Protect your skin from the sun everyday: Make a commitment to protect your skin from UV damage and wear sunscreen under your makeup or purchase makeup that has at least SPF 15. If you don’t know what’s right for your skin type ask your doctor what they recommend. UV damage can cause premature wrinkles and sun spots. By protecting your skin from UV rays you will continue to look more youthful throughout the New Year!

Throw away outdated skincare products: Make-up that hasn’t been used in a while and outdated skincare products may be hosting bacteria and can cause breakouts. Open the medicine cabinet and empty your make-up bag. If you haven’t touched that skincare product or piece of makeup in a few months it’s time to say goodbye. Your skin will thank you later.

Sleep without make-up: Not removing your make-up is one of the worst don’ts when it comes to your skincare routine. Makeup clogs pours and can leave your complexion looking dull. Wash, tone and moisturize your skin every night before bed this year.

Exfoliate: This is the step most people skip as part of their skincare routine. Try exfoliating at least once a week with an at home facial scrub – you will see an immediate difference. If you can make it into the office, try microdermabrasion, a chemical peel or hydrafacial. Peels in particular can take years off your face.

Consult a trained professional before pursuing aesthetician services (Botox, dermal fillers): Minimally invasive procedures including Botox® and dermal fillers such as Artefill®, Juvederm® or Restylane® continue to grow in popularity.  But not every physician is trained to perform these procedures. Make sure you check the physician’s credentials and validate they have extensive experience using the products they have recommended.

Manage stress: Stress affects your health and over time can cause over-production of oil and inflammation which results in bad skin. Relieve stress this year by taking a walk, going to a yoga class or taking up a hobby. You will stay happier, your health will improve and it will be reflected on the outside.

Dr. Dima Ali speaks to physicians and practice managers in Baltimore, MD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reston, VA December 7, 2011:  Dr. Dima Ali (WellMedica Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine, Reston, VA) speaks to physicians and practice managers about how Artefill brings value to patients and provides long lasting permanent results.  Artefill® is a permanent injectable implant manufactured by Suneva Medical in San Diego, CA.  Suneva is a medical technology company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing novel, differentiated aesthetic products for the dermatology, plastic and cosmetic surgery markets. The Company’s long-lasting injectable product is marketed as Artefill® in the U.S. to correct facial wrinkles.  Among the other speakers were Kate Gilbert, VP Marketing for Suneva Medical, Doug Abel, Executive VP for Suneva Medical and Joel Joel Nunnelly, Medical Consulting Group, LLC, Owner.

Dr. Dima is a leading expert in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures and recognized as a leading facial filler expert.

About WellMedica Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine

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The introduction of Botox by Allergan in the 1990’s proved to be a paradigm shift in cosmetic surgery as it was a safe and easy treatment that worked and had no previous type of treatment.  Obviously Botox was the first and still the
most popular neurotoxin (now called neuromodulator) with millions of treatments all over the world.  Like any industry, progress introduces competition and several years ago Medicis introduced their product Dysport which although not exactly the same drug as Botox, has the same results.  Dysport has caught on and is a popular option for some patients that prefer it to Botox for various reasons, one of them being it is a little less expensive.

Xeomin is the third neuromodulator to be FDA approved in this country and will represent yet another option for patients seeking improvement of facial wrinkles.  Xeomin has been used around the world for safe and effective treatment of facial wrinkles since 1995. Although all these products are technically known as botulinum toxin A, they all have slightly different chemical structures.  Xeomin is the first neuromodulator that is processed in a manner to eliminate a part of the molecule known as the accessory protein coat.  It is this protein that contributes to allergic reactions.  Users of Xeomin can expect the same results as Botox or Dysport although the initial price will probably be less.  Otherwise the products are administered the same and have the same results that last the same amount of time.  The number of units injected with Xeomin is compatible with Botox injections.

Nonmelanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are the most common forms of skin cancer. Though they are rarely life-threatening, nonmelanoma skin cancers can be disfiguring when not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.

When we contacted the study’s lead author, Howard Rogers, MD, he was able to provide further insights into the data. He calculates that the 3.5 million nonmelanoma skin cancer equate to approximately 2.8 million basal cell carcinomas and 700,000 squamous cell carcinomas annually.

These new numbers are disturbing but not surprising, as there has been a steady rise in the rates of both nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers in the past several decades. In 1994, a report in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology estimated total US incidence of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma at just over one million cases per year. (Incidence must be estimated, because nonmelanoma skin cancers are not usually reported to cancer registries. To determine rates, researchers consult various government databases for information about skin cancer-related procedures and visits to doctors.)

The latest figures confirm that skin cancer, the world’s most common cancer, is truly an epidemic. There are more new cases annually than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, and colon. While skin cancer, particularly nonmelanoma skin cancer, is usually very treatable when caught early, it should not be taken lightly. Skin cancers have a high rate of recurrence, and anyone who has had one runs an increased risk of developing another skin cancer, including melanoma. Additionally, people who have had nonmelanoma skin cancer have twice the risk of developing other malignancies, such as lung, colon, and breast cancers. Melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, may metastasize (spread) to distant tissues or organs, and can be life-threatening, if not detected and treated quickly.

“Celebrities like Madonna, Kim Cattrall, Vanessa Williams and the ‘Housewives’ stay looking young by getting botox and facial fillers” says top cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Dima Ali. “Getting rid of the damaged skin layers in a controlled manner, whether it’s by mechanical, laser or chemical ablation is the best way to force your skin to renew. Started early enough it can very possibly help avoiding altogether the traditional facelift.”

Demi Moore has repeatedly denied have any “work done” on her face. How is it possible to be fifty and not show a wrinkle? It depends on your definition of “work” and in Hollywood that definition involves knives, not needles.

Hollywood plastic surgeons are seething mad that they’re losing so much money with the decline of starlets going under the knife. The new rock stars are the cosmetic dermatologist. How are they erasing years without anesthesia?

Academy Award winning beauties are regularly seen sweeping through the lobby of Dr. Barney Kenet’s Madison Avenue office for a facial “tune up.”

“A problem for actresses is the amount of make up they use while filming which tends to clog the pores. It’s important to deep clean the face with an Alpha Hydroxy acid peel. They definitely reduce the appearance of fine lines and freshen the face,” Kenet says. Among his clients, actresses Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly swear by his KenetMD product line.

“My favorite is the 24 karat skin serum. It’s so luxurious, and smooth. I feel like Cleopatra when I’m putting it on.” Tilly says.

But that’s just a glorified exfoliation. What about the injections?

“Celebrities are very busy. They constantly travel, keep odd hours. When they come to me, they are looking for a way to make up for that. They are not ready for a face-lift and many are concerned that a face lift will make their face look like it’s pulled too tight,” Kenet says.

Top Beverly Hills based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Simon Ourian weighed in on the “has she” or “hasn’t she” Zarin debate.

“I think it’s pretty obvious that she’s had work done. The days of the Hollywood tradition face-life are over. It appears Jill Zarin went the filler and injectable route. You have better control with fillers and usually there are not this obvious. The tell-tale facelift scar is also eliminated. It’s also much more cost effect. You’re talking a couple of thousand dollars instead of tens of thousands of dollars all at once,” Ourian says.

How early do these stars need to start? Is getting shot up now just like having your hair done?

Dr Dima Ali says, “everyone is freezing their faces at younger and younger ages (16 is the youngest I’ve heard of so far and she was brought in by her mother!) hoping to maintain their youthful appearance. We all witnessed Kim K. getting it (and hating it) on her reality show. I believe she’s 29 though and I think that’s a more reasonable age for botox as a preventive measure.”