Total Facial Rejuvenation: Can You Combine Dermaplaning and a Chemical Peel?

If you've caught yourself frowning at what you see in the mirror lately because your skin looks dull, drab, tired or aged, you're not alone. As we age, we all see imperfections we'd like to address but aren't quite sure how to go about it. At Refresh Evolution in Pitt Meadows, BC we recommend total facial rejuvenation by combining dermaplaning with a chemical peel.

Why Does Our Skin Change?

We'd all like to keep the complexion we had when we were 20, but time marches on. As it does, our skin changes both structurally and aesthetically. These changes go hand in hand. As the structure changes, the way it looks changes almost as quickly. So, what really happens?

The Structure of Young Skin

Young skin has absolutely everything going for it. The building blocks of strong healthy skin are plentiful and doing everything they're supposed to. The three dynamos of beautiful skin are collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. When you see a vibrant, wrinkle-free and dewy complexion, it's a result of having these three in spades.

Collagen

Collagen is the protein that everything else is built on. It makes up 80% of our skin and keeps all our skin cells packed tightly together. Think of collagen as the very building block of every part of our skin. It's most prevalent in the middle layer of our skin, or dermis. Here, the strong fibers of protein are woven tightly together and act as a framework for everything else to lie on. It keeps a strong hold on the surface of our skin, ensuring it stays tight and doesn't sag.

Skin cells are regenerated on collagen, and when there's plenty of it, our cells come back bright and vibrant, keeping the surface of our skin smooth, clear and even. Every 28 days, our cells are replaced, and collagen keeps them looking their best, which is why young skin doesn't have splotches, rough patches or dullness.

Collagen also keeps everything underneath it in place. The deepest layer of our skin is called the hypodermis, and that's where the layer of fat and fat pads are. These pads give our cheeks their youthful contour, prevent tear troughs from forming under our eyes and gives the apples of our cheeks their youthful roundness. Collagen works hand in hand with elastin.

Elastin

In our dermis, among the collagen fibers, is another protein called elastin. As you could probably guess by the name, it keeps our skin and other organs flexible and elastic. When we smile, sleep, yawn and pull on our skin, elastin keeps it bouncing back to place. You'll notice young skin doesn't yet have expression lines or areas where the skin looks lax because elastin is plentiful enough to do its job.

Elastin, along with collagen, keeps skin in place as gravity tries to pull it down. That strong foundation won't loosen its grip and keeps skin tightly adhered to underlying tissue and bone structure. Those defined jawlines, facial contours and strong lines result from the great bond between collagen and elastin.

Hyaluronic Acid

There's one more age-defying addition that keeps us looking young, and that's hyaluronic acid. This is a naturally produced sugar our bodies create to hydrate and lubricate our skin. When we're young, there's very little that can make our skin look dry or cracked because hyaluronic acid molecules can hold 1,000 times their weight in water. They actually attract moisture and hang on to it.

Our skin looks dewy and supple, feels soft and silky and our makeup goes on like a dream. Our makeup doesn't settle into any fine lines or wrinkles or sit unattractively on top because it mixes with our natural moisture to blend and look natural.

What Happens?

Around the time we turn 20, our production of all three of these key elements declines by about 1% a year. Because collagen plays the largest role in healthy skin, we notice that impact the most. It's not just time that causes a decrease in this protein, either, but certain lifestyle choices speed up the loss of collagen, causing a faster breakdown. Factors that slow production of collagen include:

• Smoking
• Unprotected sun exposure
• Alcohol consumption
• Excess sugar or processed food intake
• Long-term unmanaged stress
• Not enough sleep
• Poor hydration
• Poor skincare routine

 

Collagen Loss

When we lose collage, everything changes. Where we once had a solid foundation of tightly packed protein, we now have a weakening layer of skin. Collagen fibers are more sparsely spaced out, giving new cell regeneration a smaller platform. This can lead to sun-damaged cells not being replaced with bright and healthy ones, cells regenerating unevenly in both pigment and texture and our pores appearing larger.

The most profound change happens when the dermis starts to have areas of weakness that turn into small crevices. Our top layer of skin falls into those areas, leaving us with the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and folds. Our collagen also loses its grip on the lower layer of our skin and the fat pads there slide downward. Our once youthful contours can flatten and look hollowed out.

Elastin Loss

When collagen slows, so does elastin. Our skin will no longer bounce back the way it used to. Because there isn't a strong foundation holding our surface skin to our facial structure, elastin can't fight the pull of gravity and our skin begins to sag. All those expressions we've made our whole lives leave their road map on our skin because it doesn't snap back anymore. The result is crepe-like skin that shows wrinkles and sags where gravity pulls the most, near the bottom of our face.

Hyaluronic Acid Loss

It becomes much easier for our skin to dry out and show all of our fine lines as hyaluronic acid depletes. Our skin can look dull and makeup just sits on top of our face or settles into fine lines. We don't get the supple “bounce” we used to when we touch our faces. The texture can be rough and dry, even ashen.

Solutions

As bleak as that may sound, there are innovative solutions that can bring back vitality, life and youthfulness to your complexion: dermaplaning and chemical peels. Before we talk about how dynamic a duo they are together, let's explain each one on its own, first.

