An Inside Look : BioRePeel

BioRePeel is a no peel, no pain, no downtime TCA peel! BioRePeel improves the skin surface, imperfections, and accelerates cell turnover. Stimulating the reconstruction of collagen and elastin deep within the skin layer, results can be seen instantly and continue to improve over the following weeks. With zero to minimal skin shedding, this revolutionary professional grade peel means you won’t have to put your social plans on hold while you skin heals!

BioRePeel is a high quality Italian made product. It’s patented formula penetrated the superficial layer of your skin. There it creates a healthy chemical injury, helping produce collagen and elastin. It is rich in a combination of amino acids and vitamins.

INGREDIENTS
TCA: removes dead skin cells and stimulates new cell growth
LACTOBIONIC ACID: provides an underlayer to skin cells
SALICYLIC ACID: helps fight bacteria on the skin
TARTARIC AND CITRIC ACID: aids in the exfoliation of the skin
ARGININE: balances the TCA and stimulates the blood stream
VITAMINS C AND B2: powerful antioxidants for the skin
GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID: relaxes muscles topically
SQUALANE: natural lipids to lubricate and protect your skin
SOPRPYL MYRISTATE: acts as a delivery method of BioRePeel to the dermis
GLYCINE, PROLINE, HYDROXYPROLINE: essential amino acids for the production of healthy collagen

With BioRePeel, the work is done for the inside out. This peel gets to the root of the issue and assists in pushing it up and out for significantly longer lasting results.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What are the main benefits of BioRePeel?
You will see immediate results and an instant glow! BioRePeel sheds dead skin cells, exfoliates the skins surface, hydrates, and reveals a more youthful looking appearance to the skin. Long term, BioRePeel helps fight fine lines and wrinkles, lift pigmentation, even skin texture and alleviates acne and scarring. It is safe for all skin types, tones, and ages.

How many sessions will I need?
We will assess your skin and advise you based on your individual needs and desired goals in your initial consultation. General recommendation is 4-6 sessions, depending on the severity of the skin condition and concern. Treatments can be scheduled 7-10 days apart. The peel can also be done as a standalone application for skin maintenance before a big event to get that incredible glow!

Is the BioRePeel safe?
BioRePeel is completely safe for use on all skin types, tones, and ages. It is not photosensitive and can be used all year round with recommended use of SPF50.

How long do results last?
You will see instant results with a nice skin glow, tightness of pores, and more plump skin. BioRePeel targets the dermis (medium depth of skin) with the goal of stimulating new skin growth and improving surface texture and appearance. It is used to diminish long term effects in treating active skin concerns such as sun damage, blemishes, pigmentation, wrinkles, and fine lines.

How long does the procedure take? Does it hurt?
A single session of the BioRePeel is quick and effective, taking approximately 15 minutes and can be combined with other treatments. It is needle free and painless. Is there any peeling involved? BioRePeel has minimal to no downtime which means no excessive peeling will occur after a session, unlike most other TCA peels. However, it is normal for some people to experience slight skin shedding or sloughing due to the accumulation of dead skin cells in a specific area that has been removed and stimulated.

Melasma : The Tricky Pigmentation

Melasma – what is it and how do we treat it? Can you remove it permanently? How does it appear? How do you tell the difference between hyperpigmentation and melasma? Let’s break it down and answer these frequently asked questions!

Melasma is in fact a type of hyperpigmentation. It is characterized by its appearance and location on the face. Melasma presents as a blotchy or freckled pigment that is brown or blueish-grey. It can show up around the mouth, on the upper lip, nose, upper cheekbones or on the forehead. Less commonly, it may also appear on the back of the neck and shoulders.

Melasma happens due to an overproduction of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that determines your skin coloring. When the cells that produce melanin, called melanocytes, produce too much melanin, it appears on the skin as hyperpigmentation. Melasma is a specific type of hyperpigmentation. This common skin condition may occur from a rise in hormones, UV rays, prolonged light exposure, or excessive heat. You may hear it referred to as the “pregnancy mask” due to its prevalence in postpartum women from an influx of hormones.

