Vanising Varicose Veins

By Dr. Katie Rodan

As temperatures rise so do our hemlines, so it’s no surprise that each spring I suddenly see a lot of patients eager to make their varicose veins vanish instantly. If you too find yourself wishing away those pesky veins, you are not alone … an estimated 80 percent of women have them.

Unfortunately, treatment options are few and far between (and not to mention costly). In my office I treat spider veins with special injections designed to make veins collapse and disappear. These can be quite effective over time, but it takes multiple visits to achieve results.

While there’s no current at-home therapy available, you can camouflage the appearance of your varicose veins with a sunless tanner. Sunless tanners can do wonders for hiding veins, bruises and even cellulite, and nothing says “hello spring” like a healthy, faux glow.
Achieving that perfectly bronzed, streak-free look isn’t as easy as it sounds. But after a few years of trial and error, here are my tricks of the trade:

1. Start with a foaming formula that builds color gradually to create a more even, natural-looking glow.
2. Before applying the product, exfoliate skin to remove dead skin cells. If you shave your legs, do so before applying your sunless tanner; shaving afterwards will reduce the life of your glow.
3. Apply lotion to your knees, elbows, toes, toenails, heels and ankles to prevent your sunless tan from concentrating in those areas where skin is thickest. To avoid orange palms, wear protective gloves or wash hands with soap and water immediately after applying.
4. If you do make a mistake, use acetone or nail polish remover to remove any unintended color. Let skin dry at least 15 minutes before getting dressed and avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing for the next three to four hours to allow color to develop evenly.

Put these tips to work for you and you’ll be ready for the fashions of summer in no time.

Order Rodan+Fields Foaming Sunless Tan to keep your legs (and all your body parts) glowing year round. 

The Base Tan is Bad, Bad, Bad

By now, you know that sunburns are bad. But so is getting a so-called “base tan.” The “base tan” is a term popularized by tanning salons and refers to the practice of slowly and gradually developing a sun tan through sun exposure or a tanning bed, often before a tropical vacation or other sun-soaked event. The thinking is that somehow, this can prevent sunburn or sun damage.

Unfortunately, this just isn’t true. The UV rays that tan your skin in a tanning bed are identical to the UV rays that come from the sun. And while years of advertising have taught us to love the look of a tan, there is no such thing as a healthy tan. Sun exposure damages skin, and the pigment you see as a tan is the body’s reaction to this injury. And there’s nothing “healthy” or pretty about damaged skin.

Going out into the sun with a “base tan” will not prevent sunburn nor minimize damage. And although that bronze look might be nice, it can also disguise the signs that skin is burning. If you want to sport a healthy-looking glow for your next vacation, trade the tanning salon for a sunless tanner, and use a broad spectrum sunscreen when you go out in the sun.

You can find Rodan+Fields lotion and powder based sunscreen on my site – just click on the links below: 

Broad Spectrum Lotion – Use ESSENTIALS Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
Powder Based Sun Protection –ENHANCEMENTS Mineral Peptides Broad Spectrum 20
Need an Anti-Age Boost – Use REDEFINE Triple Defense Treatment SPF 30
Sensitive Skin – Use SOOTHE Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Sun Damaged Skin – Use REVERSE Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

Thanks to Rodan+Fields DermRF for this great article!  Check out the Ageless Rose website for deals, before and after pics, and more great products.

Why Microdermabrasion is Your Solution

Microdermabrasion uses tiny exfoliating crystals that are sprayed on the skin. It works best on problems such as dull skin, brown spots, and age spots.   Because it is non-invasive and does not use aggressive chemicals like peels, microdermabrasion is best used for surface skin rejuvenation.   

The technique also helps to thicken your collagen, which results in a younger looking complexion. Collagen is a protein in your skin that's abundant when you're a child and makes skin appear taut and smooth. Collagen production declines as we age, resulting in looser, uneven skin.

Are you Reunion Ready?

Quick: Your 20-year high school reunion is in a week. Which compliment are you hoping to receive?
A. You have such a nice car!
B. I wish my job was as neat as yours.
C. Wow. You look amazing!

Did you pick “C”? If so, you’re not alone. For most of us, looking great trumps cars and jobs, but it’s also a lot harder to embellish. July hosts almost a quarter of all high school reunions, yet attendance usually tops out at about 30 percent of the graduating class. One reason? Although reconnecting is exciting, the “long time/no see” microscope can be downright intimidating. (And, let’s face it: Carefully cultivating your Facebook appearance is a lot less scary than reconnecting in real life.)

The good news? You have more control over how you look than you think. Sure, nature plays a part in how you age—but only 20 percent. Our environment and our daily skincare and lifestyle habits account for 80 percent of visible aging changes. So whether you’re looking to refresh your complexion, minimize the appearance of aging, reverse brown spots, fade blemishes or calm red skin, it is possible to look better today than you did yesterday. 

