If you enjoy keeping up with the latest trends in skin care and anti-aging treatments, you may have heard the term liquid facelift. "Liquid facelift" is the phase used for a combination of injectable procedures that can address some of the issues associated with aging – like loss of volume or the appearance of wrinkles – without going through invasive surgery or recovery. There are currently several options for both tox/wrinkle reducers and dermal fillers, and most providers will customize your treatment to address your specific concerns. Among the products commonly used include: Wrinkle Red ..read more

The changing of seasons is a great time to reset your skincare regime and start a fresh cycle of back-to-school skincare habits. For many in the Fall, it's back to school that triggers this reset – a new term, new courses to digest, and new study techniques to refresh. Skincare needs to change in different climates, and throughout each season of the year. It feels wonderful to have a deep cream moisturizer on your skin during dry, cold winter temperatures. Light oils in Summer give us that special glow under our sunscreen for a glistening and protected look when it’s hotter outside. Taking ca ..read more

If you are wondering about collagen biostimulators and what the difference is from dermal fillers you’re not alone. Both are injectable treatments and do have some similarities in terms of benefits to the skin and facial structure thus they can sometimes be confused as the same thing but are actually quite different. The key differences lie in how these treatments work and how long the benefits last. Biostimulating fillers are kickstarting cosmetic dermatology and quickly showing up traditional hyaluronic acid fillers. Let’s break down some of the benefits and which ones are best for you. If ..read more

Most people wait until they start to see wrinkles before they seek Botox treatment, but preventative treatment uses Botox to treat wrinkles before they emerge. By injecting the muscles that typically cause wrinkles around the mouth, eyes, and eyebrows with Botox before they start to develop wrinkles, you are essentially preventing them before they happen. The Botox slows down the use of those muscles, preventing lines from developing (or at least delaying the development of the lines). One of the most common places for preventative Botox is to the forehead and glabellar area (lines between th ..read more

You may have heard of microneedling – after all, it’s been around in one form or another for over 50 years! But what is it exactly? Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy (CIT), is a process that involves using tiny needles to puncture hundreds of tiny holes in the top layer of the skin. In the past it was done mainly with a roller, but these days it’s more commonly performed by a dermatologist with an electronic tool called a Dermapen (which looks a little like an electric toothbrush). The Dermapen allows the practitioner to fine-tune the process to a client’s needs in differe ..read more

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and as a PA-C at the Idaho Skin Institute, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t educate people on skin cancer. I want to let you know how to prevent skin cancer, how to check yourself for signs of it, and what to do if you get it. First, let me make you aware of a few facts. Did you know, for instance, that more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined? One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. About 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to UV radiati ..read more

Here are 6 simple things you should do daily to show your skin some love! The question I get asked the most in my line of work is, "What skin products should I be using?" My answer is… it depends. The type of skin you have, your age, and the damage done to your skin over the years are all factors in deciding which type of products you should be using. But I counsel every patient to do two things: establish a good skin care routine, and use sunscreen. Sunscreen is a must in a good skin regimen to prevent new brown spots from forming. Anything over a 30 SPF is adequate, and it should be used in ..read more

This new procedure has become very popular. Should you get on board? A thread lift is a type of procedure where temporary sutures are used to produce a subtle but visible "lift" in the skin. These threads have the effect of pulling the skin back slightly, thereby lifting and tightening the face. In addition to lifting the skin, the threads stimulate the production of collagen in the areas treated. This is important because of the vital role collagen plays in the aging process. The threads stimulate the production of collagen in the areas treated. Collagen helps support "growth factors" that i ..read more

The facelift has maintained its status as one of the most popular and effective surgical procedures available for facial cosmetic enhancement in the U.S. for many years. While facelift surgery is often an ideal option for both women and men seeking to reduce signs of facial aging and restore a more youthful appearance, a variety of advances made over the years have resulted in alternative procedures that can address similar concerns. A non-surgical treatment such as a thread lift is one such option. With this in mind, it is important to understand the distinctions between these two procedures ..read more

Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by dirty skin and there is little evidence to support that eating chocolate or greasy foods is to blame. Fact is, there are four main factors that contribute to acne: excess oil production, clogged hair follicles, bacteria, and changing hormones. While some of the specifics behind why these things cause acne are still unclear, there are plenty of things we do know for certain. To help avoid confusion and misinformation, we’re doing some myth busting of the biggest acne misconceptions. After all, in order to fight it effectively, you need to be ab ..read more