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December 06th, 2019

12/6/2019

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We all know that as we age our bodies begin to show their wear. Our metabolism slows, our skin loses its elasticity and wrinkles begin to crop up where they never were before.  While we all have our own ways of coming to terms with our mortality and the aging process, no one wants to look older than they are.   

That’s why we’ve come up with a list of the top 6 body parts that show their age first and what you can do to optimize these spots, delaying their decay and giving you a little more staying power.
Whatever problem area you wish to target, anti-aging always starts with anti-inflammation – which means a good diet, good sleep, plenty of movement in your day and regular hygiene. 
Dr. Lani Doser, DNP


​Hair

Hair has always been a major tell when it comes to age and not just because those nasty grays are taking root. Those are easily washed away with a color boost from specially formulated hair dyes. But even if your color is youthful, your hair thickness and moisture can be a dead giveaway. Not only does hair lose its pigment as we age, it also becomes thinner and more dry and brittle. 

Years of sun exposure, color, straightening, curling and styling have wrecked havoc on your follicles.  Eating a healthy diet rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and dark green vegetables for vitamins A and C, as well as zinc packed nuts will help love your hair (and the rest of your body) from the inside out. Remember that over washing and sun exposure can age hair prematurely. Getting deep conditioning treatments can help keep hair healthy and strong. Use a mineral sunscreen on your part.​


​Hands

Hands are one of the first signs you’re aging. This is because the skin on your hands is thinner, more exposed and over worked than any other body part. Sun damage makes its mark here, which is why applying sunscreen to the backs of your hands, on top of a good quality hand cream, at least once a day, is crucial. At night, keep your mitts moist with thicker overnight creams and a pair of moisturizing gloves to keep them soft, supple and younger looking. For sun spots, turn to IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) laser treatments, simple, safe and cost effective, IPL will help you erase years of sun damage and renew your hands’ youthful appearance.


​Face ​

Sun spots and freckles don’t just appear on your hands as you age, dark spots can also show up on your face as you grow older. In addition, you’ll be battling volume loss in the cheek and temple areas and wrinkles, especially forehead and frown lines. 
No matter which of these issues you’re battling, there’s something you can do. 

Obviously, a good diet rich in whole foods and packed with protein and vegetables is great place to start, as is a great skin care regimen – proper cleansing, toning and hydration of your delicate facial skin. Plenty of rest will ease inflammation in the body and slow the aging process.  But if age spots and wrinkles have already set up a home base on your face, here are a few things you can do to turn back the clock without looking plastic:

  • Battle forehead lines and frown lines with Botox
  • Cheek and temple volume loss can be plumped up again with dermal filler 
  • An IPL photofacial is perfect for renewing sun damaged skin 
  • Our exclusive Genesis V by Cutera™, a non-invasive laser technology, is a powerful anti-aging tool that naturally and effectively treats fine lines, wrinkles, and diffuse redness and scars.  By gently heating the dermis well below the skin’s surface, Genesis V Rejuvenation Therapy improves the appearance of wrinkles through collagen stimulation. Laser light also reduces redness and stimulates collagen regrowth, assisting in skin tightening. ​


​Eyes

The windows to your soul, your eyes, can give away your age in less than a blink. That’s because tear troughs, crow’s feet, dark circles and blepharoptosis (drooping eyelids) are all serious markers of age.  A good skin care regimen, including specially formulated eye creams (look for those with vitamins C and E), work well here to keep things moist, but a Botox browlift, dermal fillers and laser treatments can be your best friend when thinking about rejuvenating the skin around your eyes.  The treatment you choose will depend on your skin type and your unique aging profile. Our clinicians here at Living Well Institute for Skin and Laser can help you customize a treatment plan.


​Mouth

Smiling can be your best beauty accessory. Smiles are contagious – they make a great first impression and let people know you’re friendly and approachable.  But now, a recent study published in Psychology and Aging, shows that a great smile can make you appear younger than you actually are, by at least a few years.  But what if your pout has begun to pucker? 

