It breaks my heart when I see someone stop using a product or device because they don't believe they're getting results. Especially when 99% of the time when asked if they took before and after pictures, the answer is no. 😢
Here's why that's a problem. The brain cannot recall every detail of the face zooming in on different parts in an accurate comparison to the day before let alone a week before, simply by looking in the mirror. That would require a photographic memory and science has proven that no one has a truly photographic memory.
The only way to accurately **see** our progress is capturing it in before and after pictures. Otherwise, we might sabotage the results we could achieve because we have given up too soon.
Setting reasonable expectations is important when it comes to our efforts to age gracefully. In other words, we didn’t look in the mirror one day and all of a sudden looking back at us is a face with deep wrinkles, frown lines, jowls, uneven skin tone, or sagging skin. It happened ever so slowly. So slowly, in fact, we couldn't see it.
How many times have you looked at a picture of yourself from one year ago, five years ago, ten years ago, and cringed at the signs of aging captured in those images?
Wouldn't it be wonderful to look at your picture one year from now (or 6 weeks from now) and see the signs of aging softening? It's possible - but only - if you don't give up. When you learn how to capture proof of your progress, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you're achieving a return on your investment - and looking your very best. That's a true win-win!
It’s never too late to begin. Even if you've been using products and devices for a while, you can still take before & after pictures. After all, your skin will continue to improve with continued and consistent use so why not capture it!
HOW TO TAKE PROGRESS PICTURES
FIRST PROGRESS PICTURE
- Remove all makeup, including mascara, lip gloss/color, and penciled brows.
- Choose the time of day (and day of the week) your face is at it’s best (think not puffy, tired, etc.). for some this is in the evening or mid afternoon. It's often easier to do this on the weekend.
- Use a headwrap and pull hair away from your face.
- Use good lighting (both sides of face equally lit).
- Using a camera (cell phone is perfect), take one picture looking straight into the camera, and one picture with a left profile, and one picture with the right profile. Have the camera far enough away to capture your neck and upper décolleté. This is easier to do in front a mirror or ask someone to help you. Remember, no one is going to see these but you, so don't be overly critical.
ONGOING PROGRESS PICTURES
- It's important to replicate the same lighting, no makeup, hair position, and the same pose as in the first picture and so forth. If you don't smile in first image, don't smile in others. This will ensure an accurate comparison.
- It's also a good idea to use the same day of the week and time of day but if not, do your best to at least replicate the pose, lighting, etc.
- Repeat steps #1 – 5 above
- The interval you choose should be at least one week apart.
- You will see the biggest changes when you compare week 1 with week 4 photo’s. It's so exciting!
- Practice patience. It can take 6 – 8 weeks (or longer) to begin seeing progress that pleases you.
- Compare pictures side by side looking for softening of lines around the eyes and lips, skin tone improvements, crepey areas looking thicker, slight lifting of jowls, cheeks and brows, and marionette lines getting softer.
- I also recommend comparing pictures from month to month so you can see the changes even more clearly.
Human beings by nature require a reward system to keep doing something that takes discipline. Your before and after pictures will be just the thing to keep you motivated.
Whatever you do, don't give up! We cannot make progress if we don't stick with it. Some will see progress sooner than others but most will begin seeing changes in 4 to 6 weeks if using the product consistently and as instructed.
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