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Understanding skin reactions

10/23/2022

When starting ZO it takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks for skin to START to acclimate. In this time we're actually repairing damaged skin, and restoring cellular function. There are three phases of skin restoration in this process.

The first phase is when anticipated reactions will peak, and most people want to throw in the towel. Reactions can include pink/redness, dryness, peeling, irritation, itching, purging, and/or burning. The intensity of the program you're on will have an effect on how mild these reactions can be. These reactions can be most prevalent around the mouth, eyes, neck and chest. Don't sweat, they're completely normal.

The second phase is the improvement phase, and this can begin anywhere from 6 weeks onward. You will notice skin irritation and reactions start to subside, mild improvement may be seen, and redness starts to gradually fade.

The third and final phase is completion. There will be minimal or no reactions left, and your skin will look its best.

Although it may be a process to get to this point there are some small things we can do to support your skin during the first and second phases. We can use a lower strength ZO product, decrease the frequency, use less, and/or apply a hydration and calming cream, such as Renewal, Recovery or Hydrating Creme. Just beware that by scaling back, it may take longer to achieve results. Trust the process and be sure to stay in communication with us. We want to support you on this journey!

Drugstore skin care review

10/17/2022

I think one of the most common questions I get asked is, "what over the counter skin care is ok to use?". You’ve likely heard the girls and I joke, once you've used medical grade skincare, it’s hard to ever go back to drugstore brands. It’s not that these products are ‘bad’ -well some of them are *ahem St Ives Scrub* but it comes down to 3 main differences. Potency, purity and clinical research.

Drugstore skincare brands are made in large masses, that have mild ingredients to appeal to their demographic. The purity is controversial, as they are not regulated and don’t necessarily have to contain the ingredients they are said to have. Many products have synthetic dyes, colours and fragrances to heighten the consumer's sensory experience. Also, medical skin care brands are willing to invest in third party clinical studies and innovative ingredients. Medical grade skincare is rigorously tested and ensured to meet the requirements that the product says it has.

That said, there are a few hidden gems among the crowd. We have compiled a few of the big no no’s and a few of the ok’s of some popular over the counter brands.

First on the list is CereVe Foaming Facial Cleanser. CereVe was developed by dermatologists, and started with just three products, a cleanser, a moisturizing lotion and a moisturizing cream. What I like about this product is that it uses 3 essential ceramides (ceramides are a family of waxy lipid molecules that are naturally produced by the skin and help strengthen your skin barrier). By using these ceramides in their products, it encourages epidermal hydration and protects against environmental stressors. We would give this product a green light for adolescent clients looking to develop good skin hygiene and habits, but a no for clients with advanced skin conditions.

Next up is Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. This cleanser is soap free, meaning it won’t strip the skin, or cause irritation. In fact it’s so gentle, it doesn’t really do anything. It doesn’t target acne, signs of aging, excess oil etc. Dermatologists like it for clients that are using acne medication, as they typically dry out the skin, Cetaphil is so gentle it won’t interfere or cause worsening symptoms. We would suggest skipping this product, as it’s too neutral to do anything effective. Don’t waste your money.

Neutrogena has been a drugstore industry leader for decades. The Neutrogena Body Clear Body Cleanser is a budget friendly option when treating body acne and blemishes. Formulated with 2% Salicylic, an oil-soluble beta-hydroxy acid penetrates the pores and cuts through oil while fighting bacteria, this body wash cleanses without irritating the skin. Some of the drawbacks of using this product are excessive dryness in areas that aren’t acne prone, and the added fragrance may be bothersome to some people. I would use caution when using the product.

Remember Biore Pore Strips? Well people still use them! And they’ve made a bit of a comeback with their Charcoal Cleanser. The problem with pore strips are, they act as a Band-Aid on the skin, when ripped off it will extract anything and everything on the surface of your nose, including hair, oil, skin, and debris. What they won’t do unfortunately is prevent build up and blackheads from reoccurring. Is it a quick fix? Yes, but that’s all it is. We give this product a hard no.

One of the staples in our house is the Eucerin. My son has suffered with eczema his entire life, other than prescription steroids the only two products that provide any type of relief are Vivier’s Lexxel cream (which is much too expensive to be used as a body lotion) and Eucerin. Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream includes castor oil, which has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and moisturizing properties, thus making it useful for treating dry, irritated skin. If you or someone in your household suffers with extreme dry, irritated skin, this is a must try.