Individuals that are affected by melasma may notice the pigment comes and goes with the seasons.  Melasma typically darkens and lightens over time – dependent on the amount of UV exposure or hormonal influx you experience. Often it is worse in the summer and improves in the winter months. Darker skin tones are at a greater risk of developing melasma due to their already higher melanin percentage in the skin. Women are also more likely to develop melasma compared to men, thanks to hormones. About 10% of individuals who are affected are male, with the remaining 90% being female. About 15-50% of pregnant women will be affected by melasma. It is most common during a woman’s reproductive years and rarely happens during puberty. You may notice the first signs of melasma anywhere between your 20’s to 40’s.

So, how do you know if you have hyperpigmentation or melasma? Hyperpigmentation usually does not follow a pattern and/or change with the seasons. It is a constant pigment that is seen anywhere the skin is exposed to UV rays. Most hyperpigmentation is harmless and can easily be treated with creams and/or professional treatments.

Treatment for melasma is different for everyone. This type of pigmentation is very unstable and reacts in a unique way for each person. When starting a course of treatment for melasma, it is best to start slow and with the least aggressive first and then continuing in percentage of severity. Typically, if you experience melasma, you should consider Hydroquinone cream. Hydroquinone is a medical ingredient that works to calm down the overactive melanocytes that are producing too much pigmentation. With continued use, it will also start to lighten the melasma. [IMPORTANT: This product should not be used for longer than 6 months before taking a break.] In conjunction with your Hydroquinone cream, you may be advised to start in clinic treatments. Some of the treatments that may be recommended for you are: chemical peels, microneedling, laser pigment treatments or laser resurfacing. Depending on your severity of melasma and experience of your technician/physician, your treatment plan will be uniquely curated to your skin. The most important thing to remember when treating melasma is: PATIENCE. It takes time to remove/improve the pigmentation as we need to treat slowly and safely.

Unfortunately, just because the pigment can be removed or improved, it does not mean it is a permanent fix. Melasma is treatable and maintainable but it is not a permanent fix. If you have a diagnosis of melasma, this is a condition you will need to maintain long-term. You may be recommended to switch up your skin care regimen and add in lightening creams, regular exfoliants or retinols. These products will help to reduce the severity of the melasma. You should ALWAYS use SPF, especially if you are affected by melasma. Exposure to UV rays is guaranteed to worsen this type of pigmentation. Protect your skin by wearing a medical-grade SPF30+ that is a physical block. Look for titanium dioxide and zinc in your sunscreen. These ingredients create a barricade on the skins’ surface and do not let any type of UV rays penetrate the skin. Remember to reapply every 2 hours when outdoors. Sun protection, a tailored skin regimen and professional treatments will help you feel more confident in your own skin and not so focused on the melasma. Trust the professionals. Clearer skin is just one appointment away.

Miranda FosterComment
Sun Safe Practices

Protecting your skin from the sun will save you thousands in reparative treatments and products from the damage of harmful UV rays. I know we all love basking in the warm sun and seeing those golden hues show up on our skin - but you are causing damage to your skin in so many ways. Prolonged exposure can cause fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, a dull complexion, lack of luminosity, burns, blisters and of course melanoma. Do yourself a favor and don’t speed up the aging process!

Here are my top 5 tips to protect yourself from sun damage:

WEAR THE CORRECT SPF AND REAPPLY
When it comes to choosing an SPF, you want to look for ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which will cause a block on the skin and give you the most protection. Choose an SPF with a Sun-Protection-Factor of 30 or higher. When outdoors for a longer duration of time, reapply your SPF every 2 hours for full protection. Don’t forget to apply it to the back of your hands!

AVOID PEAK TIMES
The sun shines most aggressively between the hours of 10AM to 2PM. During this time, make sure to seek out shade and protect yourself with a wide brimmed hat. This rule also applies when driving. Even though there is some protection built in to most windows nowadays - it is not enough.

