Skincare in Your 40s: The Best Skin of Your Life

January 16th, 2012

The tanning, the tennis, and the fantastic beach vacations of your teens and 20s and 30s may be written all over your face when you reach your 40s. Some women and men escape the slings and arrows this decade can wield, but the fact is that most don’t reach 50 unscathed. What we gain in wisdom, we lose in collagen and elasticity. Our glory days come back to haunt us in the form of redness, dark spots, and blotchiness. But fading radiance doesn’t have to be the price we pay for a life well lived! In our 20s and 30s, skincare was simple – and when it came to anything beyond moisturizer, anything else seemed almost optional. Now? Having a thorough and well thought out skincare regimen in place can help you retain your complexion’s healthy glow now and in the future. The good news is that your best and most beautiful years may well be ahead of you. All it takes is a little forethought, as outlined below.

Get Acquainted With Power Products

This is the decade in which many women and men truly begin to embrace Retinoids, different chemical acids, peptides, anti-oxidants and products like hydroquinone. In one’s 40s, developing and retaining youthful skin isn’t just about treating fine lines and wrinkles. Look for products that stimulate collagen synthesis, and consider whether you might need to switch to products designed for drier skin or more importantly anti-aging products. Even if you’ve been blessed with normal skin or coped with oily skin for your entire life, you may find that the big 4-0 brings with it a new skin type. Drier, sun damaged and the beginning of fine lines and wrinkles.  Look for products formulated to regnerate your skin, such as SkinMedica’s TNS Essential Serum which has a combination of natural growth factors, collagen and proteins to reduce fine lines and improve elasticity. And if you’ve suffered from facial redness in the past, consider whether you might actually need a rosacea treatment like our  Equalage Peel, or the Equalage products, an easy 3-step rosacea remedy to control and eliminate facial redness.

Treat for Tone and Texture

Your 40s are the perfect time to start researching treatments that will improve both the tone and the texture of your skin. Sometimes, products alone are not enough and you need to combine treatments along with products to get a better and faster result.

Laser resurfacing, such as a Micro Laser Peel or  a Fractional CO2 Laser treatment, can

eliminate signs of aging faster, then the use of products alone. Skin rejuvenation, includes a smoother, even complexion, diminished fine lines and wrinkles, reduction of  uneven pigmentation and a more refreshed, youthful appearance with the benefit of a lustrous glow. While considering treatments such as these, continue to slather on sunscreen, as that will continue to be one of your biggest allies in your efforts to maintain healthy skin that stays beautiful as you move into each new phase of life.

Turn to the Pros

As we’ve mentioned before, the needs of skin will be different in different decades of life. Look first for skincare products specifically designed for your age bracket, but if you were a sun worshipper back in the day, don’t expect an over the counter treatment to work miracles. You may find that your 40s represent the first time you’ve looked for more dramatic, longer lasting skincare results. Many of our patients visit us for the first time in their 40s because it’s usually around this time in their life, that they realize it’s time to consult the medical aesthetic professionals to help undo the damage caused by environment and genetics.

At Elizabeth Roche MD MedSpa, we offer a full range of non-invasive, non-surgical, and proven skin care treatments that help women and men look their best in every decade of life.   For additional Anti-Aging treatments we highly recommend ULTHERA®.

Please visit our ULTHERA® page  to read more on this New, Non Surgical procedure, that can make you more youthful in less than an hour.

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Skincare in Your 30s: Caring for a Changing Face

December 6th, 2011

Many women and men are surprised in their 30s to find that their skin is beginning to change. They don’t feel different on the inside as they enter a new decade of life, so why should they look different on the outside? The answer is a distressing one for some people – namely that true aging begins at 30. As you transition into your fourth decade of life, skin cell regeneration has started to slow and your skin isn’t producing collagen and elastin at the same rate. Even if you don’t look any older or you’re lucky enough to have gotten to 30 or beyond without seeing your first real wrinkle, the structure of your skin is now different and that means your skincare routine needs to adapt.

