Zeltiq applicators

Zeltiq also just announced that the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) cleared CoolSculpting for non-invasive fat reduction. This means that you’ll probably be seeing more advertisements and information about Zeltiq soon.

And if you get Botox or Juvéderm treatments, be sure to sign up for Brilliant Distinctions. This program gives you points for Botox and Juvéderm treatments that you can use to get coupons to save money on future Botox Cosmetic or Juvéderm treatments or the purchase of Latisse.

With your original receipt and the UPC code from the box handy, you can go to the Latisse website to sign up for LashPerks and receive a $20 rebate on the purchase of Latisse.

According to one of their reps, “This is an ongoing offer for the time being.” So, to be safe, you might want to come pick up some Latisse and get your rebate before they change their minds.

OK, normally we try to only share serious dermatology news, events and specials with you in our posts, but this was just too funny to pass up. And since they say laughter is the best medicine, we hope you’ll enjoy it too…

… And if you can’t “make peace” because your “skin don’t fit,” stop by our office so you can “put some cream on it.”

In addition to recommending sunscreens, they also give their picks for the best makeups and lipbalms with SPF. Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics — which we carry here — had several products recommended:

• PurePressed Base, SPF 20
• HE Bronzer for Men, SPF 18
• Absence Oil Control Primer, SPF 15
• Absence 2 Oil Control Primer, SPF 15
• LipDrink, SPF 15
• PureMoist LipColour, SPF 18
• PureMoist LipSheres, SPF 18

Among the other highlights of this year’s EWG report is a warning to avoid sunscreens that contain a vitamin A compound called retinyl palmitate. Some recent evidence points to the possibility that vitamin A is “photocarcinogenic,” meaning that combining it with topical products and sunlight can result in skin cancer. Until there’s more evidence one way or the other, it’s probably best to err on the side of safety and avoid the 41% of sunscreens that contain “retinyl palmitate” or “retinol” on their list of ingredients. You might consider wearing your other retinol products at night only as well.

The EWG report also published a warning about the high SPF claims that companies make for anything above 50 SPF. They say the claims are misleading on several fronts.

• First, the numbers don’t mean what you think they do. For example, SPF 30 isn’t twice as effective as SPF 15. So putting a 100 SPF sunscreen on isn’t going to protect you for as long as you might think.
• High SPF products are often good at protecting from the UVB rays that cause sunburn so people who use them stay out in the sun longer. But these same products often don’t block UVA rays, which are the ones that can cause cancer, not to mention wrinkles and sunspots. To make sure you’re protected, look for products that have broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. These usually have one of the following ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or avobenzone (not to be confused with oxybenzone, a hormone-disrupting compound that penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream).
• Most people don’t use enough sunscreen. A good rule of thumb is to use one fluid ounce of sunscreen per application if you’re wearing a swimsuit. That’s the same size as a standard shot glass. Obviously, if you’re wearing more clothes you won’t need quite as much.

The EWG’s bottom line is: “Hats, clothing and shade are still the most reliable sun protection available.” Speaking of which, we have some new hats in stock that will help protect you in the sun. Stop by and check them out on the second floor.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and indicates the amount of sunburn protection a product provides. We recommend a minimum of SPF 30 to protect against skin cancer, wrinkles and premature aging of the skin. Harmful UVA and UVB rays can reach you even on overcast winter days, while you are driving or indoors if you’re near the light from windows, so it’s safest to protect yourself year-round, indoors and out.

What’s in a number?

The SPF rating system is a little confusing since SPF 30 isn’t twice as effective as SPF 15. SPF 15 sunscreen gives a 93% protection while SPF 30 provides 97% protection. Although SPF ratings apply only to UVB rays, applying a product containing avobenzone, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide will provide broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

Jane Iredale Powder-Me SPF™ Dry Sunscreen – SPF 30

Sunblocks

The following are some of our SPF products that are “sunblocks,” meaning that they contain the opaque minerals Titanium Dioxide and/or Zinc Oxide to block the sun’s rays from reaching your skin. The advantage of sunblocks over sunscreens is that they don’t have to be reapplied as often as chemical “sunscreens.”

