All posts in Skin Care

Are You Still Checking Out My Skin?

By Scarlet Mom | October 5, 2011 | Self Improvement, Skin Care | Comments Off

This is a follow-up post to Oh Baby Check Out Her Skin. I still stand behind everything I wrote and every product I wrote about but I have changed my regimen slightly. Why? Because I’m getting older (aren’t we all?) and as you age so does your skin.

You should re-evaluate your skin regimen annually, even sooner, if you have a life altering event like having a baby, a high stress event like a divorce, or move somewhere that has a completely new climate. All of these things effect either your body or the external elements around you. As always, you should always visit a licensed dermatologist, especially if you have problem skin or are just starting to really take care of your skin. A good microdermabrasion and mini chemical peel can get your skin started on the right track to looking its best. These procedures remove any dead skin as well as the top layer of living skin so that a new, healthy layer regenerates in its place. This is what Retin-A does and why people who use it regularly have such youthful skin; it is constantly sloughing off the top layer of skin and regenerating a new one. It’s why you must purchase Retin-A from a physician and why I strongly recommend only receiving chemical peels from a dermatologist or plastic surgeon’s office.

Also take note as to whether or not your doctor has grown bored with you. Does he or she rush through your appointment? Does he brush off your questions? Does he discuss the latest treatments with you? Does the office offer all the newest services that you want and need? Do they have products in stock or are they always running out? Do they try to sell you too hard on things you don’t need? Don’t be afraid to take charge (to a point; don’t insist on procedures you don’t need) and don’t be afraid to insist on time with your physician. Remember, this is YOUR time; you are paying for it. Never be afraid to leave your doctor and find a new one. The doctor/patient relationship is an important one and you should feel comfortable.

Now, here is my new skin care routine:

I have dropped the Glycolic portion. As you age you lose natural oils out of your skin. Although the glycolic produced a synergistic effect, it was drying out my skin.

Retin-A: I use “Refissa 0.05%.” It contains a light mineral oil so it is very emollient. I used this every night. (When starting a Retin-A regimen, you will start every two nights and gradually build up.) Don’t forget your hands!! They never lie when it comes to age.

Bleaching cream: I apply a bleaching cream sparingly to my face prior to the Retin-A. It is a prescription strength, 4% hydroquinone. (Hormones as well as sun exposure can cause dark splotches in the skin. This helps keep them at bay. If you currently have them, you can have them frozen to remove them or slowly bleach them.)

Exfoliate: I use “Dr. Michelle Copeland” microdermabrasion formula to scrub my face every other day. As I stated above, Retin-A causes your skin to regenerate so you will need to exfoliate the dead skin frequently.

Sunblock: Retin-A makes your skin very sensitive to sunlight. I apply “Neutrogena’s UltraSheer SPF55″ daily as my moisturizer.

Neck Moisturizer: Age is a bitch and my neck needs extra moisturizing. Day and night I apply “SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream.”

Eyes: Day and night I apply “SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair.”

Vitamin C: I have added “SkinMedica Vitamin C Plus E Complex” to my regimen. I apply this in the morning only under my sunscreen. I absolutely love it!! I started using it when I read some research including this:

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free-radical damage — free radicals are unstable molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. New research shows that ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a derivative of vitamin C, not only neutralizes free radicals, but also reverses DNA damage [source: University of Leicester].

Wash: I wash my face every night with “SkinMedica Facial Cleanser.” Mornings I just splash with warm water. For my eyes I use Kiehl’s Supremely Gentle Eye Make-up Remover.

Body: Nothing but Kiehl’s. I love their “Creme de Corps” body lotion and adore how soft it makes my skin. I have gotten many compliments.

Are you thinking, “What a pain in the ass?” “Does she really do this every day?” The answer is, “Yes. Every single day.” Just like every other woman on this planet I have body and image issues. But the one thing I do know is that I have great skin. I have worked at it for many years. I love it when I get stopped in airports or on the street and complimented or asked what my secret is. I love that men notice it and compliment me. Bottom line…it’s worth every second.

