the trial participants and were then re-collected following administration of Skinvive. Post-procedural biopsies revealed an improvement in water movement and overall hydration within the tissue.

The benefit of Skinvive can be chalked up to an intracellular protein, aquaporin 3, which facilitates the flow of water and other molecules into and out of cells. Skinvive increases aquaporin 3, thus improving water movement within the deep dermal layer of the skin.

Am I a candidate for treatment?

Skinvive is safe with few contraindications, meaning that almost everyone is a great candidate for treatment! Skinvive is especially beneficial in individuals with older and/or photoaged skin, as these skin types lose their ability to maintain adequate hydration. For younger individuals or those with minimal skin-related concerns, Skinvive is a beautiful compliment to prescription strength daily skincare, as Skinvive hydrates the deep dermis, while topical hydrators provide hydration to the more superficial epidermis. Undoubtedly, anyone living in the dry desert climate might benefit from a healthy dose of hydration!

Ultimately, Skinvive is a great option for skin rejuvenation with minimal to no downtime and can be performed in a quick 30-minute office visit. Patients are given the option to utilize topical anesthesia to make the procedure more comfortable, which then sits on the skin for approximately 10-15 minutes. After the anesthesia has been removed and then skin has been prepped, a small needle is used to inject microdroplets of the product into each cheek via a series of injections administered in a grid-like pattern.

Two syringes are recommended for younger individuals or those with minimal textural concerns. Three to four syringes may be appropriate for patients with visible textural abnormalities and/or in men or individuals with larger anatomical features.

Results of Skinvive can be seen as early as 2 weeks, with full results at 4-6 weeks. Treatments are recommended twice yearly and can be performed alongside any other injectable treatment.

Consider trying Skinvive during your next scheduled Botox visit or simply contact our office today for more information or to schedule your Skinvive treatment!