If you’ve experienced collagen loss due to aging, you may have looked into a wide array of treatments. You may be asking yourself “Do I Need Filler or Ultherapy?”

The good news is, you don’t have to choose….do both and get twice the results with the 3D Collagen Boost!!

As we age, our collagen production slows down, starting in our late 20’s. As we get older, that process slows down more and more. Collagen loss looks like less volume, loose skin, thin skin, skin laxity and drooping skin. Collagen supplements and powders have become extremely popularized, however there are limitations to what those can truly do for your skin. The best results come from treatments that can replace volume loss, and help our bodies to actually produce more collagen again, giving us long-lasting results.

During the natural aging process, our body slows down the production of collagen, causing loose skin and wrinkles. At Blume Skin & Body, we love to treat volume loss, loose skin, thin skin, skin laxity and drooping skin at 3 different levels with our 3D Collagen Boost Package, which includes an Ultherapy treatment for the Face and Neck, 2 syringes of Radiesse filler, and a Neocutis Micro Firm Neck cream. This combination treatment will help you get long-lasting results in the office and at home!

Ultherapy

Ultherapy is the only non-invasive treatment approved by the FDA for lifting the skin on the neck, chin and brow/forehead. Ultherapy uses targeted ultrasound to lift and tighten loose skin, without any downtime! (Results vary from patient to patient). Ultherapy results last up to a year or two, with great results in patients with collagen loss.

Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound to generate a thermal effect under the skin. This has the ability to reach the lowest level of the skin, the basal layer, where the collagen loss is most prominent. The thermal effect essentially fires up the repair process in the skin that strengthens existing collagen and produces fresh, brand-new collagen. Here are a few stunning before and after photos that demonstrate the power of Ultherapy!

Ultherapy Full Face Before and After

Ultherapy Neck Treatment Before and After

Radiesse

Filler, or dermal fillers, are FDA-approved to add volume to areas where the volume has been depleted or lost. They also create a smoother and/or fuller appearance to the area that’s treated. Collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid are all imperative in keeping the skin smooth and tight. The combination of these injected into the skin ensures that your skin remains firm.

As stated above, our skin, over time, naturally loses elasticity as we get older. And as a result, fine lines and wrinkles will become more noticeable. Of course, genetics and lifestyle do play a large role in how our skin ages. Fillers can be used to help plump thinning lips, enhance cheek bones, restructure the chin, define the jaw line, and can create support for drooping skin. When diluted properly, it can be injected throughout the face to stimulate collagen growth.

Radiesse is a volumizing filler, and like many other fillers, it brings back instant volume to the skin for that instant gratification. What’s unique about Radiesse is that it also works under the skin to continue producing collagen, making it last up to one year!

3D Collagen Boost Before & After

Utilizing Ultherapy and Radiesse together will have even a bigger result than having one or the other alone. The 3D Collagen Boost addresses skin laxity and sagging, plus stimulates collagen while targeting deflation and volume loss.

Neocutis Neo Therapy Neck & Décolleté Tightening Cream

As a part of the 3D Collagen Boost package, you will also take home a Neocutis Neo Therapy Neck Cream. This cream supports the results of the Ultherapy treatment to improve skin texture and elasticity, continuing the reproduction of collagen, plus it adds moisture for supple skin. Overall, this neck cream is excellent to continue to tighten any saggy skin as well as diminish the appearance of age spots.

While there are several treatments to choose from, one treatment by itself can only do so much. By combining treatments, patients can have a purposeful treatment plan that is personalized to them, yielding longer lasting results. This 3D Collagen Boost Package is a trifecta of treatments that targets the aging process from every depth. Deep within the dermis, underneath the skin, and topically. This will help to fight collagen loss on 3 different levels.

If you think about your skin as a house, Ultherapy is like the foundation. Making sure the foundation is solid, secure and strong gives you the perfect base to start with. It stimulates your own collagen, creating a beautiful, lifting support. Radiesse Filler is like the insulation, adding more support and giving your home another protective layer. Top it off with the Neocutis Firming Neck cream, your house is now complete with stylish home décor!

