LED light facial treatment: Emily Stone One

I really wanted a red light facial, or a red and blue light facial since I've been dealing with acne lately (STRESS!), but I have no time and they are so expensive. So I bought the Emily Stone One LED light treatment on amazon (flash deal for 7000 yen!). It has red, blue, and green LED options, plus a massage button.

I did some research on the LED light facials. For blue light, which kills the bacteria that cause acne, the frequency has to be 405 nm to 420 nm. In some clinical trials with the Tanda, participants saw a marked improvement in skin tone and acne by day 7, and an amazing improvement by day 28.

For anti-aging benefits, the red light should be between 620 nm and 700 nm. All the stars are doing it, so why not me too? Red light led therapy is supposed to reduce inflammation, even out skin tone, and boost collagen production.

So, on day 1 I did 10 minutes on the blue light setting. I noticed that my acne seemed to get WORSE. Maybe from the massage of the treatment? I then did 10 minutes of red light, which definitely brightened my face, but didn't take down the inflammation of my acne. No miracles on day one. Let's see how the rest of the week goes?

Day 3: I've worked my way up to the second setting on both the blue and the red leds. I really think the first day of the blue light made my acne worse, as the newly emerged zits have stuck around. I did some research on this, and, while it's not common to break out, it is reported in some cases. The red light is definitely brightening my skin and reducing redness. So far, I can tell that the general redness I get after washing my face, etc. is drastically reduced. I'm pretty sure this means that those "under the skin" zits are gone. I'm also noticing the very beginning of some diminishing acne scars (it doesn't matter if I pick or not, I ALWAYS get a red spot after any acne). The improvement is on the smaller and lighter scarring, no improvement yet on the big ones.

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

I purchased this on Amazon to take care of some stubborn hormonal acne that nothing else would treat. I have to admit that the first two times I used this, I didn't really get any result. However, the third time, when I really lathered the stuff on and let it sit for 40 minutes, really did the trick. This is a hard-core get-the-gunk-out mask. It will leave you red and dry for at least 30 minutes afterwards. But, my acne is now gone.

My plan is to use this 3-4 times a week in the morning, and the Vicco cream at night. Wish me luck!

Vicco tumeric cream and DIY tumeric/lemon mask

I recently read a glowing review of this cream over at refinery29 and decided to give it a go since it's only around $7USD a tube (I got mine on amazon).

I've been using this every night for about 3 weeks and can easily say it will be my new go-to night cream. It lessens the red marks from acne, prevents breakouts (but not completely), and even nipped a cystic pimple in the bud before it could become a huge problem. It is not as much of a miracle cream as R29 makes it sound. I still have red marks from previous acne flare-ups, but, even if it's temporary, they are lessened. And, the anti-acne properties make it a keeper. (and it doesn't seem to be staining my sheets.)

Problem is, this is hard to find in Japan. So I tried a DIY turmeric and lemon facial mask. It seems to be giving me the same benefits, but with more drawbacks: it will stain your skin and any fabric it comes in contact with. It takes a good scrub and a few cleanses with my bioderma make up remover to get the yellow off my face.

Final verdict is: buy the cream when you can. In a pinch, do the DIY mask a few times a week, when time allows.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel

I took the plunge and bought a 30 day supply of the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta peel. All I can say is that I wish I had done it earlier. My skin looks amazing, after only 2 days.

This product is worth the money. I would buy this over all of the facial masks I've tried over the past year (SK-II mask included). Also, it works as a cleanser (although I use my bioderma first). So, in reality it is cheap: you don't have to buy any expensive cleansers or masks, this does it all in one product.

This will become a staple!!!

UPDATE: I stopped seeing results after the second day. I'm still using the product, but I don't think I will buy it again (especially because of the cost).

Facials and Massages: Beauty Face

My favorite super sento closed, so I am looking for a new place to get decent spa care. I thought I would give the Beauty Face chain a try!

I made an appointment online through Hot Pepper (Japanese only) for a 3400 yen pore reduction facial. Most people come to Beauty Face for facial shaving, but, since that creeps me out a little bit, I went for a facial only.

