After sharing about Blush Med Skincare’s bSKIN bridal plan to help brides’ skin look wedding-day ready, we sent out Vanessa McDonald (formerly Schutz), Washingtonian account executive and bride-to-be, to try out the services over the months leading up to her wedding on February 14, 2015. The bSKIN bridal bootcamp can run for three, six, or twelve months at a time, depending on the preferences or needs of the bride, for $59 a month. To test the services, McDonald participated in eight treatments over six months, planned by Blush Med Institute founder and medical director Dr. Arleen Lamba.
Treatment 1: Core Microderm Face
The first treatment took place on September 23. After Lamba had evaluated McDonald’s face, an aesthetician began the first stage by removing dead skin cells from the surface of McDonald’s skin. “They use a tool that almost acts as a vacuum to remove dry and dead skin, so you are left with a layer of healthy skin,” says McDonald. “My face felt incredibly soft.”
Removing the dead skin cells as the first step was “important because many times people tend to get facials without doing an appropriate level of exfoliation first, so the heavy facial creams sit on the surface of our skin, clogging further these dead layers which in turn leads to breakouts,” says Lamba.
Treatment 2: Enzyme Facial with a Microdermabrasion
McDonald returned on October 21 for a facial that included microdermabrasion. “We utilized enzymes found naturally in fruits such as pomegranates and pineapples to help brighten her skin tone,” says Lamba. “The microdermabrasion utilized in this procedure was done to polish the skin and to smoothen it and increase blood flow to the surface.”
After leaving her second procedure, McDonald said she could feel the difference. “I once again left with incredibly soft skin, and this time I noticed that my skin was actually glowing and felt healthy and hydrated.”
Treatment 3: Core Microderm Face and Core Chemical Peel-Glycolic
For her third procedure on November 18, McDonald experienced a chemical peel after a round of microdermabrasion. “The goal of combining the chemical peel and microdermabrasion is to help exfoliate deeper to get rid of sun damage and impurities that build up,” says Lamba. After once again removing a layer of dead skin from the surface of her face, the chemical peel was applied.
“The peel burned for 30 seconds or so when applied, but then it settled down,” says McDonald. “It was only left on my face for a few minutes since it was my first peel, and I didn’t notice any major redness or irritation afterward.” Following the appointment, McDonald says the soft, healthy glow lasted for about a week. “I also use a Clarisonic which helps extends the benefits of the treatments by exfoliating as well,” she says.
Treatment 4: Core Facial Blushing Experience
For the fourth treatment on December 18, Lamba focused on hydration, using the center’s all-natural “maintenance facial” that can be done monthly. “The facial included cleaning the skin, light extractions, exfoliating, and finishing off with a mask. My face felt clean, and I hated to put makeup back on the skin the next morning because it was so nice,” says McDonald. “It was the perfect time of year for a relaxing facial as well with all of the craziness of wedding planning coming to a head.”
Treatment 5: Core Microderm and Core Light Skin Rejuvenation
On January 13, one month out from her wedding, McDonald received another round of microdermabrasion to remove dead skin cells. This time, the focus was on evening out her skin tone. Following an extraction of her nose to eliminate any clogged pores, McDonald sat beneath a skin rejuvenation light. “The goal of the Red Light Therapy is to decrease inflammation in the skin,” says Lamba. “We also use the Red Light Therapy to prevent any breakouts by killing acne-causing bacteria and decrease redness in the skin.”
McDonald walked out with a smooth, soft face. She was pleased that while she was with family over the holidays, they noticed a change in her skin. “Even my older sister kept commenting on how great my skin looked,” said McDonald. “I know that the treatments and my own skin care regime are really paying off.”
Treatment 6 & 7: Core Light Skin Rejuvenation
A week later, on January 20, McDonald headed to the center for a quick 25-minute session of Red Light Therapy, a treatment that can be scheduled multiple times in the last month leading up to the wedding for $20 a month. “It’s kind of like tanning–goggles and all–without the heat radiating from the lights,” says McDonald. According to Lamba, the acne-fighting properties of the light are intended to keep a bride from breaking out in the weeks before her wedding as the stress mounts. To maintain the effects, McDonald returned on January 27 for another 25 minutes beneath the lights.
Treatment 8: Core Facial Blushing Experience and Core Light Skin Rejuvenation
On February 3, a week and a half before her wedding, McDonald returned for another facial and red light treatment. “The Blushing Facial was done to gently exfoliate and hydrate, and we follow with Red Light Therapy to achieve a lasting bridal glow,” says Lamba. After completing her final pre-wedding procedure, McDonald was ready to walk down the aisle with clear, healthy skin.
Overall, McDonald found the experience to be very positive. “They had the friendliest customer service,” says McDonald. “There was never an attempt to sell me on things I didn’t need, which I’ve experienced at other places.” With the easy of online scheduling of appointments and the efficiency of the treatments, McDonald has decided to sign up for another year of Blush Med Skincare treatments to keep her skin glowing through her first year of marital bliss.
More information on the bSKIN bridal plan can be found on Blush Med Skincare’s website.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
