Bruising in Today's world: speed up your recovery time!

If there is something we don’t like about your looks and we wish to change it, we can. The newest surgical procedures often have little or no downtime and the soft tissue fillers can be used to avoid or postpone surgery . Even though the new advances in the cosmetic field have significantly reduced the downtime postprocedure, bruising and swelling are still a problem. So what is available to speed your healing time or to prevent bruising altogether? What vitamins are truly going to put you in tip top shape before surgey and carry you through your post recovery period?

The oldest standby is Arnica Montana also known as Mountain Tobacco, Mountain Arnica, Leopards Ban and Sneezewort. Arnica is an herb which growns wild in the Swiss Alps and has been used as a part of European herbal medicine for over a thousand years for the reduction of bruising and swelling and to shorten the recovery period after physical trauma. The plant is ineffective in its raw form and must be prepared to get the benefits it offers. VitaMedica's Arnica Montana 30X is a homeopathic remedy. Organically grown Arnica Montana soft-grain, sub-lingual tablet 30X formula dissolves rapidly and is optimal for facial procedures. Available in 5-day blister pack or 250 count bottle (month supply). Try the five day blister pack for pre and post injection or the longer two week course for after surgery. 


BENEFITS: Optimal for facial surgery or injectable (such as Botox or dermal fillers such as Restylane) procedures. Soft-grain, sublingual tablet that dissolves rapidly.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE: Begin taking Arnica Montana immediately following soft tissue injury or surgery and continue until the bruising and swelling subsides (7-14 days). Adults should take 3 tablets 3 times per day. For injections the five-day blister pack is all that is required.

The second supplement to consider is Bromelain. Bromelain comes from the pineapple plant. Mostly the stems are used in its manufacturing but some of the fruit is used as well. Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory formula containing proteolytic enzyme from the stems of pineapples. Proteolytic enzymes are capable of dissolving proteins. It is often used to relieve edema (swelling) after procedure. Many times the two are combined in one pill for maximum effect. Out of all of the products we have tested we like Vitamedica the best.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE: Begin taking Bromelain 3 days prior to surgery. Continue taking Bromelain after surgery until the inflammation and swelling have subsided (usually 7-10 days). As a dietary supplement, take two capsules three times a day on an empty stomach. Each individual is unique and nutritional requirements may vary.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Bromelain with Quercetin is contraindicated in patients with a history of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias); taking blood thinners like Coumadin; or who have allergies to pineapple. 
 Finally before your surgeries consider supplementing with Zinc, which is known to help with healing and Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin K.

Vitamedica Surgery Pack: This all-inclusive vitamin pre and post surgical pack includes a two supply of all the necessary pre-surgical vitamins as well as a two week supply of post-surgical vitamins. They make this easy for you by including a bottle of Arnica Montana and Bromelain. The VitaMedica Surgery Program is a pre and post-operative nutritional supplement system designed for patients undergoing a surgical procedure. The Surgery Program provides nutrients to support wound healing, enhance the immune system, minimize inflammation and reduce bruising. The Surgery Program supplements are formulated to support the body's natural healing process, and as a result, allows patients to be more proactive in the healing process. The objective of the Surgery Program is improved safety and optimal surgical outcome. Because these products are natural, they are generally milder, safer and less likely to cause negative reactions or side effects than prescription medications.

BENEFITS: Helps support the healing process; Improves surgical safety; High-quality ingredients and formulations; Ideal for aesthetic plastic or cosmetic surgery patients; Convenient and simple.
CONTENTS: AM & PM Clinical Support for Surgery (a specialty multi-nutrient formula), Bromelain with Quercetin, Arnica Montana 30X. The 4-week program kit provides instruction card and patient brochure along with healing guides. Don’t forget to get off of the list of medical and non-medical supplements (consult with your doctor first) at least two weeks before your procedure.

So you're taking great care of your face, but are doing the same for your body?

