Biologic Replaces Ointments & Surgery to Stop Aging

Biologic Replaces Ointments & Surgery to Stop Aging

Sun Smart Cities-Where does Philadelphia rank?

So you think your city got on the list for "sun smart cities", think again. The American Academy of Dermatology released its first-ever ranking of 32 "sun smart" cities and a few states. Washington, D.C. leads the list and Chicago is in last place.
More than 3,300 adults in those areas completed the AAD's online survey, "Rays: Your Grade," in February.
Survey topics included participants' history of sun exposure and their knowledge about tanning, sunburns, skin cancer, and sun protection.
The AAD's rankings are based on the responses of residents in each location. Here is the AAD's list. Locations that tied received the same number.
1. Washington, D.C.
2. New York
3. Miami
4. Tampa, Fla.
5. Los Angeles
6. Dallas
7. Salt Lake City
8. San Francisco
9. Idaho
9. Atlanta
9. Philadelphia
12. Phoenix
13. Portland, Ore.
14. Vermont
15. Providence, R.I.
15. Baltimore
15. Boston
18. Hartford, Conn.
18. Riverside, Calif.
20. Houston
21. New Hampshire
21. Denver
21. St. Louis
24. Cincinnati
24. San Diego
26. Detroit
27. Cleveland
27. Minneapolis
29. Seattle
30. Pittsburgh
31. Maine
32. Chicago
Other poll results include:
Nearly 3 in 4 participants feel that people look more attractive with a tan. Nearly 4 out of 5 participants are concerned about skin cancer. Nearly two-thirds of participants got a tan last year. Half of participants were sunburned at least once last year. Most participants (71 percent) don't use sunscreen on an average day.
Curious about the quiz? You can take it yourself on the AAD's Web site http://www.aad.org/

Pixel Laser- One Device for Multiple Solutions

Seema Patel MD, MPH The Institute for Advanced Skincare and Optimal Health

the Harmony Pixel Laser?
The Harmony Pixel Erbium Laser is the latest FDA-approved laser designed to improve the skin’s surface and texture by stimulating the production of collagen. This safe and effective treatment represents the best of both worlds for skin resurfacing. It combines the proven effectiveness of an ablative approach with the patient comfort level and convenience of a non-ablative approach.

Why is it different from other laser treatments?
The Harmony Pixel Laser delivers results similar to ablative lasers (lasers that resurface the skin) but without the side effects which can include significant irritation as the skin heals. The Harmony Pixel also can be used on many more body parts such as the face, neck, chest, arms and hands, a much wider scope than the traditional technologies.

What conditions will the PIXEL help to improve?
The Harmony Pixel Laser is used to treat wrinkles, scars, superficial skin lesions and is effective for skin resurfacing.
What can patients expect following treatment?
Patients will find the skin around the treatment area feeling firmer with a smoother surface texture. They will not need pain medication and can return to work immediately after the treatment.

Patients will experience little to no discomfort following treatment with the Harmony Pixel Laser. During treatment, patients may feel subtle warmth as the laser pulses the skin. They also may feel as if they have a mild sunburn for a few hours following the procedure. Make-up can be applied immediately afterward.
Is there any down time?

There is little to no down time following treatment with the Harmony Pixel Laser, though redness may be seen for a few hours to a few days. Patients may also experience mild flaking as the skin exfoliates for one to two days, as well. Full recovery is typically five days.
How many treatments are required?

Skin resurfacing with the Harmony Pixel Laser is gradual with complete results being typically seen after three to five sessions at two to four week intervals.

Since this is an Erbium laser, patients with more moisture in their skin experience more sensation and greater results in fewer treatments. Therefore, a patient with dry skin may require more treatments.

Get the Facts; Not Fiction Behind Anti-Aging Products and Their Active IngredientsActivate the Anti-Aging Process

The aging process begins when we enter the world and the effects of aging are evident in our bodies through out our lives. Beginning in our 20's, the signs of aging start to become noticeable. Genetically programmed chronologic aging causes changes in collagen and elastin, the connective tissues that supply firmness and elasticity to the skin. The genetic program of individuals is different, so the loss of skin firmness and elasticity occurs at different rates and different times in one individual as compared to another. As skin becomes less elastic, it also becomes drier and underlying fat padding begins to disappear. With the loss of underlying support by fat padding and connective tissues, the skin begins to sag; it appears less supple and wrinkles form.
Although wrinkles, lines and age spots are formed by the natural effects of getting older, one way to prevent them from appearing early on in life is to avoid direct sunlight and use sunscreens with SPFs 15 or higher. And, although most of us have some form of sun-damaged skin, there are ways to regain healthy, smooth skin. After many years of research, scientists, dermatologists and plastic surgeons have discovered that a variety of natural ingredients and vitamin extracts significantly help slow down and even reverse the signs of aging skin. These ingredients are now found in many physician developed and physician recommended anti-aging skin care products, which are specified below.

Vitamin A (Retinol) - Topical Vitamin A has been suggested to help build collagen fibers within the skin in addition to its more superficial exfoliating property. This is the basis for its use in minimizing the appearance of fine wrinkle lines. Vitamin A or Retinol is the main ingredient found in TYK Young Again, M.D. Forte, DDF and SkinScience products.

Vitamin C - Vitamin C or ascorbic acid acts as an antioxidant and is considered vital in wound healing because it aids in stabilizing collagen. When applied topically, vitamin C can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and may lessen the severity of sunburns. This healing ingredient is found in SkinCeuticals, Cellex C and Obagi Cffectives skin care products.

Vitamin E - Vitamin E is another antioxidant that shows to have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. When applied topically, vitamin E has been shown to improve moisturization, softness and smoothness and also provides modest photo protection. Vitamin E is found in Cellex C, Exuviance and MD Forte products.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) - AHAs are designed to smooth fine lines and surface wrinkles, to improve skin texture and tone, to unblock and cleanse pores, to improve oily skin or acne, and to improve skin condition in general. AHAs are the main ingredients found in MD Forte, TYK Young Again, Super Skin and SkinScience products.Glycolic Acid - Glycolic acid is the most active and beneficial of the Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids (AHAs) in skin care. Once inside the cells, the acid triggers new formations of collagen to plump cells and the ground substances in the skin to reduce wrinkles on the skin's surface. Glycolic acid is proven to be very effective in the treatment of acne as well as in cosmetic uses. Glycolic acid is found in products by Gly Derm, MD Forte, Z. Bigatti and Super Skin.

Idebenone -Idebenone is the synthetic variant of the natural compund ubiquinone. Both powerful antioxidants, idebenone and ubiquinone shield skin from environmental damge, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce dryness and smoothe skin texture.

N-6 furfuryladenine (kinetin) - The nature-identical plant growth factor, furfuryladenine, retards the aging of plant cells as well as in vitro human skin fibroblasts. This natural, anti-aging ingredient has been proven to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and is exclusively found in Kinerase creams and lotions. This is a proven alternative for people with sensitive skin or people who are sensitive to products containing Retinol and Vitamin C.

Copper Peptides - Copper Peptides are the latest scientific breakthrough in skin rejuvenation. Copper has been found to naturally firm the skin, enhance elasticity, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Copper is the main ingredient in products by Neova and Osmotics.

Pal-KTTKS - Pal-KTTKS is an effective ingredient for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It's found to promote a smoother, younger complexion quickly, without with out expensive and painful chemical peels, surgery or injections. This patented peptide solution is found in StriVectin-SD.

Green Tea Extract - Green tea's anti-inflammatory and anti-growth qualities are found in many skin care products designed to reduce the appearance of puffiness, wrinkles, fine lines and large pores. Green Tea is found in the Dr. Brandt skin care line, Z. Bigatti and Gly Derm products.

TNS - The biotechnology of the skin's natural healing process has arrived with the first tissue repairing complex containing growth factors found in normal, healthy skin. Unlike anything else currently on the market, TNS is the next level of skin rejuvenation that delivers dramatic results, for smoother, softer, younger looking skin. TNS is found in SkinMedica's TNS Recovery Complex.

