Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Busting Myths on Acne! Myth 2 of 6

Myth 2: Tanning helps clear up skin.


BUSTED! While tanning may hide your pimples, it certainly does not help get rid of them. In fact, tanning may worsen your acne.

After a day in the sun your skin looks better because exposure to the sun helps to even complexion and dry up the surface of the skin, but the long-term damage isn't worth it. Not only are you exposing yourself to harmful UV rays that permanently damage your skin, leading to wrinkles, sun spots and skin cancer, but you are also irritating your skin when you are exposed to too much sun, which in turn aggravates acne.

Additionally, sun damage thickens your skin over time, which makes it harder to clear your pores of acne-causing bacteria. There is no evidence that sun exposure helps reduce acne, so why risk your skin's health? By wearing SPF 30 or higher every day, you are protecting your face from overexposure and the harmful effects of the sun.

If you suffer from acne, look for a sunscreen that is oil-free non-comedogenic, which means it doesn't clog your pores, or a moisturizer that doubles as a sunscreen.

It may be tempting to soak in the sun to disguise your acne, but the results are temporary at best. As I always say, sunscreen is your best ally. Not only does sunscreen protect your skin from premature aging but also prevents the sun from worsening your acne.

Schedule an appointment with me and we'll discuss sunscreen options that won't clog your pores or make you feel greasy. Call (864) 242-5872 today!

Don't forget about our Latisse® discount program going on now, just in time for the holidays! Patients who receive BOTOX® or JUVEDERM® until December 31 will be qualified to receive $100 off their purchase of Latisse®!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Busting Myths on Acne! Myth 1 of 6

Acne is extremely common and can be a very hard thing to deal with, regardless of your age. MedScape reports that more than 17 milion Americans suffer from acne, and 80-90% of adolescents experience some level of acne. There are a lot of myths circling acne and its causes, so I decided to begin a short series in which I debunk the myths one at a time.

Myth 1: Eating chocolate and junk food causes acne.

BUSTED! Eating fast food or high-fat foods does not cause or worsen acne. Doctors and scientists have extensively studied correlations between diet and acne, and have found no relation between junk food and acne.

On the other hand, studies have shown that people who consume dairy products are at a higher risk for developing acne. Similar studies have demonstrated a link between high-glycemic-index foods and acne, showing that people who ate foods with a high GI were more likely to have acne problems than those who ate foods with a low GI.

In conclusion, while dairy and foods with a high GI may worsen acne, your diet, whether healthy or unhealthy, does not cause acne. But it is important to note that while food does not cause acne, it can affect your skin, so don't start eating 10 candy bars every day! As the old adage goes, everything in moderation.

Friday, November 5, 2010

We have an exciting opportunity to share with you!

Just in time for the holiday season, the makers of BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM® are proud to introduce the Latisse® Real Lash Growth, Real $100 Rewards program. From now until December 31, 2010, when qualified patients receive Botox® Cosmetic or Juvéderm®, they will be qualified to recieve $100 off their purchase of Latisse®!

Latisse® is proven to increase the growth of eyelashes, including length, thickness, and darkness.

Now you can get longer, thicker, darker eyelashes just in time for the holidays at a great price! Call (864) 242-5872 to schedule your consultation or appointment with us today!