After offering information about UV light and sun-protective behaviors, the two health-ed videos diverge: one describes the increased skin cancer risk of UV exposure and the other describes effects on appearance including wrinkles and premature aging. Which of these two videos do you think caused teenagers to use more sunscreen six weeks after it was shown?

A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatologyshows that while teens who watched both videos learned and retained the same amount of knowledge about UV light and sun-protective behaviors, only the teens who watched the appearance-based video (and not the health-based video) actually changed these behaviors.
“We see this anecdotally in the clinic. The teens who come in, often it’s because their parents are dragging them. A lot have undergone tanning or never wear sunscreen. You can tell that when we talk about the skin cancer risk, it doesn’t faze them. But when you talk about premature wrinkling and aging, they listen a little more closely,” says April W. Armstrong, MD MPH, investigator at the CU Cancer Center and vice chair of Clinical Research at the CU School of Medicine Department of Dermatology.
The current study aimed to quantify this observation. First, Armstrong and colleagues went to local high schools to recruit 50 subjects. All subjects completed questionnaires demonstrating their baseline knowledge about UV light and use of sun-protective behaviors. Then subjects were randomized into two groups, one of which viewed the health-based video that emphasized skin cancer risk, and the other of which viewed the appearance-based video that emphasized cosmetic changes due to UV exposure. Six weeks later, all subjects again completed questionnaires that showed the knowledge they retained and changes in sun-protective behaviors.
“Interestingly, we didn’t see any difference in teenagers’ knowledge — no matter if they had watched the health-based or appearance-based video, students learned and retained the same amount of information,” Armstrong says.
However, despite knowing the skin cancer risk from UV exposure, the group that had watched the health-based video showed no statistically significant increase in their sun-protective behaviors. On the other hand, the group that had been shown the appearance-based video reported a dramatic increase in the use of sunscreen.
“For teenagers, telling them UV exposure will lead to skin cancer is not as effective as we would hope. If our endgame is to modify their behavior, we need to tailor our message in the right way and in this case the right way is by highlighting consequences to appearance rather than health. It’s important to address now — if we can help them start this behavior when younger, it can affect skin cancer risk when older,” Armstrong says.

This information is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Mansfield and Southlake, TX

Facial wrinkles occur because people lose skin elasticity as they age, but there are also habits that can contribute to premature signs of aging. For example, forgoing sunscreen can cause sun damage, which leads to lines on the face. Repetitive motions, such as constantly squinting at the sun or sucking on a cigarette, can also make you more likely to develop wrinkles. In a recent article, The Inquisitr identified another potential cause of facial lines: water bottles.

Think before you drink
If you live in an area that has less-than-stellar tap water, drinking bottled water may seem like a no-brainer. There’s nothing wrong, nutritionally, with drinking H2O from a bottle, but the cosmetic dermatologist told the news source that it’s the repetitive motion that could cause lines to form around the mouth when they otherwise might not.
“We tell our patients, keep on drinking, it’s great for your body, it’s great for your health, it’s great for your skin,” a physician said in the interview. “Unfortunately, over time it either causes these lines or it aggravates them.”
Of course, there are ways to avoid this issue. Water purifiers may do the trick if you’d rather drink from the tap, and this will also save you money in the long run. You can pour your bottled water into a cup or drink through a straw, thus eliminating the lip-pursing motion.

A cosmetic solution
Unfortunately, for those of us who have been drinking out of water bottles for years, this news may come a bit late in the game. If wrinkles have already formed, you can discuss other options with a plastic surgeon. Facelifts and deep chemical peels offer long-term results that can make you appear younger, while dermal fillers can help fill deep wrinkles and reshape the facial contours.
 

Retinol is considered the gold standard ingredient in anti-aging products because of it’s proven ability to stimulate and reproduce collagen in the skin. But knowing when and how to use retinol can be confusing.

Why You Need a Daytime Retinol Now

The latest crop of retinol products don’t fight wrinkles and discoloration while you sleep — they do it during the day. Find out how to use retinol, and why you should

Things we love about retinols: They get rid of wrinkles, lighten dark spots, and zap zits better than just about any other skin care ingredient in existence.
Things we hate about retinols: the red, lizard-like skin you get for the first six to eight weeks when you’re using one; having to be maniacal about sunscreen; and only being able to use them at night.
We were downright giddy when we found out there are now daytime retinols (yes, you read correctly) on the market. And dermatologists are calling them a game changer. Throw out everything you thought you knew about how to use retinols. With these new products, you can get all of the benefits of every dermatologist’s favorite skin care ingredient, morning and night, without your skin peeling off your face.

