Top 4 Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Treatments You Must Try

 

Top 4 Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Treatments You Must Try

Are you looking for a beauty boost without undergoing extensive surgery? Well, you are not alone; many desire the same. This is why people turn to minimally invasive beauty treatments to enhance their appearance without requiring surgical treatments and lengthy recovery.

These cosmetic procedures are convenient, safe, and effective, easily fitting into busy schedules. Whether smoothing fine lines, reducing hair, or refining skin texture, an array of options is available to suit various needs.

In this article, Barbie's Beauty Bits will explore the top four popular minimally invasive treatments you must try. 

So, are you ready to begin? Let’s get started on this journey together! 

Ditch The Razor With Laser Hair Removal

This is one of the most sought-after minimally invasive methods for getting rid of unwanted hair. This procedure uses a powerful laser to send light into your hair follicles. The pigment in the follicles absorbs the light, destroying the hair. 

It is excellent at removing hair from all parts of the body, such as the face, legs, arms, underarms, and bikini lines. One of the significant advantages of laser hair removal is its ability to provide long-lasting results. Although not always permanent, it significantly reduces hair growth, and any regrowth tends to be finer and lighter.

Laser hair removal is most effective during the growth stage of the hair follicle. While some people may see results after a single session, most require multiple treatments spaced out over weeks to target hair in different growth cycles and allow for skin healing.

Furthermore, choosing a reputable clinic and an experienced practitioner is essential to ensure safety and effectiveness. 

So, before starting treatment, you should have a consultation to discuss your skin type, hair color, and expected results. Also, you should follow the aftercare instructions given by your specialist. It will help you minimize any side effects and achieve the best outcome.

Microdermabrasion: Refresh Your Skin For A Brighter, Younger Complexion

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that refreshes and rejuvenates skin. This treatment involves using a diamond-tipped wand or tiny crystals to gently exfoliate the top layer of your skin, removing dead skin cells and other impurities.

This process promotes the growth of new, healthy skin cells and boosts collagen production, which is essential for maintaining youthful and elastic skin. Microdermabrasion can reduce fine lines, wrinkles, frown lines, and mild acne scars and improve skin tone. It is also effective in managing sun damage and uneven skin tone.

The best part about this treatment is that it is suitable for all skin types and colors, involves minimal discomfort, and requires no downtime. You can immediately return to your daily activities after the treatment.

Sculpt Your Dreams: Effortless Body Shaping With truSculpt® iD

Many people look for ways to reduce stubborn body fat without surgery. That is where truSculpt® iD comes in—providing an exciting and effective solution to reduce fat in areas resistant to diet and exercise. This innovative treatment uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to target and eliminate fat cells without harming the skin.

How truSculpt® iD Works:

• Targets Under-the-Skin Fat: truSculpt iD specifically targets subcutaneous fat, the layer beneath the skin. This allows for precise sculpting in areas where you desire a more defined look.
• Selective Heating: RF energy heats fat cells at a different rate than skin cells. This ensures your skin remains unharmed while the fat cells reach a temperature that triggers permanent destruction.
• Natural Elimination: The body's natural filtration system will continue to eliminate these destroyed fat cells for up to three months following treatment, leading to progressive improvement in the treated area.

Rejuvenate Your Skin With An IPL Photofacial 

An Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photofacial is an FDA-approved light therapy that can rejuvenate your skin. It targets skin issues with a broad light spectrum, such as age spots, sun damage, freckles, and rosacea-related redness.

Unlike laser skin resurfacing, which uses a single wavelength, IPL emits multiple wavelengths. This approach allows it to reach different levels of your skin. This gentle treatment makes it suitable for the face, neck, hands, and chest.

During the procedure, a handheld device flashes light onto your skin. Each pulse feels like a small snap, which is generally well-tolerated. Each session takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the area treated.

After treatment, you might notice slight redness or swelling, but this usually fades within a few hours to a day. Over the next few weeks, treated spots will darken, fade, or flake off, revealing clearer, more youthful skin. 

Pro Tip: Using sunscreen after the treatment is essential because your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, minimally invasive cosmetic treatments offer a range of solutions to address various beauty concerns without the commitment of surgery.  Plus, these can be performed at a day spa without the need for plastic surgery or a plastic surgeon.

From eliminating unwanted hair with laser hair removal to rejuvenating your skin with IPL photo facials and microdermabrasion or sculpting your body with truSculpt® iD, there's a treatment to fit your needs and lifestyle. 

