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Get Rid Of Lip Wrinkles For A Perfect Pout

Today’s Question: I have some lines above my lips that really bother me. They make me look older and cause my lipstick to bleed. What can I do? Molly, Winona Lake

A. Molly, with Valentine’s Day less than a week away our thoughts often turn to love, chocolates and kissable lips. Unfortunately, whether due to the sun, smoking, genetics or age, the lines above your lips can leave you feeling less than kissable.

Prevention is key both from the lines getting worse if you already have them and from getting them in the first place. Sunscreen is vital to protect you from the sun’s damaging rays that break down the collagen in the skin causing wrinkles. If you smoke, stop. The repetitive pursing motion made with your lips creates volume loss as well as the carcinogens in the smoke that damage the skin and create wrinkles. I also recommend you stop drinking from a straw if lip wrinkles concern you. Molly, there are several non-surgical treatment options available to treat the wrinkles above your lips including the two most common treatments below.

The first one is the most aggressive option for treating upper lip lines. It is a laser resurfacing treatment called Pearl Fractional®. Pearl Fractional is designed to treat fine lines and deep wrinkles. It is also a very effective treatment for acne scarring. Patients see immediate improvements in photo damage, tone and texture as well as a noticeably smoother and brighter complexion in just one treatment. You can expect both immediate and long-term anti-aging benefits. It is a cost effective option because results from one treatment can last about five years.

Pearl Fractional Upper Lip VIMS

Another option to treat those upper lip lines is with a dermal filler such as Juvederm® or Belotero®. An experienced injector will use a special type of injection technique that prevents trauma to the lip muscle, which means less bruising and swelling for the patient and prevents the full duck lip appearance. As the patient, you appreciate that reassurance that you will not have lips too full, but instead have a smoother lip free of wrinkles. Most fillers now also include numbing medication making the procedure more comfortable. Juvederm will last about six months in the lip area. It will last even longer when Botox® is injected with it.

Juvederm Thread Lift Collage

Actual Vein Institute & Medi Spa patient before and after Juvederm

Molly, I recommend you have a consultation with an experienced medical aesthetics provider to review all of your options and find the best plan for you and your lips.

Jennifer-Lab Coat-6cropJennifer Kauffman is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, practicing in Warsaw and Ft. Wayne. She is a sought after speaker at medical conferences such as the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons. Jennifer is a member of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Coalition of Advance Practice Nurses of Indiana. She received her Nursing and Nurse Practitioner degrees from Goshen College, and Indiana Wesleyan University. Jennifer is a Clinical Instructor nationally to physicians and nurses on sclerotherapy.
 
Do you have a question for Jennifer, about this article or another cosmetic skin care issue? Please call Vein Institute & Medical Spa at 574-267-1900 to have your questions answered and considered for future columns. Questions can also be submitted online at www.veinmedicalspa.com


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Laser Hair Removal Can Stop The Shadow On Your Face

Today’s Question: I am so embarrassed by the dark hair on my face. I have to shave it every day and by the end of the day I have a shadow and I’m a woman. What can I do? Pam, Warsaw

A. Pam, the legend of Groundhog’s Day, which is celebrated today, says that if the groundhog sees his shadow we will experience six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, spring will come early. If you struggle with facial hair as a woman, seeing your shadow will certainly make you feel down just like six more weeks of winter can. You are not alone, Pam. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “One in 20 American women is affected” with excessive hair growth on the face or body.

LHRThe good news is there is a permanent solution. Pam, can you imagine no more waxing, plucking, tweezing, shaving, shadows or hairs catching the light while you drive? As long as your facial hair is dark, laser hair removal can permanently eliminate those annoying hairs from your face and your life.

Laser hair removal is typically done in a series. You will need to have more than one treatment in order to achieve good results. Most people require about four to six treatments before seeing permanent results. However, the number of treatments required for optimal long-term benefits depends on multiple factors including: hair thickness, the area treated and your hair’s growth cycle. It is recommended to wait five to six weeks in between your treatments for facial laser hair removal. With each treatment, the number of hairs that grow back will decrease because each time a fraction of the remaining hair follicles are destroyed.
LHR2

Whether due to genetics, ethnicity, a hormonal imbalance or for unknown reasons, facial hair does not have to take away your self-esteem and confidence any longer, Pam. Talk to a medical health care professional to find out if you are a good candidate for this treatment. If so, soon you will not see your shadow any longer and it will feel like spring all the time!

