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Safety Before Beauty

Posted on August 10th, 2011

On March 11th of this year, a prominent newspaper, the Boston Herald reported on something that has actually been happening for some time now: an increase in the number of reports regarding scarring and burning incidents by some of the facilities calling themselves “medical spas”. Many of the cases go unreported due to the embarrassment patients feel in having been “duped” by low cost “medi-spas”. It has gotten so bad, in fact, that a special task force has been created by the state Board of Medicine in Massachusetts to investigate.

The problem is not limited to Boston. There is growing concern in our own backyard of Santa Clarita. What is causing this reduction in consumer safety? What can consumers do to protect themselves better?

The article goes on to highlight the fact that there are inconsistent regulations governing who can call themselves a “medical spa”. In California, regulations governing who can conduct common surgical procedures such as Botox injections and laser hair removal are different than those in many other states. As any certified provider knows, it is not as simple as knowing how to use the machines! There are nuances involved in making sure the intensity of the settings match the unique makeup of the skin it is being applied to. Improper technique may result in severe burns to the patient.

This is not to say that medical spas, as a whole, are unsafe. Rather, it highlights the fact that consumers need to make sure that they are well informed before choosing a provider. The old adage “you get what you pay for” applies. In an industry where price competition is increasing, the article warns patients to be careful they do not select a cosmetic surgery practice that is making cost cuts to the quality of its care in order to bring prices down.

So, what should a prospective customer look for? Always make sure the provider has a Board Certified physician with at least three years of training in a specialty dedicated to the study of skin and cosmetic procedures on staff. Just like you would want your lawyer to have passed the California bar exam or your accountant to have a CPA, you want to make sure your provider has passed strict guidelines in their knowledge and practice of skin care. In other words, know your physician!

Also, make sure that this physician is not just a “name”. Some medispas claim to have a Board Certified physician on staff, but this does not mean they are on the premises! Find out who will be performing the procedure, what their qualifications are and whether or not the physician will be on site during the procedure.

Finally, find out more about local laws pending that are related to the regulation of this fast growing industry. Consumer protection is borne from consumer action. Don’t let unqualified practitionners ruin what is, essentially, an industry dedicated to enhancing people’s lives. Skin care is not just about appearance; it is about health. We need to make sure that anyone providing such services is monitored as carefully as any other medical field.

For more information about skin care safety, please contact Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care at 661.254.3686, or visit our Web site at www.CreatingBeauty.com.

Applying for Protection

Posted on August 10th, 2011

Last month, we provided direction on how to select the “best” sunscreen to help prevent skin damage to you or your family. As confusing as selecting the proper sunscreen is, equally confusing is how, when and how often it should be applied! Thus, we thought we would clear up some misconceptions about this, as well.

Even if you are only going to be in the sun for a few minutes, you should apply sunscreen. Permanent skin damage begins after just two minutes in the sun. Sunscreen should be applied if you are going to be driving. Many people notice that they have more sunspots on their left arm and left side of their face. Though glass blocks UVB rays well, UVA rays are able to penetrate the glass and damage your skin.

Contrary to popular belief, makeup with sunscreen in it may not provide adequate protection. Most makeup will usually only have an SPF 20. In addition, dry skin lotions with sunscreen in it may not provide enough protection either. You are probably better off having separate sunscreens and lotions. Pure sunscreen products are usually tested for sunscreen persistence and water resistance, whereas makeup or lotions with sunscreens added may not be as rigorous over time.

What is the best way to apply sunscreen with lotion and makeup? Apply the lotion first and then the sunscreen. For makeup, apply the sunscreen first and then apply makeup after.

Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours; every one-hour if you are in the water. Scientific tests on skiers showed that re-applying sunscreen every 2.5 hours resulted in five times more sunburns than compared to re-applying sunscreen every 2 hours.

Finally, most people don’t apply enough sunscreen. In fact so little is applied that most people achieve only 1/2 the SPF on their skin as indicated on the product’s container (if it says “30 SPF”, you end up only getting the equivalent of 15 SPF). When doing a full body application of sunscreen, a normal size adult should use one ounce of sunscreen (the size of a shot glass). A family of four should go thru one tube of sunscreen during 1 day at the beach if the sunscreen is applied properly (thick enough) and re-applied as recommended (every 2 hours).

