Has the rainy, …

February 21, 2012

Has the rainy, gray weather got you down?  Soon it will be spring and summer….time to show some skin.  Are you ready?  Our current crummy weather is the perfect time to be getting laser treatments.  Don’t wait for the sun to get you motivated.  Laser treatments for hair reduction and skin rejuvenation are not appropriate for recently tanned skin.  Your best results come when skin is fair and hair is dark.  Brown spots also respond better to treatment when skin is pale.

We can treat most areas with underarms, faces, bikini, and legs being very popular.  Don’t wait until it is too late.  Call me today for your complimentary consultation.  Call 360-676-1111 for an appointment.  We are located in the Barkley Village neighborhood at 2930 Newmarket St. #115.

Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by nar27

Holiday Blues or Happiness?

December 8, 2011

Winter is setting in. Are you ready for shorter days and cooler temperatures? A flurry of family visits and social festivities? An ever-growing holiday to-do list? The weeks ahead are exciting but they can be stressful, too. Try beating the holiday blues with a visit to Puget Sound Cosmetic Laser that will help you look better, feel better – and get through the season with a smile.

How about a Obagi Radiance Facial Peel to help perk up your complexion? Botox or fillers to help erase a little time? A new eye treatment to help camouflage the late nights? How about a photofacial that actually increases collagen and decreases signs of sun damage and aging?

I have several wonderful husbands and partners that are solving their gift-giving dilemmas this year with a gift certificate from Puget Sound Cosmetic Laser. They can be purchased in any amount and used for both products and services.

Call or e-mail me today and let me assist you in caring for yourself and others.  Happy Holidays everyone:)

My Best,
Nancy
360-676-1111 or nar27@aol.com

Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by nar27

Healthy Skin

February 2, 2011

I recently found some great ideas you may not have thought about on www.aolhealth.com.  When it comes to skin, it seems endless factors influence its health and appearance.  Have you considered the following?

  • Water hardness/softness determines how much and what kind of cleansers you should use.  Susan H. Weinkle, a professor of dermatology at the University of Florida says, “Soft water doesn’t remove soap well, so it can leave a residue on your skin.”  Thus, we should use much less soap or cleansers than are required with hard water.  I tell my patients, “Count 25 splashes when washing soap/cleanser off your face.”  When soap remains on our skin it can cause everything from dryness to irritation and breakouts.
  • Add green tea to your diet to help blotchy or red skin.  If you have rosacea, try iced tea since hot beverages make rosacea  worse for many.  Research has also shown that the epigallocatechin gallate (try saying that fast ten times) in green tea is believed to help prevent collagen destruction which causes wrinkling and sun induced DNA damage.
  • Don’t forget the damage stress does to our bodies.  When we are stressed, the body produces more cortisol, which can lead to oilier skin and a decreased ability to fight off acne producing bacteria.  Shouldn’t we all be working on decreasing stress in our lives?  Find that special or even everyday healthy activity that leads you to your “happy place”.  It can be as simple as daily walks, reflecting on what is good in your life or even just slow, mindful breathing.  Controlling stress doesn’t have to be hard.  We just make it that way!
  • If you are having issues with breakouts or irritation around your mouth, try switching to plain toothpaste.  Added flavors, tartar control, and even fluoride for some individuals can cause problems.  Try some time off and use a very basic paste.  When resolved, get back on a basic fluoride toothpaste.
  • Finally, be sure to get the recommended 8-10 glasses of water daily.  Well hydrated skin looks and feels so much healthier!  Flavor your water with a lemon or orange slice if you’d like but stay away from soda, too much coffee, fruit juice, and alcohol. 

My best to all of you,    Nancy

Leave a Comment » | Skin Care | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by nar27

New Year: New You Special

January 18, 2011

We are nearing the end of January and I’m wondering how many people have made a New Year’s resolution regarding their skin.  If this is an area of concern for you, you are reading the right blog!  I would love to help you transform your skin.  One of the tools in my handy arsenal is the uber popular and effective skin care line called Obagi.

This skin care line makes changes at a cellular level that really make a difference in how your skin looks and acts.  My patients love it!

Good news….stock up or get started now.  I’ve got a great sale going and even gifts with purchase.  Call me today at Puget Sound Cosmetic Laser (360-676-1111) and we can start or continue your transformation.  No kidding!!!!  Make this your year to look and feel your best.

