Esthi with bad skin - me!

Hi everyone! I haven't practiced in over a year, but my own skin has suffered in the last year, and I am thinking of starting up again if I can improve my own skin. Currently, I am suffering from a few things and need help. I have wasted tons of money the last year ordering from other professional brands, only to find the products really were clogging my pores. My skin seems unbalanced, and I cannot seem to find an appropriate moisturizer. My skin hasn't been this bad since I was a teenager - I need help! Thinking about starting over with Skin Script but incorporating peels this time. I suffer from large pores, oily skin but pretty patchy in the winter, papules and pustules and blackheads that reappear, even if I haven't put makeup on. It's frustrating. Can anyone help me get back on track with proper advice? I can include pictures if needed.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by coldsalineplexus on January 23, 2015 at 2:32am

I can identify personally with what you are going through, and I am so sorry that you're feeling powerless right now. You are not.

It sounds like you're going to want to find a local esthetician you trust for extractions. Maybe you can trade her for some waxing? Extractions every 2 weeks minimum right now. Everything else you should be able to handle.

Since you are an esthetician, I'd recommend peeling frequently but for very short time intervals - every other evening for 30 sec-1 min only. If going with Skin Script, pomegranate will be a good peel for this strategy. In the mornings after you peel, use the retinol scrub. Non peel days use blemish control pads at first (2-3 weeks) and then switch to glycolic /ret pads. Use plenty of the blemish spot treatment and lots of Ageless serum. Ice your lesions frequently. Use a fresh washcloth every time you cleanse. Change pillowcases every other day. No fabric softener. Make sure your sleep schedule is good. Drink water. Unless medically contraindicated, supplement vitamin A, zinc, and Omega-3's. Evening Primrose oil can help for the patchiness too.

The only place skin script falls down for your current needs is that the spf is not very acne friendly. For now since you probably want coverage anyway, use a high quality mineral powder over the ageless serum. Shampoo that brush every couple days too.

Good luck!
-Christine
skinstudio.com

Permalink Reply by Sara Kathleen Bohlmann on January 24, 2015 at 5:49pm

Hi Christine - Thank so much for your recommendations. I found a local esthi to help me out with extractions and such. I need to order my homecare products from skin script and start over with that. I have tried so many mineral powders (because I have not found a moisturizer with SPF that is acne safe), but I feel like I have wasted so much money now. Jane Iredale and Priia Cosmetics have been the latest. I am still able to purge light brown, thicker extractions out of my pores every night if I wanted to, so I am pretty frustrated. Do you know of a good one?

Permalink Reply by Lisa VanBockern on January 23, 2015 at 9:18am

Hi Sara:

We have a fabulous 3-day Re-Boot class that Dave Waggoner teaches in our office. The point of the class is to get an esthetician back to business after she's hasn't worked for a while. Our next one is February 7-9 from 9-4 pm in Tempe. It's WORTH THE TRIP! E-mail Dave at education@skinscriptrx.com for more information.

As far as your skin, I would suggest the following for homecare:

1) Green Tea cleanser as a primary daily cleanser

2) Glycolic Cleanser and Retinol Scrub used 2-3 times per week

3) Cucumber Toner (could alternate with the Blemish Control Toner Pads)

4) Blemish Spot Treatment used 2-3 times per day on active blemishes

5) Light Aloe Moisturizer

For professional treatments, I would recommend the Pomegranate enzyme once a week (which contains 2% salicylic and 11% lactic) which will help with oiliness yet hydrate the dry patchiness.

Always feel free to call me at 480-543-1121 to discuss this in more detail. Thanks! Lisa

Permalink Reply by Sara Kathleen Bohlmann on January 24, 2015 at 5:45pm

Thank you, Lisa. I always felt so secure with Skin Script, knowing you answer with a complete suggestion and protocol. I am not thinking about practicing full time, but perhaps on the weekends, but I need to clear up my own skin first. Do you think I should use blueberry enzyme at all? I was told to layer the glycolic scrub underneath that. I have large pores and every day, I can extract if I wanted to. The substance is either white (thicker) or it's a brown color. I have tried so many mineral makeups and nothing seems to not clog my pores (even Jane Iredale). It's so frustrating. I get a lot of the papules and nodules that are red and hurt badly, which I haven't really gotten since I was a teenager. I tried switching my diet, even going Gluten Free and avoiding dairy, however, nothing changes with my skin.

Permalink Reply by Lisa VanBockern on January 26, 2015 at 8:36am

Hi Sara - yes, you could try the Blueberry enzyme (the Pomegranate is a little stronger) with a layer of Retinol Scrub to help breakup impacted pores so that extractions are easier. It sounds a little like an impaired acid mantle where the skin has been overexfoliated. More hydration (such as Cucumber Toner, Ageless Hydrating Serum and a moisturizer) might do the trick.

Permalink Reply by Sara Kathleen Bohlmann on January 28, 2015 at 2:27pm

Awesome. Thank you again, Lisa. Everything arrived today - SS is so fast! But duh, I forgot to order the moisturizer so I placed an order for that earlier today. I was thinking I had over-exfoliated too, so I'm glad you mentioned the impaired acid mantle. Thank you again - I'll post an update soon!

Permalink Reply by Lisa VanBockern on January 28, 2015 at 2:28pm

Awesome - I look forward to your follow up.

Permalink Reply by Sheila Gordon on February 3, 2015 at 7:59pm

Sara have you ever tried acupuncture? Could be worth looking into in conjunction with your skin script protocol.