The Anma (on-muh) is a gua sha massage tool used for fascia release and lymphatic drainage.  Fascia is an important protective layer of connective tissue around your muscles.  Over time, it can become stiff and tough.  Using a gentle touch (the lighter the better the release), the Anma helps soften frown lines and wrinkles, provides myofascial release, allows muscles to “lift” back into place, and increases circulation. This tool is sometimes used during the Fascial Contouring Massage. 

Benefits

• Releases fascia, reducing appearance of fine lines & wrinkles (myofascial release)
• Unlocks muscles allowing lifting
• Skin plumping
• Increases circulation

Contraindications

• Acne lesions
• Telangiectasia (Distended capillaries)

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to invoke a feeling or memory.  We use pure essential oils in a diffuser and essential oil blends in a nut-oil base.  We never use synthetic fragrances.

Pure essential oils can pass into the bloodstream and must be used with caution.  Never place a pure essential oil directly onto the skin.

Benefits

• Provides powerful nutrition to the skin
• Your body knows how to breakdown and use essential oils

Contraindications

• Pregnancy/breastfeeding
• Allergy to the specific plant from which the essential oil is derived

We utilize various types of professional chemical peels. The solution is selected based on the outcome we are working toward achieving.

If you are currently using AHAs, BHAs, or retinol (OTC or prescription), Accutane, tretinoin, hydroquinone, or harsh scrubs, you are not a candidate for a chemical peel.  Your skin is already in a wounded state and we will not cause further wounding on your skin.  Please meet with us to discuss your current options, changes that must occur with home care, and a time line of when we can revisit the topic of chemical peels once your skin has recovered.

Benefits

• Deep exfoliation
• Repair hyperpigmentation 
• Repair scarring
• Balance uneven tone
• Repair uneven texture

Contraindications

• Existing damaged or compromised skin barrier
• Over exfoliated skin from other exfoliation methods
• Asprin allergy (salicylic only)
• Open wounds
• Pregnancy / breast feeding
• Recent use of AHA, BHA, OTC retinol (within the last 6 months), prescription retinol (within the last 12 months), or accutane (within the last 12 months). 

From DMK:  DMK is the only company in the world to utilize the beneficial effects of transfer-messenger enzymes.
Enzymes are living substances that regulate health and work with certain minerals in the body to form a natural system of antioxidants that fight corrosive free radicals. Properly formulated, they can remove dead protein, toxins, and other effluvia from the epidermis using a process called ‘reverse osmosis.’
DMK Enzyme Treatments work with the skin. The enzymes aim to strengthen the structural integrity of the skin to create a healthy environment for cells to live and thrive.

At Skin Care by Alison we offer the DMK Acne, Age Management, and Pigmentation Enzyme Treatment.  We recommend you take home the 30-day homecare supply for best results (additional charge applies)

Some people experience an enzymatic flush from the increased blood flow.  This appears as visible capillaries on the face, neck, and/or decollete and should subside shortly after your treatment.

We use plant-based enzyme exfoliants. The enzymes consume dead skin and is considered a chemical exfoliation.

Benefits

• Removes keratin build-up
• Balances uneven skin tone
• Improves skin texture
• Anti-inflammatory

Contraindications

• Allergy to the plant enzyme (papaya, pineapple, cocoa, or pumpkin)

Space Holder for Osmosis MD Facial Infusion.

Benefits

• Bullet point

Contraindications

• Bulletpoint
•  

A specific form of massage designed to release the fascia in the face, neck, and chest areas. When fascia becomes restricted, muscles are held in place and forms wrinkles. I can show you how to perform this at home with the Anma gua sha tool.  This technique is sometimes mis-labeled as “Facial contouring massage.”

Benefits

• Lifting of the face
• Youthful appearance
• Less fine lines & wrinkles

Contraindications

• Acne
• Open wounds
• Lesions

Alternating current passes through a device that allows for the selection of a tesla pulse current. The rapid oscillation created vibrates water molecules in the skin and can produce a mild to strong heat effect. The electrodes are filled with either neon or argon gas.

Benefits

• Oxygenates the skin
• Kills p. acne bacteria, has an antiseptic effect on the skin
• Stimulates Circulation
• Softens fine lines, improves sagging skin (mildly)
• Improves cellulite appearance

Contraindications

• Pacemaker and/or any other implanted electrical device
• Braces (on teeth) or metal plates in the body
• Broken or distended capillaries, spider veins and/or rosacea (HF may exacerbate these conditions)
• Pregnancy
• History of heart disease
• Telangiectasia

Light emitting diode (LED) therapy is a treatment using various wavelengths of light, most commonly red, blue and green. Originally developed by NASA for plant growth, it was found to speed healing. LED light therapy is now widely used by estheticians to help heal and regenerate the skin. Unlike other light therapy, LED does not contain ultraviolet rays and is safe for regular use.

