Archive for June 28, 2010

28 Jun 2010
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Hair free and silky smooth year round?
It’s possible with LightSheer!

Laser hair removal has become an ever-increasing demand that has led to the development of new and upgraded hair removal technology. The current gold standard in laser hair removal is the use of diode lasers, specifically the LightSheer Diode Laser System with patented ChillTip protection.

How does it work?

For the scientific portion, here you go!

The laser hair reduction process combines selective absorption of light energy by the melanin in hair follicles with suitable fluences (laser energy that is expressed in joules per square centimeter or J/cm²) and pulse durations. In order to achieve permanent hair reduction, sufficient light energy must be absorbed by the hair follicle. The melanin in the hair follicle absorbs 3-4 times more energy with the wavelength used in the LightSheer than in various previous lasers. This increased absorption means the LightSheer laser can be used at significantly lower fluences to achieve hair reduction.

Advantages of the LightSheer System

The LightSheer Diode Laser System was designed from the ground up for laser hair removal meaning it has the wavelength, fluence, pulse width and active epidermal cooling system (the ChillTip) suited for laser hair removal. The ChillTip is especially important since it protects the skin by conductive cooling during the laser energy delivery.

Why is the LightSheer Diode Laser System a better choice for laser hair removal? 

Not only is it designed for comfort during treatment, but the other bonus points are minimal risk of infection, enhanced speed and accuracy. In addition, the unique cooling handpiece minimizes the risk of skin irritation that other methods may create.  Since its non-invasive (no needles penetrate the skin), the risk of introducing bacteria into the skin is greatly reduced.  Because the system is fast, it allows for larger areas to be treated, considerably increasing the efficiency of the hair removal process. Finally, the system is a precise instrument that can be adjusted to damage only the hair follicle while minimally affecting the surrounding skin.

Another popular question…Is it permanent?

The LightSheer laser has been cleared by the FDA for hair removal and permanent hair reduction on all skin types including, tanned skin, on virtually and body area.  To achieve satisfactory results, 6 treatments are typically required.  

For more information on the LightSheer Laser Hair Removal system and Deseret’s $99 Full Body Laser Hair Membership,
call (480) 832- SKIN (7546) to schedule a free consultation.

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15 Jun 2010
Healthy Skin

Nourish Your Skin from Within…
Healthy Skin Foods

It takes only common sense to realize that what you put into your body is going to have an impact on how your body looks and feels. This is true on all levels including skin. Paying attention to what types of foods you are putting in your body is essential for healthy, glowing rejuvenated skin. Here are a few of the foods that drastically improve the look of your largest organ, your skin!

Water (yes, we are calling it Food)

It’s the number one thing you can put into your body if you want great looking skin. Water hydrates cells and helps them move toxins out and nutrients in.  Keeping the body hydrated means it sweats more efficiently which in turn keeps the skin clear. You should be consuming at least half your weight in ounces of water per day.

Low-Fat Dairy

Low-Fat Dairy products are really great source of Vitamin A, not to mention the live bacteria in items such as low-fat yogurt is good for intestinal health. Anything that keeps digestion normal will definitely be reflected in the skin.

Omega3 Rich Fish

Yes there is such a thing as good fat, it’s called Omega3. Essential fatty acids act as barriers for the cells, the stronger the barrier the better your cells can hold moisture, leaving you with younger looking skin. You can find Omega3 these in many different fish including tuna, shellfish, sardines and salmon. In addition to fish, flax seed and walnuts also contain essential fatty acids.

Blackberries, Blueberries, Strawberries and Plums

These four fruits weigh in with the highest total antioxidant capacity of any food. The benefits of these are plentiful including protection against free radicals, leaving less chance for damaged skin cells. Protecting against cell damage not only guards again premature aging, but keeps your complexion looking plump and smooth.

Other fruits and vegetables with a high antioxidant capacity include artichokes, beans (black, red and pinto), prunes and pecans.

Almonds, Sunflower Seeds and Hazelnuts

These nuts all contain high levels of Vitamin E, one of the most potent antioxidants. Not only will they protect you against free radicals, but they help to moisturize and protect against premature aging.

Whole Wheat Bread, Muffins and Cereals

These foods contain the mineral selenium which plays a key role in the health of skin cells. In addition, filling up on whole-grain products may stop you from reaching for white flour items such as bread, cake, pasta and white rice. All these items can affect insulin levels possible causing inflammation leading to break outs.

Other foods containing selenium are turkey, tuna and Brazil nuts

Avocados

Avocados are high in fat monounsaturated fat, the healthy fat, and contain both Vitamin C and Vitamin E. This is a powerful anti-aging combination and a must for those with dry skin.

Broccoli

You’ve probably heard this since you were a kid, but it’s true – eat your broccoli!  Broccoli contains a high level of Vitamin A which improves the turnover of cells in the skin. When you skin is renewed more quickly, this leaves the freshest skin on top where everyone can see.

Dark Chocolate

Consuming dark chocolate can protect the skin from sun damage, help increase blood flow to the skin and reduce roughness. Dark chocolate contains flavanols (antioxidants) and is rich in minerals including magnesium, calcium, iron, copper, potassium and zinc.

Healthy Oils

Eating good quality oils helps keep skin lubricated and keeps it looking and feeling healthier.  When looking for the right oil, make sure it’s labeled cold pressed, expeller processed or extra virgin. Keep in mind that even though these are healthy oils, they are still a fat which is high in calories, so limit it to two tablespoons a day.

Adding these foods to your diet will drastically improve the look and texture of your skin. However, it’s just as important to cut out foods from your diet as it is to add foods if you do want healthy skin. Make sure that you reduce your intake of caffeine, bad fats, salt, sugar, etc. to maximize the healthy benefits.

