June 22, 2026

Meet Bio Visage: The Perfect Summer Facial

by robin deresh in the skin&tonic blog

What if your skin could look its absolute best without any downtime, recovery, or disruption to your summer plans? We have good news: you don’t have to imagine any longer, because that's exactly what Bio Visage was designed to deliver, and it's one of the many reasons we are so excited to introduce it to the Skin & Tonic treatment menu!

What Is Bio Visage?

Bio Visage is an advanced professional microcurrent treatment that uses a concentrated mix of 14 electrotherapy microcurrents and active botanical extracts to restore your skin from the inside out. It is exclusively professional-grade technology, designed to normalize skin functions without damaging or dehydrating the skin in the process.

To put it simply: this treatment works with your skin's natural biology to restore, firm, and brighten for a fresh and youthful look.

What to Expect: The Results

Here is what Bio Visage can do for your skin:

Fine lines and wrinkles visibly improve as the treatment restores volume and lifts the skin from within.
Firmness and tone return thanks to the gentle lifting currents that work directly with your facial muscles.
Detoxification happens at a cellular level, leaving skin cleaner and more balanced.
Pimples, redness, and dark circles fade as the treatment regulates skin functions and improves circulation.
Pigmentation becomes more even and refined over time.
Skin texture is smoother, with a more uniform tone and a noticeably brighter complexion thanks to improved oxygenation.

And because Bio Visage normalizes skin functions rather than disrupting them, all of this happens while the treatment remains pleasant and relaxing. We have been testing it out in the studio recently, and our clients leave looking firm and luminous.

Why Bio Visage Is the Perfect Summer Facial

Summer is a season of transition for the skin. More sun exposure, more humidity, more environmental activity all mean your skin is working harder behind the scenes. This is a beautiful time to give it something genuinely nourishing and restorative.

Bio Visage fits seamlessly into a summer lifestyle. There is no downtime, no increased sun sensitivity, and no recovery period to plan around. You come in, receive a luxurious, results-driven treatment, and go back to your summer glowing.

For clients who are active, always on the go, or simply don't want their skincare to interrupt their plans, Bio Visage works with the season rather than against it, which is why it has become one of our top recommendations for the warmer months!

The "Works With Your Skin" Philosophy

We talk about this a lot at Skin & Tonic, and Bio Visage is one of the purest expressions of it.

Bio Visage supports and restores your skin's natural functions. It strengthens your barrier, delivers curated botanical actives, and works at a cellular level to help your skin do what it already knows how to do, just better. The electrotherapy currents are specific and intentional, chosen to restore cellular activity and muscle tone without any dehydration or damage in the process.

The experience reflects this. The treatment is relaxing. Your skin feels like itself, just better rested, better nourished, and noticeably more alive.

Bio Visage also layers beautifully with other treatments and home care, making it a wonderful part of a thoughtful, seasonal approach to long-term skin health.

Who Is Bio Visage Best For?

The honest answer is, most people. But a few profiles in particular tend to fall in love with this treatment.

You want real anti-aging results without downtime. Bio Visage addresses fine lines, firmness, tone, and texture, offering a natural alternative to a facelift.
You are an existing client in a maintenance phase. Your skin is in a good place and you want to keep it there. Bio Visage nourishes and sustains results beautifully between other sessions.
You have sensitive, reactive, or redness-prone skin. Bio Visage is designed to regulate and restore without disrupting. If your skin needs results and gentleness, this treatment delivers both.
You are dealing with dullness, dark circles, or uneven tone. The oxygenating and detoxifying effects of Bio Visage are genuinely visible. This is the treatment for when you want to look like yourself, just brighter and more rested.
You want something that fits into a busy summer. Full schedule, upcoming events, lots of time outdoors. Bio Visage gives you a meaningful treatment without any of the logistics of downtime after sessions.
You are new to professional facials and want a wonderful place to start. Bio Visage delivers visible, proven results from the very first session. It is a beautiful introduction to what we can do for your skin.

