SkinMedica's My Essentials for Healthy Skin

Cathleen A. Olson, Aesthetician; Edina Skin Care Specialists, Minneapolis, Minn.

As an aesthetician, I recognize the importance of smart skin care choices—and that means adhering to the same routine that I recommend to my patients. Just like the rest of the body, our skin requires daily maintenance. It’s important to use products on a daily basis that can effectively hydrate, protect and help improve collagen production. By preventing the signs of aging and treating existing damage, we can make a significant impact in the health of our skin. PREPARERoutine exfoliation helps to remove excess dry, dull skin and makes it easier for skin care products to do their job. I prefer chemical exfoliants, as they are less likely to scratch or damage the skin the way that a scrub can. To avoid over-stimulating the skin, aim for exfoliation two to three times per week. Patients with rough or oily skin may also benefit from a resurfacing product containing alpha hydroxy acids, such as the SkinMedica® 15% AHA/BHA Cream. My must-have cleansing step is the Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing brush. Its oscillating action not only deep-cleans the pores and removes makeup better than manual cleansing alone, but it also encourages better absorption of any creams or serums applied afterward. I’ve seen a huge change in patients’ skin when they pair the skin care brush with topical products.PROTECTI simply cannot overemphasize the importance of daily sun protection, regardless of the weather or climate. Sun damage leads to sagging, wrinkles, roughness and laxity. Many of my patients also have discoloration caused by sun exposure. Even after an in-office treatment to reduce their appearance, these unsightly brown spots can reappear after just 10 minutes of sun exposure. I suggest an aggressive approach to daily protection with a regimen that combines SPF and topical antioxidants. Think of antioxidants as virtual “shields” that protect your skin cells. Antioxidants tackle free radicals—which are known to cause collagen breakdown—and work synergistically with sunscreen to protect the skin against damaging UV rays. I arm my skin each morning with SkinMedica’s TNS Essential Serum® prior to my sunscreen application. This all-in-one serum combines full-strength growth factors, potent antioxidants and anti-aging peptides to help support collagen production; it also helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and existing sun damage.REJUVENATETake advantage of your skin’s natural repair mode as you sleep. This is a prime time to rejuvenate skin and fight the signs of aging with a product containing retinol. Known as the gold standard among anti-aging ingredients, retinol (along with its prescription-strength counterpart, tretinoin) increases exfoliation and help support collagen production. Though it takes up to three months to see the benefits, they are indisputable: smoother texture, increased clarity and skin toneI also use a moisturizer and nourishing eye cream to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Look for ingredients like peptides to help support collagen production and hyaluronic acid to draw moisture to the skin and give it a plump, healthy appearance.Regardless of the routine you choose, don’t forget to listen to your skin. It may need more moisture in the cold winter months or require additional exfoliation in the summer. Find a good skin care specialist who can guide you through your skin’s ups and downs. After all, the skin is the body’s largest organ: Treat it with care. Authored by Cathleen A. Olson, Aesthetician in Ask a Skin Care Specialist on March 21st, 2012 Edina Skin Care Specialists, Minneapolis, Minn. Aesthetician Cathleen Olson began her career at Minneapolis’ Edina Plastic Surgery, where she helped develop the practice’s skin care division and became a pioneer in the rise of monthly preventive skin treatments. In 1996, she partnered with MMK Plastic Surgery to establish her own clinic, Edina Skin Care Specialists. Cathleen values the long-term relationships she has developed with her clients, some of whom she has treated for over 20 years. Cathleen is a charter member of the Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists, where she was on the board for seven years and served as president from 2000 – 2001.

Microdermabrasion

I’m sure many of you who have lived in Colorado know how harsh and drying Colorado weather can be to your skin. You may have noticed that after a while it seems that your skin care products are not as effective as they once were. At A Hair Never There we offer two different types of Microdermabrasion. The first being DiamondTome, this treatment utilizes a combination of a diamond tipped wand and suction to effectively treat fine lines, minimize pore size, and improve the overall tone and texture of your skin. The second Microdermabrasion we offer is a DermaSweep which is a more aggressive treatment that uses an epi-fusion and bristle tipped wand. Your skin will look and feel smoother, fresher, and younger allowing products to penetrate deeper and be more effective. Give us a call today to find out which Microdermabrasion is best for you.

SkinMedicas Sunscreen in the Winter—Why You Still Need It

It’s no secret that regular use of sun protection not only exponentially decreases your risk for skin cancer, but will also keep your skin smoother, healthier and younger-looking over time. Yet one of the biggest misconceptions about sunscreen is that it isn’t necessary aside from, say, the beach or pool. When patients ask me whether they need to wear sunscreen during the winter, I always respond with an emphatic “yes.”First, it’s important to understand the difference between UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays—the kind that penetrate the skin and promote collagen breakdown—remain just as strong throughout the winter months (and even on cloudy days), so they can still cause photodamage and an increased risk of skin cancer. This means that daily use of sunscreen is a must to protect against UVA rays. Though UVB rays, known as the “burning rays,” tend to be stronger during the hot days of summer, they are capable of causing sunburn any time of year. In fact, the sun’s rays can be up to 80 percent stronger when reflected, and because snow causes a reflection, skiing or sledding—or even being around glass buildings in a metropolitan area—can lead to a sunburn without proper protection.I recommend a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for daily use and one with SPF 30 to 50 if you’ll be outdoors. I tell my patients not to be overconfident when using a high SPF and to reapply frequently, especially if the skin gets wet. Since the skin tends to be dryer in the winter (think less humidity and buildings with cranked-up heat that dries out the skin), it’s also important to moisturize regularly, drink lots of water, and invest in a humidifier to keep skin moisturized. Taking an omega-3 supplement daily is also a smart way to keep skin supple.Windburn can also wreak havoc on already-dry winter skin, as exposure to strong, cold winds can strip the skin of its natural oils and protective moisture barrier. Look for products that contain aloe or hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture to the skin to help restore the lipid barrier.My best advice: When it comes to sun protection, treat every day like a sunny day. Think of sunscreen as a 365-day-a-year requirement. Your skin—and your health—will thank you.

