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Monday, August 24, 2009
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Pregnancy and Your Skin
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Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman's life where her body is undergoing a tremendous amount of change. Many of these changes also affect the skin as well. Luckily, there are some common remedies to help keep moms-to-be looking great.
Pregnancy often changes a woman's hormone levels and as a result, many women experience acne. Using a gentle foam cleanser once or twice a day should keep your skin under control. Stretch marks are also a common occurrence for pregnant women on their stomachs, hips, and thighs. Vitamin A creams may help diminish their appearance. After delivery, microdermabrasion or laser therapy can also help remove the stretch marks. Melasma or the "mask of pregnancy" is also a common issue. Wearing a daily sunscreen of SPF 15 or SPF 30 to will help reduce the production of melanin by your skin.
By taking extras steps to care for your skin during pregnancy, there will be less needed to repair damage after. A woman should be "glowing" during this time, and should never have to hide away because of acne or pigmentation issues.
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
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Thermage CPT
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The makers of Thermage, a skin tightening and body contouring technology, has recently released a new upgrade called the Thermage CPT. Solta Medical Inc. dedicates themselves to being on the edge of technology and patient care.
A press release for the company noted that "Thermage utilizes best-in-class radiofrequency technology and now, with the introduction of the Thermage CPT, delivers more therapeutic heat across the treatment area, allowing for a more efficient skin tightening treatment."
The Thermage CPT incorporates Comfort Pulse Technology to improve efficiency and comfort for the patient. The hand piece used in the system vibrates for patient comfort and allows more energy to be used in the heating process. The system design has also been altered for easier use by the physician. Thermage is FDA approved and can help reduce cellulite and fine lines.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
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Melanoma Check
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People are always advised to check their skin for spots which could relate to melanoma, or skin cancer. These include moles, dark spots, or suspicious areas of the skin with discoloration. Many cases of melanoma can be spotted by patient prior to a dermatologist visit, but a recent poll found that 56% were found only by a dermatologist.
Melanoma is treatable is found early. Fox News reported that "the physician-detected skin cancers were not as deep as the patient-detected tumors and they were five times more likely to measure less than 1 millimeter than were those found by the patient."
The key for patients to consider is that not all melanoma spots are visible to the naked untrained eye. A qualified dermatologist is best at identifying possible sources of melanoma on the skin. The chance of a person developing melanoma increases with age. This is especially true in those who are in the sun for a large portion of the day. Consult a dermatologist regularly to have all areas of the skin checked.
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Tuesday, August 18, 2009
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Injecting Into Mainstream
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Botox injections are not just for rich housewives, as is sometimes portrayed in the media. A survey by The Aesthetic Surgery Education & Research Foundation has found that Botox injections are openly discussed and used by women of all age groups and economic groups as well.
"The surveys' findings indicated that the typical aesthetic injectable patient is a married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000" reports an online PR news source.
The study also noted that these women were also health-conscious, philanthropic, and incorporated diet and exercise into their life. Aesthetic injectable fillers were noted to be a part of their health and beauty routine. From the soccer mom to the Beverly Hills trophy wife, Botox is accepted by all and has become a mainstream procedure.
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Monday, August 17, 2009
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Stressing out Your Face
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For many, times have been tough the past few years due to the economic recession. A survey conducted by the American Laser Centers determined that the population stress manifests itself physically. The two highest reasons noted for the stress were work and the economy.
A total of 86% of the participants reported that they felt a physical manifestation from their stress. The areas most affected differ for men and women. In women, the face was reported as receiving the negative effects of stress. For men, the abdominal region was reported as being the region most affected.
People should understand that stress can have an effect on a person emotionally and physically. Being able to handle stress is important in order to keep up a youthful appearance. But for those who have felt the impact of stress already, do not worry any more than you already are. There are many procedures to help smooth out the worry wrinkles and to tone up the abdomen.