A Note from Us

The minute we tried Bio Visage we knew this was the addition to our service menu we had been looking for. We had always been interested in Microcurrent, but the twitching, uncomfortable vibration and metallic sensation left a (literal) bad taste in our mouth. We couldn’t believe that Bio Visage had none of those side effects, and all of the results.

We have had this device since October 2025, and we have been training and practicing with it since then. Combining it with different treatments, different skin types and ages to deliver you the best options. All of the combos offered are our favorites and we’re so excited it’s officially launched!

If you do injectables, this is a way to maintain results and potentially do it less often. If you don’t do injectables but are looking for other ways to lift and tighten, you are going to LOVE this.

As always, if you are not sure whether Bio Visage is the right fit for where your skin is right now, come talk to us. We would rather give you honest guidance than book you into something that isn't the right match. That is always how we have done things.

But if you are ready? Book Your Bio Visage Treatment today. We know you are going to love this one.

Xoxo, Robin & Lori

Tags: beauty services facial treatments new product

June 16, 2026

The Skincare Travel Essentials We're Packing This Summer

There is a pattern we see every single summer: Clients spend months building a beautiful skincare routine. Then they go on a trip, suitcase space is tight, they toss a few products into a bag, and come back with dehydrated, broken-out, uneven skin wondering what went wrong. What went wrong is that travel is one of the most stressful environments your skin encounters all year. Recycled plane air, time zone changes, different water, sun exposure, and disrupted sleep all hit your skin at once. Staying consistent with your routine while traveling is what keeps your skin from taking two steps back every time you take a trip. The good news? We have done the work of figuring out what travels well, and this summer we are particularly excited about the options we have in the studio! Why You Shouldn’t Change Your Skincare Routine While Traveling We hear it all the time: "I just can’t bring all my products on vacation." We get it. Nobody wants to check a bag full of serums or stress about TSA liquid rules. But, a stripped-down version of your real routine will always outperform a completely different set of random products you could find in travel-size. The goal isn't to bring everything. It's to bring the right things, in formats that make sense for travel. Consistency is what keeps your skin stable. And, even a simplified version of what your skin knows and responds to is going to serve it far better than a complete routine interruption. This is exactly why we love travel sizes, and why we've been so intentional about the travel-friendly options we carry. Biologique Recherche Quintessential Serums Travel Case If you're a Biologique Recherche fan, you already know that your Quintessential Serum is non-negotiable. These targeted serums are the foundation of so many of our clients' results, and skipping them for a week is noticeable in ways that aren't worth the convenience. The BR travel case is the solution. Designed specifically for the Quintessential Serum range, it keeps your serums protected, organized, and completely travel-ready without taking up real estate in your bag. It's sleek, it's practical, and it means there's no reason to leave your serums at home. If you've been relying on a professional serum as part of your routine and you haven't thought about how to travel with it, come in and talk to us. The travel case makes the whole thing significantly easier. Lenox and Sixteenth Travel Sizes This is one of the things we love most about the Lenox and Sixteenth line: travel sizes were part of the plan from the beginning. This is a brand that was designed with real life in mind, including the part of real life that involves living out of a suitcase. All three core products are available in travel sizes, which makes building a complete travel routine easy. Laser Serum travel size means your