Birovenus Medical Blog

Rosacea is a chronic and potentially life-disruptive disorder primarily of the facial skin, often characterized by flare-ups and remissions. Many have observed that it typically begins any time after age 30 as a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. In some cases, rosacea may also occur on the neck, chest, scalp or ears. Over time, the redness tends to become ruddier and more persistent, and visible blood vessels may appear. Left untreated, bumps and pimples often develop, and in severe cases the nose may grow swollen and bumpy from excess tissue.

Cold and wind have all been known to aggravate rosacea for many individuals especially with fair skin. Here are some pointers on how to protect your skin as the cool weather approaches to reduce to inflamed, red look on your skin.

Combat cold by covering your cheeks and nose with a scarf. In winter, rosacea sufferers also may use a ski mask when participating in outdoor sports or activities, as well as cover up on windy days. If these conditions aggravate your rosacea, limiting your time outdoors in cold weather may also help.

Begin each day with a thorough and gentle facial cleansing. Use a gentle cleanser that is not grainy or abrasive and spread it with your fingertips. Rinse your face with lukewarm water to remove all dirt and soap, and use a thick cotton towel to gently blot the face dry. Never pull, tug, scratch or treat your face harshly. Avoid any rough washcloths, loofahs, brushes or sponges.

Let your face thoroughly air dry before applying any medication or skin-care products. Let your face rest for a few minutes before applying topical medication. Then allow the medication to dry completely for five to 10 minutes before applying any moisturizer or makeup.

Use a moisturizer daily during cold weather. This protects against the naturally drying effects of cold and wind. Steer clear of ingredients that sting, burn or cause facial redness. Some ingredients to avoid include alcohol, witch hazel, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus oil or clove oil. Select fragrance-free products. If you must choose a product that contains a fragrance, be sure that it appears at the end of the list of ingredients. Use makeup to hide blemishes and cover redness. Spot application of makeup may be used to cover blemishes and visible blood vessels, and green-tinted concealers are available at most cosmetic counters to mask general redness. They can be followed by a skin-tone foundation. Avoid powders, which can make dry flaky skin look worse.

The use of a prescription cream named Metronidazole .75% which is an anti-infective should be used as well. This medicine is used to treat rosacea, also known as adult acne. It reduces redness and inflammation and the number of pimples.

The newest breakthrough in skin resurfacing technology that produces incredible outcomes in skin rejuvenation, anti-aging, and acne-prone/oily skin treatment. It is the only procedure that integrates cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, light based rejuvenation and hydration simultaneously, saving you time and giving you immediate results.

Why are so many Dermatologist, Celebrities and Patients such raving fans? Well quite simply HydraFacial MD results compare to more aggressive chemical peels and even older IPL & laser treatments, without the discomfort or downtime. Think of a HydraFacial MD as necessary monthly skin nutrition for your face, hands, decollate or just about any are of the body. Don’t have a lot of time? Well we don’t need much… The average patient can be in and out in about 30 minutes which makes the HydraFacial MD a great lunchtime procedure. Have a child with acne or are you suffering from adult breakouts? The HydraFacial MD is the answer you’ve long been looking for!

The exceptional effectiveness of HydraFacial MD is due to its use of specially formulated serums in combination with a patented vacuum-based skin abrasion tip. This incredible single use tip removes dead skin cells and impurities while bathing the healthy underlying skin with deep cleansing.

If that was all it did it would still be exciting but the HydraFacial MD goes much further. At the same time the system is also extracting clogged pores, pimples & blackheads, exfoliating your top layer of skin and infusing deep into your skin antioxidant serums. The proprietary serums are clinically formulated to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, congested pores, hyper-pigmentation and acne-prone skin.

The patented disposable HydroPeel tips have a multifaceted spiral construction. That increases the time the serums are in contact with the skin while also providing superior exfoliation on surfaces with multiple planes such as a person’s face. The result is a cool, comfortable process that leaves the skin radiantly clean, refined, moist and polished.

HydraFacial MD is appropriate for most skin types including thin or aging skin, all skin colors, dry and oily skin.

