Author: Medi

Probiotics are made up of good bacteria that helps keep your body healthy and working well. It helps to fight off bad bacteria when you have too much of it, helping you feel better. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for you, especially your digestive system. They should not be considered as germs that cause diseases. But your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called good or helpful bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy.

How do they work?

Probiotics may have a variety of effects in the body, and different probiotics may act in different ways. Probiotics might:

• Help your body maintain a healthy community of microorganisms or help your body’s community of microorganisms return to a healthy condition after being disturbed
• Produce substances that have desirable effects
• Influence your body’s immune response.

Effectiveness of probiotics

A great deal of research has been done on probiotics, but much remains to be learned about whether they’re helpful and safe for various health conditions.

Probiotics have shown promise for a variety of health purposes, including prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (including diarrhea caused), prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis in premature infants, treatment of infant colic, treatment of periodontal disease, and induction or maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis. However, in most instances, we still don’t know which probiotics are helpful and which are not. We also don’t know how much of the probiotic people would have to take or who would be most likely to benefit. Even for the conditions that have been studied the most, researchers are still working toward finding the answers to these questions.

What Do They Do?

Among other things, probiotics help send food through your gut by affecting nerves that control gut movement. Researchers are still trying to figure out which are best for certain health problems. Some common conditions they treat are:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Infectious diarrhea (caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites)
• Diarrhea caused by antibiotics

There is also some research that shows they’re useful for problems in other parts of your body. For example, some people say they have helped with:

• Skin conditions, like eczema
• Urinary and vaginal health
• Preventing allergies and colds
• Oral health

Possible side effects

Though taking probiotics may provide various benefits, it can also cause side effects, including:

Digestive symptoms – A person may experience gas and bloating when first using probiotics.

Skin problems – In rare cases, probiotics may cause skin rashes or itchiness.

Allergy risk – Anyone with an allergy or intolerance for gluten, soy, eggs, dairy, or lactose may need to exercise caution when choosing probiotics.

Increased risk of infection – Although probiotics are generally safe to use, findings of a review from 2017 suggest that children and adults with severe illnesses or compromised immune systems should avoid using probiotics. Some people with these conditions have experienced bacterial or fungal infections as a result of probiotic use.

Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) – If you have this condition consult with your doctor before taking it

What foods are high in probiotics

The most common fermented foods that naturally contain probiotics, or have probiotics added to them, include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, kimchi, sourdough bread and some cheeses.

Which probiotics to take and are there supplements?

Suggest scheduling a free consultation with our trained providers to assist you with selecting the right products. Click here to make an appointment>>> 

Research shows men are drawn to a woman’s pout more than any other facial feature. If you want to catch a man’s attention, do not bother fluttering your eyelashes or flicking your hair. Just practice your pout. According to a study, a woman’s lips are the most attractive part of her body. As I was writing this, I also found out that according to a recent study at the University of Manchester, men really are attracted to lipstick, with red being the most captivating. Scientists found that in the ten seconds after meeting a lady for the first time, the average man will spend more than half his time gazing at her mouth.

I came to focus on lips because, we treat around 60-70 patients per day asking this very same question.

There are so many lip fillers which one is best for me and how should I go about it?

You need to decide how big you realistically want your lips. Do you want to see a real difference right away? Most offices like their work to look hyper-natural. Have an idea before scheduling your next injection.

Select an office that has imagining technology to allow you to see what you look like before the injection. It is important to communicate with the provider the exact shape of your lips.

You should refrain from aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, fish oil, multivitamins, and vitamin E for about a week before your appointment, as each can act as a blood-thinner and contribute to post injection bruising.

You should not bring a photo with you to your appointment. Assuming they have the imaging technology, you can actually discuss options using your own lips.

There are a variety of dermal fillers have emerged that are based on hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in our bodies and is highly attracted to water and binds to moisture. Please allow the provider to make recommendation based on your lips.

You must understand that each syringe of filler has about one teaspoon. You should plan to get a minimum of two syringes provided the limited amount in each syringe. The price would be around $600 to $1,000 per syringe. Most fillers usually last around six months to a year. This means that if you love your initial results, take plenty of pics because it does fade over time. There will be real swelling that goes down in a day or two.

