Friday, August 8, 2014

Organic Facials



Each mask used in our facials, has been formulated by Beauty Redefined using all natural, organic ingredients and extracts.


Upper Body Ergonomic Massage and Facial
1 hour appointment
Available every other Saturday

First time Facial Discount: $60

Regular price: $120




Your facial will begin with gentle massaging Vivite Exfoliating Cleanser onto your face and neck to remove any make-up and excess dead skin.

To best suit your skin type and needs, we will choose a facial from the following:

H2O Mask - hydrates and balances your skins moisture level
Best for dry skin types.

Azulene Mask - removes impurities while calming and soothing the skin
Best for acne prone and sensitive skin, less intense than Iced Mint Mask. Some key ingredients include Aloe Vera and Chamomile for calming the tissue.

Chamomile Mask - reduces redness and inflammation commonly associated with rosacea
Best for rosacea, redness, and for general soothing. Some key ingredients include Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Calendula extracts and Lemon Oil.

Iced Mint Mask - controls oily complexions by deep cleaning and refining your pore sizes
Best for acne prone skin, more intense than Azulene Mask. Some key ingredients are Oil of Peppermint and Menthol.


While your mask soaks in, you will receive an Upper Body Ergonomic Massage and Lyphatic Drainage pressure point application to release tension in key areas as well as moving toxins to drain from the body.

After your mask is removed, we will apply Vivite Antioxidant Serum to your skin followed by our Beauty Redefined C-Serum to boost your results and nurture your skin.


If you like, you may opt to have your makeup applied with our All Natural Mineral Makeup line that wont clog your pores or damage your skin. Our Medical Esthetician is specially trained for makeup application, facial application, and skin care. We can then apply a light layer of sunblock for a finishing touch. An extra 30 minutes, and $20 fee will be added to your appointment if you would like the professional makeup evaluation and application.


Express Mini Facial
30 minute  appointment
Available on Wednesdays and Fridays

First time Facial Discount $30

Regular Price $60


Your facial will begin with gentle massaging Vivite Exfoliating Cleanser onto your face and neck to remove any make-up and excess dead skin.

To best suit your skin type and needs, we will choose a facial from the following:

H2O Mask - hydrates and balances your skins moisture level
Best for dry skin types.

Azulene Mask - removes impurities while calming and soothing the skin
Best for acne prone and sensitive skin, less intense than Iced Mint Mask. Some key ingredients include Aloe Vera and Chamomile for calming the tissue.

Chamomile Mask - reduces redness and inflammation commonly associated with rosacea
Best for rosacea, redness, and for general soothing. Some key ingredients include Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Calendula extracts and Lemon Oil.

Iced Mint Mask - controls oily complexions by deep cleaning and refining your pore sizes
Best for acne prone skin, more intense than Azulene Mask. Some key ingredients are Oil of Peppermint and Menthol.


While your mask soaks in, you will receive a Mini Ergonomic Massage and Lyphatic Drainage pressure point application to release tension in the lower arms, hands and wrists as well as moving toxins to drain from the body.

After your mask is removed, we will apply Vivite Antioxidant Serum to your skin followed by our Beauty Redefined C-Serum to boost your results and nurture your skin.


If you like, you may opt to have your makeup applied with our All Natural Mineral Makeup line that wont clog your pores or damage your skin. Our Medical Esthetician is specially trained for makeup application, facial application, and skin care. We can then apply a light layer of sunblock for a finishing touch. An extra 30 minutes, and $20 fee will be added to your appointment if you would like the professional makeup application.


Friday, May 30, 2014

Medical Skin Care V.S. Drug Store "Skin Care" Products

As a professional in the medical aesthetics field, we often hear these common questions from our clients: What is the difference between a “professional” skin care cosmeceutical vs. a brand you can find “over-the-counter” at a drug or department store?  Is there really a difference, or is it all a bunch of fancy marketing talk and pretty pictures?  Can you get nice results with drugstore cosmetic brands, or will your results be better with professional cosmeceuticals? Too often, consumers fall under the spell of cosmetic company marketing and advertising claims, and will spend a lot of money on expensive over-the-counter cosmetics that really don’t work in the skin.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) divides skin care products into two distinct categories: pharmaceutical and cosmetic.  Topical pharmaceuticals penetrate through the layers of the epidermis and affect the structure and function of the skin (think of prescription topical steroids or Retin-A).  Cosmetics are defined as ” … articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance …”  Pharmaceutical drugs may undergo more than 10 years of drug approval testing that may cost hundreds of millions of dollars — whereas, cosmetics do not have to prove their claims, but they can cite “scientific studies” of the ingredients used in their product formulations to validate the safety and efficacy of the ingredient formula.