Dermaplaning

If you do a search, you'll see satisfying videos of people having this treatment performed. This treatment involves one of our estheticians using a medical-grade scalpel, held at a 45-degree angle, to gently scrape the top layer of your skin. As long as you're in the hands of one of our professionals, it's wonderful. It's also not a new concept, though the official treatment is modern.

It's been a Hollywood secret for decades that beauties like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor shaved their faces. Why? Because when this is done the right way, it “shaves” the top layer of dead and dull skin cells from the surface of your skin. It also takes with it all the peach fuzz from your face.

The Results

The results are amazing. When you're done with treatment, your face will immediately look brighter and smoother. Your color and texture will be even and your skin will feel like silk. Everything that was just lying on top, forming a dull barrier to your beautiful complexion, is removed.

Even that peach fuzz was not doing you any favors. All those hairs acted like magnets to oil and debris, making it difficult to see the radiance underneath. Makeup sat on top of those hairs rather than penetrate them, so your skin may not have looked as flawless as you would have liked.

We've all heard the myth about peach fuzz growing back darker or thicker after treatment. Without going into the science, just know it's physically impossible for this to happen. Whatever your peach fuzz looked like before treatment is exactly how it will look when it eventually grows back.

Benefits

There are more benefits than just glowing, smooth skin. Once your complexion is free of that dull barrier, all your facial products can actually do their job. Often our clients, who have been constantly going through products looking for one that works, realize after treatment that it was their skin that was the problem, not the product. The nourishing skincare line you've chosen will get real results after this treatment. You can even ask us for a recommendation for a line that's perfect for your skin type and concerns.

The other benefit is how much better other treatments will work. It's like you've just pulled a mask off your skin, and it is now more receptive than ever to cosmetic treatments you'd like to try. We recommend pairing dermaplaning with chemical peels.

What Are Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels are treatments that use scientifically formulated solutions applied to the skin to exfoliate the dead and dull cells on top. The beauty of chemical peels is how versatile they are. When we conduct your skin analysis, we can choose the right peel to address your level of concern and get the results you're hoping for.

Our chemical peels don't require downtime, but you will be asked to stay out of the sun for a few weeks because the removal of this layer of skin will make you more susceptible to sun damage.

The Results

As the top layers are exfoliated away, they will peel, revealing a healthier, brighter and revitalized complexion. This process also triggers your body's natural healing response, which is to produce more collagen. We know what a collagen boost can do for the skin. This boost can help:

• Improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Even out skin tone and texture
• Reduce pore size
• Improve the appearance of acne scars
• Address minor skin laxity
• Help with hyperpigmentation
• Brighten a dull complexion

As the dead layer of skin peels away, you'll have smoother and younger-looking skin. Results will continue to improve as more collagen is made and your skin continues to build strength from the inside out.

The Benefits

Once your skin is healed, it's like the clock has been reset. You'll have a younger-looking complexion, your products will work better and makeup will go on more smoothly. Overall, you will look invigorated and more awake.

Combining Dermaplaning With Chemical Peels

This is the one-two punch your dull skin has been craving. Dermaplaning on its own removes a lot of dead skin cells and the dulling layer of peach fuzz. When you have this treatment first, you're giving the chemical peel a better starting point because it doesn't have to work to get through that barrier.

The chemical peel can then go to work on the newly uncovered layer of skin. This will amp up the production of collagen even more, contributing to better immediate and long-term results.

What to Expect

We'll have a consultation with you to do our skin analysis and make our treatment recommendation. Once we've all agreed this is the right combination of treatments for you, we'll begin with dermaplaning.

Treatment

You will first get comfortable in the treatment chair. Then, one of our estheticians will carefully and expertly maneuver the scalpel over your skin, picking up all the debris along the way. We're happy to show you everything we're removing as we go, and you'll be amazed! When this treatment is over, we'll prep you for your chemical peel.

The level of intensity of peel will determine how long you'll be in treatment. Generally, we'll apply the peel solution, and, after the correct amount of time for your desired results, neutralize and remove it. We'll then apply a soothing and nourishing serum or lotion and some sunscreen. We'll send you with post-treatment instructions to stay out of the sun, but there is no downtime necessary.

Results

Over the next week or two, you may notice your skin will flake and peel off, revealing a brighter and more youthful complexion underneath. Because you've combined treatments, your skin will be super soft, smooth and glowing. Results from dermaplaning can last months, though cells regenerate every 28 days, so clients who experience the best results come in every few months for treatment.

Chemical peel results can last up to six months or longer, depending on the peel you've had. Clients who want to enjoy seamless and progressive results will come in every three months or so for maintenance. We'll work with you to determine the right schedule for you, your skin's condition and the desired results.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Almost everyone is a candidate for dermaplaning except for someone in an active cystic acne breakout. We'll just reschedule for when your skin has calmed down. Because peels are so versatile and can be so mild, they're appropriate for almost everyone too. A consultation will help us decide what course of treatment will get you the kinds of results you want and address your specific areas of concern.

Get the Complexion You Remember

With so many innovative treatments, there's no reason you should suffer through the frustration of dealing with a dull, dry or aging complexion. We offer many quick, easy and comfortable solutions that require no downtime.

Don't put yourself and your self-confidence off for another minute. Contact Refresh Evolution in Pitt Meadows, BC now to schedule your consultation with us. We're committed to finding the right solutions for your unique needs. We believe when our clients look their best, they feel their best, and we're honored to be part of that process. We look forward to helping you with all your aesthetic goals.

