Beauty

Do you have sensitive skin?

Do you have dark spots and/or have scar(s) on your face?

Have you already tried over the counter micro-abrasion products (i.e. Susan Lucci’s Youthful Essence or L’Oreal or Neutrogena) that were less than what you expected?

Are you reluctant to go see dermatologist to get professional micro-abrasion procedure done that would cost you hundreds of dollars?

Like most you of ladies (and gents) I have similar problems and concerns.  Not only these professional procedures, whether it’s micro-abrasion or chemical peels, are expensive but it’s really not that practical.

I have three dark spots (scars actually) on my face and it drove me crazy for five years.  I have best tried to cover these spots with concealers (from green to peach to lighter shade beige colors) and extra powder makeup; but unfortunately, when people look at my face they automatically think it’s age spots.

I think I can live with these so-called “age spots” on my face, but people careless add additional 5 to 10 years to my age.

I don’t know about you ladies and gents out there, but ever since I reached my thirties everything seems to be falling apart.  It just happened one day … I woke up and looked at my face and asked myself “what the heck did you do to yourself? “

I used to be vibrant, young, and didn’t have wrinkles on my face, but now I have uneven skin pigmentation, freckles to choke a leprechaun, wrinkles around my eyes and forehead, and so on.  I wish I can trade-in my body for a younger and tighter body!  A girl can dream right?

My turning point to see a dermatologist happened when a male sales associate, in the mall, pointed out my “age spots” (even though I thought I have successfully covered it up with my makeup) and said “You must be in your forties!  Why don’t you try one of our products?”  I was in utter shock when he told me that.

The disturbing thing is that not only I am not in my forties, but the spots on my face are not “age spots,” but scars from squeezing my zits too hard until layers of skin came off.  Yes I know … I have a sickness here!

Unfortunately I have my mother’s very sensitive skin – I scar very easily and I hold onto my scars for years.  I am still carrying my scars on my legs, from my teens, when I fell and scraped it – the scraped areas didn’t even bleed, but it’s dark and big – I think you know where I am getting here.

Anyhow … back to my story here.  So I finally had the courage to go see a dermatologist to see my options to get rid of these “spots” and get some advice for my skin.

The technician educated me on my options – micro-abrasion, chemical peels and bleaching creams.  The micro-abrasion and chemical peels were only practical when you buy a package bundle from them because I would save about $100 or so — (six treatments for $600).

But … and there is a but here.

You have to have “touch up” or “maintenance” session every four to six weeks to sustain the “glow” on your face.

I don’t know about you ladies, but I am not ready to have such committed “treatments” every month to maintain my thirties look.

I know I am not in my twenties and I know I will never look like I am in my twenties; and frankly I don’t want to.

There is a famous Chinese proverb “Men grow old, pearls grow yellow, there is no cure for it (HeartQuotes),” and my favorite by an unknown author “do not regret growing older.  It is a privilege denied to many (QuoteGarden).”

Don’t get me wrong here … I want to look my best for my age, but I don’t want to look or try so hard to fool people to think that I am in my twenties.

So with that said I had eliminated the micro-abrasion and chemical peel options for now, thus I went forward to using the Lustra-Ultra (Hydroquinone USP 4%) cream.

Like I have mentioned before I have been using the cream for three weeks now – one application in the morning and the second application before I go to bed; and what a difference!!!

At first my “spots” looked darker and I was really hesitant to continue with the treatment, but the technician told me that I have to use it for couple of months to see the difference.

Thank goodness I continued using it because it really lightened my spots!!!

I no longer have to cover the spots with extra cream concealers or extra powder.  One powder application and bada-boom it’s all covered up!

However, it is important to mention it to you guys, but the applied areas of the skin tend to peel – well, that’s what happened to my skin.  I didn’t really notice the peeling until I put on my powder foundation – boy, it was ugly!  So every morning I scrub my face and my face looks awesome.

I think it’s amazing and the technician was really surprised that my “dark spots” lightened up that quickly – I guess my sensitive skin did have some blessing in the end.

So ladies and gentleman … try the bleaching creams before running to your local dermatologist and spend hundreds of dollars on micro-abrasion treatments or chemical peels.

With that said … I might go take advantage of micro-abrasions in the future.  Who knows … if I win the jack pot soon I might get it done sooner than expected.

