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Be yourself—only better! Come to Medical Aesthetics of Virginia for a wide range of non-surgical, state-of-the-art, and effective chemical peels and cosmetic procedures. Visit our blog page regularly for new posts about the latest treatments we have available.

Contact us for an impressive and reliable way to get rid of facial wrinkles and lines. We proudly provide medical skin care and body treatment for clients throughout Norfolk, Virginia, and the surrounding areas.

The Benefits of Skin Exfoliation, Part 2

As we stated in “The Benefits of Skin Exfoliation, Part 1,” it’s important to take this vital step in your skincare routine. When you exfoliate your skin, the look and feel of your complexion improve. If you have never exfoliated your skin, make an appointment at the Medical Aesthetics, a leading facial spa in Norfolk, VA, to experience how adding this essential step to your skincare regimen helps you achieve more radiant, healthy-looking skin. Some of the additional benefits of a skin exfoliation include the following:

Fading Red & Dark Marks

Sometimes there is a dark mark left on the skin after a blemish. Exfoliating is a good way to remove those damaged skin cells and encourage new healthy skin tissue to grow through.

Clogged Pores

Exfoliation helps to draw out congestion, such as blackheads and whiteheads around the nose, chin, and forehead.

Pigmentation

The dark areas that come from age, pregnancy, or changes in hormonal balance are called pigmentations. As our skin ages, these areas tend to become darker and more noticeable. One of the main benefits of exfoliation is to break up pigmented cells, which helps them to fade. Having targeted facials at a reputable medical spa are a good way to help promote healthy skin reproductions, and help these areas to fade.

Dry Skin

Dry or dehydrated skin improves with exfoliation. After exfoliation, apply a moisturizer to the new skin cells.

The Benefits of Skin Exfoliation, Part 1

There are numerous benefits to skin exfoliation, which is the removal of dried dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. Exfoliation is considered an important aspect of a home skincare routine for face and body because it helps many skin problems. Exfoliating both the face and the body on a regular basis is part of a good home care regime. However, it’s also important not to strip away too many of your natural oils, so a good balance is essential.

Exfoliating increases blood circulation, breaks down toxins, and encourages new skin cells to come through. It’s a good idea to drink lots of water to drain toxins and to help moisturize the new skin cells. After exfoliating, it’s also essential to apply a good moisturizer to hydrate the skin from the outside in. Also, be careful not to expose your exfoliated skin to UV rays, sun, or a sunbed for at least 24 hours.

If you have blemished skin, using an exfoliator on your face or body may help to stop a breakout. At the same time you must be careful not to dry out the skin and cause irritation. That’s why the staff at the Medical Aesthetics of Virginia suggests the experienced esthetician at their facial spa in Norfolk, VA, ensures you are exfoliating properly to prevent bacterial infections and spots.

What Should You Expect in Your First Facial

The popularity of facials has grown exponentially in the last two decades. Facials work in numerous ways to improve the appearance of your skin, from cleansing to exfoliation and beyond. A regular facial usually starts with a thorough cleansing and steaming of the skin, and depending on the type of facial you want, your esthetician may include a chemical peel. If you are going for your very first facial, you may feel intimidated when it comes time to show up for your appointment. However, when you choose to make an appointment at Medical Aesthetics of Virginia, a leading facial spa in Norfolk, VA, you are sure to enjoy a session that is relaxing and rejuvenating.

After you have booked a facial for yourself, you are probably curious about what to expect when you visit the spa for your appointment. You don’t need to do anything to prepare for your facial appointment. Some skincare experts, however, recommend avoiding the use of retinol or other products that may dry out your skin. You want to reduce the chance of unwanted sensitivity. It also makes sense to stay out of the sun before a facial.

At your first visit, the skin care specialist will probably ask you about your skincare goals. You may be asked about your skincare routine and what products you use to get a sense of what’s been done to your skin most recently. If you choose a basic facial, you can expect your pores to be cleaned, your dead skin cells to be exfoliated, and the addition of a custom mask that is geared toward refreshing, moisturizing, and revitalizing your skin.

Do You Know Your Skin Type?

