Month: March 2024

Doh (Doe)

New and very exciting products are heading to market for both skin care (the topic of this edition of Boomer Beauty) and hair restoration (which will be the subject of a future post). These particular products contain proteins derived from the stem cells of the umbilical cord lining of the red deer native to New Zealand. Umbilical cord stem cells are called “neo-natal” and can help replace those which humans lose over time. The aha moment came when Cell Research Corporation, the parent company of Calecim Professional, discovered that this source of protein, which does zero harm to the animal, had the same effect as other stem cell sources, while being non-controversial. In addition, the cord source produces proteins in their purest and therefore most potent form.

I am an observer and not a scientist, so I cannot explain the science behind these products better than the manufacturer. This link provided much greater detail.

The most ethical source of stem cells which happens to be the most abu – Calecim Professional

The company was founded in 2002 in Singapore and in 2004, their laboratory discovered that the properties of these proteins had unmatched healing powers in various post-surgery applications and with scarring. This made the brand, developed by scientists, move seamlessly into the medical field, as it was obvious, based on before and after photos, that it was effective.

OK, that’s all great, now show me some products and their uses!

Calecim has become well known for skin regeneration (they have been granted and hold numerous patents) but until recently their products were  relegated only to medical and med spa channels. Calecim Professional is currently launching via additional channels and globally.

Their skin care falls into several categories; cleanse and tone, correct/multi action and restore/hydrate. My favorite is their fragrance-free Professional Pigment Solution. I’ve been using it for several months now and I’ve seen my worst sunspots lighten, and my less severe dark spots have disappeared to the point where I no longer need to conceal them before a big night out.

Why fragrance-free? Purity, especially in the case of these products, is important. Calecim is all about performance. Fragrance dilutes the purity and therefore the effectiveness of the product.

Here’s how I use the products. My face, like those of most people, has obviously been impacted by the sun to a greater extent on my upper face. Although I’ve worn sunglasses my whole life, I was unaware that some sunglasses reflect the sun and/or concentrate it and sunglasses themselves can cause damage. I use the Professional Pigment Solution for hyperpigmentation and use the Restorative Hydration Cream on my lower face and neck, where there is less damage and where the product targets laxity and facial contours/wrinkles. All of these skin creams are particularly useful after any med spa procedure to speed healing, which was their original use case.

If you plan on being in the sun, a sun block can be applied after the Calecim dries for a few minutes. The packaging is high-end acrylic with well thought out closures and, in some cases, retracting pumps.

I love these products and they are about to explode onto the scene!

You know this blog is for you when….

The Beauty Parlor

If you can recall your mother or grandmother telling you they were off to their appointment at the beauty pallor, then you are of an age where you will find that this site was designed for you! Grandma, of course, went to see her hairdresser/beautician, likely to get a permanent or curlers and bobby pins or perhaps to become a blue haired grandma (something called Fancy Faux I’m told) which was the tradition.  Along the way she’d receive healthy dose of gossip which, prior to the internet, she could only get at the beauty parlor or by spending long hours on a rotary phone, which at the time, may have had its own room, nook or phone chair, which additionally held the Yellow and White Pages.

Now of course, we have salons instead of beauty parlors and stylists instead of hairdressers. Yes, and we have flight attendants as opposed to stewardesses.  It’s all good. There is nothing wrong with evolving.  In fact, such an evolution is important. 

Very few things in the beauty industry have evolved at the pace of men’s beauty/grooming, as the increased attention men, and their potential/actual partners pay to grooming. Your evolution may have been slow in coming.  Perhaps your journey began with a moisturizer or sun block. Perhaps your journey has yet to commence. Well, men’s grooming is a revolution and it’s time to join in. Here’s why. There are some amazing brands out there which will improve not only your skin and your hair (including regrowing hair – more on that in future blogs posts) but which will improve your outlook, your confidence and impact how others see you.      

I am fortunate. Due to my wife’s beauty products consulting business, a great number of brands (some which have not yet reached the market) and their associated samples pass through our home each month. I am expected to try each, critique them and to provide feedback.  Over the past 15 years, I’ve learned what to look for in a product; performance, price, scent, packaging, all dependent on the anticipated end market (salon, medical, retail, on-line, prestige, etc.).  The market is saturated and highly competitive, so differentiation can either drive success or lead to failure. There are hundreds of examples of characteristics affecting success.  Let’s just take one, shampoo and conditioner viscosity.  If the stuff is too thick to get out of the bottle, no one benefits and the frustrated customer or the stylist will soon move on.  Conversely, if it’s so thin that most of the product leaks through your fingers before making to your head, it’s just wasteful.    

This is my first publication in quite a while. I took Covid off, but I’ve been wanting to critique many of the products I’ve tested over these past few years and have wanted to share my results. My goal is to educate those out there who with might really benefit from my meager guidance. I plan to continue to publish with my patented side of humor.