Weathering Winter Skin

’Tis the season for roasted chestnuts and roaring fires, but with all that cold winter weather biting at your nose, and indoor heating wreaking havoc on your skin,  you can feel as dry as parchment paper.

Hydration is a key component of any health and beauty regimen, but when you’re busy at this time of year, it’s all too easy to forget about drinking the recommended eight glasses of water of day. Try some of these tips to keep your skin happy, healthy and hydrated during the winter months

TIPS FOR WINTER SKIN:

• Drink at least eight 8oz glasses of water a day
• Tidy up your vanity by removing light summer lotions and replacing with deep moisturizing and hydrating creams
• Help remove dead skin with a microdermabrasion and chemical peel treatments
• Run a humidifier while you sleep
• Always wear gloves! When driving, direct the warm air vents in your vehicle away from your face
• Even though hot baths and showers feel wonderful, they will really dry out your skin. So keep those long, hot showers to a minimum!

Vida offers many skin care options for you to take home or treatments to have in our office that will help your parched skin feel renewed, and dewy fresh!

The Truth About Sun Spots

If summer’s end has left you with dull lifeless skin and uneven skin tones, you may be a victim of sun spots and the damaging effects of the sun’s powerful rays. Simply put, sun spots are dark spots or patches caused by too much pigment in the skin. Here’s what triggers it and what to do if you’ve got it!

They may not be pretty, but sun spots are usually harmless. This common condition, also known as hyperpigmentation, is caused by overactive skin cells called melanocytes, which stimulate the production of melanin, the substance that gives your skin color. What causes those melanocytes to misbehave? The sun is the number one culprit, as well as hormones and certain illnesses and medications.

Sun worshippers, beware! Aside from putting yourself at risk for sunburn or even skin cancer, exposure to UV rays plays a significant role in developing hyperpigmentation. When sun hits the skin, it stimulates melanocytes to produce more melanin to absorb the ultraviolet rays, thus helping to protect skin from overexposure. As the level of melanin increases, skin begins to darken or tan. But when melanocytes overdo it and trigger too much melanin, the result is hyperpigmentation or sun spots, typically in the form of freckles or larger “age spots”. New spots can pop up and/or existing ones can darken. Your number one defense: Limit sun exposure, wear protective clothing, use a broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 and a topical vitamin C antioxidant to prevent further damage caused by free radicals.

Teen Skincare: Acne Tips & Treatments

Sometimes it may seem like your skin is impossible to manage, especially when you wake up and find a huge zit on your nose or a cold sore at the corner of your mouth. The good news is that there are ways to prevent and treat common skin problems.

A pimple starts when the pores in the skin become clogged with a type of oil called sebum, which normally lubricates the skin and hair. Acne is common during puberty when hormones go into overdrive, causing the skin to overproduce sebum. Because many oil-producing glands are on the forehead, nose, and chin, this area — the T-zone — is where a person is most prone to pimples.

Here are some tips to help prevent breakouts and clear them up as fast as possible:

• Wash your face twice a day (no more) with warm water and a mild soap made for people with acne. Gently massage your face with circular motions. Don’t scrub. Overwashing and scrubbing can cause skin to become irritated. After cleansing, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying an over-the-counter (no prescription needed) lotion containing benzoyl peroxide. This will decrease oil and bacteria.
• Don’t pop pimples. It’s tempting, but here’s why you shouldn’t: Popping pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring. If you notice a pimple coming before a big event, like the prom, a dermatologist can often treat it for you with less risk of scarring or infection.
• Avoid touching your face with your fingers or leaning your face on objects that collect sebum and skin residue like your phone. Touching your face can spread the bacteria that cause pores to become inflamed and irritated. To keep bacteria at bay, wash your hands before applying anything to your face, such as treatment creams or makeup.
• If you wear glasses or sunglasses, make sure you clean them frequently to keep oil from clogging the pores around your eyes and nose.
• If you get acne on your body, try not to wear tight clothes. They don’t allow skin to breathe and may cause irritation. Scarves, headbands, and caps can collect dirt and oil, too.
• Remove your makeup before you go to sleep. When buying makeup, make sure you choose brands that say “noncomedogenic” or “nonacnegenic” on the label. Throw away old makeup that smells or looks different from when you first bought it.
• Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores.
• Protect your skin from the sun. It may seem like a tan masks acne, but it’s only temporary. A tan can cause the body to produce extra sebum, which may worsen your acne, not improve it. Tanning also causes damage to skin that will eventually lead to wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.

