Resources
Learn about body sculpting and CoolSculpting in Moline, IL with FDA-cleared fat elimination technology that reduces fat layer thickness by 20-25% per session.
Explore hormone replacement therapy in East Moline, IL with comprehensive testosterone and bioidentical hormone treatments that include medications and lab monitoring.
Plan your weight loss success in Silvis, IL with medically supervised programs offering nutritional counseling and personalized care for lasting results.
Classics are so named because they have proven themselves over time. So, it’s the case with Vitamin E. One of the trio of classics: A, C, and E, this powerful antioxidant performs a multitude of tasks. It comes in a few different forms: Alpha-tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, and tocopherol. What is the difference? Tocopherol is the big umbrella under which all others reside. Alpha-tocopherol is an active form that our bodies prefer. Eating foods such as nuts, seeds, and leafy greens that contain vitamin E to delivers an antioxidant supple to our bodies. It can also be found in dietary supplements. Tocopherol-acetate is the esterified for of vitamin E found in topical formulations It is combined with acetate acid because tocopherol degrades easily. Manufacturers combine it with acetic acid to sustain the shelf life of products. For this reason, it does not function as an antioxidant while it is in the bottle or sitting on your skin. However, once it is absorbed into the skin, your body’s enzymes break it down and then it is back in the form of active tocopherol. What does vitamin E do for the skin? *Neutralizes free radical damage that is responsible for dullness, photoaging and fine lines. *As an emollient, it helps keeps the skin well hydrated as well as soft. It can also be used to improve skin healing and scarring. *Vitamin E holds a good reputation for reducing redness and can be especially important if you suffer from Eczema and Psoriasis as it promotes healing while reducing surface redness. Vitamin E is often paired with vitamin C to boost the effects of reducing UV induced damage that results in redness and swelling. In addition, these two antioxidants are also combined with ferulic acid to strengthen and brighten the skin. The versatility of this antioxidant also plays well with Hyaluronic acid to further boost hydration. There have been hundreds of observational studies as well as randomized controlled studies on the impact of vitamin E and how it improves quality of life whether it is ingested or applied topically. If you haven’t already investigated it, now’s t he time to make a friend.
As technology advances, options for both in office and at home treatment are readily available and pain-free. One key to investing in authentic at home devices is learning the strengths necessary for real time improvement. Making sure there is sufficient evidence of effectiveness to both products and treatments is the best approach. While word of mouth holds a certain amount of credibility, we also need, like iconic tag line from Dragnet, “just the facts.” One service that is becoming increasingly popular is PEMF for its usefulness and broad flexibility to so many. PEMF, or Pulsed electromagnetic field is a non-invasive, drug free and non - painful treatment that uses low-level electromagnetic fields to help cellular repair, reduce pain, and improve circulation. It pioneered as treatment for wound healing and fractures. But did you know it also has a history for reducing inflammation, aids in sleep and relaxation, improves circulation, and assists in alleviating pain? PEMF helps your body recover faster from injury as well as stimulates cells to restore and recharge metabolism. It treats your cells like batteries as they send magnetic energy into the body that in turn promotes healing and restores energy by increasing the production of electrolytes and ions. If you are looking for an alternative to drugs and surgery, be sure to investigate PEMF. It’s not just for humans either. Veterinarians have been using it to treat horses, dogs, and cats with remarkable success for quite some time. Red light therapy is another must-have in at home anti-aging tool collection. The Indian journal of Dermatology found blue and red light have notable effects on mild to moderate inflammatory acne. Another study found patients who used at home treatments with a handheld device over a month experienced 70% reduction in inflammatory acne by 8 weeks after their final treatment. A research paper published in AIMS Biophys found that red light therapy can effectively promote healing and reduce inflammation in skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Stubborn stretch marks were treated with red light therapy in a study conducted by the journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. The results showed decrease in appearance of marks by collagen synthesis and PEMF devices can range in size form smaller at home to large, clinical grade equipment. From mats to handheld devices, options for devices are varied. The waveforms vary (sinusoidal, rectangular, and triangular) using strength and frequencies ranging from 6 Hz to 500 Hz. Contraindications for this therapy are those with electronic implants, pregnant women, or those with active bleeding or serious infections. Rare side effects such as mild headaches, fatigue or skin irritation can occur. Clinical studies done in orthopedics site improvements in treatment osteoarthritis, improved bone healing, and post-operative pain. Red Light therapy is gaining a huge fan base for its anti-aging results, and it is now being parted with PEMF. While red light therapy increases ATP production in the mitochondria for energy, PEMF optimizes cell membrane potential and enhances circulation. The end results of this power combo is enhancing tissue health, faster healing, and nervous system reset. Some choose to stack treatments by lying on a PEMF mat while simultaneously using red light panels, making a full body “sandwich of wellness.” Sessions can last anywhere from 15-30 minutes 2-4 times a week. Prepare for optimum results by being well hydrated prior to treatment to support metabolic activity. Both treatments are considered safe and non-invasive. It is recommended to consult with your health provider prior to investing .
