Browned Off No More – My New Skin

Posted: Friday 7 January 2011 01:46pm

Graphic artist Chris, 30, was devastated by the pigmentation on her face, a result of too much (unprotected) sun exposure, the pill and a series of laser treatments by an inexperienced salon practitioner. Her confidence was at an all-time low and would not be seen without a layer of thick makeup. Then she heard about Priori skin care and Omnilux light treatments. Today she says her skin is better than it ever was.

After years of neglecting my skin in pursuit of that golden tan, I was left with a bad case of facial pigmentation. Okay, not all of the pigmentation was down to sunbathing. Like many other women I had the classic T-bar brown discolouration which is usually down to hormones, typically from the contraceptive pill.

Over five years it had increased so much so that I became very self conscious about how I looked and wouodn’t be seen without makeup. It made me so unhappy,

Two years ago I decided to go down the path of laser treatment at a beauty salon, which I really regret now – firstly, because it was costly and secondly, is was quite an invasive procedure and the end result was not good. It seem to make my skin even more sensitive to the sub and so the pigmentation actually got worse.

At the end of 2009 I heard about a new and highly recommended way of treating pigmentation. The Priori range of cosmeceutical skincare combined with Omnilux, a light therapy that stimulates the growth of collagen in the skin.

It sounded too good to be true, but it also had photographic evidence of the results I was looking for. In January last year I decided to give it a go.

I met with the experts of True Solutions – distributors in Australia of Priori, Omnilux and other specialist skincare and makeup brands – and was asked to fill out a quick questionnaire on my skin condition, my skin regime and what I wanted to achieve.

I was given a skin analysis byGwen Giorla, one of their experts, and was reassured that they could help and that my skin would be vastly improved at the end of my 8-week treatment. They understood completely how the pigmentation was affecting my confidence.

I was given a regimen of Priori home care to maximise the salon treatments (you’re basically wasting time and money having treatments if you don’t look after your skin on a daily basis!): LCA/AHA Cleanser, LCA/AHA Smoothing Eye Serum, Coffeeberry Brightening Complex, Coffeeberry Day Complex, Coffeeberry Night Complex and Idebenone Even Tones Serum.

The aim was to normalise my skin first with the exfoliating and deep cleansing properties of alpha hydroxy and lactic acids in the Priori range. Then the Coffeeberry products would naturally hydrate, brighten and nourish my skin while idebenone (a powerful antioxidant) would help fade discolourations gradually.

I was also given Monoderma Vit C (another antioxidant serum) to supplement this process and Decleor 10 Day Radiance to give the whole process a powerful kick start.

To protect my skin during the day I wore True Solutions Untinted All Day Moisture SPF 30, and to even my complexion and give it a lovely glow, bareMinerals Tinted Mineral Veil.

My First Treatment

The journey begins – I am so excited. Gwen gives my skin a light cleanse then an LCA/AHA peel for a really deep clean and exfoliation.

Next, Omnilux Revive (red light), is applied for 5-10 minutes. The red light is recommended to boost hydration, blood and lymph flow. It works on fine lines and wrinkles and enhances radiance. There was a small tingling feeling, but nothing unbearable.

The peel is rinsed off and a vitamin C crème applied before I’m  placed under Omnilux Plus for 20 minutes. The Plus, or white light, is less intense than the red but still as beneficial and relaxing. It is recommended for firming, tightening, healing and pain relief. It’s beneficial for deeper lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness, and combating pigmentation. Combined with peels it gives a look of having had Botox or hydration injections.

The initial sensation under the light can, to some, feel quite intense. I personally like it; it reminds of me of a kaleidoscope. I find the light relaxing, like sunbathing – which is quite ironic as this light is fixing the damage to my face which the sun has caused.

While relaxing under the Omnilux I’m pampered with an arm and foot massage (which is a standard feature of these treatments). Bliss!

My face looks amazing after this first session, plump and so soft. It’s glowing, and for the first time in years looks healthy. It’s a totally different face from the one in the mirror an hour beforehand. I know this is the start of something great.

Four days later I could already notice that my skin was much fresher and smoother. Frown lines were softening ever so slightly but enough for me to notice.
2nd Treatment: Coffeeberry Enzyme Peel, Decleor Pure Radiance under Omnilux Plus. I’m provided with a supply of Decleor 10 Day Pure Radiance (a natural form of Vitamin C) supply to use at home for, as the name implies, the next 10 days.

3rd Treatment: LCA Cleanser, LCA Peel, Omnilux Revive with Decleor Day Pure Radiance Cure. Gwen comments she can see a fast improvement, especially my frown lines fading. Friends and colleagues keep commenting how fresh and great my skin looks. Feeling very happy about this! Have started to wear less makeup as a result.

4^th treatment: LCA Cleanser, Coffeeberry Enzyme Peel, Omnilux Plus with Decleor Pure Radiance.

5^th Treatment: LCA Cleanser. LCA Peel, Omnilux Revive and Monoderma Vit C.

6^th Treatment: LCA Cleanser, LCA Peel, Omnilux Plus and Monoderma Vit C. My skin has vastly improved, I cannot stop touching it! It hasn’t felt like this for years.

7^th Treatment: LCA Cleanser, LCA Prep, Forte 50 Peel, Omnilux Revive, Idebenone Even Tones. The strength of the peel is increased to 50 per cent. It’s fine; no discomfort or redness and no side effects afterwards.

8^th Treatment: LCA Cleanser, Coffeeberry Enzyme Masque Peel, Omnilux Plus, Monoderma Vit C, Idebenone Moisturiser and True Solutions Tinted sunscreen. Gwen says how fresh I look and is surprised to hear that I wasn’t wearing makeup when I came in. She’s as delighted wit the progress as I am!

9^th Treatment: LCA Cleanser, Omnilux Revive.

10^th Treatment: LCA Cleanser, Forte 50 Peel, Omnilux Plus, Priori DNA Cellular Recovery serum, Idebenone Cream.

11^th Treatment: Coffeeberry Enzyme Peel, Omnilux Plus.

12^th Treatment: LCA Cleanser, LCA Prep, Forte 50 Peel, Omnilux Revive. Skin feeling baby soft and looks even.

13^th Treatment: Coffeeberry Peel, Omnilux Plus

14^th Treatment: LCA Cleanser, LCA Prep, Plus Forte 50 peel, Omnilux Revive, Priori DNA Cellular Recovery. My skin looks even, more hydrated, less frown lines.

My last treatment: LCA Cleanser, Forte Prep, Forte Peel 50, Omnilux Plus, Priori DNA Cellular Recovery. I’m extremely happy with the results to date. My skin looks incredible. Better than I expected.

Months later I’m still thrilled and surprised with the amazing results and I have become much more skin and sun-wise. I apply factor SPF 30 each day, I continue my daily home care routine as by True Solutions – it’s become second nature.

I’m determined never to let my pigmentation return. I have also bought myself an Omnilux Red handheld light so I can maintain my skin at home. I can’t recommend it enough.

by Jenni Gilbert

Comments (0) Print Send to friend Share or bookmark this page