SmartXide CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

About two years ago I had a photofacial done at a local medical spa. I loved the results! I had some pretty bad hyperpigmentation below my cheekbones and it basically got rid of it.

Alas, two years, birth control hormones, and a trip to Mexico did a number on my face and I found myself with quite a bit of hyperpigmentation again.

So last week I went in for another photofacial, expecting the same drill. Turns out it wasn't nearly as brown as last time, and the laser just wouldn't pick it up. The doctor suggested I come back for "SmartXide CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing". She warned me that I'd look sunburned for up to two weeks, but that it should take care of the uneven pigment.

So here's how I'm looking today. I went to work and am off to a concert tonight. I'm not at all worried about what people might think- although WC asked me why my face was bruised. How do you explain vanity to a 3 year old? :-) I know I'll love the end result!

Ask the Product Junkie: Clinique Repairwear

Sassy Gal said... I am DYING to try the new Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle and UV Damage Corrector? Not that we need it or anything, but just curious?

Oh, but I DO need it! Even though I've done several laser procedures at the cosmetic surgeon's office, I still have quite a bit of hyperpigmentation on my cheeks- it always seems to come right back. I'm guess I'm just very prone to it, even though I am very good about wearing sunscreen every day.

And I thought I remembered getting a few samples of this from Sephora, so I went back through my sample stash and found two .5 oz samples, the equivalent of a full-sized bottle. So I'll be testing this out in the evenings over the next few weeks and will report back with a full review. At $44.50 for an ounce, it's pretty pricey, but since I scored some samples, I'm game to give it a try.

Here's the product description from Clinique's website: Potent serum gives every skin a second chance against lines, wrinkles, sun damage. In 4 weeks, see obvious reduction in lines, wrinkles, improved texture. At 12 weeks, the visible wrinkle-reducing power is remarkably close to a dermatological laser procedure. 63%, to be exact. Different commitment, different results. And yet impressive results guaranteed.

Anybody try this already? Let us know in the comments.

So WTH did I do to my face?

You know, I did not explain what I did to my face very well.

Here is the description from the literature I got from the doctor: "A Photofacial is actually a series of gentle (bullshit) pulsed light treatments that dramatically improve your skin's appearance by eliminating minor imperfections using Intense Pulse Light technology."

Yeah, so basically lasering. We started with one machine, and at one point, they had me switch rooms to use a different laser to zap the blood vessels around my nose. Then I went back to the original machine and they said they need to switch to the "V laser" to do the really dark hyperpigmentatin spots, which I can only assume stands for "Very Bad". But seriously, it really didn't hurt and was not uncomfortable at all.

The literature says you are a candidate for Photofacial if you have: broken capillaries, unwanted freckles, acne scars, sun spots, large pores, dark circles under your eyes, rosacea, and generally just have crappy skin that makes you look older than you are (I added that last one).

No photo update today because it basically looks the same. Hopefully tomorrow it will look better and I'll post a pic. It sure better look better by Saturday because I have a wedding and reception to go to that will be sort of swanky and I don't want to look like I have flesh-eating bacteria while there.

New Release Review: Announcing Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy

Announcing Trouble

by Amy Fellner Dominy

Publication Date: August 5, 2019

Publisher: Entangled Teen Crush

I may know everything there is to know about baseball, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Or like him. Garrett Reeves: sidelined player and the embodiment of everything I’ve learned to hate about baseball. He’s gorgeous, he’s cocky, he’s laser-focused on getting back in the game, no matter the cost.

When he convinces me to call games alongside him, our chemistry heats up the booth. We’re good together, whether I want to admit it or not. I’m finding that I like baseball again, but even worse, I’m liking Garrett. A lot.

But when he has to decide between our future and a new shot at his dreams, I know baseball will win out every time.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book has tons of hilarious banter, lots of sexual tension, and a hero who will throw a wild pitch right at your heart.

Link to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46373939-announcing-trouble  

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

My review: 4.5 stars!
Yay for YA baseball goodness! Announcing Trouble had everything I love about YA- smart relatable characters (I loved both main characters!), witty banter, and fun chemistry. Amy Fellner Dominy certainly knows her baseball and I appreciated her attention to detail, and learned so much about announcing games too. This one was hit out of the park!

Giveaway Details:

·         Signed Paperback Copy of ANNOUNCING TROUBLE by Amy Fellner Dominy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link to Giveaway:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554951343/?

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Fellner Dominy is the award-winning author of books for teens, tweens and toddlers. An MFA playwright, Amy’s novels include The Fall of Grace; Die for You; A Matter of Heart; Audition & Subtraction; OyMG and the picture books series, Cookiesaurus Rex. Amy was recognized in 2017 by the Arizona Library Association with the Judy Goddard Award. Her novels have been recognized as Bank Street College of Education Best Book Selections, and OyMG is a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Teens. Amy lives in Phoenix with her husband and a puppy who is training them. To learn more, visit www.amydominy.com or find her on Facebook at amyfellnerdominyauthor and Instagram at @amydominy.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

Link to Tour Schedule:

http://www.chapter-by-chapter.com/tour-schedule-announcing-trouble-by-amy-fellner-dominy/

Does your face get as red as mine when you run?

I can't believe I am posting this pic, but I wanted you to see how crazy red my face gets after I run.

Folks, this picture was taken ONE HOUR after I finished running a 5K. No wonder people ask me if I'm OK when they see me out for a run! I look like I am about to have a heart attack!

I recently received some information about this very issue from Dr. James Marotta.

Ever wonder why your face gets so flushed after you workout, and why this seems to happen to some people and not others? Moreover, you might be wondering if there’s anything you can do about it.

Patients who get pink in the face following exercise usually have more superficial blood vessels in the skin of the cheeks and chin. Exercise causes blood vessels to dilate all over the body including the face.  The result is that temporarily more blood is flowing through these superficial vessels resulting in a pink or ruddy complexion.  Rosacea is a common condition which causes more of these blood vessels to form in the face.  This condition is primarily related to accumulated sun damage.  Intense pulsed light or laser treatments can diminish the overall number of blood vessels, rid patients of unwanted spider veins, and diminish overly ruddy or reactive facial skin.

Here are some quick facts/solutions:

-Avoid things that cause facial vessels to dilate like alcohol, heat, or getting overheated.
-Ice or cool could alleviate the problem but only temporarily.

-Intense pulsed light can diminish the size and number of these blood vessels leading to less redness.

– Dr. James Marotta, dual board certified facial plastic surgeon, Marotta Facial Plastic Surgery, Long Island

Dr. James Marotta is a dual Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery with particular expertise and interest in minimally invasive (endoscopic) facial plastic surgery and facial rejuvenation/anti-aging (surgical and non-surgical). He attended Columbia University and graduated as president of the medical honor society at SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine. He trained at Yale University in head and neck surgery and was consistently recognized as the top head and neck surgeon in the program. He achieved board certification upon completion of his residency. Dr. Marotta then completed additional subspecialty training as a fellow in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery at one of the leading facial plastic fellowships in the country.