Here are some pros and cons – reviews from me and others online.

Pros:
1)    Lightens up the spots – can see the result as soon as couple of weeks
2)    An individual mentioned that it lightened up her dark patches from Melasma
3)    The bottle looks really small, but if you have small areas to take care then it’ll last you forever!   I have three dime size dark spots on my face and all I need is a small dab on very top of the q-tip.
4)    Cream is thick enough that it doesn’t run off
5)    The cream has been working very well with my existing anti-aging face lotion – ProVectin

Cons:
1)    Expensive – our local Walgreens charged me $145 (and some change); however, the company does have mail in rebate of $50
2)    Have to go see a dermatologist/physician to get the prescription
3)    There is no real generic form of this specific bleach cream – there are products that have 4% hydroquinone and sunscreen, but do not have vitamins E and c and some other stuff – So it’s not identical – that’s what my pharmacist told me.
4)    Some say it has a bad smell to it (mine doesn’t smell or I can’t smell it because I use so little on my face).
5)    Hydroquinone is under fire by the FDA
6)    There is no money back guarantee if the cream doesn’t work – on the other hand what other medicine does; right?  If my antibiotics do not work I can’t take it back to the pharmacist and ask for money back and etc.  So I think this negative pointer is flawed.
7)    Individuals with sensitive skin types should test the product before using because it can peel skin off; but I think that’s the whole purpose of it – Not sure.

With all that said … I love it because it has drastically lightened up my scars!!  I would definitely recommend to my friends and family.

Reference:

HeartQuotes: Quotes of the Heart.  http://www.heartquotes.net/age.html

QuoteGarden.  http://www.quotegarden.com/age.html

Popularity: 2% [?]

Like most of you ladies out there I have become semi-desperate to look youthful again.

Unfortunately, I have been a sun LOVER in my younger days – SO … not only I have fine lines all over my face from the sun damage, but my face is covered with freckles (big and little ones) as well.

I have tried so many different anti-aging lotion and cream products (“reasonable” priced products), but I have YET found my “fountain of youth” product.

Provectin

While I was at my local Walgreen store I encountered a Provectin cream – copy of the famous StriVectin lotion.

If you didn’t already know this, but the discovery of StriVectin-SD was a pure “dumb luck” according to Gina Gay, Spokesperson of Klein-Becker, StriVectin-SD’s exclusive distributor.

StriVectin was formulated to diminish stretch marks, however, it works miraculously well on decreasing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet.

Well, I have been using Provectin lotion for three weeks now (two times a day – morning under my makeup, and night time before I go to bed), and I am quite happy with it.

My husband even told me that I had the “glow.”  The lotion brightened my skin so much that he thought I was pregnant; which I wasn’t.

Provectin has the clean smell to it (but my husband is not too crazy about the smell though), it is very light, and it hasn’t given me zits (or any other skin break outs).

However, I haven’t REALLY noticed the disappearance or decreases in fine lines on my face though – I think!

The bottom line review from me – I am happy with it and I am going to keep on using it.

I did use Dermitage (got it as a gift), BUT I was really disappointed with it – I had such bad breakouts (zits and whiteheads all over my face) – I stopped using it after three days.  AND it took me over two weeks to clear my skin!!!  I will write a review about Dermitage on another post.

Online “Export” reviews were:

Good – available in many stores (brick and mortar and online stores), no commitment from website to buy; inexpensive “treatment” product on the market.

Bad – No official manufacturer; paraben preservative present in the product; no money back guarantee (however, Walgreens do take their products back if you are not happy with it, and have the original receipt upon refund).

On the other hand, consumer reviews are rather more positive – Honestly, I take consumer reviews more seriously than the “experts” because expert reviews might biased … you know what I mean.

Pros :
1.     Clean feel
2.    Gentle and refreshing
3.    Younger looking skin
4.    Great on sensitive skin
5.    Face feels firmer
6.    Face look more radiant
7.    Evens out skin tone
8.    Easy to use

Cons:
1.     Contained paraben

All-in-all, out of five stars it was rated between 4 star to 5 stars – there were so many satisfied customers – of all the online reviews I have looked into there were no one person NOT happy with the product.

The con item came from one of the websites I looked at and he/she just paraphrased the Performance leader website review on the product regarding paraben preservative.

