“As an aesthetic nurse, I am constantly being introduced and trying skincare products that can better protect my skin

. Throughout my years of experience, I have come across products I love and products that did not benefit my skin type.  Being that I have extremely oily skin and am prone to pigmentation, vitamin C is one of the first products I fell in love with! Not only did vitamin C control my oily skin, but it offered me more protection from the sun. My skin today feels more controlled with less discoloration. The direct result is having clear skin with a healthy and gleaming glow.“ – Lauren Walter RN BSN- Aesthetic Nurse

Vitamin C is essential for healthy and fresh looking skin! Aside from protecting your skin from free radicals, vitamin C works to reverse harsh signs of aging. There are different forms of vitamin C (natural and synthetic)

Why Obagi…

“It’s revered for their ability to reduce lines, wrinkles and discoloration and stimulate new collagen. Ranging in strength from 5 to 20 percent, the stabilized L-ascorbic acid formula gives the four different concentrations super anti-again powers”

What is L-Ascorbic Acid?

“L-ascorbic acid is one form of vitamin c in skin care.  This is the version found in our diets” say Meridian, Ct. Dermatologist Nicholas Perricone MD.

See results of Obagi’s Vitamin C Serum and success stories here

http://obagi.com/patients/product-line/professional-c-serum

Vitamin C  The Secret to Flawless Skin. 1. 8. Boca Raton, Florida : 2012. 38-44. Print. http://www.newbeauty.com/contact-us

I have to confess that I’m a little nutty about laser hair removal (LHR). It’s an unbelievable process that has steadily improved in effectiveness over the years. I was born a hairy monkey. But, having done my whole body years ago with LHR, I’m still loving the effects of it every day; smooth, clean, soft and no hassle of maintenance. When new clients come in for a consultation they are full of questions. In this newsletter I want to explain a bit about why I find LHR so effective and why I’m so passionate about it.  -

Tatiana Zhornist, R.N., Aesthetic Director

How Laser Hair Removal Stacks Up Against Other Methods

Hair removal doesn’t have to be a burden or a chore; laser hair removal will get rid of your unwanted hair once and for all! Shaving is quick remedy, but quickly fades and you are stuck with cuts, painful ingrown hair or razor burn.  Waxing can last longer but in between waxing you cannot shave and you can do damage to the skin by pulling it.  It’s also extremely painful and must be repeated every few weeks.  Don’t even mention plucking! Who can stand pulling out your own hair one by one? The downfall to these methods is the fact that they are temporary.

Electrolysis used to be the way to permanently remove hair but since it has to pass through a needle to destroy each individual hair root is can be very time-consuming and painful.   The most effective permanent solution is Laser Hair Removal which will give you smooth, soft, hair free skin for the rest of your life.  The Lightsheer laser heats up the hair which damages the follicles ability to grow back.

The Science behind Laser Hair Removal

Depending on the size of the area that you are treating, the actual procedure can be only a few minutes up to an hour or more.  Although it does not come without discomfort, most patients handle it well.  The reason why we suggest coming in every four to six weeks is because we want to catch the hair in its growth stage (called anagen).  Since our hair grows in cycles, every procedure will treat a portion of the new hair growing.  Every treatment removes 20%-30% percent of the hair; within the recommended 5-8 treatments you will see a permanent reduction.

A Last Note

One of the most significant differences between LHR and the other methods is who is performing the treatments. In the state of California, LHR is only allowed to be practiced by licensed medical professionals. Their education and extensive medical training make them uniquely qualified to safely administer these procedures. They also have exclusive access to extremely effective topical anesthetics.

Most patients receiving this treatment experience minimal to no side effects after their treatment but to help you achieve to the best possible results we advise to patients:

1. Avoid direct sun exposure during full course of treatment. This means no tanning of any kind, including tanning booths and artificial tanning lotions.
2. Avoid sports, including swimming and strenuous exercises, for 1-2 days following the laser treatment.  (A great reason to relax for a day!)
3. The treated area must be treated gently.  Do not rub, scratch or pick at the treated are. Avoid hot baths or showers for the first 24-48 hours.
4. Discontinue use of any Retin A or Hydroquinone products 2-3 days prior to your next treatment.

