Thursday, July 25, 2013

Elase Medical Spa | Laser Hair Removal, My Third Visit



When I posted about my first visit my dear friend Laura said she did all of her laser hair removal without the 'wussy cream'. I laughed and thought she probably knew best because she completed 18 months of treatment, what I am not so sure about is where on her body she had hers done.

I haven't been uh...too upfront in details about where and how much I am having done on my lady bits. If I tell you I am doing the full Brazilian and I don't mean Flavio, do you get it? Uhm, TMI, but you must know for purposes of this post.

Yesterday, in the rush to get out of the house and to get my kids where they needed to go, I forgot to put on my Dr. Numb. I channeled Laura's words, "I didn't use that wussy cream!" I was doing fine until I got in and saw Mary Kate's smiling face. Things started out fine.

Then. Oh. My. Word.

Friends, it hurt.

Bad.

These lady bits are sensitive!

I almost cried.

I may have cried.

I am not sure.

Mary Kate was so awesome. She stopped for me a few times as I basically did Lamaze through the entire treatment. I praised her quickness and efficiency in putting my misery to an end. Never again will I leave home without the good Dr. Numb.

***Disclaimer: For the next few months I will be blogging about my experience with Elase Medical Spas. While I am receiving treatments in return for my opinion about my experience, please be assured they are my own and I have chosen to be very choosy about the things I share with my readers, and any and all opinions I have about Elase and my experiences will be my own. I have chosen to work with Elase because I believe it can benefit so many of us who may be curious about a medical spa but may not feel comfortable approaching one on their own. I hope to change those feelings. Let's take care of ourselves and treat ourselves!***

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Glycolic Chemical Peel | Giveaway | Elase Medical Spa

Since high school I have been intrigued by the chemical peel process. I have always had pretty good skin, until I hit 30. Then my skin was all, "Hey, you're 30 now...so I'm gonna give you all the Hell I have got to give!" Then I cried and cried as my pores have gotten bigger and my chin clogged. Sigh.

Why must we continue to suffer with icky skin all our life? So, my timing of learning about the amazingness that can happen at Elase Medical Spas, and my skin woes were simply serendipity. I love serendipity, don't you?

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to have my very first chemical peel. I have gushed about the women at Elase, and this time was no different. I was a little apprehensive this time. Usually I am not too nervous about trying new things, but I mean, chemicals going on my face...about to peel it off? Yeah, I needed some hand holding. However, my excitement was never lacking at how my face would look and feel after my first peel.

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I always love me a pretty magazine to thumb through while I wait, and this was the first and only time I have ever had to wait at Elase. (Rad huh?) I was a little sad it was only 5 minutes because I was really getting into the article on simple life changes that make a big impact. Oh and they have Wint-o-green Lifesavers, if you are into those. (Yum.)
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One of the things I love about Elase is that they are C L E A N. It is a medical facility and cleaner than any hospital I have ever been in. The lighting is soft and the colors and decor pretty, so while it is a medical spa you don't feel like you are about to have a pap smear or anything. Go Elase!
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Eeeek, this Chemical Peel was really about to go down!
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I had the Vitalize Peel from Skin Medica. It is a three step process and Tracey, who was performing the Chemical Peel, was so knowledgeable and made sure to explain every step of the process in detail. Everything she told me would happen, did happen. She told me what I could expect, and so when it happened I felt great! Go Tracey!
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Here I am before. Tracey cleaned my face and neck before the peel. Looking good.
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Here I am after Step 2 was complete. Step 2 is the actual chemical portion of the peel. This step is added on in layers and Tracey asked after each layer how I was feeling, what my pain level was at, etc. She never let me go over a pain level of 3 or 4. We did 3 layers of the Chemical Peel before we we called it. After Step 2 we waited for my pain level to go back to 0 before adding the last step.
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Here the gorgeous Tracey is applying the last step of the peel which contains Retinol. The Retinol helps the peeling process solidify (I am not a scientist, but that is the best way to explain it.) This step goes to work for a few hours after the peel to really put the peel to work. You can see my face is red at this point, but not so bad I couldn't go to the baby shower I had scheduled to attend afterward.

Tracey then put on some Obagi Sunscreen. Only THE best sunscreen in the entire world. I have another post to gush about Obagi skincare another day...but seriously...THE BEST.

Here I am via Instagram minutes after my first Chemical Peel.
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My gorgeous face three days later via Intagram. My face peeled from my mouth out, just like Tracey said. I did not peel in sheets like some people do/can. I pretty much flaked and looked like one for 9 days until my face went back to normal.

My skin feels a lot smoother since my peel. I had a lot of people ask me if I would do it again and the answer is YES...as long as I can hide out for the week during the flaking.
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Elase Medical Spas are so awesome they are giving one of my lucky readers a Glycolic Chemical Peel and an Obagi Physical UV Block Sunscreen, a $134 value!

Thanks Elase!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Amber's Maternity Photographs | Magna, Utah

I quite possibly hit the jackpot in the sister in law department.

Truly.

I was one lonely girl in my husband's family until Amber came along. We were instant friends, and even better, instant sisters.

We love to joke that we are married to the same man. (Her husband is the brother of my husband and they are very much alike.) It is so nice to have someone who I can laugh with about all of the ups and downs of marriage. I truly don't know what I would do without Amber.

I also love Amber when she let's me put her in weeds tall enough to devour her, and that are covered in tiny little green bugs, which I am certain she is still combing out of her hair.

She is expecting her second son TODAY! The second of three nephews being born this year. This little guy's name is still up in the air, maybe by the end of the day he will have one.

Congrats Amber and Fernando and big brother Max. Love you all so so so much.

xoxo

Kim
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