I turned 35 in October. My skin aged overnight…I swear. 34 – things are okay, wrinkle-free, good tone. I woke up the morning I turned 35 to wrinkles and sunspots.
I’m exaggerating, but over the last year or so I began to notice some real signs of aging and sun damage (thanks “I don’t need sunscreen” claiming 18-year-old self). I just felt that things were a little blah. My pores were more prominent, laugh lines were popping up around my eyes, and dark sunspots were making their way down my cheeks. I haven’t always been the best about a skin care regimen but made this a goal as I entered the downhill side of my 30s and wanted to give it a kickstart.
I reached out to our friends at Snake River MediSpa to see what the best plan would be. Medical Director, Brenda Hatch, has been a joy to work with and suggested Tribella. Brenda is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist – the attention to detail that must take, who better to trust with a facial treatment! Brenda and her husband, Todd (a phlebotomist), walked me through the entire process and were so knowledgeable. Having never had a treatment like Tribella before, I had no idea what to expect. They ensured that I was comfortable and that I knew exactly what was happening throughout the treatment. In addition to the Tribella treatment, they had great tips for continuing to care for my skin. All the details are below!
What is Tribella and how does it help?
Tribella is all about stimulating collagen production. Think about baby and kids skin – its perfect texture and elasticity make it soft and picture perfect. Why can’t our skin just stay that way forever? Because babies and kids produce collagen like crazy. Around age 30, though, collagen production slows and the collagen our body does produce just isn’t as great. Tribella combines three treatments that all increase collagen production. By combining the three treatments we are able to get amazing results with less intensive treatment and recovery.
Here’s a step-by-step of my experience:
Q & A :: Brenda asked a bunch of questions about sun exposure and how my skin reacts to the sun, about my complexion and any reactions to products or procedures I’ve had in the past. She takes a close look at my skin to be sure the level and treatment were just right for my skin.
Step 1 :: Photofacial. After applying a numbing gel, she tested the laser on a small spot on my neck. This let me have an idea of what to expect while checking to be sure settings and my reaction were appropriate. This IPL (intense pulse lights) treatment feels like a tiny rubber band snap. Brenda said “spicey” keeping it fun. Brenda was constantly checking to be sure I was comfortable and that it wasn’t getting too “spicey”. This felt just like laser hair removal. My eyes were covered with protective goggles and I just noticed quick red flashes. She did 3 passes over my face with this. My skin got pretty warm and felt sunburned – but only for 15-20 minutes. Brenda dabbed a wet cool pad on my skin to soothe the burning and it felt better almost immediately.
The photofacial pulled sun damage from the deeper layers of my skin to the surface. This was amazing! To begin with, I had a few light sunspots. After this first treatment, I noticed tons of dark pigment and damage at the surface. It was unbelievable to see the amount of unseen damage in my skin.
Step 2 :: Radiofrequency treatment. This was like a warm massage only on my lower cheeks, jawline, and neck. This targets and stirs up cells to tighten and improve skin texture. This part was easy-peasy and was pretty relaxing!
Step 3 :: Radiofrequency Microneedling. Radiofrequency Microneedling uses a grid of tiny needles to puncture the skin and stimulate the body’s natural collagen production and healing process. It felt just like it is – quick pokes with tiny needles. I was a little jumpy but it wasn’t painful.
After Care :: I was given a Venus Skin Stem Cell Therapy recovery kit to use exclusively while I healed. This kit was fantastic and really soothed my skin when it felt tight or dry. Brenda’s instructions included keeping the skin very clean and to be sure and use a clean pillowcase.
Recovery :: I looked and felt sunburned and could see grid lines from the radiofrequency microneedling when I left the office. So, I wouldn’t recommend making plans for the same day. But 6-8 hours later the redness had gone down and the sunburned feeling was gone. 24 hours later the redness was almost completely gone and the grid lines were significantly better. The next morning I could tell the grids were healing and my face felt a little tight. I was sure to only use the products they gave me for healing and didn’t wear makeup for 3-4 days. For 5-6 days following the treatment, my skin felt like sandpaper and then peeled.
Results :: I noticed a HUGE difference in my skin tone as soon as I healed, which was about 7 days. 1 – my sunspots were practically nonexistent! The dark spots on my cheeks and forehead I had been noticing the last few months were gone. Over the next couple weeks, my skin just kept getting better. My pores got smaller and the overall tone of my skin looks and feel healthy and new! I am still noticing the laugh lines around my eyes disappearing too. Tribella results peak about 3 months after the treatment, so I’m excited to see how my skin continues to improve.
Tribella is just what I needed to give my skin a boost and get rid of sun damage and signs of aging that had seemed to rear their ugly heads. And now I want to keep my skin as fresh and healthy as I can! Here is what Brenda at Snake River MediSpa suggests.
What should I be doing to care for my skin in my 30s?
Sunscreen.
Everyday. Enough said.
Use medical grade skin care products.
Quality skin care products are one thing to consider investing in. Products like ZOSkin Health from Dr. Obagi are top-of-the-line and have been proven results. If medical grade just isn’t possible, Brenda suggests Cetaphil as a great everyday cleanser.
Use a gentle exfoliator.
Abrasive exfoliators can do more harm than good by damaging pores. Exfoliating is a good for the skin, but you’ll want to avoid products with larger beads and abrasive materials.
Professional treatment once or twice a year.
A treatment like microneedling, chemical peels, or IPL are great to consider once or twice a year to refresh the skin and stimulate natural collagen production.
Use products with retinol.
Retinol is a Vitamin A product that speeds cell production to unclog pores, reduce wrinkles, and even skin tone. When looking for a miracle in a bottle – be sure retinol is an active ingredient.
Stay hydrated.
The best way to hydrate skin isn’t necessarily with a moisturizer – it’s by drinking lots of water to keep your whole body hydrated.
Eat clean.
Speaking of treating your skin from the inside – clean, real foods will give your body nutrients to keep skin clear and healthy.
Snake River MediSpa moved into their new location inside J & Company Salon in October – a beautiful spot in downtown Pocatello on 1st Ave. They offer laser hair removal, Vampire procedures, Botox, Dysport, microneedling and so much more. Read more about all they offer on their website. Their blog posts are, also, so informative – check that out!
https://www.snakerivermedispa.com/
Instagram @snakerivermedispa
Facebook @SRMediSpa
208-339-0106
127 N Main St. Pocatello, ID 83201