It has always been said that you can tell a true womans age by her hands. Well it should be you can by the texture and tone of the skin on her entire body as well. It is important to make time in your daily skin regime for your décolletage, arms, hands, legs and feet.

Healthy glowing skin is part of the overall picture we want to present. We want to be able to wear our low cut dresses and show off our back,arms, and legs when we please. The skin of our body varies dramatically from area to area. The thickness of the dermis and the epidermis vary radically . Just imagine the difference between the skin on the sole of your feet and that of your under eye area. Each area then must be taken into consideration when suggesting an all inclusive body skin care regime.

Decolletage: This area takes a lot of sun damage so pigmentation changes and crepe appearance are often an issue. Not only can we start having light and dark spots as early as the 20s or 30s but we can develop a redness or mottling (poikiloderma) to this area This area can be gently exfoliated at home with a glycolic exfoliant such as Viderm Body Wash and Lotion, or with certain at-home masks and peels (Jan Marini C-Esta mask). This area absolutely and unequivocally must be protected with an everyday antioxidant (Skin Medica, Prevage, Revale Skin).

If the pigmentation changes are advanced we suggest using a hyperpigmentation cream (ViDerm Bleach Rx Cream). To prevent further damage use a sunscreen religiously (Anthelios).

Legs: Sun damage is an issue here as well as well as severe dehydration, irritation (from shaving) and spider veins. We still suggest a wide spectrum sun block even if you want to get a bit of a tan and remember fake tans offer no protection from the sun damaging rays. We love Vi Derm Body Wash and Body Cream with 12.5% glycolic and retinol (exfoliant and hydrator all in one). You can see a change in dehydrated skin in as little as 10 days and both products are easy to use.

Acne Treatment and Acne Scars

Acne is a term that is used to describe blocked pores (whiteheads and blackheads), deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) and pimples. These can occur anywhere including the face back and chest. Acne is not age specific but the characteristics and the treatment that is required depends on the age of the patient.

So what is a pimple or comedon? It is basically a plugged sebaceous follicle with dead cells tiny hairs and bacteria. Blackheads are open comedons and whiteheads are closed. Papules are small raised lesions usually under 5mm. A pustule is a fragile lesion containing pus that has a hair through the middle. A macule is the remains of a healed acne lesion. They can stay red up to weeks but eventually will disappear without scarring. A nodule is a solid lesion. It is characterized by inflammation and extends into the deeper structures. Nodules may leave scars. A cyst is filled with liquid or semiliquid material consisting of white cells bacteria and dead cells. These too can leave scarring.

A few words on acne scarring.
Macules or red spots left after a pimple has gone away are not scars, they do not leave a permanent mark after the red goes away. Post-inflammatory pigmentation can happen after a pimple or nodule have healed. Post inflammatory pigmentation may persist up to 18 months, especially with sun exposure. Peels and bleaching agents can help with this.

Two types of scars can occur: raised and depressed. The best treatment to help with acne scarring is really to treat the active acne early. So here are a few rules if you have active acne:
- Don’t pop or squeeze or pick. Acne treatment consists of reducing sebum production, removing dead skin cells and killing bacteria with topical drugs and oral medication.
-Do wash your face frequently. Remember it is due to clogged pores and dead cells.
Use a good cleanser with a salicylic or glycolic base. Diacneal is excellent for this. La Roche Posay also has a foaming gel cleanser called Effaclar. Also consider weekly or bi-weekly cleaning with La Roche Posay Pure Enzyme Mask .
- Follow any cleansing with a toner that will remove any traces of dirt such as La Roche Posay Effaclar Toner.
- After toning, apply a salicylic acid product. Salicylic acid is effective in treating non inflammatory acne lesions and it corrects abnormal shedding of the skin cells and unclogs pores by exfoliating the inside of the pore as well. To work, a salicylic product must be used continuously or the acne will return. Jan Marini Bioclear Bioglycolic lotion features microscopic sponge encapsulation that delivers salicylic acid along with the benefits of glycolic acid. La Roche-Posay has the Effaclar line which combines salicylic acid with their well known thermal spring water. Effaclar K treatment fluid is 1.5% salicylic acid. It is gentle enough that it can be used every day.