For more tips on how to better protect your skin and the skin of your family, please call Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care at (661) 254-3686 or visit our website at www.CreatingBeauty.com.

All Lasers are Not Created Equal

Posted on August 10th, 2011

Featured in The Magazine of Santa Clarita. June 2007

One of the most requested non-surgical procedures in the United States right now is laser hair removal. But like so many cosmetic procedures, the quality of the provider is influenced by the tools that they use. Lasers may all seem the same, but they are not!

Recent research has proven that the “810 Diode” type of laser is more effective for laser hair removal than the widely used “1064 Yag” or an “IPL”. The “Yag” laser method is a cheaper, faster laser, so sessions go quickly. Though it is good for work on blood vessels and skin rejuvenation, use of Yag laser for hair removal is a more economically-driven decision by spas, than for the unique needs of their customers. Both the Yag and IPL classification of lasers can be used for multiple cosmetic procedures, therefore providing greater savings for the provider. However, the results can be less effective than could be achieved with an 810 Diode laser.

There are even differences in quality between 810 Diode types of lasers! Some have a wide variety of pulse widths to accommodate different hair thickness, hair color and skin color. The pulse width is the length of time the laser hits the skin. Allowing a laser physician to choose the pulse width is important because thick hair in white skin requires short durations and darker skin requires longer durations. As a result, the provider is able to remove hair in fewer sessions and minimize the occurrence of burning the skin, which happens when the skin is improperly exposed to the laser.

So, what should you look for when selecting a laser hair removal provider? One of the most important things to gauge is the variety of laser equipment used by the facility. Different types of lasers work better for different procedures. The 810 Diode laser method may be a more expensive and slower solution for laser hair removal, but it is not nearly as uncomfortable for the patient and, because it works better, fewer sessions are required.

For more information about laser technology and cosmetic surgery, please contact Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic care at 661.254.3686, or visit our Web site at www.CreatingBeauty.com.

Sunscreen Selection 101

Posted on August 10th, 2011

Featured in Inside SCV Magazine

Nowadays, when you go shopping for sunscreen to protect your family during hot summer days, you are faced with a variety of choices that can leave you wondering: which sunscreen should I purchase?

Sunscreen can block ultraviolet sunlight in the “A range” (UVA) and the “B range” (UVB). It used to be thought that UVA only caused skin aging and UVB caused skin cancer. Dermatologists now understand that the UVA can also be a skin cancer causing risk factor, as well!

Many people simply look at the “SPF” rating for sunscreen, which measures how well it protects from UVB. However SPF does not measure how well a sunscreen stops UVA, which is more difficult to block. Thus, a sunscreen that has a lower SPF but blocks UVA well may be better than a very high SPF sunscreen that only blocks UVB.

To date, only three sunscreen ingredients have been approved by the FDA: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide and Parsol 1789. The best suncreens contain Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide as these physically block both UVA and UVB. You will not see these chemicals as the main ingredient in many sunscreens because they tend to be more expensive. These products may also leave a white hue when applied to darker skin, although some makers apply a tint to prevent any “ashy” appearance.

Parsol 1789 (also called Avobenzone) also reduces the potential harm of UVA, but by absorbing it, not blocking it. This ingredient is very popular in sunscreens, but doesn’t last long on the skin. Some companies have developed stabilizing compounds that help it last longer on the skin, but these products are usually the more expensive products. Most dermatologists prefer zinc for UVA blocking.

SPF numbers can be misleading. You might have a sunscreen with 10% zinc in it but it is only an SPF 40. You may have another that has Parsol 1789 in it and it is an SPF 55. Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide provides you with better protection because of the Zinc Oxide lasts longer on the skin. Most dermatologist’s recommend at least wearing a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30.

Next month, we will provide more guidance on how and when to apply sunscreen. In the meantime, for help in determining which sunscreen may be best for you and your family, call Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care at (661) 254-3686 or visit our website at www.CreatingBeauty.com.

