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Hairlessness has become a popular beauty trend, ushered speedily along by the media’s overt definitions of sexiness and femininity, in Western culture. Most women shave, wax or receive laser hair treatment for partial or full pubic hair removal. And according to a new study, it’s a widespread preference that crosses racial and ethnic divides.

Even though full pubic hair removal was previously thought to be solely preferred among white college-aged females, the AJOG.org study titled “Complications Related to Pubic Hair Removal” found that pubic hair removal is quite popular for women no matter what race or ethnicity. Women claim to feel sexier and cleaner with shaved vaginal regions. Over half of the women surveyed in the study said they completely removed their pubic hair. This is done commonly for aesthetic or sexual reasons.

The study’s purpose was to explore the popularity of pubic hair removal in minorities as well as examine pubic hair removal practices and the number of complications associated with it. As hairlessness has increased in popularity, so, too, have the number of health complications.

The study explored the anonymous survey responses of 333 low-income, racially diverse women ages 16 to 40. The women received care at two publicly funded reproductive health clinics at the University of Texas Medical Branch from April to June 2012.

Survey results noted that 87 percent of the women said they currently remove some of their pubic hair. The remainder said had previously removed the hair. Sixty percent of the women had experienced at least one complication from hair removal along their bikini line. The most common problems included ingrown hairs and epidermal abrasion, i.e. superficial skin scrapes.

Other problems can include genital burns if you wax. Or there is risk of folliculitis, vulvitis, vaginal irritation and infection.

The study found that shaving with a razor blade is still the most common way to remove pubic hair. Almost 90 percent of women surveyed said they used a razor to shave their vaginal region. They attributed the popularity of razors to being a low-cost method that can be done at home.

And of those who experienced some complications with removing pubic hair, 90.7 percent had shaved with a razor blade.

Minor complications are common when pubic hair is removed. And a blade can easily cause stubble, bumps and ingrown hairs. And the risk of infection is greater with razors, especially if they’re dull. If women insist on using razors, they should use a new disposable blade with every shaving. Razors left in the shower or bathroom can develop bacteria as a result of the moist environment and humidity.

Women looking to reduce their risks for infection should explore laser hair removal, like the services Your Laser Skin Care offers in Los Angeles. Laser hair treatment also is the most permanent of the available pubic hair removal options. It also improves the condition of skin by shrinking pore size over time.

Lasers used during hair removal treatments must be sterilized, usually with hospital-grade bacteria-fighting agents. Make sure to ask your spa or dermatology office how they sanitize their lasers and what protocols are followed.

For more information about Your Laser Skin Care’s laser hair removal in Los Angeles, visit us at www.yourlaserskincare.com. Call the office at (323) 525-1516 or click here to schedule a free consultation.

Your Laser Skin Care sees hundreds of patients seeking Botox treatments for their fine lines and wrinkles. It’s clear to us that Botox is no longer considered a facial aesthetic service for women. “Brotox” isn’t a term that’s needed for males to feel better about receiving injections.

At Your Laser Skin Care, women outnumber men 2 to 1, but their numbers are increasing. Since the Recession, more men have taken advantage of Botox to give them a competitive edge during job searches and in the workplace. Of course, many just want to improve their appearance, reducing wrinkles acquired over the years due to sun damage and the loss of skin elasticity.

According to a St. Louis University Hospital facial plastics and reconstructive surgeon, number of men getting Botox is increasing by 10 percent every year. Ages for men receiving Botox range from about 25 to 60, the surgeon said.

The quick and non-invasive treatments are an appealing alternative to surgical procedures such as facelifts. And consumers are more choosy these days when it comes to their facial aesthetic care, as there are a plethora of options available. Most are looking for good quality Botulinum Toxin Type A and excellent service accompanied by decent prices.

Botox was marketed commercially beginning in 1997. It is used to treat everything from wrinkles to hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. According to a 2012 article, the global Botox market is expected to touch $2.9 billion by 2018; additionally, facial aesthetics should reach $4.7 billion by 2018.

To learn more about our Botox treatments, visit our website for more facts and post-injection recommendations. We offer free skin consultations, as well. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to see how our Botox injections in Los Angeles can benefit you.

