Did you know that Seattle ranked 29th out of 32 cities in a 2007 nationwide-poll conducted by The American Academy of Dermatology? Respondents were tested on their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward tanning and sun protection. At the same time, melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer, is one of the most diagnosed forms of cancer in Washington State.
Common arguments that Dermatologists hear from their patients:
“It’s Cloudy Outside”
A full 80% of dangerous Ultraviolet (UV) light passes right through cloud cover; those thick layers of water vapor will not protect you from sun damage. UV rays reach you on cloudy or hazy days as well as bright, sunny days. UV light also reflects off any bright surface such as water, cement, sand, or snow; causing burns from both above and below.
“I Never Burn, I Only Tan”
Any tan is a sign of damage. It means your skin has suffered cancer causing mutations and permanent damage to elastin and collagen. Do you have dark skin to begin with? Even the very darkest skin is equal to only SPF 5—far below the SPF 30 recommended for everyone.
“The Sun Clears Up My Pimples”
Even dermatologists cannot deny the initial magic the sun works on acne. A little color camouflages pimples and the UV rays do have a slight drying effect. But UV rays also stimulate the sebaceous glands, making your skin oilier. The skin thickens to defend itself against the sun, which in turn blocks pores and causes more pimples. It is a vicious circle. Wear sunscreen.
“I Always Sit In The Shade”
Sunlight—specifically UVB rays—reflect off most surfaces and will find you even under your beach umbrella or favorite tree. A better way to judge how much UVB exposure that you are getting is to note how much open sky you can see rather than how much sun is actually hitting you.
“Sure I Burn A Little At First, But Then It Turns Tan”
All it takes is one really bad sunburn to increase your risk of Melanoma (a potentially fatal form of skin cancer). It is also important to know that a very bad sunburn from years ago could come back to haunt you. It is a good idea to have your dermatologist perform a complete checkup annually to keep an eye on any suspicious moles or lesions that might indicate Melanoma.
At The Avalon Clinic we are here to help you achieve your dreams. We are located in Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons has over 20 years of experience and is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
We want you to be so satisfied with your experience that you will always come back to us and refer your friends and family. To receive your FREE gift contact us at www.avalonclinic.com or call 1-800-408-4444!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
All About Botox!
Botox™ is a substance which - in low doses - is injected beneath the skin to minimize or smooth out lines and wrinkles on the face. It relaxes the muscles around the eyes, giving the recipient a clean, smooth facial appearance.
The results are temporary, lasting from three to six months.
Botox was first approved in December 1989 to treat two eye muscle disorders -blepharospasm and strabismus. Doctors observed that wrinkles around the eyes improved as well. After further testing by the manufacturer, in April 2002 the FDA approved Botox for the temporary improvement of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), a medical condition that is not serious.
Botox was first approved in December 1989 to treat two eye muscle disorders -blepharospasm and strabismus. Doctors observed that wrinkles around the eyes improved as well. After further testing by the manufacturer, in April 2002 the FDA approved Botox for the temporary improvement of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), a medical condition that is not serious.
What is Botox?
Botox Cosmetic is a purified protein (Botulinum Toxin Type A) produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, that is injected directly into the tiny facial muscles that contract and cause wrinkles. The injected toxin will then weaken or paralyze the muscles, causing the overlying skin to smooth out.
Is it harmful?
No, it is not harmful. Acceptable safety in long-term treatment has been well established.
Botox treatment is the number one cosmetic procedure performed each year.
How long does the Botox treatment take?
Botox Cosmetic is a quick and minimally invasive procedure that takes approximately 10 minutes. There is no downtime.
What does it feel like? Does it hurt?
The needle used is very fine and only a tiny amount of liquid is being used at each injection site. The pain associated with the injections is easily tolerated. The medicine tingles like a bee sting during the injection, but subsides within seconds.
How long does it last?
This depends entirely on the patient, but an average patient with a single treatment will last for approximately 3 months.
The Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery is located in Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has over 20 years of experience. Patient safety and satisfaction is our #1 goal. Our artistry is helping our patients look and feel their very best.
