How Does Stress Affect My Skin?

We need to accept stress as an integral part of life.  Stress causes a chemical response in your body that makes skin more sensitive and reactive. … This is because stress causes your body to make hormones like cortisol, which tells glands in your skin to make more oil. Oily skin is more prone to acne and other skin problems.

Thankfully, experts suggest that much of the skin damage caused by stress can be mitigated by focusing on daily moments of self-care.

When it comes to looking after your skin during periods of extreme stress we recommend eating a healthy balanced diet, protecting the skin from UV rays using a high factor SPF and incorporating a moisturizer that contains anti-inflammatory ingredients into your skincare routine to help improve any redness, flaking or itching.

 

Rebuild & Strengthen Sensitive Skin

To a certain extent , most people have a degree of sensitive skin, or a skin that has reactions. It is the level of reaction however that will truly help you diagnose whether is skin is really sensitive or not

Sensitive skin tends to be thin, and prone to fragile capillaries. It also easily reddens or becomes flush and/or develops a rash easily to an outside influence.  The good news about sensitive skin is that it can be strengthened over time and restored to a normal skin type.

Here are some at home tips and tricks and also check out my line of products for sensitive skin . Naturally what is most important is to know what ingredients are in your products and how they will affect your skin. It is also important to realize what lifestyle choices will impact your skin.  First and foremost, reduce stress, reduce inflammation, Increase sleep, take time to rejuvenate, drink lots of water, and make sure to exercise.  Diet also plays a roll in your skin, it is important to be mindful of the ingredients in your diet, eat food rich in vitamins and antioxidants. As far as your skin care regime we need to get you on products that are free of dyes and fragrances. Look for products that are free of parabens and preservatives. You can also use more natural hair care products and avoid putting perfume or cologne on your skin. Less is more, we want antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, this helps with regeneration, and inflamation.

Retinol-The Gold Standard in Skin Care

Retinols are Vitamin A derivatives, which include prescription and OTC (over the counter.)  Although prescription strength retinols are more potent , OTC strength has been hailed as an anti-aging staple with impressive results.   Retinols were originally used to treat acne, but dermatologists quickly noticed the potential to treat a wider range of concerns from Photodamage to fine lines.  Retinol works by enhancing cellular performance. It can boost cell turnover, build collagen, and fight acne.  Retinol is a communicator that signals aging cells to continue their renewal process, it works on the molecular level binding to DNA. Retinol is a true multitasker it works intrinsically and extrinsically on the skin, making cells more organized, improving texture and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acne, hyper-pigmentation, and dullness.  Check out this amazing product with the maximum amount of Retinol allowed. Antioxidant Infusion Creme Prescription strength retonols might be more potent and work faster, but that also means that it can and most likely will over dry your skin. If you have sensative skin you will not be able to tolerate will the prescription strength product. Another important thing to remember when using retinol is to protect your skin with sunblock. Retinol increases cell turnover which makes it more vulnerable to the sun.

What is the Benefit of Using a Microcannula Needle to do Injections?

What Is a Microcannula? Purchase Microcannulas Here 

The microcannula is a new option to administer some dermal fillers into the skin. It’s an alternative to the traditional needle which prevents the breakage of skin, arteries, veins, and anything else.

It works by using a flexible, hollow tube with a blunt tip.

How Does The Microcannula Get Into The Skin?

You may be wondering: if it has a blunt tip, how could it possibly get into the skin?

In order to use the microcannula, a needle is needed to create an entry point. Our professional nurses use a traditional needle to create a small, shallow entry point for the microcannula in order for it to penetrate your skin.

Benefits Of The Microcannula For Dermal Fillers

Fewer Entry Points

Because of the flexible nature of the microcannula, it’s able to treat more areas within a single entry point. That means you’ll get the same coverage with our dermal fillers, but you’ll be poked fewer times. Gotta love that, right?

Less Bleeding

If you’ve had dermal fillers before, you know that most of the bleeding comes from needle pokes. With the microcannula, you’ll be poked fewer times. This means less bleeding!