Ever wonder why some skincare products stop working for you midway through the product? It’s not the product, it’s your skin. Take into consideration your skin is a living organ that is continually in a state of change. In addition, few of us live in a completely climate-controlled environment 24/7. As seasons change, our skin is required to adapt to all the elements it is exposed to harsh winds, freezing temperatures, dehydration, extreme heat, excessively high humidity, and the list goes on. It makes sense then a product designed to combat ultra dry air will not perform for you in the dead of summer. An analogy has been used to think of your skin like a garden. Tending to flowers in summer requires a completely different schedule than that of winter. Winter: Dehydration Station Think of the extremes your skin is subjected to during the cold months. Outdoors offers harsh winds that strip your skin of its proper moisture barrier, leaving it vulnerable to dryness and the redness that comes when our skin sends out the signal of “Help, I need water!” In response, our immune system, traveling through the blood stream, flows to the surface creating flushing and redness. Indoor living poses more issues with dry air that continues to reap havoc with the moisture barrier. This is the time to up the game with moisturizers. Just like we layer clothing to keep our bodies warm, so we should layer our hydrators to ensure the skin can maintain balance. Starting with a cream-based cleanser that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils. Then apply hyaluronic acid to hold the moisture and top with a ceramide cream to lock it in. Run a humidifier in the bedroom. Nighttime is repairing time for skin and give it all the support you can. Never forget SPF. Sunlight bouncing off snow is strong. Getting sun from the driver side window little by little degrades and pigments the skin. Of course, sitting in front of screens and under with fluorescent lighting also erodes elasticity in the skin so wearing an SPF is no brainer. Spring: Shifting Gears As the seasons change and one day is warm the next it is not, simply let your skin direct you. If you need to use heavier hydrators one day and not the other, you will be able to tell how your skin feels. Summer: Lighten Up With heat and humidity ramping up oil production in the skin, now’s the time to switch to lighter hydration. With more active oils, glands can come congestion. Using enzymes to counteract congestion and keep the surface clean will help tremendously. Foaming and gel-based cleansers take center stage during this season. Of course, the holy grail- sun screen is a must have. Remember the golden rule with SPF- apply twenty minutes prior to sun exposure and every few hours after that. An SPF of 30-50 is advised. Don’t forget the top of ears, back of neck and hands. Just as we wear different clothes in different season so should we regulate our skincare routine to reflect accordingly.
