Over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of commotion in the media about whether or not people should have cosmetic surgery. Frankly, this is an issue that you need to decide for yourself.

I am not going to say that life as you know it will change on a dime. However, as someone who has undergone a procedure myself (hair transplant), I cannot begin to tell you how my self-esteem skyrocketed as a result. I even wrote a blog about it earlier this summer titled, “I am not only a Cosmetic Surgeon—I am also a Patient,” (link) to demonstrate to future patients that I know where they are coming from when they visit me for a consultation at the Skin & Vein Center locations in Fenton, Garden City and Sterling Heights.

But don’t just base your decision on my experience or even that of a family member or friend. This decision must come from within. When weighing your options, there are several questions that you need to ask yourself:

• Are my expectations realistic? Cosmetic surgery can result in improvement not perfection. You will be disappointed if you expect yourself to be transformed into either Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt. Cosmetic surgery also cannot save a relationship.

• Can I afford it? Remember cosmetic surgery generally is not covered by your health plan. If necessary, ask if the surgeon offers a payment plan.

• What are the risks? Like any surgical procedure, cosmetic surgery can result in complications. It also may not turn out exactly as you wanted. Be sure you find a qualified surgeon with whom you are comfortable before moving forward. The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) website is a great resource that can help you find a board-certified cosmetic surgeon near you.

• How long will it take me to recover? Physical effects are a part of most procedures. Find out how many days you will need to recover and when you will be able to return to personal and professional routines.

Remember, cosmetic surgery is something that should be done because you want it. Don’t worry about the unsolicited opinions of others. Some of the most common reasons for having cosmetic surgery that I hear are, “I don’t recognize that person staring back at me in the mirror anymore,” and “I exercise and eat right, but I still don’t look as young as I feel.”

It’s always nice to get opinions from family and friends, but in the end it is your body. Don’t be pressured into doing anything that you do not want to do.

As the days followed, I remember my parents constantly telling me that if I were not careful, all of that chocolate would cause my skin to break out.  However, this is one rare time when they were eventually proven wrong.

Several studies now actually debunk the myth that chocolate causes acne.  Granted, eating too much chocolate, particularly if it’s high in sugar, can harm your teeth if you don’t brush and will make you fat.  But no particular food by itself has ever been proven to cause acne, and that includes chocolate.

For some, particularly teenagers, it can be hormonal changes that are the root cause of your acne.  For others, it can be genetics.  If your parents have oily skin, you’re more prone to acquire the same condition.

But please don’t use this blog to gorge yourself on chocolaty treats.  As a board-certified dermatologist at the Skin & Vein Center, I implore you to use good judgment and eat these goodies in moderation.

While eating one piece of chocolate here and there won’t cause you to break out, polishing off a whole box in one sitting can cause all sorts of other problems that you would be better off without.

Happy Halloween!

Soure: www.americahaunts.com

Before I go off on a tangent, I wanted to share a few tips from the Skin & Vein Center to help you protect your skin while dressing up for Halloween.

Making Yourself Up

• Don’t use products that are not intended for your skin.  Check for label for warnings.
• Know which products can cause you to have an allergic reaction.  For some, they are unable to wear masks that are latex.  For these people, we recommend using a hypoallergenic facial makeup.  If you do not know if you are allergic, conduct a patch test (http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/natural-beauty-cosmetics/patch-test) on yourself to see if your face will react.  This procedure is also recommended for those whose costumes call for glue to apply a fake beard or hair.
• Before putting on the makeup, apply a primer to your skin in order to create a barrier between your complexion and the makeup.  The primer also makes it easier to remove the makeup at the end of the evening.
• Read the directions before applying.  Don’t be duped by the picture on the box, if it says, “not for use near the eyes,” please do not use it near your eyes.
• Pay attention to the color additives used in the product’s ingredients and cross-reference them with those approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• If the face paint smells bad, discard it and open a new one.  The smell could be a sign that the product is contaminated.

