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Ezine 38 January 2010

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Skin Care Tip:

Rosacea

Rosacea is a common skin disorder affecting millions of people between the ages of 30-50.Most people don’t even know they have this skin condition and some think they are suffering from adult Acne The cause of Rosacea has not been determined and there is no known cure, just treatments to help minimize the redness found in the cheeks & chin. Some common characteristics of Rosacea include redness on the cheeks, chin, nose or forehead, visible blood vessels on the face, bumps or pimples on the face, and watery and/or irritated eyes. 

Rosacea can be stimulated by several factors, including diet, sun exposure, stress, extreme temperature changes, and/or alcohol consumption.It is difficult to determine which factors affect specific patients because everybody’s composition is different and everybody reacts differently to certain predispositions.If you are suffering from mild to severe Rosacea, we recommend the following to help minimize flare-ups: 

  • Drink 8 glasses of water daily.Be careful to watch the temperature of water, since extreme temperature fluctuations can cause a flare-up.
  • Avoid stressful situations, anger, embarrassment and fright.These stimulate flushing and trigger a flare-up.
  • Avoid caffeine, excessive sugar, alcohol and cigarettes.These stimulants are vaso-dilators, and stimulate a flare-up.
  • Avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures.We recommend bathing & showering in lukewarm water & avoiding extremely cold beverages.
  • Get checked for Food Allergies.Some physicians notice symptoms of allergies to certain foods are similar to symptoms of Rosacea.
  • Exercise is good to relieve symptoms of stress. However, make sure the temperatures are moderate and you maintain hydration while working out.
  • Avoid harsh cleansing ingredients on your skin, such as scrubs and aggressive exfoliants
  • Change your towels and face cloths after every use to prevent bacteria from growing and being reapplied to your skin.
  • Avoid the sun as much as possible.The sun dries your skin and helps to clog pores.
  • Neaclear Rosacea’s starter kit. As far as skin care lines specifically made for Rosacea, this one takes the top spot.

Anti–aging Tip:

Nutraceuticals

Most people are concerned with their individual health and the health of their family.Nutraceuticals are natural chemical products that prevent disease or have medicinal properties.Nutraceuticals are found in the food industry as well as in some Herbal supplements and in some Pharmaceutical products.Some researchers consider Nutraceuticals to be functional food.Functional food means that foods we consume contain added components to give regular food additional benefits without needing to consume separate vitamins.

There are both good and bad forms of Nutraceuticals, some which can cause harm to your body with overconsumption. Some common foods we consume that contain “good” Nutraceuticals include:

Yogurt: Most yogurts we consume contain “Live Bacteria,” such as Lactobacillus Acidophillus or Bifidobacteria, which are also known as Probiotics. Probiotics are important to maintain and restore the normal flora which is present within our Intestines.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Omega 3 Fatty Acids are present in certain foods, such as Flax Seeds, Walnuts and certain types of Fish.Some companies are adding this ingredient to foods such as Eggs because the Chickens that produce the eggs are fed a high-Omega 3 Fatty Acid diet from Algae or Flaxseed.

Some “bad” forms of Nutraceuticals include:

Energy Drinks: Energy drinks such as Red Bull, not only contain caffeine, but also state that the drink is full of vitamins and minerals to increase physical energy, improve concentration and reaction time.What they don’t tell you is over-consumption of this product can cause harm due to the high levels of sugar you are taking.

Nutraceuticals can be both good and bad in certain foods.It is always recommended to read the food labels and if you do choose a product containing the bad form, remember to consume only in moderation.Remember, everything can be bad if you take too much of it!

Plastic Surgery Tip:

What NOT to do prior to Surgery

Undergoing surgery, whether it is for Cosmetic, Reconstructive or Medical reasons, should be taken seriously.There are many things to be discussed prior to your surgery date.There are precautions to take and certain medications and vitamins to stop.Doing this, will help you to heal quickly and cause less post-operative problems or complications.

Stopping Aspirin:

Surgeons believe that aspirin can cause severe bleeding, which is why any surgeon or physician will ask you to stop taking aspirin 7 to 10 days prior to your surgery date.This is mostly for patients who take aspirin on a daily basis, as well as patients who take aspirin for pain or heart conditions.Aspirin can inhibit platelets, cell-like structures that help aid in blood clotting.

Stopping Vitamins:

Certain Herbal remedies may prolong the effect of anesthesia in the body, which can also increase bleeding.Other herbal remedies may interfere with antibiotics prescribed by your physician.Some herbal supplements may cause blood clots, heart attacks, strokes or even death.Most herbal remedies are not approved by the FDA and some have not been properly studied.When taking Vitamins and herbs, it is imperative that you tell your surgeon, for your health’s sake!

Stopping Smoking:

Many surgeons and physicians believe smoking impairs proper healing after surgery.Other physicians and surgeons believe that smoking before and after surgery prevent healing of the wounds and the results will not be as good as that of non-smokers.Most surgeons do not like to operate on patients who continue to smoke and advise that you quit at least 2-3 weeks prior to surgery for best results.

If you follow the instructions of your physician or surgeon, not only will you achieve the best results, but you will increase your chances of not having any problems during your recovery period.

To see before and after patient pictures, please click here

During your consult with Dr. Speron, the patient will discuss their desired goals on an individual level.Then they will further discuss the course of treatment and potential complications at the appointment time. Please check out the wealth of information on our site by clicking here.

Make sure you chose a board certified plastic surgeon.A call to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or ASPS at 1-888-4-PLASTIC (ie. 1-888-475-2784) can tell you which doctors are legitimate plastic surgeons with outstanding qualifications.You can also visit the ASPS web site at www.plasticsurgery.org. The ASPS is the only one of the 24 boards approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties that certifies physicians in plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body.

To help you in making your decision, please click here to check out the 7 critical questions to ask any plastic surgeon before letting them touch you!

By far, the most important factor in the success of your procedure is the surgeon you choose.So please choose wisely...