HydraFacial MD a revolutionary skin resurfacing technology, for all ethnicities:

• Comparable results to other ablative skin resurfacing methods (i.e. laser) with no discomfort, downtime or irritation; even for sensitive skin
• Exfoliates dead skin cells & extracts impurities while simultaneously restoring skin hydration, leaving skin more supple & vibrant
• Cleanses, exfoliates, extracts, hydrates and moisturizes the skin with a soothing “paintbrush” feel
• Three skin enhancing serums for skin rejuvenation, acne-prone treatment and antioxidant treatment
• Clients can immediately return to normal activities with ultra clean, radiant skin unlike any facial treatment you’ve ever received before

Hydrafacial MD helps improves the appearance of early aging of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and melasma, sun damaged skin, age spots, active acne, enlarged pores, excess oil, dry flaky skin, puffy eyes, blackheads and whiteheads, and rejuvenation; overall skin health.

There are 3 main non-prescription active ingredients in acne products. They are glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid. They are all wonderful and work miracles for acne, but they can all be tricky to use. In fact, some people can be allergic or just have skin that’s easily irritated by one or more of these great ingredients.

The first (glycolic acid) can be irritating but allergy is uncommon. With a potentially irritating ingredient like glycolic acid the key is to find that sweet spot where you’re treating the acne but not irritating the skin. It may be that alternate day use or lower concentrations are needed which is why there is a step up program starting with a lower concentration and moving to a higher one if your skin can tolerate it.

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are trickier to use than glycolic acid. They can irritate skin, but more importantly, you can be allergic to one of them. Popular acne treatment products like Proactiv depend on benzoyl peroxide to treat pimples. When you’re allergic to one of both of these ingredients your skin will never tolerate it. Any application results in a dry, chapped, redness that gets worse and worse as you continue using the product.

While irritation and allergy can be problems, most people with acne actually tolerate the use of these 3 highly effective acne treatment ingredients. If you’re not allergic then using them they are the fastest way to clear up acne and pimples without a prescription.

Sometimes you can see ‘dark stuff’ in your pores just because they’re full of naturally secreted oil and dead skin cells mixed with a lot of normal skin germs.

Other times, that black stuff in your pore is really a true blackhead, meaning it’s a hard plug of dead skin cells that gotten stuck in the pore and most of the time this is due to acne. Sometimes, however the hardened ‘blackhead’ material is due to little milia cysts that opened up and look like blackheads. If you have clogged pores then just washing your skin won’t get the pores cleaned. Whether you have blackheads or not, you’ll need special products and some simple treatments to get that stuff out of your pores so that your skin looks clean, healthy and beautiful.

Whether the stuff in the pores are truly black heads or just normal secretions that have hardened up over time and are acting like blackheads, it’s important to use products called ‘keratolytics’ to soften them up. Keratolytics loosen the material that holds the dead cells into a firm plug inside your pores. The ingredients in skin care products that act as keratolytics include glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and retinoids like tretinoin in Retin A. The simplest treatment is to use them in a cleanser form to wash your skin. If your pores are badly clogged then the ‘leave-on’ products work best. These include gels, lotions and creams. Which will help soften the material in the pores your body may be able to gradually dissolve the plug. If keratolytics don’t unclog your pores, then you’re going to need professional help to get the pores cleaned up. A series of facials that include extractions, done every 6 weeks is good for most people.

Lastly, professional procedures like mild chemical peels will help to control clogged pores. Talk to your skin care professional to see if you are a good candidate for these procedures.

Clogged pores are frustrating and common. No one likes them, and with the right products and techniques it’s possible to have clean, healthy unclogged pores and fresh, clean looking skin!

It has been demonstrated that topical antioxidant use can provide additional protection from oxidative damage, retard skin aging and improve skin appearance.

Retinoids are a derivative of vitamin A, are lipid soluble, and can easily penetrate the epidermis. Their biologic properties include antioxidant activity, increased fibroblast proliferation, increased production of collagen.

Clinical effects of topical retinoids include fading of hyperpigmenation, improvement in facial wrinkling and decrease in roughness. Retinoids are also recommended for use of acne and the treatment and prevention of photoaging.

Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) must obtain vitamin C through diet. It is found in citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables. Due to human biologic control mechanisms, the amount of vitamin C that can be absorbed through diet is limited. Additional Vitamin C sources could be provided through topical application. Vitamin C is necessary because it is one of the catalysts required for the formation of structural protein chains, such as collagen. It is also required to provide strength and stabilization for collagen. By functioning as a free radical scavenger, it may inhibit elastin biosynthesis therefore reducing elastic material accumulation in photodamaged skin. Vitamin C has several other important functions including reduction in pigmentation and improvement in epidermal barrier function.

Oxidative damage occurs because of both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. Intrinsic oxidation is due to the production and breakdown of adenosine triphosphate, which is largely controlled by genetics. Extrinsic oxidative damage can be traced to environmental factors such as sunlight, smoking and other pollutants, an unbalanced diet, lack of exercise, stress and illness.

Oxygen is also a key player in free radical production, which leads to the signs of aging. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen and a biological system’s ability to readily neutralize the reactive intermediates or easily repair the resulting damage.

It is the sum of these events that is responsible for skin aging that can generate free radicals. Together, the free radicals and the reactive oxygen molecules are called reactive oxygen species. Damage caused by reactive oxygen species lead in the skin to melanocytic overproduction of melanosomes and to weakened elastin and collagen. These changes also lead to a slower turnover of new skin cells. The cumulative effect is skin wrinkling, laxness, fragility, dull appearance, mottled brown pigmentation and distinct dark spots. DNA mutations caused by oxidative changes may also produce abnormal keratinocytes leading in some cases to malignancy.

Oral and topical antioxidant supplementation serves to augment the body’s natural supply of antioxidants, and is not meant to completely eradicate free radical production. Rather, it serves to prevent excess damage by augmenting the body’s natural defenses.

In the early months of the New Year, many parts of the country become winter wonderlands and temperatures that make it even more fun to cuddle up by the fire. However, while such scenery can be breathtaking, seasonal changes can wreak havoc on one’s skin. Temperature and humidity fluctuations as well as seasonal lifestyle changes can trigger or worsen uncomfortable, unattractive skin rashes. What are some symptoms of “winter skin”? And more importantly, what skin care options are there to reclaim a healthy glow?

Most people’s skin becomes a bit drier in the winter. However, people with preexisting skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and acne may suffer from exacerbated symptoms during the winter months. While winter weather does not causeskin rashes, it can aggravate them or trigger their onset, inducing dry, flaky, red, itchy, and acne-covered skin.

Sufferers of eczema, the chronic, hereditary skin disorder characterized by patches of red, scaly, irritated, itchy skin may experience intensified symptoms when the skin loses its moisture in cold, dry weather.

Rosacea, another chronic skin condition, causes red, flushed, blotched skin, visible blood vessels, and rosacea pimples. These symptoms can flare up or worsen because of stress and emotional disturbances, reduced immune response, and drastic temperature changes.

For people for whom acne is already the bane of their existence, winter weather can worsen the problem. Winter air can dry the skin, increase dead skin cells that clog the pores, and cause skin irritation and bacteria-attracting sores.

You can survive the winter months and reclaim your skin health by following a few simple guidelines:

• Put a humidifier in your bedroom or office.
• Avoid long, hot showers, and moisturize immediately after showering when the skin is still damp, even if you have acne.
• Open your windows for 15 minutes in the morning to promote fresh air flow.
• Drink at least 64 ounces of water each day.
• Minimize stress and manage it with positive coping techniques.

Maintaining a proper skin care routine is the best way to protect your skin from the signs of aging. While many men and women focus on facial skin care, many forget to address the neck and chest area. Because the neck and chest are often exposed to the sun, wind, and other environmental influences that can damage the skin, it is important that people of all ages adopt a skin care regimen to prevent wrinkles, skin cancer, and other problems.

Preventing neck wrinkles is easy and takes just a few minutes each day. Here are some wrinkle prevention tips that you can incorporate into your skin care routine.

1. Wear sunscreen. Use an SPF of 15 or greater everyday, even when it is cloudy. Be sure to use a generous amount on the face, neck, chest, and any other exposed areas.

2. Moisturize your skin regularly. Using a good moisturizer like coconut oil will penetrate the deep layers of your skin and keep your underlying connective tissues supple and strong. Not only will this help prevent wrinkles, but it can treat them as well. When the skin is well moisturized it reduces the appearance of existing fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Don’t dry the skin. Avoid things that dry the skin like fragrance-heavy soaps and shampoos, alcohol-based toners, astringents, and aftershave.

