Simply Skin, Esthetician Lori Legaz

  • About
  • Services
    • Anti-Aging
    • Acne Treatments
  • Acne Success Stories
  • Schedule A Consult
  • Blog
  • (619) 224-2949
  • About
  • Services
    • Anti-Aging
    • Acne Treatments
  • Acne Success Stories
  • Schedule A Consult
  • Blog
  • (619) 224-2949

Glowing Skin Blog

Cystic Acne: Treatments, Causes, and More

1/22/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
​As far as pimples go, those deep, cystic acne flare-ups are probably the most emotionally and physically taxing. Not only do they tend to cover a lot more surface area than other types of acne, they’re also painful, making them impossible to ignore.

But what is cystic acne, why does it show up, and how can you get rid of it? Read on to learn about cystic acne, treatments, causes, and everything else you need to know about this pesky condition.

What is Cystic Acne?

​While pimples come in many shapes, sizes, and forms, cystic acne is considered to be the most severe type of acne. All pimples occur when pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, but cystic acne is caused by bacteria getting into the pores as well — causing swelling and acne inflammation.

You’re probably familiar with these types of acne cysts because of how deep and painful they are — often creating pimples under the skin rather than the whiteheads and blackheads we’re used to seeing on the surface, and feeling almost more akin to a bruise.

Typically, you’ll find cystic acne on the face, since it has so many oil glands (cystic chin acne and cystic acne on the cheeks are both common). But it can also appear elsewhere on the body, such as cystic back acne. It tends to show up again and again in the same location, so unless you get treated, your first chin acne breakout will likely not be your last.

What causes cystic acne?

​There are several main causes of cystic acne, and unsurprisingly, many of them have more to do with holistic lifestyle considerations than your skincare routine. Those causes include:
  • Genetics: Unfortunately, some factors are outside your control — like your age and genetic predisposition to cystic acne. If your parents suffered from cystic acne or it runs in your family, chances are you’ll experience it too.
  • Diet: It’s unlikely that specific food triggers are the sole cause of severe acne, but certain foods have become associated with the worsening of acne — including dairy, gluten, whey protein, vitamin B12 supplements, and foods high in sugar.
  • Hormones: Cystic acne is hormonal — which means that fluctuations during teenage years, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause are often common culprits.
  • Stress: The same hormones that prepare our bodies to deal with stressful situations also push our oil glands into overdrive, which can lead to bad acne breakouts on the face.

Is cystic acne the same as nodular acne?

​You may have also heard the term “nodular acne” to refer to this condition. They’re both very similar — both cause deep, painful pimples under the skin, and are likely to cause scarring. But the main difference is that acne cysts contain fluid while acne nodules do not, making nodules harder and more solid.

How to Prevent Cystic Acne?

​There are ways to prevent cystic acne by taking a few simple steps at home:
  • ​Wash your face after you wake up, before going to bed, and after exercising or sweating. Use an oil-free facial cleanser, lukewarm water, and your fingers (not a washcloth or sponge). Sing the alphabet before rinsing it off to give the active ingredients time to work their magic.
  • Apply oil-free moisturizer if you feel dry, since this will help to reduce redness and inflammation and restore the skin’s protective barrier.
  • Use noncomedogenic (water-based) makeup and facial products, and never sleep in your makeup.
  • Don’t pick at or pop pimples or scabs, since it increases the risk of scarring and bacterial skin infections like cellulitis. Try to keep your hands away from your face during the day.
  • Wash your hair regularly and keep hair (which can be oily) away from your face.
  • Avoid diets high in simple sugars and dairy, also called a high glycemic index diet.

Cystic Acne Treatments

But of course, if you’re reading this blog then it’s probably because you’re past the point of prevention — and you’re here to learn how to get rid of cystic acne.

While some cystic acne will clear up in time without intervention, it’s probably not a risk you want to take. Some people develop pigment changes (light or dark spots) at the site of the acne cyst after the skin clears up, and that type of scarring can be even more challenging and expensive to treat than the acne itself.

​To avoid that, you should seek help from a skincare professional as soon as possible. After a brief initial consultation, they can help you better understand how to treat your cystic acne and get rid of it for good.