It helps to know your skin type and skin conditions in order to choose the right skin care products. If you have dry skin, for example, and buy an oil-free moisturizer that’s meant for combination-oily skin your skin won’t get the amount of hydrating it needs. At the same time, for people with acne, oily creams should be avoided as much as possible. When you know your skin type, you are more likely to purchase the right products, which saves you money in the long run.

How to Determine Your Skin Type

When you first wake up as well as in the late afternoon, look in the mirror and note what you see. If your skin is shiny all over, it is oily. Also, enlarged pores, shiny skin in the t-zone, and oiliness on humid days indicate a pattern of oily skin.

If your skin has minimal shine and no dry places, it is most likely in the “normal” range. If you don’t have large pores, that’s another sign of skin that’s not too oily either. Your challenge is to find products that are neither too strong nor too mild.

You can also have a combination of oily and dry skin, which means there are some areas of large pores, an oily t-zone, and an occasional acne breakout. Also, your skin may be a combination of normal and dry skin, with only an occasional area of dryness.

Rely on the estheticians at Medical Aesthetics of Virginia, a leading facial spa in Norfolk, VA, to determine your skin type and ensure you find the products you need to keep your skin radiant and healthy.

Tips to Help You Reduce Premature Skin Aging

While we can’t change the natural aging process, there are preventive actions we can take to help the appearance of our skin from looking older than we should. Over time our skin becomes thin and dry. Other influencers on aging skin include our environment and lifestyle choices. The good news is that even people who already have signs of premature skin aging can benefit from making lifestyle changes.

You can always try a non-invasive procedure at Medical Aesthetics of Virginia for smoothing wrinkles, tightening skin, and improving your complexion. In addition, some of the preventive actions anyone can take to improve the look of their skin include the following:

Protect your skin from the sun.

Whether you are at the beach or running errands, you should protect your skin from the sun at all times.

If you are outside try to stay in the shade and make sure you are wearing sunscreen.

Be mindful of your facial expressions.

Sometimes when we make a facial expression, we contract the underlying muscles. Over the years, these same muscles create permanent lines. For example, wear sunglasses so you don’t squint all the time which causes lines around your eyes.

Clean your skin twice a day. Gently wash your face two times a day to remove pollution, makeup, and other substances. It is especially important to wash your face after sweating heavily because perspiration irritates the skin.

The Benefits of a HydraFacial Treatment

The growing popularity of a HydraFacial treatment is due to its creation of an instant glow. It is also considered to be one of the most soothing, refreshing, and non-irritating types of facial skin treatments. HydraFacials consist of multi-step skin treatments that brighten the skin and get rid of dead skin cells and impurities. A HydraFacial treatment targets blackheads, wrinkles, sun damage, and clogged pores. The last step in the treatment hydrates and moisturizes the skin with cleansing serums made with nourishing ingredients that create an instantly gratifying glow. Additional benefits of a HydraFacial treatment include all of the following:

No Downtime.

Depending on your esthetician, an entire HydraFacial treatment can take as little as 30 minutes. You don’t need to prepare your skin before the treatment, and you can return to your normal activities and even put on makeup right after you’re done.

No Discomfort.

You won’t feel any intense burning sensations as you might with other skin rejuvenating treatments. The treatment is considered a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Immediate Results.

It is possible to see a brightened and improved skin tone after just one HydraFacial treatment. The results may last up to a week or even longer.

If you are looking for an affordable way to instantly improve your appearance, visit Medical Aesthetics of Virginia, a reputable facial spa in Norfolk, VA.

Dermaplaning Is Effective and Safe

You can get rid of dead skin cells and the fine hairs on your face with dermaplaning, a simple and safe exfoliation procedure. It is not to be confused with dermabrasion, a medical procedure that is not commonly used anymore. Contrary to dermabrasion, dermaplaning is a simple shaving of the skin with the delicate use of a 10-inch scalpel that curves into a sharp point and that feels like the lick of a cat’s tongue.