Tip: Take It to the Next Level

In your 20s, skincare was simple. And the good news is that in your 30s, it’s still relatively simple. We recommend just taking what you were already (we hope) doing to the next level. Continue to avoid sun exposure, treat adult acne as it appears, drink plenty of water, and get plenty of rest, but also enhance your current skincare protocol with additional preventative skin care products and treatments designed specifically for women and men in their 30s. This is the time to concentrate on the eye area and to use a hydrating eye cream or an eye cream for fine lines and wrinkles such as elizabeth roche md skincare Retinol Eye.

Tip: Moisturize Moisturize Moisturize!

No matter what your skin type, you will likely find that your skin gets drier faster in your 30s, making moisturizing an absolute must. This is the decade in which you’ll see more roughness and unevenness, and maybe even tiny brown spots. Is moisturizer enough? Of course not, but choosing a moisturizer with sunscreen can prevent more problems down the road. Continue using retinoid formulations to help with cellular turnover and collagen production. Begin to consider treatments that address sun damage and rough skin texture. At Elizabeth Roche MD MedSpa, we offer a variety of treatments for these concerns. Photorejuvenation, Microdermabrasion or a deeper chemical peel, such as E-lluminating

Melenage Peel may be recommended.

Tip: Don’t Neglect Your Hands and Neck

It has been said that a person’s hands and neck will age them faster than the face, and considering how many people don’t include these two areas in their daily skincare regimen, it’s probably true. Thinning skin and the aforementioned loss of moisture in this decade can make the skin on your hands and neck look loose and papery, but this is easily avoided. Just make sure that your neck and hands are exfoliated, protected, and moisturized daily to ensure that they never stop looking as smooth and as youthful as your visage.

Also, note that most aesthetic treatments can also be performed on your hands and neck and can be included while you are doing your facial treatment.

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Skincare in Your 20s: Prepping Your Canvas for a Lifetime of Beauty

November 28th, 2011

The good news is that women and men in their 20s often have skin that is effortlessly resilient, smooth, and youthful looking. The not so great news is that this is the decade in which sun damage begins to take its toll. Even if you don’t feel like you need to devote time to a skincare regimen, now is the right time to begin one if you haven’t already. Why? Simply put, because the effort you put into your skincare now will show itself on your face and body for years to come.

Tip: Don’t Over Think Your Skincare

Most people navigating their 20s have enough to worry about without having to think about intense anti-wrinkle treatments or invasive cosmetic procedures. This is the decade for moisturizing, wearing SPF 20 sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection daily, and gentle cleansing. You’re goal is to set the stage for healthy skin in your 30s, 40s, and beyond. In other words, focus on damage prevention.

Tip: Watch for Adult Onset Acne

As annoying as it may be to find out that acne has followed you into adulthood, it is also both extremely common and easily treatable. In adults, breakouts often occur at the hairline and jawline, but some people prone to adult acne find that their breakouts and the location of those breakouts are more unpredictable than they were during the teen years. So what’s a young adult to do?  Visit a professional who can properly diagnosis the type of acne you are experiencing – at Elizabeth Roche MedSpa, we carry a full product line for treating acne and a peel called Elimine, formulated exclusively for Dr. Roche designed to treat acne-prone skin.

Tip: It’s Time to Try Retinoids

For a proactive approach to skincare in your 20s, nothing beats retinoid formulations like Retin-A or a Retinol. These vitamin A-derivative creams can prevent breakouts, undo some childhood sun damage, and up your skin’s collagen production for the most youthful skin possible. Retinoid and retinol creams should be used all over the face, including under the eyes in place of an eye cream, in the evenings.  Elizabeth Roche M.D Retinol Eye cream is a recommended favorite.

Follow these three simple tips and your skin will not only thank you, but also look vibrant and youthful well into your 30s!

