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We don’t even have to talk about the shoveling, the heating bills and the black ice to know that winter brings its fair share of difficulties.

Cold, dry weather and single-digit temperatures pose difficulties to our regular skincare routines. The fact that we spend most of our time indoors in dry, heated buildings also contributes to the problem.

There are plenty of articles and blogs out there recommending winter skincare tips and tricks. However, what do dermatologists do to protect their own skin? How do they combat a dry, pale appearance?

1. Exercise — It’s a natural way to restore the glow to your skin. Skin is rehydrated in the warm and humid air of a workout facility. Having a regular class to attend also will help you get the exercise you need during the winter months when it’s harder to drum up spare energy and motivation. Of course, you can also attain this same benefit by closing the door and keeping the fan off while you shower. Trap in the humidity for a sauna-like experience. Apply moisturizer while the bathroom is still humid to trap in as much moisture into your skin as possible.
2. Invest in a humidifier — You don’t have to live in the Midwest or on the East Coast during the winter months to need a humidifier in your home. Residents of the dry western states also benefit from the use of a humidifier from the fall months through early spring. They will add moisture to the air and also to your nails, hair and skin.
3. Skip the sanitizer — Hand sanitizers are usually alcohol-based. You can find some with moisturizers, but it’s best to skip the product that will dry out your hands. Take time to wash your hands at a sink with moisturizing soap. Apply lotion regularly.
4. Use a different body cleanser — Your skin is extra sensitive in the winter months. Use a milder cleanser for your body during harsh winter weather. That could mean using your facial cleanser on your body as well.
5. Apply a balm — A thin layer of balm applied to skin prior to venturing outdoors can keep skin protected from the elements.
6. Switch to moisture-rich products — Avoid alcohol-based products. Even products with fragrances can be irritating to dry skin. Silicon-based products and moisture-rich lotions make up for the drier conditions. Grapeseed oil is a good, natural product that works on all skin types. Apply directly to skin and hair to see its moisturizing benefits.
7. Be mindful of labels — Don’t wear materials that will irritate your skin. Avoid wool, acrylics and metallic fabric. Silk and cotton are preferable. They can be layered underneath warmer wool apparel.

To schedule a free consultation, call us today at (323) 525-1516. We can help you determine how best to remedy winter skin concerns.

It’s time we stop thinking about skincare as being any more important for one sex than the other. Men should be taking care of their skin like their female counterparts. It’s perfectly normal to expect healthy and clear skin for both sexes. Also, the appearance of your skin is a good indicator of your internal health.

Having clear skin doesn’t have to involve a lot of time and effort. It just requires some minimal discipline, namely daily maintenance.

Here are a few recommendations for men looking to improve the quality and clarity of their skin:

1. Wash Daily: More studies are showing that soap isn’t the best for your skin. Water and soap will dry out your skin, causing cracking and possible infection. Many dermatologists recommend using Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, which is a non-soap-based product that doesn’t contain fragrances or dyes and is conducive for all skin type. You want a cleanser that removes non-essential and excess oils. If you prefer soap, try to find one that contains moisturizers.

2. Be Mindful of How You Shave: So what is the best way to shave? Follow these steps to avoid ingrown hairs and rashes:

• Find a single-blade razor. Multiple blades can increase your chances for ingrown hairs.
• Wash your face before shaving. This will remove any bacteria that may be resting on the surface of your skin. If you don’t, bacteria can get into pores that are newly opened with shaving and eventually cause acne or other visible signs of irritation.
• Apply a shaving cream.
• Shave in the direction of your hair growth, not against it. Don’t shave any area more than once. Use short strokes and rinse the razor with hot water after each pass.
• After you’re finished, rinse your face with cold water to close pores and to reduce inflammation.
• Applying a type of aftershave that can be soothing for your skin. Look for products that don’t contain alcohol and have a moisturizing agent like aloe vera.

3. Don’t Forget to Moisturize: Applying lotion to your skin following a shave is important. Shaving naturally dries out your skin. Applying a moisturizer to freshly shaved skin won’t cause acne either. It’s important to help the skin heal.

Your Laser Skin Care can help you assess your skin concerns and provide all necessary procedures and treatments. To learn more about our services or to schedule a free consultation, please call us at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com.

Pass the Dead Sea mud mask: The beauty industry is seeing new faces embracing its services and products — male faces.

According to a new survey conducted by lastminute.com and highlighted by the Daily Mail, men are now more likely than women to seek out beauty treatments and procedures.

The generation of 30-something males have been influenced by celebrities who have taken male grooming to a new level, such as David Beckham and George Clooney.

These males who enjoy pampering themselves are helping to change the beauty industry. Spas are no longer a female-dominated arena. The survey revealed that:

• One in three men has a beauty procedure or treatment performed once a month to maintain or to improve his physical appearance.
• Only one in four women claims the same.
• A third of men would say they are “vain.”
• 33 percent of men surveyed booked massages.
• 41 percent of men surveyed made appointments for hot shaves.
• One in 10 received underarm waxing.
• 15 percent went tanning.
• 12 percent had their backs waxed.
• 16 percent had received a facial.
• 13 percent booked a pedicure.
• 14 percent indicated that they would book a beauty treatment before a job interview.