exfoliating, brightening acid serum makes the trip with you. Whether you're jetting off for some travel, or staying local, using this a few times throughout your trip will help your skin to stay on track despite weather and travel conditions. The Preservationist travel size is your morning antioxidant protection on the go. Vitamin C in the morning, SPF after, and your skin has a fighting chance against whatever the day throws at it, including the extra UV exposure that comes with vacation time outdoors! Soft Landing travel size means your barrier-supportive moisturizer travels with you. This weightless, multi-peptide moisturizer is exactly what skin needs after flights, air conditioning, and sun exposure. It hydrates without feeling heavy, which makes it incredibly versatile across different climates and conditions. The fact that all three are available in travel sizes means you can keep your Lenox and Sixteenth routine running seamlessly whether you're away for a weekend or a month. Paume Travel and Tester Sizes We introduced PAUME to Skin & Tonic earlier this year and the response has been exactly what we hoped for. Clients are obsessed, and honestly, we are too. For summer travel specifically, the PAUME lineup makes more sense than ever. Think about everything your hands go through on a trip: airports, sanitizer stations, different soaps in every hotel bathroom, time at the beach or pool, sun exposure on your hands and feet. Travel is harsh on hands, and most people don't think about it until their hands feel like sandpaper at the end of the trip. PAUME's travel and tester sizes mean you can bring the full hand care experience without the full-size footprint. A few of our favorites for the travel bag: The Overnight Hand and Foot Hydration Mask is the best use of a long-haul flight or a hotel evening wind-down. Apply it, slip on the organic cotton gloves, and let it work while you sleep. The combination of Panthenol and Squalane means you will wake up with noticeably softer hands. It's one of those products that earns its place every single trip. The Probiotic Hand Balm is your daily companion. It’s rich enough to repair, but it absorbs without leaving a greasy residue on everything you touch. Perfect for the bedside table or your carry-on. The Moisturizing Antibacterial Hand Gel solves the problem that traditional hand sanitizers create. If you've ever come off a long flight with raw, cracked hands from repeated sanitizing, this is the product you needed. It sanitizes and actively hydrates at the same time. Once you try it, you'll never travel without it. The Cleansing Hand and Body Wipes are made for the moments when soap and water just aren't available. Plant-based cleansers with Safflower Oleosomes mean your hands stay clean and hydrated rather than clean and stripped. Great for flights, long drives, or anywhere you're on the go. PAUME's signature light essential oil scent runs through the whole line. It's clean, subtle, and universally appealing. Nothing overpowering. Nothing that clashes with your fragrance. Just elevated, intentional hand care ready for all your travel needs. How to Build Your Summer Travel Skincare Routine You don't need to bring everything. You need a simplified version of what already works for your skin. A good travel routine covers four things: a thorough cleanse, a targeted treatment serum, a moisturizer that supports the barrier, and SPF every morning without fail. Everything else is a bonus. The products above fit into that framework beautifully, and they all happen to be travel-friendly in terms of size, packaging, and ease of use. If you want help building a travel routine that's specific to your skin, that's exactly the kind of conversation we love having in the studio. Come in before your next trip. We'll put together a kit that makes sense for where you're going and what your skin needs right now. Your skin works hard all year. It deserves to come home from vacation looking as refreshed as you feel. Stay glowing,Robin & Lori P.S. Want to know more about choosing the right SPF before you jet off? Learn why we love mineral sunscreen, or, read more about customizing your skincare for summer.

