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IPL Versus LED Red Light Therapy for Facial Skin
Many skin rejuvenation products are available in today’s aesthetic dermatology market. You may have heard of light therapy, photo facials, phototherapy, or IPL as just some examples. Also known as photobiomodulation, light-based tissue therapies come in various forms and indications and have unique benefits and risks. However, if you were reading this article, you have decided to take care of your facial skin. By choosing a qualified and experienced provider able to offer various options, you have given yourself the best chance of a successful and safe procedure.
If you quickly search for Red Light Therapies, you will likely be overwhelmed with options and products—choosing between the various red and infrared light and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapies might be tricky without understanding the key differences.
How to Choose the Right Sunscreen With So Many Options
If you’ve shopped the sunscreen aisle recently, you probably noticed that there are A LOT of options. This can be overwhelming, to say the least. Fortunately, with a little extra effort and a few pro pointers, you can be sure to find the right sunscreen for any activity as we look toward spring and summer weather.
Why are there so many options? And with spring, is daily sunscreen necessary yet?
There are a few reasons for all the different sunscreens you see on the shelf, which are more complex than just marketing and product design. With new FDA regulations, rates of skin cancer on the rise, and a trend toward sun protection for anti-aging, it’s a dynamic marketplace that deserves extra attention.
Laser Hair Removal and Different Skin Types (The Fitzpatrick Scale)
If you’re considering removing unwanted hair, getting the most accurate information about today’s technologies is important. Using the wrong approach could mean you don’t get the desired results – but what’s even worse than spending money on a procedure that doesn’t work? Having unwanted or even permanent damage to your skin because of the process. To avoid this, we will dive into different technologies for laser hair removal and hopefully help you determine which will be most effective for your skin type.
Laser hair removal has a long and varied history – it was first discovered in the 1960s inadvertently while researching the development of ruby lasers. Later came the Nd: YAG laser, although initially, this was not permanent and only offered a reduction of hair. Finally, in the 1990s, a more permanent and effective solution was proposed and eventually gained FDA approval using an Alexandrite laser.
Let’s Talk About All Things Sun Damage
If the sun’s rays can damage furniture over time, then our skin is certainly not immune. Sun damage to our skin is primarily caused by ultraviolet radiation (or UV) light. UV light comprises UVA (slightly longer) and UVB (slightly shorter). Different types of UV light can cause unique sun damage and are critical to our skin’s health and appearance. More extended UVA sunlight (320-400nm) has been shown to cause premature skin aging, likely due to penetration deep into the tissue. UVB is slightly shorter (290-320nm) and is often associated with sunburns and cell DNA damage. UV radiation can cause unwanted skin effects, including photodamage, wrinkles, and skin cancer.¹
There are several ways that sun damage can occur from UV light; likewise, several approaches prevent and manage the harsh effects the sun can inflict on our skin. Sun damage occurs through oxidative damage, which can be partially reversed with antioxidants in some skin care products. Another mechanism is melanogenesis, where pigment is produced by cells to protect themselves. Melanin can accumulate and cause unsightly pigmentary issues in the skin, which are difficult to treat and may require chemical peels and laser therapy. Malignant skin cancers and benign neoplasms occur when skin cells’ DNA mutate from UV radiation. Some forms of skin cancer are not caused by UV damage, but the vast majority are caused by excessive sun exposure. Other forms of sun damage can include dryness, reduced firmness, dullness, increased sagging, and wrinkles.
Hormonal & Cystic Acne – Understanding the Differences
It’s a dreaded word – acne. And treating it appropriately is very important. We mustn’t think about acne as simply pimples. Pimples are the manifestation of an underlying condition, while acne is a condition in and of itself. It’s also essential to distinguish the spot here and there from a full-on acne breakout. Most of us can deal with the occasional spot with a bit of makeup or a commercially available pimple treatment. On the other hand, acne is far more challenging to control, and the potential for scarring is real.
Let’s talk about acne breakouts, what type of acne it could be, and how we, as dermatologists, treat it to ensure the best cosmetic and medical results.
Severe acne primarily comes in two forms: hormonal acne and cystic acne.
Facial Fullness & the Realities of Wegovy® Ozempic® & Mounjaro®
By now, you’ve almost certainly heard about the shortage of diabetes and weight loss drugs, which have become the weight loss method of choice for many celebrities and others alike. Weight loss medication does have a place in the continuum of metabolic care. However, many take these medications as a quick and easy way to reduce hunger and lose weight, even if they do not have significant weight-related concerns. Not only has this created a shortage in diabetes drugs and put many suffering from diabetes in a concerning situation, but these drugs that promote speedy weight loss also have some side effects that are not necessarily on the label but a patient needs to consider.
Winter Skincare Tips
When you think about skincare, you often focus on the most visible and obvious causes of damage, like the harsh UV rays of the sun. However, while these cannot be ignored, there are several months out of the year – our winter months – that can cause significant issues with your skin if not approached properly. Proper winter skin care can contribute dramatically to a more polished look all year round. So, with that said, let’s dive right into how we can keep our skin in great shape throughout the harsher winter months.
Vitamins & Minerals That Make Your Skin Glow
With all the advances in skincare, both on the medical and aesthetic levels, we know that inflammation is one of the skin’s greatest enemies. Research has established that controlling inflammation promotes youthful, glowing skin, and this can be achieved, in part, by choosing the right vitamins and minerals. These nutritional superstars work alongside a comprehensive skincare regimen with the goal of preventing accelerated aging. Inflammation is tantamount to aging as it directly influences wrinkles and sagging, lifeless skin.
Vitamins and supplements can be skin-friendly when consumed appropriately and ideally through a proper diet.
Why Spending on Skincare Makes More Sense Than Dropping $$ On Makeup
If you have found yourself in the makeup aisle wondering if you need to try every foundation on the shelf before you decide which will best mask your skin problem, maybe it’s time to take a step back. What if the issue you are trying to cover can be treated so that you might not need to hide behind the makeup? You might need to rethink your skincare budget and routine, and with a few tricks from the pros, your makeup dollars could be better spent! Besides, the heavy foundation to conceal our skin is out of style, with current trends leaning toward fresh-faced looks while embracing some imperfections. So how can you get that glowing natural look without using excessive makeup? It starts with identifying the underlying problem.
How Do Celebrities Maintain Such Youthful Skin as They Age?
Most of us have seen our favorite celebrities in magazines and on television and wondered, how do they stay looking so young? Is it genetics, lighting, or makeup? Could they be using Photoshop to conceal their wrinkles? The truth about celebrity skin secrets is not mysterious at all! There are tried and true ways those in the know maintain their youthful skin, even as they age.
Firstly, celebrities might be working with good genes. And many stars are attractive in the traditional sense, giving them a major boost. Genetically gifted people do tend to maintain their good looks as they age. But that’s only part of the story because good genes can only take you so far in aging. Aging is a natural process; our skin will eventually deteriorate physically, resulting in wrinkles, dark spots, and even skin cancers.