Fighting the Signs of Aging in Darker Skin Tones

Skin tone is not something that should hold you back when it comes to achieving younger, healthier looking skin. There are a few things to consider for darker skin tones,  and many benefits to having darker pigment. Here are a few things to keep in mind when designing the perfect skin program specific to your lifestyle, target areas, and skin tone.

Sunscreen:

No matter how golden or dark your skin may be, sunscreen is your key defense against the signs of aging. Regardless of skin tone, sunscreen should be worn year round, especially on the face. Darker skin tones produce more melanin, which is what gives the skin its darker colour. The more melanin, the less visible are the signs of aging compared to lighter skin tones, including fine lines, wrinkles, and age spotting.

Despite this, any skin tone can still get sunburned, which is hazardous to your health. Sun damage also dries out and ages your skin, causing uneven skin tone with dark areas. Use a light, non-clogging daily moisturizer with SPF to easily defend against harmful rays.

Tighten:

These treatments are safe for all skin types.

Titan Skin Tightening:

• Titan Skin Tightening is, unlike many other laser therapies, safe for use on all skin types, including dark skin. Collagen production is stimulated by near-infrared light, correcting laxity. Titan Skin Tightening is the most researched and peer-reviewed infrared tightening program.
• Titan Skin Tightening is effective at, but not limited to, tightening of the jaw line, neck, tummy, and back of arms.

Smooth:

Hair removal brightens the appearance of your skin and removes coarse or unwanted hair. As it is done with lasers, it is important again to consider the effectiveness and safety for dark skin tones.

• Britannia Dermedics uses Cutera ProWave and CoolGlide laser hair removal systems to carefully and effectively remove unwanted hair. Our knowledgeable clinic team uses  state of the art equipment on target areas.
• ProWave and CoolGlide are safe and effective for all skin types and levels of hair coarseness and darkness.
• Laser hair removal is permanent and the #1 requested aesthetic procedure.

Glow:

Laser Facials are non-invasive. They stimulate collagen production and reveal a younger looking you.

Laser Genesis treatments

• This treatment is available for all skin types and involves minimal downtime, with no bruising or irritation.
•  Laser Genesis treatments heat the upper dermis below your skin’s surface, gently stimulating collagen production that tightens your face.
• Laser Genesis Facials can also be used on the neck, and is effective in dealing with acne scares, large pores, and uneven skin tone and texture.

Post Summer Care for your Skin

It’s skin rejuvenation season –you’ve had your fun in the sun and now it’s time to repair the damage. If you’ve spent time outside this past summer, you’ve probably got some freckles, increased pigmentation and possibly an overall weatherworn complexion.

The dark spots that accumulate from years of sun exposure can add years to your complexion. The overall appearance of these spots adds shadows to your face, making you look older. Youthful skin is typically lighter and, because it hasn’t been exposed to the sun and other elements for the same amount of time, has smooth and uniform colour.

How can you repair uneven pigmentation?

One of the simplest methods to even out a complexion is with a good medical grade skin care regime.

Why medical grade skin care? Because it penetrates below the surface of the skin to repair complexion problems, something an over the counter skin care product isn’t formulated to do.

The skin care line, Obagi Nu Derm, is effective at reducing discoloration. It turns off pigment production to even out pigmentation problems. Obagi Nu Derm can be used as a stand-alone treatment or as a preparation for more in-depth rejuvenation procedures such as laser treatments or chemical peels.

The Obagi Nu Derm treatment line includes Retin A, prescription strength hydroquinone and a product containing alpha hydroxy acid, three skin repairing essentials for pigment problems as well as wrinkles. Used faithfully and as directed, your skin tone should begin to become lighter and more uniform shortly after beginning this proven treatment regime.

Rejuvenate your skin with a focused skin care routine. Now is the time to begin, as the best skin care products and treatments recommend staying out of the sun.