If you are looking for an all-inclusive treatment, consider MesoEstetic's Cosmelan Active Acne System treatment. The Cosmelan Active System mask contains strong ingredients to peel away dead skin cells, deep clean the pores, and kill acne bacteria. The treatment requires two applications 2 weeks apart. The kit contains enough products for the two applications.

Read the Physician's Pick area of our website: I have suggested several acne products that I believe to be effective and worthwhile. No matter what product you there are a few rules ou must follow to have the most effect:
-First use the product as directed. Doubling up with these products will not get you faster results rather they will add to more irritation and inflammation of the skin. So follow the directions.
-Second, place all acne medication where you can see it every day. This way you remember to use it. Wash and wait. Be sure to wait 10 to 15 minutes before you apply topical acne medication This helps reduce the chance that the acne medication will irritate the skin.
- Apply these medication to the entire acne prone area not just the blemishes. Dab on smaller amounts rather than one large amount. This increases effectiveness. If you see redness, drying or peeling after treatment this shows that it is irritated. If this is happening, check your cleanser first.
- Stay with a gentle cleanser if your follow up treatment is aggressive. Avoid rubbing alcohol and all astringents. Consider using a light daily moisturizer one that is non comedogenic.

If these treatments are not effective there are still more treatments that can be obtained in the office of a dermatologist: facials with extractions, lasers, a prescriptive treatments including micronized Benzoyl Peroxide and antibiotics as well as the end treatment with Accutane.

Skin Care for Men

Okay guys so this section is for you. The metro male thing may be too much for you but good skin care is essential to a man's good grooming nowadays. However did you know there are differences between a man's and woman's skin? Products recommended for women don’t work the same on a man's skin and vice versa.

Men's skin faces all of the same daily stresses such as sun, smoke, environmental pollutants and harsh temperature as well as free radical damage but it also adds an additional insult: shaving. Daily shaving acts as an exfoliant but a harsh one. The mechanics of shaving destroy the outer layer of protection which can allow the skin to become dehydrated irritated and sensitive. Men's skin has smaller sebaceous glands but these are actually more productive due to the higher levels of testosterone on these glands. Therefore their skin can be a combination of oily and dry, sensitive and irritated. Men often shy away from using products for their skin because they associate them with causing breakouts. As a basic rule, men's skin need a good cleanser and a toner. They still need free radical protection with an effective antioxidant, a moisturizer and most importantly a sunscreen. They need all this in an easy to use daily regime.

Below are a few of my favorites and the reasons why:

Vi Derm One Step Firming Cream: This is a wonderful one step firming cream for men. Keeping it simple and yet effective is a trick and Vi Derm seems t have done it. They have combined retinol, a vitamin A derivative that is known to increase cell turnover, exfoliate and regenerate collagen, with powerful antioxidants which protect skin against free radicals and environmental damage. The combination of ingredients will diminish fine lines and wrinkles minimize the appearance of pores and help aid in the preventing of blackouts. All a man has to do is add a sunscreen and go.

ViDerm Body Wash with 12.5% glycolic acid. Glycolic acid (or hydroxyacetic acid) is the smallest AHA. Glycolic acid isolated from sugar cane. It has an excellent ability to penetrate the skin and is often used in dermatologist’s office in peels at higher concentrations to exfoliate and refine the skin. ViDerm has a high 12.5% concentration in a body wash for at home use. Glycolic acid can improve skin's appearance and texture, reduce wrinkles and scarring as well as improve hyperpigmentation. In summary it is the only body wash we have found with 12.5% glycolic acid which will help deeply cleanse as well as exfoliate dry damaged and rough skin. Because of the glycolic it contains it will aid in accelerating the lightening process and ensure penetration of corrective treatment products.

