Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated. But for many it can be confusing. Where to start? Which system is right for me? Woman tend to be more conscientious about their skin. Making sure they are cleansing properly, exfoliating weekly, hydrating, protecting and maintaining. For men, this is a whole other world. Here are a few recommendations for an easy skincare routine for men:

Instead of: Splashing with water or using bar soap in the morning or at night
Replace with: Cleansing with a milky cleanser (dry-combination skin) or a foaming cleanser (oily skin). Cleansing with bar soap or water alone won’t thoroughly cleanse away dirt, oil, or daily debris. This will cause unwanted oil build up and bacteria that can cause acne.

Instead of; No moisturizer in the morning
Replace with; Applying a light weight sunscreen. The daily use of sunscreen will not only keep the skin protected during the day, it will hydrate the skin and won’t trigger the sebaceous glands to over produce oil.

Instead of; Using a wash cloth to scrub the skin
Replace with; Using an exfoliating cleanser a few times a week

Instead of; Using aftershave
Replace with: Using an antioxidant serum or hyaluronic acid serum after shaving. This will properly replenish the hydration to the skin and help sooth after shaving.

Instead of: No moisturizer
Replace with: Using a light weight moisturizer before bed

Instead of: Using over the counter cleansing pads
Replace with; Use a medicated pre-moistened pad

Instead of: Using alcohol or witch hazel on breakouts
Replace with: Using a medicated treatment gel or retinol

One of the most important aspects of a skincare routine (especially men) is the daily use of sunscreen. It always seems to fall to the wayside. “I’ll only be outside for a little bit.” “I never get sunburn.” “I don’t like the way sunscreen feels on my skin.” This is understandable for both men and woman. Unfortunately, sunscreen typically isn’t on a man’s radar. The daily use of sunscreen not only helps to fight the early signs of aging, like fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. It helps to protect against precancerous and cancerous lesions.

Skin health doesn’t just stop at skincare products. There are a wide variety of skincare treatments to help maintain the appearance of the skin. Facial treatments and skin rejuvenation aren’t just for the ladies! Statistics show that men make up around 49% of the medical spa/skin rejuvenation clientele.

Ultherapy- Ultherapy is the perfect non-surgical option to help restore tightness, improve sagging, and to lift the skin.
Facials- Facials are a great maintenance treatment to help restore the skins moisture and keep the skin clear from blemishes.
Injectables (Botox, Xeomin and filler)- Injectables are wonderful to help add volume in areas it is lacking (filler). As well as decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time (toxin).
Laser- Laser therapy can help with a number of different skin conditions. Redness/broken vessels, Laser skin resurfacing for Acne Scars and Laser skin resurfacing for Sun Damage & Age Spots.

These are services that men are flocking towards to help treat and maintain their skincare goals.
Taking care of your skin has become a standard practice over the years. We get haircuts, we brush our teeth, we go to the doctor and the dentist, we take care of our skin. The largest organ on the human body is the skin, it is our shield, the protection of our organs, it deserves special care.

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The year is 2002, you have a party to attend in a few weeks and you have been dealing with acne for months. Being unbelievably fed up is an understatement. Your best friend suggests going tanning or laying in the sun to dry up your acne. The thought of getting a little tan is enticing too. Having a little color may conceal the acne as well! Your friend has been tanning for a week and it’s helping her….. until it doesn’t anymore.

In theory this method makes sense right? The suns ultra violet rays can dry the skin. So if you are dealing with acne, you must have oily skin, therefore the sun will dry up the acne. It may feel like the sun is doing something to your acne for maybe a week or so, but this is actually the complete opposite and very dangerous for your skin.

The sun doesn’t actually dry out sebum (oil) on your skin. It dries the actual skin. As a result to the skin being dry, your oil glands will then produce more oil as a response to the dryness. Picture a little army of oil coming out with a vengeance trying to protect and hydrate the skin that is in need. “We must attack the dryness! Come on troops hydrate on the double!” As a result of the oily army’s attempt to protect and secret, this then produces more breakouts and deep rooted clogged pores.

Getting Down to the Basics

Acne is not all created equal, and each different type of acne should NOT be treated the same. The most common types are cystic acne, which is typically hormonal, very red, inflamed and painful, acne due to oily skin and acne due to dry skin (which is more common than you’d think). Adding UV light to inflamed painful acne is only going to inflame it more. Adding UV light to dry skin that has acne will only make it more dry and create more of a breeding ground for acne. Adding UV light to oily skin that has acne will only dry out the very surface of the skin, making it almost impossible for the oil to secret properly. Therefore creating more oil as your oil glands are trying to produce more since it is unable to secret thoroughly.

Now that we know what the UV rays can do to acne in the beginning stages of “trying to dry it up’. Let’s talk the aftermath.