Cosmeceuticals are the “happy medium” between a pharmaceutical and a cosmetic.  The word “cosmeceutical” really is not categorized by the FDA, but it is a word that is used in the professional skin care arena to describe a cosmetic that actually has biological action, but is regulated as a cosmetic — meaning, again, the formula does not technically have to prove efficacy or safety, but it does contain an ingredient that may have activity in the skin.

You will find many of the same catch phrases when you read an advertisement for skin care: “Dermatologist-Tested,” “Clinically Proven,” “Clinical Studies show that …,” “Clinically Tested.”  But interpret these phrases with caution, especially when trying to choose a skin care line that works best for your practice and clientele.  Since cosmetic companies really don’t have to prove efficacy claims, the special active ingredient touted in the formula only has to appear somewhere on the ingredient list – ingredients are listed in content order, from most to least, so if you see that “active” on the last half of the list (usually alphabetically) you can bet you are getting a tiny percentage (enough to be effective in the formulation?) of that specific ingredient. When you see these types of claims, start asking questions:

·     What was tested — an individual ingredient or the finished formulation?
·     How was it tested, in-vitro (in a test tube or petri dish, in an ideal environment), or was it tested in-vivo (on actual skin)?
·     Were the studies double-blinded (meaning, the person applying the product and the person evaluating the results each have no knowledge of what they are applying or evaluating; it is strictly objective)
·     Was the formula tested against placebo cream (like glycerin or petrolatum), or against nothing, or against another type of similar product?
·     How long was the test conducted?  On how many participants?

Because many consumers “self-diagnose” when choosing a skin care product to try from a drug or department store, these products must be made safely, meaning, big cosmetic companies cannot afford to have masses of consumers with issues from using very active products — so, that skin care product may feel good and smell good, but it likely won’t have a lot of activity in the formulation.

Over-the-counter cosmetics are also manufactured and distributed in very large batches, and are packed with almost as many preservatives as “active” ingredients!  In addition, many over-the-counter cosmetics simply do not penetrate the skin barrier, where the ingredient formula would have a therapeutic benefit to the health of the skin.   Remember too, it’s not just about one really fabulous ingredient — it’s the mixture of the right amounts of active ingredients working synergistically together that work best in the skin, similar to how oral multivitamins work internally in our bodies with a mixture of vitamins and minerals for best absorption.

It is important to note that many single ingredients that test very well in in-vitro testing actually have no function in human skin when mixed into a formulation — yet, we still believe the “clinical study” claims from in-vitro studies.  As well, many companies that cite clinical study results will notprovide clinical study documentation.  Rare is the cosmeceutical company that tests their finished formulations and then offers full clinical study details for the public to see.  You will sometimes find peer-reviewed cosmetic formulation studies in dermatology or cosmetic surgery journals, which lends more credibility to the testing process.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Sun Protection




Sun Protection 

No matter how active your lifestyle, the most important part of any skin care regimen is the product you select to protect your skin from UV ray damage and sun exposure. Damage from UV rays can cause premature aging, dark spots and even skin diseases. 

One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.

For the most complete sun protection:
  • Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. When you're outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.
  • Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.
  • Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing — which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.

We offer three forms of sun protection for your face. Vivite SPF 30, Vivite Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15, and Beauty Redefined Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15. 

For more product information you can visit our online store at 
http://store.beauty-redefined.com/index.html

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Harmful additives in Makeup and Skin Care