Nourish your Skin from the inside out

The old adage “you are what you eat” has stuck around for a reason: Poor diet has been linked to disease, obesity and decreased energy, while good nutrition has been shown to have innumerable health benefits. When it comes to the skin, research also shows that making nutritious choices can directly affect your complexion by fighting the signs of aging and improving skin conditions like dryness and acne.Antioxidants are all-stars in skincare products—not only do they protect skin from free radicals, but they help counteract the breakdown of collagen. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can also support overall skin health. A study has shown that taking antioxidant supplements (with a combination of minerals and glycosaminoglycans), like coenzyme Q10 or vitamin E, can help improve skin roughness and fine wrinkles.1 Eating antioxidant-rich foods can have a similar effect, think cruciferous vegetables (the darker, the better), citrus fruit, berries, pomegranate, grapes, red wine, nuts, and green tea. In addition to drinking plenty of water, eating foods with high water content like melon or cucumbers keeps the skin and body hydrated. A daily omega-3 supplement, like fish oil, can also help decrease inflammation and moisturize the skin from within, but make sure you check with your doctor before taking any new supplement. Although the “chocolate causes acne” myth has lost momentum in recent years, there may be something to it after all. Research has shown that excess sugar intake can lead to increased insulin production, which in turn causes greater oil production in the skin, so stay away from refined sugars if you’re acne-prone.2A recent study conducted at the University of Nottingham showed that a diet rich in carotenoids (found in tomatoes and carrots) can help to improve skin tone and give the skin a healthy glow that mimics the look of a suntan—all the more reason to skip the tanning bed!3A smart rule of thumb is that if something is good for the body, it’s also healthy for the skin. Our skin reflects what we put into our bodies, so feed it well.
References
1. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 10.111/j.1468-2494.2009.0013.x An oral nutraceutical containing antioxidants, minerals and glycosaminoglycans improve skin roughness and fine wrinklesM. Udompataikul, P. Sripiroj and P. Palungwachira2. Huffington Post (2011, February 12). Acne: Are Milk and Sugar the Causes? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/do-milk-and-sugar-cause-a_b_822163.html3. Ian D. Stephen, Vinet Coetzee, David I. Perrett. Carotenoid and melanin pigment coloration affect perceived human health. Evolution and Human Behavior, 2010; DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehave. 2010.09.003

How Realistic are our Expectations? - Skin Medica Beauty Talk

The list of our expectations from skin care products and procedures is l-o-o-o-n-g. We want wrinkles and brown spots to disappear, skin become tighter and firmer, dark circles and puffiness under the eyes – GONE! How reasonable are our expectations? When I start patients on a new skin care regimen I want them to be excited about it, but at the same time, I educate patients about WHAT they should expect from their skin care regimen, and WHEN the result will become noticeable. Expecting perfection is not realistic, expecting improvement is. Just as the book “What to expect when you’re expecting” tells a pregnant mother what to expect at each stage of her pregnancy, I too take the same approach when recommending skin care regimens or procedures to my patients. An informed patient is always a better patient!In order to have realistic expectations about their prospective improvements, patients need to understand what processes are taking place within the skin at each step during the course of the treatment, knowing that, these processes will take TIME. I often have to remind patients that it took blah-blah years to accumulate the skin damage, so it will take some time (and commitment) to fix it. Repair is never as good as prevention, particularly with sun damage. Depending on the patient’s pre-treatment skin condition, the time and the degree of improvement will vary substantially. It is clinically proven that skin improvement from anti-aging products that contain antioxidants and growth factors, as well as laser treatments and chemical peels, require certain time to build up. For example, laser treatments and chemical peels initially create inflammation in the skin, but as the skin heals, a number of beneficial changes occur. The first signs of improvement, such as more even skin color, smoother texture, and reduction in hyperpigmentation, can be seen as soon as 2 weeks after the procedure. On the other hand, the changes within the skin, dermal regeneration, such as: collagen stimulation, re-orientation of new skin connective tissue and skin tightening can take several months. Keep in mind, these changes are gradual; they will not appear over night. Since we are looking in the mirror (sometime magnifying mirror) every day in anticipation of improvement, those steady changes often are not that easy to see. I always take pre-treatment photographs, which help me objectively evaluate the patient’s progress, and also give the patient a chance to compare. The improvements seen from anti-aging skin care products are even more gradual than with procedures. To see the effect of the product, you have to use it for at least several weeks, not just a few days. Ask yourself: have I given it enough time for the product to work?The answer to better skin is not a “magic potion”, but rather a scientifically-based approach to addressing your skin care concern. When paired with compliance and patience, people are sure to start complimenting you on the appearance of your skin and then you will know it was all worthwhile.

TNS Eye Repair

The skin around the eyes is some of the most delicate skin
on the body. TNS Eye Repair is great
for both AM and PM use. It is a rich
cream that is made with Human Fibroblasts, peptides, and vitamins A, C and E to
repair damaged tissue in and around the orbital bone. Come in today and ask
about our VIP Glisten and Glow Event to receive this product and so much more!
Only while supplies lasts!