Archive for the ‘skin care’ Category

Product Review: TNS Night Eye Repair

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

SkinMedica TNS Night Eye Repair is my all time favorite eye cream! There are so many great eye creams available to us. With all of those choices how do you choose the right one for you? Lots of research, a little trial and error, along with the advice from a skin care professional will help you in determine which one will be the best for you.

My favorite Eye Cream is TNS Night Eye Repair by SkinMedica. It is so emollient yet not too heavy. It is marketed as a night product but I have found that I like to use it twice a day. You will notice improvement in the appearance of fine lines, increased firmness and elasticity along with increased hydration of the delicate eyelid tissue.

Most of my clients know I refer to the fine lines and loose skin around the eye as the dreaded crepe paper that our eyelids turn into as we age. TNS Night Eye Repair will help to reverse aging, sun damage and heredity that play a part in the fine lines and loss of elasticity that is previlant in this area.

Use TNS Night Eye Repair to reverse some of this damaged delicate eyelid tissue. TNS Night Eye Repair is formulated with NouriCel-MD®, peptides, high concentrations of vitamins A, C and E and hyaluronic acid. I recommend this product for normal, dry, oily, aging and sensitive skin.

Remember when choosing any skin care product the most expensive product will not always be the most effective. Do your research! Most skin care professionals offer complimentary skin care consultations.

TNS Night Eye Repair retails for $90. Contact our office to receive $25 off one 0.5 oz jar. Limit one per customer. Offer good thru 4/1/10.

Tags: skin medica, tns night eye repair
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Why Your Skin Loves Asparagus (and Oranges)

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Leading researchers say your skin loves asparagus and other antioxidant-rich foods. 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:

Vitamins A, C, and E are “antioxidant rich” adversaries of the free radicals that hide in our cells and attack our skin.
Selenium is a mineral that experts agree is critical to the production of glutathione, another enemy of free radicals.
Thiamine is a B vitamin that helps skin cells function normally.
Zinc assists epidermal cell growth.
Protein is essential for skin repair.
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

Tags: antioxidants, nutrition
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When to Choose Microdermabrasion Over a Chemical Peel

Monday, January 11th, 2010

These are the right treatments to consider if you’re trying to get brighter, healthier looking skin. But many seattle_microdermabrasion people 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.

Tags: chemical peel, microdermabrasion
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Prepare for 2010 and Resolve to Take Better Care of Your Skin

Monday, December 21st, 2009

For the coming year, we want Seattle residents to stop procrastinating, stop making skincare_resolutions excuses 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.

(more…)

Tags: aesthetician, microdermabrasion, sunblock, sunscreen
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Wrinkles – Why Women Get Them Earlier and More Severely Than Men

Monday, 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.

Tags: wrinkle treatment, wrinkles
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Why Not Lose the Peach Fuzz for The Holidays?

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Instead of getting something new this holiday season, why not try getting rid of something cosmetic_christmas2 that 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.

(more…)

Tags: electrolysis, laser hair removal, waxing
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Do I really need to wear sunscreen in the winter?

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Even in the winter, or on a cloudy, rainy Seattle day, you can be exposed to UVA/UVB rays.

You should get in the habit of protecting your skin with sunscreen on a daily basis. Choosing the right sunscreen for your face – one that addresses your skin type and skin conditions – is not always easy, but the right sunscreen can prevent sun damage, skin problems, and skin cancer. Harmful UV rays can damage skin cells deep within the skin’s surface, making your cells vulnerable to toxins (free-radicals) in the environment.

Our Favorite Sunscreen

My favorite sunscreen is IS Clinical SPF 25 treatment sunscreen. Because most IS Clinical sunscreen sunscreens can be tacky when applied, many of my clients have been resistant to applying them every day. IS Clinical Treatment Sunscreen goes on so smooth you don’t even know it is there, even under your foundation.

IS Clinical treatment sunscreen will provide you with UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection, reduce the appearance of erythema (redness), provide an antioxidant-rich protective seal, and may even soothe inflammation.

