Ultherapy Coming to A E Skin

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Ultherapy is a new and exciting system of non-invasive skin tightening procedure coming to A E Skin. Unlike laser skin tightening, Ultherapy uses ultrasound to stimulate the body's own natural healing process to lift, tone, and tighten the skin. It works on a number of areas including the upper face, lower face, under the chin, and neck. A single one hour treatment can give outstanding results. Since there is no downtime, you can return no your normal activities right away. Over three to six months, new collagen in the skin is formed to give a firm and youthful appearance to the skin. Dr. Alex will prescribe medications to keep you comfortable throughout the treatment. Anyone who has relaxed skin with mild to moderate laxity is a good candidate for treatment. Contact us (818-835-1833 info@aeskin.com) for a free consultation.

Clarisonic Pedi

The Clarosonic Pedi is a new device designed to smooth out the rough skin on the feet. Compared to the brush used for the face and body, the Pedi has a more powerful motor designed to exfoliate the thick skin on the feet. It works especially well on the heels and toes. It has three speeds to choose from with an adjustable timer. Like the Clarisonic Pro, the Clarisonic Pedi is waterproof so you can take it in the shower. It has two brush heads for exfoliation. The Pedi smoothing disc is stainless steel and removes rough, dry areas without damaging the health of the skin. The Pedi wet/dry buffing brush head has both short rigid filaments and long soft ones designed for even coverage and thorough exfoliation. Just like on the face, when exfoliating the feet, the skin becomes soft, with a smooth texture.

Collagen

Structure of the Collagen Molecule

Collagen is  a naturally occurring protein found in the skin which, with other proteins such as elastin, provides the tightness or turgor to the skin. The molecule looks like three strings wrapped around each other tightly, called a triple helix. Collagen is always being produced and destroyed by the body at the same time. When we are young, the production is more than the destruction, which is why young skin looks firm. As we age the rate of collagen production slows down and collagen destruction speeds up. This leads to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin such as the jowls. Other factors cause damage of collagen. These include sun damage and free radical formation from smoking. These specifically change the three dimensional structure of the molecule such that it becomes loose. We can protect ourselves by applying sunscreen daily as well as topical antioxidants such as vitamin C. Adding a retinoid such as retin-A or retinol to your skin care regimen will stimulate collagen formation, giving your skin a tight and youthful appearance. In addition to at home products, treatments which stimulate collagen production include chemical peels, laser skin tightening, dermabrasion, and laser resurfacing such as fractional treatments. People that get the best results are those that combine a thorough skin care regimen including sunscreen, antioxidants, and retinoids with in office procedures. Contact us (818-835-1833 info@aeskin.com) for a free consultation.

Effects of Smoking on the Skin

From Okada et al, 2013. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

We all know the risk of smoking on the health including lung damage, heart disease, increased risk of cancer, and others. But many people do not know the effects that smoking cigarettes has on the skin over time. A new study conducted by Dr. Haruko Okada and colleagues at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio published in the November 2013 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery demonstrates these effects. The study compared photographs of twins, one of which smoked and the other did not, or one of which smoked at least five years longer than the other. The photographs of the smokers demonstrated significantly more signs of facial aging including eyelid laxity, under eye bags, fine lines, deep lines, sagging skin, and discolorations. In the image from the study shown here, the twin on the right smoked 14 years longer than his brother. Although they are the same age, the smoker has more wrinkles and deeper wrinkles and appears older. Like sun exposure, smoking leads to the formation of harmful free radicals in the skin. These harmful free radicals have multiple effects. They damage the collagen in the skin, the protein that holds the skin tight, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. It also leads to discolorations which are commonly known as age spots. Sunscreen can block the harmful effects of the sun, but it can not protect the skin from the free radicals generated from smoking. Topical antioxidants such as vitamin C can neutralize these free radicals to prevent aging. But the best way for smokers to prevent aging is to quit smoking. Other elements of a healthy lifestyle include sun protection, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep. Making healthy lifestyle choices will lead to healthy and youthful appearing skin.