Healthy Skin Is Beautiful Skin

Improving your image may help the way you feel about yourself, but it may also convey a more professional message.  While it is certainly true that beauty does come from within, there are some simple steps that you can take to enhance your outer appearance as well.  It is apparent that our society places a high value on youth.  Much money is spent on beauty creams and potions, various procedures to rejuvenate the skin, and even plastic surgery.  Each person must decide how much effort and expense they are willing to contribute toward their presentation.  While this would include many aspects, such as hair and clothing, as a Dermatologist, I would like to address the skin.

Rejuvenating the skin can be viewed on a gradient approach.  There are creams and superficial, light procedures that help give the skin a fresher glow or soften some of the lines and age spots.  For more dramatic improvement there are laser procedures.  These are stronger than face creams and peels, so they work more effectively, albeit cost more.  Beyond that there is plastic surgery, which typically results in the greatest improvement, with understandably higher expenses.  

For those who are looking for a simple boost, without the high price tag, here are some tips.  First, what you put into your body affects how well it functions.  That is not news to most people.  The skin is our largest organ and it is chock full of cells that are growing and duplicating.  Cells need quality food to be healthy and fulfill their jobs. Organic foods, free of pesticides and hormones nourish our cells so that they are not trying to survive amidst a sea of chemicals.  Certain foods, such as sugar and white flour, stress our cells the most, and contribute to overall inflammation in our bodies.  This translates into more irritated skin and more WRINKLES.  Some foods, such as fish (wild caught is best) and fresh fruits and vegetables, help reduce cellular inflammation.  Wrinkles are also formed by repeated motions, such as by frowning or along the lips by smoking.  Eventually, the skin creases where these motions have been made over and over again.  Supplementing with anti-oxidant vitamins can minimize some of the damaging chemicals we encounter daily, such as from pollution.  Two antioxidants that are helpful for wrinkles are alpha lipoic acid and DMAE.  Fish oils (EPA/DHA) are also excellent anti-inflammatory supplements that keep our skin healthy and also more youthful.  CoEnzyme Q10 is also a crucial antioxidant for keeping the body’s organs functioning at its best.

What you put onto your skin can affect the way it feels and looks as well.  There are some brands that use all organic ingredients.  Some products contain topical vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea, alpha lipoic acid, CoEnzyme Q10, and more.  With good formulations, these antioxidants can penetrate the skin at higher concentrations than what you could get with internal supplements.  You could expect to notice a smoother, even complexion, and healthier looking skin.  An added bonus is that some of these topical vitamins, especially vitamin C, help protect your skin from the damage due to the sun’s rays.  The cells are more able to repair themselves after injury from ultraviolet radiation, the type of harmful rays put out by the sun, which contribute to aging skin and skin cancer. 

   

Dr. Lisa Benest is a general 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 our cosmetic nurse.  Check out our website for a complete list of all our treatments: http://www.lisabenestmd.com

Lisa Benest M.D.

1624 W. Olive #B

Burbank, CA 91506

818.729.9149

http://www.lisabenestmd.com

Young Looking Skin – At Any Age!

Lisa Benest MD

Taking good care of your skin is important. In fact, proper skin care is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy, youthful appearance throughout your life. But proper skin care changes as you age, and you need to know the best skin care regimes for your age and for some common skin problems and conditions.

Teens and 20s

Puberty and the transition into adulthood bring about huge changes in skin. Hair becomes thicker and oiler, as does the complexion. Practicing proper cleansing techniques is vital. Skin should be cleansed twice daily; washing more frequently can trigger an over-production of oil. Maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet, including drinking plenty of water between meals, can also help keep skin clear and blemish free.

But sometimes cleansing and diet is just not enough to prevent teen and young adult acne. For acne that does not clear up with cleansing, a dermatologist can prescribe a topical medication, or even antibiotics.

These years are also the time to establish a life-long commitment to protecting skin from sun damage. Using sunscreen, wearing a hat and/or clothing with UV protection and avoiding too much sun exposure will help prevent skin cancer or premature aging.

Skin in the 20s can start to show subtle signs of photodamage and “social aging” – from smoking, drinking or excessive tanning. Antioxidant creams as well as lighter procedures, such as chemical peels can keep your skin from premature aging.

30s and 40s

While most men have outgrown acne by their 20s, many women continue to suffer from acne into their adult years. In addition, this is the time when the signs of aging can begin to appear – pigment irregularity, fine lines and wrinkles and loss of elasticity.

Skin in the 30s and 40s can benefit from a variety of noninvasive procedures, including Botox, fillers like Restylane, Perlane or Juvederm, chemical peels and noninvasive lasers. A consultation with a dermatologist can determine which approach is right for you.