More about IPL treatments for sun damaged skin

It’s the ideal time of year to have an iPL treatment and undo any sun damage accumulated over the summer.

What can I expect during treatment?

During the treatment, you’ll wear special ‘eyewear’ to protect your eyes from the laser. Before treatment begins, an anesthetic cream will be applied to cover the treatment area.

A treatment usually takes up to 30 minutes.

What are the benefits?

• Safe & comfortable procedure
• Non-invasive
• Quick treatment time (less than 1 hour)
• Minimal treatments required (1-3)
• Works on most skin types as it can be customized to different skin tones and aging conditions,
• Works well in combination with Laser Vein Removal

Does it hurt?

Some patients may feel a slight discomfort with each laser pulse, described as feeling like the snapping of a rubber band on the skin. This mild discomfort resolves in a few seconds.

How many treatment sessions will I need?

Results vary from one person to another, but several treatments may be necessary to fully remove skin blemishes or spider veins.

What can I expect after treatment?

You can use a cool compress or gel pack if the treated area has any redness or swelling. Any discomfort should resolve within a few hours.

4 Winter Skin Care Tips

1. Get a peel

Getting a peel is a great way to exfoliate your skin and start the new season with a clean slate. As the climate changes, so does your skin, and a peel can help ease the transition. Healthier, cleaner skin allows your winter skin-care routine to be more effective.

2. Drink plenty of water

Remembering your daily dose of water during the summer is a no-brainer, but as the cold weather sets in, remembering to stay hydrated isn’t as easy and getting your daily dose of water isn’t always a top priority – but it should be.  We all get more dehydrated during the winter, so remember to drink more water.

3. Moisturize

We wrap ourselves in heavy jackets and clothing during the winter, and it shouldn’t be any different with our skin. Apply a heavier cream instead of a lighter moisturizer to keep skin hydrated. Skin is more sensitive during the winter months, so think of a heavier moisturizer as an extra layer of protection – like a warm coat.

4. Don’t put away the sunscreen Just because it’s cold out there and you’re shivering doesn’t mean the sun’s rays have gone into hibernation. Sunscreen is just as important during the winter. Always put sunscreen on 30 minutes before you leave the house to protect your skin.

Glam up your eyes

With summer and fall behind us, we’re heading into gala and party season. And that means getting glammed up with shiny evening dresses and make-up.

Here’s some tips on making your eyes stand out - one of the first things people will notice about you.

Long lush eyelashes can make your eyes pop. So how do you get them? We’re all aware of how aging impacts the skin, but did you know that aging can also affect your eyelashes? As we age, lashes can become thinner, shorter and lighter, beginning in our 20s and 30s.

Enter LATISSE, a once-a-day treatment you apply topically to the base of your upper eyelashes, and only available through your physician or at medical spas. Gradually, the results come in. More length may start appearing in as little as 4 weeks, with full growth achieved in 16 weeks. Perfect timing for the upcoming party season!

To make the most of your longer, lusher lashes, add a denser looking lash-line by lifting the area under the brow up and outward, then close your eye, exposing the lash line. Then, with these tricks from Scott Patric - ‘etch it along, don’t draw a continuous line, using short strokes, all the while pushing the eye pencil in between your lashes at the root.” Replace black eyeliner, which can look harsh, with a dark grey or espresso shade. Avoid under eye liner as it emphasizes dark circles.

Now that you’ve got gorgeous lashes, finish the look off. To get an instant wide awake look, place some light cream shadow on the inner corner of the eye. Apply concealer under the eyes after eyeshadow and mascara.

As your Calgary eyelash growth clinic, Britannia Dermedics is proud to offer LATISSE to our clients.

More glam ideas for evening events

Late nights, party food and imbibing more than usual can add up to skin problems. Why not give your complexion a break and switch to mineral makeup.

The beauty of mineral makeup is the pigments blend with your skin’s natural oils to even out tone. Mineral makeup contains light refracting properties for an airbrushed look and when applied properly, minimizes pores, giving you a more natural look.