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by sales@refreshevolutionfranchise.com

Discover the Rejuvenating Power of Microdermabrasion

Age, genetics, the sun, and our environment can all play a role in the imperfections we see when we look in the mirror. You should always feel good about yourself and how you look and, sometimes, these two things go hand in hand. If you are dealing with signs of aging or other skin imperfections and concerns, call Refresh Evolution in Pitt Meadows, BC to discuss how microdermabrasion could hold the rejuvenating power you've been looking for.

What Is Microdermabrasion?

This treatment is getting a lot of press and has seen a surge in popularity as people are documenting their experience on social media: but it's not as new a concept as you might think.

A History

People have known for centuries about the beatifying results of removing the top layer of dead skin. They just went about it differently before modern technology. If we go back as far as Egypt around 1500BC, we find that physicians would use a type of sandpaper to remove scars and restore skin back to near perfection.

Those treatments would be used on Egyptian royalty to sand out any imperfections and keep the royals looking perfectly polished.

Dermabrasion

Let's fast forward to the 1950s, when dermabrasion became widely used. This treatment uses wire brushes to remove the top and deeper layers of skin. There were several problems with this wire brush technique:

• It was extremely painful and required general anesthesia
• Exact depths couldn't be pinpointed, so it required a lot of downtime as multiple layers of skin healed
• It caused scarring in some cases
• There was lengthy wound and aftercare involved
• The risk of infection was high

This process also was without its own contained suction method, so physicians and technicians were exposed to infection from airborne skin particles.

Progress

In 1985, two Italian doctors created a “closed-loop” microdermabrasion tool. The skin that was sanded away was sucked back to a container in the machine instead of becoming airborne. By the late 1990s, these machines exploded onto the American cosmetic scene, and their production and improvements have never stopped since.

Modern Microdermabrasion

It may sound complicated, but the treatment today is straightforward, comfortable, and, most importantly, effective. It involves the use of a wand with a head packed with diamond flakes that exfoliate the top layer of your skin. The wand also uses gentle suction to move the sanded skin cells up and away from the freshly unveiled layer of healthy skin.

When this outer layer, known as the stratum corneum, is sanded away, it triggers a response in your body to up its production of collagen. Collagen helps new cells regenerate in deeper layers of your skin known as the basal layer. The immediate result is an overall brightening as the dead skin cells and debris that created a dull layer covering your complexion are removed.

What Can Microdermabrasion Treat?

It's not just a dull complexion that can benefit from this in-office, non-invasive treatment. When you think about the outermost layer of your skin and all the concerns you have had, know that removing these cells can help address:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Age and sunspots
• Large and clogged pores
• Uneven tone
• Uneven texture

 

Lines and Wrinkles

Stress, natural aging and exposure to the sun are the main culprits in the formation of lines and wrinkles. There have been studies that followed women going into their first microdermabrasion treatment through leaving their sixth treatment; and all reported their lines and wrinkles had become less visible.

As the top layer of your skin is sanded away, your body may produce more collagen, which means the new cells that regenerate will be stronger and less damaged than the ones they're replacing. If you continue through a series of treatments, your visible skin cells will become healthier, and so will the layers of them underneath the surface. This will work to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.

Uneven Pigmentation and Age Spots

The sun may be your friend for the synthesis of vitamin D and the joy a sunny day can bring, but it is your skin's enemy. A lifetime in the sun can leave you with an uneven tone and dark spots that riddle your skin. People seek this treatment to reduce the visibility of these changes in pigmentation.

While microdermabrasion alone may not completely remove these spots, it can provide a lightening of them. These results can be amplified by a good quality vitamin C serum or other topical treatment recommended by your skincare specialist.

Enlarged Pores and Blackheads

When you think of what it must look like on a microscopic level to have the top layer of debris removed from your skin, you can imagine pore-clogging elements being suctioned away, leaving them clearer and cleaner. A cleaner pore will shrink because there isn't a lot of “gunk” in there causing it to expand.

This treatment is a great way to clear out clogged pores, which will further add to a smoother and brighter complexion.

Better Topical Product Absorption

Imagine trying to get your expensive skincare creams and treatments through a tough film of dead cells. How much of it will break through, and what percentage of the rewards will you able to enjoy? Not nearly as much as you'd like. Once you've had this treatment, you'll find your skin responds better to your skincare regimen.

If you constantly product shop looking for something that will get you the results you want, it may not be the product that's the issue: it could be your skin that's been preventing absorption. Using a quality skincare line will also extend your results because you'll be cleansing, nourishing and protecting your newly revealed complexion.

What to Expect

As you're looking for the right place to receive this treatment, we caution you against making a choice based on price alone. We've heard too many horror stories from clients who went to discount websites and got treatment from the cheapest option available. Microdermabrasion will not break the bank no matter where you go, so it's important to choose a reputable clinic or med spa.

Once you and your skincare specialist have decided this is the right treatment for you, there are a few things you should know before you go.

