Peachy the Magazine Summer 2016 | Page 67

HAIR + BEAUTY This is where you definitely need someone who’s experienced in using the SkinPen because how hard to press and when to double up on areas is subjective. The needles can be dialed up to penetrate more deeply, which is also why you need a person you trust. So don’t use a Groupon for this one— get a personal recommendation. How does it work? The device makes tiny punctures in the surface of your skin, creating a controlled injury that stimulates the skin and helps develop new collagen and elastin (which both wane as we age). It can be used not only for anti-aging, but also for acne scars, large pores and uneven skin tone. Costs vary depending on where you live, but in Charlotte I can expect to pay $250 to $300 per treatment. What did I look like after the procedure? Well, my face was pretty red, and I had little abrasions (almost like hickeys) here and there with tiny spots of bleeding. As the day went on, the redness got more intense. The next day the redness subsided some, but I had little splotches that were a cross between a bruise and a scrape. The kicker is, NO makeup, NO sun and NO sweating for 48 hours postSkinPen. This part is a bummer because you really have to plan ahead. I did my procedure on a Thursday morning and spent the weekend mostly in hiding, though a big pair of sunglasses disguised the worst parts. After that, I could wear makeup, and I was happy enough as my skin healed, shedding the top layer as it does after a peel. The best part came a few weeks later with smoother fine lines and a tightened-feeling surface. I did the recommended three treatments, and I feel like I saw the most change after the second one, which seemed to lift off a summer’s worth of sunspots. Would I do it again? Yes. I’m not ready for the more invasive procedures (lasers, surgery), and when budget allows, I’ll put this in the mix for my maintenance routine. Even though the changes are subtle, the SkinPen targeted the things that bother me. However, now I feel like my face and my neck don’t match age-wise: a double-edged sword. Sadly, the device isn’t recommended to treat the thin skin of your neck. But I’ll take the win any way I can. n SUMMER 2016 65