Get the Skinny I
Sunscreen, We’ve Got You Covered
Summer is almost upon us, which means for most of us increased sun exposure. While everyone loves a little tan, we know that sun exposure is not only bad for the appearance of our skin, it also dramatically increases our risks of skin cancer. We strongly encourage everyone to have a complete skin cancer check by a dermatology clinic every year. Skin cancer is the easiest cancer to cure if caught early, yet deadly if not detected in the early stages. Almost all health insurances cover skin cancer checks, and they are quick and painless.
In these summer months, we recommend you wear an SPF of at least 30 everyday. People who wear sunscreen daily have 24 percent fewer signs of aging than those who don’t, according to a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine. AesthetiCare sells a wide range of medical grade sunscreens. Next time you are in, talk to our expert staff about which SPF is best for your skin type.
In addition to sunscreen, experts recommend we wear a hat with a four-inch brim. One third of all skin cancers occur on the nose. Wearing a hat can lower your lifetime risk of skin cancer by about 40 percent. And when choosing sunglasses, look for large, crow’s-feet-covering frames with UV protective lenses that sit as close to your face as possible. Finally, whenever outside, seek shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM. We want our clients protected.
Have a great summer!
Matt Taranto
President, AesthetiCare MedSpa
What Will Sammy Do to Look Her Best on Her Big Day?
My name is Sammy Frisch. I am one of the aestheticians here at AesthetiCare. I love working with clients and helping them feel confident about their skin. A few months ago my best friend Matt asked me to spend forever with him. First reaction, “YES!” Second reaction “I NEED Coolsculpting!”
We are now excitedly planning a wedding for this coming October. Of course there are many things that go into planning a wedding, obsessing over Pinterest and bridal magazines, tasting WAY too many cupcakes and trying on over 90 gowns. Wait, doesn’ everyone do that? But besides those VERY important things; I think most brides can agree that a major priority is taking the proper steps to look our best on this special day.
There are a few things that go into making sure my skin is looking flawless. First, using proper homecare. Some of my go-to products are the Clarisonic brush, Neocutis’ Microeyes cream and Vivier’s C12 serum. Of course, a good SPF is something I would never leave the house without.
Next, I make sure to do some of my favorite treatments that will give me even greater results. I love the Forever Young BBL to help with the red and brown pigments in my skin, and then a few days before my big day, I will make sure to do a dermaplane with HydraFacial.
Taking care of my skin has always been a priority, (other than college, where late night pizza runs probably weren’t the best decision) but with a wedding on the way I’m making sure to stay on top of it!
The Difference Between Botox and Dermal Fillers
What they Do
Many people think of Botox as the only way to eliminate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. But, depending on where your lines and wrinkles are, and how established they are, dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse, Belotero, Voluma and Sculptra might be a better treatment option. Botox and facial fillers do not do the same thing. Botox does not fill wrinkles — rather it is an injectable that works by paralyzing the muscles that contract to form lines. When you frown, the muscles that make that facial expression are the same muscles that create the frown lines. Botox treats dynamic wrinkles (lines that are visible when you’re actively smiling, frowning or squinting) and stops new ones from forming, while dermal fillers treat wrinkles that are static (deeper, more established lines that are present when the face is at rest).
How the Procedures Differ
Temporarily blocking the signals from the nerves to the muscles, Botox reduces muscle movement. With decreased muscle movement, facial wrinkles relax and soften. The injections are fairly painless and cause minimal bruising or redness. Typical patients can resume their normal activities immediately following Botox injections.
Advanced dermal fillers plump and lift the skin while gently replacing the collagen that’s lost during the aging process. Dermal fillers can also help stimulate the body’s own production of collagen. These fillers not only restore smoothness to your face, but they also volumize cheeks, jawlines, thinning lips and even aging hands. A topical anesthetic is applied prior to treatment to ensure patient comfort. After the dermal filler procedure, expect to see some bruising and swelling, which typically diminishes over the course of a week to 10 days. It’s best to plan dermal filler treatments at least two weeks in advance of a big event.
Both Botox and advanced dermal fillers are effective treatments; however, they can sometimes be used together to achieve optimal results in patients with both dynamic and static wrinkles. Botox can also be used to extend the life of filler applications.
How Soon they Work and How Long they Last
Fairly quick-acting, Botox results are usually visible within 3-5 days and last about 3-6 months. Another neurotoxin product that AesthetiCare offers, Dysport, is even faster acting about 2-3 days. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, produce almost instantaneous results that can last anywhere from 6 months to two years.
Which is Right for You?
Not every injectable or filler is right for every wrinkle or every area of the face. Some fillers, for example, are too robust for certain parts of the face, such as the delicate under-eye area. That’s why you should consult with an expert at AesthetiCare who has training and experience using these products and who understands what each material is designed to do.
Generally, Botox is best to treat glabella lines (forehead lines between the eyebrows), crow’s feet around the eyes, and some frown lines. Fillers can plump lips, smooth smile lines and marionette lines (lines that extend down from the corner of your mouth).
The bottom “line” is that you don’t have to live with wrinkles that you’re not happy about. Discuss all of your treatment options with an AesthetiCare trained professional. There is a customized solution that can make you look fresh, youthful and vibrant.
