Is IPL for me? Inside the skin rejuvenating benefits of light therapy skincare.

Although there is still plenty of warm weather ahead of us, summer is in the process of winding down—which means it’s time to undo all the damage from days spent sitting poolside or gardening under the hot noonday sun. So as thoughts of back-to-school and cooler autumn days start to creep in, and we all begin to look forward to the change in seasons, now is the perfect time to schedule a rejuvenating skin treatment, in particular: an intense pulsed light (IPL) facial.

Sometimes referred to as light therapy skincare, intense pulsed light (IPL) facials are nonablative skin treatments that use multiple wavelengths of light to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, and in that process—help rejuvenate the appearance of dark spots and redness on the skin, as well as improve firmness, texture, and, tone. In addition, IPL may also help reduce the appearance of large pores and unwanted facial hair.  Because IPL facials are non-invasive, recovery time is brief, and side-effects are minimal (i.e.: very little redness) making IPL the perfect lunchtime skin treatment as no one will be any the wiser when you get back to the office!

Skin types that benefit most from an IPL facial are light, non-tanned tones that show marked sun damage or redness, or have a loss of firmness and tone.  If you have olive or darker skin tones, be sure to discuss the risks involved with an IPL facial for your skin tone, which can include hypopigmentation, or over-lightening of the skin. 

Here, the top skin concerns that can benefit from an IPL facial:   

1. Dark Spots. Who isn’t frustrated by those little (and not so little) dark spots on their face, neck, chest, and even backs of their hands?  Called hyperpigmentation, these annoying splotches can be caused by a variety of factors. Some people are genetically predisposed to dark spots, such as freckles. For other people, sun exposure can hasten or cause their appearance. However dark spots showed up on your skin, an IPL facial is a great way to brighten and refresh the skin, and help reduce the appearance of this kind of skin discoloration—particularly at the end of the summer when your exposure to strong summer sunshine is over for the season.  
2. Redness.  Whether chronic rosacea, melasma, or a small patch of broken capillaries, the flushed, red appearance caused by these kinds of skin issues can be very frustrating, particularly if you have very fair skin.  However, redness of all kinds can be greatly reduced by an IPL facial as the light may help to repair those small, minor blood vessels that cause redness.
3. Loss of firmness.  Another skin concern that IPL can help alleviate is skin sagging and loss of firmness, particularly around the eyes and the nasolabial fold around the nose/mouth.  The high energy light waves used during an IPL facial encourage the natural production of collagen—a connective protein found in the skin which keeps it looking smooth and supple, that is diminished with age and sun damage…or both.

One of the best things about IPL is that today’s devices are very sophisticated, and able to treat a variety of skin conditions at once. So if you have dark spots and have noticed a loss of firmness in your skin, IPL can (and will!) help with both. Plus, IPL facials are less expensive than other more invasive treatments, such as laser resurfacing, yet they still offer visible benefits that often, are seen after one treatment.    

No matter why you are choosing to get an IPL facial, the one thing you must do after your treatment is remain vigilant about sunscreen—even on a cloudy day and in the cooler weather. Just because you are not outside in the sun on purpose, like at the beach, UV rays are still affecting your skin during the wintertime, and you run the risk of undoing all the rejuvenating effects of an intense pulsed light treatment if you don’t take precautions.   To learn if an IPL photofacial is right for your skin, schedule a complimentary consultation today!

Dermal Fillers—What to Expect, and What Not to Expect

When you are ready to start using dermal fillers, there are a lot of things you should expect to come out of this treatment plan.  There are also a lot of things not to expect. So to be sure you get the most out of your treatments, and to help you prepare yourself (and your skin) for the changes to come, let’s talk about what you can, and cannot expect from a dermal filler.

