They say the 2nd year Anniversary is marked with gifts of cotton. Cotton represents strength and flexibility, seems fitting that SKin Phi marks this milestone every August- the gateway of reflection and ushering in a new year when we go back to school, harvest the summer growing season, and of course...Rosh Shoshanna. My spiritual New Year. I have always loved September for fresh starts, sunflower fields, sweater weather, and of course, my son's birthday.
Something about this time of year makes me REFLECTIVE and VISION CASTING at the same time. We held true to our intention of providing unique patient care, with unwavering commitment to YOUR health and well-being. We are so very grateful for how far we have come with YOU and for what the future holds... and oh, IT. IS. GOOD.
Keep reading to learn what our 2nd Anniversary GIFT is for our beloved Tribe! It's a bit of a longer read this month- anniversary edition. Like the September Vogue bible, haha.
I hope the following words of celebrating YOU will feel like unwrapping our special present of SKin Phi love. XO
What makes a Tribe?
It takes a village to raise a child. Those of us who are blessed enough to have experienced even just once in your life, what it feels like to be in a community of people who are like your chosen family. You are invested in each other, you celebrate and grieve together. You lift each other up when life throws low-blows. I love my Lady-gang, my Fabfour childhood friends, my Ross Sheppies high school reunion group; many of you have heard stories of them and how we will literally catch a grenade for one another. This Tribe we are creating at SKin Phi, it is everything we wished it to be, and the reason is YOU!
SKin Phi is more than just our "work family." We don't just work by our mission statements, we live and breath the truth of what it means to want the best for you, and DO our best for you. Lisa, Kelly, Lalaine, Lara, and myself are ALL IN- you should feel this everytime you walk into the clinic. And if we ever have an off-day (because we are human too), please consider grace, because we truly just want to serve you when you come into our space. The way we would welcome you into our homes for a cup of tea, or happy hour.
I cannot tell you how giddy we are when we get to see you for follow-up appointments, or when the progress in skin rejuvenation is visible, palpable, and the best mark of success- you FEEL the confidence that only a new pair or Louboutins can match. Ok, that's a lie, even a killer pair of red-soled heels cannot beat the feels of enjoying bright, smooth, glowing, healthy SKIN. It is the absolute best accessory you can wear. Take care of it, and we thank you for trusting us to be part of that care.
Also, I cannot tell you how many times we have had to grieve this year with news of yet another cancer diagnosis. You are not alone, you or your loved one, going through one of the worst times you can possibly face. We pray with you, we offer a listening ear, or a hug. One of the best parts of starting SKin Phi was that I knew we could direct our resources toward philanthropies that are dear to us in a very direct and meaningly way. Couldn't do that when we worked for other people. We love to support local charities that strengthen the fabric of the communities we live in, like the Boys and Girls Club, Foodbank, Heart Institute, Dress for Success, Harmony House, and more.
Lalaine, who is the like the den-mother and the very heart of our family, has suggested a special SKin Phi care-offering to our VIPS (that's you). Please contact us during these times (of illness, bereavement, overwhelming stress) when you are too broken to take care of yourself ; let's be real, botox or laser treatments can wait- but you are part of Tribe that cares. Not just about your skin health (and we obsess over that, trust me), but about your WHOLE BEING. It is our privilege as healthcare professionals to provide care that can soothe your troubled mind and body, even if just for an hour or so, it's our gift of respite that we are so happy to share with you. #carefirst
Adapting to Life's hormone changes
I love this photo so much. It says a million things that are true and right. @dermnurseLara stands behind you in her treatments and care, you are the star of the show, and all we want to see is your glowing and smiling face throughout the journey of life!
Hormone transitions throughout the lifespan for women are bullshit. Haha. By the way, if you cannot laugh at the exquisite wonder and pain of puberty, pregnancy, or perimenopause, you will not survive this rollercoaster of life.
We are the experts in skin health and rejuvenation, natural looking restoration of the ageing face, and how to navigate treatments so you don't over do it or look like cat-woman. Or like one of the Housewives of _________ (fill in the blank). Menopause will rob your skin of 30% of it's collagen within the first 5 years after your periods stop. We can combat this with some laser and light therapy, guide you to evidence- based skincare such as ZINC sunscreen, retinol and antioxidants and peptides. But let's talk about those BS hormones....