Lip lines, loss of lip volume, marionette lines and yellowing teeth can all age your grin, making you look older. Keep your smile sparkling with regular dental hygiene, maintenance and teeth whitening. Botox and dermal filler can help plump a pout, decrease a grimace and smooth whistle lines.


​Neck

The dreaded turkey neck waddle, deep creasing on your neck and fine lines, skin tags and spots peppering your décolletage can all tip people off to your age.  The skin on your neck is thin, thinner than your face, which is why you need to be sure to take good care of this delicate area.  Preventative measures include a good skin care routine, proper moisturizing and UV protection can go a long way to keeping your neck and the often forgotten décolletage (the area of a woman's body that is exposed when a garment with a low neckline is worn) looking supple and young.

Treatment possibilities in this area include ultrasound/radiofrequency tightening, IPL, LaseMD and finally a necklift procedure (for those with gobblers –if you’re willing to go under the knife.)

Whatever problem area you wish to target, anti-aging always starts with anti-inflammation – which means a good diet, good sleep, plenty of movement in your day and regular hygiene. 

​Keeping your skin properly cared for will go a long way in keeping it in tip top condition. If you still want a little non-surgical help, SkinWise Rx is here to help. Call our office today (503.964.5334) to schedule your FREE consultation and let us help personalize your anti-aging skin care plan today.
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November 27th, 2019

11/27/2019

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Botox Dermal Filler IPL
Dr. Doser's Top 3 Cosmetic Treatments for the Holidays
The holidays bring all kinds of stress, including the anxiety of seeing family and friends again after what may have been a long separation. Sure, you miss them but let’s face it – those closest to us can oftentimes be the most critical as well.  

Which is why now is the perfect time to make sure you’re looking your very best for those long awaited reunions that holidays bring. Naturally nobody wants to show up to that big event looking plastic or unnatural. So what procedures will give you the most dramatic results in the shortest amount of time – without leaving you looking unreal?

Refresh your look with these 3 cosmetic treatments ​

For those wanting to look and feel their most confident this holiday season, there are three minimally invasive procedures that consistently provide great, natural looking results, with little to no downtime. 

In fact, for most, results will take effect immediately to 10 days after your procedure and leave you looking refreshed, just in time for that first welcome hug and the requisite once over.
​

IPL

Intense Pulsed Light treatment, sometimes referred to as a photofacial or photo rejuvenation, is one of most effective, non-invasive treatment you can have to revive the healthy look and feel of your skin. 

Not only does IPL help repair some forms of sun damage and hyperpigmentation, it also improves tone and smooths the epidermis by stimulating new skin growth, providing a more youthful, healthy appearance overall.

IPL clinicians evaluate your skin and then customize your treatment to include the selection of an optimal wavelength to deliver intense broad-spectrum pulses of light, targeting the hemoglobin and melanin in your specific skin tone and condition. 

When these targeted areas absorb the light, they darken and the surrounding skin may appear pink. This effect can last anywhere from just a few hours to a few days. These newly darkened spots eventually flake off and fade, disappearing as a result of the body’s own natural rejuvenation response, revealing healthy fresh looking skin. 

IPL works optimally on light-to-medium tone skin and is best embarked on during the cooler, more overcast months, as patients receiving IPL must avoid the sun (as well as artificial tanners) while undergoing treatment. IPL is used to treat the following issues:

  • Rosacea
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Dilated blood vessels
  • Broken capillaries (telangiectasia)
  • Sun damage like sun and age spots
  • Fine lines and wrinkles


​Dermal Filler

A lesser-known part of the natural aging process - volume loss - is often seen in populations over age 40. By this point, most people have marked facial volume loss, causing them to notice a reflection that appears haggard or worn.  This is because volume loss occurs not only in the skin, reducing firmness and elasticity, but also in the muscle and even bone. The overall effect on your face is that it leaves eyes slightly sunken looking, cheeks hollow, and mouths turned down.

