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It’s a fact we’re subconsciously aware of but rarely think about with regularity. Sometimes we’re reminded by glossy magazines in the grocery aisle or those ubiquitous Best Skin Care Tips listicles — admittedly, not unlike this one — popping up on beauty blogs daily.

Maybe that random stomach rash is enough of a solid wakeup call.

Skin: It’s our largest organ, which means it’s just like our heart or kidneys, carrying out a vital function for our bodies. And how it’s functioning and looking should be more of a concern for males and females of all ages. (And if it takes 20 new blogs a day about this topic to keep everyone a bit healthier, then we’re happy to contribute.)

Skin’s appearance is a good barometer of your internal health. Skin abnormalities can be linked directly to inefficiencies of specific organs like the liver. And it keeps us protected from harmful pathogens we rarely think about as we’re walking down the street.

We often forget that it’s absorbing and reading and reacting to everything we apply to it: makeup, clothing, sunscreen and whatever is on our hands as we touch another body part, especially our faces.

The good news is that we can control and improve our health with thoughtful care. As we often see with facial care, skin is responsive. Enhancing the natural glow of our skin’s potential can be achieved with a little effort. When it’s looking rejuvenated, it’s a good indication that you’re doing the right things to live a healthier lifestyle, as well.

So here are seven ways to brighten dull or aggravated skin that may need a reboot following all of this summertime outdoor exposure:

1. Drink Water — Arguments have been made for drinking mostly water, but that is impractical for many. However, the severity of that idea makes its own point as to the importance of hydrating with fluids (i.e. water, but also water-based beverages like tea, coffee, juices, milk) throughout the day for health reasons and for your skin. Water washes out toxins and increases blood flow to our skin to create a natural glow. Dehydrated skin can appear dry and winkled. So are you holding a glass of water yet?
2. Some Like It Cold — There’s a lot of literature out there about the benefits of taking cold showers in the morning. Obviously, they help you wake up quickly, but they also can be healthy for you. As for improving your facial skin, it can help close pores. Take an ice cube and wrap it in a thin washcloth, patting it on your face. It will help stimulate circulation and create a smoother, brighter appearance.
3. Take Your Zzz’s Seriously — How many hours of sleep a night an average adult needs is constantly debated. In fact, the topic recently became a hot news item again with research saying seven hours is ideal. (The general thought is that between seven and nine hours is best for adults, depending on your unique needs.) Obviously the reason sleep is a revisited topic is due to its importance for your health, including your skin. Skin regenerates while you sleep. But it can create some cosmetic hassles in the morning, such as red eyes and puffy skin. As mentioned, ice can help with not only closing pores, but also reducing puffiness. Try our VIVITE Revitalizing Eye Cream, containing 10 percent glycolic compound, to help minimize fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles. Its recommended use is one a day or every other day.
4. Keep It Clean — Pores like to breathe, and they can’t perform when you go without washing your face at night. Make sure to remove makeup that’s been caked on your face all day. More than two washings, however, can aggravate skin. Our VIVITE product line includes daily facial cleanser options, including the VIVITE Replenish Hydrating Facial Cleanser. It removes makeup, oil and residue with an unscented, soap-free formula.
5. Block It — UV damage and skin cancer is a reality. UV rays effects on the skin are astounding when viewed with an ultraviolet light. Play it safe and use a broad-spectrum sunblock. A rating of at least SPF 15 is still a good base. Use it daily in your facial moisturizer. Try our VIVITE Daily Antioxidant Facial Serum with SPF 30. The product provides antioxidant protection to fight premature aging. Note: It is important to get about 20 minutes of sun a day, sans sunscreen, to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D.
6. Shed the Dead — Skin can appear dull merely because there is a buildup of dead skin cells. Nothing can regenerate them; they have to come off. So exfoliation isn’t just something about which only females should be concerned. Our VIVITE product line includes a Daily Facial Cleanser that gently exfoliates and removes surface oil and can be used twice a day.
7. Clean Insides, Clear Outside — You are what you eat, absolutely, because it manifests in your skin. A quality diet of fruits, veggies, omega-3 fatty acids and lean meats isn’t meant solely to get your weight back on track and to help stave off serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, cataract and macular degeneration and some forms of cancer. For a more immediate reward, eating clean with whole foods helps to increase collagen productions, which results in an improved complexion. Can’t work the daily recommendation of five to 13 servings (2.5 to 6.5 cups) of fruits or vegetables into your diet? Vitamins can help make up for any nutritional deficiencies. In particular, Vitamin C not only helps keep colds at bay, it also aids in brightening your skin.

