Hi Girls!
Today we are talking facials and some great skin care products I have started using after several facials at Massage Envy Spa. My annual Massage Envy membership entitles me to one massage or facial a month, but can I schedule additional massages or facials as often as I like. To read more about Massage Envy or to locate the ME Spa nearest you, click here.
While I have had massages at Massage Envy, I like going for facials best of all. My esthetician, Michelle, has created a skin care plan just for me based on my age, the characteristics of my skin, the presence acne or blemishes, and any prior sun exposure/damage. My ME facials follow a specific protocol and then I follow up with an individualized home care regimen.
If you have been following along on my blogging journey, you probably know that I did a ReDiscover ME Challenge with Alison Lumbatis from Get Your Pretty On in February. (And you probably remember that I loved everything about this challenge!) Read more about it here, here and here. You probably also know that as a part of the challenge (and the subsequent work on ME that I have continued doing since the challenge), we had to identify and work on several Self-Care/Appearance Goals. One of mine has been to have a facial or massage once a month. And that is one goal I have had little trouble reaching.
During my facial last week, I decided to take a few pictures and write a few notes so I could share the process with you. So follow me, through this door into a peaceful world pampering.
Before my facial began, I checked in and was offered water or hot tea. The soothing purple and green palette of the waiting area help set the mood that continues all the way through the session. Michelle had a warm misting machine going as I entered her room. I disrobed to a level of my own comfort, usually removing shirt, jewelry and shoes then snuggled under the comforter. When Michelle returned, she began the session by interviewing me about any changes in my complexion and/or overall health, how I feel the home regime has been working.
For this appointment, Michelle started with something a little different. She asked me to put my face into a damage-assessment UV analysis machine. The damage-assessing UV analysis machine reveals several different things: sun damage or other pigmentation issues, dryness and dehydration. It helps to determine factors influencing the size and possible congestion of pores and will highlight any skin irritation.
It was a little like putting my face up to the machine that conducts the glaucoma test at the ophthalmologist’s office. (That is one hard word to spell!) Was a little worried that I was going to feel that puff of air in my eyes. No puff, but what I did see was scarier than a little air.
Told you.
In the picture on the left, I am holding the camera so that it is facing me and taking a picture of my skin under the light. The picture on the right is the image of my face reflected onto a mirror in the UV analysis machine. (And yes, one of my goals has been whitening my teeth, thank you!)
See all of those little dots?
Billions and gazillions of what looks like freckles in natural light are actually sun damage and pigmentation issues. I am probably a teensy bit naturally freckled but nothing like this.
[source]
The UV analysis machine also identified dark pigmentation issues on and above my eyelids. Really not terribly noticeable in natural light but an indication of sun damage.
I drink lots of water everyday for the chronic kidney disease that was discovered when I had to have my first cervical spine surgery. Apparently, my hydration is pretty good, but Michelle did encourage me to continue to drink even more – water. My pores were slightly enlarged on the ala or rounded part on either side of the end of my nose. The skin on my temples are a bit dry and the pores there were a little congested.
Otherwise, I was just great!
NOT!
Obviously, my most serious issue is sun damage.
So, how did I get all of this sun damage?
Interestingly, I was given UV treatments by a dermatologist for slight acne on my face, chest and back as a teenager back in the ’70’s. I also spent a lot of summer time in the Tennessee sun, at the pool, laying out in the backyard, water skiing with my boyfriend at the lake. As a young adult, while married to Brennyn and Lauren’s father, I lived in the Republic of Panama. We were at the beach several times a week. No one worried about skin cancer and sun damage back then. I used baby oil, and Panama Jack dark tanning oil to basically deep fry my skin. We didn’t know anything about SPF we just thought the tanner, the better.
In the early ’90’s I bought and had my first house built and shortly afterward, we put in a pool. More sun bathing! But we had started exchanging our suntan oils and lotions for sunscreen.
These days, my moisturizers, my foundation, blush, lotions and creams all have an SPF number. I don’t leave home without it.
Now that we know the problem(s), what is the plan to reverse them or at least hold them at bay?
Michelle provided a facial that concentrated on several of my issues: hydrated my skin with the warm mist, cleaned my face, applied a cucumber astringent to tone and improve the texture of my complexion and a finished with a collagen serum to soften fine lines.
So here are my before and after pics. I wish I had taken them in exactly the same position and the same distance from the camera. I realize there is room for (much) more work here but I am pleased with the results after an hour-long facial. I think there is improvement in the lines around my eyes and mouth.
Be honest, can you see any improvement or am I looking through rose-colored glasses?