But volume loss is easily and safely overcome in the hands of an experienced, educated clinician. In fact, we believe the use of dermal fillers are as much an art form as they are a skill – that is, if you want your results to appear natural looking and serve as a subtle enhancement without the dreaded mask-like appearance that can happen in the hands of someone with less restraint and experience. 

Dr. Lani Doser, DNP (a doctorally trained nurse practitioner) is an experienced, highly trained injector with a reputation for refreshed, natural looking results.

It’s important to note that dermal fillers have been vigorously tested for safety and quality here in the U.S. and typically take no more than an hour to achieve desired results.


​Botox

Botox is neuromodulator used to relax creases and frown lines in the face.  This simple, non-surgical treatment temporarily smoothes moderate to severe frown lines, “crow’s feet,” and other facial lines and creasing usually in the upper regions of the face in people ages 18 to 65, through the use of injection. 

A typical treatment delivers very low doses of Botox, administered through injection, directly to the muscles responsible for those frown lines. This neuromodulator works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles reducing the activity that results in the formation of frown lines and other crease-making facial expressions. This makes Botox ideal not only for treatment of existing conditions but also for the prevention of future lines and creases.

Best of all, treatments usually take only 10-20 minutes with little to no recovery time necessary afterward and the effects, when applied properly, will leave you looking subtly refreshed but not radically altered. You may continue to see marked improvement to the treated areas, with lines improving even up to one month, and results lasting up to 4 months. 
​
Armed with these fast-acting cosmetic procedures, you can head into the lion’s den of the holiday season looking and feeling great, as you put your best face forward.

Happy Holidays!

​Dr. Lani Doser, DNP
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T

11/22/2019

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1. Wrinkles, age spots, skin changes

WHY: Accumulated sun damage can cause the skin cells to age, to pigment irregularly, and to wrinkle with lines that stay after movement. Even the support structures of the pores can enlarge causing them to sag and look wider. 

​TREATMENT: Epionce Lytic Tx will help shrink pores and retexturize skin.  Intense Defense Serum has 3 types of vitamin A to freshen skin and lighten spots. Eminence bamboo firming serum also has botanical vitamin A and causes freshening and external tightening. Avene Retrinals (retinaldehyde) inhibits melanin (that makes age spots). It can also change the DNA of the cell to help with wrinkles and sagging. IPL will reduce mottling on the chest or face. Facial peels can also freshen, lighten, and reduce acne as well as exfoliate the skin. Microdermabrasion can help exfoliate pores to clear blockage and make them look smaller.

Sunscreen by Eminence or Epionce will keep away sun damage if you wear it, even on cloudy days, and reapply throughout the day (on hands and chest too).
"Sunscreen should be your BFF! Use it everyday and in the future you will look back and say 'Thanks Me!'."
Dr. Lani Doser, DNP
2. Facial Volume loss

WHY: With age; collagen, fat, and bone are lost from the face. The most common areas are the temples, brow, lips, and cheeks. When the cheeks sag, it makes the smile lines and tear troughs deepen. Lips lose definition and lipstick will bleed into lip lines (even if you never smoked). Deep temples can make you look skeletal and eye brows can drop. (Link FILLERS blog).

TREATMENT: Avoid rapid weight loss diets that will reduce your skin’s elasticity and make it sag, wear lip-gloss at the center of the lips, and apply highlighter to the apples of the cheek with contour/bronzer under the cheekbones. Consider facial fillers such as Radiesse or Juvederm to fill depressed areas for 6 months to 2 years.

3. Veiny and spotted hands

WHY: Hands appear veiny due to the same reason that the face loses volume. The hands have lost bone, fat, and muscle. The spots occur because of accumulated sun damage.

TREATMENT: Isometric exercises of the hands could build stronger muscles and appear less sunken. Retin A cream on the hands will help reduce aging pigmentation, fine lines/wrinkles, and rejuvenate the skin (see recommendations above on 1). Calcium supplementation will help with bone loss. IPL can greatly reduce age spots. Dermal fillers such as Radiesse can plump the hands again.

