FAQ
WHAT MAY BE EXPERIENCED INITIALLY DUE TO THE POTENCY OF THE RÉGIMA RANGE?
Certain symptoms MAY be experienced during the first few weeks of starting the products. However, if one does experience any of these it does not mean that one has an allergy to the product and these cannot be considered side effects. One may feel a tingling and itchiness on application of the night preparations in particular. The intensity of this varies from person to person, depending mainly on the initial condition of the skin. Some people feel nothing. This tingling is due to the product having a low pH [acidity]. Dryness and flakiness of the skin may be experienced, especially in the more sensitive areas such as nostrils, corners of mouth, upper cheekbones, near eyes etc. The skin may become pink or look patchy, particularly if the skin is sun damaged as the products target these areas in their dead skin removal process. Wrinkles may initially look worse and pigmentation may look darker. This is due to the separation of the outer dead horny layer from the healthy, new inner living layer of skin. During this initial process the skin MAY become dry but one can counteract this by using one of the RégimA products suggested by your doctor or skin care professional. Expect the skin to start feeling tighter as it becomes firmer.
One must differentiate between firming/tightening of the skin and dryness. Tighter and firmer is exactly what one wants. Bear in mind also, whatever is sitting under the surface of the skin is likely to come out. The products are not drawing them out; they are actually working through that tough outer surface and going down to meet the problem. It should be remembered that although one may initially experience some tingling, irritation or flaking on using the concentrated night preparations, one achieves much greater and more rapid cell renewal. Once the skin is in a better condition, tingling, itchiness or dryness of the skin diminishes dramatically.
RégimA night creams work on the skin from the moment of application until the moment of neutralization with RégimA cleanser e.g. If applied at 10 O'clock at night and one removes at 7 O'clock the next morning, natural exfoliation and rejuvenation has been taking place for 9 hours. When using these products it is therefore not necessary to use face scrubs.
USE OF RÉGIMA WHILST ON CERTAIN MEDICATION
One must follow the instructions of the prescribing doctor. It has been our experience that whilst on certain treatments that one can safely and successfully use certain RégimA products as described below:
Roaccutane - This treatment is extremely successful in treating active acne, teenage or adult, and helping prevent scarring. There are, however, in certain cases, symptoms experienced. The skin may become dry, tight and pink. Following a very simple regime, during the course of the treatment, minimizes potential side effects e.g. RégimA Cleanser, Scar Repair am and pm with a RégimA day product.
Cortisone [steroids also called corticosteroids] - Topical application of Cortisone is used successfully to treat many skin conditions. It can, however, if used regularly, have a thinning effect on the skin, cause easy bruising, dilated capillaries, redness and stretch marks in certain individuals. It is essential therefore that the skin is 're-built'. RégimA Scar Repair Cream or Scar Repair Forté Serum may be applied over the top of the treated area, to be applied at least 15 minutes following Cortisone application.
Renova, Retin-A and Retinol - The Differences - As so many people confuse Retinol with Retin-A it is necessary to clarify a few points. Renova, Retin-A are prescription treatments containing the active ingredient retinoic acid [tretinoin]. This has been sold for years under the brand name Retin-A. This may be very successful, however, side effects MAY occur in certain cases - Dryness, redness, tenderness, swelling and flaking of the skin and sensitivity to sun light. It is essential when on this treatment to use a sunscreen. We recommend a RégimA day preparation containing SPF. RégimA uses retinyl palmitate, a Vitamin A derivative, which has no side effects and is safe for all.
LAYERING OF PRODUCTS
It must be stressed that layering of products is very important and has proven to be extremely beneficial in dealing with certain skin problems. For example if the skin is pigmented, environmentally damaged, fragile, scarred or acne scarred then it is essential that one uses repairing or specific treatment products morning and night under the appropriate RégimA day and night preparations. In the case of hyperpigmentation, it is essential that an anti-pigmentation product such as RégimA Pigment Perfector be applied morning and night under other appropriate products, allowing a minute between applications to allow for penetration. The doctor or skin care professional would decide on the best combination of RégimA products for each individual's needs.
