Tag Archives: #selfcare

HIFU Skin Tightening Treatment

18 Friday Jan 2019

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I won a free HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) skin tightening treatment from Shining Way Esthetics in December of 2018. Brenda Musia performed the treatment on me. Brenda is a fantastic esthetician and is doing quarterly facials on me going forward. My first one will be at the end of March of 2019, when I go back to do my “after” pictures from my HIFU treatment.

brenda musia

No one in their right mind would pass up an opportunity for a free treatment that boasts the benefits of collagen production and skin tightening. So, on Friday, December 28, 2018 I found myself at Shining Way Esthetics in Katy, TX to have the HIFU treatment done.

About HIFU

hifu machine

HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) uses ultrasound to penetrate deeply through the layers of skin to encourage collage production and tightening of the skin. It is also used for skin lifting and body contouring. It also reduces wrinkles, shrinks pores, improves skin tone, and can reduce fat deposits under the chin and on the neck. It is known as a non-invasive facelift.

This treatment can be used on other areas of the body, such as the décolletage, abdomen, triceps (bat-wings), thighs, and under the buttocks.

While there can be some immediate results (depending on the person), most of the result will occur over 3 to 7 months’ time. And the result can last up to two years, but certainly for at a year.

My Treatment

The treatment starts by using a numbing gel on the face. We did an all-over application at the beginning.

numbing cream

What I suggest is to do numbing gel on the first and or second sections, then when the treatment is happening on the first and or second section apply the numbing gel to the third and or fourth sections.

So the numbing gel will rotate around the face doing its job while the treatment occurs on the other parts of the face. This will prevent the numbing gel from wearing off by the time you get to the last sections.

Two all-over face treatments are performed at different intensities to reach different depths of the skin layers. You want the numbing gel to still be working by the time the treatment gets to the second round.

My total treatment time was about 2 hours. This was a new treatment for the spa and for Brenda, so she took her time during the treatment. The more she does it the more efficient she will get.

It feels like little electric pulses, zapping or tinkling sensation. Each person has different areas that may or may not be sensitive on their face. My sensitive area was my lower cheek and jaw area. I’m guessing that, that is the area of my face that needed it the most, because that was also the area of my face that had mild swelling and soreness for a few week after. I felt it in the shallow skin area on my forehead, but most of the other places were painless, with the numbing gel in play.

Once the numbing gel wore off, I felt much more of the electric pulses, but it wasn’t unbearable.

Once the treatment was completed, she cleaned me up, moisturized me and I was on my way! I had no redness left on my face and no visible swelling after the treatment.

In 3 months I am going back to Shining Way Esthetics to see Brenda to take “after” pictures. After that time I will update you on my results.

After Treatment

I was told not to use any hot water on my face for 24 hours.

I also thought that it would be a good idea to be very gentle with my face for the first 4 days after treatment. I used lukewarm water, a gentle cleanser, a calming toner, and moisturizers.

My favorite moisturizers of late are: Daytime – Andalou Naturals Probiotic +C Renewal Cream and Nighttime – Andalou Naturals Fruit Stem Cell Night Repair Cream.

I didn’t use anything scrubbing on my face, no cleaning brushes, no wash cloths, no exfoliators, nor glycolic acid or anything of the like.

I think I waited till day 5 before using Derma-E Vitamin A Glycolic Facial Scrub.

To help your face in rebuild collagen, I do suggest using hyaluronic acid. Once your face is clean, while still damp add the hyaluronic acid, then wait 30 seconds, and add your moisturizer last. This is something you can do all the time, not only after this treatment.

Check out my post on the best beauty brands to use, here.

Also, LED light therapy can help with acne, reduce fine lines and winkles, and build collagen. Here are a couple inexpensive options from Amazon. One and Two.

From the Inside Out

It wouldn’t be me writing to you unless I spoke to you about building your skin from the inside out. The best thing that I’ve done for my skin is take collagen peptides. I take unflavored collagen peptides in my coffee every morning. Vital Proteins also has flavored collagen options and collagen coffee creamers (Mocha, Vanilla, Gingerbread, Coconut).

unflavored collagen peptides

Vital Proteins developed specific products for beauty, check them out below.

Cheers to Collagen!!

shots

Tips for Enjoying the Holidays

07 Tuesday Nov 2017

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As I’m writing this post, today is November 1st. Wow how this year has flown by! It is that time of year again; we are quickly approaching the holidays. There are mixed feelings about the holidays out there….some love them, some feel overwhelmed and stressed out by them, some flat out dislike them. I personally have a blend of the three feelings about them at various times. But mostly I tend to really enjoy them. I’m going to give you my tips for enjoying the holidays.

The first two tips are pretty equal in importance for enjoying the holidays.

No. 1 – Let go of expectations

No. 2 – Let go of guilt

Let me break it down for ya…..

Expectations 

Expectations will make or break you (not just in this scenario). Let go of preconceived, probably unrealistic, expectations you have of other people. Not putting your expectations of people and situations on to other people will allow the situation to unfold naturally and allow people to be themselves (despite whether you like them as themselves or not, they still are who they are). Set your mind to the fact that people are going to be who they are and know going into it that is what is going to happen and you are going to roll with it and laugh about it. You cannot control people and things outside of you. The only thing you are in control of is you, how you react to situations and people, your attitude, and your perspective. This advice is coming from a recovering control freak, so I know it is possible. If you do not think you are capable of doing this, I’d suggest avoiding the people you find difficult to be around.