The old:

Let’s talk about retinol. You’ve probably heard of it — in fact, you’re probably stocking some skincare products containing this potent ingredient in your medicine cabinet. So why isn’t everyone using it? And even more importantly, why does a product that promises and actually delivers smoother, brighter and younger looking skin while fighting acne have a semi-bad rap? Long before over-the-counter products were available, you had to purchase retinol in its strongest form: prescription strength Retin-A, a powerful and sometimes harsh treatment. But that was then, and unbelievable skin-changing OTC progress is now.

The new:


Unlike their predecessors, the new generation of retinol products can be used during the day, as their effects kick in gradually and aren’t as harsh on skin. You still get cell turnover, but it’s in a more controlled way. In addition, new retinols also come mixed with antioxidants, sunscreen and even moisturizers — making them much less irritating than they used to be. (Make sure you continue to be very cautious and diligent about applying SPF, even if you purchase a retinol cream with UV protection, as your skin will be more senstive as it becomes acclimated to the new product.)
Please contact our office for more information on why Retinol is very important: (817) 473-2120.
This information is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa
 

2013 Awards: Youth Preservers


The Best Supercharged Antioxidant-Based Line is SkinCeuticals.  And Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa offer the SkinCeuticals line in both of our office locations.








What does an antioxidant do for my skin?







Antioxidants provide protection from free radicals that cause damage deep within the skin. Unlike sunscreens that protect skin from UV rays, antioxidants prevent skin damage caused by other environmental aggressors such as infrared radiation, pollution, cigarette smoke, alcohol, and more. SkinCeuticals antioxidants have also been proven to reverse skin damage, including fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.

Why are SkinCeuticals products different?

SkinCeuticals products are backed by science from the first stages of their development through the packaging of the final formulations. Extensive medical-grade clinical testing that proves our products’ efficacy sets SkinCeuticals apart from other cosmeceutical brands on the market. One of the first lines to employ antioxidants, the premise of this science-heavy brand is to prevent, protect and correct from the 
outside in.
Please call our office at (817) 473-2120 and set up a skin care consultation with one of our aestheticians.  They can tell you which SkinCeuticals products will be best for your skin.

Lasers and light-based therapies– (for hair removal, anti-aging and skin rejuvenation) have nearly become everyday tools for people seeking smooth, blemish-free or simply more youthful-looking skin. The terms laser and light-based therapies are often used interchangeably, however, there are crucial differences in how the technologies work and what they effectively treat. Here’s a breakdown:

Lasers
The term laser is actually an acronym that stands for “light amplification by stimulated emissions of radiation.” Ablative lasers safely injure the skin at first, but eventually creates a healthy healing/wound response that results in collagen production. By delivering a deep, single wavelength of energy, these are often used to remove deep lines or scars and typically require one session. Nonablative lasers do not damage the skin, which is a plus, but may be less effective and require multiple sessions. These are used to correct skin concerns and remove tattoos and hair by targeting the dark pigments in the hair, which eventually leads the hair follicles to become inflamed and disabled, and voila! Smooth, hair-free skin after a few sessions. Lasers do, indeed, emit radiation-yet in tiny amounts that are deemed harmless.

Light
Intense pulsed light (IPL) delivers a broader spectrum of light energy, unlike lasers’ single wavelength, and is a light source-not a laser. IPL is a strong, in-office treatment used for hair removal, discoloration, broken blood vessels and sun damage reversal. Another type of light therapy, light emitting diodes (LED) is a shallower, gentler treatment, ideal for collagen boosting and rejuvenating the skin. LED comes in a variety of colors, red for fighting acne, blue combat bacteria and yellow to reduce redness.
Dr. Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa provide a wide range of cosmetic procedures to help patients look and feel their best. These procedures are designed to improve the appearance of the face and body through minimally invasive techniques that provide highly effective results. Many of these procedures can be combined in order to achieve your desired appearance. Please contact our office at (817) 473-2120 for more information or visit our website at www.MarkBisharaMD.com.