Exfoliation
Why is it important?
The very outermost layer of our skin, the Stratum Corneum is made up of dead skin cells held together by desmosomes (sticky particles). It is sometimes called the “horny layer” and with good reason, because as the skin cells, called keratinocytes move up toward the surface they become dry, rough, and irregular, sort of like scales. This creates an uneven and rough texture. This layer also contains dark spots from melanin production. Sometimes through exposure to the sun and our skin’s natural response to it, we get melasma, or darker areas of pigmentation. Sometimes these melanocytes clump together creating what we might call sunspots, or age spots. We may also have a dull, gray cast to the skin because the nicely-nourished skin is far below! When we exfoliate we remove that dead skin layer, revealing the newer skin beneath. Some of the darker pigmented areas exfoliate off and the skin tone is improved. The skin looks smooth and has a glow, and it feels soft and smooth to the touch. Now, it is ready for us to nourish it!
Professional Exfoliation Treatments
Diamond Head Microdermabrasion
Unlike crystal microdermabrasion, there are no sharp particles which may cause microscopic tearing. This non-invasive exfoliating treatment helps to clear acne scarring, sun damage, age spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and rough skin.
$60/45 minutes
$35 when added to a facial treatment
Chemical Peel Therapy - See 4 treatments below
Gentle alpha-hydroxy acids , or beta-hydroxy acids, chosen especially for you, exfoliate the stratum corneum, revealing beautiful skin beneath. They also hydrate, and encourage the growth of collagen and elastin. There is usually no downtime, and at the most, just a little redness or mild scaling for a few days to a week. The results are wonderful. There are different strengths of peels, from very mild to medium, and the procedure and expectations would be carefully outlined with you prior to treatment. A patch test is required prior to treatment, as well as a complete review of allergies and medical conditions. Please avoid using Retinol or any Vitamin A derivatives (Retin-A, Tretinoin etc) for at least a week prior to treatment. Also, avoid the sun for 48 hours before and after, and apply your sunscreen! Exfoliated skin is more susceptible to sun damage as we have removed that dead top layer!
Salicylic Acid Peel
Wonderful for acneic skin, this acid peel has the ability to exfoliate inside the follicle as well as on the surface, thus aiding in the reduction of P.Acnes bacteria. It improves texture, pore size, and is an important part of controlling acne and restoring skin to normal balance. This is available as a stand-alone treatment, but it is also included in the Clear Skin Facial.
$55
Lacto-Peel
This peel is a beautiful treatment for aging and devitalized skin. It exfoliates, but also hydrates. It usually has no down –time and leaves the skin feeling glowing but calm.
$55
$35 when added to a facial treatment
Floracide Peel
Glycolic Salicylic and Hibiscus acids combine to treat premature aging, uneven texture, enlarged pores, and even oily skin.
$55
$35 when added to a facial treatment
Jessner’s Peel
This is a more aggressive solution of resorcinol, lactic and salicylic acid and produces a deeper exfoliation, resurfacing and rejuvenation. It is an effective peel for treating pigmentation, acne and sun-damaged skin. Treatment results may vary, and you may expect some downtime, with redness, tightness, and peeling, revealing glowing new skin beneath. This peel is a stand-alone treatment, but it includes a soothing mask and Celluma phototherapy treatment.
$55/60 minutes
Dermaplaning
With this relaxing and painless treatment, the trained therapist uses a surgical scalpel to gently scrape away that dead stratum corneum…the rough, horny layer of skin. It also removes the vellus hair (soft, downy hair on the face), leaving it silky smooth and soft. This is a lovely treatment, and once you have it you will no doubt look for it again. And don’t worry…it is very safe. Because it leaves the face silky smooth, it is a very popular treatment prior to special events, or photography sessions.
$65
$35 when added to a facial treatment
Ageless Glow Hydra Exfoliation & Infusion
This treatment can accomplish so much all at once. Through the use of Medical Grade pure water and a special tip on the handpiece, the rough stratum corneum is gently removed, the skin and pores are deeply cleansed, and then the tip is changed to a collagen stimulating tip and the Ageless Glow machine infuses active serums into the skin, leaving it smooth, soft, and beautifully hydrated. This is a gorgeous treatment.
$95/60 minutes
$45 when added to a facial treatment
Retraining of Facial Muscles
Why is it important?
When we are young, all of our muscles and firm and engaged, including the muscles of the face. Unfortunately, gravity exerts itself, and our muscles become more lax in our face as elsewhere in our bodies. There is a school of thought that encourages facial muscle exercise. The downside of this is the encouragement of rhytides , or deep wrinkles. Thankfully, there are alternatives which encourage our muscles to be “retrained”. The muscles which are lax can be encouraged to regain tonicity. And the muscles which may be too tight can be encouraged to relax. There are two main modalities.