Makeup Removal

• Clean your face before going to bed.  Nothing works better than soap and water.  Failure to wash your face to do so can result in your pores clogging up because their skin cannot exchange air.  (It probably also will mess up your pillow.)  Especially if you are using a heavy makeup, you may need to wash and rinse several times.  Be sure to not rub too hard so that you can avoid irritating your skin.
• After removing the makeup, exfoliate and apply a moisturizer to your face to avoid dry skin.

Wishing you a safe, happy and fun Halloween.

I love the first two signs of the season I mentioned, but that last one means its time to adjust how we take care of our skin as the air becomes colder and drier.  Following are four tips to help you get yourself through to next spring.

1. Moisturize Daily

To protect yourself against the cooler air, it is important to switch to a heavier moisturizer for this time of the year and apply it right after you have dried off from your shower or bath.  Be sure to also include your feet in this process.  Exfoliating them on a regular basis will make sure you are ready to strap those sandals back on when the weather heats back up.

While once a day should be good enough for the majority of your body, your hands should be moisturized more often seeing as you wash them several times per day.  So always be sure you keep this product handy be it in your office, purse or medicine cabinet.

2. Don’t forget the sunscreen

Whether you are playing or a spectator at a football or soccer game, raking leaves in the yard, or simply enjoying a leisurely walk, make sure you are still applying the sunscreen.  Even though you traded your tank top and shorts for a sweater and jeans, you still have certain areas of your body exposed to the elements.

3. Know your skin

The air is not the only thing that changes with the season.  Did you know that your skin also can change when as the weather gets colder?  Those with oily skin might notice that their skin becomes more normal during this time while those with normal skin may see that their skin becomes drier.  Be sure to make the proper adjustments on the products you use when the time comes.

4. Be consistent in fighting acne

Cooler weather is not the only thing that you feel in the fall.  Stress also can creep up without warning as children head back to school and adults get back into the swing of things at work following the slower pace enjoyed during the summer months.   To help keep your skin under control, be sure that you are keeping up with your daily routine.

As with all tips, be vigilant and seek professional consultation if you notice any significant changes in your skin.  If you do not leave near one of our Skin & Vein Center (hyperlink to contact us section on website) offices in Fenton, Garden City or Sterling, you can go to the American Academy of Dermatology website to find a board-certified dermatologist in your local area.

But what exactly are varicose veins?  What causes them and how can you prevent them from happening to you?

Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin and can be very painful.  There are two types of problem veins that are very common, particularly in older adults: varicose and spider.  Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be blue, red or flesh-colored.  Spider veins look a lot like varicose veins, but are smaller and earned their name because they look like spider webs due to their short, jagged lines.

Generally, varicose veins appear in the legs and ankles, but they also can develop in the face.  Some of the symptoms include:

• Aching pain that gets worse after sitting or standing for a long time
• Heaviness
• Swelling
• Throbbing or cramping
• Darkening, itching or burning of the skin

People can develop varicose veins for any number of reasons:

• Heredity
• Age
• Gender (females are affected more than men by a 4:1 ratio)
• Overweight/Pregnancy
• Lack of movement (particularly those who must endure long periods of either sitting or standing in their daily activities)

While we still cannot determine exactly what causes varicose veins, there are several tips we recommend to help prevent them:

• Exercise daily
• Elevate your legs when possible
• Avoid long periods of sitting or standing
• Wear compression stockings
• Avoid excessive heat on your legs (i.e., hot tubs or hot baths)

If you need treatment or are concerned about how your veins look, please seek medical attention.  While varicose veins usually are not a serious problem, in some cases it can be a sign of a blockage in the deeper veins called deep vein thrombosis.

With 50-55 percent of women and 40-45 percent of men suffering from some type of vein problem, you are not alone and do not need to be ashamed of this condition.  Varicose veins treatment is safe, effective and fast procedure that can not only show results in a very short time, but also improve your quality of life.