Still Rockin’ It
Scarlet Mom

PS The photo at the very top with Harry was taken today with Photo Booth and was not retouched in any way.

PPS I should add that I eat healthy, don’t smoke, and drink plenty of water.

Do You BOTOX?

By Scarlet Mom | February 20, 2011 | Self Improvement, Skin Care | Comments Off

Do you BOTOX? Have you ever thought about it? Think it’s only for the rich and fabulous? Think again. BOTOX injections have in recent years become the undisputed most popular of all cosmetic procedures, with well over 4 million patients being treated with BOTOX in 2006. BOTOX® injections are the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure in the industry, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). More popular than breast enhancement surgery, BOTOX® is regarded by some as the ultimate fountain of youth.

Do I BOTOX? You betcha!! And I’m not embarrassed to admit it. The main reason I’m not embarrassed? I am 42 years old and people not only stop me and compliment me on my skin but I am often mistaken for 32, and many times within the circle of people who know me but don’t know for sure how old I am. So am I ashamed of any part of my skin care regimen? Hell no!!

I started getting injections about 5 years ago. This is on top of continuing to use daily sunscreen, a glycolic wash, and Retin-A nightly. BOTOX has a cumulative effect so the longer you use it the better your results. It’s amazing how good your skin looks following your injections; it almost has a glow about it.

So what is BOTOX?

BOTOX® is the product name for injections containing a refined form of botulinum toxin (the toxin that causes botulism, a type of food poisoning). When injected into a muscle, the toxin blocks the nerve impulses that would normally cause that muscle to contract. The resulting absence or reduction of muscle contraction leaves the skin smoother and lends a more relaxed appearance to the patient’s facial features.

The many uses of BOTOX:

The signs of aging that respond best to botox injections are those lines and wrinkles caused by the repeated contractions of muscles used during facial expressions, especially those activated when we are frowning or squinting. Therefore, botox is used most commonly for reduction of the appearance of frown lines between the brows, forehead furrows, and lines at the outer edge of the eye, commonly referred to as “crow’s feet”.

So who should use BOTOX?

People who are showing early signs of aging and those whose frown lines give them a tired, sad, or angry appearance

Risks & Complications:

Most complications are temporary and risks can be minimized with proper injection techniques. The most common side effects of botox injections include:

* temporary drooping of the eyelid
* nausea
* headache
* localized pain, tenderness, or numbness
* infection
* inflammation / swelling
* redness, bleeding, and/or /bruising at the injection sites
* reduced blinking, which can lead to increased likelihood of corneal abrasion

Costs:

Costs vary widely depending on a variety of factors, including geographical area and the facial areas which are being treated. Costs can also vary depending on the qualifications of the person who is administering the injections—whether it is a surgeon, nurse, medical assistant, or clinical aesthetician. The US average cost for botox injections is between $375-$500 per area treated.

Remember, it takes at least 3-7 days to fully realize the effect of BOTOX injections. The effects generally last for 3-6 months and repeated treatments are required to maintain results. Most states allow a licensed aesthetician or nurse to inject patients but I recommend only letting an MD or, to be even safer, a Dermatologist, inject you. You will pay more but it is well worth the extra money. When first starting out with BOTOX, start out low. You can always add a little bit more BOTOX but you cannot take away. You also want to avoid looking “frozen” like so many people did when BOTOX first became popular. Just a little can do amazing things.

Don’t be afraid to try this amazing fountain of youth. It’s not for everyone but if it’s for you, no one will ever know. They’ll just notice a glowing, youthful you and want to know what your secret is.

Still Rockin’ It
Scarlet Mom

30 Days to Finding Your Inner MILF, Confidence, & Beauty. #5 Start a Skin Care Regimen

By Scarlet Mom | October 24, 2010 | 30 Days to a New You, Skin Care | 2 Comments

#5 Start a Skin Care Regimen

Nothing says hot, sexy MILF like a beautiful, glowing face. Starting a skin-care regimen can be as easy as starting to use an daily SPF under your moisturizer or you can make the hard and fast commitment to a lifetime of beautiful, ageless, glowing skin. It’s never too late to start taking care of yourself and you’ll be surprised how quickly those compliments start rolling in. I’ve had friends adopt just bits and pieces of my skin-care regimen and tell me within two weeks that people notice the glow.

