A Look at Home Complexion Treatments

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With today’s new at-home high-performance products you can schedule your own skin treatment sessions. If you use these products correctly you can get significant benefits without the appointments, needles or doctor’s fees.

Microdermabrasion

In this process dermatologists exfoliate the skin with aluminum oxide particles to slough off its outermost, dulling layer. This leaves the complexion brighter and more even-toned. The cost of this treatment is anywhere from $150-$250 per treatment, usually performed in a series of six to twelve sessions. Possible side effects include: redness and irritation, as well as leftover aluminum oxide particles that may make their way to the mouth, nose or ears.

Home based versions of this treatment use the same particles, in an easier to administer cream form. You gently rub into the skin which reduces the chance of irritation or ingesting the particles. To equal the treatment of one office treatment you need at least two to four –twice weekly at home sessions. More is not better. Abuse of the product can lead to raw sensitive skin. You also must always apply sunscreen and moisturizer afterward, as freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to damage from the sun’s light.
Neutrogena Advanced Solutions At Home MicroDermabrasion System

Chemical Peels

These are similar to the microdermabrasion treatments in that they remove the outermost layer of skin, revealing fresh, radiant skin underneath. They work chemically with fruit, sugar or milk based acids by dissolving dead skin cells and lifting them from skin surface. In office treatments provide long-term results and costs about $100-$150. The potential side effects include redness and irritation if left on skin for too long.

At home versions of this treatment, attempt to find the perfect balance of effectiveness with the least risk of side effects. Lancôme has a four-step Resurface Peel which uses an eight percent glycolic-acid solution and includes a soothing cream. The cost is $145 for eight biweekly sessions. Other options include RoC Resurfacing Facial Peel Kit ($26) and Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Facial Peel ($25 for 1.7 ounces). Estee Lauder has Idealist Micro-d deep Thermal Refinisher ( $45 for 2.5 ounces)which gentle mimics the actions of in office treatments using glucosamine to break down the chemical bonds of the skin’s outer layer.

Laser-Like Lifting and Lightening

Lasers can perform many functions in the skin care field. Some plump, tighten and resurface skin, while others even out pigmentation. The costs range from $800-$2500 depending on type of treatment and area treated. Side effects include temporary redness and or blotchiness and hypersensitivity to the sun.
The newest at home skin-care products can copy some of the laser’s benefits thanks to high tech ingredient delivery systems that allow active elements to penetrate deeper into the skin, producing more dramatic results. Cosmeceuticals stimulate the skin to look better. Lancôme’s Reenergize Micro lift ($74 for 1.7 ounces) contains microscopic particles of silica and proteins that form an invisible “network” over the skin, pulling up the skin in the process. In just four weeks, 80% of women showed firmer looking skin.

Some lasers hit the skin and target the skin pigment melanin, red blood cells that cause discoloration and immediately break them down, helping to even out skin tone. Creams can have similar results in a less evasive way. Lightening ingredients such as hydroquinone and botanicals like licorice extract gradually fade sun and age spots over a period of three to six months. Avon’s Anew Clinical Laser System ($32) is a two-step treatment that reduces the appearance of dark spots, redness and broken capillaries. A pen-like applicator allows for precise application of discoloration-correcting ingredients. The second step is a protecting cream with an SPF of 30 which should be used immediately afterwards or the following morning.

Lip Filing

Hollywood is obsessed with plumped-up lips. This leaves us regular folk craving a fuller pout. Invasive injections of fillers like collagen and hyaluronic acid- performed by dermatologists and plastic surgeons can cost $550 and up. Side effects can include swelling and pain.

Lip plumpers were invented to cause an inflammatory response that makes lips swell temporarily with ingredients like cinnamon and menthol. They create a tingle that may take some time to get used to. But you can see and feel the difference for a period of two to three hours. Sovage Transdermal Lip Plumper not only increases the size of your lips, it also refines and reshapes the look of your lips. It helps reduce the appearance of lip wrinkles while hydrating and protecting your lips. It can be applied over or under your favorite lip color.

Botox Treatment

Botox Cosmetic, a purified form of botulinum toxin injected by dermatologists and plastic surgeons into the tiny facial muscles that form expressions to temporarily relax them. This erases the creases for up to four months. The costs range from $300-$600 a visit depending on where you live and how many areas you have injected. The side effects may include mild and temporary pain, inflammation, swelling and bruising at the injection site.

At home products include creams such as StriVectin-SD. This cream already clinical proven to reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks is also safe to use on the face to diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and crows feet. The results are smoother younger complexions with less irritation and faster results.

Acne Treatments

If you are fighting a battle against acne, chances are you have tried many different treatments and products. A new at home complete acne management system developed by dermatologists is the Proactiv Solution. This advanced effective acne treatment costs a fraction of the cost of a doctor’s visit and can help prevent new acne before it starts rather than treating one breakout at a time.

The three steps in the Proactiv Solution program include: A renewing cleanser that gently exfoliates the skin, a revitalizing toner which lifts excess oil which calms your skin and a repairing lotion medicated with Benzoyl Peroxide to penetrate deep beneath the skin’s surface and heal blemishes at their source. Used together they cleanse and refine your skin. It is one of the best acne-fighting systems available today.

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