“Natalie Maibenko’s vitamin-enriched facial at Unique Verve (a South End gem) combine pampering practices with results-oriented techniques that not only feel good, but leave your skin vastly improved over the long term. Maibenko’s touch is light and her aromatherapy potions heavenly, so you can drift off while she does her work, efficiently, quietly and always with a smile.”

- Improper Bostonian Magazine, 2009 Boston’s Best issue.

Thank you all who voted for Unique Verve!

Free radicals cause damage to cells, forcing the aging process into an accelerated pace. Free-radical damage occurs when atoms or groups of atoms have an odd (unpaired) number of electrons. Smoking, air pollution, and the sunlight stimulate free-radical damage to the skin. Simply by exposing skin to the sun, the level of vitamin C in the skin drops by 30%, and subsequently, free radicals are formed. Antioxidants couple with free radicals gto neutralize the unpaired electrons. Vitamin C is recognized for its strong antioxidant and photo-protective properties, although vitamin C is never recommended as a substitute for sunscreen. Why not just take oral vitamins to protect the skin?  Oral vitamins, whether from food or supplements, are not adequate to perform the necessary antioxidant tasks to improve the skin because the levels of vitamins required do not make it to the dermis. Only 1% of orally ingested antioxidants will arrive at the skin. The combination of topical antioxidants and sunscreen is a powerful and effective way to hinder free-radical activity.

Pycnogenol is a powerful scavenger of free-radicals as well as an antioxidant. It restores the strenght of capillaries and improves circulation, making it easier in treating the capillary fragility of aging skin. Pycnogenol enhances the effectiveness of both vitamin C and vitamin E. Ask Unique Verve about results-oriented products, including powerful serums with Pycnogenol.

Topical vitamin C comes in two varieties, L-ascorbic (water soluble) and esters (water and fat soluble). Vitamin C is needed to produce collagen, the skin protein.  If part of the topically applied vitamin C is consumed in antioxidant functions to reduce oxidative stress, eliminate free-radicals, and repair oxidative damage, then less vitamin C is available for collagen production. By adding Pycnogenol to formulations containing antioxidant vitamins, the Pycnogenol quickly performs the antioxidant functions, leaving more of the vitamin available to perform its therapeutic functions. By pairing these two antioxidants, the vitamin C performs more collagen generating functions, causing collagen production to be faster and more extensive, at the other hand Pycnogenol performs antioxidant functions. Ask Unique Verve about results-oriented products, including Super-C Serum with Pycnogenol.

Vitamin A acts by normalizing growth and differentiation in the keratinocytes (predominant cells in the epidermis). Vitamin A is truly the gold standard of skin-care products – it’s a must have product to help reverse the aging process. Vitamin A is absorbed through the skin, helping it to remain soft and plump, and improves the skin’s water barrier properties. Ask Unique Verve about results-oriented products including vitamin A.

Vitamin E, also called d-alpha tocopherol, has been shown to have two importanct benefits for the skin: protecting cellular membranes and inactivating free radicals. Ask Unique Verve about result-oriented products including vitamin E.

AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) are also very important skincare ingredients. The samples of AHAs are: glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, acetic acid. AHAs may change the condition of the lipid barrier of the skin allowing a faster penetration of the product, like vitamin C or vitamin A, and other antioxidants or moisturizers. Glycolic acid are often preferred because of the small molecular size and easy penetration into the skin – it opens the skin by exfoliation of the top most layer. Glycolic acids smooth the way for vitamins, it penetrates deep into the skin, and prepares the way for vitamins. Certain vitamins, used in conjunction with glycolic acid, offer double protection agains free-radicals, and assist their antioxidant, bleaching, and firming effects. Ask Unique Verve about results-oriented products, including glycolic acid.

Unique Verve facials deliver visible results. All facials are results-oriented and include intensive serums. Unique Verve is located in Boston, on Tremont Street.

Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below. You may also contact Unique Verve via e-mail or phone.

Hyperpigmentation results from the increased deposition of melanin, which causes the skin to become darker in patches. Melanin is part of skin barrier defence system in that it protects against exposure to UVR and pigmented blemishes are almost always the result of excessisve stimulation by sunlight. The pigmentation should be considered to be a warning sign from the body that the affected area has received too much sun damage. DNA damage by UVR is the major aggravating factor of excessive pigmentation. Although sunlight is essential for human life, daily exposure to the sun over a lifetime is a major cause of skin damage, including pigmentation, wrinkling and skin cancer. Sun exposure causes free radical damage to the cells, forcing the aging process into an accelerated pace. Simply by exposing skin to the sun, the level of vitamin C in the skin drops by 30%, and subsequently free radicals are formed. In addition, UVR inactivates the vitamin A receptors. Vitamin A is required for cell replication. Free radicals cause abnormal melanin production and impaired DNA/cell replication. 

How to Treat Hyperpigmantation:

• A conscious effort must be made to avoid all natural and artificial UVA & UVB, and a broad-spectum sunscreen including anti-oxidants, must be worn at all times (no exceptions).
• Topical antioxidants like vitamin A & C  are essential to use on daily basis to protect and rebuild the cells. Vitamin C and A is a power-house in treating pigmentation. Antioxidants couple with free radicals to neutralize free radicals; and boost collagen and elastin production. Vitamin C is recognized for its strong antioxidant and photo-protective properties, although vitamin C is never recommended as a substitute for sunscreen. Please contact Unique Verve about your skin analysis and product consultation.
• Use of  AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) products help to exfoliate dead and and hyperpigmented cells, and stimulate the production of new cell growth. AHAs accelerate cell turnover, thus increasing the production of collagen. Remember that each one of us has different skin type and skin condition, hence each treatment requires an appropriate treatment plan and an individual approach. Please contact Unique Verve about your skin analysis and product consultation.
• Lightening Agent, hydroquinone is used to lighten the visible appearance of hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone comes in various percentages (2%, 4% , 8%) and can be combined with other active ingredients. This product is not for all skin conditions and photo types, hence it requires an appropriate treatment plan and an individual approach. 2% is the most safest formula; anything higher is a prescription and requires caution. Sepiwhite is also used in controling melanin production. It’s not as fast acting as hydroquinone but it is much safer approach.
• Regular professional facial treatments that are based on antioxidants like vitamin C and A will help to improve skin color and texture, fine lines and boost elastin and collagen production. Active Vitamin Penetration with Ionzyme DF Machine ensures deep penetration of antioxidants/serums; Advanced LED Photopulsation light also helps to diminish hyperpigmenation. Such facials are available at Unique Verve in Boston.

Appropriate homecare products, professional facial treatments and nutrition work in synergy to treat any skin condition, including hyperpigmentation.