I think by now we all know that eating a diet rich in antioxidants (remember the “rainbow” – lots of color on your plate!) is great for your body in terms of long term health and disease prevention, as well as helping your skin remain more youthful and healthy. Putting those same antioxidants ON your skin is another beneficial way to keep that youthful glow.

What are some of the more effective antioxidants?

VITAMIN C:  Everyone knows this one – Vitamin C provides UVA/UVB protection, decreases pigmentation, reduces redness and increases collagen production.  As one of the most powerful antioxidants out there, it stops free-radical damage that occurs with sun-exposure, improving the appearance of the skin by reversing that damage.  It is best used both externally and internally.

VITAMIN A/RETINOIDS:  Most of us are familiar with the name “Retin-A”.  This is a trade name for the topical form of Vitamin A, an acid know as Tretinoin.  It was approved in 1971 initially to treat mild to moderate acne by speeding cell turnover and normalizing oil production.  In addition, it also promotes collagen/elastin formation, evens out pigment by suppressing melanocytes and creates younger, smoother-looking skin.  It is used externally in cream or gel formation and is one of our recommended “must have” antioxidants.

ALPHA LIPOIC ACID:  This is an acid that work in both aqueous and lipid environments, and is small enough to actually penetrate cell membrane.  This is very important, because Alpha Lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant, and can reduce the free radical damage that causes premature aging.  It actually helps to recycle Vitamins C and E, preventing them from becoming free radicals in the skin.

COENZYME Q10:  Yet another powerful free radical scavenger, CoQ10  can reverse the damage caused by sun exposure, smoke, pollution and other environmental insults.  It also affects collagen and elastin production, and was found, in one German study, to reduce wrinkle depth of crow’s feet by 27% after 6 weeks of topical use. (Mitchell & Sengelmann – “The Botox Miracle”).  This antioxidant can be used both topically and orally.

These are some of the top and most commonly used antioxidants presently found in many skin care products.  Here at Laser Skin Solutions, you can take advantage of free consultation with our skin care specialists, who can recommend which of these formulations will be best for your and your skin care needs.

For more healthy and youthful looking skin, remember your antioxidants – both inside and out!

This isn’t actually true, though both surgical procedures involve elimination of fat, the strategy used and exactly how the procedure is done is the reason why them different.
Liposuction or simply Lipo is a cosmetic surgery that involves fat removal assisted by suction. This technique has existed for nearly four decades now. Over the years liposuction has improved enough where the quantity of fat that may be removed in one procedure has increased, while pain and healing the years have decreased.

Liposculpting happens when the amount of fat removed isn’t significant as liposuction. Liposculpting can be used to remove and rearrange fat same manner a sculptor sculpts a masterpiece. Liposculpting can be used to shape, sculpt and add contours to your body. It helps you get that lean athletic look that many from the sports persons and film stars that you simply idolize flaunt. This procedure is chosen by individuals who don’t need to lose a lot of fat and just wish to have that perfect body shape. Lots of people have improved their body with the aid of professional doctors at Escobedo Esthetics.

Liposuction usually involves removal of significant amount of fat. Most people that like liposuction are obese and would like to lose all of the fat in a single session. This is neither healthy nor advisable; you might have watched commercials or read classifieds that promise you that will help you lose weight instantly. Nevertheless the doctors at liposuction Austin do not advise nor perform liposuction until a medical checkup based on which they draw up a plan regarding how to take away the fat without any side effects. Excess elimination of fat can disfigure the body and lead to lumps and dents in your body.
Liposculpting as suggested earlier doesn’t involve removal of large amount of fat in the body. It’s a delicate procedure are requires skills on the part of choices. The surgeons at Smartlipo Austin have done this procedure many times and also have a lot of experience and happy patients who recommend them. Liposculpting requires general anesthesia and does not involve large incisions meaning almost no scarring.

Liposculpting helps you eliminate fat in those regions of your body where stubborn fat isn’t burnt no matter workouts and healthy diets. Inside a world where people are already health conscious and eat healthy,  Liposculpting will help you possess the perfect body that you simply always wanted.”

