By Lisa Benest MD
It’s almost time to shed those winter woolies and expose your skin to summer sunshine. Are you and your skin ready? Most of us can’t go straight from parkas to poolside – we need a little help getting our bodies ready for short sleeves, bare legs and bathing suits! Here are a few simple procedures you can do to show off your body at its best this summer.
Dry Skin
Winter is harsh on skin, and nothing looks worse in that pretty spring dress than dry, cracked skin. A full body exfoliation will get rid of that dead skin and get the fresh glow of spring. Pay special attention to feet, knees and elbows, and any other trouble spots for your body. But remember – your facial skin is more sensitive than your arms and legs, so don’t use the same product on your whole body.
You can also help your body deal with dry skin from the inside out! Keep skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day. Also, foods rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids – such as fish or fish oils – will help keep your skin glowing with health.
Breakouts on Chest and Back
Heavy winter clothing – or even your layered workout clothing – traps sweat and oil, allowing it to mix with dead skin and bacteria in your pores, forming pimples. This might look bad, but it’s not hard to handle. A medicated body wash, with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, will help kill bacteria and unclog pores. Or treat yourself to a peel, which will not only help with pimples, but also any residual redness and scarring.
Laser Hair Removal
Hair removal can be burdensome and uncomfortable. But unlike shaving, tweezing or waxing, laser hair removal is a more comfortable and long-lasting solution to removing excess hair. Laser hair removal treatment is effective on a wide range of body and face areas, with permanent hair reduction achieved in almost all cases. Laser hair removal systems use a non-invasive laser light that is specifically designed to eliminate hair. During treatment, highly controlled flashes of light energy are delivered to the treatment area, where they are selectively absorbed by the hair follicles below the surface of the skin. The laser light destroys the hair follicle without damaging the skin.
Laser hair removal is very popular with women for facial hair, underarm area and the bikini line. But men also choose laser hair removal for their back, neck, shoulders, and chest.
Removal of Spider Veins
Hate those facial spider veins? Don’t go buy a hat to hide under. Lasers can address the veins as well as facial blotchiness. For veins on the legs, injection sclerotherapy is a comfortable procedure with an excellent success rate. You can also treat "cherry angiomas," those pesky little red spots we get as we get older. And with virtually no downtime, you can be enjoying the summer in no time.
Skin Cancer Prevention
Skin cancer is never attractive. Neither is leathery, over-exposed skin. The greatest underlying cause of skin cancer is the accumulated damage from excessive sun exposure. While all skin cancers can be successfully cured if they are discovered and treated early, prevention is your best way of avoiding skin cancer later in life. Use sunscreen with a high SPF (such as 30 or 45) on face, neck and hands. Avoid sun exposure when UV rays are at their peak (between 11am and 4 pm), and wear long sleeves, long pants and a hat when you can’t avoid overexposure. However, remember to supplement with extra vitamin D to maintain appropriate levels in your body.
The warm weather is almost here, and if you use some of these simple procedures, you’ll be ready to show off your summer skin in no time! Add a cool drink and a hot pedicure, and everyone will be asking you for your beauty secrets! So do it now - treat your skin and yourself and look great and feel confident this summer!
Dr Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about skin rejuvenation as well as the most up-to-date lasers, schedule a Free Consultation with their cosmetic nurse. Check out their website for a complete list of all the treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com
She can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
www.lisabenestmd.com
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Fight Back Against the Signs of Aging
by Lisa Benest MD
Cellular function begins to slow down in our 20s and 30s, and when combined with sun exposure, spots, dullness, fine lines and wrinkles can start to show much sooner. In fact, most of us start to show some signs of aging by 25, when skin-cell turnover begins to slow and moisture levels decrease. Here are some tried and true anti-aging basics, plus some innovative treatments and products, to help you prevent or reduce the signs of aging.
Use Sunblock
Sun exposure will make your skin look older. Wrinkles, sun spots, discoloration and fine lines age the skin on your face, arms, legs, neck and chest. Using a sunblock with a high SPF won’t undo past exposure, but will prevent damage from future exposure. And don’t wait for summer – the sun’s UV rays are working on your skin all year long. One caveat—those with limited sun exposure will need to supplement with extra vitamin D, as one cannot get sufficient vitamin D from the diet alone.
Peels
A peel (chemical or other) gets rid of the old, dead layers of skin, leaving your complexion fresh and rejuvenated. A chemical peel is a treatment in which an acidic solution is used to remove the damaged top layers of the skin. Other peels use varying ingredients (such as fruits, enzymes or other plant materials), but all peels enhance and smooth your complexion.
Nutritional Supplements
Too many of us do not get enough vital nutrition from our diets. Supplements can help provide the vitamins, minerals and amino acids that contribute to overall systemic health, and help prevent inflammation and free radical damage in organs – including the skin. Consider adding vitamin D3 and Fish Oils (Omega 3 Fatty Acids) to your vitamin regime. If you do take a multivitamin, make sure it is food based and not synthetic, for better integration.