Regards,    Nancy

Leave a Comment » | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by nar27

Sugar and Skin

November 3, 2010

I came across a great article by Dermalogica that reminded me again of the adage, ” You are what you eat.”  We all know how seductive and addictive sugar can be but did you know that  sugar impacts the function and quality of skin?

“Collagen, essential to skin strength and elasticity, is a protein.  A diet rich in sugar can create excess waste products in the form of glucose.  Instead of “burning off,” this glucose (sugar) attaches to proteins in our skin.  This process is classified as glycation, and leads to the formation of Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs), which increases inflammation in the body.  Inflammation breaks down collagen and leads to the loss of elasticity: in laymen’s terms, this means wrinkles, sagging and loss of tone.”1

Let’s recommit to watching for hidden sugars by reading labels and limiting refined sugars in our diets.  Instead, fellow healthy aging warriors, let’s add more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains now that we know what’s good for our waistline is also good for our skin!

If you would like a personal consultation with me, Nancy Repanich, RN, please call 360-676-1111.  I offer complimentary visits where we can discuss your concerns in a private, comfortable environment.  Many options are available to help your skin improve so you can look and feel your best.  I look forward to hearing from you!

1 “skin reporter, dermalogica thinks skin, volume 8″

1 Comment | Skin Care, Skin Rejuvenation | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by nar27

What About Fillers?

March 25, 2010

What about fillers?  How can they help us look and feel our best?  How do Botox® and fillers differ?  These are a sample of some of the questions I hear about fillers.  As we all know, over time, wrinkles and folds start to show.  Some people think of these as “new friends” while others see them as unwelcome “visitors” that get more irritating with each passing year.  Aging causes all of us to loose volume in our faces.  (I think it goes to our waistlines!)

Juvederm® is a filler we use at Puget Sound Cosmetic Laser to help soften and smooth facial wrinkles and folds by restoring skin’s volume.  It is a colorless hyaluronic gel that lasts up to one year and is indicated for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds.  Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in our bodies and helps cushion, hydrate, and deliver nutrients to skin.   As we age, its production decreases.

Administration of Juvederm® is by a fine needle into the skin to fill “smile lines” or “parentheses” (nasolabial folds) and “marionette lines” (oral comissures).  I like to use a topical numbing cream prior to injection to help keep my patients comfortable.  Juvederm® also makes a new product that contains lidocaine with the hyaluronic acid to make the treatment more comfortable.

Side effects can include temporary injection-site reactions like: tenderness, redness, swelling, firmness, bruising, itching, and lumps/bumps.  As with all injections, there is a risk of infection.  You should not receive Juvederm if you have a history of severe allergies.  If you are on medications that cause bruising or bleeding you should tell your provider.  If you are on drugs that decrease the body’s immune response you may be at increased risk of infection.  The safety of use in lactating and pregnant women has not been studied.  You will be asked to read and sign a consent form so be sure you ask questions if needed. 

Many patients are confused about injectables, drugs given by injection.  Botox® and fillers like Juvederm® work differently to help banish those unwanted visitors (wrinkles).  Botox® works by blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles.  When the muscles don’t move as much, lines diminish or disappear.  It works best in the area between your brows.  Juvederm®replaces the hyaluronic acid your skin has lost, bringing back volume and smoothing wrinkles and folds away.  It works best for the smile lines and marionette lines I have mentioned above.

Costs are dependent on how much product is used.  One or two syringes of Juvederm® is a usual dose and are priced around $500-600 per syringe.  Results can last up to a year. 

Bottom line……fillers like Juvederm® are a great way to get a quick result.  You will see an immediate improvement with wrinkles and folds smoothed away.  Good bye unwanted visitors!

Before and after Juvederm

Before and after Juvederm image courtesy of http://www.juvederm.com

4 Comments | Botox and Fillers | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by nar27

Introducing Neocutis Anti-Aging Skin Care

March 17, 2010

Obagi is a fantastic skin care line and I have seen amazing results but, as I have blogged in the past, it’s not for everyone.  Because of this, I am excited to share with you news that we have added the Neocutis skin care line here at Puget Sound Cosmetic Laser.  These products have been developed after many years of medical research.  Swiss technology was used to discover potent anti-aging proteins called PSP®, Processed Skin Cell Proteins which include Human Growth Factors, Cytokines and Interleukins.  These ingredients have an incredible anti-aging effect and have been incorporated into Neocutis’ products. 

