bighairbeautyblog-blog

[bighairbeautyblog-blog]

AT THE SPA: MICRODERMABRASION REVIEW

As some of you may know I moved to New York City back in August for school (I go to FIT). From July through August, I was on the Benzoyl Peroxide Regimen which pretty much got rid of all of my active acne. So when I moved here, I really wanted to get rid of the left over acne scars and one of the methods I'd read about that worked was Microdermabrasion . For those of you who don't know,

"Microdermabrasion is a skin-care technique that uses tiny rough grains to buff away the surface layer of skin."

Click here to find out how Microdermabrasion works. 

Usually the price of a session starts at $150 and goes up from there but I was able to find a really good deal at a nice little spa off 5th Ave and 30th Street called Le Cachet Day Spa and Laser Center for 50$! A discount like that was too good to pass up so I booked my appointment and went to the spa with a friend.

THE PROCESS

The lady first wrapped my hair in a nice little white towel and that initial "ahhh" feeling you get when you're about to be pampered came over me (not to mention this was my first time at a spa)! She turned on this bright light which hovered over my head and hot steam started to get sprayed onto my face. Then she spent a few minutes washing my face to get it nice and clean for the microdermabrasion process. The steam helps with opening up the pores allowing for a cleaner face. 

During the process, I could actually feel the tiny little crystals as she rubbed and massaged them onto my skin. I think she did this for 10 minutes or longer! It was a bit harsh but it still felt nice because her hands were very gentle and the steam just...put me into a deep pampering trance. After the massaging, she let the crystals sit on my face for a while allowing it to harden. 

After looking at my skin under the light, she let me know that the Microdermabrasion would not get rid of my deep pitted scars (you can clearly see them in the picture above). She also pointed out the two new cysts that had formed on my left cheek and offered to treat those for free! Isn't this lady awesome? Anyways, I could never say no to free acne treatment so I said yes please, and thank you. 

She pulled out the little machine in the upper right hand picture (I'm not sure what it's called) and first tested on it on my hand before using it on my face. It's felt like tiny little zaps of electricity on my face--and I think that's actually what it was too. She zapped the two cysts continuously for a while until the area actually felt a bit sore. The zaps didn't hurt per say...it just felt like static shock, but on my face. When she was done, she cleaned my face, moisturized it and I left.

THE RESULTS

I will flat out say that I did not get the results I was expecting from seeing all the before and after pictures of Microdermabrasion. I was under the impression from the research I did online tthat it was a scar removal treatment but it was actually just another deep exfoliating process. The only real change I noticed was the softness of my skin. It made my skin really soft but barely got rid of the dark marks. 

However, the zapping machine (for lack of a better name) COMPLETELY got rid of the two cysts I had. As a matter of fact, the spots on my cheek where those cysts were were my two prime spots for acne and since I got them zapped, not one single pimple or cyst has formed there and it's been months. I think the zapping might have made those areas completely immune to acne.

Have any questions? You can comment them below this post, ask me on my Instagram  or email it to me at blog.bighairbeauty@gmail.com.

[bighairbeautyblog-blog]

So if you read My Acne Story, I talked about my history with acne and I told you all how I decided to start a new journey to achieve healthier acne-free skin. This post is going to explain the first regimen that I took up after making that decision. I don't want to make this post too long so I'm just going to go right into it. 

The Regimen

I started a system called "The Regimen" which you can get tons of information and reviews on by clicking HERE. The Regimen is basically a three step system that anybody dealing with acne can tweak to match their own skin. In other words, it's a basic universal regimen that's proven to work, but it's up to you to make the appropriate changes to the regimen for it to be suitable for your skin, i.e changing the products you use. With that being said, let's get into MY personal regimen which got my acne under control significantly.