What’s different about mineral makeup?

It really boils down to what’s left out of mineral makeup. For leading, quality mineral makeup lines, the ingredients that have been removed include preservatives, parabens, mineral oil, chemical dyes and fragrance, which can be irritating to your skin. Often, it’s the preservatives and fragrance that cause irritation. Dermatologists recommend mineral makeup for this very reason.

Read the label to ensure you’re purchasing a quality mineral makeup product. If it says the product is ‘mineral enriched’ or if it’s a liquid or mousse, the product may contain harmful and irritating ingredients such as paraben preservatives which are added to create a smooth texture. Makeup products that are not powders may also contain moisturizers, antioxidant vitamins or other ingredients to benefit your skin.

Women with sensitive skin are less likely to react to mineral makeup. Because it doesn’t contain oil, it’s also not aggravating to acne-prone complexions.

Give mineral makeup a try–your skin will thank you!

Get Better Results With Combined Treatments

How to fight the “3 Ds” of aging

The 3 Ds of aging include Deterioration (wrinkles and texture change), Descent (droopiness of the skin) and Deflation (a loss of volume)

With the high success rate for both Botox and Juvederm, combining the two achieves even better outcomes to battle the 3Ds. For those who wish to avoid going under the knife to turn back the clock, it’s the best of both worlds, smoothing out telltale wrinkles and adding youthful volume.

The treatments work in two different ways.  Botox weakens the muscle action in specific areas of the face, such as forehead, frown lines and crow’s feet. Juvederm is a dermal filler which has proven effective at returning volume to the face.

As we age, facial skin loses volume. Cheeks may not be as full as they once were, and lines may run from the nose to the mouth. Hollows form below the eyes. All this adds up to looking tired and older.

For skin rejuvenation at all ages, this is a great approach to:

• Combat deterioration of skin (wrinkles and textural changes),
• Counteract droopiness of skin, and
• Re-inflate skin (cheeks, lips, jaw line, etc.)

By combining these two procedures, the result is a a balanced, full and natural looking facial rejuvenation.

Your Skin & Water

Skin is an organ, and just like any other part of the body, it is made up of cells. And skin cells, like any other cell in the body, are made up of water. Without water, your organs will certainly not function properly or at their best.

For overall good heath, we need to drink an adequate amount of water daily. Why? Because water aids in circulation, digestion, absorption and even excretion.

Hydrating your skin

But what about drinking large amounts of water for proper skin health? Some say drinking water gives you a radiant, healthy, younger- looking complexion, while others say it has no effect on skin’s appearance whatsoever.

If your skin is not getting the sufficient amount of water, the lack of hydration will present itself by turning your skin dry, tight and flaky. Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling.

So what is the best way to add water to the skin?

• Apply a hydrating moisturizer within 2 minutes of leaving the bath or shower. The skin is still porous and is open to products that are applied following the bath or shower, allowing better absorption.

• Use a product containing hyaluronic acid before applying your moisturizer.

• Drink more water. Drinking at least eight glasses a day, if not more, will help rid the body and skin of toxins.

Not everyone will agree that water consumption will improve skin… but then again, it can’t hurt. Nothing will happen overnight, but even a good couple of weeks of increasing water intake should be enough to see how hydration affects your skin.

Tips For Improving Skin Quality

There are a number of factors that can accelerate the aging of your skin – here’s some of them and tips on how stop them or at least minimize their impact.

1. Pollution—can dull the complexion and increase skin imperfections

What to do: For oily to mixed skin, clean with water, For sensitive and dehydrated skin with water; clean a product designed for that skin type.  Choose skin care products with active ingredients that form a protective film to stop pollution from adhering to your skin.

On the menu: Green tea, cabbage, strawberries, red peppers, kiwi, wheat germ, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc.

2. Air-conditioning or heating—can dehydrate your skin

What to do: Don’t rinse too aggressively with water and use a richer version of your favourite moisturizing treatment.