GET A SUNLESS TAN INSTEAD
Book yourself in for a professional spray tan and enjoy the glow without harming your skin. The tan usually lasts 10-14 days and is easy to remove when it starts to fade. You can also purchase self tanning mousses and lotions to do at home! Say no to tanning beds and booths. The direct UV rays are extremely dangerous.

CHECK THE UV INDEX
If you are unfamiliar, the UV Index is a way to measure the intensity of the sun’s rays at a particular moment. If the UV index is 3 or higher in your area, protect your skin from too much exposure to the sun.

SUNBURN PREVENTION & TREATMENT
To prevent a sunburn, make sure you are using sunscreen that is not expired and has an SPF rating of at least 30. You should reapply every 2 hours, after swimming or being in the water or if you have been sweating. If you begin to feel a tingle on your skin from the sun, it is time to find shade and protect yourself. This is your skin’s way of telling you it is in danger. If you do happen to get a sunburn, apply aloe vera and cool compresses to the area. You want to keep the area moisturized with a gentle moisturizer and do NOT pick at the skin. You will cause skin damage and promote scarring and pigmentation to the area.

Sunless Tanning + Weddings

First of all, congratulations! If you’re reading this, we have to assume you are soon going to be walking down the aisle to the person of your dreams! We all know as a bride (or groom), there is nothing that can get in the way of making that vision of your fairy tale wedding come true. But, let’s face it – there’s a lot to consider. Forget about the venue, the decision to have a band or a DJ and all of those big plans for one second. Let’s focus on you – the bride (or groom)-to-be!

For decades, brides and grooms all over the world have desired to have a beautiful, sun-kissed glow for their wedding day. With all of the eyes on you, that subtle hint of sun helps to even out your complexion, camouflage skin irregularities and let’s be honest – makes you feel like a golden goddess! However, times are changing and science has proven that the old ways of basking in the warmth of a tanning bed probably isn’t the best decision for you.

Did you know that after only one session of using a tanning bed, you can increase your risk of developing melanoma by 20%, squamous cell carcinoma by 67%, and basal cell carcinoma by 29%? Those numbers are scary high and not worth the risk! Not only is your risk of skin cancer increased, the damage indoor tanning can have on your skin is no laughing matter. Exposure to UV rays, especially when using tanning beds, is guaranteed to cause premature aging including wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation, loss of elasticity and volume and skin laxity. So, the question is, how do you get that golden glow while still protecting yourself from the risks?

Luckily, science and innovation has brought us options. The best way to protect your skin and still get all of those benefits of flawless looking, tanned skin can all be made possible with sunless tanning, otherwise known as a spray tan. We already know what you’re thinking – “But, I don’t want to look orange!”. Neither do we! Not all spray tans turn your skin orange. It all depends on the product that’s used during your appointment, the skill of the spray tan artist and the preparation that is taken before and after the appointment.

Our favorite line of sunless solutions is made by a company called NUDA. Their solutions are free from all major allergens, contain no parabens or harmful chemicals and are vegan and cruelty-free! As a naturally-derived product line, their solutions not only do amazing things for your skin, they smell heavenly and do not cause an orange looking spray tan! With a variety of shades to choose from and additional additives to add in to your solution, you are guaranteed to find a shade you love.

Self tanners have also taken the market by storm. The ability to achieve your glow goals from the comfort of your home is a must have between appointments. A quick application with NUDA’s Self Tanning Mousse provides a beautiful tan that lasts for up to 10 days. Their full line of products includes all the essentials for tanning, plus their newest edition of skin care products.

Looking bronzed and beautiful for your wedding day is definitely important. However, the long-term effects of basking underneath those UV lights are simply not worth it. We encourage you to do what is best for your skin and your health in the future. When there are better options available, why not utilize them?

At Meraki Medical Aesthetics, we offer an ongoing promotion for our brides (and grooms)-to-be. Schedule your bridal party in for their own spray tans on your big day and you will receive your spray tan for your wedding day and a trial spray tan as our complimentary gift to you! Happy planning and best wishes to all of the future brides and grooms out there!