Pre-Treatment

Because this is a non-invasive treatment, you don't have to do anything difficult to prepare for your appointment. We suggest keeping to your normal skincare routine intact because the healthier your skin is on the day of your appointment, the better your results will be. The only exception to this rule is that you should pause using heavy-hitter topical treatments like:

• Retin-A
• Retinol treatments
• Abrasive exfoliants

You'll also want to avoid self-tanning products for a week before your treatment, and especially unexposed time in the sun. Before you get any other treatments, like Botox, waxing or any other facial, let them know when your microdermabrasion appointment is just to be sure the timing will be right.

During Treatment

The best advice for your appointment we can give you is to relax. Patients describe this treatment as relaxing because of the repetitive sensation on their face. Once treatment is over, talk to your skincare specialist about any special topical products they think would help you maintain your results. If you have deeper aesthetic and anti-again concerns, this is a good time to discuss complementary treatments to achieve the full results you want.

Aftercare

The biggest aftercare favor you can do yourself is to stay out of the sun and protect your skin when you're in it. Your skin will have no dull layer protecting it from those harmful rays. If the sun gets to your skin because you're not wearing sunscreen, you're more likely to burn, which means even deeper levels of your skin are exposed to sun damage. Your mom was right when she yelled at you to wear sunscreen every day!

Results

Clients see an immediate brightening because they are seeing themselves without a dull layer of dead skin cells and debris. Often, they describe their skin as “glowing”. If you're looking for a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, you may need to opt for more sessions. Many clients are happy with the results after just one session, while others may schedule a series of sessions to achieve optimal results.

Complementary Treatments

If you have other issues you'd like addressed, talk to your skincare specialist about matching the right treatment with your area of concern. There are very few skin imperfections that can't be addressed in a medspa setting.

Chemical Peels

If you're looking for a perfect treatment to do after microdermabrasion, look no further than a chemical peel. You'll be starting with a surface that will already absorb more of what any treatment has to offer, so if you pick a versatile treatment like chemical peels, you'll only enhance your results. Chemical peels can address a laundry list of concerns like:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Uneven skin tone
• Uneven skin texture
• Acne breakouts
• Dark spots
• Sun damage
• Rosacea
• Melasma
• Large pores and blackheads

Chemical peels can be customized to meet each client's needs ranging from very superficial imperfections to deeper lines and wrinkles. Talk to your skincare provider about which peel will be right for you. Depending on the ingredients used, you can get a light, medium or deep peel to address different levels of concerns.

Injectables

Injectables have quickly become the most popular requested cosmetic treatment in the world, with Botox topping that list. There's a reason for their popularity: they're able to address a variety of concerns and get amazing and often immediate results.

Botox

This tops the list as the most commonly performed cosmetic treatment in the world. Botox is a purified form of the botulinum toxin and is considered a neuromodulator, meaning it can temporarily block a nerve's signal from reaching a specific muscle and altering how that muscle moves.

Botox is best known for its ability to reduce or eliminate the appearance of dynamic wrinkles—the wrinkles that are caused by movement. Some wrinkles are caused by a loss of volume, but when you think about your frown lines, crow's feet and forehead wrinkles, these are strictly a result of the expressions you've repeatedly made over your lifetime.

Talk to your skincare specialist about which lines wrinkles are your biggest areas of concern. When strategically injected into specific muscles, Botox can effectively treat:

• Frown lines between the eyebrows
• Forehead wrinkles
• Crow's feet at the corners of the eyes
• Bunny lines on the side of the nose

 

Reducing a Gummy Smile

If you feel you show too much of your gums when you smile or that your top lip disappears when you say “cheese”, Botox can help. Because it works to relax muscles, it can relax the muscles that pull your lip up when you smile just enough to minimize your gums' exposure.

Botox can also help with a crooked smile. This is a common asymmetry where one side of a person's mouth goes up higher than another when they smile. Using Botox can relax the side that ventures farther up, creating an even and symmetrical smile.

Dermal Fillers

If you're struggling with moderate to severe lines, folds and wrinkles, ask your specialist about the use of dermal fillers to get immediate results. There are a variety of fillers on the market, and only your specialist can determine which would be right to address your specific area of concern.

Deep Lines and Folds

It seems nothing can give away our age quicker than the deep folds around our mouth and wrinkles around our lips and chin. Luckily, fillers can give you immediate and natural results while filling in these troubling areas. This treatment can immediately address:

• Nasolabial folds from your nose to your mouth
• Marionette lines from your mouth down your chin
• Chin wrinkles
• Vertical lines surrounding your lips that cause lipstick to “bleed”

 

Lip Enhancement

We'll let you in on a little secret: those celebrities and models with the perfect lips you envy? Most of them weren't born that way. They have had a little help filling out their natural shape with dermal fillers. Our lips thin as we age, and this can cause them to appear as two horizontal lines instead of shapely and voluminous. Certain dermal fillers are designed to provide instant and natural plumping when injected into the lips.

You don't have to worry about looking “over-plumped”, either. These fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, a sugar your body naturally produces to attract moisture. The results are soft and pliable while looking full and young. Lipstick and gloss will apply and wear more evenly and smoothly because all those vertical lines will be diminished giving your lips well-defined edges.

Call for a Consultation

It can be overwhelming trying to understand which treatment will be right for you and the areas of concern you have. It's important to pick a skincare specialist or team of specialists that will walk you through the process and help you choose the perfect options for you. Call Refresh Evolution in Pitt Meadows, BC to schedule a consultation. We're committed to helping each of our clients achieve their ultimate aesthetic goals. We look forward to helping you look and feel your best!

