Feeling the consequence of too much summer fun? We offer a variety of treatments that can address the damage left behind from the Florida sun.  These treatments will noticeably improve the skin’s texture, pore clarity and brown spots.  If you have never experienced one of these rejuvenating treatments, now is the time!

Now through the end of August, enjoy $50 off your choice of:

• Vitalize Peel® (regular price of $150),
• Rejuvenize Peel™ (regular price of $225), or
• Ultimate Hydrating Facial (regular price of $150)

One of my VIP clients came in beaming last week to let me know that she was carded at Publix the day before.  She said that she wished her teenage daughters had been there to witness it because she thought it was almost unbelievable (she is in her mid 40’s and looks fantastic).  So she asked the cashier if she still would have been carded if the girls had been with her. The cashier replied yes, because the reason she carded her was based on the condition of her skin, and that is what they are looking at when they judge if people look “under 30″ or not!  This client has been using Retin-A 0.05% nightly for several years along with Obagi Nu-Derm  and maintains the glow with monthly Genesis treatments and an occasional microdermabrasion. And she couldn’t be happier!

~Tracy Giordano, ARNP

Would you like to remove your acne scars? If so, now is the time. With the warmer months upon us, it’s hard not to think about what we’ll look like in our bathing suits, at the beach–without makeup.

The good news is, the acne of your teen years doesn’t have to follow you around anymore. There are many treatments available to remove pimple scars, and laser treatments for acne scars is just one.

Preventing and Eliminating Acne

If you still suffer from acne, consult with one of Dermacare’s clinicians to develop a step-by-step skin care routine that will keep your face fresh and clear. Also, keep the following points in mind:

• To prevent further breakouts, eat healthy food. Not all acne is caused by poor diet, but the food we eat can influence the production of acne.
• If you already eat well, and if you take good care of your skin, then it is possible that your acne is hormonal. This is often true for women, and often acne breakouts among women can be predicted by their monthly cycles.
• The bottom line: If you can prevent acne before it starts, you will not acquire additional acne scars. So it’s important to find the cause of your acne so that your scar treatments can be as effective as possible. That said, if you can rule out diet and hormones, you may want to see a doctor about other solutions for your acne breakouts.

If you’ve managed to tame your acne, and now you want to remove acne scars, then read on…

Types of Scars

There are two types of visible scars: Keloid scars, which are raised, and deep scars, which are depressions in the skin commonly called ‘pock marks.’ Both types can be particularly difficult to remove. However, there are many options available, so don’t lose hope if you suffer from these scars.

Holistic Remedies

First off, if you aren’t ready to seek professional help, there are some simple holistic remedies available. Don’t expect dramatic results from these treatments, but as the saying goes, it couldn’t hurt to try them out.

• Oatmeal mask. This will exfoliate the damaged skin cells. For light surface scars, this may be all you need. Sometimes pimple scars are just dark marks that will fade with time, and an exfoliating mask will help speed up this process.
• Aloe vera. This moisturizing agent is known for preventing scars, and may also help to reduce the appearance of visible scars.
• Lemon juice. Surprisingly, lemon juice works wonders on acne scars. It’s part of the Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) group which sloughs off dead skin cells and helps new cells grow underneath. Just apply to skin and leave on over night. Be careful with it though. Some stinging is normal, but if you have sensitive skin, it may burn.
• Tomato slices. Yes, you read that right. Tomatoes may actually help to rejuvenate & repair damaged skin. Just put some thin slices on your face, kick back, and relax for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Topical Prescriptions

There are many topical prescription treatments available. Tretinoin, for example, is a acid form of Vitamin A which gradually removes pimple scars. It’s a part of the Obagi skin care system, and it’s just one of many fantastic products available at Dermacare.

What if I need something stronger?

If holistic methods and topical creams are not enough, there are many clinical procedures available to remove acne scars.