At Blume Skin & Body we created the 3D Collagen Boost as an anti-aging package to fight collagen loss on 3 different levels. As always, results will vary from patient to patient. That’s why it is important to have a one-on-one consultation with your Licensed Ultherapist and Injector, to determine the best treatment for you!

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Oxygen facials are no stranger to the aesthetics industry. They claim to help improve blood circulation, which plumps the skin and makes it appear brighter. Fight acne, and accelerate wound healing, as well as kill certain bacteria.
But are Oxygen Facials just another “hype” treatment? There are the machines that blow air “into” the pores. Glass oxygen domes that sit around the head. Topical masks that claim to bring oxygen to the skin. Needless to say, there is a lot on the market in terms of “Oxygen Facials”.

One treatment that stands out, is the Oxygeneo/Geneo Facial and is available at Blume Skin & Body. The Oxygeneo/ Geneo facial is a non-invasive treatment that is suitable for all skin types. Its unique oxygenation technology helps trigger the body’s natural, physiological process of producing oxygen. Oxygen is then carried to the surface of the skin. The elevated levels of oxygen prepare the skin to absorb key nutrients throughout the rest of the facial treatment. This process increases oxygen levels internally within skin. Not just putting oxygen around the skin, in hopes that it will penetrate.

After the oxygenation and exfoliation process is complete, a blend of active ingredients are infused into the skin during an ultrasound and neo-massage step. This allows for maximum skin hydration and pure nourishment.

As you already know, all Blume Skin treatments are 100% customizable. Even the Oxygeneo/Geneo Facial! Each and every Oxygeneo/ Geneo facial is geared towards specific skincare needs and goals. 100% natural ingredients like red algae, charcoal, & vitamin C, are calculated to achieve individual skincare goals. Natural sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants will improve the skin’s overall health and appearance. This is always our #1 priority.

The Geneo Facial has it all. Detox, Hydrate, Illuminate, Balance and Revive. There truly is a Geneo facial for everyone!

Geneo Detox: Prevents and reduces damaged cells with the help of anti-inflammatory properties. These modalities help to soothe and relax the skin. So much of the irritation and redness are caused by external allergens, environmental stressors and free radicals.

Geneo Hydrate: Gentle exfoliation ingredients along with vitamins helps to improve the skin’s texture, tone and clarity. Natural ingredients in their dormant state helps to improve the skin’s moisture retention. This process enhances hydration and firmness. Microcirculation is stimulated as well as collagen synthesis, which leads to an improved metabolism of the skin.

Geneo Illuminate: Vitamin C and Kojic Acid will aid in reducing and inhibiting hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage and standard aging. By unifying the skins tone, a more even skin tone and texture will shine through.

Geneo Balance: Removes impurities by a proprietary blend of charcoal and a variety of acids to detoxify the skin by removing dirt and build up. The anti-bacterial ingredients help to treat and fight acne from reoccurring. Antioxidants help refine pore size as well as promote collagen stimulation while balancing oil production.

Geneo Revive: Ferulic Acid and Retinyl Palmitate helps to improve the skins elasticity, resulting in a smoother more sleek appearance. While reducing fine lines and diminishing the signs of aging, the naturally derived ingredients help to even out the skin tone and reduces sun damage.

Rather than falling for a fad oxygen treatment with little to no objective. It only makes sense to trust the science. The science of Oxygeneo/Geneo is first class. Like anything, choosing an aesthetic treatment should be based on the science and the strategy of the treatment. Covering your head with a glass dome pumping with air or “pushing” oxygen onto the skin with an airbrush tool doesn’t quite have the scientific backbone to warrant any type of result. The Oxygeneo/Geneo Facial has the capability to produce an instant gratification and long lasting results speaks for itself!

