Inflammation is as Bad For The Skin as It is For the Heart

The amount of inflammation in our body is a critical component of overall health. 

Speaking to your consultant can help you figure out if you have high levels of inflammation. But also there are several ways to measure inflammation, but a simple test is for CRP, or c-reactive protein. The healthiest level is to be under 1 mg/L. It is likely you have an inflammatory disease if your levels are over 10 mg/L.

 It is thought that a major cause of heart disease, but it regulates the aging of our skin as well. 

Skin needs blood flow to carry oxygen, it needs the blood flow to carry away toxins, and it needs to be able to hydrate by carrying the fluid directly to the skin. 

Skin that is compromised by inflammation cannot even absorb the products that we use as effectively.

Allergic To Your Makeup?

Allergic reactions come in various degrees and forms! Women who wear makeup regularly are more likely to develop allergies than the occassional user in part because the continued exposure to the allergens in the products. The traditional makeups soak into one's skin, and proper cleaning needs to be quite thorough to really get it off each night. The mineral make up users have a bit of a advantage as it's not so likely that the makeup will really soak in, the minerals stay above the skin and are thus less likely to trigger the factors that physiologically will comprise an allergic reaction. It is not uncommon to have an unwanted reaction after wearing makeup in terms of irritation. In part the fact that you may have used a brush with residual chemicals, or applied roughly, or were also in a social situation that caused flushing or sweating. Even if it is a make up that you have worn before, minor irritations are not uncommon with traditional makeup. True allergic reactions have to do with a histamine response, and in some cases may just be a more dramatic reaction than the 'minor irritation' type reaction. Certainally you shouldn't be getting hives, or physical itchiness, or bumps. It is important to figure out if the allergic reaction is due to what is in the make up or if it is something different. Hidden substances in your makeup products that may cause allergic reactions are metals, fragrances, talcs, dyes, powders that aren't talc, or preservatives are most likely to cause allergies which is why the purest mineral makeup lines avoid these contaminants.

The Fastest Increasing Cancer

Melanoma in increasing with new cases found more rapidly than any other cancer. The rates have actually doubled in the years between 1973 and 1993, and now in these next two decades we can expect the trend to continue. For women, most are found during the youthful so called 'reproductive years' which correspond with sun exposure. the factors leading to malignant melanomas include our immune system and genetic factors as well as ultraviolet radiation exposure. Early diagnosis is important as the only curative treatment is excision. If the excision is in a sensitive or critical area then the amount of tissue removed is best if can be minimized. Eraly diagnosis helps to be able to treat the melanoma before it enlarges. We recommend noting any lesions of your skin that are new, that are changing, or that are bothersome and getting them checked regularly.

Not in the Pink? Think of Zinc!

  If your skin doesn't have that healthy pink glow, could it be that you are lacking zinc? Zinc is potent micronutrient that we need for general as well as gyno health. Health effects on the fetus of being deficient in zinc has been known for over 50 years and some famous studies of dwarfism in Iran had been traced to zinc deficiencies. It is a trace mineral, also called trace elements, widely available in meat and plant sources. Because the zinc is harder for us to chemically extract from vegetarian food sources so there is lower bioavailability in plant sources. In otherwords, having lower bioavaibility means, its there in your food, but you just can't extract it. Vegetarians and vegans are urged to get approximately 50% more zinc than those who do eat meat. In fact your zinc blood levels will vary depending upon how much meat you do eat. Fish sources have zinc too, and oysters are among the best way to get zinc into your diet.

Zinc is necessary for the function of dozens of our body's metabolic enzyme systems; it is important for our immune system, the repair of DNA and for wound healing. Over 70 enzyme systems need zinc for proper function. It is linked to skin disease, poor sense of smell, inability to taste as well, infertility, and poor resistance to infection. It may be a cause of hair growth cycle disturbances. For those getting cosmetic treatments getting the right amount of zinc in your diet will help you heal more quickly and help enhance the way your products are working for your skin’s protection. Sun screens and cosmetics with zinc can help your skin be less irritated and less dry or flaky. If you have had diarrhea your skin can be listless for a variety of reasons: low fluid levels, too little magnesium and potassium in your system due to the loss during diarrhea, but low zinc can be responsible for the symptoms of being pale as well.

Remember there are hidden ways doing things you think of as beneficial for your health, that actually can be detrimental. Since zinc is absorbed in the small intestine too much fiber can oddly bind up your zinc and you can suddenly have a zinc deficiency you did not have before. For instance too much zinc can be both toxic and compromise the amount of copper, another trace mineral, in your body. Too much iron can also affect how we absorb zinc from our intestinal track.  Discussing these issues with your gyno, boils down to a basic diet analysis. There is no approved blood level tests for zinc, and hair analysis is inconsistent, so you just have to rely on the content of our diet to get enough zinc in!