• Laser Treatment for acne scars, often referred to as laser resurfacing, is one of the best options to remove pimple scars.
• Chemical Peels can be applied in varying degrees of intensity, depending on what your needs are.
• On a side note, collagen injections can be used to raise the skin that has developed a depressed scar from acne. If you have a few deep scars and you’re going in for a collagen treatment, you should ask if this might help reduce the appearance of your scars. However, the results of collagen injections are not permanent. This treatment will not remove acne scars, so you will need to repeat the injections about every three months.

If you find yourself avoiding social situations because of your scars, there’s no reason to hide. There are many solutions available. The results may not be instantaneous, but taking the first step today will put you one step closer to having the skin you’ve always wanted.

Do you have stretchmarks? Most women develop stretch marks when their bodies undergo radical changes, such as puberty or pregnancy. And, many women turn to the numerous stretch mark removal creams on the market to resolve this problem.

But the truth is, these creams just don’t deliver on their promises. Stretch mark creams often contain cocoa butter, lanolin, alpha-hydroxy acids, Shea butter, and wheat germ. In the case of prescription creams, they may even come with concentrated amounts of Vitamin A derivatives. However, since these creams only effect the surface of the skin, called the epidermis. They can’t penetrate deep enough to repair the layer of skin beneath the epidermis, which is known as the dermis. Only by reaching this second layer of skin can stretch marks be removed.

How to Prevent Stretch Marks

Prevention is key. Although creams can’t effectively remove stretch marks, there are measures you can take to prevent stretch marks from developing.

Here’s a quick checklist of things you can do during your pregnancy to prevent stretch marks:

• Use the same moisturizing agents in the stretch mark removal creams, such as Shea butter or cocoa butter. Apply them to your thighs, legs, breasts, and stomach to ensure that your skin remains elastic, and therefore, less likely to acquire stretch marks.
• Drink plenty of water to help keep your skin supple
• Eat healthy food ensure that you don’t gain unnecessary weight. Healthy food will also give you the vitamins you need to retain the elasticity of your skin.
• If you need to, take supplements of Vitamins A, C, and E.

Follow these tips, and you will literally “bounce back” from your pregnancy.

Stretch Mark Removal

Now, in terms of stretch mark removal, the only sure-fire way to get rid of them is through laser therapy or Blue Light therapy.

Lasers, which are also used in scar removal, are encourage the production of collagen in the skin. This will in turn make your skin elastic once again. This treatment also repairs the damaged tissue and seals any broken blood vessels, which in turn fills in stretch marks. This process will make those stretch marks fade so you can throw on that bathing suit with confidence.

Blue Light therapy, also known as Blu-U©, is a photodynamic therapy that is often used as an acne treatments, but it can also double as a treatment for stretchmarks. Like laser therapy, it is a safe and non-invasive treatment if administered by a skilled technician. This is another option that will clear away those stretch marks so you can flaunt that new bikini.

In short, don’t waste your money on stretch mark creams only to be disappointed by the results. Do your best to prevent stretch marks before they start, or opt for professional clinicians to reduce the appearance of stretch marks you have already acquired.

If you have unwanted hair on your face or body, you’ve probably wondered about these new at home laser hair removal products on the market. And who wouldn’t be? The idea of getting rid of that hair forever is tempting, especially when you can get it for $200 online.

And hey, it’s FDA approved, right? It has to be safe. Well, you’d be surprised at how these at home hair removal treatments perform once you get them home. These kits may be fine in a scientific laboratory where people are using them in a controlled setting. But when you’re the one who’s trying to follow the instructions, the outcome can range from painful to devastating.

That’s why we’ve prepared a special 8 page “Laser Hair Removal Guide” for our newsletter subscribers. You can pick up a copy for yourself here. It’s an unbiased review of what’s involved with these laser hair removal products and why most people decide to find a professional hair removal clinic vs. using one of the many at-home products.  You will also get an overview of the state-of-the-art technology that will drastically reduce any pain and discomfort.

Why is this so important?   The potential for you to do damage to your skin while using these at home products is high since what you are essentially doing is digging in to your skin with a laser to remove the unwanted hair. While you may be saving money by purchasing a do it yourself product, you may be spending more money in the long run if you don’t do it the right way.