If there’s one thing I like to spend money on, it’s skincare. But can be difficult to navigate the aisles of products in the store and the millions of videos online, with influencers suggesting products that, quite frankly, they may not even use and are being paid to advertise.
As someone who does hair and makeup for a living, I know firsthand about the power of going to a trusted professional. If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, search “DIY hair coloring fails.”
At least your hair grows back (in most cases). But skin — our biggest organ — can tell us so much about what’s going on inside our bodies, and treating our skin poorly can cause irreversible damage over time.
Like most of us, I have had my fair share of sunburns, late nights, and not-so-great health habits. Falling asleep with makeup on, living off coffee all day, and making poor food choices eventually caught up with me and I decided it was time to make some lifestyle changes and get serious about my health and wellness.
A skincare routine was one of the things I needed. I had dabbled with the occasional facial in my 20s, but once my 30s hit I realized I needed a professional to guide me and to invest in some high-quality products.
This is when Pam Siegel, my skin guru, entered my life.
During the height of the pandemic and working while masked five days a week, my skin was stressed. Pam recommended I start off with hydrafacials. This is a type of facial that cleanses, exfoliates, extracts and adds deep hydration to your face. It basically feels like a deep cleaning.
Next, she put me on a professional skincare routine that included Retin-A and vitamin C. Retin-A is a product that stimulates collagen and creates cell turnover. It takes a minute and a methodical plan to incorporate it into your routine. It’s important to note that if you use too much Retin-A too soon, you can end up with flaky red skin, but if you follow a prescribed routine, in a few months you can see amazing results.
Vitamin C serum protects against free radicals, brightens your complexion, and aids in collagen production, just to name a few of the many benefits.
Pretty soon after I began seeing Pam and using these products consistently, I started loving the results.
I also ended up trying microneedling.
Microneedling is a treatment that uses tiny needles that make precise, microscopic punctures in the skin. These punctures are used to stimulate your skin’s healing process to help it produce more collagen and elastin. It is a service you should only get done by a trusted and skilled esthetician.
The microneedling yielded great results, but there was about a 24-hour period during which time I couldn’t wear makeup, couldn’t wash my face, and was told to avoid sweating a lot. I looked red or a little sunburned. Then, for a week I had flaky skin that ended up sloughing off and showing much improved texture and clearer, more radiant skin.
Pam also specializes in all laser treatments. I’ve followed her to as far as Worcester but she now resides at Advanced Radiance Skincare and Laser in Wilbraham, a friendly and beautiful day spa.
Although my loyalty to Pam runs more than skin deep, when I received a gift card for Purple Finch Skincare in Easthampton from a friend last Christmas, I knew I had to try it.
At the time, I was in the middle of figuring out that I have long COVID. Some of my symptoms were presenting themselves through my skin. At Purple Finch, I met with and receiving a wonderful facial from Rene. The experience was exactly what I needed: It was nourishing and relaxing. And because of my long COVID, Rene and I started talking more about gut health, about which she is insanely knowledgeable and informed.
Gut health is hugely important for everything from your mental health to your immune system to your skin. Rene is a healer and an educator, and she has recommended so many amazing books, supplements and gut-friendly recipes. She also tints lashes, which is amazing for a redhead like me because it’s like having mascara on that never washes off. I always leave Purple Finch feeling relaxed and refreshed.
I couldn’t talk about my favorite places in the Valley for skin without giving a shout-out to a personal favorite oasis: Go With the Float.
I originally went there with a friend to try something new. We were in the middle of a particularly dark, quiet and cold New England winter. I tried the infrared sauna and was hooked. I ended up leaving with a much improved mood, a deep feeling of relaxation and a glow to my skin I had never seen before.
Infrared saunas are amazing. They help to detoxify and flush out toxins through the skin, boost the production of collagen and elastin, improve skin tone and texture, and decrease inflammation.
Everything about Go With the Float is a relaxing experience, from the moment you step into the location inside of the Keystone Building in Easthampton. It feels like your own little escape from reality for a while. While you’re waiting for your sauna you can relax with a cup of tea (hydration) and one of their many books they have in the waiting area which looks like a dimly lit library in a beautiful old home.
Skincare and beauty are an inside-out job. You can buy all the expensive products in the world, but if you’re not taking care of your body and mind in conjunction, then there is no point. Your skin protects against germs, regulates body temperature, absorbs and excretes toxins. It can tell you about what’s going on inside your body, how much outdoor exposure you’ve had, wether you’re hydrated enough, how well your hormones are balanced, and so much more.
With the right professional guidance and knowledge, you can create a healthy routine and see results quickly. Like anything if life, you get what you put in. Our area is full of amazing specialists who can help you on your skincare journey. I highly suggest you check them out. Your skin with thank you later.
Colleen Kennedy is a professional hair stylist and makeup artist who’s obsessed with self care and the mind/body connection.