Introduction of Blunt Needle Technique at Hada Cosmetic Medicine

Dermal fillers fill in facial crevices, like in the nasal labial folds. And yet they do more to enhance facial features, such as produce collagen building. Although some strategies preoperatively , like avoiding asprin, with proper adherence to post operative instructions, and strategies during the treatment such as technique, down time from bruising and swelling can be kept to a minimum. Patients now have additional benefit from a technique introduced called blunt needle cannulas. By using these the tissue is gently pushed apart rather than actually cut in parts of the injection and thus the swelling and bruising is less and the patient comfort is enhanced as well. At Hada Cosmetic Medicine, where the technique was introduced first in Central Illinois, injection nurse Jody Randolph, RN was immediately impressed with the difference in comfort level. As with other techniques, it is not used for all locations and all techniques. For best individual results she suggests, "consultation, and to remember, that fillers are enhanced by the other care you give your skin."

Pretty Your Nails Save Your Skin

You may need to be more aggressive with sunscreen and antioxidant use on your hands than you have been in the past. For women who regularly go to tanning salons and dry their nails with UV light, the look of the polish is flawless, but it's intense UV light exposure and could up the risk of skin cancer on your hands. Solutions: yes, now and then air dry if you have the time, or simple fan use for polish setting that that doesn't involve light activation, and most importantly start thinking of how to reverse sun damage on the hands. This could be done with anti-oxidant use or laser IPL treatments. Most potent anti-oxidants to consider: Vit C, coffee-berry, green tea.

Your Nutrition and Your Skin

Being well nourished is having the right macronutrients and the right micronutrients and making sure they are in balance with each other. Most of us fortunately will not have deficiencies, but in fact we may have excesses that are causing problems with both our health and our skin. Those of us who are under nourished may be so because of avoidance of certain foods because of presumed allergies, and fad dieting and others may have chronic illnesses or malabsortion or medications that interfere with our micronutrients. For instance too much aspirin can interfere with the levels of Vitamin K. Your liver is an important site of storage of nutrients, for instance Vitamin A.Sometimes the key to poor skin health is your nutrition. If you skin is becoming thickened and darkened it may be due to deficiencies of B or C or E or even poor essential fatty acid intake. Actually there are many physical signs of nutritional disease. Too much Vitamin A can cause dry and scaly skin. If you don't have enough Vitamin A your serum carotene levels can fall. In fact many of the essential micronutrients can be measured by blood testing.

Get the Red OUT!

A common complaint about one's complexion is redness. The explanation for this skin condition is relatively simple. When blood vessels under the skin become enlarged, the effect is visible redness.  The resulting visible skin redness can be acute, in other words a flush or a blush, and quite cute or chronic and then visible redness can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, and even painful. Depending on the underlying condition that has caused the redness, there are many potential effective ways to control or eliminate the redness with treatments and products available on the market today.  So how do you know how to pick the right one?  That correct answer can be challenge, can even hit the pocket book with sometimes less than sustainable or less than desirable results.  Since all of us have slightly different skin types we will react differently to the different products. Furthermore, our age, our hormone status, our breakout tendencies, our allergies, our medication uses and the skin care regimens we are on will all effect the results, and and you don’t really know how visible the results for homecare products will be until you actually try the product.  If you have sensitive skin (if it’s red it’s probably sensitive), then your skincare professional should be prepared to offer you a sample of the product to ensure it will not worsen your condition.   The optimal situation is to provide the services that utilizes these products professionally and offer the retail product for an at home regimen to compliment. 
Here are some recommendations that we have seen our clients get the best results: 
Redness Relief CalmPlex by Skin Medica, is a breakthrough product in the treatment of visibly red skin.  Fast acting results are seen in as early as two weeks leaving skin looking healthy and radiant!
 Epidermal Repair by Skinceuticals, This product is specifically formulated to reduce inflammation of compromised skin including environmental factors. 
 Revaleskin by Steifel, voted best product for sensitive skin by Allure 2010, this product’s main ingredient Coffeeberry an intensely strong antioxidant that is harvested and processed highest level of concentration available.  In clinical trials, patients with sensitive skin tolerated all three products well.
 Phyto Corrective Gel by Skinceuticals, This gel contains botanical extracts with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties to help soothe and calm irritated skin.  Great after peels and waxing.!
Wild to Mild  or Line tamer  Primer by Colorescience,  These primers are sheer and help the skin tone look even and the texture look smooth.  Formulated with antimicrobial and antioxidant ingredients, they work on the surface on the skin to Correct signs of rosacea, hyperpigmentation, acne, and aging.

So don't just live with the red, Get the Red Out!

Wedding Bells!

