May 5 may be widely known as Cinco de Mayo, but this year May 5 marks Melanoma Awareness Day and kicks off Melanoma Awareness Month.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and is largely influenced by sun exposure, however it also has a genetic component.  If you have a first degree relative who has had malignant melanoma, you should be seen for regular skin exams with your dermatologist.

Here are some statistics about melanoma from the American Cancer Society:

• About 76,100 new melanomas will be diagnosed this year (2014)
• About 9,710 people are expected to die of melanoma this year (2014)
• The rates of melanoma have been rising for at least 30 years

What can you do to minimize your risk for melanoma?  Be sun smart.  Wear daily sunscreen of SPF45+ daily, and reapply every 1-2 hours when outdoors.  Avoid being outdoors for extended periods of time during peak hours. Never use a tanning bed.  Monitor your body for any changes in size, shape, color, itching, bleeding.  Melanoma is treatable when caught early, so see a dermatologist regularly for full body exams or when you notice any changes.

Image source: http://u.osu.edu/

Vanquish is a revolutionary non-contact, non-invasive radio frequency device that destroys fat cells with deep heat, leaving the surrounding tissue unaffected.

Average loss with a series of four treatments is 1.5 to 3 inches!

NO downtime. NO pain or discomfort. Safe and effective.

Before Vanquish Treatment

After Series of 4 Treatments

Vanquish has been featured on The View, as well as New You and Harpers Bazaar.  Follow the links to learn more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlPbZ2Tf53k

http://new-you.me/2013/08/15/vanquish-your-love-handles-forever/

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/health-wellness-articles/fat-removal-procedures-0913

Research recently presented at the American Academy of Dermatology’s annual meeting, and reported on Medco (3/27, Kling), shows that Botox may lighten your mood.

The findings show “botulinum toxin A, commonly known as Botox, has an antidepressive effect when injected between the eyebrows that continues beyond the cosmetic effects of the injection.”

The study followed 30 subjects with depressive symptoms, some of whom were injected with botulinum toxin A in the glabellar region, while others were treated with a placebo.  The research found that the anti-depressant effect of the treatment lasted even after the anti-wrinkling effect had worn off.

Products such as Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are are very effective at preventing expression lines from worsening, and now they’ve been shown to lift your mood too!

Before treatment with Botox

After treatment with Botox

Want to look younger?  Wear your sunscreen!

An article published in the Huffington Post (3/17, Shah) explained that people who wear sunscreen regularly age better than those who do not make sunscreen a daily habit.  The article reports that “as much as 90% of skin aging is caused by sun exposure.”  The Annals of Internal Medicine also reports that “people who used sunscreen regularly were 24 percent less likely to show increased signs of aging.”

We recommend wearing a daily broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen of at least SPF 30, reapplied through out the day.  For prolonged sun exposure, we recommend SPF 50 reapplied every 1-2 hours while outdoors.  Some of our favorite SPFs include Revision Intellishade and Jan Marini brand sunscreen.

Introducing GliSODen, an oral supplement that can improve the appearance of your skin.

GliSODen is rich in superoxide dismutase, or SOD(aka the “enzyme of life”), which is a primary antioxidant that acts as the first line of defense against toxins and cellular breakdown caused by free radicals.

We are pleased to offer the following formulas to our patients:
Advanced Anti-Aging Formula- helps to maintain the structural integrity of the skin, hydrates and improves elasticity, reduces the appearance of fine lines an wrinkles.

Advanced Skin Brightening Formula- soothes and clarifies the skin, helps reduce hyperpigmentation, protects the skin from photodamage.

Advanced Slimming Formula- increases fat metabolism, suppresses appetit, promotes lean muscle mass and balances blood sugar levels.