Adults should also adapt their skin care regimes to incorporate cleansers and moisturizers specially designed for more mature complexions.

50s, 60s and Beyond

As skin ages, different problems emerge. Some men and women experience rosacea, which is characterized by redness and pimples on the face in addition to flushing in response to certain triggers, such as caffeine, wine or stress. Rosacea can be treated with creams, laser and avoiding specific triggers.

Mature skin definitely benefits from facial rejuvenation, although you are more likely to avoid major interventions during this time if you have had preventative procedures during your 30s and 40s. Rejuvenation treatments include Botox and fillers, as well as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and ReFirme Skin Tightening, or even more extensive procedures, such as Active FX and Total FX. Again, your dermatologist can recommend a rejuvenation treatment that is best for you.

Older skin can also get dry and flaky; frequent application of gentle, effective moisturizers is critical for keeping skin well hydrated and less itchy. Moisturizer should be applied at least once a day, preferably after a bath or shower when the skin is still damp. Have any suspicious growths examined, and if you or your family has a history of skin cancer or excessive sun exposure, be sure to have a thorough checkout from your dermatologist once a year.

Following these few simple guidelines can help your skin stay young looking and healthy, whatever your age.

Dr. Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank, CA. 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 how to take care of your skin as well as the most up-to-date treatments in skin care, schedule a Free Consultation with our cosmetic nurse. Check out our website for a complete list of all our treatments: http://www.lisabenestmd.com/

Lisa Benest M.D.
1624 W. Olive #B
Burbank, CA
818-729-9149

http://www.lisabenestmd.com/

ActiveFX for Great Effects!

By Lisa Benest MD

Time is not kind to our skin. Brown spots, wrinkles and laxity can make us look even older. If you:

• Have a busy lifestyle or cannot be away from work for a long time
• Want noticeable results with minimal downtime
• Want to treat discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles and skin laxity

you should speak to your dermatologist about ActiveFX. ActiveFX yields noticeable, long lasting results after just one treatment. Procedures are done in your doctor’s office, with minimal patient downtime and minimal interference to your work or busy life.

Laser Skin Resurfacing
ActiveFX is a fractional laser treatment for laser skin resurfacing. Laser skin resurfacing replaces damaged skin with new, fresh skin. Using the UltraPulse® CO2 laser, an ActiveFX treatment delivers thousands of tiny laser pulses in a pattern over the skin. Each pulse heats a column of tissue, eliminating pigment discolorations at the surface, smoothing out lines, wrinkles and scars, and creating a zone of heating deep in the tissue. This deep heating contracts existing collagen and further stimulates collagen formation to plump out the skin and continue improvement over time.

In an ActiveFX fractional laser treatment, only a fraction of the skin’s surface is treated by the laser, leaving small “bridges” of untouched skin. This technique makes the healing process much faster and enables you to get back to normal activities sooner.

The primary targets of laser skin resurfacing include:

• Fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the upper lip, cheeks and forehead
• Loose eyelid skin
• Crow's feet around the eyes
• Pucker marks (smoker's lines) and frown lines
• Brown spots and splotchy, uneven skin tone
• Scars, especially acne scars
• Loose skin around the neck and jowls

An ActiveFX treatment
Most physicians perform the procedure in the office with a topical anesthetic cream that is applied 30-40 minutes before the ActiveFX procedure begins. Pain is managed using a cold air blower to the skin, or if desired with oral pain medication. You can drive yourself home after the procedure if you have not taken any pain pills. With a gentle washing and moisturizing regimen, your photo-damaged skin will begin to flake off within 2-3 days. After about 3-5 days, your doctor will probably let you wear make-up. Pinkness should be gone in about a week or two, a little bit more for the neck area.

The results of ActiveFX laser treatment are long-term and, with proper sun protection, can persist for many years. Most effects of treatment become visible right away, whereas others – such as new collagen formation – build up gradually and become more evident over time. Therefore, most people look even better 3-5 months after the procedure. So, if you think that ActiveFX might be right for you, make an appointment with your dermatologist and start looking younger right away.

Dr. Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank and offers extensive procedures in cosmetic skin care, using the latest and most up-to-date lasers and medical equipment. She is known for her exceptional care and service.

Visit them for a FREE consultation with their cosmetic nurse specialist.

Lisa Benest M.D.
1624 W. Olive, Suite B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
http://www.lisabenestmd.com/index.html

Plump Up the Volume!

Lisa Benest MD

Wrinkles, lines and facial sagging add years to your appearance. But you can fight back to keep your youthful appearance. Your dermatologist uses two types of injectibles – relaxers and fillers - to reverse those signs of aging. Relaxers, such as Botox, lessen muscle reactions so that the overlying skin becomes smoother. Fillers restore lost volume by plumping up wrinkles and firming sagging spots.

