Category: Skin & Nails

Spray Tan Tips

Unless you have been living under a rock (in which case, you have no reason to worry about the sun!), you know that sunlight can damage your skin in numerous ways. It can cause premature aging, sunspots, fine lines, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Using a tanning bed isn’t any less harmful. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Every time you tan you increase your risk of getting skin cancer, including melanoma,” (source) which is the most deadly form of skin cancer. Luckily, if you’re still lusting after a golden summer glow, you can get it these days without harming your health – or turning your skin orange! Spray tanning allows you to both look and feel great. To ensure that you achieve a lovely, natural glow, use the spray tan tips below for help.

Spray Tan Tips

Before

• Shave your legs the night before. If you wax, do so two days prior to your appointment, because the residual wax could block your skin’s absorption of the tan.
• Shower before you spray tan, and exfoliate thoroughly using a body brush, an exfoliating mitt, or a body scrub. Do not use an oil-based exfoliant.
• Rub your skin in a circular motion to get rid of dead skin, paying special attention to your knees, elbows, and ankles. Exfoliation is crucial (and perhaps the most important of our spray tan tips), because it allows the active ingredients in the spray tan product to reach your skin cells.
• Keep your skin clean. This means that you should not apply anything after showering, including deodorant, makeup, perfume, tanning products, or even moisturizer.
• If you want a spray tan for a special event like a wedding or prom, try to schedule it a few days ahead of the event to be sure that you’re happy with the color and have time to get used to it.

After

• The first 4-8 hours after spray tanning are critical. Don’t bathe or wash your hands. In fact, don’t immerse yourself in water at all. And if it’s raining outside, bring an umbrella to protect your skin.
• Bring loose clothing to wear afterward, as tight clothing can rub off the spray tan product. Dark clothing is recommended, because tanning products can stain light-colored clothes. Also, wear flip-flops if possible so that socks or tight shoes don’t rub off the tan.
• Refrain from exercising for at least 24 hours, don’t go in a sauna, and don’t sit outside on a hot day. All of these activities will cause perspiration, which can negatively affect the chemical reaction occurring on your skin.
• Shaving or waxing will make your tan fade, so refrain from hair removal as long as you can to maintain the color.
• To maintain your tan for as long as possible, don’t exfoliate (obviously) and apply moisturizer twice (or even three times) a day to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. You may also wish to avoid chlorinated pools, hot tubs, and tight clothing, as these can increase the rate of skin exfoliation and cause your tan to quickly fade.
• After showering, pat your skin dry. Don’t vigorously rub with your towel, as this will cause the tan to fade.

Wouldn’t you like a healthy, golden glow now that the weather is warming up? If you live in or near Springfield, MO, head to DermaHealth Skin Care Clinic for the perfect solution: Body Bronze tanning products. The unique formulations of these products will give you a lovely bronze color that is beautiful, believable, and not at all orange. Plus, they dry quickly without streaks or greasiness. Use the spray tan tips above for best results. To learn more, please give us a call at 417-447-7777 or click here to schedule your free consultation. We would love to help you achieve a safe and healthy tan this summer.

How to Remove Skin Tags

Also known as an acrochordon or a cutaneous tag, a skin tag is a overgrowth of skin that typically forms in places that the skin creases and has friction. Although harmless, benign, and typically painless, skin tags can be aesthetically frustrating. They aren’t present at birth but develop over time, and in fact, more than one-quarter of adults have skin tags. Luckily for those of you wondering how to remove skin tags, the process is actually quick and simple. In just a few minutes you could be free of skin tags that have plagued you for years.

What Are Skin Tags?

If you have skin tags, you’re not alone! One in four people develop a skin tag at some point in their life. These small pouches of skin seem to hang from the underlying skin, and they sometimes look like little bumps or flaps. Typically connected by a thin stalk, skin tags form in areas where skin touches other skin or rubs against clothing. For example, you may develop skin tags on your underarms, neck, eyelids, upper chest, or groin.

Skin tags are usually the same color as the rest of your skin, but sometimes brownish skin tags develop on pale-skinned people. In addition, some skin tags become red or black if they are twisted on their blood supply. Their texture varies (some wrinkled, some smooth), and their size ranges from extremely tiny (about 1 mm) to slightly larger (about 1 cm, the size of a grape). In rare cases, a skin tag will grow as large as a fig (about 5 cm).

As we mentioned above, people are not born with skin tags. They develop during our lives, and increase in frequency with age. They run in families as well, so you may have a genetic predisposition to their development if your family members have many skin tags. Obese people tend to have more skin tags as well, because their skin is more likely to rub against itself. Finally, pregnant women sometimes develop skin tags, possibly due to hormone elevations.

