The rejuvenating skin treatment can target a variety of concerns from hyperpigmentation to premature aging. As a reader of The Klog, your skin care routine is definitely on point, but could it use a boost? We’re giving you the low down on Fraxel lasers to help you better understand how this laser works, what it can accomplish, and which skin types it’s most suited for.There’s no slowing down the chatter surrounding skin lasers — everyone’s interested in learning more about resurfacing their skin with a little zap here and a little zap there. However, with so many different treatment options it can be difficult to decide which type of laser is best for you. If you’ve done your research, you’ve probably noticed one particular laser treatment appears time and time again: Fraxel.What is Fraxel?Fraxel is a non-surgical, non-ablative laser treatment that is meant to improve texture, tone, sun damage, scars, and signs of aging. It’s designed to leave clients with a more youthful and smoother appearance after just one treatment. One of the biggest draws of Fraxel is that it doesn’t require a lot of downtime, especially when compared to aggressive in-office peels or even surgical procedures such as face lifts and threading. It’s most effective at treating fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (including sunspots and melasma), acne scars, actinic keratosis, and sun damage. It also gives you a noticeable glow. For optimal results, the experts behind Fraxel suggest three to five ~20-minute sessions spaced two to four weeks apart. A single Fraxel session can cost approximately $1500 to treat the face, and if you add your neck and chest the price is typically bumped up. Some offices charge a bulk rate if you book multiple sessions at once.

Salicylic acid is one of the most popular and effective ingredients for keeping skin clear, but one skin care newbie with dry skin learned the hard way that using an acid too frequently and incorrectly can do more harm than good.Salicylic acid-based face washes are great for many people, specifically oily and acne-prone skin types, but for others, they may not be the best choice. After my first facial in July of 2018, I learned that the face wash I was using for years was putting me into the “others” category. Since I did not have a basic education about skin care and had no idea about the various skin types, I decided that going to a facialist would be a good place to start. At the beginning of my appointment, I shared my primary skin concerns with my skin therapist: dry, flaky patches and spots of bright redness. After examining my face and the thickness of my collagen, she concluded that my skin type is dry, which I was making even more dry with my go-to face wash. Even though it was a relief to restore some hydration to my face within a matter of fifty minutes, that was only the first step in the battle of reverting the several years of damage and lack of care to my skin.RELATED: What I Learned After Over-Exfoliating With a Popular Product Caused the Worst Breakouts of My LifeMy skin is now smoother, and more hydrated and radiant than ever.I had to make some big changes to my daily skin care routine based on product recommendations from my skin therapist. For starters, I had to get rid of my cost-effective salicylic acid face wash in favor of one with hydrating, nourishing ingredients like aloe vera. One of the lesser known characteristics of this medicinal plant is its ability to also increase collagen production, which is exactly what I needed to restore hydration and rebuild firmness to my face. The SkinRX Lab MadeCera Cream Whipped Mild Cleanser contains hydrating ceramides and aloe, making it a great pick for my situation.As we all know, a one-step skin care routine will not cut it in keeping the face’s skin healthy, so I also invested in an aloe vera-based toner and moisturizer. I have to admit that it was hard in the beginning to get myself to devote a few extra minutes every day to my skin routine since I am constantly rushing from Point A to Point B in New York City, but those five additional minutes have proven to be worth it. Six weeks after beginning my new skin routine, I made another visit to my facial therapist, and she shared with me nothing but promising news for my once moisture-deprived skin. My face felt nice and plump, and I had very few dry patches – a stark contrast to the several dry spots that had once populated my forehead and cheeks.RELATED: The Right Way to Incorporate Acids Into Your RoutineDespite the fact that my skin was making dramatic improvements from what it used to be, my skin therapist recommended that I add a hyaluronic acid-based serum and an exfoliator to my routine. One of my favorite exfoliators that I swear by is the Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon. It contains the AHAs lactic and glycolic acids that my skin is able to tolerate, in addition to orange, papaya, and lemon extracts. I have come a long way from the beginning of my skin care rejuvenation journey that started fifteen months ago. Today, I continue to no longer have patches of dry skin or large patches of redness on my face. Since I have a dry/sensitive skin type, I also make sure to go to my local facial spa at least two to three times a year (based on the dryness of my skin). Trying to compensate for the damage that has been done to your skin is not an easy fix, but seeking advice from a facial therapist or dermatologist can help you make sure you can take the right steps in caring for your skin. From one step to five steps, I have finally learned the definition of damage control.

