Every morning I look in my magnifying mirror and gauge the depth of the wrinkle that has appeared between my eyebrows.Turning back the clock
Published in the Hutchinson Leader, May 10, 2007
By Kay Johnson
Staff Writer
Every morning I look in my magnifying mirror and gauge the depth of the wrinkle that has appeared between my eyebrows.
It started out as a mere crease on my skin. From there, it has grown in length and depth to become what I describe as a furrow.
Although I love the idea of a youthful, wrinkle-free forehead, I’m too timid to have Botox Cosmetic injections.
That’s why I was curious when Tamra Rolf, owner of the Sanctuary Salon and Day Spa, called to tell me about a new treatment she was offering.
Is it possible to get Botox results without a needle? If so, I was interested and I know many others would be, too. Rolf has been in the beauty business for 20 years and has owned the Sanctuary Salon and Day Spa in Hutchinson for about 7 1/2 years.
Although Rolf has a cosmetology manager’s license, first first love is skin. During her high school years, Rolf suffered from severe acne, so she knows firsthand the pain and embarrassment that goes with a skin condition.
Now in her 40s, Rolf said she no longer has an acne problem, but now she struggles with lines and wrinkles.
Several years ago, she offered Botox Cosmetic injections through an association with a plastic surgeon.
Although the treatments were effective, they also lasted about four months. Rolf wanted to offer her clients something less invasive.
About a year ago, Rolf’s sales representative introduced her to the DermaSound machine. It uses low frequency ultrasound to provide intense exfoliation, customized penetration of antioxidants and treatment serums, and an ultra-hydrating sonic massage.
“It’s excellent for acne, rosacea, sun damage, dry skin and helps with the aging process,” Rolf said. “It’s really good for everyone.”
A DermaSound Facial has three components: peeling, infusion and microcurrent therapy.
“I’ve never found anything that works this well,” Rolf said. “My rep did a DermaSound Facial on me and I bought the machine on the spot. It gives great results.”
In search of the Fountain of Youth
After talking about the procedure, Rolf escorted me to the treatment room where she asked me to disrobe and slip into a terry-cloth wrap. It smelled of French lavender, as soft background music played.
I made myself comfortable on a table with heated blankets. I hadn’t had a thing done yet, but I was happy.
The DermaSound machine has three settings: exfoliation, product penetration and skin balancing.
Rolf starts the DermaSound Facial by cleaning the skin with a cleanser and removing the cleanser with warm towels. It feels wonderful.
The next step is the application of a alpha-hydroxy acid. It tingles. On a pain scale, it’s a 1 or maybe 2. It improves the appearance of the skin by softening fine lines, wrinkles and creases. It unclog pores and evens out skin tone.
While the product worked, Rolf gave me an arm-and-hand massage. I can’t tell you how good this felt.
As a writer, I spend eight hours a day or more typing. Having my hands and fingers massaged was absolutely divine. Rolf has very strong hands, so she was able to go deep and work out the knots that had accumulated in my muscles.
The next step is to remove impurities from the skin. To do this, she uses the DermaSound machine. For lack of a better description, it’s smaller than a hair clipper. It has a water feature that she uses with the device to vacuum the skin. There’s no pain or squeezing, but she literally lifts blackheads and other impurities out of the skin. It’s remarkable.
The next step involves using a magnifying light. You have to be brave to have this done. Rolf examined my skin and asked me what I liked about it and what I didn’t like.
My skin is dry and it has changed as I’ve aged. There is the line I mentioned earlier as well as a lack of brightness. In short, I want to look fresher.
After discussing my skin, Rolf proceeded to the next step of the facial: infusion. She uses the DermaSound machine to apply products that are specific to my skin.
She used a firming facial gel cream to lift my face and a wrinkle moisturizing serum to soften facial lines.
It felt wonderful, but the best part was looking at my face when she was finished.
I looked fresher, just as promised. How amazing is that? The wrinkle that vexed me so had almost disappeared. My eyes seemed brighter and less droopy.
I had the sensation of my forehead and eyes being tighter, but it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling.
From there, she applied eye patches infused with pure Vitamin C. While I relaxed with the patches in place, Rolf massaged my feet. This truly is heaven on Earth.
The final step in the facial process was the application of a moisturizer. It felt like she was frosting my face. I loved it.
The basic DermaSound Facial is $80 and runs about an hour. The price goes up based on what type of special infusion products are used. The hand-and-foot massage is extra.
Final results
I was more than satisfied. When I got back to the office and showed Leader Copy Editor Melissa Sullivan the results, she thought the facial had made a big difference.
Rolf said the lifting and line smoother products she used during the DermaSound Facial will continue to work up to three days depending on skin type and condition.
The products are also available for purchase.
Would I do it again? You bet.
There’s nothing like the dewiness of a youthful appearance to improve my mood; no matter how fleeting.
On Tuesdays, Rolf treats spa clients to a gourmet lunch. I enjoyed a sandwich of Prosciutto ham, sundried tomatoes and cheese, a Caesar-style salad, fresh fruit with a balsamic vinegar sauce and chocolate cake. There was also pink lemonade with fresh lime and lemon slices.
A spa experience is all about total relaxation. It offers a physical and mental break from life. Who could ask for more?
(Kay Johnson is a staff writer at the Hutchinson Leader. She can be reached at johnson@hutchinsonleader.com)
© 2007 Hutchinson Leader