NOTE: Before going on this regimen, please read my Benzoyl Peroxide: Everything You Need to Know post. 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

1. A gentle, non-drying, non-medicated facial cleanser

2. A 2.5% or higher Benzoyl Peroxide gel or cream

3. A non-greasy, non-comedogenic, non-medicated facial moisturizer

4. Non-Alcohol facial toner

5. Face towel

WHAT I USED:

1. Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

2. Rugby 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Gel

3. Ponds Dry Skin Cream

4. Neutrogena Alcohol-free toner

5. Face Towel 

STEPS: NIGHT ROUTINE

1. Wash your face with the cleanser using circular motions to gently remove dirt and oil from the skin.

2. Pat dry your face using the towel. 

3. Apply Benzoyl Peroxide medication to the entire face making sure to avoid the eye areas. 

4. Wait 5 mins to let the medication dry.

5. Apply moisturizer to the entire face and go to sleep!

STEPS: MORNING ROUTINE

1. Wash your face with the cleanser using circular motions to gently remove the overnight dirt and oil from the skin.

2. Pat dry your face using the towel. 

3. Using a few cotton balls, tone your entire face.

4. Apply moisturizer.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THIS REGIMEN

Your will experience some dryness and peeling of the skin the first couple of weeks on this regimen. But be patient! I’ve learned that when it comes to skin care, great results come to do those who wait!

THINGS TO REMEMBER

1. Benzoyl Peroxide increases photosensitivity of the skin so DO  NOT use it in the morning if you plan on going out in the sun. 

2. Avoid being directly in the sun as much as possible while on this regimen. Skin discoloration can occur while using Benzoyl Peroxide and being in the sun for a long period of time. 

3. You can also use a moisturizer with SPF in it for the morning routine.

4. Cover your pillow with a simple t-shirt or towel at night to avoid getting Benzoyl Peroxide on it.

[bighairbeautyblog-blog]

BENZOYL PEROXIDE: EVERYTHING TO KNOW

What is Benzoyl Peroxide?

Benzoyl Peroxide is an antibacterial ingredient used primarily in acne medications.

How does Benzoyl Peroxide work (reduce acne)?

Benzoyl Peroxide works by killing bacteria on the surface of the skin that cause acne.

What forms does Benzoyl Peroxide come in?

Benzoyl Peroxide can primarily be found in either a topical gel or topical cream form. Concentration levels range from 2.5% to 10%. The higher the concentration of Benzoyl Peroxide, the more effective the medication is.

Where can I buy Benzoyl Peroxide?

In the US, you can purchase Benzoyl Peroxide medications at your local pharmacy or drugstore. Brands like Clean&Clear, Neutrogena, Clarasil and PanOxyl all make Benzoyl Peroxide medications. You can also get the generic brand prescribed by your doctor. Most insurance companies cover BP and depending on the brand, you won't need to pay anything. 

How do I know which concentration of Benzoyl Peroxide to use?

It is generally recommended for most people to start off using the lowest percentage of Benzoyl Peroxide which is 2.5%. The higher the percentage,  the more effective the medication is. However, many specialist say that 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide is just as effective as 10%. If you are absolutely unsure about which percentage of Benzoyl Peroxide to use, start off with 2.5% and slowly increase your concentration as needed.

Does Benzoyl Peroxide really work?

A lot of people jump right into using Benzoyl Peroxide medications without first doing thorough research on the ingredient, and within the first couple of weeks of experiencing the normal "side effects" of the medication,  they get scared and stop using it. I know this because I myself did this when I was younger. So I thought I would take the time to try to explain this commonly misunderstood active ingredient. 

First thing you all need to know is that Benzoyl Peroxide works. But like all things that work, it requires time and patience. When you introduce a new product to your face, your skin needs time to adjust to it. During this adjustment period, some common side effects happen to the skin which scares people out of continuing use of their Benzoyl Peroxide medication. However, if you go into a new regimen knowing what to expect, you will be better prepared to stick it through to the end until you see the results you want. So what exactly should you expect before starting a Benzoyl Peroxide medication? 

