Tag Skin

Here Are The 2016 Liquid Sun Rayz Sponsored Athletes!

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

lsr_logo_og

I am BEYOND thrilled to be chosen as one of the Liquid Sun Rayz Sponsored Athletes for 2016!

This company is the very best in the industry! You can count on perfect color which is applied professionally by the NICEST people on the planet! Liquid Sun Rayz also sells an entire line of skin care products which optimize competition color and regular spray tans. They have a line of beautiful and affordable jewelry for female competitors, and they also have a Beauty Team which provides fantastic makeup application and hair styling. The people who work with Liquid Sun Rayz are like family to me, and I am honored and blessed to be affiliated with them!

Please click on the link below to see who made it into the 2016 Team. Please also LIKE the Liquid Sun Rayz page so you can get all of their updates!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.945371798872481.1073741894.157115621031440&type=3

Neutrogena Body Oil…A Must Have

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Neutrogena Body Oil

I have been hooked on Neutrogena Body Oil for close to twenty years now. It has become an essential part of my daily bathing routine. Now, before you start thinking that I walk around looking like an oil slick, I assure you that this is not even close to being the case. I will also go on record saying that I get absolutely no benefit from praising this product. The folks at Neutrogena don’t even know who I am, much less incentivize me to talk about any of the products in their extensive line.

Why do I love this oil so much? It is incredibly light, soaks in quickly, and hydrates skin beautifully. The version which has fragrance simply has a lovely, light sesame fragrance which is aromatic (trust me, I have never been accused of smelling like oil heatin up in a wok). I typically purchase the 16 ounce or 32 ounce sizes since I use the oil daily.

Here is how I use the oil. Once I am done showering, I lightly towel off so that my skin is slightly damp. While still in the shower, I apply a thin layer of oil to the skin on my body, then allow that layer to penetrate into my skin for a few minutes. After that, I always apply body lotion or cream on top of the oil to create a nice moisture barrier. When I REALLY want a nice sheen to my skin, I will apply THREE layers of product: Neutrogena Body Oil, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter, then a body lotion or body butter. You could say I am a bit obsessed about taking care of my skin!
Palmers Cocoa Butter
There is the very rare instance when I am in a major rush, and don’t have the time to layer products. Also, I never pack the oil when I am traveling because I don’t want to risk having the oil spill in my luggage. Whenever I am without my precious oil, there is a big difference in the appearance and texture of my skin. Because of this, I am always relieved when I return home and can get back into my routine. There have been a couple of times when I got absolutely desperate while traveling, and bought a bottle of Neutrogena Body Oil (or another skin oil if I can’t find the Neutrogena brand). That’s how much I love to layer oil under lotion.

I honestly think that Neutrogena Body Oil has been a big factor in the quality of the skin on my body, and I have no intention of omitting it from my regular ritual!

If you have very dry skin, you might want to try this layering technique. If you have sesame allergy, however, you will need to find another alternative, perhaps almond oil or monoi oil. I actually love monoi oil, but Neutrogena wins out for consistency and convenience. If you want a more luxe experience, I suggest using the Monoi Tiare Tahiti Oil with gold shimmer alone for a beautiful golden glow to the skin.

Monoi-Tiare-Tahiti-Monoi-Tiiki-Tahiti-Original-715783673203

Stress And Your Skin

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

stressed out woman

Did you know that stress can do a number on your skin? You are probably familiar with the stress-induced breakout, but prolonged, chronic stress can also prematurely age the skin. Stressful situations trigger the release of cortisol, adrenaline, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and angiotensin, all of which rob your skin of collagen and weaken its cellular repairing capabilities. Circulation is diverted away from the skin during stressful situations, which explains the dull, pale appearance of the skin in people who deal with constant stress.

Cortisol in particular inhibits the growth of fibroblasts which are responsible for making collagen, so they can’t keep up with the constant breakdown of old tissue. The result is skin which is collagen deficient, resulting in thinner, more wrinkled skin. Free radicals are formed in response to stress, which then damages skin cells and adversely affects the condition of the skin.

beautiful-look-without-makeup
So how can you fight the effects of stress on the skin? There are three keys:

1. Exercise:

Every cell in the body benefits from exercise, including skin cells The pores of the skin dilate during exercise, and when you work up a sweat, trapped dirt particles are released. In addition, the increased circulation which results from exercise delivers more oxygen and other nutrients to skin cells, as well as carries away waste products and free radicals.

2. Relax:

We all know how frustrating it can be to have a big event looming, only to have an acne breakout right before the big day. The fact is that the stress associated with preparing for the event can trigger excess oil production in the skin, which clogs pores and sets up the perfect environment for an acne flareup. Even other skin issues, like psoriasis, are linked to stress. However, by practicing relaxation techniques, you can increase blood flow to the skin and offset any triggering factors (such as buildup of oil or free radicals) which contribute to skin maladies.