 

If you have any serious concerns about your skin or would like to inquire about a specific procedure at Your Laser Skin Care regarding skin rejuvenation or skin tightening, please contact us to schedule a free Skin Care Consultation with our professionals today at (323) 525-1516. You can explore our clinically proven VIVITE product line for more facial care products here.

With summer in full-swelter and high temperatures affecting many across the U.S., perspiration, and how to keep it in check, has hit almost everyone’s radar this year. It’s a natural problem usually remedied by mindful attire and dutiful deodorant usage. Sometimes, especially with exercise or outdoor excursions under the scorching sun, perspiring is normal, preferable and unavoidable.

But for some, hyperhidrosis, or abnormal levels of sweating beyond what is normally required needed to regulate body temperature, is a persistent concern. The condition can affect an individual’s feet, hands, underarms and, in rare cases, face or even entire body. The result can be drenched clothing even when exerting little physical effort.

Thanks to recent news articles, many are learning about the multiple uses of Botox to treat medical conditions, especially hyperhidrosis. Using Botox for severe underarm sweating specifically is not a new treatment method, but it is becoming more common. The injections help to block nerves that send signals to sweat glands. Los Angeles botox treatments do not permanently fix overactive glands but are a welcomed, temporary relief to many sufferers who are looking for alternatives to medication or surgery.

Are you suffering from hyperhidrosis?

1. Does sweat visibly roll off your hands or other areas of the body?
2. Do these episodes occur at least once or twice a week?
3. Are you feeling anxiety or embarrassment from your inability to control your perspiring?
4. Do you regularly carry an extra set of clothing with you when venturing out of the house?

Traditionally, Botox has been utilized to improve the appearance of wrinkles due to the loss of elasticity. More and more, injections are being used to treat many pressing medical issues, as well. As stated in our previous posts, Botox helps with cerebral palsy, depression and migraines, among other conditions.

We want to help you learn more about how Botox can improve your quality of life, whether it is for overactive glands or the appearance of fine lines. For more information, please call us at 323-525-1516 or visit yourlaserskincare.com.

The allure of full and lush eyelashes has lead thousands of Americans to experiment with the cosmetic drug Latisse. Approved by the FDA 2008, Latisse is a prescription drug although it is easily obtained without a prescription through many salons or the internet. As with any prescription drug, it is especially important to use Latisse under the direction of a doctor. Many of those who acquire Latisse without a prescription use it with little or no knowledge of the possible side-effects when applied incorrectly.

Itchy eyes and redness are the most common side effects associated with Latisse. This is attributed to the product accidentally entering the eye when applied incorrectly. Latisse is to be applied only to the upper eyelash line and in small amounts. Without the proper instruction, the product is commonly over-applied, often to both the upper and lower lash lines.
It’s very important to only use Latisse under the direction of a doctor.

Thousands of people achieve the desired results of longer, fuller eyelashes by using Latisse, but it is important to remember that it is a prescription drug to be acquired and used properly. To learn more about Latisse, call us at 323 525 1516.

Summer time is here which means more time outdoors soaking up the sunshine and showing off your radiant skin. Sunshine is great for the soul but it can also take its toll on our skin. It is important to be conscious of the aging effects from sun exposure, which can include everything from wrinkles and sun spots to more serious health issues like melanoma.

But skin care concerns shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the summer! With the right preventative measures we can limit these aging effects and still get a great tan. We all know to use sunscreen but it’s important to get the most from your efforts.

Sun screen can dramatically reduce the effects of photoaging caused by UV radiation. It is extremely important to apply and reapply sunscreen when you expect to be in the sun for an extended amount of time. But aside from the obvious times like a trip to the beach, a recent study has shown that daily application of sunscreen, especially to the face and hands, can reduce the signs of aging by 24%.

SPF or Sun Protection Factor ratings are commonly misunderstood. SPF measures what percentage of UV rays the sunscreen filters out; the higher the SPF, the more harmful rays eliminated. Although it seems like simple logic, a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 is not twice as protective as one with a SPF of 15. It is best to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF on the face and neck as these areas absorb the most damaging UV rays.