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June 2, 2026

The Vitamin C Serum Guide

You've been eyeing a Vitamin C serum. Maybe you've already bought a few. One turned orange in the bottle. One stung. One seemed to do nothing. And now you're wondering if Vitamin C is actually worth the hype or if you've just been unlucky. You haven't been unlucky. Vitamin C really is one of the most powerful ingredients available for brightening skin, fading pigmentation, and protecting against environmental damage. But, the gap between a great Vitamin C product and a disappointing one is enormous, and most of the options on the market fall into the disappointing category without anyone explaining why. That’s what we are here for! Is Vitamin C worth the hype? Let's start by talking about what Vitamin C does for the skin, because it does several things simultaneously, which is part of why it's earned such a devoted following. It brightens. Vitamin C inhibits an enzyme called tyrosinase, which is involved in melanin production. Less excess melanin means a more even, luminous skin tone over time. It protects. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Applied in the morning, it helps neutralize free radical damage caused by UV exposure and environmental pollution. It doesn't replace sunscreen, but it significantly enhances your skin's defense system when used alongside one. It supports collagen. Vitamin C plays a direct role in collagen synthesis. This is why consistent use over time is associated with firmer, more resilient skin. It's one of the rare ingredients that genuinely supports anti-aging outcomes without being aggressive. It supports post-treatment results. If you're getting regular facials, DermaSweep, or microneedling, a Vitamin C serum used consistently at home extends and protects those results between appointments. Professional treatments stimulate change. Vitamin C helps preserve and support that change daily. Why isn't my Vitamin C serum working? Most Vitamin C serums are formulated with L-ascorbic acid, which is the purest, most bioavailable form of Vitamin C. Sounds good, right? The problem is that L-ascorbic acid is notoriously unstable. It oxidizes when exposed to light and air, which is why so many Vitamin C serums turn yellow, then orange, then brown over time. An oxidized Vitamin C serum will stop working, and it can actually generate free radicals and irritate the skin. Additionally, L-ascorbic acid is most effective at a low pH, which makes it inherently more acidic and more likely to sting or cause irritation, particularly for anyone with sensitive, reactive, or rosacea-prone skin. Then there's the concentration issue. Brands often use too little Vitamin C to show results, or too much, which pushes skin into irritation territory. Finding the sweet spot requires thoughtful formulation, and not everyone invests in that. Finally, many Vitamin C serums are formulated in a watery base that sits on top of the skin rather than properly penetrating. You apply it, it evaporates, and your skin doesn't actually absorb what it needs. For all of you who asked us over the years, these are some of the reasons why we held off on stocking a Vitamin C serum for so long. We were not going to bring in a product we couldn't fully stand behind. What makes a Vitamin C formula work? When we were searching for a great vitamin C option, we were looking for a few non-negotiables: Stability. The formula needs to stay active from the moment it's manufactured to the last drop in the bottle. This often means using a more stable derivative of Vitamin C, formulated in a way that protects it from oxidation. Skin compatibility. Effective should not mean irritating. A Vitamin C product worth recommending should brighten without compromising the barrier or causing sensitivity. The right base. Vitamin C delivered in a cream or serum-cream hybrid absorbs differently than a watery formula. A richer base helps with penetration and means the product works with the skin rather than sitting on top of it. Complementary ingredients. Great Vitamin C formulas don't work alone. Pairing Vitamin C with ceramides, squalane, and other barrier-supportive ingredients means you're protecting and nourishing the skin at the same time as brightening it. So what should you look for on the label? On the ingredients list, look for ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, or ascorbyl glucoside, all of which are stable, well-researched forms of Vitamin C. Ceramides, squalane, or niacinamide appearing in the top half of the ingredients list (where the active, higher-concentration ingredients live) are a good sign that the formula was built to support the skin barrier, not just deliver a single active. Why we chose The Preservationist from Lenox & Sixteenth The Preservationist is our first Vitamin C recommendation in recent years, and we mean that as a compliment to the product. It's formulated as a cream-serum, which tells us the product is thoughtfully made, and will absorb beautifully into the skin. Rather than a single L-ascorbic acid formula, it uses two forms of potent Vitamin C alongside niacinamide (for pore refinement and tone evening), ceramides, squalane, and exosomes for hydration and barrier support. The result is a product that delivers brighter skin while actively supporting the barrier, not working against it. In practice, it feels elegant. It absorbs beautifully. It layers well under moisturizer and SPF without pilling or interfering. It doesn't sting. And the results, particularly for clients dealing with dullness and uneven tone, are exactly what we were hoping for. It's also very much in line with what we've come to love about Lenox & Sixteenth as a brand overall. Esthetician-owned, carefully formulated, results-driven without being aggressive. That philosophy aligns completely with how we practice skincare. How to use Vitamin C correctly A few practical notes: Use it in the morning. Vitamin C's antioxidant properties are most useful during the day when your skin is being exposed to UV and environmental stressors. Always follow with SPF. Vitamin C and sunscreen work together. One protects. The other neutralizes. Together, they're significantly more effective than either alone. Give it time. Brightening results from consistent Vitamin C use typically become visible after four to six weeks. This is not an overnight fix. Store it correctly. Keep your Vitamin C product away from direct sunlight and heat. A cabinet rather than a sunny bathroom shelf extends its effectiveness considerably. Who should use a Vitamin C serum? Almost everyone, honestly. But especially: Anyone dealing with dullness or uneven skin tone. Anyone working on hyperpigmentation or post-acne marks. Anyone who wants to get more out of their sunscreen. Anyone who wants to support collagen long-term as part of an anti-aging routine. If you've had reactions to Vitamin C in the past, come in and talk to us before writing it off entirely. The formula matters enormously. The right one, chosen for your specific skin, can be a very different experience. Summer is the most important time of year to have antioxidant support in your morning routine. The UV exposure your skin is collecting right now is cumulative, and Vitamin C is one of the most accessible ways to protect against its long-term impact. Stay glowing, Robin & Lori