New research suggests that it just may. Scientists studying the vagus nerve, or the nerve connecting the digestive system with the brain, found that applying Botox to stomach cancer can slow tumor growth and make tumors more amenable to chemotherapy. Cutting the nerve also has the same effect, according to a study published in Science Translational Medicine.

Botox is a well-known product that helps restore a more youthful appearance by relaxing muscles and evening out wrinkles. Your Laser Skin Care’s Botox treatments can erase 10 or more years from your appearance.

But it is interesting that the product is being looked at as a possible future treatment for stomach cancer. Scientists at New York’s Columbia University Medical Center and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology that the research is in its very early stages, and Botox shouldn’t be considered a cure or treatment for stomach cancer. However, it does look like it improves the efficiency of current and future treatments when used in conjunction with chemotherapy.

“Tumors have the ability to out-evolve any single agent,” said Dr. Timothy Wang, who was quoted by the BBC.

Though scientists remain cautious, Dr. Wang believes it has potential to amount to something within 10 or so years. Some trials on humans who need surgery to remove stomach cancer have begun. The research shows that nerves may also play a role in the development of prostate cancer.

Your Laser Skin Care provides a number of services with regard to Botox injections. Dr. Ella Fedonenko, a board-certified dermatologist and YLSC’s medical director, provides the latest and most creative solutions using Botox in Los Angeles for your skin ailments.

To learn more about our Botox treatments, click here, or call us at 323-525-1516. For general questions related to Botox, click here. Learn more about what to do following your Botox treatment here.

What are some of the first things we do in the morning? We shower, brush our teeth and, for many people, apply makeup. Beauty is a $55 billion industry, and its roots are deep.

Ancient Egyptians and Cleopatra created cosmetics from rocks, minerals and plants. The cosmetic applications were both practical — dark pigments lining the eye helped protect against bright sunlight — and aesthetically pleasing. One of the earliest eye shadows created in Egypt was a bright green made from mineral malachite. Cleopatra used a deep blue eye shadow made from ground lapis lazuli (a bright blue gemstone flecked with pyrite). Black kohl was used to darken eyelashes. Lipstick and blush was made from red ochre, and henna was used for nail polish.

But with the recent and growing interest in organic products, the cosmetic industry is now in the spotlight. And there are concerns over possible toxic ingredients present in beauty products.

A FoxNews.com article notes that environmental safety groups warn consumers against purchasing products with parabens, utilized as a preservative, and phalates, which have been linked to cancer and birth defects. However, there are others who disagree with the claims.
“The studies that I’ve seen that claim things like parabens are harmful or cause breast cancer, there’s nothing substantiated from those,” Dr. Doris Day, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at the New York University Langone Medical Center, told the news site.

Yet others insist on the need to be mindful of what is being put on skin, our largest organ. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate cosmetics and their ingredients. However, cosmetics are tested regularly. The cosmetic Ingredient Review, or CIR, is a nonprofit that works with the FDA and provides safety records. Experts like toxicologists, chemists and medical researchers test cosmetics and their ingredients for safety. They are checked for lead, arsenic and mercury levels, among other toxins, to make sure their levels remain safe.

For more information about our treatments and how we can help with your skin rejuvenation, visit us at www.yourlaserskicare.com, or call to make an appointment with our board-certified physician in Los Angeles at (323) 525-1516.

Varicose (i.e. swollen) veins are not a welcomed occurrence for anyone, female or male. Though they do affect more women — 1 in 3 will develop them, especially during pregnancy — varicose veins will surface for men, as well, but with less frequency. Genetics and obesity can increase a person’s risk for developing these abnormally functioning veins.

Professional dermatologists, like those at Your Laser Skin Care who provide Los Angeles-based vein therapy, can treat these swollen veins. More on that later.

What are varicose veins?
The blue or purple veins are rather unsightly. They usually occur in the leg area but can surface on other areas of the body like the face and torso.

Varicose veins are veins that are no longer functioning properly. The veins’ valves, which prevent blood on its way to the heart from flowing the other way, stop working. The walls of the veins are weakened as a result. Blood then pools in the weakened areas and further stretches the vein walls. The vein will become swollen and visible just beneath the skin’s surface.

