PMD: Personal Microderm Microdermabrasion Device #Review

The new year means I am keeping with the trend of trying at home beauty related devices, to see if they deliver better results. I have tried so far laser and a glass unit that was more cumbersome as time went on. So far, laser has been the technology that I feel has delivered visible results at a lower price point than what you get at a spa facility or even out of several jars of beauty creams!

My new unit is from PMD, a company that makes several Microdermabrasion devices and also has a skincare line. I have seen these units at Ulta, Sephora to even Costco. At Costco, the PMD representative allowed me to handle the unit and see how it worked, which is always a plus because the other beauty stores have the unit as an “on-line only” purchase. I noticed the unit was easy to handle, ergonomic in shape, which made it easy to maneuver and even though the abrasion technology used has a spinning motion, the unit did not vibrate so much that it made it awkward to hold. The technology used makes sure the user is able to just focus on the skin, versus a device that sometimes can be unwieldy. So, I had already a positive mindset when it came to using PMD tools. My only question was, does it work? Will I see a difference that justifies ownership and investing in refills?  Hey, I get upset when fragrance refills get changed and I they expect me to buy all new units!

I did not want this to be like printers of the past, where the ink makes you never, ever want to print in color and only printing in “fast-econo mode” when you print anything else, because a refill breaks the bank. Not bringing in another machine into this house that makes me feel guilty for using it! I first looked at refills and that fear was easily put to rest. Each disc is easily differentiated by a color coding system:

• White disc– Training / Ultra Sensitive
• Grey disc– Very Sensitive
• Blue disc– Sensitive
• Green disc– Moderate
• Orange disc– Coarse
• Red disc– Very Coarse
• Black disc– All Over Body
• Yellow disc– Intense Body

The cost was something I had to do a double-take because it was actually (dislike using this word) cheap, so let us say cost effective :). I know. I wanted an excuse before the unit was out of the box to convince myself that exfoliating was something that I was doing fine with by using a mask and/or scrub. Six individual refills costs $20.00. Okay, but what does that bring to the table? Well, one disc has a lifespan of 3 to 4 treatments. You do one treatment a week……..well, this is actually cheaper than my scrub that I use every 3 days, not counting the daily one! What the heck! I had to redo the math and somehow PMD found a way to not “get you” with the refills like so many other companies tend to do. This is why I do not use my facial scrubber machine because I do not want to kill the rechargeable battery and/or buy another refill. In the end, I am trying to make my face scrubber last longer by not using it! Yeah, no logic in that!

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Retail Price Point: The starting price for PMD tools (units) start at $159.00 and go as high as $199.00.  Visit here to compare the devices and the differences, plus see what tools suites your needs best.

So, I am past the refill fear and get this, this device requires no charging or batteries. As I was reading the manual, I plugged in the device thinking I would get somewhere in the manual while reading it, where it would state how long to charge for, or unplug when whatever light turns green. I had a laughing moment when I read you just plug it in and go. Okay, PMD……you are making me like you!

Verdict:
It all comes down to results. Is PMD going to give my skin same like results that I can’t achieve cheaper via another method. This is how I break down what products stay and what products go in our home. It’s all about what they bring to the table. PMD discs use aluminium oxide crystals and I started really reading about the material and what it can do. The aluminum oxide crystals are hypoallergenic, so already a plus because there is no chemical or ingredient like in a scrub that may irritate the skin. So, that already takes that worry out of the equation and also no beads that are not only harmful to the environment but also plumbing. The ability for the disc to not grow or spread bacteria is important, because when we exfoliate or do Microdermabrasion procedures at home, we are causing the skin to open (i.e. minor damage) in order for it to heal and resurface a new layer of skin that has a better appearance. You are not going to yield great results if a product has fragrance or welcomes bacteria to the party! There is no scrubbing here, the device just glides (once over each section of the skin) and does all the work. The user is key and that means be mindful that you pass only once over each treated area and the PMD device does all the work. This unit can also be used for the face and body, and again easy as the discs clearly tell you what and where they can be used. I like having that option and choice!  The PMD device also helps circulation, so your skin will increase collagen production and help the skin look plumper and healthier over time.  So, this is more than just discs removing dead skin, this is a total skincare system!