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Friday, August 14, 2009
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Chemically Peeling Back the Years
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Chemical peels have grown in popularity over the past few years. Women who want a more youthful looking face without the invasive surgery turn to chemical peels for a dramatic and safe way to revive their skin. These peels are relatively safe if performed by a dermatologist who is properly trained.
The clinical professor of dermatology for Emory University was recently quoted by the Dermatology Times. "Dermatologists are the experts in recognizing dermal depth and dermal pigment, which are crucial in judging the type of peels for different areas of the face. Other specialties do not understand which areas of the skin are thicker and can withstand more moderate or deeper peels, as opposed to superficial peeling, which is acceptable for all areas of the face" he explains.
Patients looking to have a chemical peel done should go to a physician who has been properly trained to analyze the skin. Chemical peels can be helpful in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, scars, sun damage, acne, pigment issues, and can increase the smoothness of the skin.
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Thursday, August 13, 2009
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Sun Protection in the Shower
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Everyone is aware that sunscreen is necessary for protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. But not everyone remembers to apply daily sunscreen. One easy way to get your daily dose of sun protection is from soap. Bethesda Sunscreen Soap has been created to leave an invisible layer of SPF protection on your skin after bathing.
A daily recommendation for sunscreen use is SPF 15. This sunscreen soap only carries an SPF of 10, but is a large improvement from wearing no protection at all. Many times a person may be exposed to the sun during daily activities and not realize the long-term damage UV rays may have. Using sunscreen soap is an inexpensive way to always ensure that your skin is clean and healthy. Users should also utilize traditional sunscreen as well for longer periods of sun exposure and should not rely only on the soap for protection.
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
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Flushing Out the Fat
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Water-Jet Liposuction (WAL) is a new procedure utilizing water pressure to dislodge and remove excess fatty tissue. Water-Jet Lipo was developed in 2007 in Germany and has recently been introduced in the United States. The procedure causes less discomfort for patients and a quicker recovery time.
"We're really power-washing the fat out of the body," explains one doctor to Sawf News.
Unlike traditional liposuction where the fat is dislodged causing swelling and bruising, WAL simply flushes the fat cells out from surrounding tissue. The fat that is removed from the body can also be directly used as a graft. The fat cells do not need extra processing and can be directly injected into other parts of the body. Water-Jet Lipo is brand new to the United States and is already gaining popularity.
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
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Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
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Men in our society are taking more pride in their appearance. Having unsightly body hair can be a major source of embarrassment for some men. Laser hair removal is a very popular procedure that is helping men across the world deal with their hair issues.
"The type [of man] is definitely more of a metropolitan kind of man, but we are seeing that all men are starting to take pride in their appearance. It's the marketplace; it's the time. Men are trying to get and keep jobs and if this makes them feel better. It's more competitive for men" says the owner of one hair removal spa in New York to CBS News.
Fashion magazines depict images of a cleanly shaven man with no chest or body hair. Shaving or waxing is only a temporary solution. Laser treatments are a permanent fix to the problem and removes hair completely in about three to four sessions. This can help boost a man's self image and self esteem.
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Monday, August 10, 2009
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Adding Volume to Aging Cheeks
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As you age, many people lose definition in their facial features. To counter this effect, Dr. Gregory A. Buford has created Deep Cheek Volumization (DCV) procedure to restore youthful and full cheeks. A collagen or hyaluronic acid filler is used to plump up the cheeks from deep within the injection site.
"In the past, Facial rejuvenation has primarily focused on the softening of lines and wrinkles. But by just addressing lines, we forgot the most important part of aging--loss of volume. By specifically replacing lost volume to the deep cheeks, nasolabial folds are lifted, cheeks are shaped, and a natural restoration is accomplished" says Dr. Buford in a press release this week.
There is little recovery time needed for the DCV procedure. About four injections are used during the 15-30 minute procedure. Women can add more definition to existing cheekbones, or create the illusion of cheek bones with the injections. The DCV procedure is meant to rejuvenate the face in a way that looks natural for patients.
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