With minimal downtime and long-lasting results, these top four minimally invasive procedures can help you achieve a more confident and beautiful you. Remember, a consultation with a qualified professional is crucial to determining the best course of treatment for your desired outcome.

Understanding Skin Aging And Methods For Regaining Your Youth

Understanding Skin Aging And Methods For Regaining Your Youth

Who doesn't want to look young and radiant forever? Unfortunately, as we age, our skin undergoes a natural process of aging that causes all sorts of unpleasant changes - from wrinkles and fine lines to sagging skin, age spots, and lost elasticity. 

Fortunately, several methods and treatments can help slow down the aging process and bring back your youthful glow. Keep reading to discover some of the most effective ways to regain your youth and rejuvenate your skin.

Understanding The Science Of Skin Aging

Skin aging is a multifaceted process impacted by internal and external factors. Intrinsic aging, also known as chronological aging, is determined by genetic factors and occurs naturally over time.

Sadly, the skin produces less collagen and elastin, vital proteins that provide structure and elasticity as we age. As a result, the skin loses its firmness and elasticity, leading to wrinkling and sagging.

Conversely, extrinsic aging is caused by external factors such as sun exposure, pollution, smoking, and poor skincare habits. These external factors accelerate the aging process and cause premature skin aging. In particular, sunlight's ultraviolet (UV) rays damage the skin's DNA, collagen, and elastin fibers, contributing significantly to extrinsic aging.

Methods For Regaining Your Youth

Facelift Set The Clock Back

Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure that addresses address visible signs of facial and neck aging. Through carefully placed incisions, excess skin is removed, underlying tissues are tightened, and muscles may be repositioned, resulting in a smoother, firmer appearance. 

While different clinics may have different procedures and goals, a facelift by Dr. Spiegel typically focuses on reducing sagging skin, wrinkles, and jowls, resulting in a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. The natural-looking results with minimal scarring and downtime make facelifts popular for individuals seeking to restore their youthful facial contours.

Dermal Fillers: The Non-Surgical Solution For Facial Contour Enhancement

Dermal fillers are a non-surgical solution for facial contour enhancement and restoration of lost volume. They are made from hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid. Dermal fillers can transform your look by smoothing out wrinkles, plumping up hollow areas, and rejuvenating the overall appearance of the face. 

Whether you want to fill in nasolabial folds, enhance cheeks, or augment lips, dermal fillers can provide natural-looking results with minimal downtime. They are a less invasive alternative to surgery and offer an effective solution for those seeking facial rejuvenation.

Rediscovering Youth With Botulinum Toxin (Botox)

Botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, is arguably the most popular facial rejuvenation procedure today. It’s highly effective for smoothing out dynamic wrinkles caused by repetitive facial expressions. By temporarily paralyzing the underlying muscles, Botox can soften the appearance of crow's feet, forehead lines, and frown lines, resulting in a more youthful and relaxed appearance. Botox injections are quick, virtually painless, and require no downtime, making them the perfect option for busy individuals looking to refresh their look with minimal disruption to their daily routine.

The Power Of Chemical Peels For Regaining Your Youth

A chemical is a form of exfoliation that buffs away dead skin cells and stimulates cell turnover, resulting in smoother, more radiant skin. Chemical peels are great at reducing fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin texture, and fading pigmentation and acne scars by applying a chemical solution to the skin.

The good thing about chemical peels is they are not a one size fits all as they come in different forms and intensities, with varying degrees of downtime and intensity.

Laser Skin Resurfacing: Igniting Collagen Production And Skin Renewal

Laser skin resurfacing addresses various skin concerns, such as wrinkles, sun damage, and uneven skin texture. By delivering concentrated beams of light to the skin, laser therapy promotes collagen production and skin renewal, resulting in smoother, firmer, and younger-looking skin. Depending on the laser used, you can customize your laser treatment to target specific concerns and achieve the best possible results.

 

Microdermabrasion Exfoliate Your Way To Youthful Skin

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive treatment that exfoliates the skin using a handheld device. This treatment buffs away the outermost layer of dead skin cells, revealing the smoother, more radiant skin underneath. 

Microdermabrasion is a great way to improve the texture of the skin while reducing the appearance of those pesky fine lines. It can also even out your skin tone.It's a convenient treatment suitable for all skin types with no downtime.

