How the Sun Changes Your Skin

The sun is actually incredibly important when it comes to a person’s health as it allows them to produce vitamin D from direct sunlight. In fact, modern studies show that a relatively high percentage of adults are actually deficient in this vitamin which can lead to a myriad of other health issues. Unfortunately, getting too much sun can be even more dangerous and lead to deadly medical problems such as deep burns and skin cancer.

Within skin is a compound known as melatonin that helps protect a person from the sun’s UV rays. After prolonged exposure, the melatonin can no longer protect the outer layer of the skin and the UV rays will penetrate deep into the epidermis. When this takes place, it will begin to damage skin and can cause a loss of elasticity, brown spots, and pigmentation problems. As a patient grows older, many of these problems will become more pronounced.

Repairing Sun Damage

Once the damage has been done, it can be somewhat challenging to actually treat and reverse it. Most over-the-counter products such as repairing creams are actually designed to slow the damage or only provide a short-term solution. For those that want to make real changes, however, intense pulsed light could be an ideal solution. These gentle lasers were developed to target skin damage around overworked melatonin and repair soft tissue in the deepest layers.

Many of the lasers that are used to treat various skin issues must be set at a very specific frequency, and the lasers designed for IPL are no exception to this rule. These lasers specifically target brown spots and other pigmentation issues due to their specific frequency. The final goal is to even out the tone of the skin and remove problems such as lingering red tissue and non-cancerous brown patches.

What to Expect

What makes IPL treatments so extraordinary is the fact that they are highly effective and cause minimal damage. The treatment sessions typically last for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and patients will often notice some changes the very same day. There is absolutely no downtime for this treatment and you can return back to your daily activities as soon as you would like. For those that are particularly sensitive, a numbing cream may be used to reduce the chance of any discomfort and get you back to your life as quickly as possible.

Contact Pender MediSpa in Vancouver to schedule your consultation for sun damage repair. Our medical team will work with you to determine the safest and most effective treatment plan for your needs.

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This three-week treatment plan will restore your skin’s radiance – FAST!!

• Week 1 – LimeLight (IPL)
  erases sun damage and reduces redness
• Week 2 – Hydrafacial or SilkPeel*
  exfoliates, detoxifies, and hydrates the skin
• Week 3 – Laser Genesisstimulates collagen and refines pores

$399* ($670 value)

Book Now! This offer is available for a limited time only!
January 21st – February 8th, 2014

The post Get Your Glow Back! appeared first on Pender Medi Spa.

Once you have chosen your skin care products, this simple routine will help you get the most out of them:

Step 1: Cleanser

An obvious first! Cleanser should be used morning and night to whisk away make-up, oil, dirt, and everyday pollutants from the skin. A dime-sized amount mixed with lukewarm water will suffice. You will now have a clean canvas which will allow your remaining skin products to work more effectively.

Step 2: Toner

This step is optional, however many people like to use a toner to refresh the skin after cleansing. A toner will also remove excess minerals and residue left behind, and prep the skin for better penetration of products. Toners may be used morning and night. Avoid using toners or astringents that contain alcohol, as they may irritate or dry out the skin. Some toners contain alpha-hydroxy acids which offer light exfoliation of the skin.

Step 3: Serum

Serums are highly-concentrated specialized products that are designed to target and improve particular skin conditions such as: wrinkles, sun damage, collagen loss, clogged pores, and redness. These products should be applied after cleansing/toning, and may be used morning and/or night. Serums tend to have a lightweight consistency which allows them to penetrate and absorb into the skin quickly. Examples of serums include: antioxidants/vitamin C, peptides, retinol, AHA/BHA, hyaluronic acid, and growth factors. Physician-grade serums often contain prescription-strength ingredients that offer faster, more noticeable results. A well-formulated serum is the one product no skin care routine should be without!

Step 5: Eye Cream

If the eye area is of particular concern, an eye cream may be applied after your serum. Eye creams are usually formulated to target one or more of the following: wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles, or dry skin around the eye. Only a tiny amount of eye cream is needed (the size of a grain of rice). Since the skin around the eye is delicate, eye cream should be lightly applied with your fourth finger around the orbital bone only.

Step 4: Moisturizer

Tried, tested, and true, everyone loves a great moisturizer. Our options our endless, but ultimately the purpose of any moisturizer is to hydrate the skin. Acting as a barrier, a moisturizer will lock in your serums and combat skin dryness. Moisturizers may be applied both morning or night, or less often if skin is very oily. If you suffer from oily or acne-prone skin, make sure you choose a moisturizer that is lightweight and non-comedogenic.

Step 6: Sunscreen

Applied in the morning only, this will be the final step in your skin care routine. It is also one of the most important steps, and should never be overlooked – even on cloudy or rainy days. Choose a sunscreen that is labelled “broad-spectrum” so that you are protected from both UVA and UVB rays. The best sunscreens are those that contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, with an SPF 30 or higher. Please see our blog titled “Sunscreen 101” for more information on sunscreen.

