Reblogged from Face It…and Other News:

What is the real science behind oxygen treatments ?  Is it worth it’s high price? Oxygen therapies for the beauty industry revolve around the use of medical grade oxygen as a delivery mechanism for active ingredients in to the skin. It is also used as a “wash” over the face of a client post traditional facial therapies in an attempt to stimulate or feed the skin so new collagen growth can occur. Common promotional statements used usually include a reference to the rejuvenating power of oxygen, and …

Now, let’s talk about buying skin care products from your multi-level-marketing friends. Maybe  there are a few of them who are trained in skin histology and have real skin care knowledge selling these products honestly.  If so, hopefully they are not claiming to have seen the bogus results below.  However,  the majority  are trained on a business model which employs the direct sales marketing concept and don’t have a clue about realistic results with a topical.  How do I know this?  Because these two before and after pictures have been all over my Facebook  posted by friends who now sell for this company (well… I might be short a few friends after this post) ;

Now this picture  clearly signifies that we no longer need Plastic Surgeons.  Forget  the Doctors who spent years in medical school to become certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Doctors that have completed a minimum of five years of surgical training following medical school, including a plastic surgery residency program. During this intensive program, they  learn to perform surgical procedures.  At the same time, they develop their technical skill and aesthetic judgment. After training, a surgeon must pass comprehensive oral and written exams before being granted certification.  Instead we can now have this company’s neck cream auto-shipped to us and it will remove your double chin AND tighten/remove all excees skin!  FANTASTIC!

  This one is for their hand cream.

Not only does the hand on the right look 40 years younger, the muscle mass has doubled in size! I think the person on the left is actually dead, so she’s come back to life, time traveled four decades into the past and as a bonus it gave her a nice tan!

Here’s the bottom line when it comes to these products;

They are not medical grade products. (It’s important to note that even medical grade products could NOT deliver those results) These home based products are not controlled by the FDA so they are formulated in a way that does not allow for penetration beneath the surface layer of the skin.  They are OTC (over the counter) products and do not treat skin condition skin conditions that results in the obvious signs of aging (loss of collagen, reproduction of damaged skin which reproduces the same damaged skin after every surface skin layer is shed)  OTC products are, by definition, formulated to be used by anyone and everyone; as such, they contain only minute amounts of the active ingredients that actually treat, repair, and correct skin problem.

It is unfortunate because some of these companies have some really great products.  The disconnect is when you have sales people who are more focused on earning their company Mercedes than your skin. They become delusional about the results they are advertising.  These days people desperately want to look younger so you have a huge audience to capture. Don’t take advantage of that.  Get off the kool-aid from your sales meetings and learn exactly what is in your product. What can this product realistically do?  What can it not do?  So far, looking at these pictures, I would say you have some really mis-informed or un-educated sales people thinking they are selling surgical procedures instead of skincare.  Or is it possible that one of the side-effects of their product is loss of integrity?

I was ordering product from a company who shall remain nameless. (If you are scheduled with me tomorrow, this is all your going to hear about so stop reading now:) )  I have a client leaving town that wanted a product I didn’t have on hand….. and a cleanser that I did.   And she needed the product…yesterday.  Customer service is one of the reasons your clients remain faithful, right?  So, that being said,  I called  to have  this company overnight the product to me to the tune of $50.00.  Steep I know, but this is a great client and I was gong to make her happy.  The representative that took my order was delightful.  I explained that paying 50.00 to overnight this  cream was crazy but this client needed it ASAP before leaving town and I was going to make it happen for her.  That’s how I roll.  I added some other items to this order to soften $50.00 shipping blow.  (I already knew what you were thinking….)

Next day, first thing in the morning, my product arrived.  I call my client to tell her I will be delivering it ASAP.  I opened my package and all of the small stuff  I had added to the order was there—-  the cream however was NOT.  I FREAKED OUT!

I called this company in a panic (and got the same girl).  ”You didn’t put the one item I actually needed in there!  The entire reason  I over-nighted it,   remember?”   She sweetly replied, “Well, that’s because it’s been on back order and won’t be until next month.”  WHAT?    I asked if it occurred to her to let me know that she could not over -night me a product that wasn’t in stock until February.  That would be impossible. Her reply was, “Well, you got your cleanser, right?”  To this I had no reply.  She completely did not get it.  I asked to be refunded the over-night fee and she said she couldn’t do that because I got the “other stuff ” and then I would not  paid for that shipping either.  Yep, that’s exactly what she said.  Years ago, like maybe one,  I would have fought with her, threatened to pull my business, tell EVERYONE I know, etc..  Instead I feel like I have far more productive things to do than help her get it. Seems like if would be ALOT of work.  So instead, I will open a beer and blog about her.  I now have a headache, I’m short $50.00, my client doesn’t have her cream, and I’ve lost all faith in common sense.

“the problem with common sense is that it’s not that common”

I am loyal and devoted to my  clients, they are one of my biggest blessings.  My promise to them is to  always deliver results  I know I can achieve and honesty that I can’t -when I feel they need someone else.   I am open-minded about products and do not ever pressure you into leaving me with anything you don’t need, want, or I know you need but know you won’t use.    Before I was in the industry  I recall always being anxious at a the end of my spa treatment —the heavy product pushing made me uncomfortable.  While I know the absolute importance of home skin care, we, together, will decide what is  doable for you in price and practicality.  I have never understood why a clinician would treat a woman who doesn’t even wash her face at night and sell her a 5 step system with a price tag of $500.00 .  Wouldn’t cleanser  have been a fair start and maybe a second appointment?   I promise to have your best interest at heart, not my pocket book.

