Tuesday, June 5, 2007

How does laser hair removal work?

Hair is a nagging problem for many women. With technology today we can eliminate hair permanently! Laser Hair Removal uses a laser to target the root of the hair and destroy it. This treatment works best on dark hair against light skin. Treatments can be done almost anywhere on the body and can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 45 minutes for each treatment. Laser Hair Removal is usually sold in packages of 5 or more. The reason for this is that hair grows in cycles. Every 4-6 weeks a new cycle of hair begins to grow and we want to make sure we target the hair during each growth cycle. Laser Hair Removal can be a little painful in some areas. We can apply a topical that will numb the area to be treated. For more information on Laser Hair Removal visit www.timelessmedspa.com/laser_hair_reduction.htm

Monday, May 14, 2007

Understanding SPF

What’s the difference in UVA rays and UVB rays?

UVA rays are the rays that cause premature aging and wrinkling of the skin, think UV-A. “A” is for aging. UVB rays are what cause our skin to burn, think UV-B. “B” is for burn. As of now, the SPF number only reflects the products ability to screen or block UVB rays.

What’s the difference between sunscreen and sunblock?

SPF can be divided into two categories, chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens are just that: screens. They filter the absorption of UBV rays into the skin but do not completely block them out. Sunblocks, also known as “broad-spectrum” are a physical block and will contain titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both. These ingredients are so effective in blocking out the suns rays it’s almost like wearing a long sleeve shirt or a mask on your face. However, sunblocks are typically thicker and should be used with caution on acne prone skin.

What does the SPF number mean?

The SPF on the label ranges from 2 to 60 and refers to the products ability to protect against the suns harmful rays. For example: If you were to use an SPF 10, this would allow you to stay in the sun 10 times longer than you can without sunscreen before burning. Be cautious though, SPF protection does not increase proportionately with the SPF number. SPF 2 with absorb 50% of UV radiation and SPF 15 absorbs 93%. SPF 30 or higher absorbs 97% of the suns harmful rays and is recommended above all others.

When should sun protection be worn?

An SPF of 30 or higher should be applied if sun exposure is longer than 20 minutes at the time. Typically every day errands, even while driving will yield more UV exposure than we think. Even on a cloudy day, 80% of the suns UV rays pass through the clouds. SPF in our cosmetics are usually not strong enough, only around 15SPF most of the time, I recommend that a higher SPF be worn under your make-up.

What is the difference between “water-resistant” and “waterproof”?

The FDA considers a product "water-resistant" if it maintains its SPF level after 40 minutes of water exposure, so if you are using a product that is only water-resistant you should reapply every 40 minutes. A product is considered "waterproof" if it maintains its SPF level after 80 minutes of exposure to water. If you participate in such activities as swimming or water skiing, you may want to choose a waterproof sunscreen.

Friday, May 4, 2007

Is Botox Safe?






Patients are always asking me if Botox is safe. The answer is yes, Botox is safe when used correctly. Botox has been used therapeutically for over 16 years to treat a variety of medical conditions and was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 as Botox Cosmetic. It is one of the most widely researched medicines in the world. Botox is administered in a simple, nonsurgical procedure via a few tiny injections directly into the muscles and improves the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows and on the forehead. Only licensed and trained healthcare professionals have the experience necessary to administer Botox Cosmetic, so make sure your doctor is fully trained before the treatment. Do not use Botox if you are nursing or pregnant and make sure you are treated in a doctor's office or clinic. Also, tell your doctor if you are taking antibiotics.


















Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. I am Sandra Brothers, MD and I am the Medical Director for a Medical Spa in Dallas, TX called Timeless Medical Spa. I will be posting all kinds of useful information when it comes to choosing the medical spa that is right for you. Stay tuned, and feel free to email me any questions you might have: info@timelessmedspa.com.
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