I’m sitting here staring at my eyelashes. Not because they are growing short and thinning with age but because they are longer than they were in my 20’s and luscious.
Seriously luscious!
It didn’t surprise me that the Latisse worked, it more of a shock at what a difference these lashes made to my face. When it first came out I thought “I don’t really need it, my lashes aren’t bad and they’re dark so with a little mascara they actually look pretty good.” However add another half centimeter and double the thickness and all of a sudden my eyes opened up and I went from good to glamorous!
I’ve had clients who tried eyelash extensions only to find that when they came off so did most of their own lashes! So this is a great solution for people who may not have had the success they wanted with extensions.
Every night for 8 weeks I applied a drop of Latisse onto a small brush and ran it along my upper lashes just like I would eyeliner. I started to see some results at about 6 weeks but then I was a bit obsessed. By 12 weeks I was amazed! Long lashes put the focus on my eyes, which is where I want it.
Basically I just feel better with these lovely new lashes and isn’t that what all of this is about?
Latisse Eye Witness ReportFebruary 9, 2012
Dazzling New Peel from DermaCeuticJanuary 12, 2012
First we saw the before and after photos and we were intrigued, then we tried the new Spot Peel from Dermaceutic and we were sold!
To begin with, it comes from a company in France whose only focus is peels.
(I don’t why I just love products made in France but I do)
It comes with an easy home care kit and is aimed at improving pigmentation, age spots, pregnancy dark spots or melasma, actinic keratoses and post-inflammatory pigmentation. If you don’t feel that a laser is for you, this is definitely an option you’ll want to check out.
Before and after photos on the website:
http://www.dermaceutic.com/peels-with-dermaceutic/index_516.htm
The ingredients are powerful - mandelic acid, idebenone, emblica, retinol and salicylic – acid and it’s still safe for all skin types.
To best prepare your skin, you will start using some of the products in the home care kit two weeks before your peel.
When you come into the clinic for your peel, you can plan to be here for about 30 minutes. Once your peel is applied, you will leave it on for a maximum of 8 hours then just rinse it off with water.
It has a yellowish tinge that you could cover with a mineral make up if you had to go out that night it would be better if used it as an excuse to curl up with a good book or a movie.
For the next 2 days you will experience some redness and tenderness.
Over those first 3 days, you can apply a soothing repair and sun protection cream from your home care kit as often as needed. There are clear instructions on what other products you will continue to use from your kit in your follow-up program.
Even though this peel focuses on pigmentation, anyone can benefit from this kind of intensive peeling especially those suffering with acne.
The four in-clinic peels plus the home care products cost $850 in total.
Glycation = AgingJanuary 10, 2012
Have you heard about Glycation?
Simply put, Glycation is a damaging reaction that happens in our bodies when our blood sugar levels rise. It creates inflammation, free radicals, it can make your internal organs stiff, promotes issues in your lungs, eyes, brain, increases chances of heart disease and diabetes but here’s the real clincher…it causes deep wrinkles!
I’ll bet that last one woke you up!
Let’s bypass all the technical stuff for now, I’ll stick it further down for the left brainers.
Here are some of the culprits:
Sugar…and it’s in everything so you need to read the labels. I know it seems unrealistic to avoid sugar altogether but do what you can.
Foods that convert to sugars in the blood: Pasta, breads, rice and anything made with white flour,potatoes, parsnips…all the white stuff.
Tips:
The slow cooker is your friend. Glycation in food happens when cooking at high temperatures, so grilling, deep frying, roasting, pan frying…any method that ‘browns’ food is creating glycation….yeah I know I’m getting depressed too.
Manufactured and junk foods are a nightmare because of the high temperature processes used to cook them.
-Try to switch to a low GI diet – this site can help: www.glycemicindex.com
-Eat protein at the start of every meal
-No fruit or sugars on an empty stomach
Wait there is some good news: Ice cream for dessert after a meal – not on an empty stomach is ok as the fat in the ice cream will slow down the sugar to your bloodstream.
(Keep in mind we are just doing a quick scan of this issue)
What can you do for the skin to help prevent more of this damage?
Antioxidants in your skin care!
