This 30-year, untampered evidence of sun damage is a visual
that will have you applying your SPF immediately! The photo first came to us from our
friends at Colorescience. Here is the link to the entire story on Huffpost Living Canada, "Bill McElligott, Delivery Truck Driver, Has Severe Sun Damage On One Side Of His Face."
R medical spa Product Special for MAY only:
Buy 1 Sunscreen, Get 1 50% OFF!
We applaud Angelina Jolie and thousands of other women just like her as they make courageous choices that can change their future. This is in appreciation of her actions and dedication to raising awareness about these choices.
Angelina Jolie wrote an op-ed piece published on May 14, 2013 in The New York Times called "My Medical Choice," in which she describes her recent surgery, experiences, thoughts and feelings. Jolie's decision to have a double mastectomy was based a genetic test for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. This test was conducted because of her family history of cancer. Marcheline Bertrand, Angelina Jolie's mother, died in 2007 after a six-year battle with ovarian cancer.
Everyone has the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes; but harmful mutations of these genes can increase a person's likelihood to develop cancer, especially breast and ovarian for women; breast, testicular and prostate for men; and pancreatic, stomach, gallbladder, bile duct, and melanoma for both men and women. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has a webpage, BRCA1 & BRCA2: Cancer Risk & Genetic Testing, dedicated to understanding more about these genes. It is a wealth of information about what these genes are, how the test is conducted, and how they affect a person's risk of developing cancer.
The family history factors that Angelina Jolie used to help make the decision to have the genetic testing conducted are listed under question 6 on the NCI website. They are:
Read more about gene testing in "7 Questions on Cancer Gene Testing," an article on CNN Health's website written by Dr. Susan Domchek, a board-certified medical oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center.
Visit the Breast Reconstruction webpage from the makers of the silicone gel breast implants that our physicians use when performing the same breast reconstruction surgery that was part of Angelina Jolie's regimen.
In May, we like to talk to everyone about "Melanoma Awareness" month ... because it is Melanoma Awareness month ... but, also because prevention takes attention and action.
SO, LET ME GET YOUR ATTENTION:
Last May, I wrote about ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun and tanning devices being listed by the Department of Health and Human Services as a known carcinogen! This means that exposure to UVR can lead to the development of skin cancer because UVR is a substance known to cause mutations in skin cells.
Here are some other attention-getters:
Now it's time for some ACTION:
Last May, I posted a blog about the Skin Cancer Foundation's recommended sunscreens and clothing. The photos on this blog show you what logo to look for when you are purchasing products. The Skin Cancer Foundation has recommendations on cosmetics, moisturizers, sunglasses, even window protection and they update their list as new products are made and submitted for testing.
This May on our Facebook page, I am sharing The ABCDEs of Melanoma found here on the Skin Cancer Foundation's website.
We believe that knowledge is power, and action will make positive change happen!
Find out how we are are helping our patients get protected with our PRODUCT SPECIAL.
There have been many studies conducted on the health benefits of chocolate and they are coming back with sweet findings!
Bill Ward summarizes them nicely in his article, "Some Tasty News About Chocolate" found on Minneapolis's StarTribune website.
It can improve blood flow, might reduce the risk of strokes, reduces risk of heart disease, improves cognition in "older" people, and could increase longevity.
They are suggesting that you pair your chocolate with something else that provides good health benefits, like nuts, and avoid chocolate combined with too much fat or "sugar-laden additives," like caramel.
Recently published in the prestigious Journal of Investigative Dermatology, a scientific study of the effects of BroadBand Light on aging skin cells shows dramatic changes to the aging process at both the molecular level and the skin visible to the naked eye. This study's findings were also published in The Wall Street Journal's article, "Stanford University Study Finds Evidence that BroadBand Light Treatment Promotes Youthful Skin on a Molecular Level."
These findings may have taken us a giant step toward the proverbial Fountain of Youth. Our skin care nurses, Angie Betlach, RN and Anne Strate, BSN, RN recently attended an exclusive training by Dr. Patrick H Bitter, a board-certified dermatologist and one of six researchers who conducted and contributed to the scientific study and on the Forever Young BBL™ treatments.
The science shows that, not only does the BBL effectively revert the genomes that affect our aging process in our DNA, but also shows that the affected cells transcribe, or reproduce, the same younger information to new cells. With maintenance treatments, skin can stay effectually Forever Young™
For more information about how you can start stopping your aging process, contact Angie or Anne.
SEE YOUR AFTERS ... BEFORE! Here at Renaissance Plastic Surgery, we are excited to enhance your breast augmentation consultation experience with the 3D Imaging technology, Vectra XT. Using multiple cameras, the Vectra XT takes multiple pictures simultaneously from several different points of view. The pictures are used to build a three dimensional virtual model of you. The three dimensional photograph of you can be rotated on the screen and viewed from almost any angle. The software then allows your doctor to apply simulation tools that change the size, shape and position of your breasts to achieve your desired appearance. Once you are satisfied with the result, your doctor will develop a surgical plan based on the changes you have made. Schedule your free breast augmentation consultation by calling Jennifer or Susan at 636-896-0600.
Here Dr. Boschert introduces the Vectra to April Trupiano from StreetScape TV.
Watch as Dr. Craig introduces the Vectra on Show Me St. Louis.
Did you catch yesterday's episode of The Doctors which featured the Sciton, a laser resurfacing technique? Dr. Adam Scheiner demostrated the use of the Sciton TRL Laser for lower eyelid concerns, puffiness or bags.
Anne Strate, BSN, RN, one of our skin care specialists, talks more about her experience for lower eyelid treatment with the Sciton TRL Laser, which, here at Renaissance Plastic Surgery and R medical spa, we have been using for more than 8 years.
"Erbium resurfacing is one of the gold standards in cosmetic non-surgical treatments for tightening and eliminating wrinkles and reversing the signs of sun damage. The Sciton TRL laser allows us to customize the depth of treatment to fit the patients available downtime and desired outcome. One of the most amazing results we have seen lately is with lower eyelid resurfacing.
Many people have a loss of elasticity or “snap” to the lower eyelids and fine lines that can not be treated with things such as Botox. For the longest time all we had to treat this was a lower eyelid surgery. We have some people though that aren’t quite ready for surgery or the laxity of the skin is not severe enough for surgery yet. Having a non surgical laser treatment that yields significant tightening has “bought some time” for these patients.
This treatment has about 1 week of social downtime. The treated area appears red, like a sunburn, and requires ointment to be applied for the first few days after treatment. There is very little to no pain, although swelling can be significant the first few days after the treatment.
Any residual redness can be covered with makeup approximately 1 week post treatment. Patients can see an immediate tightening and less wrinkles after one treatment and results continue to improve, even up to six months, due to the increased collagen production in the area."