 

Microneedling For Skin Renewal And Collagen Enhancement

Microneedling is a skin renewal treatment that involves creating small injuries in the skin using tiny needles. This treatment, known as collagen induction therapy, stimulates collagen production, promoting skin renewal. 

Microneedling is versatile, helping to improve the skin's texture, minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and fade scars and pigmentation. You can customize this treatment to address specific skin concerns that are suitable for all skin types.

In Conclusion

Understanding the skin aging process and its effects is the first step toward regaining your youth. If you adopt healthy lifestyle habits and establish a skincare routine, you can significantly slow down the apparent signs of aging. Prevention is much easier than repair, so taking care of your skin early on is essential. 

However, if wrinkles have already appeared, you may consider cosmetic procedures to regain a more youthful and radiant complexion. Just make sure to consult with a qualified skincare professional or dermatologist to determine the best approach for your individual needs.

Top 5 Anti-Aging Skin Treatments

Top 5 Anti-Aging Skin Treatments By Awarding Winning Blogger, Barbie's Beauty Bits

Mark Twain once said wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been. While a cute quote and all, many would rather be without them or at least minimize their wrinkles.  

Although we can't stop the aging process, there are some things we can do to delay it, using anti-aging skincare, along with some facial rejuvenation treatments.

But what are these Anti-aging treatments we are talking about? While there are far more than five anti-aging treatments, we will share some of the most popular ones, suited for most skin types.

And as always, beauties, this article is not intended as medical advice but rather to give you an understanding of available primary anti-aging skin care and anti-wrinkle treatments.

Facial Rejuvenation Treatments For The Skin

Facial rejuvenation treatments are a great way to fall in love with the face in the mirror and put some pep back in your step.

Facial rejuvenation refers to any combination of cosmetic procedures to restore your skin's youthful appearance, and we are sharing some of the top ones below.

Injectable Dermal Fillers

Did you know that volume loss is the culprit behind many visible signs of aging? With age, lines become etched around the nose, mouth, and cheeks.

It is here that dermal fillers can help since they can help replace lost volume and smooth wrinkles, plump, and restore a more youthful look.

Injectors and cosmetic surgeons utilize many fillers, including the RHA Collection, the only FDA-approved fillers that treat dynamic facial wrinkles.

A filler is generally classified according to its composition. Popular choices like Juvéderm and Restylane are made from hyaluronic acid, resulting in temporary results that last 6 to 12 months or longer before the body gradually and naturally absorbs them.

While dermal fillers are casually known as "wrinkle fillers," they can do much more than smooth out wrinkles, although they are excellent at this too! Here are a few pros and cons of dermal fillers:

Pros Of Dermal Fillers

They offer an alternative with results that decades ago were only possible with plastic surgery. The effects are noticeable in around six weeks.

• Stimulate Collagen: Dermal fillers such as mineral-like compound calcium hydroxylapatite and polylactic acid stimulate collagen production.
• Hyaluronic acid filler can be reversed with hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks it down.
  
• Non-Surgical Procedure: Those who want to experience the anti-aging effects of an eye lift, brow lift, facelift, or neck lift, but don't want to undergo surgery, can turn to fillers and injectables.
• Create Youthful Appearance: can smooth wrinkles and fine lines, add contour to cheeks, fill in hollows under the eyes, plump lips, reduce hand wrinkles, and firm the neck.
  

Cons Of Dermal Fillers

• All dermal fillers have the potential to cause bruising after injection into the dermal and surrounding tissues, and this can be worse when threading or fanning techniques are used.
• Swelling of the skin is normal and occurs with all dermal fillers. One needs to avoid anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.), fish oil, Vitamin E supplements, St John's Wort, garlic tablets, Ginkgo Biloba, and ginseng when being treated, as this increases the risk of bruising.
• Potential Allergens: Dermal fillers are essentially foreign bodies being injected into the skin, and some patients may develop allergies, which can be mild hypersensitivity to dangerous angioedema, i.e., swelling of lips, tongue, and surrounding skin.
  

Botox® Cosmetic

Botox® was initially developed as a medication to manage facial tics. Fast forward to BOTOX® Cosmetic; it is one of the most popular anti-aging treatments and has been used for cosmetics for nearly two decades.

When injected in very small, controlled doses, it prevents muscle contractions in the facial muscles.