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Final Verdict:
I did as instructed and removed all products that could irritate or really were being replaced by what PMD’s system does for you. Check! No retinol, no acids, no peels, no anything and just allowing PMD be what my skin depends on and getting use to the idea of only using this unit once a week and nothing in between but a good moisturizing regimen to pick up the rest. Doing less in the beauty world is always welcoming but when you have habits and someone tells you do this once a week and you will be more better than fine, like your skin will look and feel better…….well, you get suspicious (or at least I do). I had a few bumps from using a new hair spray, which were beginning to sort of emerge but not fully on the sides of my forehead. I did the PMD treatment and I was done quickly after doing my practice run a few days before that only made sure I got the hang of it, but that I would not experience irritation. I just softly pulled my skin taught where needed and the PMD device did all the work. I was finished with my face in 5 to 7 minutes. No masks or peels take that little time and it was odd not worrying about cracking a mud mask by laughing and not talking for 20 to 25 minutes. The feeling on my face felt like when I do an aspirin mask, that fresh and clean feeling but not over dry. Day three, my pimples submerge. Like with any beauty treatment, this is something I brought to the party and I wanted to see how PMD would deal with it. Hey, I get breakouts here and there and I need a system that knows this and not have a rule that my face has to be 100% clear to use it because it might as well go hang out with the face scrubber! Week two comes by, and my pimples never fully went all angry on me. I always get 2 or 3 when they come out what I call in “island formation” that are going to be pests. No pests and I did not pick (man, that was hard), but I did not want to pick at my face and blame PMD for the ouch. Again, I do another treatment and you can see my skin gets a little red but within one hour the redness is gone and I do the treatment at night.  This is something I always did to allow my skin to calm down. My pimples do not get white heads or clog up. You know how when a pimple pops but then wants to do it again 3 days later (when it gathered more bacteria making buddies)? That did not happen. Healing happened. They did not over peel as I stayed away from anything that would hurry the turn-over process up and cause irritation to the “good skin”. Then I noticed when entering week three, that the pimples I had in week one is all the pimples I have dealt with. The non-pimpled skin is smoother and softer, but remains pimple free. My skin is not missing the daily scrub, masks, peels, and you name it. I then noticed when ending week three that my skin has improved dramatically. I took pictures and I have no scars I will have to work with. Just little peeling skin where the pimple was but no pimple revisiting and I just used one disc to do all this. One disc, only once a week and no battery to charge! That means my one disc costs about $3.50 ($3.33 to be exact) and that is all it took for almost a month’s worth of treatments. This is also the disc price with no coupons as PMD advertises on the site discounts to add that usually take 20% to 25% off, so the deal can be sweetened! The sweeter part is my face. I love it! Scars do come off on me from acne because I thankfully do not get deep ones but it takes 2 months to lighten them up to the point you can’t see them. The PMD device made sure not only did I not develop scar making marks (blemishes, zits, blackheads, white heads, pimples, bumps of unknown origin, ect.) but started to race up my healing periods. I am done with scrubs that tend to over dry my skin and the discs PMD offers means I can just change discs as the weather changes because this means my skin is more sensitive in the Winter months when it is cold. No new scrub I need to get that then will rot under the sink until I need it again 1 year later! The PMD works with your skin, not you needing to work for it!

This Valentine’s Day show your skin some love and Connect with PMD at:

• On-line

• Discount Codes:

1. Go to here (www.GetPMD.com/save) to subscribe and save 15%, plus get a limited lifetime warranty.
2. Use Code HEART20 to save 20% on your next order of replacement discs.
3. Use code: LovePMD to save on Pink Pro and Pink PMD.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• YouTube
• #PMDBeauty #PMDSkin  #PMDPretty #PMD

 

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from PMD Skincare.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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RevivSerums: TelomErase Serum, Triple Telomere Targeting 6-in-1 Multi-Corrective #Review

Being able to find products with multiple targeting techniques is not always easy to come by. I don’t subscribe to the one-size fits all mantra and sometimes when a product advertises to do more that 2 to 3 things, it starts not being able to do any of them good enough. So, let’s say I have a critical eye and I expect if a product is revamping the beauty world/ science world, it better mean it!