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by sales@refreshevolutionfranchise.com

Get Your Ideal Look With Laser Hair Removal

Do you find yourself shaving daily to fight unattractive stubble only to notice your hair growing in what feels like a few hours? Do you wish there was a hair removal technique that was virtually painless, could save you money in the long run, and offered a long-lasting solution to unwanted hair? If so, laser hair removal may be the perfect treatment for you. It's just one of many top-quality treatments available at Refresh Evolution in Pitt Meadows, BC.

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is one of the best ways to permanently address unwanted hair on any part of your body. It uses advanced laser technology to target the melanin pigment in your hair follicles. When the laser comes into contact with the follicles, the intense heat is absorbed and the follicles are destroyed, which drastically affects hair production.

This treatment is typically spread out over a personalized treatment plan to effectively remove hair growth during your body's entire natural hair growth cycle. Most patients see their ideal results appear in approximately 6-8 treatments.

Which Body Parts Can Be Treated?

Thanks to its advanced technology, modern laser treatment is safe for almost every part of your body. The only part of your body which is always avoided is your eye area. This is due to the potential damage the laser could cause to your sight if it is used too close to your eyes.

However, other areas on your face--including your forehead, cheeks, upper lip, and chin--are safe to treat. You'll wear glasses during your treatment to protect your eyes when the laser is activated.

This treatment is most commonly used on the face, underarms, and bikini line. These areas respond well to treatment and, in many cases, long-lasting or permanent hair growth reduction is seen at the end of a treatment plan.

However, this treatment is also highly effective on areas like the chest, back, and legs. Your appointment length will depend on the size of the target area. For smaller areas such as the upper lip or underarms, an appointment can last between 10-20 minutes. For larger areas such as the back or legs, most appointments last at least an hour to precisely treat all hair follicles.

Benefits

This treatment offers you the best approach to long-lasting hair reduction over a relatively short period of time. When you think about the time you spend shaving in the shower each week or the money you spend for regular hair removal appointments, you realize that keeping unwanted hair at bay is a costly, time-consuming process.

Reducing the amount of hair your body produces by inhibiting follicle activity is the most effective way to ensure that you won't need to worry about stubble anymore. You'll save both time and money by investing in laser hair treatments. Best of all, you'll see your confidence grow as you enjoy your smooth, hair-free skin.

Never worry about whether you shaved before a workout or dread a painful waxing appointment before a big event again. Once you commit to this treatment, you'll find yourself feeling more at home in your own skin as you spend less time worrying about how to get rid of unwanted hair and more time enjoying the important things in life.

How Does It Work?

This treatment is typically performed over several appointments to achieve best results. Although the treatment process is relatively simple, there are important steps to follow during preparation and recovery which will affect the success of your appointments.

You should plan to consult your doctor before pursuing treatment and carefully follow any additional instructions they provide to ensure the best results possible.

Consultation

The first step in your journey to smooth skin is an initial consultation with your doctor. This gives your doctor a chance to examine your areas of concern, evaluate your hair and skin, and determine your candidacy for treatment. In addition, it offers you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about what you should expect in terms of treatment, recovery, and final results.

If your doctor approves you for treatment, they'll give you instructions on how to prepare for your first appointment. Make sure that you follow these instructions to achieve your ideal results and to avoid any side effects.

Preparation

When it comes to this treatment, there are several important steps you should take to prepare for each appointment in your treatment plan. First, you should drink plenty of water to keep your skin healthy and hydrated, which will help it heal more quickly.

Your doctor will ask you to stop taking medications which may interact negatively with the laser technology, so make sure to do so 2-3 weeks before treatment.

Similarly, you should avoid skincare products with retinols for at least 7 days before treatment. Your doctor may also instruct you to stop using products from your normal skincare routine if the ingredients are not recommended to use before or after laser treatment.

Start With Sun Care

When preparing for any treatment which affects your skin, it's important to begin with basic sun protection. It's estimated that over 90% of all common skin concern--including wrinkles, dark spots, and skin cancer--are caused by harmful sun exposure.

To shield your skin from destructive UV rays, apply sunscreen daily and avoid direct sun exposure. If you plan to be outdoors for an extended period of time, apply sunscreen every 4 hours. Before laser treatment, avoid darkening your skin by tanning outdoors, in a tanning bed, or with at-home tanning products.

Tanning and Lasers

Since the laser targets the melanin in your hair, skin which is darker than your normal shade could cause the heat of the laser to be distributed in the area surrounding the hair follicles.

While there are lasers that can safely target hair in skin of every tone, doctors advise that you try to remain as close to your natural shade as possible before a treatment. In addition, you should try to avoid getting a sunburn, which can be irritated by the laser during your appointment.

Avoid Hair Removal Treatments

The main goal of laser hair removal is to inhibit your hair follicles and stop most hair growth within the treated area. This requires there to be existing hair to target with the laser. Since hair removal techniques like waxing, threading, and plucking pull the hair from the skin by its root, they leave no follicles to treat.

Since laser treatments follow the natural hair growth cycle of your body, this means that you could need to reschedule your appointment and that your treatment plan could be longer than normal as you wait for your hair to grow.