Our picks from our clinic:
From Jan Marini:
-C’Esta
-Peptide Extreme
From SkinCeuticals:
-AG.E. Interupter
-Phloretin CF
-C & E Ferulic
-Serum 10
All the products containing CIC2 from SWISSTEC
Do your research on the best antioxidants in supplements, so far it’s looking like carnosine, benfotiamine and alpha lipoic acid are the ones to look up.
You can make a big difference in how you look, feel and age by just giving some of this a shot!
Glycation (sometimes called non-enzymatic glycosylation) is the result of the bonding of a protein or lipid molecule with a sugar molecule, such asfructose or glucose, without the controlling action of an enzyme. All blood sugars are reducing molecules. Glycation may occur either inside the body (endogenous glycation) or outside the body (exogenous glycation). Enzyme-controlled addition of sugars to protein or lipid molecules is termedglycosylation; glycation is a haphazard process that impairs the functioning of biomolecules, whereas glycosylation occurs at defined sites on the target molecule and is required in order for the molecule to function.
Aging Gracefully (Part Three)September 6, 2011
Microdermabrasion:
Many people confuse this effective but relatively mild exfoliation treatment with a much more aggressive process called Dermabrasion. They are VERY different. Microdermabrasion is performed with either crystals (as in a gentle sand blasting) or a diamond-tip wand which when drawn across the skin, removes the dead skin cells. Both use suction in the wand which makes this treatment feel more like a face massage. Most people find this treatment not only comfortable but enjoyable!
(Dermabrasion on the other hand is a surgical procedure that involves the controlled wearing away of the upper layers of the skin with sandpaper or other mechanical means like lasers. The procedure requires a local anesthetic. Afterward, the skin is very red and raw-looking, and it takes several months for the skin to regrow and heal.) YIKES!
To a mild extent, Microdermabrasion can help soften fine lines and wrinkles, smooth rough, bumpy skin.
Chemical peels and microdermabrasion will not remove pigmentation or pitted acne scars—those issues definitely require the bigger guns!
We have found it particularly effective to combine a peel and a microdermabrasion treatment. Your technician will suggest how often you should have this treatment. Usually a series of treatments is recommended 2-4 weeks apart.
Bottom line: You wouldn’t buy a new car and not take it in for tune up in twenty years. So you can’t expect your skin to remain healthy and radiant without some key nutrition and exfoliation…there you go…looking good and still ‘Aging Gracefully.’
Aging Gracefully (Part Two)
So we established in the last blog that you were going to do your best to wear your sunblock and pick up a few key products that will actually do something to help your skin. Keeping in mind that these treatments are falling under the category of “What is the least amount I can do and still say to my friends that I haven’t had any work done?”
(We’ve got much bigger guns for those of you searching for bigger results.)
Now we need to look at exfoliation and why we need it.
Exfoliation is the lifting of dead skin cells that cling to the skins’ surface. Removing them leaves your skin, smoother, softer and refreshed and allows better penetration of the active products we’ve discussed. Our cell turnover slows down as we age so that little extra push is the key to keeping that skin glowing.
You’ve heard of Chemical Peels -–there are so many it’s mind boggling and they can be either gentle or aggressive, depending on how strong the peel is. The acids used in these peels loosen the glue-like substance that holds the dead skin cells together, allowing them to slough away.
Most people start with a glycolic peel for anti-aging or skin discolorations or a salicylic if you have acne prone skin. Again the strengths vary so always start with a lower strength until you’re sure your skin can handle it and then work your way up.
In physician offices, a glycolic acid peel may be administered in concentrations from 20% to 80%. The stronger the concentration of the peel, the deeper the peel will dissolve tissue.(Over-the-counter cosmetic AHA products contain only 3 to 10 percent glycolic acid, so no one is really sure how effective those puppies are.)
For a few days after treatment, your skin may look slightly reddened, and it may peel a bit. It may also be dry–a side effect that can be relieved with a moisturizer. You’ll need to remember your sunblock as your skin will be more vulnerable than usual to sunburn.
Here at Anti-Aging we have a wide range of peels and match the strength with the needs of the client. In Part three, we’ll look into Microdermabrasion.
Aging Gracefully (Part One)August 25, 2011
Aging Gracefully. What does that really mean? Some people think it means doing nothing at all to one’s self and just letting nature take its course. Others feel it’s just about doing the minimum to ease the process of aging.