So there it is ladies – use it and if you are not satisfied with it just return it – it’s only $29.99.

Reference:

Buzziollions.com  Retrieved on 3/28/2009 from http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_216278_skin_essentials_provectin_plus_advanced_reviews?prRo=5#bz-model-reviewTitle

The Performance Leader: in-depth health & beauty product reviews.  Theperformanceleader.com  Retrieved on 3/28/2009 from http://www.theperformanceleader.com/provectin-review

Walgreens Product review.  Retrieved on 3/28/2009 from http://www.walgreens.com/reviews/pwr/product-reviews/Beauty-Spa/Skin-Care-Hand-Body/Skin-Firming-Products/Skin-Essentials/p/prod1401617-ProVectin-Plus-Advanced-Wrinkle-Repair-For-Fine-Lines-and-Deep-Wrinkles.html

Popularity: 3% [?]

I can be a real SUCKER for beauty products; especially if they claim to make you look younger.

The older I am getting the more desperate I am becoming.

In the Economist magazine “Medieval noblewomen swallowed arsenic and dabbed on bats’ blood to improve their complexions; 18th-century Americans prized the warm urine of young boys to erase their freckles … The pain has not stopped the passion  from creating a $160 billion-a-year global industry … and … Americans spend more each year on beauty than they do on education (The beauty business).”

I am not that desperate to put urine on my face, but I would probably save lots of money by just getting a cosmetic and plastic surgery once rather than spending my money on different beauty products every few weeks or so – it’s just trial and error thing.

I have used and tried many products, by word of mouth by my friends or neighbors or beauty consultants and etc., but I really didn’t see significant difference to continue using the product – I haven’t said “wow, I found youth in a bottle” yet.

Yes, there are many products I am happy with, but in not in LOVE with.

Alright, back to the beauty stuff …

Youthful Essence

I have tried Susan Lucci’s Youthful Essence — basically, it a microdermabrasion home-kit skin care like Neutrogena and Lorel’s, but bit more expensive.

First of all, Youthful Essence is delivered to you automatically to your home every 90 days, but the funds are withdrawn from your checking account or credit card every month – amount of $35 (including shipping/handling charge).

I was really excited to use it for the first two weeks (honestly, my face felt like a baby’s butt on the first day), but I didn’t see any real difference in two weeks of usage.

My darkened skin (from scars) areas didn’t lighten up or “disappeared,” my wrinkles didn’t smooth away or diminished the look of wrinkles, and etc.

Susan Lucci claimed in the “Youthful Essence website “Polish away the years … you’re going to love the results!”  Youthful Essence

Well, not so much Lucci!

It’s really easy to fall for her advertisements and video comments because she looks so dang good – she hasn’t changed at all!  Of course, being really desperate doesn’t allow you to make rational choices either!

Basically all the pros and cons are similar all across the board –

Pros:
1)    Money back guarantee from official website
2)    Skin feels softer and smoother
3)    Disappearance of fine lines

Cons:
1)    Resurfacing cream crystals are hard to wash off
2)    Price
3)    Smell is not that great
4)    Have to join the club
5)    Can irritate real sensitive skin
6)    Complicated application procedure (use it every day for 3-5 days in a row, skip a week, and every day new facial areas are washed only)
7)    Some discoloration may occur
8)    Poor customer service – many claimed to have difficult time returning their products
9)    After returning it successfully some found additional charges from youthfulessence company – which took additional weeks to clear out

Even though there are more cons than pros here there are more number of people who are happy with the product than disappointed – average rating of 3 stars out of 5.

Sucan Lucci

My wonderful husband told me after I returned Lucci’s products, with tremendous disappointments, that Lucci gets the best of the best: i.e. personal trainers, weekly/monthly salons and spas, professional beauty treatments, and she doesn’t have to chase after three kids, driving the kids to different activities, cleaning up the house, cooking for the family, and etc.

After he assured me how beautiful I was I started to think “dang, he is right!”

She doesn’t have to all the things we have to do, and if I had less stress and all the money in the world to “take care of myself” than I would look real good to!

The beauty business.  The Economist.  May 22, 2003.  Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/printedition/displaystory.cfm?story_id=1795852 on February 26, 2009.

Popularity: 3% [?]

After having three kids, my body doesn’t look and feel the same way as it used to be.