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So much skincare, how to choose the best concoction for your skin care concerns? With skincare cocktailing you can mix premium skin product brands to design the perfect skincare routine for you. What skincare products can I mix together safely? Here is a general rule of thumb with choosing skincare products according to specific skin types.

-Foaming Cleanser- is a great option for that “clean” feeling and preferably those with combination or oily skin.
-Lotion/Creamy Cleanser- gentle enough for all skin types and also a great makeup remover. Preferably those that have dry skin, sensitive skin, reactive skin and using topical prescriptions and retinol.
-Exfoliating Cleanser- not advised for active acne, or rosacea, but great for clogged pores and once weekly exfoliation.
-Antioxidant Serums- designed for brightening and free radical protection. Great for all skin types except acne.
-Hyaluronic Acid serum- perfect for everyone, even acne
-Growth Factor and Peptide Serums – excellent choice for antiaging and overall skin health
-Retinol- recommended to be advised by a medical aesthetician for dosing. Not recommended for pregnant woman, breastfeeding woman or taking Accutane.

Those were just a few standard skincare products to choose from. Let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

Your mom’s neighbor’s daughter is selling a multilevel marketing skincare line and you are interested in learning about the products because you have been on an uphill battle with your skin. This line seems simple, there’s a “kit” for acne, a “kit” for anti-aging, a “kit” for dry skin. Easy peasy pick a kit and abracadabra your skin is fixed! Not quite.

The pre-picked skincare kits sound great, with no thinking required. The trouble with this method is that not everyone can tolerate every product in an acne “kit” morning and night. Or the products in the anti-aging “kit”. Or any of the “kits”. Our skin is so complex. For example, there are a number of different varieties of acne. Hormone related, stress related, diet related, oil production, and so much more. It takes specific training and education to identify them. Along with aging skin, dry skin and sensitive skin.

For the majority of the population, a combination of these categories is typical. We need to take into consideration each individual’s skin type. Do they breakout still? Are they dry or oily? What’s their sensitivity level? Are they reactive? This must be done BEFORE anything else. A good skincare routine is necessary to protect your investment in any laser treatments, chemical peels or photofacial treatments.

For many, helping to erase and prevent fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation are the goal. Of course, skin care alone can’t turn back the clock, but skincare alongside good medical grade treatments can. But throwing them a cookie cutter anti-aging skincare “kit” isn’t always the answer. Is the individual oily? If they are, the products may be too heavy for them. Are they prone to breakouts? Perhaps this would lead to unwanted blemishes. Then we have to fix acne and aging. A fun combo. Your Medical Aesthetician and Certified Laser Technician can help guide you through the maze of choices.

Even treating acne can be tricky. A standard acne skincare “kit” can be extremely harmful to the skin. Typically, acne geared skincare can contain a combination of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, lactic acid, physical exfoliants and retinol. These are all amazing ingredients to help fight acne, kill bacteria and prevent future breakouts. But when these are used every day, twice a day, your results will be the complete opposite of what you were trying to achieve.

The rule of thumb when cocktailing any skincare together is, if you are using any products that are drying, or that compromise the surface of the epidermis (retinol, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, etc.), you should be using a mild cleanser, a sunscreen and a denser moisturizer to balance out the dryness from the more aggressive products. Hyaluronic Acid is another amazing product to incorporate into your routine. Hyaluronic Acid is recommended for all skin types, especially acne. Using products that help to kill bacteria will leave the skin feeling dry and irritated. That’s when Hyaluronic can play a major role is deep hydration without adding heavy moisturizer.

