We’re excited to introduce you to Kelly Horton-Beeman, a leading pigment specialist and licensed esthetician, and the founder of San Diego’s FACES SkinGym. Since people are starting to visit their estheticians on a more regular basis post-pandemic, it’s the perfect time for Kelly to walk us through the “do’s and don’ts” of pre- and post-treatment protocols – so we can all get the most out of our “skin-vestments!”
We’re excited to introduce you to Kelly Horton-Beeman, a leading pigment specialist and licensed esthetician, and the founder of San Diego’s FACES SkinGym. Since people are starting to visit their estheticians on a more regular basis post-pandemic, it’s the perfect time for Kelly to walk us through the “do’s and don’ts” of pre- and post-treatment protocols – so we can all get the most out of our “skin-vestments!”
Top Rules for “Skin-vestments”
Over the course of my career as an esthetician, I have heard a lot of “what ifs.”
“What if I hadn’t spent so much of my teens and early 20’s worshipping the sun?” “What if I had worn sunscreen?” “What if I had started purchasing quality skincare sooner?” “What if I had committed to a regular schedule to see my esthetician?”
Everyone is looking for a corrective solution for their skin, and at some point, most of us find ourselves in our local aesthetic practice investing in facials, skincare, and procedures to find our very own versions of “The Fountain of Youth” once again. Modern science innovations continue to support these efforts, but how do you protect these investments once you’ve left the treatment room?
“Invest in your skin. It’s going to represent you for a very long time.”
Once you’ve made the commitment to your skin-investments, these treatments and procedures should be treated arguably better than any other investment you make for yourself. Being mindful of this commitment will guarantee you’re not only protecting your investments, but enhancing them for many years to come.
I’ll breakdown “My Top Rules” for 3 of the most requested services:
- DiamondGlow™ Facials:
What To Avoid:
- Avoid heat, such as sun, showers, swimming, and Jacuzzis.
- Avoid harsh products for 3-5 days, including retinoids or other acids, such as AHA/BHA acids, salicylic acid, and antioxidants.
- Use SPF This will insure the best results possible.
- Ideally, makeup should be avoided. Immediately after your procedure, although you may want to use a tinted physical sunscreen, minerals like zinc heals and soothes the skin without irritation post-procedure, and can cover up possible redness, which should lighten after a few hours.
What To Do:
- Continued care: Like all professional facials, DiamondGlow™ yields the best results when done regularly, but this is especially critical when targeting skin issues. Professional facials are suggested monthly for the health of your skin.
- Invest in the right products, even if it means spending more, and invest in the time it takes to commit to an am/pm routine (Cleanser, Toner, Antioxidant, Weekly Exfoliant, Moisturizer, and SPF). Your licensed professional can build a customized routine that is more tailored to your skin concerns.
- Microneedling:
What To Avoid:
- Don’t spend prolonged time out in the sun for the first week after your microneedling procedure, as you’ll be more prone to sun damage than usual.
- Don’t apply makeup, especially with a makeup brush that has been used before, in the 24 hours following microneedling.
- Do not use topical agents that may increase the sensitivity of your skin, such as retinoids, exfoliants, topical antibiotics, or acids, 5-7 days prior to your treatment.
- Do not take anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Advil for at least 3 days prior to your microneedling session. These will interfere with the natural inflammatory process that is critical for your skin rejuvenation.
- Avoid IPL/Laser procedures, unprotected sun exposure, or sunburn for at least 2 weeks prior to your procedure.
- You’ll also need to avoid swimming pools, saunas, and situations where you may sweat heavily, including intense workouts at the gym, to protect your newly-treated skin. After 72 hours have passed, you may be able to resume these activities.
- Do not wax the treated area for 7 days following your treatment.
- No laser to the treated area for 7 days following your treatment.
- Avoid harsh products for 3-5 days, including retinoids or other acids such as AHA/BHA acids, salicylic acid, and antioxidants.
What To Do:
- Hydration. Hyaluronic acid/sodium hyaluronate following microneedling will help to alleviate dryness. Peeling may start 3-5 days after the treatment. You’ll notice skin dryness and flaking, which is due to an increased turnover of skin cells. DO NOT pick, scratch, or scrub at treated skin! Some of my top recommendations for at-home are Aloisia Beauty’s Aqua Ultra-Moisturizing Mask and Deep Hydration Aloe Mist.
- As a general rule, you should reach for sunscreen constantly for the first 2 weeks after microneedling. Make sure to apply SPF 50+ anytime you go outside in the days following your treatment and wear a wide brim hat for extra protection.
- Retinol A and vitamin C serum should be avoided for the first 48 hours- minimum after microneedling. Once 2 full days have passed, you’ll want to gradually add active products back into your daily routine.
- For the best results: We recommend follow-up and repeat microneedling treatments every 4-6 weeks, with a series of 3-5 treatments depending on your personalized care plan.
- Laser Resurfacing:
What To Avoid:
- Discontinue any Retin-A, Retinol, Vitamin C or acid containing products 2 weeks prior to treatment (this includes benzoyl-peroxide, glycolic, salicylic, facial scrubs, or hair removal products such as Nair).
- Stop the following 7-10 days prior to treatment: waxing, abrasive scrubs and microdermabrasion treatments.
- Pre-treat with a tyrosinase inhibitor for 2-3 week prior to treatment.
- Pre-treat with Valtrex if you are prone to developing cold sores.
- Discuss what skin care products you currently use with your practitioner, and be prepared to purchase gentle products if necessary.
- Please be sure you do not have any spray tan or self-tanner for approximately 2 weeks prior to treatment.
- Please be sure to limit your sun exposure prior to treatment. We will not be able to treat you if you are suntanned or burned.
- No allergies to Lidocaine.
- Has not taken Accutane in the last year.
- No active
What To Do:
- Do book a post-treatment Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial between days 3 and 5 to accelerate healing and to hydrate the skin.
- Do use a tinted mineral SPF, which can be worn immediately post- treatment to mask any temporary redness and/or swelling.
- Itching and dryness are common symptoms once the skin has healed This will clear gradually over a few days with the use of post-peel recovery lotion, along with a hydration mist. I recommend the Deep Hydration Aloe Mist because of its intense healing and hydrating benefits to post-laser skin.
- Sunblock. Sunblock is a must. Please use a good UVA/UVB sunblock every morning. Trust your practitioner’s suggestion with this one, this is a critical step to prevent any further issues.
- Healing time varies from person to person. Be PATIENT with your healing process. You will see improvement of your skin texture shortly after even the first treatment. Fine lines and deeper lines will also improve, but it will take more time. The fibroblasts in the dermal layer of the skin will begin to build new collagen over the next 3-6 months. Abnormal color and uneven skin tones will improve with each treatment.
- Continue the use of a tyrosinase inhibitor beginning 7 days post- treatment.
- Do consider a series of treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart for optimal results, and one treatment per year to maintain results.
And last but not least…
Be a regular client/patient of your esthetician (make sure they are licensed in your state). Part of the “skin-investment” is creating lifestyle habits in-between your treatments and procedures. Just like exercise and a good diet, you need to stay on top of regular facial maintenance. Remember, it takes at least 20 days to see a significant change in your skin’s appearance. Do not expect a miracle in one appointment. I recommend monthly visits to get facials, using a skin-specific regimen for your skin concerns, investing in procedures annually to reverse damage, and maintaining healthy skin based on your age, genetics, and exposure to the environment.
- Kelly Horton-Beeman