Products to Get Rid of Cystic Acne

​Your typical skincare routine might not cut it when it comes to treating cystic acne at home. Sure, there are a plethora of topical acne creams, serums, cleansers, and treatments that supposedly help with cystic acne…. but all too often they leave the skin feeling dried out, irritated, or sometimes even more oily. That’s because surprisingly, many skincare product lines have ingredients that are incompatible with acne-prone skin — and can actually make cystic acne worse.

​Instead, at Simply Skin, I recommend the Face Reality skincare program: a personalized and adaptive cystic acne treatment that includes a suite of products tailored specifically to your skin type. It includes only high-quality skin replenishing ingredients and produces over a 90% success rate in 3 months.

Cystic Acne Facial Treatments

​It’s no secret that facials can rejuvenate and nourish your face, making your skin look healthier. But many don’t realize that some facials are specifically designed to clear and prevent cystic acne. An acne facial is a medical skin treatment that not only helps to address breakouts on your face, but also speeds up at-home cystic acne treatments, making it an excellent addition to your skincare routine.

I recommend the Dermasound Facial — the ultimate non-invasive facial treatment for cystic acne. Dermasound uses gentle sound waves to loosen dead skin cells, cleanse clogged pores, and enhance the penetration of acne products. In as little as 6-10 treatments, it can clear your complexion and restore skin to a smooth, youthful glow.

My Cystic Acne Treatment Promise

​Treating cystic acne looks different for every individual — which is why it’s crucial to work with a licensed esthetician that will customize a skincare regimen for your unique needs.

​My Cystic Acne Treatment Promise means that I will help clear up your cystic acne in 3-6 months, using the most effective treatments in the industry. (And the results speak for themselves.) Schedule a free consultation today to learn how to get rid of your cystic acne for good.
Get a Free Phone Consultation
0 Comments

What are these blemishes on my face, and how do I get rid of them?

12/27/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
It’s no secret that we all want clear, glowing skin. But the quest for perfect skin never ends — and whether you’re in the prime of your life or hitting your golden years, chances are you’ve found yourself squinting in the mirror at one or two imperfections. Blemishes on the face can make your skin tone look uneven, making you insecure and messing with your makeup routine.

So, let’s break down what these blemishes on your face actually are, and what you can do about them.

First, what do we mean by "blemishes" on the face?

The definition of the word “blemished” is anything “marked or spoiled by a flaw.” In other words, a blemish is anything that detracts from an otherwise aesthetically perfect appearance.

You might have heard it used to reference anything from blemished fruit to a blemished reputation… but most commonly, blemishes are used to describe facial imperfections.

Different types of face blemishes

A blemish is any type of mark, spot, discoloration, or flaw that appears on the skin, but that’s a fairly broad term. There are numerous different types of face blemishes, such as:
  • Pimples are caused when pores become clogged, creating little red bumps. Acne (and especially cystic acne) can sometimes leave dark spots, pockmarks, or scarring on the skin.
  • Papules are small skin lesions of varying types, often caused by eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis and leading to red skin and inflammation.
  • Pustules are fluid-filled bumps sometimes caused by scabies, rosacea, or other skin conditions associated with blisters.
  • Nodules are a collection of tissue which are usually 1-2 centimeters wide and hard to the touch — such as skin tags or warts.
  • Age spots (also sometimes called liver spots) are red face blemishes, most common in people over 50.
The color of the blemishes on your face may provide a clue as to their cause: If they appear red, they’re likely pustules, rosacea, or an allergic reaction. White blemishes are typical of whiteheads (acne) and certain types of fungal infections. Birthmarks and hyperpigmentation are often brown.

Black could be cause for concern, as it is associated with malignant melanoma. If you see black, raised dots (sometimes surrounded by a halo of red), be sure to speak with a dermatologist. It’s also worth a call to your doctor if any blemish begins bleeding, has irregular borders, or changes in size or color, since those could be signs of skin cancer.

What causes blemishes on your face?

