Who says you have to look (or act) your age? At The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, we offer a broad range of anti-aging therapies and treatments—including everything from state-of-the-art laser treatments to fillers, injectables, and great skin care products. We offer a variety of treatments designed to combat the signs of aging and sun damage and Fall is the best season.

Ready for some Autumn Awesomeness? Revitalize your skin from the summer sun this Fall
* Microdermabrasion Treatments- This treatment preps your skin for the upcoming blustery winter and gets rid of the dead skin from the summer
* SkinCeuticals Chemical Peels–  choose between the SkinCeuticals Micropeel, SkinCeuticals Micropeel Sensitive, SkinCeuticals Micropeel Plus and SkinCeuticals Pigment Balancing Masque.  Multiple treatments may be recommended.
* VIPeel- A facial peel for ALL complexions. It helps to improve the appearance of acne, unwanted pigmentation and melasma. It is the only peel of its kind to contain a synergistic blend of TCA, Retin-A, Salicylic Acid, Phenol, and Vitamin C. It gives great results in as little as one treatment.
* Laser 360- Using 3 cutting-edge technologies, Laser360 is a non-invasive, comfortable procedure that provides lasting results in just 60 days through a series of office visits. These skin tightening treatments are safe, comfortable and effective without surgery or down time.
* Fotofacial- Targets and treats unwanted discolorations, pigmentation, broken capillaries, age spots and sun damage. Also lessens the appearance of rosacea, fine lines and wrinkles. A series of 4-6 is recommended.
* Laser Hair Removal- Laser hair removal is ideal for patients with dark hair and light skin, although nearly anyone with unwanted facial or body hair can benefit from this procedure. This procedure can be performed on the lip, chin, neck, back, arms, legs, bikini area and more.
* Laser Tattoo Removal- Highly precise lasers can lighten or remove your tattoo by focusing or pulsing light on the ink particles, which then convert the energy to heat and break up into tiny pieces that are absorbed harmlessly by the body. Tattoos fade by 95% or more over the course of multiple treatments. 8-10 treatments is recommended every 6-8 weeks.
The summer heat can not only dehydrate you but also soak in the moisture from your skin, making it dry and frail. This Fall remove the sun damage and rectify uneven tone caused due to the sun.  Please call our office at (817) 473-2120  for more information on our Med Spa services.

The 4th of July is a great holiday, full of fun and get-togethers with family and friends. Many times the 4th of July involves swimming and trips to a pool or swimming area. It’s wise to plan ahead as well as take a few precautions so that the day is not only fun but also safe.
Water Safety
Because almost everyone heads out to the lake or beach for 4th of July, it is important that you and your Family are kept as safe as possible while playing in the water or out in the water with your jet ski or boat. Here are some water safety tips for 2013 Independence Day:

  • Make sure the children – and even adults – always have a life jacket on when in the water or on a motorized water vehicle (boat, jet ski, etc.)
  • Never let your children swim alone. An adult should always be present and paying attention.
  • Always step “Feet First”* into shallow water and never try to dive.
  • Alcohol, fireworks and Fourth of July do not mix well. Drink responsibly and make sure to have a designated driver available.
  • Review safe boating practices.
  • Always have a phone handy should an emergency arise.
  • Know your limits when it comes to water.

*Water Safety promotion offered by ArmyMWR.com. Be sure to check it out for more safety tips related to water.
Sun Safety

  • Try to limit your exposure to the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Always wear sunscreen with at least a 15 SPF, although higher is recommended, and should be reapplied often.
  • Make sure to stay hydrated and watch for signs of heat stroke – rapid, weak pulse, fast, slow breathing, and hot, red skin.

If you follow all of these tips, you will have a much more enjoyable Independence Day celebration with your family.
 

There you are, living your life and so proud that you’ve gotten into the habit of using daily sunscreen, when one day you look down and, What? Are those sun spots on my feet?
Sorry, but yeah, probably. It’s so easy to consistently miss spots either accidentally or because you don’t think they get enough sun exposure to warrant sunscreen application. And since sun damage is cumulative (five minutes here, 10 there, over the course of a lifetime really adds up), it’s super important to take extra care to cover neglected skin as to keep your entire face and body looking young and fresh for as long as possible.
We’ve zeroed in on three body parts where sun damage commonly sneaks up. If you already see damage there, you can take steps to undo it, and if you don’t, then there’s no time like the present to take a proactive approach.
Spotty Chest
Why: V-necks, sheer fabric and itty bitty bikinis leave the vulnerable skin on your chest exposed to regular UV assault. Even sporadic exposure from the car or walking in and out of buildings contributes to this damage and discoloration.
What to do: Targeted products with brightening ingredients such as kojic acid, licorice extract, soy or niacinamide can help. Follow your normal skincare routine, but bring it down to the chest, and daily sunscreen is key to keep the spots from getting darker. For even more prevention, cover up with a scarf while dining outside or at sporting events.
Discolored Hairline
Why: So, you have a mysterious brown headband up at the top of your forehead? This is a common issue because the top of the forehead gets a lot of sun exposure, but people don’t like putting sunscreen there because it makes the hair greasy.
What to do: The best way to prevent this is with a hat, but at the very least, be sure to blend your sunscreen all the way up to your hairline. Matte or cream-to-powder formulas won’t gunk up your hair. To fade discoloration, the same ingredients that work on your chest (see above) work here, and additionally, chemical peels and IPL treatments in a derm’s office can help. Severe cases could benefit from a prescription retinoid or hydroquinone.
Old Feet
Why: Anyone who loves the freedom of wearing flip flops is prone to haggard feet, and the skin there is thinner than on the legs. Sun damage here can range from rough texture and fine lines to pigment changes.
What to do: Apply sunscreen and let it dry before slipping into sandals. Sunscreen formulated for active lifestyles and sports stays put longer, and handy sprays make it easy to coat your legs and feet. At night, wash and scrub your feet thoroughly and apply foot cream to keep skin soft and young.
This Information is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa
Please also visit our Facebook page at the Paragon Plastic Surgery and Medspa for more information and news.

