Learn how the Alma Accent XL reduces cellulite and tightens skin

The video below shows Beth Storey, Clinical Direct of Sona MedSpa in Houston, explaining the new ALMA Accent XL, a revolutionary skin tightening regimen that uses advanced radio frequency (RF) technology to treat wrinkles and cellulite non-invasively.

Every new development that comes along claims to be an earth-shattering breakthrough, but of course they're mostly just gimmicks with minimal results. Let us explain the real scientific evidence that makes the Accent XL truly different.

Skin Care Myths Debunked (Part 3)

Click here if you missed part 1 and part 2.

Continuing with our list of popular skin care myths...

Eating chocolate and greasy foods cause acne

Sorry about all the chocolate you missed out on over the years....but eating chocolate does not cause acne. Hormonal factors, bacteria and skin cells are at the root of problematic skin, and stress can contribute to flareups.

Blackheads are a caused by improperly cleansed skin

Blackheads are caused by clogged pores. Hard scrubbing to clean the skin can irritate and further inflame skin. Blackheads often contain dirt (hence the name), oil, and dry and dead skin cells that need to be removed.

Antioxidants can reverse wrinkles

Antioxidants fight free radical formation. The chief danger of free radicals is the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA, or the cell membrane. Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs. To prevent free radical damage the body has a defense system of antioxidants. so, they have a very important function in preventing skin damage, but they cannot make wrinkles go away.

10 Things Damaging Your Skin... that you would never have thought of!

Forbes magazine had a great article about 10 Sneaky Things Damaging Your Skin. It takes a bit of time to work your way through it, so I thought I'd summarize the list below:

Driving without sunscreen

The glass in car windows normally does not block UVA rays, which cause skin aging (UVB rays cause skin to tan or burn.)


Sitting in the Shade Without Sunscreen

UV rays reflect off both sand and water, even if you're in the shade.

Wearing Old Sunscreen

Most sunscreens expire after one to three years.

Your Hairstyle

When wearing their hair back or up, women often forget to apply sunscreen on their neck and ears. Parting hair can also cause skin damage on the scalp. There is just no way around it.... Wear a hat!

Thinking Clothing Blocks the Sun

Here's news for you! A typical white T-shirt offers you about a 7 to 8 SPF and then when it gets wet, the sun protective factor goes down to a 3!

Thinking Your Sunscreen is Waterproof

There is a big difference between waterproof and water-resistant sunscreen. It should be reapplied when you exit the water.

Medication

Antibiotics and some antihistamines increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. If you are now out in the sun without a good sunscreen, it will cause tissue damage and intensified sunburn.

A Base Tan

Seriously! Who came up with this? The normal way to get a "base tan" is to use a tanning bed. ..and see what THAT does to you!

A Cloudy Day

UVA rays penetrate clouds more readily than UVB rays. So, even when it is cloudy, you are at risk of skin aging and damage.

Not Applying Enough, Often Enough

Most people use less than 50 % of the recommended amount of sunscreen, according to a study published in the Archives of Dermatology.

Do you think indoor tanning is safe?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is known to be the single largest environmental factor contributing to the development of skin cancer. So where does this leave us with indoor tanning? UV radiation levels in indoor tanning devices can be many times greater than what one would be exposed to outdoors.

More than one million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. At these rates, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their life. See what the American Academy of Dermatolgy Association says about indoor tanning.

Consumer Reports did a great aricle on the unexpected dangers of indoor tanning. They did a survey of 296 facilites in 12 cities. Here are the highlights of their investigation.

See this short video sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatolgy Association (www.aad.org)

Still not convinced?

Read Brittany Lietz' story here.

Is skin cancer curable?

On the popular television series,“Grey’s Anatomy,” Dr. Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) faces a grim diagnosis: stage IV metastatic melanoma. As the scary and heartbreaking scenes unfold, TV viewers get a glimpse at why patients with the deadliest form of skin cancer — in the most advanced stage of diagnosis — face a mere 10-month median survival rate.

If detected in its earliest stages (before Stage 2), melanoma is highly curable. However, if the tumor has spread to a more distant site, such as the lung, brain or other organs, this is considered a stage IV melanoma - with an average survival rate of only 10 months.

Here are some more great resources to read more about Melanoma:

• Skin Care and Beauty Blog
• How to perform a skin care self examination
• The dark side of tanning - what is Melanoma
• Melanoma.com

Also see this eye opening Australian video ad on tanning, called "Tanning is skin cells in trauma!"

See what clients want, despite the economy

This post may be a little late, as the first signs are there that the economy is starting to turn. The stockmarket is almost back up to the point where we started 2009... way up from the low point reached on March 9.

So what did clients still want, even during these difficult times?

• BOTOX - up 8%*
• Hyaluronic dermal fillers - up 6%*
• Laser skin resurfacing - up 15%*

Who would have thought that?