Jennifer-Lab Coat-6cropJennifer Kauffman is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, practicing in Warsaw and Ft. Wayne. She is a sought after speaker at medical conferences such as the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons. Jennifer is a member of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Coalition of Advance Practice Nurses of Indiana. She received her Nursing and Nurse Practitioner degrees from Goshen College, and Indiana Wesleyan University. Jennifer is a Clinical Instructor nationally to physicians and nurses on sclerotherapy.

Do you have a question for Jennifer, about this article or another cosmetic skin care issue? Please call Vein Institute & Medical Spa at 574-267-1900 to have your questions answered and considered for future columns. Questions can also be submitted online at www.veinmedicalspa.com.



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Don’t Let Chapped Lips Crack Your Smile

Today’s Question: Is the weather the only cause of my chapped lips right now? They are driving me crazy! Cassidy, Claypool

A. Cassidy, as if the winter wasn’t enough of a bummer with the dreary sky and long cold days, add in cracked, dry and painful lips and it’s enough to make you hibernate! While this time of year finds many of us suffering from chapped lips due to the chilly temperatures and bitter winds, the weather is not the only cause of chapped lips. Below I have listed just a few of the many causes of dry lips. In certain cases, persistent chapped lips may need the consultation from a dermatologist.

lipdrink
1. Lack of Protection: Chapped lips are most often associated with the winter months, but you can just as easily get chapped lips on Spring Break or during the summer from the sun. Protect your lips year-round with a petroleum-free lip balm that contains an SPF such as jane iredale’s LipDrink. Not only will you keep them hydrated, but also protected from the elements including the sun’s damaging rays. During the wintertime, try adding a scarf over your mouth, Cassidy, for an extra layer of protection from the wind and cold.

2. Licking Your Lips: Whether due to stress, nerves or just habit, licking your lips will cause them to dry out. While they temporarily may look and feel hydrated, the saliva will quickly evaporate leaving them dryer than when you started. Then, you lick them again and so begins a vicious cycle. Habits like this are hard to break, but staying far away from those flavored lip balms may help you from treating your lips like an ice cream cone.

3. Dehydration: When we are dehydrated, it makes our skin look dull, can cause headaches and chap your lips. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water will not only keep your lips kissable, but you will feel better overall.

4. Allergies: Did you know there are ingredients in toothpaste that can irritate your lips and dry them out? Certain lipsticks can also bother your lips and dry them out as well. I’m not suggesting you stop brushing your teeth, Cassidy, or stop wearing lipstick. Just be aware that if your lips are irritated and chapped, it doesn’t hurt to check the ingredients and see if that may a contributing culprit.

So, Cassidy, get crackin’ on what’s cracking your lips and they will start to feel better in plenty of time for that special Valentine. If you have any questions about your skin care, be sure to talk with a medical professional.

Jennifer-Lab Coat-6cropJennifer Kauffman is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, practicing in Warsaw and Ft. Wayne. She is a sought after speaker at medical conferences such as the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons. Jennifer is a member of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Coalition of Advance Practice Nurses of Indiana. She received her Nursing and Nurse Practitioner degrees from Goshen College, and Indiana Wesleyan University. Jennifer is a Clinical Instructor nationally to physicians and nurses on sclerotherapy.
 
Do you have a question for Jennifer, about this article or another cosmetic skin care issue? Please call Vein Institute & Medical Spa at 574-267-1900 to have your questions answered and considered for future columns. Questions can also be submitted online at www.veinmedicalspa.com.


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Get Rid Of Blackheads And Keep Them Gone

Today’s Question: I’m so tired of looking at these blackheads on my nose and chin. They never seem to go away. What can I do? Gwen, Warsaw

A. My patients ask me this question multiple times a day, Gwen, so you are not alone with this frustrating problem. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, “Acne is the most common skin problem in the United States. About 40 to 50 million Americans have acne at any one time.” Blackheads are a form of acne. In simplest terms, a blackhead is a clogged pore filled with dirt and oil. There are several treatment options you can do right at home that will help tackle those blackheads. In order to keep them far away, it is important to follow a medical skin care regime daily for maintenance and healthy skin. Whatever you do, do not squeeze, pull, or try to poke them on your own. You can damage and irritate your skin and cause skin discoloration or scarring. Leave the extracting to a trained practitioner.

1. Retin-A®: This prescription cream is the go-to product when fighting blackheads. Not only will it help exfoliate the dead skin cells sitting on top of your face to unclog your pores, but it will also help dry up the extra oil that could be contributing to the blackheads. As an added bonus, it will also help to soften fine lines and help stimulate collagen production. Be careful not to confuse prescription Retin-A® with retinols found over the counter. They are only about 1/10 of the strength of Retin-A.

