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Anti-Aging Acid Guide

Rejuvenate dead, irritated skin and even out wrinkles with this skin secret.

If wrinkles, dry skin and acne are transforming you into someone you don’t recognize, this secret to rejuvenating skin could help fix your biggest skin problems and help you look younger, fast. While it may sound harsh at first, the right acids can actually help eliminate rough skin, soothe blemishes, plump up skin cells and smooth away fine lines. Learn which three acids can help you turn back time and renew your skin with this anti-aging acid guide.
Glycolic acid
Problem: Wrinkles
How it works: This wrinkle-fighting acid is an exfoliator that safely removes the outer layer of dead skin cells so that plump new cells can rise to the surface. Glycolic acid helps stimulate the growth of collagen, which is responsible for skin’s elasticity and which breaks down with aging. Glycolic acid can help smooth out fine lines and diminish the appearance of wrinkles.
Lactic acid
Problem: Dry skin 
How it works: This acid helps skin look younger in two ways. First, lactic acid helps to slough away surface dry skin. Second, it acts a humectant, which means it pulls water into the skin and holds it there, making skin look fresh and young.
Salicylic acid
Problem: Acne
How it works: This acid reduces shedding of cells inside follicles and helps to loosen dry, scaly skin. This helps break down thick layers of dead skin cells that can block follicles and lead to acne. When salicylic acid is used alongside other topical medicines, it also allows them to penetrate more deeply.
These ingredients can be found in many skincare products, including the SkinCeuticals skin care line – just check the labels and get on your way to younger-looking skin. Also be sure to check labels for any warnings or side effects, since some of these may temporarily make your skin more sensitive or likely to sunburn. If you experience irritation, stop using the new product and ask your doctor about a gentler alternative.
Please call today and ask one of our aestheticians which SkinCeuticals product would be best for you and your skin type.  You can reach The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa at (817) 473-2120 or visit our website at www.MarkBisharaMD.com

 

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Get Summer Skin

The first official day of summer is only eight weeks away, which means you have just enough time to whip your skin-and the rest of your body-into shape. Whether you need to tighten up, nourish or just get your good habits back on track, here are four excellent ways to treat your skin now so you’ll be ready to glow this summer:
Add antioxidants
Consuming and applying certain antioxidants, especially vitamin C, will actually boost your skin’s strength against the sun’s damaging rays. Grab a high-quality vitamin C serum to add to your daily skin-care regimen, and eat plenty of berries, beans, nuts, citrus and green veggies to add protection from the inside out.
Nourish dry skin
If you naturally have dry skin, the hot summer months can make it even worse. A great way to boost your hydration levels is with an oxygen-based facial that deeply delivers moisture to the lower layers of skin. You’ll notice a difference right away in the way your skin looks and feels. Day-to-day, use a toner to activate your skin’s natural oils, which will improve dry skin over time.
Tighten up your skin
You have just enough time to schedule a series of skin-tightening procedures that use near infrared, which is used to tighten the stomach, love handles and arms. You’ll need four to six once-a-week sessions to see results.
Start good habits
Eight weeks is plenty of time to see a real difference in your body through good diet and exercise, especially when paired with good sleep and a stringently followed skin-care plan. Cut back on simple carbs, especially sugar, and fit in five cardio sessions a week, plus two strength-training workouts.
This Information is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa
Please also visit us ob Facebook at The Paragon Plastic Surgery and Medspa

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10 Tips for Beautiful Summer Skin

Summer is a wonderful time of year, but the sun and heat can take a toll on your skin, hair, and body. That doesn’t mean you should stay indoors — with a little care and a few precautions, you can enjoy summer to its fullest.
1. Try a Self-Tanner
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are very damaging, especially UVA rays. They not only burn your skin and cause premature aging, but can also lead to skin cancer.
So, instead of lying for hours in the sun, get that sun kissed glow with a self-tanner. Many salons offer spray-on tan services, or you can purchase an inexpensive self-tanning lotion at your local drugstore. Gradual self-tanning moisturizers keep your skin smooth as they help you control just exactly how bronzed you become, and they are less prone to streaking. Just remember to exfoliate before you apply self-tanner to remove any dry skin that could pick up excess color and lead to an uneven appearance.
2. Slather on Sunscreen
Many dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. The Skin Cancer Foundation points out that tests demonstrated SPF 30 products block out only 4 percent more rays — 97 percent compared to 93 percent for SPF 15. So know that you’re getting more protection with SPF 30, but not double the amount of SPF 15. In the past, broad-spectrum SPF sunscreens made skin look whitish because of the opaque nature of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which physically block UV rays, but with more refined, micronized formulations, you can get their sun protection benefits without the ghostly appearance.
More sunscreen smarts to follow include:

  • Check the sunscreen’s ingredients list; it should contain agents that block both UVA and UVB rays.
  • Apply sunscreen regularly, as it will wear off with prolonged swimming or sweating.
  • Even if it’s cloudy, ultraviolet rays can still reach your skin, so wear sunscreen even on sunless days.
  • Many makeup and skin care products contain an SPF agent, but don’t be fooled: Look for the SPF number and use extra sunscreen if it’s below 15.

