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Skin Speaks Blog
February 5th, 2010
At Skin Speaks, we are planning to carry the new Juvederm XC immediately! You can look forward to trying it at your next Juvederm appointment.
As with the original Juvederm, the product lasts up to 1 year from initial treatment. The addition of 0.3% lidocaine numbs the treatment area within seconds, potentially decreasing the need for additional anesthetic.
“Patients want a smooth and natural-looking result from a dermal filler treatment, but as a physician I am also interested in managing my patient’s discomfort during the injection. Before the introduction of Juvederm XC, it often took up to 30 minutes for an anesthetic block to take effect.” said Charles Boyd, MD, Boyd Cosmetic Surgical Institute and clinical investigator in a company news release. “[W]ith the new formulation, patients can receive the same smooth results as demonstrated with Juvederm but enjoy a more comfortable injection experience.”
FDA approval was based on data from a multicenter, double-blind, randomized clinical trial in which 72 patients received 1 of the 2 formulations in each nasolabial fold. Results showed that 93% of patients reported less procedural pain when treated with the lidocaine-containing dermal filler compared with the original version.
The safety profile was similar for both products, with temporary injection-site erythema, inflammation, pain/tenderness, firmness, lumps/bumps, and bruising most commonly reported. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in nature and of short duration (≤7 days).
With FDA approval, the lidocaine-containing dermal filler is available by prescription nationwide. As with the original formulation, it should only be administered by a trained medical professional.
Tags: fillers, hyaluronic acid, juvederm, lidocaine
Posted in Wrinkle Fillers | 1 Comment »
February 1st, 2010
Dark circles under the eyes? Try fish for a few days and see if they don’t go away, says leading skin expert Nicholas Perricone, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale University School of Medicine and author of “The Wrinkle Cure,” a book about diet and skin health.
In fact, fish is at the top of Perricone’s skin health list of anti-aging foods, pointing out that fatty fish contains skin health nutrients as well as those all-important Omega 3 fatty acids. He lists salmon, albacore tuna, and mackerel as great additions to any skin-healthy diet.
What is the scientific basis for this prescription? How is nutrition related to skin health?
Every day, our bodies naturally exhibit evidence of our lifestyles – diet being one significant aspect. But the process is more complex than the old cliche “you are what you eat.” It goes much deeper, right down to the cell-level, which scientists tell us are much like tiny chemical plants.
Take oxygen for example; it’s in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and in the food we eat. There’s no getting away from it. But oxygen has a natural tendency to combine with other processes in our skin to produce free radicals – the enemy of our skin tissue at the cellular level. It is much like the effects of oxygen on metal, which causes oxidation and eventually — rust. In our bodies this process leads to inflammation. On the skin, inflammation can make your pores look bigger, and your skin look dull, discolored, or aged. Wrinkles, acne, and even eczema are also related to the damaging effects of oxidation-related inflamation.
Now consider the fact that Vitamins A, C, and E are “antioxidant rich” adversaries of the free radicals that hide in our cells and attack our skin. Consider that Selenium is a mineral that experts agree is critical to the production of glutathione, another enemy of free radicals. Consider that Thiamine is a B vitamin that helps skin cells function normally. Consier that Zinc assists epidermal cell growth, that protein is essential for skin repair, and finally, that Vitamin C helps the body naturally manufacture collagen, a protein that keeps the skin supple and tight.
Research shows that vitamins and minerals are essential to skin health because they maintain a system of resistance to the processes commonly associated with aging, and those vitamins and minerals reside in the foods we eat.
What’s affecting the health of your skin? The best person to consult with is a dermatologist. Read more about Advancements in Dermatology of the Twin Cities.
Read more about skin health and nutrition at Discovery.com
Tags: healthy skin, vitamin c
Posted in Skin care tips | No Comments »
January 18th, 2010
For the patients who will be treated at the Grossman Burn Center, the world  just got a little brighter. The Grossman Burn Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Burn Center, has this week announced that Solta Medical Inc. has donated a Fraxel re:store laser system to the Burn Center, offering immediate benefits to Burn Center patients.
The Fraxel system will be used to reduce the appearance of scarring caused by traumatic thermal damage. The Burn Center is a worldwide leader in innovative treatment and care for burn patients and their families.
The Fraxel laser treatment is specifically designed to resurface damaged skin to uncover the healthier, smoother skin beneath. It works by penetrating the outer layers of damaged skin (epidermis) to reach the deeper layers of skin beneath the surface where collagen and elastin are located. This stimulates a natural healing process that not only produces new collagen, but literally replaces the damaged tissue with new, healthy skin cells.
