Did your Microblading Get Wet? Don’t Worry & Here’s What to Do

If you got your microblading wet and you are freaking out, please don’t!

Or, if you are wondering what is “acceptable” or not after your microblading then this is the article for you. 

We are going to talk about why you really don’t want to get your freshly microbladed brows yet, what water does to your brows, what to do if you already got them wet, and more. 

Wet Healing vs Dry Healing

It’s important to understand that there are two main types of healing that you can do after you get microbladed. 

The first is wet healing and the second is dry healing (dry healing is my preferred method).

And these healing methods apply to surgical wounds and other damage to your skin! (But in this case we ARE referring to microblading healing).  

The name ‘wet healing’ may be kind of confusing because it indicates that you can get your brows wet during the healing process. 

While it is true that you can get them a little bit wet during the healing process, neither method of healing suggests that you get your brows soaking wet. 

And that’s the topic of our conversation today. 

Even if you are doing the wet healing process, you still don’t want to get your brows incredibly wet. 

It may be okay to lightly dab them (again, I’m not a fan of this method but it does work for some people), but that doesn’t mean you can go to the gym and get your brows soaking wet from sweat. 

It also doesn’t mean you should jump into a swimming pool or run into a sauna. 

There is a big difference between gently wiping down your brows with a baby wipe and swimming underwater. 

With that in mind, let’s talk about how much moisture is good vs bad. 

What type of moisture is okay?

GOOD (Acceptable):

• Lightly dabbing or cleaning your brows
• Running around in the rain (just protect your brows)
• A small amount of sweat
• Water that runs down your forehead while cleaning your face

BAD (Unacceptable):

• Jumping in the shower and not protecting your brows
• A lot of sweat or deep exercise
• Swimming in a pool
• Going into a hot tub or jacuzzi (it’s not about the water, it’s more about heating up your body and opening your pores!)
• Getting in a sauna (even if your face doesn’t get wet)

As long as you stay away from the BAD areas you should be good to go, even if your brows get a little bit wet. 

But just remember that no matter which type of healing you are doing, you never want your brows to get VERY wet. 

What Water Does to Microblading Pigment

If you’ve spent hundreds of dollars on microblading then it just makes sense to make sure that you do whatever it takes to keep them looking pristine and beautiful!

It always surprises me that women who get their brows done are constantly trying to push the line on what they should or shouldn’t do. 

Don’t fall into this category!

The rules that exist for microblading are there to make sure that YOU get the best result possible. 

I want your brows to be beautiful (and I’m sure your artist does as well!). 

But I totally get it if you want to know why we make these recommendations. 

So on that topic let’s discuss at least a little bit what happens to your brows if they get wet. 

Because microblading is a semi-permanent technique the pigment used in this procedure doesn’t go as deep as your dermis (the depth that tattoo artists go). 

What does that mean for you?

It means that the pigment (the coloring) is not very deep in your skin and it is subject to being ‘pushed’ out by various sources. 

This means that it is literally possible for your ink to ‘fall’ out of the wells that were created by your microblading artist!

What things make them fall out?

You guessed it… water. 

Well, not specifically water, but water is certainly a big culprit. 

Any sort of liquid placed directly on the healing microblading area increases your risk of losing your pigment. 

If you lose your pigment then the ENTIRE procedure may have to be re-done. 

And trust me, doing 1 extra workout is not worth another couple hour appointment and the use of a small microblade to get your brows looking good!

For this reason, me (and other artists) are very anal when it comes to making sure that you do NOT get your brows wet. 

Microblading and Exercise Explained

What about exercise? Surely, I should be able to exercise because you don’t sweat that much. 

You would think so, but exercise is bad for a combination of reasons. 

The first has to do with your sweat, but that’s not the main reason I don’t want you to do it.

The main reason you shouldn’t exercise 

Does this mean that you can never exercise?

No!

You can exercise to your heart’s content but only once your brows are completely healed (meaning you don’t have any scabs or open wounds). 

I know that there are some of you out there who HAVE to exercise.

What should you do it if you fit into that category?

If you MUST exercise then please, please, please make sure you keep it light. 

Doing exercise like pilates or yoga is ideal because these exercises don’t heat up your entire body too much and force you to sweat too much. 

As long as you keep your heart rate down, the sweat minimal, and your body temperature cool, you should be fine to do light exercises. 

Just realize that any exercise you do may slightly increase your risk of reducing your long-term results. 

What to do if your Microblading Got Wet

Ok, now that that is out of the way we can talk a little bit about what you should do if you do get them wet. 

The first thing you should do is not freak out. 

While it isn’t ideal to get your brows wet during the healing process, you can’t go back in time and fix getting them wet now. 

So, whatever damage was done will be done and there’s not much you can do about it at this point. 

What you want to pay attention to is just how wet you got them. 

A small splash from water, a few raindrops that run down your face, or something minor like this will NOT cause any major issues. 

But if you got inside of a sauna for 30 minutes, spent 45 minutes in spin class, or went swimming, then you probably did some damage to your brows. 

The good news is that this problem can be addressed and fixed during your touch up. 

The bad news is that your artist will probably have to do more work than normal, but the problem should definitely be fixable. 

So, if you get them wet, just dab them dry (lightly) and then move on. 

If you feel concerned you can always reach out to your artist and let them know what happened and they can give you some advice as well. 

But there’s nothing you can do until your brows are completely healed because you can’t go back and do your touch-up while you are still healing. 

Conclusion

Should you get your brows wet? No, I don’t recommend it. 

Should you freak out if you get them a little wet? No, your probably 100% fine. 

Should you freak out if you got them REALLY wet? The answer is still no, but just realize your artist will have some work to do at your touch-up. 

Does this mean you should go run around and exercise like crazy? Please don’t! This WILL cause problems for your brows. 

Now I want to hear from you:

Did you get your brows wet? 

Do you see any problems with your pigment?

How is your retention?

If you have any questions or comments please leave them below! 

Hands on with iS Clinical Super Serum Advance+ (Before & After Pictures)

I decided to take the Super Serum Advance + product for a 14-day trial…

Here are my results! (Skip down to see my before/after picture).

If you want the short version here it is:

I actually loved using the super serum advance + and I plan to continue using it even though my skin doesn’t show too many changes over the 14-day period. 

I have a feeling that it will continue to improve and I don’t think the pictures do it justice!

I’ve noticed that my skin is brighter and I’m breaking out less than before which is great. 

My Experience with iS Clinical Super Serum Advance +

I’m a big fan of iS Clinical products including both the active serum and the super serum advance +. 

I use the active serum on a regular basis but not the super serum. 

Which is why I wanted to create this post. 

Ever since I had my boy, I’ve been dealing with hormonal acne and lots of comedones which have been such a bear to get over!

I’ve been doing lots of skin related therapies including microneedling, peels, and even enzymes. 

These therapies have been working a little bit, but not quite to the degree that I wanted them to which is why I started the super serum. 

This is my experience using this product!

If you want the short version here it is:

Before & After Pictures (14 days)

So, did it work for me?

I think a picture is worth a thousand words, so here is my before/after picture: 

It may be hard to appreciate but you can see an improvement over the 14-day period for sure. 

I personally noticed a significant reduction in comedones under my skin (not quite pimples but just congestion of oils/debris). 

I also noticed a change to my skin as well (it’s hard to appreciate the lighting in this photo). 

One of the only downsides is that I noticed it does burn if you have any open wounds! So be careful when you apply. 

During this time I also got an enzyme peel (blueberry) which certainly helped as well. 

What is Super Serum Advance + Designed to Treat?

Ok, so now that you have seen my experience we can talk more about this product. 

So what exactly is the Super Serum Advance + product by iS Clinical?

I think it’s best to consider this a product designed to nourish the skin with high doses of Vitamin C and copper tri-peptide growth factors. 

These ingredients are particularly useful if you have any of the following conditions: 

• Hyperpigmentation (Melasma)
• Aged skin
• Sun-damaged skin
• Scarring
• Acne
• Stretch marks
• Uneven skin tone

The reason I chose this product to try out on my skin is that it contains a combination of more than just Vitamin C. 

If you aren’t familiar, Vitamin C serum is absolutely great for your skin and may be one of my most favorite skin products. 

Vitamin C serum (assuming it’s high enough concentration) dramatically improves the skin by reducing pigmentation, reducing wrinkles, and by providing nutrients and moisture directly to the surface of your skin. 

It’s hands down one of the most important products for any skincare routine. 

The only downside to using Vitamin C serum is that it can be expensive and it doesn’t always contain any extra or added ingredients. 

My favorite brand (Obagi C serum) only contains Vitamin C by itself, and while it’s great, I really wanted to try out the copper peptides to see if they would make a difference on my skin. 

Super serum contains an almost equivalent dose of Vitamin C (your skin can’t use more than 20% concentration) at 15% but also contains copper peptides, hyaluronic acid, and mushroom extract. 

I felt that the addition of these 3 ingredients probably outweighs the downside to dropping only 5% potency in the Vitamin C. 

Ingredient List

Super Serum is definitely loaded with ingredients all designed to help improve your skin. 

While it will most likely work for any skin type, I do think the ingredients below are particularly useful if you have hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and/or aged/damaged skin. 

My personal opinion is that this product is probably better for older skin (40+) but it can still definitely be used if you are younger (like in your 20’s to 30’s). 

In fact, using a product such as this, when you are younger, will definitely help your skin to age gracefully. 

The active ingredients in super serum do the majority of the heavy-lifting, while the inactive ingredients simply act to carry and stabilize the active ingredients. 

Active ingredients (These are the ingredients that make the product work): 

• Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 15% concentration – Designed to lighten, brighten, and firm up the skin as it increased collagen and elastin precursors in your skin. 
• Copper tri-peptide growth factors – Helps regrow damaged skin and protects your skin against damage. 
• Hyaluronic acid – Helps bring moisture to the skin helping to keep your skin plump and round. 
• Arbutin – Natural lightening agent which treats hyperpigmentation.
• Mushroom extract – Another natural lightener to help even out skin tone. 

Inactive ingredients (These ingredients help stabilize the active ingredients):

• Water
• Pentylene Glycol
• Urea
• Glucose
• Guanidine
• Calcium Pantothenate
• Asiaticoside
• Asiatic Acid
• Madecassic Acid
• Zinc Sulfate
• Glycerin
• Phenoxyethanol

How I used it

Because super serum is really a Vitamin C serum with more advanced ingredients, I used it predominately at night. 

