Dr. Patel discusses Visha Skin Care, Brotox and more!

Pick up the latest issue of the Commercial Appeal's Good Health Magazine. Dr. Patel discusses Brotox, Visha Skin Care and more!

Skin Through the Ages: 50s and Beyond

photo © 2012 Quinn Dombrowski, Flickr

*This is the final post in a series called “Skin Through the Ages.” The series will focus on how to take care of and manage skin at various points in life.

You may be wondering why I’m even writing this post, because worrying about your skin in your 50s seems pointless. Why bother if you can’t stop Mother Nature? While that may be true, there’s no reason to feel like you should just let go of your skin care routine. Actors like George Clooney and Jamie Lee Curtis look amazing after 50, and you can too. It’s true that they have access to Hollywood plastic surgeons, personal chefs and trainers, but you can get great results without those things. Here are some tips to keep you looking and feeling fabulous in your 50s and beyond.

Same song and dance
You’ll want to keep up the good habits that I hope you developed in your teens and 20s. Wash your skin on a regular basis with products tailored to your skin type and needs. Eat a healthy diet. Stay hydrated. Stay out of the sun. Wear sunscreen. Stay active. Following these basic health tips will help you look and feel younger.

Neck & décolletage
You’re probably noticing some sagging and drooping in the jaw, neck and décolletage areas. This happens over time as collagen in skin breaks down, along with other factors such as losing weight too rapidly. The skin simply doesn’t have the elasticity and the ability to bounce back like it used to. Check out our post on “The Science of Aging” for more information on why this happens. To combat it, make sure to use a rich facial cream (yes ladies, even on your “ladies”) to help these areas as much as possible. If need be, look into more intense methods like surgery and lasers to help get rid of those jowls.

Lighten up
If you haven’t been diligent about using sunscreen, then sunspots are probably a side effect you are unhappily dealing with. Luckily, there are products designed to help lighten those areas. Look for makeup that gives the appearance of even-toned skin or bleaching facial products that actually lighten the spot over time. Our blog post on the best anti-aging makeup can help you identify the best products for you. Regardless of the method you choose, make sure to keep using sunscreen to avoid new skin damage.

The big guns
Fillers, injections, lasers or surgery are always viable options. We’ve seen and heard of plastic surgery horror stories, so do your research before choosing a skin care professional to perform any of these services. Make sure they are fully accredited, are using quality products and that they review all of the information and answer any questions pertaining to the service with you before you pay or sign on anything. You can also start by reading our posts on Botox and fillers to familiarize yourself with these options.

Smile
Simply put, smile. Nothing looks better on a person than a bright, confident smile. It makes you feel good, makes you look good and they’re oftentimes infectious. That’s the best and cheapest piece of advice I can suggest for any age.

Do you have more specific questions about skin care issues in your 50s and beyond that I didn’t touch on? Leave your questions in the comments below and I’ll try to help you out! If you need an appointment with Advanced Dermatology, click here. 

Filling In Signs of Aging

You’ve probably heard of Botox. You may have read about it in our blog post from a few months ago. And you may think it’s your only option when it comes to a relatively inexpensive way to hide signs of aging.

Well, if that’s what you thought, you would be wrong.

There are a variety of filler options out there, all of which work in various ways. This post will give you The Skinny on fillers.

What are fillers?

Fillers, or dermal fillers, consist of a variety of elements by which to rejuvenate the skin and add volume to the face, lips or other parts of the body. Some fillers are made of soft tissue components that occur naturally in the body. Fillers can also be made up of the patient’s own fat from another part of his or her body or from a chemical developed to imitate soft tissue.

Generally used on the face, fillers can plump lips, smooth out facial creases or wrinkles and enhance shallow contours.

How long do fillers last?

Fillers are temporary. They usually last about three months, but there is a “semi-permanent” option involving polymethylmethacrylate, or PMMA fillers. These fillers are typically used to treat deep wrinkles or major scars.

What are fillers made of?

Chemical fillers are made to imitate the body’s own soft tissue. A few of the most common include:

• Collagen – Well-known for its lip-plumping ability, collagen is a natural substance. It occurs naturally in cartilage, teeth and bones.
• Hyaluronic acid – This substance occurs in the body’s soft connective tissue, the fluid in the eyes, cartilage, joint fluids and skin tissue. Although it works well as filler, it’s also often used to treat arthritis pain in joints.
• Calcium hydroxylapatite – Found in human bones, this is the heaviest facial filler available. Deep wrinkles often require a heavier filler like this.
• Polylactic acid – This synthetic chemical, while it does not occur naturally in the human body, does imitate soft tissue. Rather than showing immediate results, this filler helps the body produce more of its own collagen to support more long-term results.