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9 Skincare Tips for Every Decade of Life

November 7th, 2011

It’s no secret that our skin changes as we move through the early stages of life, from childhood to our teen years, and then into young adulthood. It is less commonly known that even healthy skin continues to change as we move beyond young adulthood into the prime of life and that our skincare needs change along with our skin. That said, there are some skincare tips that are as important when you’re 55 as they were when you were 25. Would you be surprised to read that youthful, beautiful skin in every decade of life starts with good old fashioned healthy habits? It turns out that the basics of beautiful skin are the same at every age. Here are our favorite skincare tips for women and men from ages five to ninety-five:

1. In 2011, we shouldn’t have to say it, but if you smoke, quit. And if you spend a lot of time around secondhand smoke, stave off some of the damage with products containing antioxidants. These will neutralize the free-radicals that prematurely break down the skin’s collagen and impede its ability to heal.

2. Take a cue from the stars and wear big sunglasses with UV protection. Besides keeping irreversible sun damage at bay, sunglasses stop you from squinting – which can deepen wrinkles – and may even prevent cataracts.

3. Never, ever pick. As tempting as it can be to perform a little at-home surgery on that irritating blemish, keep your fingers away from your face. Popping a pimple can leave a scar that looks a lot like a wrinkle and may even result in an infection that does further damage to your skin.

4. Exfoliate weekly using a gentle chemical exfoliator designed for at-home use. Alternately, a series of microdermabrasion treatments can improve superficial skin problems and is one of the safest skin rejuvenation procedures available.

5. Stay hydrated! While your Brita isn’t a fountain of youth, taking care of yourself inside is a big part of fostering beauty on the outside. We also recommend getting plenty of sleep and reducing your stress levels.

6. Wear sunscreen. We mean every day, we mean plenty, and yes, even in the wintertime. Sun damage is the number one cause of premature aging because UV rays break down collagen and elastin.

7. Don’t neglect the rest of your body. We’re all a little guilty of focusing on the skin on our faces above all else, but did you know that many cases of malignant melanomas are found on people’s legs? Sunscreen and moisturizer are for more than just faces.

8. Cleanse with alpha hydroxy acids to remove dead skin, unclog pores, and leave your skin looking younger, fresher, and smoother.

9. Care for your skin like it’s the first day of the rest of your life, because it is. It’s never too late to begin taking good care of your skin. It’s also never too early to start! Don’t assume that you’re too young or too old for skincare to matter.

Want to learn more? In upcoming blog posts, we are going to discuss how skin changes as you age and how your skincare regimen should change as you celebrate your 20th, 30th, 40th, and 50th birthdays. Elizabeth Roche MD MedSpa believes in beauty at any age, and we’re looking forward to talking with you about how to achieve it.

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The New Face Lift: Why Dermal Fillers are Here to Stay

September 14th, 2011

Wrinkles are the road map life writes across the face, a living record of a person’s joys and sorrows. But while fine lines and other signs of aging are natural, our faces don’t have to be a reminder of the distance we have traveled. Today there are safe youth-enhancing solutions to the toll life takes on our appearance – most of which are quick, close to painless, and much less expensive than invasive procedures like cosmetic surgery. Dermal fillers, for example, have grown in popularity as women and men alike have realized that the changes that come along with growing older aren’t all inevitable.

What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are non-allergenic injectable compounds that instantly fill and plump the skin at the injection site, leaving smooth, wrinkle-free skin behind. Many of the types of dermal fillers on the market today are created using substances found naturally in the human body, making them gentle and easily absorbed into the body over time. While the effects of dermal fillers are not permanent, the results are striking and nearly instantaneous.