National Geographic explorer, Dan Buettner traveled across the globe to uncover the secrets of longevity. He found it is deeply intertwined with lifestyle, diet, outlook and stress-coping practices. He shares his findings in his book, “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest.”

Following are common behaviors of Blue Zone populations for a long, healthy life.

- The world’s longest-lived people do not think of exercise as a chore. They tend to incorporate regular, low-intensity physical activity into their everyday lives, such as walking with friends or gardening. As noted in the book, “French Women Don’t get Fat” in France (and all the Blue Zones) walking is a main means of transportation.

- The Mediterranean Diet. A diet rich in good fats (olive oil, nuts), fish, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, and a moderate amount of wine has been linked to a longer, healthy life. It is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, obesity, cancer, diabetes, as well as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

- Portion Control. In Okinawa, the people eat until they feel 80% full, a practice called hara hachi bu.

- A sense of community and connection. In Blue Zones like Okinawa, people have a strong, social-support network and family bond. They also wake up each day with a purpose in life. The sense of belonging and purpose matters for lowering stress, disease prevention and longevity.

- Manage stress. The word’s healthiest people have effective ways to cope and shed daily stress in their lives. This is closely tied to their belief in a spiritual lifestyle, which may include meditation, as well as their support networks.

A long, healthy life may begin with good genes although longevity depends on good habits and behaviors. Therefore, for a long life filled with strength, vitality and happiness, enjoy healthy foods, keep yourself moving and stay connected with others.

As an added bonus, not only will you feel younger inside, you will look years younger on the outside!

I am often asked which treatment I think is the best anti-aging procedure.

I would have to say the combination of laser Genesis and Vibraderm is the best anti-aging procedure! We begin with a Vibraderm treatment.  This is our preferred method of microdermabrasion, which uses a polished steel paddle to exfoliate the skin, rather than suction and harsh abrasives.  And this is just the beginning of the best anti-aging procedure! This exfoliation enhances the penetration of the laser heat, which makes it an ideal companion treatment to Laser Genesis, which is the next part of this treatment.

Next we perform the Laser Genesis which involves the use of the NdYag 1064 laser to gently and safely heat the skin, causing contraction of collagen in the mid to upper dermis.  This contraction stimulates the dermis to produce new collagen.  More collagen in the skin means smaller pore size, fewer fine lines and even less underlying redness in the skin’s appearance.  Overall, the skin will eventually look fresher and smoother.  And best of all there is NO downtime with this treatment. It can be done the day of a big party. Your skin will be “glowing” after the treatment so you even though you can apply make-up right after treatment, you might want to skip it altogether!

Yet another reason by this is the best anti-aging procedure!

As part of a “skin fitness” routine, Laser Genesis and Vibraderm can’t be beat! At Laser Skin Solutions, we recommend monthly treatments to slow the aging process and as a maintenance program after other laser procedures. After you have this combination of treatments, you too will think it is the best anti-aging procedure!

University of California at Berkeley researchers scientifically proved that anyone is able to get through the toughest of times. UC Berkeley scientists tested quantifiable data on the holiday blues, although the results apply to any time of the year.

The study found three main things make people happy:

1. Feeling grateful
2. Spending time with family and friends
3. Helping others

Happiness is a learned skill. The secret to being happy is to concentrate on the things in your life that work well and feel thankful for them. This is as simple as being grateful for the hot cup of coffee you are drinking. Our brains either notice the things we appreciate or the things that annoy us. It is a conscious choice to be happy.

A connection to other people is also important, including friends, family, neighbors and co-workers. The university found most people are less connected and have fewer friends than 20 years ago. Feeling connected to people, rather than consumption and materialism, has a great influence on overall happiness.

Helping others also stimulates the feelings of happiness. Researchers looked at the vagus nerve, which extends from the brain to the abdomen, and determined its role of simulating happiness after acts of compassion. It truly is better to give than to receive.

