education

Aging and skin damage develop gradually over many years, with visible effects typically emerging in our late 30s. Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin concerns, responsible for approximately 85-90% of all skin damage. Extensive scientific and clinical research, backed by billions of dollars in investment, has advanced the development of effective skin care products and treatments. At Meraki Skin Spa LLC, our esthetic professionals utilize cutting-edge facial equipment and dermatologist-grade skin care solutions designed to repair and rejuvenate skin biology. By employing a progressive, rather than aggressive, treatment approach, clients can achieve noticeable, high-quality, and long-lasting results in as little as three months. Trust our expertise in micro-needling, chemical peels, anti-aging facials, and permanent makeup to restore your skin’s health and youthful appearance.

Important Things To Remember

• Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily; an SPF of 30-45 offers optimal protection. Reapply every 90 minutes while exposed to the sun to prevent skin damage and premature aging.

• Choose a premium, dermatologist-recommended skincare line. Mass-market brands, such as those found at Wal-Mart, often deliver inferior results compared to professional-grade products.

• Incorporate powerful antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E into your daily skincare regimen. Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals, which are primary contributors to skin damage and aging.

• Limit exfoliation and toner use to no more than twice per week. Both chemical exfoliants (e.g., toners with AHA/BHA) and physical exfoliants (e.g., skin scrubbers) accelerate skin cell turnover and promote a radiant complexion without over-stripping.

• Use corrective serums containing concentrated, active ingredients to target specific skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and acne. Apply serums immediately after cleansing for maximum absorption before moisturizing.

• Enhance skin rejuvenation with advanced facial treatments like chemical peels, microneedling, and dermaplaning. These professional procedures stimulate collagen production and improve overall skin texture and tone faster than home care alone.

• Understand collagen decline: starting around age 30, collagen production decreases by approximately 1% annually. By age 60, the body has lost nearly 30% of its collagen, making collagen-boosting treatments and products essential for maintaining youthful skin.

• Home care products are responsible for generating up to 80% of visible skin improvements and long-term results.

  The Benefits Of A Facial Treatment

• Achieve a younger, healthier complexion—your face is the first impression you make

• Stimulates collagen and elastin production through advanced spa facial treatments, promoting youthful, firmer skin

• Revitalizes dull, stagnant skin by jumpstarting cellular regeneration for a radiant glow

• Effectively treats congested and asphyxiated skin, balancing moisture in cases of dry surface with oily underneath (combination skin)

• Provides deep, professional cleansing far beyond home skincare routines, including safe, thorough extractions without skin damage

• Utilizes chemical and physical exfoliants in facial services to boost cellular turnover, a process that naturally slows with age

• Enhances facial circulation and detoxifies stagnant lymphatic fluids, promoting a clearer, healthier complexion

• Reduces dark circles and puffiness by improving hemoglobin circulation under the eyes

• Relaxes sensory nerves and facial muscles through expert facial massage techniques, reducing tension and stress

• Strengthens the skin’s barrier function and metabolism, enhancing hydration absorption and skin resilience

• Supports dermal matrix integrity to minimize wrinkle formation and improve skin texture

• Slows premature aging by addressing multiple skin health factors simultaneously

• Effectively treats a variety of skin concerns including dryness, rough texture, oiliness, redness, and hyperpigmentation

• Clears blemishes and acne through professional acne-focused facial treatments

• Refines pores and follicles with toners and targeted therapies for smoother, clearer skin

• Educates clients on selecting the most effective, dermatologist-grade skincare products tailored to individual skin concerns for optimal results

what is a facial

what is a chemical peel

A chemical peel is a process used to improve the appearance of the skin on the body. A chemical solution is applied to the skin that causes it to exfoliate and eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. The new skin is also temporarily more sensitive to the sun.

• Superficial or lunchtime peel: Alpha-hydroxy acid or another mild acid is used to penetrate only the outer layer of skin to gently exfoliate it. The treatment is used to improve the appearance of mild skin discoloration and rough skin as well as to refresh the face, neck, chest or hands.

