We all want to look our best for the holidays, but how can we do it in today’s economy without breaking the bank? Let’s start with the mantra that we earned it. As working women and men, we put our families and professions ahead of ourselves. We can’t find the time to pamper ourselves although we deserve a break every now and then. Nobody wants to look tired or wasted for the holidays. We want to look refreshed and healthy. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to sneak away for an hour or 2, and enjoy the benefits of our retreat for weeks or months to come?
You may want to consider a facial that will promote healthier softer skin resulting in a radiant complexion with a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. Extractions which help to cleanse the skin and reduce acne are performed as needed. Facials are done in a warm soothing environment, with soft lights and music to help you get into a relaxed mood. Aestheticians are well versed in the art of facial and upper body massage. You may find yourself taking a short refreshing nap during your facial treatments. Peels intended to lighten, brighten, repair and firm are well worth the additional time and small cost. I enjoy the 4 Layer Facial by Repechage which utilizes several layers of seaweed based masks to rejuvenate, firm and hydrate the skin. Your skin should look better for weeks to come.
Ideally you should use skin care products to maintain your healthier skin. Try to use products that don’t lock you into to a spa, such as products specially formulated by Dr X and only available in Dr X’s office. These products may be excellent, but you are locking yourself into one source and few options. Products that I call “bookends” are essential. You should always use a cleanser and toner to start, and a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to finish your morning routine. Minimally you should also use an eye cream to prevent or reduce those pesky fine lines around your eyes, and a vitamin C serum to reduce sun damage as well as a hydrating cream(some people call this a moisturizer although technically it is different from a moisturizer) This routine should be repeated in the evening without the sunscreen. Obagi makes an eyecream called Elastiderm which I love because it feels cool and sooths my eyelid skin when I put it on, and I can use it on my upper lip to reduce fine lines there as well.
Photo damaged skin responds well to Retin A. Photo facials were very popular in the past but are expensive and required frequent touchups to maintain the improvements unless you are on a skin care program formulated for sun damaged skin. Once you are on a program, you no longer need the photo facials.
Facials and skin care address the skin health, but they don’t address frown lines or parentheses around the mouth or crow’s feet. These crop up for a variety of reasons including hereditary or age related collagen loss, squinting and sun damage. They can start early, in your 20’s or later in your 30’s or 40’s. To look your best for the holidays you may wish to treat crow’s feet and frown lines with Botox/Dysport and to treat your smile lines with fillers such as juvaderm, restylane or radiesse. Many people like to maintain the improvement associated with these products year round, so they return for periodic touchups. Some people choose to take advantage of a semi permanent filler, Artefil. All of these products are FDA approved and are safe and effective.
If you are interested in learning more about non invasive plastic surgery to keep your skin healthy and to maintain a youthful appearance ,you can go to
DoctorBev.com.