It's best to stop techniques like waxing at least 4 weeks before your appointment to ensure that an adequate amount of hair has grown and that the follicles can be targeted. If you're worried about enduring itchy stubble for a few weeks, you'll be happy to know that shaving is allowed since it doesn't affect the hair follicle.

Shave Before Your Appointment

Most people think that since waxing is prohibited, shaving is also restricted by your doctor before your appointment. In reality, shaving the target area right before your appointment is one of the most important steps of your preparation.

While you need your hair to grow before your appointment, having long hairs above the surface of your skin is not ideal for treatment with lasers as they increase your risk of burns. You want to shave your hair as close to the skin as possible. Don't worry--the laser will be able to target your shaved hair, resulting in smooth, hair-free skin.

Be Kind to Your Skin

Although treatment itself is painless, the process of destroying the hair follicles with high heat can leave your skin tender and swollen for a couple days. This is normal, but you can reduce the amount of irritation you may experience by avoiding any new, untested products or harsh exfoliants for about a week before your laser treatment.

Keep your skin healthy with a gentle, soothing skincare routine and avoid trying new products which may cause your skin to react poorly. In addition, avoid exfoliating your skin for several days before treatment to prevent unnecessary irritation.

Treatment

On the day of your appointment, you should clean the target area. If you are having your face or underarms treated, avoid wearing makeup, face creams, or deodorant since the area must be product-free before treatment. Your doctor will ensure that your target areas are shaved and clean, then apply a numbing gel to your skin to keep you comfortable.

Once your skin is numb, your doctor will use the handheld laser device to direct a concentrated beam through your skin and into your hair follicles. When the laser beam is activated, you may feel a light, warm sensation that many patients compare to a rubber band snapping gently on your skin.

This sensation means that the treatment is effectively targeting your hair follicles and should be completely painless thanks to the numbing gel. Depending on the area being treated, your appointment can last between 15 minutes for the upper lip to over an hour for the legs or chest.

Recovery

Once your treatment is complete, you'll be free to return to your normal schedule with zero downtime. You may notice that your treated area is mildly swollen, which is a sign that the laser was successful in reaching the hair follicles.

Swelling normally reduces within 24 hours of treatment. You can ice the area or apply a Benadryl cream to address any irritation. It's important to protect your skin and prevent hyperpigmentation by avoiding sun exposure for 2 weeks after treatment. You'll wait about 6 weeks before your next treatment to allow your skin to fully heal.

As your target area heals, you may notice some light hair shedding, which is normal. You may also see hair which did not seem to be affected by your treatment. This hair is usually part of the next hair growth cycle, which progresses for several months as some follicles produce hair and some remain dormant.

Your laser treatment will target your follicles over the course of this entire process. You should shave before your next treatment and follow your doctor's recovery directions after every appointment until your treatment plan is complete.

Results

After your treatment plan is complete, you should see your final results within 6 weeks. Your skin should be smooth and hair-free--no more stubble or missed hair after your shaving session!

For the next 6-12 months, forget about unwanted hair in your treated areas and enjoy life to the fullest. If you begin to see sparse hair growth in your target area, you can schedule a maintenance appointment. Most patients find that 1-2 appointments per year are sufficient to maintain their ideal results and keep them looking and feeling their best.

How Long Does It Last?

Once you have finished your personalized treatment plan, your hair growth should be greatly reduced. For most patients, hair growth is non-existent for at least 6 months up to 1 year, and with every subsequent laser treatment, your hair grows less and less.

Some patients report that the effects of their treatment plan are permanent. When you think of the possibility of a lifetime of time and money saved on traditional hair removal, you'll understand why so many people choose laser hair removal to achieve long-lasting results.

Am I an Ideal Candidate?

Laser hair removal is a treatment suitable for almost every man or woman seeking an effective, long-lasting hair removal option. Thanks to advances in technology over the past decade, there are lasers that can safely treat every skin color and almost every part of the body.

While selecting and finishing a treatment plan is a commitment, it's also one of the best ways to get smoother skin and say goodbye to stubble.

This treatment may not be ideal for those with extremely sensitive skin, fresh sunburn, or a dark tan. It may also not be ideal for those who recently had other cosmetic treatments or procedures in the same target area--it's best to allow your skin time to heal before beginning laser hair treatments.

Finally, this treatment may not be as effective on those with red, blonde, or gray hair. These hair colors lack large amounts of the melanin pigment which attracts the laser to the follicle and, as a result, you may find that this treatment does not meet your needs. You should consult your doctor to determine your candidacy for this treatment.

Are You Done With Dealing With Hair?

If you experience unwanted hair growth on any part of your body, you know how much this common concern can affect your self-esteem. You may spend social events worrying about whether you shaved your underarms or lose valuable vacation time trying to wax away the hair that ruins your swimsuit style.

Hair removal can easily become a repetitive, necessary part of our daily lives, but with laser hair removal, you can reclaim that lost time and boost your confidence over the course of a treatment plan designed for you.

Choosing this treatment can give you the satisfaction of that smooth, freshly shaved feeling all year long. If you're ready to learn more, contact the professionals at Refresh Evolution in Pitt Meadows, BC to schedule your initial consultation today! We look forward to helping you meet your hair removal goals.

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by sales@refreshevolutionfranchise.com

Cryotherapy: What Does It Treat?

