Ask An Aesthetician: Q&A with Lisa Best
Lisa Best, Licensed Aesthetician
She’s no johnny-come-lately. Lisa has been in the beauty business since 198…well you get the idea. She knows a thing or two about helping you look your best. Lisa is certified in many different skin procedures including: Microdermabrasion, Intense Pulsed Light, LED treatments and much more. She has extensive knowledge about the skin through practice and advanced education both in the U.S. and abroad.
You’ve asked, and we’ve listened. Seasons Aesthetician, Lisa Best, is here to answer some common questions you have about your skin! If you would like to see your skincare questions answered on our blog, email: office@seasonswc.com with the subject line: Ask An Aesthetician.
Q: Some people think freckles are “cute” but I don’t. Is it possible to get rid of my freckles?
A: Freckles are cute but if you want to get rid of them, I can help. Freckles are dark spots of melanin that occur on people who are pale or fair-skinned. To fade freckles, we suggest having a photofacial and using a lightening product with hydroquinone (like Obagi Clear). Photofacials make your skin more youthful by making freckles less noticeable. Photofacials use thermal energy and light to promote collagen production in the skin dermis. The freckle absorbs the wavelength and the pigment is broken apart. The fragmented pieces are absorbed into the body. There’s barely a trace of the original freckle. For best results, we recommend having a series of photofacials, use Obagi NuDerm Clear and use a broad spectrum SPF daily.
Q: My skin is starting to show signs of laxity/sagging, is there a facial that will help?
A: Yes! The Hydradermie Lift. The Hydradermie Lift uses muscle stimulation to tighten your muscles. Its like an exercise for your face! But just like exercise, you can’t be do it once and expect to get the best results. For best results it should be done in a series – usually 4-6 treatments once a week and then once every 2-3 months for maintenance.
Q: I have age spots on my hand and chest! Is there anything I can do to get rid of them?
A: Photofacial treatments (IPL) on the hands and chest work great for fading age spots. The IPL treatments may take a few treatments before noticing a major difference, but eventually the spots will fade. You will need to wear sunscreen everyday or they will come back!
Q: Facials, facials, facials. How will I ever choose? Is it ok to tell my Aesthetician that I would like something in particular?
It is absolutely ok for you to tell the Aesthetician that you would like something in particular. To help you choose, decide if you want a more relaxing facial, corrective facial or a little of both. If you aren’t a seasoned spa-goer and still aren’t sure, we are here to help. At Seasons, we provide clients with complementary consultations and we use a VISIA skin analysis machine to take pictures of your skin. The VISIA gives us a detailed picture of your skin and shows skin damage, texture, wrinkles, giving us a good idea of where we need to start on your skin care regimen.
Q: I wash my face every morning and every night but I still have blackheads. What should I do?
A: We are all plagued by those pesky blackheads. Blackheads are created by a build-up of excess oil in the pores. When this oil is exposed to oxygen, it turns a dark color. To get rid of them, try a product that has Benzoyl Peroxide 5%. Apply a thin layer of the benzoyl peroxide to the blackheads and allow it to dry. Repeat this process at night before bedtime, and your blackheads should disappear. At Seasons – The Spa, we have lots of great products and facials to help with blackheads.
Q: I am starting to get wrinkles! Is there anything I can do to prevent wrinkles without getting Botox injections?
A: You have probably heard about the Clarisonic Pro but what about their newest gem, the Opal? The Clarisonic Opal uses sonicare waves penetrating serum deep into the skin resulting in a smooth appearance. I would also suggest using Retin A every night. Retin A increases collagen production and helps prevent the signs of aging (consult a skin care specialist or physician before using Retin A). Obagi products are also great for transforming your skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Q: I have Rosacea. Can it be cured? If not, is there something I can do to suppress the symptoms?