• Z-Silc Sunblock SPF 30 $32.60 $26.08
• Ti-Silc Sheer SPF 45 $28.20 $22.56
• Ti-Silc GT SPF 60+ $33.20 $26.56
• Jane Iredale Powder-Me SPF Dry Sunscreen SPF 30 $44 $35.20
• Dermalogica Super Sensitive Faceblock SPF 30 $45 $36
• Dermalogica Pure Light SPF 30 $60 $48

PCA Skin Perfecting Face & Body Hydrator SPF 30

Sunscreens

The following are some of our SPF products that are chemical sunscreens. They are more transparent than physical sunblocks so they are easier to apply, but need to be reapplied more often for full protection. Avobenzone is usually one of the key ingredients.

• PCA Skin perfecting face & body hydrator SPF 30 $32 $25.60
• Dermalogica Waterblock Solar Spray SPF 30 $38 $30.40
• Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF 30 $48.50 $38.80
• Dermalogica Extra Rich Faceblock SPF 30 $48 $38.40
• Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 30 $62 $49.60

Special prices expire May 31, 2010.

The trainer was here Monday to show us how to use it. We tried it out on employee volunteers, who report that it’s as painless as advertised. They say there’s a constant tugging sensation which is a little uncomfortable because the bulge being treating is placed between two cold plates for the entire hour of treatment. And once the plates start to chill there’s a tingling sensation similar to that of an ice pack (see note below). This goes away after the first few minutes once the area is numb. Once the 60 minutes are up and the device is removed, the bulge looks a bit like a frozen cube of butter in size and shape. The bulge returns to normal within a minute or two as it warms up. Some people do have a little bruising from the treatment. The trainer said people who bruise easily can end up with a really big hickey that takes a week or more to go away.

After the procedure, our volunteers were able to immediately go back to work. No downtime at all! This is definitely a good “lunchtime” procedure.

You can double up and treat a second section during the same session so your treatment would last a total of two hours. But if you want more than two sections treated, we’ll have you come back on a different day. Each “section” is the amount of bulge that fits into the device head, approximately a handful or the size of a cube of butter. For most people two sections will cover their abdomen, one section for each love handle and one section on each side for under-the-bra back fat. Our introductory pricing is $500 for the first section and $400 for each additional section treated.

Some of the advice we have for those getting the procedure:

• Wear sweats, either sweat pants or sweat shorts, to your appointment. This is because we’ll be taking some photos of your midsection before the treatment (or when you come back for a follow-up visit) and you’ll probably be more comfortable just adjusting your sweats down low on your hips than being photographed in your underwear. Sweats will also be more comfortable during the treatment than the “one size fits all” medical shorts we have as an alternative for you to wear.
• Plan ahead. You will have to sit still on the reclining chair for an hour in the same position, so you should go to the bathroom right before the treatment and come prepared with reading material, smart phone, personal music device or even an eye mask if you just want to get some extra Zs.
• Kill two birds… There’s never enough time, so consider booking a different cosmetic procedure at the same time as your Zeltiq. Be super efficient, and get a facial or chemical peel , Botox or Juvederm while reducing your fat.

Call 509-735-1100 ext. 114 today for your free consultation to see if Zeltiq is right for you. Remember, the best candidates for Zeltiq are near their ideal weight and just have a few isolated fat bulges that dieting and exercise haven’t gotten rid of.

NOTE: The Zeltiq trainer asked us to warn people that they should NOT try to freeze their fat at home with ice packs, because they’ll end up giving themselves frostbite. The Zeltiq works safely because fat is more susceptible to cold than skin and other tissues. That means the device chills to a very specific temperature, low enough to damage fat, but not as cold as ice which would damage skin if left on it too long. We also place a gel pad between your skin and the device during the procedure which adds a layer of skin protection too.