I appreciate you following my blog,  I started it for a few reasons.  This is a great forum to keep you updated on skin care news.   If you are a current client you know that my thoughts are all over the board—super random, close to ADD random.  So here is my outlet for all of that!  Most importantly, I know without a doubt, that beauty is skin deep and I love to write about it.   I absolutely love what I do.  The connections I have made with my clients are amazing.  We laugh hysterically together, cry, sometimes I am the first of anyone in their life to know of their pregnancy, divorce, illness, marriage and many other life changing things.  Our time together bonds us and through it all I am here for each and every client as their esthetician and for everything  they need, skin deep.  Because that’s really where it all starts….

Lisa,

XO

Q. I tan easily in the sun, should I apply less of the self-tanning product?

A. Your natural tanning ability won’t come into play using a self-tanner. Self-tanners work by dyeing the top layer of your skin, which is made up of “dead” skin cells. Your natural tan comes from stimulated melanin pigments found in the lower layers of your skin. So tanning quickly does not mean you will also self-tan quickly, or darker.

Q. I use Retin-A to treat acne breakouts. Can I use self-tanner on my face?

A. Yes, but don’t apply both products at the same time, as it may irritate your skin. Wait until one dries before applying the other.

Q. My self-tanner smells sour when it’s on my skin. Will the smell go away?

A. The sour fragrance you smell coming from your skin is the scent of the chemical reaction, which is what dyes your skin. Different products contain varying degrees of effective “masking” ingredients to minimize the unappealing scent. Several hours after you’ve applied the product, the sour scent will fade, though it won’t go away entirely until you shower.

Q. How long do self-tanners last? When should I reapply?

A. Self-tanners last from three to five days. They gradually fade over time. You don’t have to wait until a full fade before you reapply, though some women say they get a more even tan if they do.

Q. The prices vary so much for self-tanners. Will the more expensive brands give me a better tan?

A. Not necessarily. As with most cosmetics, trial and error is the rule of thumb when it comes to finding the product that works best for you. Some women complain that less-expensive brands smell worse. Others say the more-expensive brands don’t provide a real-looking tan. Some might prefer an expensive spray because it’s easier to apply; others might want to use the same brand that makes their daily moisturizer. Start with a recommendation from a friend.

Q. How do I choose a color that’s right for me?

A. Here is some tried-and-true advice: Usually, the darker your self-tan, the faker it will look. Try not to go darker than medium, no matter what your skin tone. You can always apply more if the tan isn’t dark enough for you; that’s a better option than starting with superdark color that may look strange.

Q. How can I make my fake tan look as real as possible?

A. Follow these four guidelines:

– Don’t apply the same depth of color all over; people never tan the same shade everywhere on their bodies. (It’s a sure sign the tan is fake.) Apply the product very lightly to the tops of your feet, around the ankles and to the tops of your hands — places that normally tan lighter than the rest of your body.

– Avoid tanning your heels, the insides of your arms, your fingers and under your arms. If you do get product on those areas, wash it off before it dries.

– If you must apply to your face, do it lightly; make sure you apply it evenly around your nostril area, your ears and your neck.

– Choose a color that is not too dark for you.

Now fast forward to the past several  years and chances are you have been invited to a Botox party.  We went from candles and make-up to surgical procedures in our homes?  If you haven’t been invited to one, chances are you will be.  So in the event that the person hosting the Botox party leaves the following information  off  their invitation let me plug it in for them:

Botox should be handled with the utmost care. That starts with the person administering the injection. Are they licensed to handle these types of cosmetic procedures? Or have they simply watched enough injections to think they know what they’re doing? Botox was designed to paralyze the muscles that cause fine lines and deeper wrinkles. Think about that for a moment. It might take minutes to perform, but it’s a serious procedure.  If you think the mishaps start and stop with Frozen Face, you’re mistaken. A more serious complication is blepharoptosis, more commonly referred to as Droopy Eyelid. Sure, they’ve developed drugs to treat it, but why risk an embarrassing side effect that can last up to six months?

I’m also curious what on-line training class these injectors failed or were absent on the day  they were taught that you do not let people drinking alcohol sign consent forms.  Ever.

I used to get so aggravated at people in the esthetic industry  (Doctor’s, Estheticians, Nurses, etc) doing procedures that are legally within their  license boundaries….but not technically what they should be doing–well —-except according to them.  Would you let your ENT give you your yearly female exam or deliver your baby?  Legally he can.  Isn’t it shady when a Dentist offers lipo (I know of 2 here in Denver.)   As much as you love your Esthetician:-)–she has no business injecting you.   All of these things happen all of the time.  How about a recent story in the news of the lady injecting people with a mixture of fix-a-flat, super glue and cement.  There have been several plastic surgery deaths on the news in the past few years.  Doctors practicing bad medicine to make money and people signing up to save money….even at the risk of dying.  Yes, I know I went from Botox to surgery but it’s the same concept.  At what level do we need to blame ourselves? The patients.  The people not doing their  homework, for treating all of these procedures casually, for not seeing a red flag when a person claims they can give you the procedure you want for thousands of dollars less.  I know of people who have gotten face-lifts with a coupon.  Recently I have become less aggravated at the un-ethical people offering services that they shouldn’t be performing and more irritated at the people signing up for the services.  Do your homework, get trusted referrals, quit trying to save a few bucks and  only hire professionals that do it safely, correctly and have the ethics to know which procedures they should and should not perform.

And at the end of the day… if you still decide to see shady people for your services….you deserve that lazy eye.  Yep, I said it— and I mean it. XO

Check out this video—