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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.

Ingrown hairs are incredibly annoying. That’s not to mention that they can be quite painful and cause an unsightly bump due to the inflammation.

So what is it exactly? An ingrown hair is a freshly cut or removed hair that grows back or sideways into the skin of the hair follicle instead of out through the normal follicular orifice. Like any foreign object occurring where it shouldn’t, the ingrown hair causes irritation.

This irritation can manifest as bumps that are solid, rounded papules (red or tan) or pus-filled, blister-y lesions or pustules. Additionally, there can be skin darkening and itching involved.

While ingrown hairs most commonly occur for black males between the ages of 14 and 25, they can happen to anyone of any age who shaves, waxes or tweezes. Men with beards often run into problems with their facial hair removal. Ingrown hairs are common for them on their cheeks, neck and chin. As for both men and women, any area of the body where hair is removed has the potential to develop an ingrown hair. Shaving too closely and coarse hairs also encourage the frequency of ingrown hairs.

Curly hair can be prone to ingrown hairs, as well. Their natural follicle structure, especially when dry, can often cause hair to grow back into the skin once they have been shaved. Tweezed hair can sometimes leave a hair fragment under the skin’s surface that can cause the new follicle to become inflamed and grow back into the skin.

Ingrown hairs cause the worst inflammation as they first begin to regrow, but they will eventually improve.

Really the only way to avoid an ingrown hair is to not remove it in the first place. But that’s fairly impractical as shaving is a common, daily routine for most. Your Laser Skin Care provides permanent hair removal services to solve this issue. Laser hair treatment removes hair deep within the follicle and eventually prevents regrowth altogether. In other words, follicles can no longer become infected. Our state-of-the-art technology utilizes advanced lasers that are appropriate for all skin types. Laser hair removal is a great solution for people who suffer from chronic ingrown hairs.

There are also some simple hair removal tips to practice at home that may minimize the occasional occurrence of ingrown hairs:

• Exfoliate the skin one to two days before shaving to remove dead skin cells that can get trapped in hair follicles.
• Don’t pull skin taut while you’re shaving.
• Shave in the direction of hair growth.
• Wet the area with warm water and use a lubricating gel.
• Use a sharp, single-blade razor and do not shave too closely. A double-blade pulls hair follicles before it shaves them, which can result in ingrown hairs. (If using an electric razor, do use the closest shave setting.)
• Rinse the blade after each run.
• Rinse the shaved area with cold water and apply a compress when finished.
• Apply aloe and/or oils to the shaved area.

An ingrown hair every now and then is normal. However, if it is a chronic problem, visit your physician or dermatologist for help and management advice. Chronic ingrown hairs can result in scarring and skin darkening. Scratching ingrown hairs can cause bacterial infection.

To learn more about Your Laser Skin Care’s laser hair removal treatments in Los Angeles, check out our facts-and-questions page on our website or call us to schedule a free consultation at (323) 525-1516

It’s a fact we’re subconsciously aware of but rarely think about with regularity. Sometimes we’re reminded by glossy magazines in the grocery aisle or those ubiquitous Best Skin Care Tips listicles — admittedly, not unlike this one — popping up on beauty blogs daily.

Maybe that random stomach rash is enough of a solid wakeup call.

Skin: It’s our largest organ, which means it’s just like our heart or kidneys, carrying out a vital function for our bodies. And how it’s functioning and looking should be more of a concern for males and females of all ages. (And if it takes 20 new blogs a day about this topic to keep everyone a bit healthier, then we’re happy to contribute.)

Skin’s appearance is a good barometer of your internal health. Skin abnormalities can be linked directly to inefficiencies of specific organs like the liver. And it keeps us protected from harmful pathogens we rarely think about as we’re walking down the street.

We often forget that it’s absorbing and reading and reacting to everything we apply to it: makeup, clothing, sunscreen and whatever is on our hands as we touch another body part, especially our faces.

The good news is that we can control and improve our health with thoughtful care. As we often see with facial care, skin is responsive. Enhancing the natural glow of our skin’s potential can be achieved with a little effort. When it’s looking rejuvenated, it’s a good indication that you’re doing the right things to live a healthier lifestyle, as well.

So here are seven ways to brighten dull or aggravated skin that may need a reboot following all of this summertime outdoor exposure:

