July 23, 2019, Michael Svendsen / Chronic Ink

Permanent makeup procedures are growing around the country. Many tattoo shops offer these services alongside their more traditional offerings, as they use similar types of pigments and inks that are found in your everyday tattoo design. Because of this, microshading tends to look very real, more so than any other type of makeup or procedure, as it more effectively replicates hair texture on the surface of the skin.

These services can also be used in other areas of the body for people with skin disorders, but many people are going to be familiar with eyebrow microblading and microshading process, as both have become semi-permanent ways to treat the eyebrow area. Cosmetic tattooing has become the go-to for those who want the best look and value for the money. There are many tattoo parlors who are hiring individuals who only have experience in the tattoo industry through doing these cosmetic makeup procedures. This means you can find someone almost anywhere if you ask, and allows you to “shop around” for a person who you are comfortable with and has the experience you need to get the job done right...

Read the Full Article by Chronic Ink HERE

Check out this article on the advancement of Permanent Cosmetics. Although we offer microblading as one of our services, I much prefer creating hair strokes using a tattoo machine. I feel the shading effect gives a more natural look and honestly does not hurt as much as microblading.

Apr 10, 2018, Olivia Muenter / Bustle

When I told my parents last year that I was getting my eyebrows microbladed, they barely reacted. "OK, what's that?" they asked.
"It's basically tattooing tiny lines on my face that look like a perfectly sculpted eyebrow," I answered.

And then they started to panic a bit. For my parents, and most people, the idea of tattooing makeup on your face immediately conjures images of '90s and early '00s permanent and semi-permanent makeup. But what this type of procedure was 20, and even just 10, years ago is not what it is today. Still, make no mistake — this type of makeup is back, and it isn't going away any time soon.

When it comes to tattooing makeup on your face, the misconceptions that stem from what permanent and semi-permanent makeup was in the past are understandably hard to let go of. The tattoo guns and paper-thin eyebrow tattoos that existed in the past have now been (mostly) replaced with microblading — a semi-permanent procedure that involves a tiny, tiny, tiny blade digging into your skin so that ink can fill the tiny cut and tattoo you. The result is a completely natural-looking eyebrow when it's done correctly...

Read Full Article by Bustle HERE

There are now other options to Microblading. Here is an article on the history of Eyeliner, what to expect from the procedure and other things to consider when you make your appointment.

Permanent eyeliner sounds like a dream. You can wipe your face, sneeze, have allergies, go swimming all with your eyeliner, not ending up on your cheek. But how do we get through the healing time of such a delicate area?
Permanent makeup application has become very popular amongst women over the past five years.
People have been wearing eyeliner since 3000 BC in cultures all around the world. The Egyptians believed that eyeliner would protect them from the harsh sun and that lead-based eyeliner had medicinal properties in the protection from disease. In India, men, women, and children wear kohl around their eyes and on their faces for fashion purposes and religion. Still, they also believe that wearing kohl will ward off unwanted spirits and energy.
In American culture, eyeliner was once considered sinful, and prostitutes and women of sin only wore it. Around the 1930s, makeup became more acceptable, and women of high societies could have it made for them uniquely. It came at a high price, and because of that, it became a sign of wealth and stature. Even George Washington wore lipstick and a powdered wig; it back then it was regarded as an indication of social standing.
The 1960s brought thick eyeliner to the forefront. Women started wearing eyeliner with curved ends designed to illuminate the eye giving an eye a full open illustrious look. The 1970s brought even more changes, with eyeliner moving towards the punk generation where eyeliner represented misfit life.
This phase often signified youths with black liner on tops and bottom. Punk eyeliner meant rebellion, depression, or contempt with modern social ideas. In the ’80s, eyeliner became a free for all with strong music movements fueling fashion and makeup for both men and women. Men could wear eyeliner freely with both New Wave and The Romantic phase becoming extremely popular. Rocks tars such as David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Stephen Tyler all wore eyeliner as part of their mystery, and sexuality.
Whatever the case, eyeliner is here to stay, we all have our eyeliner style, and most of us feel like we can’t live without it. Eyeliner can be drawn in a multitude of ways close to the eye, winged or in the waterline, each way expressing how we are feeling day to day...

Read Full Article by Brow Beat Studios HERE

When you apply a serum, lotion, or cream, it encounters the uppermost layer of skin, which is called the stratum corneum. Depending on the size and chemical properties of the ingredients, three different things can happen:

1: Small and Permeable: Absorbed by Skin Cells
If the ingredients in your product are small and permeable, they will be uptaken by skin cells and processed. After a period of time, the ingredients will be secreted out of the skin cells and will enter the circulation. This includes ingredients like L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), and retinol (vitamin A).

2: Large and Non-Permeable: Goes Between Skin Cells
If the ingredients in your product are too large to be uptaken by skin cells, they will move between the skin cells for a period of time. After a while, these ingredients will also enter the circulation and be excreted from the body. These include peptide ingredients like Matrixyl 3000, which have been shown to work at a space between skin cells known as the dermo-epidermal junction (DEJ)

3: Large and Non-Permeable: Is Temporarily Absorbed by Glands
If the ingredients in your product are not absorbed by your skin cells, they may also be temporarily absorbed by some glands in a process known as ”appendageal absorption”. In this process, there are “reservoir effects” in which substances may be stored within the glands for absorption over time before being released into the bloodstream. This includes ingredients like aluminum, which is the reason for some of the controversy surrounding aluminum-containing deodorants.