I was sent a new product from a company named RevivSerums. It’s a serum called TelomErase, which has a 6-in-1 targeting system. TelomErase serum may help with:

• Smoothing of skin’s appearance by tightening and brightening
• Dark circles
• Fine Lines and Wrinkles
• Sunspots
• Redness
• Pore size reduction
• To sagging and bags around the eye area, among other aging and skin related issues, plus being a moisturizing agent.

That is a lot of power in one vial! If a product can aid with that above, plus help one’s skin rejuvenate and achieve a better looking appearance…….I’m game! I looked over the company RevivSerums and they offer a plethora of serums, just as the name would indicate. You have serums for targeting facial skin, body, healing, hair and scalp, to even eyebrow and eyelash serums. They are not a one hit wonder but does the TelomErase serum deliver on it’s promises?

Retail Price Point: $149.00 for a 2 fluid ounce bottle, which comes with an airless pump dispenser. RevivSerums is offering 10% off the $149 half-off introductory SALE price to my readers and followers! Use discount code: TIGHT10 at checkout at RevivSerums.com. Limited one per customer/household. This discount code is good through December 31, 2015

 

Ingredients (as listed on the website): Sea Kelp (Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate) Bioferment, Water/Aqua/Eau, Sodium PCA, Bisabolol (Alpha), Coconut Endosperm, Algae Extract (and) Pullulan, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (and) Teprenone, Lecithin (and) Ubiquinone (and) Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (and) Tocopherol (and) Vegetable Oil/Huile Vegetale (and) Glycerin (and) Benzoic Acid, Porphyridium Extract, Sodium Acrylate (and) Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (and) Isohexadecane (and) Polysorbate 80, Fucoxanthin, Astaxanthin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Guaizulene, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein (and) Hydrolyzed Rice Protein (and) Superoxide Dismutase, Cycloastragenol, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Pentylene Glycol (and) 4-t-Butylcyclohexanol, sh-Polypeptide-11 (aFGF Recombinant Human acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor), Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol (and) Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.

Verdict:

I already like that the product does not start with H2o as it’s first ingredient because that would be one expensive water bottle!  You have a nice list of moisturizing agents combined with antioxidant rich ingredients.  Collagen and acid for nourishing and resurfacing are included, plus proteins derived from Soy and Rice, which help with conditioning the skin.  Rice water has been used for ages in Asia to help with improving scalp health and hair.  The ingredient is filled with nutrients and softening agents that bind well to the surface it is applied on.  You then have about seven proprietary blends (TELOSOMYL®, RENOVAGE™, PEPHA®, EYESERYL®, REGU®-AGE, SYMSITIVE™ 1609, and NANO-LIPOBELLE™).  Some of the aforementioned ingredients are trademark ingredients, so think of it as formulations combined within one unit to produce TelomErase, and I can see why the vial has such claims attached, plus licensed and trademark ingredients makes a cost go higher in production, along with trying to find ingredients that show promise.  I went in with the above knowledge in trying the product and my goal was to see first is it effective and is the product worth the price point?  I will use 6 products separately if they cost a significant amount less, versus the convenience of getting everything from one bottle.

Final Verdict:

I tried TelomErase serum for a period of 10 days.  Upon first application, you are left with instant softness and a smooth appearance, as serums tend to be lighter and much easily absorbed.  My skin did instantly absorb TelomErase.  I have used kelp based products on my skin in the past, and softening is of the skin’s surface is a result that I usually experience and especially if the product has a good base amount of it.  TelomErase was enriching and moisturizing with just day 1 of applying.  I continued to use the product and this serum does give a smooth appearance with use that lasts all day.  Think of softening agents you use on clothes to avoid wrinkles and retain a better appearance,  that is how I would describe the results I started to exhibit on about day 7 of using the serum.  TelomErase, did not irritate my skin, clog pores, and caused zero blemishes upon use.  So far I was happy, so I continued use.  I reach day 10 and I don’t miss having oodles of bottles and my mind is acclimating to the idea of using one serum, a moisturizer, sun screen and make-up if desired that day.  That is a pretty simple skin regimen!  My fine lines seem to plump out, meaning the saturation of moisture and combination of ingredients seems to flatten the lines out that not even horrible fluorescent lights make my fine lines stand out.  I have baggy eyes in the A.M when I get up and use eye drops because they are allergy related, so they do disappear within 2 hours of taking a decongestant.  It’s the only thing I am lucky when it comes to my skin and no dark circles, so I can’t vouch how the product aids with baggy/saggy eyes or dark circles.  The under-portion of my eye did not puff up as usual even though we got winds, so I can state the claims with reducing inflammation to help give a smoother appearance are true.  The smooth appearance does make your pores look less visible, meaning your complexion looks more flawless, so again TelomErase delivered on it’s statements.  Measuring TelomErase on a 10-day period, I can say I am satisfied with the results and the product did perform as well as the 6 to 7 products I usually use when not testing.  I would like to see how well it softens my fine lines with time (like 3 months use) and continual use, but because I received 2 generous trial sizes, I kept the testing period short.  I had one pump that gave me issues when using, so I jumped and started using the second one and that one works flawlessly.  The pre-measured pumps give you a proper amount of product and eliminates waste.  One pump does the entire areas I wanted to target, so the full size 2 ounce bottle would last a user between 3 to 6 months.  3 months for people that do full coverage and 6 months for people like me, which only applies the serum to “problem areas” I want to focus, target and be-gone!  TelomErase, is a product that is not like other OTC brands because you have that unity of effective ingredients that is only present in this RevivSerums formulation…….that makes it truly unique and why I saw results in just 10 days of use.

 

Connect with RevivSerums and their line of Serums at:

• On-line
• Product link
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• #RevivSerums #TelomErase

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from RevivSerums.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

 

 

Sano: Vitamin C Serum+ Daily Skin Revitalizer and Vitamin C Eye Gel+ with Silk Peptides #Review #SanoSerum

I have been wanting to incorporate Vitamin C into my skin care regimen after doing some research.  In the following weeks, I will be reviewing products that will focus around brands that deliver to your skin the maximum Vitamin C and hoping to see positive results. You can read my post on my research at- Topical Vitamin C use in Beauty Products Research and Information

My first to test and review is by a brand named Sano Naturals.  I liked from the get-go that they back-up their beauty products.  If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase and skin care experience, they will refund your entire purchase price, no questions asked.  They also include a bonus item with purchase and that is always a positive!

 

Sano Vitamin C Serum+:

On the bottle it states the product is of high potency and a Daily Skin Revitalizer. The bottle is a beautiful cobalt blue in color and the dark hue aids with preserving the product, which is rated at 20% concentration. I next looked at the ingredient list and you have an Organic Herbal Infusion, Aloe, and then Vitamin C. So far I am happy that water is not the delivery agent and other good quality binding ingredients were used along with the vitamin. The list goes on but everything is recognizable and friendly, not something I am use to in the “beauty world”. You get Hyaluronic Acid, which helps with inflammation (puffiness) and dry skin. It’s an ingredient you see for treating Eczema. Sano also uses kosher Vegetable Glycerin to Organic Jojoba oil. Jojoba has many good properties from being used as a fungicide and preventing mildew growth, to being able to deliver moisture without leaving an oily residue.

Results-

Even though most studies for Vitamin C ranged from a month to 12 weeks, I used the product for a period of 2 weeks. I eat a pretty balanced diet that is rich in greens, vegetables and fruit but I have those days that I wish I could say I ate bad, but it’s mostly that time gets in between meals and I eat late. Inconsistency happens! I noticed when I apply the Sano Vitamin C Serum+, my skin quickly absorbs it. It was so quick that my skin felt soft but with no product residue. I even tested one side of my face by applying just simple H2o and even water does not get absorbed at this rate. It usually would roll off but not this serum. So far I was happy with my first application and in not getting an oily appearance and/or feeling. I continued use and by day 4 saw what appeared as smoothness. Let me add no blemishes, pimples, blackheads or any skin occlusions. This serum is friendly when it comes to any acne suffers and even though people say mine is in the mild range, I myself is the one that deals with it so I rate it moderate at times to those moments that you get the monster bump that never comes up. My pores appear smaller just because my skin looks smoother and plumped up but in a good way! I continued use and noticed less was needed as I continued to use the product. My skin was hydrated enough that where I used 2 to 3 drops in one area, then changed to only needing one drop. The one drop then glided better when applied because my skin did experience positive changes. I don’t feel I have lost “years” when it comes to aging but I definitely look better. I look like I slept well, drank all my 8 glasses of water, and even ate well……even though that is not always the case. I was definitely happy with the results!