You can find more information on varicose veins and treatments available at any of the following sites:

Skin and Vein Center

WebMD

WomensHealth.gov

VeinDirectory.org

VaricoseVeinGuide.com

Following are several acne treatment tips that I share with my patients at the Skin & Vein Center so that you can look forward to what should be an exciting year.

When to wash

For most people, washing your face one or twice a day should be enough.  The key is to develop a routine and stick with it.

Use a water-based facial wash or cleanser that is suitable to your skin.  We advise staying away from oil and alcohol-based cleansers because they can leave your skin dry and tight.

For those active in sports, be sure to wipe away the excessive sweat from your skin while working out.  Also use a mild face cleanser to get rid of dirt and dried sweat as soon as possible following your practice or game.

Keep your hands and hair away from your face

Whether we are bored or stressed, we tend to develop habits that involve putting our hands on our face.  Stop it!  What many people don’t realize is that our hands carry dirt and bacteria that could clog pores and cause breakouts.

For this same reason, it also is important that you do your best to keep your hair away from your face.

Do not squeeze pimples

Contrary to popular belief, popping pimples will not solve your problem.  In fact, the action of scratching, pinching or squeezing generally does more harm than good.  In addition to leaving the spot redder and more swollen than before, you may end up with scars that can stay with you for years or even permanently.

Diet

While there are differing opinions as to whether a person’s diet can be responsible for acne breakouts, we recommend that you keep tabs on what you eat.  Try to replace foods that are greasy with fresh fruits and vegetables.  As you may remember from our Aug. 4 blog, “The Benefits of Drinking Water,” fresh fruits and vegetables are good for your skin and a great source of anti-oxidants.

See a dermatologist

Like many conditions involving your health, seeking early treatment for acne from a qualified dermatologist can make a big difference in the healing process.  If you do not live near one of the Skin & Vein Center offices in Fenton, Garden City and Sterling Heights, go to the American Academy of Dermatology website to find a board-certified dermatologist in your local area.

If you are not familiar with this program, once per month, the Skin & Vein Center is awarding a deserving individual a free Mini-Facelift at one of our offices in Fenton, Garden City and Sterling Heights.  To be considered, all you need to do need to do is go to our website and submit a short essay that answers the question, “How a Mini-Facelift would change my life, or the life of someone I love?”

Well, as I said, we had our first recipient in, and I, as well as my staff, could not be more elated.  The purpose of the program is to help those who could not normally be able to afford a procedure of this nature.  Although we do our best to keep costs for all cosmetic procedures low, we realize that, due to the economy, there are people who still may not be able to afford what many consider to be elective surgery.

Sure a Mini-Facelift may not be a life and death situation, but talk to some of the people who have undergone this procedure and you will find that their quality of life has improved exponentially as a result.  It is amazing how many people look at themselves in the mirror and wish they could find a way to look as good as they feel.  This is where a Mini-Facelift comes in.

What I like most about performing a Mini-Facelift  is that this is one of the easiest procedures for a patient to go through.  It takes on average 60 minutes to complete, is virtually painless and requires a recovery period of just three to seven days.  Unlike a complete facelift, the procedure for the Mini-Facelift does not cut into any facial muscles.  Rather, it first stretches the skin on the face and tightens the muscles and then fills in the central area of the face using either real fat or Restylane(R) .

As we age, we start to lose lateral structure in our faces and things begin to drop down.  As someone who has performed more than 2,500 Mini-Facelifts in my career, I can honestly say that this is something that I would go through myself when the time comes.

In the end, this procedure will make you look about 10 years younger and will last about seven-10 years.  If this is something your have considered doing for yourself, what are you waiting for?  If it is about cost, perhaps you can become the next recipient from Project Uplift.  Click here to apply.

Looking forward to showing the before and after photos of our first recipient in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned.

Some come from famous people:

“In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.” – Albert Schweitzer

Others are just comments we make up, but express our true feelings:

“Be the good that you want to see in others.”

