Meet Frankie

My skincare regimen has evolved as I have aged. The amount of collagen, which provides the elasticity and structure to our skin, drops by 1% per year starting around age 20; meaning that by age 40, 20% of the elasticity that prevents drooping and wrinkling of the skin has been lost. Now that I’m over 50, my regimen is more focused on stopping further loss of collagen, preventing the formation of wrinkles, and keeping my skin firm and tight. Remember it is always much easier, less painful, and less expensive to prevent deep wrinkles and sagging skin than to correct the problem.

Not to sound cliché, but FP Skin products were formulated to be what I always wished that I had available in a skin care line, so I use my own products regularly. I start each morning by washing my face with Prep and a Clarisonic brush, then press in Balance with a cotton round to exfoliate, and finish with Restore as my daily moisturizer. This 3-step daily routine takes about 2-3 minutes. If I’m suffering with hormonal breakouts I use BFF, by FP Skin, throughout the day. At night the routine is the same but I will add Unliner, by FP Skin, around my eyes to insure that I wake up looking fresh and rested. I also enjoy the signature FP Skin facial twice each month. This treatment includes extractions, micro-dermabrasion, micro needling, enzyme peels, LED light therapy, Biologique Recherche Remodeling galvanic micro-current therapy, and CoolLift Cryo with a hyaluronic acid deep moisturizing therapy. At age 35, I started a quarterly routine of a deeper fruit acid peel to maintain a smooth texture, and a little Botox at the corner of my eyes and forehead to stop deep wrinkles from forming.

When I think of the special women in my life that I would define as possessing perfect beauty, the common thread can only be defined as the quiet confidence that comes from having a strong sense of self-acceptance. Feeling comfortable in your own skin, knowing that you are living true to your values, and believing that you are mindful in caring for your mind, body, and spirit, provides a foundation of happiness that allows our inner beauty to shine through. Maintaining an attitude of gratitude by focusing on the gifts that we have been given, has a way of radiating inner beauty.

First, I believe that each of us is born beautiful in our own unique way. Maintaining our beauty over time requires making a series of good life decisions. No lotion, potion, or procedure can fully offset the effects of abusing one’s body. Choose to eat healthy, get enough restful sleep, practice yoga, drink plenty of water, be responsible with your alcohol and sugar intake, and minimize sun exposure and the stress you allow into your life. The combined effects of the adoption of these habits will make a significant difference in your health and your appearance. Adopt a consistent daily routine of deeply cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing your skin. As you age, understand that maintaining the appearance of youth will become more difficult and require more than simple daily maintenance. Modern science has in fact learned techniques to combat the effects of aging. Learn for yourself what is appropriate for you and make a plan to regularly take advantage of the benefits offered by the advancement of anti-aging products and procedures.

Inside the studios, certain skin challenges may require specialized products and procedures to treat client specific issues before we can establish a base line of healthy skin and start a routine maintenance program. FP Skin products were formulated to be a gentle but effective routine skin maintenance system, and includes each of the active ingredients that my 25 years of hands-on-trials have proven effective for my many clients who make their living in front of a camera. The FP Skin products that are available for use at home are the same products that I use on my own skin and recommend in my studios.

After surviving two bouts of malignant melanoma, I learned that chemicals placed on our skin are absorbed directly into our blood stream and many of the commonly used synthetic compounds found in skin care products can cause toxic reactions. Just as I eat organic unprocessed foods, and abstain from ingesting synthetic chemicals, I am mindful about what touches my skin. FP Skin products are custom manufactured in a USDA–Certified organic lab in the USA. Our ingredients are sourced from organic plants, milk, and the sea to deliver nutrients that are more easily absorbed and cause fewer allergic reactions and side effects. FP Skin products ban fillers commonly found in competitors products and contain no; sulfates, phosphates, parabens, phthalates, isopropyl alcohol, petroleum bio products, mineral oil, lanolin, silicone, dimethicon, pesticide residues, synthetic fragrances, colors, or preservatives.

I would say that my biggest beauty extravagance is a regular 90-minute in home massage. Stress can wreck havoc with our hormone levels and excessive Cortisol breaks down the collagen in our skin causing premature aging. I’ve found that a regular massage not only helps me combat the physiological effects of stress, but also helps my immune system by moving the toxins out of my body.

It is inevitable that we will all age, but we can control how we age, and we can choose to age with grace. Establishing healthy long–term habits, finding joy in our every day life, and surrounding ourselves with the people and god’s creatures that bring us joy, makes us feel young. Feeling and acting young is the first-step toward looking young. Remember that your face is your calling card, and the first impression that you make. Be consistent with a daily routine to care for your skin.

There is a need for more integrity from the product manufacturers by placing less focus on company profits and a greater emphasis on the health of the consumer and the actual results delivered from the products. The FDA does not regulate skin care products and many large companies habitually make false and misleading claims, which damaged the credibility of the industry in general. A term common in the skin care industry is “fairy dusting”. This is a term used by the large product manufacturers to describe the practice of advertising the benefits of an active ingredient, when in reality only a fraction of the recommended concentration of the ingredient is used in the product formulation to cut costs. Consumers need to be provided with more education and transparency to make better, more informed decisions, as to the value and true efficacy of the products that are being purchased.