On the menu: Watermelon, cucumber and melon and other juicy fruits and vegetables. Food rich in essential fatty acids such as grapeseed and walnut oil, soya, fish and nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, etc) to provide optimal protection and hydration. Drink over 1.5 litres of water a day.

3. Sun protection

What to do: Protect your skin by using sunscreen protection with a minimum SPF 30 and choose a highly nourishing treatment to minimize any fine lines caused by dehydration.

On the menu: Food rich in polyphenols like green tea, grapeseed oil, and red fruit like pomegranate, blueberry or raspberry.

4. Smoking—leads to grey and dull skin

What to do: Quit smoking! Exfoliate with a scrub and a mask once or twice a week.

On the menu: Drink 1.5 litre of water a day. Incorporate green tea and grapeseed oil into your daily diet to combat oxidation due to tobacco.

5. Unhealthy food—causes shininess and imperfections

What to do: Apply a scrub and purifying mask once or twice a week.

On the menu: Cut back on fatty or sugary snacks, which may disrupt the balance of your skin. Add fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, fibres and minerals for a flawless, even complexion.

6. Tired looking skin—dark circles, under-eye bags, dull complexion.

What to do: Specialized eye contour creams

On the menu: Food rich in vitamin C (cabbage, red peppers, strawberries, kiwi, etc.) and in beta-carotene (mango, apricot, carrots, etc.).

7. Stress–causes dehydration and haggard features.

What to do: Do what you can to eliminate stress—exercise, meditation, lifestyle changes.

On the menu: High water content food including fruit and vegetables, dairy products and anti-stress food containing magnesium: green vegetables, whole grain cereals, almonds, chocolate, potassium-containing food including bananas.

HOLIDAY SEASON MAKEUP MANAGEMENT

With the holiday season in full swing, there can be days when you leave the house in the morning and don’t return until late evening. You may be going from work to a cocktail party or office event, or running errands.

How do you keep your make-up looking intact if you don’t have time for a complete re-do?

It’s inconvenient to haul all your cosmetics to the office, plus last minute fires can mean you don’t have time to do a complete refresh before heading out.

One of the ways to keep your makeup appearing fresh all day is to apply a mineral cosmetic primer before anything else, including foundation.

A bronzing mineral primer will help you get rid of that pale winter look, plus keep your foundation and the rest of your makeup in place much longer. Perfect for ensuring your eye shadow goes on evenly, it will help to keep it from creasing. With a primer, you can use less foundation, so you have a more natural look.

Colorescience Primer will protect and soothe your skin, as it also evens out skin tones, giving you a warm, healthy glow.

Colorescience’s Skin Bronzing Primer is made with rice proteins, blue algae and powerful antioxidants. It contains an SPF20, so sun protection is already included.

Make life easier for yourself in this already frantic season – and use a primer before applying the rest of your cosmetics.

Less is more

With volume fillers becoming more widely available, people are realizing that a fuller face is more youthful looking than a tight one.

Some injectors can be overly ‘enthusiastic’ with the amount of filler being injected. Just as cosmetic plastic surgery in the 80s and 90s produced a too tight look, ‘liquid facelifts’ or dermal filler injections can result in an overly plumped appearance.

Injecting dermal fillers like Juvederm and Restylane properly takes experience and an artistic sensibility. Overdoing the filler doesn’t take more years off. It results in an overdone look.

Don’t over do it

The goal should be to look great, not to look 30 when you’re 50 +.

A good injector will take the time to evaluate your skin quality and texture, your bone structure and how your face looks at rest and when it’s animated. It’s best to go slowly, instead of doing everything at once and live with the results. It’s much easier to add filler, than to try and deflate overly full cheeks and lips.

As with all skin rejuvenation procedures, you need to do your research first.

Exercise and your skin

Need another reason to stick to your New Year’s resolution to exercise more?

Here’s a good one. Regular exercise is another way to have a healthy, youthful looking complexion.

Along with keeping your heart and lungs healthy, exercise improves your circulation. Anything that promotes better blood circulation also helps to keep skin looking vibrant and healthy.

Increased blood flow helps to nourish skin cells and keep them vital. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the cells throughout your body, including your skin. Blood flow also helps carry away waste products, including free radicals, which damage your skin. Exercise assists with flushing cellular debris out of the system. Think of it as cleaning your skin from the inside.

If you have skin conditions such as acne, rosacea or psoarias, you may need to protect your skin while exercising.

Be good to your skin and the rest of your body – get moving!

Oh So Sensitive Skin

There are many reasons why you might find yourself with particularly sensitive skin. It may be something you’ve experienced your whole life, and is genetic. Similarly it could be environmental–dry climates promote more flakiness and dryness than humid climates. Perhaps your diet lacks hydration: water and vegetables hydrate you from the inside out. Whatever the case, there are changes you can make to encourage your skin to be less sensitive, as well as different ways to be as delicate to your skin’s sensitive nature. Here are a few areas to cover to keep your skin’s delicate surface at the back of your mind.

Makeup Removal

At night, always take off your makeup. Give your skin some rest. Remove your eye and face makeup with as little tugging as possible. As always, dab instead of pull. As with any product you are using on your body, test a spot on your arm or hand before you use anything on your face. People with sensitive skin are more likely to have a reaction to something that is just not for them, and this should be tested.

Cleansing

Firstly, if you’re washing your face more than twice a day, it’s too much.  Your sensitive skin needs time to rebuild after dirt is removed, and to do so needs to be left alone.

Sun-care

Always wear a light, non-oily sunscreen on your face, neck, and chest, and reapply a small layer every few hours. This is not exclusive to sensitive skin, but doubly important in sensitive skin’s care regime. Sunscreen protects from the drying effects of the sun. If your skin is sensitive as a matter of being “pale”, or having low melanin, heat will affect you more than others and time out of the sun is necessary. Vitamin D is essential to overall health and happiness, but a tan isn’t meant for everyone. As your skin ages, you’ll thank yourself for protecting your sensitive skin from the damaging rays of the sun that decrease collagen production and produce brown spots.

Night-Time

Use a protective but not overly oily night cream, which may be too much for skin that needs a simple regime. Any lotion that is scented is a straight indication that it will irritate sensitive skin.

Diet

Vegetables are hydrating and full of nutrients that you need. The positive effects of water on your skin cannot be underscored enough either! When your lips are dry or your skin feel toughs, you’re dehydrated and need some TLC straight from the tap. The less amount of salt you consume, too, contributes to stable hydration.

Say Goodbye to Fungus!

Toe nail fungus. It’s not uncommon, and it’s no fun at all. Sure, you can hide your toes all winter, but why hide? You deserve to be comfortable and confident in your own skin in all respects. Rid yourself of embarrassment about how your toes look, as well as the discomfort that comes with toe nail fungus.

What does toe nail fungus look like?

Toe nail fungus, or onychomycosis, will present itself in a few ways.

• Discolouration (yellow, white, black, and/or green streaks and spots)
• Brittle, thick nails
• Unusual growth direction
• Separation of the nail from the nail bed

No more discomfort

Toe nail fungus is not hard to deal with, but it is important to take action early to rid yourself of the discomfort. Keeping your nails in good shape stops the fungus from spreading and causing you pain as the nail thickens or grows towards the nail bed. Toe nail fungus can make wearing shoes uncomfortable–and you really should wear shoes in modern Western society. Consider laser toe nail fungus removal as a simple, non-invasive way to clean up your nail beds and get happy, healthy feet back.

How laser toe nail fungus removal works

Laser Genesisplus. Laser fungus removal takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. It heats and vaporizes the fungus, and requires no freezing or medication. There are no side effects and no downtime required following the treatment, so you can get back to your day right away.

