December 20, 2011

A Different Type of Product Review - PMD Personal Microderm

Hey everyone,

I have been given the opportunity to try/review a great product from one of my blog sponsors PMD Microderm. The PMD Microderm has been featured on The Doctors and Dr. Oz shows as well as other media outlets (check out the PMD press page to see more).

What is a PMD Microderm?

The PMD Microderm is a microdermabrasion device that can be used at home.

It is good for treating early texture changes, sun damaged skin, uneven sun freckling, early seborrheic keratoses (small warty growths on the skin), mild comedonal (whitehead and blackheads) acne, and conditions where there is a buildup of dead skin like that seen in keratosis pilaris which causes bumpy skin on the arms and cheeks.

The PMD Personal Microderm also smooths the skin to give a more even makeup application and to to remove minor skin blemishes. It helps rejuvenate the skin and stimulates new cell growth. Check out these before and after results from other users.

Why I was interested in using it...

Although I don't break out very often, when I do I have to force myself not to pick with the bump. I'm successful about 70% of the time, but the other 30% of the time I ended up causing dark marks that take months to go away. I also have a few old acne dark marks/scars here and there that I usually cover with a little foundation.

I thought it would be great if I could try something that would get rid of those discolorations without having to use foundation to cover them. I was also curious how fast the PMD would get rid of the occasional new dark mark.

Also, being a hair blogger/product reviewer I am always taking pictures of my hair ( and of course my face is in the pics) and I am SUPER picky about the pictures I put on the web.

I do not like when a hair is out of place, or I am not centered in the pic, the light is different from one pic to the next, there is some unwanted objects in the background (since I take most pics in the bathroom mirror - this will be towels, toilet paper roll etc.)

From that you can see why I have trouble getting help with taking pictures because I have to have three or four of the same pose taken before I choose one pic to post - needless to say it takes forever and my digital camera is filled with tons of pics for just one how-to/review.

And since I am showing off hair styles - which again my face is in the pics - dry lips, dark marks, bumps etc. have to be virtually nonexistent if at all possible in the pics. So, I always make sure I have on a little foundation - and some type of lip gloss.

So a clear face is definitely a plus when it comes to posting pics - of course, I would still be picky about pics, but it would cut down on a little time if I could just snap pics with a make-up free/naked face - making it easier to do those fresh after wash/condition pics.

Therefore, from what I read about the PMD it seemed like it would do the trick.

How it is used ...

When I first received the PMD Personal Microderm I thought it was cute and compact, and it could be easily stored under my bathroom sink. It came with an instruction DVD explaining how to use it - you can view it here, which I thought was pretty easy to follow.

The PMD can be used on your face and body. The directions stated that the PMD should be used once a week on clean and dry skin, and warned not to go over one spot more than once.

The PMD comes with green discs for a moderate grit and blue for sensitive skin. Although it came with discs for sensitive skin I was skeptical because the tops of the discs looked similar to emery board files - and I thought they would definitely scratch my already sensitive skin.

What appears to be 'emery board' is actually aluminum oxide micro crystal (which is non-toxic). The discs are placed onto the PMD, and they spin once the PMD is turned on.

Although they press against the skin - if you are careful not to hover in one place - they will not cause any damage. A cap is placed over the disc, which is flush to your skin and suction vacuums the dead skin cells away into a filter as you slowly move the PMD across your face/body.

After your microdermabrasion treatment, you apply your toner, lotion and use sunscreen for 3 days after the treatment since your skin will be extra sensitive (I used a lotion/sunscreen combo). You can also purchase these items from the PMD shop. I used my own, but I'm planning to purchase one of the starter kits to do a review on those as well.

My results...

Although I was a bit skeptical about the discs, the minute I started using the PMD and didn't feel any harsh scratching I was sold. You just have to be sure to follow the directions and you shouldn't have any problems at all.

It took less than 10 minutes for me to do my entire face and I was pleased with the results after the first use. My face felt smoother and my complexion looked brighter.

In the beginning I really didn't notice any visible difference in my skin, but once I started taking pictures for the review - I was like - hey these look good - lol. I also noticed right away that my lotion/foundation would just seep right into my skin versus sitting on top of it.

And just after three uses I began to see a 'fresh' dark mark I had over my eye disappear and after the 5th use it was completely gone! I can even take freshly washed hair pics without putting on foundation. Overall, I love the results and plan to keep using it once a week :o)

December 15, 2011

Apothica and SkinCareRx’s 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway

Hey Everyone,

Whew! This has been a busy Holiday season for me! I am hustling making shampoo bars and finishing up on my Christmas shopping list - next year I am 'really' going to have more done before Thanksgiving :o)

Anyway, just stopping in for a sec to let you all know that All Naptural Sponsors Apothica and SkinCareRx are holding a 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway!!!

They will be giving away more than $5,000 worth of products between Apothica's and SkinCareRx’s Facebook pages from now until to December 24th. - $5,000 worth !!!!

Be sure to enter by visiting their Facebook pages (see links below).

Happy Holidays :o)

Enter the Giveaways by Clicking on the links below :o)

SkinCareRx's Facebook Page

Apothica’s Facebook Page