Michelle recommended continuing the Murad Environmental Shield Vitamin C regime I have been doing at home. Its purpose is to “reverse the signs of aging that result from exposure to everyday environmental factors such as sunlight, smog, pollution and stress with this antioxidant rich treatment”. [source] She suggested that we also start focusing on anti-aging, too. The vitamin C is making a difference on my “freckles” and brightening my overall complexion. I am using and will continue to use the Murad Essential C cleanser, followed by the Murad Rapid Collagen Infusion and the Murad Essential C moisturizer. I am to use all three of those products morning and evening. Then Michelle added a Hydro-dynamic moisturizer in the evening for my eyes. I am to pat it on my lids, brow bones, and under my eyes to help take care of the pigment issues and fine(?) lines.
Here’s how all of that looks:
And here are all of the great Murad products available at my Massage Envy Spa.
I am going to make another facial appointment for approximately four weeks from now and will share my progress (or lack there of). Also, I want to go on the record saying I am not looking for a Fountain of Youth or even something to turn back the hands of time. But I am all for repairing what little I can of the damage I have done to my complexion and trying to be kinder and gentler with my face from here on out!
Would love to know what your skin care regime is. Please leave me a comment below!
If you are interested in Murad products, they are available online through Amazon.com as well as at any Massage Envy Spa.
Hugs and kisses,
Sharon
We sure were the sunbathing queens back in the day! That machine would have probably caught on fire if my face was under the light! Eeek! I’ll have to start using the Murad when I run out of my Boots #7 products. I’ve used the Nerium which was the easist but never saw a trace of difference. I’ve heard it works miracles for some gals though. My goodness Murad has a ton of products!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Back in the day we didn’t know any better. Ha! I am pretty sure SPF had not been invented. I have truly seen a difference in my age/sun/liver spots with the Murad Vitamin C. And I am taking vitamin C, too. You can buy Murad through Amazon. Hope you like it.
Lana
I’m with you Leslie – I’m all for trying to repair the damage I’ve done to my skin. I’ve been pretty good about wearing sunscreen my whole life, but there’s still plenty that could be fixed. I can definitely see a difference after your treatment. I’ll have to check into this.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sweet Lana. I really do like going for a facial and I think the Murad products are working for me. I don’t remember having sun screen as a kid just suntan lotion! Like oil to help you fry better. And I loved to fry!
Morgan
I use a Neutrogena lotion with an SPF of 30+ everyday. I too would tan when I was younger, both in the beds and at the beach. I wish I had taken better care of my skin. I have a LOT of freckles on my nose. A while back I ordered some sun spot corrected from Rodan + Fields. I will have to actually start the regime and see it is helps.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Good for you, baby girl! And you have beautiful skin. With your fair complexion and light hair, I am glad you are protecting yourself with our strong El Paso sun. I am using the Rodan + Fields self tanner and love it. No more laying out for this girl UNLESS there is a beach and ocean involved. Are you back to work?? Did you find a sitter for Hudson for next year? XO
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Wow! What an interesting post. I haven’t had a facial since right before my (first) wedding! I remember it being kind of painful, probably because she picked a lot of yuck out of my pores! Ouch! I never went back and it was the only one I ever had. I do try to take really good care of my face these days, I have found my clarisonic mia does WONDERS to my skin and I am also a firm believer in vitamin C serum, I put it on my skin every morning… I need to start doing it at night, too, but the stuff is kinda expensive!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
My oldest daughter using a Clarisonic and loves it I am using Murad with vitamin C and taking vitamin C with my other vitamins and I really think it is helping to fade my sprinkles! What brand of vitamin C serum are you using? You might see the same results from just taking vitamin C in capsule form.
Please consider trying a facial again. Wish I could treat you to one. They shouldn’t hurt…to the contrary, they should be relaxing and wonderful. My aesthetician even massages my scalp, arms, neck, shoulders. It is like a mini-massage. I love it.
Always glad you stopped by. I feel a connection to you somehow. Just love your blog, your family and the great things you are doing in life. XO
Katie
OMG Leslie! This is a great post!! And as always hilarious!! I have to get checked for my sun damage too and am just putting it off!! I know it”s not going to be great!! Neutragena has great Sunblock and moisturizer!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You are fair skinned but living in NY, I can’t imagine you have a whole lot of sun damage going on. I have always used the cheapest makeup and washed my face with soap and water, and my moisturizer has always been good old Vaseline. But in my old age, I have had to step up my game. Like I told Lana, I don’t think back in the day we had sun screen just sun tanning oil. Sad, sad! Wonder if we could sue???!! 🙂
Karen Strand
This definitely puts me in the mood for a facial! For some reason, I always seem to put facials in the “treat” category so I don’t get one very often. Hmm… I should rethink that!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, I LOVE my facials. Not that I have had THAT many but they are wonderful. I think of them as a treat, too, but I am trying to make them a monthly treat!!
Bryn
Leslie, you are just the cutest blogger I have come across thus far. I love reading…and yes I am just a stranger to you but commenting for the first time….Thank you for the great post on your facial! xo Bryn
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, my goodness. That is the sweetest compliment. I am so glad you discovered me somehow and hope you will keep coming back in the future.