Dermaplaning has become popular in recent years because there are very few if any, adverse effects. There are no chemical peeling agents used, and the hair does not grow back heavier or darker than its original look before the treatment. The most common benefits of dermaplaning include all of the following:

Deep Penetration
Removal of Soft Facial Hair
Promotes Smooth Skin
Safe Procedure
Works on Any Type of Skin
Can Be Done Frequently
Diminishes the Appearance of Fine Lines

The dermaplaning procedure is painless and suitable for all ages. It exfoliates dead cells that have built p and is only done on the face. Have your skin rejuvenated with this procedure today at Medical Aesthetics of Virginia, a leading facial spa in Norfolk, VA. You are sure to be pleased with the healthy glow on your face after the treatment.

Getting Rid of the Tattoo You’ve Outgrown

The tattoo you got when you were 16 may not seem like such a good choice now. If you find that the tattoo art you chose then does not suit who you are now, you may want to look into getting that tattoo removed. You can find an experienced medical esthetician in Norfolk, VA, to remove your tattoo at Medical Aesthetics of Virginia. Of course, you can always use makeup to cover a tattoo by camouflaging it until you’ve decided to remove it permanently. Some makeup concealers are made especially for covering up tattoos. Tattoo removal has become a big business. Unfortunately, it can be a bit painful as well as expensive. However, the following are the most common and popular ways to remove a tattoo:

Laser Removal of a Tattoo

Laser removal is an effective tattoo-removal procedure. It works by pinpointing the laser on the tattoo which breaks down the pigments in the tattoo. The amount of time it takes depends on the size of the tattoo. In other words, it may take one or more appointments to achieve the right results.

Plastic Surgery

If you are looking for a fast fix to remove your tattoo, you want to choose plastic surgery. It is considered one of the least expensive and least painful methods for tattoo removal. If the laser process doesn’t fit your needs, a plastic surgeon can also add a skin graft on top of your tattoo.

The Age to Start Getting Facials

Many professionals suggest that the time to start taking care of skin with facials is around age 14. That is the time when skin begins to change and when blackheads, bumps, and acne start to appear. While it may be sooner or later for some teens, the beginning of puberty is a good guideline. In general, a facial is beneficial at all ages because it cleans out the pores. But when young teenagers start good habits of skin care, he or she will begin good habits that can last throughout their lives. Children of all ages should also always use sunscreen and especially outdoors between the peak sun hours of 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

There really is no fixed minimum age for a girl to get facials. Due to hormonal changes and the release of excess oil, having a cleanup or facial can help. Deep cleansing of the face improves and rejuvenates the skin’s health and appearance.

Even if the teenager doesn’t receive all of the chemically-infused creams or scrubs, he or she can benefit from a basic cleaning session. A thorough cleansing is the recommended course at the beginner’s level facials. For a facial in Norfolk, VA, at Medical Aesthetics of Virginia, the procedure includes cleaning of the skin by reducing dehydration and removing blackheads.

A Brief History of Skincare

While there are no museums dedicated to the art, science, and history of skincare throughout the ages, aging skin has been a significant topic for several thousand years. For example, ancient history shows masks that were used to clean and moisturize the skin. Ancient Egyptians created anti-wrinkle creams that were often made with oil of frankincense, which was supposed to include anti-inflammatory ingredients. Other ingredients used by ancient peoples included such moisture preservatives as resins, waxes, oils, grasses, and plant juices.

In ancient Rome scrubs that were made from seeds, roots, and honey were mixed together and used to refine the texture of aging skin. They also used face masks from eggs and starches to tighten skin. Other commonly used items that were meant to add youthfulness to aging skin included:

Animal fat
Aloe Vera
Rosemary
Cucumbers
Flowers
Vinegar
Olive Oil
Honey
Milk
Beeswax

Cosmetics in ancient history were also meant to deal with harsh climates that negatively impacted skin. Also, skincare focused on skin cleansing, and that’s when the Roman baths became a large part of the culture. There are so many procedures today for any number of aging skin issues. At Medical Aesthetics of Virginia, we offer a comprehensive number of skincare treatments that are meant to suit a wide variety of clients. Check out our facial spa in Norfolk, VA, at Medaestheticsva.com/.