Skin Care Tip: 

Makeup and Aging 

Less is always more�people who use heavy foundations and powder formulas are constantly clogging their skin, which over time can lead to enlarged pores and even premature aging!  If you already have large pores, the makeup just fills it up causing your pores to appear larger.  Once your pores are enlarged, there really isn�t anything you can do to tighten them back up.  Heavy makeup causes premature aging because it prevents your skin from breathing.  Over time, this loss of oxygen into your skin will cause a dull and sallow appearance.  Heavy makeup causes more acne breakouts in both teenagers and adults.  Women think that they need to apply more makeup over their blemishes to hide them and, in turn, they are causing more bacteria and more dirt to accumulate on the skin and in the pores.  By letting your skin breathe and take breaks, you will be preventing oily skin, acne breakouts and achieve a cleaner, healthier face.  Always remember, never sleep with your makeup!  During the night, your skin is working hard to repair itself from the harsh conditions we expose it to.  By sleeping in your makeup, you are suffocating your skin and preventing it from repairing itself properly.   

If you must wear make up, there are some newer options available: 

Tinted Moisturizers: These formulas are a cross between moisturizer and foundation.  They go on sheer and even out the skin tone.  These are good for all ages, especially for women who have many wrinkles on their faces (because it doesn�t sink into the wrinkles like foundation does).  These can also be blended with your fingertips.  Some do have SPF, but we suggest using another one under this layer for extra protection. 

Powder Formulas: These usually come in a compact form with an applicator sponge, but we suggest using a brush.  By using a brush, you will apply a light coat evenly over skin.  Brushes are also easier to maintain and keep clean.  This won�t feel heavy on the skin, but may not offer an SPF contained in the powder.  Use an SPF with moisturizer prior to applying your makeup for full protection and adequate coverage.  These formulas can also minimize oil on the skin. 

Mineral Makeup: This newest formula for makeup is all-natural and will help your skin.  They contain all-natural minerals and inorganic pigments.  The most common ingredients include Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc and Iron Oxides.  Because of the ingredients, the makeup contains no moisture.  With no moisture, bacteria do not grow and no preservatives are needed.  This is good for all skin types and contains natural sun protection.  This makeup blends into your skin�s natural oils and does not rub off.  This makeup can even improve acne-prone skins! 

Benefits of Mineral Makeup:

•   Looks and feels natural
•   All day coverage
•   Works on sensitive skins
•   Anti-inflammatory
•   Contains NO harmful ingredients

Anti�aging Tip: 

Omega 3 Fatty Acids 

Omega 3 Fatty Acids are the �good fat� that is lacking in most American diets today.  Omegas 3�s are considered �essential� because the body cannot produce them on its own.  Studies are now proving that Omega 3 Fatty Acids help prevent irregular heart beat, reduce plaque build up in the arteries, decrease blood clotting, triglycerides (blood fat), blood pressure and inflammation.  Newer studies have even shown that Omega 3 Fatty Acids are now reducing the risk of certain illnesses, such as diabetes, enhance bone density, inhibit proliferation of cancer cells and even improve skin conditions (such as Eczema and Psoriasis).  Omega 3 Fatty Acids may even stimulate serotonin and dopamine, reducing depression in certain individuals.  The daily requirement for Omega 3 Fatty Acids is 1.1 grams for women and 1.6 grams for men.  The two most potent forms of Omega 3 Fatty Acids is DHA and EPA, which are vital nutrients and are converted into hormone-like substances to regulate cell activity and healthy cardiovascular function.   

What food source contains Omega 3 Fatty Acids? 

Oily cold-water fish (such as Salmon, Mackerel and Tuna as well as Seaweed) are the best sources for Omega 3 Fatty Acids.  Plant sources (such as Flaxseed oil, Canola oil, Walnuts and certain vegetables) also contain some forms of Omega 3 Fatty Acids but not enough.  Some stores even carry Omega 3 enhanced meat, which means that the animals were fed a diet high in Omega 3�s such as algae, flaxseeds and fish.  The most valuable source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids is found in fish.  How much fish is enough?  500 � 1,000 milligrams per day is the daily fish requirement and the American Heart Association recommends all adults eat a variety of fish 2-3 times per week.  Never consume more than 3,000 milligrams.   Over-consumption of Omega 3 Fatty Acids may reduce the immune response as well as slight risk of hemorrhagic stroke or excessive bleeding.  Large doses must be taken only under a doctor�s supervision. 

Pregnancy and Omega 3 Fatty Acids 

Pregnant women need more Omega 3 Fatty Acids to nourish the developing fetus and baby after delivery.  If a woman consumes too few Omega 3 Fatty Acids, she risks post-partum depression and the fetus takes all the supply she has.  Women may then run the risk of pre-eclampsia or toxemia, which complicates the pregnancy in 5-10% of mothers.  Pre-eclampsia may lead to maternal mortality, preterm delivery, fetal retardation and perinatal mortality. 

Consuming Omega 3 Fatty Acids during pregnancy may be difficult, due to the fact that women shouldn�t consume too much fish, due to high mercury levels found.  Researchers are finding easier ways of consumption, such as taking a vitamin supplementation or fish oil capsules.  Some pre-natal vitamins now even carry Omega 3 Fatty Acids.  Some Omega 3 Fatty Acids are now even available in infant formulas. 

Plastic Surgery Tip:

FotoLift

Are you looking to tighten and tone your face without undergoing a face lift?  The FotoLift is the newest skin rejuvenating laser treatment to tighten and tone your skin.  This non-invasive laser treatment stimulates collagen reproduction deep within the skin�s dermal layer, the deeper layer of skin where collagen and elastin fibers are produced.  This treatment may be used to minimize the appearance of deep acne scars as well as help to reduce pore size.  For those patients who receive FotoFacials, this treatment may be used to enhance the results achieved with the use of bipolar Radio Frequency waves and laser technology.

The unique properties of combining and layering laser and Radio Frequency is considered Matrix heating, which results in heating of the Dermis layer of the skin, reducing wrinkles.  This creates �pockets� of heat to activate new collagen to form and existing collagen to tighten.  While the Dermis is being heated, the Epidermis is protected from thermal injury.  This means, no down time and less risk of scarring to the skin�s surface.  We recommend between three to five treatments for desired results.  This may also depend on the energy levels set on the machine as well as the degree of wrinkling or damage to the skin.

Collagen rejuvenation in the dermis responds to fibroblasts, cells that make structural fibers and ground substance of connective tissue, by starting a healing response to promote new collagen formation.  Some wrinkles may be improved if new collagen is built in the dermis to plump up the wrinkle.  Other texture irregularities that are improved by this treatment include superficial acne scarring, enlarged pores, skin laxity and cell turnover.  The result is a smooth, more even surface.  When receiving this treatment, it is important to remain out of direct sunlight and wear SPF daily!

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!