What Causes Skin Damage?

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We go about our daily lives, for years, not thinking twice about the impact the environment is having on our skin. Then, one day – bam! Just like that, we look in the mirror and we have aged.  Whether it’s our neck (jowls), face, hands, or other parts of our bodies, we just do not look the same.

There are many causes to environmental skin damage such as excess sun exposure, unhealthy diet & skin damage, cigarettes and alcohol, repetitive face movement, and chemical irritants.

The sun gives your skin a nice warm feeling that we enjoy and crave, whether we are at the beach, doing outdoor activities, or just driving around.  However, that same radiant heat causes rapid aging of multiple skin layers. It also causes a decrease in collagen production that affects the elasticity the skin has. This combination causes fine lines and wrinkles to form along with hyperpigmentation. The sun’s beams bring out a chemical in your body associated with melanin that will darken your skin resulting in sun damage.

Some of the most common signs of sun damage are:

  • Sunburns
  • Actinic keratosis
  • Age spots
  • Atypical moles
  • Rosacea
  • Wrinkles
  • Poikilodema of Civatte or Sun Aging

Here are some examples of skin damage

The skin is the largest organ in the body and is affected by everything around it. This includes when we have an internal imbalance. Pollutants in the air, lotions, clothing detergents, soap, smoke, exhaust fumes, and other things have harmful chemicals that cause skin issues. Always have a diet that includes fruit and vegetables that can help to combat free radicals along with drinking plenty of water on a daily basis.

The good news is there are treatments to help reverse the damage that has been done. The technology improves constantly by leaps and bounds.  But the best and most effective treatments use laser technology.  The best and most powerful laser on the market is the Sciton and the BBL treatment to remove sun damage, pigmentation, and fine lines and wrinkles.  If you’re ready to bring your skin back to its youthful glow, book an appointment today with Vivia for your Sciton treatment!

 

Vivia Center offers skin care treatments covering a wide range of needs utilizing the latest technologies, giving patients a superior service from a medical team they know and trust.

 

Enjoyed this blog? You may also be interested in https://viviacenter.com/what-is-an-age-spot/.

 

What Is a Liquid Facelift

What Is a Liquid Facelift and Is It Right for You?

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What is a Liquid Facelift and what is PRP Therapy? Better yet, which one is right for you? Vivia Center breaks down these two options for you.

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Dark Knees and Elbows

What Causes Dark Spots on Knees and Elbows?

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Why is the skin on our knees and elbows often darker than the skin on our arms and legs? Find out here!

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winter feet

Winter Foot Care Tips

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Put your best foot forward! According to predictions, six more weeks of winter weather may be coming to a neighborhood near you. With that in mind, don’t neglect your feet simply because they’re hidden in your boots. Here are winter foot care tips to keep feet healthy and happy this season:

Keep them clean. Wash feet regularly with soap and water and dry thoroughly. To avoid excess moisture, add a small amount of foot powder to socks. Ladies, give the toenails a break and remove old nail polish to allow nails to rejuvenate under layers of footwear. Tip: Avoid perfumed soaps when washing feet, it make cause additional irritation.

Wear wool-blend socks. It’s important to keep feet dry and warm during winter because excess moisture around feet can lower the body temperature and lead to other health risks, including frostbite. In this case, wool-blend socks wick away moisture from your feet, keeping them warm and dry. Tip: Buy wool socks in various thicknesses for year-round comfort.

Evaluate boots and winter footwear. Don’t be tempted to go up a size larger, it may lead to blisters and discomfort. Make sure your toes have wiggle room in the front while the heel, instep, and ball of the foot are firmly in place. Proper fitting boots will prevent foot injuries too. Tip: In icy weather, add on extra traction to your shoes or boots with ice grippers.

Prepare for weather! When enjoying the outdoor sports like skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating, choose footwear fitted specifically for height, weight, and experience to help reduce injuries. Tip: Most ski areas offer tune-ups on equipment, including boots.

Get dry fast. Remove wet socks and boots as soon as possible! Wipe off any moisture from feet and put on warm dry socks. Before heading back outside, confirm the inside of boot is dry before stepping in to avoid repeating the previous steps. Tip: Take a pair of wool socks along when you try-on new winter footwear for the best fit.