If you are unhappy with spots on your skin like moles, age spots, skin tags, and more, you might be wondering what your options for ridding yourself of them could be. At Refresh Evolution in Pitt Meadows and Port Moody, BC, we offer one such option in the form of cryotherapy. This technique uses extreme cold to freeze away unwanted imperfections and leave behind only smooth, spotless skin. It can treat a wide variety of skin spots, but how does cryotherapy work, what does it treat, and is it right for you?

What Is Cryotherapy?

When you hear the word "cryotherapy," you might picture science-fiction-like tanks in which people subject themselves to extreme cold. The reality is much simpler. Technically, the word refers to any medical treatment that uses cold temperatures. It can be applied to cold chambers, to treatments like CoolSculpting, and to the treatment we'll look at in this article.

At Refresh Evolution, we use a form of cryotherapy that employs a technique called "cryo-necrosis," meaning it uses rapid freezing to destroy unwanted tissue. Using cryotherapy technology in the form of a unique pen, called the FreezPen, that applies this cold to the desired area of treatment, we can immediately freeze it, killing the unwanted tissue and leaving behind clear skin.

How Does It Work?

Our process employs the FreezPen, which uses cryogenic nitrous oxide or NO2 gas. This gas is compressed at a very high pressure of 725PSI. When that pressure is released, the temperature of the nitrous oxide drops rapidly as it expands thanks to a scientific principle called the Joule-Thomson effect, a thermodynamic process that occurs when a liquid moves from a high-pressure to a low-pressure environment.

The pen is placed over the desired area of treatment and then releases a jet of this gas, which emerges from the pen and expands at a temperature of around -89°C. This immediately freezes the treated area, effectively destroying any lesion there. This happens because when cells freeze, the water inside them crystalizes. When that happens, the water expands, bursting the unwanted cells and killing them. The body then eliminates the cells over the course of a few weeks.

Why Nitrous Oxide?

Some similar treatments use liquid nitrogen, or N2, over NO2. N2 might have a lower temperature than N20, but N20 is actually safer and just as effective as its liquid counterpart. This is because cell destruction in the growths targeted by this treatment occurs at -60°C. While N2O is -195°C, the -89°C of nitrous oxide is more than enough to freeze lesions.

In fact, the extra cold provided by liquid nitrogen is more likely to damage the tissue surrounding the area of treatment. It also increases the risk of pigmentation damage and other undesirable effects. The FreezPen uses nitrous oxide in part because it can treat lesions without damaging the skin around them. In addition, the FreezPen itself can hyper-target small lesions and treat them without impacting the surrounding tissue.

What Is the Treatment Like?

The first step in this and any aesthetic treatment is a consultation that will help you create a treatment plan that suits your desires and your skin's needs. Once you arrive for your treatment, you might be surprised at how quick, easy, and painless the treatment is. Our practitioner will just hold the pen to the area of treatment and apply the extreme cold therapy.

It takes just a few minutes to complete, and because this treatment is 100% non-invasive, you can return to your normal day immediately.

If you are concerned about pain, you'll be pleased to know that almost all people who undergo this treatment report minimal discomfort. The intense cold used for cryotherapy instantly numbs the treated area, heading off any potential pain.

What Can I Expect After Treatment?

As mentioned above, because this is a non-invasive procedure, you'll be able to stroll out of our office just a few minutes after it's complete. The treated lesion, it cells already killed, will slowly fall off over the course of the two weeks to a month as new skin forms beneath it. Some lesions will take a bit longer to disappear, but most will fall off over time after just a single treatment. Larger ones may require two treatments to achieve optimal results, though.

There are a few things to keep in mind about caring for the treated area as the treatment works its magic. In the days and weeks after treatment, take care to:

• Wash the treated area with unscented soap and water daily
• Leave the area uncovered (if there is bleeding, a simple bandage is okay)
• Apply Vaseline or another petroleum jelly
• Refrain from using scented skincare products, including soap and lotion, on the area until it has healed

Follow those simple rules, and your treatment will result in smooth skin with no evidence that you ever had a treatment!

What Can Cryotherapy Treat?

Our FreezPen can treat just about any non-malignant skin lesions. Below, we'll lay out some of the more common lesions treated by this form of cold therapy.

Dark Spots

Dark spots on the skin are a result of a condition called hyperpigmentation. This occurs when an area of the skin produces more melanin, which gives skin its color, than the rest of your skin. It's nothing to worry about medically speaking and can result from such diverse things as a tattoo, a sun tan, or medication side effects. Whatever the cause of dark spots, the FreezPen can clear them away.

Liver Spots

Liver spots, also called age spots, occur with the most regularity in people with fair skin as they age. These small, dark areas vary in size and usually occur in areas that have been most exposed to the sun over the years. They are extremely common in adults over 50 years of age and, while nothing to worry about, can be erased with our cold treatment.

Warts

Warts are small growths that take on the appearance of a solid blister or a tiny head of cauliflower on the skin. They're caused by viruses in the human papillomavirus, or HPV, family, and can appear just about anywhere on the body. Depending on the location and the thickness of the skin, they can vary in shape, size, and texture.

Warts can be difficult to get rid of because while they appear to sit atop the skin, they actually have a root that goes beneath the skin. If the root isn't killed, the virus will often generate a new wart.