From shampoo to sunscreen, we all use products to look and feel better. But could some ingredients actually be making the problem worse?
“Definitely make sure there are no parabens, no sulfates, that’s a good place to at least start,” said Melissa Lenberg, a makeup artist and owner of Citrine Natural Beauty Bar in the Biltmore Fashion Park.
Lenberg says toxic chemicals linked to cancer, hair loss, and even reproductive harm are common side effects of commonly-used chemicals.
“This is everything you use on your body. This is your deodorant, your toothpaste, your hair products,” said Lenberg. “Formaldehyde is a poison; it’s what we use to embalm bodies. But it’s also what they use to give products their shelf life.”
New, free apps like “Think Dirty” and websites from the Environmental Working Group aim to educate consumers about the ingredients in everyday products. 
According to the Campaign for Safe Products, some of the big ingredients to watch out for include:
Mercury - found in some eye drops, ointment and deodorants
Lead acetate - found in some hair dyes and cleanser
Formaldehyde and toluene - found in nail products
Coal tar - found in dandruff shampoos, anti-itch creams and hair dyes
Placenta - found in some hair relaxers, moisturizers and toners
Phthalates - found in some nail polish, fragrances and hair spray
Melissa Lenberg has been researching health and beauty products for nearly a decade. She suggests using products that are all-natural, like jojoba and coconut oils. A good rule – if you can’t pronounce it, it’s probably not good for you.
“We love to feel pretty, but we also want to be healthy and safe too,” said Lenberg.
For a safe, paraben free and all natural mineral makeup line, try Beauty Redefined's All Natural Mineral Makeup. All of our products are paraben free, formaldehyde free, gluten free, fragrance free, and hypoallergenic. We have created a natural line that is for clients to we are makeup and have skin care that will not damage your skin, or undo the work we do here in the office to help you improve, repair and enhance your natural skin's beauty. 
For more information visit www.beauty-redefined.com

5 Bad Habits That Damage Your Skin


Like all medical professionals, dermatologists subscribe to the Latin proverb "primum non nocere," or "first, do no harm." But, when it comes to your beauty routine, sometimes derms really, really want to smack you upside the head. "It’s amazing what some people do to their skin," says Doris Day, M.D., dermatologist and clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center.
Habit 1: Picking At Your Skin
Hands off! Look, a zit only lasts a few days—a week, max—but residual redness and hyperpigmentation from picking and scratching can remain for months or even years. "Picking isn't just an issue with acne—it can cause scarring whenever and wherever you pick, whether it starts with keratosis pilaris, a bug bite, or for no reason at all," says Heidi Waldorf, M.D., dermatologist and director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. "In fact, if you start scratching a spot of normal skin, after a while it will thicken. And it can become an itchy bump, also called a prurigo nodule."
"Laser hair removal helps for people picking at hairs," she says. "If that hair's not there, there's nothing to pick. Resurfacing lasers like the Pixel or Photofacial can help even out hyperpigmentation."
Habit 2: Licking Your Lips—A Lot
There's a myth out there that claims people can get addicted to lip balm. We checked—it's not real. "These people just have dry skin and miss the feeling of the balm when it's gone," says Day. You know what's really addictive? Lip licking. But when you moisten your lips that way, you actually wind up making things worse. The water in your saliva evaporates, leaving lips withered and cracked. "Saliva can contain bacteria and irritants, so you can end up with a rash around the lips as well," says Day.
An aside: You might be tempted to brush your lips since flakes make lip color look particularly craggy and gross. Day says forget what you've read, and put down the toothbrush—a gentle swipe with a damp washcloth will suffice. "In trying to get a smoother look for a lipstick, brushing just makes them rougher and bumpier," she says. "Lips don't have oil glands, so you don't need to exfoliate them like the rest of your skin." 
To repair damaged, dry and cracking lips, try Vivite Lip Plumper. It brings natural moisture to your lips, plumps and helps rebalance your lips natural moisture for a smooth surface to apply non-damaging lipsticks such as our all natural Mineral Lipstick or all natural Mineral Lip Gloss. For an amazing result, apply Vivite Lip Plumper 5 mins before applying our all natural Lip Luxe lip gloss.  
Habit 3: A One-and-Done SPF Style
Nothing—and we mean nothing—bothers a skin doc like a patient who's blasé about their SPF game. "Caucasian patients who come in the color of red walnut tell me they don't understand how it happened when they applied an SPF 100," says Waldorf. "I show them my spotless skin after spending a week outdoors in Thailand and Brazil using only SPF 30+. What people need to understand is that you need to use enough, often enough."
You'd think derms would be on-board with ultra-high SPF sunscreens, but nope. Turns out, these provide only marginally better protection than an SPF 30 lotion, which filters more than 95 percent of UV rays. Worse, they give a false sense of security. "Just as wearing a safety belt doesn't give you permission to drive 90 miles per hour on black ice while texting, applying a high-SPF sunscreen doesn't give you permission to remain outside otherwise unprotected all day," says Waldorf.

