So for those of you who don’t care what your skin looks like, this is not the post for you. You could read it anyway if you are looking for gifts for those friends and family that are skin obsessed this holiday season.
I often have to bite my tongue when I am involved in any conversation where someone says they want to age gracefully. I usually think to myself, I am not going down without a fight. I imagine myself grabbing a virtual sword and battling the aging process like it is a villain that requires vanquishing. I didn’t always care about my skin like this though.
It wasn’t until I woke up over a year ago and realized that I was in my 40’s, had no skin care routine, and it showed on my skin. The worst part about the aging process for me is that I cannot cover up my tired face with its sags and wrinkles with traditional makeup, since the titanium dioxide found in practically every single brand and type, makes me very sick. Also as a cosmic joke while I was waiting for the stork to pass out knowledge and skills, I was busy with something else. I was most likely watching science fiction movies and missed the girly tutorial on how to apply makeup. Therefore skin care and makeup have never really been part of my non-routine. So what did I do? I decided to go on a skincare quest.
I am an online research junkie. When I get onto a subject I want to learn more about, I am like an internet bloodhound, seeking out every piece of information that I can find on any website, book or article. I read publications by doctors discussing the latest research in science journals just as often as I read the less than reputable ones that for example, claim their alien abduction is the reason for their acne (Not a real story…I don’t think). I read everything I can find and sometimes it is on those obscure sites that you find something that could take you down a rabbit hole that could lead you to your own personal holy grail. It has worked for me with my own journey with health care, so why not skin care?
It was during this research in August of 2017 that I stumbled across a relatively new item on the market called the ZIIP device. I did some research and found that many Hollywood folks, who always seem to look flawless, were some of the first adopters of these facials and science fiction looking facial tools. These gadgets and others like them (NuFace) use micro or nano electrical currents to increase blood flow and ATP to the skin. This assists your body in healing itself at the cellular level while increasing collagen and elastin production. I decided to book an appointment with the famous aesthetician and the creator of the device, Melanie Simon, to see what these facials were all about and I purchased the device.
After a little over a year of consistent use, which for me means at least once and more often than not three times per week, I can say that the ZIIP device has worked miracles on my skin. Yes, people will ask you why you are rubbing your face with a computer mouse, but trust me they will eat their words when they see the results. You really should commit to spending the time using the device, as you will notice better results cumulatively. The app that you will download with the device contains different electrical cocktails for things like acne, pigmentation or just a full face energize treatment. The programs last anywhere from 1 to 12 minutes depending on the one you choose. I will often pick two or three different cocktails every other day and I can watch whatever geeky sci-fi program I want at the same time. I will never ever need or want to get a facial again (excluding Melanie Simon’s) as I can give myself an at home treatment several times a week with better results.
You will also need to purchase one of the conductive gels that go with the device in order for the electrical currents to penetrate your skin and provide the appropriate electrical juju. There are two versions available the Golden Gel and the less expensive but no less effective Silver Gel. These both contain all sorts of neat-o fancy ingredients and are made without any nasty oils that could cause a breakout. These gels are a pretty powerful anti aging tool in and of themselves and I am pretty sure Melanie created them by collecting the snot of angels.
The ZIIP device appealed to my desire to support skincare naturally from within using food, supplements and other alternative methods to change what the skin looks like on the outside. I also think much of the skincare and plastic surgery industry is moving to more natural looking ways to turn back the clock. I find that you are less and less likely to see people who have had too much Botox or plastic surgery even in Los Angeles these days. You can still pick these people out easily though as they look like the Joker or sound like they are talking with a retainer in their mouth.
I also continue to see Melanie Simon for her in person facials and will drop everything to see her if she has a cancellation, which she rarely does. If Melanie suggests a product for my skin, I will buy it. For those of you who know me, this is a rare thing as I usually have to research everything excessively and rarely trust what I am being told. When Melanie says jump, aka here is a good product for you, I ask how high, and then I buy. She has introduced me to my new favorite skin care line Biologique Recherche. I purchase my products either from Melanie in person or from Rescue Spa which is an online store setup for those of us that cannot go to their spas in New York or Philadelphia. I want to warn you about sticker shock with these products. They are not cheap, but I feel that they are very much worth the price…at least for me. In another post I can review some of the products I use and how they have benefited my skin.
Now I am not completely delusional and I get that there is no way to literally reverse time and not age, but I have found that there are some pretty interesting ways to cheat, fight, steal, kick and scream time into doing your bidding so that your skin can look younger and healthier than it has in a long time. The ZIIP device is definitely one of the most powerful weapons I employ in this ongoing battle.
Fine! I will start a blog. 