Skin myths abound on the internet.
Here's why believing a few of them aren't helping your glow...
Myth #1 -
I
have sensitive skin. No, you don't. With the exception of like 3 of my
actual clients (and I work a LOT), you actually don't have sensitive
skin. You're coming in because it looks and feels like you have
sensitive skin. You're red, irritated, peely, chapped, inflammed, hot,
aggrivated. BUT, great news, you don't actually have sensitive skin!
In reality, 97% of the individuals I see who claim to have sensitive
skin are experiencing SENSITIZED skin as a result of one or more skin
aggressors. Most commonly, these are fragrance ingredients in their
skincare products, particularly linalool and limonene, which are
aromatic constituents of citrus and some flower essential oils. Great
news - eliminate the irritants, eliminate the irritation. And on to...
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| (lactic acid also looks like this) |
Myth #2 -
I can't exfoliate because my skin is too sensitive.
Wrong again! Once we have your sensitized skin under control, we not
only CAN, but MUST carefully reintroduce ingredients that stimulate cell
turnover. What a waste to have all the redness, irritation, and heat
go away only to leave the peely, dry skin behind. And as we covered in
Winter Skincare, leaving that stratum corneum to build up on its own is
no way to go for soft, smooth skin.
Myth #3 -
My acne is hormonal, so you can't help me. Wrong! It
would make my life easier if this one were true, but the facts of acne
are that a) all acne is genetic, and b) all acne is hormonal. We
acne-prone individuals have oil glands that produce more sebum, and skin
cells that shed less effectively, so when we combine those genetic
factors with hormone changes and their tendency to thicken up the sebum
in that is produced (which further glues together the trying-to-escape
cells) AND thin the pore lining so that inflammation is almost
inevitable when those glommed-up skin cell plugs (also known as
comedones) rupture (which they will, if they are allowed to remain in
your skin). Acne care is not only possible but recommended with a
highly trained esthetician who knows the condition, its roots, and the
best treatment strategies to achieve and maintain clear skin.
Myth #4 -
My hyperpigmentation will never clear up. Not with that
attitude, it won't! But the truth of the matter is that most
hyperpigmentation cases that walk into my door are being treated
sporadically. They'll get the Retin-A and the Hydroquinone from the
dermatologist, and then they'll notice that their skin is dry and
flaking and stop using the Retin-A, and then they'll read in Allure that
the hydroquinone will give them cancer, and stop using that, and go
weeks and weeks, and then feel guilty and throw it all back onto their
face, experience more irritation and retinoid dermatitis, and repeat.
We have access to a wide array of retinoids and skin lighteners as
estheticians with advanced training, however our treatment strategy
typically differs from that of a dermatologist in that we favor a slow,
conservative approach. There's nothing wrong with the
dermatologist's
ingredients or pacing, but we just find that this slower strategy works
well in our environment because typically we can see you more frequently
than you would be able to visit the derm. It is common for me to start
off with our mildest strength retinoid, allowing the retinoid
dermatitis to pass over the course of 3 weeks' time before adding a
pigment inhibitor. Although I do have hydroquinone-based pigment
inhibitors at my disposal, my preference is to slowly build into using a
wide array of alternative pigment inhibitors before making a decision
to introduce hydroquinone - simply because there is such a huge range of
pigment inhibitors that can be combined together and with a mild
retinoid to make a significant difference.
Myth #5 -
I can't wear moisturizer because I am acne-prone.
Wrong! Your oily skin is likely still
dehydrated, especially if you are
using acne meds topically or orally. In this case, it's important to
provide skin with a topical dose of
humectant moisturization that can be
readily absorbed to keep skin from becoming excessively tight, dry, or
irritated. Serums and light moisturizers with humectants like
hyaluronic acid and anti-inflammatory ingredients like allantoin are just what the
esthetician ordered to complete your acne regimen and give you the smooth,
healthy skin you've been searching for.
Questions? Comments? Ask the Aesthetician! Visit
SpaAeon.com to learn more and schedule a visit. With your permission, I may even write a follow-up post that addresses your specific concerns.
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