Vitamin A The Superhero of Skin Care Vitamin A, better known as Retinol or Retin-A has been the backbone of anti-aging medicine for years. With its implementation the field of anti-aging skincare was founded. Any good skin conditioning regimen incorporates vitamin A into the skin conditioning routine and for good reason.  Vitamin A works by encouraging new and stronger healthy skin to grow. As we age, sun damage and signs of aging build up and our natural mechanism for recovery slows down. Vitamin A will help get your skin improve its tone, texture, radiance, uniformity, fine lines, and thickness.  With more retrospective analysis of skincare regimens  and better technology we have recently been able to evaluate long term trials and newer delivery systems for these medicines. First to understand the general application of Vitamin A, you will have to know the two major groups (yes there are more): Retin-A & Retinol. Retin-A tends to be a much stronger product that has indications for antiaging and skin condition disorders (acne, hyperpigmentation, scaring). It is a great product but comes with some problems. Retin-A has a 3-6 week "reaction phase" in which the skin will need time to adjust to this new product. The skin will become dry and flakey. This can detour a lot of patients from completing use. After 12 -16 weeks your final results will be shown in beautiful radiant skin. Unfortunately, longer studies are showing that without a "skin holiday" (the cessation of using products) Retin-A can cause more harm than good. This is where we turn to Retin-A's little brother, Retinol.  Retinol is a weaker product, but excels greatly in patient compliance. That's right, its easier to use with less "irritating" side-effects. The usual adaption phase of getting used to the product is 1-2 weeks of redness and flaking. Results are similar in long term studies, but Retin-A does work much faster. Another advantage of retinol is that it does not cause any long term side-effects to the skin. The skin will continue to improve and prevent even with long term use.  It is important to know that with any of these products, daily sunscreen application is a MUST. The stability of the product is also important. Not just any product will work well. 0.05-0.1% is the ideal concentration of retinol. It should be in Cream form as gels and lotions cause more irritation. Moisturizer is improtant, but if used during the application of retinol can decrease the retinols efficacy. The product must be kept away from sunlight and at room temperature in order to stay stable. Newer nano-particles and fat designed products enable for better skin penetration. Currently I recommend skinceuticals products as they have the best profile.

Symmetry Medicine Webpage

Email Dr. B

Botox: The Latest Trends!

Botox is hotter than ever. Popularity of cosmetic treatments is exploding every year. More and more new treatments keep hitting the market and more patients are seeking out Botox at younger ages and for "off label" treatments. Off label treatments, are treatments that are not the traditionally used method, but an alternate method that patients are getting benefits from. 

What Everyone is Saying:

The general consensus for use of Botox at a younger age is to help prevent lines instead of waiting for them to show up and then correcting them. This has widely been accepted as a valid use with great results.  

One new study that has recently been presented at the American Academy of Dermatology has shown that women that use Botox consistently over a long term period not only perceive themselves as younger, but also feel younger. These woman report more energy, more active lifestyles, and better sex drives. 

Still Coming of Age: Xeomin

Younger patients are turning to Botox's little brother, Xeomin. Xeomin is a Botox alternative and uses a bioidentical form of Botox (Botulinum) results are equivalent in major studies and in 90% of my patients results are equivalent. Xeomin is a great alternative that shows faster results at less cost. Xeomin treatments can be about $100 dollars less on average of a typical Botox treatment. 

Newest Uses
The latest new use is Botox is an old one re-invented. Blocking excessive perspiration (hyperhydrosis). Botox has been used in the past for preventing excessive armpit perspiration which lead to its use to prevent hand or foot sweating. Now with all the time and money being spent on hair salons and dos, woman are having small injections of Botox into the scalp to prevent excessive sweating and preserve their new look. 


Botox is a brand name product produced by Allergan. Xeomin is a botulinum product equivalent to Botox produced by Merz Aesthetics. Both products are FDA approved and safe for use with no known long-term side-effects. Botox has been around since the early 80's. 

Symmetry Medicine is a concierge service that delivers medical grade beauty treatments in the privacy of your own home or apartment. Schedule an appointment today and receive one free skinceuticals sample product and discounted first purchase on any skin care product. 

 

www.symmetrymedicine.com

Beauty Delivered on your time.