3. Use topicals:

Some of the best friends for your skin are topical agents such as antioxidants and retinoids. I am a big fan of vitamin C, not only because of its general antioxidant benefits, but also because it has a tendency to lighten up brown spots and impart a brighter appearance to the complexion. Retinoids are great for increasing cell turnover, and are potent anti-aging compounds.

Uncompromised

drstaceynaito Leave a comment
Breaking stereotypes!

Breaking stereotypes!

I am always being challenged to pick one career that defines me, and it drives me nuts. When people find out that I am a medical doctor, they struggle with the stereotype of what they expect doctors to be like, in other words, very conservative in dress and demeanor, and without any flavor or personality. Well, I’ve got news for you. I will NEVER be a typical doctor. And please don’t doubt my credentials or schooling. I am NOT a nurse (not that there is anything wrong with this highly respected profession), I am a fully licensed and board certified physician.

A huge project came my way recently, and I was selected for it, only to have the decision-maker flip out over my fitness and modeling images and reverse the decision. I was stunned and dejected, but after reflecting on the whole incident, I began to get angry. Part of the problem was that the decision-maker was a complete hypocrite, pretending to be squeaky clean, but who openly praised one of the dirtiest human beings to ever alight on the entertainment scene. To coin an analogy, at the root of this was a case of the bride being upstaged by another lady wearing white. Mind you, I never intentionally wore white, but hey, my doctor’s coat is white.

I am every bit as much about fitness as I am about medicine, and I shouldn’t have to choose one over the other. I am damned proud of what I have accomplished in fitness, especially because I took things to the next level in my forties, not when I was a young whipper-snapper. If people are confused by the sampler plate philosophy by which I live, too bad. Yes, I am a board certified physician AND a degreed fitness professional, IFBB Pro, certified nutrition coach, writer, sponsored athlete and contest prep coach. I know it’s unusual, but why is that so hard for people to grasp? I mean, here I am, doing all of that, sending a message to the world that no one should have to be one-dimensional and boring.
1538624_10202090935769442_1829315007_n
I don’t hide from myself. I am honest. I have sass, and I speak my mind. I am proud of what I have achieved in my life, and I will NOT hide parts of myself which some overly judgmental people may have a problem with. I am NOT going to apologize for having a sense of humor, for using cuss words here and there (though I don’t use them while seeing patients). I am not going to paint a false picture of who I am. If you don’t like what I am doing, no worries. Move on.

If you find that you are compromising your own vision, dreams, or goals, perhaps you need to re-examine why you are allowing that to occur. If you subscribe to the no limits philosophy, then you would never even consider pulling the reins back. I will always encourage driven people to go for whatever they want, and if it doesn’t fit in with the conventions of one of their chosen careers or hobbies, even better. Break stereotypes and show people what you are made of! Don’t hide all the facets which make you who you are!

TUFMED

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

11888613_956721951054014_2104010681399660725_o
I was fortunate enough to stop by the TUFMED booth while at Olympia last week, albeit under challenging circumstances. I had stopped by the booth in desperation because I needed to find some sort of topical muscle relief for poor, injured Ian Lauer. So I was surprised when I discovered that this amazing line of products is formulated with natural ingredients and is colorless and odorless.

Here is their statement on their home page:

TUFMED is an American athletic biotechnology company that designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes natural health care products made specifically for athletes. TUFMED products are odorless, colorless, greaseless, and do not contain ingredients that may harm an athlete or get him/her disqualified in competition.

I ended up getting the TUFRELIEF Cream, and am happy to report that Ian responded very well and very quickly. He had sustained a severe quad strain, but was walking normally after 48 hours. We were very aggressive with the application of ice, moist heat, and intake of high dose ibuprofen, but I am convinced that TUFRELIEF played a large part in Ian’s rapid recovery. Bravo TUFMED!

TUFRELIEFHere’s the description of TUFRELIEF:

HOW IT WORKS
At TUFMED we believe a healthy human body has the ability to heal itself when provided the proper natural nutrients. TUFRELIEF cream is formulated using natural ingredients to work in harmony with your body and enable healthy natural recovery.

WHEN TO USE
Apply TUFRELIEF muscle & joint cream immediately to the discomforted area. Continue applying TUFRELIEF muscle & joint cream at least 3 times per day until satisfied.

