Sanders Medical Vein and Aesthetics
Cosmetic Corner
January 2007 - Vol 1, Issue 1
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Greetings!

We sincerely hope you enjoy this, our first issue of Cosmetic Corner, a newsletter we will publish regularly to update you on the latest developments in the world of skin care, non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and vein care. Our practice at Sanders Medical is dedicated to helping you achieve the very best in skin care treatments. We will comb the world literature and keep you up to date on the newest in skin rejuvenation, skin care products, laser treatments and for those of you with varicose or spider vein concerns, the latest in vein care treatments. If there are any specific topics you would like addressed please contact us either by email at info.sandersmed@telus.net or by calling us at 250.503.1960. We'll put our team of dedicated researchers and writers (actually a team of 2) to work to answer even your most complex skin care questions. We'd love to hear from you! If you do not wish to receive our newsletters simply click on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. If you know of someone else who might be interested in the world of skin care and would like to receive this newsletter please click on the sign up link at the top left of this publication. Here's wishing you the very best in 2007!

Did you know your skin is your bodies largest organ? It protects us from the environment, infections, regulates temperature and even manufactures vitamin D from sunlight! It has remarkable healing properties and comprises a major part of our immune system. Unfortunately we don't always look after our skin as well as we could. Environmental chemicals, smoking, poor diet, excessive sun exposure, aging and even stress can contribute to degradation of the skin and it's functions. How can we better look after our skin?

Clearly a healthy lifestyle with a diet high in antioxidant fruits and vegetables helps, as does regular exercise and avoidance of smoking. Being "sun smart" can have a huge impact on the amount of ultraviolet damage to your skin. This means avoiding intense sun exposure as much as possible and using high quality sun protection products properly i.e. reapply every 2-3 hours. Total blocks containing Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide will block more UV rays than chemical screens alone. Also regular use of Retinol products such as Retin A or Tazorac (Tretinoin) and Alpha Hydroxy Acid moisturizers can also help keep the skin softer, smoother and less wrinkled. Antioxidant products such as topical vitamin C serum have been shown to reduce free radical damage to skin when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. At Sanders Medical we are dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible skin you can given your circumstances and lifestyle. It's never too late to improve your skin. Talk to us about how a sensible well monitored skin care program with medical grade skin care products can improve the look and feel of your skin.
We're facing an interesting health paradox in the 21st century. For the first time in recent history, younger generations may not live as long as their parents. Why? Because eating and obesity endemic and we are in the midst of a diabetes epidemic fueled in part by a culture of fast food. The paradox is that currently those who are now age 65 have a 25% chance of living to be 92! In other words, those who have made it to their "golden years" are living longer than ever. Baby boomers are enjoying an unprecedented life style and opportunities to be and stay healthy if they choose to. Many boomers pay close attention to what they eat and exercise regularly (even if their kids do not). We often hear the comment "I don't feel as old as I look". It's not surprising therefore that many boomers and beyond are seeking out treatments that can slow the effects of aging on the skin to compliment their health program.

What's available? One of the simplest and most effective treatments for skin rejuvenation is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). IPL delivers a controlled and precise dose of specific wavelengths of light to target abnormal pigmentation in the skin. Sun damage and aging typically leave the skin with various blotchy pigmented lesions and capillaries not to mention fine lines and general skin laxity. The light in IPL targets these specific abnormalities resulting in a more even complexion, less discoloration and smoother skin. In some cases even fine lines are reduced. In our experience, IPL treatments work even better when combined with a skin care program that includes a vitamin C, Retinols, and Alphahydroxy Acids. In all cases sun protection is extremely important. IPL treatments should not be performed if the skin is tanned and may need to be repeated periodically depending on the degree of ongoing sun exposure.
Laser technology for hair removal has been available for about 10 years. There are 4 main devices in use today. They are the Alexandrite laser, the Diode laser, the Yag laser and the IPL device. All have their advantages and disadvantages in removing hair. The important point to remember as a consumer is that lasers and IPL devices are medical devices, but unfortunately in Canada, are poorly regulated. This means, in some cases, non-medical personnel can acquire and operate lasers despite not having the training to adequately assess contraindications and treat complications. Be wary of laser providers who claim they can treat your skin if it is tanned. Lasers can and will burn the skin in some instances particularly if the skin is darker toned or is in any way tanned. Why? Because a laser's target is the melanin (pigment) in hair follicles and since lasers can't tell the difference between the pigment in a hair follicle or the pigment due to darker skin or a tan, an inexperienced operator can heat normal skin thereby burning it. It is therefore very important to have only experienced personnel working in a medically supervised environment perform any laser treatments on your skin. Done properly, with the right equipment, laser hair removal can be safe, and highly effective ridding you of the need to constantly have to shave your legs, underarms, bikini areas etc.

If you are planning laser hair removal treatments, it is important that you do not pluck or wax the area to be treated for a least 1 week prior to treatment. The hair follicle needs to be present for the laser to do it's work. It's best to shave the area to be treated 1- 2 days before a laser hair treatment. Most laser hair removal treatments are spaced about 4 weeks apart since this is the time needed for all treated hairs to fall out. Be wary if the laser provider recommends laser treatments sooner than 4 weeks apart. You may end up being treated more often than is required. Lasers treat only those hairs in the growth phase of their life cycle, and since only a portion of hairs in any given area are actively growing, it will be necessary to wait for dormant hairs to resume their growth cycle before resuming treatments. It takes a fair degree of expertise to assess the need for follow up laser hair treatments. At Sanders Medical we use an Alexandrite laser for hair removal as it is fast and highly effective. Our staff is highly trained and very experienced in laser hair removal and more importantly there is medical backup to ensure safe, expert and professional treatments.

Currently at Sanders Medical 20% off all laser hair removal treatments. Call us today at 503- 1960.

Chech us out at www.sandersmed.com
Sanders Medical Inc. Vein and Aesthetics