Finding the Best Dermal Filler for You

When you make the decision to use a dermal filler to refresh and soften your appearance, choosing a specialist who will take the time to research which type of dermal filler will accomplish your goals. At Elizabeth Roche MD MedSpa, we offer a selection of Juvéderm™, Radiesse®, and Restylane-Perlane dermal fillers because our clients have a diverse range of goals and lifestyle concerns. After a personal consultation, we select the best dermal filler geared toward one or more of the following outcomes:

  • Restoring fullness in the face
  • Adding volume to the face
  • Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
  • Removing frown lines
  • Filling acne scars
  • Reducing crows feet and naso-labial creases
  • Plumping hollowed cheeks
  • Enhancing lip fullness
  • Reshaping the nose tip or chin
  • Contouring the face

A Gentle Solution to Aging Concerns

Dermal filler injections require virtually no downtime, making them an ideal choice for busy women and men who want to maintain a more youthful appearance and make small changes to the contours of the face. There’s a good reason this non-surgical, simple, and fast procedure is now one of the most popular aesthetic treatments available today. After you visit us for dermal fillers, you can immediately return to your normal routine, feeling and looking like yourself, only better.

Posted in BOTOX, Dermal Fillers, Lip Lines and Wrinkles | No Comments »

Our Post-Summer Beauty Secret: Laser Resurfacing

August 15th, 2011

With summertime comes outdoor fun, and that means being out in the sun. Hopefully, you experienced the glory of the sun’s rays with sunscreen, sunglasses, and a chic wide-brimmed hat, but did you know that even these precautions don’t mean you’re 100% protected from sun damage? In addition to the sun damage of summers gone by, even the miniscule damage caused by tiny amounts of sun from a dash from the house to the car or hauling your beach umbrella to the sand sans sunblock can add up over time. That means when autumn does finally roll around – hopefully after plenty of blissful summer relaxation – your skin may not look as fresh or as youthful as it did in the spring.

So what’s a safe sun worshipper to do when the glow is gone?

When our clients come to us for a little post-summer skin refreshment, we often recommend laser resurfacing as a great way to regain beautiful texture and youthfulness. Specifically, we suggest laser resurfacing with the Deep FX and Active FX Fractional CO2 treatment from Lumenis. This is a non-invasive procedure that uses an incrementally adjustable high-energy beam of light that penetrates deep into the skin to stimulate the formation of new collagen, giving the skin greater support and elasticity.

Deep and Active simply refer to the setting strength. We like Active FX Fractional CO2 treatments for post-summer skin care and rejuvenation because it’s a great pick me up. There isn’t a lot of downtime or aftercare to interrupt your busy fall schedule, and significant results may be seen after just one treatment. The more intensive Deep FX Fractional CO2 treatments are similar, but target the deeper collagen and help with collagen re-modeling and stimulation, allowing your skin to repair itself internally. The Deep FX treatments come with slightly more downtime, but the results are even more stunning after a summer spent in the sun.

What kind of results can you expect? After a summer of fun that was less than skin-friendly, both Deep FX and Active FX Fractional CO2 treatments can reduce and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, dark brown spots, and other skin irregularities, whether they were caused by this summer’s sun or the sun of years past. The loyal patients at our practice say they love how laser resurfacing restores a more youthful appearance to skin that’s been sunkissed.

Whether you’ve spent this summer lounging on the beach or playing on the golf course, sunning yourself pool side or even inside at work, the stronger sun of summer can and does take its toll on your skin. But sun damage doesn’t have to become a life sentence! Active FX and Deep FX Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing treatments are here to undo the damage and promote long-term rejuvenation so you can be your most beautiful you this autumn.

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Is Acne Forever?

July 19th, 2011

Women and men alike often assume they will leave the embarrassment and irritation of acne behind when they say goodbye to the tumultuous teen years, only to find out that acne has followed them into their twenties, thirties, and beyond. It’s an unpleasant reality, but one faced by many: adult acne afflicts roughly 30-50% of women and 20-25% of men between the ages of 20 and 60.

While teens with acne are almost the norm and so not judged terribly harshly by society at large, adult acne can be the bane of one’s existence. Some sufferers find that they are unable to feel totally comfortable in social situations or worry that their professional advancement is being negatively impacted by adult acne. Photographs may be a cause of stress instead of cherished keepsakes, and lasting adult acne can even become a catalyst for serious anxiety.