How to prevent toe nail fungus

Laser treatment is a highly effective fix for toe nail fungus, and prevention of fungus is simple.

• Sleep without socks on – prevention of unnecessary moisture is key to reducing the risk of bacteria forming and infection occurring. If you do sleep with them on, wear clean and loose fitting socks to allow your feet to breathe.
• Wear flip flops in public spaces such as pools or public showers.
• Use sanitized tools when shaping, cutting, or cleaning toe and finger nails.

Be comfortable in your own shoes again!

My Skin is Dry – But Why?

The best way to address dry skin is to start with the cause.

Winter

Right now, it’s probably dryness-inducing winter weather that’s getting to your soft skin. Wear warm clothes and don’t expose skin to the elements if it’s possible to avoid.

Hot Showers

When it is cold out, it’s hard to resist having an extra hot shower. However, if the mirror is steamed up in your bathroom, you aren’t doing your skin any favours. Water that’s too hot going directly on your skin will irritate it and make it harder to retain moisture. Consider turning the heat down a bit in the shower–you’ll get used to it–and you will see improvements in your skin.

Rubbing

Rubbing irritates your skin and damages a protective layer that is always working to trap in moisture for your skin. Pat dry with a clean towel, from your face to your toes.

Soap

When it comes to soap there are a lot of options, but not all will be good for your skin. Look for soap that is scent-free and hypoallergenic. Added scents in a soap will really only serve to irritate your skin. The same is true for laundry soap. Use of a scent-free and sensitive skin laundry detergent is important. Reducing the amount of irritants in your environment is a great way to improve skin.

Eczema

If skin seems particularly enflamed or aggravated, it may be eczema. Eczema often shows itself as itchy, raised skin, and can be triggered by stress. Taking natural supplements such as fish oil can help, as do many of the aforementioned lifestyle changes: non-irritating soap and warm showers can help reduce flare-ups.

Sun

Sunscreen. All the time. The sun not only damages our skin’s ability to retain moisture, but harms our ability to produce collagen. By protecting skin from the drying effects of the sun, we also help to slow the process of aging.

Age

As we age, our skin is less capable of holding moisture. To help combat this, supplement your diet with essential fatty acids, which combat water loss in the epidermis. Flaxseed oil, walnuts, and canola oil are valuable sources.

Food to Avoid for Clear Skin

Snacks

Foods with added sugars cause a spike in blood sugar and are responsible for inflammation in the body. Chips can be the most obvious saboteur of your good skin. They are high in both fats and salt, dehydrating your skin and causing that tired, aged look of puffiness beneath your eyes. Cutting out chips and doubling up on water intake will deflate your swollen under eye and reduce redness that comes from high-fat foods.

Alternative: Natural sugars found in fruit won’t cause a sudden spike. A few squares of dark chocolate can also be actually beneficial for your skin, as dark chocolate (go for 70% or higher) contains the anti-inflammatory antioxidants your skin wants. And it doesn’t taste bad either.

Unsalted nuts can satisfy your snack craving too, and those high in omega-3 fatty acids improve skin’s elasticity by promoting collagen production. Walnuts have the highest omega-3 fatty acid content.

Starch

Spikes in blood sugar are also caused by food with high-glycemic content. Starches like white pasta, bread, and rice are linked to acne-causing inflammation.

Alternative: Whole grain pastas, bread, and rice contain less sugars and are complex carbs that will keep your energy pumping for longer throughout the day.

Beverages

Watch what and how much of it you’re drinking. It is easy to take in an incredible amount of sugar through beverages without noticing, in fact, it’s probably what is worth watching the most. Added sugars cause inflammation and dehydrate the body. This is especially true for drinking alcohol, which dehydrates you and thus speeds up the process of aging.