Today we received a call from a woman saying she wanted to “age gracefully and we needed to help her!”
So it was clear which definition made sense to her.
Let’s just say you are starting to notice some crepiness in your skin starting around your mouth and in the hollows of your cheeks . Maybe you see it under your eyes as well and a voice in your head says “what in the heck is so graceful about this?!”
If you feel more comfortable dyeing your hair to cover the grey, you are probably considering a little help with this whole wrinkling thing. So, lets look at the least you can do and still get results.
Step one: Let’s start with the skin –get out of the sun and stay out! If you can’t… wear sunblock.
No matter how much sun damage you may have acquired over the years, it is never too late to start reversing it. It is key that you start wearing and reapplying a minimum of 30 + SPF UVA and UVB sunblock everyday, all year round. (I know it’s a pain but you have to trust me on this one.)
Step Two: We need to add at least 2 products with important anti -aging, active ingredients.
The first is a stable Vitamin C for the daytime. We like SkinCeutical’s C&E Ferulic and Phloretin CF or Jan Marini’s C’Esta . What Vitamin C does for your skin:
- Protect skin cells and skin’s support structure from UV-related damage
- Improves the appearance of sun-damaged skin
- Strengthens skin’s barrier response
- Reduces inflammation
- Promotes collagen production
- Enhances effectiveness of peels and microdermabrasion
- Lessens hyperpigmentation (at levels of 5% or greater)
- Boosts the efficacy of sunscreen actives
The second is a retinoid based cream. We carry Jan Marini’s Factor A Cream and SkinCeutical’s Retinol 1.0 and .05 .
Retinoid based creams will plump wrinkles and kick-start the release of collagen, which adds youthful volume to your face. Then it safeguards skin from collagenase, an enzyme triggered by sunlight that breaks down collagen.
Step Three: Pick a cleanser you like and a moisturizer you love, if you can get one that contains peptides, even better.
These are basics…there is more but we’d need to see your skin in person to pinpoint more of what would work for your specific needs.
Next time we’ll look at the importance of exfoliation and skin treatments.
Teenage Acne –“So not my best look”June 14, 2011
Two of the hardest things about being a teenager:
#1. Wishing you were already 25 with your own car and condo in the city
#2. Acne.
What causes it? Well one thing that you can’t do anything about… a natural process complete with drastic hormonal changes and utter emotional confusion, called ‘puberty’ and also several things that you can control.
As a teen’s body begins to mature, oil glands in the skin and hair go into overdrive and when you combine too much oil (sebum) with many dead skin cells in the pores, bacteria gets trapped and multiplies…and viola…acne.
So ideally, you want to continue to exfoliate those dead skin cells and keep your skin as clean and your pores as unclogged as possible. One mistake many people make is using scrubs and alcohol based products that dry the skin so much that the oil glands work even harder.
So best advice…
DO:
-Cleanse your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser and warm water and again after exercising.
-Use only moisturizers and skin care products that are labeled oil free or ‘non-comedogenic’
-Purchase a powder, mineral based makeup such as Jane Iredale as most cream foundations will only make things worse.
-Talk to a doctor.
These ingredients can help reduce acne:
Retin A (prescription only)
Retinol
Clindamycin antibiotic gel
Oral antibiotics
Oral contraceptives
Salicylic acid
Benzyl Peroxide
Glycolic Acid
Most acne treatments can make your skin dry, pink and flaky so make sure you use your oil free moisturizer as well along with a 30 SPF sun block. ( For extra moisture you can also add a few drops of Jojoba oil to your moisturizer. )
DON’T:
-Suntan
Acne is not actually made better by sun tanning, it just makes it look less severe, in fact you will be doing much more to damage and age your skin.
-Scrub or rub your face
-pick or squeeze blemishes (It can create scarring)
-Use greasy hair products
You need to see a doctor, as acne is bacteria and infection and there are medical creams, antibiotics and products that will be much more effective than the ones you can get over the counter.
Dr Frame offers a consult covered by your medical that will get you on the best road to reducing your acne right away and avoiding not only your current struggle with it but also the scarring that can occur from acne years later.