Letting oneself enjoy life takes concentration and hard work, but it is worth it. All it takes is practice, according to a sociologist at the University’s Greater Good Science Center.

Therefore, put a smile on your face and warmth in your heart as you navigate each new day.

Best Wishes to All for a Happy New Year!

Scientists reported last month in the Los Angeles Times that drinking coffee was associated with a decreased risk of basal cell carcinoma. This is the most common form of skin cancer in the United States with approximately one million new cases a year.

According to researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, women who drank more than three cups of coffee had a 20% reduction in risk for skin cancer. Men who drank the same amount of coffee had a 9% reduction in the risk of skin cancer. (As noted previously in this blog, consuming tomato paste may also lower the risk of skin cancer.)

Other health benefits of drinking coffee, reported in the Wall Street Journal, include lowered risk of developing cavities, gallstones, heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

So, enjoy a steaming hot cup of java for a long and healthy life! Now, if you’ll excuse me a moment, I’m going to have a cup of coffee…

We all know that in order to keep our bodies healthy and fit, a proper diet and plenty of physical activity is key. What do we need to do once we get our body in shape? We need to keep it there with maintenance! To keep our bodies in good physical shape depends on a proper diet and physical activity for LIFE, not just until you reach that magic number on the scale. The anti-aging world understands that maintenance is just as important for our skin!

The idea of “Skin Fitness” is an important concept for those that want to “anti” age or age more slowly.

When it comes to “skin fitness”, we have to think on the same scale as we do the rest of our body.  We can use fillers, BOTOX®, laser resurfacing and even surgery to achieve a particular end result with the skin.  BUT, what can we do to maintain that result?

Laser Genesis is a no-down time laser treatment that can stimulate the skin to make its own collagen and elastin, AND reduce redness in the skin.  It does this by gently heating the dermis, which increases blood flow and nutrients while causing collagen contraction and collagen synthesis.  The result?  After a series of Laser Genesis treatments, the skin will be plumper, lines and wrinkles will be diminished and pores will be minimized.  The treatment itself is quite relaxing, and again, there is NO DOWNTIME! This is what we call at Laser Skin Solutions—Skin Fitness!

Topical products can be coupled with the Laser Genesis procedure to further enhance and maintain the skin’s fitness.  Antioxidants like Vitamin C, Retinoids or Growth Factors like TNS can all be used in conjuction with the Laser Genesis treatments to keep the skin looking healthy and fresh.

So, just like there is no “miracle pill” to keeping our bodies fit, there is also no one-step procedure that will keep the skin fit forever.

But “skin fitness” CAN be accomplished with a no down time procedure like Laser Genesis.

This is important information to know, considering only one third of U.S. adults exercise regularly. This is defined as three to five times a week of moderate or vigorous physical activity, according to the National Health Interview Survey conducted last year.

The incredible benefits of exercise have also been shared in previous postings on this blog site, which include controlling your weight, preventing disease, and slowing down the aging process. In fact, according to U.S. News and World Report, five additional mind-blowing benefits of exercise include:

- Reverses Detrimental Effects of Stress:  Exercise may actually work on a cellular level to reverse the toll of stress on our aging process. Researchers at the University of California at San Francisco found that stressed-out women who exercised vigorously for an average of 45 minutes over a three-day period had cells that showed fewer signs of aging compared to women who were stressed and not active.

- Lifts Depression:  Research suggests that burning off 350 calories three times a week through sustained, sweat-inducing activity can reduce symptoms of depression about as effectively as antidepressants.

- Improves Learning:  Exercise increases the level of brain chemicals called growth factors that help make new brain cells and establish new connections between brain cells to help us learn.

- Builds Self Esteem & Improves Body Image:  Studies suggest that simply seeing fitness improvements, like running a faster mile or lifting more weight than before, can improve your self-esteem and body image.