The logic here is that Vitamin C is particularly sensitive to light and the light can damage and reduce the effectiveness of the Vitamin C as it’s on your skin. 

If you apply it at night, right before you go to bed, then you will minimize the sunlight that hits your face which may increase the potency of the product. 

In addition, I tend to wash my face and tone it at night right before bed so it just seemed like the perfect time to use it!

You can probably get away with using it in the morning if that works better for your schedule (many people do this), I just seem to think it works better at night.

*Note: this is how I approach using any product with Vitamin C in it. 

The only thing you really need to do is to make sure that your face is cleansed and toned prior to applying it. 

Any sort of gentle cleanser will work (including the gentle cleanser by iS Clinical if you like that one). 

The only downside to using it at night is that there is a theoretical risk that you might be losing some of the product to your pillow as you sleep and roll around!

I don’t think this to be a big deal with me as long as you let it dry before you go to sleep but it’s certainly worth considering, especially if you are an active sleeper. 

My Thoughts & Will I Continue?

The answer is definitely yes. 

I plan to continue using Super Serum advance + for another 6 weeks (to round out 8 weeks total) and I will update this blog post with another picture to compare my initial photo to my 8 weeks after photo. 

I have a feeling that I will continue to experience even better results as I use it, especially since many skin changes take at least 4 weeks to kick in. 

I was just really excited and wanted to write down my thoughts as soon as possible. 

With that in mind, here is what I’m going to do over the next 6 weeks or so. 

My future skin care routine: 

• Continue with Super Serum Advance + each night
• 1 Enzyme peel each week x 6 weeks
• Increase the amount of water I drink each day (I’m really bad at this but I know my skin needs it!)
• Cut back on my sugar intake (Sugar really interferes with my hormones and I know that my acne is predominately caused by hormone issues)
• Continue with my cleanser/toner each day

Where can you get Super Serum Advance +?

You have a couple of options if you are interested in trying out this product. 

The first place is on Amazon. 

You can get the real deal at this link here (link to Amazon). 

If you want to use a different route you can also get it through an authorized retailer of iS Clinical facial products. 

This will usually be available at a cosmetic dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or med spa closest to you. 

I would definitely recommend that you call before you head in, though, just to be sure that they carry it. 

While I am very happy with my progress and I definitely love it so far, but I’m not sure if I will continue it daily after the next 60 days or so. 

The reason has to do with the fact that I want to limit the number of products I put on my skin and I want to give the Active serum a shot to see if that works better for my skin. 

I have to keep experimenting to share what I find with you guys! 

Conclusion

Super Serum Advance + is a great product and one that I will continue to use. 

My main reason for using it?

Hormonal acne, oily skin, and congestion. 

I am very happy with my 14-day progress and plan to continue using it each and every day for another 60 days (I will post another picture at that time). 

I would definitely recommend this product especially to those women who are suffering from hyperpigmentation, aged skin, and acne!

Now I want to hear from you:

Have you ever used super serum advance +?

If so, what was your experience?

Did you like it? Why or why not?

Leave your questions or comments below! 

What Exactly are Enzymes & What do They do for your Skin?

Enzymes are proteins which can help digest dead skin cells and help rejuvenate your skin. 

One of the best parts about these proteins is that they are all natural and that you can even create your own peels at home. 

This article will teach you everything you need to know about enzymes including how they impact your face, which enzymes are best for certain scenarios, how to make home-made versions of these peels and more. 

How do Enzymes Work?

Whether you realize it or not you have enzymes in every cell in your body. 

Enzymes are special proteins which help cellular reactions take place and your entire body relies upon these enzymes to function. 

But how does this help us understand what enzymes are doing when you put them on your skin?

Facial enzymes are a special type of enzyme which helps to improve the overall texture and quality of your skin. 

The enzymes that we use on skin are completely different from the enzymes found within your cells. 

These enzymes are often found from outside sources (usually plants or fruits) and then placed topically or directly on your skin. 

Once they are left on the skin they perform very interesting functions which can help improve the quality of your skin. 

What are enzymes doing when they are placed on your skin?

• They digest dead skin cells. 
• They soften up sebum and open your pores. 
• They exfoliate, leaving your skin looking fresh and new. 
• They are activated with water and in the presence of steam.

These are just a few of the reasons that you may want to consider using enzymes as part of your regular skin regimen. 

List of Fruit Enzymes & What they do

Not all enzymes work the same and not all enzymes should be used on all skin types. 

Some enzymes are better for sensitive skin, some are better for those with hyperpigmentation, some are better for people with inflammatory conditions such as rosacea, and so on. 

Because of this, picking the right enzyme to match your skin is very important! 

But that’s not all. 

You can also take your enzymes to the next level by adding certain acids, vitamins, and serums to your enzymes to enhance how they work and function. 

In this way, it’s possible to create enzyme concoctions which are ideal for very specific skin conditions. 

This is part of the reason why you almost always find fruit enzymes combined with other fruits!

Pumpkin and orange, coconut and papaya, pineapple and lemon zest, and so on. 

Combining enzymes together can enhance your results, so don’t be afraid to play around with the fruit enzymes listed below to find what works for you!

Below you’ll find a list of fruit enzymes that can help your skin. I’ve also included some basic home-made recipes that you can use as well as information on what type of skin they should be used for…

Passionfruit Enzyme

Passionfruit contains plenty of antioxidants and an active ingredient known as piceatannol. 

This enzyme helps to warm up the skin which helps to stimulate fibroblasts. The net effect is that it is firming and toning to the skin. 

Passionfruit can be applied directly to the skin or it can be formulated in enzymes masks and peels with other ingredients. 

The passionfruit enzyme that I use contains passionfruit, Kollaren, rapeseed oil, and noni fruit which all compliment each other. 

What type of skin is this enzyme good for?

• Ideal for loose skin or aged skin
• Can be used on normal skin types
• Should be avoided if you have sensitive skin or rosacea
• Ideal if anti-aging is your goal or if you desire to ‘firm’ up your skin

Raspberry Enzyme

Raspberry contains the active ingredient known as Rubus ideus which has been known to help lighten the skin. 

In addition, like all fruits, raspberries contain high amounts of anti-oxidants to help nourish the skin. 

The unusually high polyphenol content of raspberries makes it ideal for skin which has mild to moderate inflammation, redness, or irritation. 

What type of skin is this enzyme good for?

• Ideal for people suffering from hyperpigmentation disorders (such as Melasma, post-acne hyperpigmentation, and so on)
• Ideal for those with sensitive skin and in those who have rosacea
• Can be used on normal skin as well

If you suffer from hyperpigmentation you can find a list of other plants which can help treat this disorder as well below:

These plants can be combined with raspberry for even better results! 

Papaya Enzyme

Papaya enzyme is probably one of my most favorite enzymes to use. 

It has been well studied and contains a number of different enzymes which can help your skin. 

The most well-known include Papain and Caricain. 

Both of these enzymes work to remove dead skin cells and papaya is particularly useful for people who have sensitive skin!

My husband’s skin is very sensitive so we use this on him and he loves it. 

What type of skin is this enzyme good for?

• Ideal for people with sensitive skin and for those who have rosacea
• Ideal for those with normal skin
• Ideal for those who just want to improve the overall quality and texture of their skin but don’t necessarily have troublesome skin

Home-made papaya enzyme peel: 

• Add 1-2 tablespoons of fresh papaya (the greener the better) to a blender. You can also mash it together with a mortar and pestle. *Note: you can also add fresh pineapple and/or honey to the papaya to get an added benefit. This creates a stickier mask which can be left on for longer.
• Apply the mixture directly to your skin (it will be mushy) and let it sit for 10-15 minutes or until dry. Remove immediately if you feel a tingling sensation or if it starts to burn. 
• Wash your face off and apply a toner to your skin. 
• Repeat this process up to 3 times per week. 
• If you don’t see benefit using this method then you may want to try a cosmetic grade papaya peel (see below).

Lemon Zest Enzyme

The oils of lemon contain much of the ingredients you are looking for (and many of these oils are found in the skin of lemons) because they contain limonene. 

This enzyme is ideal for those with dry skin because it promotes deep skin hydration (unusual among other enzymes). 

Lemon zest is often combined with skin lightening agents such as kojic acid and arbutin. 

It can also be combined with skin tightening (anti-aging) ingredients such as glycolic and lactic acid. 

And, because lemon zest is loaded with anti-oxidants and vitamin C, it’s ideal for damaged or older skin. 

What type of skin is this enzyme good for?

• Ideal for those with mature skin (women older than 40)
• Ideal for those with normal, dry or sun-damaged skin
• Also works for people suffering from acne and/or hyperpigmentation

Pomegranate Enzyme

Pomegranate has powerful anti-oxidants capabilities, but the enzymes in pomegranate also help to lighten and brighten the skin as well. 

The active ingredient in pomegranate is known as Punica granatum which is found both in the pulp and in the juice. 

This fruit enzyme is probably the single best at treating acne and brightening up the skin (even though it has other benefits as well). 

One of the main reasons that pomegranate works so well for acne is because it helps to dry up the skin and can reduce the oiliness of the skin. 

What type of skin is this enzyme good for?

• Ideal for those suffering from acne
• Ideal for older or aging skin
• Ideal for skin with lots of sun-damage
• Works to help reduce hyperpigmentation and can even out skin tone as well

Pumpkin Enzyme

Pumpkin enzyme is another one of my favorites. 

Pumpkins make an appearance in all sorts of skin care products, especially when they are in season. 

And for good reason. 

Pumpkin contains plenty of enzymes, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. This combination helps to provide the skin with a healthy glow. 

The bioactive ingredients of pumpkin (known as Cucurbita pepo) have been well studied and are known to benefit the skin in a number of ways. 

I personally use pumpkin enzymes on clients when I know that they have tougher more resilient skin and they are looking to brighten up their face in the process. 

What type of skin is this enzyme good for?

