All posts by : parimakeover

When it comes to skincare, we often focus on our face—but what about the rest of our body?
Your legs deserve just as much attention, especially in the colder months, and this “leg facial” that I gave myself, truly transformed the skin dryness in just 20 minutes.

Here’s my 3-step, 20-minute leg facial that completely improved my skin’s texture and brought it back to life. From bumpy and dry, to silky smooth legs. Voila.

Why My Legs Got Really Dry and Needed a Leg Facial

As an expert esthetician, I’m all about taking good care of my skin, whether on the face or the body.  However…recently I ran out of shaving cream and shaved my legs with water and ended up with a razor burn. Immediately after I got out of the shower, the skin stung on my legs and were red and irritated for hours after. Ouch.

Normally, I would cure it with a good body lotion for dry skin however, I do a workout for my body three times a week with these electrical pads for increased muscle stimulation and you can’t have body lotion the skin as the adhesive pads won’t stick. So ,I wasn’t applying much lotion and my leg showed it.

So what does an expert esthetician do best? Give a facial! I needed some serious help, so here’s what I did to get smooth legs — fast.

The Leg Facial Products

How to Get Smooth Legs with a Leg Facial – Step by Step

Step 1: Loosen up dry skin cells with a chemical exfoliant peeling pad

On dry skin, I used the DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Peel Pads and wiped them over my legs. These powerful peel pads are specifically formulated to dissolve the rough, dry bumps and dead cells using a blend of glycolic, lactic, salicylic and lactobionic acids. It’s normal that I felt a tingling sensation. After all, the skin barrier was severely damaged and the pH of the pads range from 1.5-2.5. One pad was enough for both legs, but I worked quickly to avoid the pad from drying out.

Step 2: Buff away dry skin with a “physical” exfoliator

Next, on dry skin, I rubbed the Back & Body Buffing Towel, over my legs. This towel is fairly abrasive (which I love) so it really polishes off all of those dry, damaged skin cells. You can really feel it working. I used this for about four minutes per leg to give them a great polishing.

I didn’t apply a lot of pressure since the towel’s texture is pretty powerful so go easy – especially for your first time giving your legs a facial. I could already see the skin start looking smoother before my very eyes. So transformative!

Step 3: Continue the exfoliation with a chemical exfoliating mask

Okay, so now I used a body lotion, the DERMAdoctor KP Duty Lotion. This is a body lotion, not an actual mask. Since I had already done two steps of exfoliation, I used it as a 10-minute mask.

This lotion is super powerful (pH ranges from 3.5-4.5) and is packed with glycolic acid and lactic acid (AHA’s) along with gluconolactone and lactobionic acids (PHA’s) to really dissolve dry, bumpy skin even deeper. I massaged it into my legs and left it on for 10 minutes. It definitely stung my legs, but I am used to the feeling of using acids and I know this is what I needed to resurface the rough, bumpy texture on my legs.

After 10 minutes, I hopped into the shower and rinsed it off. My legs were definitely feeling sensitized but this is a normal sensation when doing three steps of exfoliation. After the shower, I applied my body balm to condition the skin and my skin texture was truly transformed. The results were absolutely incredible! If you have dry skin on your body, I encourage you to try this. I’m obsessed.

A few final notes about my leg facial…

• The results in the before and after photo were from just one treatment. I repeated this leg facial three days later to further resurface the skin so get even more improved results.
• For maintenance, I recommend a leg facial twice a month but you can maintain with the Back & Body Buffing Towel and the DERMAdoctor KP Lotion (used as a leave-on body lotion) at least once a week.
• Always listen to what your skin is telling you. I am well versed in what exfoliating acids can feel like but if it feels too much for your first time, then discontinue use.
• Exfoliating acids can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun so avoid any sun exposure for two days after doing this leg facial.

All in all, exfoliating acids can give you the glow from head-to-toe. As you can clearly see, the results were incredible! You can do this twice a month, especially during winter. Enjoy your dry legs becoming oh-so-touchable and smooth!

Note to self: I will be sure not to skip using shaving cream next time I shave to avoid having the skin on my body get this dry again!

Want to transform the texture on your face? As an expert esthetician, do this once a week to your face. Here’s how to give your skin a facial at-home

Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”

Blasting out of her chunky white headphones is Miley Cyrus’s self-love anthem, ‘Flowers’. I smile at the girl sitting next to me on the steel bench. We are in the small neighbourhood branch of a government bank in South Kolkata filled with senior citizens. She smiles back and begins talking. I am from California. She is headed there soon—straight into my neighbourhood, in fact, to study neuroscience. I give her tips. Two minutes into our banter, she breaks down incoherently, but of course, it makes sense to me. After all, I am a woman myself. “You know I tried my best. We were so damn alike.” She goes on to tell me about her love saga gone wrong. I squeeze her hand in support. Our parents who brought us here have no idea what has transpired between us. Two complete strangers bonded so deeply in a strange place against the background of a song about healing a broken heart playing on loop.