Benefits

• Stimulates adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy-carrying cell found in all living things
• Repairs & rebuilds collagen and elastin
• Increases circulation
• Reduces redness and inflammation

Contraindications

• Epilepsy
• Migraine triggered by light flicker
• Accutane (currently or less than 12-months after ending treatment)
• Botox and/or cosmetic fillers: You must wait 5-days before receiving LED
• Pregnancy / Breastfeeding
• Medications that cause light sensitivity, including but not limited to: Chlorpromazine, Thorazine, Chlorpromazine HcL, Sonazine, Griseofulvin, Isotretinoin (a.k.a. Accutane), Tetracycline antibiotics, Tretinoin (a.k.a. Retin-A, Renova, Atralin), Methotrexate, Amiodarone

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) massage is a gentle massage of the face, neck and chest using a combination of feather-light strokes and pumping motions to move the lymphatic fluid through your body. The lymphatic fluid carries white blood cells, oxygen & nutrients and removes waste & toxins from tissues.  I am trained in the Dr. Vodder method.

Benefits

• Decongestive
• Contouring
• Pain-relieving
• Improves wound healing
• Eases fibromyalgia

Contraindications

• An active infection
• Cancer or are receiving chemotherapy or radiation (medicine dosage can be increased by draining the interstitial spaces)
• Acute inflammation
• Risk of blood clots
• Congestive heart failure
• Pregnancy (especially first trimester for fear of miscarriage)

Microcurrent is a low-level current that mimicks the human body’s natural ionic flow.  It works without sensation and is very soothing.

Benefits

• Firms and tightens the skin
• Reduces fine lines & wrinkles
• Increase your body’s cellular energy by 400%
• Stimulates protein synthesis & amino acid transport
• Clinically shown to stimulate the recovery of damaged tissues
• Improves tone 
• Increases blood flow
• Provides lymphatic drainage / detoxifying
• Increased hydration (ATP production is triggered, raising hydration & oxygen levels
• Oxygenating

Contraindications

• Pacemaker
• Any implanted electronic device
• Epilepsy
• Pregnancy
• Cancer
• Thrombosis
• Phlebitis
• Metal plates or pins in the application area

Factors that could inhibit results:

1. Dehydration (cellular & skin): Medications, hormones, photodamaged skin, low fluid intake, arid climate, high altitude. Needs to drink celery juice.
2. Lifestyle: Late nights, lack of sleep, smoking, stress, recreational drugs, alcohol, anger.
3. Diet: Low fluid intake, high surgar, fat-free diets, processed foods, cravings, late dinners, skipped meals.
4. Lymphatic issues: Medications, age, injury, illness, allergies, arthritis, auto immune, sedentary lifestyle. Get an LED bed, vibrating plate, body worker to get lymph moving
5. Scar tissue: prior surgeries, accidents, TMJ, muscle memory, repressed emotions (the scar tissue of pain)

We use a product containing niacinamide (vitamin B-3), retinyl palmitate, and chamomile extract to increase blood flow thereby oxygenating tissues and helping purge impurities.

Benefits

• Acne: Germicidal action kills P. acnes bacteria
• Aging: Firming
• Aging: Stimulates fibroblasts to produce more collagen in the dermis
• Lightens & brightens the skin
• Bleaching by oxidation; lightens and brightens the skin
• Reduces the appearance of rosacea and telangiectasia

Contraindications

• Allergy to citric acid

Using ultrasonic sound technology, we can exfoliate, extract open and closed comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), and penetrate serums and creams deeper into the skin.

Using high speed oscillations, your skin is left smooth, fresh and perfectly prepared for product application.

Benefits

• Stimulates collagen production
• Increases circulation
• Pain-free extractions of open and closed comedones (blackheads and whiteheads)

Contraindications

• Pacemaker and/or any other implanted electrical device
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Pregnancy
• Hemophilia or other bleeding disorders

Using the 20Hz Pro Vibroacoustic system, sound in the range of 20-80Hz is delivered to the skin through one of five (5) attachments. Cells will vibrate in attunement with the sound for approximately 48-hours after treatment. This can be used on the face and the body.  Visit the 20Hz Pro website for additional information.

Benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Provides lymphatic drainage
• Corrective
• Builds collagen
• Reduces the appearance of scars
• Reduces hyperpigmentation
• Reduces the size of keloids
• Plumps the skin

Contraindications:

• Pacemaker and/or any other implanted electrical device
• Fillers less than 4 weeks from injection date
• Cancer
• Thrombosis
• Pregnancy
• Any implanted device that could be affected by magnets