Freshen Up Your Face!

Putting on foundation can be a blessing and a curse. It can temporarily cover up uneven skin tones, be a great base for eye make up, or if you're like my two male roommates, it's a great thing to take from my make up case to cover up a zit before a date (of course they never remember to return it!). For me, unfortunately, it can also cake onto the fine blond "peach fuzz" that I have on my face. Considering that lasers used for hair removal are unable to remove these fine hairs I was okay with just ignoring this minor annoyance (to be removed by a laser, hair you want removed must have pigment, so blond, red, gray and white hairs are not good candidates for laser hair removal). In my spare time I enjoy reading about our procedures I love learning about new things that I can do in terms of beauty and keeping my skin looking great. Dermaplaning was one of the very first services that I wanted to try.

Dermaplaning is a quick 15 minute appointment where a specialized tool is used to both lightly exfoliate the skin as well as remove fine hairs to leave a fresh, smooth surface behind. Not only did I love the results immediately after, but later on in the evening when it was time to do my normal nightly skincare regimen, my products had less to pass through to absorb into my face. Dermaplaning is now a normal part of my skin care regimen and I try to make sure I get a dermaplane at least once a month.

In addition to this procedure I wanted to treat my skin at a deeper level. Since I had a very busy weekend ahead of me it was suggested to me to try a very light chemical peel. Our Illuminize peel is a chemical peel we offer with a very small amount of peeling but the resulting benefits are amazing! All my life I've had fairly oily skin that seems to make my face feel heavy. Between my Obagi skincare regimen, regular dermaplaning and chemical peels my face feels fresh and bright. I previously had a much deeper chemical peel and peeled moderately on days 3 and 4 of that peel, but with the light Illuminize peel I only peeled mildly on spots where I had active acne.

Needless to say, with two exfoliating treatments my skin looked fantastic for my crazy weekend (mine and my mother's birthday). If you're looking for some beginner treatments to introduce yourself to a better looking (and fuzz free) face then this is definitely the way to get started!

My Own Dysport Challenge

If you're anything like me you're always looking for the next best thing (the iPhone 4 has basically ruined my life, my 3Gs will never look the same to me), but when it comes to choosing injectables, I want to know everything that's available to me and what it can do. Medicis, the company that makes Dysport, has a promotion right now called the "Dysport Challenge" where they offer rebates for trying out their product instead of the competing anti-aging injectable - Botox. With the option of "loving it" or "leaving it" I figured it was time to give it the old college try.

As my 25th birthday quickly approaches (tomorrow, AH!) I've been treating myself to preventative-aging procedures to take care of some of the fine lines that I had on my forehead. I was so happy with the results from those treatments I figured it was time to move on. I have a bad case of what I like to call "Jay Leno Chin". The muscle on my chin is so strong that it both makes my chin look larger than it actually is and makes the skin below crease under into an unattractive line that from a profile view can be mistaken for another chin (thanks for passing that on, Dad). Dr. Carol took me into her room and after two small injections I was on my way to subtracting a chin.

The rumor out there is that Dysport has a faster onset than Botox. In our practice we've noticed it's a Coke/Pepsi situation, it works differently for different patients, some people like it better than Botox and vice versa. At first I was confused as far as how many units I needed. Dr. Carol explained to me that I would need 2-3 times as many units of Dysport as I would with Botox, but with the lower price of Dysport will make my final total comparable to Botox. With the current Dysport challege (a $75 rebate!) it gave me the incentive to try this product and decide for myself what worked best for me. Whoever is injecting you (Dr. Carol or Allyson) can give you a better idea of how many units you would need, which product would be best for your body and what is the most cost effective for whatever your budget may be.

I've had the Dysport in my chin for about 3 weeks now and though others may not notice the difference, the way I feel about the way I look is monumental. As far as the "loving it" or "leaving it" put me down for love!

Medical Grade vs. Over-the-Counter Skin Care

Skincare is the first step to improving your skin. However, in order to get results, medical grade skincare is superior to products which can be purchased over-the-counter at the grocery, pharmacy or department store. Medical grade products are made up of proven ingredients that are purchased with a medical license and only available through physicians. These products are developed through clinical research and the amounts of active ingredients (what's actually going to make changes in your skin) are much higher than what over-the-counter products are legally able to contain. Simply put: higher amounts of active ingredients = better skin!

Think of it like buying a new Kate Spade bag at Nordstroms verses buying a Kate Spado bag on the streets of New York. You get what you pay for, so to speak, and with medical grade products you are getting A LOT more! Medical grade products contain the purest form of performance ingredients and are created from the newest technology. Hence, true cosmeceuticals are not sold over-the-counter. Over-the-counter products are often sold at lower prices, but only at the expense of cost cutting in raw materials which ultimately sacrifices the quality and efficacy of the product.