ReFirme™ is an FDA cleared, skin tightening procedure, using Elōs (electro-optical synergy), to comfortably achieve a more youthful, tightened and toned appearance without downtime. ReFirme™ treatments effectively treat sagginess under the eyes, brow lines, cheeks, and jaw area.  It is also effective with firming the neck, the skin on the hands, and the abdomen.

How Does ReFirme™ skin tightening work?

Elōs technology uses combined energies that precisely heat the dermal tissue within the target area, providing safe and effective results for all skin types.   This non-invasive technology produces a firming effect in lax skin by stimulating collagen production.

What results or beneficial outcomes can I expect?

Noticeable lifting of the skin, reduction of fine wrinkles, and a smooth, luminous and toned texture.

When can I expect to see results?

Most clients will see gradual, cumulative, results throughout the ReFirme™ skin tightening treatments.  The total number of treatments necessary to achieve your desired results varies depending on your skin’s condition.  To establish your personalized treatment schedule, click on the link below or call LuminaSkin at (650) 401-6060, to schedule a complimentary ReFirme™ skin tightening consultation.

What are the possible side effects and complications?

ReFirme™ is a gentle treatment requiring no downtime.  Some people may experience a little discomfort with this treatment; however it is temporary, usually lasting only a few seconds.  The treatment may also cause reddening of the treated area, (like mild sunburn).  The reddening will usually go away within a couple of hours after treatment.  The treatment may also cause minimal, temporary, swelling for some clients. Applying cold Aloe Vera gel will help alleviate the redness and swelling.  Clients may return to normal activities immediately after the treatment.

How long does the treatment take?

The amount of time for a treatment depends on the area(s) being treated.  The average session takes approximately 60 – 90 minutes.

Let’s face it – our mouths say a lot about us; our hygiene, our disposition, and yes, even our age. We can keep our lips from revealing our age by addressing dryness, lines, wrinkles, and thinning of the lips. Here are some tips and treatments for softer, fuller, more youthful lips:

Dryness – Skin loses moisture as we age. The lips do not have an epidermal layer, which is where oil is produced. Therefore, the lips are more prone to chapping and dryness than the rest of our skin. Restoring moisture to the lips is essential in helping the lips look and feel smooth and full.
Tips and treatments : Exfoliate the lips, using either your toothbrush and warm water or a lip-specific physical exfoliant. This will remove the flakes of skin, revealing baby soft, smooth lips. Your lip treatments will penetrate better and your lip color will go on smoother. Follow with a humectant-based lip treatment. Dry wax and petroleum based lip balms do not add moisture to the skin, so go for the gooey lip treatments. In the daytime, be certain your lip treatment and/or lip color contains a sunscreen. UV exposure not only damages the skin, but contributes to dryness.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles – Aging, expressing and eating all contribute to the lovely vertical lines above the lip. Since all of those factors are part of life, it may seem like we cannot do much to fight back. Actually, there are a few things you can do to slow down the etching of lines.
Tips and Treatments: Apply sunscreen regularly, not only to fight dryness, but to battle fine lines and wrinkles. You may also apply a collagen boosting treatment around your mouth. Products containing hyaluronic acid to retain moisture and “plump” fine lines are also beneficial.

For more dramatic results, there are a few options. Although new lines are continually being created, you can reduce the appearance of lines around the mouth with IPL (photofacial) and/or microdermabrasion. IPL stimulates collagen production, smoothing out the lines over time. To see major results, most individuals require a series of treatments. Injectable fillers like Juvederm â provide instant results.

Fullness – Thinning of the lips is part of the natural aging process. The breakdown of collagen and loss of fat cells thins out the lips.

Tips and Treatments: You can fake fullness in the lips using a lip pencil. Do not line lips corner to corner – it doesn’t look natural. Instead, trace just above the bow of the upper lip and round out the bottom center of the lower lip. Fill in the lips with lipstick or gloss. For a “pouty” lip, apply a gloss that is one shade lighter than your lipstick to the center of both your top and bottom lips.