What to expect when using Benzoyl Peroxide

1. You will need to strategically plan out when you are going to start your medication (preferably around a week to 2 week vacation period when you won't necessarily need to go outside or when you won't be going anywhere with that cute guy you want to impress). This is because for the first 1-2 weeks of your medication, your face will go through, to put it nicely, a phase. Numbers 2-4 break down what will happen during this phase.

2. Your skin will get dry. Your skin will get so dry that you might need to apply multiple layers of moisturizer to try and cover up the dryness. In fact, you will probably need to start carrying your facial moisturizer around with you.

3. In addition to being a drying agent, Benzoyl Peroxide is also a peeling agent. Your skin will slightly peel. Not in the way a chemical peel makes your skin peel, but more so where dry dead skin will noticeably be coming off your face. Sounds gross, but it's really not that bad. The peeling is going to happen in the form of heavy skin flaking.

4. You will experience some irritation of the skin. Make sure to not use any other harsh chemicals with Benzoyl Peroxide.

5. MOST IMPORTANTLY: All of the dryness, irritation and peeling will only last a week to two weeks at the most before your skin completely adjust to the Benzoyl Peroxide. Once the two week phase passes, your skin will go back to normal. The only difference will be the significant lack of pimples you have! 

What to avoid when using Benzoyl Peroxide

The sun is not your friend when using a Benzoyl Peroxide medication. In fact, it is your enemy. Benzoyl Peroxide increases the skin's photosensitivity making it prone to hyperpigmentation (mild discoloration of the skin). Use a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15 and avoid being in the sun as much as possible.  Also, beach hats come in handy in times like this. 

                                          xoxo, bighairbeauty

[bighairbeautyblog-blog]

GET RID OF DARK ACNE SCARS: NATURAL REMEDY

If you're like me, you probably have several scars left on your skin from those annoying pimples that seem to show up at the most inconvenient times. A lot of people tend to turn to skin lightening products for help. But here is the problem with that solution: most of those products contain harsh chemicals such as Hydroquinone, which is very harmful to the skin and can cause severe hyper-pigmentation--especially on dark skin tones. 

Don't believe me ? Google "skin bleaching" and the real life horror stories that show up in the results will be enough to scare you into never picking up another fade cream. But that--that is a great thing because instead of picking up your favorite fade cream from the beauty section of your drugstore, go over to the food section and pick up a few lemons.  Yes, lemons!

I am finding that a lot of people are unaware of the great health and topical benefits of lemons. Lemons are just one of those super-fruits that can be used in so many ways which most people don't know about. Below is a regimen that will show you how to use lemons to get rid of the dark spots that pimples tend to leave behind.

The Regimen

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

A gentle cleanser (non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic)

Face towel

Cotton balls

A Lemon

Alcohol free toner

Moisturizer with SPF of at least 15 ((non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic)

STEPS: NIGHT ROUTINE

1. Wash your face with the cleanser using circular motions to gently remove dirt and oil from the skin.

2. Pat dry your face using the towel. 

3. Squeeze a small amount of lemon juice onto a cotton ball and only apply it to the affected areas(dark spots) of the skin. 

4. Keep the lemon juice on your face overnight while you sleep.

STEPS: MORNING ROUTINE

1. Wash the lemon juice off your face with the cleanser using circular motions to gently remove the overnight dirt and oil from the skin.

2. Pat dry your face using the towel. 

3. Using a few cotton balls, tone your entire face.

4. Apply SPF moisturizer.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THIS REGIMEN

Overtime, the black marks will significantly get lighter. I used this regimen over the summer, and within a few days, my black marks weren't as dark as they used to be. This is a natural remedy and depending on your skin, results can take up to a few weeks to show. But be patient! I've learned that when it comes to skin care, great results come to do those who wait!

THINGS TO REMEMBER

1. Lemon juice increases photosensitivity of the skin so DO  NOT use it in the morning if you plan on going out in the sun. 