A: Unfortunately there is no cure. But you can suppress the symptoms during a flare up. Depending on your skin and the severity, we would try procedures such as IPL and red light treatments to help strengthen capillaries. Products such as Obagi Rosaclear and Guinot Red Logic are also really good for clients with Rosacea. Make an appointment for a consultation with your Aesthetician to make sure you are taking advantage of all of the great procedures and products for your skin – and aren’t doing something that could make it worse.
Complimentary Services at the Seasons Fall Spectacular
Relax, renew, rejuvenate.
That’s our motto for the second annual Seasons Fall Spectacular. We’ve been very busy preparing for the event these last few weeks, and patients are going to have a wonderful time. Space is limited, so be sure to download our flier and RSVP at 318.255.3223.
Our month of educational opportunities and complimentary services will begin with the Day of Discovery on September 4 at the Squire Creek Country Club. (Let me tell you, you should come out for the event just to have an excuse to experience this beautiful country club.)
But we’re also going to have some really interesting things for you to see. Patients will have a chance to see live demonstrations of botox, dermal fillers, and and much more. You hear these procedures talked about in the media quite a bit, but we’re going to cut through all the talk and show you exactly what the possibilities are.
I’m particularly excited to demonstrate two new resources available in our Seasons offices. We’ll be offering live demonstrations of both Smooth Shape and the Visia Imaging System. Representatives from these companies will be there too.
You’ll discover new technologies that will help you achieve your personal health and beauty goals. You’ll be able to draw on the expertise of our aestheticians who will help you renew your healthy glow. And we’ll show you how skin care can leave you looking younger and feeling rejuvenated.
This is your opportunity to experience our services, ask questions, see demonstrations, hear professionals, enjoy a little food, and visualize the new you! And best of all…
Everything is complimentary!
A Day of Discovery presented by Seasons Medical Aesthetics and Spa
Squire Creek Country Club, Choudrant, LA
Complimentary services: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Info sessions: 12 Noon – 1 p.m.; 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Hair Removal: What’s best?
There are so many methods of removing unwanted hair, but some temporary methods—like waxing, tweezing, threading or using depilatories—can irritate the skin and actually cause increased hair growth.
Electrolysis
Thankfully, electrolysis was discovered by an ophthalmologist over 100 years ago. It is the only FDA approved form of “permanent” hair removal. It’s permanent because it is the only method that destroys the hair follicle.
Don’t worry, destruction is a process of weakening the follicle through multiple treatments. Electrolysis works for all hair regardless of color because its target is the follicle. For the same reason, it is tolerated by all skin types.
Be aware that it is a slow, tedious procedure, and will require a commitment of time and money from the client. That said, electrolysis is the treatment of choice for small areas like the brow bone, lip, ears, chin, fingers and toes and other areas where the hair is too light for laser or IPL devices.
IPL and Laser
IPL (intense pulse light) and laser treatments are effective on melanin found in the hair shaft. (Red, blonde, white and grey hair cannot be removed with laser or IPL.) Both devices are FDA approved for permanent hair reduction because they do not completely destroy the follicle. This means your hair could grow back, but it will be much smaller in size, thickness and growth pattern.
IPL and laser treatment would be the treatment choice for large areas—like your back, legs, bikini, abdomen, etc.
Both electrolysis, which is electric based, and laser/IPL, light based devices, are very effective for their specific areas of application. Together, they can accomplish much greater results than either can do independently.
Trypsin
In 2004, the FDA approved trypsin for use in eliminating unwanted hair. First, trypsin is applied to the skin after hair removal. (The fancy word for hair removal is epilation.) Then, we use galvanic current to diminish regrowth.
See a Professional
For any hair removal treatment to be effective you’ll first need a clinical evaluation by a qualified professional. You could have hirsutism or hypertrichosis, for instance. (Don’t worry, I’ll cover those ideas in a future post.)
A successful treatment plan will be as individual as you are. A professional electrologist is proficient in the most advanced treatment methods and techniques and will provide you with a customized plan that will address your specific concerns.
Terri Grayson, LE, is a licensed electrologist at It’s Permanent Aesthetic Clinic in Monroe, Louisiana.