By Lori Caruso After the holiday hubbub, people often feel depleted. It is no wonder with all the extra everything the season brings with it, January calls for quiet. A perfect time to rest and reflect as we ease into the new year. Many now take part in what is referred to as “Soft January.” Taking this month to realign with what is most important: a sense of wellbeing and resetting. We can take direction from the Japanese who adhere to several methods in which to regain composure, focus more clearly, and allow the days to work in your favor. Here are some insightful ways you may wish to add to your softer mindset. 1.Kaizen- One Minute Rule Starting small helps your brain to resist. A minute of deep breathing. A one sentence mantra. The theory being progress beats pressure. 2. Ikigai-Reason to Wake Up Rather than ask “What do you do?” the Japanese ask, “Why do you get up?” Studies done for that research purpose indicate this approach increases both energy and discipline. When the “why” is clear the effort feels lighter. 3. Hara Hachi Bu- Stop at 80 percent This practice lightens digestion to create better energy and calm in the body. The idea of stopping eating before you are full helps your digestion and allows your body to move more graciously thought out the day. 4. Seiri and Sciton-Clear Space The Japanese culture treats clutter like pollution. Decreasing your online exposure to news feeds and social sites will lead to a quieter mind. 5.Kintsugi Mindset- Finish Imperfectly Rather than push yourself to meet perfection standards, this theory suggests completing tasks builds positive momentum. Simple finish a project and adjust later. Kintsugi teaches that flaws are not mistakes, rather they are part of the process. 6. Pomodoro This concept is to work for twenty-five minutes, then rest for five. During the rest time create a ritual such as breath work, gentle movements or gestures or listening to nature sounds. Your brain will learn the signal to focus. This is a type of condition that neuroscientists say work quickly to reprogram the brain. 7. Wabi- Sabi-Act Before Perfect Work with what you have at the time. Do not bother to wait for ideal conditions, rather begin with a small step. Movement creates clarity, and clarity brings peace. Whether you take one or all these practices into account, they are great ways to help recalibrate your mind and body. Feeling balanced and at peace will quiet your nervous system, improve your health, and enrich wellbeing. Why not try it and see the effects it has on you in the new year?
After spending many years in Dermatology and seeing countless men walk out of exams rooms with bandaged noses, ears, and necks one thing is for sure: men need to take better care of their skin. Considering the years of unprotected sun exposure on vulnerable areas like noses, tops of ears and the back of necks, it is no wonder that eventually skin cancers develop. Not to mention the top of the head, especially if there is no hair to give any added protection. One of the first signs of distress the skin will exhibit are visible capillaries on and around the nose. Capillaries lying close to the surface become weakened and begin to leak, tear or rupture leaving tiny thread like lines on the skin’s surface that can eventually cross further onto the cheeks. When these capillaries appear, the best course of action is to: visit a dermatologist for an exam, start wearing SPF daily, and consider laser treatments to curtail the expansion of the damage. Wearing hats that cover the entire area, such as a cabana hat, is recommended. Reapplying SPF is also a common mistake made when outdoors for extended periods of time. Health related motivations aside, lets consider skin care for the sake of aesthetics. Studies show that people shown photos of people with extensive sun damage in the form of pigmentation, are judged to be older than their actual age. We equate healthy young skin with that of babies: firm, clear with no visible signs of texture, i.e., enlarged pores, lines, and wrinkles. Wearing SPF can not only help prevent skin cancer, but it will also ward off sunspots, wrinkles, and broken capillaries as well. A super simple routine of a good cleanser, moisturizer and SPF started early and adhered to will prevent several issues down the line. Removing dirt and grime for environmental sources reduces the opportunity for bacteria to find a home. This can help prevent breakouts, blackheads, and general congestion in the skin. A moisturizer will keep the skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in place. By maintaining moisture in the skin, we reduce the inflammation tendency which in turn can exacerbate redness and broken capillaries. SPF as mentioned earlier, is a multitasker that should be on everyone’s priority list. If reducing lines and wrinkles is of interested, add a retinol to your nightly repertoire. The gold standard for anti-aging, retinol can help on many levels. It can brighten the skin, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, soften fine lines and wrinkles, and give an overall healthy look to the skin. Be aware that using retinols can make you more vulnerable to the sun, especially during the first several weeks of use. As you can see, skincare doesn’t have to be a big elaborate ordeal. A few minutes in the morning and night can have considerable affects in the long haul. To learn more about what products are best for you, visit an aesthetician and get a plan that works with your skin type, lifestyle, and budget. Our skin is the body's largest organ and plays a vital role in our health—it's worth a few minutes of care each day.
