Client Testimony-What to expect when using dermatological skin care products
Damn, I feel ugly!
After living with alopecia, losing giant patches of hair from childhood, and dealing with a changing appearance for the last twenty-three years, you’d think I'd be used to feeling uncomfortable in my skin. But leave it to a quest for clear skin to stir up some old feelings. For the record, I said I feel ugly, I know I’m handsome ( there’s that confidence I built over the years) but my skin does have a habit of hyperpigmentation, leaving dark marks that appear usually after an acne breakout, so I consulted my esthetician, Yuli K., to finally achieve the clear and even-tone skin I’ve always wanted.
My skin has a habit of hyperpigmentation, leaving dark marks that appear usually after an acne breakout. This is my skin’s appearance before I started my skincare journey with Yuli.
I was introduced to Yuli through my best friend when I was freelancing as a Creative Director, building brands for small business owners. I had Yuli lead me through her entire process so I had a better understanding of her client experience. I got my eyebrows micro-bladed by Yuli as part of her brand photoshoot. Yuli has a way of making you feel comfortable and keeps you laughing whenever you interact with her. Later, we discussed my skin routine more.
I grew up in a household where we washed our faces night and day and moisturized our skin. I also dabbled with various products before consulting Yuli but nothing helped reduce my hyperpigmentation. After microbladding my eyebrows I returned home and had a virtual consultation with Yuli. We looked at the products I had been using: Cetaphil daily facial cleanser, an aloe face scrub from Target, Fenty Skin Fat Water, and the American Crew All-In-One Face Balm SPF 15. Yuli, in hilarious fashion, told me which products I was wasting money on, which did cleanse but not much else, and which ones certainly would not help with my hyperpigmentation.
In a true therapist fashion, Yuli listened first, took note of my goals, and then recommended a few products from the Vivant Skincare line she carries. Yuli K. is the first practitioner in Hudson Valley, New York to partner with the renowned skincare brand Vivant Skincare, offering products developed by the pioneering biochemist and dermatologist James E. Fulton, MD, PhD, as featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, The New York Times, and W Magazine. Vivant’s products are formulated with ingredients that accelerate cell renewal and create exfoliation that’s crucial for generating healthy skin. In other words, these products work and I can testify to that. Yuli shipped the products along with a card outlining my regimen. Then it was up to me to follow her guidance.
Vivant’s products are formulated with ingredients that accelerate cell renewal.
Yuli shipped the products along with a card outlining my regimen.
What to expect when using dermatological skin care products
Initial Adjustment Period: The acclimation period
Possible Sensitivity or Reactions
Gradual Visible Results
Consistency is Key
The acclimation period
When using dermatological products for the first time, your skin will go through a period of acclimation. This is a good sign! It means the products are working. Like I said, this is not my first time but it doesn't make it any easier. Since I have worked with Yuli for some time now, she switched me to a product with a higher concentration of active ingredients. Now my skin is acclimating yet again. My skin feels dry and tight. And then there’s the flaking. According to Vivant, those are the signs of cellular regeneration and real change beginning to occur. Yuli recommends a regime to guide you on your journey to using products that actually work. All you have to do is follow her simple instructions. And I would highly recommend you follow them. Overuse of the products, before your skin is accustomed to the active ingredients, can leave your face stinging and inflamed. I learned that the hard way. If this happens you only need to scale back usage.
My skin flaking near the corners of my mouth during my acclimation period.
The flake means it’s working!
The flaking is the worst part for me but as Yuli will tell you, it gets worse before it gets better. The only way out is through. If you stop the process, you’ll have to start all over again. I’m currently reaching the end of week two of a new four-week regime to push my results further. Since I’ve worked with Yuli before I know what to expect; my healthiest skin is right around the corner. Besides the lingering dark marks we’re working to clear now, Yuli already has my skin glowing and looking better than I've seen in years.
Getting my eyebrows micro-bladed with Yuli in 2020. You can see my dull skin and dark marks.
Me with clear bright skin in 2024 after using Yuli’s recommended products.
My skin after 4 weeks using the regime Yuli provided me. My skin has a more even tone, and the dark marks from hypermigmentation are fading.
Cleaer Skin with Yuli Skin Therapy
It’s winter now, so you might as well start your skincare journey while you’re spending most of your time at home. You’ll be ready to step out in spring with clear skin. I might feel like the ugly duckling tonight but with Yuli’s help, my skin will remain radiant and ageless well into my future years. And even though Black doesn’t crack, there’s nothing like having a seasoned esthetician in your corner, helping you achieve the skin you’ve always wanted. I am convinced Yuli is one of the best.
Don’t forget to follow Yuli on IG so you can see my before & after images! Start your skincare journey today. You can sign up for a consultation with Yuli on her website: https://www.yuliskintherapy.com/
Gabriel Carter is a designer, writer, and the Founder and Creative Director at Cheltenham Avenue. He is currently residing in Baltimore, working as a Communications Manager for Parks & People.
