Good Morning!

My name is Stacia Russell, I live in Waltham and am 34 years old.  I am so excited that I have been chosen to participate in the "Free & Clear" program at the Tranquility Day Spa.  I have suffered from acne since the age of 12.  My mother tried purchasing lots of different products to help me clear, conceal, and cover the breakouts, but nothing seemed to work.  When I reached my teens, and started reading all the "Teen" magazines, I learned lots of different tips and tricks to use on my face, and again, nothing seemed to work.  I have spent the majority of my life afraid of getting my face wet in the pool, swimming in the ocean, or being caught in the rain, for fear of someone seeing my face without makeup.  I think I should have significant stock build up in CoverGirl makeup for all the money I have spent on concealer alone!  It takes me about 40 minutes every morning to put my makeup on.  A habit my now fiance' thinks is ridiculous.  But as he does not suffer from acne, he doesn't completely understand.  I am afraid to hug people sometimes as well, because I know I will get makeup on their shoulder, as well as on the collars of my own shirts.  It is so frustrating, exhausting, and embarrassing.  Only those of you that suffer from acne will understand.  Which brings me here...to this "Free & Clear" program.  I read the advertisement about two months ago in the "Waltham Shopper" newspaper, and thought to myself, give it a try, send in an application, what can it hurt?  Leah gave me a call a few weeks ago to come in for a consultation and interview.  I was nervous, thinking that I was going to have to take my makeup off for a complete stranger, and take photos...Yikes!  But as soon as I walked into the Spa, Leah was so nice and friendly.  She looked at my skin under the esthetician's light, WITH MY MAKEUP ON...lol.  I filled out a questionnaire, had a Dermalogica Face Mapping profile done, given some Dermalogica samples to try for the next two weeks, and Leah told me she would be calling in the next few days to let me know whether or not I was chosen.  I was so excited, I couldn't wait to go home and try the products out.

I started the products on a Monday night, by Wednesday morning I could already see and feel the difference.  I was shocked!  My skin felt so soft, and smooth.  Some of the red marks had started fading, and the dry patches of skin were soft!  I couldn't believe it.  I immediately went into the living room to show my fiance' (who hardly ever sees me without makeup) and show him.  He felt it, and agreed it was much softer, and looked "calmed down".  I then proceeded to put my usual makeup on and went to work.  It was so hard not to touch my face all day long, as it didn't feel tight, dry, or oily.  I told one of my co-workers about the products and she agreed that my face did look better.  I immediately sent Leah an email to let her know what was happening, and how excited I was.  She emailed me back, and told me the best news ever...I was chosen to participate!  Whoo-hoo!  I was jumping up and down in my seat, my co-workers were giggling at me, but I didn't care, I was so hopeful that FINALLY, FINALLY I just might get rid of this acne once and for all!

I went last night for my first facial...it was amazing!  Soft lighting, tranquil music playing in the background, super comfy bed, and I immediately started to relax.  Leah told me every step of the way what she was applying and doing and how the product/tool she was using would work on my skin.  She took some photos when all the makeup was off, and proceeded with the facial.  I have never had one before, and didn't know what the results would be, but it was so relaxing, and calming.  The only uncomfortable part was the extraction, there was lots of pressure, and a little pinching here and there.  But it was so worth the effort, because when everything was done, my skin felt wonderful.  It was worth every second of the 90 minute facial.  Leah then gave me the Dermalogica products, explained them all to me, and I can't wait to come back next month for the next facial. 

When I got home, I noticed a little more redness than usual, which is to be expected, but the texture of my skin looks so much better.  Before going to bed, I put a little Oil Control Lotion on and that was it.  When I woke up this morning,  some of the redness has faded, and my skin is still so soft.  Before I go out, I will use the Clearing Skin Wash, the Clearing Mattifier, and the Active Moist Moisturizer.  Then when that has been absorbed, I will put on my makeup.  Before I go to bed, my routine is to use a little of the Pre-Cleanse oil to loosen and lift the makeup off, then use the Clearing Skin Wash, the Overnight Clearing Gel (this is a Spot Treatment), and then the Oil Control Lotion.  Three times a week I use the Skin Prep Scrub, as well as twice a week, I use the Sebum Clearing Masque. 

Some nights I am so tired, I just want to fall into bed without washing my makeup off, but I am so committed to this routine now, I don't care how tired I am, it is worth it to see the results, to finally see what my face looks like without acne.  My goal is to be acne-free for my wedding in 2011.  How wonderful it would be to wear makeup to accentuate and enhance, rather than to conceal and camouflage.  That would be amazing!  Well, enough for now, I will write again next week and keep you up-to-date on how my skin is progressing and any results I see.  Have a wonderful weekend!

~Stacia