*Article taken from kidshealth.org

Reverse the signs of sun damage!

Like most Oregonians, your plans this summer probably involve the outdoors. Maybe you’ll be camping, visiting the beach, doing some gardening/yardwork, or just firing up the grill. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but don’t forget the sunscreen! Sun damage is the number one factor in skin aging. You can reduce the impact dramatically with consistent use of a quality sunscreen. I recommend SPF 30 or higher everyday!

But what about the damage that’s already been done? Fine lines, wrinkles, skin discoloration, age spots… The good news is that you have many treatment options. Skincare products, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments can all help reduce the visible signs of sun damage, leaving your skin looking younger, fresher, and brighter!

Tretinoin and Hydroquinone are two compounds knows for their ability to treat discoloration and damage while improving skin texture and overall health. You’ll find both in the Condition & Enhance system by Obagi medical, a step-by-step program to revitalize your skin, and bring back its healthy glow. Also available from Obagi is the C Rx System, which treats mild skin discoloration, fine lines, and skin texture with a combination of Vitamin C and Hydroquinone. With both systems you will start to see results in as little as two weeks; however, full results may take up to 12 weeks as it treats each cycle of your skin.

Micropeels, a combination of Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion, help to restore your skin’s vibrancy by removing the dead cells that can make your skin look dull, treating the cells in the dermal layer of your skin, and encouraging healthy cell production. Your skin will glow after just one treatment and fine lines and wrinkles will be less visible. With little-to-no downtime, you’ll be out and about the very next day showing off your new, glowing skin! The Micropeel can be customized to best suit your skin’s needs, with different types of peels and varying levels of abrasion which can be combined to address specific concerns you have about your skin. Treatments are usually performed in a series of six, spaced 1-2 weeks apart. Your skincare consultant can help you decide what’s best for your skin.

Broad Band Light treatments, also known as BBL, are performed with an IPL (intense pulsed light) device, similar to a laser. The light energy produced by the device is gently absorbed by the skin,  stimulating collagen synthesis, softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and causing hyper-pigmentation, discoloration and sun spots to fade. These treatments are also customizable, addressing brown or red discoloration, combination concerns, and/or fine lines and wrinkles. A series of 4-5 treatments are required to achieve full results; however, results can often be seen after 1-2 treatments.

No matter what course of treatment you choose, remember that sunscreen is your best friend. SPF 30 or higher during the summer months, and SPF 15 or higher during winter months is your best defense in slowing down the signs of aging. Feel free to call us with any questions or concerns – 503-399-0021.

We look forward to treating you!

Age Proofing Your Skin… In your 60′s!

By age 60, you’ll either really appreciate the early care you’ve given your skin or you will clearly notice the effects of neglect that you have given your skin.  As hormone levels are now returning to normal, the collagen and elastin levels are significantly lower than their youthful levels, and the tissue that attaches the skin to the bone is deteriorating causing the skin to continue to lose tone and firmness. As we continue to age, everything tends to slow down in the body, including blood circulation and the natural exfoliating process of the skin. The result….. skin that looks sluggish, lifeless and dull. Intensive topical moisturizer, tretinoin, monthly facials and chemical peels will help restore your skin’s radiance (Tip: capillaries are more fragile, so you may want to ease up on facial  scrubs).  While it is never too late to take care of your skin, the damage you already have will be difficult to reduce without special medical treatments such as Botox, dermal filler, anti-aging laser treatments, or perhaps more invasive resurfacing procedures to help you attain your skin care goals. In addition to helpful aesthetic treatments, regular exercise will help keep good circulation in the skin and body to retain that healthy vibrancy!

