Category Archives: Procedures

Today, we are proud to celebrate our clinic’s 12th anniversary as Calgary’s only scientific skin care clinic ~ Happy birthday SkinScience!

Being a leader in medical aesthetics requires a lot of time spent researching the latest products and technologies in the market. It’s like another full time job for Marie. We need to make sure the products we offer will give significant, visible results on their own (after all, we track over time with our VISIA computer-based system), but we also need to ensure that we do not “jump” on the bandwagon of the latest trends in terms of technologies and services, before we know that a given technology adds value (and results) to our client’s skin health. Jumping on the latest trends too fast could ultimately hurt the clients’ skin (let alone our business and reputation).

This is why we always take time to investigate a new technologies before considering adding them to our current line up of services. The services we offer at SkinScience speak as loud as the ones WE CHOOSE NOT TO OFFER.

Here are 3 examples of technologies we will NEVER offer, as the benefits are just not worth risking the health of your skin, and can even permanently damage the skin in a lot of cases we’ve observed over the years.

X The “Hydro Facial” X ~ Did you know that our clinic purchased the first generation of “hydro facial” machines back in 2009? You know, the ones that offer the diamond tip microderm with an infusion of specific solutions into the skin? After working with that technology for MONTHS, we realized (after tracking with our VISIA) that the pulling action of the device (while the skin’s glow and hydration was improved) was generating MORE wrinkles, lack of firmness and laxity after a few treatments!! Can you imagine paying $200 per treatment, and it actually DAMAGES your skin, short and long term? We couldn’t believe it either (and we’ve got the pictures to prove it, if you ever visit the clinic). We got our money back from the supplier and never looked back. Clinics who are offering hydro facial treatments are obviously not tracking results over time (they would see the same results as us if they follow manufacturer’s recommendations), and are ultimately damaging your skin, even if it looks and feels fabulous for a short amount of time. Don’t be fooled, don’t waste your money on that treatment, just don’t do it. If you want a mechanical exfoliation, without pulling or damaging the skin, you should consider dermaplaning instead.

X PRP aka The Vampire Facial X ~ Breaking news = it’s not because Kim Kardashian does it, that it actually has any science-based evidence to it. Did you know that after tens of thousands of clinics in North America equipped themselves with PRP equipment (that includes expensive centrifuges and blood extractions kits), we are now realizing that split face studies (one procedure on one side of the face compared with a different procedure on the other side of the face) shows NO VISIBLE DIFFERENCE between microneedling, and [microneedling + PRP]. (Say it out loud >>> “Are you KIDDING me?!?!?!?!!?”). As we age, the numbers of growth factor- and cytokine-producing stem cells changes in the body, and the net effect of what is secreted by our own stem cells is mostly INFLAMMATORY. Well, imagine that. You concentrate your inflammatory blood plasma’s to reapply it on the skin along with microneedling and you actually create more INFLAMMATION in the skin, on top of the microneedling? Well my friends, it is well known that inflammation is not a pre-requisite to collagen production, quite the contrary. Inflammation LEADS to skin aging, so concentrating your inflammatory plasma to reintroduce it back in the skin makes no sense at all. Each Microneedling + PRP treatments usually cost $750+. A series of 3-6 treatments is usually recommended. Imagine the amount of money you could spend on a trend that was not properly tried and tested. We are so glad we did not give into this trendy treatment, and waited to see what time would tell! Instead, we recommend microneedling combined with Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell ~ the specialized cells that science has determined function as “command and control” of healing in all tissues (including the skin) and are pro-healing and anti-inflammatory. We offer many different types of microneedling at the office (pen, rollers, stamps, FRACTORA) – book a 15-min microneedling consultation to see which one is right for you.

X PLASMA PEN // PLASMA FIBROBLAST X ~ This technology became a HUGE trend in 2017 and 2018, and we have seen SO MANY people reaching out to us to help with SCARRING that was left on their face, eye contour, even tummy… Even if you are one of the lucky ones who won’t scar from the treatment, the technology doesn’t work for everybody (research shows results in 50% of patients – and they are usually temporary). Moreover, Health Canada has NOT APPROVED any plasma pen devices for sale in CANADA, which means that they have not been evaluated for safety, effectiveness or quality. So if something happens to you as a customer, you are on your own. As a clinic owner, if your spa or medispa gets sued by a customer, your insurance will not cover you, because the devices are not Health Canada approved. It’s simply not worth your skin health as a customer, nor your reputation as a clinic, if not your business itself. NOT. WORTH. IT.

At SkinScience, we offer products and procedures that are tried, tested and true. Products, services and technologies that are only Health Canada approved. Everything we offer stands the test of time. And if it works, we guarantee we will have it available for you at the clinic.

For a list of our science-based services, click HERE.

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Ingredients, Procedures, Real Life SkinScience Stories, Sensitive Skin, Skin Care, Skin Health

Changing the Face of Skin Care ~ Help with Rosacea

February 13, 2019 Marie Bertrand Leave a comment

Have you (or a loved one) been diagnosed with rosacea?

If so, we might be able to help you manage it.

Take a look at the picture above – this is a before and after picture from a SkinScience patient who came to us a few months ago, complaining of redness and blushing in the central face, with a diagnosis of rosacea from her family doctor. A simple skin care + treatment plan has done wonders for her, and she was able to regain her confidence and stop wondering about who would be next to comment on her rosy cheeks. (when you have rosacea, it gets old after a while, trust us)

While there is no known cure to rosacea, there are steps we can take to help keep it under control as much as possible. Remember that everybody’s skin is different, even when it comes to rosacea.

