What is a photofacial?

A photofacial is basically a light facial. New technology has specific wavelengths to treat acne, brown spots and fine lines. Acomoclitic's photofacial machine is painless, where most photofacial machines (IPLs) can be painful.
Why is yours painless? It has a unique system called photopneumatics. Basically meaning that the treatment tip has a gentle vacuum that sucks the skin closer to the light source, allowing the light to penetrate deeper without it being so strong that is causes pain. Most IPLs will feel like a rubberband snap and may even require numbing cream prior to the treatment.
The Aesthera PPx photofacial is just as powerful and effective without the pain. What is a treatment like?
First, you need to cleanse your skin prior to the treatment. Make sure that there is no makeup or lotions on the skin. Then, the esthetician will wipe a gauze soaked in water over the skin. Then the photofacial tip will be applied to the skin. You will feel the suction sensation and then a warm burst of light. The tip only treats a small area at a time. It takes about 20 minutes to cover the whole surface area of the face. Afterwards you may feel a slight sunburn sensation. This usually lasts for about 20 minutes. Your skin may be slightly pink depending on your skin sensitivity. You can apply make up immediately after and go about your day. There is no down time. You can easily get a photofacial on your lunch break and go right back to work.
The results take a few days to show. The acne spots will clear up. The brown spots will fade. And the skin should feel slightly tighter and smoother. Multiple treatments are recommeded for the most benefit. More treatments are needed for severe acne and dark brown spots.
This month and until the end of 2009, we are running a special of Buy 1, Get 1 FREE on our photofacials. You can actually use both of the treatments the same day. How do I do that? One option is that you can treat your upper chest for your 2nd free treatment if there is sun damage or acne. Or you can do two treatments on your face. Won't that be too much for one day? No, it is actually recommended for faster results on fine lines and brown spots. For acne, it is better to use your second treatment one week from the first one.

What can I do about Bumps and Ingrowns?

The worst side effects of waxing are red bumps and ingrown hairs. The easiest thing to do for ingrowns is to exfoliate the skin as the hairs are growing back in. That keeps the dead skin cells from clogging the follicle, allowing the hair to come through. There are many options for exfoliating. When a client visits our studio for the first time, I send them home with a pair of exfoliating gloves. These work better than a loofah or wash cloth because they are 'scratchier'.
There are quite a few products on the market that work really well. One of the main products is called Tend Skin. You can't buy it in stores, but alot of salons carry it. We sell it from our website or at the studio. It costs $20 for a 4oz bottle.
Sanitas makes a product called "Drying Lotion." Originally made as a moisturizer for acne skin, has been discovered to get rid of ingrown hairs. We sell it for $24 for a 1oz container. It contains Zinc and Sulfur to soothe the skin, minimizing any redness.
To minimize the red bumps, you want to calm the skin. Aloe Vera and Tea Tree are two natural products that seem to work well and you may already have some in your medicine cupboard. Especially this time of year, to aide sunburns.

Please post any comments with your concerns or tips. This is an important subject when it comes to waxing.
My clients love the hair free feeling so much, that a few ingrowns and red bumps don't seem to keep them away. Everyone's different, so I carry a variety of product options so that I'll be sure to have something that works for you!