PREGNANCY – WHAT TO USE – WHAT TO AVOID
There is so much controversy and misinformation regarding what can and cannot be used during pregnancy. One major issue is regarding Vitamin A. Many doctors tell their pregnant patients that during the first trimester [3 months] that they are not allowed to take Vitamin A supplements. Let us clarify why:-
SYSTEMIC VITAMIN A - [means taking a supplement by mouth] - This is the form of Vitamin A the doctor is referring to and concerned about if one gets too much. Vitamin A supplements should not be taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy as high doses of Vitamin A have been found to possibly cause birth defects and liver toxicity. Vitamin A is very important for you and your baby and a healthy diet will provide sufficient amounts. It is found naturally in meat, fish, dairy, fortified cereals, fruit and vegetables [beta carotene]. It is critical for you and your baby to have a good balanced diet.
TOPICAL VITAMIN A - [means applied externally to the skin] - Vitamin A, in the forms of Retinyl Palmitate or beta carotene, are safe to be applied to the skin during pregnancy. These have great benefits for the skin, aiding condition, and in combination with other natural ingredients, help to prevent stretch marks. Very importantly these forms of Vitamin A when applied externally work on the skin but do not work systemically [do not penetrate into the blood stream] so will not be toxic.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED DURING PREGNANCY
RégimA Scar Repair + Anti-Stretch Cream or Scar Repair Forté Serum - Should be applied am and pm to areas prone to stretching: breasts, tummy, buttocks and thighs. Helps prevent stretch marks. One should continue application of this product to the breasts whilst breast feeding [washing the nipples prior to each feed]. This will help prevent stretch marks on the breasts which can obviously become quite a lot bigger during this time.
PRESERVATIVES – BE INFORMED NOT HOODWINKED
Preservatives are necessary for product safety. Water-based skin care products for example have a 3-5 day shelf life if left unpreserved.Without preservatives, not a single cosmetic product with any level of activity would last longer than 3 days on the shelf before presenting with microbial infection.
Some ingredients typically used for preservation: Tea Tree Oil, Thyme Essential Oil, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Bitter Orange Extract, cinnamon, lavender, lemon peel, and rosemary extract. The trouble with these is they have almost no effect as a preservative in products that contain a higher percentage of natural ingredients which need to be preserved for a longer term. The percentage of one of these ingredients if used for preservation must also be high in order to have any desired effect, at least 3% per preserving ingredient. Sometimes essential oils which are used as preservatives can evaporate from the preparation when left uncovered. Some essential oils, if concentrated, can cause reddening of the skin and dermatitis.
RégimA products contain Phenoxyethanol combined with Caprylyl Glycol
This preservative combination is used widely in the cosmetics industry. It is a glycol ether, which is synthesized to be a "nature identical" compound mimicking the same properties, function and structure as the naturally derived analogue which occurs in roses and certain other plants. It is in no way similar to ethanol alcohol.
WHO PERFORMS THE PEELS, HOW OFTEN, AND IS IT PAINFUL?
The Peel & Heal ‘Power Peels’ must be performed by either a doctor or a trained skin care professional. A series of peels may be necessary to achieve an optimal end result to a particular problem. It is better and more favourable long-term to start off conservatively with the peels, each procedure time may be increased dependent on patient/client reaction and tolerance. With a problem such as pigmentation it would be ideal to commence with either a weekly regime if tolerated very well, or a fortnightly peel if one does experience peeling. One can then progress to either monthly or six weekly as desired or required.
Dependent on the condition of the skin, on application one usually experiences a slight stinging/tingling sensation which occurs mainly during the first five minutes following application, but mostly one feels itchiness. It is generally well tolerated and one may massage around with the pads of fingers, or will a little Laser Gel, to relieve any itchiness until this settles down. If the skin is dry or dehydrated prior to the peel then the stinging on application may be more intense. The peel will be left on for a period of time at the discretion of the skin care professional, this depending on skin condition, problem and tolerance. It must be thoroughly neutralized using RégimA Cleansing Gel and the first cleanse does sting briefly. This quickly settles down and the appropriate RégimA post peel products will be applied to the area.
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is very well tolerated by most people, even the very young skins [as young as 11 years old]. May sting more initially if the skin is dry and out of condition. Known to sting when applied pre-menstrually. During certain times of year it may sting slightly more - in extremes of cold and hot weather.
