Remember my review on the PMD microdermabrasion system? Well, now I've been given the opportunity to try the PMD Regeneration System starter kit (retail $39.95 USD). This is a 4 step system to be used in combination with the PMD microderm tool to help maximize the effectiveness of this system.
I'll be honest, microdermabrasion is a bit rough on my skin. As I have said before on my blog, I have sensitive skin. I decided to do a little photo documentation, so you can see what I mean.
First off, here's what you need.
Hello random swollen foot of mine! Anyway, the microderm tool of course was provided to me earlier, but the Starter Kit has an Advanced Soothing Cleanser (60 ml), a Calming Neuro Neutralizer Toner (60 ml) and a Professional Recovery Moisturizer (15 ml). You can apply the products with a cotton pad or your fingers.
First, you need to properly use your microderm tool on your face. Want to see how red it leaves me?
Lobster! The boyfriend has been teasing me with how red my face is. Oddly enough, I did experience more bumps during the month I used my tool (once a week).
Granted, my face has been going crazy lately with stress and dry weather, but still. I'm only human!
So step 1 is using your microderm tool, step 2 is the cleanser. It's a slightly thick clear serum, almost the consistency of aloe vera but without a sticky after feel, and no fragrance.
Step 3 is the toner. It's a clear liquid that doesn't have much of a smell. While most of it will absorb into your skin, you can wipe any excess off with a clean cloth.
The final step is the moisturizer. This does have a fragrance to it, that isn't quite medicinal but is unlike any perfumed moisturizer I've ever tried. It's not unpleasant, but it's not my favorite either. It almost reminds me of dairy.
While the tool is used once a week, the products may be used both in your morning and evening routine. The cleanser helps to remove dirt, make up, oils and other impurities. The toner helps balance your skin's pH as well as preserve your natural oils. The moisturizer is the awesome stuff - I could bore you with details but the part you probably want to hear is it increases Catalase stimulation over 300% and Collagen expression 164% strengthening tissue and elastins for more vibrant younger looking skin.
So, did it work? Well you saw my before picture - here's what my skin looks like after applying.
Still red, but not as bad. My face calmed down and definitely felt better. Over the month, I did have less breakouts and I was complimented more on my skin than normal. I have to get into a better habit of moisturizing, but it's great to have products formulated to my microdermabrasion system.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
So a little deviant posting today - skincare!
Ever since Groupon and Living Social have come on the scene, one deal I see constantly is the microdermabrasion treatment, normally offered anywhere from $60-$200 (and that's AFTER the deal pricing!). I really don't know much about microdermabrasion other than hearing it on beauty shows (anyone else remember when ABC's Extreme Makeover was for PEOPLE and not homes?) and sometimes seeing a listing in the newspaper. I live in a relatively small town and the nearest place for skincare services like that are at least an hour north or two hours south of where I'm located.
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| Image from SkinCareRx |
When I was given the opportunity to test out the PMD - Personal Microderm System from SkinCareRx, I jumped at the chance. The price for this system is $179 and it ships same business day. The box contains the PMD, 5 discs (2 green for coarse removal and 3 blue for light removal), the power cord, 1 facial cap, 1 body cap and a reusable filter (mine was black not white). Also included was an instructional DVD which was about 8 minutes long and was more helpful to me than reading the included pamphlet. I'm a very visual learner, so it was great to see someone physically sticking this on their face and pulling it across.
Let's be honest, I was super nervous when I got this thing. All I knew is that it was a rotating disc that was going to be grinding at my skin. The actual terms are "smoothing away dead skin cells" (and I had some of them, for real) and this wand also diminishes age spots. I don't have any visible age spots right now (I am only 27), but it's nice to know that I could use this for that purpose later.
I followed the directions (ha, this is rare for me) and washed my face and pulled back my hair. I decided to use the large blue disc as I was just going to try my face. I have fat cheeks so like the DVD showed, I held my skin taunt between my fingers and went from down to up my cheek in vertical lines, never going higher than my cheekbones. On my chin, I went from left to right, and then on my forehead I did vertical lines again. I actually went over my whole face a second time because I wasn't sure I did it right the first time. You have to hold the wand perpendicular to your face so it "suctions" on there. You'll hear it if you don't have enough suction - just like a vacuum cleaner.
After I did this, I washed my face again and smoothed on the M2 Skin Recover Moisturizer ($32.50 for 1.7 fl oz) and M2 Skin Refinish ($44.50 for 1.7 fl oz) samples that were included with my PMD. I only used a pea size amount of both and that well covered over my face. The Moisturizer felt thick without feeling greasy but the Skin Refinish flat out BURNED for a few minutes. It does have both mandelic and malic acid which is why my face was on fire, but it went away pretty fast. I do have sensitive skin and to the best of my knowledge - rosacea. I have seen a dermatologist who was really indecisive and so I never went back. (He's not sure if I had ANYTHING - he just prescribed me $300 shampoo and left the room but that's another story).
I let my face sit for a few hours while I got some work done, and then finally touched to see if I felt a difference. My face did feel softer, so I went to go look. Parts of my cheeks were noticeably white instead of pink (this is awesome) and I have a scar on my left cheek that I felt was fainter (it's from the chicken pox when I was 5).
While this system is a bit expensive for me as a set-up, I already feel that it's definitely worth it. You can buy replacement discs and filters from SkinCareRx or PMD, as well as the moisturizer and skin refinish cream, so this isn't a machine that breaks once and you're out the money completely.
I'm going to keep using my machine until it's time to buy more pads or a new filter and see how much difference it's made. My Mom actually has a Groupon to have a microdermabrasion done this summer, so I'd like to see if her face looks about the same as mine does after hers. Granted, every one is different but half my DNA came from her, so I'm going to do a small (but not scientific!) experiment.
Thanks for letting me share this little skincare posting with you today!
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