- Leaves you Feeling Euphoric:  The “runner’s high” really does exist if you’re willing to shift into high-intensity mode. Walk, run, bike, or swim as fast as you can for 30 to 40 seconds and then reduce your speed to a gentle pace for five minutes before sprinting again. Repeat four to five times. You will feel “sparkly” for the rest of the day.

The important thing to remember is you don’t have to run a marathon or the local charity 5K to reap the health benefits of exercise. Simple lifestyle changes such as parking far away from the door, walking a brisk 15 minutes at lunch or taking the stairs everyday will all add up.

Laser hair removal significantly helps with the following:

1. Improved Self-Confidence – Dare to bare a little skin without the worry of a shadow, stubble, ingrown hairs, or razor rash. Laser hair removal can help you feel and look your very best.
2. Look Great – Laser hair removal can help you be free to enjoy smooth and sexy skin, all the time. No waiting for hair to grow long enough to be waxed. With laser hair removal treatments, you can shave in-between visits.
3. Save Money – Laser hair removal may seem expensive, but over time you will really be saving money. Laser hair removal costs less than continued waxing, electrolysis and a lifetime of buying razors!
4. Save Time – Wake-up each morning and just go! Eliminate the daily shaving or monthly waxing routine. And put an end to having to endure the pain of electrolysis ever again!
5. Lasers are proven safe and effective for removing unwanted hair from most parts of the body including the face, legs, arms, underarms, and bikini-line, as well as any other areas where unsightly hair is a problem.
6. Precision – Lasers selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.
7. Speed – Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Laser hair removal of the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute or two, and large areas, such as the back or legs, generally take less than an hour.
8. Predictability – 90% of patients have permanent hair loss of 70% or more after an average of five laser hair removal sessions.

At Laser Skin Solutions we have been successfully treating patients for laser hair removal for 12 years!

The outcome of  your Laser hair removal treatments are dependent on the experience of the technician. It is important to make sure that the office you choose:

• Has been operating this type of laser for hair removal for a significant amount of time.
• Has a device that can treat laser hair removal on all skin types.
• Owns their own lasers and keeps them properly maintained.
• Treats patients for laser hair removal every day instead of once a week or once a month.
• Has been recommended by friends and/or family for laser hair removal

Choose wisely and ask a lot of questions. Your results depend on it!

We will soon all get the chance to live longer and healthier lives.

Dr. Aubrey De Grey, a biomedical gerontologist, predicts that the first person to live to be 150 years has already been born. He also believes that within the next 25 years, doctors could have all the tools they need to “cure” aging and help people live longer and healthier lives.

There are many new biotechnologies that are helping people live longer and healthier lives including huge advances in the following areas:

• Regenerative Medicine & Tissue Engineering – means that when an individual needs a new heart, it will be possible to grow a new heart in the lab with their own stem cells

• Personalized Medicine – means we will be able to personalize drugs to an individual’s DNA

• Gene Therapy – means we will be able to rearrange genes in individuals to cure certain diseases

In her new book, Sonia Arrison studies global trends to understand where the trends are leading us for longer and healthier lives.

In 1850, the average life expectancy was 43 years old. We have now doubled that to 80 years old. It is not far fetched that we can double our life expectancy again and live to be 150 years old. When we live longer and healthier lives, we also tend to be wealthier. The reason is health tends to create wealth. If you are healthy, you can work and be productive.

By the time we expand our ability to live to 150 years old, we will also have the ability to expand our fertility. We may have a time when first-time mothers are 70 or 80 years old.

Arrison also explores the ethics of longevity. There is a deep worry in our society that if we live longer, we won’t be able to afford it. But, that is only true if we are not healthy. If we can extend our health expectancy, we will also extend our wealth. Also, some of the problems we perceive today such as overpopulation and resource depletion will not be problems because we will adapt and find solutions.

Consider the proposition of longer and healthier lives because it is where the technology is headed and it is our future.

Learn more about Sonia Arrison’s book at this link: 100 Plus – How the Coming Age of Longevity will Change Everything, From Careers and Relationships to Family and Faith