"Remodeling is the process of bone and fat deteriorating in one area and reaccumulating in another, ultimately changing the structure of the face. "
Dr. Lani Doser, DNP
4. Sparse eyelashes and eyebrows

WHY: While testosterone causes men’s eyebrows to grow wild as they age, women’s brows thin after years of plucking and waxing. Eyelashes bear much assault over years with repetitive mascara, curling, and make up use. Many times make up is applied and left on over night. 

TREAT: Clean your eyelashes gently. Use a make up remover designed to take off mascara and do not rub.  Consider eyelash conditioners. A known eye lash grower is FDA approved Latisse with consistent results.

Regarding eyebrows, stop overwaxing and plucking. Consider using a trimmer to keep brow hairs intact below the surface rather than removing them by the bulb. If you repeatedly damage hair at the follicle it won’t grow back. Dr. Doris Day, MD, dermatologist recommends taking 5 mg of biotin daily to make hair stronger. Try using eyebrow pencils to fill in sparse brows.
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WWW

11/8/2019

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Winter's in the Pacific Northwest can be harsh to your skin. Dry air, wind💨, and cold 🌡all lash at the tender armor that covers us leaving it dry and cracked. Here are some great home spa tips to help keep your skin in peak condition throughout the winter months! A simple way to remember - Three Ts and two Ds of winter skin care - DTTTD.😜


  1. DOOR closed. Moisturize immediately after showering or bathing with the door 🚪 to the bathroom shut. The additional humidity helps moisturize your skin and good creams will draw water from the air into your skin.
  2. THREE minutes. You only have 3️⃣ minutes to lightly towel off and apply moisturizer. After that the moisture in the skin escapes and cannot be locked in.
  3. TUB creams. To help keep your skin from getting dry with winter ❄ weather, use creams that have to be scooped. They often come in a tub or jar. Do not use lotions from a pump. They have less emollients and often have added alcohol that will actually dry your skin.
  4. Take TIME ⏳to center daily. Try using an app that has you breath, center, or meditate daily. Try it for 7️⃣ days. See if it changes this holiday 🎄 season for you. Studies show that mindfulness, meditation, and yoga are all beneficial for health. It can decrease the sensation of stress, heart 💗rate, blood pressure, and pain. There are many app to try. Dr. Lani uses Relax by Andrew Johnson available at the iTunes store and Google Play. If you are saving for presents, check out free CDs or digital books from your local library. A well known book to promote sleep by Dr. Andrew Weil and Rubin Naiman is available through Multnomah County Library called, “Healthy Sleep: Fall Asleep Easily, Sleep More Deeply, Sleep Through the Night, Wake up Refreshed.”
  5. DON'T skip sunscreen. Even when the days are cloudy ⛅ and you're bundled up from head to toe, wear sunscreen. It protects your skin from aging radiation ☢ that gets through even when the days are dim.


Have a safe, happy, and healthy holidays from the cast and crew at SkinWise Rx! 
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September 28th, 2019

9/28/2019

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​Acne, scarring & Treatments

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"I was first effected by scarring cystic acne when I was 18 years old and going to college. I battled and still war with hormonal acne today. Acne and scarring has a special place in my heart. I know the loss of self-esteem one suffers, the avoidance of any photographs, and the shame I felt. It had nothing to do with my cleanliness or eating chocolate."
​Dr. Lani Doser, DNP
Acne is typically present from puberty until the early 20s but can affect both men and women as late as their 50 and even 60s. In extreme cases acne can be painful, psychologically distressing and even disfiguring. The good news is that both the acne and most scarring caused by acne are complicated to ameliorate but treatable.