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Microdermabrasion is a very effective skin treatment that can help to renew your skin and give it a more youthful appearance, if you opt for multiple treatment sessions then the benefits for your skin can be incredible.

Microdermabrasion is a form of deep exfoliation utilizing vacuum suction and a diamond tip head (don't worry it is not painful, think of how a cat's tongue feels) It assists in removing dead skin cells and improve the texture and smoothness of the skin, as well as promoting the production of fresh collagen and cells.

As well as simply creating a youthful glow, it can be used to treat a wide range of skin problems including fine lines, sun damage, flaking skin, enlarged pores, acne scars, pigmentation, dry skin, age spots, stretch marks and more.  Microderm assists in helping products to be better absorbed such as serums and moisturizers.

• No Preparation Needed – Because it can be used directly on skin without any preparation, it is a very convenient treatment which you can enjoy whenever it suits your schedule.
• Instant Results – As soon as you walk out of the clinic you will already be able to notice the difference in your skin. It is fast acting and you will not have to wait days before you see the difference.
• Comfortable and Painless – Some skin treatments may lead to mild discomfort, but a microdermabrasion facial is completely painless so it is suitable for everyone.
• Suitable for All Skin Types – One of the great things about microdermabrasion is that it can be used on any skin type so you know that it is suitable for you.
• Improves Absorption of High-Tech Skincare Products – If you use high-tech products to make your skin look and feel better, a microdermabrasion facial allows these to be absorbed into the skin better so that you get more out of them.

LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF MULTIPLE MICRODERMABRASION TREATMENTS

Although even a single treatment of microdermabrasion will leave you noticing the difference immediately, for the best results you should consider multiple treatments. The benefits of ongoing treatment include:

• Clean Pores – You will not have to worry any more about clogged pores because ongoing microdermabrasion treatment will clean out pores to leave your skin smoother and healthier.
• New Skin Cells – When a microdermabrasion facial becomes a regular treatment, your skin cells will be replaced with new, healthy ones which will make your skin look and feel better.
• Smoother Skin – You will be able to enjoy much smoother skin which is free from blemishes and fine lines when you take advantage of multiple treatments.
• Reduced Scarring – If you suffer from acne scarring then a regular microdermabrasion facial treatment can significantly help to reduce the appearance of scarring.

Sometimes we need more than what we can get from a fruit enzyme...this is when acid peels are very useful. There are several types of acid peels, at Aesthetics By Chezza we use Glycolic, Lactic, Mandelic and Salicylic.

Chemical exfoliants rely on the power of the ingredient to soften, lift and delaminate the skin. There are many different types of acid peels and enzymes that fall into this category.

• Acid peels. Acid peels work due to their acidity, which is measured by pH, defining the acid’s willingness to donate an H+ ion. The more H+ ions in the peel, the lower the pH of the liquid, and the more the peel is able to break the weak bonds that link skin cells, translating to more peeling. The beauty of acid peel systems is that a skin care professional can customize results by matching the correct peel to the proper skin type in order to maximize results and minimize downtime.

Enzymes utilized in skin care primarily include those that digest protein in skin, such as keratin, which is present in high concentrations in the upper layer of the epidermis. Papain from papaya and bromelain from pineapple are two of the most common enzymes. Enzymes are generally very safe, because they have a limited reactivity with skin due to the fact that they can only digest the keratin protein they come into direct contact with. The key to success with enzyme systems is keeping the enzyme active before it is applied to the skin. For instance, a single-enzyme product that contains water and enzyme has a very short shelf life, because the enzyme can digest itself. Also, it should be noted that many enzyme products are formulated together with acids, which can make the exfoliation more aggressive. These treatments should be categorized as chemical acid peels rather than an enzyme. Very often, these additives are not disclosed; therefore, skin care professionals should be sure to test different enzyme products and choose the appropriate strength for a specific client.

When you are shopping for the best products to help reduce the signs of aging, it is important to give careful consideration to products that utilize the peptide for skin care approach. This ingredient is a broad term to describe chains of amino acids, which serve as the building blocks of cells and tissues in your body. Using peptide for skin care is considered a viable strategy by some dermatologists because skin care products containing these ingredients are meant to stimulate the cell rejuvenation process and even stimulate collagen production. Therefore, products with these chains of amino acids are generally considered to be anti aging in nature. It is important to note that the use of peptide for skin care products will not yield results overnight, but daily application may show improvements over time.

Replacing Collagen for Younger-Looking Skin
Peptide for skin care products use chemicals that are close relatives of proteins, which are the building blocks of our bodies on the cellular level. These nutrients are kept together with nitrogen and carbon molecules that can work their way into the epidermis and “speak” to the cells. When products using peptide for skin care make their way into the skin, it may stimulate collagen production to tighten skin, and may even repair some cell structures. This is important because collagen is what keeps the skin plump and full, and helps it withstand the natural appearance of wrinkles that is so common with aging skin.

