FYI Cosmetics

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Skin tags, or acrochordons, are very common skin growths that can be experienced by both men and women alike. Nearly half the population has reported having skin tags at one time or another, while these skin ailments are generally acquired (you are rarely born with them) they seem to appear more often once an individual reaches adulthood. Skin tags are very common among middle aged men and women and can increase in prevalence up to about age 60. Children have also been known to experience these skin ailments; however it is much less common.

While many men and women currently have skin tags, not many know exactly what they are. Skin tags are very common benign skin growths that appear as simply a small piece of hanging skin. They are often described as bits of fleshy-colored tissue that project from the surrounding area from a small, narrow stalk. While skin tags can be found anywhere on the face and body, they typically appear in places where skin continually rubs against skin or clothing. The most prevalent areas for skin tags are the underarms, neck, eyelids, upper chest, goin folds, and underneath the breasts (where a bra underwire rubs against the skin). Skin tags can vary somewhat in appearance, but for the most part they will be smooth or slightly wrinkled irregular, fleshy-colored growths.

Those individuals who have never experienced skin tags before may be concerned if one develops. Oftentimes men and women wonder if skin tags are tumors, and the answer to that is yes. However they are completely benign and harmless, skin tags are not cancerous and have never been found to have the potential to become cancerous if left untreated. That being said, if they are left untreated, skin tags do have the potential for causing problems; some of the most prevalent include pain and irritation. Because these growths appear in places where skin or clothing commonly rubs against your skin, skin tags can quickly become irritated. Tags can become red from bleeding or black from twisting (which causes the skin tissue to die). In addition, they can also become snagged on clothing or jewelry which can cause continued pain and discomfort.

Problems such as these will lead many individuals to search for ways to remove them, not because they are dangerous, but rather because they can cause continued irritation. Skin tags can range in size from the size of the tip of a ball point pen to a small grape; it is often the larger ones that are removed. In addition, skin tags can also appear in highly visible places and oftentimes can be unsightly—which is why skin tags are also removed for aesthetic reasons. So how do you remove skin tags?

Occasionally tags will fall off by themselves; this is most commonly experienced when the tag has twisted itself, thereby cutting off the blood flow to the growth. In addition, there are also several effective medical ways to remove skin tags including removing with scissors, freezing them via liquid nitrogen, or burning them through use of a medical electric cautery. All of these medical procedures can be performed by your physician or dermatologist, so those looking to achieve smooth healthy skin, simply visit your dermatologist and see which option will work best for you.

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Lazer hair removal is a common misspelling of laser hair removal.

Laser Hair Removal is a fantastic alternative to temporary hair removal methods.  With beach season just around the corner, Laser Hair Removal is the perfect way to be beach ready all the time.  Why waste time shaving, waxing, tweezing and bleaching your unwanted hair when a series of Lazer Hair Removal treatments could remove it for good.  Just think: no more razors, sticky wax, depilatory creams, messy shave gels, red bumps or in grown hairs. With Laser Hair Removal, removing unwanted hair has never been easier.

This is a picture of a woman's underarm before and after a treatment with a Candela GentleLase (Pictures from CandelaLaser.com)

Laser Hair Removal is not only quick and convenient, it’s also the most effective form of eliminating embarrassing and unwanted hair growth permanently. Our highly qualified laser professionals are committed to ensuring a complete understanding of the Laser Hair Removal process.  Our goal is for each of our clients to have a positive experience each and every time they walk through our doors. During your consultation we will educate you on the hair growth cycles as well as the different types of lasers used for hair removal so that you will know which laser will work best for your individual hair removal needs.

Laser Hair Removal treatments are individualized based on two main factors: skin tone and hair color.  Patients with skin tones ranging from light to dark can undergo safe and effective lazer treatments; however, those with lighter hair colors may not be candidates for the procedure.  The lazer is attracted to the pigment in your hair, therefore the darker your hair, the better results you’ll experience.  Those individuals with white, gray, red and blonde hair will not see effective hair removal results because there is not enough pigment (color) in their hair follicles; this means the lazer will not target and destroy the hair because it can’t ‘see’ them.  While patients with light hair may need to explore other hair removal options, patients with brown and black hair will see successful Lazer Hair Removal results.  Visit any of our clinics for a consultation today and determine if Lazer Hair Removal is right for you.

