This fall, you can put your best face forward by giving your skin some extra love. With a little help, you can keep your complexion youthful and healthy. A thoughtfully designed skin care regimen can tackle the signs of aging, sun damage and other issues, according to Jackie Carr, R.N., ANP-BC, LE, owner of Pur-One Medispa in Des Peres.

“Oftentimes, once the glow of a suntan fades, the long-lasting signs of sun damage emerge,” Carr says. “Even after summer, it’s of the utmost importance to use a SPF sunblock every day, regardless of the weather. While sun damage is deep seeded in the dermis, we can help improve the health of your skin and the appearance as well.” She recommends annual visits with a dermatologist to check your skin, especially if you have a history of sun exposure or have previously been diagnosed with cancerous or precancerous lesions.

To help eliminate the appearance of sun damage, Carr suggests receiving a chemical peel because it reduces brown spots, fine lines and wrinkles and brightens the skin. “In addition, at home skin care can make a significant difference,” she adds. “Applying high-quality products with vitamin C, peptides, alpha hydroxy acids, antioxidants and growth-factors can help to improve sagginess and minimize pore size and discoloration. There are various prescription and non-prescription creams and lotions that can assist in more stubborn cases.”

With the holidays around the corner, it’s the ideal time to start improving the appearance of your skin. “The key to best results is to start early, and we offer free consultations to create a care plan prior to any big event,” Carr says. “The most popular treatments are Botox and dermal fillers. They offer that extra boost to your appearance, so you can approach the season more confidently.” Treatments that exfoliate like microdermabrasion, microneedling, dermaplaning and HydraFacial also are good options because they remove the uppermost layer of the epidermis to reveal a more vibrant appearance. “Consider scheduling a procedure every four to eight weeks throughout the year—that keeps your skin ready for any event that arrives,” she notes.

Pur-One also offers microblading courtesy of Courtney Carr of ChrisitneBrows, and it’s expanding its offerings of semi-permanent makeup to include powder and combo brows. “The techniques involved to place the pigment into the skin are different,” Courtney explains. “Powder brows involve the use of a machine to inject ink into the skin. The single needle cartridge lightly shades in the eyebrow area, making for a more gentle approach. The combo brow service pairs the machine shading with the hair-like microbladed strokes on top.” She offers free consultations and shares before and after photos on Instagram @christinebrowstl.

Along with seasonal concerns, Pur-One helps clients address the changes to their skin that come with aging. “It is important to understand the aging face and treat it with a multilevel approach,” Carr says. “While, in general, mature skin has similar concerns from one person to the next, no one’s needs are exactly the same as anyone else’s. We create individualized plans to best meet your skin care goals. Our most important priority is patient care.”

Pur-One Medispa in Des Peres offers a variety of effective skin treatments in a safe, pleasant environment. Pictured on the cover: Microblading artist Courtney Carr of ChristineBrows and owner Jackie Carr, R.N., ANP-BC, LE. For more information, call 314.909.0633 or visit puronemedispa.com.

Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo courtesy of Pur-One Medispa

Pictured at top: Jackie Carr and Courtney Carr
Photo courtesy of Pur-One Medispa