Here are a few popular combinations for skincare cocktailing:

Three Step Simple Routine – Normal/Combination Skin
Epoince Lytic Cleanser AM & PM
Neocutis Bio Serum Firm AM & PM
Skin Medica Mineral Shield Tinted SPF 32 AM
Valmont Prime 24 PM

I Love My Serums Routine – Anti-Aging Routine
Valmont Illuminating Foamer AM & PM
Skin Medica Lumivive System Day & Night AM & PM
Valmont V-Line Lifting Serum AM & PM
Skin Medica Neck Correct Cream
NeoCutis MicroDay AM
NeoCutis Bio Cream Firm PM

High Maintenance 12 Steps – Love my Skin Routine
Valmont Icy Falls Makeup Remover PM
Epionce Gentle Foaming Cleanser AM & PM
Valmont Illuminating Toner AM & PM
Valmont Clarifying Infusion AM & PM
Skin Medica Advanced+ Serum AM & PM
Skin Medica Neck Correct Cream PM
Valmont V-Line Neck Cream AM & PM
NeoCutis Nouvelle PM
NeoCutis Lumiere Eye Cream AM & PM
Valmont Hydra3 Eye Serum
Epoince Renewal Lotion PM
Elta MD Clear SPF 47 AM

Dry Skin
Epionce Milky Lotion Cleanser AM &PM
Neocutis Bio Serum Firm AM
Valmont Hydra 3 Serum PM
Neocutis Bio Cream Firm PM
Neocutis Lumiere Eye Cream AM & PM
Neocutis Nouvelle PM as directed by you Aesthetician

Oily Skin
ZO Gentle Cleanser (AM & PM)
Neocutis Hyalis (AM)
Elta MD Clear (AM)
ZO Complexion Pads (PM every other night or as directed)
Epionce Renewal Facial Lotion (PM)
Neocutis Nouvelle (every other night or as directed by your Aesthetician))
Epionce Lytic TX (as needed)
Neocutis Lumiere (AM & PM)

Are you overwhelmed? Blume Skin & Body offers complimentary skin analysis with suggestions to add to your current routine or start fresh with new products. The Medical Aestheticians are eager to help you maintain your skin health with skin care and skin treatment suggestions. Please check out all services and products on the website.

The post Do I need a skincare system? appeared first on BLUME.

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.

The post Men and Skincare appeared first on BLUME.

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.

The post But the Sun Dries Out my Acne… appeared first on BLUME.

The Instagram filter look can mess with our heads majorly. It projects an unachievable goal to not only young girls, but to grown adults too! While we are all trying to raise our daughters with lessons of self love, body positivity and plain old acceptance, there’s no denying we all STILL want to have awesome skin. But our mental health doesn’t have to suffer to get it. Here are 5 habits to get fabulous skin.

Moisturize

Now this may seem too simple, and it sort of is! Many individuals that have dealt with skin issues like acne, or oily skin typically skip this important step in fear of making things worse. It’s actually the complete opposite. When our skin isn’t properly hydrated it creates a thin dead layer of skin on the very surface of the epidermis. Sometimes you can see it and usually you can feel it. What happens is, that dead layer of skin creates such a barrier that your natural oil production is unable to secrete properly. Instead, it secretes slower than normal, creating a shine to the skin, giving the skin an oily appearance. That’s why many think they have oily skin. Since that oil secretion is moving so slowly, the oil can get stuck under the dead skin and form into deep clogged pores. Moisturizing on a regular basis can ease that dead skin helping to balance the entire function of the skin, including oil production.

The same applies to dry, combination and aging skin. Moisturizing is crucial for lubricating the pores, and feeding the skin what it needs. Fine lines and wrinkles will be less visible when they are properly hydrated. So finding a great moisturizer for night time is very important.

Sunblock

Now that we’ve covered the night time moisturizer portion, now we can cover the day time. Ah yes, SPF should be your BFF. Daily use of SPF is a great way to achieve fabulous skin. The best sunscreen to look for isn’t necessarily one that has a large SPF number on the front of the bottle. It’s actually the percentage of the active ingredients on the back of the bottle that give the sunscreen its protection power. High percentages of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are mineral ingredients that create a physical barrier from the sun. If you are using products that make you more photosensitive, like retinol or glycolic acid, or receiving treatments that make you more susceptible to burn or hyperpigmentation, SPF everyday is imperative.