3. Give ’Em Lip Service
Use a lip sunscreen with SPF agent even if you’re putting lipstick on, too.  Many chapsticks are available with and SPF of 15 and 30. One of my personal favorites is Zinka Clear Lip Protector with Aloe.  It smells good and doesn’t go on greasy and has and SPF of 30.
4. Remember Hair Care
The beating sun will hit your hair hard, but there are a number of sprays containing SPF that you can put on after you wash your hair. This is a must if your tresses has been chemically treated.  When you are out in the sun and swimming, wet your hair before you swim, then put conditioner on and run it through your hair.  This makes it harder for the chemicals in the water to be absorbed by your hair.  An added bonus, your hair smells good all day!
Another tip: Don’t overwash your hair as this can remove the oils that naturally protect it.
5. Exfoliate Head to Toe
Expensive scrubs and salts feel wonderful, but if you’re on a budget, you can do just as good a job using an exfoliation mitt or glove and your regular body wash. Gentle exfoliation is essential if you’ve had any area waxed, particularly in the bikini area, as it can help prevent ingrown hairs.
6. Moisturize and Nourish With Oils
Elbows, feet, and ankles can get very dry, so try avocado oil to keep them healthy and smooth. Avocado oil not only moisturizes, but also has nourishing properties as it contains vitamin E.
7. Be Kind to Your Face
Chemical peels, creams, scrubs, and other products containing glycolic acids and retinoids should not be used if you spend a lot of time in the sun: These treatments can make your skin more sun sensitive and cause more damage to your skin. If you must use them, wear a hat and sunscreen to protect your face. Follow this advice as well if you’re taking certain antibiotics, such as tetracycline, which also make you more prone to sunburn.
8. Try Mineral Makeup
Because mineral makeup has a light powder base, it won’t sweat off as easily as regular foundation. Some mineral bases even contain a built-in SPF. And you don’t have to spend a fortune: Check out what’s in the aisles at your local pharmacy or supermarket. There are many inexpensive brands there that are as good as the more pricey products sold in department stores.
9. You Are What You Eat
Your skin needs lots of vitamins and minerals to stay healthy, so check out your local farmer’s market for the freshest fare in summer fruits and vegetables. Foods rich in antioxidants and protein, such as fresh produce, fish, and eggs, can stimulate collagen growth, which keeps the skin elastic and helps prevent wrinkles.
10. Drink Plenty of Water
The beating sun can dry your skin and make you sweat more, so keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water. If you’re active, you need to drink at least 8 glasses during the day.
This Information is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa
 
 

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Reasons why Your Skin Needs Help!!

Spring is just around the corner, and we will help you get your skin looking its best as you get ready to bare a lot more of it!
From the latest laser procedures and dermal fillers you can find at our office, to our extensive line of SkinCeuticals products, we’ve got the stuff you need.
We’re stuck in that crazy phase where winter is almost over, but it’s not quite spring. It’s kind of like when Britney Spears was not a girl, not yet a woman. One day it’s sunny, and the next day it’s snowing. One week it’s 60 degrees, the next week it’s polar vortex status, and the frequent changes absolutely wreak havoc on our skin. Sigh.

Reasons why Your Skin Needs Help!!:
If your skin is dry and dull: No matter how much the temperature drops, your skin still needs a boost in cell turnover.
Rule #1: Don’t stop resurfacing. I don’t mean abrasive scrubs—the appropriate and consistent “resurfacing” products will keep your skin looking dewy, hydrated, smooth, and glowing without creating microscopic tears and abrasions. Think retinoids and acid combinations such as glycolic, salicylic, and azaleic acids. If the weather is really cold, then dial down on frequency or strength, but do not stop resurfacing. I also recommend using a proteolytic enzyme once or twice weekly. Proteolytic enzymes are “smart exfoliators” since they only digest dead or diseased cells and cannot disturb healthy, newer cells. Even very sensitive skin types can tolerate proteolytic enzymes.
Rule #2: Adjust your hydration. Oftentimes, individuals simply trade up from a lighter moisturizer to one that is heavier. Think layers—when you layer clothing, instead of just one heavy outer garment, you stay warmer because more heat is trapped between the layers.  Likewise, when you layer hydrators you trap more moisture, prevent moisture loss, and provide a more effective barrier against the elements. Try a lighter serum or cream that is packed with peptides and anti-inflammatories under a heavier barrier cream, topped by sunscreen.
If your skin is oily: The typical conundrum here is that the skin is oily, but actually looks dull and surface dry, primarily due to wind and colder temperatures.  You’re not necessarily producing less oil, but it’s getting trapped in the dead surface layer and your skin appears duller and even your pores are more noticeable.
Rule #1: Exfoliate. Here again, the key is resurfacing. A resurfacing product, with the right combination of acids, will remove the dead surface skin without abrasion and keep your pores unblocked and looking smaller and more refined.
Rule #2: Do not abandon your acne meds. If you have breakouts, select a product that is non-drying and treats acne and aging at the same time. Once or twice a week an enzyme mask or a Retinol mask will provide further skin refinement and help make skin look dewy and luminous instead of simply oily.
If your skin has redness: Stop aggravating, start soothing!
Rule #1: Anti-inflame. Skin that has persistent periods of redness and little red capillaries may be experiencing mild to moderate rosacea. The causative factors in rosacea are varied and complex. However, it is believed that individuals with this tendency produce more of a type of inflammatory protein. The key here is to use products with lots of anti-inflammatory properties such as green tea, red tea, and ascorbyl palmitate.
Rule #2: Be gentle. Your skin also needs lots of barrier protection to prevent moisture loss and enable your skin to more effectively defend itself from transitional elements. Select products according to how dry or oily your skin is. Remember to lay lighter serums under more protective creams.
Rule #3: Sunscreen is an absolute must! The sun’s rays can still penetrate, even on the gloomiest day and UV rays equal inflammation, which sets up conditions that cause and exacerbate rosacea type tendencies.

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

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Retinol for Your Skin

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
 

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