When: Saturday, February 18, 2012

Time: 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Location: Ackerman Union – Grand Ballroom (2400)
Cost: $30

UCLA students will be dancing away and stay on their feet for 26 hours for the annual dance-a-thon. The event acknowledges the battle of children suffering from AIDS, and will benefit the following organizations: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Project Kindle, One Heartland, UCLA AIDS Institute, and Multiple locations.

For more information visit the following websites: http://support.pedaids.org, http://www.bruindancemarathon.org/, and ucladm@ucla.edu.

Skin care professionals and consumers alike are bombarded daily with a myriad of information about skin care, skin science and skin health from the media, manufacturers and an ever-increasing number of physicians, all attempting to justify that what they profess and advocate is the truth and nothing but the truth. Sometimes claims are accurate and sometimes they aren’t. More often than not, the truth may lie somewhere in between.

Everyone from late-night television host David Letterman to mass-market publications proudly announce their top 10 lists. Well, this is no different except that it focuses on 30 skin care myths. The following list offers up a variety of skin care facts—not in priority order—that may well call into question some common beliefs and long-held traditions. See how many you agree with as you review the list.

This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but hopefully it will inspire thinking about what is real and how you know it is real and also inspire you to question those making a variety of claims about products, ingredients and the science behind them. Your role as a skin care professional has a large educational component that mandates remaining current in the field, as well as providing education on skin health to clients and patients. Sharing these myths with clients will help to strengthen your credibility as a skin care expert. Remember, you are not selling hope in a jar, but rather providing realistic and truthful solutions to help deal with extrinsic and intrinsic aging.

1. Facial exercises tone facial muscles and make a person appear younger.
The face is the only part of the body where muscles are attached directly to the skin; there are no facial ligaments and tissue. Constant facial exercise and tugging contribute to additional lines. Actually, wrinkles often form along expression lines caused by facial movements.

2. Vitamin E minimizes scarring.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant and helps build skin, but there is no evidence that it does anything to help with scarring. There is even some research that suggests it may have a negative effect on scarring.1

3. Cucumbers help reduce puffiness around the eyes.

The principle ingredient in cucumbers is 90% water with the balance being inert fiber. They can be soothing and, with moisture, hydrate skin temporarily. The same results can be obtained from a cold compress.

4. Skin pores open and close.

Pores are openings in the skin that allow oils (sebum) to reach the surface. If pores are larger, this can be due to dead cells, genetics or scarring from squeezing blemishes.

5. The higher the skin protection factor (SPF) rating, the better.

SPF ratings, soon to be revised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), only refer to protection from UVB rays. A person needs sun protection that has chemical and physical blockers, plus antioxidants. A higher SPF also gives a false sense of security and introduces more potentially harmful chemicals to the body. Plus, an SPF of 50 is only marginally more protective than an SPF of 15; an SPF of 30 has only 2% more protection than an SPF of 15, and a 40 has only 1% more than a 30. Sunscreens need to be reapplied every 90–120 minutes.

6. Layering several products with SPF ratings increases protection.

You are only protected to the extent of the higher rating of one product. A foundation with an SPF of 10, moisturizer with an SPF of 15 and a sunscreen with an SPF of 20 does not yield an SPF rating of 45.

7. Topical creams containing collagen can replace collagen.

There is a lack of impartial, empirical evidence that the topical application of collagen or elastin can penetrate the dermis, even when using nanotechnology. They can provide moisturization to the epidermis, but only injections are conclusively effective.

8. Mineral oil is bad for your skin.

Today’s cosmeceutical mineral oil is a far cry from the industrial type that was previously used on skin. It is a very effective ingredient in helping remove excess oil from the skin. Oil attracts oil, and the modern mineral oil formulated for use in skin care has a different molecular weight and will not harm skin or clog pores. Mixed with kaolin—fine clay—it makes a potent cocktail to assist in controlling oil production in problematic skin. Vitamin A is the best ingredient to normalize skin.