As a cosmetic treatment, it's incredibly effective at fading what are known as "dynamic wrinkles." These wrinkles are caused by repetitive facial movements, such as crow's feet, forehead lines, and frown lines. With age, the skin slows down its production of proteins like collagen and elastin that allow it to bounce back after specific movements.

By actually preventing some of that movement in the first place, Botox keeps the skin looking smooth and helps the face appear more serene and youthful for about 3-6 months.

The FDA has only approved Botox® for use around the eyes and on the forehead for cosmetic purposes. However, it is used to soften lip lines, nose crinkles, neck bands, and other wrinkles on the lower half of the face.

Botox is also a major drug used in medicine for various other purposes, such as overactive bladders and migraines, and can even help psoriasis.

Pros Of Botox Cosmetic

• Smooth crow's feet, forehead furrows, frown lines, lip lines and bunny lines.
• No downtime
• Quick results showing within 7-10 days
• Not permanent and will wear off in a couple of months
• Very few risks
• Customizable treatments
  

Cons Of Botox Cosmetics

• It can take several treatments to work
• Risk of bruising
• Botox treatment won't improve deep, static wrinkles that remain visible despite movements of the face
  
• Headache or mild flu-like symptoms (these are relatively rare but not dangerous)
• If not appropriately injected can cause that frozen face botox look
• Poor quality injectors out there that lack experience in understanding facial asymmetry leading to severe issues

Laser Skin Resurfacing For Younger-Looking Skin

Lasers treatments direct concentrated, short, pulsating light beams at irregular skin, removing layers of the skin precisely, layer by layer. This process causes micro-injuries to the lower layers of skin, which trigger the body's healing process.

As collagen and elastin regenerate, the skin's tone and texture improve. As a result, the skin feels and looks suppler and more firm, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Laser skin resurfacing comes in two forms: ablative and non-ablative.

During ablative laser skin resurfacing, the damaged top layer of the skin is removed, revealing the fresh, healthy underlying layer. In addition to improving fine lines, skin texture, dark spots, ablation lasers stimulate collagen production.

Using non-ablative laser skin resurfacing, pigment, redness, and broken blood vessels are addressed in the deeper layers of the skin.

With laser skin resurfacing, you can:

• Reduce wrinkles
• Minimize scars
• Even out skin tone
• Tightens the skin
• Stimulates new collagen
• Treat acne scars
• Treat sun damage
• Eliminate brown or age spots
• Reduce oversized pores
  

This procedure has several names, including lasabrasion, laser peel, or laser vaporization.

Pros Of Laser Skin Resurfacing

We answered these with the benefits. However, it depends on the specific laser technology used. But laser skin resurfacing is the best way to tighten and smooth your skin without incisions.

You can achieve long-lasting results without worrying about surgery scars or long-term recovery.

Cons Of Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing does have some drawbacks - most notably, the risks of treatment, which increase if the practitioner needs to be qualified or experienced.

Side effects like

• Permanent lightening or darkening of the skin
• Scarring
• Recovery period where patients experience skin redness, which may worsen before it improves.

Microdermabrasion Anti-aging Treatment

So what the heck is Microdermabrasion? Microdermabrasion is a popular machine-aided skin exfoliation treatment. If you want healthy, glowing skin, you should be exfoliating! You see as we age our cellular turnover slows down, meaning that our body is slower to shed dead skin cells and produce new ones.

This buildup of dead skin cells can have a negative impact on our skin leaving it looking dry and dull, or worse this accumulation can result in excess oil production and clogged pores, which could lead to problematic skin.

Hence with this treatment, the superficial layer of skin is gently removed using a crystal diamond-tipped wand, revealing fresh new skin.

Microdermabrasion works by causing a small amount of trauma to the skin. Your skin reacts to this "controlled trauma" that the device delivers, reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars

Because microdermabrasion operates only on the skin's surface layers, it is most effective at treating fine lines, sun spots, and acne damage. (it is like plaque removal but for your skin).

Pros Of Microdermabrasion

There are various benefits of microdermabrasion facial.

• Noninvasive
• Improves skin texture
• Smoothens skin
• It evens out skin tone
• Removes fine lines and superficial wrinkles
• Minimizes the appearance of large pores
• Boosts collagen
  

Cons Of Microdermabrasion

• Since your skin regenerates every 30 days, you will need to repeat microdermabrasion every 2-4 weeks to see continual improvement.
• This isn't a one-time treatment. You will need 6 to 12 treatments to achieve significant results.
• Only removes superficial wrinkles.
• Effectiveness decreases as age increases

No-Tox® Skin Smoothing Elixirs

No-Tox® technology (short for "non-toxin-based wrinkle reducing serum") came out of (Professor and MD) Dr. Sharad's world-leading skin research lab.