Retail Price Point: $18.95

Sano Vitamin C Eye Gel+:

This is a bonus item with purchase.  You again have a cobalt blue colored jar and I love that the product comes with a safety seal that you peel, so no air or anything that can damage or eat up the Vitamin C benefits while in storage. Easy to store and even pack in an overnight bag.

Results-

I never thought a gel could deliver moisture I was happy with but this one did the trick. Being that it’s a gel, the product goes on cold and instantly starts working on my morning’s puffy eyes. The Aloe in the product is very gentle to the skin in that area and I love how my make-up glides on after. Some eye creams would roll up sometimes due to the residue left behind and I had to then try to collect these little eye cream left-overs while at the same time not messing up my make-up. Not with the Sano’s Vitamin C Eye gel+. The product is rich in Peptides to Hyaluronic Acid. Do not be fooled, this gel does moisturize but the area is left with a supple and replenished look. I had zero eye irritations and found the gel friendly to my allergy suffering eyes. A little goes a long way, I used what I could as lightly dab out of the container, maybe the size of two rice grains per eye. The instant results alone of reducing puffiness is hard to beat and I used it with the Sano Vitamin C Serum +, just to get that extra help in my problem areas. My only small con is the product coming in jar form. I prefer bottles with pumps or that have an applicator like a dropper. I’m just not a fan of dabbing into a jar due to bacteria/germs, but due to the performance of the product, it would not deter me from buying it.

Check-out the products provided by Sano Naturals at:

• Purchase on Amazon
• Online Site
• #SanoSerum

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Sano Naurals.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

 

Topical Vitamin C use in #Beauty Products Research and Information

I have been researching and doing my homework on the effects of Vitamin C at the dermis level because even though I have tried products that contain trace amounts, I have never tried a beauty item that it’s main focus was delivering Vitamin C.

How does Vitamin C benefit our Skin:
Upon reading and even finding “home-remedies” for DIY serums to putty like creams, I decided to leave my Vitamin C manufacturing to the professionals.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a collagen builder. Collagen is a protein that helps in the growth of blood vessels, to cells (and yes, the skin kind too). Your body needs collagen to be able to rebuild and to even creating scar tissue, as this is a form of “rebuilding”. Collagen is what also gives our skin firmness and that supple look we all want due to it’s smooth looking effects. We all want to look vibrant and younger, so this where the antioxidants also play a part, something that Vitamin C contains. Antioxidants aid with everything from inflammation to neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals is what causes damage to our DNA and it’s results is aging, so may see early signs like fine lines, wrinkles, just plain old cell damage that comes from products, to the environment (oxidative damage) and sun exposure/burns. The vitamin is used for dry skin, healing wounds, helping with reduction of fine lines/wrinkles to elasticity.

The research is still limited to the total effects and benefits from Vitamin C via topical application, however I did read that the pH of our skin does effect how much we can absorb, thus benefit from the vitamin. Topical application of ascorbic acid will cross the epidermis into the underlying dermal layers, but you want the higher percentage (concentrate) to be able achieve maximum benefits.

What to look for in Vitamin C beauty products:
Like with most vitamins and my experience with Vitamin A (retinol), oxidation is a factor in deterioration of a skin product that contains Vitamin C. Just exposure to sun, air, light will start the degrading process, so look for products that come in dark colored bottles to make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck. Many of the better products will add other antioxidant rich ingredients to boost and also slow the rate of deterioration and conserve the ascorbic acid properties.

What can you expect by using Vitamin C:
I read studies both in humans and animals. Mostly noted was a high potency of Vitamin C levels being used and in combination with other binding ingredients but the main impact came from the 5 to 10% concentrations used in those studies. This may be why a high potency level will give best results. People reported elasticity changes to reduction of fine lines/wrinkles to a supple and smoother appearance. The impact is greater in people who may not consume diets rich in Vitamin C but even those that did have such a rich diet, noticed positive changes just not as apparent as those that did not. Topical Vitamin C may also have skin lightening effects in a mild form, which are caused by reductions in melanin production and melanin oxidation.

I hope the above helps when making decisions to include Vitamin C as part of your beauty routine!