Taking control of your beauty and skincare regimen should be a priority for everyone. It is a nice way to treat yourself and to improve your appearance, but it also helps you keep close tabs on the quality and health of your skin. You will be more aware of any changes that occur (i.e. moles, rashes, coloring and texture).

Are you looking for ways to improve the quality of your skin? Are you concerned about skin issues that may be irregular? Is so, please call our Los Angeles office. Your Laser Skin Care employs the latest technology and research to give you the best possible results. We provide services such as Botox injections, Latisse, laser hair removal, vein therapy, IPL treatments, fillers, skin tightening and more.
To schedule a consultation, please call us at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com.

Dark circles and puffy eyes can be an unsightly annoyance, and their causes are varied. Luckily, things can be done at home to help prevent or minimize their appearance and rejuvenate that area of your facial skin.

It is important to know that the skin under our eyes is the thinnest anywhere on the body. Therefore, it is the most sensitive to changes — changes both internally and externally. The daily application of makeup and the accumulation of fluids can cause extra stress to this area. In addition to wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness are the most common problems around the eyes.

When it comes to puffy eyes, causes include:

• Consuming too much salt
• Crying
• Having a cold or sinus infection
• Seasonal allergies

Why do these things cause puffiness? A lot of it has to do with osmosis. In order to balance out sodium levels, the body will move water to an area of the body that is highly concentrated with salt.

If you do consume too much salt at dinner, you can counteract the high levels of sodium by eating a banana or raisins. If crying is the cause, apply cooled tea bags to your eyes or a cold compress beneath your eyes to minimize any bloating.

Puffy eyes can be the result of the way you sleep at night. Sleeping on your side or stomach can cause fluid to collect around your eyes. The only solution for this is to sleep on your back, if you can manage to make the change.

Other causes can include going to sleep without washing off your makeup or rubbing your eyes frequently.

As for dark circles, lack of sleep is often the cause. Genetics also can play large role in their daily appearance. People of Asian or African decent also commonly have under-eye circles.

Obviously age plays a large part in their appearance as well. As we age, our skin becomes thinner; thus, the tiny blood vessels in this area become more visible. Age also contributes to the loss of volume in this area, which can create a hollowed-out look as the orbital bone is exposed to a greater degree.

Brown circles often are a result of genetics, hyperpigmentation or sun overexposure. Soy- or citrus-based creams will help brighten skin and reduce circles’ appearance. Reducing the amount of times you rub your eyes can also help. Also, you should always be using sunscreen to protect against overexposure.

Blue under-eye circles are a result of pooling blood and are most visible in the mornings. Lack of sleep can cause your skin to appear paler and thus accentuate your under-eye area. Aging can cause these circles, as well. Makeup and creams can help lessen their appearance. Night cream is also a good remedy. Some creams increase the thickness of skin while others hydrate to raise skin.

Your Laser Skin Care carries a unique line of skin care products containing glycolic compound. These products help to brighten, smooth and even out skin tone. To schedule a skin rejuvenation consultation please call us at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com.

How and what we buy when it comes to beauty products is going to change in 2015, according to a trends report released by market intelligence agency Mintel.

That’s thanks to beauty companies amending what they’re offering to savvy consumers, as well as how they’re delivering their socially conscious products to consumers who want individualized, timely service.

The report says that consumer trends — smart technology, sensitivity toward gender definitions, personalization and bespoke products, consumer rights — will affect the beauty and skin care industries next year to an even greater degree than they already have.

Some brands are already manufacturing products that will gel better with new consumer expectations.

The following are highlights from the trends report. Trends affecting the skin care industry include:

Smart technology — Shoppers want tech products that help them not only save time and money, but also to increase something’s value and usefulness. Tech that can use data to then learn from a consumer can help both brands and consumers. For example, an app that uses someone’s uploaded photos and preferences to better suggest specific beauty products is seen as a value to consumers. It learns a user’s purchasing patterns and preferences to help provide new and improved suggestions over time.

Immediate service — Consumers want personalized instantaneous service … either in person or online. They also want to interact with brands on a more individualized level. Sometimes both of these can be achieved via unique product distribution, like pop-ups, vending machines and kiosks where goods are bought on-the-go. In fact, the report notes that 32 percent of U.S. facial skincare product consumers want to be able to purchase products in this way. Also, many brands are noticing that customized products are what consumers want most. Pop-up skin care labs by major brands offer products made just for your skin care needs.

Social accountability — These days, more and more shoppers are concerned about the ingredients in their products. They’re also more loyal to companies who have political and social beliefs that align with their own. In 2015, more companies will have to account and apologize for anything that consumers find and pressure them on. They will have to show a human side, according to the report. Consumers have a strong voice via social media, and they’ve effected change through its various public platforms. More companies will use customer input and create based on consumers’ feelings and wishes.