With so many different types of facial blemishes, their contributing factors can be just as varied. But in general, there are a few common culprits when it comes to skin imperfections:
  • Genetics: Certain hereditary conditions can also cause blemishes to occur, especially when it comes to acne.
  • Sun Exposure: It should come as no surprise that overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays can cause hyperpigmentation and other forms of skin damage.
  • Diet: Food allergies and contact dermatitis can both cause skin irritation and red bumps. Dairy products, sugar, and simple carbohydrates may also lead to blemishes.
  • Medication: Some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications may cause blemishes on the face as a side effect, such as corticosteroids, antiseizure drugs, and lithium.
  • Genetics: Certain hereditary conditions can also cause blemishes to occur, especially when it comes to acne.
    Sun Exposure: It should come as no surprise that overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays can cause hyperpigmentation and other forms of skin damage.
  • Diet: Food allergies and contact dermatitis can both cause skin irritation and red bumps. Dairy products, sugar, and simple carbohydrates may also lead to blemishes.
  • Medication: Some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications may cause blemishes on the face as a side effect, such as corticosteroids, antiseizure drugs, and lithium.
  • Viruses and Infections: Depending on the type of blemish, it could be caused by a virus such as HSV-1 or chickenpox. Certain types of skin infections can also cause red face blemishes.: Depending on the type of blemish, it could be caused by a virus such as HSV-1 or chickenpox. Certain types of skin infections can also cause red face blemishes.

How to get rid of blemishes on the face

There’s no one-size-fits-all cure for how to clear blemishes on the face. But when it comes to blemishes, skincare is your first line of defense. Treatment for blemishes on the face can include:
  • Blemish home remedies can sometimes help blemishes not caused by underlying medical conditions — such as witch hazel, aloe vera, and apple cider vinegar.
  • Topical creams can reduce allergic reactions and irritations, and may also be beneficial for alleviating ingrown hairs.
  • Several facial treatments exist to help clear blemishes on the face. Ask your esthetician about anti-aging facials or facials for acne.

Preventing further blemishes on your face

Then again, facial blemish removal isn’t always easy — which means the best blemish remedy is prevention.
  • Sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, and hats reduce your exposure to UVA and UVB rays. This can help protect your skin from additional damage.
  • Healthy hygiene habits can also go along way. Regular cleansing of your face, body, and hair can help eliminate excess oil, dirt, and bacteria on the skin.
  • And of course, good skincare starts from the inside out. Keep a food diary to monitor your diet and pinpoint foods that might be contributing to facial imperfections.

Tired of your facial blemishes? I can help.

Since blemishes on your face can have so many potential causes and treatments, your best bet is to speak with a licensed esthetician. They can make recommendations based on your unique skin type, and help you achieve the long-lasting results you deserve.
​
If you’re looking for an esthetician in San Diego, you’ve come to the right place. Schedule your free phone consultation below!
Schedule a free consultation
0 Comments

Skincare Solutions to Do at Home (In Between Esthetician Appointments)

12/13/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
​It goes without saying that the most advanced skincare solutions can be found at your local esthetician’s office. But as any skincare specialist will tell you, how you treat your skin between facials can be even more important.

Perhaps a professional skincare solution just isn’t in the budget this month… or maybe you just came from your esthetician’s office, and you’re curious about what skincare solutions you can achieve until your next appointment. In that case, there are plenty of affordable skincare solutions that can help you achieve glowing skin right at home.

First Things First: Know Your Skin

Before pursing any skincare solution at home, it’s important to understand your skin type, your skincare goals, and how your skin is likely to react to various products and treatments. Do you have dry skin? Sensitive skin? Is your face prone to oiliness? If you haven’t already, scheduling an esthetician consultation is a great way to learn more about your unique skin type and how to care for it.

For example, if you have acne-prone skin, the best acne skincare solution will depend on your specific type of acne. What works for hormonal acne may not be as effective to treat acne associated with other factors. So, you’ll want to proceed with caution when it comes to spot treatments.

Another common goal is to reverse signs of aging. In these cases, it’s important to know what specific issue you’re hoping to address. Dark spots may require a different treatment than wrinkles, and the same goes for under-eye bags.

Whatever the case, embark on any skincare solution with as much information as possible.