The other major difference between medical grade and over-the-counter skincare is the ability of the product to penetrate the skin. Many over-the-counter products sit on the surface of the skin, while medical grade products penetrate the epidermis to work deeper in the skin. Just like whitening your teeth at the dentist office verses useing whitening strips from Wallgreens - medical grade prodcuts can do so much more than what is available over-the-counter.

Medical grade products are worth it! They are safer, more efficacious, better quality, and proven through science.

Take Some Time Off...... Your face!

The more I look into the mirror, the more I see my grandmother. Don't get me wrong, my grandmother is one of the coolest people I've ever met, she plays the drums, knows karate and brought my mother into the world. However, being the age I am and seeing wrinkles appear around my mouth and eyes, not so cool. Unfortunately the good times that made the lines on your face, don't exactly make your face look so good over time.

If your fear is going under the knife luckily it's not a necessary fear. There are solutions beyond going under that truly work. Most of us are concerned about the lines that most call the parentheses, the lines that frame your mouth and deepen over time. The best answer for a problem such as this is facial filler. Dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane will last 6-9 months and can take 10 years off of your face. Plumping up the volume doesn't only have to be around your mouth though. Do you long for Angelina's pout? Filler can also be injected into the lips to keep your smile looking much younger.

As for the crows that are dancing around the corners of your eyes, ward them off with my personal favorite, Botox. Botox usually lasts for about 3 months and luckily injections to treat crow's feet are normally the most inexpensive. Botox injections begin to take effect in less than a week and dermal fillers will show a difference right away.

Injections not really your thing? Well they should be (and again, if you haven't read my previous blogs then you'd know I'm a reformed needle-phobic) and there are a few topical problem solvers that are finally out there THAT WORK. One is SkinMedica's Essential Serum. Although the name seems more like a gimmick than a promise, if the fact that Jennifer Aniston swears by it helps then just know that! The Essential Serum is a growth factor serum that contains antioxidants and peptides, it honestly is 7 skin care products in 1. SkinMedica actually found a way to improve fine lines, wrinkles, tone and overall texture of the skin in a pump action cream dispenser.

Another "essential" product is the Clarisonic Opal. Anyone out there in the internet world have a Clarisonic Brush? Same company. How about a Sonic Care Toothbrush? Same company. And if that isn't enough for you to go out any try one I'm not exactly sure what to tell you. The Opal comes with two packs of Sea Eye Serum. Both packs last you a total of 90 days, the device has a charging base that can hold a charge long enough for you to go on your summer vacations without having to over pack your make up bag. The device itself is about the size of the palm of your hand and has a button on the side that times out 30 seconds for each of your eyes. Use it for the fine lines around your eyes, and even though this is an off label hint, some of the girls around the office have been using it for the fine lines and wrinkles around their mouths.

So if you're truly looking to take some time off, maybe vacation isn't the answer (come on, the wrinkles we get are from our significant others and our kids anyway right? You know you'll just get more if you all "get away" at once!) Relax at home and start a new skin care routine that will make you look like you've always just come back from a relaxing retreat.

What my man loves from Timeless Skin Solutions ...

Kate’s boyfriend … Laser Hair Removal

"Shave my neck". How many times has your husband or boyfriend asked, "Will you shave my neck please?" This is not an unreasonable request but I still find myself thinking, sure, I will absolutely shave your neck, when it’s not 10:00 at night and I’m busy finishing up with the dishes, reading a journal article or more likely watching Grey’s Anatomy! It seems to be a source of frustration for him and he has expressed multiple times his interest in getting rid of the hair for good! I am not unsympathetic to my significant others plight. We all know how fast hair grows, some of us shave in the morning and by the end of the day we think to ourselves, did I really forget to shave my legs again? Laser hair removal is the perfect solution for removing unwanted hair from men’s necks, backs and shoulders. It’s also perfect for us women to remove unwanted hair from our lips, chins, bikini area and legs just to name a few!


Amanda’s boyfriend … Clarisonic Brush

Men tend to have thicker oilier skin and significantly larger pores than women do. Basically, this means in order for men to keep their pores clear and their skin healthy and looking good men really need to cleanse their skin morning and night, although as we know many men do not take the time to do this. I have one of "them" at home who much to my utter dismay has been known to wake up in the morning and head out the door without even washing his face. His biggest hesitation is mostly time versus using products that he views as feminine. Needless to say, a regimen comparable to mine or yours is just not going to happen! Much to my surprise the one “product” I use and was unable to stop him from using is my Clarisonic brush. In his words " It’s just easy to use and I can tell a difference when I use it." The Clarisonic brush can actually be used in the shower where most men like to wash their faces anyways. It is waterproof and holds a charge for up to a week so it’s not inconvenient or time consuming in the least.