RELAXERS
Many wrinkles are actually creases that are worn into the skin by repeatedly making the same expression. Botox injections smooth wrinkles by safely relaxing overactive muscles, thus allowing the creases in the skin to smooth out. Botox is especially effective in treating frown lines, horizontal lines across the forehead, crows’ feet and vertical lip lines (“smoker’s lines”).

Botox treatments consist of approximately 10 minute sessions. There is no down time after your treatment, which means that you can apply make up immediately. Results typically last about four months, after which the muscles begin to contract once again. As an added bonus, if you begin your Botox regime early enough (say, in your 30’s or 40’s), it can prevent deep wrinkles from ever forming in certain areas.

FILLERS
For areas that Botox won’t handle, your dermatologist might recommend a dermal filler, a substance injected below the skin to fill up and soften the wrinkles. The effectiveness and duration of results depends on which filler is used, what area is being treated, and how each patient interacts with the specific filler.

Fillers come in three main types: those that stimulate collagen and tissue growth, those that replace lost volume with “filler” material, and those that both stimulate and replace.

Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and Radiesse are examples of the last type: they are smooth gels that keep the skin plumped and stimulate the production of new collagen to lift and fill. Common areas treated in this manner include the nasolabial folds (“smile lines”) and the marionette folds under the mouth. Fillers are also very effective in the cheeks, for restoring youthful fullness, as well as the lips.

In most cases, these fillers last nine months, although in some instances the treatments can last for over a year.

The treatment options for minimizing lines and wrinkles, as well as lifting up the downward sag on the face are many and varied. However, not all products are appropriate for all treatment areas. Consult with your dermatologist about which product is right for you. And regain your smooth, youthful appearance today.

Dr. Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank, CA. 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 how to take care of your skin as well as the most up-to-date treatments in skin care, schedule a Free Consultation with our cosmetic nurse. Check out our website for a complete list of all our treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com


Lisa Benest M.D.
1624 W. Olive #B
Burbank, CA
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com

Wrinkles - Be Gone!

Lisa Benest MD

Who doesn’t love a baby’s skin – so soft, smooth and perfect. But as we grow, our skin loses that perfection of youth and reflects our life experiences. Wrinkles, age spots and saggy skin can be signs of wisdom and experience, but they can also make us look older than we care to appear. The good news is that today we have more and more non-surgical alternatives that help us to look - and feel - younger. Additionally, non-surgical procedures have minimal recovery times, and can provide instant results!

Dermatologists offer many non-surgical approaches to restoring or maintaining beautiful and youthful skin, including:

Injectibles

There are two types of injectibles: relaxers and fillers. Relaxers, such as Botox, relax the muscles so that the skin that lies over them becomes smoother. It can take from a few days to two weeks for the full effects of a Botox treatment to be seen, but the results last up to four months. Patients using Botox report looking up to five years younger and less stressed. Fillers, such as Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Perlane and Collagen replace lost volume by plumping up wrinkles and firming sagging spots. Local or topical anesthetic creams minimize any discomfort involved. Bruising and swelling are temporary side effects, so fillers should not be used for several days before important events. However, the results can last up to six months, and fillers can unwrinkle deeper lines than Botox can reach, as well as work in areas that are not a candidate for Botox.

Lasers

Non-ablative lasers are intense, focused beams of light that lessen signs of aging like brown spots, acne scars and wrinkles. They can also help remove unwanted hair. And unlike ablative laser treatments, which are more aggressive and can cause superficial burning, non-ablative lasers are less invasive and conduct heat to deeper dermis stimulating collagen synthesis. Examples of non-ablative lasers include: IPL, Fotofacials, Trinity and ReFirme. The ablative lasers, such as Active FX/Deep FX will affect deeper layers of the skin, and thus provide even better results with the fine lines and wrinkling.

Peels

There are many different types of peels, and results depend on both the ingredients and how long the peel is left on the skin. Chemical peels can enhance your appearance by reducing blotchy and uneven pigmentation, fine lines and renewing sun-damaged cells. Many offices offer antioxidant brightening and lightening peels, which boost the skin using vitamins C & E, Green Tea Extract and other ingredients to fade stubborn dark patches and restore your skin’s natural smoothness. Chemical peels take 20 minutes and are done once a month until the desired results are obtained. Other types of peels include Green Peel (a 5-day deep herbal peel), Vi Peel, Mesoclat, Fruit Peels and Glycolic Acid Peels .

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 our cosmetic nurse. Check out our website for a complete list of all our treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com


Lisa Benest can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com

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