Moisturizers and other topical treatments
The right moisturizer can help fortify and renew your skin, sealing in moisture while protecting your skin from environmental dirt and toxins. For even more effectiveness in fighting aging, look for a moisturizer that has active ingredients such as antioxidants and peptides to help encourage natural metabolic skin function and a healthy complexion. Topical retinoids, such as Retin-A, diminish dark spots, balance skin tone and suppress visible wrinkles. Your dermatologist can prescribe the appropriate treatment for you.
Hydrate
Remember, moisturizing isn’t just about lotions and creams. Hydrate your skin by drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods rich in antioxidants. You can also use a humidifier while you sleep to give your dry skin a boost during the night, which will prevent your skin from drying out throughout the day.
Active FX/Total FX
Active FX/Total FX is a revolutionary fractional laser for more severely sun-damaged skin. An Active FX/Total FX treatment reduces wrinkles and fine lines by working deeper in the skin, to stimulate new collagen formation. The skin becomes plumper and the skin tone and texture show noticeable improvement. This is also a great treatment for facial acne scars.
The right treatment can help prevent skin damage before it’s even visible. But remember – whatever treatments or products you use on your face, you want to address your neck as well. Don’t let the skin below your face give your secret away.
Dr Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about skin rejuvenation as well as the most up-to-date lasers, schedule a Free Consultation with their cosmetic nurse. Check out their website for a complete list of all the treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com
She can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com
Cellular function begins to slow down in our 20s and 30s, and when combined with sun exposure, spots, dullness, fine lines and wrinkles can start to show much sooner. In fact, most of us start to show some signs of aging by 25, when skin-cell turnover begins to slow and moisture levels decrease. Here are some tried and true anti-aging basics, plus some innovative treatments and products, to help you prevent or reduce the signs of aging.
Use Sunblock
Sun exposure will make your skin look older. Wrinkles, sun spots, discoloration and fine lines age the skin on your face, arms, legs, neck and chest. Using a sunblock with a high SPF won’t undo past exposure, but will prevent damage from future exposure. And don’t wait for summer – the sun’s UV rays are working on your skin all year long. One caveat—those with limited sun exposure will need to supplement with extra vitamin D, as one cannot get sufficient vitamin D from the diet alone.
Peels
A peel (chemical or other) gets rid of the old, dead layers of skin, leaving your complexion fresh and rejuvenated. A chemical peel is a treatment in which an acidic solution is used to remove the damaged top layers of the skin. Other peels use varying ingredients (such as fruits, enzymes or other plant materials), but all peels enhance and smooth your complexion.
Nutritional Supplements
Too many of us do not get enough vital nutrition from our diets. Supplements can help provide the vitamins, minerals and amino acids that contribute to overall systemic health, and help prevent inflammation and free radical damage in organs – including the skin. Consider adding vitamin D3 and Fish Oils (Omega 3 Fatty Acids) to your vitamin regime. If you do take a multivitamin, make sure it is food based and not synthetic, for better integration.
Moisturizers and other topical treatments
The right moisturizer can help fortify and renew your skin, sealing in moisture while protecting your skin from environmental dirt and toxins. For even more effectiveness in fighting aging, look for a moisturizer that has active ingredients such as antioxidants and peptides to help encourage natural metabolic skin function and a healthy complexion. Topical retinoids, such as Retin-A, diminish dark spots, balance skin tone and suppress visible wrinkles. Your dermatologist can prescribe the appropriate treatment for you.
Hydrate
Remember, moisturizing isn’t just about lotions and creams. Hydrate your skin by drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods rich in antioxidants. You can also use a humidifier while you sleep to give your dry skin a boost during the night, which will prevent your skin from drying out throughout the day.
Active FX/Total FX
Active FX/Total FX is a revolutionary fractional laser for more severely sun-damaged skin. An Active FX/Total FX treatment reduces wrinkles and fine lines by working deeper in the skin, to stimulate new collagen formation. The skin becomes plumper and the skin tone and texture show noticeable improvement. This is also a great treatment for facial acne scars.
The right treatment can help prevent skin damage before it’s even visible. But remember – whatever treatments or products you use on your face, you want to address your neck as well. Don’t let the skin below your face give your secret away.
Dr Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about skin rejuvenation as well as the most up-to-date lasers, schedule a Free Consultation with their cosmetic nurse. Check out their website for a complete list of all the treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com
She can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Los Angeles BOTOX® Cosmetic Informercial
Wrinkles are one of those things that are never in style - especially in Los Angeles. So many patients at the Lisa Benest Dermatology & Laser Center choose BOTOX Cosmetic because it is highly effective and safe for treating wrinkles around the eye, in between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and around the mouth.
BOTOX Cosmetic is a purified protein that relaxes facial muscles and holds them in place in this relaxed state for several months to achieve wrinkle reduction.
BOTOX Cosmetic is a purified protein that relaxes facial muscles and holds them in place in this relaxed state for several months to achieve wrinkle reduction.
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