Bad facial? How to make your skin better NOW.

In part one we covered 3 ways to determine if you are having an abnormal post-facial reaction. With part two we will cover how to make your unhappy skin better with these super easy ways to calm and soothe. 

"How to make your "bad" skin better, quickly."

1. Use only a mild, gentle cleanser to cleanse your face

Remove any residual product on your skin since it may be contributing to your skins reaction. Use a gentle, non-exfoliating, non-scrubbing cleanser. Milky is best so you don't over-strip and further irritate your face. Your cleanser can contain calming ingredients like green tea or chamomile but now is NOT the time to try something new. You are better off with simple, basic, mild cleanser.

•  Pelasante Pure Cleanse is a gentle cleanser designed for sensitive and damaged skin. It rinses clean without residue. Use twice a day or as needed. If you don't have access to water this cleanser can also be gently removed with a tissue 

 2. Apply cool compresses or use your Ice balloons to reduce redness, heat and inflammation.

You need to slow down the inflammation and cold is the best at this time. Roll your homemade ice balloons over  different areas of the face until the surface heat has dissipated and the redness is reduced. You can apply it up to 10 minutes at least 3 times a day. A washcloth repeatedly dipped in cool water will also work.  

• Follow these simple steps to make your own emergency Ice Balloons. 

3. Apply a mild, gentle moisturizer twice a day.  

Do NOT USE ANY NEW skincare product, especially if it related to the family of products that were used on you during your facial. It is possible your skin is reacting to this new skincare. 

What you need is to use a non-active hydrator that will hold and seal in water to your skin; your skin heals better when it stays moist. Non-active means without active ingredients such as essential oils, AHA, BHA, anti-aging ingredients because any of this will add to the skin trauma. 

A thin layer of petrolatum, neosporin or polysporin will work in place of a healing moisturizer.

•  Pelasante Cellular Recovery Moisturizer will help stressed skin with the healing process by maintaining skins hydration and repairing the damaged barrier. Cellular Recovery does NOT leave a heavy film nor a greasy texture, it is moderate wait and absorbs. 

Apply thin layer of Cellular Recovery on slightly damp skin, allow it to absorb, reapply if necessary. Use twice a day or as often as needed to maintain skins hydration. 

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER

• Do not use anything with stimulating or active ingredients - essential oils, anti-antiaging skincare, or exfoliating ingredients - AHA, BHA, scrubs, because these ingredients will increase the irritation and discomfort.

• A flare-up is NOT the time to get fancy with your skincare. Keep it simple and mild. 

• Hydrated skin will heal better. Drink plenty of fluids and reapply your gentle moisturizer as needed to prevent it from feeling dry, tight and uncomfortable. 

• Do Not allow your skin to dry out. If your skin dries out and scabs this can result in scarring and pigmentation.  

AVOID THE FOLLOWING:

• Do not scratch your skin because this dramatically increases irritation and inflammation uwhich can lead to scarring and pigmentation.  You can use topical hydrocortisone cream to reduce itchiness and prevent scratching.

• If you are using a new skincare or body product, STOP! and return to gentle, basic routines. (yes, I know I repeated myself but this is one we forget.)

• Do NOT pick on scabs. (Really do you actually WANT scarring and pigmentation?)  Hydrate and if you cant stop scratching at it - apply topical hydrocortisone cream OR cover the spot with neosporin ointment and a band-aid bandage. (Option three is to layer both on the skin, especially before bedtime.)

• Do NOT pick at any pimples. As we discussed in the first part of this series, these are not normal pimples but a bad reaction. If you pop them you can be left with scarring and pigmentation. This was one of the side effects of Bunbuns bad experience. 

One final thought, as an esthetician I have learned that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

One of my a client went to the emergency room the day after her facial because she was having an allergic reaction to foods and drinks she had consumed.

At first she thought it was the facial. I gave her a DETAILED list of the entire treatment and products used. She was impressed by how much is involved in our facials; although she knew it was 90 incredible minutes she said she hadn't previously realized all the steps and ingredients we used. I appreciated the kudos. 

Thankfully her doctor reviewed my notes and said it had nothing to do with the facial but with her previously unknown severe allergy to sulfates and sulfur. That wine weekend she had with the girls, plus munching on trail mix and then rubbing her eyes, was the real culprit.

 (Note: you should be aware that the sulfates entered directly through the eyes mucus membrane. So watch out when you rub your eyes and be aware where your hands have been.) 

If you ever experience a bad reaction after a facial please let me, or your esthetician/beauty specialist know. None of us can improve if we don't get your feedback. Mind you if Bunbun  (the beauty blogger) had been my client I would have taken her off all her new skincare, given her the above advice and if  her skin didn't calm quickly, had her see her MD right away.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: A severe reaction or one that doesn't calm within 48 hours after using the steps above means YOU HAVE TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR ASAP.  Don't delay, it can mean the difference between smooth, clear skin versus scarring and pigmentation. 

Was this information helpful to you? Is this format easy enough for you to read? I am trying to break up the heavy lines of info to make it easier to consume. So I appreciate your advice and suggestions that make that possible. Thanks for reading.

Have a great week and take good care of yourself,
Michelle G. Lathe, L.E.

SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 17, 2015 3PM TO 5PM for TUSCANY SPA 10 year Anniversary party and Fundraiser supporting Pasadena Ronad McDonald House.