Tips From A Pro: How To Make Your Skin Care Budget Go Further

As a licensed aesthetician I want to help my clients achieve their healthiest skin possible. There are services and treatments that should only be performed by a licensed aesthetician, while there are others that with proper instruction and under the care of a licensed professional, consumers can do on themselves.

With the technology advancements today, consumers are given lots of choices to use gizmos at home that are highly effective and very safe.  Along with high tech gadgets for home use, there are also other ways to save your money in between your professional treatments.  I caveat this with the fact that I think it is best to use these devices while under the care of a licensed professional.

These tips are not intended to replace professional treatments but rather serve as alternatives for those who can’t afford regular treatments or expensive products.

It’s very important to keep up with your regular professional treatments, this is where you get the deep cleansing and exfoliation that you can’t, and shouldn’t do at home. My suggestions below are to help maintain your skin in between professional treatments, and also help stretch them out a little longer for those who don’t have the spare cash laying around for a recommended monthly treatment.

Gadgets

For my acne clients, I recommend they buy a high frequency device to help keep their breakouts under control in between treatments. High frequency devices use argon gas to emit oxygen, killing the bacteria below the skin. Technology is now very safe and effective for home use with proper instruction and usage. And they are also very inexpensive, you can purchase one for as little at $50 on StackedSkincare.

For my clients concerned with anti aging, I recommend a Red LED, Microcurrent, and/or Microneedling.  You get maximum benefits if you're doing these treatments more frequently at home and they also increase the effectiveness of your professional treatments.  You’re not going to get results unless you use these devices on a regular and frequent basis, so if you purchase it, commit to it!  Use these devices 3-5 times a week to see noticeable results.

• LED therapy stands for Light emitting diode (LED). The device emits specific wavelengths of light that provide a safe method of cell renewal. Infrared or red light is great for boosting collagen. Ideal for those who want to treat wrinkles as well as rosacea, scars, eczema, burns and psoriasis.   LightStim
• Microcurrent uses a very low level of current that mirrors the body’s own natural electrical pulses.  It works by mimicking the way the brain relays messages to the muscles and is used mainly for stimulating facial muscles to firm and tone.  Microcurrent is best for aging or sagging skin to rebuilds and restore the natural curves of the face.                                          NuFace
• Microneedling with a .2mm or less is pain free and a highly effective at home procedure with no downtime and results are seen instantly.  Microneedling stimulates collagen and significantly increases product absorption of active ingredients. Perfect for plumping, smoothing and hydrating skin while restoring collagen levels.  For needles larger than .25mm, I always recommend are done by a professional.  StackedSkincare

Cleansers & Moisturizers

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on expensive cleansers and moisturizers, save it for home care treatments and devices.

Cleansers

Purchase a cleanser that is pH balanced and has the right ingredients for your skin type. Cetaphil is a great drugstore option for normal to dry skin. I recommend those with oily/acne prone skin to use a cleanser with Salicylic acid. Try our Prebiotic Gel Cleanser which feeds the good bacteria on your skin and safe for acne prone skin!

Moisturizers

Moisturizers are intended to occlude and protect your skin, they don’t really penetrate the epidermis. Save your money on expensive moisturizers and buy serums.

Acne prone skin needs moisture too, if you skip this essential step, it will make your acne worse. If you dry your skin out too much, your skin will think it needs to produce more oil, only compounding your acne issues. Stick with a light water based moisturizer and your skin will thank you. Check out our Microbiome Rescue Daily Moisturizer!

Exfoliation

Shaving your face is great for exfoliation, brightening, collagen stimulation, deeper product penetration, and smoother makeup application.  It instantly smoothes and brightens your complexion.  It’s a quick, safe and easy to do at home with our Dermaplaning Tool.

Anti aging tip: shave the back of your hands!  do this in the shower a couple of times a week and apply moisturizer to smooth out lines and hydrate.