Importance of Ingredients

When I was 10 years old, my mother was deep frying homemade French fries in a pretty shallow pan on a gas burning stove. The flames jumped and caught fire to the oil, which before we had a chance to gasp, was an out-of -control blaze. I watched my mom grab the flaming pan to try to put out the fire, but the hot oil spilled onto her arms and the flames braised her face.
As a result, my mom suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on her face and arms. The doctors and plastic surgeons insisted she get a skin graft, but through proper care and utilizing the natural resources from mother earth, she was able to heal with minimal scarring on arms and absolutely no scarring on her face. What a miracle! Witnessing this experience drives me to understand proper skin care and know what’s available to recommend particular products for my clients needs.

There are many natural and even synthetic remedies that may help you attain the complexion you have always wanted. Herbs, plant extracts, and chemical compounds can serve multiple functions, such as being antiseptic, calming, healing, and moisturizing, to name a few.
Post laser resurfacing, glycolic peel, or waxing, using products with healing and soothing ingredients such as aloe, azulene, and tocopherol (Vitamin E). Aloe is not only healing and hydrating, it is an anti-inflammatory and an anti-microbial. Azulene is derived from the chamomile plant and is deep blue in color; it is very gentle and soothing, perfect for sensitive skin types. Vitamin E used topically is claimed to prevent scar tissue from forming and is an anti-oxidant that will help with protecting your skin from free radicals (pollutants, UV rays, drugs) that cause skin aging.

For all of my male counterparts out there- do you ever experience razor burn or ingrown hairs? Shaving can be quite abrasive, so men will need more calming and healing products. Some steps for prevention include exfoliation prior to shaving to open the pores and clean out any contamination and as they say, “go with the flow!’ Using tea tree oil, an antiseptic, will aid in clearing dirt and pollutants beneath the skin’s surface. Follow up your shave with a calming aftershave lotion containing allantoin, which helps heal wounds and stimulates the growth of healthy skin tissue.

Being knowledgeable on the ingredients available can be very helpful. When you know what type of ingredients function well with your skin, you will find it much easier to choose the facial you may want or what products to use in your home care. There are many to learn and understand, so let me know if you need any help!

Danielle Fisher

AIM Medical Center

901 Dover Drive Suite 204

Newport Beach, CA 92660

949.722.9884

Peals are Appealing...

It has been brought to my attention that many people are afraid of a getting a superficial peel, the process of removing dead skins cells by means of chemical methods. They often take it very literally and imagine the skin flaking off of their face like a bad sunburn. However, this is not always the case. The art of chemical exfoliation an age-old practice and you can be assured it is safe and effective.

Estheticians can administer light peels which only penetrate the upper layers of the skin. These procedures include lactic acid, glycolic acid, enzymes, and Jessner’s solution. You will not experience intense skin shedding with a light peel. I would never recommend a procedure that is damaging or invasive to my client. When asked, “How do I smooth the texture of my skin, lighten these freckles, and get rid of my acne scars?,” I would recommend a Glycolic Peel Series. I know what works best and what is cost-effective for my clients.

To begin your transformation, purchase your peels in a series of 6-8 sessions. You slowly acclimate your skin to the acids, and then you can begin using higher percentages as you progress. Combined with your peel you will experience a non-cosmetic face lift with our Protein- Enzyme mask, completed with a soothing aloe vera crème that will speed up the healing process and reduce any redness. What you can expect to see within a few treatments is a more youthful complexion: Elimination of hyper-pigmentation caused by acne, sun damage, or hormonal changes; a bright, porcelain-like tone and texture; and a temporary lift to sagging, aged skin.

A consultation prior to your treatment is necessary, as peels are not made for everyone. I find it interesting that if you are a diabetic, it is not recommended to do a glycolic peel, since it is derived from the sugar cane, your blood-glucose levels could potentially be affected. Anyone with inflamed acne, sunburn, or open lesions should allow a few days to let the conditions subside before attempting a peel. If you are currently receiving microdermabrasion treatments, or are on Retin-A or Accutane , you must be absolutely off of your program for an extended period of time before starting on a peel series.

If you are looking for effective results for an affordable price, getting a peel will provide guaranteed satisfaction! As Dr. Suzie Schuder, our head doctor at AIMM puts it, “Peels really are appealing!”

Danielle Fisher