While I am not an esthetician I often get asked which esthetic treatments I recommend in order to improve and maintain healthy skin. I’m an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner which means I’m licensed through 7 years of medical nursing school and I focus mostly on injections like Botox and fillers, some more invasive lasering and lifting treatments, and of course medical grade skincare.
Estheticians focus more on skin health with treatments such as facials, chemical peels, dermaplaning, cosmetic needling, and other non-invasive treatments. I work with THE best and most talented estys so of course I want to share with you some of what they have to offer here on my blog as well!
With the weather getting colder, and often more dry there are some treatments that are almost universally beneficial! Meaning that every skin type will LOVE these treatments. The goal is to treat the skin from the inside and out (and by inside I mean the inner layers of the skin!). Everything that comes in contact with your face; makeup, dust, dirt, skincare products, and bacteria can permeate the top layer. A good face wash will help remove debris and clean pores but every 3 months or so we need some extra TLC.
Today I’m sharing about dermaplaning, hydrafacials and VI peels! As a nurse practitioner I actually don’t perform these types of treatments, as I specialize in injections and other skin treatments. But I know how powerful and transformative they can be for skin!
PS. Any work should be undetectable, so don’t worry about that you’ll just be glowing and beautiful!
Here are 3 of my “go-to” treatments that I recommend and love to receive personally!
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a super quick, non invasive treatment that makes your skin GLOW. It involves gently scraping the service of your skin with a thin surgical blade. Don’t worry you are not going to get cut! This procedure removes peach fuzz hair and dead cells. Yes, it is like shaving your face, no, the hair will not come back thicker (that’s a myth!!). You will be left with super soft skin and a fresh surface for applying your skin care products! You can follow up your dermaplaning with a facial for even more intense results!
Dermaplaning is awesome because you walk out with no down time and fresher brighter skin. You’re usually in and out in 30 minutes and it’s recommended to have it done only every 4-6 weeks.
HydraFacial
A HydraFacial is a totally customizable medical grade facial. It’s so much more than just getting your face washed and exfoliated in a spa-like way! Don’t get me wrong it’s still so relaxing, but this treatment is going to really induce change in the skin. This style of facial cleanses, detoxifies, exfoliates, extracts and hydrates in one treatment! Even better its appropriate for all skin types — normal, oily, sensitive, aging. The treatment improves skin quality, fine lines and wrinkles, pore size, and hyperpigmentation.
PS. If you’re getting a ‘hydra -facial ‘ or a ‘hydrating facial’ it’s likely not the same! The HydraFacial is a uses specific training, tools and techniques!
The true HydraFacial treatment is administered with the trademark HydraFacial machine which includes a vacuum system, multiple suction and serum application heads and a monitor. Yes it sounds like an advanced robot but it’s still a human operated system! The treatment starts with cleansing by removing the dead skin cells and excess sebum from the skin. It’s a total detox for your skin – SO purifying! Then the HydraPeel tip is used to vacuum out blackheads, dirt, oil, and impurities, while hydrating, plumping, and nourishing serums are simultaneously applied to the skin.
If you are a bit of a crazy person like me you can look in the container at the end and see all of the “floaters” that just came out of your face! Talk about gratifying!
Just like dermaplaning there is no downtime, it’s completely painless and you will walk out with fresher, brighter skin. Post treatment your make-up will apply smoother and skincare products will penetrate better. This treatment takes about 60-80 minutes and I recommend coming in once a month or bi-monthly.
Vi Peel
I love a good chemical peel! They can be beneficial for all skin types. If you are in a maintenance stage I’d recommend just 1-2 chemical intense treatments but year. If you are trying to correct a skin issue like acne scarring, pigmentation problems or acne itself then a series of chemical peels is going to be required to move you in the right direction.
The Vi Peel is relatively gentle and prioritizes exfoliating off dead skin leaving your skin tighter and brighter. When we hear ‘exfoliate’ we often think of rubbing an abrasive substance over the skin like sand, salt, sugar or something with microbeads in it. BUT what you might not know is liquids can also be exfoliating when they have an acid component.
A Vi Peel ™ (Vitality Institute Peel) works by creating micro-damage to the skin’s top layer which causes it to peel off but also stimulates regeneration and new growth. The peeling stage happens over the course of 2-7 days after the treatment but the peeling itself is actually quite minimal, less noticeable than a sunburn for example. Compared to the Vampire Facial (Microneedling) this recovery is a walk in the park.
However, it’s super super super important that you do not pick off the peeling skin. Instead stay moisturized and the cells with detach themselves and be gently washed away with water at the end of your day. Premature peeling can lead to deeper damage to the skin, bleeding and rawness and end up developing into hyperpigmentation. The exact opposite of what we want!
You definitely don’t want to be applying face makeup during the time of healing. Let the acids and vitamins work their magic and reap the rewards of erasing fine lines and wrinkles, smaller pores and stimulation of collagen and elastin productive to tighten the skin!
Which treatment is best for me?
After learning about dermaplaning, hydrafacials and vi peels you might be wondering which is best for you! Here’s a quick summary:
- Dermaplaning – A quick, noninvasive treatment with no down time to freshen and brighten skin and allow products to penetrate better.
- HydraFacial -A multistep deep cleansing process to brighten skin and promote healthier regeneration and reduce any fine lines or dullness etc. No down-time. 60-80 minute appointment.
- Vi Peel – A more intense chemical peel appropriate for almost all skin types in moderation. An incredibly rejuvenating and transformational treatment that requires 2-10 days of healing and care. Targets hyperpigmentation, melasma, rosacea, enlarged pores, oil balancing, and overall skin health.
As I mentioned I don’t perform these treatments however, I’m more than confident in my entire team at Racquel Aesthetics and we’d love to meet you! If you’re out of town ask questions and find a clinic you’re comfortable and confident in!
Bonus Skin Tip
When you can’t get into the clinic use medical grade skincare DAILY! It’s the easiest way to make the biggest change over time! Use the form on my site to contact me for your customized skin care plan today. If you want to start with just one product and you asked me what to pick it would be Lux Pads which you can read more about here!
XO
Racquel
