By Sydney Kronfle, pH Labs Researcher & Contributor  

I’ve never been one of those people who naturally has good skin. As a child, my skin was very sensitive and prone to irritation. In high school and my mid twenties, I suffered from severe cystic acne. It got so bad at the age of 25 that I went on Accutane, a very strong drug. It’s so strong that you have to undergo monthly blood work and make sure your liver is functioning properly. The side effects include extremely dry skin, very chapped lips and severe sensitivity to sun exposure. Although temporary, it was a pretty intense process. 

Accutane did clear up my acne, however, this drug significantly reduces the amount of sebum (an oily substance the body makes to protect and moisturize the skin) you produce. I don’t miss the pimples, but I do miss that moist skin that never got dry or flakey.

Now that I’m 37 (our skin naturally produces less sebum as we age), dryness along with loss of collagen are my two biggest skin concerns. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, accounting for about a quarter of our total protein mass. It is found in your muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, organs, blood vessels, skin, intestinal lining and other connective tissues. Collagen is what helps prevent the skin from sagging and gives a youthful experience. We start to lose collagen as early as our twenties.

I’ve also faced some specific challenges being a lighter-skinned African American. I am extremely prone to hyperpigmentation and discoloration. I have experienced some melasma, which was definitely more intense during my pregnancy due to all of the hormonal changes.

Maybe it’s the lack of sleep from being a new mom or perhaps some poor habits from my younger years (If you are in your twenties or younger, please wear all the sunscreen and wide brimmed hats!) catching up with me, but I’ve noticed a few fine lines and an overall dull appearance of my skin lately. Of course, the dry, colder winter weather is not helping either. 

As long as we are blessed to be living, our skin is going to inevitably age, however, that doesn’t mean we can’t give it a little extra care and pamper ourselves. I hadn’t had a facial in quite some time, so I finally decided it was time to give my skin a little extra care. Skin is, afterall, the largest organ of the body. And I think it goes without saying that we all want the skin on our face to be in its healthiest, most hydrated state. It’s what we present to the world every day!

I went to Chilltonic for my facial, because I knew that here I could get more than just your ordinary facial. I thought I was including all of the necessary components in my skincare routine: cleanse, tone, exfoliate (2-3 times per week), a hydrating mask (once a week or so), moisturizer and sunscreen. 

I told Diana, Chilltonic's nurse esthetician, that I just couldn’t seem to get my skin adequately moisturized and hydrated. She informed me that this is pretty common during the winter months. However, if the skin is not properly exfoliated, it is hard for products such as moisturizer to penetrate the skin and do its job. Sometimes the products we use at home to exfoliate don’t always do the job, and we may need some professional help. 

After Diana cleansed and exfoliated my skin, it felt like my face could breathe again. Then, came the fun part - the T-Shock treatment. T-Shock uses a wand that transitions from hot to cold to improve elasticity, tighten and brighten the skin. It honestly feels relaxing to alternate between the cold and hot temperatures. The wand massages the face which also feels great and improves circulation and blood flow. Not only does this treatment stimulate the production of collagen, it also aids in lymphatic drainage which is huge for health and appearance of the skin.

Days after my facial, I noticed that my skin was maintaining a hydrated state and that my moisturizers were being better absorbed by my skin. My makeup went on smoother, and I definitely looked more refreshed and awake.

I will try to do this facial monthly. To be honest, I would do it every week if I could! You can book your appointment here. Fun fact: this facial is known as the “red carpet facial,” and I can definitely see why!

You can read more about Cryo T-Shock in general here.

I was excited to tell my boss and founder of  Proactive Health Labs Joy Stephenson-Laws about my experience. She was not surprised and also had an invaluable skin tip. She suggested, if cleared by my doctor, that I start taking Designs For Health’s TRF 150 supplement. Joy takes it for joint health and it also aids in skin health. It is a very high quality supplement that contains a bone-derived protein/collagen complex called Cyplexinol.

In addition to pampering yourself with a good facial, achieving and maintaining healthy skin is all about lifestyle. Eating an unprocessed, nutrient-dense diet along with drinking plenty of water are key. It is also extremely important to protect your skin from the sun, drink alcohol in moderation (if at all), avoid smoking, get quality sleep, exercise regularly and practice stress management.

It is also good to make sure that you are nutritionally balanced by taking routine comprehensive nutrient tests. In order for your skin to maintain its health and elasticity and delay the signs of aging, it is important to make sure you have the right balance of vitamins and minerals. These micronutrients, such as vitamins C and A, zinc, copper and selenium, are key in maintaining the health and appearance of your skin. If you take a nutrient test and it shows that you are not nutritionally balanced, a competent healthcare professional can work with you on changing your diet and/or taking quality supplements.

Also consider full body red light therapy for treating your skin from head to toe!

For additional information on how you can address common skin issues, check out this pH Labs blog.

Love the skin you are in. Enjoy your healthy life!

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice. Please consult with your doctor or another competent healthcare practitioner to get specific medical advice for your situation.               

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, attorneys, nutritionists, nurses, and certified fitness instructors. This team also includes the members of the pH Medical Advisory Board, which constantly monitors all pH programs, products, and services. To learn more about the pH Medical Advisory Board, click here.