You Put a Tattoo Where? September 18, 2013

It may sound a little crazy, but more and more women are getting cosmetic tattoos on their faces.  Yes, permanent makeup has been a long-lasting solution for many women who are trying to simplify their lives.

 

Compelling reasons to get permanent makeup:

 

• To save time getting ready by not having to draw on your eyebrows, eyeliner or lips every morning.
• If you cannot wear conventional cosmetics due to allergies and skin sensitivities.
• If you have sparse eyebrows and eyelashes due to heredity, alopecia, chemotherapy treatments, accidents or burns.
• For the convenience of makeup that won’t smudge, smear or sweat off due to an active lifestyle.
• If you’re seeking camouflage of scars from burns, cosmetic surgery, cleft lips or injuries.
• If you have difficulty applying makeup because of poor eyesight, arthritis or unsteady hands due to Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or stroke.

 

 

Ultimately, permanent makeup just makes life easier!  When you can wake up and head straight to the gym or your job without having to put your “face” on, it leaves so much more time to do the things you want to do.  The best part is that permanent makeup is intended to look as natural as possible so no one will ever know you’ve had it done. You decide whether or not you want to share your best beauty secret!

 

Sincerely,

Amy Hornstrom,  Your permanent makeup specialist

Call 630.762.9864 to schedule!

For more details about permanent makeup, click here.

 

 

 

 

Putting Your Best Face Forward…The Final Touch 1 Month May 30, 2013

I am still alive and kicking! I can’t believe it’s been one month since my laser peel. My skin is feeling and looking fabulous. I am being very careful not to get any sun on my face, so if you see some lady walking around St. Charles in a big beach sun hat, just honk and wave 🙂  It’s just me out on a walk.

This is me!! No make-up at all. I realize it is hard to tell from these pictures, but the texture of my skin is soft and smooth. The lines around my eyes and mouth are almost completely gone. The hyper-pigmentation is considerably improved. It is truly amazing.

Today,  Amy Hornstrom, our permanent make-up specialist, is going to enhance my eyebrows. As you can see from the picture, they are a little sparce in areas. I usually fill them in with powder on a daily basis, so this will save a step in my regimen.  I am really looking forward to seeing the end result and sharing this with all of you as well. Before (below) and directly after (right) . Looks Amazing !!!! Thanks Amy 🙂                                                      

Putting Your Best Face Forward… The Final Touch Day 5 May 7, 2013

Good Afternoon! It’s a good thing I work in a spa, otherwise, it might be a little harder to explain why my face is peeling off 🙂 I got through the da, yesterday, and was able to educate clients and staff as to the healing process my skin is going through. Very exciting, if you ask me. I went home and washed my face for the 4th time and most of the peeling is gone. The redness has subsided quite a bit and the skin that is unveiling is flawless.! 🙂 No lines, no broken capillaries, no hyperpigmentation. It’s amazing.

I’m on my way to see Dr. Haddle for the post procedure check-up. Can’t wait to hear what he says. Everyone in the office was ecstatic about the results and how quickly I’m healing. Dr. Haddle says the increased healing is due to the PRP process which he does. It stands for platelet rich plasma, which has healing and growth factors secreted from plasma cells that were taken from my own blood. He applies this after the procedure and immediately sees the redness of the skin lessen. I am truly shocked by how quickly my face has transitioned. I’m still a little shiny from the occlusive ointment. He said I can wear make-up starting Thursday, but, heck!!! Why would I do that and cover up this work of art that he has created. The fine lines, pigmentation and large pores are all but gone. Just a little flakiness left. By Thursday, I can get back to my regular skincare routine and start using my Clarisonic  (gently!). The biggest factor is protecting my skin from the sun with a good sunscreen.

Dr. Haddle also said that the effects of the laser continue to increase collagen production for 6 months. WOW!

Thanks for following along. I will post again on Thursday. We are planning a follow-up presentation with Dr. Haddle at Tranquility in July, so stay tuned for more info on the date and time. In the meantime, feel free to call Dr. Haddle’s office at 630-232-9090 for a consultation appointment. He is truly a wonderful doctor!

 

Putting Your Best Face Forward…. The Final Touch Day 4 May 6, 2013

Sorry about missing my post yesterday. I was having computer issues and couldn’t get the pictures to download.

What a beautiful day it was! Hope you were all out there enjoying it for me. The good news is that I’ve gotten a lot of work done  these past few days.

As for my face! The peeling has begun! And so has the itching.  It is very tight after I wash it and I can’t wait to get the lotion on it. It feels like sandpaper to touch. The skin just starts coming off as I wash it and apply the cream. The skin is nice and smooth where it has peeled off.  It’s going to look great.

Putting Your Best Face Forward….The Final Touch Day 3 May 4, 2013

So my story is….. I just got back from spending a glorious weekend in St. Tropez! Unfortunately, I fell asleep on the beach for three days! 🙂 As you can see, that’s about what I look like right now. I am following Dr. Haddle’s instructions to the letter. Washing my face 4 times a day and applying the occlusive ointment. It is slightly tender to the touch, but nothing unbearable. Similar to how a sunburn feels after a few days. I should start to experience some peeling today and there is a little bit of itchiness and tightness to the skin. The next picture is a close up so you can see what the skin looks like. I’m not sure how it will look on your computer. I can see tiny little dots all over my face from the laser. Or it looks like I slept on a screen. It’s very interesting to see how the skin repairs itself and the healing process it goes through. Our skin is such an amazing organ that protects us from so many things. We really take it for granted. Believe me, this skin is going to be treated even better than it has been from now on!

Putting Your Best FaceForward….. The Final Touch Day 2 May 3, 2013

Hello again,

Thanks again for all the great comments from my faithful followers 🙂 You guys crack me up! As you see today, I have more redness and color than yesterday. It’s definitely more red in person than this picture shows. There is absolutely no pain. It feels very tight and it’s tender to the touch like a sunburn, but there is not the burning sensation you have with a sunburn.

I have strict instructions to keep my face very clean. I have to wash it 3-4 times a day for these first few days. I apply a special ointment to keep it very moist. No make-up or other products until day 7. I will be going back to work on Monday, so if you have an appointment with me next week, you’ll get to see the real me!

So far, this has been an very easy experience. I am able to get a lot of work done and since the weather is only good for ducks, I don’t have to feel like I’m missing my wonderful long walks.

Putting Your Best Face Forward….Final Touch Day 1 May 2, 2013

Hi Everyone,

Today was the laser resurfacing with the Co2 laser. Piece of cake!!!!!! Honestly!! At least so far anyway 🙂 I went in at 7:30 am with my driver, Sue. I had applied numbing cream this morning at 7:00.  When I got to the office, Dr. Zak was there, ready to go. He explained the anesthesia and his nurse started the IV. He is so caring and compassionate, I felt very confident and prepared. The next thing I knew I was waking up. Felt a little groggy. Sue took me home, I had some breakfast , took some advil and put two bags of peas on my face, then fell asleep. Right now, it feels like a sunburn. Thank you Dr. Haddle for all of your reassurance. You are the best!

I can’t believe I post these pictures of myself!!! Although, I figure I see all of my clients without make-up, under the magnifying lamp and after I’ve destroyed their hair with a scalp massage, so why shouldn’t I share! I hope that with me sharing my journey, it will help people understand these procedures better and not be so afraid of them.

Thanks for your thoughts and kind words of encouragement. See you tomorrow 🙂