Picture this, you fall on the pavement, scrape your knee. It bleeds, and scabs over. You treat it, maybe with ointment and a bandaid. You keep it covered so that it can heal properly, since there is brand new skin underneath that scab. We want to protect it so that it doesn’t scar. So let’s circle back to your face. The scab on your knee is the breakout on your face. It is healing skin that has been inflamed, irritated, and perhaps picked at (hopefully not). If the skin isn’t protected against the UV rays you can develop Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) and /or increased scarring. Acne prone/broken out skin is healing skin, combining healing skin to UV rays is a recipe for sun damage, which is even harder to remove than the acne itself.

Here are a few solutions to help treat the acne and keep it safe at the same time.

Facials:

Getting facials on a regular basis (4-6 weeks apart) can help reduce the amount of breakouts that pop up. Facials help to kill acne causing bacteria and soothes the skin from irritation that comes with painful acne. Extractions during a medical facial are extremely important. The bacteria that is lodged in the pores won’t just “come out” and you can’t just “scrub or wash it away”. It physically needs to be removed just the right way.

Peels:

Chemical peels are a great way to help kill bacteria from acne, break down the thick dead layer of skin on the surface of the epidermis, and target acne scars and hyperpigmentation (PIH). Deep set clogged pores can not be removed with a chemical peel as it works from the inside layers out. A facial like I stated above would be the best option to start.

Microneedling and Laser:

These minimally invasive treatments are fantastic for helping to eliminate acne scars, PIH, and redness (broken capillaries and broken blood vessels). However, if your acne is still active, meaning if your acne is still bacteria filled and inflamed, these methods will have to be put on hold until the acne is under control.

Lastly, finding yourself a highly skilled Medical Esthetician that is well versed in acne is huge. Like I stated above, acne is not all created equal. So treating it should be customized.

There was a time where doing at-home beauty treatments were all the rage, putting toothpaste on a blemish was the “go-to” and reading Cosmo was a great way to find beauty hacks. Well, its a new day my dear, and beauty is at the hand of the esthetician. One hand has all your customized treatments ready to take charge. The other hand is holding yours during this confusing time. We are here to help you all along the way of your skincare journey. Whatever your journey may be, we got your back.

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Spring is the season of rebirth and the award season. Of course, the testing process for the 2021 NewBeauty Awards during wasn’t the typical testing committees debating over 10,000 submissions.  This year all research and debate to choose the 280 winners was done virtually.  I can image that the panel was hyper-critical of their own image on the zoom meetings. The experts scrutinized thousands of products and procedures that deliver on their claims and solve our biggest beauty requests. This year more than ever we deserve to look and feel like the best versions of ourselves.

Each year hundreds of new product lines enter the skin care and treatment market. Instagram & Facebook bombard us with new advertising for products that are brand new and untested. Tik Tok has also entered the fray of so-called experts telling its viewers to use strange and unusual homemade remedies to cure all your beauty woes.  Unfortunately, once you click on the advertisement, you will see the product show up in your news feed for weeks.

I thought it would be helpful to highlight the 11^th Annual Beauty Awards from New Beauty Magazine, Spring-Summer 2021, with the products and procedures that Blume Skin & Body offers.

NewBeauty Awards for Best In-Office Treatments & Procedures

The Best Neurotoxin – Botox Cosmetic

For the past 19 years, Botox has been reducing frown lines, crow’s feet and smoothing foreheads everywhere. Botox is the most requested Neurotoxin, due to its consistency.  Xeomin is also a quality neurotoxin that Blume Skin & Body offers for our patients that are looking for a uniquely purified option that Gwyneth Paltrow prefers.

The Best Nonsurgical Skin Tightener – Ultherapy

Ultherapy is a Cult Classic and it has been an award winner for 7 years in a row. Patients looking for a neck, lower face & brow lift without going under the knife, Ultherapy is the answer. Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to stimulate new collagen and tighten lax and wrinkled skin on the neck, chin, brow and décolleté without the need for surgery or downtime. Christie Brinkley has been a past spokesperson with many other celebrities admitting and recommending Ultherapy . The staff at Blume Skin & Body loves the Ultherapy procedure, it is also a great preventative treatment for the 30 -40-year-old age group looking for a countered jawline and collagen banking.  For the 50+ age group Ultherapy ultrasound skin tightening works to take a decade away.

The Best Noninvasive Fat Reducer – CoolSculpting

This noninvasive fat-fighter treatment has been the gold standard and FDA cleared for over 10 years; Blume Skin & Body has had CoolSculpting for 9 years. CoolSculpting freezes away unwanted fat cells practically everywhere on the body. The fat cells start to leave the body at 3 weeks may take 12 weeks to see your final results, but those fat cells are gone for good.

CoolSculpting at Blume Skin & Body is a relaxing experience with your own private suite. CoolSculpting is a great way to rid the body of that excess COVID-19 fat and get back to your 2019 body.