But if you’re coping with adult acne, the answer to the question “Is acne forever?” is “No, it doesn’t have to be.”

Adult Acne Doesn’t Have to Define You

One piece of good news is that those people coping with adult acne are certainly not alone. The statistics prove that many, many women and men will experience at least one bout of adult acne and epidemiological studies show that rates of post-adolescent acne are apparently increasing in people up to age 40. And yet, even though the sudden appearance of adult acne is common, it can still cause lasting embarrassment, shyness, worry, and depression.

A second piece of good news is that adult acne is entirely treatable. While the underlying causes of adult acne aren’t well understood, more and more treatments designed for mature skin are being developed. In my offices at Elizabeth Roche MedSpa, we carry a full product line for treating acne and a peel called Elimine designed just for acne-prone skin. Additionally, many of our products and treatments promote healthier, youthful skin that may be less prone to acne.

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Innovation and Beauty at the 2011 Aesthetic Show™

June 21st, 2011

Because Dr. Elizabeth Roche believes that innovation and beauty go hand in hand, the Elizabeth Roche MedSpa philosophy has always included a commitment to ongoing education. As aesthetic tools and technology evolve, so does Elizabeth Roche MedSpa.

With that in mind, Dr. Roche, representing Elizabeth Roche MedSpa, recently attended the 2011 Aesthetic Show™ in Las Vegas, a multidisciplinary conference that brings the latest aesthetic procedures, products, and technologies together in an intensive and interactive educational format. There, she met keynote speaker and special guest, plastic surgeon and reconstructive surgery expert Dr. Andrew Ordon of the CBS television series The Doctors.

But as thrilled as Dr. Roche was to meet Dr. Ordon, she was equally excited to learn about the latest procedures, products, and technologies emerging in the field of aesthetic medicine. Some of the most interesting innovations Dr. Roche encountered at the Aesthetic Show™ were:

  • The use of cannulas (blunt needles) to reduce bruising during dermal filler injections. The needle-less filler injection is one of the most monumental changes that has emerged in the field of dermal fillers in the past few years because cannulas have been shown to deliver better results, more safely. Overall, dermal filler injections performed with cannulas require less downtime, making this a major advancement.
  • New Zerona techniques that obtain better results. Zerona uses pointed laser technology to painlessly target fatty deposits, heat them, and release the stored fat, and new methods of applying the technology are making this fat loss treatment even more effective.
  • The unique benefits conveyed by a Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix (brand name Selphyl). Selphyl is a safe and quick way to smooth out wrinkles and give skin a more youthful, appearance. What is unique about this system is that the filler used is the patient’s own platelets, which may stimulate new collagen production for true, natural skin rejuvenation.

Dr. Roche is pleased to be able to bring her patients the most ground-breaking advancements in the field of aesthetic medicine, and will continue to research new procedures, products, and technologies to ensure that Elizabeth Roche MedSpa is always on the leading edge.

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For Melanoma Awareness Month: A Word About Sunscreen and Beauty

May 17th, 2011

Did you know that May is Melanoma Awareness Month? Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, and rates of melanoma diagnosis are rising each year. It’s not a pretty fact, but it’s an important one to take to heart – especially now that summer is just around the corner. May is the perfect month to reassess your skin care routine, and to add sunscreen to your stash of must-use beauty products (if you haven’t been wearing it all winter, that is). So with Melanoma Awareness Month in mind, we’ve compiled a list of skincare tips designed especially to counteract the harmful effects of the sun’s rays and to keep your skin looking beautiful for years to come.

