Skin Resurfacing w/Microdermabrasion

My first "Simple Secrets" blog about treatments is dedicated to a facial procedure that’s been around for a while, but is still very effective as a stand-alone treatment or as an add-on or pre-treatment together with a micro needling , or oxgygen facial, or IPL...I'm talking about “Microdermabrasion”, also known as microderm, for those who aren’t familiar with this procedure; Microderm is one of the easiest, safest and most effective anti-aging treatments you can get. It has many benefits!  It softens fine lines and wrinkles, helps to smooth coarsely textured skin, decreases the appearance of shallow scars, decreases pore size, and reduces superficial hyper-pigmentation, also known as age spots.  Microdermabrasion also makes it easier for serums and skin care products to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin.  That helps build collagen, which gives skin its plump, youthful appearance.  

What Happens During a Treatment?

Your skin will first be cleansed with a cleanser appropriate to your skin type.  (2x for a deep cleanse) then using the microdermabrasion wand I'll smoothly go over your skin in a pattern that will exfoliate, I'll will then use toner that will regulate the skins pH's and apply a serum and moisture occlusive to help hydrate the skin.   The entire procedure should take 60 minutes. 

Is There Any Downtime After a Treatment?

Microdermabrasion is a safe and gentle procedure with no downtime. The client will need to protect his or her skin with moisturizer and sun block for 48 hours after the treatment and may experience mild redness and sloughing/peeling. However, the client can return to work immediately, which is why many clients prefer to have microdermabrasion treatments on their lunch breaks since there is no downtime.

How Many Treatments Do I Need?

When it comes to microdermabrasion, one treatment will not provide instant results for deep issues but you will see and feel instant results for more topical issues like black heads and pour size. For deeper issues it is important to have a series of microdermabrasion services, 3 to 6 are recommended for the best results. These initial 3 to 6 treatments can be spaced one week apart, and from that point, the client can continue to receive one treatment on a monthly basis for the best maintenance. 

The Science - How does a microdermabrasion treatment work on the skin?

The thickness of the epidermis is increased because new cells are being produced more rapidly and the cells themselves are larger and healthier. The cells of the lower layers of the epidermis are knitted tighter in a more consistent “basket weave” configuration, instead of a haphazard arrangement. The barrier function of the epidermis is disrupted for the first 24 to 48 hours causing the skin to be drier than usual. During the cell reproduction of cells the fibroblasts that make up the collagen fibers are increased and are thicker more tightly packed and more organized. The number of elastin fibers also increased and they are orientated vertically instead of horizontally giving the dermal layer more “spring” that is usually referred to as elasticity.  

What results can I expect?

Depending on the area treated, you will notice an improvement in your skin’s appearance after your first treatment. Stretch marks and acne scars will be less obvious. Age spots and fine lines are reduced, and many Microdermabrasion clients report that their skin seems softer, tighter, smoother and younger looking. Overall, microdermabrasion will reduce the appearance of wrinkles, remove acne scars, clear up blackheads, minimize the size of the pores, reduce sun damage, and even out the skin tone. Microdermabrasion also helps to boost collagen production to provide firming and toning to the complexion.

Is Microdermabrasion Good For Acne Scarring?

By removing the top layer of the skin, professional micro abrasion diminishes or even removes superficial acne scarring. Deeper acne scarring requires a more invasive procedure, like a deep chemical peel or micro needling.   

What is the difference between Crystal Microdermabrasion and Diamond Microdermabrasion?

The regular crystal microdermabrasion technology involves the use of a special, hand-held device that propels a high-speed flow of aluminum oxide crystals onto the skin. At the same time, the machine’s vacuum system sucks away dirt, dead cells and used crystals.

For optimal results, the pairing of chemical peels, micro needling, IPL laser or Oxygen facial and a microderm together is a like having a nonsurgical mini facelift! The cost of 1 miroderm is currently $75 or $50 as an add-on treatment.  I consider it the best and most effective treatment for maintenance...kind of an insurance. After all don't you want to protect the investment of other procedures on your skin? 

Tammy Sweet, LE, LALP, LPM, CMA
Simply Sweet Skin
www.simplysweetskin.global
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https://simplysweetskinatl.blogspot.com  

     Hi blogging world!  It was recommended to me that I start a blog for my business to help educate clients and build search engine optimization (SEO).  I guess the first thing I should do is introduce my self and give you a little background information about how I got to this point in my life...

     My name is Tammy Gunter Sweet, I recently opened Simply Sweet Skin, my Clinical AEsthetics Practice in Peachtree City, GA.  I'll explain shortly what clinical aesthetics means, but first let me tell you about me - I was born and raised just south of Atlanta in a very humble simple christian middle class family. I graduated from Riverdale Senior High (back when it was the country).  I have a huge extended family; most who still live south of Atlanta.  (my grandmother was 1 of 11 & my grandfather was 1 of 13 and that's just my mothers side).  I started working at Delta Airlines in the Information Technology department at 18 years old while attending Clayton State College for business-because there was no such thing as an I.T. Degree back then.  I married and had 2 children in my mid 20's. After 15 years, I decided to quit and stay home with my children.  There were several reasons for this decision, but primarily because the once "Delta Family" no longer existed in I.T., flight benefits were becoming impossible to use with a family of 4 and my then husband was offered a position making a lot more money but required travel.  There was no way I could work a full time job (already at a glass ceiling) with two young children and a spouse that  was not home much to help.  It literally took me about 3 years to make the decision to give up my career.  It was a big decision for me because I had always felt that I was an independent woman and it scared the hell out of me to know that I would be largely dependent on someone else to be the bread winner.  Looking back, my gut was correct and I should have been scared to depend on someone else, but I have no regrets on that decision because I was lucky enough to be very involved with my kids lives!  My investment in them was truly my dream and I feel it was the reason that God put me on this Earth.  

