The Plateau Effect in Skincare: What It Means for Your Skin

Have you ever wondered why a skincare product works wonders at first, but then seems to lose its effectiveness after a while?

This is something I frequently encounter during client consultations. When I ask what skincare routine they’re currently using, many respond with something like, "I started with [brand name], and it worked great at first, but now my skin looks the same as it did before. It’s frustrating – nothing seems to work long term."

In some cases, people become so frustrated that they stop using skincare altogether, opting for just water and moisturizer. Meanwhile, their old skincare products collect dust under the bathroom sink. Sound familiar?

It’s okay – we’ve all been there! We all have that cupboard full of expired skincare products we tried and abandoned.

But here’s the thing: the reason your skincare routine isn’t giving long-lasting results is due to the Plateau Effect – your skin has reached a point where it stops progressing because the products you’re using aren’t designed to take your skin any further.

It’s like this: Imagine you’ve been going to the gym for five years, sticking to the same routine of 10 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of light weights. At first, you’ll see some improvements in your fitness and muscle tone. But if you keep doing the same routine without increasing the intensity, your progress will plateau.

The same thing happens with your skin.

Understanding Skin Structure

Our skin is more complex than many realize. It consists of two main layers: the epidermis and the dermis. What many don’t know is that the epidermis is made up of five layers, and it’s not entirely dead – only the top layer, the Stratum Corneum, is dead.

The dermis, which sits just above the fat tissue (or subcutaneous tissue), also has two layers. These layers work together to protect the body and perform functions like heat regulation, sensation, secretion, excretion, and absorption.

To perform all of these functions optimally, the skin requires proper nourishment, just like the rest of our body. It needs vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides to thrive.

However, if you only give your skin the same nutrients in the same concentrations, it will eventually plateau. Your skin will stop improving, no matter how long you keep using the same products.

Why Skin Care Can Stop Working

This is why many people jump from one skincare line to another, hoping to find something that will continue delivering results. Unfortunately, this often leads to frustration and wasted money, as the new products eventually stop working too.

The Solution: Environ's Step-Up System

Here’s where Environ comes in – a brand that’s designed to keep your skin improving over time with its unique Step-Up System.

Environ’s system offers different concentrations of corrective serums and moisturizers, gradually increasing to help your skin progress and maintain improvements. For example, with the Youth-EssentiA C-Quence Serums (my personal favorite), you start with Level 1, and over time, you move up to Level 5.

Each serum lasts about three months, giving your skin the time it needs to adjust to the higher dosage. As a result, your skin becomes stronger and better with each step.

What Happens After Level 5?

You might be wondering, “What happens once I reach Level 5? Won’t my skin plateau again?”

Absolutely not! This is where Environ truly shines.

Once you reach the higher levels, you can incorporate Retinol (which also comes in different levels) to further enhance your skin’s strength and resilience.

How Does Cosmetic Needling Help?

As your skin becomes stronger through these vitamin treatments, it naturally becomes harder for the active ingredients to penetrate deeply. This is where cosmetic needling comes into play.

Yes, I know – the idea of needling might sound a bit intimidating, but trust me, it’s not as scary as it seems.

Environ offers a cosmetic needling device that you can use at home. This device uses tiny 0.1mm needles that create microscopic pathways in the skin. This allows the active ingredients in your serums and moisturizers to penetrate deeper, ensuring your skin receives the nourishment it needs.

The needles are so tiny that they’re practically invisible to the naked eye, and the treatment only feels a little scratchy on the skin. It may leave your face slightly flushed for a few minutes, but that’s just blood flow to the area. No pinpoint bleeding – that would require longer needles, about 1mm in length.

The Bottom Line: Why Your Skincare Isn’t Working Long-Term

So, why do most skincare products stop working after a while? It's because they aren’t formulated to take your skin beyond a certain point. Once your skin gets used to a product, it no longer delivers the same results.

If you're tired of chasing short-term skincare solutions, it may be time to switch to something that works for the long haul. With Environ’s step-up system, you can ensure your skin keeps improving without ever plateauing.

Ready for Long-Term Results?

If you’re ready to take your skincare routine to the next level, it might be time to try Environ. Book a consultation with me today by texting or calling 403-991-1663, messaging me on Instagram @lauras_lasers, or emailing me at lauraslasers@gmail.com. Let’s get your skin on the path to sustained improvement!