Skincare Solutions: Products to Use at Home

​Of course, you’ll want to follow your esthetician’s advice for the best skincare products to use between appointments. But in general, your skincare routine should include the following:
  • ​Cleanse: Wash your face morning and night by massaging in a small dollop of face cleanser lightly with fingers in circular motions, working from the inside of the face out for full coverage.
  • Exfoliate: Exfoliating removes the outer layer of dead skin cells for a smoother, clearer surface. Exfoliate your skin at least two to three times a week — but be gentle! Avoid excessive pressure or scrubbing.
  • Moisturize: One of the most important things you can do for your skin is to use a quality moisturizer. At minimum, apply moisturizer morning and evening, and don’t wait until your skin feels dry to reapply.
  • Protect: By now, we all know that UV rays can be disastrous to our skin. Avoid excessive sun exposure, wear a hat, and use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ facial sunscreen on all areas of exposed skin — including around the eyes and neck.​

Aesthetic Skincare Solutions

​Your skin is a direct reflection of everything that’s going on inside your body, which is why the first rule of holistic skin care is to nurture your skin from the inside out. For skincare solutions that have nothing to do with topical application, make sure you:
  • Eat Healthy: Imbalances in the digestive system can lead to inflammation and sensitized skin. Load your plate with leafy greens, whole grains, and lean proteins.
  • Hydrate: Drinking enough water is one of the best things you can do for your skin, since drinking water feeds the skin from the inside.
  • Rest: They don’t call it "beauty sleep" for nothing. Getting good, restful sleep is essential for proper skin cell and tissue rejuvenation.
  • Reduce Stress: Adrenaline and cortisol wreak havoc on your skin. Scale back your to-do list and find time for deep breaths and stress-relief activities.

Other Natural Skincare Solutions

​Here are a few other insider tips worth noting:
  • Massage: A two-minute facial massage can be a great skincare solution, since the stimulation gets the blood moving and wakes up your complexion.
  • Hygiene: Sleep on your back, keep hair away from your face, and make sure your pillowcases are clean.
  • Application: Use your ring finger to apply products to sensitive areas, since it will have the least amount of pressure.

Professional Skincare Solutions in San Diego

While all of these best practices are great to keep in mind for at-home care, a licensed esthetician can determine the advanced skincare solutions that will suit your needs and recommend specific products that can help you achieve long-lasting results.
​
Ready to put your best face forward? Schedule your free consultation today.
Schedule a Free Consultation
0 Comments

Acne Treatment for Teens

12/2/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

Why do teens get acne?

Acne is a broad term to describe clogged pores. Your pores can get clogged from a combination of dead skin cells, excess oil, and bacteria. Noninflammatory acne, such as blackheads and whiteheads, is a combination of dead skin and sebum, while inflammatory acne has a bacterial component, causing cysts and nodules.

While acne can occur at any age, teens and young adults are more likely to get acne breakouts, thanks to an influx of hormones. Those hormones increase oil production (or sebum) in the skin, which combines with dead skin cells, clogs pores, traps bacteria, and causes inflammation… and helps explain why teens get acne more than most. During puberty, acne usually appears on your forehead, nose, and chin (otherwise referred to as your T-zone).

As we know, this can feel overwhelming during a stage of life when you’re already experiencing many changes. Social media campaigns such as #freethepimple work to destigmatize acne and encourage teens to love their skin… but in the meantime, there are also plenty of ways to treat teen acne.

How to get rid of teen acne

Acne treatment for teens requires a multi-faceted approach. While we can’t control our genetics and hormonal fluctuations, we can control what we put on our skin, what we eat, and our individual skincare routine. Here are the most important considerations for how to treat teen acne:

Pay attention to lifestyle

It sounds like a no-brainer, but the best acne regimen for teens usually starts from the inside out.
  • Stress: Stress plays a role in breakouts, since hormones, like cortisol, create oily skin and prompt acne breakouts. Adolescence can be a stressful time — meditation, exercise, and healthy sleep habits can help keep cortisol levels down.
  • Weather: Sun exposure, heat, and humid conditions (like here in San Diego) can lead to an overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria. To beat hot weather breakouts, use lighter water-based lotions and oil-free sunscreens, keep the face clean and free of sweat, and stay hydrated.
  • Diet: Diets high in sugar, processed foods, and dairy can also contribute to acne breakouts. To combat this, aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes inflammation-fighting foods such as colorful fruits and vegetables, omega-3 fat sources (such as fish and chia seeds), and unsweetened beverages like water or green tea.
  • General Skincare: Face washing with a gentle cleanser and making sure to remove makeup properly before bedtime is important in keeping pimples away. Try not to touch your face with your hands, since bacteria gets on your skin from dirty hands and can cause pimples.