For those with more mild cases of acne there are simple preventative steps for preventing breakouts such as to avoid touching the skin, washing before bed, and avoiding sun. Basically, the stuff our parents told us to do. Dr. Amanda Squiers, DNP and Dr. Lani Doser, DNP, would also add other tips such as changing your pillow case nightly, cleansing your make up brushes, and cleansing your phone often. However more severe cases have to be treated with more intensive therapies. In these cases you will want the expertise of a medical professional.
"We also recommend changing your pillow case nightly, cleansing your make up brushes, and cleansing your phone often." 
Dr. Amanda Squiers, DNP and Dr. Lani Doser, DNP
The cause of the tender papules, cysts, and nodules that form deep beneath the skin can be infection or hormonal and can often be treated with prescriptions for antibiotics or birth control. Isotretinoin can also be prescribed to both kill bacteria and reduce the body’s natural oil production. 

The scarring caused by severe acne can be treated as well. SkinWise Rx offers several treatments for scarring depending on the type and severity. Know that acne scars vary from rolling, boxcar, icepick, and atrophic. Many of these types will be present in a single area of concern. Acne scar treatment is never one and done. It takes a series to lessen the impact of permanent damage.

For minor scarring, chemical peels can be an effective and relatively inexpensive solution with little downtime. Chemical peels remove the top layers of skin causing the body to generate new skin and collagen which helps fill in superficial textural changes. This smooths and tones skin and decreases discolorations. Peels can also be titrated to a very small area for icepick scarring. 

For more severe scarring, options include radiofrequency (RF) microneedling and laser resurfacing. RF microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment with little downtime. Using heat and small needles, RF microneedling breaks up the scars and encourages new skin and collagen growth improving texture and pore size. Three to four treatments are typically necessary to achieve desired results.

Ablative laser resurfacing is more invasive and has a 7-10 days downtime. Depending on the severity of scarring, laser resurfacing may be the most effective treatment. Laser resurfacing removes the damaged layers of skin which generates new skin and encourages collagen remodeling resulting in smoother and brighter skin. This also takes a series of 2-4 treatments.

Both Drs. Lani and Amanda have been effected by acne and the scars they leave behind - both physical and emotional. "I was first effected by scarring cystic acne when I was 18 years old and going to college. I battled and still war with hormonal acne today. Acne and scarring has a special place in my heart. I know the loss of self-esteem one suffers, the avoidance of any photographs, and the shame I felt. It had nothing to do with my cleanliness or eating chocolate."

If you have been considering treatment for acne or acne scars and would like more information on the treatment options available to you call SkinWise Rx at 503.964.5334 for a free consultation.
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UNDERSTANDING ISOTRETINOIN (ACCUTANE) AND THE RISK OF DEPRESSION.

7/23/2019

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Acne. For some it’s a small, albeit annoying, part of “coming of age”. For others it can be life-altering, painful and even disfiguring. Patients with scarring inflammatory acne leading to painful nodules and cysts are often desperate for an effective solution and willing to risk the sometimes severe side effects of treatment.

Isotretinoin (the generic name of known brand Accutane) is a form of oral vitamin A. It is an excellent treatment for severe acne symptoms. However, Accutane has been associated with serious mental health side effects including depression. Even after Accutane was discontinued, the association with these side effects has continued anecdotally for patients and prescribers.
​“IF FEAR OF DEPRESSION IS HOLDING YOU BACK FROM ACNE TREATMENT, THEN MAYBE IT IS TIME TO RECONSIDER."
Dr. Lani Doser, DNP
A study recently presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology suggests that patients actually experience LESS depression when being treated with Isotretinoin. The results of the study of 38,000 patients prescribed systemic treatment for acne suggested that patients treated with Isotretinoin were 20% less likely to experience depression than those who were not (under 4% compared to nearly 5% of those not treated with Isotretinoin). 

The study’s author, Dr. Bethanee Schlosser, an associate professor in the department of dermatology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, states “Our retrospective, population-based study shows no increased risk of depression in patients taking Isotretinoin, compared to patients with acne but not taking Isotretinoin.” Schlosser suggests that the study’s results highlight what doctors and researchers already knew - that severe acne has a greater impact on a patient’s mood and quality of life and that successfully treating the conditions likely lowers the risk of depression.