A fundamental principle of Dr. Sharad's approach is that one cannot have good skin and bad health.

This skin care product is designed in New Zealand and contains copper, lysine, and proline, which help assemble collagen in the skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which keeps your skin hydrated.

Currently, there is no other 30-day anti-wrinkle elixir on the market that is non-toxic and has been independently evaluated by dermatologists in clinical trials on actual people.

Clinical Studies Of No-Tox

Participants in this study applied the anti-aging product serum to one of three areas: forehead/ glabellar region, upper lip, and eye region (crow's feet or under-eye region), and results were measured independently using a scanner.

All areas showed statistically significant improvement. Results were better around the mouth and eyelids when compared to frown lines of the forehead.

Pros Of No-Tox Skin Smoothing Elixir

• It is pain-free, does not require needles,
• It is non-toxic based; therefore, there is no risk of bruising, bleeding, or pigmentation.
• The wrinkle-reducing activity of No-Tox® is maintained and improves progressively over 6 and 8 weeks and beyond.
• Proven in a clinical study, which is uncommon for a cosmeceutical.
  

Cons Of No-Tox Skin Smoothing Elixir

• It acts slower than injectables.
• There is only one clinical study thus far, although the lab has indicated that a new study will soon be underway comparing the effects of No-Tox® against medical-grade retinol.

Make Sure You Are Visiting A Qualified Facility
Sadly, not all plastic surgeons, aestheticians, medical injectors, etc., are ethical or even qualified. Some will prey on people’s insecurities and see it as an easy way to make money from them while promising life-changing results.

That’s why it’s crucial to find a qualified, licensed, certified person, like a board-certified dermatologist and the American society of plastic surgeons. And don’t just take their word for it or go by the framed certificate on the wall, do your research!

This includes:

•     Looking at their qualifications as some certifications are different.
•     Look at their online presence, like social media.
•     Do they have an up-to-date website?
•     Always ask for before and after photos.
•     What type of reviews do they have?
•     More importantly, if you have a trusted friend who has gone to one, ask them about their experience.
  

Another place I highly suggest is going to the RealSelf community. This online site reveals the real story of each procedure. It provides everything from before and after photos and stories posted by real people who've undergone treatment to forum discussions, beauty tips, and doctor answers to your questions.

Bottom line, like anything we do in life, you need to do your research, especially concerning your body.

Sum It Up
To sum it up, it's easy to get discouraged by our changing appearance as we age, as life isn't always kind to our skin. Fortunately, advances in technology and skincare have given us a lot of options for improving our appearance and skin health.

Putting some pep back in your step is easier with some of the anti-aging treatments Barbie's Beauty Bits has shared above.

Microglo Microdermabrasion Kit, The Secret To Younger Looking Skin

Want to turn back time and have younger looking skin? Then you need to continue reading. If you follow my blog regularly, you will see numerous posts on exfoliating. When it comes to anti-aging, exfoliation is one of the most effective ways to promote youthful skin.

You see as we age our cellular turnover slows down, meaning that our body is slower to shed dead skin cells and produce new ones. This buildup of dead skin cells can have a negative impact on our skin leaving it looking dry and dull, or worse this accumulation can result in excess oil production and clogged pores, which could lead to problematic skin.

Additionally, this build of dead, dull skin can highlight any imperfections on your complexion, and sometimes can create false wrinkles and no one wants that. Furthermore, if you are not removing your dead skin cells, it will create a barrier for your skincare products. So those expensive serums and creams that you’re spending all that money on can’t get to the fresh new skin which is hidden below this barrier of dead skin cells.

While they are numerous ways to exfoliate, today I am going to be sharing with you, Micoroglo Microdermabrasion, The Secret To Younger Looking Skin!

Microdermabrasion At Home

Microdermabrasion is one of today’s most popular nonsurgical anti-aging treatments and is available in dermatologist offices, spas and with at home devices. This non-surgical procedure mechanically exfoliates the outermost layer of dead skin cells, while simultaneously sucking up those dead skin cells, oil and other particles that may be trapped in your pores. This process has many benefits, with the number one key of helping to speed up the process of shedding old skin and making room for new skin to emerge.

