My Favorite Product by Amber Lukas

Needless to say, I have many Image products in my medicine cabinet. I use 4 different cleansers, 2 serums, 2 eye creams, 1 repair cream, and that is just my daily routine (mix and match, of course. I don't put all of those on every day.) I also have masks and spot treatments to use when needed. Choosing a favorite is not easy. I really believe that my skin is doing so well today as a result of the consistent use of a system of products over an extended period of time. I used to have a serious issue with acne, for about 15 years of my teen and adult life. The products that helped me get to the clear skin that I have today contain benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid and retinol.

This brings me to my favorite Image product. Every third night or so, I apply the Ageless Total Retinol A Creme. It contains a high concentration of retinol and polypeptides. These resurface and repair the skin. You may notice it is not an acne product, rather an anti aging product. Retinol has been touted as one of the ingredients that nearly everyone should be using daily. I use it more sparingly during pregnancy and summer, but will start up on a more rigorous schedule once Fall (and the baby) comes.

So, how does my skin feel when using this product? My skin never looks better than it does the morning after I put it on my face. I feel like it glows differently than any other time after I have used the Ageless Total Retinol A Creme. I love this product! It has made such a difference in my skin. My skin is smoother, plumper and has better tone.

When I first started using a highly concentrated retinol product, I had some peeling and sensitivity. On occasion, I still do. This is because of the level of extra exfoliation that the product is inducing in my skin. Now, my skin is used to the level of exfoliation and is vibrant and fresh almost every day. I'd love to share more about my personal struggle with acne, the skin care products that helped me, or the products that will help you find the same satisfaction with your skin.

I am so happy to be using Image, both on my own skin and in the treatment room. I believe it is one of the most effective, both in results and in cost, that you can find. Please let me or your esthetician know if you have any questions about the skin care we use at Skin Essentials. We would love to share with you.

To read more about the Ageless Retinol A Creme, click on this link:

http://www.imageskincare.com/ageless_total_retinol_a_creme.html

Put Away the Magnifying Mirror

What did I just do? What many of you do much too often. I spent some time with my good ole 7X. Looking at things that no one, not even me, sees unless they come at me in the bright sun with a magnifying glass of their own. Looking at things that make me dissatisfied with my skin, skin that has not looked this good in 20 years. I don't know if I have the glow, but I know that my skin is clear and in good health other than being a bit dry. I use all of my Image products daily, without fail. Yet, when I get out that little magnifying mirror, I suddenly become more unhappy and critical toward my skin than I should be.


I know this is a pitfall that many women face. For one reason or another, usually failing eyesight, we take out that little vision aid and get to work. The problem is that we almost always dwell on "flaws" that we find while looking at ourselves this way. Flaws that no one can see. Flaws that even your esthetician does not see until she gets out the mag lamp. Flaws that she usually ignores to some degree, because she sees them on everyone and knows that they are not flaws that should be worried about. Instead, she uses the mag lamp to see a short, yet bristly hair that she needs to grab a hold of with the tweezers. Or to make sure that she has the right position on a clogged pore before extracting it.

I have seen so many women decide that their whole face is too hairy, their normal sized pores are too big and their skin is just plain awful- all because they believe what the 7X or 10X tells them. How would we all feel if we could take a look at our skin under a microscope? I hope not exponentially worse!

So, today, after a couple of minutes of picking my face and concerning myself with tiny imperfections, I flipped the mirror around to the standard side, realized I was only creating a bigger problem in the form of welts and red spots and put away the magnifying mirror. I suggest you do the same.

(Of course, there is a necessity for the magnification in some circumstances. If you need help seeing hair to tweeze or to put your eye makeup on, by all means, use it. all you may need is a good waxing now and then to keep hair growth under control. Just remember not to dwell on the less important tiny blemishes that you see or to spend more time than it takes to get those pesky stray hairs. You'll do yourself a favor and feel better about yourself for it. If you feel you do have a "flaw" that needs fixing, ask you esthetician what she thinks. She is trained and ready to offer advice to help you deal with whatever skin problems you may have found in that mirror. )

Clear Up Ingrown Hairs

Image Skincare Clear Cell Salicylic Clarifying Pads


One of the best uses I have found for these handy little pads, aside from their intended use on facial acne, is on ingrown hairs. Many people, including me, find that their bikini line is spotted with inflamed bumps due to ingrown hairs. This can happen to those who shave or wax and is not limited to the bikini line. Ingrown hair can happen anywhere, it does not discriminate. Some men experience them on their legs from wearing pants all the time; some people have difficulty under their arms. Waxing can bring some relief as it creates a softer hair tip, but does not always remedy the problem. The salicylic/glycolic acid blend gently exfoliates while allantoin calms the skin. Tea Tree Oil is an antimicrobial that helps ward off the bacteria that cause inflammation.


A couple of months ago, after the product was released, I decided to give them a try. since I am not having a current acne problem, I decided to try them somewhere else. What great results! My inflammation and redness diminished very quickly. Next to go were the ingrown hairs. Not to say that I don't still get a few, but they have become much less of a nuisance.

The Clear Cell Salicylic Clarifying Tonic can achieve similar results. It comes in a tube, so it is not as handy as the pads are. I love to be able to open the jar, grab a pad and swipe. These two products are also great for body acne. Any place those pesky bumps show up, a swipe will do a great amount of good.


How to use: After a shower, remove a pad from the jar and swipe over the affected area. If using the tonic, apply it to a cotton pad and swipe. Easy as that!