Less Swelling And Bruising

Every patient is different, and everyone’s body reacts differently to treatments. However, replacing the sharp end of a needle with a blunt tip will make a difference in the bruising and swelling after the dermal fillers are administered.

This doesn’t mean that there will be no bruising or swelling. It simply means that, overall, clients see less bruising and swelling when using microcannula for dermal fillers.

If you’re taking any blood thinners, you’re still likely to experience swelling and bruising regardless of the technique that is used.

Increased Precision

While traditional needles have been used for years and are great for getting the job done, the sharp tip does allow the possibility of knicking veins and arteries when they’re inside your skin.

Because of the blunt tip and flexible nature of the microcannula, it’s able to move around veins much easier, minimizing the risk of hitting something accidentally.

The Magic of Hyaluronic Acid

One of the best breakthroughs in skin care Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is one of the most important ingredients in the plethora of skin care serums or creams available on the market. HA was originally identified in the fluid in a cows eye if you can believe that, after that is was formulated from a roosters combs; these days its scientifically engineered to ensure its efficacy.  HAs are used to plump and moisturize and it really works, but it also has many other qualities to help the skin stay looking beautiful.

HA is a clear sugary substance that is capable of holding 6 liters of water in just 1 gram of product! HA is produced in the body naturally and is in the extra cellular matrix of our skin, which simply put is the protective moisture barrier in our skin. HA is also present in the joints as a protective cushion. Another fun fact about HA is that helps to sustain the shape of our eyeballs.  HA helps us to maintain our collagen which is what helps our skin maintain its elasticity and flexibility, which means to us, look young.

HA works like a magnet for moisture. HA is able to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. My clients who use the HA products that we offer say their skin is dewier, under eye fine lines are diminished,  and their skin texture is smoother.  Many of these clients also go to the Medical Spa to get injectable HA such as Restylane , or Juvederm. Since HA is a naturally occurring substance in the body it is compatible with every skin type and even the most irritated skin.

Check out these 2 Hyaluronic Acid products.  100 Percent Hyaluronic Acid Serum & Super Hyaluronic Acid Cream 

 

Effectively Treating Under-Eye Issues

Most of us have always had room for improvement when it comes to our under-eyes. From “eye bags’, crepey skin, dark circles , crows feet, you name it, we have all experienced it. Lets get to the bottom of these common aesthetic  concerns, and also talk about what can be done to treat these issues.

Lets be honest, one of the first places we show age is right under the eyes. If we can treat these areas effectively we can restore a youthfulness to the entire face.

Dark Circles:

Dark Circles are probably the most common concern for most patients. There are several causes for dark circles which include hollowing under the eye.  Hallowing happens when we have volume loss due to the fat pad shifting down and bone density loss; a great treatment for this would be under eye hyalouronic acid fillers, such as restylane, or juvederm. If a you are experiencing dark circles due to discoloration this could mean that you have a vascular issue, or excessive pigment in the area.  To treat these, we would use a vascular laser if the issue is vessels and if its pigment, we can use brightening skin care.

Puffiness

Puffy or swollen eyes can be caused by fluid retention, stress, allergies, hormone changes, and other factors. Crying is often accompanied by swollen eyes because the tiny glands in the eyelids that produce tears become inflamed from over activity.

Other times we get puffy eyes after sleeping. This can be caused by too much sodium in the diet, which causes water retention. Puffy eyes can also be caused by lack of sleep or excessive alcohol intake. Here are some great products to help your eye puffiness.

Crepey Skin

Crepey skin is thin and looks finely wrinkled like crepe paper. It may also sag or feel loose. While crepey skin is similar to common wrinkles in many ways, the condition tends to impact larger areas, and this skin feels noticeably more fragile and thin.  The most common cause of crepey skin is sun damage. Crepey skin can be treated with Lasers, H.A. fillers, and skin care products that contain retinols, or other ingredients which help with elasticity like this Antioxidant Infusion Cream.

 

Can I reverse my sun damage?