Don’t worry, at VIDA we can get your skin glowing in no time! Call us today to set up a complimentary skin care consultation for a customized treatment plan!

Age Proofing Your Skin… In your 30′s!

When you look in the mirror in your thirties, the face looking back at you may have a little more “character” than it did in your twenties. This transition is a part of life, and if you haven’t already, now is a great time to start a healthy skin care routine, including anti-aging treatments. In your thirties, as the effects of environmental damage and the natural aging process occur, collagen (your skin’s support system) begins to breakdown resulting in a loss of skin elasticity and firmness. This process results in the development of laugh lines, crow’s feet, and furrows, in addition, your complexion may begin to look less vibrant. This lack of vibrancy is caused by the combination of increased hyperpigmentation (caused by too many hours in the sun, and not enough protection), decreased moisture retention and decreased cell turnover rate (meaning the dead skin cells stay on your face longer!). While Botox will help correct and prevent active lines from forming, having routine facials, micro-dermabrasion, chemical peels, and IPL laser treatments will brighten your complexion and reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation; giving your face the youthful glow you remember from your twenties!

While its important to give your skin the treatments it needs to stay healthy and vibrant; a diligent skin care routine is an absolute must in your thirties. The following products are great additions to your home skin care regimen, and will help you achieve optimal anti-aging results:

• Add a prescription strength tretinoin to your night time routine to help improve your skin texture and speed your cell turnover cycle. Check with your skin care professional to see what strength is right for you!
• Use a facial buffer or exfoliant on a regular basis to polish your face and remove dead skin. We recommend the Clarisonic skin care brush.
• Skin lightening products may need to be used to diminish dark spots from sun damage. Try our NEW Obagi Nu-Derm System!
• Most importantly, use an SPF 30, 365 days a year, and reapply every 2 hours when actively in the sun. We love Colorescience’s Sunforgettable SPF 30 mineral protection!
• Finally, regular exercise, eating right, drinking adequate amounts of water, and getting at least 8 hours of “beauty” sleep will take care of your skin from the inside.

Age Proofing Your Skin… Re-Freshed and Forty!

During your It’s time to kick it up a notch! Forties is the decade when women really start noticing the signs of aging, especially if they go through early menopause – the loss of estrogen will decrease skin elasticity, firmness, and moisture. Also, the sun exposure of your youth really starts to catch up with you! You may begin to see uneven texture and pigmentation creating shadows, blotches, age spots, facial redness and the continued loss of collagen and elastin from your skin results in more lines, wrinkles, and looseness. Over the counter skin care usually isn’t strong enough to make a significant impact, so you should consider transitioning into a medical grade product line that will better suit your skin’s needs. Now is the time to begin using a retinol and topical antioxidant serums. In addition to a revved-up home skin care program, you should seriously consider adding routine chemical peels and microdermabrasion into your skin care protocol. These will help stimulate the growth of new cells and collagen formation, helping your skin look fresher and younger. You may also want to consider laser skin rejuvenation and injectables to slow or even reverse some of the effects of aging and delay the progression of the aging process.

Want more information to better suit your needs?
Call today for a free consultation.

Age Proofing Your Skin… In your 50′s!

As your skin care consultants, we understand the overwhelming amount of anti-aging regimens that are on the market, and we have picked the products and treatments that are best for you at each stage of life. This article is the first in our five part series on treating her skin from age twenty and beyond!

            Through the decades, our skin care regimen should change with the changing needs of our skin. Additions and modifications are done, but the care never ends, it just grows. The earlier we start, the longer we delay the signs of aging. The compliments are worth it, aren’t they?  