Neocutis will help revitalize, nourish and restore aging skin.  The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles are diminished in as little as 2 months.  Patients report improved skin tone and texture.  Recovery after cosmetic procedures like peels, micro-dermabrasion, laser/IPL treatments, and cosmetic surgery can be improved significantly.  This line is especially good for sensitive and irritated skin.

Three products that I am especially excited about are their eye cream, skin cream, and a day lotion that includes both antioxidants and UVA/UVB sunscreen.  For people who want to minimize steps in their skin care routine, this is the line for you!!!

The anti-aging day cream is called Journee Bio-restorative Day
Cream with PSP®, a long name for a product packed with anti-oxidants, hylaluronic acid, and SPF 30+ which protects, rejuvenates, and hydrates skin.  All of this in a one minute complete anti-aging treatment.  Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?

Lumiere is a fancy name for “less eye wrinkles”!  It contains 30 % more of the PSP© to help firm and hydrate the delicate skin under and around the eyes.  It helps diminish fine lines, under eye circles, and puffiness.  In a multi-center study, Lumiere “was found to reduce the visible signs of peri-orbital skin aging when used twice daily for a period of 6 weeks”.¹

Bio-restorative Skin Cream with PSP® works great for reducing irritation and soothing skin when used in combination with topical medications for rosacea, anti-acne or retinoid treatments.  I especially like using it after laser/IPL treatments.  It works well on sensitive, reactive skin and is non-comedogenic, free of color and fragrance additives.

I welcome your questions and interest in the Neocutis line of products.  Check out their website at www.NEOCUTIS.com .  As always, we offer complimentary consults.

¹Lupo M., Cohen J., Rendon M., Novel Eye Cream Containing a Mixture of Human Growth Factors and Cytokines for Periobital Skin Rejuvenation, Journal of
Drugs in Dermatology. 2007: 6:725-729.

Leave a Comment » | Skin Care | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by nar27

What is Skin Rejuvenation?

February 11, 2010

What is skin rejuvenation all about and is it worth the money?  I hear this question often.  Skin rejuvenation refers to improvement in skin tone, texture, and color through use of an intense pulsed light system.  You might also hear it refered to as a photofacial or photorejuvenation.  Wavelengths of light disable unwanted targets which result from aging and the environment. 

It works best on lighter skin types and is especially good at targeting age/brown spots and blood vessels.  Popular treatment areas for skin rejuvenation are the face, neck, chest, and hands.   This treatment also stimulates collagen and reduces pore size a little.  As one of our best non-invasive anti-aging tools, it is most effective when done as a series of 4-5 treatments.  My patients love the effect on brown and red pigmented areas.  Some people have more dramatic results than others but all report an improvement. 

It is important that an IPL (intense pulse light)  machine be powerful enough and your operator be experienced.  Most people feel discomfort that they describe as the snap of a warm rubber band.  The sensation only lasts a second while the pulse of light is administered.  Next, they feel the cooling phase which is painless.  Burns, hypopigmentation, and hyperpigmentation are possible if guidelines are ignored. 

Treatment costs vary greatly depending on where you live and who does your treatment.  You can expect to spend anywhere from $250-$500 for a single facial treatment.  Typically, 3-5 full face treatments run $1000-$2500.  The neck, chest, and hands may also be priced individually or as a package.

To answer my original question, is skin rejuvenation worth the price?  I definitely think it is an effective way to improve skin condition, if brown spots, redness, blood vessel “issues”,  and aging skin are bothering you.  You can spend thousands of dollars on lotions, potions, and surgery and still not get the results seen with skin rejuvenation.  Imagine a face lift….tight skin but poor texture, brown spots, and “broken” blood vessels.  Is that money well spent?  Both tightening and skin rejuvenation result in a more youthful appearance but not everyone can afford or wishes to have surgery.  Skin rejuvenation can help you feel confident that you look your best and when you look good, don’t you usually feel better?

HAlibhai before skin rejuvenation

HAlibhai after 3 treatments

1 Comment | Skin Rejuvenation | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by nar27

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.