What we have had to adapt to recently, is the growing need for advocacy and care during the perimenopause transition and post-menopause issues. While we are not the experts in endocrinology or gynecology, we try to direct our patients to experts who can properly diagnose and manage your hormone care. Please please arm yourself with the knowledge, it is power. Follow evidence-based medical experts like Dr. Marie Clare Haver, Dr. Louise Newson, and if your own GP or Gynecologist is unable to listen and support to you if you are suffering from disruptive symptoms of perimenopause/menopause, then ask us for help. Try to steer clear of anything that seems like they are "monetizing menopause" or is just based on something other than HARD SCIENTIFIC evidence. Unfortunately, in this part of the world menopause is not given the proper stage- it is minimized and ignored for generations, and is just now finding it's voice. We are thankful for that, and HRT has personally changed my life in the past year. Everyone's journey is about as unique as their period cycle, how your pregnancies were and some lucky women don't even experience any negative symptoms of the hormone transition!!
Check out these sites for some local support if your GP or gyne cannot help you with your symptoms, and need to find private care for your hormone concerns:
prospermenopause.ca (Nurse and NP led private clinic virtual care for women in ON, seeking HRT management and have uncomplicated gyne history)
sensolia.ca (Gynecologists led private clinic in Montreal, offering hormone management AND pelvic exam during the initial consultation. in person OR virtual care for followup appointments. Recommended for women with any history of gynecological surgery or complicated pregnancies, endometriosis, cancer survivors, etc)
Some day for our next generation, hopefully all family practice GPs will be educated enough on perimenopause and menopause and how to manage hormone care, so all women can receive proper attention under OHIP coverage. Adaptability is critical. Failure to change and evolve out of misinformed or antiquated times is the dinosaur of medicine :(
Stay tuned for our announcement of a collaborative education session to celebrate World Menopause Day on October 18 with @nurseSunnyKim and @clinique.sensolia!
Sacha Bourdage is one of the wisest and sparkling humans you might ever meet...I knew there was a reason why the universe brought us together...it wasn't just to make trouble on the dance floor.
September means...get ready for Laser Season!
MOXI laser has become part of the SKin Phi brand. Just like The Needle Whisperer TM and Experience. Care. Trust.
Moxi Laser is THE best treatment for unwanted pigment (sun damage, age spots, melasma maintenance), enlarged pores and dull rough skin, and precancerous lesions (FDA approved for treatment of actinic keratoses). WHAT MORE CAN BE SAID.
And my personal endorsement comes from asking for a laser demo in late 2021 from our Sciton rep- it blew my mind away. I worked the very next day after treatment and looked "normal" with tinted sunscreen or light foundation on, simply appeared very bronzed for a few days until I got the magical peel. 3 months later I purchased our very first laser and that's how SKin Phi became the Sciton Moxi Brand Ambassador for eastern Canada. We love to innovate and partner with the best innovators around!
Ask how you can live life with the Moxi filter on fulltime!
Happy 2nd Anniversary Gift for our VIPs!
Ok beloveds, here you go! We believe your beYOUtiful and healthy skin qualifies you to become a VIP SKin Phi ambassador! Committed to healthy behaviours such as UV protection and invested in therapies that prevent future damage, protect healthy skin, and reverse damage.
The VIP Anniversary card. Card carrying benefits:
free Bluestone Sunshield (limited edition SKin Phi, while quantities last)
10 % off ALL skincare products from our carefully curated "minimal essential skincare only" boutique. You have 2 months to enjoy this exclusive discount across all our skin lines: The Sunscreen Company, Alastin, Colorescience, Biophora, Oxygenetix, Bluestone Sunshields. This includes the new Skinceuticals antioxidant serums we brought in. Read more below**
One free BelaMD EXPRESS treatment (save this for your special event or occasion when you want instantly glowing skin)
How you get the 2nd Year Anniversary VIP card?
Sign up for 2 Moxi laser sessions (the first one should be done Sept or Oct, 2nd session can be done 1 mth later or within 3 months ideally). If you need a consultation as a new patient, we will outline your tailored program based on diagnosis and your timeline.
Purchase 2 zinc sunscreens of your choice, or any combinations between The Sunscreen Company Every Morning (the every day workhorse), Colorescience Sunforgettable (tinted sunscreen in glow or matte finish), or Alastin Silkshield (for dry irritated skin types) brands.
Please email Lalaine at lcastilla@skinphi.ca if you have any additional questions about how to reserve your VIP SKin Ambassador card.
**Rather than overwhelm you with the multitude of Skinceuticals products they have in their portfolio, we have refined the choices down to the power4: our favourite picks that uniquely address the most common skin concerns our patients deal with: sun damage, pigment, rosacea, acne. Stay tuned for more ways to access the full lineup of Skinceuticals products through our website...to arrive right at your doorstep, no shipping costs! Ask Lisa or one of us on your next visit how you can step up your skincare by adding one or two of these power antioxidants. Most people will find at least one good match, and it will transform how you take care of your skin at home!
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