Are varicose veins painful?
They can be, as they can create an aching and heavy feeling in the leg area. Itchiness also is a common side effect. And they can cause swollen ankles and feet and cramping muscles. In general, they can cause some discomfort.

Why does pregnancy cause varicose veins?
Varicose veins and pregnancy do not always go hand in hand, but they are a fairly common occurrence. With a growing fetus and expanding uterus, more weight is pushing on pelvis veins. One of those veins is the largest one in the body, the inferior vena cava. The major blood vessel, which runs along the body’s right side, carries blood from the lower extremities and the pelvis. Pressure on this vein makes it harder for the blood to get from the legs back to the heart, which can cause swollen veins

 Also, the pregnancy hormone progesterone helps to relax blood vessel walls, which can contribute to varicose veins.

 Often, varicose veins improve following pregnancy. It helps if you don’t cross your legs while sitting at your desk at work. Sitting or standing for a long time isn’t recommended. Moving around every 30 minutes will help with circulation. And maintaining a balanced diet — reducing the possibility for excessive weight gain in a short period of time during pregnancy — can help keep varicose veins at bay. Compression stockings also help keep blood from pooling.

But what if they don’t improve?
The Los Angeles vein therapy specialists at Your Laser Skin Care can help. Our laser vein therapy can treat small spider veins and varicose veins. As lasers continue to improve, so have the methods to treat blemishes like dilated or broken blood vessels. These treatments are faster and more effective than ever before. Your Laser Skin Care uses a Yag laser, which is a beam of high-intensity light, that administers a controlled amount of heat to target blood vessels. It also contains a cooling device that protects the top layers of skin.

For more information about our treatments (and other services, such as Botox and Latisse), visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com, or call one of our vein therapy specialists in Los Angeles for a free consultation at (323) 525-1516.

Sometimes it hits you —today is a beach day, you say. And in your frenzied excitement to get out the door, fuzzy beach towel in tow, you forget to apply sunscreen. Or maybe you remembered, but you failed to grab the bottle on your way out. Once you hit the beach, boiling sand quickly devouring your toes, those cool breezes sweeping in off the water lie to you. You forget about the intensity of the sun’s UV rays and fail to reapply sunblock a couple of hours later.

The result: an inflamed skin reaction otherwise known as sunburn. (And if you’re sunburned, you won’t be able to go forward with your IPL treatments in Los Angeles at the Your Laser Skin Care offices. But we’ll get to that later.)

Sunburn in and of itself is rarely a serious event. But it’s extremely uncomfortable. Your new concern, besides managing the symptoms, should be how it has increased your risk for non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer. Younger individuals with pale/fair skin tones are at the greatest risk for such cancers. However, any skin tone can eventually succumb to sunburn with enough exposure.

Altitude, cloud coverage, ozone levels and, at least mentally, those deceiving beach breezes affect the intensity of UV rays. Sand and snow can reflect UVs back onto your skin.

Other sunburn facts to keep in mind:

• UV rays are most intense during 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., especially during the summer months.

• Sunburn severity can range from mild redness to annoying and uncomfortable blisters.

• Various medications can increase your sensitivity to UV rays and can heighten sunburn risk. Check with your pharmacist when picking up new medication to see if you should have minimal sun exposure while taking the drugs. Common medications that can increase your risk include diuretics, heart medications and antibiotics.

• Being “tan” just means your skin has increased skin pigmentation. It’s a result of more melanin production thanks to UV exposure.

• Reduce the risks of UV exposure by covering up with clothing and using waterproof sunscreen with appropriate sun protection factor (SPF). At least 30 SPF is recommended.

• Cool water/compresses and oatmeal soaks can help alleviate some of the discomfort involved with sunburn. Taking NSAIDs (pronounced “en-saids”), or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen, immediately before or after sun exposure can reduce redness. However, their helpfulness decreases after sunburn has developed.

• At this time, corticosteroids and antihistamines are not recommended in treating sunburns due to their ineffectiveness, as in the former, and their possible toxicity, as in the latter. Current studies reveal little benefit to using aloe vera, as well.

