Is There a Perfect Age to Get Botox Cosmetic?

February 8th, 2010

“I probably don’t need cosmetic surgery – but I could see myself getting Botox when I’m a little bit older,” said my 26-year-old friend over dinner last Friday. I think her opinion is pretty normal, but it begs the question, what age is “old enough” for Botox?

For most people, the appropriate age to get Botox (or Dysport) probably depends on when their frown lines become noticeable and when they have the disposable income to afford the treatment. But does that mean the patient is necessarily middle-aged?

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Why Your Skin Loves Asparagus (and Oranges)

February 1st, 2010

Leading researchers say your skin loves asparagus and other antioxidant-rich foods. nutrition According to nutritionists, the choices we make for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day have a direct effect on the health of our skin, the body’s most visible organ.

Every day, your body naturally produces evidence of your diet. But the process is more complex than the old adage “you are what you eat.” It goes much deeper, right down to the very cells, which scientists tell us are much like tiny chemical plants.

For example, let’s look at oxygen. Oxygen is everywhere; it is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and in the food we eat. There’s no getting away from it. But oxygen will combine with other processes in the skin to produce “free radicals.” These agents become the enemy of our skin tissue at the cellular level, much like the effects of oxygen on metal, which causes oxidation and eventually, rust. In our bodies, this process may lead to inflammation. On the skin, inflammation can make pores look bigger, or make skin look dull, discolored, or aged. Wrinkles, acne, and even eczema are also related to the damaging effects of oxidation-related inflamation.

So what can we do?

Well, that’s where the aparagus comes in. Consider these 6 facts:

  1. Vitamins A, C, and E are “antioxidant rich” adversaries of the free radicals that hide in our cells and attack our skin.
  2. Selenium is a mineral that experts agree is critical to the production of glutathione, another enemy of free radicals.
  3. Thiamine is a B vitamin that helps skin cells function normally.
  4. Zinc assists epidermal cell growth.
  5. Protein is essential for skin repair.
  6. Vitamin C helps the body naturally manufacture collagen, a protein that keeps the skin supple and tight.

Research shows that the vitamins and minerals that naturally occur in foods like asparagus, salmon, blueberries, and olive oil are essential to skin health because they maintain a system of resistance to the processes commonly associated with aging.  None of these nutrients are going to transform your skin overnight, but choosing the right foods as part of a well-varied diet is surely one critical element of good skin health.

More information

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Laser vs Scalpel for Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

January 25th, 2010

What does your surgeon use? Check out this demonstration of laser accuracy performed by Dr. Brett Kotlus.

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Solta Medical Donates Fraxel Skin Resurfacing Laser System

January 18th, 2010

Solta Medical Inc., a global leader in providing innovative, safe, and effective anti-aging solutions for medical aesthetics patients, has this week generously donated a Fraxel re:store laser system to the Grossman Burn Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Grossman Burn Center.

The Fraxel system will be used to reduce the appearance of scarring caused by traumatic thermal damage. The Burn Center is a worldwide leader in innovative treatment and care for burn patients and their families.

“The goal of restorative burn care is to return the patient to as close to pre-injury status as possible…” declared Rebecca Grossman, the Chair of the Grossman Burn Foundation. “We plan to use the cutting-edge Fraxel technology to restore our burn-injured patients and play a key role in providing better and faster patient outcomes.”

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When to Choose Microdermabrasion Over a Chemical Peel

January 11th, 2010

These are the right treatments to consider if you’re trying to get brighter, healthier looking skin.  But many seattle_microdermabrasionpeople don’t know the difference and don’t know which treatment is right for them.

Most physicians will recommend microdermabrasion for the patient who is busy or anticipating an important social event.  This is because microdermabrasion is such a precise method of exfoliation; it’s really easy to control the exfoliation depth -  meaning the chance of side-effects is reduced greatly.  Furthermore, recovery time with microdermabrasion is typically very quick – rarely more than three days.

Chemical peels come in many different formulas, from superficial to deep.  In most cases, the healing time for a chemical peels is slightly longer than with microdermabrasion. If you can spare a week to let the skin heal, go for the peel.

