When you’re having fun outdoors, it’s easy to forget how important it is to protect yourself from the sun. Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure.

Even if it’s cool and cloudy, you still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. Clouds do not block UV rays; they filter them—and sometimes only slightly. Remember to plan ahead, and keep sun protection handy in your car, bag, or child’s backpack.

Tan? There’s no other way to say it—tanned skin is damaged skin. Any change in the color of your skin after time outside—whether sunburn or suntan—indicates damage from UV rays. Using a tanning bed causes damage to your skin, just like the sun.

Types of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types, called basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are highly curable. But melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous.

Risk Factors

Anyone can get skin cancer, but some things put you at higher risk, like having—

• A lighter natural skin color.
• A personal  history of skin cancer.
• A family history of melanoma.
• Exposure to the sun through work and play.
• A history of sunburns early in life.
• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.
• Blue or green eyes.
• Naturally blond or red hair.

How to Protect Yourself

Take precautions against sun exposure every day of the year, especially during midday hours (10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), when UV rays are strongest and do the most damage. UV rays can reach you on cloudy days, and can reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow.

• Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
• Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Put on sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
• Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. The UV rays from them are as dangerous as the UV rays from the sun.

We are offering 30% off any sunblock this month to help you stay protected.

Bad skin care habits can increase your risk of acne, premature aging, wrinkles, and more. Some are habits you’re totally aware of and others are seemingly innocent things you do every day that can impact the health and beauty of your skin. Here are a few skin sins to shed, starting today.

• Sun sins. Indoors or out, tanning is considered the number one skin sin no-no. Always, always use sunblock when you go outdoors and if you simply must have a little color, consider alternatives like sunless tanners and bronzers.
• Lifestyle issues come to the surface. Too much alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate your skin and give it a dull appearance. Smoking has been reported to contribute to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. If you sleep less than 8 hours a night, you’re shortchanging your skin, which could mean dark circles under your eyes.
• Don’t be picky. Resist the urge to pick that blemish. This quick fix can be nothing but trouble for your skin. It may look like you’re getting rid of the problem, but you’re actually pushing the bacteria deeper into your skin, which could lead to the formation of even more acne spots. Long-term picking can also create the possibility of scars—so stop picking, pronto. If you have acne-prone skin, make sure to be vigilant about skin care with the Obagi CLENZIderm M.D.^™ System.
• Put this bad habit to bed. Going to bed with your makeup on is a skin sin that can leave the entire day’s accumulation of dirt, grime, and oil on your skin to seep into pores, clogging them and putting you at risk for acne. Make a clean break with this habit by creating a healthy evening routine where you cleanse, tone, and moisturize.
• Some like it too hot. You may enjoy a long hot shower, but your skin can’t take the heat without being stripped of its natural oils. This can result in dry, flaky, itchy skin. Eliminate this skin sin by turning down the heat and lingering less in the shower.
• Let’s talk about your phone. Holding your phone against your cheek creates a warm and moist environment where bacteria can thrive, which can lead to skin irritations. Make sure to lightly wipe your phone off daily and alternate which side of your face you hold your phone against to minimize the risk of developing skin problems.

Posted On: April 16, 2012| Posted In: News| Tags: bad habits, maintenance, tanning, wrinkles

The Selphyl System, when used with fat grafting procedures, can improve fat cell survival and potentially allow for longer-lasting and more dependable results, according to a case study published in the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery.

Long-term survival rates of autologous fat grafting have been variable, lasting anywhere from 6 months to several years. In the new case study, a 37-year-old female had fat from her outer thighs injected into her lower abdominal area. Researchers injected in 8 cc’s of fat into her lower abdomen and 8 cc’s of fat combined with 4 cc’s of Selphyl in another area. The Selphyl system collects and isolates platelet-rich plasma, which can stimulate collagen production.

Viable fat was seen in both sites after 8 weeks. The area injected with Selphyl, however, showed an increase in blood vessels. “Any technique or mechanism that demonstrates efficacy in enhancing the graft survival would be very beneficial in cosmetic surgery,” says study author Richard Goldfarb, MD, of the Center for Smartlipoin Langhorne, PA, in a press release. “We are confident that this important clinical finding will lead to wider acceptance of the Selphyl plus fat technique.”

[Source: Selphyl]     ****Call our office to schedule your FREE consultation for fat transfer procedures 904-396-1186****

You have decided to get a breast augmentation, this is a decision that can forever change your life for the better. Many women report having increased self-esteem and have therefore enjoyed improved relationships and are even more confident in their professional abilities. However, it is human nature to have a few concerns going in to the procedure.