Here’s the laser hair removal video link.

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Knowing what skin cancer looks like is the first step in both identifying and eliminating it.  Saying that individuals should be looking for any skin abnormalities is grossly generalizing skin cancer, mostly because our skin can change and develop at any time, and those changes don’t necessarily relate to cancer.  There are specific warning signs that all individuals should be aware of regarding the presence of skin cancer; anyone who experiences any of these signs should have their skin screened immediately.  Below are the most common warning signs pertaining to skin cancer.

• Translucent pearl-shaped growth
• Mole that has grown quickly and may bleed or itch
• Mole with any ABCDE feature:
  • A – Asymmetrical – most freckles and moles are near perfect circles.  Moles that are not symmetrical are commonly the beginnings of skin cancer.
  • B – Borders are irregular.
  • C – Color varies.
  • D – Diameter that is greater than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser). Melanoma’s are usually greater than 6mm but can be smaller when first diagnosed.
  • E – Evolution in size, shape, color or texture.  Sudden changes in moles that have always looked the same.
• Brown or black streaks underneath fingernails or toenails
• Sore that heals and reopens on a repeated basis
• A smooth, waxy lesion
• Cluster(s) of shiny or scaly lesions that are pink or red in color and are slow growing

There are three different types of skin cancer which include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.  Each type has different warning signs; therefore it is important to be familiar with all so that you can detect skin cancer as early as possible.

Basal Cell Carcinoma: basal cell carcinoma accounts for over 80% of skin cancer cases worldwide, making it the most common form that individuals experience.  This type of cancer most often appears in areas that are over exposed to the sun, including the face, ears, scalp, neck, chest, hands, back and legs.  Basal cell carcinoma can take several forms including: small translucent growths that may be slightly pigmented and may contain small blood vessels, open sores that repeatedly bleed and heal and small clusters of slow growing pink or red lesions that can be shiny and scaly.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer and accounts for about 16% of new skin cancer cases in the United States.  Warning signs for this type of cancer commonly appear in sun exposed areas such as the face, neck, ears, scalp, arms and hands, however it can appear anywhere on the body including the lips, the inside of the mouth and the genitals.  Warning signs for squamous cell carcinoma include crusted or scaly areas on the skin, sores that do not heal, red, scaly bumps or patches and wart-like growth on plaque.

Melanoma: Melanoma accounts for only about 4% of skin cancer cases and is the most serious form of skin cancer, only because of its ability to spread rapidly.  Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, however it is most commonly found on the buttocks, back, legs, scalp, neck and behind the ears.  Melanoma most often develops in pre-existing moles, causing it to rapidly change in size, texture and color.  20% to 40% of all melanoma cases begin in an atypical mole which is why it is important to be aware of the moles you have and keep an eye out for any changes.

Studies have shown that with early detection, over 95% of skin cancer cases are cured.  Regular skin screenings with your dermatologist will allow for early detection for all types of skin cancer.

Source: Freckle Removal

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Permanent Hair Removal is something that any individual struggling with unwanted hair dreams of.  There are plenty of hair removal methods on the market today, but the majority of these methods only get rid of unwanted hair for a certain period of time.  Individuals struggling with unwanted hair, struggle no more.  There are two methods of hair removal that can help men and women to remove unwanted hair permanently.  These methods are Laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis.

Laser Hair Removal is the newest form of Permanent Hair Removal to hit the market.  Its inception in 1998 marked a fast new way to permanently remove unwanted hair.  Laser Hair Removal utilizes laser energy that travels through the outer layers of skin and into the hair follicles below.  The laser energy transforms into heat, and the heat disables the follicle which hinders re-growth.  While Laser Hair Removal can effectively remove unwanted hair with permanent results, the FDA does not approve this treatment for permanent hair removal, only for permanent hair reduction.  Some clients can see up to 100 percent reduction, but the average client will see about 85 – 90 percent reduction.  However, the hair that remains will be lighter, finer and thinner.  While Laser Hair Removal cannot get you 100 percent results, it is still a fantastic way to remove unwanted hair.

