The Wrinkle Banisher…That’s Me!

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?

The Hair Issue: Getting To The Root Of The Problem

http://www.rxmuscle.com/blogs/the-look-skin-attitude-attire-and-persona/3174-the-hair-issuegetting-to-the-root-of-the-problem.html

(Originally published on mensphysique.com on Monday, 16 May 2011)

Most competitors will resort to some form of hair reduction or removal in order to enhance muscle definition. But if this is new territory for you, you may be wondering which method works best for you. Let’s review some popular hair removal methods:

· Shaving – This is probably the most common form of hair removal since it is cheap and easy to do. However, if you are embarking on this form of hair eradication on your body, you may not be prepared for the possible nicks, ingrown hairs and razor rash you may develop. And unless you have a fancy long-handled razor, you can forget about shaving your back without some assistance from an often reluctant assistant.

· Depilatories – These creams are relatively easy to use, simply requiring application, a few minutes for the chemicals to dissolve the hair, and wiping or rinsing off the product. However, they can be messy, and some people can get severe irritation from the chemicals, especially when applied to the nether regions.

· Waxing – This is an extremely effective form of hair removal, but the hair must be long enough (usually about 3/16” or more) for the wax to grab onto. When hair regrowth occurs, the hairs are much finer. However, waxing can make you writhe and scream like a schoolgirl, as those of you who saw the famous waxing scene in “40-Year-Old Virgin” may recall.

· Electrolysis – This is a permanent form of hair reduction in which individual hairs are treated. This can be time consuming and expensive, especially when large surface areas are involved.

· Lasers – Another form of permanent hair removal, lasers derange actively growing hair follicles. This can be costly, and requires several treatments (usually 6 to 8 in a specific time interval) in order to achieve complete results. But remember folks, results are permanent. Keep in mind that certain areas of the body are much more sensitive to laser energy, leaving you squirming in a manner similar to waxing.

· Clipping – This is the easiest means by which to reduce the amount of body hair but can look a bit strange on men who have very dense patches or hair growth with very dark hair in said areas.

I hope this summary of hair removal techniques will be helpful for those of you who are trying to figure out the best method.