IS Clinical treatment sunscreen comes in clear and tinted formulas for darker skin (or if you just want a little extra color). The cost for one 8 oz. tube ranges from $33-36 and will last for several months.

Tags: IS Clinical, sunscreen
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Benefits of the New Fraxel Restore Dual

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Late last month, Solta Medical made an important announcement regarding their line of Fraxel aesthetic laser systems: a new addition – the Fraxel Restore Dual – will be introduced to physicians around the United States and Europe this fall.

The new laser is said to be equipped with a “novel” 1927 nm wavelength Thulium laser that offers a few key advantages for patients and physicians. Surgeons that have tested the new laser say it offers excellent versatility and greater ease of use when treating areas other than the face. The new Fraxel re:store dual also offers benefits listed below:

One laser system – Dual fiber technology
Thulium laser provides quick removal of undesirable pigmentation
Improved comfort and easier operation
“Focal cooling” built into the handpiece
Procedure speed may increase by 25 percent

Solta Medical will bring the new laser system to surgeons and dermatologists this fall during the Fraxel illumiNATION tour. To inquire about fraxel laser resurfacing in Seattle, contact our office.

Tags: Fraxel
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New Lasers Can Solve Your Unwanted Body Hair Problem, On Any Skin Type.

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

laz Hair is definitely sexy…when it’s on top of your head. When you find it anywhere else, that’s another story! No need to worry though – there are many ways to remove unwanted body hair in these high-tech times.

To remove unwanted body hair from your face, legs, back, arms and even underarms, you might shave or pluck hair, or you might use electronic tweezers, radiofrequency tweezers, waxing, depilatories, or electrolysis (inserting a needle into each hair follicle one at a time followed by an electric spark to burn out the follicle).
These methods are temporary and some are quite tedious. The ideal way to go about it is with laser hair removal.
Lasers send a low-energy beam through the skin. The dark pigment (melanin) present in the shaft of the hair follicles absorbs the laser beam. Initial hair reduction is seen immediately after treatment. Permanent results require repeated treatments because of the hair growth cycles.

There are different types of lasers that can be used to remove unwanted hair. The first lasers approved for hair reduction by FDA were the ruby, alexandrite and diode lasers. But these could only be used on select individuals – not those with tans or ethnic skin.

The newest lasers have longer wavelengths and therefore, the ability to treat darker skin types, including African-American skin, Asian skin, and those with a tan. One of the biggest benefits is the convenience; immediately following your hair removal treatment you can return to work, school or any of your regular activities.

Tags: laser hair removal
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Clinique Medical to Supplement Your In-Office Skin Treatment

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Imagine if you could proactively minimize side effects and manage your post-procedure healing process. With all the new skin rejuvenation procedures available today offering minimal downtime, there is finally a product line that works to aid and improve your treatment results. Products we carry from Clinique Medical are designed to care for your skin before and after most facial rejuvenation treatments.

Allergan Inc cooperated with Clinique to launch Clinique Medical products, a line intended to prep the skin before a procedure and care for it afterwards. Their products improve the results of in-office professionally administered treatments like microdermabrasion, IPL, fractional laser treatments and chemical peels.

The product line contains a daily sunscreen, a cleanser, and skin-optimizing creams that effectively aid in the recovery process by reducing redness and inflammation while promoting an even complexion.

Patients say Clinique Medical has improved their recuperative experience and minimized any discomfort including those visible side effects. Here are a few testimonials:

“When I’ve had treatments done in the past, I’d worry about unwelcomed side effects that happen when you don’t prepare your skin before-hand or properly protect it afterwards. Clinique Medical helped sooth my skin and an unexpected result is that the product even protected it from the harsh weather. I’d definitely recommend it!”

“Clinique Medical has one of the best lip balms on the market. Believe me, I’ve tried them all and Dry Spot Balm really soothed, moisturized and cleared up my cracked lips! Certainly worth a try if you have horrible, winter cracked and ‘peely’ lips like mine.”

“I had a deep chemical peel and I used the Probiotic Cleanser after the procedure and had no irritation whatsoever! I think it even speeded up the peeling process

Tags: Clinique
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