Oh, I Wish!

Before the kids, I was in size 8, I had six-packs, my thighs didn’t rub against each other, and definitely did not have excess belly skin – I used to wear two piece bathing suits!

 I wouldn’t trade any of my children to get my body back; however, I want to feel sexy and young again. 

I have done extensive research on body enhancement surgeries and procedures, but I am still torn between getting a tummy tuck or take advantage of Thermage procedure.

Most of you already know what’s involved in tummy tucks, but you might not know about Thermage.

Thermage

Before we get into the juicy part here is my problem.

I do have belly issues (after pregnancies), but it isn’t that BAD (but bad enough to wear a tummy control underwear).

I have three children so I don’t want to be bed-ridden for weeks to recover from the procedure, but I want to see the results and have the results for a long time.

Okay … my problems are on the table; so we’ll discuss both procedures.

With a tummy tuck and a liposuction the cosmetic and pastic surgeon removes excess skin to give you a tighter, flatter, and firmer belly (often times they also fix your abdominal muscles by stitching it back to its original position).

Another major benefit of TT is removing stretched mark skin (and flabby skin) when the surgeon pulls down your upper abdominal skin before stitching you back – I am not going to get into details since most of you are already aware of the procedure.

On the other hand, there are many side effects or cons of TT. 

For instance, it is a major surgery (and an expensive surgery – average cost $6,200), you need to find a qualified doctors (you have seen or heard horror stories of women getting butchered by some surgeons), there will be a serious scarring, and the procedures involves lengthy recovery time.

Now … let’s talk about Thermage.

Thermage is a non-invasive procedure using capacitive radiofrequency (RF) technology to stimulate existing collagen to promote new collagen to grow (up to six months following a single treatment), and average cost of this procedure is about $3,200.

The procedure takes about couple of hours to complete, and involves deep but brief heating sensation on your skin. 

Patient Receiving Thermage

The procedure is FDA cleared for non-invasive treatment (most patients return to their normal activities immediately after the procedure), and the results can last for years (depending on your skin condition and natural aging process).

It sounds all honky dory (and I was really excited about the procedure), but out of 132 reviews in realself.com 37% say it was worth it, and 63% said it was not worth it.

Generally, people said it can hurt as heck, and either didn’t see the result (within couple of months or so) or the results didn’t last long enough.

In some instances, the results were so minimal that they were told they might need to come in for another procedure/treatment – some patients come in every year to get the treatment done (so, the cost will accumulate eventually). 

All-in-all, 63% of the women said to save your money, and it was a waste of money! 

Patient education is important; so, what shall I do … what shall I do?

Popularity: 6% [?]

Are you in thirties (early or later), and can’t find a great facial lotion and cream? 

Lotions you have tried in the past are either too greasy or not greasy enough to moisturize your face?

Garnier Skin Renew

Try Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Sun Damage Daily Moisture Lotion. 

I bought the lotion with little to no expectation that it’ll help my skin, but it totally surprised me.  My uneven skin tone is evening out, and I have not gotten any zits from it.

I am in my thirties and my face is not “old” enough to use anti-aging lotions, but “too old” to use cheap over the counter lotions.

I have tried all different kinds of lotions – over the seas products (from my cousin), catalogue lotions (Arbonne – NutriMin C RE9), cosmetic department lotions (Clinique), and other cheaper lotions at Wal–Mart (Aveeno, Oil of Olay, and Neutrogena).

First and foremost, Arbonne NutriMin C TR 9 lotions are too expensive – I think spent over $150 for the set, and I was really disappointed at the end.

I was first impressed, in the beginning, when I used the lotion that tightens up your face.  However, after a week of use I no longer felt my skin tightening up anymore.

Also, I wound up getting whole bunch of zits (under skin zits); which were very painful and irritating.  My face got so bad that I wound up seeing my dermatologist, and he told me that my face skin was not mature enough to use anti-aging products.

This also went same with Oil of Olay Regenerist product line – I stopped using it after two weeks.  The company said money back and satisfaction guarantee, but I was not about to go through paper work process to my $50 back.

Clinique lotions were nice, but it was not greasy enough to use at winter time (during the winter months my face literally peels because I have different skin types on my face).

Aveeno and Neutrogena products were nice, but I was not totally impressed with it.  Granted I only spent $10 for a bottle of lotion, my uneven skin did not tone down all that much.

