Ezine 217 February 2021

Skin Care Tip

Tips to combat maskne

In today's crazy world of masks and social distancing, there's a whole new problem arising in the skin care world - maskne. Maskne is the acne caused by wearing a mask. This new skin issue is impacting many people.

We have to look at new skin care routines to help combat bad reactions. Whether you have oily or dry skin, you may want to consider avoiding any harsh scrubs, exfoliants and thick creams which typically contribute to clogging of pores. Choose products that are gentle, light, and hydrating such as gel moisturizers and containing soothing ingredients like aloe, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide. If possible it would be best to avoid foundation as well because it can clog your pores. It is very important to gently cleanse the face after wearing your mask all day, this is to remove all the sweat, dirt and debris that's gotten trapped under your mask. make sure you wash your mask weekly if reusable. Choosing a mask with soft fabric will ease friction and reduce the chances of micro tears to the skin that create easy access for bacteria and dirt resulting in acne and inflammation.

Any acne/congestion you do have can be alleviated by spot treating with benzoyl peroxide. As for any mask related swelling and redness, you can apply ice cubes or if you have a facial roller you can put that in your freezer before use. Although it's hard to navigate all the new rules and regulations today, taking a few small steps can make a big difference to your skin.

Anti-Aging Tip

Meditation can help to slow the aging process

Meditation is so much more than you think it is, and believe it is.

It really does help slow the aging process and there is plenty of scientific research to back this up. When the body recognizes high stress levels, the body goes into fight or flight mode which speeds up heart rate and slows digestion. As a result glucose and fat get released into the bloodstream activating an inflammatory response. While stress these days is not the same as it was in our caveman days, the fight or flight response has basically become useless, meaning the damage caused by stress is more frequent and has no upside. In addition, telomeres which are the protein caps at the end of each chromosome play a significant role in the aging process when stress levels are high. High stress causes the shortening of chromosomes to where they can no longer divide and replicate thus speeding up the aging process. Which brings us back to meditation!

The main benefit of meditation is to decrease stress levels. Studies have found that just 10 minutes of regular meditation helps decrease stress significantly. People who face their problems instead of suppressing them end up healthier in the long run. Today there are many free options for guided meditation and the benefits go far beyond anti aging. Other benefits also include better concentration, mood, improved sleep, reduce blood pressure, etc and you can do it anywhere.

Plastic Surgery Tip

Laser Mole Removal

Do you have a mole that you want to get rid of? Does it lay flat on your skin? If the answers to these questions are yes, then laser mole removal might just be a great solution for you!

At our office, we recommend patients to come in for a private consultation. After your visit, you will leave here with several options for treatment. Depending on the mole type and your skin type, you can expect to have as many as 1 to 5 treatments.

What are the advantages of laser mole removal? One advantage is that laser mole removal is a safe, non-invasive way to removal moles permanently. Another huge advantage is that there is usually no scarring as a result of this treatment. Give us a call. We're here for you 7 days a week.

To see before and after patient pictures, click here.

Verify: Of the 24 recognized boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the only one that can certify a doctor in plastic surgery. Call 1-888-475-2784 or go to www.plasticsurgery.org to verify if a doctor is a legitimate plastic surgeon. Next, verify membership in the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). Call (1-888-272-7711) or go to (www.plasticsurgery.org) to verify ASAPS membership.

Get a Consultation. In private, Dr. Speron will listen to your personal cosmetic goals. Next, you'll discuss treatments, potential complications/healing time, and what benefits you can expect.

Click here to read the 7 Critical Questions to ask before agreeing to any surgical procedure.

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Our office looks forward to seeing you. You will definitely enjoy your time here.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon