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It’s always interesting to read about the latest super food or leafy greens that we should consume to better our health and to achieve a healthy, glowing complexion from the inside out.

But sometimes … it’s good to get a healthy reminder about the unhealthy items we should avoid eating most of the time. What you eat directly affects your largest organ — your skin. Depending on what you eat, you can create skin conditions like acne, aging and thinning. A poor diet will cause inflammation, which causes oxidative stress, which ultimately damages your collagen and DNA. In other words, try to avoid these products or do your best to consume them only occasionally.

Sugar = danger … all the danger: It’s one of the worst things for your health and your skin. It also happens to be the product that ages us the most. Additionally, it weakens our immune systems. An overabundance of sugar in your system will expedite your skin’s production of wrinkles. Consume naturally occurring sugars in fruit rather than processed candy.

Fried anything = oil: Fried foods are … so tasty. However, they are fatty and create oil buildup.

Alcohol and Caffeine = sap hydration: Alcohol dehydrates you. As a result, the less water in your body, the less of it can get to your skin. Alcohol also is known to cause vasodilatation (or widening of blood vessels and arteries), which in turn exacerbates rosacea (a recurring inflammatory disorder that affects facial skin and causes a reddish appearance). Caffeine is a diuretic, and thus it dehydrates.

Processed snacks = sugar and salt: Processed foods often contain too much sodium and sugar. And as previously mentioned, sugar will increase wrinkle production, weaken your immune system and affect quality of your skin.

Cereal = refined sugar: Even so-called healthy cereals contain high levels of refined sugar. Make sure to check the label.

Salt = bloating: While some salt is good for you, it can wreak havoc on your skin. It contributes to bloating due to trapping water in your tissues. Remember that a lot of what you eat contains salt already.

Everyone, it seems, has an opinion about Botox. From waiting room discussions to talk show commentary, people love to talk about the procedure, whether or not they have actually received it.

Unfortunately, all too often, the assumptions are incorrect, leading people to faulty conclusions about this medical and cosmetic injection that has been helpful to so many.

Thankfully, research is not silent about the risks or benefits of Botox treatments. In fact, research shows that Botox is a low risk cosmetic procedure.

Patients looking to receive Botox in Los Angeles should consider these 3 important insights:
1. Botox has a very good side effect profile.
In an age when nearly every medical procedure is accompanied by a list of intimidating side effects, the fact that Botox is relatively harmless is impressive. According to an article in JAMA Dermatology, side effects including bruising or skin discoloration occur in less than 1 percent of cases. This is a far cry from side effects of other commonly practiced procedures.
2. Botox remains a safer alternative to facelift.
Facelift is a type of cosmetic surgery requiring general anesthesia. Sometimes facelift requires removal of excess skin. At other times, it requires a specialized type of draping of the skin. As recently as in 2011, facelift was the most popular aesthetic surgery in the United States. Though facelift can be performed safely and effectively, Botox can accomplish many of the same objectives without placing the patient at unnecessary risk.
3. Botox should be administered by an experienced provider.
It should be noted that statistics for achieving successful results improve when patients do their homework and choose a qualified, board-certified provider. Doing careful research before choosing a Los Angeles Botox provider will ensure great results you deserve.

Cigarette smoking nearly guarantees that you will look old and unhealthy before your time on the outside, as well as on the inside. Smoking is a confirmed cause of premature facial wrinkles, according to Mayo Clinic.

Tobacco smoke contains more than 400 chemicals! Exposure to these chemicals decreases the body’s collagen and elastin levels, the fibers that allow skin to stay firm and pliable. Less skin elasticity results in more skin sagging. Even exposure to secondhand smoke causes this damage. You do not even have to inhale to suffer the consequences of being exposed to 400+ chemicals.
The nicotine in cigarettes reduces blood flow to the skin by causing the blood vessels to constrict. Because blood delivers oxygen and important cellular nutrition to the skin, if less blood is getting to the skin’s surface, the skin is deprived of life-giving, nourishing material and loses its suppleness and elasticity.

Here is the damage that smoking can wreak on your skin:
• Loose folds and pockets of skin under the eyes.
• Deep crow feet on the outside of the eyes from the heat of burning cigarettes and the squinting from the smoke.
• Dark, blotchy age spots on the face.
• Pale or uneven skin tone due to oxygen and nutrient deprivation.
• Deep lines around the mouth and lips from puckering and loss of elasticity.

Smoking is not just hard on the face. Research shows that the loss of skin elasticity from smoking causes inner arms to droop and breasts to sag.
While the wrinkles that smoking causes don’t disappear as soon as you stop smoking, they will stop progressing and ease up a bit over time. Mayo Clinic reports that within 12 hours of quitting, the skin starts to repair itself as the carbon monoxide levels decrease. After three months of smoking cessation, the skin’s circulation is returned to what it was before smoking began.

Despite improvements in facial skin that ex-smokers enjoy, there is often much residual damage remaining from even a short period of smoking. This is where life-altering help from a Cosmetic Doctor can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles with dermal fillers, Botox, or non-invasive laser procedures.

Your Laser Skin Care is your source for highly skilled and creative Los Angeles Skin Care solutions. Please call us at (323) 525-1516 for a free consultation.

Blotches, blemishes and sun spots become a reality as we get older. They tend to appear in our late 20s and gradually become more of an issue.
Often referred to as hyperpigmentation or “age spots,” these areas of discoloration are typically results of cumulative sun damage that begins when you’re a child.

They can also appear as a result of hormone imbalance. Abnormal thyroid function, blood sugar levels and adrenal gland function can cause these spots.
Yet there are ways to prevent and to treat these spots so that concealer and foundation aren’t the only weapons in your arsenal. Board-certified physicians can help you find the best solution for your situation.

Your options include:

• Consistent, gentle exfoliation — This will help to slowly remove dead skin cells and expose newer skin.
• Lightening creams — These bleaching agents reduce the visibility of spots within a few weeks. The most common bleaching ingredient — hydroquinone — is available in synthetic and plant-based forms.
• Microdermabrasion — This procedure removes the outer layer of the skin. This method isn’t recommended for individuals with sensitive skin. Results can be seen after only a few sessions.
• Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL) — The “photo facial” procedure utilizes a laser that sends high intensity pulse of light into the skin. The light will break up melanin clusters. Spots will darken and then dissipate.

Of course, you can help your skin by eating well. Take in more antioxidants like Vitamin C. Also make sure you’re eating plenty of dark-green, leafy veggies. Make sure to cut back significantly on your sugar intake.

On the prevention front, it’s important for everyone to always wear sunblock. Darker-skinned individuals can actually be more prone to discoloration following skin issues like sunburn and acne.

Your Laser Skin Care is one of Los Angeles’ top-rated Skin Care offices. We specialize in IPL, Botox, Latisse and laser hair removal, among our many other services that utilize the latest science and technology. To schedule a free consultation or to learn more about our numerous services that will help you achieve the skin rejuvenation that you are searching for, please call us today at (323) 525-1516 or visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com.

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.