Some of you may have wanted to have this procedure done, but are not sure whether to have the actual treatment performed in a medical office or to try one of those devices that are sold for in-home use which that can offer many similar benefits, with significant savings.  If you are considering the latter, this blog post is for you!

Why? Well, let's start with the costs. The cost for each treatment for microdermabrasion at Aesthetic Clinics roughly cost $100-$300 (per treatment) with a total number of about 6-8 treatments, lasting anywhere from 20-40 minutes! This can add up and become very costly, as it is not just a one and done procedure! The treatments even need to be repeated later down the line, which is why some opt for an at-home system, like one from Microglo.

Microglo Microdermabrasion Kit
For this post I have partnered up with Microglo, using their Microdermabrasion kit. Microglo is a convenient and cost-effective at home treatment device that removes dead skin cells from the surface of the outer layer of your skin. By doing this, it allows for the growth of new cells to be stimulated, hence rejuvenating your skin. Similar to those at an aesthetics office, this procedure can leave your skin looking softer, brighter and much more. 

How Does The Microglo Microdermabrasion System Work?
The system comes with 5 customizable heads, for sensitive to rough skin. There is even a head just for your blackheads and another for your feet and body. Keep in mind, that this is not an overnight success sort of treatment. It takes about 12 treatments (no more than 1 treatment a week to reach optimal results), after that, it is recommended to use the microglo once a month.

This microdermabrasion machine not only buffs away your dead skin cells in just 5 minutes, but it also polishes and refines the skin's texture using a diamond-encrusted tip or fine crystals.

Furthermore, this device has an added calibrated suction, and when the tip touches the skin, a vacuum is created. This suction triggers the body’s essential healing process, which boosts the production of collagen and elastin, leaving your skin firm and radiant. Collagen and elastin are crucial to anti-aging and younger looking skin.  That’s because they both work together to strengthen the skin’s structure and improve its ability to stretch and bounce back like it did in your younger years. So any boost of that I am all about!


Other benefits are...

• Increase hydration
• Aids in cellular turn over
• Helps to diminish fine lines and wrinkles
• Minimize and unclog pores
• Aid in reducing the appearance of age spots and other sun damage
• Even out skin tone & texture
• Reduce the appearance of pore size
• Stimulate blood flow to help improve the skin's elasticity
• Supports the body’s natural detoxification process
• Aid in the penetration of skincare products by up to 20%
• Convenient, do a treatment in the comfort of your own home on your own time

Bonus… Get 20% Off
If all of the benefits above are not enough, Microglo was kind enough to offer all of my readers a 20% discount. Just click here and use my discount code: BARBIESBEAUTYBITS at checkout.

Conclusion
As you can see Microdermabrasion can be a wonderful thing when it comes to anti-aging. However, you want to be careful when using a device like this. While at home kits are a more gentle approach, they don’t offer the same dramatic results in a short period compared to those done in a professional environment. But, consistency beats quality with an at-home device, as it allows you to be more regular with the treatments, which can produce the best results over time and this is why I recommend them.

IMPORTANT
While gorgeous skin is what most seek, this device is not a toy, as you can damage your skin and possibly cause scabbing if you do not do it correctly, which is why I made sure to watch the how-to video before using. And you should do the same.

Lastly, this is not something I would recommend if you have skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, widespread acne, and fragile or broken capillaries.  In cases like this seek medical advice first!

What The Heck Is Microdermabrasion And Why Do I Need To Add It To My Skincare Routine?

This is my second skincare post in my "What The Heck" series and today I am going to be talking briefly about Microdermabrasion and why it should be added to your skincare routine. But before we get into that I wanted to first start off by letting you know that there are a few forms of microdermabrasion, those that are an actual procedure performed in a medical office and those devices that are sold for in-home use that can offer many similar benefits of exfoliation.

The devices used for Microdermabrasion procedures performed by a medical professional are much more powerful and precise and penetrate deeper into the skin. While these are a wonderful luxury, they are just that and can be costly, therefore at home microdermabrasion devices can be your answer, especially if you are on a budget.

Why Do I Need To Add Microdermabrasion To My Skincare Routine?

No matter which option you choose, if you want healthy, glowing skin, you should be exfoliating! You see as we age our cellular turnover slows down, meaning that our body is slower to shed dead skin cells and produce new ones.