Now that summer is over, many of my clients are seeing the effects that the summer had on their skin. We are a miami based company so we truly see what the sun can do to your skin. Mainly the sun creates hyper pigmented discolorations and wrinkles due to collagen loss, and dehydration.  A lot of sun damage is irreversible there are some things that you can do to help.

Use Skin care with Antioxidants ! Here is a great product (one of our best sellers) Antioxidants help to remove free radicals from the skin which will prevent further damage, but it can also help with improving your skins texture.  You should also look for products that have Retinoids , the product listed above also has this ingredient. Its widely used to increase collagen production which is greatly improve fine lines and wrinkles.  If you are looking to treat the sun spots, try using products with Alpha Arbutin or Hydroquinone.  Check out these great skin lighteners here   Extracted from the dwarf shrub Bearberry, Alpha Arbutin is a safe and extremely effective whitening ingredient. In fact it’s so safe and effective that it’s been shown to outperform Hydroquinone and Kojic Acid. Try chemical peels to help shed the top layer of skin, this will help with a dull lackluster skin tone, and give you that glow you deserve. For a more medical approach there is the options of Lasers, Intense Pulsed Light, & Radio Frequency.  Lasers can target brown and red spots, enlarged pores, wrinkles, and texture . Some laser require more down time then others but the results are fabulous .

 

Rosacea Relief. What are the best treatments for me?

Rosacea Relief. What are the best treatment options

There are over 16 million americans living with rosacea making this is an important topic and I get asked questions all the time about what can be done.
Rosacea is an inflammatory condition that affects for the most part people with fair skin. Symptoms show as red or pink facial skin, red bumps, cysts, and flushing skin.
Some of those affected with rosacea may require a prescription to deal with their rosacea others may be fine with changing their diet and some of these helpful treatment options.
Cooling your skin can help; during a flair up try a cold pack to reduce the redness,. I have also heard that you can use green tea bags because this is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Products containing chamomile will also help with symptoms.
Rosacea care products, there are many products that you can use that help with inflammation, and natural botanical ingredients. Check out these great products here designed for those who have the most sensitive skin.
Prescription drugs are available if you want to take that route
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) there are treatments such as the photo facial that have had incredible results with Rosacea, and most medspas carry this type of equipment
What are some of the triggers for rosacea? It is said that some of the most common rosacea triggers are sun exposure, alcohol, emotional stress, extreme hot or cold weather, wind, spicy foods, exercise, hot baths, and aggressive skin care products.

What is so important about growth factors in skincare?

Growth Factors, what is the hype all about?

We have seen many products come to market that advertise “growth Factors” these can be either derived from animals or plants. Others just use “signaling” ingredients which are typically just peptides that signal the cells in a similar manner to actual growth factors. The end goal however is usually always the same and that is to combat skin aging.
Our skin contains many different types of growth factors which bind to receptors and its basically like a key opening a lock. The locks make something grow. To stimulate the skin, formulators began adding growth factors to skin care in hopes of unlocking these receptors in aging skin in hopes that it will make more of the things that it needs to stay healthy.
when the body is working at optimal levels growth factors in the skin signal the fibroblasts to make collage and elastin, as we age our growth factors decrease so in an effort to slow this process formulators are adding the growth factors right into the cosmeceuticals. and the results have been excellent.
Check out this amazing product and the ingredients:
The Collagen Growth Factor Serum from REMI-D Clinical Skin Care

Here are the active ingredients:

AHNFELTIOPSIS CONCINNA EXTRACT (APT-GPF):  Increases cellular turnover, skin firmness, elasticity, hydration, and superior skin smoothing properties.
Lipobelle Soyaglycone (Liposomal Genistein):  Increases biosynthesis of Collagen IV which is essential for the structural integrity and function of the basement membrane (Stratum Basale). Increases collagen growth over 50% and skin thickness by 20%.  Binds to estrogen receptors which then active collagen synthesis.  Inhibits Tyrosinase Kinase, the principle transcription factor involved in the breakdown of collagen.
Superox-C:  An amazing ingredient that not only stimulates collagen growth but also stimulates the growth of Hyaluronic Acid by 59% and Syndecan by 90%, which strengthens the skin matrix.
(PDDH):  A tripeptide, stimulates proteins Laminin V, Collagens IV, VII and XVII and Integrin.  These proteins play a vital role in the connecting and maintaining of the structure of the dermis and the epidermis of the skin to produce amazing visible results.
Hematite:  A mineral that stimulates collagen synthesis, the proteins that comprise our connective tissue, to tone and strengthen skin, resulting in a younger looking complexion.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil:  Powerful anti-oxidant.
Palmitoy Tripeptide-5:  Bio-active peptide, enhances collagen growth.   This also overrides the effects of Matrix Metalloproteinase Enzymes (MMP) that contribute to skin aging.
Sodium Hyaluronate:  A smaller sized molecule of Hyaluronic Acid, which is rapidly absorbed deep within your skin to hydrate.  Resulting in smoother, softer skin and a decrease of fine lines and wrinkles and an over-all appearance of fullness to your skin.

How can I save my skin? Strategies for healthier skin and achieving that “glow”.

How can I save my skin? Strategies for healthier skin.
Lets talk skin complexion. everyone wants to have that perfect skin and glow right? the truth of the matter is that you can’t exspect perfect skin without putting in the work because the reality is that medical spa treatments can only do so much for a person that burns the candle from both ends ( tanning, drinking, smoking, poor diet, etc)! We need to talk about a wide range of skin supporting lifestyle choices you can use if you want to get that perfect skin and the “glow”!
1. Drink Water! The skin is our largest organ and one of the most valuable things we can do to not look weathered is drink water. It is suggested that men and women should drink between 9-13 cups of water a day, its important to note that this is also dependent on many conditions such as sweating, excessive drinking, smoking, etc. So in these instances we would want to be drinking more water. When we are dehydrated our organs have a very hard time working efficently. Dehydration affects the natural detoxification of the skin. So drink up!
2. Protect your skin! Everyone loves to look sun kissed, however this is arguably the worst thing you can do for your skin. exposure is primarily the biggest negative when it comes to pre-mature skin aging. What does the sun do to your skin? First of all it contributes to the break down of collagen which will give your lines and wrinkles, but it also causes hyper pigmentation and malasma, which are discolorations many people call sun spots, which are next to impossible to remove. If you are going to be in the sun its important to wear a true sunblock which blocks UVA and UVB Rays. Products with ingredients such as Zinc, and Titanium work best! Check out these great sunblocks.
Protect the skin your in!
3. Cleanse! It is said that at least 92 percent of the population lives with substandard air. environmental pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and smog. These can be the root cause of premature skin aging, pigmentation , and acne. What can we do? Its important to wash your skin at least twice a day. If you don’t wash your skin at night, its hard for your skin to repair itself as it has to deal with all the pollution that is on it from the day. You should wear a Antioxidant Cream, something that will help destroy the free radicals on your skin! Here is a great one. You can also wear a barrier cream such as a sunblock which will help to protect you from pollution. Check out these great cleansers and match them to your skin.
4.Balance your diet! Eating right is one of the easiest things you can do for your skin, taking in foods that are high in protein will help your body to support your collagen, elastin and other fibers that make the skin look healthy, and firm. Fish can help get you the omega essential fatty acids which help with the skins cells. Foods that are a natural anti-inflammatory are great to beat that flush!
Here are some other quick food tips. Carrots & Sweet potatoes (vitamin a), citris and broccoli (vitamin c), nuts and olives (vitamin e) .
5. Sleep! The expression “Get your beauty rest” is actually incredibly important.  It really important to give your skin and body that chance to repair which happens when your sleeping. Lack of sleep causes puffiness inflammation, weathered looking skin. Last time I checked I had not met anyone who wanted dark circles under their eyes.
6. Work out ! physical activity can do wonders for your complexion. When we work out we have increased blood flow which delivers vital nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells. that being said we can slow down skin aging by simply working out.

Got questions ? just ask