Here is something else that you may be interested in. Summer is approaching rapidly, and we really want to look after our skin as we start enjoying the nice weather.

Over many years, your skin has been exposed to a number of environmental factors, all of which stresses the skin. These stressors cause damage that can reach the deepest layers of your skin.

 Damage caused by the sun’s harmful rays is the main cause of the fine lines, wrinkles and age spots that you may already see ... or you will eventually see on your face.

 

The Obagi Nu-Derm System is the physician-dispensed, prescription-strength skincare system that can transform your skin right at the cellular level. 

By addressing the signs of sun damage and restoring the healthy function of your skin cells, this system is clinically proven to result in younger- and healthier-looking skin.

(*source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Economic Impact on America's Skin Care Habits)

Can I Improve My Skin Without Downtime?

Twenty-four-seven – that’s the pace we all run at… There is just never a break. So, if you can’t handle any down-time, what can you do to improve your skin? We all desire healthy and radiant skin. Environmental factors, genetics and stress take a toll on your skin. Over time, the aging process and the effects of the sun, wind and pollutants in the air can wreak havoc on your skin. Unfortunately, our highly competitive society places a premium on a youthful look.

Depending on what your concerns are, there may be a no down-time solution available. If you have always felt self conscious about those brown spots (maybe even a birthmark), the fine lines or wrinkles that are starting to show, Intense Pulsed Light Technology (IPL) may be the answer for you. Often referred to as “The Gold Standard” for photorejuvenation, IPL is a breakthrough, age defying procedure that treats skin damage safely, effectively and non-invasively and consists of a series of gentle pulsed light treatments intended to improve the appearance of sun damaged and aged skin, as well as reduce redness and flushing; resulting in a more youthful appearing skin. Photorejuvenation uses no chemicals, has no recovery time, and does not disrupt the skin surface.

IPL and the next generation called Advanced Fluorescence Technology (AFT™*) has received international recognition and media attention from programs such as “Good Morning America,” and magazines such as Vogue, Allure, Good Housekeeping and Harper. It was also featured on Access Hollywood (see the video below).



Sōna's skilled use of FDA-approved AFT can hone in on color-producing melanin cells within pigments, in effect "bleaching" the cells. (Darkening may occur for a few days before the age spots begin to lighten.) Rejuvenation is the process of restoring to a new or more youthful appearance, and that's exactly what our treatments aim to do for your skin. By using specialized handsets and precisely controlling the amount and intensity of light, we are able to effectively treat problem areas with pulsed light - without damaging healthy surrounding skin. And we can do all of this in a 30-minute procedure in which intense pulses of light are used to penetrate deep into the skin, causing collagen and blood vessels below the epidermis to constrict, reducing redness and age lines. The procedure involves only minimal discomfort, while the redness and swelling that sometimes occur after treatment disappear shortly afterwards. The benefits of a photorejuvenation occur gradually in the weeks following treatment.

ALLERGAN ANNOUNCES THE LATISSE™ WISHES CAMPAIGN, COMMITTING $1 MILLION TO THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION® | With Video

See what the celebrities say about Latisse...

The 6 major benefits of Laser Hair Removal

In a previous article we discussed how removing unwanted hair has been practiced throughout the ages. Clearly, getting rid of unwanted hair has been on men and women’s minds for centuries. It is however only in the last decade or so that advances in laser technology, and our understanding of the technology, has opened new and promising avenues to this age old concern.

In 1997, laser hair removal wasn't popular enough to even rank a mention in national plastic surgery statistics. Today, it's the second most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure in America - and its popularity is still increasing. In 2005 laser hair removal was second only to BOTOX ® as the non-surgical procedure in highest demand. More than 1.5 million treatments were performed in this period. The reason for its popularity is twofold – the changing norms of society with respect to body and facial hair, and the numerous benefits of having hair removed with a laser.

The following are the major benefits:

Larger areas of the body can be treated with laser hair removal than with waxing, electrolysis, plucking or tweezing.

The results are long lasting. No more waxing or shaving… Imagine that…!

Laser hair removal does not cause the irritation that other hair removal methods do, leaving you with nicks, cuts and bumps (which you usually get when you can least afford it!). It saves you time and money. Consider this: for way less than the cost of a Starbucks ® Latte per day you can have unwanted facial hair removed, never to be concerned or self conscious again.

As far as discomfort goes during the treatment, it is way down on the scale compared to waxing and electrolysis. No one that has had laser hair removal will suggest that you are likely to fall asleep during the treatment – it’s after all not a massage! Although individual levels of discomfort very, most people handle laser hair removal without even a topical anesthetic.

Laser hair removal does not require hospitalization, needles, medications, or follow-up medical care. With the technology available today, it has become a lunch-time procedure.

The benefits of laser hair removal, compared to the alternatives, are significant and compelling. In a later article we will explore the risks of laser hair removal, and the questions you should ask when looking for a provider of these services.

Noel Halgreen
Sõna MedSpa

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