I had the pleasure of sitting down with Spa Director—Clinical Aesthetician Laura Duffany—atThe Spa at Litchfield Hills to talk about the hottest new trends in skincare! Laura has worked with plastic surgeons and medical doctors and has cultivated a strong and knowledgeable skincare team at the spa. Her favorite lines are OSEA and Skinceuticals for spa facials and daily skincare regime. The spa offers dermaplaning, medical grade peels, and microdermabrasion, among other skincare services.
Dermaplaning
One of the trendiest exfoliation options today is dermaplaning, which is performed using a sterile surgical scalpel (not as scary as it sounds!) to manually exfoliate dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, dead skin layer, and vellus hair, aka peach fuzz. This treatment results in ultra-smooth, fresh, and brighter skin. By removing that dead layer and hair from the face, the skin is evened out, and it helps with cell metabolism, which helps new skin come to the surface.
Dermaplaning cleverly triggers the cell regeneration process and improves the appearance of acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. The effects of the procedure are instant, leaving your skin with a smooth appearance and a radiant glow. Along with the removal of fine hairs, it results in healthier skin that feels silkier.
Why would you choose to have a dermaplaning treatment?
Here are just a few of the benefits:
- It painlessly exfoliates the stratum corneum to stimulate cellular turnover with no downtime.
- It is a great option for clients with sensitive skin, rosacea, and pregnant women who are looking for a deep exfoliation.
- It can be performed prior to treatments like facials, laser, and chemical peels for better product penetration.
- It can be performed frequently—every four weeks.
- It helps makeup go on smoother and more evenly.
- It can help significantly lighten post-inflammatory scars from past acne.
- It does not make the hair grow back thicker and darker.
What is a treatment like?
After one, I was hooked. It was so relaxing I might have fallen asleep had I not been asking Laura a million questions for this article. She started with a citrus cleanse to remove oils from my face and followed that with a toner. This is used to increase the effectiveness of the dermaplaning. Then the procedure started with a tool that looked just like a tiny butter blade. After she ran the tool across my skin a few times I wasn’t concerned at all, as it felt just like lightly running your fingernail across your skin.
Following the treatment, Laura applied a Phyto Corrective mask with steam, B5 gel, an anti-aging eye cream and epidermal repair. The best part, however, was her signature face massage. WOW—I could have totally fallen asleep on the table. Lastly, Laura used the coolest device called a Jade Gua sha stone, which is a natural facial lifting tool. These stones come in different shapes and helps with fine lines, circulation, puffiness, and dark circles.
I was shocked to notice that my skin felt softer than it had in years—like many years! My skin tone was drastically improved and evened out. I immediately noticed a softening of fine lines around my eyes, forehead, and frown lines. That day I left feeling amazing, but the next day when I went to apply my normal makeup, I can’t tell you the difference I noticed. My makeup went on like butter and I literally felt airbrushed!
After treatment, you do need to refrain from being in direct sunlight for a minimum of 48 hours, and continual wearing of sunscreen is strongly advised. In addition, it is recommended to not use any products with glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, Retin A or Rentinol for at least 5 days, and no exfoliating for 3 days following the treatment (but why would you need to?). You can return to your regular skincare routine thereafter and make sure to stay hydrated. One of the reasons skin can look dull and have buildup is from ongoing dehydration.
Ocean, Sun, Earth, and Atmosphere
One of the exciting new lines that The Spa is offering is OSEA. OSEA is a beautiful choice. Their products are certified organic, they’re vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free, the containers are biodegradable, the daily skincare system is simple, the results are immediate, and all products are fully guaranteed by the company.
OSEA’s effects are immediate; within minutes, the skin softens and tones, and luster is restored. Daily use refreshes, restores and revives skin. And it’s a simple system. Regardless of skin type, gender, race, and age, mixing and matching a few products is all you need to see results.
OSEA’s philosophy is built into their name: OSEA stands for Ocean, Sun, Earth, and Atmosphere. And some of the most important components of their products are seaweeds, which are eco-responsibly hand-harvested from some of the most pristine waters in the world, off the coast of Patagonia. OSEA uses specific kinds of seaweed, which slow the aging process and protect skin from harsh environmental factors. Seaweed is one of the richest sources of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, trace elements, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, and zinc. Seaweed also is rich in fatty acids that strengthen and maintain the quality of healthy cell membranes. All the seaweed OSEA uses is USDA-certified organic, and it’s kosher as well.
OSEA never uses synthetic fragrances, GMOs, petrochemicals, parabens, sulfates, animal by-products, phthalates, synthetic color, petroleum, nanomaterials, or PEG compounds. The website states; “…we have formulated each and every one of our products without these harmful and all too common skincare ingredients. We believe that safe cosmetics are your right and our earth’s rightful due. We don’t do anything that pollutes or harms our planet because that is where we find our most effective ingredients. We are committed to providing customers with extensively researched products designed for their purity, quality, and effectiveness. We develop our products with only the purest ingredients, proven and technically advanced formulations to restore skin to its highest level of health and appearance.”
In 2002, OSEA was the first company to sign The Compact for Global Production of Safe Health and Beauty Products which launched the Skin Deep Report. Since then, more than 1,100 companies have joined OSEA in pledging to phase out the use of toxic chemicals in all beauty products.
The Spa at Litchfield Hills truly has something for every guest, whether it be relaxation, results, or both. They strive to offer organic product lines that are impactful and results oriented.
By Dr. Diane Hayden. Online bookings available at: litchfield-spa.com, 860.567.8575, [email protected]
The Spa at Litchfield Hills,
407A Bantam Road, Litchfield, CT 06759
P 860.567.8575 litchfield-spa.com