PMD Personal Microdermabrasion for Clearer Skin REVIEW

Get a "better than the spa" microdermabrasion session at home! PMD's Personal Kit.

New York, NY: I used to really enjoy going to Macy's for Adrian Arpel's signature European Facials! It was so relaxing and my skin would look fantastic after. Later, I would get acid peels at my dermatologist's office as this helped diminish the acne scars I had. Those were a bit more intense but gave better results than a facial. In fact both chemical peels and microdermabrasion treatments are gaining appeal because the results are immediate and there is little or no down time after the procedure. I've been able to go home, put on my makeup and go out for the evening after a peel.

PMD Personal Microdermabrasion
This is a unit designed for at home use which replicates an in-office Microdermabrasion session. One of the things I don't like about going to the doctor's office is that I have to arrive and leave sans makeup. With the PMD, I can schedule a treatment within the comfort and privacy of my own home. Also I would go once a month for facials and initially once every three weeks for glycolic acid peels, the latter took about 3 months worth of peels to get my skin clear.  The PMD device gives you all this at home and for a fraction of the cost.

The PMD comes with a power cord for continuous energy flow to the unit.

How Does the PMD Work?
The PMD device connects to a power cord which is good because you'll need a steady power flow for the best results. The doctor's office Microdermabrasion units basically work this way: A wand with a diamond head and aluminum oxide crystals is passed over your face. At the same time, the wand is sucking up the loose crystals and dead skin cells as it goes.

The PMD actually performs this procedure even better. It uses a disk embedded with these same crystals so they are not blowing in your eyes or up your nose during the treatment. The unit simultaneously sucks up dead skin cells and traps them inside the top of the unit. The result is very clean and you will notice a difference after the very first session.

How Do I Use the PMD?
It is recommended that you only use the PMD device once a week. There is a learning curve in using this machine so be sure to read all the directions and use the training disk first to see how your skin will react. The first time I got a little red and scuffed up on my cheeks but if you have had any sort of "work" done, you'll know this is temporary and any scabbing will flake off in about 4 days. I recommend using a little Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream on any red areas. It immediately calms down irritation and speeds the healing process.

Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream is amazing for post treatment redness and scuffs.

My Skin Care Routine After the PMD
After a PMD treatment, I like to wash my face with something gentle like Aveeno's Ultra-Calming Foaming Wash or a new product I've just tried by G.M. Collin of Paris, Bio Organique Cleansing Milk. Both are very gentle and do not disturb the skins pH so you can perhaps skip the toner. After this you can add your serums as microdermabrasion allows them to absorb much more effectively. Just be sure to use a gentle face cream and sunblock. I'm really liking MitoQ right now because it is very soothing and proven to be 1000 times more potent than other CoQ antioxidant based creams. It also claims to help restore collagen and elastin to more youthful levels. These products are highly coveted and used in some of the top spas in the world!

Nourish Your Skin
The primary benefit of microdermabrasion is that it removes the stratum corneum or top layer of dead skin to reveal fresh new cells. This and the suction action also increases blood flow and quicker regeneration of cells and collagen. Pores appear smaller and acne scars will fade in depth. However in order to help your skin renew itself, you'll need to eat a balanced diet and take a good Collagen Supplement like NeoCell. The Beauty Bursts are SO delicious and since they are individually wrapped, you can take them anywhere.

NeoCell Collagen Beauty Builders work from the inside out!

My Thoughts...
The PMD is not a toy. Having had office procedures like this, I know what to expect so for the uninitiated, it could be a bit intimidating. All the same, if you follow the instructions and use the training head until you are completely comfortable with handling the device, you should be golden. Once that happens you can move up to the more intense microdermabrasion heads but the choice is yours.

With only the training head, I saw an immediate improvement. The second time was even better and the great thing is that you can use the PMD on your knees, elbows, heels and other body parts. Pretty amazing! Overall, my skin is smoother, tighter and clearer. Even my summer freckles are getting erased. Next to my Clarisonic, this is one of the best skincare devices I've tried. Visit QVC and pick one up to start on your way to clearer, more beautiful skin!

PMD Personal Microdermabrasion unit c/o QVC 

Spring Shades: Prada, Ray-Ban, Transitions & Guess Sunglasses & Eye Wear

Transitions Lenses - Rain or Shine they automatically react with just the right amount of tint. Lena Cap & Muse Scarf by Pistil Designs. Coat by Free People.

Spring is such a challenge for eye wear, especially in the NYC area. Sunny one minute, shadows or rainy the next. Those sorts of conditions can mean taking your shades off and on all day. If you don't bring a hard case along, you risk breaking, cracking or scratching them.

Transitions Photochromatic Lenses
These lenses can be placed in your favorite frames and constantly adjust to changing light conditions.  Bright to dark and everything in between.  I have worn Transitions Lenses for at least 15 years and have no squint lines or cataract formations from being unprotected from the sun. This is perhaps the best option if you wear your glasses most of the time and don't want to think about switching them out when outdoor lighting conditions change.

TRANSITIONS Midtown is known for tall buildings that cause intermittent shade/sun. Photo: View of the Empire State Building from the Penthouse Terrace of Morgans Hotel on Madison Ave.

XX2i Optics France1 Dual Kit
Another option which can accommodate a Rx lenses is the new XX2i Optics France Dual Kit. It comes with 2 frames and 5 interchangeable lenses. This means you can create the look and level of sun protection you want in these sports-performance sunglasses. Wear them for: cycling, tennis, golf, walking, etc.  Very lightweight, they stay put comfortably and offer maximum sun, wind and debris protection due to the wrap around contours.

XX2i Optics France1 showing the Tortoise Frames

Prada Baroque Sunglasses
One of my favorite Midtown stores is Macy's over there on Herald Square. Now there are Sunglass Huts in nearly every Metropolitan store but I really like the styles and service provided at this location.
We really loved these Prada PR27OS sunglasses in Tortoise Brown.  The Baroque scroll adds a bit of flourish to the temples and the over-sized lenses offer the maximum amount of solar protection.

PRADA Sunglasses-Note the hint of graduated shading which will allow you to look down and read something.

 
 

PRADA:The unique flourish of the Baroque styling seen at the temples of these Prada sunglasses.

Ray-Ban Wayfarers
James Dean may have been one of the first movie stars to rock a pair of Ray-Bans but he certainly hasn't been the last. These are an American icon in eye wear and no wardrobe is complete without a pair of these classics. My pair is from the 1980's and have the Bausch and Lomb glass optics which are amazingly clear. See my post at Lucky Magazine's Community under Spring Transitions: Classic Ray-Ban

RAY-BAN Classic Ray-Ban Wayfarers with Bausch and Lomb optics.

Guess Frames
If you just want to have a bit of a change with your frames, (you can choose to order them with the Transitions prescription), Guess has a lot to offer.  Fashionable with attention to details are their GU1462 in Black with just a touch of zebra treatment at the temples. These really stand out but the design is subtle so you don't have to worry what will go with these! 

GUESS Here are the Guess frames being beautifully modeled by their owner, Francesca C. of Sunglass Hut.

TEMPO My own Tempo frames with compressed,scratch resistant polycarbonate lenses. Metallic & plastic combine in a pop of purple color.

So there's lots to choose from as eye wear is often overlooked as a fashion accessory. More than that, having the right lenses and frames can go a long way to protecting your eyes from the sun's rays while helping you to look and feel your best when going outdoors.  Check out more tips and ideas on sun protection at my Heat & Sun Awareness Project on Pinterest!