Hydrate Your Skin with Juvéderm

Hydrate Your Skin with Juvéderm

If you suffer from dry skin, you know how frustrating it can be when you can’t find any treatment that will work. Many over-the-counter options treat temporary skin dryness at a surface level, without helping you get to the root of the issue. However, Juvéderm HYDRATE is different!

Juvéderm HYDRATE is a member of the Juvéderm injection line of ULTRA fillers, which include hyaluronic acid and mannitol, an antioxidant. These ingredients work together in Juvéderm HYDRATE to improve your skin’s hydration and elasticity by replacing hyaluronic acid that we lose naturally as we age. The addition of mannitol is what sets Juvéderm HYDRATE apart because it helps slow down the breakdown of the hyaluronic acid, allowing the product to last longer than other hyaluronic acid products on the market.

Juvéderm HYDRATE is different from other fillers because it works to hydrate your skin from the inside out. It does this by attracting more moisture and then keeping the moisture in your skin for longer, giving you a healthy glow! HYDRATE is injected in small quantities and can be placed in your face, neck, hands, or décolletage.

Juvéderm HYDRATE can last between four and six months, depending on your personal skin condition. This is a shorter amount of time than other Juvéderm fillers, but this is because Juvéderm HYDRATE is injected superficially instead of deep within your skin like other fillers.

Juvéderm HYDRATE is part of a skin treatment known as mesotherapy. Mesotherapy is where your filler is placed just below your outer skin layers, rather than deep into your skin. This method allows you to get more hydrated skin which will help boost the brightness and smoothness of your skin, leaving you with more natural results. The Juvéderm HYDRATE pulls moisture into the area that it’s injected into, allowing you to experience better hydration in the dry areas of your skin.

Most people experience little to no side effects after receiving Juvéderm HYDRATE, making it a great option for anyone considering it! If you do experience side effects, they will likely be mild including redness, itching, swelling, pain, or discomfort at the injection site.

If you’ve been suffering from dry skin due to natural aging and you’re looking for a low-maintenance treatment option that works, Juvéderm HYDRATE is the perfect treatment for you! If you think this is a good fit for your skin, schedule a consultation with Beauty & Body By Mia today to see if Juvéderm HYDRATE can help you get your hydrated skin back!

Why People Choose Mesotherapy

Why People Choose Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy comprises many types of procedures to help your skin and body look its best. Mesotherapy can help reduce fat deposits, liven and tighten-up facial muscles and skin, and even support optimal hair growth.

Mesotherapy for Fat Reduction

This is often referred to as LipoDissolve, a procedure in which FDA-approved medications are injected into the areas where you want some extra help dissolving fat. The fat cells in the treated areas absorb the medication, become inflamed, and then harden, after which they are broken down and expelled out of the body via natural processes.

This particular mesotherapy solution, usually comprised of phosphatidylcholine deoxycholate (PCDC) micro-injections, involves ultra-fine needles inserted into the body wherever you want to reduce fat. This can be done in the stomach, hips, back, arms, chest, or even the face! Depending on the surface area of the skin, and how much fat you’d like to remove, up to 120 injections can be done in one session.

Mesotherapy is often used after traditional liposuction procedures, as well. Sometimes, liposuction can leave residual fatty areas that you want to “touch up.” Mesotherapy is a great option for this!

Mesotherapy for Facials

When your face needs a “lift,” but you don’t want to go with the traditionally invasive full facelift procedure, MesoBotox is the answer. MesoBotox uses needles finer than the hairs on your head to inject a variety of serums and solutions, including Botox, hyaluronic acid, and others, all of which can improve the sheen, tone, and/or texture of your face.

MesoBotox (and related procedures) have the benefits of shrinking your pores, plumping and filling out areas you want to be highlighted, and hydrating your overall complexion. This also helps stimulate your skin’s natural collagen production, which keeps your skin looking great all the time.

MesoCapil injections are another type of mesotherapy for your face. Here, a strengthening serum is injected under the skin which helps heal broken capillaries, reduces redness and inflammation, and treats puffiness. This therapy also improves the vascular system underneath your skin, detoxing your face and giving you that youthful glow that you crave.

Mesotherapy for Hair Growth

Mesotherapy can also be beneficial for those who want some extra help with their hair growth as they age. Using the same process of serum injections with super-fine needles, the hair’s natural regeneration process is kicked back into gear, encouraging lustrous and voluminous hair growth.