Microcurrent
Microcurrent is the application of mild electric current through the use of handpieces. It is painless, and you feel nothing except perhaps a few twitches or perhaps a pin prick or two. It is called the Non-Surgical Facelift, or sometimes the Red Carpet Facelift due to its popularity with actresses prior to important events. The results are immediate, and with repeated treatments the results become more long-lasting as muscles are retrained into position. Eyes are more open, the forehead is lifted, chin line is smoothed, cheeks lifted. This is one of my favourite treatments!
$75 /45 minutes
$35 when added to a facial treatment
European Facial Massage
European Facial Massage is a more active type of facial massage designed to wake up the muscles and encourage circulation. While still relaxing it is a very stimulating kind of massage with more benefit to the facial muscles and skin. This is part of Most Facial Treatments.
Rebuilding of Collagen & Elastin
Why is it important?
Collagen and Elastin form the protein network that gives our skin its strength (collagen) and its elasticity (elastin). When we are young we have lots of both, as we can see in the firm bouncy skin of children. You pinch it, and it bounces right back. Their skin is thick, firm, and elastic. When we reach the ripe old age of twenty, the production of collagen and elastin begins to drop off, and fairly dramatically. We see that in the effects of gravity. Jowls happen! We develop fine lines and wrinkles. Our skin is no longer bouncy. But do not despair! We can repair!
Collagen Induction Therapy
After application of a gentle numbing cream, a small tip creates micro-channels in the skin through the use of a micro-needling tip. The depth is regulated to be very comfortable for you! Don’t be afraid. The skin sees this as a small injury and rushes to heal it, the result of which is increased collagen and elastin. At the same time, the small channels created allow for beautiful infusion of active ingredient serums. You will see immediate result, and even more so when part of a series. Especially useful for aging necks!!!! When alternated on a bi-weekly basis with a gentle Lactic peel, be prepared to see time reversed!
Studies have shown that this therapy can be more effective than ablative treatments like laser resurfacing, and just as effective as ablative laser in stimulating collagen and elastin to thicken the skin and smooth scars. It has even been shown to stimulate hair growth in cases of Alopecia.
$95
$45 when added to a facial treatment
Chemical Peels
Once thought to just assist with exfoliation, peels have advanced to a much higher calling. We now know that in addition to the exfoliation they provide, they also hydrate. Many peels are able to reach to the deeper levels of the skin, where they stimulate the fibroblasts, and encourage the production of collagen and elastin, while hydrating the skin at a deep level. Alpha-hydroxy peels, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid and Jessner’s peels may range from very gentle to deeper, depending on the result desired. Peels work beautifully as part of combination therapies, such as Collagen Induction and Celluma Phototherapy.
$65 and up
$35.00 when added to the Signature Facial Included with many Advanced Treatments.
Celluma Phototherapy by Biophotas
Light Emitting Diode (LED) phototherapy is the application of light energy to tissue to obtain therapeutic benefits. The energy is used to improve cellular performance. Phototherapy (as utilized by NASA) is known for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties and has a variety of applications across many medical fields. Research has shown that phototherapy can: increase circulation, accelerate tissue repair, kill acne bacteria, decrease inflammation, improve skin tone, texture and clarity, reduce and ease muscle and joint pain, stillness and spasm.
Blue, red and near-infrared are the most commonly used wavelengths in LED phototherapy. Blue penetrates through the epidermis and is known to kill P.acnes bacteria. Red penetrates into the dermal layer and has been shown to enhance collagen and elastin production through photo-biostimulation of fibroblasts. Near-infrared penetrates deepest and increases micro-circulation (tissue repair), decreases inflammation and attenuates pain.
$65/30 minutes
$35/20 minutes when added to a facial treatment
Infusion of Active Ingredients
Why is it important?
Once we exfoliate, we have uncovered the openings to our natural channels, our follicles. That is the main avenue through which active ingredients, such as nourishing serums, can enter our skin. However, many moisturizers and even some serums have molecules that are a size that is too large to penetrate into those follicles. In fact, most moisturizers simply “sit” on the surface. This is not to say that they do not serve an important purpose, because retaining the moisture in our skin is a very important job, and moisturizers do that.
But we want more than that. So we utilize serums with small molecule size so that they penetrate, and more than that, we have found wonderful ways to increase the amount of penetration directly through the skin (not just the follicles), and push those active ingredients deeper into the skin, to the layers where new skin cells are born, and the real work of maintaining skin health is happening.
Ageless Glow Hydrafusion
While this lovely machine is able to provide non-diamond and non-crystal microdermabrasion for the gentlest of dermabrasion treatments, its real claim to fame is is active penetration of serums, applied with a special collagen stimulating tip with built-in Phototherapy. For anti-aging, this propels active ingredients to the deeper layers while stimulating the growth of collagen through the use of the collagenetic tip and red light. You will feel the difference immediately!