9. Mineral oil is comedogenic.

Cosmeceutical-grade mineral oil is not comedogenic. The myth is that industrial-grade mineral oil and lubricants are the same as those used in cosmetic ingredients. So-called medicinal white mineral oil has met with stringent safety standards. To remove sebum plugs in the follicles, an oil-based substance is needed. Water-based products cannot melt or remove sebum plugs.

10. Preservatives in skin care products are bad.

Preservatives help prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi and other organisms that can not only deteriorate a product’s effectiveness and spoil the product itself, but also allow harmful bacteria to get on or in the skin. Although there is concern about the use of parabens, the research is not definitive that topical application leads to harmful accumulations. Parabens are found throughout nature; for example, many fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, are naturally full of parabens. But further study is needed.

11. Packaging is not important.

Packaging in skin care is vitally important—not for aesthetic reasons—but to protect the efficacy of the ingredients. Wide-mouth jars, transparent containers and pumps that are not airless all pose problems in keeping ingredients safe and potent.

12. Chocolate and greasy foods cause acne.

Eating chocolate does not cause acne. Hormonal factors, bacteria and skin cells are at the root of problematic skin, and stress can exacerbate flareups. Some individuals may have allergic reactions to foods that can cause inflammation, as well.

13. Natural and organic products are always better.

Buyer, beware! Many natural and organic products are not as they claim. Plus, many times, active ingredients have to be synthesized to be bioavailable and efficacious. Synthetic compounds can actually be identical to those found in nature and be more effective. Natural vs. laboratory-processed should not lead to an up or down decision about whether a product is good or bad. Not all chemicals are bad, and not all natural or organic ingredients are good.

14. Using larger quantities of a product will yield better results.

Less is more. Normally, a pea-sized amount of facial product will do the trick. Excessive amounts can cause skin problems and waste money.

15. Blackheads are a caused by improperly cleansed skin.

Blackheads or comedones are caused by clogged pores, and excessive scrubbing can irritate and further inflame skin. Blackheads often contain dirt, oil, and dry and dead skin cells that need to be removed. Products that help dissolve sebum are the most effective.

16. Drying problematic or oily skin clears up acne.

The opposite is true. When skin becomes overly dry, an environment is created in which the skin is signaled that is too dry and produces more oil. Use drying products sparingly, and look to lightly moisture oily skin. The goal is to keep skin balanced.

17. Get a base tan to prevent burning before going on vacation.

Any tan is a scar, and there is no such thing as a healthy, safe tan. Self-tanners are the safest way to obtain tanned skin.

18. All sun damage to skin occurs before 18 years of age.

Sun damage continues to occur throughout life, although recent information suggests less than 50% of sun damage happens before a person is 18.2 It is never too late to protect your skin.

19. Indoor tanning is safe.

The argument that tanning beds and booths do not cause skin mutations that may cause cancerous lesions to develop is patently false. UVA rays found in indoor tanning lead to deeper, more harmful skin damage. You do not have to have a sunburn to create damage to skin cells.

20. Antioxidants reverse wrinkles.

Antioxidants are essential in fighting free radical formation and are important in helping prevent skin damage, but they cannot make wrinkles go away.

21. Skin damage and signs of aging can be cleared up quickly.

If a product sounds too good to be true, you can bet its claims are false. The damage did not happen overnight, and it cannot be magically repaired. Expect at least three skin cycles—a cycle can be between 21–40 days, depending on age—to begin to see measurable results.

22. All alcohol in skin products is bad.

Some compounds that contain alcohol can act as emollients, which can decrease the skin’s water loss. Cetyl, benzyl and oleyl alcohol are examples of good alcohols. It is important to know what comes before the OH in chemical compounds.

23. Sun exposure will improve acne.

Yes, sun exposure can hide the appearance of acne for awhile, but will lead to skin damage, pigmentation and drying that signals the skin to produce more oil.

24. Alcohol abuse can cause your nose to become red and bulbous.

The intake of alcohol can temporarily dilate blood vessels and make skin appear flushed, but in most cases, a large, inflamed, red and bulbous nose is a result of rosacea.