The only form of hair removal that is 100 percent permanent is Electrolysis.  Electrolysis is a revolutionary procedure because it offers total Permanent Hair Removal, but while it has many positives, this procedure also has many negatives; the biggest being time.  Electrolysis is a very exact process, the technician or electrologist performing the procedure targets one individual hair at a time.  For large areas like the back or legs, this can mean hours for each treatment.  Electrolysis is also not complete in just one treatment, it can take years to see full results with this hair removal process.  So while Electrolysis can get you permanent results that will last a lifetime, significant time needs to be dedicated towards treatments.  The bottom line is however, if you are struggling with unwanted hair, either of these treatments can get you permanent results that will last.

Source: www.LaserHairRemoval.com

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Hair Removal is a fact of life.  We all have hair we don’t want, unwanted hair is becoming an increasing reality for more and more individuals across the country and around the world.  Because so many men and women are looking to remove unwanted hair, many Hair Removal options have been developed.  Some hair removal options are temporary and others are permanent.  It is up to each individual consumer to decide which method will work best for them.  When choosing your method for removing unwanted hair, it is best to take a few factors into consideration:  the size of the area, the amount of time and money you want to spend on removing hair and whether or not you want to continually remove unwanted hair or get rid of it once and for all.

If you are the type of person that doesn’t mind continually removing unwanted hair, then temporary Hair Removal methods will probably be your best option.  There are several forms of temporary hair removal, some work better than others.  The most common forms of temporary hair removal used today are waxing, shaving and tweezing.  There are several other methods also used that include, bleaching, sugaring and using depilatory creams like Nair or Veet.  All of these methods have different attributes, different strengths and different weaknesses.  The only thing they all have in common is: your hair will eventually grow back.  So if you don’t mind removing unwanted hair over and over, any of these options will work best.

If you are the type of person who likes to fix a problem only once, then permanent forms of Hair Removal might be more up your alley.  Electrolysis and Laser Hair Removal are two permanent forms of hair removal that can get you lasting hair free results.  These methods also free you from side effects of temporary methods such as redness, razor burn, irritation and ingrown hairs.  With Electrolysis and Laser Hair Removal all you get are smooth skin and hair free results that last.  Before removing your unwanted hair, do some research and discover which Hair Removal method is right for you.

Want to see a laser hair removal video?

Are you interested in male hair removal?

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Skin cancer is the number one form of cancer that afflicts men and women today and because there are several different types of skin cancer, over one million cases are reported annually throughout the country.  Our skin is by far the largest organ of our body and its main function is to encase and protect our bones, veins, tissue and essential organs.  The downside of our skin offering such efficient protection is that it’s continually subjected to damage caused by over exposure to the natural elements we face on a daily basis.  Skin cancer is quickly becoming a growing public concern because more cases are developed each year involving each of the types of skin cancer.  Because skin cancer is such a growing concern, it is important to know about the different types so that you can stop its spread before it starts.

The three types of skin cancer include Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma:

Basal Cell Carcinoma: Basal cell carcinoma currently accounts for more than 90% of all skin cancer cases in the United States and is the most common form of skin cancer today.  This particular form of skin cancer is the least dangerous because it almost never metastasizes (spreads)

A basal cell carcinoma, one of the most common types of skin cancer. Source:www.Wikipedia.org

to other parts of the body.  This does not mean it should be taken lightly however; if not treated it can cause localized damage by growing and invading the surrounding skin tissue.  This form of skin cancer can be cause by heredity, but it is most often caused by age, sun exposure and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Basal cell carcinoma will begin as a small dome-shaped bump; texture is often described as shiny and translucent and commonly looks like a flesh-covered mole.  This type of skin cancer can take months or even years to become sizeable but should still be treated as soon as possible.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma is a more invasive form of skin cancer; it begins in the squamous cells which are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts and the lining of hollow organs of the body.  More often than not this type of skin cancer will be found on the surface of the skin; however it can reside in any of the above areas.  When found on the skin it appears as rough, red bumps and are most often found on the scalp, face, ears and hands; because they are primarily caused by sun damage, this cancer often appears against a background of sun damaged skin.  Squamous cell carcinoma can take over 10 years to fully develop, so it is important to screen any skin abnormalities that you may have.