Get a Teen Acne Facial

A teen acne facial not only helps to address breakouts, but also speeds up at-home teen acne treatments, making it an excellent addition to your skincare routine. They also help to heal damage from acne scars, as well as other facial blemishes and discolorations, to improve the overall look and feel of your skin. 

Here at Simply Skin, I recommend the Ultrasonic Dermasound — the ultimate non-invasive facial acne treatment for teens. Dermasound uses gentle sound waves to loosen dead skin cells, cleanse clogged pores, and enhance the penetration of acne products. In as little as 6-10 treatments, it can clear your complexion and restore skin to a smooth, healthy glow — and the results speak for themselves. Simply Skin offers the only Dermasound Acne Facial in the San Diego area.

It’s important to remember you’ll get the best results if acne facials are regularly incorporated into your skincare routine. Typically, teen acne facials are scheduled in a series of biweekly sessions and supplemented with consultations with your esthetician. And while they may be a little less familiar with the process, facials are also the best acne treatment for teen boys.

Best Acne Products for Teens

And of course, you'll also need to be consistent with your acne treatment at home in between facial appointments… and the best acne products for teens can’t be found on TikTok. Unfortunately when it comes to a skincare routine, teens tend to turn to their favorite influencer and start using ‘the kitchen sink approach’ on their face. Often, this ends up making breakouts even worse — since many skincare product lines have ingredients that are incompatible with acne-prone skin.

That’s why I use the Face Reality teen acne treatment — a comprehensive suite of products, meticulously crafted with only the highest-quality skin nourishing ingredients (and none of the sneaky acne-causing side effects found in other skincare product lines). It produces over a 90% success rate in 3 months for clients who incorporate it into a holistic skincare regimen, making it one of the best acne products for teens.

My Teen Acne Treatment Promise

​​As a licensed esthetician and a former acne sufferer myself, I’m committed to providing the best possible acne treatment for teens.

I will help clear up your acne in 3-6 months, by using the most effective teen acne treatments in the industry — including lifestyle education and truly acne-safe skincare products — to help you achieve clearer, brighter, more radiant skin.

To learn more, schedule a consultation today.
Schedule a Consultation Today
0 Comments

How to Get Clear Skin

11/22/2022

0 Comments

 
Most people experience a time when they wish their skin would look better. Whether it's a sudden breakout or a longer-lasting issue, your face’s appearance is the last thing you want to be worrying about.

Unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard to know exactly how to get clear skin, and what your skin really needs to be as healthy as possible. Every day we’re bombarded by marketing hype for various skin care and cosmetic products, as well as advice from social media influencers and other beauty gurus.
​
So, we’ve compiled some of our best tips for how to get clear skin.
Picture

Tips to Get Clear Skin

​Skin imperfections can have many causes — some that you can control, like washing your face and changing your pillowcase, and some that you can't, like genetics and hormonal fluctuations. But whatever the case, there are some important habits you can maintain to get clear skin. Here are some of our best clear skin tips:

Know your skin

​The truth is, skincare is personal — which means some skin care tips will work for you and some won’t. The best way to get clear skin will vary, depending on the person’s skin type, and the key to finding the most effective one for you is knowing what type of skin you have.

Eat healthy

To encourage clear, healthy skin, it’s essential to eat foods loaded with antioxidants, probiotics, and phytonutrients, which reduce inflammation in the body. Healthy foods to get clear skin include leafy greens, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Wash your face twice a day

If you’re prone to breakouts or have oily skin, don’t skimp on your morning and evening skincare routine. Washing twice daily will free your face of dead skin cells and excess oil. But don’t wash more than twice, sometimes washing too much will disturb your skin's natural barrier making your skin more oily.