ViDerm Exfoliating Body Lotion with 12.5% Glycolic acid and Retinol is a lotion with powerful exfoliants that penetrate deeply into the skin and help increase cell turnover and new skin cell production. This product contains both Retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) and glycolic acid. The benefits of retinol are well known and now this is an easy way to achieve a more radiant and smoother skin surface over all of your body. Glycolic acid aids in the exfoliating process and in combination with the retinol improves the skins texture and tone as well as apparent level of hydration.

Radiance BX by MesoEstetic, the maker of Cosmelan

Mesoestetic Radiance BX Anti-Aging Cosmetic Treatment System addresses the main causes of aging. Its multiple factor mechanism of action acts as a muscle relaxant, a stimulant for the formation of collagen and elastin, an antioxidant a free radical neutralizer, an inhibitor of lipid per-oxidation, a stimulant for the renovation of keratinocytes and a reduction in sebum production. The kit contains contains four ampoules of 10% glycolic acid with Vitamin E and F, one flask of Perliotox activator, one flask of Perliotox solution, 4 single Radiance anti aging mask, and one dosing syringe. You will also need Mesoestetic Cleansing Milk, Facial Toner and Radiance BX Finishing Lines Serum.



A complete and powerful anti-aging treatment, Radiance Bx by MesoEstetic (the makers of Cosmelan) is an intensive treatment for the aging face. This treatment is meant to be used once a week for 4 weeks. Read more about this in our Physician's Picks section. You'll find valuable information on what factors cause  the changes we see at the skin and cellular level as we age, as well as a complete description of the treatment and what you can expect from it.

Celebrity Skin Care

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this super-nourishing and hydrating night cream offers complete eye rejuvenation. This is the latest from the TNS SkinMedica Skin Care line. Formulated with NouriCel-MD®, peptides, high concentrations of Vitamins A, C & E and Hyaluronic Acid, this cream dramatically improves the appearance of the delicate skin around the eyes. One of Jennifer Aniston's favorites!

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The Role of Antioxidants in Skin Care

Antioxidants: what are they and what is all the buzz about?

Can they really improve your skin and prevent you from aging? Antioxidants are substances which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our bodies and our skin. When our cells use oxygen they naturally produce free radicals which can cause damage. Antioxidants work as free radical scavengers thereby preventing the damage they may cause.

Where do we find them?
Some antioxidants are found in foods:
Vitamin C and A are found in bright fruits and carrots, Vitamin E is found in nuts and seeds and selenium is in fish and shell fish. Flavonoids or polyphenols are antioxidants are found in red wine (Yeah!) purple grapes, pomegranates and cranberries. Lycopenes are found in tomatos, watermelon, and pink grapefruit. Lutein is found in dark green vegetables such as kale, spinach and broccoli and finally ligans are found in oatmeal and rye.Two vitamin-like antioxidants are CoQ10 and Glutathione. The body also makes its own antioxidants in superoxide dismutase catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Coffeeberry (found in Revaleskin) is a remarkable fruit with one of the highest antioxidant scores ever recorded. Finally there is Idebenone which is the antioxidant found in Prevage MD (Allergan)


Antioxidants in skin care: why we need them:
In the natural aging process, oxidative stress occurs at a rate at which the body is no longer able to neutralize free radicals. Free radicals accelerate the cellular damage known to cause premature aging. Antioxidants are an important addition to your daily skin care treatment regime. Next to sunblock, an antioxidant is probably the best thing you can do for your skin. Antioxidants are another form of protection. They neutralize free radicals before extensive damage can occur and they defend against further damage caused by everyday environmental factors, including sun pollution, heat and wind. So while it is always important to get daily antioxidants in your food it is also important to have it in your daily skin care regime as well.


Find out more about antioxidants and what products we recommend in our Physician's Picks section.