• Those with normal skin
• Those with combination skin types (dry + aged, mature + acneic, etc.)
• Great for people with resilient skin (it’s powerful and can make you peel)
• Also works for acneic skin

Home-made pumpkin enzyme peel:

• 1 tablespoon of cooked pumpkin flesh (you can also use pumpkin out of a can as long as it is cooked). You can purchase a pumpkin, take the seeds out and then bake/boil cubed pumpkin flesh until it is tender (like cooking a squash). Add the cooked pumpkin flesh into a blender or a bowl. 
• Add raw honey (1 teaspoon should do) to the mixture.
• Add some Vitamin E oil (if you have it) to the mixture.
• Mash with a fork or blend ingredients until you have created a paste (you may have to add more pumpkin depending on how much oil you have). 
• Once it is a paste then apply it all over your face and neck. 
• Leave the mixture on your face for 15 minutes then wash off, be sure to tone afterward to balance your acid mantle. 
• Repeat 2-3 times per week (don’t leave it on for more than 15 minutes) and observe how you do over the next 3-4 weeks!
• The mixture will be quite orange but it won’t dye your skin so don’t worry about that. 
• Note: 1 medium pumpkin should provide you with several months worth of face masks.  

Blueberry Enzyme

Blueberries are loaded with anti-oxidants and polyphenols which make them ideal for mature skin and anti-aging. 

The enzymes in blueberries also help to brighten up the skin and help it to look younger. 

Blueberry enzyme is also frequently combined with glycolic acid and salicylic acid. 

What type of skin is this enzyme good for?

• Ideal for dull skin
• Ideal if you have hyperpigmentation
• Can be used on all skin types except sensitive skin
• Should not be used if you have rosacea
• Ideal for mature/aged skin

Cherry Enzyme

Last, but not least, is the cherry enzyme. 

Cherries contain enzymes which help to brighten the skin. They are often combined with natural skin brighteners such as mandelic acid and kojic acid. 

Some of the more powerful cherry enzymes are for professional use only, but you can also get some less potent cherry enzyme peels as well. 

I will often recommend this peel (link to Amazon) if you want to get started and if you are suffering from hyperpigmentation. 

Another benefit to using cherry enzyme is that it’s ideal for both normal skin types and combination skin types. 

What type of skin is this enzyme good for?

• Ideal for all skin types
• Can be used on combination skin as well
• Ideal for brightening and evening out skin tone irregularities
• Great when combined with other natural skin brighteners

Home-Made vs Cosmetic Grade Enzymes for Peels & Masks

One of the best parts about using fruit enzyme peels is that you always have the option of going the home-made route. 

What do I mean?

Well, you can obtain some of the benefits from these enzymes by directly taking the fruit mentioned above, mashing it up and then applying it to your face. 

The only potential downside to doing this is that you don’t always get a high enough concentration to obtain the results you are looking for. 

Imagine this:

If you wanted to make a blueberry enzyme peel then you could easily smash up 4-5 blueberries and then apply them to your face with some honey. 

But imagine mashing up 1,000 blueberries and placing the enzyme from all of those blueberries into a compound which can then be applied to the face. 

Which would be more potent? 

The processed peel would of course. 

But that doesn’t mean you have to use over the counter products or cosmetic-grade peels, you can always opt for the more natural route!

What’s the difference between a mask and a peel? 

Peels are more designed to be used with enzymes where you place the enzyme on your face for a set period of time and then remove it. 

Masks are designed to be used AFTER you use an enzyme and they help to restore pH balance and provide moisture directly to the skin. 

You can leave enzymes on your skin for long periods of time but it must be a low concentration if you opt for this route. 

It’s important to note as well that you can get enzymes from other sources. 

One of my favorite enzymes is from iS Clinical and is called Active Serum. 

Active serum contains a number of plant-based enzymes and acids which act to improve the overall quality of your skin. 

This particular serum contains sugar cane extract, bilberry extract, white willow bark extract, and mushroom extract. 

These plant-based compounds provide natural acids such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid. 

I personally tend to use this to help my skin looking young and whenever I have blemishes (I don’t routinely use it every day). 

Other Tips when using Enzymes

Are there other ways to take advantage of enzymes beyond placing them directly on your face?

The answer is absolutely yes!

Remember, when you eat foods or take vitamins/supplements, these things can also contain enzymes. 

You can also enhance the activity of these enzymes by taking certain steps such as remaining hydrated. 

Remember:

Enzymes (especially facial enzymes) are activated with hydration and steam! 

If you plan on using any of the enzymes I’ve listed above then you’ll also want to seriously consider using the following tips as well: 

• Make sure to stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water and use steam on your face during or before to activate the enzyme
• Consume plenty of fruit enzymes to get them INSIDE of your body
• Use dietary supplements to get even more anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E
• Sprout your grains – sprouting activates the natural enzymes in your grains and makes them easier for your body to digest them (you can buy bread and pasta which has been sprouted)
• Avoid processed foods! Try to eat organic and natural foods as much as possible. 

Should you use Enzymes?

The answer really depends on you, your skin, and your preferences. 

In a perfect world, and based off of my own experience, I would highly recommend that each person at least tries an enzyme peel at some point in their life. 

They are especially helpful if you are suffering from skin conditions such as redness, irritation, acne, acne scarring, rosacea, and uneven skin tone from the aging process. 

You’ll probably be very surprised at the results that you can obtain if you use the right ingredients! 

If you aren’t sure if you want to get a cosmetic-grade enzyme peel then you can always start at home with home-made enzymes made from natural and organic fruits. 

I’ve created some basic home-made recipes and placed them in the sections above which you can refer to as a trial run!

Just realize that this approach doesn’t always provide the same results as if you were to go in and get a cosmetic-grade peel. 

But now I want to hear from you:

Have you used enzymes on your face before?

Have you tried natural fruit enzymes?

Did they work for you? Why or why not?

Leave your comments or questions below! 

Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Benefits & When to Use It

Ever wonder why so many skin care products contain pumpkin in them?

The answer has to do with the special enzymes and acids that pumpkin contains. 

These enzymes help refine your skin, exfoliate the skin, and chew through dead skin cells. 

This article will teach you why pumpkin is so beneficial for your skin, how to use, how to make your own home-made mask, and how to purchase a high-quality product over the counter.

Let’s jump in: 

What is Pumpkin Enzyme?

You’re probably familiar with pumpkin but what you may not realize is that some of the acids that pumpkins contain can actually be very beneficial to your skin. 

And this is important for more than just its effects on your skin!

Pumpkins, otherwise known as Cucurbita pepo, are a rich source of naturally occurring chemicals which have been shown to help reduce inflammation, improve wound healing, act as anti-oxidants, and even fight off certain infections. 

These benefits come from the bioactive components inside of pumpkins, especially the seeds. 

And this is not some sort of trend or fad either, pumpkins have been known to have these benefits for many many years. 

So how can you use pumpkin to help benefit your skin?

The best and easiest way is to apply a mask or to use the enzyme in pumpkins as a peel. 

But what exactly is an enzyme?

Enzymes are special proteins found in certain plants (you have tons inside of your body) that perform very important tasks. 

Most notably, and relevant to this article, is how they influence your skin. 

When you place an enzyme on your skin it acts to digest dead skin cells on the surface of your skin or epidermis. 

Doesn’t this sound great?

By reducing the number of dead skin cells you can leave your face feeling refreshed and sharp as you remove the dullness provided by dead skin cells. 

In addition, enzymes also help to open up pores and allow for easier extraction of solidified sebum (blackheads) and in this way they also act as an exfoliant. 

All enzymes work in this way, but certain fruit and plant enzymes are better for some conditions and worse for others. 

And that’s why we are going to talk about pumpkin enzymes today!

Pumpkin enzymes are ideal for all types of skin (compared to other enzymes such as papaya which is better for sensitive skin). 

We’ll talk more about who should use pumpkin enzymes in a minute, but for now, let’s talk about peels and masks. 

Using Pumpkin as a Mask & Peel

So, what exactly is a pumpkin enzyme mask?

An enzyme mask (whether it’s used with pumpkin or some other enzyme) is the act of placing a highly potent enzyme directly on the face and allowing it to set in and get to action. 

You can think of pumpkin enzymes as acids that are essentially dissolving the dead skin cells on your face. 

The longer they sit on your skin and face the more dissolving they will do. 

You can also adjust the relative potency of these enzymes based on the percentage of acid that the product you are using contains. 

The higher the percentage the more acid and the stronger your mask will be. 

You have two basic options when it comes to enzyme masks:

• Use a highly potent acid and leave them on for a short period of time (better for immediate results but may require a visit to an aesthetician just to be safe)
• Use a lower potency acid and leave them on for a longer period of time (ideal if you are planning to use pumpkin enzymes at home!)

The stronger the acid the smaller amount of time you want to leave it on your face because too much of a good thing can be a bad thing! 

Chemical peels basically follow the same concept. 

Who should Use a Pumpkin Enzyme Mask?

Should everyone jump on the pumpkin enzyme bandwagon?

Not necessarily. 

Pumpkin enzyme is ideal for those with the following types of skin: 

• Those with normal skin
• Those with combination skin
• Those with resilient skin (it is powerful and may cause peeling)
• People suffering from acne
• Those with sensitive skin

You can make pumpkin work for you pretty much regardless of what skin type you have based on other ingredients you choose to combine it with…

Combining Pumpkin Enzyme with Other Ingredients

I find that you can get even better results when you combine pumpkin with other fruit enzymes or acids. 

The combination of natural fruit enzymes with stronger acids can get you better results in a shorter period of time. 

I find that orange pairs very well with pumpkin and the two can be added together. 

Orange naturally contains a high amount of Vitamin C as well as naringenin which is a powerful anti-oxidant. 

We already know that pumpkin contains bioflavonoids and anti-oxidants as well as acids which act on the skin. 

By combining these two fruits together you get even better results. 

The pumpkin enzyme that I use is only available for professional use but I found an over the counter version that has great ingredients as well. 

This pumpkin mask contains pumpkin but also contains Vitamin C and retinol, both of which can help treat acne, refine the skin, reduce pore size, and help with exfoliation. 

If you want to try a pumpkin mask (pre-made) then this may be the best option (link to Amazon). 

The application of this mask will be different when compared to the home-made mask (discussed below) because it also contains other ingredients. 

So just be sure to follow the instructions because the potency of the enzyme will determine how long you need to place it on your skin. 

If you prefer a more natural/organic-based product then the pumpkin mask from Eminence may be a better option for you. 

This combination pumpkin mask contains both pumpkin and yams and is ideal for all skin types. 

In addition, it also contains more natural ingredients such as food-based oils, pineapple enzyme, papaya enzyme, white willow bark extract, lavender oil, and other essential oils. 

This combination would be ideal for those with more sensitive skin types who want an organic product. 

Home-Made Pumpkin Mask

If you are seriously health conscious and you want to avoid placing any sort of chemicals on your skin then I have the solution for you. 