Basically, we want you to feel as good as possible on a daily basis because that energy is contagious.  One of my favorite YouTube videos is a little girl named Jessica, who is starting off her morning saying how much she likes…well, everything.  You cannot help but feel good after watching this.

So click on the link below, enjoy the rest of your week, and remember that no one can stand in the way towards your pursuit of happiness.

Did you know that 60 percent of our body and 90 percent of our skin is made up of water?  That’s why it is the second most important thing our bodies need next to oxygen.

At the Skin & Vein Center, we cannot emphasize enough to our patients the importance of drinking water when it comes to skin protection.  Almost every job our body does requires water, which is why we can generally survive for some time with no food, but without water, our bodies last just a few days.  Often times, when we get a headache or feel exhausted, particularly on a hot day, these problems can be remedied simply by having a tall glass of water.

While studies differ on how much we should drink (8 glasses of 8 ounces per day versus drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water), one thing is clear—the overall benefits are tremendous.

On the surface, you will notice that drinking water can lead to:

• More energy
• Bright, clear eyes
• A radiant complexion

But what you don’t see is that water also helps you:

• Digest and absorb food
• Increase fat metabolism
• Regulate body temperature and blood circulation
• Carry nutrients in the bloodstream and oxygen to cells
• Remove toxins and other wastes from your kidneys

I know what you are saying.  “Water, really? But water from the tap is filled with chemicals and tastes terrible.”

To remove the chemicals, you should consider getting a filter for your home.  Still not good enough?  Let me offer some other alternatives.

• Fresh fruits and vegetables—Also a great source of anti-oxidants
• Milk
• Juice—Due to the high calories and sugar some juices contain, you may wish to dilute this some with sparking water.
• Herbal Tea

So put down those colas.  Quit drinking so much coffee.  If you want a true pick-me-up for your day, there nothing quite like a refreshing glass of H2O.

The black lettering seems to disappear from the skin of a patient as Skin & Vein Center LPN Amy Sowers, uses a laser to remove the tattoo at Freedom Ink, a free tattoo removal program for mostly former gang members and prisoners, at the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation. The treatment uses a high-energy laser wave emitted through the tip of a wand used to trace the tattoo. / Patricia Beck/Gannett

It is amazing how many people I have see who tell me how much they regret getting that tattoo.  Excuses include, “I broke up with my significant other” to “I now want to get a better job” to “Well, it actually looked good when I was in shape.”

Fortunately, thanks to advancements in technology, those former works of art can be removed.  At the Skin & Vein Center, we have two state-of-the-art lasers that, in about 6-10 treatments over a year’s time, can remove all colors from your tattoo.

I won’t kid you.  Tattoo removal is not painless.  But for many, this refreshed look can be a huge thing as they head out into the world, unafraid to wear short sleeves or sleeveless dresses around their business colleagues.

How much does tattoo removal cost?

Cost starts around $99 per treatment for a small tattoo.  There also are packages that can average $500 to $1,000.  So it is not inexpensive.  It also hurts a lot more to have the tattoo removed than it did to get it in the first place.  But, ultimately, I believe almost all of my patients will tell you that it is worth it.

Some of my most grateful patients for this procedure are ex-gang members.  If you are a frequent reader of our blog, then you are probably familiar with our monthly community project called Freedom Ink.  Once per month, we visit the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation and provide free tattoo removal procedures for ex-gang members.  For these patients, being able to get rid of their tattoos is not just about improving their appearance, but for some, it can mean life or death, particularly if they run into the wrong crowd at the wrong time.

So by getting rid of these tattoos, we are helping them feel safer in the world and, from there, they can experience new beginnings.  Many have had their tattoos removed so that they can go after better jobs.

Thankfully, tattoos are not as permanent as they once were.  However, it can hurt even more to have them removed.  So next time you are tempted to get that flaming dragon, little bird or tribute to a loved one, please think before you ink.