No guilt!

Here’s the thing….you cannot be everything all the time to everyone. Anyone who expects that of you is unrealistic and unreasonable. You have the right to say “no”. Particularly during the holidays folks find it difficult to say no. My suggestion is to get really comfortable with say no to people, requests, and activities. You do not have to do them all and you do not have to feel guilty about it. It’s your time and you should spend it however it serves your mental health best.

Now….saying that….this is not a license to be a selfish butt-head. Let’s not do that. But it is a license to protect your time, energy, and sanity against completely unpleasant situations and people. Spend your time with the family and friends you want to spend time with.

Those are the two biggest things that will make the biggest difference for enjoying the holidays.

No. 3 – Plan, Plan, Plan / Be Prepared, Be Prepared, Be Prepared

A well-laid plan and ample preparation will alleviate stress. Even if everything doesn’t go perfectly according to plan….you are prepared!

Now….this one can be difficult for the Type B personality. BUT for us Type As over-planning can create as much stress as not planning at all! Catch-22, I know. Here is what I suggest….

  • Write your obligations on a calendar (paper or electronic) so you can see what you have already committed to. I prefer electronic because I can set reminders and share it with people.
  • As new invitations arise look at the calendar and determine if you have the time and energy to add it; if you do….then do….if you need to switch out one commitment for another…do that. If you need or want to say “No” do that.
  • Figure out what each commitment on the calendar will require of you (travel time and distance, do you need to make or take food with you, etc.) and plan ahead.
    • Buying something to take with you, takes less time than making something yourself. That is what restaurants were designed for!
    • Buy gifts and anything else you can online and have it delivered to your house to save you time and energy.

I highly suggest NOT over booking.

Allow yourself and family time to rest and recover. Rule of thumb, only say yes to one event per weekend. If that isn’t possible for you, then only say yes to one event per day per weekend. If you work full-time (home or office), I usually try and stick to the only one event during the week rule, if any at all.

Take Care of Yourself

I think that people, mostly parents, primarily women fall into doing for others before or instead of taking care of their needs. Stop that! Don’t spread yourself too thin. Taking care of yourself and your mental and physical health is so important. Not only for you, but for those around you. Saying “no” is a good step in this direction.

Take time to have a quite shower or bath. Take time to sit down….rest….watch a show, read a book, listen to music on the patio, or take a nap. If you need to be outside the house to take care of yourself, leave! Turn off your phone….go get a beverage and walk around Hobby Lobby or Target, go walk at a park and listen to a good podcast, read a book in a coffee shop or in a park, get a mani/pedi, go see a movie by yourself or with a girlfriend. Slow down and take some time give to yourself. Check out my self-care post here: What is Self-Care to you?

I think it is more than this….it is also keeping with your movement routine (walks, gym time, workouts) and eating healthy nutritious foods. You don’t have to be perfect! Below are some of my other posts you may find helpful.

Keep yourself physically well during this time. Prioritize sleep.

Here are some of my favorite products that I use daily to keep my immune system healthy and some that I use only if or when I’m feeling like I’m getting sick.

I hope and pray that you stay healthy, happy, and well during a time of year that a lot of folks breakdown emotionally and physically. I hope you find my tips helpful for you to enjoy your holiday season more.

Bring on the holidays!

Next up…..Thanksgiving!

 

Change the Conversation

04 Thursday Aug 2016

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I was listening to a couple of interviews recently that were discussing people’s inability to making lasting changes / modification to their behaviors despite their desire to do so….this got me thinking….

Think About What You Want, Not About What You Do Not Want

Wanting to do something or achieve something – just having the desire to do it, regardless of how much you want it isn’t enough to drive the result of a change to occur.

I think to myself sometimes that I really really badly want something to happen in my life, but struggle to do what I need to do to make that change a reality. Why?

Our brains do not understand negatives. If you think to yourself “I do not want to eat cookies or chips this week” you’ve just put the picture of cooking or chips into your brain. Your brain say “yes, cookies or chips” and that is what you then think about and crave despite your desire to not eat them.

Solution: Instead of thinking about what you don’t want, change your thoughts to what you do want. “I want to eat apples this week.” “I want to eat carrots.” Then your brain will focus on what you do want.

Negative Self-Talk

This sorta thing is also very helpful with negative self-talk. I struggle with negative self-talk. The first step is the awareness of when you are doing it. If you can catch yourself in the act or even after the thought, then you can change the conversation in your mind.

Solution: Stop the thought or right after the thought. Tell yourself the opposite of what your negative thought was.

The Power of Your Brain

There is real power in what you think about and what you believe. If you believe in yourself, what you want, know that you deserve what you want, and make steps towards what you want despite adversity (because you believe in yourself) you are more likely to actually obtain what you want.

Your power for change is held in your beliefs….by the thoughts in your brain. Change the conversation; just remember, your brain believes what you tell it.

This practice is not easy, but it is possible…..start today.