Are fillers safe?

Unlike other, more permanent surgical procedures, fillers don’t require a lot of recovery time. Also, because many of them are made from substances that occur naturally in the body, they are safe for most people.

Some risks include:

• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Itching
• Migration of filler material (particularly if you apply pressure – such as applying makeup – too soon after the procedure)
• Redness
• Rash
• Sensitivity
• Swelling
• Temporary paralysis of facial muscles

What are the benefits of fillers versus traditional surgery?

Although fillers are temporary and surgery lasts longer, there are several benefits to choosing a filler. They include:

• Changing the type, amount or location of filler after the first round – Because fillers only last a few months, it’s possible to make adjustments as needed during a second or third treatment.
• Little or no recovery time – Unlike surgery, fillers can be injected quickly and the patient can be out and about as normal the same day.
• Fillers are less expensive than surgery – Although many offices offer a topical anesthetic if the patient is uneasy about needles, fillers do not have many of the costs associated with surgery. Surgical costs include anesthetic, recovery care and many other expensive aspects of the procedure.

What types of filler do you offer?

At Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates, we offer several products:

• Radiesse^®
• Restylane^®
• Juvederm^®
• Perlane^®
• Sculptra^®
• Belatero^®
• Artefill^®

All fillers serve different purposes, and we always recommend a personal consultation with a dermatologist before making a decision.

Wondering if fillers are right for you? If you have any general questions about fillers just leave them in the comments and I’ll answer them there. If you have specific questions about your cosmetic care, find a qualified dermatologist in your area. If you’re in the Memphis area, call Advanced Dermatology at 901-759-2322.

The Beauty of Botox

Photo by Charles Williams

Last year, 5.6 million people received Botox injections. If you don’t know a Botox user personally, odds are you have heard of a few – Simon Cowell, Jenny McCarthy, David Hasselhoff and Vanessa Williams have all had Botox treatments for a variety of reasons.

But what is Botox? Although it’s often the butt of bad jokes in movies, Botox is pretty revolutionary, and it might even work for you. Let’s start by addressing a few common questions, misconceptions and recommendations. 

If you have any questions not included here, leave them in the comments, and I’ll answer them there.

Where did it come from?

Botox is derived from Botulinum toxin. The word may sound familiar if you’ve heard of botulism, a type of food poisoning. Although it can be toxic in very high doses, 10 years ago, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the patented small dose, now known as Botox, to treat a variety of cosmetic issues.

If you’re wondering how the idea to use the product to treat wrinkles came about, it was totally by accident! In the late 1980s, it was being used as a treatment for facial muscle spasms, and patients began commenting on the benefits to wrinkles and other cosmetic issues. That led to more research and, eventually, FDA approval in 2002.

What does it do?

Botox can be used to treat a variety of minor cosmetic issues. These include:

• Filling in wrinkles, like crow’s feet, to make them less visible
• Injections under the arms can help control heavy sweating.
• Erasing frown lines around the mouth or wrinkles on the forehead
• Correct crossed eyes

The effects of Botox typically last up to four months. Regular injections are safe, and the effect is the same with each injection. There is no “wear” or “getting used to” the effects of Botox.

Allergan, Inc., the manufacturer of Botox, recently received FDA approval to use Botox to treat incontinence and chronic migraines. They are exploring its use for other conditions, as well.

How does it work?

Quite simply, Botox blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles, essentially “deadening” them and keeping the muscles from contracting. This causes the muscles to relax and soften, lessening or even eliminating visible signs of wrinkles.

Is it safe?

Yes! Although technically derived from a neurotoxin, Botox is 100 percent safe. In small doses, the injections are very well-received and highly effective for cosmetic issues. There are no known long-term safety risks associated with Botox injections.

Although the injection itself is safe, it is possible to experience a bad outcome. Be very selective when choosing the physician who will administer your shots. Always choose a licensed dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Risks associated with poorly performed Botox injections are primarily cosmetic, and include shiny skin, visible ripples or the “frozen” look often portrayed in movies.

Should I get Botox?

It’s important to note that Botox is a brand name. There are now two competing products on the market, as well – Dysport and Xeomin. At Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates, we recommend a certain brand to patients based on a few factors: how often the patient plans to get injections, the specific area to be treated and the patient’s medical history or concerns.

Oftentimes, Botox is used as an alternative to more invasive or expensive procedures.

If you have a question about pursuing a Botox procedure, call us at 901-759-2322.