Here are three tips you can follow to treat neck wrinkles:

1. The first thing you need to do is hydrate your skin from within. Consume between 48 and 64 fluid ounces of water each day.

2. Take a daily multivitamin. You can also apply vitamin A, C, and E to your neck to fight the free radicals that cause wrinkles. These vitamins also rehydrate the skin.

3. Use an anti-aging cream that contains Retin-A or apply rose hip oil to your neck. Retin-A and rose hip oil are both a source of tretinoin. This promotes new skin production, which in turn makes your skin look fuller, healthier, and less wrinkled.

Weight loss, through healthy diet and regular exercise, is probably the most beneficial cellulite treatment. Losing pounds and strengthening muscles in your legs, thighs, buttocks and abdomen can improve the appearance of the dimpled skin. The benefits of weight loss alone are limited and although the cellulite may be less noticeable after weight loss, it won’t go away completely.

The most promising medical therapy is lasers and radiofrequency systems. One system uses combined negative tissue massage, radiofrequency and infrared light to treat cellulite. Another system delivers combined tissue massage with diode laser energy. A third system uses radiofrequency at deep and superficial levels simultaneously to treat cellulite. All three systems offer improvements to cellulite after a series of treatments. Results may last up to six months.

Some people may turn to liposuction as a treatment for cellulite. During liposuction, a surgeon inserts a narrow tube under your skin through tiny incisions and then suctions out fat cells. Though liposuction can shape the body, it won’t remove cellulite, and it may make the cellulite appear worse. Laser-assisted liposuction is a newer, less invasive form of this treatment that destroys fat cells while tightening the skin, and may be a more effective treatment for cellulite.

A twice daily application of 0.3 percent retinol cream has been shown to improve the appearance of cellulite after six months.
There is no way to prevent getting cellulite. Keeping off excess pounds and strengthening your muscles through regular exercise can go a long way toward maintaining your skin tone and texture.

Genetically, the predisposition to cellulite seems to be inherited. Some people simply have more fat cells, weak veins, fragile lymphatic vessels, poor circulation or hormonal sensitivity. Furthermore, lifestyles that encourage cellulite formation or worsen its condition, such as poor diet habit, lack of exercise, and smoking seem to be learned behaviors.

Cellulite affects many more women than men. This is thought to be because of two main reasons. The first is that women’s fibrous connective tissue structures are mesh-like, and therefore are more prone to trapping fat cells. Men’s fibrous connective tissue structure, are smooth. The second biggest reason is the presence of female sex hormones in women: estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen plays a large part in determining the number and location of fat cells in the body. It encourages fat cells to develop and grow around the breasts, thighs, and buttocks. Progesterone can lead to fluid retention, weak veins, and weight gain.

In ways that are not yet fully understood, both estrogen and progesterone can stimulate the development of cellulite. In periods of rapid growth, such as in puberty and pregnancy, stretch marks on the buttocks, legs, and thighs, suggest deposition of fat tissues and rapid growth.

Pregnancy means drastic changes in a woman’s body that can often lead to cellulite. During this period, there is increased fluid retention and a surge of hormones. These hormones also weaken connective tissues, including those in the walls of the veins and lymphatic vessels.

An inactive lifestyle can adversely affect blood circulation, as well as the venous and lymphatic systems. The veins and lymph vessels rely on muscle contractions to help move venous blood and lymphatic fluids. Without movement, the stagnant venous blood and lymphatic fluids exert pressure and stretch the veins and lymph vessels. Over-stretched veins and vessels are prone to fluid retention, leaking, and poor circulation. An inactive lifestyle can also lead to weight gain, which can make cellulite worse.

If done improperly or too harshly, massages can damage lymphatic vessels in the leg. Broken lymph vessels can cause waste-laden lymph fluids to drain into the surrounding tissues, and trigger the chain of events leading to cellulite.

The lymphatic system is composed of a series of vessels and nodes. These nodes act as filters to clean impurities from the lymphatic fluid. Certain conditions, such as chronic pelvic inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic bowel and constipation, can lead to the enlargement of these nodes as they prepare to filter out infections and toxins. As a result, there the flow of the lymphatic fluid slows down, causing fluid retention which can lead to cellulite.