Having a sunburn can also affect your Los Angeles IPL (or intense pulsed light) treatments, which are meant to combat blemishes originally caused by sun exposure. In fact, you should avoid any sunbathing for two weeks prior to the beginning of your treatment.

Your Laser Skin Care’s IPL PhotoFacial treatments diminish UV-related sun/age spots and premature wrinkles, as well as spider veins, rosacea, under-eye bags and large pores on the face, as well as other areas of the body. IPL treatments help prevent and fix these surface blemishes.

The intense pulsed light is emitted from a laser that penetrates the lower layers of the epidermis. The light is absorbed in higher amounts by darker pigments; therefore, normal skin is not affected. Treatments cause dark spots to crust over while they heal. The light also targets small capillaries in spider veins, which are heated to the point of coagulation. They are then absorbed by the body’s natural cleansing system.

Ultimately, our Los Angeles IPL treatments help kick-start the production of new collagen and other connective tissues in the skin, resulting in clearer, younger-looking skin.

To learn more about Your Laser Skin Care’s IPL treatments in Los Angeles, visit our website’s F&Qs page or call (323) 525-1516 for a free consultation. We also offer multiple skincare services, like Botox, Latisse, laser hair removal and skin tightening, among other procedures. Call us today to see how we can cater to your unique skincare needs.

Let’s have a frank conversation about your skin. As we’ve discussed, it’s a vital organ with specific duties. Mistreating it can leave superficial marks as well as open the door to more serious problems.

But being mindful of your skincare practices and lifestyle choices can aid in skin rejuvenation and overall wellbeing. So let’s review the bad habits that can affect the look and health of your epidermis.

1. Smoking — Truthfully, we’re surprised that we still have to discuss this topic given the wealth of knowledge available regarding the negative health effects of cigarette smoking, which became popular in the United States following the Civil War. It wasn’t until 1952, however, that a Reader’s Digest article, titled “Cancer by the Carton,” opened the public’s eyes to potential dangers. (Cigarette sales declined for the first time in two decades that year). In 1960, the Surgeon General created the Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health; it released a report in 1964 that revealed a causal relationship between cancer and smoking. For three decades now, the direct relationship has been supported by the U.S. government. As for how smoking affects your skin’s appearance, it contributes to premature aging and exacerbates existing sun damage, worsening precancerous lesions. It can increase wrinkles, especially around the mouth and nose. Skin can develop a yellowish hue.

2. Sleep Deprivation —While it doesn’t damage skin directly, the effects of sleep deprivation can manifest in your skin’s appearance. It can look more tired or even wrinkled. A lack of sleep can be harmful to your health, of course, such as contributing to type 2 diabetes, mood disorders and hypertension.

3. Picking, Popping, Scratching —It’s so tempting; we understand. But scarring is a real result of trying to remedy acne, rashes, pimples, and bug bites this way. Our skincare professionals can help you.

4. Forgetting to Wash Your Face — For some, leaving makeup on your skin — not to mention the day’s buildup of environmental toxins like dirt and pollutants — can clog pores and cause zits to occur literally overnight. Having a facial skin routine is important to keep skin clear for men and women. Take a look at our VIVITE skincare products to aid in this effort. Interestingly, your cellphone can be the cause of breakouts as well, as the surface of phones can harbor bacteria. Wipe phones clean regularly to avoid a breakout possibility. Additionally, make sure to wash your cosmetic brushes and sponges regularly. Bacteria can accumulate on these beauty tools, as well.

5. Avoiding Sunscreen —This isn’t just a summertime concern. Sunscreen should be worn daily, even if it’s overcast. You increase your risks for developing skin cancer, like melanoma, without it. Apply sunscreen anywhere that skin will be exposed to UV rays. Also noteworthy: The sun is the principal cause of skin aging.

6. Forgetting to Moisturize Neck, Hands — Aging is visible not only via our faces, but also on our hands and neck, places often overlooked or forgotten in skincare routines. These areas are at risk for loss of firmness, dryness and dark spots.

For a free skin consultation, or to inquire about our specific procedures that will aid in skin rejuvenation, call us at (323) 525 1516.