My Fabulous Facial for Melasma (and More)!

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While in California recently, I decided to indulge in a little LA glamor and beauty. I couldn’t think of a better way than with a Line Fighting facial at Marina Plastic Surgery Associates, in Marina del Rey!

This thriving plastic surgery practice features a spacious, fully accredited medical day spa, that provides everything from injectables and clinical skin care, to laser treatments and permanent makeup.

I had the pleasure meeting Ann Yacullo, one of The Institute’s expert clinical aestheticians, for a custom clinical facial that took years off my face.

Read on for the features of my facial that treated melasma, blemishes, and more!

Genetics and a diligent skin care routine have left my skin in pretty good shape, butI still have some melasma, fine lines, and sun damage that have managed to stamp their marks on my face. I expressed these concerns to Ann as she brought me in to the treatment room with high hopes of clearing things up.

Ann was very receptive, and immediately began talking me through her plan. She has over 20 years of experience with some of the industry’s best, so I knew I was in good hands. Moments later, her confident, calm, and kind demeanor helped put me at ease (her own glowing skin helped too!).

Ann agreed that we should work on my brown spots, a few blemishes, and exfoliating away some dull patches as well. She designs each of her facials based on her client’s specific needs using the highest grade products on the market. She recommended lines such as IS Skincare and Biomedic (from La Roche Posay) for their reliable results. Then, with the lights lowered down,and the sounds of Enya filling the room, she got right down to business.

My facial started with two cleansers and a Clarisonics brush. She explained that this combination exfoliates, deep cleans, and stimulates collagen. The cleansers also kill surface bacteria to prevent any breakouts.

Then she set up a steamer to open my pores for the exfoliating part of the facial. The exfoliator contained micro beads, which Ann said won’t lacerate delicate skin, combined with an enzyme to work through the layers of dull skin. Next, the Dermasweep machine acted like a mini-microdermabrasion and let the active treatment serums penetrate deeper into my face.

On to the brown-spots! My melasma settled in on my cheeks over the past few years as the result of using birth control and then having exposure to the sun. Ann applied clinical strength 20% hydroquinone, and warned me ahead of time that it would be intense… it was! It burned, but was tolerable since I knew this was the gold standard for melting away these stubborn splotches. This was immediately followed with a calming mask which was like heaven after the heat.

We finished up with a Vitamin C Super Serum, which was actually a time-released, 15% L-ascorbic acid to help brighten up my freshly scrubbed skin. An gentle moisturizer was also applied to lock in hydration. Of course, she finished it all off with a layer of oil free SPF 35!

I am thrilled with the results! My brown spots have been reduced to a few freckles, and my skin is still glowing as if I was back in my twenties! Ann proved far and beyond the difference a clinical facial can make in comparison with your run-of -the-mill spa.

Better products, the latest technology and tools, plus years of passionate expertise make Ann an expert Fine-Line-Fighter! Melasma, dull skin, and blemishes have met their match.

Ann’s last piece of advice? Keep wearing your SPF!!!

Ann Yacullo