Esthetics By Nickle

If you want your skin to age exponentially better, you need to apply topical Vitamin A every single day - in the evening of course, but that didn’t quite work for the slogan.
It’s appropriate to start vitamin A twice a week to begin with, but the end goal is to be using it nightly. Even when you’re on vacation, even when you’ll be in the sun. Vitamin-A completely changes how your skin behaves - it thickens the dermis by stimulating fibroblasts for collagen production. It smooths out texture. It clears and refines your pores. It softens wrinkles and pigmentation issues. It plumps your skin and is THE ONLY topical product that actually has an effect on your elastin. Your cells have Vitamin A receptors in them - they know exactly what to do with it and happily put it to use upon contact. Your skin will be glowy your entire life if you build and maintain this habit. It’s honestly magical.
Prescription Tretinoin is by far the best, but if your skin absolutely cannot tolerate it, then try over the counter Retinaldehyde. If that’s too strong, use Retinol. Apply Tret to dry skin and then top with a moisturizer. It’s a medication, not a beauty product so just use a pea sized amount. Give your skin a few weeks to acclimate each time you add another evening to your routine.

The only time you stop your Vitamin A is when you’ve been instructed to do so before a procedure. I ask my clients to take a break for 3-4 days before a dermaplane or chemical peel.

I know I’ve said this on here many times and it’s getting boring but that’s because THE BORING THINGS ARE WHAT ACTUALLY WORK. I’ll be reminding you all about the thrills of daily SPF use again soon too. 😘

Updated Menu Fall 2026.
Now offering The All Inclusive Facial - this service includes a dermaplane facial + nano serum infusion + chemical peel + vitamin c boost + retinol boost + brow wax & tint. $220 rather than $335 when priced separately.

Located inside Hydroluxe Health and Wellness Studios.

Today was my very last day at Suite 127. For over nine years, these walls have encapsulated our time together - the elation of the highs, the devastation of the lows, and everything in between. What an honor it has been! My last day was cut short because the AC stopped working, but the silver lining to that was my last facial here after nearly a decade was with one my dearest friends. I thought that was a sweet (and kinda sweaty) way to end my time here.
Thank you all for the beautiful years of growth and patronage, I love and appreciate you for it. See you at my new space very soon! 💋 🥂

Current evening routine applied in this order:
Cellvane Recharge Skin Booster (hydrating toner)
Cellvane Hyper Recover Ampoule (peptide rich serum)
Tretinoin (prescription vitamin A)
Cellvane Core Revital Cream (nourishing moisturizer)

I don’t know how to properly convey how magical this Korean skincare is, you’ll just have to experience it for yourself. When I wake up, my skin feels like a toddler’s. I’ve had nothing but excellent feedback from my clients. I am currently sold out, but a shipment is on its way.

Even though it’s so unappreciated, there is no skincare product on the market that is as good as sunscreen. It does the absolute most for preventing hyperpigmentation and wrinkles and protecting your collagen and elastin. And while we can do things to stimulate collagen production, once your elastin is gone, it’s gone for good. There is nothing that will help the loss of skin elasticity save for a surgeon. So before you invest in an expensive skin care routine or a laser or an LED mask that inevitably gets ignored once the novelty has worn off, invest in a sunscreen product that you love enough to wear every single day, rain or shine. Yes, even when you are not leaving the house, just put it on. I promise your skin will stay healthy and beautiful if you do. UVA rays pe*****te glass and windows so even if you’re not outside tanning, those rays are creeping in and degrading your skin.
To simplify your routine, make your SPF your daytime moisturizer - the formulas are nice enough to do so these days. You want broad spectrum, SPF 30 at a minimum and use enough to coat all your skin. If it says it’s SPF 50+, that means it’s tested to be at least an SPF of 60. The higher the better, and a tinted formula provides even more protection. I wear a SPF 50+ every day and top it with a tinted bb cream with an SPF of 30.
I’ve curated several sunscreens at my studio that I have loved for years if you’d like to invest in one of the ones that I carry.

**P.S. If you think sunscreen causes cancer and not the sun, then I love you but I think you are very wrong and you can’t sit with me.

I love acids for the skin - they exfoliate, clarify, brighten, stimulate collagen production, soften texture, and speed up the skin renewal process. These acid pads by Lira Clinical are soaked in a blend of alpha and beta hydroxy acids and contain several brightening ingredients along with peptides and vitamin C. They are quite strong and not appropriate for sensitive skin or rosacea. Because I use prescription vitamin A every night, my skin can only tolerate these once a week. Some can use them up to three times a week depending on what other actives are being used and their general skin condition. I prefer these little trial sized packs of 5 - they last me over a month and every pad is generous with product. Swipe all over your face, neck and décolletage after cleansing and then follow up with serums or moisturizers. It’s like weekly chemical peel for the face!

* I also swipe my arms and back of my hands with these!

Skincare Books can be so helpful in demystifying the world of beauty products, but a lot of them are tied to a brand or an idea and spout absolute nonsense. This one by CAROLINE HIRONS is my favorite for anyone that feels overwhelmed by skincare - it’s practical, factual, and enjoyable to read - she has a great sense of humor. It makes a great gift for the beauty enthusiast in your life - adults and teenagers alike.

If you travel to Mexico, stock up on Tretinoin cream from the local pharmacies. You don’t need a prescription and it costs substantially less. Do not go to the pharmacies in the airport or the ones advertising controlled substances to tourists - they are often overpriced and scammy. Go to the ones the locals shop at. I went to Farmacias Similares and paid $6 a box and purchased enough for the entire year.

Complementary sunscreen is my love language.