1. You CAN expect your skin to feel smoother, fuller, plumper!  Dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm and Radiesse, are made from filling agents such as hyaluronic acid (HA) or calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres which actually ‘fill’ in wrinkles, and leave skin looking plumped up and youthful.
2. You CAN expect dermal fillers to help soften and fill loss of volume in areas such as the nasolabial fold (the two creases that frame the mouth when you smile), between the eyebrows, and vertical lines on the chin.  Fillers are also very effective at plumping up thin lips.
3. You CAN expect to see results immediately. And, you can expect very little down-time and almost zero side effects, such as redness or irritation.  Instead, all you will see is immediately fuller and more youthful looking skin!
4. You can NOT expect dermal fillers to last forever.  Although the results can last for up to a year, a more realistic expectation is to prepare for about four months of visible results before you need to schedule a follow-up visit.
5. You can NOT expect dermal fillers to lift up seriously sagging skin on the face. Although dermal fillers are great for adding volume and fullness to the skin, they are not an ideal solution for lifting up seriously sagging skin, such as a dropping forehead or eyelids.  A better approach to this particular skin concern would be a combination of treatments, which might also include a neurotoxin, a dermal filler, and possibly even more advanced aesthetic skin treatment, such as a brow lift. 
6. You can NOT expect to get the same results from an unlicensed practitioner, as you would from a licensed one. Although Botox and filler parties are growing in popularity, and might seem like a harmless (and more affordable) option, don’t take the risk. Unlicensed application of dermal fillers is no only illegal; it opens you—and your skin—up to serious risk.  If not administered properly, dermal fillers can leave skin looking irritated or worse, lumpy. Plus, you can only be 100% sure you are getting authentic fillers from a licensed provider, and not an adulterated substance that may have other agents mixed into the product in order to cut costs. And that is very bad news for your skin.

If you are noticing that your skin is starting to look less full, and the creases around your eyes or mouth are starting to appear deeper than you remembered, take a moment to consider the many aesthetic skin benefits of a dermal filler.  When done right, dermal fillers look incredibly natural, and are an excellent, safe way to rejuvenate the appearance of skin that has lost those telltale signs of youth—firmness and tautness, as well as plump up skin that has started looking thin and hollow. Ready to learn more about how dermal fillers can help you? Let me personalize a skin rejuvenation plan for your skin today! 

Beauty Bounty: Antioxidant Foods to Protect the Skin

By now, you are probably very aware that eating more fruits and vegetables is great for your health, but did you know that antioxidant foods, such as fruits and veggies, are equally as good for your skin? Well they are. Just like the cells in the rest of your body, skin cells are also vulnerable to free radical damage, and antioxidants are one of the most powerful ways to keep this damage in-check, and your skin looking (and feeling) healthy and youthful.  And with summer’s product bounty at its peak, now is the perfect time to up your skincare game with fruit and vegetables straight from the farmer’s market.

Watermelon: Bright red, super juicy, and super good for you, watermelon is an antioxidant food that is also a skin powerhouse.   Infused with antioxidant vitamins A and C—all extremely important for healthy skin—watermelon also contains high levels of lycopene, a powerful phytochemical that is important for cardiovascular health.  Watermelon also contains biotin, which is great for healthy skin, hair, and nails.

Berries: From blueberries to blackberries to strawberries, new research suggests that of all the foods you can eat, berries may be the most beneficial to your health.  Bursting with not only tons of flavor but high levels of vitamin C, which can help keep your skin looking bright and glowing, these summertime jewels also contain flavonoids, fiber, biotin and omega-3 fatty acids (which can help improve the health of hair and skin).  

Cherries and other stone fruits: In addition to cherries, stone fruits include peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, and even prunes, all of which are delicious to eat, and great for your skin.  Another powerful antioxidant food like berries and watermelon, cherries are great sources of protective vitamin C, as well as fiber, iron, magnesium and melatonin (also an antioxidant). Cherries also contain high levels of water, which will help keep your skin hydrated and supple.

Grapes: Grapes are one of the best sources of resveratrol, a powerful phytonutrient found in the skins (and also flesh and seeds) of grapes that has been shown to increase the expression of three genes associated with longevity.  Grapes also contain high levels of flavonoids, vitamin K, vitamin B12, and fiber, and are an excellent frozen for a treat that is low in calories, but high in flavor.

Tomatoes: Available in dozens of sizes and colors, and ranging in versatility, tomatoes are an antioxidant food powerhouse, and—extremely beneficial for the skin and overall health.  Very high in lycopene, tomatoes also contain vitamins A, C, and E; vitamin B1, potassium, iron, zinc, and biotin! Be sure to choose a variety of colors (red, yellow, orange) to get the most optimal intake of antioxidants from tomatoes, and eat these summertime favorites often.

Kale: Kale is one of the most nutritious, and nutrient dense, cruciferous vegetables around.  In addition to containing over 45 different flavonoids, this veggie also contains vitamins A, C, and E; vitamin B6; calcium, fiber, iron, and essential omega-3 fatty acids.  Try it in a salad, or steamed with fresh fish, or to add texture and crunch to a grain bowl for an added skin-enhancing dinner option.  