Specific skin care and treatments might be recommended, including:

Using anti-inflammatory skin care ingredients that will help with the diffuse redness associated with rosacea.
Making sure you use the appropriate sunscreen for your skin type, while carefully choosing sunscreen ingredients.
Using hypollergenic products (usually fragrance-free) to diminish the chances of creating inflammation in the skin, and worsening the skin condition.
Under going a series of IPL photofacials, to reduce the diffuse redness and eliminate the broken capillaries associated with that condition.
Reducing the presence of the rosacea-causing micro-organism Demodex sp. with specific ingredients (or prescriptions if you already are using them)
Restoring the delicate skin barrier with the proper skin care products, and being consistent with anti-inflammatory treatments based on Red Light technology and other redness-reducing procedures.

As mentioned, every person is different when it comes to managing rosacea ~ it’s like a puzzle that needs to be figured out by skin experts. Education is key at SkinScience, so if you are interested in addressing your skin condition once and for all, with solutions that will respect your lifestyle and budget, we are here for you.

Are you ready to improve your confidence and quality of life?

One simple call to book your consultation ~ 403-287-1477.

We are changing the face of skin care.

Acne, Age Spots, Aging, Procedures, Skin Care, Skin Health, Skin Rejuvenation

You Can Trust Us with Your Face!

October 10, 2018 Marie Bertrand Leave a comment

We joke day to day at the clinic, that we’ve done this since the Jurassic period ended – and while we haven’t spent quite that long making clients like you have the most amazing skin ever – we have done this for a LOOOOONNG time.

A few calculations later and we can now tell you how long the SkinScience staff have invested in making people glow!

Years: 36

This means that cumulatively the SkinScience staff have done this for LONGER THAN THE INTERNET EXISTED.

Hours: 70,000

An hour is how long it takes to get a Mani/Pedi, complete a yoga class, get a massage. Now imagine doing that 70000 times.

In all that time making people beautiful we have learned just a few things…..

1) No person’s skin is the same as another’s. It sounds like such an easy concept – but so many times we hear from clients that they has a treatment because it was what worked for their friend. Which is often times fine – but truly fabulous results are achieved when a client’s individuality is taken into consideration.

2) That skin care programs designed for your skin – give AMAZING result over time and keep your skin showing the positive results of treatments

3) You need treatments. As amazing as those skin care results can be – nothing beats a few well-timed treatments, designed for your own skin.

We strive to utilize our 70000 hours of experience with every client that walks through our doors. We give each of you that want the benefit of our expertise access to our years of knowledge base. Our years of learning and continued education help you get results that you’ve always wanted!

Call today to book your Consultation!

(403) 287-1477

Age Spots, Aging, News, Procedures, Skin Health, Skin Rejuvenation, Wrinkles

Got Sun Damage? Don’t get mad – get EVEN!

October 3, 2018 Marie Bertrand Leave a comment

October first rolls in here in Calgary and Fall is pretty much wiped out by winter in a few short moments. As much as we miss the summer warmth, and fresh crispness that is fall, winter means we get to get in to the GOOD treatments so YAY!

Now that summer has faded, you are left remembering how much fun you had every time you look in the mirror. Sun spots, blotchiness and uneven skin are a drag and as much fun as you had getting them, they are no fun now. However; our new mantra this fall is:

Got sun damage? Don’t get mad – Get EVEN!

The best way to ‘get EVEN’ toned skin? Intense Pulsed Light. IPL is not a new technology, but it is the BEST for creating luminous, even skin tone. It has decades of research behind it and has proven over and over again to create smoother more even toned skin – safely.

Studies have proven that IPL will:

Reduce brown spots – you can expect an overall reduction in any brown pigmented spot. Some spots like true blue sun spots (Solar Lentigines) can easily be removed. Other brown spots like mild age related spots (mild Seborrheic Keratosis) can be notably lightened with IPL, but not fully removed. To know what you can expect, book a consult.

Reduce Redness – You can have redness in your skin for many different reasons. Sun damage doesn’t just create brown spots, it also creates red patches or red blotchiness. Other times redness is present because of medical conditions like rosacea, or a medication. Sun damage related redness can usually be eliminated for good. Redness for other reasons can usually be managed.

Increase Luminosity – Multiple studies have proven that IPL can increase the “Luminous” effect of individuals skin. Photo graphic evidence as well as control group testing have shown that post IPL clients have an increase in “luminosity”

Stimulate Collagen – this is one of the lesser appreciated effects of IPL, it stimulates superficial collagen. This is the collagen then helps skin be smoother and less wrinkled. One study used a series of punch biopsies before and after IPL to prove this and other control group type tests have supported this conclusion.

Make you happier – ok, ok, this one we CAN’T prove. What we CAN tell you is that over and over and over again we hear clients tell us that it great it feels to receive compliments on how great their skin looks, or how much easier their mornings are when they spend less time feeling frustrated by skin tone, or how wonderful it feels when HR at their new job comes to confirm their date of birth because surely they must have written the year mistakenly….. all these are true stories that to us confirm an increase in overall satisfaction with ones appearance.

If your sun damage has got you flustered, remember:

Don’t get mad! Get EVEN – and IPL can do that!

Call today to book your IPL consultation, we can’t wait to coach you through the process!

(403) 287-1477