Retinol

Piggybacking from the importance of SPF, retinol is an amazing product to incorporate into your skincare routine. Retinol based products can come in all different shapes, sizes and potencies. Retinol or Retin-A is a derivative of Vitamin A. It helps with cellular turnover and helps to soften signs of aging (fine lines and wrinkles) and is a key component in helping with acne. It helps with skin texture, dilated pores and general skin wellness. Retinol use can be as simple as using it intermittently a few times a week, or spot treating acne blemishes. It is important to remember that you must limit your sun exposure during the time of use. For example, don’t use retinol the night before you know you’re going out on a hike, swimming, or any outdoor activity the following day. And when you do go out, make sure the retinol has been cleansed off the following day and a proper SPF has been applied.

Serum

So many serums, how do I know which one is best?! That all depends on what your skin is doing at the moment and your goals. Hyaluronic acid, antioxidant, peptide, and growth factor serums all have so many amazing benefits. So to pick the best one for you leads me into the next must-have for fabulous skin.

Medical Esthetician

Establishing a good relationship with a highly trained, knowledgable Medical Esthetican will guarantee the right path for you on your skincare journey. Which serum to invest in, and which treatments you should dedicate your time on maintaining your fabulous skin. Whether is laser, facials, microneedling, peels or microdermabrasions, your esthetician will establish a treatment regimen to fit your needs completely.

Living in a highly virtual world where the filters are at our fingertips, it’s important to remember the true beauty within us. True beauty can’t be seen in a mirror or a computer screen or a phone. We were all born to be real, real people with real flaws. Perfection is such an illusion that we continuously have to remind ourselves of. Luckily the support from trusted professionals can help keep your true beauty shining through.

The post 5 Habits to Fabulous Skin! appeared first on BLUME.

Everything changes when you get pregnant. LITERALLY. So when you get pregnant, all sorts of fun thing start to happen. You now become responsible for that tiny peanut that lives inside of you. So what you eat, drink, and put on your skin can affect that little peanut. Let’s talk about your pregnancy skincare routine! Is this going to be a life changing event for you skincare? Not necessarily.

*Disclaimer- always consult with your OBGYN prior to any changes being made to your skincare and lifestyle routine*

So there are a few thing that should always be avoided during pregnancy:

Ingredients. Reading your labels are going to be very important with your new 9+ month skincare routine.

Retin-A, Retinol, Retinoid and Retinyl Palmitate are all ingredients that stimulate cellular turnover within the skin cells. Which is fantastic! But must be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There isn’t enough data to prove that these ingredients in skincare are safe for a developing baby. Some research has shown that these “R” ingredients have the ability to cross over into the blood stream, so they must be avoided.

Salicylic Acid. A great ingredient primarily found in skincare products that are geared towards acne prone skin. However, Salicylic Acid has been in other non-acne skincare products. Such as body lotions, shampoos, and hand creams. So again, reading your labels is huge. Like Retinoids, research has shown that salicylic acid does have the ability to cross over into the blood stream. So avoiding this ingredient is recommended.

Glycolic Acid. This particular ingredient is on the maybe list. I have always recommended to my clients to avoid glycolic acid. As stated above, making sure you check with your OBGYN first. Some will say it’s safe, some will say it should be avoided. For instance, using a glycolic based cleanser once a week versus getting a glycolic acid chemical peel are extremely different. So proper consulting with your health care provider is crucial.

Benzoyl Peroxide. Another ingredient primarily found in skincare for acne prone skin. BP dries everything up, excess oil and oily acne, which is great! But not when you’re pregnant. Whether it’s in a cleanser form, cream, gel, serum, or spot treatment, it must be avoided.

Antioxidants. Know your sources. Where are the antioxidants coming from? Vitamin C typically is safe, vitamin A is not safe. Vitamin A is technically retin-a. So as stated above, that should be avoided.