From polyglutamic acid to ellagic acid, learn about the chemical exfoliants that dermatologists say are about to be all over beauty shelves.Many skin care aficionados are familiar with the big-name acids in skin care, such as skin-plumping hyaluronic acid, brightening glycolic acid, and clarifying salicylic acid. While these beauty staples aren’t going anywhere, it’s true that the skin care landscape is consistently evolving. With dermatologist insight, we’re detailing five rising star acids becoming more popular on beauty shelves along with product recommendations so you can try them yourself. Polyglutamic Acid“Polyglutamic acid (PGA) is a water-soluble peptide derived from a molecule that’s found in fermented soybeans. It’s touted to retain four to five times more moisture than hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Sonia Batra, a board-certified dermatologist and co-host of Emmy Award-winning daytime show The Doctors. Fret not about all your beloved products made with hyaluronic acid, though. Dr. Batra says that instead of being a replacement for hyaluronic acid, it’s often used as a complementary ingredient. This is because hyaluronic acid’s benefits occur in deeper levels of the skin while polyglutamic acid seals the surface. In that sense, the two are great besties that help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Try it Yourself: Often, you’ll find polyglutamic acid in lightweight serums or thin moisturizers. Dr. Batra recommends Then I Met You The Giving Essence, which helps brighten, plump, and hydrate.Tranexamic Acid Tranexamic acid is technically an “old school” ingredient, but one with many new uses.

Slugging isn’t new, but it is everywhere. After all we are in peak slugging season, when skin tends to be its driest, and methods like slugging work overtime to trap moisture onto skin. For those who haven’t experienced the pure chaos joy of skincare Tiktok, slugging is where you slap on an occlusive product—typically an ointment—as the final step in a skincare routine. We’re talking literal Vaseline smothered all over your face (or wherever you happen to be dry). Skincare obssessives swear by it, and everyone else…well they’re not so sure. But fear not! You too can hop on the slugging bandwagon. Below, a guide to get into slugging, even if you’re scared to.The MethodSlugging is helpfully uncomplicated. Start at night, if only so you aren’t forced to walk around the day wearing a reflective veil of goop. Cleanse first, and then proceed with the rest of your nighttime routine as normal. If you tone, tone, if you serum, serum. It’s OK to use actives (retinols, acids, pick your-heavy-duty ingredient) as well, but you may want to test a small area first, lest you irritate your skin. Slugging’s whole purpose is to keep things close to your skin, and you don’t want to learn the hard way that trapping a 10-percent AHA under a thick cream might do your skin more harm than good. But! You could also be fine doing this…that’s the thing about skin, everyone’s is different. Once your toner and/or serum and/or just cleanser is out of the way, you absolutely MUST moisturize. This is crucial! The thick occlusive you use to “slug” isn’t going to give you the extreme moisture job you’re looking for. What it really does is make your moisturizer underneath work harder by trapping humectants and water molecules close to your skin. Only after you’ve loaded up with a moisturizer do you slap an occlusive on top. Let’s call this the slugger. Wondering what exactly you should use?The ProductsIf you’re scared of super thick goos on your face, this is where you’re going to have to put on your big boy pants. For a proper slugging job you need an occlusive, which is a category or component of products that “stay on the surface of the skin and slow evaporation." Petrolatum, the key ingredient in Aquaphor and Vasline, is the most widely known occlusive. It’s thick, it’s sticky, it gets the job done. BUT! Those aren’t your only options. Swap in something slightly thinner and less tacky, and we promise you’ll still notice results. Some good sluggers for the ointment-averse are Weleda’s Skin Food and also After Baume, which is made by ITG’s friends on the other side of the office. These options are occlusives on the lighter side that are made to be more user-friendly. And no mater which occlusive you choose, always use a small—we’re talking pea-sized—amount. Warm it in your hands first, and, as NYC-beloved dermatologist Dr. Howard advises, pat it onto your skin. You’ll go to bed like a glazed donut, and wake up with a comfy, well–moisturized face.The WarningA final note to consider: Slugging isn’t for everyone. Given that slugging’s sole purpose is to trap moisture onto your skin, skip the slugging if your skin is already oily. Your body’s oil is doing the slugging for you! Also! Proceed with caution if you have acne-prone skin. One way to go about it is a targeted approach. If you know your breakout area is your forehead, for example, just skip over it. But if you tend to break out all over, focus on anti-acne treatments first. Slugging will always be around; it can come later. Photo via ITG

Are you on the hunt for a sun-kissed glow without risking sun damage? Dermatologists praise self-tanners as a safe alternative to UV exposure, and it's a trend that's not going anywhere anytime soon. Our guide reveals top dermatologist-recommended picks to achieve that perfect tan at home, effortlessly. So, read on for your golden glow-up:

Finding the right moisturizer for combination skin can feel like a never-ending battle. Your T-zone is shiny by noon, yet your cheeks beg for more hydration. This post dives into the best moisturizers tailored to balance and nourish every part of your unique complexion. Keep reading to discover your skin's perfect match—simple solutions are just ahead!