2. Do not apply the lemon juice to your face using your bare fingers. The oils on your fingers can counteract the effectiveness of lemon juice.

3. Cover your pillow with a simple t-shirt or towel at night to avoid getting lemon juice on it.

4. This regimen can be used to reduce any kind of discolored scars on the skin--not just the ones caused by acne. 

[bighairbeautyblog-blog]

GET HEALTHIER SKIN: 5 GOALS YOU SHOULD HAVE

In My Acne Story, I shared my background history with acne and how struggling with it ultimately led me to make some drastic lifestyle changes. This resulted in me creating a plan to have healthy, clear acne-free skin. 

So to help me stick to and eventually achieve this plan (which from now on I will be referring to as 'My Journey to Healthier Skin'), I came up with 5 smaller goals that will act as my guide throughout this journey. And guess what? I'm going to share them with you! Don't worry, you can thank me later with a nice batch of soft-and-chewy homemade chocolate chip cookies.  

1. Eat healthy and exercise.

Making sure that what you put into your body is good for your health, but most importantly good for your skin. Adding fruits, vegetables and water into your diet and eliminating junk food, fast food and excessive sugary food goes a long way. Keep your body healthy on the inside, and it will show on the outside. Also, making sure that you exercise at least three times a week will keep you looking your best. Remember that when you look good, you feel good!

2. Embrace your natural beauty: Stop wearing makeup.

Yes, I said it and I meant it. You should stop wearing makeup--especially makeup that is applied to the skin.  Acne is caused by irritation of the skin and clogged pores, and the number one way us women clog our pores is with daily use of foundation, primers, powder and the like.  If it is going into your pores, you want to stop using it. Get used to seeing your bare face and learn how to embrace your natural beauty without any artificial additives. Your bank account will thank you for no longer having to buy your favorite expensive foundation from MAC. I know mine did!

3. Goodbye acne! Hello smooth skin!

This goal involves treating the acne you already have and adopting a regimen that will prevent future breakouts once you have successfully gotten rid of your acne. Check the Regimens page to find a beauty routine that works for you. Acne is common and can affect anyone, so if you currently don't have acne (lucky), still take measures to ensure that it stays that way. There's something on the regimens page to make sure of that too!

4. Clear up acne scars.

I don't know about you guys, but I think I'm starting to prefer having actual pimples than having the scars they leave behind, and I have a pretty good reason why that is. Acne is fairly easy and inexpensive to treat...but the scars---the scars are just not. However, that doesn't mean it can't be done. There's a variety of methods available for treating scars and it's just a matter of finding the right one for your skin. Hopefully this blog will help you make that decision easily.  

5. Maintenance.

Once you've gotten clear naturally-beautiful skin, you want it to stay that way. So maintaining your skin is the part that really matters in the long run. Simply keep up with all the previous goals and everything else will fall into place!

So those are the beauty goals I try to live by. Remember that they are cumulative so taking on one goal at a time will allow you to get adjusted to things without feeling overwhelmed. Eventually, they won't even feel like goals and will become more habitual!

Don't forget to follow me on my Instagram or shoot me an e-mail if you have any questions!

                                                              xoxo, bighairbeauty

[bighairbeautyblog-blog]

HELLO!

Welcome to my new beauty blog! I have been trying to get a blog up and running for quite a while now and I am so excited that I finally did it! You’re probably wondering what exactly I’m going to be blogging about t so I’m going to go ahead and give you a little inside scoop.

It’s all about beauty!

Mainly acne-related beauty and learning how to embrace the way you look without any artificial additives—yes we are going to be embracing our God-given natural beauty. So if you’re ready to learn all the tricks and tips to getting rid of acne and the pesky little scars they leave behind, or if you want to be able to not depend on that draw of makeup to give you confidence, then you’ve come to the right blog!

I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned (and continue to learn) with you all, so come back often to see what’s new.

Don’t forget to follow me on my Instagram for more updates.

P.S If you’d like to know the true background story to this blog, read My Acne Story.