The Avalon Clinic wants you to know that It Is Possible! Contact us at http://www.avalonclinic.com/ or call 1-800-408-4444.
How To Prepare For Surgery
Once you have done your research and decided cosmetic surgery is right for you, the next step is to schedule a consultation and meet with a doctor. The purpose of this consultation is to address your questions and concerns. It is here that you will discuss your hopes and dreams for your new body. You will be examined by the doctor in order to receive specific recommendations for your specific situation which are designed to help you get from where you are at now to where you’d like to be. This is a very important part of the process because everyone’s situation is different.
One of the most important things for you to do is be completely honest with your doctor. Please be sure to inform your doctor of any medications that you’re taking, as well as any vitamins, herbs, and/or supplements that may be included in your diet. There are certain medications that can cause delayed healing after surgery. These medications should be avoided for at least one week before and one week after surgery.
Some patients believe that all their problems will be corrected with surgery and they will have a “perfect” body after they heal. The truth is cosmetic surgery may make positive improvements which significantly impact your life, but you must talk to you doctor about realistic expectations.
It is important to realize that everyone recovers differently from surgery. Each individual will have his/her own pain tolerance level and individual healing pattern, which makes it impractical to compare one patient’s recovery to another’s. Although everyone heals at a different rate, your recovery will generally follow a similar time line. Most of the discomfort you may feel will be controlled with medication prescribed by your doctor. Do keep in mind that you will need to take time off work, the length to be determined by your doctor and your individual situation.
The Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery is located in Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has over 20 years of experience. Patient safety and satisfaction is our #1 goal. Our art is to help patients’ look and feel their best.
The Avalon Clinic wants you to know that It Is Possible!
Contact us at http://www.avalonclinic.com/ or call 1-800-408-4444.
One of the most important things for you to do is be completely honest with your doctor. Please be sure to inform your doctor of any medications that you’re taking, as well as any vitamins, herbs, and/or supplements that may be included in your diet. There are certain medications that can cause delayed healing after surgery. These medications should be avoided for at least one week before and one week after surgery.
Some patients believe that all their problems will be corrected with surgery and they will have a “perfect” body after they heal. The truth is cosmetic surgery may make positive improvements which significantly impact your life, but you must talk to you doctor about realistic expectations.
It is important to realize that everyone recovers differently from surgery. Each individual will have his/her own pain tolerance level and individual healing pattern, which makes it impractical to compare one patient’s recovery to another’s. Although everyone heals at a different rate, your recovery will generally follow a similar time line. Most of the discomfort you may feel will be controlled with medication prescribed by your doctor. Do keep in mind that you will need to take time off work, the length to be determined by your doctor and your individual situation.
The Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery is located in Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has over 20 years of experience. Patient safety and satisfaction is our #1 goal. Our art is to help patients’ look and feel their best.
The Avalon Clinic wants you to know that It Is Possible!
Contact us at http://www.avalonclinic.com/ or call 1-800-408-4444.
What To Ask Your Cosmetic Surgeon
It Is Possible!
If you have been researching or considering cosmetic surgery, then it may be time for you to take the next step in achieving your dreams. A consultation with one of our Board Certified Surgeons will give you the information you need to make an educated decision.
At The Avalon Clinic for cosmetic surgery we are committed to building a lasting relationship with you. We want to know about you and your goals. When you schedule your consultation, it will be an hour set aside just for you: to get your questions about cosmetic surgery answered.
Some important things to ask you Surgeon:
Are you Board Certified?
Do you have before/after pictures?
Am I a candidate for surgery?
What are some of the risks associated with this surgery?
What are your recommendations for me?
What can I expect during recovery?
How will discomfort be managed?
Are your prices all inclusive?
These are only a few of the questions that you should have answered by the end f the consultation. By getting accurate information from credible sources, you will have a greater understanding of what to expect during the process and how to prepare for what lies ahead.
At The Avalon Clinic we are here to help you achieve your dreams. We are located in Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has over 20 years of experience.
We want you to be so satisfied with your experience here that you will always come back to us and refer your friends and family to us. Contact us at www.avalonclinic.com or call 1-800-408-4444!
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