“The goal of restorative burn care is to return the patient to as close to pre-injury status as possible…” said Rebecca Grossman, the Chair of the Grossman Burn Foundation. “We plan to use the cutting-edge Fraxel technology to restore our burn-injured patients and play a key role in providing better and faster patient outcomes.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: fraxel laser treatment, fraxel restore
Posted in Laser treatments | No Comments »
January 12th, 2010
Laser technology is 50 years old, according to National Public Radio. What are we able to do with these devices now that they’ve reached maturity?
a) Distract tigers
b) Treat wrinkles and scars
c) Remove unwanted hair
d) Project gigantic image of Britney Spears into the sky
e) All of the above
Listen to this piece from NPR to find out.
Posted in Laser treatments | No Comments »
January 11th, 2010
Both microdermabrasion and the chemical peel are popular treatments for exfoliating and  revitalizing the skin, so how do you choose the right treatment?
First of all, you won’t need to choose if you see a qualified dermatologist or aeshthetician; they will recommend the best treatment. Your physician might ask how much time you have to allow healing after the treatment. If you’re anticipating an important social event like a wedding or vacation, then microdermabrasion is probably the best.
The depth of exfoliation is very precise with microdermabrasion, so you’re less likely to experience side effects like redness or swelling. The typical healing time with microdermabrasion is also very short – usually 3 days at the most.
Chemical peels come in many different formulas, from light to deep. But the healing time for most chemical peels is slightly longer than with microdermabrasion. If you can spare a week to let the skin heal, go for the chemical peel.
Sometimes an aesthetician will recommend doing both. If done carefully, a light chemical peel such as AHA or salicylic acid can work in combination with microdermabrasion. Just make sure you choose an aesthetician or surgeon that has experience combining these treatments.
Tags: chemical peel, microdermabrasion
Posted in Cosmetic Surgery | 1 Comment »
January 5th, 2010
If you’re a Minnesota native, you probably know how hazardous winter can  be for your skin. Cold temperatures, combined with dry air and sun exposure can make your skin dull, tight and rough.
But Don’t worry: a few simple steps and skin care products can help.
Products
Find antioxidant moisturizers that contain water-binding and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as these:
- amino acids and fatty acids
- ceramides
- sodium PCA
- Glycerin
Your lips are especially vulnerable to the elements. Keep them soft and smooth with quality lip balm. Look for these key ingredients:
- Hemp oil
- Shea butter
- Vitamin E
- Beeswax
- SPF 15
Skin Care Steps
1. Don’t forget the sun protection.
2. When your skin feels tight, apply moisturizer.
3. To allow better penetration of moisturizer, exfoliate scaly areas with glycolic or salicylic acid.
4. Get a humidifier in your home.
5. Stay hydrated!
Tags: moisturizer, winter skin care
Posted in Skin care tips | No Comments »
January 4th, 2010
Q: What is Latisse eyelash enhancement?
A: Latisse is a bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%, originally  developed and used as a glaucoma medication. In using the medication, many patients noticed that their eyelashes grew significantly, to the point that some even felt the need to trim them. Allergan, who owned the medication, began to market it as Latisse, for topical use in patients with “inadequate eyelashes.”
Q: How long has Latisse been on the market?
A: Though Latisse has only been available for about 6 months, its related safety record as an eye drop solution spans well over 10 years. Any medication that is used in the eye must be very safe.
Q: Why do I need a prescription for Latisse?
A: Latisse can result in eyelash improvement of 105% in thickness and over 25% in length. Latisse is not an over-the-counter medication. The FDA approved Latisse as a prescription medication to treat hypotrichosis, i.e. reduced amount of eyelash growth.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Latisse
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
December 14th, 2009
What’s a gold party?
Gold parties reached their pinnacle just last year when prices reached about $850 an ounce. In 2009 the value of gold has been even higher: Thomson Reuters reported earlier this year that the value of gold had “exceeded $1000/oz.”
The purpose is to get cash or credit for what’s lying around in your dresser drawer – things you never wear or use and probably never will. Some of us have plenty, especially if you were around for the 80’s fashions of gold chains and big earrings.
On Thursday, Dec 17th 2009 from 12 to 7 p.m. Skin Speaks Burnsville is hosting a gold party and offering credit toward cosmetic procedures and products. Plenty of other amenities will be on hand for you to enjoy.
See our events page or contact Skin Speaks Spa in Burnsville, MN for more information.
Tags: events
Posted in Specials | No Comments »
December 7th, 2009
This undercover report from 20/20 shows some of the questionable health advice being offered by people at tanning salons.
Employees at tanning parlors offered misleading and even dangerous advice such as tanning every day if desired, tanning for extended periods of time, and tanning in a bed to get a healthy dose of Vitamin D.
We like to tell people that pale is the new tan! If you’re looking for health advice regarding the safety of tanning and sun exposure, ask a dermatologist.
Tags: dermatologist, tanning
Posted in Dermatology | No Comments »
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