Instead of purchasing a pumpkin enzyme and placing the mask on your skin yourself, you can also create your own home-made pumpkin mask. 

The only thing worth considering if you opt for this route is the fact that your mask may not be as potent. 

Which means you may need to use this mask 2-3 times per week (for several weeks in a row) to get your ideal results. 

That’s perfectly fine, I just you to be aware!

You can compare this to more potent pumpkin masks which can give you results after just 1 or 2 sessions. 

If you want to make your own pumpkin enzyme mask then here are the directions:

• 1 tablespoon of cooked pumpkin flesh (you can also use pumpkin out of a can as long as it is cooked). You can purchase a pumpkin, take the seeds out and then bake/boil cubed pumpkin flesh until it is tender (like cooking a squash). Add the cooked pumpkin flesh into a blender or a bowl. 
• Add raw honey (1 teaspoon should do) to the mixture.
• Add some Vitamin E oil (if you have it) to the mixture.
• Mash with a fork or blend ingredients until you have created a paste (you may have to add more pumpkin depending on how much oil you have). 
• Once it is a paste then apply it all over your face and neck. 
• Leave the mixture on your face for 15 minutes then wash off, be sure to tone afterward to balance your acid mantle. 
• Repeat 2-3 times per week (don’t leave it on for more than 15 minutes) and observe how you do over the next 3-4 weeks!
• The mixture will be quite orange but it won’t dye your skin so don’t worry about that. 
• Note: 1 medium pumpkin should provide you with several months worth of face masks.  

You can use this for all skin types but you can further adjust your regimen based on your own personal needs!

For instance…

If you have mature or damaged skin then a lemon zest enzyme may be ideal. If you have sensitive skin then a papaya enzyme may be ideal and so on. I plan to create a fruit enzyme guide in the future so be on the lookout for that! 

Conclusion

Pumpkin enzyme masks can definitely stand to benefit the skin of many women (and men!).

Most of the benefit probably stems from the fact that pumpkin has natural anti-oxidants and because it helps to naturally exfoliate the skin without damaging it. 

It can be used on all types of skin and you’ll probably find it in many skin care products (you can’t miss it because of the smell). 

I am a personal fan of pumpkin enzymes and peels and it’s one of the masks I use on my own face (I have combination dry/sensitive skin which is slightly prone to acne). 

You can use pumpkin enzymes either by purchasing a high-quality enzyme which is pre-made or by simply making your own home-made mask. 

You’ll probably get faster results by using a pre-made mixture but if you like the all-natural approach then you may prefer the home-made version. 

Now I want to hear from you:

Have you used a pumpkin enzyme mask before?

Did it work for you? 

Why or why not?

Leave your comments or questions below! 

Papaya Enzymes: Benefits for your Skin & Digestive System

Did you know that using papaya directly on the skin can help reduce irritation, redness, and make your skin even brighter?

It’s true! Papayas contain natural enzymes which can be used in several different places on and in your body. 

I want to talk about how I recommend using this amazing enzyme and how it can benefit both your skin and your gastrointestinal tract. 

In short:

Enzymes are great for acneic skin, for those with very sensitive skin, and for people who are looking to brighten up their skin. 

This article will help you understand all of the benefits of papaya enzymes, how you can start using them, what conditions they are good for, and more. 

What are Papaya Enzymes?

Papaya enzymes are the enzymes found inside of the papaya fruit. 

These enzymes have some very interesting benefits, especially when used in the right way. 

Natural papaya enzymes can help improve your skin and even treat digestive tract disorders. 

But what exactly are enzymes?

Enzymes are proteins that are required in every single cell in your body. 

These enzymes break down cellular products, refresh cellular contents, and help your body absorb nutrients. 

And they do different things based on where they are found. 

Enzymes in your stomach and gut help you break down the food that you consume so that you can properly absorb nutrients. 

This is important because not everyone can break down their food as easily as others!

Those people who have indigestion or heartburn may be able to find relief by taking extra papaya enzymes. 

But what about on your skin?

Enzymes help break down proteins when they are directly placed on your skin. 

And, because papaya is a fruit, it also contains powerful anti-oxidants that can be absorbed. 

The net effect is that these enzymes help break down dead skin cells, help refresh your skin, directly provide nutrients to the skin, and help hydrate your skin in the process. 

Let’s talk about the different ways you can use these enzymes and how they can seriously impact your skin and body! 

The Different Ways to Use Papaya

There are two basic ways that you can get papaya into your body to impact both your cells and your digestive tract. 

The fruit is to consume the papaya directly and the other is to place it topically on your skin. 

Before we get into the specifics, it’s important for you to understand that depending on how you use it will determine how effective it is for your body. 

If you want to use the papaya enzymes to help impact your skin then you must place it topically (directly on your skin)!

While eating healthy is obviously great for your skin, it’s simply not going to cut it by eating papaya fruit. 

The reason?

Before the papaya enzymes actually make it to your skin they are going to be broken down in your gastrointestinal tract and used to absorb nutrients before they are absorbed and transferred into your body. 

By the time it gets to your skin there is very little left. 

So, just make sure you understand that if you want to use papaya for your skin then you must place it topically on your skin. 

I’m going to give you some natural therapies that you can use to get it there below (which you can skip to if you want) as well. 

If you decide to use papaya for your digestive tract then you have a couple of options. 

The first is to consume papaya the fruit directly and the other is to take supplements which contain papaya enzymes such as papain. 

Either option may work well, it just depends on your preference for natural therapies and how you like to get it into your body. 

If you don’t like the taste of papaya then you can still get the benefits of its enzymes by taking pills. 

Using Papaya For your Skin 

If you aren’t familiar with fruit enzymes allow me to fill you in…

Each fruit enzyme has a different benefit and effect on your skin. 

Some are more potent than others, some are better for acne than others, some are better for dry skin, and so on. 

It’s up to you to match the fruit enzyme you want to use to your skin and your personal issues!

You can do this yourself with a little bit of knowledge or you can find someone to help guide you. 

So, how does papaya enzyme fit into the equation?

Papaya enzyme happens to be great for sensitive skin, for skin that is red or irritated and for those suffering from inflammatory conditions such as rosacea. 

It’s not like papaya enzyme is the only fruit enzyme to help these conditions but it’s much more likely that you’ll have success with it if you use it for those conditions. 

Papaya enzyme can also be safely used on normal skin if your goal is to exfoliate, to slow down the production of sebum (oil), and to provide valuable natural fruit-based anti-oxidants directly to the superficial layer of your skin. 

Another benefit to using papaya enzyme on your skin is that it can calm down inflammation and reduce irritation or redness. 

This is particularly helpful if you suffer from inflammatory conditions such as acne, post-acne hyperpigmentation, rosacea, contact dermatitis and so on. 

Papaya contains powerful enzymes that help soothe down the skin by providing anti-oxidants to neutralize free radicals. 

Using Papaya Enzymes for your Digestive Tract

Papaya also has tremendous benefit as an enzyme which can impact your digestive tract in a positive way. 

Papaya contains a load of different enzymes but the most well-known include Papain and Caricain. 

Both enzymes serve different functions depending on how and where they are used. 

Papain is often used to tenderize meats because it helps break down protein bonds. 

Caricain, on the other hand, helps break down gluten proteins (up to 80%!) and can be used in people who have gluten sensitivities (but probably not Celiac disease). 

Enzymes also play an important role in regulating the type and amount of bacteria in your gut. 

We know, for instance, that certain skin diseases can be triggered or caused by imbalances in gut bacteria concentration. 

Using enzymes may therefore also help regulate your gut bacteria! 

If you want to use papaya to help in digestion then I recommend a supplement such as this. 

The ideal way to use it is either right before you eat or directly after. That way it can help you break down the food that you just ate!

Please note that taking a supplement by mouth will not help your skin, though! 

Papaya Enzyme Peel

We know that you can use papaya directly on your skin, but how do you actually go about doing that?

Should you use papaya enzymes directly in facial products? Should you use a concentrated papaya enzyme blend for a prolonged period of time?

Which is best?

It turns out that probably the best way to use papaya for your skin is in the form of a peel. 

Peels are therapies which involve leaving certain products directly on the face for a set period of time. 

They are often extremely helpful because they contain concentrated amounts of enzymes or proteins which help break down dead skin cells, refine the skin, and reduce inflammation. 

Using papaya in a peel is probably the single best way to use it directly for your skin. 

You can do this in one of two ways:

• The ‘natural’ way by crushing up papaya directly and then applying it to your face.
• Or by purchasing a concentrated papaya enzyme peel and then placing that directly on your skin. 

Remember:

Papaya is predominately helpful for those suffering from acne, redness, blotchy skin, normal skin and it’s very effective at removing dead skin cells and reducing oil production in the skin. 

Homemade Papaya Enzyme Peel

Did you know that you can actually just take fresh papaya, crush it up, and apply it to your face?

If you prefer to do things the natural way then you might find this homemade enzyme peel ideal. 

How to do it:

• Add 1-2 tablespoons of fresh papaya (the greener the better) to a blender. You can also mash it together with a mortar and pestle. *Note: you can also add fresh pineapple and/or honey to the papaya to get an added benefit. This creates a stickier mask which can be left on for longer.
• Apply the mixture directly to your skin (it will be mushy) and let it sit for 10-15 minutes or until dry. Remove immediately if you feel a tingling sensation or if it starts to burn. 
• Wash your face off and apply a toner to your skin. 
• Repeat this process up to 3 times per week. 
• If you don’t see benefit using this method then you may want to try a cosmetic grade papaya peel (see below).

The only downside to using a homemade peel is that it may not be as effective as cosmetic grade peels. 

Cosmetic Grade Papaya Enzyme Peel

If you don’t want to try the homemade papaya enzyme peel then you always have the option of ramping up the effects by using a cosmetic grade peel. 

Cosmetic grade peels are often much more powerful than natural plant-based peels because they are more heavily concentrated with enzymes. 

Imagine this:

A cosmetic grade peel can have the power of 50+ entire papaya’s because all of the concentrated enzymes can be placed directly into the cream!

You simply can’t get this kind of concentration and power when using fruit. 

This doesn’t mean that you absolutely have to use a cosmetic grade peel, but it is important to understand the difference. 

There may be situations in which you want to get the benefits of papaya enzymes but you may not see them while using a fruit-based peel. 

You can get a papaya chemical peel from most estheticians. 

Cosmetic papaya peels often come combined with other fruits. 