Over the past four years, this has become my daily life. One that began with the India book tour for my last book, The Water Phoenix, an award-winning magic realism memoir of a sexually abused child’s lifelong search for love. Readers had found themselves in her, healed themselves as they read along, emerging joyous, lighter, purged. They couldn’t stop telling me their stories when they met me at book events. I, a stranger who had returned to India after two decades, was the best friend they never had, their journal and the teddy bear they wanted to show everywhere. That is the power of telling your story. It’s never about you. They brought their mothers, grandmothers and lovers and told me about taboo bonds with no names.

Despite belonging to big families or being coupled up, the stories inside them spoke of overwhelming loneliness and invisibility. The posh woman from a powerful family in New Delhi who broke down in the powder room of a five-star hotel because of how unbearable her perfect marriage was and how nobody saw her. The classic chorus from loved ones: “But he doesn’t hit you!” “Why doesn’t he? He might as well. That would actually be more bearable,” she tears up as she reapplies her concealer and mascara, fixes her lipstick and powders her face before walking out as if nothing had happened. In a country renowned for inventing the concepts of joint family and arranged marriage, it is the intimacy and kindness of strangers that provide shelter to lonely Indian women.

Hello, my fabulous skincare enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s as intriguing as it is tiny: face mites. Yes, you heard that right—those microscopic little critters, specifically Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, that are cozying up on your skin right now. While the thought of having mites living on your face might sound like something out of a horror movie, fear not! These little guys are often harmless and can even be helpful. So grab your favorite cup of herbal tea, settle in, and let’s unravel the mysteries of our skin’s tiniest residents!

What Are Face Mites?

Let’s get up close and personal (but not too personal) with face mites! These tiny arachnids are like the uninvited guests at a party who refuse to leave—always hanging around, particularly in those oil-rich zones like your cheeks and forehead. Research suggests that over 90% of adults have these mites chilling on their skin, so don’t feel too special—you’re definitely not alone in this.

The Two Main Types of Face Mites:

• Demodex folliculorum: This little fellow loves to make its home in your hair follicles, munching on sebum (that natural oil your skin produces) and dead skin cells. It’s like having a tiny roommate who claims they’re helping with the cleaning—only to take a snack break every five minutes!
• Demodex brevis: Think of this one as the deep-diver of the mite world. It prefers the cozy confines of your sebaceous glands, feasting on the oil produced there. While D. brevis is a bit less common, it’s still part of the dynamic duo that keeps our skin ecosystem in check.

Understanding these microscopic residents is essential, as they’ve been cohabitating with humans for centuries, doing their part to maintain the delicate balance of our skin.

The Role of Face Mites in Skin Health

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Why on earth should I care about these critters?” Well, here’s the scoop—face mites can actually be your skin’s best friends!

These little munchers help maintain our skin’s microbiome, which is essentially the community of good bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that keep our skin happy and healthy. By snacking on excess oil and dead skin cells, face mites prevent the dreaded clogged pores and can even reduce the risk of breakouts. So, in a way, they’re like your personal skincare assistants, tirelessly working behind the scenes.

The Fine Line Between Beneficial and Harmful

But hold on! Not all is rosy in the land of face mites. If you let these little buddies throw a wild party and their numbers start to skyrocket, things can get dicey.

Under the right (or should I say wrong?) conditions, like a weakened immune system or a skin type that just loves to overproduce oil, face mites can become the party crashers of your skin. This can lead to:

• Rosacea: Imagine your cheeks are constantly blushing—no, not because you just saw a crush but because of this chronic inflammatory condition characterized by redness and those pesky visible blood vessels. High mite populations can definitely throw fuel on that fire!
• Acne: While they’re not the direct cause, a sudden surge in Demodex can lead to clogged pores and inflammation, which is basically the recipe for a breakout. So, if you’re suddenly battling more zits than usual, it might be time to investigate your mite situation.