Kristy’s husband … SkinMedica’s Essential Serum

I have been using SkinMedica’s Essential Serum for over a year now and I absolutely love the results. I combine it with my Obagi skin care routine and I could not be happier with how my skin looks. I guess my husband feels the same way because I have noticed that my products seem to keep migrating over to his side of the bathroom sink. Not only did I notice the movement of my products but I also noticed that his skin really looks great. He loves the Essential Serum because it is the perfect product for men. Why? It's simple, one pump, once a day. What man wouldn’t love the ease of that skin care routine? Not only is it easy but they WILL see results! Don’t let them fool you, men like to look refreshed and rejuvenated too!

Allyson’s husband … Laser Hair Removal

My husband has been dealing with hair removal on his back and shoulders for all of his adult life...until he met me! After getting him into the office for a series of laser hair removal he no longer has to struggle with "manscaping" and all the annoyances that go along with it. And, what's even better than that is I no longer am stuck shaving his back every time the summer rolls around or it's time to go on vacation! Truly a win/win for the whole family!


Lynsey’s boyfriend … Laser Genesis

My boyfriend recently had a work related accident that left what I believed to be a small scar above his right eye. He was very self conscious about the scar and decided to come to Dr. Clinton. Even with one laser genesis treatment, he's thrilled that the scar is less noticeable and is already feeling much better about something that I barely noticed. This treatment also led him to start asking questions about the products that I was using for my face. Even though my bottles of Obagi product are emptying more quickly because my boyfriend is discretely using my product, I'm glad that between the products I have at home and the treatments he's scheduling in the office that he's feeling better about himself (and maybe I can even get him in here for the things I want him to try out!)

Sun Safety Information and Tips

Dr. Carol wants to make sure everyone understands how to be safe in the sun. Please review the following information regarding Sun Safety and Ultraviolet Index (UV) Alerts.

Sun safety tips for everyday
Please be sure to do multiple layers of these tips on days that have a UV Alert.

Remember the "S" for sun safety:

Slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.

Slop on broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30+ sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards. Sunscreen should never be used to extend the time you spend in the sun.

Slap on a hat that protects your face, head, neck and ears.

Seek shade.

Slide on some sunglasses. Recommend sunglasses that reflect or filter out 99-100 % of UVA and UVB light, with wavelengths up to 400 nanometers (nm). Sunglasses which meet this requirement are often labeled as "UV 400.

A UV Alert is issued when the UV Index forecast is 3 or above, a level that can damage your skin and lead to skin cancer. The higher the index value, the greater the potential for damage to your skin. Extra care should always be taken between 10am and 3pm when UV levels reach their peak.

Please note the following conditions that increase the amount of UV light:
1. Time of day (peak 10am-2pm)
2. Reflective surfaces such as water or snow and sand
3. Cloud cover has a small diminishing effect on UV radiation
4. Closeness to equator
5. Altitude

Always make sunscreen part of your daily skin care routine!

How to Look Flawless on the Fairways

For those of us who have grown up in Dublin or lived in Columbus, the Memorial Tournament has special meaning. To some of us it marks the beginning of summer break from school, breezy evenings dining with friends or the much anticipated family vacation. To golf enthusiasts it may mean getting a glimpse of a favorite pro or spending a day in the sun (or more likely rain!) drinking a beverage and walking from hole to hole. Let’s face it, for many of us, the Memorial Tournament is Dublin’s version of the Oscar’s. Parties, barbecue's, dinner in historic Dublin or dare I say drinks at the Bogey Inn. There is always something to do that week and for those who of you who desire to fill your social calendars, some primping is in order!

Whether you are attending the tournament or just looking for a little skin rejuvenation, Dr. Clinton and the staff at Timeless Skin Solutions recommend the following treatments:

Skin looking a bit dull?

We recommend a SilkPeels. SilkPeels are the only procedure featuring Dermalinfusion.™ The benefits of being treated with a SilkPeel verses a typical microdermabrasion is that it is a non-invasive exfoliation and delivery of skin-specific solutions that leaves you with fresher-feeling and better-looking skin. The SilkPeel is unique because it does not use crystals or other abrasive particles that can irritate the skin and cause micro-tearing which can allow bacteria florish under the skin. It is a safe and painless way to give yourself a refresher allowing you to achieve optimum results on an accelerated basis without the downtime associated with more invasive procedures. Although Dr. Clinton recommends these be done every 4-6 weeks, many patients also use this as their go to treatment before an event!

Check out this video to learn about the science behind the SilkPeel procedure.

Are wrinkles getting you down?

Botox and Dysport are great quick fixes for erasing those unwanted lines. These products can take up to a week to take full effect so plan accordingly.

Need a lift?

Lose of volume around the mouth, lips, cheeks and eyes are a telltale sign of aging. Dermal fillers such as Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm are perfect quick fixes. Results are immediate but there can be some bruising with this procedure. Allowing time for potential bruising to dissipate is important if you are planning to use a dermal filler before an event.

Let Dr. Carol and the staff at Timeless Skin Solutions help you look flawless on the fairways this tournament season!