Mesotherapy for the scalp helps bring vital nutrients and blood circulation to the scalp and balances the hormones, making an optimal environment for hair growth.

Benefits for Everyone

Almost anyone can benefit from some form of mesotherapy! Getting regular treatments helps detox the skin, reduces the likelihood of developing redness or puffiness, stimulates collagen production, and promotes anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant defenses against the environment.

Keeping Your Skin Safe and Supple this Summer

Keeping Your Skin Safe and Supple this Summer

Everyone knows that keeping your skin hydrated and safe from the sun is important all year long, but in the summer it becomes even more important. Here are some tips to stay safe while enjoying that Vitamin D.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen goes without saying; however, it’s important to choose one that fits your body and your lifestyle. Depending on the level of melanin in your skin and the UV index where you live, you’ll choose from a range of SPFs. No matter the SPF number, you want broad-spectrum, which protects you against both UVA and UVB rays.

You can also choose natural mineral sunscreen or one with zinc (to give you that cool lifeguard white-nose look) if you’re worried about the chemicals in your protection. The best type of sunscreen is one that you enjoy using because it will make it more likely that you turn the application into a daily habit.

Skin Needs Moisture

Even though summer often comes with humidity, which is created by extra moisture in the air, your skin needs moisture added in deliberately. During the summer, you’ll want one that’s light and airy, though, so you don’t feel extra weighed down on top of the higher temps and humidity levels.

Choosing a daily moisturizer with an SPF does double duty; if you put it on first thing in the morning you won’t have to worry about it later!

Let Up on the Makeup

Summer often means sweat. No one wants streaky, sweaty makeup in pictures or on their clothes. Use the weather as an excuse to lighten up on the coverage, and give your skin a well-deserved break. Letting your skin have the time without coverage will allow it to breathe and reset.

Just like with the sunscreen, choosing makeup with an SPF gives you extra protection without having to apply an additional sunscreen.

Exfoliation Is Key

Even though it’s important to hydrate and use sunscreen daily, these layers on top of the fact that your skin is sweating can clog your pores like whoa. Grab a gentle exfoliator to use a couple of times a week so that you can clear out your pores, which will show off the fresh, healthy skin underneath.

If you’ve accidentally gotten sunburned, though, skip the exfoliation until your skin is healed!

Wrapping It Up

Many of these skincare tips are similar to ones that you’ll want to use year-round. However, summertime is a time when it benefits you to give some extra-special love to your skin… it’s the only skin you’ll ever get! For a free skincare consultation or to book an appointment, contact Beauty and Body by Mia TODAY

What to Do When Products Cause Unexpected Breakouts

What to Do When Products Cause Unexpected Breakouts

Obviously, you use skin products and procedures to look your best. But sometimes, those efforts can trigger a rash or a breakout that defeats what you were trying to accomplish. In that case, what is the safest course of action that protects your skin and clears up the flare-up?

As part of our continuing educational series, let’s discuss what you should do when products cause unexpected breakouts such as redness, rashes, and hives.

Why Breakouts Happen

The first and most common cause of a breakout is an allergic reaction — your skin comes in contact with an ingredient that triggers a histamine response, i.e., hives. Typically, hives stay limited, remaining at or near the area of application.

Redness after using an anti-aging or exfoliating product (face masks, chemical peels, etc.) is a different matter. Because these products are by definition intended to remove a tiny layer of skin, some irritation is likely to occur. This is especially true with products containing retinol, salicylic acid, or other acne-fighting ingredients.

Acne breakouts are common when the formula of the beauty product is oil-based and clogs your pores, trapping oil and bacteria.

Finally, breakouts sometimes happen if you haven’t washed and exfoliated well, or you are using a product that is expired and that might contain irritating bacteria.

Specific Solutions to Specific Breakout Problems

If you are suffering from hives due to an allergic reaction, immediately stop using the product and get it off of your skin. Experts recommend removing the product with room temperature water or a gentle moisturizer.

Be careful not to scrub too hard or with hot water, as each of these can intensify the histamine reaction. Never try to camouflage or cover up the affected area with cosmetics.