The Best Filler for Lip Lines – Juvederm Volbella

When you have smokers’ lines or your favorite lipstick bleeds into those tiny lines around your mouth, Juvederm Volbella is a great choice for smoothing those annoying lines. Juvederm Volbella can soften them without altering your natural facial expressions. This facial filler uses hyaluronic acid to instantly smooth unwanted grooves for a natural smooth look. Volbella is also a great lip filler for those patients looking for natural smooth lips without the duck look.

The Best Filler for Laugh Lines– Juvederm

Blume Skin & Body also offers Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus, Juvederm Voluma and Juvederm Vollure that are hyaluronic acid fillers that can soften deep nasal folds, give volume restoration, provide a subtle lift or enhance the jaw line and chin. A conversation with our excellent injectors can help you decide which product is best for you.

The Best Filler for Cheek Enhancement – Juvederm Voluma

The longest lasting and the first filler specifically developed for the cheek area, Juvederm Voluma thick and dense hyaluronic acid gel plumps and adds volume. If you weren’t genetically blessed with high cheek bones or your cheeks have deflated due to aging, Juvederm Voluma is the answer. Juvederm Voluma results can last up to two years.

The Best Filler for Hand Rejuvenation – Radiesse

To restore volume loss and smooth the skin on hands, Radiesse, a collagen stimulator is the best. Radiesse also makes the veins and crepiness less visible while boosting collagen over time. Blume Skin & Body also likes Radiesse along the jaw line to improve your profile.

The Best Scalp Treatment– HydraFacial Keravive                                                     

Combine the relaxing experience of a scalp massage with the results of a med-spa treatment you get with HydraFacial Keravive. The treatment utilizes the HydraFacial signature three-step method to cleanse and unclog follicles and infuse Keravive protein serum. It is suggested to combine the scalp treatment with the famous skin treatment. HydraFacial is a customizable treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, extracts and hydrates. In a short 30-minute treatment your pores are deep cleaned while skin is flooded with hydration. HydraFacial is like you monthly car wash to keep your skin healthy and youthful. At Blume Skin & Body your aesthetician can add Epidermal Leveling to further your treatment.

NewBeauty Awards for Best Skincare Products – Post-Procedure, Serums & Treatments

The Best Gel Cleanser – Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser

This is the 5^th time this amazing willow bark-based cleanser has made the list. Epoince Lytic Gel Cleanser gently but effectively removes all of dirt, pollution and make-up from the day.

Best Growth Factor Serum – SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum

This 5-in-1 product has it all! Its dual-chamber delivery system contains a new & improved growth factor with nourishing botanicals and peptides that support skin rejuvenation and it has no fragrance, so it works for all skin types.

Post Procedure Soothing Cream – NeoCutis Aftercare

Safe to use after ablative and non-ablative laser treatments, aftercare is very soothing and hydrating with the added benefits of growth factors for faster skin regeneration and healing.

Best Sunscreen – EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF46 

The Cult Classic EltaMD UV Clear works on all skin types and doesn’t leave behind a white cast or irritate your skin.

Best Sunscreen Stick– Colorscience Sunforgettable Total SPF 50 –

This an essential for all active types to protect against sun damage. This sunblock is mineral based without any chemicals and great to use on the lips also.

The Best Supplement for Hair Wellness – Nutrafol

This supplement establishes the right nutrient balance to improve strength, texture, density and shine.

New Treatments and Products

The following products and procedures are brand new this year, and received a great endorsement from New Beauty.

Dream Cream for Neck and Décolleté – Valmont V-Neck Cream

Tech Neck is a real thing and this luxury cream can help with firming and crepiness.

Snap Back – The latest age-defying tools and technologies that promise firmer, tighter skin.  The technique of combining treatments is recommended. Blume Skin & Body has been using several different medical devices for optimal results for years. For example, we combine Ultherapy for lifting and firming with Radio Frequency MicroNeedling for pores and texture and finally PhotoFacial (IPL) (BBL) for sun damage and redness.

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My daughter-in-law, Kara, has cystic acne and is wishing for smooth clear skin. Kara is one-half Korean, and is prone to hyper-pigmentation when she picks at her acne. Asian skin can be difficult to treat due to possible scarring and sensitivity. Acne is a result of hyperkerintinization, increased bacterial load, increased sebum production and inflammation. I have been treating Kara with the Blume Acne Care Treatment plan which attacks acne at all four levels successfully. I started Kara with our one of our PCA Jessner peels to decrease the hyperkerintinization by exfoliating the skin. Our next line of attack for her acne problems is the Sciton Joule BBL laser treatment to decrease sebum production and support collagen regeneration. I have treated Kara with our Blue-U Blue Light Therapy to decrease bacteria, inflammation and aid in healing her skin. Kara has been coming to The Blume Skin Centre every week for the fifteen minute Blue-U Light Therapy session. She has also started using the skincare line, Gytone. Kara is using the acne line with its non-irritating formulation. This acne system is great for sensitive adult acne and is non-drying. Kara is thrilled with her results.

Sandra Caldwell
Medical Aesthetician/CLT
Blume Skin & Body

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