Patient Portal

Ezine 52 March 2007

Spring Savings

Save 10% in March! Simply type "spring" into the coupon filed during checkout to redeem your savings. Note: This coupon cannot be combined with any other coupon.

Skin Care Tip:

Environmental Protection

The incidence of skin cancer is at an all time high and the rise is expected to continue. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and one American dies every hour from this devastating but easily preventable disease. The worst part about this epidemic is that the risk of skin cancer can be reduced greatly by wearing a sunscreen everyday. Since the ozone layer has a hole in it, the UV rays of the sun are more harmful then ever. UV rays can cause several forms of skin cancer. Melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer. It begins in skin cells called melanocytes which are the cells that give skin its color. Melanin also protects the deeper layers of the skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. If the skin receives too much ultraviolet light, the melanocytes may begin to grow abnormally and become cancerous.

There are also two other types of skin cancers called Basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma. These two cancers have a cure rate as high as ninety five percent if detected and treated early. The key is to watch for the signs and seek medical treatment early.

Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It usually appears as a small bump or mole on the head and neck, but can also occur on any other area of skin. Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly, and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Squamous Cell Carcinoma appears as moles or red scaly patches. This cancer can develop into large masses, and unlike basal cell carcinoma, it can spread to other parts of the body.

There are also other UV-related skin disorders such as Actinic Keratosis and premature aging of the skin. Actinic Keratosis is a skin growth that occurs on body areas exposed to the sun. Although Actinic Keratosis is non-cancerous, it does have a high risk of becoming a squamous cell carcinoma. If you spot a rough-textured growth anywhere on your body see your Doctor promptly. Keep in mind with proper protection from UV rays most premature aging of the skin and skin cancers can be avoided or reduced.

Anti-Aging Tip:

Do You Really Need a Daily Multivitamin?

Today, there is good evidence that taking a daily multivitamin is a good idea for most adults. Intake of several vitamins above the minimum daily requirement may prevent heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and other chronic diseases. So what is the real value of multivitamins?

Vitamin A stimulates the production and activity of white blood cells, is essential for remodeling bone, and helps regulate cell growth and division. Vitamin B6 and Folic Acid lowers risk of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin C has been shown to decrease the incidence of cancers, and boost the immune system. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that can protect against harmful free radicals. Vitamin C is also a key component to skin and promotes collagen production. Of course, there is also some evidence that vitamin C taken at the start of a cold might ease symptoms. Vitamin D helps ensure that the body absorbs and retains calcium and phosphorus, both critical for building bone. Laboratory studies also show that vitamin D keeps cancer cells from growing and dividing. Insufficient intake of vitamin D is associated with an increased risk of fractures, while vitamin D supplementation may also prevent them. Vitamin E prevents blood cells from sticking to each other and to the blood vessels they travel through. This will help promote clear and flexible blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Vitamin E is also known to slow down the aging process and help with certain nerve conditions.

Bottom line, a standard multivitamin supplement does not come close to making up for an unhealthy diet. It provides a dozen or so of the vitamins known to maintain optimal health. We still strongly recommend all patients should eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A regular exercise regimen is also critical to managing your health. Yes, these lifestyle changes in conjunction with a daily multivitamin can help to maintain a healthy and nourishing lifestyle.

In The News

Dr. Speron and his clinical staff have recently reviewed and recommend the following articles:

Special Coupons:

Due to the new policies of the following companies, we are not allowed to advertise our discounts for them online. For all our loyal customers, we are very proud to offer the opportunity to still receive great discounts. Simply type the following coupon code during checkout on any of the following product lines:

Obagi - "obagi" - 10% off

La Roche Posay - "larocheposay" - 10% off

SkinCeuticals - "skinceuticals" - 10% off

Cellex-C - "Cellex-C" - 10% off

Revivogen - "Revivogen" - 10% off

These offers DO NOT have an expiration date. These offers CANNOT be combined with any other coupons.

Plastic Surgery Tip:

When Botox Is Not Enough Anymore

A forehead lift is often performed to treat conditions associated with facial aging. It may be done in conjunction with other rejuvenate surgery to achieve a more harmonious facial appearance. A forehead lift is also appropriate for treatment of certain inherited traits. Younger adults who have a low brow or who already have deep frown lines due to stress or over activity of muscles may benefit from the procedure. Nowadays, most forehead lifts are done in a minimally invasive endoscopic approach with a very small scar.

Hopefully this information will be helpful in your quest to getting the best procedure with the best results you can achieve.
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 clickinghere.

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...