The peel that I often recommend comes complexed with coconut or pineapple and contains no chemical ingredients! Just the pure natural fruit enzymes. 

Using peels is quite easy once you have the product. 

All you need to do is wash your face, tone your skin, and then directly place the peel on your skin. 

You then let it sit for a selected period of time. 

Sometimes this can be as short as 10 minutes and in some cases, it can be left on overnight (it just depends on the concentration of the enzymes and peel). 

What to Expect When using Papaya Enzymes

When using papaya enzymes (cosmetic grade or homemade peels) it’s important to have the right expectations. 

Using enzymes is not an immediate results kind of therapy (compare that to something like microneedling which is). 

You will most likely need to use the peel at least 2-3 times each week in order to get the benefits you are looking for. 

You should start to notice some improvement by week 3 (if using 2-3 times per week) and your results should persist after that. 

By week 3 you should start to see a brightening of the skin, your skin tone should be more even, and you should notice a reduction in oil production on the skin. 

If you are trying to treat more advanced conditions such as wrinkles or age spots, then you might have to look to more powerful therapies such as retinol, vitamin C serum or niacinamide. 

Conclusion

Papaya is a fruit which contains several important enzymes. 

These enzymes can naturally improve both your skin and your digestive tract depending on how they are used. 

My favorite way to use papaya is directly on the skin, either by crushing up natural fruit or by concentrating it into a peel. 

Using it on your skin can help reduce irritation, reduce hyperpigmentation, and may be helpful for those with irritated or red skin. 

Taking it by mouth, on the other hand, can help break down your food and reduce indigestion. 

Now I want to hear from you:

Did you know about all of these benefits of papaya?

Do you plan on giving it a try for your skin? What about your GI tract?

Have you ever used it before?

Did it work for you? Why or why not?

Leave your comments or questions below! 

Is Hydroquinone Safe to use Long-Term on your Skin? (+ Alternatives)

If you suffer from hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) then you are probably looking for any treatment to help lighten up your skin. 

If you fit into this situation then you’ve probably at least heard about hydroquinone.

But is using hydroquinone actually safe to use?

In this article, we are going to explore that very question. 

If you want the quick version then here it is:

Hydroquinone is an effective skin lightening but it comes with a lot of risks and there are better options available that don’t damage the skin. 

So is it safe? Sort of, it depends on how long you use it. 

Is it effective? Yes, but there’s also more information there as well. 

Let’s dive in to demystify the topic…

What Does Hydroquinone Do?

If you aren’t really sure what hydroquinone is allow me to fill you in. 

Hydroquinone is a topical agent that you can put on your skin and it is primarily meant to lighten your skin. 

This may sound like a godsend, especially if you have hyperpigmentation, but don’t get sold on it right away. You need to have some more information before you determine if it’s worth using. 

Hydroquinone works by reducing the number of melanin in your skin cells. 

It does this by inhibiting an enzyme known as tyrosinase which blocks the production of melanin into your cells. 

Melanin is the natural pigment that your skin cells produce and it is this ingredient which helps determine the color of your skin. 

When you go out and tan the sun sends signals to your body to increase the number of melanin in your skin (predominately to protect your cells) and this causes your skin to become tan. 

But that’s not why people use hydroquinone!

It’s most often used to treat hyperpigmentation disorders which result in blotchy and uneven skin tones. 

Conditions such as acne, melasma, keratosis pilaris, darkening of intimate areas, and the yellowing progress which occurs with aging are all reasons that people want to use skin lighteners. 

It’s often prescribed by Doctor’s and dermatologists who want to help patients, but usually because they don’t know about better options. 

It’s also particularly attractive if you are on a budget. 

Why?

Because prescription medications are often much cheaper than more expensive beauty products which contain natural skin lighteners (we will talk more about those later). 

Is it Safe?

But, the real question here is whether or not hydroquinone is a viable option for those suffering from hyperpigmentation. 

After all, it’s important that something works but it’s also equally important that it doesn’t do more harm than good!

And, while hydroquinone is definitely effective (make no mistake that it will lighten your skin) the side effects of using it may be less than desirable. 

First of all: 

The melanin in our skin serves as a protective barrier to prevent skin cancer!

If you suddenly suppress the ability of your cells to produce melanin, the very thing that fights off cancer, doesn’t it make sense that this might put your skin at increased risk?

The answer is not exactly clear, but we do know that it probably does increase (slightly) your risk of skin cancer with prolonged use. 

In addition, it also frequently causes irritation whenever it is placed on the skin. 

Because of this, Doctors frequently don’t recommend that you use it on a consistent or daily basis. 

In fact, they like you to only use it for weeks to months at a time and require that you take frequent breaks in between. 

Granted, the irritation from hydroquinone may actually be due to the fillers/binders/dyes in the cream itself and not the medication, but it’s still worth discussing. 

Part of the problem with getting your skin care products through pharmaceutical companies is that they aren’t really concerned with your skin so much as they are the main ingredient of their medication. 

They often put ingredients to help increase absorption and stabilize their medication and these ingredients are often caustic to the skin. 

Beauty product lines, on the other hand, usually take great care to try and avoid harmful chemicals inside of their products. 

Hydroquinone is also not the best option to use for skin lightening because it can potentially damage and kill off your melanocytes (the cells that produce melanin). 

You may want to slow down the production of melanin, but you definitely don’t want to unnecessarily kill off these important cells. 

Are There Better Alternatives?

Are you doomed to have pigmented skin for eternity?

The answer is definitely not!

In fact, there are many different options that are available to you that work almost (if not just as good) as hydroquinone and that carry far fewer negative side effects. 

The only downside to these products is that they are often much more expensive than other the counter or prescription hydroquinone. 

But, when you consider that your skin is worth the investment, it makes purchasing these ingredients a no-brainer. 

I’ve created a list of skin lighteners that work very well and which are available over the counter (without a prescription) below: 

• Kojic Acid – Kojic acid is another natural ingredient which is formed during the fermentation process of rice. It works to lighten your skin by inhibiting tyrosinase. Kojic acid is often found in soaps, face washes, and other products which means it can be used on your entire body. If you are attempting to lighten more than just your face then kojic acid may be the best option for you. 
• Arbutin – You can think of arbutin as a natural hydroquinone. It works by blocking the same enzyme as hydroquinone but it doesn’t come with all of the irritation that people get with hydroquinone. It’s also not as powerful which means it can be used more frequently and you don’t need to take breaks. If you want to use a product with arbutin in it then I recommend a product such as this. 
• Vitamin C serum – Vitamin C is a naturally occurring vitamin which has skin lightening properties. Using Vitamin C serum (high-quality ones) can help lighten your skin naturally and improve skin texture as well. If anti-aging and taking care of your skin is your primary goal then vitamin C is probably your best bet. I personally love this vitamin C serum. 
• Niacinamide – Niacinamide is vitamin B3 which can be formulated and added to beauty products. Vitamin B3 is incredibly important for your skin and it has been shown to act as a powerful anti-inflammatory. It also helps reduce pigmentation by naturally reducing the aging process. Products which contain niacinamide are often expensive but also benefit your skin in other ways. I recommend looking into products such as this one. 

Big Reasons to Avoid using Hydroquinone

Let’s put all of this information together…

While hydroquinone is definitely an effective tool for helping to lighten your skin, there are safer alternatives which work just as good. 

I deal with skin on a daily basis and I can tell you that I frequently recommend against using hydroquinone and here’s why: 

• It’s only meant to be used temporarily – 
• It may cause reactive hyperpigmentation when you stop using it
• It may cause irritation and damage to your skin
• There are more gentle skin lighteners available

Is It Safe for Children? 

We don’t have much information about using hydroquinone for children, but there have been some case reports of kids who consume hydroquinone and suffer from side effects such as seizures. 

One of the potential reasons that hydroquinone can cause these issues is that it can sometimes contain mercury which is a known toxic heavy metal. 

Do you remember when you have to wear gloves when dealing with mercury in chemistry class?

Sometimes people put mercury in skin lightening agents because it is known to bleach the skin. 

The only problem is that mercury is toxic and should absolutely not be handled with your hands or ingested. 

Mercury toxicity is the very thing that causes mad hatter disease and causes problems with the brain! 

If you are interested in using it for your child then it’s probably best to use something that is safer and won’t cause any damage! When in doubt you can always talk to your pediatrician as well. 

Hydroquinone and Pregnancy

Can you use hydroquinone if you are pregnant?

It’s probably not a good idea, but technically it may be safe. 

When it comes to pregnancy and putting medications on your skin, you always need to be concerned about how much is being absorbed into your body. 

When you put hydroquinone on your skin, about 35 to 45% of the dose that you use will be absorbed and some of that may make it to your baby. 

There have been limited studies which test to see if hydroquinone is dangerous so we don’t have really good information. 

When in doubt it’s probably best to avoid it in favor of more natural options that don’t carry any potential risk for your baby!

Why would pregnant women want to use hydroquinone?

It turns out that one of the most common hyperpigmentation conditions stems from pregnancy and it’s known as melasma. 

Melasma is triggered by excess estrogen stimulation on your melanocytes and excess estrogen happens to occur secondary to pregnancy!

So many women suffering from melasma may be tempted to use hydroquinone to slow down this process. 

If you are pregnant and you are suffering from melasma, there are many other options that you can use to try and normalize your skin tone. 

Conclusion

Hydroquinone is a skin lightening agent which is effective but not necessarily safe to use, especially for long periods of time. 

While it does work, there are various other natural products which can be just as effective and which don’t carry the same potential risks!

Using hydroquinone long term can potentially exacerbate hyperpigmentation disorders and cause local irritation to the skin. 

Now I want to hear from you:

Are you using hydroquinone?

Did it work for you?

Did you have any negative side effects?

If so, what did you experience?

Leave your questions or comments below! 

The Many Benefits of Niacinamide For your Skin

Can B vitamins really help you look younger?

That’s the question we are going to tackle today as we look at the powerful ingredient known as niacinamide. 

This high-quality B vitamin is found in the most expensive and luxurious skin care products and for good reason. 

We are going to talk about all of the benefits of this B vitamin, how it works to help you look younger, the side effects of using it, and how to use it safely. 

Let’s jump in: 

What is Niacinamide?

Don’t let the name confuse you. 

Niacinamide is simply another name for Vitamin B3. 

Both niacinamide and nicotinic acid are different variations of the same vitamin B3 (but they have slightly different properties). 