1. Drink Water — Arguments have been made for drinking mostly water, but that is impractical for many. However, the severity of that idea makes its own point as to the importance of hydrating with fluids (i.e. water, but also water-based beverages like tea, coffee, juices, milk) throughout the day for health reasons and for your skin. Water washes out toxins and increases blood flow to our skin to create a natural glow. Dehydrated skin can appear dry and winkled. So are you holding a glass of water yet?
2. Some Like It Cold — There’s a lot of literature out there about the benefits of taking cold showers in the morning. Obviously, they help you wake up quickly, but they also can be healthy for you. As for improving your facial skin, it can help close pores. Take an ice cube and wrap it in a thin washcloth, patting it on your face. It will help stimulate circulation and create a smoother, brighter appearance.
3. Take Your Zzz’s Seriously — How many hours of sleep a night an average adult needs is constantly debated. In fact, the topic recently became a hot news item again with research saying seven hours is ideal. (The general thought is that between seven and nine hours is best for adults, depending on your unique needs.) Obviously the reason sleep is a revisited topic is due to its importance for your health, including your skin. Skin regenerates while you sleep. But it can create some cosmetic hassles in the morning, such as red eyes and puffy skin. As mentioned, ice can help with not only closing pores, but also reducing puffiness. Try our VIVITE Revitalizing Eye Cream, containing 10 percent glycolic compound, to help minimize fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles. Its recommended use is one a day or every other day.
4. Keep It Clean — Pores like to breathe, and they can’t perform when you go without washing your face at night. Make sure to remove makeup that’s been caked on your face all day. More than two washings, however, can aggravate skin. Our VIVITE product line includes daily facial cleanser options, including the VIVITE Replenish Hydrating Facial Cleanser. It removes makeup, oil and residue with an unscented, soap-free formula.
5. Block It — UV damage and skin cancer is a reality. UV rays effects on the skin are astounding when viewed with an ultraviolet light. Play it safe and use a broad-spectrum sunblock. A rating of at least SPF 15 is still a good base. Use it daily in your facial moisturizer. Try our VIVITE Daily Antioxidant Facial Serum with SPF 30. The product provides antioxidant protection to fight premature aging. Note: It is important to get about 20 minutes of sun a day, sans sunscreen, to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D.
6. Shed the Dead — Skin can appear dull merely because there is a buildup of dead skin cells. Nothing can regenerate them; they have to come off. So exfoliation isn’t just something about which only females should be concerned. Our VIVITE product line includes a Daily Facial Cleanser that gently exfoliates and removes surface oil and can be used twice a day.
7. Clean Insides, Clear Outside — You are what you eat, absolutely, because it manifests in your skin. A quality diet of fruits, veggies, omega-3 fatty acids and lean meats isn’t meant solely to get your weight back on track and to help stave off serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, cataract and macular degeneration and some forms of cancer. For a more immediate reward, eating clean with whole foods helps to increase collagen productions, which results in an improved complexion. Can’t work the daily recommendation of five to 13 servings (2.5 to 6.5 cups) of fruits or vegetables into your diet? Vitamins can help make up for any nutritional deficiencies. In particular, Vitamin C not only helps keep colds at bay, it also aids in brightening your skin.

 

If you have any serious concerns about your skin or would like to inquire about a specific procedure at Your Laser Skin Care regarding skin rejuvenation or skin tightening, please contact us to schedule a free Skin Care Consultation with our professionals today at (323) 525-1516. You can explore our clinically proven VIVITE product line for more facial care products here.

With summer in full-swelter and high temperatures affecting many across the U.S., perspiration, and how to keep it in check, has hit almost everyone’s radar this year. It’s a natural problem usually remedied by mindful attire and dutiful deodorant usage. Sometimes, especially with exercise or outdoor excursions under the scorching sun, perspiring is normal, preferable and unavoidable.

But for some, hyperhidrosis, or abnormal levels of sweating beyond what is normally required needed to regulate body temperature, is a persistent concern. The condition can affect an individual’s feet, hands, underarms and, in rare cases, face or even entire body. The result can be drenched clothing even when exerting little physical effort.

Thanks to recent news articles, many are learning about the multiple uses of Botox to treat medical conditions, especially hyperhidrosis. Using Botox for severe underarm sweating specifically is not a new treatment method, but it is becoming more common. The injections help to block nerves that send signals to sweat glands. Los Angeles botox treatments do not permanently fix overactive glands but are a welcomed, temporary relief to many sufferers who are looking for alternatives to medication or surgery.

Are you suffering from hyperhidrosis?

1. Does sweat visibly roll off your hands or other areas of the body?
2. Do these episodes occur at least once or twice a week?
3. Are you feeling anxiety or embarrassment from your inability to control your perspiring?
4. Do you regularly carry an extra set of clothing with you when venturing out of the house?

Traditionally, Botox has been utilized to improve the appearance of wrinkles due to the loss of elasticity. More and more, injections are being used to treat many pressing medical issues, as well. As stated in our previous posts, Botox helps with cerebral palsy, depression and migraines, among other conditions.

We want to help you learn more about how Botox can improve your quality of life, whether it is for overactive glands or the appearance of fine lines. For more information, please call us at 323-525-1516 or visit yourlaserskincare.com.

The allure of full and lush eyelashes has lead thousands of Americans to experiment with the cosmetic drug Latisse. Approved by the FDA 2008, Latisse is a prescription drug although it is easily obtained without a prescription through many salons or the internet. As with any prescription drug, it is especially important to use Latisse under the direction of a doctor. Many of those who acquire Latisse without a prescription use it with little or no knowledge of the possible side-effects when applied incorrectly.

Itchy eyes and redness are the most common side effects associated with Latisse. This is attributed to the product accidentally entering the eye when applied incorrectly. Latisse is to be applied only to the upper eyelash line and in small amounts. Without the proper instruction, the product is commonly over-applied, often to both the upper and lower lash lines.
It’s very important to only use Latisse under the direction of a doctor.

Thousands of people achieve the desired results of longer, fuller eyelashes by using Latisse, but it is important to remember that it is a prescription drug to be acquired and used properly. To learn more about Latisse, call us at 323 525 1516.