No one likes to be poked and prodded by a physician. Most people associate being at the doctor’s office or hospital with being sick or being in pain after a vaccine or finger print. For this reason, it is natural to have an aversion to going to a surgeon and having any procedure completed, even if it is cosmetic.

However, most women would likely agree the discomfort that may be caused by a breast augmentation is nothing to keep you from getting one if you are interested in breast implants. Selecting a skilled plastic surgeon can help make the procedure as pain-free as possible.

During the actual procedure, you will likely be given a general anesthesia, although your plastic surgeon can discuss which anesthesia choice is best for you, and you will be asleep throughout its duration. A breast augmentation is typically an outpatient procedure, meaning you will not have to stay overnight in the hospital.

During the first couple days or weeks, you can probably expect your breasts to be sore and swollen. They may also be sensitive and painful to the touch. This will subside and most women find they are then very happy with the results, according to BreastImplantInfo.org.

If you are worried about the pain and general discomfort of having a breast augmentation, the best thing you can do is talk to your surgeon. Your surgeon can provide detailed information on the recovery period and what you can do to make every aspect of your breast augmentation easier.

Sources:

How you’ll look and feel. Breast Implant Info.org. Accessed February 23, 2012.

Bikini season is right around the corner. Have you been thinking about breast augmentation surgery? Also known as augmentation mammaplasty, breast augmentation surgery involves using implants to fulfill your desire for fuller breasts or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.

If you are dissatisfied with your breast size, breast augmentation surgery (either breast enhancement or breast enlargement) is a choice to consider. Breast augmentation can:

• Increase fullness and projection of your breasts
• Improve the balance of your figure
• Enhance your self-image and self-confidence

Breast augmentation does not correct severely drooping breasts. If you want your breasts to look fuller and to be lifted due to sagging, a breast lift may be required in conjunction with breast augmentation.

Breast lifting can often be done at the same time as your augmentation or may require a separate operation. Your plastic surgeon will assist you in making this decision.

We offer FREE consultations for cosmetic surgery. Please call our office at 904-396-1186 to schedule your appointment.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the brows in people 18 to 65 years of age for a short period of time (temporary).

BOTOX® Cosmetic is administered by a healthcare professional as a simple, nonsurgical treatment that is injected directly into the muscles between the brows. It works by blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles. This reduces muscle activity that causes moderate to severe lines to form between the brows.

Facts about BOTOX® Cosmetic:

A common method of treating spider veins in the legs and ankles is with sclerotherapy. In this treatment, sclerosing solution is injected into each affected vein, causing the vein to collapse and fade from view.

Although everyone is different, you can generally expect to receive one injection for every inch of spider vein that is treated. Bright light and magnification may be used to ensure maximum precision while the skin is held taut to inject sclerosing solution. A cotton ball and compression tape is often applied to each injection site as it is finished.

After about a month of healing, you may be ready for a second vein treatment. With each treatment, you will notice further improvement of your skin’s appearance.

In the December 2011 issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, JDD, “Evaluation of a Prescription Strength 4% Hydroquinone/10% L-Ascorbic Acid Treatment System for Normal to Oily Skin” highlights the efficacy of OBAGI-C Rx Normal to Oily System in 12 weeks for individuals with minimal or mild photodamage.

• 100% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the overall appearance of their skin
• 97% of patients agreed that their skin texture was smoother
• 87% of patients reported a visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles
• 100% of patients considered the system to be excellent, very good, or good when compared with other skin care treatments they had used previously

WE CARRY ALL OBAGI PRODUCTS IN OUR OFFICE. CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION WITH OUR SKIN CARE SPECIALIST (904-396-1186)

Dr Oz discusses the health benefits of Glutathione. ASEA increases antioxidant efficiency of glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD) inside living cells by more than 500%.  Protandim increases Glutathione levels by 300%!!!!!!!

Watch the Youtube clip on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFg7TYSn9zk&feature=share

Dramatically reverse the signs of aging with DNA Total Repair. Neova’s DNA Total Repair was featured on “The Doctors”, the national daytime television program providing reliable health and medical advice from a dream team of distinguished physicians. DNA Total Repair is used for the treatment of all levels of photodamage to repair the consequences of UV-induced insults and resist future photoaging.

We carry this product in our office. Call for pricing and to schedule a free consultation with our skin care specialist 904-396-1186.

http://www.thedoctorstv.com/main/home_page?init_type=Feature&init_id=2190