Elissa, What’s in your beauty bag?

At Dermatology Affiliates we are lucky to have a large staff made up of more than 50 thoughtful, fun, and interesting people. Our new blog feature, “What’s in your beauty bag?” will highlight one staff member and her beauty bag. These blogs reflect the individual experience and/or opinion of the staffer and are not intended to speak for the company as a whole or our individual doctors. Everyone’s skin is different and this series hopes to highlight that filling your beauty bag is a personal and unique experience. Enjoy!
Name: Elissa
Age: 27
Position at DA: Administration
Number of years working in Dermatology: 2
I have oily skin, prone to blackheads and clogging, dark circles under eyes (thank you dad), and beginning to get crow’s feet! Eek! My biggest skin issue is acne scarring from early 20’s breakouts. I never had acne problems as a teen (like most people) for me it happened for me in my early 20’s.
Since working at Dermatology Affiliates I have found some medical grade products I love! The Smart Clarifying Pads have totally tamed my black heads! A retinol is vital for anti-aging, so what I apply next is the Smart Retinol 2 every evening. Our R.A.G.S to riches program encouraged me to add an anti-oxidant to my beauty routine. I have found the Skin Medica Vitamin C&E complex to be perfect for my complexion. As I mentioned before, I inherited dark eye circles from my dad. The Revision Teamine Eye Complex is HANDS DOWN the best cream I’ve ever had for dark circles under the eyes and it has a little retinol for fine lines and wrinkles! As we all know a daily SPF is a must. I like the Elta UV Clearbecause it doesn’t feel cake-y on my skin and doubles as my moisturizer as well as sun protection. At night I use theSmart Oil Free Moisturizer, again because it feels really great on my skin, without feeling cake-y. Oh! And instead of a translucent powder over make-up I have started using the Colorscience Sunforgettable Brush. This adds great protection and it’s awesome for reapplication during the day. I keep it in my beauty bag and put it on my hands, arms, and chest for protection while in the car or out and about!

I have found that products are great, but particularly effective when combined with procedures that correct my biggest skin issue: acne scarring. I had the Fraxel done a few times before my wedding last year to help heal my acne scarring so I could not cringe at all my wedding photographs. It’s always been the thing I am most self-conscious about. I absolutely love the results! To this day, Dr. Forney stops me in the hall sometimes to tell me my skin looks amazing compared to what it was! Since the Fraxel I have also done the Elos sublative laser treatments for my scarring. The Elos sublative is much less intense, also a little less dramatic results, but there isn’t any swelling, just a little redness so it may be a more doable option for some and the treatments can be done closer together.
Working at a dermatology office has prompted me to encourage all my friends to begin with talking to a professional. Depending on what you’re looking for, talk to one of our doctors about your issues, and get recommendations for treatments and at the very least see one of our aestheticians for a product consult (and a facial or peel!). I used to not think products made much of a difference, but they really do! The quality of ingredients really has an impact on the product’s effectiveness. Also, I had no idea before working in a derm office that they could even offer facials! Although you wouldn’t think a doctor’s office can provide a relaxing place for spa-like procedures, we can! Every time I go to the aesthetician’s suite, I’m immediately calm and comfortable and trust that our girls know what they’re doing. To have services, that are backed by a physician, also makes me feel so much more comfortable.
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