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May 19, 2026

Men Get Facials Too: Why Men's Skin Deserves a Spot on Our Treatment Table

The men in our lives work hard. They show up every day, they take care of everyone around them, and they rarely take time for their own selfcare. That's exactly why a facial at Skin & Tonic Raleigh makes such a perfect Father's Day gift! If you have spent any amount of time on social media recently, you may have noticed that the beauty standard for men is rising. Skincare is becoming the norm, and men everywhere are paying more attention to their skin, and feeling comfortable doing so. It is exciting to see. So if someone sent you this, consider it a nudge. And if you found it yourself? Even better. Here's everything you need to know about men's facials. Why Do Men Need Facials? Did you know that men' s skin is biologically different from women's skin? Understanding the differences is important because it affects how skin ages, how it reacts, and what it needs. For starters, men's skin is about 25% thicker than women's, with higher collagen density and more active sebaceous glands. That means more oil production, larger pores, and a greater tendency toward congestion. It also means that when the signs of aging do show up, they can appear more suddenly and more dramatically than they do for women, who experience a more gradual decline in collagen over time. In other words, the change can feel fast when it comes. Then there's shaving. Regular shaving is essentially a form of daily exfoliation, which sounds like a good thing, but without the right care around it, it creates a cycle of low-grade inflammation. Razor drag, friction, and the repeated removal of surface skin cells can compromise the skin barrier over time, leading to chronic sensitivity, ingrown hairs, redness, and irritation. If you have a beard, the skin underneath is often the most neglected of all, trapped under facial hair and rarely cleansed or treated properly. Sun exposure is another major factor. Men are statistically less likely to wear SPF daily, and more likely to spend extended time outdoors without protection. Over years and decades, that adds up to accelerated collagen breakdown, hyperpigmentation, and a higher risk of skin cancer. UV damage is cumulative and largely invisible, until it isn't. By the time it shows up on the surface, it has been building for a long time. Add in the effects of stress, which elevates cortisol and drives inflammation, congestion, and accelerated aging, and you have a picture of skin that is working hard and getting very little support in return. The good news? Skin responds quickly and visibly, when it's given the right care. A professional facial doesn't just feel good in the moment. It supports the skin and it’s barrier, regulates oil production, and gives your skin a genuine reset. What to Expect at Your First Facial If you've never had a facial before, it can feel incredibly mysterious. We want to demystify it and share what the experience looks like at Skin & Tonic. You'll start with a consultation so your esthetician can understand your skin, your concerns, and what you're currently using. From there, your facial is customized to what your skin actually needs, not a one-size-fits-all treatment. You can expect steps like deep cleansing, exfoliation, extractions if needed, a targeted mask, and finishing products. It's relaxing, professional, and completely pressure-free. Most first-timers leave wondering what took them so long. Should You Shave Before Your Facial? This one comes up with all of our male customers. And the answer is don't shave the day of your appointment. Shaving creates micro-abrasions on the skin, and fresh razor irritation means heightened sensitivity right before we start working. We want your skin calm and ready, not freshly irritated. The ideal? You can shave the day before, but please skip it the morning of your appointment. Another question we get a lot is can you get a facial when you have a beard? Of course you can! Beards are no problem at all. Our estheticians work around facial hair all the time. A