As 2019 comes to a close, we’re looking back at all the best skin care tips we learned from YOU this year. Read on and then keep ’em coming.At The Klog, it’s our mission to help our community navigate the vast and sometimes confusing worlds of skin care and K-beauty. We hope you’ve learned a thing or two from us this year. Conversely, we’ve learned quite a bit from you too, dear readers.This year, you taught us genius DIY hacks, new ways to use products, lessons in making and sticking to good skin habits, and more. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best tips and tricks that landed in our DMs and comment section in 2019.To help remain consistent with your routine, make yourself a schedule.“To avoid overdoing it, I schedule my skin care. Nerdy as it sounds it’s worked wonders for my skin. Mon & Tues are oil-control days, Wed-Fri are vitamin C days, and Sat & Sun are retinol days.” – @sojessIf you’re trying to be more eco-friendly but can’t quit sheet masks or makeup remover pads, make your own out of t-shirts.“I cut up an old 100% cotton shirt into sheet masks (I measured my face’s length and width, then cut out an oval of that size, then cut out two eye holes and nose and mouth slits where mine are), and whenever I want a sheet mask, I just soak one of them in my toner then throw it on for 10 minutes. When I’m finished with one I just throw it in the washer and dryer with the rest of my clothes, to make sure to keep them all clean.” – Shahd“I make my own reusable cotton pads out of old t-shirts” – @_evilvenusBe mindful of exactly where you’re applying eye cream to avoid milia or breakouts.“Eye cream is best applied on the orbital bone since there are virtually no pores on the actual eyes. Applying it on the lids and right under the eyes is one of the reasons people get milia. Using your ring finger and applying outwards is perfect!” – @pureskinocIf you’re struggling with picking at your skin, know that you’re not alone.“One of [the] first steps is to truly figure out why you are picking. Once you realize, you can gauge it and find out what your triggers are, from there it’s about learning to recognize what sets you off and what works best to help you manage. Even just talking about it is a good place to start. It also helps to build up a support system with: friends, a therapist, a community. And be patient, it takes a long time.” – AnnaHave any cleansing balm to spare? Use it to clean your makeup brushes or as a scalp detox!“I use my balms to clean my brushes allllllll thheeeee time. A little body heat and it melts into something I can easily smoosh into my brush fibers” –@live4skincare“I have been using the Banila Co Cleansing Balm for months. Yes it’s fantastic for removing makeup but I found another few uses. Use it on the scalp as a pre-wash. I live in 99% humidity so it helps detox. I use it 4 times a week. Another one: To remove deodorant residue [under the arms].” – @avaazlinHelp allow products to absorb better (and give yourself a spa-like experience!) by warming up your skin.“I heat up a towel with warm water and put it on my face before I layer my serums.” – @that_grl_ariTo make applying SPF a habit, give yourself a 30-day challenge.“Once you start using it, it becomes habitual. For me it’s like wearing my seatbelt. So this is my challenge: for 30 days, mindfully reach for and apply that spf. After those 30 days, it will become second nature and you have developed a healthy habit! Stay safe in the sun and protect, protect, protect!” – @magickal_beautyIf you can’t get rid of milia, a doctor may be able to help.“I’ve had the “forehead bumps”, which my dermatologist called them milia, and they consist of clogged keratin that is trapped under the skin. I steamed, masked, scrubbed and didn’t go anywhere. A plastic surgeon I was seeing at the time extracted them by delicately lancing them to “pop out” the kernels. It was a bit of a process, but they are gone gone gone.” – KarenWhen it comes to skin care, sometimes patience really is a virtue.“I’ll generally give my skin 2-3 weeks to get used to a new product as long as the break out isn’t painful or rash-like. I get small whiteheads every time I change my toner but over time the spots will stop and I can actually see the full results of the treatment.” – @tsunderebunTo get rosacea under control, certain lifestyle habits can be helpful.

Ever wonder what detox means in skin care? We broke down this frequently used term.“Detox” is a term that gets thrown around a lot these days. Used when referring to everything from diets to spa treatments, it’s become another word for a cure-all, a quick fix and a step on the path to perfection. In skin care, we see the term in bold print on the packaging of cleansers, creams and serums that promise to suck out all the bad stuff and leave us with clear, glowing skin. If you’ve ever reached for a detoxifying mask after a long flight, a stressful day, or an indulgent weekend and thought, “This will fix everything,” you’re not alone. But because when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, we asked skin experts to explain what it means when a product claims to detoxify the skin—and what it doesn’t.