This buildup of dead skin cells can have a negative impact on our skin leaving it looking dry and dull, or worse this accumulation can result in excess oil production and clogged pores, which could lead to problematic skin.

Additionally, this build of dead, dull skin can highlight any imperfections on your complexion, and sometimes can create false wrinkles and no one wants that. Furthermore, if you are not removing your dead skin cells, it will create a barrier for your skincare products. So those expensive serums and creams that you’re spending all that money on can’t get to the fresh new skin which is hidden below this barrier of dead skin cells.

Hence, Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical procedure that mechanically exfoliates that outermost layer of dead skin cells (the stratum corneum) helping to speed up the process of shedding old skin and making room for new skin to emerge.

That is right if you are continually exfoliating your skin, you do not have to rely on your body’s natural rate of desquamation to keep your complexion looking radiant and beautiful. As when you are removing that outermost layer of dead skin cells, your body interprets it as an injury, so it quickly replaces the lost skin cells with healthy new ones.

A microdermabrasion device not only buffs away that dead skin, but it also polishes and refines the skin's texture using a diamond-encrusted tip or fine crystals. Furthermore, some at home devices have an added suction, and when the wand touches the skin, a vacuum is created to gently but effectively rejuvenate for softer, smoother, younger-looking, radiant skin.

Other benefits are...

• Help to diminish fine lines and wrinkles.
• Minimize and unclog pores.
• Aid in reducing the appearance of age spots and other sun damage.
• Stimulate blood flow to help improve the skin's elasticity. 
• Microdermabrasion can aid in the penetration of skincare products by up to 50%.

While Microdermabrasion is a wonderful thing to add to your skin routine, it is not something I would recommend if you have skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, widespread acne and fragile or broken capillaries.  In cases like this stay away from home devices and seek medical advice first!

Want to know ways to prepare your skin for Microdermasion? Then click the image below!

DISCLAIMER: As always for techiniques like this, do as I did and consult with a professional.  While I do work in the skincare field, I am not a medical professional. My website it for entertainment purposes only. Read More Here.

The Total Refresher An Amazing At Home Skin Care Tool You Must Try By Michael Todd Beauty

Similar to the obsession, that Tim "The Toolman" Taylor, from the TV show Home Improvement has with his tools, I am like that when it comes to my skincare devices!  As a self-professed skincare fiend, I am always on the search for the next new skincare device. While I love going to the spa for treatments, they can be costly! So, when I can find a skincare tool, that I can trust to use in the comfort of my own home, I want to share it with the world. And beauties do I have a winner for you, with the Total Refresher by Michael Todd Beauty!

If you are a frequent reader, you know that I love me some Michael Todd Beauty! Not only do they offer a great innovative organic, cruelty-free skincare line, but they are always creating amazing products and sonic devices that give us the treatments, like those we’d find at a spa or a dermatologist's office! So, if you want to learn about this amazing at home skincare device by Michael Todd Beauty, continue reading.

It’s Tool Time With Michael Todd Beauty Total Refresher
I wanted first to come out and say that skincare tools on the market are not going to stop our skin from aging as it is a natural progression. They can, however, help delay the process as well as contributing to improving our damaged skin. This is why it is so important to make sure that I am selecting the correct product(s) for my delicate facial skin, from a reputable company, as I am not willing to put just anything on it or near it! Finding products from a company that can help me to achieve the best results is what I am seeking, and the Michael Todd Beauty Total Refresher Microdermabrasion System helps deliver just that.

This 3-in-1 skin rejuvenating system is truly like a full spa experience with an aesthetician as it offers extraction, skin resurfacing and a soothing post-treatment.

Beauties, this tool is the first I’ve used that offers this type of combination, making it as close to a professional treatment.  Not only has it helped to get rid of dead skin cells, which can accentuate my wrinkles, but it also targets enlarged and congested pores, that may have blackheads or even milia!

Overview
As mentioned above, The Total Refresher is the first ever skincare device that combines a microdermabrasion exfoliation, in combination with a pore extractor and a soothing mister.  These combined is what creates the 3 step process to smooth, remove and soothe.  And if that wasn’t good enough, it also comes with four treatment heads to help you achieve a fresh, radiant complexion.

How To Use
Prep the skin
According to the instructions, for optimal results, Michael Todd suggests using a degreasing product to completely remove all surface oils from the skin's surface, like their  Charcoal Detox Pore Cleanser. BUT if you don’t have it any degreasing cleanser is compatible. Another option is to steam the face or use a warm cloth as these too will open up the pores.