Makeup may be applied after sunscreen – you are now ready to face the day!

Skin Care Extras

Exfoliants:

These products are designed to gently remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. They will help keep pores clear, smooth wrinkles, and speed up cell turnover to keep your skin glowing. Exfoliants may be physical (scrubs), or chemical (AHAs, BHAs). Depending on your exfoliant, these may be used daily, or a several times a week. It is important not to over-exfoliate the skin, as this may cause irritation and increased oil production.

Masks:

Masks are specialized treatment products that may be used up to twice weekly. They are typically applied to skin for 15-20 minutes before being rinsed away. There are many types of masks available depending on what your skin needs are such as: extra hydration, exfoliation, or reducing inflammation.

At Pender Medi Spa and Physician Skincare Centre, we are committed to skin success. We offer complimentary skin consultations with our team of experts, who can help you build an effective skin care routine based on your specific needs. Please contact us to book your appointment.

The post Step by Step Skin Care: Get the Most Out Of Your Products! appeared first on Pender Medi Spa.

• Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in both Canada and the U.S.  There are more new cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year than the number of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers COMBINED!
• In the U.S. more than 3.5 million skin cancers in over two million people are diagnosed annually.
• One person dies from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, every 57 minutes.
• Even on a cloudy, rainy day the sun’s rays are present…and damaging your skin.
• In 2009 the World Health Organization designated tanning beds “carcinogenic to humans” – the strongest classification for cancer causing substances.  Other carcinogens in the same category include tobacco, arsenic and asbestos.
• People who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk of developing melanoma by 75%.
• Tanned skin is damaged skin.  The darker the tan, the more extensive the damage.
• More than 90% of the visible changes attributed to skin aging are caused by the sun.  Most of this comes from day-to-day accumulation of repeated unprotected sun exposure.
• Contrary to popular belief, 80 percent of a person’s lifetime sun exposure is not acquired before age 18.  In fact, only about 23 percent of lifetime exposure occurs by age 18.

UVA, UVB, and SPF Explained

The sun’s ultra-violet (UV) radiation is comprised of three different wavelengths:

UVA (“aging”)

• the most prevalent and most damaging type of UV radiation
• penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin (dermis)
• causes skin aging (wrinkles, loss of elasticity, pigmentation changes)
• is the primary cause of skin cancer
• is present with equal intensity during all daylight hours every day of the year, and can penetrate clouds and glass.

UVB (“burning”)

• penetrates superficially into the epidermis
• causes sunburn
• strength varies depending on season, time of day, and altitude.  Is generally stronger between 10am-4pm.

UVC

• very dangerous, but absorbed by the ozone layer before reaching earth.

SPF refers to “Sun Protection Factor”, and indicates how long you can stay in the sun before getting burned by UVB radiation.  For example, someone using a sunscreen with an SPF15 will take 15 times longer to burn than without the sunscreen.  If that person typically burns in 10 minutes without sunscreen, it will take them 150 minutes (15 x 10 minutes) to burn while wearing it.

You should be aware that sunscreen with an SPF30 is not twice as protective as a sunscreen with an SPF15.  Rather, when properly used, an SPF15 protects the skin from 93% of UVB radiation, while an SPF30 protects against 97% of UVB radiation.

Since SPF addresses only the UVB wavelength, it is important to note that no official rating system exists for the highly-damaging UVA rays.  Even a very high SPF rating may not protect against UVA rays.  Therefore it is critically important that the sunscreen you choose is labelled “broad spectrum”, and preferably includes one or both of the following active ingredients:

Zinc Oxide
Titanium Dioxide

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are minerals which protect against both UVA and UVB radiation, with zinc oxide being slightly more effective.  They are not absorbed into the skin, and do not allow light to penetrate the skin – rather they reflect light off of the skin.  Since they are not chemicals, they are non-irritating and are suitable for even the most sensitive skin.  “Mineral sunscreens” are also referred to as “physical sunscreens”.

In the past, mineral sunscreens were very greasy and created a white cast on the skin.  Nowadays, mineral sunscreens are lighter, cosmetically elegant, and blend well into the skin.

Patients often ask us what the best anti-aging product is for their skin.  The answer is simple and definitive – sunscreen!!  It is the easiest and best thing you can do for your skin everyday, and it’s never too late to start wearing it.

We have a great selection of mineral sunscreens available at Physician Skincare Centre and Pender Medi Spa.  Here are a few of our favourites:

Viverskin Triple Protection Moisturizer SPF30 – chemical-free formula that combines moisturizer, sunscreen and powerful antioxidants for daily protection and anti-aging.  Applies beautifully alone or under makeup.  Active ingredients:  Zinc Oxide 10%, Titanium Dioxide 8%.

