So you picked up a Clarisonic Mia 2 from our office and now you’re wondering exactly how to clean the brush head. Here are some great tips from Dr. Robb on how to do just that:
1) Remove brush head by gently turning counter clockwise.
2) Gently rinse brush head in warm water.
3) Apply anti-bacterial soap to the brush head to clean the bristles. If necessary rinse out the interior of the brush under the sink or shower head.
4) Reattach the brush head to the unit. You are ready to sonic cleanse again!
Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness or blushing. Usually residing in the center of the face (nose and cheeks), it may spread to other areas of the face and body as well. There are many different things that can trigger a rosacea flare-up according to the National Rosacea Societyand they include:
Foods • Liver • Yogurt • Sour cream • Cheese (except cottage cheese) • Chocolate • Vanilla • Soy Sauce • Yeast extract (bread is ok) • Vinegar • Eggplant • Avocados • Spinach • Broad-leaf beans and pods, including lima, navy or pea • Citrus fruits, including tomatoes, bananas, red plums. raisins or figs • Spicy and thermally hot foods • Foods high in histamine
Beverages • Alcohol, especially red wine, beer, bourbon, gin, vodka or champagne • Hot drinks, including hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee or tea
Emotional Influences • Stress • Anxiety
Physical exertion • Exercise • “Lift and load” jobs
Skin care products • Some cosmetics and hair sprays, especially those containing alcohol, witch hazel or fragrances • Hydro-alcoholic or acetone substances • Any substance that causes redness or stinging
Understanding what can cause a rosacea flare-up is key to prevention.Contact our office today for more information about this relatively common condition.
Lip lines can be described as folds or wrinkles that develop around or by the mouth. They can be caused from many years of smoking or prolonged exposure to the sun. With both of those things contributing to the breakdown of collagen (a naturally occurring protein found in the body that gives skin volume), those lip lines can become more prominent.
Here are a few tips to prevent and/or reduce lip lines:
• Avoid smoking. This one may be listed above, but it is very important.
• Avoid unnecessarily puckering lips. Puckering or pursing the lips (done when drinking through a straw or whistling) can actually cause lip lines to form.
• Hydrate your lips from the inside and out. Try drinking lots of water and applying a lip balm. The PCA Skin Peptide Lip Therapy is a great option because the peptides it contains can help to stimulate collagen production in the lips, promoting a fuller, smoother appearance.
• Try a treatment. Treatments such as injectable fillers, rf skin tightening, and chemical peels have been known to effectively smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
Lip lines can be relatively tough to manage, so if possible, preventing them may be the best option. Learn more as to what options may be available for you by contacting our office today.
Spring is almost here, and that means more time spent out in the sun. Since the sun is a major source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, exposure to it can pose serious risks to our skin.
Although there are three types of UV rays, UVA and UVB are
of the most concern. UVA rays are long wavelengths that penetrate deep into the
dermis causing skin aging and wrinkles. UVB rays are shorter wavelengths that are
more superficial, causing damage in the form of redness and sunburns. Both UVA
and UVB rays can cause skin cancer.
The first step you can take to protect your skin from these
harmful rays is to use a broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum sunscreen. Make sure
it’s an SPF of at least 30, combined with ingredients titanium and zinc dioxide.
Reapply every two hours.
Next, avoid the sun and seek shade when the UV rays are
strongest. This usually is between 10am and 2pm.
Lastly, try taking one aspirin an hour before going out in
the sun to avoid a potential burn. If you do contract a sunburn however, try
taking Advil or Motrin. This will help minimize the pain and inflammation associated
with the burn.
These precautions will significantly reduce your risk of developing skin cancer, while allowing for proper exposure to the sun. If you do notice anything suspicious on your skin, contact our office immediately. Early detection of skin cancer is crucial.
Laser hair removal is a common treatment that permanently reduces the growth of unwanted hair. Usually addressing areas on the lower face or body, the hairline specifically has become a more popular treatment area as of late.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian had her hairline altered with laser hair removal a few years back, and it’s quite remarkable to see what a difference it made. As you can see before, baby hairs in the front left her hairline looking irregular and asymmetrical. After the treatment though, she obtained a cleaner, more uniform look.
Reality TV Star Kim Kardashian showing off a different hairline.
“The hairline is important, it really frames the face” says Lisa S. Ball, NP nurse Lauren Paella. “I have a lot of patients lately wanting to come in to even out their hairline, it really can make a big difference.”