Here is what you can use to take care of your skin concern before the big day:

Fine lines and wrinkles - Redefine Regimen - Can't do the whole regimen? Start with the Night Renewing Serum.
Dullness, Acne Scars and Fine Lines - Redefine MACRO Exfoliator - 5 minutes, once a week and your skin will look better than it has in a long, long time.
Blemishes and Acne - Use the Unblemish Regimen. Want to start small?  Get the Unblemish Acne Treatment Sulfur Wash. You can also use it in the shower to clear up back acne.
Brown Spots and Sun Damage - Use the Reverse Regimen.  It fades brown spots and evens out your skin tone. 
Sensitive Skin - Use the Soothe Regimen to get rid of blotches and skin irritation.  It works fast.

Source: Rodan+Fields DermRF

Putting Your Best Face Forward

The latest Skinpact by Dr. Kathy Fields has some great advice on looking your best:

Social media is making it easier to be found and harder to hide from connections and social commitments. When connecting with Facebook online brings you “face to face” with old friends offline, don’t shy away from being seen. It can be intimidating to reunite with someone you haven’t seen in a few years, but instead of stressing, remember that you have control over your skin’s future.

First, give your skin a healthy head start by selecting a regimen designed to target your top skin concerns such as aging or acne, and then use it daily and as directed. It’s incredible what a noticeable difference over-the-counter daily skincare can make in your skin’s appearance.

Starting Small with Skincare

The best anti-aging skincare products can be expensive.  Many brands charge over $100 for one serum bottle alone.  It better be magic in a bottle if you ask me!  At Rodan+Fields Dermatologists, you can get the REDEFINE Age Assault Regimen for $334.  It has everything you need, is a 60-day supply, and will give you visible results. But, not everyone wants to put that much money into a new skincare system.  I am one of them. 

Sunscreen Reverses Aging?

You know I am constantly on you to use sunscreen to protect your skin and slow down premature aging.  It pretty common knowledge that sun damage is no good for your skin and is the leading cause of premature aging. Well, hold on to your hats ladies!!!   Annals of Internal Medicine just published the result of the first large formal study on sun screen and aging.  It demonstrates that sunscreen not only slows skin aging…but reverses it!

 

According to Laurie Tarkan, an award-winning health journalist, “at the beginning of the study, 58 percent of participants had moderate photoaging, but by the end of the study, that number dropped to 49 percent, suggesting a decrease in photoaging in some of the participants. Get a skincare regimen and get in the habit of applying sunscreen. And remember, the sunscreen you put on in the morning will only last 3-4 hours tops. You’ll need to reapply throughout the day to keep your protection (and your age reversal) going. 

 

You can find Rodan+Fields lotion and powder based sunscreen on my site – just click on the links below:

 

Broad Spectrum Lotion – Use ESSENTIALS Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen 

Powder Based Sun Protection –Use ENHANCEMENTS Mineral Peptides Broad Spectrum 20 

Need an Anti-Age Boost – Use REDEFINE Triple Defense Treatment SPF 30

Sensitive Skin – Use SOOTHE Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 

Sun Damaged Skin – Use REVERSE Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

Retinoids and Peptides – Your Anti-Aging Arsenal

One of the major causes of aging is sun damage.  It’s just not fair, but it’s true.  Retinoids and Peptides should be in your anti-aging skincare arsenal.  This is because they are both effective in treating sun damaged skin AND reducing fine lines and wrinkles.  While Retin-A (retinoid) is the only FDA-approved topical treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, both peptides, Retin-A, and Alpha-hydroxys are shown in many studies to provide a boost to your skin. 

Retin-A (prescription form) and Retinol (over the counter cousin) are about as close to a silver bullet as you can get for fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage.  Retinoids normalize cell function, shrink pores, improve cell turnover, and affect the retention and production of collagen. These attributes combined provide you with a powerful tool for improving skin texture, fading sun spots and freckles, and reducing fine lines, acne scars and wrinkles. 

Alpha-Hydroxys and Anti-Aging Skincare

While you can’t control all the elements and how they impact your skin, there are things you can do to postpone the effects of aging and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.  If you simply moisturize and use sun protection, some wrinkles will naturally soften or disappear.  The next step is to look to cosmetics and cosmetic procedures to reduce wrinkles.  At the top of the ingredient list are products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), Retinoids (including Retin A), and Peptides.  This post focuses on Alpha-hydroxy acids. 

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) – AHAs are typically derived from food products including glycolic acid (from sugar cane), lactic acid (from sour milk), malic acid (from apples), citric acid (from citrus fruits) and tartaric acid (from grape wine).  Products made from glycolic acid may be more effective as this AHA does a better job of penetrating the skin. 