Unfortunately, as we age, collagen production begins to decrease and the skin becomes more likely to sag. Add to that years of unprotected exposure to the sun, and the skin doesn’t just lose collagen faster, but starts to appear dry and sallow, exacerbating the appearance of wrinkles. Using a peptide for skin care strategy may help reverse this process, allowing you to retain beautiful skin longer.

Diligent Application of Peptide for Skin Care
When you choose to use a peptide for skin care product routine, you have to be diligent about applying the ingredients regularly. Most people do not see results from their peptide products for at least one month or more, and in some cases, the results do not show for up to 3 months! Unfortunately, many people also do not have the patience to wait that long for results, and stop using the cream after just a few weeks. Some people don’t notice results because they are too gradual, while some may not see any improvement from a peptide for skin strategy at all. You specific situation and skin type will play a large role in determining the final outcome.

Commonly Found Peptides
There are several different types of chemical used in the peptide for skin care product lines. Most commonly, two types of peptides in cosmetics are Palmitoyl Oligopeptide and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7. The former needs to be used for at least four weeks or more to see any results, and works mainly by helping to keep connective tissues structured. Products with this type of peptide will help keep the skin from sagging and may also reduce the signs of wrinkles. The latter, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, is a popular ingredient which aims to reduce inflammation in the skin. This peptide for skin care also helps the skin fight against problems that occur from free radicals that damage the skin even more.

Two lesser known ingredients used in peptide for skin care products are Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3, which stimulates collagen, and Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 which behaves in a similar way to Botox. The latter peptide keeps muscles relaxed, so wrinkles are less likely to appear.

Stimulating Collagen and Healing the Skin
Peptides not only help stimulate collagen growth, but they also deliver copper into the skin, which can help the skin heal faster. Since microscopic ingredients in peptide for skin care strategies can penetrate deep into the skin layers, these amino acid chains help heal the skin faster than many other types of product. For example, a copper peptide serum may help heal the skin while working to increase collagen as well.

Serums and Creams
Peptide for skin care products are usually available in serum and cream form. However, it is important to keep in mind that different product types work differently, even if they have similar ingredients. For example, the creams will moisturize the skin, but may be too heavy to allow helpful ingredients to penetrate the skin, thus diminishing effectiveness. Serums, on the other hand, will allow the peptides for skin to be absorbed more quickly, yielding more meaningful results.

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Autumn is in full swing with days growing shorter and air getting drier. Foliage is at its peak, and colors abound in the trees. As the summer months flee, so does many's conscious effort to make sure they’re protecting their skin from UV rays. Let’s be blunt here, just because the days aren’t lasting as long doesn’t mean the sun isn’t permeating UV rays. On the contrary, this is a year-long occurrence. So, let’s focus on ways to treat your skin as Autumn presses on.

Humidify the Air Around You
As we start to heat our homes due to the cooler temperatures and overall decrease in naturally occurring humidity levels, its important to get SOME moisture back into the air. Humidifying is essential in keeping your skin properly hydrated. Due to the lack humidity in the air, your skin can dry out and crack, and also see increased flareups of eczema, rosacea and hypersen­sitivity.

Exfoliate
Whether you’re using a scrub, a dry brush or something like fruit peels, treat your skin to the remedying effects of exfoliating dead skin cells. By not treating the cells that naturally die off due to seasonal change and other factors, you’re inadvertently clogging pores that can lead to worsening skin conditions. Exfoliating is important because you’re freeing those pores and opening up the pathway to better hydration and thus, a means to experience better miniatur­ization with the use of oils, creams or just plain old water.
"Just because the days aren’t lasting as long doesn’t mean the sun isn’t permeating UV rays."

Invest in Creams
The last two entries have harped on the idea that it’s important to moisturize your skin as cooler temperatures set in. One of the most obvious things you can do is purchase and utilize the benefits of high-quality skin creams. These leave your skin feeling smooth, better moisturized and enable the skin to be more elastic. Further, choose creams that have UV protectant, or SPF, in them to keep your skin completely healthy and safe as you would in the summertime. The sun’s UV rays don’t pay any attention to the temperature of the air.

Protect Your Lips
Don’t forget your lips! So many people do. The colder temps will dry them out as they do other parts of your body, and your lips are exposed to cold winds that other parts of your face might not be, depending on what you’re wearing. Use a good quality lip balm that includes SPF and cover all the bases.

In summary, there are always going to be unique ways to bolster skin health as the seasons change. Those solutions will vary depending on geographic location. What we’re always stressing here at IMPACT Melanoma is the utilization of SPF in whatever remedy you’re considering. It doesn’t matter what products your pampering yourself with if SPF isn’t a part of the equation. UV radiation is serious, and those rays are cutting in and compromising your health every day and not just summer days. Whether it’s a day accented by a cool autumn breeze, a mountain retreat to hit the slopes in the midst of a snowstorm or a mid-summer heatwave, UV is UV regardless of the digits on the thermometer or the colors of the leaves in the trees.

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