Juvederm Voluma FDA Approved for Volumizing the Cheeks

On October 23, 2013 the FDA approved the use of Juvederm Voluma XC for volumizing the cheeks. (Click here to read the press release.) Juvederm Voluma is made by Allergan, the same company that makes Botox. Traditional Juvederm is indicated for the smile lines, or parentheses lines, from the side of the nose to the corners of the mouth. The new product, Juvederm Voluma, is indicated for treatment of volume loss on the upper cheeks. As we age, the fat pads in the face that provide volume are absorbed by the body and slowly descend due to gravity. Juvederm Voluma is injected deep in the skin, directly over the cheek bone to provide volume that has been lost and give a more youthful appearance. Unlike other fillers such as standard Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse, results last up to two years. An added benefit is that the formulation contains a numbing ingredient for comfort during the treatment. A E Skin is excited to be offering Juvederm Voluma in the near future. Contact us (818-835-1833 info@aeskin.com) for a free consultation.

Clarisonic Pro Timer

The Clarisonic Pro Face and Body is now available at A E Skin. For the entire month of October, a purchase of the brush comes with a free facewash. It is an outstanding product for the skin. I takes one minute to wash the entire face. It has a timer to help you do this. Start by wetting your face and applying facewash. When starting the brush, start on the forehead making small circles working across the forehead. After 20 seconds, the timer will beep, indicating that it is time to move to the nose, lips, and chin. After another 20 seconds, another beep will let you know it's time to move to one check. Ten seconds later the final beep tells you to move to the other cheek. You can use the brush with any facewash product and it is waterproof, so you can use it in the shower. It removes oil, dirt, debris, makeup, and sunscreen six times more effectively as manual washing. It has four speeds that you can adjust to your comfort level. It comes with the brush, a charger, a standard brush head, a larger body brush head, and a cradle and extension for use on the back. Dr. Alex recommends using the brush twice daily and replacing the brush head every three to six months. There are several different brush heads for all different skin types. Contact A E Skin (818-835-1833 info@aeskin.com) for a free consultation.

Exactly How Does Sunlight Damage the Skin?

As we age our skin changes. Perhaps the most important factor causing these changes is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. When these UV rays hit the skin they produce harmful free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin in a number of ways. They cause the breakdown of collagen, the protein in the skin that holds it together, giving it a youthful and tight appearance. This leads to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, laxity, and enlarged pores. It also thins out the deeper layer of the skin called the dermis and produces broken capillaries which become visible to the naked eye. Additionally, UV rays will cause certain cells in the skin called melanocytes to produce a molecule called melanin, the pigment that gives the skin its color. This is what happens when we get a tan. Also excess melanin is seen in freckles, age spots, and melasma.

 

There are a number of things we can do to protect ourselves from and correct this damage. Using sunscreen every day is the most basic way to prevent sun damage. Other skin care products to use include antioxidants to block the harmful free radicals, retinoids to stimulate collagen production and a firm appearance, and brightening creams to remove the dark discolorations. Treatments include facials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and various laser treatments. These are designed to exfoliate or target specific things in the skin such as dark discolorations and broken capillaries. People that get the best results are those that combine a good at-home skin care regimen with regular treatments in the office. For this reason Dr. Alex's philosophy is to have a combination approach, by preventing and correcting in multiple ways for a sustained youthful appearance. Contact us (818-835-1833 info@aeskin.com) for a free consultation.

New Product Available for Facial Redness



Rosacea before and after 3 treatments

On August 28, 2013, the FDA approved a new product called Mirvaso (brimotidine) for facial redness, or rosacea. In the past, the only prescription product available for rosacea was metronidazole, the active ingredient in the A E Skin Rosamax gel. Rosacea is a common condition where those affected become red, typically in the central face. The redness or flushing can be induced by sun exposure, heat, cold, spicy foods, alcohol consumption, and emotional stress. Non-prescription skin care products also used to treat rosacea include niacinamide and vitamin C. IPL photofacial treatments, Dr. Alex's area of expertise, are also outstanding treatments for rosacea. I normally recommend a combination approach using both topical products and IPL photofacial treatments for best results. Contact A E Skin (818-835-1833) for a free consultation.