25. Skin repair only happens at night.

A good night’s sleep is certainly helpful to skin health; however, skin repair is ongoing. Inadequate sleep can cause stress, skin puffiness and can slow the natural development of collagen.

26. Skin care products can last three or more years.

Despite a number of claims to the contrary, most skin care products lose a great deal of their potency within 12 months. It is best to use the entire contents within one year because preservatives do not last forever and ingredients can get contaminated with bacteria, or they can evaporate.

27. Strong scrubs, soaps and abrasives are good for your skin.

Be careful how you wash your face. Too much scrubbing or too many abrasive products can remove protective oils, create tiny micro tears and contribute to aging, irritated skin. Less is more, and a gentle cleanser and light moisturizer work well for most people.

28. Vitamin A thins the skin.

Actually, the reverse is true. Skin can become thin due to the lack of vitamin A because it helps to create new, healthy and normal skin cells. Vitamin A is arguably the most important skin care ingredient, bar none. It is one of the few—if not the only—ingredient that is backed by more than 50 years of objective, scientific research supporting its efficacy.

29. The only form of vitamin C that works is L-ascorbic acid.

L-ascorbic acid only remains in its most potent state for a limited time. A new era in vitamin C formulations, one of the best antioxidants for your skin, has arrived. There are several forms that have been developed that are not water-based, which means they can better penetrate the skin and remain more potent for longer periods of time.

30. There is one antioxidant ingredient that is the best.

Every year, there is a hot, newly discovered antioxidant that is touted as the best, but this is not true. A cocktail of antioxidants provides better results than just one. Seek products containing a plethora of antioxidants.

By SkinCareGuide.ca

A skin rash shows up as an area of inflammation or change in the texture, and/ or color of your skin. It can be caused by a number of different things including irritation, disease, or allergic/ non-allergic reactions to foods, chemicals, plants, animals, insects or other environmental factors.

So many rashes appear because the skin is an active player in the immune system. Antigens are things, like viruses or proteins, that we react to. These antigens need to be presented to our immune system in a very controlled way; otherwise we would react to too many things. The skin is the site at which antigen presenting cells introduce the antigens to lymphocytes. These lymphocytes are, in a sense, the paratroopers of our body. A complicated process of making sure that we are not overreacting takes place. All of this occurs in the skin. Once these lymphocytes have been activated they produce many chemicals that cause inflammation. When we become allergic to an antibiotic or other drug, the action takes place mainly in the skin as well as in the lymph glands. Viral infections also frequently produce rashes as viral particles are presented to our immune system in the epidermis. In a sense the skin is like the schoolyard where many of the fights occur.

Rashes can appear on your entire body or be limited to a specific area. What a rash looks like and how it feels can vary depending on the cause and type. Some common types of rashes include:

• eczema (also called atopic dermatitis), which is commonly seen in children. It can cause dry, chapped, bumpy areas around your elbows and knees, and can be very itchy. It can sometimes become very serious causing red, scaly and swollen skin all over your body. (Visit Eczema Guide.ca for more information)
• irritant contact dermatitis, which is caused by your skin coming into contact with something that irritates it, such as a chemical, soap or detergent. This type of rash can be red, swollen and itchy.
• allergic contact dermatitis is caused by your skin coming into contact with something you’re allergic to, such as rubber, hair dye or nickel (which is a metal that is found in some jewelry). A nickel allergy can show up as a red, scaly, crusty rash wherever the jewelry touched your skin. Urushiol, which is an oil or resin that’s found in poison ivy, oak and sumac, can also cause this kind of rash.

If you develop a rash, don’t scratch it! If you do, the rash can take longer to heal and you might develop an infection or scar. There are a wide range of over-the-counter products available to treat rashes, but it’s important to see your doctor first and determine what’s causing the rash and the most effective treatment.

• If the rash is caused by an allergy, then treatment will focus on identifying and avoiding the allergen.
• It it’s caused by eczema, your doctor may suggest special moisturizers (emollients) to help retain the water in your skin; not only will this help to keep your skin soft and smooth, it will help reduce the itching. Short, cool showers are also a good idea because hot showers and baths can dry out your skin more. Also use a mild soap (read more on Mild Cleanser.ca ) and be sure to apply more emollients after you’ve showered.
• For poison ivy, cool showers and calamine lotion often help and if the rash is severe, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine to reduce the itching and redness.