Carrots:  At their peak during summer and early fall, fresh carrots (as well as other orange foods such as oranges and pumpkins), are incredibly good for the skin. Chock-full of vitamin A, which helps keep skin looking smooth and youthful, carrots are also rich in biotin, fiber, potassium, vitamins C and E, and copper.  And you don’t have to stick with orange varieties to enjoy these benefits; white, purple and even red carrots all contain high amounts of skin protective antioxidants so head to Trader Joe’s or your favorite local farm stand and stock-up!

The ABC’s of SPF—Basics for Preventing Sun Damage

When it comes to your skin, there are few cosmetic skin treatments that are more important—or more impactful—on preventing sun damage than wearing sunscreen.  And even though you can find sunscreen on the shelves of nearly every drug store, grocery, and dollar store between here and Dewey Beach, all sunscreens don’t work the same way.  So to ensure you are protecting your skin as thoroughly as possible from harmful UV rays while vacationing this summer, keep these essentials in mind when packing your beach bags.

#1. 15? 30? 50? What does that number really mean? The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) number of your sunscreen is a measure of how well the product blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays from the skin. It’s also a measure of how long that particular product will protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. To figure out how long an SPF will work for you, simply time how long you can be in the sun—with no sun protection—before burning, and then multiply that number by the SPF number on your bottle.

For example, if you can be in the sun for ten minutes (with no sun protection) before burning, and you have a product with SPF15, multiple 15 x 10 = 150, which means after you have applied the product, you can be in the sun for 150 minutes, or almost two hours, before you need to re-apply. 

However, and here is where it gets tricky,  according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, no sunscreen can be expected to stay effective for longer than two hours without reapplication. So, even if you are using an SPF 50, and following the formula above, could stay out in the sun for 6 hours before burning—you still need to reapply every two hours to be truly protected against sun damage.

#2. Chemical or physical ingredients: is that really important?  The short answer is yes!  The choice to use a chemical or physical sunscreen is largely personal preference, but in order to be sure you are using each of these products correctly, you need to know why they are different, and how they work.  Chemical sunscreens protect against sun damage with chemical ingredients such as Avobenzone, Octocrylene, or Homosalate, which absorb UV rays as they penetrate the skin. Chemical sunscreens must be applied to the skin at least 20 minutes before you plan on being outside in order for the chemical to provide true sun protection.

On the other hand are physical sunscreens, which are made from ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide, and often appear white or pasty on the skin (think how a life guard’s nose looks at the pool!) Instead of absorbing the sun’s rays, physical sunscreens reflect them away from the skin, sort-of like a mirror. And, physical sunscreens do not need to be applied before you go outside in order to provide protection: as soon as this kind of sunscreen is on the skin, the skin is protected.

#3. I don’t burn; why do I need to wear sunscreen?  No matter what kind of exposure you get from the sun, the end result is the same for your skin: sun damage.  And even if that damage doesn’t look like sunburn on your particular skin tone (people who say “I never burn!”, I’m looking at you), it can still lead to the most deadly form of skin cancer around: melanoma.  Darker skin tones may not be at risk for sunburn as quickly as someone who has a lighter tone, but everyone should be wearing sunscreen—every single time they are outside in the sun because all skin tones can burn. Period. 

#4. What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays?  Both UVA and UVB are rays from the sun that can (and usually do) cause trouble for the skin. UVA rays refer to the rays that prematurely ‘age’ the skin, and hasten the appearance of sun-related damage such as dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles.  UVB rays refer to rays that ‘burn’ the skin, and increase your risk for skin cancer.  To ensure you are fully protected, select a sunscreen or sunblock that offers broad-spectrum protection, which means it blocks both types of UV rays.

#5: What else can I do to protect myself from sun damage? 

Follow these tried-and-true rules.

• When you aren’t swimming or in the water, either stay indoors or find shade, particularly between the hours of 10am – 2pm, when sun is at its most ferocious.
• Wear a hat, large sunglasses, and if you are planning on being outdoors all day, consider bringing a long-sleeve shirt and pants.  There are many options available that are incredibly light weight and breathable, plus; some fabrics are even impregnated with SPF, as well.
• Re-apply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you have been swimming or sweating.  No excuses!
• Apply sunscreen thickly and over every area of exposed skin, including behind the ears, and on the top of your head (particularly important for men who shave their heads).  To adequately cover the entire body, you need at least 1 ounce of sunscreen , which is about the size of a full shot glass.
• Don’t forget to hydrate! In addition to protecting your skin from the outside in, do something good for it from the inside out when you are spending the day pool or beachside: drink plenty of water.  
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