Sometimes an aesthetician will recommend doing both. If done carefully, a light chemical peel such as AHA or salicylic acid can work in combination with microdermabrasion. Just make sure you’re working with an aesthetician or cosmetic surgeon that has experience combining these treatments.

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Latisse Q&A: How To Get Longer, Fuller Eyelashes

January 4th, 2010

Q: What is Latisse?latisse-Seattle

A: Latisse is a eyelash enhancement product made of bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%, originally developed and used to treat glaucoma. In using the glaucoma medication, patients noticed significant eyelash growth. Some even had to trim their lashes due to excessive length. Allergan, who owned the medication, began to market it as Latisse, for topical use in patients with “inadequate eyelashes.”

Q: How does Latisse work?

A: Latisse is thought to affect the growth stage of eyelashes by increasing the duration of the growth phase while increasing the number of hairs in the growth phase.

Q: How is Latisse used?

A: Latisse is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes nightly for 16 weeks. After 16 weeks, the application can be reduced to every 2-3 days to maintain growth. Latisse is not applied to the lower eyelashes. However, during sleep some of the medication will diffuse across to these lashes increasing them as well.

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Prepare for 2010 and Resolve to Take Better Care of Your Skin

December 21st, 2009

For the coming year, we want Seattle residents to stop procrastinating, stop making skincare_resolutionsexcuses and resolve to take these 9 steps toward better skincare.

1: Get yourself a series of microdermabrasion treatments to soften fine lines and acne scars, minimize or eliminate sunspots, stimulate collagen production and give your face a youthful glow. Go every 2 weeks or so for a quick microdermabrasion session and reap the full benefits of more even, younger-looking skin.

2. Commit to using sun block to protect your skincare investment. IS Clinical makes a great sunblock that won’t clog pores, make the skin feel greasy or cause unwanted breakouts. To prevent premature aging, blotchy skin and decrease your risk of skin cancer, use it regularly according the directions.

3. See a professional aesthetician for instruction on how to use the right skin care products in the proper order at the proper times. Don’t cherry pick in the drug store; buying every trendy new product that comes along just because you like the packaging. Instead, pare down, simplify and do the right thing. One aesthetician, one set of products chosen just for your particular skin, and one place to return to for periodic facials and replenishing of products. Got that? One. It’s called skin care monogamy.

4. Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can contribute to dark rings under your eyes, more pimples, ashy skin and a bad attitude. These are qualities that you won’t appreciate and no one else will either.

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Wrinkles – Why Women Get Them Earlier and More Severely Than Men

December 14th, 2009

A scientific study about gender and facial wrinkling was published in the most recent issue of Aesthetic Surgery Journal.  Conducted by surgeons in Utrecht, it reveals several contributing factors that cause women to exhibit periorbital wrinkles earlier and more severely than men.

  • If you’re a woman, the skin surrounding your mouth has fewer sweat and sebaceous glands, which are important for hydration and skin fullness.
  • You also may have fewer blood vessels in the same area.
  • The muscular fibers surrounding the orifice of a woman’s mouth are also more closely attached, which causes an “inward traction” and therefore, deeper wrinkles.

Read more on the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery website.

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Why Not Lose the Peach Fuzz for The Holidays?

December 7th, 2009

Instead of getting something new this holiday season, why not try getting rid of something cosmetic_christmas2that detracts from your good looks?

We don’t know where the peach fuzz comes from; it just seems to appear. We wake up one morning, look in the mirror and realize that our peaches-and-cream-complexion had morphed into what looked like the peach itself – complete with a fine layer of fuzzy hair covering it.

Once you are aware of it, you might start noticing that many women have excess hair on their faces, especially as they get older. Another small indignity of aging, right? The hair on our head and brows thins over time and in return we get more … facial hair.

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Taxing Cosmetic Surgery: What’s Your Opinion?

December 1st, 2009

There’s been a lot of talk in the media regarding the proposed tax on elective cosmetic procedures, but patients haven’t weighed in.  Those who undergo treatments like Botox, Fraxel laser treatments, and facial plastic surgery would end up paying this tax.

If you have undergone a cosmetic procedure recently, we want to know what you think.

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