Melanoma: The most dangerous form of skin cancer (and also the least common) is known as Melanoma.  Melanoma is the most invasive form of skin cancer; it develops in the skin cells known as melanocytes—the melanin producing cells that give the skin its color.  Moles form due to the grouping of melanocytes cells in the skin; most moles will remain non-cancerous throughout an individual’s lifetime, however sometimes these cell groupings can become malignant.  When this happens, the cancer cells can spread throughout the body very quickly, invading lymph nodes and vital body organs.  Continually monitoring skin abnormalities is the only way to stop melanoma before it spreads, so regular screening is imperative.

Speak with your dermatologist about all of the different types of skin cancer, the warning signs and the steps that should be taken should skin cancer develop.  Taking immediate action significantly reduces your risk of developing life threatening skin cancer, so regular dermatologist visits will ensure that you maintain proper skin health.

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There has been much discussion over which hair removal treatments work more efficiently, intense pulsed light (IPL) or laser. IPL is often confused as a laser, however it is not. It is a non coherent light source which uses every wavelength of light in the visible spectrum and a little into the infrared spectrum, from 550nm to up to 1200nm. Laser light is coherent and uses a specific wavelength depending on the medium used (for example an Alexandrite laser has a wavelength of 755nm). The differences between IPL and Laser for hair removal are specific to the kind of light used and the size and shape of the spot.

The IPL is sometimes also called flash lamp therapy. The light emitted is filtered to settings for its indicated use, in this case hair removal. This filtered light is flashed from a rectangular hand piece onto the skin, targeting the pigment in the hair. The light is intended to cause thermal and mechanical damage to the hair follicles without affecting the surrounding tissue. The filtered light of the IPL cannot always successfully block out the wavelengths of light. Inconsistent energies emitted can cause the IPL to become confused and attracted to numerous targets at the same time. This includes pigmented lesions, skin color, and hair follicles. Deeper wavelengths within this broad spectrum are attracted to water in the skin and increase the chances of hyper pigmentation (brown or dark spots). While IPL is used for permanent hair reduction, its main function is to treat sun damage, poilkerderma, rosacea, broken capillaries, and vascular pigmented birth marks. For this reason the learning curve is very high when using an IPL, increasing the chances of untoward side effects and unhappy clients.

Laser light uses a specific wavelength of light enabling it to emit consistent reproducible energy every time. In the case of hair removal, it causes thermal and mechanical damage to the hair cells and it is attracted to the pigment. The Alexandrite lasers, often considered to be the “gold standard” for permanent hair reduction for skin types I-III use wavelength of 755nm. Darker skin types ranging in the Fitzpatrick scale of IV-V benefit from ND:Yag at 1064nm. This wavelength goes below the surface of the skin to the skin pigment and attracts to the chromospheres in the hair. The spot sizes for lasers are generally round and can be adjusted for custom treatments. Using smaller of larger spot sizes depending on the area of the body being treated.

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Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer that afflicts individuals today; over the past year alone over one million cases were reported just in the United States. Detecting skin cancer early on is imperative to maintaining your overall health which is why it is more important now than ever before to be aware of the different warning signs of skin cancer. Because there are different types of skin cancer, there are different warning signs that one should look for. Consulting with your physician or dermatologist will allow you to learn about the various signs of skin cancer so that, if you ever experience them, you can catch them early on in order to reduce the damage they may cause.

The five most common signs of skin cancer include:

Changes in Skin Texture: We live with our skin each and every day, so without really being fully aware of it, we know the exact texture of our skin. One of the five signs of skin cancer involves changes to the texture of your skin. Those with skin cancer will often find lumps or bumps on the skin that weren’t always there; these can commonly be accompanied by discoloration as well. Screen your skin regularly for any skin texture abnormalities.

Change in Pigmented Areas: Freckles, moles, pigmented lesions, brown spots, age spots—all of these are considered pigmented areas of the body. Natural freckles and moles form, for the most part, very early in life, but excessive sun exposure can often cause additional pigmented areas to form. For the most part, these pigmented areas will remain completely harmless, but it is still important to keep a watchful eye in case any sudden changes occur. Look for changes in the color, size, consistency and texture—any of these signs could point to skin cancer. In addition pay attention to any growth irregularities such as pain, itchiness, scabbing, crusting, ulcerations, bleeding or erosion, persisting symptoms requires attention.

Sudden, Unusual Growth: Any unusual growths that suddenly appear on the skin should be suspect. Growths can vary in size, shape, texture and color; they may appear pearly, translucent, brown, black, tan or multicolored. In addition, their size can rapidly alter—if this is experienced it should be screened right away.