Getting acne is a natural process of teenage life but living with it is not necessary…give us a call.
604-261-9121
We love our Fraxel Re:store Dual Laser!April 8, 2011
Never before have we seen results for the reducing of sun damage, melasma, wrinkles and acne scarring like we have with the Fraxel Re:store Dual.
Yep, we bought this one too because we want to be able to have solutions to every issue you’ve got!
Our new baby is the Fraxel Re:store PLUS the 1927 in one laser.
What does that mean for you?
You can choose to get results for all of these issues in a combo treatment using both wavelengths and you can also treat them separately.
Clients are often happy with the reduction of brown spots, freckles and melasma in just one treatment with the 1927.
The skin is beautifully resurfaced without the heavy downtime of other lasers.
We’ve also made both of these treatments more affordable:
A package of 4 Dual treatments for the face is only $3200 which also includes a Dermal Repair kit full of skin care products to help you heal and nourish your new skin and a Microdermabrasion to help exfoliate when you need it.
Call us with any questions you may have and you can see Dr. Frame to help you decide which approach to take for your best results. 604- 261-9121
Do Eye Wrinkle Creams Really Work?September 13, 2010
“Underneath my eyes the skin is dry and wrinkled what should I do?”
Almost any cream you put on your skin will do something even if it’s just mild hydration so yes, always use an eye cream. Whether the product you choose will help reduce wrinkles, puffiness and prevent more aging is another story. What you want to spend your money on are creams with active ingredients, products with medical grade ingredients that have been scientifically proven and studied to be effective.
The skin under the eyes is particularly delicate and ideally, just pushing your regular face cream into that area, is not the best scenario. Eye creams tend to be more moisturizing (emollient), which makes them better for the area around the eye (due to the lack of natural oil glands and moisture on the skin nearest the eye), and less so for the facial skin.
You want to look for eye creams that contain ingredients like :
- Vitamin C/Ester –C: which helps prevent and reduce sun and pollution damage and boosts the moisture content which helps thicken the skin. It stimulates collagen growth and tightens and firms the skin around the eyes.
- Retinol : an important and powerful antioxidant that stimulates collagen repairing and can slow down the effects of aging.
- Vitamin K: for dark circles which helps build strength in capillaries and repair present damage.
- Peptides: Encourage proper circulation and collagen production, reduce wrinkle depth and some may even mimic the effects of Botox injections.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Plumps dehydrated skin with moisture, holds it there and aids in the restructuring of damaged skin from within.
Some of the eye creams we carry that contain these effective and high quality ingredients are:
- Jan Marini C-Esta Eye Contour Cream
- Jan Marini Age Intervention
- Jan Marini Transformation Eye Cream
- SkinCeuticals Eye Balm
- Vivier Firming Eye Cream
Read more about the lines of premium antiaging skincare products available at AntiAging Medical & Laser Clinic.
Marlee Davis, AntiAging Medical & Laser Clinic Staff.
Preventing Sun DamageAugust 23, 2010
I went to Mexico and fell asleep in the sun. I started out in the shade and hadn’t put on sunblock but by the time I woke up I was in full sun and burnt to a crisp! It’s been about a month now and I’ve noticed spots on my face that weren’t there before. What can I do?
First of all, try to remember that your sunblock should be a part of your morning skin care routine so you don’t forget it. Think of sunblock as the shield you put on at the end of your routine to protect your skin. It’s important to wear it all year no matter what the weather is like. Those damaging rays from the sun get through clouds all the same.
Now what are your options? If the new spots are significantly darker than your own skin tone, then Intense Pulsed Light ( IPL) could be the right treatment to lighten or reduce some of your spots. It may take a few treatments but the benefits of collagen stimulation and even redness reduction make IPL an excellent choice. If the spots are more like large patches, the problem can be more difficult. You may be looking at Fraxel Laser treatments or lightening creams. At this point, you would do best to come in to see Dr Frame or a laser technician to decide which treatment would be best for you.
I would also suggest that from now on, making sure your sunblock (minimum 30 SPF) is always on and investing in a high quality topical Vitamin C product like Vivier’s C&E Kinerol or Jan Marini’s C’esta to help protect and reverse the damage.
Marlee Davis, AntiAging Medical & Laser Clinic Staff.
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