• Alternative: Drink natural juices, but always focus on drinking enough water throughout the day to remain hydrated. Drinking enough water keeps your skin feeling elasticized and healthy, and makes you feel more alert throughout the day. Green tea is also high in anti-oxidants, which will reduce redness. The calming sensation of green tea is an added bonus.

Dairy

Many people find that reducing or removing dairy from their diet dramatically improves their skin tone.

• Alternatives: If your skin improves by cutting out or down on dairy, replace milk’s calcium and Vitamin D by getting it from other sources, like dark leafy greens, broccoli, and almonds. High levels of vitamin D are found in eggs and mushrooms among other places.

Improving your diet for your skin health shouldn’t feel like a cruel trial, and should dramatically improve your lifestyle. Healthy skin is great for self-confidence, and being better hydrated reduces day-time sleepiness and provides you with more energy throughout the day. Alternatives to rise-and-fall beverage and snacks are the hardest habit to change, but healthy skin, plentiful energy, and leveled moods will show themselves sooner than you think.

Rhinoplasty–with no surgery

This is exciting: the effects of rhinoplasty can be achieved without rhinoplasty. The shape of our noses anchors everything about the appearance of our face, and it is possible to delicately modify this without undesirable results or long-term decisions.

How does it work?

Using a combination of Botox and Juvederm, your nose is contoured by filling small areas and lifting others. The effects of this are a subtly contoured nose that not only creates a more striking line down the face but also lifts tired eyes, and adds volume to cheeks. The effects of time on your naturally plump, healthy face can mean you have a more tired appearance–change this with a few subtle lifts.

Is it permanent?

Non-surgical rhinoplasty is not permanent, and results can last up to a year. Small adjustments are made to change the appearance of the nose in the face without permanently changing anything. This is a great treatment for anyone looking to lift and brighten without altering permanently.

Is it safe?

Yes, this is a safe treatment. Its main benefits are that it has results that can last up to a year, but is not a permanent and dramatic change to the make-up of your facial structure. As well, gel fillers are used– these are non-synthetic and there are typically no allergic reactions. All skin types are accommodated.

Is it painful?

No, this treatment is not particularly painful. It is non-surgical rhinoplasty, and is thus completely non-invasive. It is not necessary to go under anesthesia, as a topical anesthetic will be used to numb the area. Small, non-painful injections are made in a few key areas to stop signals being sent to muscles that cause the same wrinkles to form.

How long does it take?

The treatment takes just under an hour. You can get on with your life as you live it immediately after treatment, as opposed to bruising and weeks of adjustment following surgical rhinoplasty.

Prevent Wrinkles!

Getting wrinkles is inevitable—it’s just how our skin works. As we grow older, the layer of fat below our epidermis naturally becomes thinner, making it less able to produce collagen, which is what gives our skin its plump elasticity. This change can’t be avoided, however, there are many ways to reduce the amount of wrinkles you will see.

Stop Smoking

Don’t smoke? Okay, excellent, move on to the next hot tip. If you are a smoker, however, consider quitting (if not for your health) for better skin. Smoking decreases elasticity in the skin, while also promoting wrinkles around the mouth from the repetitive action your mouth is making several times a day, week, month, and year.

Stop Drinking

If this is a terrifying idea, consider drinking less. Drinking in moderation will reduce the amount of times and the degree to which you wake up feeling horribly “dehydrated.” This dehydration shows itself in the skin by appearing less plump, and less able to produce that youthful, elastic quality. Dehydrated skin sees wrinkles appear more quickly because of lowered elasticity. Drinking also causes less restful sleep, and we need good rest to re-energize and rehydrate our bodies for the day.

Beauty Sleep

A good night’s sleep will actually improve the quality of your skin. Sleep is so very important to our health, and our skin’s health is no exception. Good sleep gives the body time to re-calibrate for the day. New skin cells need time to be produced and a lack of sleep causes blood vessels to dilate.