If you experience bruising, Medical Grade Ozone treatment can treat that within 3-4 hours.  And if you are really unhappy with the outcome, you can have it dissolved if it is hyaluronic-acid-based, so they all can dissolve it with hyaluronidase,” an enzyme that melts away hyaluronic acid rapidly and safely.

Still considering getting lip fillers?

Let us examine your lips with our imaging technology and then show you the shape of your lips before we inject. If there are bruising, fear not, our medical ozone treatment can treat it within 3-4 hours. Book your initial free consultation right here >>>

Acne Treatment

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages. It commonly occurs during puberty, when the sebaceous glands activate, but it can occur at any age. It is not dangerous, but it can leave skin scars. Many people in the U.S. experience acne between the ages of 12 and 24 years.

Some facts about acne that it is a skin disease involving the oil glands at the base of hair follicles; It affects 3 in every 4 people aged 11 to 30 years; It is not dangerous, but it can leave skin scars; Treatment depends on how severe and persistent it is; Risk factors include genetics, the menstrual cycle, anxiety and stress, hot and humid climates, using oil-based makeup, and squeezing pimples.

Cause

Human skin has pores that connect to oil glands under the skin. Follicles connect the glands to the pores. Follicles are small sacs that produce and secrete liquid. The glands produce an oily liquid called sebum. Sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin. A small hair grows through the follicle out of the skin. Pimples grow when these follicles get blocked, and oil builds up under the skin. Skin cells, sebum, and hair can clump together into a plug. This plug gets infected with bacteria, and swelling results. A pimple starts to develop when the plug begins to break down.

How dermatologists treat severe acne?

When a patient has severe acne, a dermatologist often recommends treating it with one of the following.

Antibiotic + medicine you apply to the acne: This is often the first treatment recommended for severe acne. Taking an antibiotic can reduce the redness and swelling of acne. The medicine you apply to your skin works on reducing bacteria and clogged pores. If this treatment fails to clear your skin, your dermatologist may switch your antibiotic or talk with you about isotretinoin.

Isotretinoin: This is a potent medicine that attacks all four causes of acne—bacteria, clogged pores, excess oil, and inflammation (redness and swelling). Due to possible side effects, you will need to carefully consider whether you want to take this medicine. If you decide to take isotretinoin, you must enroll in a monitoring program.

Birth control pill (females only): A birth control pill can be an effective part of an acne treatment plan. When treating severe acne, a birth control pill may be used along with an antibiotic or a medicine called spironolactone to get the acne under control.

No one needs to live with acne.

While acne can be stubborn, it’s not impossible to get clearing.

Laser treatment for acne scars aims to minimize the appearance of scars from old acne outbreaks. Laser treatment for acne scars focuses laser beam on the top layers of your skin to break up scar tissue. At the same time, the treatment encourages new, healthy skin cells to grow and replace the scar tissue. In some cases, medical grade peel is used for maximum effectiveness.

Which laser is best of acne?

Some common kinds of lasers used for acne scarring are erbium, Pico, YAG lasers, carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, and pulsed-dye lasers. Each of these devices work in a specific way to target the type of scarring that you have.

So how do I get my acne treated?

Suggest scheduling your initial free consultation with our trained providers who have treated thousands of patients successfully. We will first take an image of your skin using our imaging technology to allow us to examine layers of your skin before we customize a package for you. Click here to book>>>   

The cause?

Dark/brown/sun/age spot (Hyperpigmentation) are due to the overproduction of melanin in skin. It can be triggered by a lot of different things such as estrogen and progesterone that can increase the level of melanin. You can see them in pregnant women. The sun exposure can increase the level of melanin. We have more dark spots after the summer; and age can increase it hence you can see dark age spots in older patients. Other factors, like skin irritation as a result of acne, waxing, and harsh scrubs, can also cause dark spots.

Now that you know where dark spots come from, Are there solutions for these unwanted blemishes?

When it comes to dark spot treatments, there are so many options out there that it can be hard to know where to start. What ingredients should you look for? And most important, which ones will get rid of them?

Medical grade brightening serum uses ingredients like vitamin C and phytic acid to help improve uneven skin tone and discoloration. This is a temporally solution and may not be a good option for sensitive skin.