Many customers ask which anti-aging product is best and we always respond by saying that there is no "best" product. Since every individual's skin is different, the results of using anti-aging products will be different as well. We recommend that you consult with a skin care professional prior to use of any new skin care product to determine your skin type, skin condition and possible sensitivities to active ingredients. Your skin care professional may recommend specific products, or you can try a few on your own based on your consultation. If you are not happy with the first product you try, try another one. It's important that you choose a product and skin care regimen that makes you feel 100% comfortable with the look and feel of your skin.

Customers also inquire about when they should expect to see results from using anti-aging products. Again, we respond by saying that results will be different for each individual, generally due to the condition of one's skin prior to use. However, across the board, we say not to expect a miracle, as there is no anti-aging product on the market that provides overnight results. Whether you are trying to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness or age spots, the process is gradual and takes anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks depending on the severity of your problem areas. After allowing the products time to take effect as well as following product directions, you can be sure to notice significant improvement in the appearance of your skin.

To see the quickest results, you will have to undergo professional cosmetics procedures. While procedures such as laser treatments, injections and dermabrasion produce the fastest, most noticeable improvements, they are all are somewhat painful or uncomfortable and very costly. In addition, pre and post treatment plans are required to achieve maximum results, which consist of using skin care products, that are also proven to be safe, effective, painless and less expensive alternatives to professional cosmetic procedures.

Please note that with the use of any new skin care product, it is highly possible that your skin will react to the ingredients. You may experience irritation, redness, dryness or a mild breakout, which should only last for the first 3-5 days of use. If you experience any of these reactions for a longer period of time, please discontinue use and consult a skin care professional. It is also recommended that prior to using any new skin care product to consult with a skin care professional. www.optimalhealthtoday.com

Botox Alternatives-The Real Story

Seema Patel MD, MPH Director The Institute for Advanced Skincare

Botox Alternatives... Wrinkle Creams... Alpha-Hydroxy Serums... Wrinkle Defense Systems...
Which products provide noticeable and lasting results?
Which products are top performers at rejuvenating your skin?
How effective is the product you use?

The topical wrinkle reducing product market is exploding. It generated over $1 Billion in sales in 2004, with that number expected to double by 2006. You do not have to look far to hear about these types of products. There is huge interest in this market and advertisements can be found everywhere, from TV, to radio, newspapers and magazines. While the majority of these products are marketed to female consumers, surprisingly, our research indicates that men account for approximately 25% of this market. It seems that women are no longer the only gender searching for the fountain of youth.

Treatments and products once only provided by dermatologists are now accessible to consumers. There are over 200 products currently marketed to remedy the signs of aging, from Botox alternatives to alpha-hydroxy serums and wrinkle relaxers. These products range in cost from under $10 to over $300 per ounce. How does the consumer determine which products are effective? How does the consumer determine which product is right for them?

In this article we offer our readers a comprehensive list of anti-wrinkle products based on our evaluations. We reviewed the over 200 products currently available for the treatment of wrinkles. Our assessment included review of the following product attributes: long term effectiveness for wrinkle reduction; instant reduction of fine lines and wrinkles; antioxidant protective properties delaying skin cell aging; skin renewal and collagen stimulating properties; and skin smoothing and firming properties. Based on the outcome of our evaluation of these product attributes we ranked each product accordingly.

Our list is presented in descending order based upon the cumulative score of product attributes. You may not see the product you use, or are interested in using, on this list as it did not rank in the top 25. Our list is dynamic in that we are constantly reexamining and updating our rankings due to the availability of new products.

During our research, the skin care specialists we consulted provided useful tips that contribute to achieving and maintaining younger looking skin, including the following:
• Be certain to consistently apply the product(s) you choose in accordance with its directions for use;• Pay special attention to your neck and hands while applying the product(s) you choose, as these areas reflect your age;• Always use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15;• Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stay well hydrated;• Avoid excessive intake of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as they may contribute to dehydration and exacerbate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; and• Be sure to get adequate rest every day.



Learn more About wrinkle reducing Agents.