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In Skin Care and Products

Laser Tattoo Removal Procedures a Boon for Practitioners

laser tattoo removal procedureWith the frequency of people choosing tattoos on the rise, the number of those seeking laser tattoo removal has also grown, according to ModernMedicine.

Over the past five years, the revenue generated from laser tattoo removal procedures has risen more than 20%, based on market analysis. Laser tattoo removal procedures now generate more than $65 million annually number that analysts say will grow over the coming years.

But why are so many people turning to laser tattoo removal procedures, especially when the popularity of tattoos continues to rise?

Analysts posit that several factors have caused the increase in the number of patients seeking laser tattoo removal procedures, ranging from unemployment to the availability of tattoo removal technology.

Though unemployment continues to rise in the US, those with tattoos who find themselves unemployed may seek laser tattoo removal procedures as a way to make themselves more hirable.

The prevalence of tattoo removal technology may have also contributed to the rise in laser tattoo removal procedures in recent years. Since patients know they will have the option of removing the tattoo later in life, they may be more likely to get one, even if they don’t feel it be for life.

To learn more about non-surgical treatments by Seattle cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jonov, please email us.

In In the News, Plastic Surgeon, Plastic Surgery, Skin Care and Products

New Treatments for Skin Cancer, Both Topical and Oral

new treatments for skin cancerTwo new treatments for skin cancer that can be used topically and taken orally may soon be available through your plastic surgeon.

These new treatments for skin cancer both target basal cell carcinoma, which is the most common type of skin cancer. This type of cancer is brought on by exposure to UV rays, either from the sun or tanning beds. It can account for about 80% of all skin cancer cases.

The first of the new treatments for skin cancer is an oral medication that has already gained FDA approval and should be available in specialty pharmacies soon.

Erivedge, when taken once daily, can prevent a basal cell carcinoma from continuing to grow, according to WebMD.

In a study of nearly one hundred patients, Erivedge was shown to shrink 30% of metastatic tumors, and to shrink or eliminate 43% of locally advanced cancers.

The second of the new treatments for skin cancer is a topical application that researchers say may be best for skin cancer tumors on the face, according to The Telegraph.

Most patients who have tumors develop on their faces seek out alternatives to surgery, which can lave scarring or other disfiguring appearances. This new cream, when applied to the surface of the skin, irradiates the skin and causes the tumor to shrink. Success has been seen in a majority of cases up to 95%.

If made available, this topical treatment would add another option for patients seeking treatment for basal cell carcinomas.

The best way to avoid skin cancer, however, is to limit sun exposure. You should also email Seattle cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jonov and ask about skin care products to protect your skin.

In In the News, Skin Care and Products

Winter Dry Skin Tips: Keep Skin Hydrated and Healthy

winter dry skin tipsFor those who struggle with problem skin when the weather turns cold and dry, The Associated Press has provided some winter dry skin tips.

These key winter dry skin tips can be applied throughout the day from the moment you wake up to the time you head to bed.

Winter Dry Skin Tips for Your Morning

Though a hot morning shower may feel good on cold skin and feet that have hopped across a cool floor, dermatologists say it can be detrimental to your skin. The hot water can zap your skin of its hydration.

Rather, you might take a cooler shower and place a space heater in the bathroom for your comfort.

When buying shower products in the winter, itâ??s important to avoid harsh soaps that will dry your skin. Also, the use of conditioner more frequently may help maintain your hair’s health.

Daily Skin Care Tips

After a tepid shower, the next winter dry skin tips center around protecting your skin. It is important to shield your skin from ultraviolet rays, even in winter, by wearing long sleeves. Using a moisturizer with SPF is also important year-round.

If skin has already become damaged or even cracked, try applying Vaseline to it, which will work to restore and seal in moisture.

Nighttime Winter Dry Skin Tips

When you head to bed in the evening, the use of a humidifier can help heal dry skin as you sleep. If you suffer from dry hands and nails, oral Vitamin B and the application of a sealant with cotton gloves while you sleep can curb these ill effects of dry and cold winter air.

To learn more about winter dry skin tips and our options for skin care products, please email Seattle cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jonov.

In In the News, Skin Care and Products

Five Effective Methods for Preventing Sunburn

preventing sunburnA study that examined how effective various techniques were at preventing sunburn had results that may surprise you. It found that those who say they regularly apply sunscreen are more likely to experience damaging sunburns.

Study researcher Dr. Eleni Linos, a dermatologist at Stanford University, stresses that her results donâ??t mean that sunscreen doesnâ??t work or shouldnâ??t be used, as the study was designed to look at patterns, not to prove cause and effect.

Rather, it more likely shows that many people only use sunscreen for protection from the sun, when it should be used in combination with other preventative techniques to avoid sunburn.

Tips for Preventing Sunburn

Here are five things you can do to help prevent sunburn â?? and used together they become even more effective.

  1. Apply Sunscreen. Despite the results, sunscreen is effective. Linos believes that the most likely explanation for the study results is user error â?? people arenâ??t applying as much sunscreen as they should. Aim for a golf ball-sized amount for every exposed body part.
  2. Reapply Sunscreen. When you’re outside for longer periods of time, be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours (or every 60 to 90 minutes if swimming or sweating).
  3. Stay in the shade. â??Myself, personally, Iâ??m a dermatologist, and I donâ??t even wear sunscreen all that much. I stay in the shade,” says Dr. Ronald P. Rapini, a professor of dermatology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
  4. Wear a hat. Protective clothing should also be part of your multi-pronged approach to avoiding sunburns.
  5. Wear long sleeves. The study showed that those who frequently sought shade and wore long sleeves had about a 30% lower sunburn risk compared to those who rarely used those measures.