A subtle way to increase fullness is by using a lip plumper. SkinMedica makes a great lip plumping system using NouriCel-MD â and collagen-filling spheres to enhance the fullness and smooth the surface of the lips.

For instant gratification and more natural, visible, results ; fillers such as Juvederm â can be injected into the lips to restore fullness, and above the lip to define the borders of the mouth. The results can last up to one year.

Sources: WebMD features from “Good Housekeeping” Magazine. Kimberly A. Daly

Ms. Presley is currently undergoing treatments to undo the damage from the doctor she thought was injecting her with Botox® His re-arrest is in conjunction with allegedly smuggled this stuff into the United States and promoting it as a new, better-than-Botox wonder-drug.

So, why would you care about Hollywood celebrities getting duped? You’d think that they’d know better, wink wink. But, they’re like many consumers; they’re searching for the next big, miracle cure for marionette lines, crow’s feet and droopy eyelids. These people wanted to be ahead of the crowd. Right now, better to be in the crowd of FDA- approval than not.

Before you end up with some low-rent, and, potentially lethal, substance, here are some tips to make you’re getting real Botox®, Juvederm®, Radiesse® and Restylane®.

5  Things You Should Know About Botox and Fillers

1) What is Botox? Juvederm, Restylane and Radiesse?

Botox® and these fillers are FDA-approved substances. Botox is a purified protein and a finished medical prescription product meaning it’s derived from botulism, not made of it. Juvederm, Restylane and Radiesse are fillers that plump up or replace volume lost as skin ages. Each one is non-toxic and, depending on the product, can last from 3 to 18 months.

2) What should it cost?

Botox and fillers should cost $200-$800 per treatment. Botox is applied per site (like forehead, eyebrow, crow’s feet, etc.) Fillers are priced per syringe and are be applied in several areas of the face until the syringe is exhausted.

3) Who is authorized to give these injections?

In California, only licensed physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants are authorized to give ANY injections including Botox and fillers.

4) How do I verify authentic practitioners?

Look in their office for diplomas and/or medical licenses. You should ask your provider about the number of years they have been doing the treatments, how many treatments they performed, if they have been certified on the treatments, and are they members of medical cosmetic dermatological societies. Most importantly you need to trust your instincts about your clinicians. And, remember, legitimate medical professionals will accept all forms of payment, not just cash.

5) How do I know I’m getting a legitimate product?

Legitimate Botox is identified by the hologram on the vile confirming it’s an authentic Allergan product. Fillers have their product name on the vile which you are encouraged to ask for should you feel uneasy.

Had Ms. Presley and her buddies followed any of these steps they would have save themselves pain, disfigurement, plea bargains (in Ms Ritchie’s case) and money. Do it right the first time and you’ll thank yourself in the future.

LuminaSkin offers Glycolic, Salicylic, Retinoic, TCA and Jessner’s peels.

• Glycolic Acid:
  Glycolic acid has been widely used in recent years to give the skin a smoother, younger, fresher, look. It helps control mild acne, and improves skin discoloration associated with acne. Glycolic acid, a natural substance derived from sugar cane, is particularly useful in rejuvenating sun damaged skin, including; rough, unevenly textured skin, fine wrinkles, and skin pigmentation.At LuminaSkin, our peels have a glycolic acid concentration of 70%, for maximum benefit and results. The peel takes between 15 – 30 minutes, and four treatments are usually necessary to achieve the desired effects. Most clients tolerate the treatment well and report only slight stinging and temporary redness as side effects.
• Salicylic Acid:
  This Beta Hydroxy Acid is keratolytic and induces smoothness of the stratum corneum surface. Its lipophilic molecule gives it the ability to penetrate through sebaceous plugs and normalize the excess shedding of cells within the follicles. Topical irritation is minimal with salicylic acid, perhaps as a result of its strong anti-inflammatory properties. 
• Retinoic Acid:
  Retinoic acid peels result in smoother, softer skin texture. This type of peel is used to reduce wrinkles and pigmentation problems. The use of Retinoic acid increases dermal volume and tightens the skin.  It also improves, and in some instances eradicates actinic keratosis.  Retinoic acid increases blood flow to the face, which imparts a healthy, rosy glow.
• Jessner’s and TCA:
  Jessner’s  or trichloraceptic acid (TCA) peels creates  quite a bit of exfoliation, helping to remove sun-damaged surface layers of the skin, including fine lines and brown spots. These peels are also effective in eliminating precancerous skin lesions and actinic keratoses.  Jessner’s  and  TCA peels are stronger than Glycolic acid peels, and are typically used for individuals with more advanced photoaging.  While these peels have shown to be very safe, there is a healing time of five to ten days.