Niacinamide is just as potent as nicotinic acid on your skin but has fewer side effects which are why we are going to discuss it today. 

We all know that the B Vitamins are great for your body and for your cells. 

After all, have you ever tried a B complex vitamin? Did it help you with your energy?

The changes are high that it did. 

But what about using B vitamins on your skin, topically?

It turns out that while scientists were aware of the importance of B3 for your body, they only recently found out how beneficial Vitamin B3 is when it is placed directly on the skin. 

You may be tempted to think that by consuming a B3 supplement that it will automatically make it to your skin, but this doesn’t turn out to be the case!

If you ingest a supplement by mouth (such as niacinamide) it has to go through virtually every other cell in your body BEFORE it even gets a chance to get to your skin. 

Because of this, it’s often much better and more effective to place the B3 directly on your skin. 

This mode of using vitamins and therapies on your skin directly is called transdermal placement or topical placement of vitamins and it’s not new in dermatology. 

In this article, we are going to discuss the amazing benefits of niacinamide and I’m going to give you 8 reasons to try it. 

How Niacinamide Impacts your Skin

Believe it or not, it’s actually hard to find vitamins and nutrients that have been well studied and proven to impact the skin!

In the world of skin care, many therapies are often promoted simply because they work for some people. 

But this doesn’t mean that they will work for everyone!

So, it’s actually quite rare when we find a well-studied vitamin or nutrient that can impact the skin. 

And niacinamide is one of those. 

There are at least 10+ clinical studies and trials which show that this vitamin has seriously beneficial effects on the skin. 

Below I’ve listed the top 8 most important benefit of niacinamide on your skin and I discuss how they work. 

If you are considering using this vitamin make sure you read these benefits: 

#1. It’s Anti-Inflammatory

First and foremost, niacinamide acts as an anti-oxidant in the body. 

We all know what inflammation is and we all know you don’t want a lot of it going on in your body. 

Inflammation accelerates the aging process, damages your cells, causes premature aging, and increases your risk of developing other medical conditions. 

Pretty much anything you can do to reduce inflammation is great for your body and for your cells! 

Niacinamide helps reduce inflammation by raising cellular levels of something known as glutathione. 

Glutathione is the master anti-oxidant in the body which helps keep your cells protected from damage, infection, and cancer. 

It also helps prevent DNA degradation (keeps your DNA intact). 

#2. It Lightens your Skin Tone

You may think that wrinkles are one of the biggest complaints that people have as they age, but another big one is the fact that our skin tone changes as well. 

As we age it’s not uncommon for our skin tone to become uneven. 

For us to develop age spots or dark spots in certain areas. 

This imbalance of pigmentation often makes the skin look older than it really is. 

All disorders that result in pigmentation changes to your skin fall into the category of hyperpigmentation and treating this condition is a top priority!

Many therapies including hydroquinone, arbutin, and kojic acid have been shown to light up the skin and even out skin tone and included in this list should be niacinamide. 

Niacinamide has been shown to lighten the skin by suppressing melanosome transfer into your melanocytes. 

The more melanin your melanocytes have the darker your skin will be. If you can prevent this process from occurring (or at least even it out) then you’ll be on your way to reducing skin hyperpigmentation. 

#3. Decreases Yellowing of the Skin

Did you know that your skin turns slightly yellow as you get older?

This reaction occurs as your body browns sugar molecules. 

It’s the same process that occurs when you cook foods and it’s why they turn brown!

It’s called the Maillard reaction and it happens inside of your cells and skin. 

While your skin is not cooking, it does turn yellow as you age. 

Niacinamide has been shown to slow down this reaction which can act to decrease the yellow tint that your skin can get as you age. 

This process probably happens because B3 acts as an anti-oxidant. 

#4. Decreases Redness and Irritation

Ever notice how some people are more sensitive to chemicals than others?

Some of us can come into contact with harsh chemicals that seem to bounce right off of our skin. 

Other people react with all sorts of irritation whenever they come into contact with even lightly irritating substances. 

What’s the difference?

Part of this difference has to do with the integrity of your skin and how likely it is to prevent the absorption of these chemicals. 

If these chemicals just bounce right off of your skin then they probably won’t cause any issues. 

If they get absorbed, even just a little bit, then they can wreak havoc. 

Using niacinamide can help increase the barrier function of your skin (the epidermis) so that you are less likely to react to certain chemicals or substances. 

That doesn’t mean you should run out and use harsh chemicals, though! 

Be gentle and kind to your skin, even if you do decide to use niacinamide! 

#5. Helps Reduce Wrinkles

We all want to keep the young and beautiful skin that we had when we were younger. 

At pretty much any time in your life, you can look back at an earlier time and think about how good your skin looked then. 

Have you ever seen pictures of yourself from 10 years ago?

Even though you ‘look’ the same, there’s something seriously different about your skin. 

We often refer to people looking like ‘babies’ and much of this has to do with how fine their skin looks!

This has sparked interest in all sorts of therapies designed to help reverse or stop the aging process. 

Some of these therapies work better than others, but one of these therapies that actually works quite well is the use of niacinamide. 

It works by increasing dermal collagen and protein production in your skin. 

Collagen is the substance that forms the framework of your dermis which tends to fade as we get older. 

As you age, your collagen fades which causes your skin to sink in and produces wrinkles. 

Anything you can do to stop this process will help you look younger! 

#6. It Moisturizers your Skin

It’s helpful to think of your skin as one massive organ. 

The entire goal and function of your skin is to prevent bad things from getting into your body and to prevent good things from leaving. 

One of the good things that you don’t want leaving your body is water! 

You are more water than you realize (in fact more than anything else) and this water is also very apparent in your skin. 

How much water your skin contains will have an impact on how “hydrated” your skin appears. 

Dehydrated skin is sunken in, looks old, has wrinkles in it, and is otherwise not very attractive. 

Hydrated skin, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. It is plumped up, full of vitality, and makes your skin appear younger. 

We can measure how effective your skin is at keeping water in by looking at something called transepidermal water loss. 

If you can reduce this transepidermal water loss then you are heading in the right direction because you are keeping water inside of your cells and preventing bad things from coming in. 

And that’s exactly what niacinamide has been shown to do. 

It helps reduce the TEWL probably by increasing the production of ceramides and other fats in your cells. 

This is probably another one of the mechanisms by which this vitamin helps keep your skin looking younger than ever. 

#7. Helps Treat Melasma

If you don’t know much about melasma then I would recommend that you check out this post. 

As a quick primer:

Melasma is a hyperpigmentation disorder which primarily occurs in women with darker skin and often occurs around pregnancy. 

No one really knows what causes it (not even dermatologists) and this makes treatment very difficult. 

The standard treatment focuses on using certain therapies, such as hydroquinone, to help lighten the skin. 

One of the problems with this approach is that hydroquinone is associated with all sorts of potentially negative side effects. 

That’s where niacinamide steps in. 

In head to head clinical trials, niacinamide has been shown to help reduce the hyperpigmentation associated with melasma!

In fact, studies found that up to 44% of people who use niacinamide noticed a reduction in pigmentation without experiencing negative side effects. 

This means that niacinamide can be a useful tool to help treat and reverse melasma. 

In addition, it might also serve as another potent tool to treat other hyperpigmentation disorders!

#8. Enhances Immune Function of the Skin

Ultraviolet light is known to be dangerous to the skin and can even lead to skin cancer. 

This is why so many dermatologists recommend that you use sunscreen because it helps block these rays!

What you may not know is that ultraviolet irradiation (especially UVB rays) suppress your immune system which may increase the risk of developing skin cancers. 

Your immune system does more than prevent you from getting sick, it also acts to kill off bad and cancerous cells. 

While it’s not possible to avoid all sunlight (and you shouldn’t try because then you’ll get vitamin D deficient) niacinamide may be able to help if you get accidental exposure. 

We know that niacinamide (according to some studies) can prevent the suppression of your immune system when exposed to ultraviolet light. 

This means that it may be used as a protective cream to use in addition to sunscreen. 

Preventing skin cancer may be low on your list of important functions (especially if you are younger) but it’s still an important benefit that stems from this vitamin!

Niacinamide in Facial Products

Can you get all of these benefits with facial products?

The answer is yes, but in order to get them you need to make sure that you are following a couple of rules:

• #1. Find facial products which contain niacinamide (not nicotinic acid).
• #2. Find facial products which contain at least 2% of niacinamide (smaller doses don’t seem to work as well).
• #3. Look for high-quality brands and avoid cheap products that contain other inactive ingredients. 
• #4. You can use niacinamide with other ingredients such as topical retinol and vitamin C serum. 

How Expensive is Niacinamide?

Unfortunately, one of the biggest drawbacks of using niacinamide is the cost!

It turns out to be one of the more expensive products and may require you to splurge a little bit. 

If you are budget conscious then I would recommend a product like Vitamin C serum which can still provide plenty of benefits. 

If you are interested in using the best products on your face and you are willing to spend a little bit to get there then I would recommend a product such as this (link to Amazon):

This product contains a combination of resveratrol and niacinamide both of which are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. 

You can also find niacinamide inside of this product by SkinMedica (link to Amazon) which is more designed for older skin and for anti-aging. 

You can’t go wrong with either product, just make sure that you buy from a reputable source to ensure that you are getting a high-quality product! 

Side Effects of Niacinamide

Niacinamide is generally very well tolerated!

That means that most of you will not have a problem when using this vitamin directly on your skin. 

The most common side effect seen while using it has to do with skin flushing. 

But don’t worry, this side effect is usually temporary and not harmful but it may be annoying. 

Redness and flushing of the skin can also occur when taking vitamin B3 by mouth (you know what I’m talking about if you’ve ever taken a high dose!). 

This can be avoided by using small doses and by only placing a small amount on your skin at a time. 

If you find that you are sensitive to the flushing simply try using it once every other day instead of daily. 

Other side effects may include irritation (rare) but this will go away when you stop using it. 

Conclusion

The bottom line?

Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, is a highly effective vitamin which can enhance your skin at multiple different levels. 

Daily use of niacinamide can help prevent yellowing of the skin, enhance skin moisture, slow down the aging process, protect your skin from cancer, and even out your skin tone. 

These benefits have been well documented in the scientific literature where you can read more about them!

If you choose to use this vitamin make sure you find a high-quality product and try to find one that contains niacinamide (instead of nicotinic acid). 

Now I want to hear from you:

Are you currently using niacinamide?

Is it working for you? 