Wear SPF every day. (No, really!)

When it comes to tips to getting clear skin, you can’t get any more basic than “wear sunscreen.” And yet, it’s one of the most important things you can do to get clear skin. The sun can cause further irritation and damage your skin's barrier, which leads to more breakouts and redness.

Don't pick at your skin

It’s really, really hard not to pick at a pimple. But, for the health of your skin, it’s important to resist. Picking or popping a pimple exposes the pore to even more bacteria, including those from your hands. It also increases the risk of infection or scarring.

Catch some Z’s (just don’t do it with makeup on).

Want to learn how to get clear skin overnight — literally? Keep an actual bedtime. When you’re sleeping, your body is producing new skin cells and rehydrating your skin. For optimal skin health, you should ideally be getting at least seven hours nightly.

Swap out your pillowcases, often.

​Ideally, your pillowcases should be swapped out every two to four days — or sooner, if you sweat in your sleep. Toss them in with regular laundry detergent but at a high temperature to ensure you’re eliminating all bacteria.

How long does it take to get clear skin?

​Of course, all of these tips to get clear skin are long-term lifestyle changes. But if you’re reading this, it’s probably because you want to know how to get clear skin fast — maybe you’re currently experiencing a breakout or anticipating an important event.

​While maintaining clear skin ultimately requires consistent, systematic care and attention, there are fortunately plenty of things you can do to get clear skin in a hurry:

Work with a professional

It’s no secret that if you’re looking for how to get clear skin fast, you'll get the best results if you consult an esthetician. Ideally, look for someone who knows how to treat your individual skin type, taking into consideration your age, gender, and any specific skin conditions you have (by the way, the tips for how to get clear skin for men are no different!).

Use the right skincare products

The best way to get clear skin is to treat it with acne-fighting products. Here at Simply Skin, I recommend the Face Reality skin care system. It’s meticulously crafted with only the highest-quality skin nourishing ingredients (and none of the sneaky acne-causing ingredients found in other skincare product lines). It produces over a 90% success rate in 3 months for clients who incorporate it into a holistic skincare regimen.

Get a facial

​Facials are one of the most meaningful things you can do for your skin, and the best way to get clear skin fast. They work to gently remove dirt and dead cells from the skin’s surface, rehydrate the skin, and encourage collagen production. To get clear skin as quickly as possible, I recommend the Dermasound Facial — since one clinical study of 1,000 patients reported that 98% saw improvement after just one treatment.

Clearer skin is just a phone call away

​How to get clear skin looks different for every individual — which is why it’s crucial to work with a licensed esthetician that will customize a skincare regimen for your unique needs. 

Schedule a free consultation today to learn how to finally uncover the clear complexion you’ve been dreaming of.
Schedule a Free Consultation
0 Comments

Step 4 of a Dermasound Facial: Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

11/8/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
​One of the things that makes Simply Skin unique is that we are the only provider of the Dermasound Facial in San Diego. For those unfamiliar, a Dermasound Facial uses revolutionary technology to exfoliate, nourish, and repair skin — and it’s famous for being gentle, non-invasive, safe, and suitable for all skin types.

Recently on the Simply Skin blog, we’ve been going into more detail about every step of the Dermasound Facial and what makes it so unique.

The process begins with a skin peeling treatment, which deep cleans pores and prepares the skin for what comes next. Then, step two involves a dermal infusion, where customized vitamins and topicals are infused into the skin using penetrating ultrasound technology. In our last post, we discussed step three, microcurrent therapy, which rebalances the electrical energy of the skin cell — stimulating facial muscles, improving blood circulation, and promoting faster healing.

Today, we’re excited to conclude our series on the Dermasound Facial with the fourth and final step: Adenosine Triphosphate (or ATP).

What is Adenosine Triphosphate?

​The human body is a complex organism, and as such, it takes energy to maintain proper functioning. But what we call “energy” is actually a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

But what is ATP? Adenosine triphosphate production occurs in tiny cellular structures called mitochondria and can be found in the cells of all living things. It is commonly referred to as the energy “currency" of the cell, because it can be compared to storing money in a bank. ATP’s job is to store energy and then deliver it to cells in other parts of the body for important biological functions.