beard is never a barrier to a great facial. We'll treat the skin we can access and customize the treatment accordingly. What Men’s Skincare Do We Recommend? We've been obsessed with Lenox & Sixteenth since we brought it into Skin & Tonic, and it turns out this line is an exceptional fit for men. Why? Because it's simple, effective, and has zero fluff. No overwhelming choices. No complicated routines. Just great formulations that do exactly what they say. Lenox & Sixteenth’s Soft Landing Moisturizer If the idea of putting something on your face sounds unappealing, this is the product that changes that. Soft Landing is weightless, non-greasy, and absorbs instantly. It hydrates without heaviness, calms post-shave sensitivity and redness, and supports your skin barrier over time. It does a lot without feeling like it's doing anything, and that is exactly the point. Lenox & Sixteenth’s Laser Serum Dealing with uneven skin tone, congestion, or rough texture from years of sun exposure and skipped skincare? The Laser Serum is a quiet powerhouse. With a triple acid blend of glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids, it resurfaces gently without irritation. No drama. Just noticeably clearer, smoother skin over time. Biologique Recherche Gel ADN SILKGEN Another moisturizing option comes in the form of Gel ADN SILKGEN Refreshing Moisturizing Face Fluid from Biologique Recherche. This ultra-light, fluid moisturizer absorbs instantly, leaves zero residue, and delivers real hydration without any heaviness. It's deeply refreshing, which makes it a perfect post-shave step. For men who run warm, spend time outdoors, or simply don't want to feel like they have anything on their skin, Gel ADN SILKGEN is the one. Suntegrity Guardian Angel Super Peptide Sunscreen SPF 50 We talk about SPF constantly, and for good reason. But we also know that the number one reason men skip sunscreen is because they hate the way it feels - thick, greasy, uncomfortable. We get it. Guardian Angel SPF 50 by Suntegrity solves that issue. This is a broad spectrum SPF 50 mineral sunscreen in a lightweight formula that goes on clean, absorbs fast, and leaves no white cast. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays without clogging pores or sitting heavy on the skin. For men who spend time outdoors, play sport, or simply want protection without the fuss, this is the easiest possible way to make SPF a daily habit. And given everything we just told you about what years of unprotected sun exposure does to your skin? This one is non-negotiable. After Facial Care for Men Imagine this: You have just had your facial, your skin is freshly treated, hydrated and feeling great. Now, here are a few simple things to keep in mind to help you maintain that post facial feeling: Skip shaving for at least 24 hours afterward if you can Wear SPF, all year round Keep it simple for the first day or two: a gentle moisturizer and sunscreen is all you need We'll walk you through everything at your appointment, so there's no guesswork once you leave the studio. Yes, Men Really Do Get Facials Too Something really lovely has been happening at Skin & Tonic. More and more of our clients are bringing their husbands and partners in, sometimes as a gift, sometimes because they finally talked them into it. And almost without exception, those men become regulars. It makes complete sense to us. Once you experience what your skin can actually feel and look like with professional care, it's hard to go back to splashing water and calling it a routine. Men are paying more attention to their skin than ever before, and we are here for it. It's not vanity. It's self-respect. We love seeing it. And we love being the place where it starts. Whether this was a gift or you found your way here on your own, we're glad you're here. Father's Day is a great excuse to start, but great skin doesn't have a season. Book your first facial at Skin & Tonic. Have questions about what treatment is right for you? Just ask us. We are always happy to help you find the perfect fit. Xoxo, Robin & Lori

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