If you are willing to spent $12 I would recommend Garnier product – just try it.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Do you have extra $100 plus to buy yourself a flat iron? 

Flat Iron

Well, I don’t know about you guys, but between providing for three kids, mortgage payment, utility and car payments, insurances, and other financial commitments made every month I don’t think I have money left to get my hair done.

Alright, you are right – it’s not that BAD, but $100 for a flat iron?  Come on!  The economy is not that great, and my husband works very hard for his pay check (like most of you guys)!

I have a hairstylist friend, and her professtional advice on the flat iron was the Chi Flat Iron – they are supposedly the best flat iron she has ever used.

She did offered me to get the flat iron at her cost, but it’s still $80 (without taxes of course) – sorry, I haven’t won the lotto yet.

So, I thought I was going to be clever and buy one on internet – sometimes I amaze myself. 

The cheapest one I found (online stores) were running around $79; it was the older model  and didn’t include sales tax or shipping and handling fees.

Then I checked out ebay store figuring maybe I’ll find a decent one at cheaper cost – you never know about an auction site!

Of course, ebay did have “little” better price, but it was still over $70; even with free shipping and handling.
I was really bummed out, and went to WalMart to buy something for my hair. 

I was torn between the Conair and Remington, and the price differences were only $5 more for Conair.  I do have Conair curling iron at home, and I had it for over seven years – it never gave me headache and I can always count on it.

However, I went with Remington Wet and Dry flat iron, and it is AWESOME!  I have very heavy and straight hair, but it works beautifully on my hair. 

I spent only $24, including sales tax, and I really can’t complain – I LOVE IT.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I have dealt with acne, on my face, for a LONG time, and it seems like it’s never ending.  However, I have to be grateful that my acne condition is not severe by any means, but enough to drive me NUTS. 

Acne is described as “plugged pres, pimples, and even deeper lumps that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms.*”

I have different types of acne on my face: i.e. whiteheads, blackheads, and papules, so I have tried many different products Click Here!.  

If you are not familiar with the types of acne here are some information (What’s That Zit?):

1) Whiteheads happen when the pore is completely blocked; so the bump is formed with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells (three amigos).
2) Blackheads happen when the pore is partially blocked so the three amigos partially drain on to the surface of skin.
3) Papules happen when the zit is inflamed, tender and red with no head – it’s quite painful to the touch.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I have tried many different types and brands of beauty products; from liquid to powder to Clinique to Maybelline (including Dermablend).  Honestly — I have a very temperamental skin. 

For instance, my face gets very oily during summer times and dry-peely skin during cold seasons.  In addition to that I have white heads, blotchy red spots on my face, brown spots (due to compulsion to pick zits until I bleed and create scars), sensitive to different lotions (especially to Oil of Olay and lotions including fruit acids), severe freckles, and yellow undertone.

I know what you are thinking – “she is messed up!”  Trust me, I don’t blame you!!

Liquid makeup does have better coverage; however, I break out if I don’t wash my face within six hours.

I really liked Dermablend Cream cosmetics because of superior coverage, but the makeup breaks down on my face even if I use the loose setting powder.  I know this product is designed to cover Vitiligo, birthmarks, Rosacea and other pigmentation disorders, but I liked the flawless look.

My husband likes me wear makeup, but not to that extent – he jokes around “did you put the makeup on with a shovel?”  I know he sounds very insensitive, but he gives me honest answers.  Seriously, I would be mortified if I go out of the house and people make fun of me or talks behind my back – you know?

Anyhow, after many unsuccessful and expensive trials to find makeup I decided to try Bare minerals/Bare Escentual private label product.  I love how easy and quick it is  – brush brush all done.  Personally speaking there are two downsides to this product: 1) it doesn’t have total coverage like the infomercial claimed, 2) it is rather expensive. 

I have read and heard people say it lasts them over three months, but I go through them every month and a half so.  Thus, for me it gets quite expensive; so I tried Maybelline powder and Everyday Mineral. 

Price points were great, but it does not have the glow to it.  It covers fine, but I kind of expected more from it – but you get what you pay.

After many months of trial I am now back to bare minerals.  I guess it’s not as “pure” as everyday mineral, but I am happy with it.

Popularity: 1% [?]