Sunday, August 26, 2012

Clarisonic Pro Face and Body

The Clarisonic Pro Face and Body is a new product that is outstanding for any type of skin. It is similar to the classic Clarisonic but with a few key differences. It is only available through professionals, so it can not be purchased online. It has a Pro speed in addition to low, normal, and high speeds. It comes with a large brush head and extension handle designed specifically for the body which has two modes: normal and pulse. Finally it comes with an additional year of warranty. Using the Clarisonic it takes one minute to wash the entire face. It can be used with any facewash. And it is waterproof so it can be taken in the shower. It feels like a nice gentle massage and gets rid of oil, dirt, debris, makeup, and sunscreen six times more effectively than manual washing. There are six different brush heads to choose from. In addition to the normal and body brush heads there are deep pore, sensitive, delicate, and acne. The most aggressive is the deep pore, which is good for oily skin and large pores. The sensitive brush head is for those with normal to sensitive skin. The delicate brush head is extra gentle for ultra- sensitive skin. The newest brush head is the acne brush head, which is the softest of all and great for those with acne, rosacea, and sensitive skin. Add the Clarisonic Pro Face and Body to your skin care regimen for clean, healthy skin.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Enlarged Pores

Having enlarged pores on the face is a common concern for many people. These enlarged pores typically occur on the nose, cheeks, and forehead, but can occur anywhere on the face. There are a number of ways to address enlarged pores. The easiest way is to make sure the face is kept clean by washing twice a day. Using products like the Clarisonic will provide an even greater benefit because it goes in the pores and cleans them out well. In addition to washing, maintaining a good skin care regimen will reduce pore sizes. Important components include exfoliants such as glycolic acid and retinoids such as retin-A. Other ways to improve the appearance of enlarged pores is by undergoing procedures such as facials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, IPL photofacials, and laser resurfacing.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Can Botox and Laser Treatments Be Done on the Same Day?

There are a number of modalities used for facial rejuvenation. Two of the most common are Botox and laser procedures. Botox is used to relax muscles which cause certain lines on the face such as the horizontal lines formed on the forehead when raising the eyebrows and the vertical lines formed between the eyebrows when frowning. Lasers can be used to improve finer lines, other wrinkles, discoloration, redness, and laxity. Many people want all of it done on the same day for fastest results. However, this may not be the safest approach. This is because lasers produce heat in the skin and this heat can cause the Botox (or other neuromodulators such as Dysport and Xeomin) to move. Movement of the Botox can lead to certain side effects depending on the site of injection. These include dropping eyelids, blurred vision, and difficulty smiling. I recommend a period of two weeks between Botox and laser procedures for safe and effective results. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not have Botox or laser procedures.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

The Difference between Botox and Juvederm

Botox and Juvederm are both outstanding products to improve wrinkles for overall facial rejuvenation. But the two work differently and are used for different areas. Botox relaxes muscles that cause wrinkles. These wrinkles are sometimes seen at rest but exaggerated when making facial expressions. Common wrinkles that are treated with Botox include the horizontal lines on the forehead when the eyebrows are raised, the vertical lines between the eyebrows when frowning, and the crow's feet around the eyes when smiling. Juvederm, on the other hand, is a filler which replaces volume that is lost with age. Common areas that are treated with Juvederm are the smile lines from the corner of the nose to the corner of the lips, the lips themselves, and areas under the eyes. These wrinkles are always seen at rest and may or may not be exaggerated by facial expressions. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not receive either of these treatments. Talk to a doctor to see what treatment is best for you.


Sunday, July 29, 2012

Foods for Healthy Skin

Nutrition plays an important role in a person's health but also in the look of the skin. Eating a good diet will give the skin a healthy appearance. Below are some of the best foods to incorporate into your diet to keep your skin looking great.

Salmon
Salmon (and other fatty fish such as mackerel) is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are important in the cell membranes of the skin cells. These membranes keep harmful substances out of the skin and regulate movement of nutrients into the skin. Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce inflammation which can harm the skin.

Berries and Citrus Fruits
Berries such as blueberries and raspberries and citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits are outstanding sources of antioxidants such as vitamin C. Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals that form in response to sun exposure, pollution, smoking, chemicals, and anything that gets on the skin from the environment or the diet. Free radicals lead to skin damage and premature aging. Antioxidants will provide a healthy glow to the skin.

Nuts
Nuts such as almonds, pistachios, and walnuts are great sources of vitamin E, an antioxidant that works with vitamin C to protect the skin from damage. Vitamin E also helps the skin retain moisture, allowing for healthy function. Many of these nuts are also rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids described above.

Green, Red, and Orange Vegetables
Green, red, and orange vegetables such as spinach, carrots, and sweet potatoes are tremendous sources of vitamin A and beta-cerotene (which is converted by the body into vitamin A). Retinoids such as retin-A are vitamin A derivatives applied topically to the skin which both accelerate the skin cell growth cycle and stimulate collagen production. These lead to removal of dead skin on the surface and improvement in fins lines, wrinkles, and laxity. Retinoids have been used for year for their anti-aging properties and natural sources of vitamin A such as these vegetables will help with these anti-aging effects.

Water
It is important to maintain an appropriate level of hydration for adequate function of the skin. The skin is composed of approximately 70 % water and has many important functions including sensation, temperature regulation, preventing water loss, and protecting the skin from insults such as infection. Drinking at least eight cups of water will provide and appropriate amount of hydration to the skin to perform these functions. Water will also bring nutrients into the skin and remove toxins from it.

Make sure these foods are in your diet to keep your skin looking youthful and healthy.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Benefits of a Skin Care Regimen to Photofacials

With all the new devices and procedures available now, many people expect a single procedure to reverse the effects of decades of sun damage. For the most part, it is not that easy. Those that get the best results are those who combine a good skin care regimen with office-based procedures. In the case of a photofacial, the goals are to improve discolorations such as browns and reds and for overall rejuvenation. People that use brightening agents or anti-redness products for several weeks prior to treatment get improved results. This is because the products remove a significant amount of the discoloration prior to the procedure so that when the procedure is performed the remaining discoloration is better removed. The patient shown here was on a good regimen for several weeks prior to a series of three photofacial treatments for redness. Using exfoliants and retinoids removes the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, allowing the light from the laser to penetrate deeper into the skin. Retinoids will also stimulate collagen synthesis, improving fine lines, wrinkles, and laxity even before the photofacial. Be sure to talk to your doctor about a skin care regimen that is appropriate for you prior to undergoing a photofacial.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

A E Skin Acne Max Solution

The A E Skin Acne Max Solution is an outstanding product for those who suffer from acne. It contains five powerful ingredients, all of which help to improve the skin. Salicylic acid exfoliates the dead skin cells of the surface that lead to clogged pores; the amount of salicylic acid is 50 % higher than those available over-the-counter or in products such as Proactiv. Clindamycin is an antibiotic that kills the bacteria in the pimples. Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, reduces the redness that can be seen in acne-prone skin. Azelaic acid has some antibiotic properties and decreases discoloration that can be seen after blemishes. Finally hydrocortisone is a steroid that decreases inflammation and irritation caused by the acne and some of the other ingredients. After washing and drying the face completely in the morning, five to ten drops of the product are dropped in the palm of the hand and applied to the face. The solution is alcohol based so it must be applied immediately after dropping it into the palms. A burning sensation is often felt with the first use, but the skin gradually adjusts. The 60 mL size lasts approximately four months.