Everyone and their mother has tried, or knows someone who has tried The Ordinary brand. This brand appeals to many consumers, as it's cost effective. To keep their costs low, the brand uses few well known and researched ingredients -so they don’t have to spend funds researching them, and cheap packaging. Their philosophy is that everyone should be able to have access to quality skincare. The Ordinary products are fragrance-free and keep their ingredient list as simple as possible. Instead of adding fillers, they prefer to put higher concentrations of active ingredients. With that said, the products aren’t going to be as active or pure as medical grade brands, but it is better than not using anything at all. We would say proceed with caution when using this brand, as it’s easy to quickly layer products that don’t mix well together, thus leading to more acne, irritation or redness.

Lastly, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of ‘skin experts’ on social media, you’re not alone. Over the pandemic, it seemed like everyone had their own opinion on what was good for your skin. From JLO’s olive oil to Kim K’s newest skin care line, SKKN, there are so many misleading and questionable brands and ingredients. But, the good news is consumers aren’t that gullible. Statistically, celebrity endorsed products have the least amount of trust, with only 33% of consumers actually believing that their products work. Our hope would be that consumers continue to question these products, and the ingredients in them. We are rating this a huge NO.

With all that said, over the counter brands can have two identical products that have the exact same ingredients, and one will be highly effective while the other could be completely useless. The difference with these brands is the concentration of ingredients. One product may use a very small amount while the other uses a clinically active level. Unfortunately for the consumer, there is no way to know the difference. There’s a big difference between an ingredient used at .01% versus 1%, but you would never know it from the label.

Since drugstore skin care formulas are proprietary, cheap products can easily disguise themselves as looking like quality products, especially when the package is pretty and eye-catching. If you really want to get serious about your skin care, speak with a qualified professional about your skin concerns, products you’re using and what they would recommend.

4 pillars

3/30/2021

I strongly believe there's 4 pillars of skincare; feed, correct, prevent and protect.

When you feed your skin you nourish it from the inside out. Advanced Nutrition Programme makes it easy with a variety of skin based supplements. They are a world class, award winning supplement line formulated to support healthy skin and wellbeing.

Second, by correcting we improve the skins appearance, texture and tone. White Willow has several advanced medical esthetic services to choose from. A consultation is the starting point to get your skin looking it's best.

Prevent. Pharmaceutical grade Vivier has a full line of skincare products from acne to anti aging. Or perhaps vegan friendly, plant based Skin Regimen is a better fit for your lifestyle. Either way, we have a line that will meet your skincare needs.

Lastly protect. Protect your investment and ensure the longevity of your results with @colorescience lightweight and easy to use SPF options.
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P: 📞 226-545-1115
E: 📧brookelynn@whitewillowspa.ca
W: 💻 whitewillowspa.ca

kybella

3/30/2021

So you want to ditch the double chin? After getting flooded with DM's about this 'magic' treatment that I shared in my stories last week. Here is a summery on what it is, what it does and how it works...

What is Kybella?
💉 Kybella is an injectable used to target pockets of fat beneath the chin, tummy, arms etc. The treatment uses a series of deoxycholic acid injections to target the fat cells in these areas.

What is deoxycholic acid?
💉 Simply put, it is a bile acid which is naturally produced by your body to help absorb fat. Kybella injections use a synthetic form of this. The acid destroys fat cells beneath the treated area so it can’t store fat anymore.

Who's a candidate?
💉 Ideal candidates are adults with moderate to severe fat pockets. As with all injections, you cannot be pregnant or breastfeeding.

What can I expect?
💉 Kybella is a nonsurgical procedure, with little to no downtime. The nurse will mark the area with 20-50 'dots', and possibly use a topical numbing agent for comfort and then begin injecting. The acid works gradually to kill fat cells, which are metabolized by the body in the following weeks. You will be advised to follow up in 4 weeks for your next treatment. Optimal results are often seen after 3 treatments.

What's the cost?
💉 Depending on your location, Kybella can cost upwards of $1800+. At White Willow, packages of 3 treatments are $1500. As an introductory promotion, Daisy is discounting the treatment for a limited time to $1200.

Is it permanent?
💉 Once optimal results are seen, the treatment should be long lasting, as the fat cells can no longer store fat.

