As seasons change so does our skin. Winter is the worst season of the year and can be very hard on the skin.  In this blog I offer a few tips to help you avoid costly mistakes in your daily skin care program, that lead to dry, flaky and red irritated skin. You can keep looking and feeling your best even during harsh winters. 

1. Avoid licking your lips and do use lip balm.  The skin on your lips is very fragile and requires special care just like your facial skin.  Licking your lips frequently can cause them to dry out and become flaky.  Even though licking provides temporary moisture it leaves the lips drier due to evaporation into the dry winter air and heated environments. The digestive enzymes in saliva can break down the skin causing lips corners to crack and the skin to flake. Prevent damaged lips by exfoliating the dead skin away and then use a well formulated, conditioned lip balm throughout the day to keep in natural moisture.

2.  Do Use Sunscreen all year around.  Winter UVA rays are nearly as strong as summer rays.  They are responsible for changing the DNA in the skin and this causes premature lines, wrinkles and sagging. Damaging UV light is the #1 cause of premature aging skin because they interfere with skin barrier function while simultaneously preventing proper moisture levels in the skin.

3.  Use the right formula and amount of moisturizer.  Too much moisturizer is wasteful, can cause skin congestion, bumps and breakouts.  The skin, like a sponge, can only absorb so much.  Find the right formula for your skin needs, apply it daily and prevent future skin problems.

4.  Adjust your skin care regimen to your skin needs. Our bodies constantly change and so does our skin with fluctuating temperatures and conditions.  Make sure you are using the right products during each season.  For example:  you may need to switch from a foaming cleanser and creamy moisturizer, during winter months, to a gentler cleansing lotion and serum moisturizer, to avoid loss of drying the skin.  Find a good aesthetician (Nora handles this at DAVinci) to help you with your best skin care program/products. Visit my website for more info: www.davinciplastic.com.

5. Seal in your moisturizer right after cleansing your skin!  You have a one minute window after cleansing, to moisturize and prevent skin dehydration. Water acts like a magnet and attracts the water deep within your dermal layers and result in evaporation. Apply your moisturizer or serum while your skin is still damp to ensure plump, well hydrated skin.

BRILLIANT DISTINCTIONS® Reward Program that allows patients to earn redeemable points/coupons for SkinMedica® products, Botox® and Juvederm®.  My patients love this program. Check it out at: www.brilliantdistinctionsprogram.com.

Glow N” Go Treatments are popular all year long but especially during the winter months. Treatments include:  Botox® Cosmetic, Microdermabrasion, IPL treatments for dark spots and patchy or uneven skin color and Injectables are here to stay. The Seniors and the younger generations are in love with instant Liquid Facelifts when surgery isn’t necessary.  Manly Makeovers are rising in popularity as more men are choosing cosmetic procedures for career advantages and because they just want to look good.

Stay Well and Put Your Best Face Forward!

Steven Davison M.D.

Current trends and surveys prove these to be the most in demand Anti aging cosmetic procedures.  They include:

1) Breast Procedures, Breast Augmentation with Implants, Breast Lift with/without Implants, Breast Reduction, Breast Reconstruction, Revision Breast Surgery (to correct undesirable results from a previous procedure.)  My patients travel from around the world for my Premium Breast Procedures including Natrelle410 Supreme Breast Implants for the most natural results ever.

2)  Anti Aging Instant Lifting Filler Facelifts using a blend of our advanced injectables such as:  Fat Grafting (fat transfer) Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, Botox, Sculptra, Belotero etc.  These lifting, age erasing treatments involve a blend of injectable to remove lines, wrinkles, grooves and overall facial aging by replacing volume and restoring natural contour.  Every filler serves a specific purpose.  Some of them give instant volume replacement while lifting and smoothing out wrinkles and stimulating your own collagen production for long term benefits.

3) Non Surgical Brow Lifts, Cheek Lifts, Mouth Lifts, Lip Augmentation and more can be achieved with today’s “miracle” injectables!  Liquid Lifts define the eyes, elevate the browns, lift the sagging mouth corners, Plump up deflated, aging lips to restore sensuous beauty…and much more.

4) Laser Skin Treatments for skin tightening, skin irregularities, blemishes, rosacea, to remove signs of aging (lines/wrinkles), brown spots and red spots and other treatments.

5) Tummy tucks (Abdominoplasty) is in high demand as Boomers are getting more cosmetic and plastic surgery treatments as part of their normal health maintenance programs.  Thigh Lifts, Arm Lifts,…any are with sagging skin and relaxed muscles can be lifted and tightened.

6)  Facelifts and Necklifts to keep one “Aging Beautifully” when injectables and mini procedures no longer work or when one has waited too long to begin the anti aging program and fullblown treatments are needed for desirable results.

Check out all the procedures offered at DAVinci: HTTP://www.davinciplastic.com.

A GRANDMOTHER’s TRUE STORY  “As a school teacher, we get used to children’s often cruel comments and hurtful questions.  One such question sent me running to my plastic surgeon:  “Mrs. Nichol’s, why does your neck wobble?:  After years of doing for my family, I decided it was time to do something nice and rewarding for myself.  My surgeon and I created a “GrandMommy Makeover’ and went to work!  Now I will age beautifully and more youthfully.

ONE MOTHER’S TRUE STORY  I gave birth to my daughter when I was 44 and often endured people remarking:  “Oh, your granddaughter is so adorable.”  This occurred regularly, even when she was a baby and it only got worse as we both aged.  Yes, I recently completed the final procedure for my “Mommy Makeover.”  I’m loving it!  Now people ask my daughter if she and I are sisters!

Here are some helpful anti aging nutrition tips:  go for bright colors when selecting fruits and vegetables.  Choose pomegranate with lime for refreshing summertime drinks and don’t forget Green Tea is loaded with antioxidents too.  Drink it iced for a change and combine it with powerful antioxidants like pomegranate juice or shakes.

BUYER BEWARE FLASH NEWS:  Recently the FDA levied a warning on Lancome due to false anti wrinkle claims.  BEWARE of broad spectrum claims made by cosmetic companies.  FDA defines broad spectrum as protecting against both UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays.

Remember to stay well hydrated this summer…especially on beach days.  Have fun and stay healthy!

Steven Davison M.D.

“DAVinci where I combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.”