Dr. Lani Doser, DNP, says, “If fear of depression is holding you back from acne treatment, then maybe it is time to reconsider. While this medication is a great option for cystic acne, it is not benign for pregnancy. We offer alternatives to Isotretinoin for those not wanting to temporarily block their fertility or have other concerns about Isotretinoin use.”
"Depression is a serious issue that if left untreated rarely goes away. If you are dealing with depression know that it can be treated and there are resources available to help you get treatment. "
​Dr. Lani Doser, DNP
If you are concerned you are suffering from depression please let someone help you. The US Department of Health and Human Services has a 24 hour help line  800.662.HELP (4357).

If you would like more information regarding Isotretinoin and alternitives or would like to schedule a free consultation to speak to one of our medical experts please call SkinWise Rx at 503.967.5334.
​
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What's the deal with DIY Sunscreen

6/10/2019

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Coconut oil, olive oil, carrot juices and citrus oils. These sound like the ingredients for a healthy and delicious salad dressing but many social media influencers recommend these ingredients for DIY sunscreen.

Did you know the FDA regulates sunscreen? Why is that? The answer is that sunscreen products make medical claims to protect the skin from sunburn, photodamage, and skin cancer. Because of that sunscreens are regulated and tested for safety and efficacy.

Dr. Lani Doser says “There are so many fun posts on IG and Pinterest on how to DIY almost anything. When it comes to choosing décor or drawing a cat-eye, I am all for it. But lately, I have been seeing posts on DIY sunscreen and with that I would advise caution.”

“I would strongly recommend not risking your skin to future skin cancer, hyperpigmentation or severe sunburn by using homemade sunscreen products.”
Dr. Doser

Many of the ingredients recommended in DIY sunscreen have some natural UVB blocking properties (maximum of SPF 2) but do not provide coverage for UVA protection. UVB rays make up a maximum 20% of the sun’s rays and are associated with causing burning and skin cancer. UVA rays compose up to 95% of the sun’s rays and cause photoaging and skin cancer. 

The ingredients in DIY sunscreens are not tested for efficacy against sustained heat, photostability, and water resistance. “While I love a good sugar scrub recipe or a fun hair mask (though I’d rather eat my avocado – LOL),” Dr. Doser states emphatically,  “I would strongly recommend not risking your skin to future skin cancer, hyperpigmentation or severe sunburn by using homemade sunscreen products.”
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September 03rd, 2018

9/3/2018

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Dermal Filler myths

Lip filler, lip injection, injectables, safe injection, skin of color expert
Time for some straight talk on filler. I get questions from clients daily and most have the same concerns and fears. Do these top 5 resonate with you?

1. It's too expensive. There are many dermal fillers available now and the more on the market, the better for you. My favorite is FDA approved new comer is Versa made by Prollenium. It is super smooth, moves dynamically, causes little swelling, and is significantly less expensive than my other fillers. I love this affordable, elegant hyaluronic acid dermal filler.

2. It is too painful. There are many options for controlling and reducing pain. Skinwise Rx offers topical anesthetics, regional nerve blocks, and nitrous oxide for pain management if anxiety or fear are obstacles. Look for an injector that cares about your pain, not one that flippantly says, "Injections ARE painful." I care, am gentle, and take extra time for your comfort.

3. I'll have to miss work. Redness and bruising can happen. I reduce the occurrence of these by using a Cannula, a vein viewer that allows me to see areas that should be avoided. Additionally, I always use the smallest needles possible to reduce downtime. Make up can be worn the next day. Most clients go directly back to work the same day or are injected on a Friday so that they can recover over a weekend. There will be soft swelling that mostly relieves (approximately 80%) in 3 days. Many actually enjoy the swelling and miss it when it is gone.

 4. I'll look too fake. Choose an injector that embraces your aesthetic. Check their before and after pictures on their Instagram. Does anyone look too augmented? Too feline? Does the injector not appear how you would like to present yourself? If so, use caution. Talk about the photos you like and the ones you don't. Be specific and realistic. You cannot become too augmented with fewer than 5 syringes. 