WHAT’S INSIDE
Purified Water, Organic BiAloe, Bowellia Serrata, MSM, Arnica, Safflower Oil, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Vegetable Glycerin, CaprylicTriglyceride, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Coconut Oil, Apricot Oil, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Comfrey, Cayenne, Phenoxyethanol, Sweet Almond Oil, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Lactate, L-Aspartic Acid, Glutimic Acid, Glycine, L-Alanine, L-Serine, L-Valine, L-Proline, L-Threonine, L-Isoleucine, L-Histidine, L-Phenylalanine, Ethylhexylglycerin

Here are all the products which TUFMED carries:

TUFRELIEF
TUFHANDS
TUFBRUISE
TUFWOUND
TUFEYES
TUFSOAP

Be sure to check them out!

https://tufmed.com/

Acrylic Nails

drstaceynaito 1 Comment

full-set-of-full-acrylic-french-tips-997602-regular

I never thought I would be the type of woman who would resort to the regular application of acrylic nails. However, I have spent the past six years living a lifestyle which requires that my nails look perfect all the time, so I truly have no choice but to cover them in acrylic. Though I was blessed with great hair and skin, my nails are paper thin and very weak, and getting them to grow evenly without major peeling and breakage is almost impossible. Besides, I kind of enjoy going in every two weeks and getting a pampering treatment. I say pampering lightly, though, since my nail technician almost always inflicts pain on me when I go to visit her. Grooming can be torture!

For those of you who don’t know how acrylic nails are applied, here is how it’s done. A nail technician mixes a liquid with a powder and brushes the mixture onto the nails, then allows the product to harden. Over time, the acrylic material grows out with your natural nails, requiring application of more acrylic substance in the empty area between the nail bed and the existing acrylic overlay. If you want to have acrylic nails removed, the technician usually soaks your nails in nail polish remover for easy removal, but my nail technician tugs and pries them off me with so much force that I often wince from the pain.

I also get gel overlay because my nails are truly that weak. Once acrylic is applied and is fully dry, the technician brushes on the gel, then the nails are placed
under ultraviolet (UV) light for a minute or two to harden the product. Though there has been some controversy over the UV exposure, the amount of exposure is so brief that it is almost negligible. But then again, there are risks associated with the application of acrylic to the nails, such as fungal infections and damage to the nail bed from trauma. If you have ever had acrylic nails and have had your entire nail lifted off the nail bed from trauma, or a break within the nail bed, you know how wickedly painful that can be!

Despite the fact that I believe the healthiest way to care for one’s nails is to leave them completely unadorned, I am forced to go to the other extreme with the interventions mentioned above, getting my nails covered in harsh chemicals every two weeks. Some ladies will take breaks from acrylics, but sadly, I am unable to do this. Even going for one or two days without acrylic on my nails is torturous, because my thin nails don’t allow me to navigate comfortably through my day to day tasks. It is literally painful for me to go sans acrylics.

Usually I will opt for a basic French tip look, but I wish I could do something more exotic! I have to make sure my nails are practical in length and shape, and they can’t look wild or garish when I have to see patients or do a basic fitness or swimsuit photo shoot. Check out these cool nail looks which I found online:

Acrylic-Nails-Tumblr1

IMG_8888 2011_07_03 Purley Nails Edited (2)

Who Is THAT In The Mirror?

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

young-vs-old

This post is dedicated to every single patient and client who has admitted to me that at some point after they began their descent into middle age, they looked in the mirror and no longer recognized the reflection staring back. The aging process can be terribly cruel, and when hormonal levels plummet, the physical changes can appear almost overnight. Taut, supple skin is replaced with saggy skin. A full, thick head of hair is reduced to a thin, lifeless mass. Joints begin to creak and resist natural movement. Brilliant white teeth begin to look dingy. Once full cheeks and lips become deflated. Grey and white hairs sprout and take over the scalp. Back fat and belly fat obliterate a once trim waistline. I could go on, but you get the idea.

wrinkled face

None of the changes associated with aging are fun, especially the physical changes which end up making us feel frustrated by a rapidly changing physical landscape. While some folks begrudgingly accept the aging process without considering any interventions, a growing segment of the aging population has turned to everything from adrenal support supplements, to hair dye, to dermal injectable fillers, to surgery, in an effort to fight the aging process every step of the way.

The good news is that there are more anti-aging options than ever before. In addition, there is a greater awareness of the importance of proper nutrition and regular exercise in fighting the aging process. But let’s face it. Many people still want a magic pill or an instant fix, and that is where cosmetic interventions such as fillers and surgery come into play.

Is it cheating to have treatments which make you feel more like yourself? I certainly don’t think so, nor do my patients. Unless you are on a mission to pump your face so full of fillers that you look like a Barbie doll, you can turn to fillers to restore volume which has been lost over the years and STILL LOOK LIKE YOU.

For those of you in the Los Angeles area who are interested in injectable filler treatments, Botox, chemical peels, or bioidentical hormone replacement, please check out my medical site: http://www.drstaceynaito.com/#!procedures/c1pna