During Healthy Skin Month, Learn Skin Care Tips for the Whole Year

November 2023

Optima’s Licensed Esthetician Michelle Nunez Has the Intel for Rejuvenating and Caring for Your Skin

Whether you follow a tightly adhered-to skin care regimen or only employ a basic routine as an afterthought, how we treat our skin is incredibly important – it’s our body’s largest organ and everything from sun exposure to skin issues like acne or eczema to blemishes and scarring can leave us feeling, well, a bit uncomfortable in our own skin.  

November was designated as National Healthy Skin Month in 1997 by the American Academy of Dermatology to help draw more attention not just to basic skin care, but to other important skin treatments that help keep it looking and feeling as healthy as possible.

One of our licensed estheticians, Michelle Nunez, one of our esteemed licensed estheticians at the Bedford, NH practice, serving the Manchester area, has offered her take on some of the most common skin care-related issues and concerns we get at Optima Dermatology, and the role esthetic treatments can play in treatment and maintenance. 

If any of these topics resonate with you, we’d love to meet with you to discuss how we can help you achieve healthy skin this month and for years to come!

How Can I Reverse the Signs of Aging Skin?

Often, our patients visit with concerns about signs of aging on their skin. Volume loss, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and sagging skin can impact our self-confidence. 

As we age, our bodies shed skin cells more slowly, which results in the skin looking duller or less radiant. Additionally, after the age of 30, we lose about 1% of our collagen, a protein in the skin that provides structure and support. 

For patients with volume loss, fine lines, wrinkles, or sagging skin, we recommend INTRAcel™, a microneedling treatment delivered using a radio frequency device. It has been shown to improve skin tone and texture, diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and firm up the skin’s structure overall. Studies show that after 4 microneedling sessions over 4 months, collagen production can increase by up to 400%! INTRAcel™ is a safe, comfortable treatment for all skin types and can be done anywhere on the face, neck, and body with little to no downtime. 

Is There an Effective Way to Treat Acne and Minimize the Appearance of Acne Scars?

Yes! We completely understand how uncomfortable and troubling acne can be, to the point where it impacts your everyday life. We also know that many at-home acne treatments, such as face cleansers and topical ointments, don’t always work, and can leave you feeling frustrated and helpless. 

At Optima Dermatology, we use Sciton’s BBL™ Forever Clear, which uses a combination of blue, yellow, and infrared broad-band light to eliminate bacteria, reduce inflammation, and promote the body’s natural healing process to clear up your acne. It is effective for acne treatment and reducing the appearance of acne scars. 

Patients who undergo this treatment can expect to see optimal results in just 3 to 5 visits, which would be spaced about 2 weeks apart. 

If you’re interested in other skin care options for treating acne, we recommend some great acne-fighting medical-grade skin care products:

• Revision Skincare® Purifying Gel Cleanser, which has lactic and salicylic acids to exfoliate and purify the skin. This cleanser can be used in the morning or at night. 
• Revision Skincare® Pore Purifying Mask, which combines salicylic acid, sage, and tea tree oil to reduce acne, redness, and inflammation. Use this mask weekly on clean, dry skin. 
• Alastin® ReSURFACE Skin Polish, which gently removes the buildup of dead skin cells and other impurities without stripping away necessary oils. Use 1 to 2 times per week. 
• EltaMD® AM Restore Moisturizer, which is a lightweight, oil-free, noncomedogenic and fragrance-free moisturizer. The combination of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide will help reduce redness and smooth and brighten your skin. Despite the name, it can be used in the morning or at night. 

I Just Want to Rejuvenate My Skin’s Appearance and Maintain a Healthy Glow

The skin naturally sheds dead skin cells about every 28 days, but after the age of 30, this cycle slows, which can lead to changes in the skin’s appearance like hyperpigmentation, signs of aging, or uneven textures. But we all crave a fresh, healthy glow, and the best way to achieve one – even in the face of slowing skin cell shedding – is with a facial!

Facials are an excellent treatment to rejuvenate the skin as they provide deep exfoliation, purify your pores, and boost circulation to allow better absorption of skin care products. 

For best results, we recommend a monthly facial to maintain a healthy glow. However, there are different types of facials and the one that works best for you depends on your skin type. 