If the hives are severe or painful, you can also take an over-the-counter antihistamine allergy medication, such as Benadryl or Zyrtec. These remedies reduce the inflammation, itching, and discomfort of the allergic rash.

Of extreme importance, if you suffer more serious side effects such as swelling of the tongue or throat, pronounced swelling of the face, or shortness of breath, this is a medical emergency, and you should either call 911 or seek immediate attention.

For puffiness and redness due to irritation, rinse your face several times with water to make sure you have removed all of the irritants. For added relief, you can apply soothing hydrocortisone cream or a light layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor.

It can be tempting to want to get rid of annoying pimples by picking or popping them. But this could cause the affected area to become even more irritated and inflamed. At worst, you could even develop an infection leading to permanent scarring.

Instead, carefully cleanse the area with salicylic acid and apply a topical antibiotic or a benzoyl peroxide gel.

Meeting and Treating All Your Skin Care Needs

The best way to ensure the optimal health of your skin is to only use products recommended by a trusted professional who is familiar with your specific skin condition and needs.

In the greater Chicago area, your best and most trusted resource is Beauty and Body by Mia. As one of the leading aestheticians in the area, Mia Valleskey offers skincare products, procedures, and services that keep you looking healthier and younger.

For a free skincare consultation or to book an appointment, contact Beauty and Body by Mia TODAY

Thermage vs Ultherapy: Choosing the Right Anti-Aging Procedure

Thermage vs Ultherapy: Choosing the Right Anti-Aging Procedure

When you want to look your best but don’t want to endure invasive procedures, two of your best options are Thermage and Ultherapy. Both promise to tighten your skin and remove wrinkles without surgery, but which one is right for you?

To help you decide, let’s take a closer look at these two no-cutting-but-cutting-edge beauty procedures that can help you regain your healthy youthful glow and take years off your appearance.

Thermage: Heating Things Up

Thermage is a non-invasive and FDA-cleared skin rejuvenation procedure that treats crow’s feet, crepey skin, jawline jowls, upper eyelid hooding and sagging, and loose skin on the body.

Thermage tightens the skin and removes wrinkles on your face and body. This versatile beauty treatment is safe for all skin tones and types and can be used almost anywhere on your body:

  • Around the eyes
  • Along the jawline
  • Backs of the hands
  • Arms
  • Stomach
  • Knees
  • Thighs
  • Butt

Thermage uses radiofrequency energy to heat the dermis — the layer just below the surface of your skin – to between 104 degrees and 131 degrees Fahrenheit, triggering an immediate collagen contraction. As new collagen slowly develops, you will be blessed with firmer, smoother, and tighter skin.

As an added bonus, Thermage has been cleared by the FDA as a treatment that temporarily improves cellulite and dimpled skin. Thermage gives you smoother, more beautiful skin by stimulating collagen growth and increasing circulation.

Best of all, Thermage treats sagging skin in one treatment, eliminating downtime.

Ultherapy: Sounding Things Out

Likewise, Ultherapy is also non-invasive and FDA-cleared. It lifts and firms the skin on the face, neck, and chin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles on the upper chest.

As the name suggests, Ultherapy utilizes focused ultrasound heat energy to stimulate collagen growth. Even better, providers can use ultrasound imaging to specifically target the tissues that need the most help. Ultherapy penetrates deeply into skin layers that once were only accessible through invasive surgical means.

Best of all, the results of this single-treatment, no-downtime procedure improve over time.

Comparing Thermage and Ultherapy

The ultrasound energy used in Ultherapy reaches the deepest skin layers easier than the RF technology utilized by Thermage. This means that each procedure is superior for different types of problems.

Thermage:

  • Better at reducing wrinkles and bulges
  • Produces noticeable results faster
  • 45- to 90-minute sessions

Ultherapy:

  • Tightens skin better
  • More precise
  • Less painful
  • Produces longer-lasting results

Making the Right Choice for You

Thermage and Ultherapy both have distinct advantages for similar issues. Choosing the right one depends on your specific skin problems and beauty goals.

If you live in the Chicago area, your first and best resource is Beauty and Body by Mia. As one of the area’s leading aestheticians, Mia Valleskey can help you achieve your beauty goals and enjoy a more youthful and healthy appearance.

To learn about skin rejuvenation or to schedule a consultation, contact Beauty and Body by Mia TODAY