Fill the mister: This device has a new generation mist option that can be loaded with your favorite toner, micellar water, or plain water.  This is a fantastic feature to assist in hydrating and replenishing moisture in the skin. 
 
The filter: It is already installed, but you want to make sure that you always have a filter in place, you can’t operate without one. Refillable ones come with the tool, so change out accordingly.

Speeds: The device has three speeds, pick the speed desired.

Treatments
Treatment Heads: There is a treatment head for each treatment to give you optimal results, see below.

First Step: DIAMOND TIP MICRODERMABRASION – SMOOTH & PREP
Yep, diamonds are a girl's best friend, and this rejuvenation system may sure become your second as the treatment head has a Diamond Tip exfoliator.  While there are not real diamonds in this skincare gadget, the state of the art exfoliator is used to remove the dead skin by gently exfoliating, eliminating any rough or uneven texture. Additionally it...

1. Helps to minimize pores, and decreases the appearance of some skin damage caused by the sun. 
2. Contributes to diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.  
3. Another benefit in removing dead skin with microdermabrasion is that it can help to aid in the penetration of your skincare products!
4. How often should you do this? If you have dry skin once a week for 5 minutes and for oily skin twice a week for 5 minutes.  

Also, doing this step first helps to prep the skin for the next step as it removes excess dead skin cells that form a "cap" over pores, clearing a path for removal while utilizing the pore-unclogging function.

Step Two: SUCTION EXTRACTION– REMOVE
It's time to clean out the gunk in those pores, baby! Yep, no need to go to an aesthetician for pore extraction, as this refresher kit comes with three suction treatment heads varying in size and strength allowing for customization suction removal of unwanted impurities from pores for a complete detoxification of the complexion.

• Large Pore Extractor: This treatment head is used to suck away dirt and debris from the skin's surface and clogged pores.
• Small Pore Extractor: This one is amazing as it is utilized for the removal of blackheads and for me what was great, I could use it for removing Milia bumps (a little white bump that occurs when keratin becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin). I’ve had this bump for a few years and planned on going to go to the dermatologist to have it removed, but I was able to extract it out with this!
• Oval Pore Extractor:

Step Three: MICRONIZED TONING- SOOTHE
This is the last step, and I love this as I can use it with my favorite toner.  Toner is excellent in helping to replenish, hydrate and nourish skin.

When it comes to using the total refresher misting option, there are not really any clear directions on how to do this, so here you go.

1. Fill with your favorite toner in the reservoir located on the back of the device.
2. There is an enclosed funnel that comes with the device, this is what you use to add your favorite toner.
3. To use you want to make sure that the device has been turned off (use the bottom button for this).
4. To activate you want to hold the top button down for 2 secs.
5. You want to shake it a few times to get it started, then mist away!
6. To turn off you want to hold down for seconds.
7. IMPORTANT: You only can use the mister when the suction portion is off, I did not realize this at first.

Step Four: CLEAN
Please make sure that you are thoroughly cleaning this device as the last thing you want is to put bacteria or dead skin cells on your skin.

IMPORTANT
You may notice some redness, as I did. But no worries as this is normal and will subside after a few hours. Also, for you skincare junkies out there like myself you do not want to use an exfoliator prior or after using the Michael Todd Beauty Refresher. Finish with a great moisturizer with an SPF, but you want to stay away from any super-thick moisturizers that could cause extra sebum buildup. I personally like to add a clarify serum into my skincare regemin to help my skin stay more refreshed, clean, and ready!

Concluding Thoughts
AMAZING to say the least.  This skincare tool will most certainly be added to my skincare tool box so to speak.  I love the idea that it offers multiple skincare treatments all in one which you all know I love multi-purpose products as they save you money in the long run.  Plus, the fact that this can be done in the comfort of my own home, making this spa rejuvenation system even better!

I would say, please make sure to read the manual thoroughly as the different extractors are not recommended for all areas of the face and most important always do a patch test before placing on your face.  I tested them all on the under area of my arm as some suction may be too powerful and you don’t want to be testing first on your face!

So, if you want to get buffed and beautiful with a sweep of this skin-transforming microdermabrasion then make sure to check out Soft Surroundings or Michael Todd Beauty and enjoy this spa like experience in the comfort of your own home!

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