I saw my esthetician, Stephanie, at Sapin Skin last week and she told me I looked like a baby. I can think of no higher compliment, especially from a woman who stares at people’s skin all day long. And this is coming from someone who saw all the damage I did to my skin over the years in tanning beds and living in Southern California. I have spent years working with her to get my skin where it is today and while it’s nowhere near perfect it has significantly improved in texture, tone and just overall appearance. So today, I thought I’d share all of the treatments I’ve received over the years, how often I get them, and what I do in between appointments to maintain my results. I am going to break it down by season since it depends on the weather and sun exposure the type of treatment I receive:
Winter Months
IPL/Photofacials/CO2 Lasers – in the cold, cloudy months when my skin doesn’t see the sun is when I am blasting it off. In order to remove the sun spots, I needed multiple rounds of IPL lasers to erase the damage. But your skin literally cannot be exposed to ANY sun before doing light laser treatments or you can do more damage than good. I’d go every month for IPL and then sometimes on top of the IPL my gal would blast me with a CoolPeel laser. Together, the sun damage would get blasted off and then the CoolPeel left my skin silky smooth. Another powerful laser is CO2. This will also erase sun damage like IPL but can be on the pricier side. It also depends on your level of damage and skin type. I did fine with rounds of IPL and now I just need to maintain with SPF and protection in the summer months. I will benefit from a few IPL treatments here and there and “spot treat” but my entire face doesn’t need that anymore since I’ve put in the work.
Hydrafacials – in between lasers, it’s always good to replenish the skin with hydration and moisture with hydrafacials. These are much more relaxing than a laser treatment and feel like a spa day. They leave my skin so glowy, clean and healthy. Ideally, I would get one once a month but honestly they are pretty few and far between for me unless it’s a special occasion. If I am ever on vacation or get a spa day because it’s my birthday or Mother’s Day, for example, I am getting a hydrafacial. I’d like to get more but my budget (and time) just doesn’t allow for it right now. One day!
Summer Months
Microneedling – No lasers or light treatments when your skin sees the sun! This is when we focus on collagen production and tightening the skin. The most popular form of microneedling you’re probably hearing about right now is Morpheus8, which is just the brand name of Radiofrequency Microneedling. This combines the microneeling tool (small tiny punctures to the skin to produce collagen) with HEAT. Aka it HURTS like a b*tch. I have yet to try RF Microneedling but I know I need it at some point soon. However, it’s an investment! In the meantime, I get normal microneedling with cute little numbing cream that still produces collagen and tightens the skin. This isn’t giving us facelift results but it’s slowing the aging process and building elasticity in the skin. I try for monthly microneedling in the spring/summer months and once fall hits, we start to blast off the skin again 😉
Botox/Filler – I get botox/daxxify about every 4-5 months and I get it done in my forehead, 11’s, nose crinkles, crows feet, masseters (for TMJ), and sometimes in my chin cuz no one wants a butt chin. As for filler, I have only ever done it in my lips and it’s usually once a year. I have never had filler anywhere else like cheeks, jawline, etc because I think it is a really slippery slope. I want to look natural and enhance the beauty features I already have and not look “overdone.” Whenever girlfriends text me that their injector is suggesting filler I tell them to be SO WEARY!!! It absolutely matters who you go to, what they are suggesting, and where they are suggesting it. Find someone who will be conservative and start small. I see Pinky and Sabrina at Skin Spirit Green Lake and trust their opinions.
Skincare Products – Products matter so invest wisely. This is honestly where I spend most of my money.. on my face! I am a firm believer in medical grade skincare and I am also a believer in medication if you struggle with acne in any capacity (hello, Spironolactone you little miracle pill!). And accutane!! It does not deserve the negative attention it gets (unless you’re pregnant of course). Such a stigma around any sort of medication and I am OVER it. Get a prescription if you want clear skin. End of story. As for topical products, I use medical grade everything and sprinkle in my budget friendly options on top.
I linked all of my favorite products here.
