As we get older, our skin changes and it will start to show signs of aging. The texture of your skin becomes rough and the tone of your skin changes as it loses its luster. You will also notice more and more fine lines and crow’s feet. If you do not want your skin to be an indicator of your age, there are treatments that you can consider, including microneedling, that will help you to turn back time.

Microneedling is a procedure in which small needles are used to puncture the skin so your skin will form new tissue that will rejuvenate your skin. This treatment allows for your skin to build collagen and helps your skin to have a thicker and fuller appearance. Having fuller skin will also give you a more youthful appearance.

There are many different reasons that a person might have for considering microneedling, including getting rid of fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, acne scars, brown spots and other pigment issues. If you are considering microneedling, you should first discuss it with your primary physician to make sure that any medications you are on or any health issues you have will allow for you to safely receive this treatment.

Before the treatment begins, your face will first need to be cleansed, and then a topical anesthetic will be applied. Once the numbing has taken effect, a serum will be placed onto your skin that will enhance your skin’s ability to heal itself. Then a microneedling tool will be used all over your face. Another layer of serum will then be placed onto your face, which allows for everything to be sealed.

The thought of needles being placed into your face can sound very scary and painful, but in reality, this is not a painful procedure. The numbing cream allows for patients to experience only minimal discomfort during treatment. After treatment, it is normal for patients to experience some redness and mild skin irritation. The skin irritation should only last for 24 hours after the procedure, but the redness may take a few days before it is completely gone. You will be given after care instructions and it is important that you follow those instructions.

In order to receive optimal results from treatment, it is usually recommended that you receive four treatments total that should be spaced apart by 4 weeks. In order to maintain your results, it is suggested that you do a booster treatment every year.

As with any sort of treatment, you will want to do your research beforehand and make sure that you are going to someone who is a licensed practitioner. You also want to make sure to ask questions about the sanitation process and also make sure that they do apply some sort of numbing cream.

There are many reasons that someone may want to consider aromatherapy for treatment.  Whether it is because you need to relax more, you are looking to combat sleep issues or if you suffer from anxiety, aromatherapy is very enjoyable and relaxing.  Aromatherapy may help with your physical, mental and emotional well-being.  But before you consider this treatment, you probably would like to know what it is exactly.  

Aromatherapy (also called essential oil treatment) involves the usage of essential oils, and these essential oils are made from flower, herb or plant extracts and these oils are either placed onto your skin, or they are breathed in through your nose.  There are specific cells in the plant that give it a fragrant smell, and these are called its “essence.”  This essence is then extracted from the plant’s stems, flowers, bark, roots or other parts of the plant, and it then becomes an essential oil.

Essential oils require a great deal of flower, herb or plant product.  For example, in order to make a pound of lavender essential oil, over 200 pounds of lavender flowers are required.  In aromatherapy, the most popular essential oils that are used are lavender, lemon, chamomile, eucalyptus, tea tree oil, bergamot and cedarwood.  

Aromatherapy is believed to be a relaxing treatment that might aid in stress relief.  Other uses for aromatherapy include:

• Depression treatment
• Insomnia treatment
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce inflammation
• Fight infections

There is not scientific evidence that proves that aromatherapy treats these ailments and these ailments should also be discussed with your primary care physician.  Aromatherapy is also not a good treatment option for all people and if you have certain medical conditions, you should discuss aromatherapy with your doctor prior to getting treatment.  

Aromatherapy is often used during a swedish massage and they are either placed under your nose to be inhaled, or they are placed onto your skin to be utilized during the massage.  You can discuss your treatment goals with your aromatherapy technician and they will let you know which essential oils are going to be best for your specific treatment.