The experience is Japanese only, but my facialist said that many foreigners come to the shop (I went to the one in the Aeon Kyoto mall). The site is more hospital than spa - definitely no frills.

The facial itself, while bare bones, was good. There was a cleansing, a lot of steam, some sort of lotion that helps pull the gunk out of your pores, a vacuum suction, clay mask, and final cleansing. There was a (too) brief head massage at the end. I left with very red and blotchy skin, which the facialist felt bad about, but I'm pretty sure it was because of the suction and the clay mask. The redness went away in a few hours.

My facialist did not try to sell me anything (which I like), but offered up all of the usual things to encourage a repeat appointment. She gave me an overall assessment of my skin (too dry - use more lotions and essences!) and saw me on my way!

For 3400 yen, this is something I think I will treat myself to more often!

Traveling with Japanese luxuries: prepping to conclude an 18 hour flight looking fabulous

I always leave my flight looking oily and gross. So, I put together a little carry-on love to attempt to remedy that situation.

First up are the Bifesta facial cleansing sheets (550 yen). These oil and fragrance free sheets are supposed to give you a deep clean. I use these facial cleansing whenever I start feeling oily during a flight, and also in the bathroom of the airport when I arrive at my destination. Result: absolutely fabulous. Love these. They take off all my makeup and leave me feeling squeaky clean, and they give me a clean canvas for a fresh make-up application at my destination airport bathroom without having to get water all over the place and risk messing up my bangs.

I've been using the SK-II stempower as my morning and evening moisturizer, and am loving the mochi-like feeling it gives my skin. Japanese flight attendants use this instead of a facial mask on planes and swear that it helps them remain looking so positively fantastic throughout a long-haul flight. I can attest that it lives up to this claim!

Before settling in for a sleep, I slip on my Dr. Scholl compression leggings. My hope is to stave off bloating and uncomfortableness! I use these around my house, and love how they massage my legs. I've also found that they really do reduce leg and ankle bloating.

Then, before I pop on my noise-reduction headphones hooked up to my ambient noise app, I put on my Kao Megurythm heated eye mask, in lavender. These always put me right to sleep here at home, and really help when I'm wedged in an economy airplane seat! Note: I've been trying out the different aromas (rose, yuzu, and unscented), and so far I much prefer the lavender.

Other items in my beauty carry-on: travel toothpaste and brush, hand sanitizer, pepto bismol (um, airplane food?!?), a sleeping pill, deodorant, perfume, and make-up.

And, make my hair look great upon final exit of the airplane, I use this fantastic dry shampoo from drybar.

I have to say, I looked really marvelous for coming off an 18 hour flight. Paparazzi ready!

SK-II Facial Treatment mask

These are supposed to be the holy grail of face masks. Apparently women use these for 90 days leading up to a wedding to have great skin for the big day.

One mask will set you back about 1700 yen, and a pack of 6 goes for about 10000 yen. For that amount of money you will have no problem following the directions and not wiping off the serum after taking off the mask! In fact, I rub the used mask on my arms and hands to make sure I get every drop! I've noticed an improvement after using the masks, which fit really well and feel super luxurious. I only wish they weren't so expensive!

These masks are currently ranked at number 13 on cosme.net, but came in second place in 2011 and third place in 2010.

Puresa sheet mask, rose

I bought a box of these because they were cheap, I like the smell of rose, and the masks won best in prize in 2010 according to cosme.net. A box of 5 masks goes for about 700 yen, and the construction of the masks reflects the cheapness. I found the mask ill-fitting.

Some users have complained that the smell of rose is too strong, although I quite liked it and found the smell to be the only redeeming quality of the mask!

Puresa Hydro Gel Mask

I love gel masks. I had no idea I loved gel masks until I got to Japan and realized I could give myself a facial at home for about 380 yen.

This particular mask was rated quite high on cosme.net, but has recently fallen to number 11. I second the fall in rankings, since I found the mask to be kind of gooey and didn't notice any fabulous results, despite it containing anti-aging hyaluronic acid.