Interested to learn more? Send us a DM to book your consultation.
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P: 📞 226-545-1115
E: 📧brookelynn@whitewillowspa.ca
W: 💻 whitewillowspa.ca

What colour is your vitamin c serum?

3/30/2021

It's no secret vitamin C serum benefits skin in many ways. It’s an antioxidant, helps build collagen, and a skin brightener. For all this to happen, it needs to be in its purest form, L-Ascorbic Acid. But vitamin C's potency is also its largest downfall. It's so effective it starts to oxidize in the bottle!

Oxidize means to react with oxygen, once this happens it's turned into a completely different formulation (dehydro-L-ascorbic acid). This is exactly what's happened when your vitamin C serum start to turn brown.

I'm sensing your frustration, at this point you're thinking "Well how long does it last? How do I keep it from oxidizing?" or "Do I need to throw it out?".

First answer, your serum should last roughly three months after opening before starting to oxidize. Vivier's serums are stabilized, meaning they won't oxidize and turn brown on your skin... Some other brands do.

Secondly, since L-Ascorbic Acid reacts with oxygen, reduce the amount of oxygen exposure by resealing the bottle after every use. In addition, make sure your products are not in direct sunlight or heat. You don't need to refrigerate them (although some people do), just place it in a drawer if you're keeping it in the bathroom.

Lastly, it could be reduced by .01% or 10% or even 50%. You don't have to ditch it, but know that it may not be doing its best to help your skin.

Have you used a Vitamin C serum that turned yellow-brown in colour?
(swipe to see the difference)

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P: 📞 226-545-1115
E: 💌 brookelynn@whitewillowspa.ca
W: 💻 whitewillowspa.ca

all about laser hair removal

3/30/2021

Permanently reduce unwanted hair with a treatment personalized to your specific skin type.

Who can get laser hair removal?

Men and women alike. A brief consultation prior to your first appointment is mandatory to assess the skin and talk about your medical history. Laser hair removal is not recommended during pregnancy.

How many treatments do I need?

Best results are typically seen within 6 treatments, spaced 4-6weeks apart. Some clients with fine, light or darker skin types may require more.

What does it feel like?

The laser tip is chilled to 3-5 degrees for your comfort. The initial 'snap' feels like a small elastic band being snapped on the skin. The treatment is fairly quick, depending on the size of the area being treated. Average treatment times are 5-20 minutes long.

What to expect post treatment?

There may be minor irritation, similar to that of a slight sunburn. These treatments are designed to have no downtime.

How much does it cost?

Treatments are divided in to sizes, small, medium and large. Prices vary between $60-$300. During your consultation you will have a breakdown of each area and the cost.

This month we have LHR on promotion, buy 4 get 2 free or purchase 1 large area package and receive a small area free.
Interested in pricing? DM us for more!
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P: 📞 226-545-1115
E: 💌 brookelynn@whitewillowspa.ca
W: 💻 whitewillowspa.ca

Types of acne

3/30/2021

Diagnosing what type of acne you have can help a lot with what type of treatment options are best for your skin.
There are 6 main types of acne:

1) Comedones are small skin coloured bumps on the skin, which are either open or closed. If they're open, the bacteria begins to oxidize and you get a blackhead. They're best treated with Salicylic Acid. If they're 'closed' at the surface of the skin, you get a whitehead. These can be treated with glycolic acid.

2) Nodules are hard pimples embedded deep under the skin.

3) Cysts are a painful infection which creates a red inflamed bump under the skin filled with pus. A combination of AHA's, BHA's and hyaluronic acid can help. If they're reoccurring, try eliminating inflammation causing foods and increase your Omegas.

4) Pustules are typically red at the base of the skin, with a yellow or white tip. Again treated with AHA's, Tea Tree or Lactic Acid peels can help.

5) Papules are tender to touch and are bright red or pink. Niacinamide is a good treatment for these or the Activated Charcoal HydroJelly Mask.

If you need help diagnosing 🙋 hi, I'm here to help.
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P: 📞 226-545-1115
E: 💌 brookelynn@whitewillowspa.ca
W: 💻 whitewillowspa.ca

PRP for me?

3/30/2021

If you were watching my stories yesterday, I had a poll of how many people knew what PRP is. I found out that 67% of pollers didn't know what PRP was. So here we are.