The Real Deal on Wrinkles

Wrinkles are a fact of life, a sign of maturity (for most of us) and add beautiful character to your face.  Getting them too early or getting too many, however, is something many of us try to avoid.  In order to reduce and reverse the effects of aging, you first need to understand why you get wrinkles and fine lines in the first place. 

Aging and Wrinkles
Although genetics plays a major part in how your face ages and when, environmental factor such as sun exposure, pollution and smoking are major contributors to wrinkles.  The outer layer of your skin, called the epidermis, is the “protector” of the inner layers of your skin.  However some environmental elements, like sun exposure, reach through the epidermis to the inner layers of your skin. The Dermis, the second layer of your skin, is the foundation for your face.  It plays an important role in connectivity, firmness, and elasticity. Over time this layer thins, produces less collagen, and loses its ability to “spring back”, causing the face to wrinkle and sag. As your skin ages, it doesn’t do as good a job at retaining moisture which gives it a double whammy to the wrinkle process. 

Treat Mom to Beautiful Skin

This year treat yourself and your mom to a gift your skin looking and feeling younger.  Just about every woman over 40 worries about the emergence of fine lines and wrinkles and for those with sun damage, it’s also the time those age spots start to appear.  With a little help from our skincare regimens, you can redefine the look and feel of your skin.  Here are our top picks that beauty magazines are raving about. 

Redefine Hand Treatment Regimen ($67)- To defend against the telltale signs of skin aging, we created the REDEFINE Hand Treatment Regimen. It visibly brightens, diminishes visible redness and reduces the appearance of brown spots, wrinkles and thin, crepey skin. Regimen includes REDEFINE Hand Brightening Treatment and REDEFINE Age Shield Hand Balm. 50 mL/1.7 fl.oz and 30g/1.0 oz.

Redefine Age Assault ($334) - Combat the visible signs of aging with our new Age Assault collection, clinically proven to give Father Time a run for his money. Featuring our top selling REDEFINE products at an incredible savings, this comprehensive skincare arsenal can help stop the visible signs of aging in its tracks. Collection Includes:

• REDEFINE Regimen for the Appearance of Lines, Pores and Loss of Firmness (REDEFINE Daily Cleansing Mask 4.2 fl. oz., REDEFINE Pore Minimizing Toner 4.2 fl. oz., REDEFINE Triple Defense Treatment 1 fl. oz., REDEFINE Overnight Restorative Cream 1 fl. oz.)
• REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream (.5 fl. oz.)
• REDEFINE Night Renewing Serum (60 capsules)
• REDEFINE Lip Renewing Serum (60 capsules)

The Skinny on the Redefine MACRO E

Want to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and change the look and feel of your skin? Or maybe you are a salon looking to add quality services?

The Redefine Macro Exfoliator is our latest innovation that is making headlines in beauty magazines across the US. In its first release, our 3 month supply flew off the shelves in less than three weeks.

The new Redefine Macro Exfoliator from Rodan+Fields Dermatologists uses innovative technology to remove dead skin cells safely. 5 minutes, once a week is all you need to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve the vibrancy of your skin. Plus, it will help your skin to benefit from your current skincare products.

With results that mirror expensive office procedures for macro-dermabrasion, the Macro E from Rodan+Fields is the latest and greatest in anti-age skin care and will boost your skin's health. Have a salon? Buy two and provide it as a paid service to your customers. You can't lose.  Order the MACRO Exfoliator today. 

Shedding Light on Sunblock

Believe it or not, sunblocks are not created equal. It’s just not the level of protection that you should consider when choosing a sunblock, but also the type and longevity of that protection.   This is a good reminder to all of us to be careful about the products we use and do our research.  Thankfully, the FDA has just made it easier to know which sunblock does what so that we can make informed decisions based on what we need. 

The sun emits both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation.  While UVB is the main culprit in sunburn, UVA has a higher likelihood of causing skin cancer and premature aging.  Not all sunscreens protect you from both. This is why the FDA has mandated that stricter testing and labeling.  Only those sunscreens that pas the “Broad Spectrum” test, protecting against both UVA and UVB radiation, can be labeled as such.  With these new regulations, sunscreen products that protect against all types of sun induced skin damage will be labeled “Broad Spectrum” and “SPF 15 (or higher)” (Source: USDA).  In addition, sunscreens that are not broad spectrum will include a cautionary label “Skin Cancer/Aging Alert…”.

Please see the latest update from the USDA for more information on the FDA sunscreen regulations.

And, order your sun protection products for your face, body and lips from Rodan+Fields today.  Try the sun protection products with our Reverse Regimen if you already have sun damaged skin.