During your fifties, changes in your skin have reached high gear. If you haven’t experienced it already, your fifties are the time in your life when you really start to notice all of the abuse you put your skin through throughout the years. Menopause has assisted in the loss of estrogen, which helps give your skin its elasticity and hydration, however since those estrogen levels have diminished, you will begin seeing wrinkles form around the eyes, drooping eyelids and expression lines around the mouth and forehead. As our faces continue to mature, more angles and hollows begin to show as gravity pulls down the fat pads of our cheeks, which also begin to shrink, losing the fullness of youth. In addition, you may be starting to see more brown discoloration arise due to many years of sun exposure and environmental damage. Don’t let these changes get you down! Aging is a natural and beautiful part of life, but if you have something that you’re self conscious about or want changed, we have solutions to help you feel great in your own skin!

With the skin cell cycle continuing to slow, a good anti-aging regimen that will help prevent and correct should definitely be considered. You should be using anti-aging formulas that will aid in reducing fine lines while improving skin texture, tone, color, as well as your skin’s hydration levels.

The following products are Vida’s “Top Anti-Aging Picks”

- Retinol 0.5 or 1.0: By reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and improving skin tone and texture, this revitalizing night cream diminishes the signs of aging!

 - Phloretin CF: This broad range antioxidant corrects your skin from the inside out, while preventing further damage from free radicals. Elastin levels and collagen improve on the inside, creating firmer, more radiant skin on the outside. 

- Pigment Regulator: This high potency brightening treatment is designed to address overall facial discoloration, as well as localized age spots. The result, improved skin tone AND protection from future discoloration. 

- Retexturizing Activator: This dual-acting serum exfoliates and hydrates, transforming your skin. Leaving it smoother, softer, and more radiant than ever before!

Although a good skin care regimen is a great start, you may need additional treatments to help correct uneven skin tones and deeper lines that skin care products just can’t correct! At Vida we customize your treatment plan to your specific needs and skin care goals. 

Please call us for a complimentary consultation!

Vitamin D for skin, hair, and anti-aging.

Everyone knows that vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol is important for keeping bones healthy and strong. This is because it is the precursor of the active steroid 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol), responsible for calcium metabolism. Three in four Americans are vitamin D deficient and, according to a recent blood test, that includes me. So I’ve been boning up on vitamin D and it turns out to be essential for skin and hair too.

It was only recently discovered that this vitamin D precursor is in many more tissues than bone, and skin is one of them. Vitamin D metabolism in the epidermis begins with 7- dehydrocholesterol, which produces both cholesterol and previtamin D3. This generates calcitriol when the skin is exposed to UV. Calcitriol is jolly useful with antimicrobial activity (ever noticed how acne clears up in the sun), prevention of several skin deseases, protection from UV damage, and protection of the hair follicle.

In our interview with Dr Melanie Bone, she targeted vit D as the single most important supplement to take. But how much?

Nowadays, the recommended daily intake of D is around 1,000 IUs. A cup of fortified milk will give you nearly half of this amount and a tablespoon of cod liver oil about 1,300 IUs. Ten minutes or so of unprotected exposure to the sun will also do it, but for most of us office bound, sunscreen wearers that is harder to pull off than it might seem. In actual fact, it is pretty difficult unless you live in the tropics. The ten minutes of exposure rule only works when the UV index is greater than three and if you are pale (darker skinned people need longer sun exposure). A UV index of 3+ is a daily occurrence on the equator and possible in the summer in more temperate New York, where there is typically insufficient sunlight to produce vitamin D synthesis in the skin in the winter months. Since, I haven’t found any information about a topical vit D cream, I have resorted to taking a daily D supplement.

A small study (on 14 people) conducted by the University of California found that vitamin D supplements helped clear up eczema. It should be noted, though, that the subjects took a whopping 4,000 IUs a day. And most experts agree that the evidence to date suggests that daily intake of 1000-2000 IU vitamin D could reduce the incidence of vitamin D-deficiency-related diseases. A paper published by the University of Tampere in Finland argues that there is an optimal amount of vitamin D (although it doesn’t say what that is): too much D leads to premature aging; yet it is important to have the right amount in our bodies as it also regulates fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), which determines aging and cancer.

