Tag Anti-aging

Don’t Feel Like Yourself? Hormone Imbalance Could Be The Problem.

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Portrait of a happy middle aged couple together outdoors

Portrait of a happy middle aged couple together outdoors

Are you experiencing any of the following?

Low energy
Insomnia
Irritability
Hair loss
Weight gain
Mood swings
Hot Flashes
Night sweats
Skin changes
Dry skin
Brittle nails and hair
Decreased libido
Erectile dysfunction
Difficulty concentrating
Memory loss
Depression
Anxiety
Muscle loss
Decreased strength

The above signs and symptoms are usually a clear sign of hormonal balances which are a function of the aging process. It is pretty widely known that women go through a process in which their estrogen and progesterone levels diminish and bring about symptoms of menopause which can be downright frustrating. However, men also go through a decline in testosterone as they age, with some men experiencing a sharp or early decline which manifests in troubling symptoms which have an adverse effect on their day to day lives. This decline, known as andropause, can be monitored through salivary or serum testing of hormone levels and treated with BHRT.

The good news is that in many cases, natural supplements and certain food choices can correct these issues, but some individuals, both men and women, may require supplementation with bioidentical hormones, also referred to as BHRT. Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones which are produced naturally within the body. As a result, the body treats bioidentical hormones exactly like hormones produced within the body, which means that the body’s hormone balance can be restored.

If you are in the Los Angeles area and interested in booking a consultation with me for hormone balancing, please visit: http://www.drstaceynaito.com/#!natural-hormone-support/c1wd8

My Video Diary For The Perfect Derma Peel

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If you are suffering from enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles, or brown discoloration on your skin from sun exposure, you may want to consider having a chemical peel. Medical grade peels are more robust than self-application kits, and produce more significant results. My favorite medium strength peel is the Perfect Derma Peel by Bella Medical Products. The Perfect Derma Peel is suitable for most skin types and consists of a powerful mixture of ingredients:

TCA
Kojic Acid
Retinoic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Phenol
Vitamin C
Glutathione

Please check out my video diary which details my personal experience using the Perfect Derma Peel. The results I achieved were fantastic! I experienced such a dramatic improvement in the brown sun spots I had that the concealer I have used for the past fifteen years is now too dark for me! I enthusiastically endorse the Perfect Derma Peel. If you are in the Los Angeles area, you can book a peel with me: http://www.drstaceynaito.com/#!chemical-peels/comt

The Wrinkle Banisher…That’s Me!

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Puppy wrinkles
Just like the elastic in an old pair of sweatpants, the elasticity of the skin diminishes over time, resulting in unattractive skin folds and lines and a deflated appearance. Sun exposure, cigarette smoking, and consumption of processed foods, sugar and alcohol also contribute to fine lines, uneven skin tone, and brown discoloration. Fortunately, there have been countless advancements in aesthetic medicine which have resulted in the development of non-surgical interventions which can diminish or even completely eliminate these signs of aging.

Some individuals who are needle-shy will opt for laser treatments as a means of resurfacing and refining the skin. However, these treatments must usually be done in series and can be rather costly. Another non-invasive and cost-effective solution for aging skin is a chemical peel. There are many different types of chemical peels available, ranging from very light glycolic acid peels to an aggressive TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peel. One composite peel (phenol, TCA, salicylic acid and Retin-A) which is my personal favorite is the Vi-Peel which is painless, well tolerated by the majority of skin types, and only requires a few days of social downtime. The Vi-Peel is my peel of choice and the one which I offer to my patients. http://www.drstaceynaito.com/#!chemical-peels/comt

Before and after images from a single Vi-Peel treatment

Before and after images from a single Vi-Peel treatment

Another wonderful option for correcting loss of volume in the face is an injectable filler. There are a number of hyaluronic acid based fillers available now (Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Belotero) which last 6 months to a year. Radiesse is another natural filler option, which is comprised of calcium hydroxylapatite, a substance which also acts as a biostimulator, stimulating cells in the skin to produce collagen over time. Radiesse lasts 18 months or more and is a very cost-effective treatment for women in their 40’s and beyond who want to refill sunken areas which often develop as menopause looms. http://www.drstaceynaito.com/#!injectable-fillers/c1tgx

02juvederm
If you have wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes, Botox and Dysport are excellent treatments and will last for 3 to 6 months. I tend to prefer Botox over Dysport because the effects are more robust and tend to last longer than what I have seen with Dysport over the years. Xeomin is another form of botulinum toxin which is well-suited for patients who have developed a rare resistance to Botox of Dysport over time. http://www.drstaceynaito.com/#!botox-treatments/cr7z
botox-before-and-after

For those of you in the Los Angeles area, I offer the Vi-Peel, Botox, Juvederm (including Voluma), Radiesse, Restylane, Perlane, and Belotero treatments. I also perform electrocautery treatments on benign moles and skin tags. Please visit the links in this blogpost for more information on how to schedule a consultation. Why not start the summer looking your very best?