I raised my 2 wonderful children in Peachtree City and am proud to say they are both successful young adults that don't need me much anymore.  Many people refer to Peachtree City as "the bubble" because according to their website, it's a an award wining master planned community founded in 1959.  There's about 90 miles of golf cart path and 3 golf courses.  There's a diverse population from all over the world, beautifully maintained residential, commercial and community services. The schools are always in the top of the educational report cards (https://schoolgrades.georgia.gov) which indirectly is great for property value.  I always say I wasn't a very good stay at home mom because I never stayed at home.  At first, I think I had a hard time fitting in with the moms that didn't have careers prior like I did so I just jumped in and started volunteering for everything at the schools, team mom, coach, booster club president (for 7 years) etc.  I did substitute teach and work for our consulting business on an as needed basis when the kids were a little older. I also started a network marketing business and made it to the top levels.  Did I  mention we had a lot of animals over the years????   I loved being the house that all the kids hung out at...that way I knew where my kids were and who they were with. So as you can see I might not have been a very good "stay at home mom" but I was without a doubt involved with everything they did.  


     Several of those years, I helped take care of our aging parents too.   A few weeks after my mom passed away and my youngest went away to college my husband sent me a text telling me to check my email.  Yep - you guessed it...I had a word .doc attachment letter that said he was divorcing me and would not be staying at our house any more.  I was blind sided to say the least!  See I was born and raised southern Baptist, "for better or for worse".  I honestly thought we were just getting to the point in life where we could slow down and work on the marriage, but he had other plans, which didn't include me.  I DIGRESS...that's another story and probably more of a book not a blog!   
     
     Anyway, I found myself in my mid 40's looking to go back to corporate America.  While looking for I.T. jobs I realized, I'd been out of I.T. for 10+ years so I would need to go back to school because it had changed.  I decided if I was going back to school then I was going back for something that I wanted to learn.  I spent a few months researching careers that interested me and would take the least amount of school but make enough money to support myself-probably for the rest of my life because I do not plan to ever get married again!  I looked at paralegal, court reporter etc. but I kept coming back to Medical Aesthetics.  I enrolled and finished in 4 semesters.  I loved learning everything I could while working on my Esthetics License (4.0 is easy when you love what you are learning)   Yes, it was a little awkward at first being the oldest student but I bonded with the other students and instructors.  We've kept in touch and I feel we are now life long friends!  I even recently went back and helped teach a semester in the lab for esthetics.   I took every extra advanced certification class possible and stayed in college for 2+ more years in Health Science.  I'm not done with all the degrees I want to finish but there is more education in my plans. 

     In the state of GA Esthetics is the program for a License.  There's several careers one can pursue...medical aesthetics, spa esthetics, make up artist (wedding, photography), media make up and   fantasy make up artist (movie set i.e. walking dead type) to name a few. In the industry, Aesthetics with an A is medical and Esthetics with an E is everything else and falls under Cosmetology.  In Europe Medical Aesthetics is a 4 year degree and Esthetics is a 2 year degree. Cidesco is the international diploma needed for work anywhere in the world. (cruise ships, resorts, movie sets in other countries etc)  In the U.S. every state is different for number of clinical hours needed to complete an esthetics license and some states have "master licenses" for advanced continuing education hours.  

     I chose the Medical Aesthetics path and have multiple advanced clinical certifications.  Not to bore you, but I'll list them so you'll know what they stand for...
LE, Licensed Esthetician; 
LALP, Licensed Assistant Laser Practitioner; 
LPM, Licensed Permanent Micropigmentation (i.e. PMU-Permanent Makeup  microshading/microblading);  
CMA, Certified Medical/Nurse Assistant (required for nursing);  
Other certifications include:  micro needling; skin resurfacing which includes-Advanced Chemical Peels, Dermaplane, Microdermabrasion, Blood Born Pathogens & Medical CPR to name a few);  

    After several years of working part time with an expert in the PMU field and running a large Medical Aesthetics office for a doctor I decided to open my own Clinical Aesthetics Practice.  The difference between a spa esthetician and clinical aesthetician is I primarily work on corrective issues.  My RX plan for each client will include making a difference for their concerns...anti-aging, acne, scars, dermatitis issues, internal health and how it is related to our external skin beauty etc.  


     Before ending my first blog, I want to shout out to Andrea Stephens Dunn for all of her help & support over the last few years!  I'll be eternally grateful for her expertise and direction in the PMU field!  Although I'll never be able to be the natural born artist that she is I'm truly thankful for her sharing her experience with me. My office is in the same building and area with Andrea and Val. Val is another important business person that I need to thank for being a  great leader/friend over the last few years!   

     I will post regularly focusing on different treatments/procdeures and business plans; Hope everyone enjoys reading it.  Happy April TAX week everyone! xoxoxo


Tammy Sweet, LE, LALP, LPM, CMASimply Sweet Skin, LLC
2581 Hwy 54 Suite C
Peachtree City, Ga 30269

www.simplysweetskin.global  
www.facebook.com/simplysweetskinptc  
www.instagram.com/tammy_sweet_le