Do You See What I See?

This is a photo of the famous dermatologist and the lovely esthetician gazing through spectrum-glasses...We agree that light is cool. Sometimes we agree about other things too.

Q.
I am using a medication from my dermatologist...can I still get a facial? Can I still use your products?

A.
It really depends on what medications you are on and why you are taking them or applying them topically.

Internal
Accutane: NO FACIALS OR WAXING! Don’t do it...don’t even get a facial until at least 6 months and even then make sure you tell your facialist/aesthetician/technician before you start. The only products I would suggest would be a special-mixed Nourish & Replenish Oil and the Cooling Cucumber Mask. Don’t worry about a cleanser, you skin will be shedding enough!

Prescriptive Hormones: (The Pill, Patch, Progesterone, etc.) COME ON IN! You will do well with a facial. I have found that those who are on a hormonal treatment have great results from the balancing peels as well as the Vita-C Treatment. Sometimes, you skin feels really thick--like it’s not renewing enough--and you feel like you need to get layers off and un-clog those pores! As for at home care, I would suggest the traditional 3- step with a monthly treatment.

Steroids: Go for a Level 1 (Valley) Facial and be sure to mention the steroids. While you are on Steroidal Medications, many times people will experience hot, thick felling, flushed and irritable skin. (Think hot tomato) A cooling river-rock massage would feel great as well as the Cooling Cucumber Mask...Stay away from: Photo Therapy, Vita-C, DMAE Eye Gel. Think Nourish & Replenish: Calm...Think Blooming Roses and toning mists!

TOPICALS:

Retinol/Retin A-Discontinue Use for a few days before your facial and be sure to tell your specialist how often you usually use it. You should be OK for a light peel and/or a collagen infusion treatment. If you do not have any open “wounds” you may want to do photo-therapy aimed at helping with environmental damage. Recommended Products: 3-step (Gentle Cleansing Milk, Rosewater Toning Mist, Blooming Rose Creme)or 2 step (Sow Your Wild Oats, Nourish and Replenish) skin care lines, DMAE Firming Eye Gel, Cooling Cucmber Masque, Magic Potion Lotion and Agnes Day & Night Cream.

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids/Salicylic Acid/Benzoyl Peroxide: Discontinue Use for at least a week if you want to do any peels and/or extractions. Perfectly fine to use before Photo-therapy. Experiment with what works best for you--probably from the 3 step traditional skin care products...

Steroids: (even the non-prescription) - If you are using it in an area that you want photo-therapy on, discontinue use for at least a week before treatment. If it is in an area that we will not be showering with light, go ahead and continue. Blue-light Therapy Only! Stick to the two step and enjoy a clay mask once a weeks.

Sulpher-based: Ask for an acid-free balancing peel and perhaps an extra soothing mask at the end (to help with redness) For home care, I would suggest having a 2-step program specially-mixed for you. I would also suggest trying to get in for a facial as often as possible.

I hope this gave you some good information to start with! Let me know if you want me to get more specific.