Do you want to try it?

Why or why not?

Leave your comments below! 

Neosporin for Acne: Why you Shouldn’t Use it

As an aesthetician, I can tell you that one of the most tempting things to use on your face, if you have acne, is anything that you may feel will make it look better faster. 

But is that actually a good idea?

Does using Neosporin help to heal your face? Or will it cause more damage?

The answer is that it is almost certainly not a good idea to use Neosporin if you have acne, but let’s talk about the reasons why. 

In this post, we will also discuss other options available to you to help soothe your skin and treat your acne. 

Let’s jump in: 

Does Neosporin for Acne Work?

Why is it so tempting to use Neosporin for acne?

Well, with the promise that Neosporin can heal cuts quicker than your body, it’s tempting to think it may work on your acne as well. 

But, it’s just not the case. 

To understand why that is we need to talk a little bit about acne. 

The best advice you can get when it comes to acne is to simply leave your skin alone!

If you pick at your face around a blackhead or a whitehead, you run the risk of damaging the skin and causing local inflammation. 

This inflammation is referred to as cellulitis when it is located on the skin. 

When you mess around with your face you cause irritation, inflammation, and it actually makes your pimple look even worse. 

Not only that, but you also run the risk of pushing the substance inside of the pimple even farther into your skin which takes it even longer to come to a head. 

And that’s when Neosporin looks enticing. 

Why not use a triple antibiotic ointment to try and help your skin heal even faster? 

Doesn’t that sound good?

Why I don’t Recommend Using it

It does until you realize that acne isn’t an infection! And that antibiotics can actually cause a worse reaction on your face and skin. 

And that’s exactly why I don’t recommend it. 

Antibiotics are designed to treat infections in the skin, not inflammation. 

When you have acne, the redness that you see is the result of local inflammation (often made worse by picking at your face). 

So, using an antibiotic will have no positive benefit in these situations. 

What’s even worse is that antibiotics are not necessarily harmless substances either. 

Especially not when placed on the sensitive skin of your face including the nose, eyes, and neck. 

In fact, it is estimated that up to 20% of people react to the polymyxin found inside of Neosporin and other triple antibiotic ointments. 

People who react negatively to Neosporin often react with a rash, swelling, or worsening redness!

Does that sound like something that you want to have happened if your primary goal is to heal your face even faster?

The answer is obviously no and this is probably the number 1 reason I don’t recommend the use of Neosporin for acne. 

But what else is in Neosporin?

Neosporin and other triple antibiotic ointments contain a combination of 3 antibiotic ingredients. 

Usually, they contain the following: Polymyxin B, Neomycin, and bacitracin. 

These antibiotics may be great if you suspect that you have a superficial (small) infection after a cut or bruise, but they should not be used on your face if you do not have an infection. 

We know that the indiscriminate use of antibiotics (oral or topical) can lead to changes in the bacterial concentration in your gut and on your skin. 

What you may not realize is that bacteria live on your skin and this bacteria contribute to the glow, look, and feel of your skin. 

Killing off this bacteria (and allowing bad bacteria to grow in) will only cause more harm down the road and may increase your risk of developing acne. 

So what are you supposed to do instead?

What to use Instead

My recommendation is to take a more holistic and safe approach to treat acne and putting ointments on your skin. 

In many cases, you may want to simply avoid using anything other than a cleanser or an astringent on your skin (this helps keep bacterial levels healthy and prevent excess oil production). 

But what if you want to use some spot treatment?

Spot treatment is the use of targeted ointments and creams directly on your pimple (or pimples) without affecting the surrounding tissues. 

Certain ingredients can actually accelerate the development of your pimple and help it come to a head even faster. 

Ingredients which can do this include: 

• High-quality vitamin C serum or Vitamin A serum
• Salicylic acid
• Other alpha-hydroxy acids (such as lactic acid and glycolic acid)
• Vitamin E oil
• Take Zinc (citrate) by mouth
• Take Vitamin C (by mouth) 
• Take probiotics (by mouth)

These therapies can help treat isolated pimples but should not necessarily be used on your entire face. 

It’s also important to realize that some oral supplements (such as Zinc, Vitamin C, and probiotics) may help treat your acne. 

The Root Cause of Acne Must be Addressed

But those recommendations only target the pimples that you are already suffering from. 

What are you supposed to do about preventing future pimples from occurring?

In order to do this, you may need to change the way that you evaluate acne. 

I tend to get the best results with clients by taking an approach which takes into account both the inside of the body and the outside. 

In this approach, acne is the cause of something wrong with the inside of your body and the pimples are a manifestation of that problem. 

The good news is that you can treat this issue, but it does take a unique approach and one that includes both topical ointments and serums but also a look at what you put into your body. 

To treat acne you will want to take a look at the following: 

• The food that you put in your mouth – Eating unhealthy, sugary based products will not help your acne! 
• How much liquid and water you are drinking – Dehydration can lead to sunken in skin and delay healing time
• Your hormones – Your hormones including thyroid hormone and testosterone play an important role in regulating your skin. Hypothyroidism and high testosterone are common causes of acne and these conditions can be treated by changing your diet and taking certain supplements. 
• What you put on your skin – Lastly, and this is the part that most people focus on, is what you put directly on your skin. Using low-quality lotions, creams, and serums can exacerbate inflammation and lead to acne. You can prevent this by only using high-quality products which contain the right type of ingredients! 

Instead of using Neosporin as a ‘quick fix’ for your pimples, make sure you treat the root cause and prevent future breakouts from occurring! 

But, beyond just what you put on your skin, or inside of your body, there are also other therapies which can definitely help prevent breakouts but also help to heal your skin even faster and even out your skin tone and texture. 

I’m a huge fan of these therapies, partly because I do them on a daily basis, but also because I think they are amazing and work great! 

Other therapies for acne which may help include:

• Microneedling – Microneedling is a powerful anti-aging tool which also helps reduce acne and can even treat acne scars. This procedure is fast, effective, and relatively cheap (compared to laser therapy). 
• Chemical peels – Chemical peels are done by applying concentrated acid to the skin and leaving it on for a selected period of time. The peels then cause exfoliation, help remove blackheads and whiteheads, and help the skin come back tighter than before. 
• Prescription retinol – Prescription retinol is vitamin A but in a higher dose than what is available over the counter. This prescription is highly effective at treating both acne and in making your skin look younger. If you struggle with acne, and if you want your skin to look good for years, then it may be a viable option for you. The only downside is that it will require a prescription from a doctor. 

Conclusion

The bottom line?

You’ll want to avoid the use of Neosporin if you have acne and instead focus on other therapies designed to treat the underlying cause of your acne or pimple. 

Avoiding Neosporin is important because it can worsen inflammation, increase irritation, increase redness, and delay the healing time of your pimple. 

Better options include using targeted gels and serums directly on your pimple and to stick to using cleansers and astringents on your face in the morning and night. 

Now I want to hear from you:

Have you used Neosporin for acne in the past?

Did it work for you?

Why or why not?

What other treatments have helped reduce or cut back your acne?

Leave your questions or comments below! 

5 Reasons to Use Eyebrow Gel (+ Which ones to Use)

Want to know why I love my eyebrow gel and why I will never go a day without it?

You’re in the right place!

Use this article to find out why you should be using eyebrow gel, how it can enhance your face and look, the benefits of using it, and which ones I love: 

Eyebrow Gel Magic

If I could only have two makeup products one would be eyebrow gel and the other would be mascara. 

Why?

Because in terms of the amount of benefit you get from the effort put in, nothing beats it. 

Also, the cost to benefit ratio is incredibly valuable considering how cheap eyebrow gel is. 

By applying gel to your brows first thing in the morning you can have beautiful looking brows all day long. 

I promise it will help you look and feel amazing. 

As someone who spends a lot of time making eyebrows look beautiful with microblading, I feel like I’m entitled to talk about the pros and cons of this magical tool. 

No one wants to get nappy brows, so if you aren’t already using eyebrow gel then it’s time to up your game. 

I actually asked my husband what he thought about eyebrow gel and he was totally confused. 

Once I dragged my eyebrows downward and told him to look he totally got it. 

So, with this in mind, let’s talk about the benefits of using eyebrow gel and why I think it’s a must-have in your makeup arsenal. 

#1. It Automatically Thickens your Brows

Well, it doesn’t actually thicken them but it gives them the appearance of being bigger and thicker. 

Adding gel can give you the “look” that your brows are thicker then they really are which is great if that is the look that you are going for. 

This probably happens as the gel causes your brows to stick together giving them the appearance that they are thick. 

This benefit will obviously fade as you take off the gel at night! 

#2. It Cuts Down on ‘Get-Ready’ Time in the Morning

Want to get out of your house but still want to look good? (Don’t we all…)

Well, eyebrow gel may be the answer. 

There are plenty of mornings when all I can do is slap on some gel and put on some mascara. 

But even just doing these two things can make it look like you’ve spent a lot longer getting ready than you really did. 

#3. It can Add Tint to your Current Brow Color

Another benefit of using eyebrow gel is that they can come in tinted colors. 

This can help add dimension and color to your existing brow color. 

Say for instance that you are blonde…

Maybe you want to darken up your brows to help draw attention to them. 

You can do that by purchasing tinted eyebrow gel which will give your brows a darker color. 

It’s more difficult to “lighten” up your brows though because darker colors tend to push through other colors. 

But, having said that, you can still augment your existing look and give them a tamed look if that is your goal as well. 

Moral of the story?

There are eyebrow gels for all types of brows, including light and dark colored brows. 

#4. It May Make your Brows Grow (Debatable)

I’m including this benefit because it is something that many eyebrow gels claimed, but I still remain skeptical. 

Why?

Because there are so many reasons why your brows might be sparse or not growing well and plenty of these reasons have nothing to do with what you are putting directly on your brows. 

Conditions such as nutrient deficiencies, hormone disorders (I’m looking at you thyroid), stress, and even medications. 

By the way, you can find a complete list of conditions which cause your eyebrows to fall out here. 

Just putting on some gel won’t solve your thyroid problems or your stress. 

Does that mean they won’t help your brows grow? 

Not necessarily, but it’s not something that I would bet a lot of money on or go out of your way to purchase. 

If your favorite eyebrow gel happens to make that claim then great! Continue using them. 

But don’t spend a ton of extra money on a gel which claims to help your brows grow. 

#5. Keeps Bushy Brows Tame All Day Long

Ok, so another big reason to use gel is that it can help keep your brows tame all day long. 