Although skin tags are typically painless and almost always benign (reports of cancerous skin tags are extremely rare), they can become irritated and bleed if caught on clothing, a zipper, a purse strap, or something similar. Some people are tempted to pick at their skin tags, and others simply dislike the way they look. If you are bothered by a skin tag, don’t hesitate to have it removed. The process is quick and easy.

How to Remove Skin Tags

Although you’ll find a smorgasbord of DIY skin tag removal techniques on the Internet (for example, tying thread around the base of the skin tag), these processes have not been proven successful and can be dangerous. To ensure that the skin doesn’t scar or become infected, consult a professional if you’re wondering how to remove skin tags. It is important to note, however, that some people are prone to the development of skin tags and may find that their skin tags reoccur after removal.

To remove the acrochordon, a doctor will cut the skin tag off with surgical scissors or electrocautery ellman. The treatment is simple, and the healing process is conveniently quick. A local anesthetic may be used for your comfort, and you can go back to your regular activities immediately. It’s as easy as that!

Do you have a skin tag you wish to remove? If you live in southwest Missouri, contact DermaHealth Laser & Skin Care Clinic today. Give us a call at 417-447-7777 or contact us online for more information. We would be happy to help you remove that pesky skin tag.

How Dermal Fillers Work

Want to rejuvenate your skin without surgery? Dermal fillers are one of the most loved nonsurgical options for reducing the appearance of wrinkles or lines in your skin. Not only that, they will shape and contour your skin, adding youthful volume to your face. If you want to know more, start by learning how dermal fillers work. This just may be the best option for your skin.

How Dermal Fillers Work

What are dermal fillers? What are they used to treat?

Dermal fillers are liquid or gel substances—sometimes natural, sometimes synthetic—injected into the skin to rejuvenate its appearance. As you age, your skin will lose volume and begin to sag and form wrinkles. These injections are designed to combat that process.

Dermal fillers can . . .

• Fill in wrinkles, creases, and lines,
• Contour the jawline,
• Fill in hollows beneath the eyes,
• Plump the cheeks to enhance their shape,
• Reduce the appearance of facial scars, and
• Plump thin or wrinkled lips.

Dermal fillers cannot . . .

• Lift. If you’re wanting to lift your face, eyes, or brows, you may need to go with a surgical option. Dermal fillers are not designed to achieve the same results as lifting surgeries.

How do dermal fillers work?

Only a licensed medical provider can administer dermal fillers. He or she will likely conduct a consultation with you to determine what areas you’re addressing and what brand of filler is right for you. At the appointment itself, your provider will make a number of injections around your areas of concern. You will likely be able to resume your normal skin care routine immediately, but you may need to use ice packs, avoid alcohol and some activity for a day or two until it is set.

The liquid or gel from the injection will fill in the dermis—the layer of skin just beneath the top layer you see and touch. The fillers take up space under the skin where it is lacking, replacing some of the volume lost over the years. This provides new structure for your face, both enhancing and contouring its shape and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and lines. Think of dermal fillers as a substitute for collagen.

You should see results almost immediately with dermal fillers. Keep in mind that different fillers have different lifetimes—some only last a year or two, while others are designed to serve you for half a decade or more. Again, your provider will help you decide on a brand and type.

Are dermal fillers similar to Botox?

They are not. Many people hear the word “injection” and think “Botox,” but Botox works differently from fillers. While dermal fillers plump and smooth the area beneath the skin, Botox is developed to freeze the muscle movement that forms wrinkles. Don’t confuse the two!

____

You know all about how dermal fillers work. Does that mean you’re ready to try it out for yourself? Whether you want to schedule an appointment today or simply need more information on dermal fillers, contact DermaHealth in southwest Missouri. We offer a wide variety brand of fillers developed with longevity in mind. Plus, we can help you address any other skin concerns you have. Give us a call at 417-447-7777 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation!

How to Shrink Your Pores

Pore size is a concern for many people. Genetics, sun exposure, aging, and how prone you are to blemishes all determine the size of a person’s pores. If you’re dissatisfied with large pores, there are ways to minimize them—you just need to know how to shrink your pores! Smaller pores will give your face a smoother look and rejuvenate your complexion. Learn how you can get started here!

How to Shrink Your Pores

At home . . .

Problems with pore size? Lucky for you, learning how to shrink your pores starts right in your own bathroom.