Apply enough broad-spectrum sunscreen to fill a shot glass—and apply it a half-hour before you go outside. (It needs time to soak in.) Then, reapply every two to four hours. For extra credit—and extra sun protection—layer on SPF-infused foundations, concealers, bronzers, blushes, and lip colors. Mineral makeup, such as Beauty Redefined's All Natural Mineral Line have a natural SPF 15 in all foundations, concealers, and blush. Try applying your natural mineral makeup with it's natural SPF, then lightly tap on your SkinMedica SPF30+ over your makeup for a sure-fire coverage. All you will need to do is apply SkinMedica SPF30+ lightly again about every 3 hours, without messing up your makeup! 
For more information about makeup and quality SPF, contact our office at www.beauty-redefined.com
Habit 4: Ignoring Skin Fluctuations
"It’s important to pay attention to your skin and give it what it needs, the way it needs it, when it needs it," says Day. That means using lightweight, mattifying products in the summer; switching to heavier, more emollient ones in the winter; and using acne-fighting products before your period starts. ("If you wait until you're broken out, you're already behind," says Day.)
And don't rely on spot treatments. "Studies show that when you see a pimple, there are more in the surrounding area that haven't come up yet," she says. If your forehead is a problem area, treat the whole forehead. Ditto for the chin. 
For help understanding your skin and its fluctuations, schedule a consultation with Kelly, our skin care specialist. She will ask you the right questions to help you better understand the best skin care regimen to stay ahead of your fluctuations instead of scrambling to constantly repair. 
www.beauty-redefined.com
Habit 5: Exfoliating Your Face Off
Dermatologists understand why people love Clarisonic brushes and the super-clean feeling you get after using them or your favorite exfoliator. But chasing that beauty high has led a lot of patients to overdo it, scrubbing skin into a blotchy, irritated mess. Exfoliating too often breaks down the skin-barrier function, meaning new skin never has a chance to build up. Skin becomes more sensitive to irritation, which leads to inflammation and actually speeds aging.
For oily skin we recommend exfoliating every other day, for dry skin to exfoliate about once to twice a week, and for combination skin to exfoliate once to twice a week as well. Using the Clarisonic is not only for the benefit of exfoliating, but the technology in the Clarisonic helps to rejuvenate your natural collagen when used correctly. For more information on exfoliating and the Clarisonic, schedule a free consultation with Kelly, our skin care specialist. 
www.beauty-redefined.com

Sleeping in Makeup



The question: Is not washing your face before bed every once in a while really that bad?
The expert: Dennis Gross M.D., founder of 900 5th Dermatology in New York City and creator of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
The answer: The quick answer: yes, it really is that bad.
survey over the summer revealed a third of women sleep with their makeup on at least two nights a week. Doing so can clog your pores and oil glands, says Gross. “When the makeup becomes impacted in pores, it can make them appear larger.” It also stretches them out and, unfortunately, since your skin collagen levels decline as you age, your pores won't bounce back to their original size as easily, says Gross.
Not only does skimping on cleansing clog and stretch your pores, Gross says that skipping your nightly washing routine can also cause inflammation—which can generate free radicals and lead to collagen breakdown. (Collagen is that amazing thing that keeps your skin firm and taut.) These factors, combined with larger pores, can make your skin age faster. So as Gross says, “It’s best to break this habit sooner rather than later.”

To improve your skin's natural vibrance and avoid or help repair prolonged damage to your skin from makeup use, contact our office for quality medical grade skin care and truly all natural mineral makeup.

www.beauty-redefined.com
Reference: Womens Health Magazine

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Men and Skin Care



Men, should you use skin care products? Enjoy some of these facts:

According to a recent study, men with a healthy skin color are more attractive to women then those with a masculine face. Researchers said it was “healthy” skin that was most attractive.

Because men are less likely to keep an eye on their skin, they are more at risk of having an advanced melanoma requiring radical treatment. Statistics show more than 50 percent of the current annual melanoma deaths in the U.S. are men.


Men are typically outdoors more than women, exposing their skin to more UV rays, environmental pollution, wind damage, all these factors that age the skin, producing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

If you want to learn more about skin care for men, schedule a free consultation with our skin care specialist online at www.beauty-redefined.com

Friday, February 28, 2014

Different Treatment Options

If time and money are on your side, these proven innovations are worth a trip to Beauty Redefined.




