3 Professional Skin Treatments That Will Save You Time on Competition Prep
As any experienced bodybuilder will tell you, the weeks leading up to a competition require a great deal of discipline and preparation, from pre-competition dieting to perfecting mandatory poses. Anything you can do to save time and stress while getting in top form is worth it.
Here at The Parker Center, we frequently help competitive bodybuilders get ready for competitions with non-surgical treatments that help them put the finishing touches on their aesthetic. I thought it might be helpful to share a few of our most popular treatments for bodybuilders, and how they can save you time (and boost your confidence) before your next contest.
1. Laser Hair Removal
Shaving is a tedious pre-competition task, especially when it comes to removing hair from sensitive areas. It’s no surprise, then, that laser hair removal is one of the more popular cosmetic treatments for bodybuilders. It works by permanently damaging the hair follicles in the treatment area, so they stop producing hair.
If you have problems with razor bumps, ingrown hairs, or you simply hate shaving, laser hair removal may be well worth the investment. You’ll not only get to skip the pre-competition shaving, you’ll spare yourself from shaving or waxing year-round. Treatment can be performed safely nearly anywhere: chest, back, shoulders, legs, bikini area, underarms, etc.
It’s best to schedule laser hair removal in the off-season. Most patients need a series of 4 to 8 treatments, because the laser only works on follicles that are in the growth phase. All in all, it can take about 6 months to get an area hair-free. And, you’ll want to complete your laser hair removal treatments before starting pre-competition tanning. While technology has improved and we now can safely treat patients with darker skin, you will still get better results when you have more contrast between your hair and skin color.
2. Permanent Makeup
Female bodybuilders, particularly those in the figure and bikini classes, know how important stage presence is to score high with the judges. If you’re constantly applying lip or eyeliner or you struggle to fill in sparse brows, permanent makeup can be a time and money saver in the long run—plus it will never run during workouts or competition.
Actually a specialized tattooing technique, permanent makeup applies pigment to the lips, eyelids, brows, and other areas. Solid pigment is used for lip and eyeliner, while the gold standard for eyebrows is microblading, a technique that applies pigment in tiny, hair-like strokes for a very natural look.
A trained permanent makeup artist can help you select the best shades for your skin type and tone (you may wish to choose pigments when you are close to “competition tan” for optimal results). Treatments only take a couple of hours, and the results can last 1 to 3 years—meaning no daily makeup application and less money spent on cosmetics.
3. Microneedling and skin resurfacing treatments
A Parker Center Acne Treatment Protocol patient, seen here before and after completing her 6-week treatment plan. Your results may vary, but most patients see appreciable improvements.
If you are bothered by acne, rosacea, dark spots, or any other skin concern, consider having professional skin resurfacing instead of attempting to conceal irregularities with makeup. The right technology and treatments can dramatically improve long-term skin issues in a matter of weeks, with little to no downtime.
Microneedling is very popular among our athletic patients, both male and female. As the name indicates, microneedling uses tiny, superfine needles to create microscopic “injuries” in the skin. This triggers the natural healing process: your skin makes new collagen and quickly replaces the damaged cells with new, healthy, and unblemished cells. Microneedling is an excellent option to improve specific skin concerns (i.e., fine lines, acne scars, sun spots, stretch marks, large pore size, and more) and for overall skin rejuvenation. Plus, it is safe for all skin types and colors, and we can perform microneedling nearly anywhere on the face, neck, or body.
Depending on your concerns, another skin resurfacing treatment might be equally or more effective. For instance, if you are battling acne, a personalized protocol of broadband light therapy (BBL), chemical peels, and HydraFacial can dramatically decrease redness and outbreaks—this protocol has done wonders for our patients at The Parker Center.
I hope you have found this information helpful; at the very least, I encourage you to set up an appointment with an experienced, licensed medical skincare expert near you to design a personalized skincare plan. Professional treatments can help you achieve more youthful, healthier-looking skin far faster and more effectively than over-the-counter skincare—and that is a benefit you can enjoy whether or not you are competing.
About the Author:
Board certified plastic surgeon Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS, specializes in breast, body and facial cosmetic surgery for men and women as well as reconstructive skin cancer treatment as medical director of the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery, which he founded in 1985. The Parker Center also houses the Parker Center Medi-Spa, a full-service medical spa.
122 East Ridgewood Ave.
Paramus, NJ, 07652
201-967-1212.
For more information, visit ParkerCenter.net
