• Proper facial cleansing is important at every stage of life, but mature skin needs a cleanser formulated to meet its unique needs.

• The frequency and method of cleansing are different, too…wash the face no more than twice daily, using the hands rather than a washcloth.

• After cleansing, leave astringent products to the teens, and use an alcohol-free toner instead.

• Don’t forget to moisturize, but you may need to use a different product. Mature skin needs a more gentle, oil-free product that won’t clog pores.

• Blot oily areas rather than using powder, which tends to accentuate fine lines and wrinkles.

Physicians have access to more concentrated skin care products that are among the most technologically advanced formulations available today.  If you aren’t satisfied with over-the-counter products, call the skin care professionals at LaFerriere & Kienstra Facial Plastic Surgery.

• Uncover smoother, silkier, and more youthful skin with a special chemical peel.
• Replace lost collagen from the face with Sculptra® Aesthetic injectable filler treatment.
• Improve facial lines and eliminate wrinkles with Botox.
• Treat severe acne, unclog pores, and rejuvenate skin to a healthier glow with microdermabrasian.
• Effectively treat sun damage, rosacea, birthmarks, melasma, lesions, and more with Broad Band Light (BBL) photorejuvenation.

Ready to schedule a consultation? Contact us today!

Something you can do to promote collagen production is change your diet. Here are some foods to add to your diet to encourage collagen production.

Face Firming Foods:

• Water rich vegetables like cucumber and celery promote collagen growth by adding sulfur to the diet.
• Fish has omega 3 fatty acids which create stronger cells.
• Soy products, such as soymilk and tofu, contain anti-aging antioxidants.
• Red vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and beets help to protect against sun damage.
• Dark green vegetables like spinach and kale add Vitamin C and help to protect against free radicals.
• Berries such as blackberries and raspberries also fight free radicals.
• White tea blocks enzymes that can break down collagen.
• Orange vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes contain Vitamin A which regenerates damaged collagen.

These foods are not just great for firming your face; they’re also beneficial to the rest of the body. If you’re looking for immediate wrinkle relief, schedule a consultation with Dr. Keith LaFerriere or Dr. Matthew Kienstra today.

• See demonstrations of our non-surgical procedures and treatments
• View our best-selling products in action, including some that can be found only at our clinic.
• Receive substantial discounts on many of our treatment and service packages.
• Discover the benefits of our exclusive line of LaFerriere and Kienstra skin care products.
• Learn how our facial laser services, chemical peels, Botox treatments, laser hair removal, one-of-a-kind cleansers, and select skin care products may change the way you look and feel.

To register for the event, please visit http://www.facialplasticsurgeon.com/facial-plastic-surgery-seminars.html

How it works:

By sending a filtered and highly concentrated beam of light to the root of the hair follicle, we are able to target the melanin of the follicle; thus reducing the growth of the hair. Most people feel only a slight tingling sensation during treatment, much of which can be completely rid of by using a topical numbing cream.

There is little to no skin irritation from this procedure. The procedure can take as little as five minutes for a small area or up to an hour for large areas. Remember, hair grows in cycles, so you may need several sessions to achieve the desired effect. If you want to reduce up to 90% of unwanted hair, call us at 417-887-3223 and get started.

“We don’t have any data to show that anything above 50 adds any value for anybody,” says director of the FDA drug center Dr. Janet Woodcock.

In fact, the FDA is currently considering a proposal to ban sunscreens with sun protection factors over 50. Many doctors believe using a sunscreen with an SPF of over 50 can introduce higher levels of unnecessary irritants to the body without a higher level of skin protection. Doctors suggest finding a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF between 30 and 50 before enjoying those bright summer days.

You will no longer see these terms on sunscreen bottles:

• Sunblock
• Waterproof
• Sweatproof

Instead, sunscreen manufacturers may advertise how long the sunscreen is “water resistant.” Sunscreens are now also required to be broad spectrum. Broad spectrum sunscreens protect equally against UVB and UVA rays. While both types are dangerous, they affect the skin in different ways; UVB causes sunburns and UVA causes wrinkles.

In addition to these regulations, only lotions with an SPF number of 15 or higher can claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. Although a savvy consumer will be better protected by these rules, doctors remind sun bathers to reapply lotion every forty to eighty minutes.

Fat supplies the essential fatty acids (EFAs).  Since the body can’t produce EFA itself, they are an important part of a healthy diet.  EFAs are also vital to maintaining skin health, including rejuvenating and replenishing the complexion.  “They are vital to strengthen the cell membrane, to keep nutrients in and toxins out,” explains skin therapist Louise Thomas-Minns.

Minns recommends oily fish, such as salmon or mackerel, and says that raw nuts and pumpkin seeds are excellent sources of EFA.  Sesame seeds, avocados, many dark leafy green vegetables, and albacore tuna are also good sources of EFA.

Protection against penetrating UV-A rays may be more even more important than protection from UV-B, which are less damaging during the winter, while UV-A levels remain fairly constant throughout the year.

Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center recently examined ingredients in a number of facial products with labels that claim they protect against UV rays, looking for either zinc oxide or a combination of avobenzone and octocrylene.  Most did not contain adequate levels of the active ingredients needed to provide UV-A protection.   Some of the products that claimed effectiveness against UV-A actually had none of these ingredients at all.  Only 1 in 5 of these products contained enough of the right ingredients to provide adequate protection.

So, if your sunscreen claims to provide both UV-B and UV-A protection, take a close look at the ingredients listed on the label to see if it contains “the right stuff.”  If it doesn’t measure up, or you are concerned about whether it contains enough of these active ingredients, ask Dr. Keith LaFerriere or Dr. Matt Kienstra to recommend a product that does.

According to a study recently published in Archives of Dermatology, the best strategy seems to be warning them that ultraviolet rays destroy collagen and cause leathery, wrinkled skin.  “The fear of looking horrible trumped everything else,” says June Robinson, a professor of dermatology and senior author of the study. “They’re not worried about skin cancer, but they are worried about getting wrinkled and being unattractive.”