It’s important to try to find out what’s causing the rash because the best way to prevent it is to avoid the problem food, substance, medicine or insect. If a poison plant is your problem, learn what it looks like and avoid it. It may also help to wear long sleeves and pants when you go camping or hiking. If insect bites are causing your rash, then consider applying insect repellant before going outside. For eczema, stay away from harsh soaps that may dry out your skin, and make an effort to moisturize with creams or lotions.

By Kevin C. Smith MD FACP FRCPC

As time goes on, we all acquire tiny bits of extra skin called skin tags. These can range in size from 1-10 mm, and are flesh colored or brown. Skin tags can be found on any part of the body, but are most common on the eyelids and neck, and in the armpits and groin, and under the breasts.While skin tags are benign they can be annoying if they become irritating or rub on sporting equipment, and skin tags can interfere with shaving and can detract from one’s appearance and self-image.

Fortunately, we don’t have to put up with skin tags. These little annoyances can be easily removed in an office visit with little or no discomfort. Skin tags can almost always be removed without needing stitches, and the treated areas usually have healed completely in a week or two. The cost of removing skin tags is quite reasonable – ranging from about $80 for a few tiny ones to about $200 for a larger number scattered over several areas.

Seborrheic keratoses are firm flat or raised, sometimes scaly or crusty flesh-colored, brown or black “barnacles” which accumulate (usually on the face and trunk) as time goes on. Some people start to develop seborrheic keratoses in their thirties, and most people have at least a few by the time they are sixty. To look at pictures of different types of moles, click on www.SkinCancerGuide.ca .

Seborrheic keratoses are usually just a nuisance, but – like skin tags — they can rub on clothing and equipment, and their appearance can sometimes be so distressing that they interfere with choice of clothing, sports like swimming, and intimacy.

Because seborrheic keratoses grow above the skin (but not down into the skin) they can be easily scraped off, and the treated areas heal up nicely within a few weeks. Sometimes the healed area remains pink for a few months after the seborrheic keratosis is removed. The cost of removing seborrheic keratoses is similar to that for removal of skin tags: about $80 for one or two, with the cost gradually increasing depending on the number and size of seborrheic keratoses to be removed.

The cost of removing skin tags and seborrheic keratoses is a tax-deductible medical expense, just like things like dental bills. So, if you are annoyed by skin tags or seborrheic keratoses you can be confident that it is simple and inexpensive to rid yourself of these nuisances.

By SkinCareGuide.ca

Keep Your Skin from Becoming Ghoulish

With Halloween upon us, adults and children alike are planning costumes for parties, school events and trick or treating. For some adults, it is the one time of year that “the inner child” comes out to play. Costumes, make-up and funny shoes are all fun to put on, but there are some things to consider so that your skin and your health are not affected.
Here are some Halloween Skin Health Precautions:

1. PREVENT CUTS AND SCRAPES:

The pumpkin is on the table, your kids are asking for spooky eyes and a silly mouth to be carved and oops, the knife slips and cuts your hand. Just one Halloween scenario which can result in an injury or even a trip to emergency. Don’t forget tripping on your costume and scraping your knee. Click on http://www.skincareguide.ca/conditions/bacterial_infections/cuts_and_scrapes.html to learn more about treating cuts and scrapes.

2. LATEX ALLERGIES:

Wearing a scary mask to your party? Be careful of reactions to latex. If you have latex allergies or sensitive skin, your face may react to the latex rubber. Try hypo-allergenic face make-up instead. Read more about latex allergies athttp://www.eczemaguide.ca/basics/eczema_like/allergic_dermatitis.html

3. YOUR SKIN AND GLUE:

Do you really think gluing that beard on is a good idea? Think again. Reactions to the “special” glue (even though it says it is safe to use on your face) can results in blemishes, rashes and even damage to your skin. And definitely, never put glue near your delicate eye area!