Gender sensitivity — Companies will increasingly be more sensitive to gender definitions and recognize the grey areas in this area. This should help the men’s skin care arena to flourish. It should also help women’s beauty in recognizing that not all women can be put into the same mold.

For personalized skin evaluation and care, please contact our Los Angeles office. We can determine your needs and the best procedures to remedy any concerns. To schedule a free skin care consultation, call our office at (323) 525-1516.

Our skin is often a good gauge of our overall health. Sudden changes in skin quality usually are symptomatic of something happening within us. You know what your skin looks like on a daily basis. When something atypical develops, you’ll notice. Sometimes we assume the worst; other times, we don’t think twice about it.

What we should do is take notice and know some basics about various skin abnormalities. After that, you may want to call an experienced dermatologist’s office like Your Laser Skin Care to help you diagnose the issue.
If you suddenly develop adult acne or a pale complexion, among other issues, here is what you should know.
Is your skin …

1. Yellow-hued? If your skin suddenly develops a yellowish hue, it typically means one of two things: carotenemia or jaundice. Carotenemia is defined as excessive beta-carotene in the body. This occurs from eating too many carrots or other carotene-rich products like sweet potatoes. Carotenemia looks odd, but it is harmless. The hue will dissipate once carotene levels are lowered. The other cause of yellowish skin is jaundice, which is a serious health concern. It could be a symptom of a variety of issues like blood disease, medications and cirrhosis. In addition to yellowing skin, jaundice will often cause a person’seyes to turn yellow.

2. Purple-shaded spots? They’re called purpura, and they’re caused when blood vessels pop and pool blood under the skin. This is a somewhat common occurrence in those aged 65 and older. Blood vessels are weaker, and skin quality is diminished by years of sun damage. However, these blotches could mean there is a health concern like blood clotting disorders, Vitamin C deficiency or blood stream infections.

3. Dry? Dry skin is a common problem for mostly everyone, especially during the winter months.However, not consuming enough healthy fats can lead to dry skin. Eating more omega-3 fatty acids will help improve your skin’s dryness. Foods with high omega-3 fatty acids include eggs, anchovies and salmon.

4. Dark under-eye circles? Usually this is a sign of a lack of sleep. But if you’re getting a healthy amount of sleep and the circles persist, it could mean you have a Vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C helps with the production of collagen. Low levels of the vitamin can cause scurvy, which will make eyes look recessed. Being dehydrated also can cause under-eye circles. Remedy with more water intake.

5. Acne? Adult acne could be a sign of an underlying health concern. Sometimes it’s associated with polycystic ovary syndrome in women. The condition is usually accompanied by longer menstrual periods, excessive hair growth and obesity.

To schedule an appointment for a comprehensive skin evaluation, call us at (323) 525-1516 or make an appointment online at www.yourlaserskincare.com.

Most laser hair removal clients select this cosmetic procedure for its amazing aesthetic value. However, a recent study demonstrates how it has the ability to improve someone’s quality of life.

Wounded veterans who must deal with amputations and prosthetics benefit from laser hair removal, according to a recent study titled “Improving Quality of Life in Wounded Warriors with Traumatic Amputations: The Promising Benefits of Laser Hair Removal at the Residual Limb-Prosthetic Socket Interface.”

Wounded warriors with combat-related amputations often encounter side effects from having to wear prosthetics. Veterans must wear a rubber sleeve, which is then covered by the prosthetic. As a result, skin irritations can occur like:

– Itching
– Pain
– Irritation
– Sweating
– Infections
– Abscesses
– Hair pulling

Some of these skin problems produce slipping and loss of stability. About 40 percent of military personnel with amputations have skin problems as a result of their prosthetics, according to the news release on the study.

The study, which looked at 10 veterans with 16 total artificial limbs, found that there were significant improvements to the wounded warriors’ daily lives. Improvements included fewer physical symptoms and less overall frustration. It also positively impacted their ability to exercise, work and participate in extracurricular activities. A notable decrease in sweating was observed, which resulted in less slippage with the prosthetic. This helped veterans feel more secure and experience fewer blisters.

The study’s results were so positive that researchers are hoping it will impact civilians with prosthetic limbs.

Laser hair removal is an affordable solution for not only aesthetic concerns, but also for skin problems as a result of prosthetic limbs.

The study results were released at the 2014 ASDS Annual Meeting in San Diego, which is a well-known military hub and home to Camp Pendleton.

Dermatologists have been treating wounded warriors’ unique issues such as scar revisions and improvements for years. Laser hair removal is just one more cosmetic procedure that can greatly improve the lives of these invaluable service personnel.

Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles provides laser hair removal for hundreds of patients. We specialize in the latest techniques and technology in order to ensure that you’re receiving the best treatments possible.

Call (323) 525-1516 or visit us online here to schedule an appointment with Los Angeles’ leading dermatology center.