Maybe I AM A Vampire…

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I have spent my entire adult life never looking like my chronological age, so I am accustomed to people scratching their heads when I reveal my age. When I was 20, I could pass for a teenager, and when I was 30, people thought I was 20 or 21. As the number of years I logged began to creep up more, I noticed slight shifts and changes, such as the loss of the very full cheeks and deep dimples I had when I was younger (the dimples are still there, just not as deep). Yet my appearance still belied my age, and for that I am truly grateful.
Me at 18
What blows my mind is that people now regularly guess my age to be roughly 15 years less than what it actually is. Does this mean I am looking younger as I age? Since we are our own worst critics, I will admit that I see the skin sagging and annoying grey hairs that no one else really seems to notice or pay attention to, so my perception is that I am aging just fine. But then I get a glimpse of what other people might see when I am perusing images from a recent photo shoot. When I look at my face, I don’t have the furrowed lines and flaccid skin that I often see in patients, many of whom are younger than me. Yes, I have had a touch of filler, but not a lot. I don’t undergo any intense skin treatments, nor do I take any super supplements. When I use topical skincare products, they are usually pretty basic, with my current lineup consisting of Vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid/zinc serum, and a light oil-free moisturizer. I don’t slather any exotic creams on my face, and I certainly have never had any type of facial surgery.Me at 31

I have reviewed images from several years ago when I began competing versus now, and I honestly think I look even younger now. I work out like a beast regularly and do not slack on my routine. I eat clean meals which are balanced and chock full of alkalinizing vegetables and fruits. In addition, I take lots of natural supplements on a daily basis to optimize my nutrition and gain the protective effects of the substances in my regimen.

I have great genetic stock from my Japanese mother and a Hungarian father, so who knows? Maybe there IS vampire blood in me!

Botox Treatments Are NOT An Urgent Issue

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injectables and faceWhile I appreciate the aesthetic benefits and self-confidence boost that injectables treatments confer upon the people who undergo them, I get very annoyed by the sense of urgency which some people adopt when it’s time to get treated again. I am not kidding you when I say I have had patients contact me asking for Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane, Belotero, or Radiesse with a hint of desperation in their voices, as if it was a matter of life or death in getting a treatment lined up immediately.

In a way it makes perfect sense because these non-surgical fixes are a cost-effective way to smooth lines and furrows and restore lost volume. When the clock is turned back the first time and a new patient sees the results of injectables treatments, it’s a wonderful reveal which causes the patient to see himself or herself differently. The neurotoxins (Botox, Dysport and Xeomin) yield effects which last from 3 to 6 months, with muscle function gradually returning over time, along with the corresponding lines and wrinkles. Fillers have greater longevity and dissipate from 6 months to two years after the treatment is performed. The dissipation tends to be gradual, not sudden.

So when I have patients calling the office, calling me or texting me, insisting that they MUST come in IMMEDIATELY for treatment, I almost want to ask, “Where’s the fire?” Sometimes the request is on such short notice that I cannot accommodate it, which sometimes upsets the patient greatly. The response from the patient goes something like, “But I need it NOW! You need to do this for me. I’m sure you can find time in your schedule to stay late or somehow accommodate me.”

Such treatments are NEVER an emergency, and your face isn’t going to fall if you don’t get shot up with neurotoxin or filler immediately. Trust me on this!

Protein Intake and The Fountain Of Youth

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protein sourcesPeople are more intent these days than ever before on maintaining youthfulness and optimal health, especially if those benefits can be obtained naturally and safely. It turns out that one of the best ways to naturally boost the body’s ability to combat aging is to consume adequate protein. When protein is consumed, a steady stream of glucose is released via glucagon without spiking insulin levels in the body. Conversely, a diet low in protein but high in carbohydrates results in high levels of insulin, which over the course of time can result in widespread inflammation, diabetes, and obesity.

Whey protein in particular is a remarkable protein source for people of all ages, but is especially beneficial in older people. It is highly absorbable, contains all 18 amino acids, immunoglobulins and lactoferrin, and all the building blocks for a powerful antioxidant called glutathione. Glutathione deficiency is linked to Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, asthma and cancer, and because of this, it is considered a key substance in combating the process of aging. Natural glutathione production in the body declines with age, but with whey protein on board, the amino acids necessary for glutathione production are supplied to the body and optimal levels can be attained as a result.

Though athletes and competitors are aware of the health and muscle building benefits of whey protein, I am astonished by how it is not utilized nearly enough by the average person. All too often I see patients who regularly skip meals and eat fast foods and other processed foods, and who assume that whey protein is only for athletes. If you are an average person who wants to change poor eating habits and optimize cellular function, then you need to boost protein intake and add whey as one of your protein sources. You are doing yourself a disservice if you insist on eating junk carbs like simple sugars and processed foods, skipping meals, and consuming insufficient protein, especially if you are over the age of 35 and trying to fend off disease and aging.