5. It's unsafe. This is a good reason to get injected by an educated, experienced, ethical and licensed injector. Look for cleanliness. Don't use an injector that will split an opened syringe with a friend. It's illegal, unsafe, unethical, and made for single use. Licensure and education help to narrow the field. This does not guarantee a good injector, but decreases the number you consider. It denotes your injector did additional effort on your behalf. Did they mail away for a certificate or go to school specifically to learn the art? Did they pay additional money to register nationally and statewide? Are they being governed by any bodies to serve ethically? If you have many previous facial surgeries, anaphylactic allergies, or extreme fear; choose to be injected by a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Use care and research your injector. 
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July 30th, 2018

7/30/2018

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how long does your botox last?

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​How to make Dysport or Botox last longer? How long does it last for you? Do you think it is related to the injector or to your habits?

Some theories exist on rapid metabolism. For example, if you are exercising a lot or really physical for your job (armed forces, police, firefighting, flight nursing, professional athlete, etc.) you have more potential to metabolize medication faster (same with being very thin or having a rapid metabolism). If you are training for a marathon, triathlon, or Hood to Coast; expect to go through units more rapidly. During this time you may need to be injected more frequently.

As you age, you may need more units. BotulinumtoxinA may not work as well over time and you may become more resistant to its effect over time. If this happens, consider increasing your original dose or trying a different brand. Tell your injector if you are not getting the longevity you have had in the past. Together, troubleshoot what is happening. You should get your records from past injectors to see if the injection pattern and dose is the same as 10 years ago. If it is the same as 2008, you may need to change it up.
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As to what YOU can do, one review article in Dermatological Surgery (2018 Feb, p249-260) discusses the myths and reality of neuromodulators. The main truths according to authors Dover, Monheit, Greener, & Pickett are:
  1. Neither Dysport or Botox are superior in effect.
  2. Protein load does not increase "spread" in Dysport.
  3. The amount of fluid used for reconstitution does not influence treatment effect.
  4. Icing before and after injection may decrease efficacy
  5. Exercising the muscle for 2 hrs daily until the height of effect increased duration.
Lastly, according to a study in 2012, taking oral zinc with a phytase enzyme four days before injection and the day of injection can increase, by a few weeks, how long neuromodulators last (JDD, 2012 Apr, 507-511) and speed up how quickly they take effect. This study has not been replicated.

How long does your Botox/Dysport/Xeomin typically last? Do you think duration is based on your injector or on your habits?


#botox #dysport #xeomin #toxin #wrinklecare #portlandoregon #pdx #swportland #lastlonger #neurotoxin #injectables #fillers
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June 22nd, 2018

6/22/2018

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cosmetic Dry eye

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Jennifer Aniston has become a spokesperson for Shire Pharmaceuticals speaking about her struggle with dry eyes. This is a common condition that effects 30 million Americans. It can be caused by many things including genetics and surgery.

For people that get cosmetic treatments, it can be caused by a multitude of options. Items like false lashes, lash extensions, mascara, eyeliner, and make up can be irritating. Botox, Latisse and lash growth serums are also a culprit. Any eye surgery can create this condition (Lasik, blepharoplasty). If you are using eye drops daily or even hourly (Aniston reports using drops multiple times in an hour), seek help.

There are options that can lessen the symptoms. Instead of taking a nip of the "V" (visine, LOL), go see your ophthalmologist. Eye doctors can suggest ways to reduce this constant pain and irritation. Jennifer Aniston is hoping to create more awareness with a campaign called myeyelove.com sponsored by Shire. Consider taking a look.

For myself, because I am not ready to stop make up or Latisse, I use over the counter Genteal eye gel for severely dry eyes. It is soothing and can be used at morning and at night. It is my go to daily, I don't have to use drops during the day, and it doesn't make my eyes blurry after I use it. So for those of you bleary-eyed from hump day, make an appointment and be seen. You don't have to put up with dry, irritated eyes. Jennifer says so.
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