MUST I USE RÉGIMA PRODUCTS IF I AM UNDERGOING RÉGIMA PEELS?
YES: The Peel & Heal ‘Power Peels’ will not be applied to any patient/client who is not going to be using the RégimA home care Essentials. It is critical, if one is to achieve 100% benefit from the Peels, that one uses RégimA cleanser, day and night products. For 2 nights following the peel one must use one of the following: Scar Repair, Laser Gel, or Quantum Elastin Collagen Revival. The natural peel and products have been formulated to work synergistically and other cosmetic products may not react favourably. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER PRODUCTS IN COMBINATION WITH RÉGIMA.
WILL I PEEL AND FOR HOW LONG?
Dependent on skin type and initial condition, a degree of erythema [redness] is experienced during the peel, and one can feel the skin is hot. The redness usually goes down within a few hours. One may just experience very superficial flakiness [a sand papery feel] of the skin over the next few days. However, if the skin is very dry prior to the peel one may expect more peeling. This does not mean there is an allergic reaction, it is merely the outer dead layer of skin separating from the healthy living layer. If the skin is dehydrated or sun damaged there may be more peeling, particularly around the nose, mouth, chin, nasolabial folds, eyes and neck. The peel targets these damaged areas, removing them more rapidly, but may give a patchy appearance (may look a bit red and blotchy in areas where sun damaged or scarred). This can be a normal response, particularly if there is sun damage. This does not indicate allergy and will settle. Apply one of the post peel products several times daily, massaging gently and the dead skin will be removed leaving a smoother, fresher complexion.
It does not mean that if you peel once or twice you will visibly peel every time. Reactions vary from session to session dependent on certain factors. If one does not have visible peeling it does not mean the procedure has not been successful as a certain amount of dead skin is removed immediately during neutralization.
In olive or darker skins if there is any peeling the skin may look darker initially on these areas, but don’t worry as this is only the dead skin sloughing off and it dries in the process. One must be patient and continue with the home care and the peels and this will improve quickly.
‘Initiation Peel’
Created particularly for the client who has maybe not undergone skin peels previously, or may have a very sensitive or damaged skin and may be nervous about the experience. This is an in-salon, gentle action “lunchtime peel” which helps introduce the skin to the RégimA range of products. The 'Initiation Peel' is applied to the skin for around only 10 minutes. This brief session also allows the skin care therapist time to perform a skin analysis in order to ascertain the best treatment plan and home care regime for the client.
‘POWER PEELS’
- A medically accepted unique peeling system
- ’POWER PEEL’ 30 + 50
- Peeling, healing, regenerating, rejuvenating, renewed youthful skin
- Rapid exfoliating action
- Gives skin renewed elasticity
- Instant smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles
- Helps eliminate and control pigmentation
- Gradually removes “sun spots”,“agespots”,“liver spots” face and hands
- Helps treat active acne and acne scarring
- Safe to use all year round
- Safe during pregnancy
- Safe for the face, including dark under eyes, neck, breasts, décolleté, anti-ageing for the hands, and areas of the body which may have scarring
- Peel face + body – Scars hypertrophic and keloids, acne scarring, old burns, old skin grafts
- Safe for all skins, all ethnicities – White, Black, Asian, young, mature, male, female
IMPORTANT NOTE: One MAY experience tingling, itching, flaking, peeling, redness, swelling during and following any peel procedure, and during the neutralization process. This depends mainly on the initial condition of the skin and does not mean there is an allergic reaction. Any symptoms may be alleviated with either Scar Repair or Laser Gel [always if there is visible peeling immediately following the procedure]. Continue using one of these products until all peeling has ceased. A course of peels is highly recommended if one is treating a particular skin problem such as pigmentation, acne or scarring.
If the skin is very dry, sun damaged or in a poor condition the therapist will most probably suggest RégimA repairing home care products for 2 weeks prior to commencing the Peel & Heal ‘Power Peels’ procedures.
NEVER MIX RÉGIMA HOME CARE OR PEEL & HEAL ‘POWER PEEL’ TREATMENTS WITH PRODUCTS FROM ANOTHER RANGE AS THEY MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE AND COULD CAUSE AN ADVERSE REACTION