New research also points to vitamin D as the potential saviour for rosacea sufferers. Enzymes in the skin of rosacea sufferers cause them to produce antimicrobial peptides in an abnormal form and A study in Belgium of all the research in the last couple of years has made a connection between the regulation of these peptides and vitamin D.

There is a strong association of the sunshine vitamin with hair growth – and nor just because vitamin D helps us process calcium. In order to make use of vitamin D, our skin and hair have vitamin D receptors (VDR). Studies on mice have found that an absence of VDRs prevents them from growing new hair.

An interesting aside regarding our furry friends: the skin of cats and dogs does not synthesize vitamin D. Rather, it is generated from oily secretions into the fur that are obtained by the animal when grooming. Now you know what all that licking is about.

© TheTruthAboutAging.com, Posted by Marta.

5 Ways to Reduce Sugar Related Skin Aging

If the effects of the sugar in your diet can already be seen on your face in the form of wrinkles, chances are you are searching for ways to hide them. What if you could reverse the effects that glucose has had on the collagen and elastin in your skin? There are five easy steps that will allow you to turn back the clock on your aging skin.

1. Take Advantage of Antioxidants
Increasing antioxidants on the surface of your skin as well in your diet effectively reverses the wrinkles caused by glucose. These nutrients prevent the glucose from joining onto protein molecules and causing wrinkles. To apply antioxidants to your skin, look for facial products that include vitamin C , E, or natural ingredients such as green tea. Increasing antioxidant rich foods in your diet, raw dark green, red, and yellow vegetables and nuts is a great way to fight wrinkles naturally.

2. Include Vitamins in Your Daily Regimen
Vitamins are a great way to ensure that you are getting the recommended daily intake of all the necessary vitamin and minerals. Two of these vitamins – B1 and B6 – work along side antioxidants to hinder glucose’s ability to adhere to the proteins in your skin. To supply your body with these vitamins, eat lots of meat such as fish, pork, dark green vegetables, and whole grain foods. To ensure you have enough B vitamins to reverse wrinkles, take a daily multivitamin.

3. Protect Yourself From the Sun
Exposing your skin to the sun for a long periods also has drastic effects on you skin. The UV rays damage heat up and dry out the elastin and collagen in your skin making it less resilient. Some studies also indicate that the sun increases the number of AGEs (advanced glycation end products) produced during the absorption of glucose. To protect your skin, always use a daily sunscreen with a rating no less than SPF 30. Wearing clothing such as a white T-shirt only has an SPF rating of 5, so you will want to be sure to apply it all over if you plan to spend a long period in the sun.

4. Apply Anti-Aging Products Regularly
Anti-aging creams and serums can reverse skin aging. These products commonly contain antioxidants and other natural ingredients that help to renew the collagen and elastin in your skin. If you are looking to treat wrinkles caused by sugar, search for products that contain ingredients such as alistin and amino guanidine. These products actually inhibit sugar’s ability to produce AGEs.

5. Eliminate the Sugar in Your Diet
Limiting the amount of sugar in your daily diet is another easy way to deal with wrinkles. Avoid foods with added sugar and read nutrition labels to detect hidden sugars such as maltose, fructose, and turbinado. Eating foods high in glucose-fighting nutrients such as protein and fiber combined with portion control have also been found to reduce wrinkles.

So there you go.

Reversing skin aging doesn’t only involve glucose levels, but it definitely thought to be a major contributing factor. To treat the wrinkles you already have and prevent future ones from forming, you will need to use a combination of methods to reduce the effect of sugar on your skin. To achieve healthy looking skin, protect your skin as much as you can, control the amount of AGEs in your skin, and live a healthy lifestyle.

© EzineArticles.com, Stacey Wililams, 2009