Functions of Adenosine Triphosphate

Cells require chemical energy for all kinds of tasks, from metabolism to mechanical work (like moving muscles). The function of adenosine triphosphate is to serve as a shuttle, delivering the energy to where it’s needed in the cell.

Skin is our body’s largest organ, which makes adenosine triphosphate energy particularly important. Skin cells need ATP to perform a huge number of different functions, from maintaining hydration levels to producing skin-plumping collagen and elastin, and regenerating cells. Decades of statistical evidence reinforce ATP as a strong skin-restoring ingredient, an energy booster, and very well accepted by the skin.

However, as you grow older, your body has fewer mitochondria — making it harder to produce enough ATP. (This is also why we feel more tired as we age.) This adenosine triphosphate breakdown means the skin has less energy to perform these important tasks, and we therefore see an increase in fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity, alongside a duller complexion and more irregular skin tone.

Adenosine Triphosphate Benefits

Check out some of the adenosine triphosphate benefits:
  • Reduces Signs of Aging: By enhancing cellular activity, ATP stimulates the skin’s metabolism — diminishing fine lines & wrinkles, improving elasticity, and rebooting dull, tired, prematurely aging skin.
  • Improves Moisture Retention: ATP is essential for maintaining the “osmotic equilibrium” of the skin… which is a fancy way of saying that it regulates its water balance. Preventing water loss helps to keep the skin comfortably plump, hydrated, soft, and supple.
  • Soothes the Skin: While some active ingredients can cause dryness and irritation for some, ATP is gentle and well tolerated by all skin types. It’s even believed to provide anti-inflammatory benefits and support wound healing and tissue repair.
  • Boosts the Benefits of Other Active Ingredients: While ATP is powerful alone, its superpower lies in compounding the benefits of other anti-aging ingredients, such as brightening Vitamin C, refining retinol, and wrinkle-reducing peptides.

Adenosine Triphosphate: Energizing Skin at a Cellular Level

There’s no question that Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is a powerful way to promote a smooth, radiant, balanced complexion — especially when paired with the transformative effects of the rest of the Dermasound Facial.

It is the ultimate no downtime, healthy aging, problematic skin or pre-event facial skin care treatment — and Simply Skin offers the only Dermasound Facial in San Diego. ​Book your skincare service today, and look forward to fresh and fabulous skin.​
SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION
0 Comments

Step 3 of a Dermasound Facial: Microcurrent Therapy

10/2/2022

0 Comments

 
Here at Simply Skin, I’m proud to provide the only Dermasound Facial in San Diego — a non-invasive facial procedure that utilizes water and ultrasonic frequency to treat fine lines and wrinkles, natural signs of aging, acne, and other skin issues. This revolutionary technology includes four stages to rejuvenate and revitalize skin: Peeling, Infusion, Microcurrent Therapy, and ATP.

If you’ve been following along on the Simply Skin blog, you know we’ve been breaking down this process step-by-step. We discussed stage one of the skin peeling treatment, which exfoliates and deep cleans the pores of the face to prep the skin. Then last time, we talked more about step two, the dermal infusion facial [LINK], which allows nourishing ingredients to penetrate deeper into skin at a cellular level.

​Today, we’re exploring step three of the process: microcurrent therapy.
Picture

What is microcurrent therapy?

Once the skin is deep-cleaned and exfoliated, ultrasound frequency is used to open minute pathways in the skin’s protective barrier and infuse customized vitamins and serums into the face.

The next step, microcurrent therapy, is then used to restore individual cells’ natural electrical charge.
​
Microcurrent therapy is a powerful healing and cellular stimulation step that rebalances the electrical energy of the cellular environment, promoting nutrient transfer, waste expulsion, and reducing tissue inflammation. In addition, it provides a micro-lift in the tissues for a tighter, more toned skin appearance.

How does microcurrent therapy work?