Benefits of the Peels:

• Removes dead skin/skin cell and impurities from the face
• Restores a youthful glow
• Reduces wrinkles and hyperpigmentation
• Reduces blackheads and whiteheads
• Helps to minimize and control acne
• Well tolerated by most clients  and no downtime (with most of the peels)

Things To Know About the Peels:

• Treatment may feel warm, like a sunburn
• Stinging and temporary redness may occur
• Multiple treatments are needed to maintain the benefits

4-Point Checklist

1. SPF of 15 or greater
   Short for “Sun Protection Factor”, the SPF tells you how well a product blocks ultraviolet (UV) rays,  also known as the rays that cause sunburn.
   An SPF of 15 screens 93% of the UVB rays and an SPF of 30 screens 97% of the UVB rays.   While a sunscreen with a higher SPF can be beneficial for people with very fair complexions and those visiting a tropical or sun-intense region, even sunscreen with an extremely high SPF cannot screen out 100% of UVB rays.
   SPF does not equal how many hours one can stay in the sun without burning.
   To protect your skin, sunscreen must be reapplied approximately every 2 hours even on cloudy days – and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
2. Broad-spectrum protection
   Since SPF only indicates UVB protection, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends broad-spectrum sunscreen.  “Broad spectrum” means the sunscreen also offers protection from ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which are the rays that age the skin.  The label may say, “broad spectrum” or “UVA and UVB protection”.
   UVA protection is extremely important.  UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays.  Exposure to UVA can lead to wrinkles and other signs of aging.  Both UVA and UVB rays can cause skin cancer.  Be sure to purchase a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection.
3. Water-resistant
   All sunscreens wash, rub, or sweat off, so there really is no such thing as “waterproof” sunscreen.  A sunscreen can be “water resistant.”  This means the product stays on the skin longer if it gets wet.  You will need to reapply water-resistant sunscreen, too.  Be sure to reapply every two hours and after swimming, sweating, and toweling off.  Each time you reapply the sunscreen, be sure to reapply generously.
4. Make sure you like the product
   Dermatologists often say that the best sunscreen is the one that you will use. Whether you buy a lotion, spray, gel, wax stick, or cream, really is a matter of personal preference.  Just make sure that you like it.

Other tips

• Buy a product for your lips.  Skin cancer can develop on the lips, too – and be quite aggressive.  The thought of applying the sunscreen that you just rubbed on the rest of your skin can be unappealing.  Some sun-protection products are formulated specifically for the lips, and some lip balms offer sun protection.  Be sure to select one that offers an SPF of at least 15 and broad-spectrum protection. 

• Buy insect repellant separately.  While a product that contains insect repellant and sunscreen may be convenient, dermatologists generally recommend buying sunscreen and insect repellant separately.  Sunscreens should be applied liberally approximately every 2 hours, but insect repellant should be applied sparingly every 6 hours.  Applying a product that contains insect repellant too often can increase the risk of toxicity.  Waiting 6 hours to reapply sunscreen limits sun protection.

• Makeup with an SPF has limits.  Makeup that offers an SPF of 15 or greater and broad-spectrum coverage is ideal for incidental sun exposure (exposure you get every day without thinking about it, such as walking to and from your car). 

If you expect to be in the sun  for longer than 10 to 15 minutes, dermatologists generally recommend applying sunscreen under your makeup – even if the makeup has an SPF.  The sunscreen should offer an SPF of 15 or greater, UVA and UVB protection, and water resistance.  And, yes, the sunscreen should be reapplied approximately every 2 hours and after sweating, swimming, or toweling off.  Sunscreen tends to break down over time and rub off with normal wear.