4. REACTIONS TO MAKE-UP:

Using make-up is often an integral part of your Halloween costume, but it can often cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. So try these hints:

a. Try the product BEFORE Halloween, to ensure that you don’t react to it.
b. Make sure you only use products intended for your face
c. Be extra careful using products around your eyes and avoid getting it in your eyes.

5. DON’T SPREAD THE GERMS:

Make-up can get contaminated and cause infection, especially around the eyes. Here are some precautions: a. Make sure your hands are clean when applying eye make-up to yourself or your children to avoid spreading bacteria. b. It is important not to borrow your friend’s eye make-up, or try the make-up sample at the store, as germs can be spread this way. If you are testing a shade, use a disposable applicator to decrease the risk of contamination. c. Throw out your old cosmetics. Bacteria can breed on your old cosmetics and then infect your eyes. Throw away mascara after three months and any old cosmetics that have become dusty or dirty or have sat in the sun, like that orange eye shadow from last Halloween.

6. DON’T SHARE YOUR SHOES:

Fungal infections, specifically athletes foot and nail fungal infections, can be spread by wearing other people’s shoes. The fungi can remain in shoes that have not been cleaned with the proper anti-fungal product. See Fungal Guide.ca for more about this topic.

7. AVOID BURNS:

Flammable costumes, and long, dangly sleeves should be avoided, especially for children. Halloween brings fire crackers, lit pumpkins and spooky candles; all items that can catch your clothes on fire.

8. CLEAN YOUR SKIN WHEN THE PARTIES OVER:

All of us are guilty of it; going to bed with make-up on; but, waking up with your “Halloween face” is definitely not a good idea. Before you hit the sheets make sure that you remove all of your make-up to avoid break-outs and allergic reactions in the morning. Read about mild cleansers by clicking here Mild Cleanser.ca
Remember, use common sense this Halloween. If you have a reaction to your costume or make-up, that doesn’t go away, see your family physician. For general skin care advice, go to www.SkinCareGuide.ca

Learn to look after your skin

By SkinCareGuide.ca

Although there are different kinds of treatments, procedures and surgery that can assist in improving the look of your skin, it is important that you look after your skin to start with. If you are unhappy with how gravity, the sun and everything else seems to be changing your skin’s appearance, here are some tips and facts from DermatologyCare .CA that will assist you:

• EXERCISE: Although exercise is vital to your health and great skin, it won’t change the structure of your skin as it gets older. The look of your skin is determined mostly by genetics and sun exposure.
• COSMETICS: As you age you need to use both lighter colored cosmetics and lighter hair colors. These are more flattering to your skin tone and can keep you looking and feeling younger.
• MENOPAUSE: As you go through menopause, it’s very common to find that the skincare products you once relied on are no longer as effective. For example, the hormonal changes associated with menopause often leave skin feeling drier than before. Try a richer moisturizer to see if it makes a difference.
• SUNBEDS: Contrary to popular belief, sunbeds are not a safer way to tan. Sunbeds emit UVA rays and causing tanning and aging of the skin .They may also be important in the development of melanoma. If you’re using a sunbed, you’re accelerating the aging of your skin and increasing your risk of skin cancer. Read more on www.SkinCancerGuide.ca
• LIPSTICK: Did you know that your lipstick helps your lips look younger and protects them? It’s true. Using lipstick, helps protect your lips from harmful rays. It’s one of the reasons men are more apt to get lip cancer – so men slap on the lip protection!
• YOUR EYES: Don’t forget your eyes! Long-term sun exposure can lead to cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. So as you head out the door, be sure to grab your sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, or both!
• WATER: Drinking water is not enough! While many people believe that drinking a lot of water will help keep their skin smooth and supple, in truth, water consumption has only a small effect. A better approach to keeping your skin at its best is to drink plenty of water and use a moisturizer daily.
• SLEEP: Get your beauty rest! It’s actually true – a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking its best. For a healthy and glowing complexion, get plenty of sleep, maintain a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly.
• CELLULITTE: Hate your cellulite? You are not alone. Drinking water and exercising unfortunately doesn’t make it go away although having a less body fat does help. There are creams and procedures available that can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Talk to your dermatologist if it really bugs you.

