Sunscreens Are Safe

An article in the Sun and News publication recently caught my eye. Recent negative news about sunscreens by some news outlets and non-medical writers has consumers questioning the safety and benefits of sunscreens.

“A review of all scientific studies (from 1966 to 2003) shows no evidence of a relationship between sunscreen use and increased risk of melanoma”.

Warwick L. Morison, MD

Professor of Dermatology at Johns Hopkins Medical Center

Sunscreens are not Card Blanche to bake in the sun. They do however have an important role in our daily lives.

A. David Rahimi, MD, FAAD, FAACS.

I highly recommend that you read the entire article in the Sun and Skin News publication by Perry Robins

Fall 2010 Vol 27, No 3

www.skincancer.org

Dr. Oz, who is essentially “America’s doctor” refers to CoolSculpting as “revolutionary” and a “game changer,” and his genuine excitement about the procedure is evident. 

Dr. Avram discussing the science behind CoolSculpting:

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/cutting-edge-plastic-surgery-pt-2

Dr. Tanzi demonstrating the procedure on a patient:

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/cutting-edge-plastic-surgery-pt-1

Well, here I was.

I just paid almost 120K for my Coolsculpting "Toy" and had to try it out. I treated my own abdomen and love handles and was quite impressed. It melted away about 30-40 percent of the fat in about 6 weeks.

Finally, a non-invasive way to freeze away unwanted fat with no surgery. Judge for yourself...

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=1574789524102&set=a.1574788724082.83619.1066473146

A. David Rahimi,MD, FAAD,FAACS.

Here is a link to a great article that was recently published in the Wall Street Journal. A must read for any one in their 30s and 40s:

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/111014/wrinkle-erasing-for-starters?mod=family-love_money

A. David Rahimi, MD, FAAD, FAACS.

The Science of Cryolipolysis™

Cryolipolysis™ is the non-invasive cooling of adipose tissue to induce lipolysis – the breaking down of fat cells – to reduce body fat without damage to other tissues. The scientific principles of Cryolipolysis were discovered by dermatologists Dieter Manstein, MD, and R. Rox Anderson, MD, of the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

 The newest addition to our practice “CoolLipo” allows for laser liposuction and Laser Neck and Facelifts under local anesthesia.

The benefits include:

·         Less swelling and bruising- compared to traditional Liposuction and Facelifts

·         Significantly more tightening of the skin and underlying soft tissue

·         More refined sculpting of the tissue

·         Quicker recovery

Click on the link below to learn more about “Coollipo” and watch an actual procedure

http://www.cooltouch.com/CoolLipo.aspx

A. David Rahimi, MD, FAAD.

What is Aesthetic Exfoliation?

Years of sun exposure and the aging process take their toll on the skin, creating lines, wrinkles, and changes in texture and color. Not only is the face a likely victim of these changes, but the neck, chest, cleavage, arms and hands may be affected as well. MicroExfoliation can reduce the effects of aging on our skin.

MicroExfoliation is a treatment that improves wrinkles, skin texture and color by removing the topmost layer of skin leaving it more supple and vibrant. MicroExfoliation also stimulates the elastic tissue beneath the surface of the skin resulting in a healthier and firmer appearance. MicroExfoliation treatments are administered by trained aestheticians.

A wonderful alternative to chemical peels, the NewApeel® MicroExfoliation treatment is non-invasive, pain-free and requires no down time after treatment. Leading plastic surgeons and dermatologist regard the NewApeel® system as being more gentle and affective than other exfoliating systems, even at higher settings. The length of the treatment and number of treatments vary depending on skin type and condition. Results are gradual but highly effective. Most people experience softer, smoother skin after their first treatment.

For more information:

http://www.newapeel.com/index.html

A. David Rahimi, MD, FAAD.

Cooltouch Coolbreeze for Treatment of Nail Fungus

Initially I was very skeptical when I heard about toenail fungus treatment with lasers. I have been practicing medicine now since 1994 and have been telling patients for the past 16 years that toenail fungus can only be treated with oral medications such as lamisil and Sporonox. These medications are generally only about 50 percent effective and involve taking medications that can rarely damage the liver.

All this has now changed: Cooltouch lasers (1320 nm long wavelength) can now be safely used to eliminate deep seated nail fungus infections. I tried this on a few friends and patients with amazing results. Two to three treatments over 3 months and you can see new nail growing. Toe nails do take 6 to 9 months to fully grow out.

Here is a video posted by a podiatrist in Florida that shows how simple the procedure actually is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NHs1J-ECMc

Please go to my menu of service tab on top of the page and look up Cooltouch laser under the procedures tab and read about it.

Cost: $500/Treatment

I will update you in a few months and post before and after photos.

Hope to see you soon.