So where do you start? You should have two parts to your skin-care regimen: at home care and medically supervised skin care. Start with the medically supervised. You will want to find a good doctor/dermatologist either at a dermatology office or at a spa. NEVER HAVE ANY OF THESE PROCEDURES PERFORMED WITHOUT A LICENSED DOCTOR ON STAFF. You will want to first have a consult with a doctor (do not meet with just an aesthetician). To prepare your skin for your new skin-care regimen, your doctor will recommend a microdermabrasion, a chemical peel, or both.

Microdermabrasion reveals fresh, healthy, glowing skin by removing the worn, damaged, exterior layers of skin. A spray of tiny crystals exfoliate the skin during microdermabrasion, removing dead cells and damaged outer layers of your skin. A small suction device removes debris during the procedure. Microdermabrasion is an excellent treatment for opening clogged pores and reducing the appearance of fine lines, age spots, and dull or oily patches, to reveal fresher, smoother skin beneath.

To perform a Chemical Peel, specific, controlled combinations of chemicals are applied to the skin to allow the superficial layers of skin to peel away, revealing a healthy, younger-looking complexion. One type of peel uses an appropriate strength alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) to penetrate and clean the pores and gradually lighten pigmentation. It improves skin texture and tone to create a refreshed appearance. Another uses Salicylic acid (BHA) to help stimulate the skin’s natural renewal process. It removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores to promote a brighter and clearer complexion.

Once your skin is prepped and years of abuse are stripped away, you are now ready to start using quality products on a daily basis to maintain that gorgeous skin. As I’ve blogged about before, I used Retin-A (now 0.05%) combined with Glycolic Acid. I also wash with M.D. Forte Facial Cleanser III, a glycolic cleanser. And don’t forget: sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen, even on a cloudy day. I’ll be posting more about skin care in the coming weeks.

Your skin says a lot about you. Hydrated, care-for skin screams hot, hot, hot. And that first, “Wow” about your skin will add a skip to your step and have you walking two-inches above the ground.

Still Rockin’ It.
Scarlet Mom

Oh Baby Check Out Her…Skin

By Scarlet Mom | September 1, 2010 | Skin Care | 10 Comments

I have received my first requests for subject matter and they have been for skin-care. What products do I use? What do I do? As insecure as I can be sometimes about other parts of me one thing I do know is that I have good skin. Strangers stop me and ask me about my skin-care and they actually take out a pen and pad and start writing things down. Friends and family seek out my advice. The greatest compliment I received was during my last visit to my dermatologist. First, when he walked in the room, he told me my skin looked incredible and what was I doing? Wow. Talk about a compliment. Second, he said he had to look in my chart to double-check my age. He thought we were about the same age but I looked like I was 32. I’m 42.

I have been seeing a dermatologist since I was 30. I luckily (yes, luckily) had a dark liver spot appear on my face from my sun worshiping days and decided that it was hideous and had to go. I say I was lucky because being “under the care and advice” of a dermatologist for so many years is what has helped me create my skin-care regimen that has kept me looking so young. He removed the spot by freezing it then asked if I was using any type of Glycolic acid products on my skin.

“No,” I answered.

“Well, you’re getting to the age where you need to start thinking about that. To the untrained eye your skin looks fine. But I can see hyper-pigmentation (darkening) in your skin and where wrinkles are starting to form.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. At first I was insulted. I was only 30. How could this be? But after we talked a little bit I realized that if he could see it how long would it be before everyone else could see it? And truly, prevention was so much easier than correction. I started using a product he recommended and taking better care of my skin. Actually, I became meticulous about my skin. Aging? At 30? Holy hell.

