HAIR + BEAUTY
This is where you definitely need
someone who’s experienced in using
the SkinPen because how hard to press
and when to double up on areas is
subjective. The needles can be dialed
up to penetrate more deeply, which is
also why you need a person you trust.
So don’t use a Groupon for this one—
get a personal recommendation.
How does it work? The device makes
tiny punctures in the surface of your
skin, creating a controlled injury that
stimulates the skin and helps develop
new collagen and elastin (which both
wane as we age). It can be used not
only for anti-aging, but also for acne
scars, large pores and uneven skin
tone. Costs vary depending on where
you live, but in Charlotte I can expect
to pay $250 to $300 per treatment.
What did I look like after the procedure?
Well, my face was pretty red, and I had
little abrasions (almost like hickeys)
here and there with tiny spots of bleeding. As the day went on, the redness got
more intense. The next day the redness
subsided some, but I had little splotches
that were a cross between a bruise and a
scrape. The kicker is, NO makeup, NO
sun and NO sweating for 48 hours postSkinPen. This part is a bummer because
you really have to plan ahead.
I did my procedure on a Thursday
morning and spent the weekend mostly
in hiding, though a big pair of sunglasses disguised the worst parts. After
that, I could wear makeup, and I was
happy enough as my skin healed, shedding the top layer as it does after a peel.
The best part came a few weeks later
with smoother fine lines and a tightened-feeling surface. I did the recommended three treatments, and
I feel like I saw the most change after
the second one, which seemed to lift
off a summer’s worth of sunspots.
Would I do it again? Yes. I’m not ready
for the more invasive procedures
(lasers, surgery), and when budget
allows, I’ll put this in the mix for my
maintenance routine. Even though
the changes are subtle, the SkinPen
targeted the things that bother me.
However, now I feel like my face
and my neck don’t match age-wise:
a double-edged sword. Sadly, the
device isn’t recommended to treat the
thin skin of your neck. But I’ll take
the win any way I can. n
SUMMER 2016
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