Hyaluronic acid. HA is very safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It’s so common for an expectant mothers skin to be more dry during pregnancy. So using hyaluronic acid based products are very beneficial to the skin during this time!

Since we covered skincare products to avoid during pregnancy, lets go over treatments.

Facials are perfectly safe to get during pregnancy. If anything, they are encouraged! Taking time for yourself during this joyous time is so important, not only for your skins health, but your mental health as well! If you are more prone to acne, or have developed acne due to your pregnancy, getting facials will help to improve your skin. Especially if you can’t use your acne skincare products. Always be upfront with your licensed esthetician prior to getting any facials or other treatments. Even if you are in the early stages of pregnancy. There may be  steps and products she has to avoid during your treatment that aren’t safe for pregnancy. Such as high frequency, peels or any of the ingredients I listed above.

Microdermabrasions are perfectly safe to receive during pregnancy. It will help relieve your skin of the excess dead skin, restore your glow and stimulate cellular turnover when you’re not able to use your retinoids.

Chemical Peels should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Glycolic, Salicylic or any type of a blended peel. Unfortunately there just aren’t enough studies to show safety during this time.

Microneedling, Lasers, Ultherapy, and injectables are all to be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Becoming a parent comes with sacrifices. Sacrificing warm meals, sleep, trips to the bathroom alone. But no one tells you about the true sacrifices. Giving up Botox, retinol, and laser treatments. But in the end its so worth it.

The post Should my Skincare Routine Change When I get Pregnant? appeared first on BLUME.

Anyone that has either started a new skincare journey, or is just obsessed with skincare has heard of Hyaluronic Acid. It makes headlines as a key component of a daily skincare routine. If you have been contemplating on whether or not to add HA into your skincare arsenal, here is your sign that it is time!

Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant that is a naturally occurring molecule in the human body. Using HA topically helps to increase the skins hydration. HA can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water (depending on the product/ingredients) making it essential for health. When there’s hydration in the skin there’s health in the skin. Hydrated skin can concur so many things like:

Fine lines and wrinkles. Over time our body starts to decrease its production of HA, along with collagen and elastin. Resulting in the loss of volume, hydration and plumpness and acne.

While Hyaluronic Acid doesn’t play a direct roll in the treatment of acne. It does in fact help to improve the moisture content in the skin when a patient is using acne fighting skincare and/or topical prescriptions. Helping to hydrate and sooth the skin during any acne treatment helps to deeply nourish the skin and help heal its microbiome. Along with helping to reduce redness.

Like any product or ingredient, all Hyaluronic Acids are not created equal. The molecule sodium hyaluronate should be one of the first ingredients on the back of the packaging, not down at the bottom of the list. The molecular weight and molecular size of the HA matters as well. You want your Hyaluronic Acid to have a small molecular size so that it has the ability to penetrate into the skin properly to help reduce wrinkle depth. The molecule weight is a catch 22 in a way. A high molecule weight helps to seal in moisture to the skin. A low molecule weight helps to provide hydration and improves elasticity. The perfect product that has them both?

Neocutis Hyalis

Another great option is the Skin Medica HA5. Being oil free and fragrance free, the technology in this product is very unique. It is a time released serum that contains a proprietary blend of 5 different hyaluronic acid molecules. When 1 stops working the next one kicks in and takes over. So you have a continuous release of hyaluronic acid through out the day/night after it is applied.

Our moisturizer option is the Valmont Regnetic Cream. This contains a Hyaluronic acid precursor which stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid within the skin. It also has biomimetic lipids which helps to restore the barrier function of the skin. This formula also comes in a serum form. The Valmont Regenetic Serum. This innovative product  teaches the skin to rehydrate naturally by limiting the evaporation of water on the skins surface. After doing so, the skin will regain its supple tone.