I absolutely love taking a sunny excursion when I travel and that’s why I want you to know my sun safety tips for a vacation day in the sun. Whether your day in the sun involves having fun on the beach in the Bahamas, climbing the tallest Mayan Temple in the Mexican Yucatan or kayaking through a rain forest, the sun can be brutal. I am generally very religious about sun safety and you should be too. A bad sunburn can absolutely ruin your vacation so make sure you follow these five easy tips before a day in the sun on your vacation.

    • Keep in mind the sun is strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.
    • Wear clothing that’s dark and tightly woven.
    • Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
    • Remember that UV rays bounce off sand, snow, concrete, and water.
    • Do not use sun tanning beds.
    • Keep very young children (6 months or less) out of the sun.
    • Sunscreens need to be applied liberally and evenly over all exposed areas.
    • Apply a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher whenever you’re outdoors. To achieve adequate UV protection you should use products that provide broad spectrum protection, which means protection against both UVB and UVA rays. For broad spectrum protection, look for products that provide an SPF of at least 15 and contain ingredients like Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) or zinc oxide.
    • For children, the SSA recommends sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher.
    • Apply sunscreen before going outdoors and reapply often.
    • Reapply sunscreen after swimming, perspiring, and toweling off.
    • Provide complete sunscreen coverage for your skin (including neck, ears and lips!).
    • For people with thin or thinning hair, apply sunscreen to the scalp as well.
    • And rememberstay in the shade whenever possible!
  • It’s natural to enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities! The Sun Safety Alliance (SSA) encourages you to be safe by following these sun-safety tips year-round to help prevent serious skin damage—and possibly skin cancer—later!This Information is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa

 

Do you want to look younger, longer?…………….If you want to keep the hands of time from ticking, it’s critical to wear sunscreen around your eyes to slow down all the telltale signs of aging in this area. The effects of sun exposure can contribute to the formation and worsening of wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness. And yet even the most dedicated SPF wearers often miss this super-important spot.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, eyelids are a common site for skin cancer, with five to 10 percent of all basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma occurring here. Since lids contain so little tissue, skin cancer spreads faster here than in other areas.
Now, I understand that it’s common for people to neglect sunscreen application around the eyes because it can cause stinging in many cases. But it doesn’t have to! Here’s how to protect your eyes effortlessly.
Use an eye cream with SPF built in, this way you can work it seamlessly into your morning routine. And since it’s formulated for the eye area, it’s designed to stay put and not run into your eyes, which can cause stinging.
Try SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense-spf50- Delivering a new standard in eye care, this ophthalmologist-tested sunscreen defends, enhances, and optimizes the entire eye area, including the eye lid. Formulated specifically for the unique structure of the thinner and more sensitive skin around the eye, Physical Eye UV Defense provides broad spectrum SPF 50 protection without migrating into and irritating the eyes. A unifying tint enhances skin tone while ceramides nourish, creating a smooth, optimal canvas for makeup application.

  • 100% mineral base, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
  • Non-migrating formula prevents irritation of the eye.
  • Sheer, universal tint suitable for all skin types, unifies natural skin tone around the eye.
  • Proven safe for use from the brow bone to the cheek bone, even on the eye lid.
  • Nourishes thin, delicate skin around the eye.

Look for sunglasses that are labeled with UVA/UVB protection, and wear them as an extra buffer to your sunscreen. Just keep in mind that while good shades do provide a lot of protection, it’s still not enough alone. Routinely wearing sunglasses outside will also prevent you from squinting, which is a notorious cause of wrinkling around the eyes. Plus, you’ll look glamorous.
By taking a moment to care for the skin around your eyes daily, you can enjoy the wisdom that comes with age instead of premature wrinkles!
Please contact our office at (817) 473-2120 to order the SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense today and keep protected this summer and year round.
This Information is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery and Med Spa