By Kevin C. Smith MD FACP FRCPC

As time goes on, we start to notice brown spots and freckles — “souvenirs of Florida” — on the backs of our hands and on other sun exposed areas like the upper chest and face. At first, these brown spots are small and light colored, but eventually they become a cosmetic problem; an obvious sign of premature aging of the skin due to ultraviolet damage from sun exposure or from tanning beds.

By using modern high-SPF sunscreens like Ombrelle-60™ or Anthelios-60™ we can safely enjoy outdoor activities like gardening, golf, and boating, and greatly reduce the rate at which our skin deteriorates. Patients who get into the habit of applying Retisol-A 0.01% cream (a prescription product which combines a retinoid and an SPF-15 sunscreen) to their faces every morning will usually see a considerable improvement in the appearance of their skin after 1-2 years, and if treatment is continued long-term patients will notice that their skin ages more slowly.

Hats and sun protective clothing can also slow down the rate at which “age spots” appear and also reduce the chance that we will develop skin cancer. You can learn more about how to prevent sun damage, learn about the early warning signs of skin cancer and see photos of typical skin cancers at Skin Cancer Guide.ca.

The early warning signs of skin cancer include:

1. new and unusual growths on the skin
2. moles and freckles which have unusual colors or mixtures of colors
3. moles and freckles with irregular borders
4. growths on the skin which bleed, or which form an open sore which does not heal within a few weeks.

It is not too late for those of us who already have sun spots and age spots. I have seen many patients who had sun damage improve gradually over a period of 3-5 years simply in response to daily sun protection. For those who want more rapid and complete improvement in their sun damaged skin, one or two treatments with the Medlite™ laser can fade or eliminate brown “age spots” on the face, chest and hands within a few weeks.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments, for example with the Cutera Xeo-600, can be used in cases where there is a background of tiny freckles and brown discoloration, sometimes erasing 20 years of irregular pigment with a series of 20 minute treatments. Where there is severe sun damage or when a person wishes the most rapid improvement (for example, if a daughter is getting married in two months) a medicine called Levulan™ is applied to the skin for one hour before treatment with the Cutera Xeo-600. Levulan™ is absorbed by cells in the skin which are misbehaving, and then is activated by light from the Xeo-600. The abnormal cells are shed from the skin over a period of 1-2 weeks, revealing fresher, healthier skin and giving the patient a fresh start.

What ever the type of spot if you have concerns, or if you see changes in its appearance, it is important that you have it inspected by your family physician or dermatologist.

By Kevin C. Smith MD FACP FRCPC

Everyone — guests and those who will be in the public eye — wants their skin to look its best on their big day. Here are some simple tips you can follow to help avoid skin problems on your special day:

• Acne or Rosacea Skin:
  Plan ahead: if you have a skin condition like acne or rosacea, see a dermatologist at least 3-4 months ahead of the big day (and sooner, if possible), so that your condition can be brought under control and so that your skin can heal up in time for the occasion. Check out www.AcneGuide.ca or www.RosaceaGuide.ca for treatment information.
• Wrinkles, Unwanted Hair or Sweating:
  Are you thinking of having treatments like Botox® (for frown lines, or to control excessive sweating), fillers like Restylane™, Juvederm™ and Artecoll™ for wrinkles, creases and scars, or laser treatments for unwanted hair or to remove broken blood vessels from the face? You should aim to have these treatments completed about 3 weeks before the event, so that the benefits of treatment will have fully developed, and so that any side effects of treatment, like redness or small bruises will have resolved. Discuss the plans and timing with your dermatologist so that these things can be taken into account when scheduling your treatments. (Read more about Botox®)
• New Cosmetics:
  If you want to experiment with cosmetics, you should do so well in advance, to reduce the risk that an allergic or irritant reaction will interfere with your enjoyment of the event.
• Sun Tanning:
  Sun protection is important in the weeks leading up to an important event, to reduce the risk that you will have sunburn or peeling on the big day. It is also important to avoid experimenting with tanning beds in the weeks leading up to a major event, in case you have an undesired reaction to the UV light.
• Self-Tanning:
  Self-tanning creams and spray-on tans should not be used for the first time within three weeks of a major event in case there is an allergic reaction or an unusual or uneven color is created. If you want to use such products, start to experiment with them several months ahead so that you can learn how to obtain safe, reliable results. Remember that the pigment created by many self-tanning products can discolor fine clothing, so it might be best not to apply them within a week of a public event.