  • Many wonderful lotions now contain sunscreen, making it even easier to apply your daily dose of UVA and UVB blockers. While it make seem counterintuitive, apply sunscreen as if you were going to the beach even when you’re just going to work. Don’t forget your hairline, eyelids, ears, and neck!
  • Unless you practice the tradition of donning light gloves as daywear, do not neglect to apply sunscreen to the hands. So-called liver spots can be avoided to a great extent by keeping hands and arms protected from the sun year round with the liberal application of sunscreen.
  • Sunburns, particularly sun damage that happens early in life, are associated with an increased lifetime risk of melanoma. You can’t go back and put sunscreen on your younger self, but you can start applying sunscreen daily even if you’ve never worn it before. It’s never too late to protect the skin you’re in.
  • Make sure that your sunscreen or sunscreen-containing lotion is what is known as “broad spectrum.” Ideally, you should always use sunscreen that includes both UVA and UVB protection. UVB rays cause sunburn, while UVA rays cause premature aging – neither of which is conducive to beauty.
  • When sunscreen is part of your daily beauty routine, you may be applying it after your morning shower. Keep in mind that sunscreen is most effective when applied to dry skin, so towel off before you apply.
  • The sunscreen that’s right for you may not be right for your best girlfriend, so sometimes trial and error is involved in finding the perfect formula. If one brand makes you break out, toss it and try another.
  • Makeup with sunscreen is great, but should be used over a moisturizing sunscreen lotion. The two-in-one approach is better from a protection standpoint because layering lotion over or under a high SPF sunscreen diminishes the effectiveness of the sunscreen. You’re better off going for a lower SPF broad spectrum lotion+sunscreen and reapplying frequently.
  • Sunscreen, of course, is not a magic bullet, so don’t think that applying sunscreen in the a.m. means you’re still protected from melanoma-causing rays during your afternoon beach outing. Common sense is your friend when it comes to sunshine and beauty. In addition to applying and then reapplying sunscreen, buy some stylish sun protective clothing and a gorgeous classic sun hat to ensure that you’re as protected as possible.

Happy summer, and please pass on the Melanoma Awareness Month message!

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Latisse: Longer and Thicker Lashes, Naturally

April 12th, 2011

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then the lashes are the drapes that give those windows their allure. Thicker, fuller eyelashes are desirable precisely because they provide such a dramatic and dynamic frame for the eyes. And that’s where Latisse eyelash enhancement comes in.

Whether your favorite look is one of doe-eyed unassuming beauty (think Audrey Hepburn and Natalie Portman) or sensuous heavy-lidded languor (à la Angelina Jolie or Marilyn Monroe), there’s only so much that mascara and eyeliner can really do. Even the false eyelashes that celebrities use don’t give a truly natural look.

For truly spectacular lashes that last, eyelash enhancement is a must. Latisse is a prescription treatment that actually lengthens, thickens, and darkens your own eyelashes. Not cosmetically, but naturally! Latisse works in two ways: by extending the growth phase of your eyelashes and increasing the number of individual lashes that grow.

Eyelash Enhancement With Latisse Is Worth It

In a matter of weeks, sparse eyelashes become noticeably lush, longer, and more beautiful. In clinical studies including 278 women, 78% saw positive changes in their lashes. After sixteen weeks of using Latisse for eyelash enhancement:

  • Average eyelash length increased by 25%
  • Average thickness and fullness increased by 106%
  • Average lash color was 18% darker

How is Latisse Eyelash Enhancement Treatment Applied?

Latisse comes with its own single-use sterile applicators and is easy to apply. Each night after you remove your makeup, you simply dab Latisse gently on your upper lash line, and it spreads to the lower lash line naturally when you blink. Most women begin to see results after two months of nightly use, and after three or four months, you may be able to maintain your results by using Latisse only every other night.

You can still wear mascara while using Latisse, but you may find that you no longer need to!

Latisse Eyelash Enhancement For a More Youthful Beauty

Many women, when considering non-surgical beauty treatments, never think about how their eyelashes impact their overall look. But like many other unconscious physical signals, long and lush eyelashes are a signifier of both youth and health – which are, of course, the foundations of true beauty.

Every woman will embrace a different look when it comes to the eyes, from dark and sultry to bright and glamorous, but Latisse can be a part of every woman’s beauty routine. So if you’re ready for a little update in the ‘windows to the soul’ department, consider giving Latisse a try.

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