So what’s my advice? First, go look in the mirror. Get in close. If you have a magnifying mirror with lights, even better. Have you grown a mustache? Have hairs growing out of a mole? Nose hairs gone wild? When is the last time you tweezed your eyebrows? Bitch: GROOM!! WTF?? The sad, unfortunate truth is that some of us, most of us, have dark hair over our upper lip (on our face) that needs to be bleached, waxed or tweezed. The hard and fast rule is – - do something about it! Pluck those hairs out of those moles, get those eyebrows done, buzz the nose, and kill that mustache. Jeez. Do it yourself or have it done. (As a side note, if that mole is looking funky, get it looked at.) Grooming is key, for both men and women and not just above the neck (we will address full body grooming in its glory in another blog). When your lover is coming at you all hot and heavy ready to plant one on you he really doesn’t want to see miscellaneous hairs poking up all around your face. And men, this goes for you, too. You of all people need to be groomed. Shit, shower, shave. IN THAT ORDER. If you want it licked, groom mo-fo.

Skin care tip number one: Drink lots and lots of water. My friend and model Mo posted this same tip on FB not too long ago (she has a fan page on FB, “Mo Stones”). You can’t have beautiful skin unless it is hydrated. And yes the old myth is true…about eight, 8oz glasses a day. Suck it up.

Number two: Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. If you use a moisturizer that has sunscreen in it, it’s not enough. You need a sunscreen that blocks both UVA & UVB rays and is at least SPF 30. I recommend Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunblock with helioplex or Kiehl’s Super Fluid UV Defense (www.kiehls.com). Both are great products. You can use them as a moisturizer or in conjunction with your moisturizer. Don’t forget to apply the sunscreen to your hands, too, especially if you drive a lot. Nothing gives away a woman’s age like her hands.

Number three: Wash your face every night. If you only wash your face one time each day it should be at night. Your skin repairs itself during the night while you sleep so you should go to bed with clean, well-moisturized skin. If you’re going to invest in products your nighttime routine is where it counts. If you’re over 40, your skin has probably started to dry. If you have a good nighttime routine, just showering in the morning or rinsing your face with warm water is enough; you don’t need a cleansing product.

So here is my nighttime routine:

I wash my face with MD Forte Facial Cleanser III. This product contains 20% Glycolic compound (glycolic acid). You need to start with Level I and work your way up to Level III. Let your face dry thoroughly, 3-5 minutes.

I then apply Retin-A Micro 0.04% (this is available through your dermatologist). You can also purchase Retin-A products over-the-counter but I DO NOT recommend it. Retin-A should only be obtained with a prescription and used under a dermatologist’s supervision. A caution about using Retin-A. When you start using Retin-A, you MUST use sunscreen; it will make your skin much more sensitive to the sun. Also, you can no longer get waxed. It will wax the first layer of skin right off your face. Retin-A causes your cells to regenerate and your old cells to slough off, this is why it helps you look younger, but also why it can cause peeling. When starting a Retin-A routine, start off with a Monday, Thusday, Saturday routine and slowly work your way up. I, myself, only use it every other day because my skin is so sensitive.

After I apply my Retin-A, I apply MD Forte Facial Cream III. This product contains 30% Glycolic compound. Again, you will need to start with Level I and work your way up to Level III. The combination of Retin-A and Glycolic acid have a very synergistic effect. You will probably be able to see results in as soon as 6 weeks. When applying these products, don’t forget your neck and then rub the excess on your hands. So many women forget these important parts of their bodies. The neck and hands show your age, too.

Because this combination will cause some peeling you will want to exfoliate your skin once a week. Buy a jar of Dr. Michelle Copeland’s Microdermabrasion Formula and keep it in your shower. Scrub up with this once a week. Not too hard and don’t forget your hands & neck!!

All of these products (except for the Retin-A) are available at The Skin Store (www.skinstore.com). They have free shipping for orders over $49 and are always offering discounts. I strongly urge you to use products like these (dermatologists sell these) and not those that are sold in department stores. The products in department stores have less active ingredients, more perfumes (which can cause irritation), and cost more. Who wants that??

So now that your skin is on its way to being fucktastic, tell me, what is stopping you from finding your inner MILF? Let me know. Comment on my Blog or my Facebook fanpage. Happy MILFing.

Still Rockin’ It.
Scarlet Mom