With our freeze pen, we can freeze both the wart itself and its root system, so it doesn't come back. Keep in mind though, that HPV is carried in the blood. Our treatment can rid your skin of the wart and ensure it won't regenerate in that spot, but it is not a cure for the HPV virus.

Skin Tags

Skin tags are harmless growths that are connected to the skin by a thin stalk called a peduncle. They are equally common in men and women but are most common in people over the age of 50. While they can appear anywhere on the body, they most often pop up in areas where your skin folds, such as the armpits, thighs, eyelids, and neck.

They're made up largely of collagen and blood vessels, but scientists are still unsure what exactly causes them. While they are harmless and small skin tags may fall off on their own, larger ones can be painful if they're in a spot that is constantly pinched or squeezed. Luckily, freezing them away is an effective and permanent treatment.

Moles

Non-cancerous moles appear as raised, often dark spots on the skin. They occur when skin cells start to grow in a cluster rather than being spread evenly across the surface of the skin.

Most are oval or round in shape, brown, and less than a quarter-inch in diameter, although they can be larger. They can be frozen off, though larger moles may require more than one treatment. Just be sure to have any new or abnormally-shaped moles checked by your doctor first.

Keratosis

Karatosis is another common non-cancerous skin growth that, like skin tags, tend to show up more as people get older. They are usually black, brown, or light brown in color, but unlike moles, they take on a waxy or scaly appearance. They most often appear on the torso, neck, and head and often come in clusters, although single keratosis growths are also possible.

They're also more uncomfortable than many other benign skin conditions. They may itch and some can bleed if irritated by clothing. Doctors are still unsure what causes keratosis growths, but some suspect genetics play a strong role. Whatever their cause, a quick freezing treatment will take care of them.

Angiomas

Angiomas are small, mole-like growths that result from an overgrowth of capillaries in the skin. The most common type are cherry angiomas, so named due to their bright red color.

Like many of the other skin issues listed above, they tend to show up as people age and are most common in adults over age 30. Doctors don't know exactly what causes these small red spots, but age and genetics both seem to factor in. They can be easily removed with a single cold treatment.

Fibromas

A fibroma is another benign skin growth, this one made up of fibrous or connective tissue. Like moles and skin cells or angiomas and capillaries, fibromas occur when these connective tissues group in an abnormal cluster. They often appear in the wake of an injury as the body creates new tissue to heal.

They can look a bit like skin tags when on some parts of the body, but their appearance can change depending upon where they are. Fibromas may be itchy or sensitive to the touch and can bleed if irritated. If you have fibromas that are bothering you or you just want to be rid of them for aesthetic reasons, the FreezPen is an effective treatment.

Milium Cysts

Milium cysts, or milia, are tiny white bumps that most often appear on the nose and cheeks. Often appearing in groups, they happen when keratin, a strong protein found in hair, skin, and nail cells, becomes trapped under the skin in deposits. They can occur in people of all ages but are actually most common in babies.

When they appear in adults, they are often associated with injury or skin irritation of another kind, like poison ivy, burns, or sun damage. While not itchy or painful, milia can become irritated by cloth or shaving. These tiny cysts, which are typically only one or two millimeters in size, can be easily frozen off with a single dose of the FreezPen.

Molluscum Contagiosum

Like HPV and warts, molluscum contagiosum is the result of a viral skin infection. It manifests as small, round, painless bumps on the skin that can be as small as a pinhead and as large as a pencil eraser. Molluscum contagiosum is particularly troublesome though, because if these bumps are scratched or otherwise injured, the infection can spread to the surrounding skin and result in more bumps.

It's most common in children but can also occur in adults, particularly those with weakened immune systems. Freezing these bumps can also kill the virus in them so it doesn't spread to the skin around it.

What Can't Be Treated With Cryotherapy?

Please keep in mind that any suspicious skin spots, pre-cancerous spots, or malignant skin growths can only be treated by your dermatologist. If you discover something that looks like a new mole on your body, you should visit your dermatologist. If you have any suspicious spots that you cannot identify, a visit to the dermatologist is also in order.

Likewise, any existing lesions or spots that seem to be changing shape or growing should be looked at by a doctor prior to consulting with us. After it's cleared by a doctor as nothing to worry about, give us a call to discuss your treatment options.

Because this is a non-invasive treatment, it is safe for nearly everyone. It is important to note that there are a few exceptions, though. For example, it's not a treatment that small children should undergo, but older children and adults will have no issues. Smaller children are more sensitive to pain, and while adult patients report almost zero discomfort, it may be uncomfortable for smaller children.

Also, if the spot you want to be treated is in an area with hair, you should be aware that cold therapy like this can sometimes damage hair follicles and cause hair to stop growing in the treated area.

Conclusion

Our FreezGun can take care of most superficial skin lesions with ease, and you'll leave looking and feeling great. It's also such a quick process that you can easily undergo a treatment over your lunch break and head right back to work when you're done. It's nearly painless, almost never leaves a scar, and can rid you of painful and annoying skin tags, fibromas, moles, warts, and plenty more. If this sounds great to you, give us a call at Refresh Evolution in Pitt Meadows and Port Moody, BC and set up a consultation. You'll be looking and feeling like your best self in no time!

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by sales@refreshevolutionfranchise.com