From Creams to Machines

Your Antiaging Guide

By Chrissy Thomas, RN, Anti-Aging Specialist, Master Cosmetic Injector

I have spent my career in the antiaging industry. Year after year, I am combing the dermatology journals, research reports and trade shows to find the best tools to keep clients looking fresh, vibrant, and most importantly, safe. The market has continued to grow in exciting ways, yet some of the tried and true therapies are still some of our favorites.

Retin A. I remember being a 26-year-old nurse working in a plastic surgery practice and noticing that many of the clients had beautiful, smooth, glowing skin in their 60’s. The commonality was “I have used Retin A for years.” Retin A is a topical cream that will exfoliate the skin and create more collagen. First, the skin must be cleansed and then dried 15 minutes before applying Retin A for the first few weeks of use. Water and Retin A can cause irritation on the skin. Users also need to be mindful to avoid sun exposure as the combination can cause redness, burn and peeling. I recommend clients use an over-the-counter preparation of Retin A that combines the benefits of Vitamin A with other antiaging ingredients. My favorite- Revisions Skincare DEJ Night Cream.

Vitamin C. Vitamin C has become a superstar in the skincare world in the past few years. Scientists have confirmed that not only does Vitamin C reverse sun damage in the skin, it may also help provide another layer of protection from the sun. That is why we recommend all clients in our practice use a medical-grade Vitamin C every morning as part of a skincare routine. The best part of this miracle vitamin is that it does not cause any irritation or downtime. My favorite is a serum designed by Dr. Yang Brooks in her DermYoung line. Dr. Brooks created Youth Essence Vitamin C Serum as a gift for her mother to combat the small creases and dark spots that had started popping up on her face as she was aging. The products are organic and sold in glass containers to prevent contamination from plastic packaging. It is safe to use on all clients, including our oncology patients. This is the most impressive line I have ever worked with and this Youth Essence is my favorite product.

Hydrafacial MD. Think of Hydrafacial MD as a one-stop treatment for antiaging. The technician uses a special handpiece that will incorporate water through a disposable tip and thoroughly cleanse the skin of the face and neck. Next, a combination of glycolic and salicylic acids are customized to exfoliate the dead skin cells and then clogged pores are extracted. You can SEE the gunk that comes out of the pores at the end of the treatment. Then, a serum of antioxidants and collagen are applied to the skin with the same handpiece to promote elasticity and hydration. Last, clients enjoy LED Light Therapy to penetrate the serum more deeply into the skin. This is a client favorite to make skin look fresh and healthy.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). PRP has enjoyed a long history in American medicine. The first reported use of PRP was in heart surgery in the 70’s and it is now commonly used to heal problems with joints in the orthopedic world. However, using PRP to turn back the clock has become an exciting way to offer a more natural approach to antiaging. In this treatment, a patient’s blood is drawn and processed to leave the PRP which is then injected back into the patient to “make the body do what it used to do a few years ago.” We use PRP on the scalp to help stop shedding and thinning and to help grow new hair. Many are opting to use more PRP to volumize the volume loss in the face over time. Since the PRP comes from the patient, there is virtually no risk of adverse events making this is one of the most natural and popular treatments I use in my practice.

CoolSculpting and CoolTone. CoolSculpting is a treatment that has blown the mind of this former plastic surgery nurse. In the operating room, we used the liposuction tools to remove fat cells which is a wonderful treatment. However, the recovery can be uncomfortable and long with downtime. The risks of surgery are certainly something to consider. Coolsculpting has changed the noninvasive fat reduction world. Using cold temperatures to break down fat leaves clients comfortable during treatment because the area is numbed from the cold applicator. Clients watch Netflix, work on laptops or nap during treatment time. There is no downtime after treatment and no risk of infection as the skin remains intact. The results are very exciting and best of all…permanent! The company has recently launched CoolTone to help tone the muscles of the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs making it even easier to sculpt areas that are problematic.

Working in the antiaging world is more exciting than ever and we are constantly finding safe, comfortable and effective ways to care for clients and meet expectations. It has been very rewarding to help patients feel confident and happy at every age.

Owner Chrissy Thomas, RN, BSN, has worked in the field of skin care since 1996. A graduate of Georgia Baptist College of Nursing in Atlanta, she has held positions as charge nurse of plastic surgery for Egleston Children’s Hospital (now Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta) AA & director of adult plastic surgery and director of skin care services for Plastic Surgery Consultants in Atlanta. Chrissy has owned and operated About Face Skin Care since March 2002, and opened About Mind and Body, a fitness boutique located within About Face, in 2012. Chrissy is well known in the cosmetic community where she is a respected Master Level Cosmetic Injector & Senior Laser Specialist.