However, despite how diligent we are about sun protection, our skin takes daily abuse from the sun causing age spots, broken veins (also known as spider veins), and wrinkles.

Intense Pulses Light Photofacial or IPL treatment can be implemented as a preventative or maintenance method to combat this sun damage and give you a younger appearance. IPL Photofacial treatment penetrates the top layers of skin to help start the production of new collagens that results in clearer and firmer skin. Better yet, Intense Pulses Light Photofacial treatment can be used in conjunction with other skin care therapies such as microdermabrasion and laser skin tightening treatments. The best results are seen after at least three treatments approximately one month apart as is a much safer and affordable alternative to plastic surgery.

So go enjoy the sun this summer with confidence knowing that Your Laser Skin Care is here to help!

For more information on having your most radiant skin call us at 323 525 1516 to schedule you Skin Care Consultation today.

Wrinkles such as crows feet and frown lines are part of aging. There are many reasons why they appear. Most studies indicate that age, hereditary factors, sun exposure, smoking, facial expressivity and nutrition are main reasons why we have wrinkles. Of interest, thirty-seven percent of women in the United States use some type of anti-aging cream or ointment because they want to look and feel younger. Effective cosmetic solutions to treat wrinkles are available, but we should really try preventing wrinkles from appearing in the first place.

Here are five common behaviors that can cause wrinkles:

1. Poor diet- We should pay close attention to our diets. Eating too much sugar for example can speed up aging and cause wrinkles.
2. Alcohol/ smoking- Alcohol causes dehydration and make skin appear less vibrant. Over time, wrinkles will start to form because of frequent episodes of dehydration. Many studies have shown negative impact of smoking on skin quality as well.
3. Not removing makeup- Sleeping in makeup will cause wrinkles to form. Makeup needs to be removed before sleep as it could cause breakdown of collagen.
4. Skipping sunscreen- The sun can be extremely damaging to the skin and just a few minutes of sun exposure can lead to breakdown of collagen.
5. Picking- Picking is a common cause of skin damage. It causes irritation, scars, and eventually wrinkles.

To find out more please call us at 323 525 1516 to schedule you Skin Care Consultation today.

 

In 2002, when Botox was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, many patients were weary about using it. Now, a decade later, Botox has become a multi-million dollar industry with millions of people receiving Botox injections. Many clinical trials have proven that Botox is an effective way to reduce wrinkles. Botox works by injecting a purified protein neurotoxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria into the treatment area. As a result of the injection muscle can no longer contract which leads to the reduction of wrinkles for up to three to five months.Jean-Louis Sebagh who owns a clinic in Paris spoke very elegantly about the effectiveness of Botox, “Botox is an amazing treatment for mechanical ageing – where the face is over-expressive, leading to wrinkles – which we simply couldn’t treat before.” He goes on to say, “Botulinum toxin has become such a sophisticated treatment that we can reshape brows, widen the eyes and minimise facial asymmetries, while preserving natural movement.” Traditionally, Botox was just used as a treatment for wrinkles but in the past decade Botox had also been used to successfully treat stress inconsistence, cerebral palsy, depression and migraines. Botox should only be administered by a trained medical professional and a thorough evaluation should be conducted before the treatment is given. For more information on Botox injections please call us at 323 525 1516 or visit us at www.yourlaserskincare.com.

 

One of the best ways to complement a perfect summer wardrobe is with smooth, hair-free legs,but shaving and waxing does not always cut it. Many patients are curious about the difference between waxing, shaving, and laser hair removal.

How waxing and shaving affects patients’ skin

When patients look for hair removal solutions, one of the first things that comes to mind is waxing. Waxing can leave painful red rashes and does not stop hair growth completely. Furthermore it can still cause ingrown hair, folliculitis and irritation of the skin.

Shaving does not remove the hair from the skin completely, but instead cuts the follicle, allowing hair to grow back quickly. Shaving can cause cuts, razor burn, and ingrown hair.

Why you should use laser hair removal

Laser hair removal usually requires six quick treatments before the hair is removed.

The YAG laser targets hair follicles which prevents hair from growing back. It is FDA approved for all skin types.Laser hair removal prevents ingrown hair and folliculitis.

For more information on Laser Hair Removal, please call us at 323 525 1516 to schedule your consultation.