Travel and summer adventures are memories that linger with us the remainder of the year. I recently read that travel positively impacts the brain’s plasticity; when on an adventure away from home, we expand our brain’s capability, adaptability and flexibility. My biggest life lesson this summer was a visit to Croatia. There are over a… Read more »
As the days shorten and holiday festivities loom, so does the prospect of seasonal weight gain. Is it possible to prevent the inevitable cycle of gain and loss, or of denial and guilty indulgence that recur time and again? Fortunately, a balanced, systematic approach that includes acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can offer a solution.… Read more »
In today’s busy world, people are looking for aesthetic procedures that can make them look and feel rejuvenated with minimal downtime. The number of cosmetic surgical procedures remains at a steady plateau, but the number of non-surgical cosmetic injectable procedures continues to rise every year. These office procedures have become exceedingly popular, as patients can… Read more »
Lasers have always seemed futuristic. But they are a daily phenomenon at any plastic surgeon’s office or medical spa. As with any technology, cosmetic laser technology advances quickly and can be challenging to keep up with. And with so many advertisements and promotional pitches, the promises of minimal downtime and amazing results are easy… Read more »
When considering factors that contribute to improving the properties of skin tightening, skin rejuvenation, wrinkle reduction, acne and acne scar reduction, smaller pores and generally fighting the effects of aging and gravity, one of the newest, most innovative treatments is the introduction of growth factor technology. A growth factor is a naturally occurring substance capable… Read more »
Since the unraveling of the human genome project concluded in 2003, genetic scientists and researchers have been studying human genes to determine how we age. The fact is, our cells age, and they begin to age from just moments after we are born. After 30 years or so, our cells begin to produce physical signs… Read more »
Okay, I will admit it; I am trying to scare you. The big, bad summer is here and with it comes the threat of too much heat, too much sun, and the danger and risk that accompanies both. You might say, “I know, I know. I wear sun block” or “I’ll become prematurely aged and… Read more »
Scarred. It can mean a lot of things, both physical and emotional. The physical scar can remind us of an event or process that we’d rather not have experienced. Surprisingly, improvement or elimination of the scar can bring about a kind of healing and recovery that no amount of acceptance or therapy can produce. While… Read more »
You’ve come a long way since you were a teenager. And so has your skin. So if you haven’t changed your skincare routine since you got your driver’s license, it’s time to shake things up. In our teenage years, we experience breakouts. As we age, we experience different types of changes in our skin’s appearance,… Read more »
In the past decade the options for body shaping therapies have significantly increased. Seems like every day there is a new treatment guaranteed to freeze, heat, shrink, or kill fat cells in those stubborn areas like thighs, hips, tummy or arms. But according to plastic surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt, healthy lifestyle choices are still an… Read more »
Plastic surgeons used to focus on “removing the problem.” Eyelid bagginess? Remove the fat. Jowls on the jaw line? Suck it out and cut away some skin. Droopy brow? Take away a strip of the scalp. But times change and new philosophies have emerged regarding facial rejuvenation. Retaining the fullness of youth is a new… Read more »
Like skin elsewhere on our bodies, our eyelids are often prone to developing small growths. Most often, these lesions are benign entities such as nevi (moles) or skin tags. Some growths, however, are cause for concern. Our beautiful weather brings with it intense ultraviolet exposure which is the most significant cause of skin cancer, and… Read more »
I am delighted to have the opportunity to present a regular column about the latest news in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. I am very passionate about my chosen field and am always striving to be better, know more, stay current, perfect technique and offer my Coachella Valley patients the newest and best that plastic surgery… Read more »
Rosacea (pronounced “roh-ZAY-sha”) is a chronic and potentially life-disruptive disorder primarily of the facial skin and often characterized by flare-ups and remissions. It typically begins any time after age 30 as a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. In some cases, rosacea may also occur on the neck,… Read more »
If you’re like most of the population, one of your New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight. Did you know that 90% of diets fail? Dieting increases stress hormones, lowers testosterone, and causes you to store fat when it’s over.1 Let’s resolve to not ‘diet’ this year, and instead, implement a few good lifestyle habits… Read more »
Every minute in America, a woman dies of a heart attack, stroke or another form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) — and one out of every three women experiences some form of CVD in her lifetime. And yet, most of those cases are preventable if you lead a heart-healthy lifestyle. “We are all at risk for… Read more »
Something swept over me recently. Suddenly I felt a compulsion to step away from Facebook and the avenue of social networking. I realized that I was habitually checking Facebook every morning and evening. Conservatively, this equated to 10 minutes per day or 56 hours a year posting my life, prying into other’s lives, and vacillating… Read more »
Medical micro-needling, also referred to as collagen induction therapy (CIT), is a relatively new concept aimed at stimulating the body’s own collagen and elastin production to tighten, lift and rejuvenate the skin. The benefits of this treatment include the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, minimized pores, and the disappearance of stretch marks, crepey skin,… Read more »
There are several myths about skin care in today’s world which greatly inhibit the overall health and well-being of our skin, the body’s largest organ. Let’s take a look at some of these myths including the idea that washing one’s face several times daily will diminish acne; sunscreen is not as important on overcast or… Read more »
Michelle Steadman had a dream. She wanted to create the perfect raw superfood meal for her family: easy to eat on the go and packed with nutritious, organic foods. Little did she know that this dream would quickly lead to much bigger dreams which are all falling into place. When friends and family couldn’t get… Read more »