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

January Specials

A New Year A New You and 90 Days to Make It Happen
Please Join Us for Our 90 Day Challenge
This Incredible Deal Includes the Following for Just $825
2 TNS Essential Serum
1 TNS Eye Repair
1 Tri-Retinol Complex
1 Dermal Repair Cream
1 TNS Line Refine
1 Travel Facial Cleanser
1 Travel Sunscreen
1 SkinMedica Headband
1 Illuminize Peel
1 Vitalize Peel
1 Rejuvenize Peel
1 Hydrating Microdermabrasion

Our challenge will include all of the above products and 3 of our SkinMedica Peels.

We will start our challenge in January and at the end of March we will look at all of our before and after photos and choose the patient with the best results. The winner will receive this exact kit for FREE!

Enjoy these other great offers for the month of January

20% off any Package Paid in Full
Juvederm XC Ultra $425 per Vile
Juvederm XC Ultra Plus $450 per Vile
Botox $9 per unit
2 Sublative RF Treatments for $600
Buy 2 IPL’s get 1 FREE
Vein Reduction {1Treatment} $75
VelaShape {1 Zone} $75
Laser Underarm {1 Treatment}$50
Laser Lip and Chin {1Treatment} $60
Micro Express $30

Prescription Medication

Another common question during laser hair removal is “Why
does it matter what medication I’m on and what does it have to do with my laser
treatments?” Please inform us if you have had any changes in medications or
antibiotics when you come in for your treatment, the reason we ask is because a
lot of prescription medications can cause photosensitivity. Laser is a light
and so any kind of exposure to light could cause your medication to have a
negative reaction with the laser such as a burn, pigmentation, or hypo pigmentation.
For your safety we will ALWAYS follow the guidelines for your medication please
ask your physician when or if you are able to start you laser treatment. We
appreciate your understanding and cooperation and we hope you get to feeling
better! If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to give us a call at
303-487-5680.

TNS Essential Serum

Why is TNS our #1 selling Skin Medica product?

Recent studies have shown that people that use TNS Essential
Serum have seen a 95% improvement in smoothness and softness in there skin, 92%
noticed there skin was looking healthier and more youthful. Not only does this
serum reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles but it also improves
skin texture, tone and elasticity while diminishing the appearance of age
spots. While this miracle serum is repairing the damage it is also full of
antioxidants, peptides and other innovative anti aging ingredients. TNS
Essential Serum has been named best beauty buy for 2011 in In Style and New
Beauty magazines. It has also been featured on the Early Show and The Doctors.
So come in today to A Hair Never There and try it for yourself, you’ll be
amazed with the results.

Red Carpet Ready

Please Join us for our Holiday Extravaganza
December
15, 2011 from 5-8 pm

We
will be having a drawing every half hour for this years “Bests”
Chances
to win FREE Products and Services
The
first 10 people in the door will win a $15, $25 or $50 gift card toward
services
Shannon
will be offering $8 Botox from 9am-5pm
(Reserve your spot today! A $50 non-refundable deposit required)
Desserts
and Beverages will be provided
Hope
to see you there!
Happy
Holidays from A Hair Never There

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.