• Keep your face clean. Oil and dirt clogging your pores can make them appear larger, so you’ll want to keep your face as clean as possible. Wash in the morning and evening (especially if you wear makeup) with an oil-free cleanser. You’ll also want to make sure you wash before you go to the gym to remove any makeup, as well as post-workout to get rid of pore-clogging sweat.
• Exfoliate often. Exfoliating will help clear out your pores more than a basic face wash, so this product is essential for minimizing pores. You can exfoliate daily if you’re using a gentle scrub, but limit yourself to 2-3 times per week if you’re using a harsher product. Too much exfoliation can leave your skin looking and feeling raw.
• Wear sunscreen. Of course, this isn’t the only reason to apply sunscreen daily, but it will help your pores appear smaller. Exposure to the sun slowly weakens the collagen supporting your pores, making them look bigger over time. Wearing sunscreen—at least SPF 15—will slow this process significantly.
• Take care of blemishes. Acne can enlarge your pores. If you have a problem with blemishes, use skincare products that address this problem, and don’t pick at zits! This can make your pores appear bigger.

At your aesthetic office . . .
Another option for shrinking your pores is seeing your skin care provider. While at-home methods aren’t ineffective, products and procedures prescribed by your doctor are more powerful, working better and more quickly than those you use at home. Your provider might suggest one of these methods:

• Microdermabrasion or DermaSweep. These two methods exfoliate your skin more effectively than store-bought scrubs.
• Laser skin therapy. Laser therapy will help tighten the collagen in your face, making for tighter pores.
• Chemical peels. Chemical peels, too, help tighten your pores, and they have many other benefits: reducing lines, lightening hyperpigmentation, and helping boost the appearance of sun-damaged skin.

Everyone’s skin is different. Your skin expert will help you select the best method for your individual skin.

____

Now that you know how to shrink your pores, are you ready to take the next step towards a smoother looking face? If you live in southwest Missouri and are looking for faster, more effective methods than what you can achieve at home, contact DermaHealth. We offer microdermabrasion and DermaSweep exfoliation methods, as well as a Jessner chemical peel and laser therapy. Plus, we can help you address any other skin concerns you have. Give us a call at 417-447-7777 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation!

Reducing the Appearance of Cellulite

For many women, cellulite is an unfortunate fact of life. Cellulite occurs when underlying fat deposits begin to push through layers of collage fibers, or connective tissue, under the skin. Connective tissue can be weakened by hormones, lack of exercise and muscle tone, excess fat, and poor circulation. Many people wish to get rid of their cellulite because they dislike the way that it looks: bumpy, puckered, dimpling . . . Although it would be tremendously difficult to eliminate your “orange peel syndrome” completely, reducing the appearance of cellulite is possible. For some helpful tips and treatment recommendations, please scroll down.

Reducing the Appearance of Cellulite

First, as we mentioned above, both thin and overweight people can have cellulite. However, if you are overweight, you may be able to reduce your cellulite’s appearance by losing weight through diet and exercise. Because cellulite is, quite simply, fat, you can diminish its appearance by diminishing the fat on your body. Although this won’t work for all people, it may be worth a try. In addition, because cellulite is less noticeable on darker skin, you might consider using a spray tan to feel more confident.

Another option is to utilize a treatment like BodyFX by Inmode or Velashape III by Syneron. Both of these treatments are safe, non-invasive, and effective. They reduce the appearance of cellulite and improve your body contour by combining several proven methods, including radio frequency energy, deep tissue heating, infrared light, and vacuum.

So how do all these different modalities help your cellulite fade from sight? First, the radio frequency energy distributes heat to the skin and its underlying fat, compelling the tissue to heat and contract. The skin is tightened and the fatty tissue underneath is reduced. Then, the vacuum and controlled energy pulses work together to help you achieve the body contouring you desire. In the end, some cells will die and others will rearrange themselves to create a smoother look. The results will depend on a variety of factors including your BMI, genetics, and lifestyle.

Benefits

• The treatment is very comfortable. In fact, some liken it to a massage!
• No downtime is necessary.
• Your skin will appear smoother, with fewer dimples and less puckering.

Drawbacks

• Your skin may appear red and be itchy for a short time following the treatment.
• Your cellulite will not be eliminated completely.
• Gaining weight may have an adverse effect on your results.

Following BodyFX and Velashape III treatments, you will need to handle the skin “with kid gloves,” as they say. Avoid rubbing, scratching, or picking at the treated skin, and bathe with mild soap. Do not use exfoliates, loofas, and other abrasive products. Instead, stick with gentle cleansers and soft cloths. In addition, you must avoid direct sun exposure for one week following the treatment. If you absolutely need to go in the sun, use a sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

Finally, although you can use BodyFX and Velashape III separately, we recommend combining them for best results.

Are you interested in reducing the appearance of cellulite? When you’re ready to get started, contact DermaHealth Laser & Skin Care Clinic if you live in southwest Missouri. Using our BodyFX and/or Velashape III treatments, we can break down your cellulite and sculpt your body to create more pleasing contours. Give us a call at 417-447-7777 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!