Laser Skin Care Just Got Better

Posted on August 10th, 2011

Featured in SCV Magazine

Leading dermatologists recently discovered that treating skin discoloration and aging with two different advanced technologies during the same session offers significantly better results in much less time. Combining a Photofacial treatment with an Erbium skin rejuvenating laser can simultaneously reduce skin pigmentation and redness while smoothing out wrinkles.

Until now, single treatments took months to improve either skin discoloration or signs of aging; both conditions could not be addressed at the same time. Patients had to visit dermatologists or even a facial plastic surgeon over many months to see progress in one area before attempting the other. Double laser technology programs reduce patient downtime considerably.

The Photofacial is good for reducing pigmentation and redness by flashing an intense light beam onto the area. The Erbium laser resurfaces the skin to smooth out superficial and fine wrinkling. When both procedures are performed simultaneously at full power, significant improvements occur. However, only a well-trained provider in both the Photofacial and Erbium technologies will be able to provide the results possible. Since few skin care facilities offer both technologies, you should check with your dermatologist to make sure they have the tools, the ability and the experience needed for this innovative program.

If you have more questions about double laser technology, call Dr. Bernard I. Raskin, renowned Board Certified dermatologist and founder of Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care in Valencia, at 661.254.3686 or visit their Web site at www.CreatingBeauty.com.

You Should Know Mohs

Posted on August 10th, 2011

Featured in SCV Magazine

Most people are knowledgeable about skin cancer, what causes it and how to prevent it. What most people are not aware of, though, is what their options are in treating it. In fact, the treatment for cancer with the highest reported cure rate, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, is rarely mentioned in media reports about the growing spread of cancer!

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is the best method of skin cancer treatment that can eliminate all of the “roots” and extensions of the cancer while preserving the most amount of the normal tissue that surrounds the cancerous tissue! Mohs is an outpatient treatment in that the patient is awake during the entire procedure and can return home while experiencing only mild discomfort that can usually be relieved with Tylenol. Even though Mohs leaves the smallest scars versus other skin cancer treatments, there may be some swelling or bruising around the wounded area initially.

Mohs is covered by most insurance policies and is often recommended for instances in which patients have recurring skin cancer, high risk cancer, or cancer located in areas that are critical for cosmetic or functional purposes. For this reason, one might want to find a highly skilled Mohs physician who can also perform post-operational cosmetic enhancements. Physicians who offer laser resurfacing, chemical peeling and/or injectable implants are particularly well suited to offer skin cancer surgery and cosmetic enhancements in the same facility.

Only dermatologists perform the exacting Mohs Micrographic surgery. If you have skin cancer, make sure you consult with a dermatologist skilled in Mohs surgery, dermatologic surgery and dermatopathology and that they have the proper facilities for needed laboratory work. The physician must be supported by a nursing staff trained in Mohs and histotechnology. You can find a physician who is a member of the American Society for Mohs Surgery by visiting their Website at www.mohssurgery.org

For more information about Mohs Micrographic Surgery, you can also contact the Mohs Micrographic Surgery Center of America, Bernard I. Raskin, MD Medical Director in Valencia at 661.254.3686 for a consultation, or visit our Website at www.CreatingBeauty.com.

Sample of the Month

Posted on August 10th, 2011

Stop by the Creating Beauty Skin Care Center and try a free Sample of Skin Medica TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer with SPF 20.

Like us on Facebook to be entered into our weekly drawings for free products and procedures.

For day, wear sunscreen and consider using products containing antioxidants because they also have sun-protection properties.

At night, consider using products containing retinoids, peptides or growth factors for their repair properties.

Get to know your skin. If something doesn’t look right, see a dermatologist.

Talk to your dermatologist about how lasers, wrinkle fillers and botulinum rejuvenation can be used to diminish signs of aging that concern you.

Product of the Month

Posted on August 10th, 2011

Skin Medica Hydrating Complex is a hyaluronic acid rich serum that replenishes skin’s moisture reservoir and provides instant and long-term hydration.

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