$45 when added to a facial treatment
Ultrasonic Facial Delivery System
Sound waves painlessly penetrate active ingredients and Vitamins A, C, E, and polypeptides 1000 times deeper into the dermis layer of the skin to treat pigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines and redness and even problems such as acne. With this treatment, a skin “spatula” delivers ultrasonic sound waves!
$20 when added to a facial treatment
Collagen Induction
After application of a gentle numbing cream, a small tip creates micro-channels in the skin through the use of a micro-needling tip. The depth is regulated to be very comfortable for you! Don’t be afraid. The skin sees this as a small injury and rushes to heal it, the result of which is increased collagen and elastin. At the same time, the small channels created allow for beautiful infusion of active ingredient serums. The result of this treatment, especially in a series, are dramatic. Especially useful for aging necks!!!! When alternated on a bi-weekly basis with a gentle Lactic peel, be prepared to see time reversed! When this treatment is combined with either the Hydrafusion treatment or Ultrasonic Facial Delivery System, results are very immediate.
$95
$55 when added to a facial treatment
Treatments to Improve Skin Tonicity
High Frequency Current Treatment
High frequency treatments are used to stimulate and heal the skin. Used for years, this treatment generates warmth in the skin, stimulates nerve endings, increases blood circulation thereby nourishing the skin and improving product penetration within the skin. It also treats dry and dehydrated skin by increasing the activity in the sebaceous and sudoriferous glands. The overall result is improved circulation, increased cellular metabolism, and a tightening effect.
$35 with a facial treatment
Celluma Phototherapy by Biophotas
Light Emitting Diode (LED) phototherapy is the application of light energy to tissue to obtain therapeutic benefits. The energy is used to improve cellular performance. Phototherapy (as utilized by NASA) is known for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties and has a variety of applications across many medical fields. Research has shown that phototherapy can: increase circulation, accelerate tissue repair, kill acne bacteria, decrease inflammation, improve skin tone, texture and clarity, reduce and ease muscle and joint pain, stillness and spasm. For increasing tonicity, predominance is given to LED red light. This stimulates the fibroblasts, increases cellular performance and encourages the regrowth of collagen and elastin.
$65/30 minutes
$35 with a facial treatment
European Facial Massage (Facial Contouring)
Not just your typical “go to sleep on the facial bed” massage, this is a more active, invigorating massage that increases circulation, and works with muscle origin and insertion points and natural contours of the face to improve muscle tone. This massage also aids in lymph drainage quite naturally, and some of the movements can be performed at home in between professional treatments for improved muscle “memory”. You might see models receiving such a treatment prior to application of makeup for the runway or photography session.
Included with most facial treatments. This is part of most facial treatments here at Transformations.
Customized Ampoules Collection
These wonderful concentration ampoules may be added to any facial treatment. They are a beautiful add-on to a facial treatment when you just need a boost or for a special occasion.
Collagen Polypeptides with Myoxy - Caviar for Collagen and Tonicity
This cutting-edge treatment is the ideal solution for any skin showing signs of aging. A potent anti-aging ampoule is applied and massaged for rapid absorbency within the skin. It quickly works to significantly decrease skin deterioration and reduce the appearance of lines. Featuring a highly concentrated formula: Collagen Polypeptides, Caviar Extract and Hibiscus Esculentus Extract for instant benefits. Recommended for all skin types with: wrinkles, lack of luster, tendency toward dryness and deep dehydration.
$15
Elastic Polypeptides with Sorghum For Tone and Wrinkles
A powerful treatment blend that visibly firms and rejuvenates the skin with a high concentration of Sorghum (rich in Vitamins B2 and C with a high concentration of Polysaccharides) By combining Sorghum with a high concentration of Elastin Polypeptides, this powerful treatment effectively helps prevent premature slackening of the skin and delivers hydrating and tightening benefits for an instantly firmer, more youthful appearance. Recommended for all skin types with lack of luster and loss of elasticity.
$15
Vitamin C with Oxyzomes For Pigmentation and Wrinkles
This intensive treatment features a manufacturing wonder, a new generation of liposomes: Oxyzomes (stabilized Vitamin C). Featuring an outstanding, targeted delivery system, it releases Vitamin C into your skin throughout the day. Powerfully formulated with Hyaluronic Acid, it works to visibly repair and smooth the skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and increase oxygenation. The immediately visible result is a more youthful appearance with a healthy, radiant glow. Recommended for all skin types in need of an intensive treatment with phenomenal benefits.
$15
Propolis for Soothing Acne Skin
This natural antibiotic and antiseptic is wonderful and calming for acne or problematic skin.
$15