The feet are the foundation and support of the body. A balance occurs when feet are clean and comfortable. Happy feet provide a positive energy for the whole body. Do you have questions about winter foot care? Check out Vivia Center’s services to make you beautiful, any time of the year.

Vivia Center offers skin care treatments covering a wide range of needs utilizing the latest technologies, giving patients a superior service from a medical team they know and trust.

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5 Winter Hair Tips

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We all want it, we all crave it, we envy others who have it! What is it? Beautiful and strong hair of course! As the cold dry air of winter creeps in, it’s time to think about protecting your tresses from the harsh elements of the season. Check out our top winter hair tips:

  1. Wear a hat! Protect your locks by covering them from the wind, rain, and snow with a hat. If you don’t want the dreaded hat hair, wrap a silk scarf around your hair before putting on your wool beanie or hat. The scarf will cut down on hair breakage and static under your hat.
  2. Treat your hair. When the air is dry, give your hair a moisture treatment about once a week. This treatment can replenish the moisture lost by shampooing or exposure to dry heat. Avoid your hairdryers ‘hot’ setting as it will only weaken your hair in the dry months.
  3. Shampoo less often. Limit washing your hair to a minimum of two to three times a week. Make sure your hair is dry when you leave the house, otherwise the cold air will further damage your hair making it dry and brittle.
  4. Eat right. Your hair health is dependent on what goes in your body. Studies show that stress-induced hair loss can be associated with deficiencies in certain nutrients. To retain moisture and shine, essential fatty acids and protein are important, too. A diet low in protein could result in thin or dry hair, while adequate amounts help produce keratin, a main protein component of hair.
  5. Invest in a humidifier. Once you turn on the furnace to heat up your home, your hair and skin will be the first to notice. Replace the dry air with moisture from a humidifier. This inexpensive device can add much needed moisture to the air reducing the dryness in your home, skin, and hair.

Winter’s dry air is inevitable, but your hair doesn’t have to suffer. Keep your tresses strong and be mindful of what you wear and eat. If you want more winter hair tips, visit Vivia Center, your one stop shop to keeping you beautiful!

Vivia Center offers skin care treatments covering a wide range of needs utilizing the latest technologies, giving patients a superior service from a medical team they know and trust.

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What Is Dry Brushing?

What Is Dry Brushing?

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Have you heard of the ancient practice of dry brushing? What is dry brushing? Dry brushing is exactly what it sounds like; brushing the skin in a particular pattern with a dry natural bristle brush, usually before showering. This technique has been used for centuries to detoxify, exfoliate, and stimulate the skin. It’s said to boost circulation, sweep away dead skin cells, stimulate the lymph nodes, improve digestion, reduce the appearance of cellulite, and help the cells and body in general remove waste.

The dry brush treatment is designed to improve the overall quality and health of your skin and is becoming more popular in today’s spas. The practice uses a natural bristle brush to improve blood flow, eliminate dead skin cells, and promote lymph flow. The procedure is simple, just brush your dry skin before you take a shower. Using circular motions, start at the ankles and work your way up. Once complete, take a shower to get rid of any dead skin. The benefits include:

  • Exfoliate and removes dry skin
  • Open clogged pores
  • Lessen the effects of cellulite
  • Stimulate Lymphatic flow
  • Improve circulation
  • Activate muscle fibers
  • Refine overall skin appearance and health

Your skin should feel softer and smoother after one session. Some people even say the detox and circulatory boost helps with digestive issues and skin problems such as acne; while others feel more energized, most likely a result of the increased blood flow.

Does dry brushing sound like something your skin would appreciate or want to learn more about what is dry brushing? Learn more about how to remove dead skin cells and promote the growth of new ones with a FREE skin consultation at Vivia Center. Those healthy, new cells will give your skin a brighter appearance. Start shining today!

Source and Source

Vivia Center offers skin care treatments covering a wide range of needs utilizing the latest technologies, giving patients a superior service from a medical team they know and trust.

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The Best Foods for Healthy Skin

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Let’s face it, your skin health depends a lot on the food you consume. The nutrition components in your diet can deliver glowing skin and a slimmer waistline. So when they say, “You are what you eat”; it’s true. If you want youthful glow, consider trying these best foods for healthy skin.

