4 easy fixes for wrinkles, folds and sunspots

“I just want my ‘outside’ to match how I feel on the ‘inside! I’m eating right and exercising, but my skin makes me look older than I actually feel.”

This is one of the most heartfelt and frequently heard comments that our consultants hear from new clients.  Maybe you have noticed a few extra wrinkles, folds, or sunspots that weren’t there last year?

2010 Resolution - Excellent Skincare!

We all age at different rates and in different ways, but for the most part there are several things that happen to everyone’s skin that make us look a lot older than we want to look.  Here are 4 easy fixes to the top 3 signs of aging that will help you look 10 years younger in 2010.

WRINKLES are a fact of life – as they deepen around the mouth, eyes and forehead they add years to our appearance.  As we age the collagen and fat below the skin’s surface is depleted leaving loose skin that soon sags and wrinkles.  Even the lips themselves can start to deflate and crease.  Sun exposure and smoking can turn barely noticeble lines around the lip line into wrinkles that run vertically causing lipstick to “bleed”.  Fat that sits near the brow bone begins to descend, taking the brows down.  The once raised, energetic, feminine-looking arch of a woman’s eyebrow is now flattened leaving a more horizontal, masculine-looking arch.

BOTOX is a quick and effective treatment that eliminates wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows and around the eyes.  Botox also re-creates a more youthful-looking eyebrow arch.  The treatment only takes about 15 minutes and is one of our most popular offerings. This is why we designate the last Friday of every month as ‘Botox day’ and offer big savings.  This monthly event books up quickly so be sure to schedule early.

FOLDS develop around the mouth due to a loss of collagen.  Also, reduced collagen and loss of hyaluronic acid (a natural skin substance that maintains tissue hydration) has a negative impact on lip volume.

Dermal fillers give you immediate gratification by restoring volume loss in the lips and by smoothing out the foldsthat have developed around the mouth.  You will be pleasantly suprised how much younger and more refreshed you will look after your very first dermal filler treatment.

SUNSPOTS, another big age indicator, are the result of elevated melanin production due to chronic exposure to sunlight.  Sunspots usually start to show up on the skin in a person’s 40s and 50s and vary in size and color, but are usually dark brown.  They are normally found on the hands, sides of the face, chest and neck, and any other part of the body that is regularly exposed to the sun. The good news is that the beautiful, translucent, even skin tone of your youth is possible again due to amazing advances in laser technology.

Pearl Laser Resurfacing – our newest and most popular combination treatment, “The Pearl” and fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing eliminate facial sunspots and the vertical “smoker lines” that form around the lips.

FotoFacial – For those who can not afford the downtime that comes with the more aggressive laser treatments there is the option of the FotoFacial,or IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) laser treatment which targets the pigment in the cells(sunspots)  to destroy them.  After several days the cells just “lift” away leaving you with a clearer, more even-looking skin.

With this new year awaits a new YOU.  In 2010, resolve to care for your skin and enhance the beauty that you already possess.  We have the technology, knowledge and experience to help you eliminate your unwanted wrinkles, folds and sunspots.  Consultations are always complimentary and confidential…click here to get started

Beautiful Skin - even in winter!

Cold and dry winter months can wreak havoc on your skin. Chapped lips, wind burned cheeks and itchy, scaly skin are all signs that winter is taking it’s toll.

And it’s not just the exposure to nature’s elements – increased temperatures at home or in public buildings cause uncomfortable tightness in your skin. Constantly running dehumidifiers and heaters sap every bit of moisture from the air and increase that negative impact.

To top it off, your sebaceous (oil) glands produce less oil during winter months further compounding the problem.  But, don’t worry, you don’t have to go into hibernation this winter…we can help.

How You Can Protect Your Skin

We winterize everything – we have jackets, boots, stockings, scarves, gloves, and hats.  Your body requires this special clothing to protect it against weather changes and your skin needs a customized regime to provide ample protection from the brutal winter elements.

Here are 6 tips from our team here at Dermacare that will ensure you look your best at this year’s Christmas party:

1. Steamy Hot Showers, while delightful when it’s cold out, can draw oils and moisture out of your skin.  Stick with short warm showers to help retain your skin’s essential oils.

2. Don’t forget the lip balm!  Your lips are delicate and tender and will be the first casualty of dry winter weather.  We recommend Jane Iredale brown sugar lip exfoliator. It is made of organic brown sugar with no chemical preservatives or synthetic dyes to worry about… you can eat the sugar right off of your lips!

3. Combat thirsty dry skin with richer daytime and nighttime moisturizers. Consider creams that do not contain alcohol and synthetic preservatives, fragrances, and coloring as these have a tendency to strip the skin of its natural oils. We love the SkinMedica Ultimate Daily Moisturizer because it feels silky smooth and includes a lightweight SPF 20.

4. Use a facial exfoliator to combat the increased build up of dead skin cells which can mimic dry skin and make it difficult to achieve an even foundation application. We recommend Obagi Exfoderm Forte, which is a combination of glycolic and lactic acid that will remove dry skin and clean out congested pores instead of opting for an abrasive at home scrub.

5. Adjust your facial cleaner and try a more gentle, hydrating formula.  This can have a big impact during these critical winter months.  We recommend  Obagi Foaming Gel because it is a non-soap cleanser that still provides ample lathering. Your skin feels clean and fresh, not tight and stripped.

6. Don’t forget the sunscreen!  The sun can take it’s toll during winter months and if you are planning on hitting the slopes or travelling north keep in mind that refracting light from snow is much worse than the beach or pool.  We recommend Obagi Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35, which is a light-weight, complete physical block from the UVA & UVB rays.

Don’t let Old Man Winter get the best of you of this year!  Look your best this holiday season by these incorporating these tips into your winter skincare routine.

Click here to visit our Obagi skincare products page