• Medium peel: Glycolic or trichloroacetic acid is applied to penetrate the out and middle layers of skin to remove damaged skin cells. The treatment is used to improve age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, freckles and moderate skin discoloration. It also can be used to smooth rough skin and treat some precancerous skin growths, i.e. actinic keratosis.

Chemical Peel Benefits

• Brighten, lighten, tighten the skin

• Collagen and Elastin producing

• Helps minimize fine lines and rhytids (wrinkles)

• Helps minimize hyperpigmentation

• Helps even skin texture to smooth even tone

• Immediate results as well as cellular ongoing rejuvenation

what is micro-needling (collagen induction)

Microneedling is a highly effective, minimally invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that involves creating controlled micro-injuries with ultra-fine needles ranging from 0.5 to 2 millimeters. This precision technique activates the skin’s natural wound healing response, boosting collagen and elastin synthesis for firmer, smoother, and more resilient skin. By enhancing the skin’s permeability, microneedling allows powerful topical serums—such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C—to penetrate deeper layers, maximizing their effectiveness. This combination promotes stronger, healthier skin with improved texture, reduced fine lines, and a radiant, youthful complexion. Ideal for anti-aging, acne scarring, and skin revitalization, microneedling is a trusted treatment for lasting skin health and rejuvenation.

Micro-Needing Benefits

• helps to stimulate the production of new collagen, elastin, skins connective tissue and structural matrix responsible for smooth texture/elasticity

• allows for active ingredients to penetrate into the 'epidermis' where they can begin to work quicker in the dermis

• firms skin (the cellulite look) | lessens rhytids (wrinkles) | reduces pore size | minimizes "ice pick" acne excorie marks | minimizes any scar | minimizes stretch marks | lessens appearance of sun damage | helps stimulate hair growth on scalp

what is derma-planing

Dermaplaning is a highly effective and safe exfoliation treatment that uses a sterile surgical blade held at a precise 45-degree angle to gently remove dead skin cells and fine vellus hair. This advanced exfoliation technique enhances the absorption of skincare products, leaving your skin noticeably smoother, brighter, and more radiant. Additionally, dermaplaning can diminish the appearance of acne scars and uneven texture, promoting a clearer, more youthful complexion. Typically performed every three to four weeks, dermaplaning removes approximately two to three weeks' worth of dead skin buildup, making it an ideal solution for maintaining healthy, glowing skin.

People who suffer from acne or have excess oil should not have dermaplaning performed.

Dermaplaning Benefits

• Removes soft facial hair that traps dirt and oils

• Promotes smoother skin

• Safe procedure for removing dead skin cells and “peachfuzz”

• Reduces the appearance of acne scars

• Diminishes the look of fine lines

• Works on all skin types

• Instant results and no downtime

• provides deeper product penetration

what is the “face bootcamp” treatment

(Micro-needling + 4% Pure Retinol Cream)

1. Micro-needling creates controlled micro-injuries

Thousands of channels are punched into the epidermis and superficial dermis. These channels stay open for roughly 4–20 minutes before the skin begins to close them with platelets and fibrin.

Biological response:

• Platelet release → growth factors (PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF)

• Fibroblasts wake up

• Collagen types I & III start repairing the matrix

• Increased cell turnover begins within hours

2. The retinol booster isn’t meant to create surface peeling

Retinol isn’t like glycolic or TCA. It’s a biological modulator, not a keratolytic acid. So even without shedding, retinol is:

• Binding to retinoic acid receptors

• Triggering gene expression changes

• Speeding up epidermal turnover

• Normalizing keratinocyte function

• Stimulating dermal collagen repair

Think of it as silent remodeling

3. Why you sometimes don’t peel

Peeling is NOT the goal and has nothing to do with efficacy. Lack of shedding usually means:

• The epidermis is healthier and not overloaded

• Hydration levels are good

• Barrier wasn’t excessively compromised

• Retinol concentration wasn’t high enough to force visible desquamation

But the cellular changes still happen. It’s like working out and not sweating — you still built muscle

4. Deep dermal changes occurring even without flaking

Within 24–72 hours

• Fibroblasts migrate to injury sites

• Collagen & elastin synthesis increases

• Angiogenesis (new capillary formation) improves skin tone

Within 7–14 days

• Dermal remodeling thickens the extracellular matrix

• Retinol accelerates desmosome breakdown invisibly

• Pigment pathways are disrupted → melanin becomes more evenly distributed

Within 21–45 days

• Collagen type III → type I conversion

• Smoother texture appears

• Fine lines fade

• Acne scarring softens

This is why clients suddenly look airbrushed 2–3 weeks later, even if they never shed a single flake.

5 . The combo is powerful because it attacks both layers

Micro needling → mechanical stimulation

Retinol booster → biochemical stimulation

Together they create:

• Faster cell turnover

• Higher collagen density

• More even pigment

• Stronger epidermal barrier

• Reduced fine lines and scarring

This is one of the most scientifically validated rejuvenation combos available in aesthetics.

what is a lash lift

A lash lift is a semi-permanent beauty treatment designed to curl and enhance the natural eyelashes. The procedure involves lifting and setting the lashes from the base to the tip using a specialized solution, creating the appearance of longer, fuller, and more defined lashes without the need for extensions. Unlike eyelash extensions, a lash lift works with your own lashes and typically lasts 6 to 8 weeks, depending on your natural lash growth cycle. This treatment is ideal for those seeking a low-maintenance way to open up the eyes and achieve a natural, awake look.

what is retinol (vit a)

PCA Skin Care Retinols are advanced formulations designed to deliver the proven benefits of retinol with enhanced stability, effectiveness, and skin tolerance. Unlike standard retinol products, PCA Skin combines high-quality retinol with complementary ingredients that minimize irritation while maximizing anti-aging, acne-fighting, and skin-renewing effects.

Why PCA Skin Care Retinols are superior:

• Enhanced Stability: PCA Skin retinols are formulated to remain potent and effective over time, ensuring consistent results.

• Balanced Delivery: Their controlled-release technology allows the retinol to penetrate the skin gradually, reducing common side effects like redness, peeling, and sensitivity.

• Synergistic Ingredients: PCA Skin incorporates antioxidants, soothing agents, and nourishing vitamins alongside retinol to support skin health and repair while reducing inflammation.

• Professional-Grade Quality: Developed for and used by skincare professionals, these retinols offer clinical-level potency that outperforms many over-the-counter products.

• Multi-Purpose Benefits: They target fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture, acne, and hyperpigmentation, promoting a brighter, smoother, and more youthful complexion.

Overall, PCA Skin Care Retinols provide a safer, more comfortable retinol experience with superior results in skin renewal, making them a preferred choice at Meraki Skin Spa for effective anti-aging and acne treatments.

What is hyaluronic acid

PCA Skin Care Hyaluronic Acid serum is a highly effective moisturizing product designed to deeply hydrate the skin by attracting and retaining moisture. It features a multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid complex, which allows it to penetrate multiple layers of the skin for comprehensive hydration—from the surface to the deeper layers. This helps in plumping the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promoting a smoother, more youthful complexion.

What sets PCA Skin Care Hyaluronic Acid serum apart and makes it superior to many other hyaluronic acid products is its advanced formulation. Unlike serums that contain only one molecular weight of hyaluronic acid, this serum combines multiple sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules. This ensures both immediate surface hydration and long-term moisture retention, providing more effective and longer-lasting skin hydration. Additionally, PCA Skin Care’s professional-grade ingredients and commitment to quality contribute to its effectiveness, making it a preferred choice for clients seeking noticeable improvements in skin texture and overall hydration.