Good for Your Skin, Pocketbook, and the Environment: Top Ten Cosmetics Brands

There are millions of cosmetics brands out there, and when you make a stop over at your local convenient store or cosmetics retailer, you may be hard-pressed to navigate which ones are of good quality, won't damage your skin, and also don't participate in any sort of cruel animal testing. The following are ten brands that in some way meet these criteria, with the added bonus of being very affordable. These brands prove that you don't have to break the bank for bringing out the beauty in you.

1. Physicians Formula

Physicians formula brand cosmetics are designed with sensitive skin in mind. Their Organic Wear line of products are 100% free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, parabens, and are completely cruelty-free. What's more Physicians Formula can be found at nearly any drugstore for very reasonable prices.

2. Almay

Almay is another brand that is especially good for those with sensitive skin. The prices of their products range from about $5 to $20. They are carried at most drugstores, and their entire line is cruelty-free. Almay also has an organic line and is highly rated in many beauty magazines.

3. Revlon

Revlon is an industry giant in the cosmetics industry, but notwithstanding its dominance among such products, it's cheap and also the very first large company to stop testing its products on animals, which it did in 1990. Revlon's specific goal is to provide quality products at affordable prices.

4. Hard Candy

Although Hard Candy is not quite as well known as the industry leaders, Hard Candy is becoming more and more popular. Hard Candy can be found at most Wal-Mart stores. Their products are not tested on animals and they are particularly well known for the edgy packaging and fashionista bent.

5. Oil of Olay

Oil of Olay is a reputable brand of cosmetics that is highly renowned for its affordable facial and anti-aging products like its Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream and several eye serums. Although most of these types of products come at a heavy price, Oil of Olay is particularly affordable and can be found at most drugstores, too.

6. Burt's Bees

Burt's Bees is a brand of healthy and beauty products that you can also find at most drugstores and other retailers. While Burt's Bees emphasis is mostly on hygiene, they do offer cosmetic products like lip glosses, eye creams, facial moisturizers, etc.

Burt's Bees is a bit pricier than most cosmetic lines, but their products are natural and they have a history of environmental friendliness.

7. Bare Escentuals

Bare Escentuals is a popular brand of cosmetics known especially for its mineral based makeup, which is also not tested on animals. Bare Escentuals emphasizes the natural look and can be purchased at affordable prices. Their products available at most outlets, including drugstores.

8. Maybelline

Maybelline is another giant in the affordable cosmetics industry, but it delivers quality products all the same. It's Mineral Makeup is especially highly praised, although it is best reserved for those without very oily skin. According to one reviewer, Maybelline Mineral Powder Foundation "takes the cake in terms of value.

9. Afterglow

Although this company is smaller and most of its products can be found more easily online through such retailers as Amazon.com, Afterglow is tops when it comes to organic value and sensitive skin. Afterglow is also noted for its outstanding customer service

10. Neutrogena

Neutrogena is a very affordable brand of cosmetics that can be found virtually everywhere. The best aspect of Neutrogena's line is its non comedogenic emphasis, meaning that their products are excellent for sensitive skin and have been shown to reduce acne over long term use. While Neutrogena's line is cruelty-free, it must be noted that its parent company, Johnson and Johnson is not.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Tisha Dotson, who writes on the topics of medical coding certification.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: tishadotson86 @gmail . com. 

One of the most effective ways to look youthful and younger is to pay plenty of attention to your eyes.

Babies and young children have relatively large eyes; this is a sign of youth and beauty. As we age the upper eyelid skin starts to drape over the lid and droops, eyelashes become less dense and short, excess fat and skin accumulates under the eyes, and the eye complex appears smaller. Genetics and continued sun exposure are the major contributing factors.

Here are a few suggestions to rejuvenate your eyes:

1.       Latisse is a great product that thickens lashes- It Simply Works.

2.       Chemical peels and Fraxel lasers can tighten the skin around the eyes

3.       Procedures such as Thermage and Endoscopic Brow lift can raise the eyebrows and open up the eye complex.

4.       Botox and Dysport place between the eyebrow and on the lateral aspect of the eyes can elevate eyebrows without making you look “surprised”.

5.       Fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane and Radiesse can fill in the hollowness under the yes and lift the eye complex by adding to the cheekbones.

6.       Cooltouch lasers build up collagen without the downtime of surgery- 4 to 6 treatments over 4 months are needed to get long lasting results.

One size does not fill all; allow us to design a program that works for you.

A. David Rahimi, MD, FAAD.

We all want to look out best. Sometimes it takes a special occasion, such as a reunion, to force us to better take care of ourselves.

One of our specialties is to make our patients look their best for their reunions. I often ask my patients to bring photos of themselves in their 20s and 30s. I look at Cosmetic Surgery as reconstruction.