Vitamin C – Vitamin C can be used as a topical antioxidant that helps to block free radicals from causing oxidative damage to the skin (which can lead to wrinkles and a dull complexion, among other things). “It also inhibits enzymatic processes that produce melanin in the skin, as such it can help to reduce dark coloration of the skin.

Hydroquinone – It has been used for the last 50 years. It can be found over the counter with lower concentration. It works by inhibiting an enzyme called tyrosinase, which aids in the production of melanin, the less tyrosinase produced, the less melanin produced.

Kojic acid – It is used to lightens the skin and is best used in conjunction with hydroquinone for maximum results. It works by suppressing a key factor in the activity of the pigment cells. The risk commonly associated with topical kojic acid is allergic dermatitis. Those with sensitive skin should opt for small doses during night time only since inflammation and irritation can be side effects. Also, don’t expect speedy results. It takes months to see results.

Azelaic acid – Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring extract from oat, wheat, or rye that interferes with production of abnormal pigmentation. It has antibacterial properties that can help banish acne and the scars pimples leave behind.

Laser Treatments – Lasers are the most impactful treatment to reduce dark spots with no side effect, if performed by trained professional while using the right laser technology. They use a focused beam of light that has a specific target or chromophore to break up and eliminate the pigment particles in the skin. If right laser technology is not used, it delivers less focused light and may have an unwanted effect on the surrounding skin, especially in darker or tanned skin.

Chemical peels – Peels remove the upper layers of dead skin, helping to reduce the dull appearance of the skin so that it reflects light better and appears to glow. Combination of right peel and laser will have the best effect on skin while removing these spots.

A lot of information to digest? so, how do I get started?

The best option is to allow out trained professional to take an image of your skin using our state of art imaging technology and examine layers of your skin to customize the best option for you. Book your next free consultation by clicking here >>>>  

What is Varicose veins and how to treat them

They are swollen, twisted veins that lie just under the skin and usually occur in the legs. Varicose veins are a common condition caused by weak or damaged vein walls and valves. Varicose veins may form whenever blood pressure increases inside your veins. For many people, varicose veins, and spider veins — a common, mild variation of varicose veins — are simply a cosmetic concern. For other people, varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort. Sometimes varicose veins lead to more-serious problems.

What are the signs?

Some signs are veins that are dark purple or blue in color, Veins that appear twisted and bulging; they are often like cords on your legs and when painful signs and symptoms occur, they may include:

• An achy or heavy feeling in your legs
• Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs
• Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time.
• Itching around one or more of your veins
• Skin discoloration around a varicose vein

Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they’re smaller. Spider veins are found closer to the skin’s surface and are often red or blue. Spider veins occur on the legs, but can also be found on the face. They vary in size and often look like a spider’s web.

How do we get them?

Weak or damaged valves can lead to varicose veins. Arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of your tissues, and veins return blood from the rest of your body to your heart, so the blood can be recirculated. To return blood to your heart, the veins in your legs must work against gravity. Muscle contractions in your lower legs act as pumps, and elastic vein walls help blood return to your heart. Tiny valves in your veins open as blood flows toward your heart then close to stop blood from flowing backward. If these valves are weak or damaged, blood can flow backward and pool in the vein, causing the veins to stretch or twist.

Are there complications?

Ulcers. Painful ulcers may form on the skin near varicose veins, particularly near the ankles. A discolored spot on the skin usually begins before an ulcer forms.

Blood clots. Occasionally, veins deep within the legs become enlarged. In such cases, the affected leg may become painful and swell. Any persistent leg pain or swelling warrants medical attention because it may indicate a blood clot.

Bleeding. Occasionally, veins very close to the skin may burst. This usually causes only minor bleeding. But any bleeding requires medical attention.

Prevention

There’s no way to completely prevent varicose veins. But improving your circulation and muscle tone may reduce your risk of developing varicose veins or getting additional ones. The same measures you can take to treat the discomfort from varicose veins at home can help prevent varicose veins, including:

• Exercising
• Watching your weight
• Eating a high-fiber, low-salt diet
• Avoiding high heels and tight hosiery
• Elevating your legs
• Changing your sitting or standing position regularly

How do you treat them?

We can either treat them with laser or injection. Book your consultation today>>>