The best data that’s out there shows the combination of seeking shade, wearing protective clothing and wearing sunscreen, those three things together clearly lower your risk, says Dr. Darrell S. Rigel, a clinical professor of dermatology at New York University.

In addition, the FDAâ??s new regulations for sunscreens, which will be implemented in 2012, will make it easier to choose a good sunscreen.

In Skin Care and Products

New FDA Sunscreen Regulations Will Change Product Labeling

As part of new FDA sunscreen regulations, sunscreen manufacturers will print updated labels on their products.

Starting in 2012, all sunscreens labeled as having broad spectrum protection must prove their effectiveness in protecting the skin from the sun’s full range of light, according to new FDA sunscreen regulations.

Water resistant sunscreens will also be regulated. The FDA claims that no sunscreen is waterproof all sunscreens begin to lose their effectiveness when wet. Under the new FDA sunscreen regulations, water resistant sunscreens sold will be required to have a label stating how long they maintain their effectiveness when wet.

When exposing yourself to the sun, the FDA encourages individuals to wear a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and broad spectrum protection, which can guard against sunburn, cancer and signs of aging. Additionally, the FDA states that no evidence yet shows that sunscreen with an SPF above 50 has any added benefits. The FDA also urges limited exposure to the sun in the middle of the day and suggests staying indoors when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

To prevent signs of aging, the FDA says to closely follow the instructions on your sunscreen and to reapply every two hoursâ??more often if you get wet. Also, do not spray sunscreen directly on your face or inhale it. Rather, spray it onto your hands and then apply it to your face.

Even if you follow these FDA sunscreen regulations, you may still have experienced some sun damage. In these cases, non-surgical treatments can reduce the visible signs of aging on your face, neck, chest and hands.

In In the News, Skin Care and Products

Beauty Sleep Does Help You Look Your Best

beauty sleep makes you more attractiveA new study in British Medical Journal found that there’s truth in the concept of “beauty sleep.” Sleep deprived people appear less healthy and less attractive compared with when they have a normal nightâ??s sleep, according to the study.

Twenty-three people, age 18 to 31, participated in the study, which was conducted in Stockholm, Sweden. Participants were first photographed after a night of eight hours of sleep and then after sleep deprivation 31 hours of wakefulness after a night of reduced sleep.

The photos were presented in a random order to 65 observers (age 18-61) who rated the photos for attractiveness, health and tiredness.

The sleep deprived photos of the participants were rated as less healthy, more tired and less attractive than the photos of them after a full night’s sleep. The authors wrote that the decrease in rated health was associated with ratings of increased tiredness and decreased attractiveness. They concluded that it “suggests that humans are sensitive to sleep-related facial cues, with potential implications for social and clinical judgments and behavior.

The authors went on to say that the conclusions agree with existing models that describe a link between sleep and good health, as well as a link between attractiveness and health.

Dr. Donald Greenblatt, MD, director of the Strong Sleep Disorders Clinic at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, said the findings make sense biologically. When we sleep, our perspiration “naturally moisturizes” our skin, and lying down increases “blood flow to the face, so wrinkles are going to be less apparent, at least temporarily,” he said.

So in between facial cosmetic procedures â?? whether it’s a face lift or dermal fillers â?? donâ??t forget that getting a full night’s rest, beauty sleep, will help you look your best.

For access to the full study, visit the British Medical Journal website.

In In the News, Skin Care and Products

Clinical Trial to Study Latisse for Baldness

Latisse logoAllergan is preparing to begin clinical trials to study whether the active ingredient in its eyelash enhancer Latisse, bimatoprost, could be used as a treatment for hair loss. Currently, Latisse is the only FDA-approved prescription product that stimulates the growth of eyelashes.

The first phase of the trials will have about 28 patients between the ages of 18 and 64. It will include men with moderate male-pattern baldness and women with moderate female-pattern hair loss.

Some doctors have already been using Latisse as an off-label treatment for baldness. Hair-restoration expert Dr. Alan Bauman has prescribed it for patients and reports they have had modest hair growth. He believes that Allergan will likely test a stronger concentration for the use on the scalp than the 0.03% bimatoprost found in Latisse.

Clinical studies demonstrated that 78 percent of Latisse users reported significant eyelash enhancement. On average, participants had lashes that were 25 percent longer, 18 percent darker and over 100 percent fuller.

Patients using Latisse generally see results appear some time between 8 and 12 weeks; by 16 weeks, the full effects become evident. Results aren’t permanent, so patients must continue to use the product to maintain results.

Allergan is currently offering a free trial certificate for Latisse for those who donate a minimum of $20 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Besides the free trial, Allergan will double your donation.

Contact the office of board-certified Seattle cosmetic surgeon Dr. Craig Jonov with questions about Latisse. For more information on the clinical study for treating hair loss, visit the government’s Clinical Trials website.

In Skin Care and Products

Periorbital Wrinkles: Why Women Get Them Earlier Than Men

42-16534503In the latest issue of Aesthetic Surgery Journal, you can find a research study about the role of gender in the formation of periorbital (around the mouth) wrinkles.

Conducted by a team of plastic surgeons in Utrecht, the study offers several reasons why women exhibit periorbital wrinkles earlier and more severely than men. Here are 3 of the contributing factors:

1. If you’re a woman, the skin surrounding your mouth has fewer sweat and sebaceous glands, which are important for hydration.

2. You also may have fewer blood vessels in the same area.

3. The muscular fibers surrounding the orifice of a woman’s mouth are also more closely attached, which causes an “inward traction” and therefore, deeper wrinkles.

Read more on the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery website.

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