Identifying Mite-Related Skin Conditions

Now that we know a bit about our tiny housemates, how can you tell if they’re throwing a raucous party on your face? Here are some signs to look out for:

Symptoms of Overpopulation:

• Persistent Redness: If your face is blushing like it just got caught stealing the last slice of pizza, especially around the nose and cheeks, it might be a sign of too many mites kicking up their heels.
• Itching or Burning Sensation: If your skin feels like it’s auditioning for a fire-breathing dragon role, that could be irritation caused by mite activity. Not fun!
• Bumpy Texture: An uneven, bumpy texture might be another indication that your skin is hosting a mite convention. They might be small, but they sure can leave their mark.
• Acne Flare-Ups: If you’re experiencing breakouts in conjunction with these other symptoms, it’s like a neon sign flashing “Check for Mites!” It’s time to get your skin evaluated.

If any of these signs sound familiar, it might be time to schedule a little one-on-one with a dermatologist.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

So, what happens when you realize you might have an overpopulation of these unwelcome guests? Diagnosing a face mite-related issue typically requires some professional help. Your dermatologist may perform a skin scraping or use a microscope to determine the mite population on your skin.

Treatment Approaches:

• Topical Treatments: Your skincare arsenal might include products containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or sulfur, which can help reduce mite populations and alleviate those pesky symptoms.
• Oral Medications: In more severe cases, your dermatologist might prescribe oral antibiotics or antiparasitic medications to take control of the mite party. Consider it a “mighty mite eviction notice.”
• Skin Care Routine Adjustments: A consistent and gentle skincare routine is crucial. Non-comedogenic products are your friends—they won’t clog those precious pores!
• Professional Treatments: Facials or treatments that include gentle exfoliation can help clear away dead skin cells, making it harder for those little mites to find food.
• Lifestyle Changes: Don’t forget the basics! Hydration is key, as is managing stress levels—because stressed skin is like a buffet for face mites.

Preventative Measures:

As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure.” Here are some fun and effective practices to keep your face mite population in check:

• Maintain a Clean Skincare Routine: Using a gentle cleanser daily can help remove excess oil and debris, minimizing the food sources for our tiny friends. Look for cleansers that are soothing—think of it as giving your skin a gentle hug every morning and night.
• Avoid Over-Exfoliating: Exfoliation is fantastic, but don’t go overboard! Too much can irritate your skin and increase oil production, leading to more mite activity. Aim for a balanced routine—exfoliating 1-2 times a week is usually the sweet spot.
• Choose Non-Comedogenic Products: Opt for makeup and skincare products that won’t clog your pores. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can hydrate your skin without adding excess oil, making your face feel fabulous.
• Monitor Your Skin’s Response: Pay attention to how your skin reacts to different products and environmental changes. Keeping a skincare journal can help you identify any triggers that lead to mite overpopulation or other skin issues. Think of it as your own personal skincare detective journal!
• Regular Dermatological Check-Ups: Routine visits to a dermatologist can help you keep your skin health in check. They can provide tailored recommendations based on your skin type and condition, ensuring that you and your skin stay on the best path together.

Product Recommendations:

To help you maintain a happy, balanced relationship with your skin and its tiny guests, here are some bestsellers from Skincare by Alana that can support your journey:

• Rhonda Allison Skin Brightening Cleanse: This gentle, brightening cleanser will help remove excess oil and debris without over-stripping your skin. Say goodbye to grime and hello to freshness!
• iS Clinical Active Serum: A powerful serum that combines exfoliating and hydrating properties to keep your skin clear and radiant. This can be a great addition to your routine to help minimize those pesky pores.
• Dermodality Ageless Moisturizer: This fabulous moisturizer hydrates your skin while providing antioxidants to support overall skin health. Hydrated skin is happy skin!
• Skin Script Glycolic and Retinol Pads: These pads are perfect for gentle exfoliation, helping to clear away dead skin cells without irritating your complexion. It’s like giving your skin a mini facial at home!
• Biojuve Living Biome Essentials Duo: This dynamic duo is designed to support your skin’s natural microbiome, helping to create a balanced and thriving environment.

Conclusion:

Face mites may sound like the stars of a sci-fi horror film, but they’re actually just little critters trying to do their job. Understanding these tiny critters and their impact on our skin health can empower us to make informed decisions about our skincare routines.

By maintaining a balanced population of face mites through proper skincare practices and a healthy lifestyle, you can foster a harmonious relationship with these invisible guests. So, let’s embrace our skin journey with curiosity, humor, and a little TLC. Remember, healthy skin is not just about the products we use; it’s about understanding the intricate web of life that exists on our skin.

Beauties, do you have any questions about your skin or which products might be perfect for your unique routine? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Let’s keep those tiny critters in check and your skin glowing. Now, go forth and give your skin some love—those little mites might just appreciate it too!