Students turn to new skin treatments for help

By REBEKAH HERBERT

Staring in a mirror, you can’t help but notice your face.

Whether you like it or not, there it is, glaring right back at you.

Some people may not particularly care for their face because of blemishes, pimples, razor burn, and maybe even sun damage.

Treatments that help these conditions, from ultra-sonic microdermabrasion to chemical peels, have become increasingly popular among the college crowd.

Treatments such as ultra-sonic microdermabrasion, which uses sonic waves to lift dirt and bacteria out of the pores to thoroughly clean the skin and chemical peels, which actually cause your skin to peel off from one to 14 days, or even treatments as restylane, which is used to fill in wrinkles or lines, often used to create fuller lips, are all favorites for the college crowd.

Microdermabrasion is most often used in a bad case of acne.

“People that have acne have to be careful,” said Vicki Krovitsky, co-owner of Image Enhancement Group.

“You have to wipe off your cell phone after you use it, change your pillow case often and be sure to use something other than your hands to wipe your sweat.”

Many dermatologists and plastic surgery clinics offer this treatment. At Image Enhancement Group, this treatment lasts six weeks and cost of $199 and virtually rids your face of acne completely.

“We take the worst case scenarios and rid them of their problem,” Krovitsky said. “But it does depend on whether the person will listen to us—the treatment does include a take-home pack that they must follow.”

Though this treatment helps many, it does not guarantee that you’ll never get another pimple again. No technology is that good, yet.

Microdermabrasion is not only used for severe acne cases, but also for people who have sun damage or pigmentation imbalances.

“Sun damage or hyper-pigmentation leaves dark spots on the skin and they don’t go away,” Krovitsky said. “But they can be exfoliated away with microdermabrasion or removed by laser.”

Microdermabrasion has no real side effects.

“Everything we do is non-invasive. There is no healing to be done and no down time,” Krovitsky said. “The only downside is if someone doesn’t do what we say.”

Krovitsky said all ages get this sort of facial done, everyone from high school students to senior citizens.

“People of any age have skin conditions,” Krovitsky said. “Everything from unwanted lines to large pores.”

Another problem helped by microdermabrasion is unclogging ingrown hairs. Shaving can often lead to bumps on the skin and can result in painful ingrown hairs, a nice problem to get rid of.

Chemical peels also help the skin. Depending on the harshness of the chemical used, which will vary depending on what the person needs, layers of skin burn off and peel, leaving room for new pure skin to grow in.

This treatment is costly, running anywhere from $300 to $2,500.

A procedure that fills wrinkles and lines on the face is restylane. Restylane is very different from Botox, which relaxes muscles and is usually reserved for those at least 35 years old.

“Many younger girls want lips enlarged,” said Dr. William Pollock, who has been doing these kinds of treatments for two years. “It is multiple small injections with a small needle. It is not permanent and has to be done every four to six months. And you better go to someone who knows how to do it.”

This is also a costly procedure that will run you anywhere from $500 to $1,000 a shot. However, there are ways to take care of your skin and not empty your wallet.

“Acne in young adults is caused by three things: stress, hormones and diet,” Krovitsky said. “And a main cause of it is iodine. Iodine is present in salt and there is a high salt content in most foods.”

So aside from laying off the tortilla chips, you can also help yourself by not buying every item on the market that says it will help clear your skin.

“The best thing someone can do for their skin is go and buy a bar of Neutrogena or Glycerin soap and then go to the first aid department and by some Witch Hazel cleanser. It is a natural astringent and a natural toner,” Krovitsky said.

“You want oil in your skin, it keeps it firm, soft and glowing. If you use regular products, it might do something for a minute, but it is damaging your skin in the long term. You want to put natural nutrients and minerals back into your skin. Bigger and more expensive products are not better.”

Krovitsky also said that women should use a moisturizer with zinc in it and not use chemical-based make ups if they are over nine months old.

“Make up sold at department stores have many non-soluble oils, a high wax content and many preservatives. They make it that way so it keeps looking the same color as when you bought it so you don’t think it will go bad,” Krovitsky said, adding that college-aged people should start to care for their skin now, because when you get older, its harder to do.

“Most college students are very active,” Krovitsky said. “They should wash their faces in the morning, at night, and also once during the day. And women should not put make up on over make up, be sure you wash your face first.

“Most importantly, take good care of the skin you have now. As you get older it doesn’t reproduce as quickly.”