Stay out of the Sun

As always, wearing a light, non-oily day moisturizer with SPF is the first rule of youthful skin. The sun dehydrates and damages our skin. We do need vitamin D, but staying out of the direct light of the sun is a sure way to reduce the amount of wrinkles we will see as time goes on. Remember to put on sunscreen about twenty minutes before going into the sun, as it needs time to get ready to protect your beautiful skin. But don’t forget to get a moderate amount of sun to soak up that vitamin D. Everything in moderation….

Things to Add to your Diet

Consider removing super-salty foods from your diet, such as chips or large amounts of broth, which dehydrate you instantly. Eating lots of fruits and veggies give you antioxidants that benefit your skin by helping to prevent skin damage. Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as walnuts or fish, nourish your skin and promote plumpness.

Don’t Sweat It

Some wrinkles are going to be unavoidable; it’s just how our bodies work. Unwanted wrinkles can be corrected by a handful of non-painful, quick, and non-invasive treatments.

Hyperpigmentation

As we age, we a may notice our skin tone change, especially if it manifests as dark spots on our hands, face, neck, and chest that weren’t there before. This is known as hyperpigmentation.  Unwanted appearance of hyperpigmentation can be treated in a variety of ways.

What is hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is either an upswing in melanin production or a concentration of the area in which melanin is being produced and showing itself on the skin as darker pigment. While generally harmless and not a sign of skin cancer, these spots can be cosmetically annoying for anyone, especially for those who are careful about skin care.

What causes hyperpigmentation?

Little circles of darker skin are often referred to as “sun spots”. The sun is indeed the cause of many of these hyperpigmentation spots, but not exclusively. Unprotected sun exposure stimulates melanin production in the skin and causes these dark “sun,” “age,” or “liver” spots. Hyperpigmentation is also caused by changes in hormones, particularly during pregnancy.

Prevention

As our skin is so sensitive to the sun, the number one preventative measure is wearing sunscreen to stop penetration to the deeper layers of our skin. Of course, a light-wearing non-oily daily moisturizer with SPF 30 is best to balance sun protection at the same time as maintaining skin tone and health. Unnecessary sun exposure should be avoided too–there are many alternatives to suntanning if tanned skin is a priority for you.

Exfoliation is another helpful preventative measure. Dead skin cells can present darker areas on the skin and it is important to help slough them off. A mild exfoliant that cleanses but does not give your skin that “tight” feeling is best, as exfoliants are most useful when used in careful moderation.

Skin Products

ZO Skin Health offers products such as Ossential Advanced Radical Night Repair and the Level III: Aggressive Anti-Aging Program that uses high concentrations of retinol to combat sagging, darkening skin. For more dramatic results, ZO Medical also offers medical-grade programs to significantly improve the tone of your skin.

Latisse - For Fuller Lashes and Brighter Eyes

Latisse is prescribed for hypotrichosis, a deficit in eyelashes, or short lashes. With application, Latisse gradually increases the length and thickness of your lashes. If Latisse is right for you, it can dramatically improve the appearance of your lashes with striking results.

Who is it for?

Latisse is for those with sparse, short, or low lash counts. It is ideal for anyone who likes to wear mascara to draw attention to the eyes, but has an active lifestyle, and wearing mascara regularly is a huge, messy fuss.

How does it work?

Latisse is applied from a dropper. It works by increasing the growth cycle of your eyelashes on the top lash line, extending this cycle and producing more, longer, and darker lashes.

Is it safe?

Latisse is safe to use; it is the only FDA approved eyelash growth treatment. As is true for all products that you use on your skin or in your body, all ingredients should be checked to make sure there are no allergies. Latisse should not be used on your bottom lash line; it also does not need to be used on your bottom lash line to achieve a dramatically different look.

No Surgery - No Downtime

Latisse is, like other treatments at Britannia Dermedics, a non-surgical and non-invasive  program. Your eyes are such a beautiful and fascinating part of your face, and Latisse can dramatically improve their bright appearance without permanent or painful changes.