If we were to brush up on our high school biology, we’d remember that every human cell is like its own little self-contained ecosystem. Your body has a natural electrical current that provides intercellular communication through electromagnetic signaling. Without the proper electromagnetic signals, your cells cannot do their job efficiently.

Skin cells are no different. And when a cell has been damaged due to environmental causes (like aging, or overexposure to the San Diego sun), this signaling is disrupted or diminished — restricting the flow of nutrients into the cell and waste products out of the cell. This condition makes it difficult for cells to heal.

To combat that, microcurrent therapy is a pain-free, non-invasive process of administering low-level electrical currents, such as those found naturally in the body, to the surface of the skin. That’s where it reaches injured cells and restores them to normal balance and function.

This medically proven technique helps to heal and regenerate each individual cell's electric charge and puts cells back to work doing what they do best: growing, reproducing, and protecting the body. Not to mention, the process also encourages the development of collagen and elastin in the skin — making it taut and younger-looking.
​
Microcurrent therapy helps to restore your electromagnetic field back to normal, thus allowing your injured cells to repair themselves.

What to expect from microcurrent therapy

An esthetician uses a special handheld device to deliver tiny currents of electricity to the face. The microcurrent therapy machine uses an aluminum spatula, which delivers the current of electricity.
​
The currents used are so low that you may not even feel them. The microcurrent therapy device looks a little like a paddle, and is softly glided across the face and throat, causing a mild pulsating and warming sensation. This “patting phase” helps normalize the electric current within the cells and promotes healing, cell regeneration and resiliency.

Benefits of microcurrent therapy

​Microcurrent therapy has several benefits. In fact, microcurrent therapy for face isn’t its only application. It can be used for Osteoarthritis, post-surgery pain, scar tissue, sciatica, sports injuries, headaches, and more. Additionally, unlike other more invasive procedures, microcurrent facials involve no incisions or anesthesia.
​Here are some of the best benefits of microcurrent therapy:
  • Stimulate facial muscles: One of the main benefits of microcurrent therapy is that it stimulates facial muscles — helping the face look tighter and reducing visible signs of aging.
  • Improve blood circulation: Microcurrent therapy also improves blood flow to the skin, making the skin look healthier and increasing plumpness.
  • Speed wound healing: Microcurrent therapy also promotes wound healing by reducing inflammation, making it an excellent treatment for acne.

Microcurrent Therapy: Breathing new life into tired, injured, and aging skin

​There’s no question that microcurrent therapy is the best way to treat skin at the roots — especially when paired with the transformative effects of the rest of the Dermasound Facial. Curious if the treatment is right for you? Schedule your free consultation today!
Schedule a Free Phone Consultation
0 Comments

Step 2 of a Dermasound Facial: Infusion

9/8/2022

0 Comments

 
If you’re familiar with Simply Skin, you know we’re famous for being the only provider of the Dermasound Facial in San Diego. A Dermasound Facial is an advanced facial that offers exfoliation, better product penetration, and cellular repair through low frequency ultrasonic waves and healing microcurrent therapy.

The Dermasound Ultrasonic Facial is gentle, non-invasive, safe, and suitable for all skin types — from acne to rosacea and mature skin. It includes four stages to rejuvenate and revitalize skin: Peeling, Infusion, Microcurrent Therapy, and ATP.

Last time on the Simply Skin blog, we broke down the first step of the Dermasound Facial, The Skin Peeling Treatment, which exfoliates and deep cleans the pores of the face to prep the skin for the rest of the treatment. Today, we’re exploring step two of the process: the dermal infusion facial.

Step 2: Dermal Infusion Facial

A dermal infusion facial is a skin resurfacing treatment that simultaneously exfoliates and removes dead skin cells, while it applies serums to treat specific skin conditions such as acne, wrinkles, age spots, sun damage, and dry skin.

As you might have guessed, “facial infusion” refers to the infusion of customized vitamins and topicals that are applied to the skin — and the dermal infusion facial is superior to others because it makes deep medication of the skin possible.

Normally, certain skincare products can’t effectively penetrate the skin to provide the deep medication that skin often needs — especially if they have large molecules such as amino acids, peptides, and certain vitamins.

But ultrasound makes that facial infusion possible with a process called sonophoresis.
Picture