Wedding bells are ringing! If you are recently engaged and have just begun brainstorming every detail of your perfect wedding, there is a task you should not leave out. Your skincare! This day is yours to be the center of everyone’s attention, to feel your best and all the cameras’ too. No matter what your skin concerns or flaws may be it is best to be proactive because there are really not satisfactory quick fixes late down that road. By abiding to a skin treatment regimen you can see results fairly rapidly and if you follow up with proper customized home-care to maintain the balance you create for your skin. A recommended program with an established professional will help you achieve your goals and get your skin to reach its optimal results for your Big Day. There are a variety of treatments available through physicians and medical spas that can correct a number of skin care concerns including: acne, hyperpigmentation, aging, rosacea, the list does go on and on, and you may need a diagnosis before your regimen is planed.  With proper analysis and a treatment plan, any of these conditions can be corrected and addressed in a fairly short amount of time, generally 3 to 6 months.  A customized program that offers the ability to address more than one concern is always the best.  If your skincare professional has all the information and shows genuine concern regarding your wedding time-line, that is ideal.  Aside from the big day, there are several other significant events leading up to that you will want to have your best face forward such as showers, engagement parties, pictures, etc… If time constraints are a factor, there are treatments available that might not give you the most optimal long lasting results, but can give you a reasonable improvement.  Some l treatments to consider if you have 1 month or less to get your face looking it’s best would include, microderm treaments, hydrafacials, “same day peels”  (the best is Illuminize by SkinMedica or Pumpkin by PCA), Botox (effects in 7-14 days), and perhaps even dermal filler if you don’t bruise easily.  The hydrafacial will remove dead skin cells and impurities while simultaneously bathing the new skin with cleansing, hydrating and moisturizing skin serums. If you are able to start your treatment plan 1-6 months before your wedding day, Botox, Chemical Peels, IPL lasers, and Non-ablative laser skin resurfacing, can give significant results. IPL Photofacials are an intense pulsed light treatment producing a more reflective complexion, reductions in brown spots and a cure for blotchiness and with literally  no down time. For best results with this treatment you would schedule a series of 5-6 treatments 3-4 weeks apart.  The chemical peels will improve a wide variety of skin conditions such as fine lines, blotchy pigmentation, surface level acne scars and sun damaged skin. Peels correct these issues by removing dead skin cells and stimulating the growth of new skin cells. This is also the ideal time for dermal fillers to correct, nasal labial fold, marionette line, and fullness in the lips.  If you are starting to plan your skin program 6 months or longer, all of the aforementioned treatments are appropriate, but also hair reduction, Skin resurfacing, leg vein treatments, skin tightening (for body or face).  These treatments will are sure to get your beach body into shape.  And how nice not to have to worry about shaving on your honeymoon!  All of these treatments play a different role in bringing your best skin forward. A customized and effective skincare program is key to looking and feeling your best for this day which will be among the most memorable of your life.

Patchy Rash on Your Face For the First Time In Pregnancy

Skin can be very changeable in pregnancy. Even the breastfeeding hormone prolactin begins to rise significantly only a few days after that first ultrasound sign of pregnancy. And each hormone can have an effect on multiple factors that affect the skin. Furthermore, many women completely ditch their skin routines in pregnancy because of lack of knowledge or information regarding the products they want to use. One condition that is very common in pregnancy is called Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy or puritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy. or "PUPP" that is probably the most common complaint regarding pregnant skin. It is a red and patchy rash with a fairly distinct appearance that your obstetrician probably can recognize. Sometimes it can appear to be something really weird and have target like lesions more characteristic of other rashes, but usually, just patches. It often will begin in a stretch mark, and it usually spreads. Oddly it usually spares the face, so that's probably not it. To figure out if this is just the melasma pigment changes that one sees from those high hormone levels you could have your face examined by a Wood's lamp. Allergic reactions and dry skin may also produce the red rashes of the face in pregnancy, and rosacea may be diagnosed for the first time as well.

Wetter Is Better: For Your Skin

Wetter is better: making our facial expressions can etch those smile lines into our skin, but studies also show that well hydrated skin is much less likely to become etched. We know this intuitively: think about folding a thick piece of paper: much harder to really form a crease than a thin piece of paper. How about trying the same technique wet: you may not even be able to generate a proper crease. Studies have started to look at how our skin ages and those who are well hydrated have significantly fewer wrinkles. So that even starting proper hydration at a younger age will improve the skin. And how to get that hydration into your skin is critical. Element protection, sun protection, chemical protection, and proper moisturizing is all important. Your asthetician can help you know if your skin is optimally hydrated or if the next time you select a product your skin hydration can be improved.

Red Face in Teens, Tweens or Twenties Not Likely Rosacea

Have you been worrying about the red color to your face? Did you think it was left over sunburn from not using proper sunscreen? Rosacea is a skin condition. The most common feature is a dry patchy redness to the skin, and it is a specific skin condition many do not know they have. It's important to get a diagnosis and skin care can treat and calm or make it worse and ideally should be tailored to your individual skin. Teens and young tweens do not need to be as concerned with this condition however as it usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60. Another reason to get a consultation with your esthetician as you age is to take into consideration that you may have now developed Rosacea that you had not realized that you have had. Red face in youth may more likely be allergic reactions, inflammation due to acne, sweating or blushing.