What if there is a dermatological emergency like a flare-up of acne or an allergic reaction on the face in the days before a wedding, graduation or other important day? Fortunately, many of these problems can be helped by modern medical treatments. Your doctor may be able to arrange a high priority appointment with a dermatologist if they explain that there is an important event coming up. Most of us, and most of our staff have been through these things ourselves and we are very sympathetic.

It’s all about health – It’s all about youth

For most of the baby boomer generation, ages forty to sixty five, the effects of aging and the desire to slow the signs of aging are ever increasing. Some undergo a very steep decline where they feel pre-maturely aged and some are blessed with slower aging symptoms and age more gracefully. Recent studies show it is not all in the genetics, but combinations of one’s actions taken for both health and well being. We consider it our responsibility to provide you with both education and services to assist your anti-aging decisions. Our medical procedures and products are aimed at making you look healthy, not only to slow the aging process but to treat any previous conditions. It is not only our experience that takes us a step above, but also the latest medical advances tailored for each of your specific needs. This allows us to deliver more significant results. Being placed in professional hands that really do care about YOU and your results makes slowing the aging signs much easier to accomplish.

Choose your treatments Love your Results

The buzzword in anti-aging is that antioxidants are the base for preventative and corrective products. Antioxidants are substances that act as scavengers of oxygen-free radicals, the unstable particles that can damage cells and which are implicated in sun damage and even skin cancers. Antioxidants in the skin are depleted when exposed to sunlight and must be replaced. Each antioxidant treatment or product targets specific components of the cells in your skin. They may help reduce the risk of wrinkles and protect against sun damage. Unlike sunscreens, they accumulate in the skin and are not washed away, so the protection may last. The antioxidants marketed for skin protection include vitamins A, C, E, selenium, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and alpha-lipoic acid. Our responsibility is to nourish and protect your skin and fight the aging process. Your responsibility is to give your body the antioxidants it needs internally by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables and also taking your daily supplements.

Move closer to your love

Signs of the times are showing that more men and women are truly paying attention to their looks. In the last few years, men’s increased awareness of their appearance has raised the services and maintenance percentage 38% and women have topped the percentage gain by 72%. What men are looking for are services and products that are simple, strong, that offer easy results. What women are looking for is access to education with options to allow them to make the best decisions, and we offer it all. So, move closer to the love in your life and pay attention to what they truly want. Buy the gift that will give the results truly desired.

The Agging effect of Sleep Disorders

Esteem involves loving respect and dignified caring. We come into the world with “self”; and it follows us through life. The basic elements of self-esteem start with trust. We learn to trust ourselves and in others. SELF-NURTURING is born of trust. We learn how to be caretakers of ourselves. Self-nurturing is an essential ingredient of self-esteem. AUTONOMY comes from mastery. We separate ourselves from others, yet retain vital connections. We begin to know who we are, but self-esteem undergoes many changes. INTIMACY develops from identity and the need for connection. We yearn to lose ourselves in love and yet we need to retain our own separate essence. Healthy self-esteem involves all of the basic elements. If we lose these characteristics, there is a significant absence of self-esteem. A higher level of self-esteem can be achieved. Simply determine your personal attributes, positive things about your physical, mental and emotional self such as the way you look at your personal image, your mind and emotions. Focus on your accomplishments. Congratulate yourself for achievements, however big or small. Examine strategies and objectives which may have to be revised in order to succeed. Refuse to deal with self-defeating patterns. Nurture yourself. Consultations help you go over your desired results and review the best options available. The way you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror is not always vanity, but simply self-esteem.