Hydration is crucial for ALL skin types. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to deeply hydrate, trying to plump up toys skin, battle fine lines and wrinkles or sooth and calm down rosacea or acne. Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most popular ingredients in skincare products. Throughout our lives we will experience transepidermol water loss. Because of this, the enzymes that typically help the skin exfoliate naturally cannot function properly. This results in a buildup of skin cells making the skin appear and feel dry to the touch, which will contribute to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Hydration starts from within. Like our bodies, we need to drink water throughout the day in order to stay hydrated. The same applies to our skin. Hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate from within the skin cells, versus the superficial layers. We all want that healthy glow, and a hydrated body and skin is the key.

The post Is Hyaluronic Acid worth the Hype? appeared first on BLUME.

You ask your friend for advice, and she’ll tell you her sister’s old room mate’s cousin did laser and she had great results, but she was  treating something totally different than what you are interested in. Then your favorite influencer you follow says to use a microneedling roller at home, and its just as good as getting a professional microneedling treatment. How do you know for sure if you should do Microneedling or Laser? While some advice may be a tad helpful, and others may be down right wrong.. *cough cough the microneedling roller*…. there’s always the right advice and it can be found right here!

You always want to make sure you are getting your facts and information from a licensed medical aesthetician. Not only are they trained accordingly in consulting on these treatments, they PERFORM the treatment on patients every day. The way I have consulted on microneedling vs laser, is sharing their similarities and differences. And also breaking down what each treatment does.

Microneedling is skin resurfacing treatment treatment that helps to minimize and even eliminate the appearance of acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, minor skin laxity, uneven texture and minor superficial hyperpigmentation. The process is creating a controlled injury to the skin by  making microscopic perpendicular perforations, at various depths into the skin (nothing you can see to the naked eye). Your skin then realizes it is injured. Proactively the skin then starts to create natural growth factors, collagen and strengthens its elasticity in its attempt to heal itself. Resulting in tighter, brighter, more even skin. Microneelding is fantastic for acne scaring (depending on the type of acne scar) because it helps to break down the scar tissue that accumulated over time.

There is even different types of microneedling treatments like Radio Frequency Microneedling. RF Microneedling can help with all of the above conditions mentioned earlier, the radio frequency has an amazing anti-aging aspect to it. The insulated needles sends high energy radio frequency waves throughout the skin, creating a controlled thermal injury that stimulates tightening and collagen.

Laser also comes in many different shapes, sizes and wave lengths. At Blume Skin and Body we are blessed to be able to offer both IPL and BBL laser treatments, with a variety of personalizations as well. Laser skin treatments help with acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, skin laxity, uneven texture and hyperpigmentation. Very similar to the microneedling! Since laser is a range of light waves and high intensity light, it has the ability to penetrate further down to the deeper levels of the skin typically where hyperpigmentation, deep wrinkles and sever acne scars live. Since BBL uses high intensity light waves, it can also help eliminate redness, broken capillaries and broken blood vessel’s.

So the take away on Microneedling VS Laser is:

Microneedling Laser

-Acne scars -Deeper acne scars

-Fine Lines and mild wrinkles-Fine lines and moderate wrinkles

-Collagen production-Deeper collagen production

-Minor skin laxity-Moderate skin laxity

-Minor hyperpigmentation-Moderate hyperpigmentation

-Improved texture-Improved texture

-Needs a series of treatments-Needs a series of treatments

Since Microneedling and Laser treatments have many similarities, it can be hard to decipher which is the best treatment for you! That’s where the power of the consultation comes in! Making sure you see a highly trained and skilled licensed medical aesthetician, to help point you in the right direction for your skincare needs and goals. Skincare is not a one size fits all. What works for some may not work for many. Microneedling and laser are NOT services you are going to want to skimp on, or use a Groupon/coupon for. At our medical office, we take pride in educating our patients with all the information they need to make the right decision for their skin. We want your treatment to go smoothly, as painless as possible and we want to see you GLOW with amazing results! Since there is so much misinformation out there, it’s imperative to put your face in the right hands, no pun intended!