Here are some simple and non-invasive procedures that can be done even a couple of weeks before the event to make you look your best:

·         Oxygen Facials: Purified Oxygen, mineral, and vitamins are directly infused into the skin. The cost is about $130 and it can make all the difference. Makeup sits better on the skin and pores tighten.

·         Botox and Dysport: We are platinum Members and have 12 years of experience with softening lines and raising the eyebrows without making you look frozen or surprised. Downtime is minimal and results are fantastic.

·         Fillers: Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Radiesse and more. Deep laugh lines are filled and lips can look their best.

·         Light peels: Glycolic and Jessner peels take only one week to heal and give you a glow.

·         Lasers: We have 7 different one s to choose from. From deep CO2 laser, Mixto Fraxel, Cooltouch, to Diolite and Laser hair removal.

·         Light sources: IPL also known as Intense Pulse Light can remove brown spots and fine lines

·         Thermacool: Non-surgical tightening perfected with the new NXT Themage. I lightly sedate my patients with a little Valium to get the best possible results.

Come in a allow us to make you look BEAUTIFUL.

Dr. A. David Rahimi

Do you look at your skin with a 5x or even 10x magnifiers. Are there a few specific areas that really bother you? If the answer is YES to the above; you should read this blog.

During my fellowship training I learned to perform chin implants in patients with receding chins and to tighten up loose necks. I used a variety of silicone implants: natural, anatomic, wrap-around, etc, and even some custom made ones.  I would offer it to my facelift patient on a regular basis and the results were generally good. The only drawback was that the implants could rarely move, spit or get infected.

Recently I noticed that I am using chin implants less and less often.  Fat transfers and the longer lasting fillers (such as Juvederm Ultra Plus) have all but replaced chin implants in my practice.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using fillers to augment the chin and jaw line:

Advantages:

·         Control over size of the chin: Most Chin implants come is 3 or 4 sizes. It is exceedingly difficult to find the perfect size for a patient. Most chins are also a little asymmetrical (just like the left and the right foot are not always equal). A symmetrical chin implant can accentuate an asymmetric chin and worsen the picture. Fillers (Juverderm, Radiesse, and Fat) are placed in tiny droplets and can be used to not only build up the chin and jaw line, but also to correct minute irregularities.

·         Gravity: A chin implant is permanent but the face changes over many years and decades. Chin implants that look good when you are 35 may not look as appealing at age 65. Fillers and even transplanted fat resorb and go away in 12 to 24 months. This gives you a chance to re-shape the face every few years and maintain a youthful look.

·         Very little risk of nerve damage, infection, or unsightly scarring. I have seen chin implants (and to a much greater degree cheek implants) move. It is exceedingly difficult to remove them. This may injure the nerves and cause a lot of skin laxity.

Disadvantages:

·         I would say that cost is the biggest disadvantage of using fillers rather than an implant to augment the chin. Fillers have become less and less expensive and are lasting longer.

Overall I have come to prefer fillers as a superior choice to augment the chin and jaw lines.

A. David Rahimi, MD,FAAD.

I often see challenging adult acne patients in my practice.  Women in their thirties and forties who complain of sudden change in skin texture, oiliness, and acne. This acne is usually deep and not well controlled with topical agents. A thorough history reveals irregular monthly cycles or painful and heavy cycles. Excess hair on the chin or abdominal area is another less noticed sign.

All these signs and symptoms can be the result of a condition called PCO: Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. Simply put cysts on the ovaries cause irregular hormone levels that lead to acne, excess hair, and skin textural changes.

Treatments include lifestyle changes, hormone replacements, and a good skin regimen. The good news is that it is very treatable. The excess hair can be treated with laser.

Ask your dermatologist or GYN doctor if you have irregular periods and acne that is just out of control.

A. David Rahimi, M.D,F.A.A.D.

The big event is nearing and you want to look your best. My first advice is not to do anything drastic right before the wedding. Redness form a laser or chemical peel procedure can really show in photographs. Green foundation can hide it to some degree but why put yourself in that position in the first place?

Also never try something new right before the wedding. For example don’t try Botox or Dysport for the first time right before the wedding. Even in the best of hands there is a small risk of bruising and drooping. Try to be finished with all your beautification projects at least a month before the wedding. AND don’t forget about him!

Here are some other pointers:

·         Don’t forget about your teeth; inexpensive bleaching trays can do wonders.

·         Have a reasonable exercise regimen- don’t get exhausted before the wedding.

·         Crash Diets won’t make you feel sexy and will work against you in the long run.

·         Get plenty of sleep

We can help if you are experiencing problems right before the wedding. Oxygen facials can reduce swelling and redness. Light glycolic peels and cortisone injections can reduce small cysts. Lasers such as the Diolite (800nm wavelength) can reduce redness and brown spots right away with little or no downtime.

Congratulations and enjoy the process.

Dr. A. David Rahimi