For laser hair removal in general, most areas need a minimum of 6-12 treatments. When it comes to the hairline however, a few more treatments are needed. This is because the hair there is much denser than others. Treatments are usually spaced 4-6 weeks apart until the hair growth cycle starts to slow. After that, maintenance treatments are done twice a year or until the patient is satisfied. It is also important to avoid sun exposure pre and post treatment.
As an effective option for reshaping the hairline, laser hair removal provides patients with optimal results. If you are interested in learning more about the process or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact our office today.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the
body that helps retain moisture in the skin. As skin ages, the production of this
natural moisturizer slows, dehydrating the skin, and causing it to lose
elasticity. This is why using a product that contains hyaluronic acid is
crucial in maintaining youthful-looking skin.
The PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum available at our office is a great option. Being one of the only hyaluronic acid serums for all skin types, this advanced formulation provides instant and long-lasting hydration. It does this on three levels: on the surface, deeper in the skin, and by increasing the skin’s own hyaluronic acid production. Regular use not only protects the skin’s natural collagen/elastin, but also defends against environmental damage.
To learn more about it, or any of the other skin care products containing hyaluronic acid we offer, contact our office today.
Body hair maintenance and removal has been commonplace among men and women alike for years. Having smooth, hairless areas on the body is ideal for many people. With recent advancements, specifically with laser treatment, the popularity and prevalence of hair removal has increased dramatically.
First introduced to the public in the mid 1990s, laser hair removal is a technique that uses beams of highly concentrated light to penetrate hair follicles. The light is absorbed by the dark pigment (melanin) within the hair follicles destroying them on contact. This causes a permanent reduction in the overall amount of hair growth. Due to the cycles that hair grows in, repeated treatments are necessary to effectively eliminate the hair follicles.
After treatment you may notice redness, sensitivity, small bumps (resembling shave bumps), but that will resolve on it’s own rather quickly. Most of the lasers used for this kind of treatment are equipped with a cooling device that reduces the discomfort from the laser light. With treatment done typically every four to six weeks, patients may need up to twelve treatments to see the full results.
Possessing precision and speed, laser treatment has proved to be the most effective and efficient means for hair removal. If you are interested in learning more about laser hair removal or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact our office today.
Actor Ryan Reynolds rose to fame in the late 1990s with the sitcom, Two Guys and a Girl. Since then, he has steadily become one of the biggest actors in Hollywood. With roles in such films as Van Wilder, Green Lantern, and Deadpool, his films have amassed much success. One role in particular though, took quite a toll on the actor physically.
In the Rodrigo Cortés directed thriller, Buried, Reynolds reveals he came away from the part with some pretty serious injuries. The film, which came out in 2011, centers around an American truck driver (Ryan Reynolds) based in Iraq, who awakens buried alive in a coffin, armed only with a lighter and a cell phone. Due to most of the filming being done inside the claustrophobic quarters of a coffin, the actor experienced loss of skin, bleeding, and hair loss on the back of his scalp. The fortunate thing for Reynolds was that all were temporary, including the hair loss.
Ryan Reynolds in the 2011 film, Buried
The hair loss he experienced was most likely caused from a lack of circulation his scalp received due to lying on a hard surface for a prolonged length of time. This type of hair loss is similar to traction alopecia and is usually temporary. Also, since the head is an area of the body that receives good circulation, the better chance it would grow back.
Enlarged pore size is a relatively common distress for many people. The appearance of them alone can be quite concerning, but along with that, they can also lead to blackheads. Although pores cannot physically be made smaller there are some tips to make them appear smaller:
•Wash/cleanse your face every night with a cleanser specifically related to your skin type. Hot water actually opens up the pores of the face, which in turn allows you to remove excess build up. A splash of cold water thereafter will make your pores close up.
•Apply an oil free moisturizer after you wake up and before you go to bed (products containing oil actually enlarges pores by clogging them).
•Exfoliating agents such as prescribed retinoid medications, retinols, and microdermabrasions can provide more than a basic cleanse because they can completely strip the oils and debris caught in the pores.
•Wash your makeup off at night because clogged pores can produce oil buildup.
These tips, combined with pore minimizing products can effectively reduce the appearance of pores. Contact our office today if you would like to address your enlarged pores.
With Valentine’s
Day approaching, chocolate will continue to be a popular gift for sweethearts
everywhere, but did you know it’s becoming just as trendy as a skin care
ingredient?
That’s
because chocolate can actually benefit the skin! So, exclusively for the month
of February, we have developed the chocolate facial. Combining cacao powder and
coconut oil, this decadent treatment will help your skin to look flawless in a
variety of ways. From clearing blemishes to reversing the signs of aging, your
skin will be left with a brighter complexion and more radiant look right after treatment.
If you would
like to restore your glow with a chocolate facial, contact our office today.