Avocado

Suppling the skin with healthy fats and phytonutrients to hydrate from the inside out, avocados bring a healthy glow to skin.  Another benefit comes from their high oleic acid content; this monounsaturated fatty acid maintains moisture in the epidermal layer of your skin, helping to keep it soft and hydrated. When you eat avocados you are also giving your body a lot of skin protecting antioxidants, like beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E, to prevent wrinkles and slow down the visible signs of aging.

Tip: Make a basic guacamole and use it to fill eggs as you would deviled eggs!

Beets

This deep red vegetable stimulates the lymphatic system and removes waste from cells. Beets increase oxygen flow in the blood which in return gives the skin a bright and healthy glow. Drinking beet juice regularly may be beneficial in the prevention and cure of skin inflammation like that of acne. The juice also helps eliminate blemishes and promotes healthy skin and hair growth. Drink the juice raw because the most beneficial substances are lost when cooked.

Tip: Beet juice goes well with carrots, cucumber and celery.

Kale

An excellent source of the beauty-boosting vitamins A, C, and E, kale has all the potent anti-aging properties that helps promote healthy new cell growth. In addition, kale is packed with vitamin K, an anti-inflammatory which can prevent puffiness around the face.

Tip: Pair your kale with pumpkins seeds—they contain zinc, a mineral that supports eye and skin health, among other things.

Bottom line: if you want healthy skin, start with what you eat. Choose foods that offer a benefit to you and your health. Our recommendations for best foods for healthy skin are avocado, beets, and kale. If you would like to know more about healthy skin, contact Vivia Center for a personal consultation and learn how you can look your very best!

Vivia Center offers skin care treatments covering a wide range of needs utilizing the latest technologies, giving patients a superior service from a medical team they know and trust.

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What Is An Age Spot?

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Have you wondered, “What is an age spot?” Age spots, sometimes called liver spots and solar lentigines, are the result of an excess production of melanin, or skin pigment. Experts have not yet narrowed in on the exact cause of age spots, but contribute the freckle-like skin pigment to aging, sun exposure or other forms of ultraviolet (UV) light, like tanning beds. Most common in adults over 40, age spots can also be found on anyone who spends long period of time in the sun. Age spots are visible on body parts that are most likely exposed to sun, like your face, arms, legs, and back. Usually a light brown area on the skin, an age spot appears flat and smooth to the touch but can darken and increase in size over time.

Anyone of any age, sex, or race can develop age spots. However, people with fair complexions and over exposure to the sun or to UV light, are more susceptible to develop the skin discolorations. Age spots aren’t dangerous but if you notice changes in an age spot, consult your physician immediately.

Now that you know what an age spot is, if you want to reduce or eliminate age spots, start by limiting your sun exposure. Next, learn more about the treatments available that can help reduce sun-damaged skin, like Vivia Center’s Enhanced Skin Rejuvenation. This popular treatment directly addresses sun damage, reduces wrinkles, and improves discoloration using the latest and most effective technologies on the market today. If you are ready to erase the sun’s damage and look young again, contact us. Your skin will thank you!

 

Vivia Center offers skin care treatments covering a wide range of needs utilizing the latest technologies, giving patients a superior service from a medical team they know and trust.

 

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How To Fix Dry Hands

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Your hands take a beating during winter. Exposure to the elements can wreak havoc on skin, especially the hands. These tools nature gave us are used and abused without ever giving it a second thought until they dry out, crack, and sting. At that point, you can moisturize and rejuvenate dry, chapped hands with a few simple steps. If you’re wondering how to fix dry hands, follow these tips.