Other healthy skin foods that would have made the list if we could have kept going: mangos, carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cantaloupe, spinach, Brussels sprouts, oranges and grapefruit.

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04 Jun 2010
Vitamin D series

Am I Vitamin D Deficient?

Vitamin D for humans is obtained from sun exposure, food and supplements. Living in Arizona one might think they would definitely get enough exposure to sunlight; but, if you are wearing sunscreen, as you should be, it blocks around 97% of your body’s vitamin D production.  In addition, other factors such as cloud cover, air pollution and skin pigmentation can hinder how much we absorb. For example, dark pigment in the skin reduces the skin’s ability to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight by 95%.  Unfortunately, the benefits of exposure to UVB radiation cannot be separated from the harmful effects.  So what are your other options?  And how much do you need?

Very few foods in nature contain vitamin D. The flesh of fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, and fish liver oils are among the best sources, with small amounts of vitamin D found in beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks. Vitamin D in these foods is primarily in the form of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and its metabolite 25(OH)D2.  Some mushrooms provide vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) in variable amounts.

Most of the vitamin D in food is fortified, for example, almost all of the U.S. milk supply is fortified with 100 IU/cup of vitamin D.  Other dairy products made from milk, such as cheese and ice cream, are generally not fortified.  Ready-to-eat breakfast cereals often contain added vitamin D, as do some brands of orange juice, yogurt, and margarine.

If you do not eat vitamin D rich foods often, or perhaps don’t eat enough, supplements of D3 are your other option.  The current recommended intake of vitamin D is 200 IU for those up to age 50; 400 IU for people 51-70; and 600 IU for those older than 70 (requirements increase with age because older skin produces less vitamin D).  These recommendations date back to 1997 and many additional studies have been published since that document the effectiveness of higher levels of vitamin D, the evidence is mounting that we need more.  The safe upper limit for vitamin D is 2,000 for children, adults and pregnant and lactating women. Some experts have suggested increasing the recommended amount to more than 2,000, but this would need to be evaluated by your doctor on a case by case basis.

Chances are, most people are not getting enough vitamin D for good health.  To be certain, call and schedule an appointment to have your vitamin D levels tested.  You want to ask for the test that measures the circulating form of vitamin D, the test is referred to as 25[OH]D, or 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

Dr. Allen would be more than happy to assist you with evaluating your levels and developing a proper treatment plan.
Please call (480) 832-SKIN (7546) to make an appointment.

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04 Jun 2010
Vitamin D series

Why do I need Vitamin D?

Vitamin D has a huge impact on the health and function of your cells. With cellular docking stations, receptors, for vitamin D in virtually all of your body’s cells, you need an adequate blood level of vitamin D in order to “feed” your cells. When the human body does not get enough vitamin D, it affects every area of our biology.

Most people are aware that your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and in return promote bone growth. Without this essential absorption bones can become soft in children (rickets) and fragile and misshapen in adults, osteomalacia. What’s surprising to many people is that you need vitamin D for many other important body functions as well. When you hear what it can do for the rest of your body, you will be shocked!

Cancer

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to breast, colon, prostate and ovarian cancers. “We could prevent 150,000 cases of cancer annually if we could just increase vitamin D to optimal levels,” states doctor of public health and leading vitamin D researcher, Cedric Garland. Scientists believe that vitamin D helps to regulate genes in a way that protects healthy cells and stops the growth of cancerous ones.

Weight Gain

It may be beautiful outside right now, but more indoor time and fewer hours of sunlight can lead to a decrease in vitamin D and explain why some people bulk up. Lower levels of vitamin D can cause a dip in leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite. When this happens, your brain may not send the signal that you’re full and should stop eating. We all know where this leads! Other researchers have theorized that vitamin D deficiency contributes to insulin resistance, one of the main causes of weight gain.  In addition, there are weight loss benefits.  Results from a study at the University of Minnesota showed the higher the pre-diet vitamin D levels, the greater the weight loss, particularly around the middle. 

Heart Health

Vitamin D helps to lower blood pressure and regulate hormones that affect blood vessels and the heart muscles. Research suggests that people with high vitamin D levels may have up to a 50% lower risk of heart disease.  Harvard Medical School researchers reported a 62% increased risk of heart attacks or strokes among adults with the lowest levels of vitamin D.

Brain Health

According to Bruce Hollis, PhD, a professor of molecular biology, “Vitamin D receptors in the brain seem to turn on several genes that are important for normal neurological function.” Vitamin D offers a lifetime of brain health benefits from aiding in developing infants to keep adults sharp.

Cold and Flu Defense

Research has shown that colds and the flu are at their worst when vitamin D levels are low.  One particular study discovered that women who took 800 IU of vitamin D daily were three times less likely to develop colds or the flu, and those that took 2,000 IU reported even fewer symptoms. Some scientists have nicknamed vitamin D the “antibiotic vitamin”.

Let’s not forgot the many other possible benefits:

  • Prevent autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes and Crohn’s disease – according to scientists from the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Children’s Hospital Boston.
  • Reduce the severity and frequency of asthma symptoms and the likelihood of hospitalization due to asthma – according researchers from Harvard Medical School found after monitoring 616 children in Costa Rica.
  • A form of vitamin D could be one of our body’s main protections against damage from low levels of radiation – according to radiological experts from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
  • Help fight depression – Researchers also believe that vitamin D helps keep the brain flushed with serotonin, which plays a crucial role in regulating mood.
  • Treating or preventing autism
  • Chronic pain
  • Neuromuscular diseases
  • Osteoporosis

To consult with Dr. Allen and develop a treatment plan that will benefit you, please call for an appointment at (480) 832-7546.

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