What do I mean?

I mean keep them in their proper place!

If you accidentally put your hand on your face, rub your eyebrows the wrong way, or mess with them in any way, you know that they can get “Jabberwocky“. 

The right gel can keep your brows exactly where you want them to be and where you put them in the morning! 

My Favorite Eyebrow Gels

The good news is that most eyebrow gels are very affordable and range somewhere between $10 and $30. 

The tube will last on average a few months (depending on how much you use) so you won’t have to pay very much if you average the cost each month. 

Like other beauty products, you really get what you pay for though, with some of the more expensive products being the best. 

Luxury Eyebrow Gel

One of my favorites is the gel by jane iredale called PureBrow gel. 

It comes in 4 color options: auburn, blonde, brunette, and clear. 

I love products by jane iredale because they are organic and contain very few inactive ingredients or toxins. This makes them light and easy to use on the skin!

This is probably the best option if you want the best product, the safest product, and the most high-quality option. 

You might not like this option if you are very active and tend to sweat as you may sweat off the product over time. 

But if you enjoy light exercise every now and then, then this product should work great! 

Budget Eyebrow Gel

Another good option is the clear great lash eyebrow gel listed below. 

It’s not my favorite because it only comes in clear and it doesn’t have all organic materials, but it’s certainly an option if you are on a tight budget. 

One downside to this product is that it doesn’t last all day long (like the jane iredale gel) and may only keep your brows in place for a few hours. 

Another benefit is that it is more waterproof (probably because of the added chemicals) so it may be a better option if you tend to sweat regularly. 

Tinted Eyebrow Gel

This may be a great option if you are suffering from sparse hairs related to thyroid dysfunction or hair loss from any other cause. 

The tinting in this gel will allow you to fill in your brows which will make them look bushier and more full. 

This is probably the best product if you need or want to exaggerate the look and feel of your brows. 

Just be careful! The darker color may not look great on all skin types, especially for those of you with light skin. 

Conclusion

Eyebrow gel is probably my most favorite makeup item that I use on a daily basis. 

I love it because it can really add to your face with minimal time and minimal cost. 

You can use eyebrow gel to help enhance your existing eyebrows, make the look bushier, help keep them tame all day long, and even tint or darken your existing color. 

It may take you some time to figure out what works best for you and your skin type, but it shouldn’t be hard to figure out over a few weeks. 

Now I want to hear from you:

Are you using eyebrow gel each day?

Do you love it as much as I do?

What type do you use?

Leave your comments below! 

The Many Benefits of Using a Microneedle Roller at Home

Will using a microneedle roller really help to improve your skin?

Will it help reduce wrinkles, age spots and treat acne scars?

All of these topics and more will be covered in this guide. 

We will discuss what microneedling is, the different types of microneedling that you can get done, who should use it and more: 

What Exactly is a Microneedle Roller?

In order to understand what a microneedle roller is (and how it works), you need to learn the basics of microneedling. 

Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure used by cosmetic dermatologists and plastic surgeons to help provide dramatic changes to the skin. 

The idea behind this procedure is to take advantage of the skins innate ability to heal by providing targeted and specific damage to the upper layers of the skin. 

This is done by poking and prodding the epidermal layer of your skin with tiny little needles!

A microneedle roller is a barbaric looking device used to do just that. 

These rollers contain hundreds of needles on a tube-like device that can be tracked over the skin to literally poke holes into your skin. 

It sounds barbaric and crazy but it actually works. 

We are going to discuss the benefits of this strange procedure including how you can take advantage of the benefits at home using certain devices…

What it does to your Skin

Microneedling actually provides MANY different scientifically proven results to your skin. 

These results tend to come from the damage to the skin (discussed more below). 

#1. Promotes Collagen Growth

The first, and perhaps one of the most important, benefit is that microneedle rollers cause an increase in collagen growth. 

You might not know about collagen so let me fill you in. 

This protein is responsible for keeping your skin looking young, tight and wrinkle-free. 

Collagen is the protein that provides strength to your skin. 

And collagen is the thing that DECREASES with age, with sun exposure and with certain bad habits (like poor diet and smoking). 

So whenever we can increase collagen, with any procedure, it is something we want to take seriously. 

Increasing collagen WILL help your skin look younger and more beautiful. 

The more collagen you can stimulate the better. 

One of the BEST ways to produce collagen is to stimulate your skin to naturally produce it by itself. 

This is opposed to taking supplements or serums to try and improve the production in that way. 

Microneedling has been proven to increase collagen and help reduce aging. 

#2. Improves skin Texture and Quality

Another benefit of microneedling is that your skin will LOOK and FEEL better. 

This will be seen as an overall improvement in the quality of your skin. 

Skin quality and texture tend to fade over time with the aging process. 

It’s not uncommon for pimples, sun damage and other normal processes to cause negative changes to how your skin looks.

I’m not talking about wrinkles here, I’m talking about the texture or smoothness of your skin. 

The healing process initiated by microneedling causes a robust reaction in the skin which releases growth factors which can rejuvenate the skin. 

#3. Treats Acne Scars

Another huge benefit (for some people) is that microneedling can actually help to clear up acne pockmarking and scars. 

This is also true for OTHER causes of scarring on the face as well. 

But how does it work? 

The tiny little needles of the microneedle roller “poke” through the scar tissue and release the contracture beneath the skin. 

If you feel scar tissue you will notice that it is bump and irregular and this is how scar tissue tends to form. 

This formation can cause “pock marks” on the skin as the scar tissue beneath the skin pulls down the upper layers of the skin. 

Poking holes into the scar tissue can release the scarring beneath the skin and release the tension. 

This results in an improvement of how scars look, especially on the face. 

Up until now, there are only a few other ways to actually reduce scar tissue (such as lasers). 

Microneedling (especially medical microneedling) is a scientifically documented and proven way to improve and reduce the appearance of acne scars on the face. 

Treating scar tissue can take multiple sessions, however, so don’t expect immediate results if you use a microneedle roller once or twice! 

#4. Reduces Pigmentation

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could even out your complexion and reduce the hues of blue and red in your skin?

These color changes are referred to as pigmentation and it is one of the most important aspects of making your skin look older. 

Pigmentation associated with aging is actually more important than wrinkling (believe it or not). 

Because you can cut back your wrinkles but this pigment will still make your skin look “old”. 

Microneedling can help even out skin tone and complexion, probably through activation of growth factors and the healing process. 

This makes microneedle rolling one of the best anti-aging procedures out there. 

How it Works & Is it Too Good to be True?

The answer is no, microneedling is NOT too good to be true. 

It may sound that way at first, but once we unpack how it works it will make more sense. 

You also have to realize that there is a big difference in results when we talk about microneedling at home with a roller vs medical microneedling done at the office. 

So how does microneedling work?

The idea is that by poking holes into the superficial layer of your skin you are causing a large amount of superficial trauma to the skin. 

This trauma looks worse underneath the skin than it does on the top of the skin. 

You can imagine this because the needles will come it at different lengths and angles, but they are only going through tiny holes on the surface. 

These holes damage the underlying skin cells (which don’t have much blood supply) and without going deep enough to hit the dermis. 

This damage triggers a chain reaction which causes your body to release powerful growth hormones and healing factors to help repair the damage. 

In addition, both collagen and elastin are stimulating in an attempt to improve structural integrity to the skin. 

These changes result in the skin healing completely within just a few days to a week, but the healing process causes the skin to tighten and even out both in terms of complexion and pigmentation. 

You can imagine this process by comparing it to muscle growth in your body. 

You work out to break down and tear your muscles slightly only to have them recover and grow in the process. 

We are basically doing the same thing, but with microneedling, it’s happening to the collagen and elastin in your skin. 

Make sense?

In this way, you can think about microneedling as an exercise for the skin! (Well, sort of anyway…)

At Home Microneedle vs Medical Microneedling

Remember when I said there was a difference between medical microneedling and at home microneedle rolling? 

It’s time to learn more about that difference. 

Microneedling in an office is usually done with the use of a mechanical pen-like object which vibrates at a high rate. 

This pen is basically a motorized way to help poke more holes in your skin. 

A microneedling pen will have 10+ needles of the tip which vibrates at a very high rate. 

As the pen is vibrating it is dragged across your skin to deliver thousands of holes into your epidermis. 

Microneedling with a microneedle pen allows more penetration, deeper penetration, and therefore better results when compared to a microneedle roller. 

The microneedle roller is basically a cheaper way to allow yourself to get the microneedle experience (and some of the benefits) without paying hundreds of dollars for the microneedle procedure. 

Microneedle rollers do NOT penetrate deep into the skin and they do NOT provide the same results when compared to medical microneedling. 

But does that mean you shouldn’t do it?

Not necessarily!

Microneedle rollers can be used as a cheaper alternative, especially for those on a budget, to help at least get some results. 

In addition, it can be used as a trial or stepping stone to determine if you like the idea of getting the real deal. 

You can start out with microneedle rolling and then jump to medical microneedling when/if you are ready. 

How to get Started & How to get Results (The Best at Home Roller)

If you are ready to jump into microneedle rolling then you need to know a few things: 

#1. All rollers differ in the number of needles that they have(in general the more they have the better your results will be).

#2. Rollers may differ in the length of the needle(which will determine how far into your skin they go).

#3. Rollers may be made out of plastic material which may not last very long(meaning you will have to constantly re-purchase microneedle rollers over time).

With these in mind, I recommend using a dermaroller such as this one. 

This dermaroller will easily get you started and its high enough quality for several uses. 

For even better results you can also combine dermarolling with a vitamin C serum. 

When I use a microneedling pen on my clients I always finish off the procedure with a high-quality Vitamin C serum which helps to improve the healing process, tighten the skin and enhance your results. 

To start with you probably don’t want to roll over your skin more than 3x per week (you should probably start with just 1-2 sessions per week). 

You can do this at night after you’ve cleansed your skin. 

Finish off the procedure with Vitamin C serum which you can leave on your face overnight. 

Wrapping it up

Microneedling is a great procedure which can be used to improve the overall quality and texture of your skin. 

The main benefit from this procedure seems to stem from stimulation of collagen, elastin and growth hormones from the skin. 

You can obtain these benefits by using a microneedle pen or by using a microneedle roller. 

Now I want to hear from you:

Have you used a microneedle roller before?

Did it work for you? Why or why not?

Have you had medical microneedling done before?

Did it work for you?

Leave your comments below!