ELSPETH'S SPARKLE! DIARY...
Sunday 10/1
My Sparkle treatment plan starts today – yeah!
First step for me is the home care products. I’ve got bottles galore in the bathroom. Must say, it’s more than a little daunting as I’ve never had a proper skin care regime. But Maryann and Anna have labelled everything and given me step-by-step instructions on what to put on, when – so I’m ready to go. It’s exciting!
I’m starting with my first Retinol application. Really easy to apply and my skin feels particularly "silky" after the first application.
Monday 11/1
Skin feels good after the Retinol. I’ve got some slight skin flaking so I’m going to ask if this is the AHA at work. I’m guessing it’s almost "retexturing" the skin and clearing away the dead skin cells.
Skin feels so much better already. Not sure if I’m imagining in it, but I can already feel the difference. Looking in the mirror, I don't have that tired, worn-out look. V happy.
Tuesday 12/1
Noticing a big difference in the dry patches under my eyes. I’m applying eye cream every day in the morning and at night, and I think it’s working!
Wednesday 13/1
Noticing a marked reduction in the oiliness of my skin. Feels really good and definitely softer.
Thursday 14/1
I’m feeling so "sparkly" today I don't want to wear foundation anymore!
Friday 15/1
Second application of Retinol - use every three days. Feels much tighter immediately after I put it on. It’s a really nice feeling ending the day with this product.
Saturday 16/1
Definitely noticing the "flaky" bits clearing from my face. Good feeling. I’ve changed to the water proof sun defence so I can keep up my running. Normally my skin would feel "clogged" with sunscreen. Not now! I feel so deeply and "properly" cleansed.
Monday 18/1
First positive comment from a work colleague today. She said "your skin is looking so good already". I’m loving it! I’m not wearing foundation anymore as I don’t want to "spoil" my skin. Feels too fresh to clog my face up.
PM
Had my first IPL session on my décolletage and neck today. We decided my face didn’t really need it as the products were working well. I’ve got heaps of skin damage on my chest so we’re concentrating on this area. It was sore whilst it was being done – bit like a bad waxing session! Felt the after-burn for about an hour after it was finished and it looked a bit red and angry, but the ice packs worked and I went straight back to work afterwards. They told me it wouldn’t blister but, still, I was surprised (and happy!) that it didn’t.
Tuesday 19/1
I put two applications of Red Alert on last night to ease the redness of the IPL. Great relief – you can feel it cooling almost immediately. This morning my chest is still a little red, but it’s not sore.
Wednesday 20/1
Two days after my first IPL and the breakdown of pigmentation is already happening. Maryann said this was a fantastic result – we’re on our way!
Today was injectables. Lips, frown, forehead, crows feet and around my nose. My face is pretty swollen, but it’s not really sore. I went straight back to work afterwards, so couldn’t have been too bad!
Thursday 21/1
You can really see the breakdown from the IPL today. The pigment just sort of flakes off. Looks to me like spots of black ash on my chest. Interesting!
The injectables have left me a little swollen and bruised around the nose and lips and I’ve got a couple of large blood blisters on my lips so I used the Lip Pout for the first time. The cream is a fantastic relief and gives a really firm feeling.
Saturday 23/1
Looking in the mirror, I can really see the difference in myself. It feels so good not to wear make up and have my skin feeling good. I’ve never been make-up free with confidence.
Monday 25/1
I’m feeling a lot of benefit from the cleanser. I have very oily skin normally and the Medik8 Red Alert feels smooth, without the oily feeling.
Tuesday 26/1
Comment from a work colleague again today on how my skin has improved so much. V V happy!
Saturday 30/1
Friend who I haven’t seen in a while said to me today, ‘Elspeth – your skin is looking great’. Can’t tell you how good that felt!
Monday 1/2
Early morning start today. No make-up and straight into Assure for a timeless peel. It felt tingly, but not painful at all. And my skin felt wonderful afterwards. I had a tidy-up of the injectables on my lips to even them out a little and a top-up on some of the areas around my cheeks and nose.
Tuesday 2/2
I had my first session with the LED light early this morning. No effects (ie no pain!) from this whatsoever. It just feels like a warm, relaxing light that doesn’t leave any immediate visible after-affect the skin on the outside (but I’m told it works wonders under the skin!)
Thursday 4/2
LED light again today – then straight back to work. But not before Anna did my make-up. She does such a good job and gave me quite a few tips along the way. Amazing how easy the experts make it look!
Sunday 7/2
Went to lunch with my children today and son informed me "Mum your skin looks airbrushed!" Happy Mum!
Monday 8/2
LED treatment again today. Not much to report – just a nice relaxing time thinking about the world!
Thursday 11/2
as above!
Monday 15/2
My second session of IPL on the dec today. I was a bit more nervous going into it the second time round – but it wasn’t nearly as painful (thankfully!) The after-burn wasn’t as bad this time – obviously because there’s less to burn off (makes sense really!) Used the Red Alert and ice packs and it was fine. Maryann reminded me ‘no sun’! She’s very strict on that point, that’s for sure. But especially after IPL because the skin is raw and exposed. I’m not leaving the house without sunscreen these days anyway. It’s my new rule!
Thursday 18/2
Another session under the LED. Maryann said the IPL session worked perfectly, with the second lot of breakdown looking good. Going to be a great result I’m told with the amount of pigmentation that has broken down.
Wednesday 24/2
LED session again today and my last bit of injectables on my upper cheeks and near my eyes to ease a wrinkle on my cheek. Bit of bruising afterwards – but make-up covered it well and I went straight back to work.
Friday 26/2
My very last LED session! My 30-day Sparkle program is now finished. WOW!
Having never had a beauty/cleansing regime before, I’m now converted! My skin has never felt better and never looked better. Have to admit, I was a bit of a cynic, but I now realise the value of good cleansing and good products. In my opinion, the products are fantastic. And you can really see the IPL working to remove the skin. My chest is so much better than it was and the dark patches under my eyes are virtually gone. I feel so sparkly, it’s fantastic!
PS… I’ve just got back from a photo session with Robert at Squint. He showed me the photos on the computer of the ‘before’ and ‘afters’. Oh my gosh – I had forgotten what I looked like before. So tired and weathered! When you look at the shots you can really see the difference. If I hadn’t done it for myself I’d probably think they weren’t real! I’m so happy – it’s the best investment I’ve ever made!
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