• Medical-Grade Facials. DiamondGlow® or Glo2Facial are medical-grade facials that are customized to a patient’s skin care needs. 

The DiamondGlow® wand exfoliates, extracts debris from pores, and infuses the skin with professional-grade serums delivered through the wand’s diamond tip. The serums are sulfate- , fragrance- , and paraben-free, and studies have shown this treatment to result in 100% patient satisfaction for deeply cleaned, firmer, and more radiant skin. 

Glo2Facial helps increase the body’s oxygen levels to allow for deeper absorption of the active ingredients delivered throughout the treatment. A combination of oxypods and a cooling primer gel gently exfoliate the skin, creating a CO2-rich environment on the skin’s surface. A nourishing serum is penetrated deep into the skin using a warm ultrasound and lymphatic massage that sculpts the face, reduces redness, and infuses active ingredients. This lauded product has been dubbed “the facial of the future” and has been used globally to deliver instant, glowing results. 

• Signature facials. A signature facial is a traditional facial that delivers cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, a mask, and gentle massage to help you feel relaxed and refreshed, and help your skin look healthy and rejuvenated.

It’s important you meet with a dermatologist to discuss your skin care goals and undergo a skin assessment to help determine which facial is best for you. 

How Do I Know if an Esthetic Treatment is Right for Me?

If you’re thinking about an esthetic skin treatment, the best first step is to come to Optima Dermatology for an initial consultation. During the consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about esthetic treatments and what types of treatments may be right for you based on your particular skin issue or concern. 

During the consultation, we will discuss your skin care goals and put together a personalized treatment plan, which includes in-office procedures and at-home skin care recommendations that support your overall goals. Achieving your ideal skin care routine and appearance takes a combination of in-office and at-home commitment!

You’ll leave the consultation with a scan of your skin from our VISIA® Skin Analysis System, which uses high-definition imaging to provide a comprehensive assessment of your skin, including factors like hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, pores, redness, and texture. By having the highest available standard of medical photography and skin analysis available, we provide a completely personalized treatment.

Michelle’s Skin Care Routine and Favorite Products

We wouldn’t snag an exclusive with our expert esthetician and neglect to ask about her skin care routine and product recommendations! Here’s what Michelle has to say about caring for her own skin. 

“I look forward to my morning and night skincare routine. It used to be time to myself, but now I get to share it with my pre-teen daughter and educate her on skin care from a young age. Being in my 40s, I understand how important a good skin care routine is. However, I also believe that a good multivitamin, plenty of sleep, exercise, a balanced diet, and low stress can enhance our skin tremendously. 

In the morning, I focus on protecting my skin from environmental stressors and hydration. The biggest stressor is the sun, which can dehydrate the skin, and cause unwanted signs of aging and pigmentation. I always start with a vitamin C serum (Revision Skincare® Vitamin C Lotion 30%) to brighten, lighten, and tighten my skin. It’s also important to use a hydrator, such as hyaluronic acid (Alastin® HA Immerse) followed by sunblock. There are a lot of different sunblocks to choose from; I recommend a physical sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher that you reapply throughout the day (no matter the weather and season). 

At night, I work on repairing any damage done from the day and help my skin to recover overnight. After cleansing, I apply oil with vitamin C, bakuchiol, and melatonin (Isdin® Melatonik Serum). These ingredients help to stimulate natural antioxidant defenses and restore vitality and elasticity for radiant, healthy skin. I apply a nighttime moisturizer (Isdin® Age Contour Night Moisturizer) with hyaluronic acid for a boost of intense hydration, antioxidants such as melatonin to combat daily stressors, and carnosine to protect and strengthen my skin’s barrier function.”

Michelle Nunez, LE

As for Michelle’s favorite products, here’s the official list. We hope you find this helpful, and encourage you to schedule a consultation to explore your skin care questions and concerns further! 

Michelle’s Favorite Skin Care Products

---

Your first step to adopting a skin care routine that works for you is understanding your skin’s unique needs. At Optima Dermatology & Medical Aesthetics, our expert providers will work with you to develop the best approach to your skin care routine.

Request an appointment to start a routine toward healthier, more radiant skin!