Platlet Rich Plasma, aka PRP, is a concentrate of platelet-rich plasma derived from whole blood, put into a centrifuge to remove red blood cells and then injected back into the desired area. This therapy is considered to be a regenerative form of medicine as it expedites the natural growth and healing factors of your body. And, because it's your own blood, there's very little to no side effects.

So what can it be used for?
Initially, PRP was used to treat tendons, muscles, joints and ligaments. Modern cosmetic treatments have discovered that the use of PRP was widespread and be used to accelerate healing, repair skin tissue, and collagen and elastin production, thus the 'vampire facial' was born. Other cosmetic uses for PRP include hair restoration and a substitute for dermal fillers.

💉Popularized by celebrity, Kim K, Vampire Facials are essentially microneedling treatments with the PRP applied topically (or injected back into the skin).

💉Similar to microneedling, patients seeking hair restoration will have their blood drawn, put in a centrifuge, and PRP injected back into the scalp.

💉PRP provides a substitute for dermal fillers. They're often used to correct crepey skin near the eyes, lips and cheeks. It can also be used on the back of the hands, scars and stretch marks. I have also had clients use PRP to add volume to their lips.

The results
Results are seen in just a single treatment. For optimal results, 3 treatments over the course of 4 weeks are recommended. After the plasma is absorbed, results last 18-24 months.

At White Willow, we offer both Vampire Facials and Hair Restoration. After a brief consultation with our skilled nurse injector, she will review your medical history, medications, objectives and budget to decide whether or not PRP is the right choice for you.

Is PRP something you would consider?

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P: 📞 226-545-1115
E: 💌 brookelynn@whitewillowspa.ca
W: 💻 whitewillowspa.ca
*photos are not mine*

Toxin VS Filler

3/30/2021

A common mistake made with first time clients is that they don't clearly know the difference (I once had a lady ask for Botox in her lips to add volume). An honest mistake.

It's true, both can be used to treat wrinkles on the face, and each is delivered via injection, they're slightly different in usage.

Botox (or neurotoxin) is a muscle relaxer made of bacteria. Toxins have been used for decades to treat everything from neurological disorders to wrinkles on our face and even migraines and excessive sweating. It's cosmetic use is to relax muscles that have become more pronounced with age and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and expression lines.

Dermal fillers on the other hand may treat wrinkles on the face, but instead of preventing movement, they simply 'fill in' resting lines of expression.
Your provider may use one or the other, or a combination of both to give you your best result, which is why a consultation and a reputable injector is crucial. Anyone can inject a product, it takes a skilled artist to contour your face.

Both have risks which will be addressed during your visit. Make sure to always keep your provider up to date on your current health status and what medications you're on.

Always always look into your injector, meet with them and check out their work. And please please please don't purchase Groupon injections 🤦
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P: 📞 226-545-1115
E: 💌 brookelynn@whitewillowspa.ca
W: 💻 whitewillowspa.ca

Vascular conditions

3/30/2021

You wake up one morning and see you've got yourself a red, spidery-looking splotch on your face that came out of no where. Congrats, welcome to your first broken blood vessel (a broken capillary).
No cause for alarm, broken capillaries are very common and can be found on the face and legs. Environmental factors such as sun exposure, alcohol consumption, weather changes and pregnancy can contribute to them showing up. Unfortunately genetics are the biggest contributing factor as they’re more common in anyone with sensitive skin types, acne, or rosacea. Winter is especially bad, due to fluctuating hot-and-cold temps.

The good news is, with the right treatment and proactive skincare, they're treatable and permanently go away. You'll need to invest in a photofacial (IPL treatment) and follow up with at home skincare. IPL treatments can help aliviate the following vascular skin conditions:
-Port wine stain
-Broken capillaries
-Telangiectases
-Rosacea
-Cherry angiomas

Being proactive is the best way to prevent the pesky veins, and luckily by shifting your routine at home can help keep them at bay. Some at home remedies include:
-Ditching the hot water, use lukewarm or cool water on your face
-Don't pick or pop
-Exfoliating with a gentle exfoliant
-Using Vitamin C
-Apply SPF year round

Swipe to see the following treatable vascular skin conditions. All which can drastically be improved with IPL.
Do you suffer broken capillaries or rosacea? We'd love to hear from you!
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P: 📞 226-545-1115
E: 💌 brookelynn@whitewillowspa.ca
W: 💻 whitewillowspa.ca