2. Sonic Cleansing Brush: Using a sonic cleansing brush like the Clarisonic twice a day when you wash your face will remove more dirt and makeup than you can by just washing your face with your hands. This means less junk that could clog up your pores. In addition, the brush will gently oscillate the pores keeper them clear and clean. As an added bonus, any medications or serums you put on your face afterwards will work better and penetrate deeper.

3. Healthy Foundation: Even if you have a skin care regime established, it is possible that the foundation you are using is clogging your pores. It doesn’t do your skin any good to treat it only to then clog up your pores with the wrong foundation. Be sure to look at the label for a non-comedogenic product, which just means that it will not clog your pores. I also recommend that all my patients switch to jane iredale mineral foundation in their favorite formulation. The minerals in mineral makeup sit on top of the skin instead of getting trapped in the pores which can lead to blackheads.

Gwen, don’t let those blackheads get you down. While they are annoying, they are very treatable with a little care, patience and maintenance. If you have any questions about the best treatment options for your skin, be sure to talk with a medical skin care professional.

Jennifer-Lab Coat-6crop Jennifer Kauffman is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, practicing in Warsaw and Ft. Wayne. She is a sought after speaker at medical conferences such as the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons. Jennifer is a member of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Coalition of Advance Practice Nurses of Indiana. She received her Nursing and Nurse Practitioner degrees from Goshen College, and Indiana Wesleyan University. Jennifer is a Clinical Instructor nationally to physicians and nurses on sclerotherapy.

Do you have a question for Jennifer, about this article or another cosmetic skin care issue? Please call Vein Institute & Medical Spa at 574-267-1900 to have your questions answered and considered for future columns. Questions can also be submitted online at www.veinmedicalspa.com.



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Belotero® Smooths Away Unwanted Wrinkles

Today’s Question: I have been hearing about a new filler for the face I think is called Belotero®. How is this different from the other fillers already on the market? Is it safe? Diane, Warsaw

A. Diane, you are absolutely correct! The newest dermal filler to correct lines and wrinkles on the face is called Belotero Balance® or Belotero for short. It was approved by the FDA in 2011 for the correction of moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles and folds. Belotero is a safe and effective alternative to plastic surgery with little downtime. It is a perfect option for someone not ready for or comfortable with an invasive surgery, but still wants to look refreshed and younger. Your provider has several options to make the procedure pain-free.

You may have heard of other dermal fillers, Diane, like Restylane® or Juvederm®. Belotero is similar to those products in that they are all made of hyaluronic acid, a natural component of your skin; however, Belotero has been formulated to work especially well for those fine, delicate lines such as the crow’s feet and lip lines. Results can be seen instantly and will last six months on average. In addition, the filler will help to stimulate your body’s own collagen production to help fill in those lines over time. Fillers are a very safe and common procedure as long as they are administered by a qualified board certified practitioner. Fillers should not be done by yourself at home!

As we age Diane, gravity affects our skin and we lose elasticity. Both of these can cause a sagging, tired, aged appearance. The goal of all fillers, including Belotero, is to replace the volume lost for a natural, rested appearance not a “plumped up” look. Dermal fillers can be used to treat the smile lines, restore facial volume, and contour the face for a more youthful look. With Belotero, those fine lines from smoking, sun damage and squinting can also be quickly and easily smoothed away. Fillers are not a lunchtime procedure like Botox. It is wise to schedule your filler appointment around important events, meetings and photos. While the procedure itself isn’t painful, it will cause some bruising and swelling.

If you have more questions about this new treatment, Diane, or want to know if you are a good candidate be sure to talk with an experienced medical aesthetics professional. She will help you create a plan to treat your concerns and help you look and feel your best!

For more information, visit www.belotero.com

Jennifer-Lab Coat-6cropJennifer Kauffman is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, practicing in Warsaw and Ft. Wayne. She is a sought after speaker at medical conferences such as the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons. Jennifer is a member of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Coalition of Advance Practice Nurses of Indiana. She received her Nursing and Nurse Practitioner degrees from Goshen College, and Indiana Wesleyan University. Jennifer is a Clinical Instructor nationally to physicians and nurses on sclerotherapy.

Do you have a question for Jennifer, about this article or another cosmetic skin care issue? Please call Vein Institute & Medical Spa at 574-267-1900 to have your questions answered and considered for future columns. Questions can also be submitted online at www.veinmedicalspa.com.



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