  1. Pick skin-friendly products. Harsh soaps and powerful dishwashing liquids can really dry out your skin. Instead, use a mild or moisturizing hand soap to wash your hands, then rinse them under warm water for approximately 20 seconds. Be sure to dry hands thoroughly and gently. If you have cracked hands, be sure to blot to absorb any water that may linger in the cracks. After drying, apply a moisturizing hand lotion. The lotion will replace and lock in moisture, working from the inside out to create healthier, healed skin. Consider choosing a non-greasy lotion formula to help skin stay soft and smooth.
  2. Protect your hands from the elements. When the temperatures drop, so does the moisture in the air, creating low humidity levels. Cold climates and low humidity quickly diminish skin of moisture, particularly exposed parts of the body, like your hands and face. To protect your hands, keep them well moisturized and wear gloves when going outside. Choose a product that locks in moisture and prevents you from losing any more. This is the best advice we can give you on how to fix dry hands!
  3. Beware of harsh cleaning agents. Simple day-to-day activities can leave hands dry and rough; like washing dishes or cleaning the house can actually make dry skin worse. Cleaning solutions and other common household items like dishwashing liquids can dry skin out even more and cause painful stinging. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your skin and prevent irritation from soaps, sprays, or harsh liquids like bleach. Even when you wear rubber gloves, apply a hand lotion with petroleum jelly immediately after use to rehydrate your hands.
  4. Listen to your mother. At some point, you’ve learned from your mother or grandmother, that petroleum jelly is the best layer of protection for your hands. For decades, petroleum jelly has tackled moisture loss right at the source by keeping skin hydrated and protected from moisture loss. You can re-apply throughout the day as needed. Consider an overnight regiment to help with the skin’s natural renewal process by applying petroleum jelly directly to hands and feet, then cover with cotton gloves/socks and wake with softer renewed skin. The answer to your dry cracked hands may already be in your cabinet!
  5. Moisturize routine. If you have dry, cracked hands, you already know the challenges of keeping them moisturized throughout the day. Find a moisturizer that works for your skin type and keep a bottle or two handy everywhere you go. Remember to moisturize before bedtime to give skin an overnight treatment. Consistency is key, so have that moisturizer available when skin is feeling depleted. Just as we need water to stay healthy, our skin needs a moisturizer to stay healthy.

Be proactive when it comes to caring for the health of your skin, and lock that moisture in long before your hands start drying out. If you have questions or concerns about your dry skin, contact the skin care professionals at Vivia Center for a free consultation.

Have more tips on how to fix dry hands? Comment them below!

Vivia Center offers skin care treatments covering a wide range of needs utilizing the latest technologies, giving patients a superior service from a medical team they know and trust.

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Holiday Skin Care Tips

Holiday Skin Care Tips

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Whether it be by plane, metro, or car, travel is inevitable during the holidays. Whatever mode of transportation you take, your skin has no escape when it comes to brutal conditions of dust, sun, humidity, rain, and snow. Here are five holiday skin care tips to keep your skin healthy during the rush of the holiday season.

  1. Sun Protection! No matter what time of year it is, if the sun is shining you should wear sun screen protection. Many moisturizers and makeup include SPF protection from UV rays. If you plan to have extended exposure to the sun, apply sunscreen 20 minutes before you step out on the slopes. Protect your skin from the sun everyday!
  2. Don’t Use Foundation. If you can live without it, avoid foundation makeup when traveling; it will dry out your skin and make your skin look dehydrated. Replace your foundation with a moisturizer instead to give a softer, more subtle glow to your skin. Add moisturizer to your travel bag and holiday routine.
  3. Lip Gloss Over Lipstick. Using all-day color lipstick can cause dry and cracked lips. Use a lip balm instead with ingredients to help soothe and prevent dry lips. Many lip balms also offer sunscreen protection. Keep your lips healthy with a natural glow.
  4. Stop Touching Your Face. During travel we touch things saturated with germs and bacteria without giving it a second thought. If you touch your face (on average we touch our face at least 16 times an hour) you will transfer the bacteria and harmful substances to your skin, which will eventually cause irritation and breakouts. During your holiday travel, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer handy to tackle those nasty germs. Keep your hands off your face to avoid breakouts!
  5. Mist Your Face. If you are heading to a cold climate for a winter holiday, take a facial mister to hydrate your skin after a long day in the elements. A facial mist can contain glycerin, floral water, menthol, and essential oils to provide a healthy glow to your skin. Take it with you sightseeing, or use at the end of a long day to give your skin a restoration of moisture.

This holiday season, take good care of your skin. Have more holiday skin care tips to share? Comment them blow!

If you want to take it to the next level and make improvements to your skin’s appearance, schedule a free consultation at Vivia Center. We can suggest the best treatments and products for your skin. Happy Holidays!

Vivia Center offers skin care treatments covering a wide range of needs utilizing the latest technologies, giving patients a superior service from a medical team they know and trust.

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