Sherri’s fave:

Obagi Rosaclear SPF30 – chemical-free, and formulated especially for skin that is prone to redness or rosacea.  Lightly-tinted, and contains light-reflecting agents to diffuse blotchiness.  Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide 15.5%, Titanium Dioxide 2%.

Jenny’s fave:

Tizo Ultra SPF35 – formulated for extra-sensitive skin, sun-intolerant skin, and for those seeking maximum sun protection.  Free of chemicals, oil, fragrance, and parabens.  Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide 20%.

Meenu’s fave:

Colorescience Sunforgettable SPF50 – a unique powdered formula that is brushed onto the skin.  Great for those who do not like applying traditional sunscreen lotions.  This sheer formula is chemical free, oil-absorbing, anti-inflammatory, and can be worn alone or under/over makeup.  Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide 24.5%, Titanium Dioxide 22.5%.

Malvina’s fave:

EltaMD Clear SPF46 – calms and protects acne-prone skin.  Lightweight and oil-free.  Active ingredients: Niacinamide, Zinc Oxide 9%.

We can help you determine which sunscreen would be best for you.
Complimentary skin consultations are always available!

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What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin condition that first appears as redness or blushing on the face – usually on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead. Over time, the redness becomes more persistent, and visible blood vessels may appear in these areas. As the condition progresses, red bumps or pimples may also develop on the skin. Because of this, rosacea is often misdiagnosed as acne.

In severe cases, rhinophyma may occur in which the nose becomes swollen or bumpy due to thickened tissue. Another form of rosacea, ocular rosacea, causes the eyes to become red, watery or irritated.

How Common is Rosacea?

Rosacea affects approximately 1.6 million Canadians, in particular those who are fair-skinned and who blush easily. These individuals are often of northern European descent (i.e. English, Irish, Scottish). Rosacea typically appears after age thirty, and tends to affect more women than men.

What Causes Rosacea?

The cause of rosacea is still a mystery, however scientists believe it may be attributed to one or more of the following:

• Blood vessel or connective tissue disorder
• Microscopic skin mites, fungus, or bacteria
• Genetic predisposition
• Abnormal immune or inflammatory response
• Sun damage of the connective tissue under the skin

Rosacea sufferers often find that certain triggers will cause their condition to flare-up, where there is an intense outbreak of redness, bumps, or pimples. Triggers may include:

• Weather – sun, cold, heat, humidity
• Food/Drink – hot beverages, alcohol, spicy foods, chocolate, dairy products, spinach
• Intense exercise
• Stress
• Medical conditions – fever, colds, cough, menopause/hot flashes
• Medications

Is There a Cure for Rosacea?

Unfortunately there is no known cure for rosacea. However, there are treatments available that can significantly reduce rosacea symptoms and keep the condition under control. These include:

• Oral antibiotics
• Topical medications (antibiotics, steroids)
• Laser treatments to reduce redness (Intense Pulsed Light, vein removal)
• Use of gentle skincare products to reduce inflammation
• Daily use of sunblock

Rosacea sufferers can also manage their symptoms by identifying and controlling the triggers that cause their flare-ups.

If you suffer from rosacea, please schedule a complimentary consultation with our team of experts to discuss the treatment options available at our clinics.

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For many of us, all of that sunshine may have left its mark in the way of brown spots, and/or redness on the face, chest, or hands. These changes in the skin are the result of accumulated sun exposure throughout one’s life, and contribute greatly to overall skin aging. Along with uneven pigmentation, sun-damaged skin may also be characterized by tiny red facial veins, fine lines, or wrinkles.

Melasma is a related pigment condition that causes brown, patchy discoloration on the cheeks, upper lip, forehead, or chin. Melasma primarily affects women, and is often seen in those with olive or darker skin tones. The main causes of melasma appear to be chronic sun exposure, and/or hormonal changes.

As we move into fall, we are shifting our focus to repairing sun-damaged skin, and correcting pigmentation such as melasma. Now is the perfect time to transform your skin, and restore its youthful radiance for the upcoming holiday season.

Physician Skincare Centre and Pender Medi Spa are pleased to offer effective solutions for sun-damaged skin including:

LimeLight (Intense Pulsed Light) Photofacial – for reducing brown spots, redness, facial veins, and rosacea.

Pearl Laser – a minimally-invasive resurfacing laser that will improve texture, and restore a pearl-like glow to the skin with one treatment.

Obagi Nu-Derm System – targeted skincare that will correct sun damage, and truly transform your skin. Ideal for darker skin tones, and for patients with melasma.

Younger, healthier, glowing skin IS possible!

Please contact us to learn how you can repair your skin, and prevent new sun damage from occurring.
Complimentary consultations with our team of experts are always available!

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