The post How do I Know if Microneedling or Laser is Right for Me? appeared first on BLUME.

Sensitive skin is so common. Something I have heard throughout my ENTIRE career. “My skin is so sensitive”, “I’m scared to try new products because my skin is so sensitive”, “I can only use ____ because my skin is so sensitive”.

The question is, what are the common denominators?

• What products are you using?
• Are you exfoliating too much?
• Are you using a scrub on your face frequently?
• Are you using products designed for acne prone skin?
• Are you moisturizing enough?

All of these factors play a huge role in our skin’s sensitivity.

Is your Skin Sensitive or Reactive?

But let’s get technical. There’s a difference between sensitive skin and reactive skin. Reactive skin is when the skin develops a reaction to a product, treatment or something environmental. This can cause a variety of issues like an allergic reaction, contact dermatitis, eczema, or a rosacea flare. Resulting in a trip to the dermatologist for a treatment plan.

Sensitive skin typically shows itself as slight erythema and stinging. But the main reason clients are so quick to mention they have sensitive skin is be cause they break out easily. Therefore, they think that the breakouts are due to their skin being sensitive to products and treatments. The good news is, that’s not the case! There are several factors to why someone is breaking out, but its not because they’re sensitive!

The bullet points I mentioned above are major components to mending the reaction you are experiencing and helping to prevent it as well. If you’re using skincare products that are too drying or designed for acne prone skin, chances are you’re drying your skin too much; creating a thin layer of dead dry skin on the very surface of the epidermis. Sometimes you can feel the layer, other times it’s nearly invisible to the naked eye. That dead layer then creates tiny microscopic tears in the skin making it a dance floor for products and skin treatments to cause redness and stinging.

As I mentioned earlier, many clients will state their frustrations about breaking out due to many of the bullet points above. Which they identify these issues as sensitivity. Remember that tiny dead layer of skin that’s just sitting on top of the skin? Well your oil is still going to secrete microscopically, but it will do so very slowly because the layer of dead skin is preventing it from secreting properly. That will then develop into extreme shine. Slick looking skin before the lunch hour anyone? This could be a reason why! If only a greasy face is where it ended. Unfortunately its not. That sebum that’s trapped under the dead skin will then start causing clogged pores, that will then develop into full blown breakouts.

You’re probably thinking, wait, I thought we were talking about sensitive skin. We are! All of the things I mentioned, dry skin, excess oil, clogged pores, and acne are all skin issues that are causes by the same common denominator. Which is then misdiagnosed by the public as sensitive skin.

How to Fix Skin Concerns

So how do we fix this? Its actually so easy! Scheduling an appointment with our licensed medical aestheticians to develop a customized treatment plan, which includes prioritizing an at-home skincare routine specifically for your skin type and needs. A retinol and hyaluronic acid incorporated into your routine can help dramatically. Keeping the dead skin under control as well as a hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate. Neocutis Nouvelle+ and Neocutis Hyalis+ are the perfect pair.

Also, scheduling a series of facials to help exfoliate that dead skin, extract the clogged pores and treat the acne, and moisturize! The Hydrafacial is great for all skin types! From that point on, to maintain your results from the facial and your new at-home skincare routine is getting a microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasions are great for keeping the thickened epidermis under control so that it doesn’t cause any more problems like the ones I mentioned above. Why can’t I just get a few microdermabrasions you might be wondering. Getting a microdermabrasion with active acne is not only painful, but it can spread the bacteria from the existing breakouts causing new ones. So making sure the acne is taken care of properly and making sure the bacteria is killed is crucial.

So in the end the client’s “sensitive” skin will be no more. Because it’s not actually sensitive. It was dry, off-balanced, dehydrated and irritated.

So if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t do _____ because my skin is too sensitive”, let our team of experts rebalance your skin so that you don’t have those reactions over and over – keeping you from having the best skin of your life!

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