Botulinum Toxin

Star Power: Injections of botulinum toxin (brand names Botox and Xeomin) smooth away wrinkles by blocking the nerve impulses that cause muscle movement. When Botox was approved for cosmetic use in 2002, many patients wound up trading wrinkles for immobile eyebrows. In the years since, doctors have mastered how to smooth lines without making people look petrified or poker-faced. In fact, doctors now inject less toxin with each treatment than they used to. Expect results to last about three months at first. "After you've used botulinum toxin for a couple of years, it will last closer to six months," says Cheryl Karcher, MD, a New York City dermatologist. "And I have some patients who need only yearly touch-ups."

Who Might Benefit: Anyone who wouldn't miss her expression lines. Botox and Xeomin are FDA approved to treat frown lines (the "11s" between the brows) but are frequently used "off-label" to uncrinkle crow's-feet and horizontal forehead lines. Some doctors also use botulinum toxin for trickier applications: to soften vertical lines in the neck, for masseter reduction or between the breasts, to smooth puckering around the lips, and to lift the corners of the mouth.

You Should Know: Toxin injections can cause bruising. If injected incorrectly, they could also leave you with a droopy eyelid or—when used around the mouth—a drooling problem. "There are no long-term adverse effects caused by FDA-approved botulinum toxin," says Arielle Kauvar, MD, "but an unskilled doctor can create some pretty embarrassing, if mercifully temporary, side effects." So be sure you go to someone who knows what they are doing, and have been doing it for years.





Hyaluronic Acid Filler

Star Power: When applied topically, hyaluronic acid subtly plumps the skin for hours. When injected, it dramatically plumps the skin—for months. In the decade since Restylane, the first hyaluronic acid filler, was approved by the FDA, doctors have learned to use these injectables not only to soften the lines that can't be smoothed with Botox (the nasolabial folds) but also to replump the contours of the face that gradually lose definition (the cheekbones) or become hollow (the temples). Research has now shown that hyaluronic acid fillers can even help reverse aging by encouraging the skin to produce more collagen.

Who Might Benefit: If you want to plump your lips or smooth your nasolabial folds, consider Juvéderm. Radiesse and Voluma XC are a bit thicker (and sometimes last longer) and are ideal for restoring volume around the cheekbones and along the jawline. Belotero was FDA approved in 2011 and is favored for filling the hollows under the eyes: It won't create the bluish tinge that other hyaluronic acid fillers can leave when injected beneath thin skin.

You Should Know: Juvéderm, Radiesse, Belotero and Voluma can include lidocaine to ease the pain of injection, but it still stings. You may bruise and can expect some swelling for about 24 hours after an injection. 




Fractional Nonablative Laser (Pixel Laser Treatment)

Star Power: With pixilated beams of light, this laser can boost collagen, smooth wrinkles, and in some cases break up pigment beneath the skin—without the weeks of redness, swelling, and peeling that accompanied its predecessors. Only a fraction of the skin is targeted with each treatment; after about five, you have "resurfaced" your face, giving you a profound improvement in skin texture, and even some tightening.

Who Might Benefit: Are fine lines and roughness your issue? The Pixel minimize lines and leave skin luminous. If discoloration is your problem, consider the Photofacial. It uses two wavelengths of light: One remodels collagen for smoothing; the other erases age spots.

You Should Know: Fractionated lasers leave your skin red and peeling for several days. Even with topical lidocaine, you'll experience heat and stinging during each treatment. 




Chemical Peel

Star Power: A chemical peel, in which an acid solution is painted on the skin to lift away the upper layers, minimizes discoloration, smooths lines and crepiness, and even—when done deeply enough—helps tighten the skin.

Who Might Benefit: If you want a glow for a few days, a glycolic peel is your best bet. To reduce breakouts, try a series of salicylic acid peels, such as the Jessner Peel. A Vitalize peel or Jessner Peel can improve pigment. To improve the skin on your chest, back, or hands, a chemical peel is a great option.

You Should Know: Some peels, like the Jessner Peel, yield dramatic results in one treatment—but leave skin red and peeling for up to ten days. Light glycolic peels require little downtime but have a less transformative effect.