Sudden Skin Pigmentation: Most pigmentation growths, such as freckles or moles, happen when we are young. As we age, sun exposure and exposure to other daily elements can cause additional pigmentation changes, but most of these are gradual changes. Those who experience sudden skin pigmentation, such as brown spots or red spots, in areas that were once clear should consider that this might be a sign of skin cancer.

Open Wound That Doesn’t Heal: An open wound or sore that doesn’t seem to heal is another of the five signs of skin cancer. Our skin is designed to heal when inflicted with sores or wounds, so ailments of this nature that don’t heal should be considered suspect. If you experience a wound or sore that continually bleeds and/or pusses, or causes pain and/or irritation, have it screened immediately.

Continually monitoring your facial and body skin for all signs of skin cancer will ensure that you catch skin cancer in the earliest stages possible.

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We all know from experience that Eliminating Cellulite is a very difficult task. Why is that so? Before I answer that let us see how cellulite is formed.

Formation of cellulite:

Cellulite is the name given to the dimpled appearance of skin that many women have on their thighs, hips and buttocks. Beneath the outer layers of skin, we all have subcutaneous layers of skin that are held together by connective tissue. Fat cells retained in the body (due to several different factors) become lodged in this connective tissue causing it to expand. The connective tissue eventually hardens and the fat cells and toxins trapped in these layers of skin cause the surface of the skin to take on the lumpy, dimpled appearance.

Factors that make eliminating cellulite difficult:

• Hereditary: Tendency to cellulite formation is one of the most important factors in Eliminating Cellulite. In such cases, cellulite formation even reaches up to stage four where it is easily visible.
• Hormonal: Cellulite formation is more often seen in women. The reason for this could be the fluid retaining capacity of the female hormone estrogen. This leads to the puffy appearance of the skin. The difficulty in removing the influence of the hormone itself makes cellulite elimination difficult.
• Stress: A stressful pattern of lifestyle that leaves no time for exercise and physical activity only helps cellulite accumulation. In addition, consumption of refined and processed food only adds to the above.
• Circulation: Poor circulation of lymph, which is responsible for the elimination of waste products formed by the metabolism, is another contributory factor, which makes the process of eliminating cellulite difficult.

Each of these needs to be identified and tackled accordingly, to help with Eliminating Cellulite. Any gross abnormalities in the hormonal patterns must be corrected with expert advice. Regular exercises including cardiovascular exercises and weight training go a long way in helping elimination of cellulite. Dietary modifications to include fresh fruits, vegetables and plenty of fluids also help. Though the genetic tendency cannot really be dealt with, the above-mentioned methods are sufficient to eliminating stubborn cellulite.

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Electrolysis is a method of hair removal where a fine electric probe is injected into the hair follicle which is then damaged by the electric current passed through the probe. This results in the permanent destruction of the hair cell. The method is slow because each follicle has to be individually destroyed. The FDA and the AMA have certified the treatment as an effective permanent hair removal treatment.  Electrolysis must be done by a trained electrologist and each state regulates the process of electrolysis and the licensing of electrologists.

Electrolysis has the advantages of permanently getting rid of unwanted hair for men and women alike. Electrolysis can be done on all skin and all hair colors. The treatment can last anywhere from about 15 minutes to about 2 hours and depending on the amount of hair growth may require several visits to the electrologist. The main disadvantage of electrolysis is that many patients are skeptical of using this method because it can take years to fully complete. Electrolysis is painful and has to be treated follicle by follicle. While electrolysis is cheaper upfront than laser hair removal, the number of hours spent by the patient for completing electrolysis makes it a costlier option than laser hair removal.

Electrolysis has after effects of possible scarring and reddening of the skin and undergoing the treatment can be tedious. Further, if the procedure is not done by a competent electrologist the after effects could be extremely damaging to the skin.  Laser hair removal is fast replacing Electrolysis for the removal of unwanted hair. This is because lasers are painless and the skin around the hair follicle is not damaged because the laser wand at first sprays a cooling agent on the skin before the laser wand fires the light pulse. Laser hair removal sessions are shorter than electrolysis for the same amount of hair. For these reasons, those who elected electrolysis for hair removal in the past are now selecting laser hair removal.