Is beauty sleep overrated? Of course not! We all feel the effects when we are sleep deprived. Dragging through the day after a bad night sleep is like a phone on 1% battery- everything works, but on the brink of a shutdown. Exactly how does a good night’s sleep affect the skin? Let’s break it down. The first and most important is the holy grail: collagen. While you sleep collagen production accelerates, keeping your skin firm and strong. Collagen is responsible for maintaining elasticity that keeps your skin supple. An additional advantage of collagen is its role in promoting enhanced cell turnover, which contributes to a fuller and more youthful skin appearance. With collagen production slowing during your twenties and accelerating after menopause, lack of collagen is visible with weakening tissues and the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Your skin is also busy flushing toxins from your system. Detoxifying is vital to healthy skin. The buildup of toxicity is seen as puffy under eyes and general lack of vibrancy. During sleep, your body is busy rebalancing skin’s PH and replenishing oils that keep the homeostasis of your skin. Typical signs of lack of sleep are under eye bags, breakouts, overall puffy face, and lines and wrinkles. It is recommended to have cortisol evaluated to identify if your levels are either too high or too low, neither of which is of benefit to you. Speak to your aesthetician about ways to stimulate collagen while you unravel lifestyle habits that may be working against you, preventing a solid night’s sleep.
By Lori Caruso Cortisol levels can play major role in the quality of your daily life. One indication of cortisol imbalance may be staring at you every day in the mirror. Often referred to as the “stress hormone” cortisol is a steroid hormone made by your adrenal glands. Cortisol not only helps your body manage stress, but it also regulates metabolism, blood sugar, and inflammation while controlling the sleep and wake cycles. Cortisol levels can be both high or low and it’s important to get evaluated. A popular method of testing is with saliva test that tracks levels at specific times throughout the day. Blood and urine tests are other options as well. Your face, however, may be one of the first places that alert you to cortisol imbalances. Starting with the classic “moon face” is characterized by extreme puffiness and accumulation of fat in cheeks and jawline. Under-eye puffiness is often seen as a sign of chronic fatigue. This is due to lack of sleep as cortisol plays a critical role in creating a solid night’s sleep. Another indicator can be acne. If you have never been affected by acne, but suddenly begin to have issues with it, it could be time to get your cortisol checked. On a separate note, if you are suddenly experiencing acne in the chin and jowl area and have hair growth in that area, it’s time to get both your hormones reviewed as well as begin laser hair removal treatments. Once the inflammation form the hair disruption is alleviated, the acne always resolves itself. Redness and facial flushing can also be an indicator or cortisol imbalance. Note: one uncomplicated way to begin to control redness and flushing is to ensure your skin is properly hydrated. Our body naturally produces ceramides to keep our skin’s natural moisturizing factor intact. Between ages thirty and forty the production of cortisol diminishes by as much as forty percent. This leaves your skin unable to maintain surface hydration. When this happens, our immunes system is triggered and blood rushes to the surface, causing unwanted flushing. That is why creating and maintaining a healthy skin barrier is vital. Using moisturizers with ceramides in the ingredients will help to lock in and hold onto moisture more effectively. Think of ceramides as the mortar that holds bricks together. That mortar retains moisture from escaping environmentally, creating a stronger barrier of defense for your skin. Beyond changes you may be experiencing in your face; here are some of the other symptoms of cortisol imbalance. Weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area Fatigue and muscle weakness Insomnia Anxiety High Blood Pressure Brain Fog Muscle weakness Thirst Bloat Salt Cravings For mild cases lifestyle changes such as less screen time, exercise, implementing grains, fruits and vegetables in the diet and limiting caffeine, sugar and saturated fats, and perhaps adding supplements rich in Omega 3s, vitamins B and D as well as phosphatidylserine ( a special type of fat called phospholipid that acts as a building block for the outer barrier of cell membranes giving structure and flexibility, particularly in the brain). Prioritizing quality sleep can be effectively supported by practicing yoga, reducing screen exposure, consuming chamomile tea, and cultivating an environment that promotes tranquility. These approaches create optimal conditions for restorative rest. In more profound cases of cortisol imbalance like Addison; s Disease and Cushing’s Disease, medical help in needed. Let’s face it, whether it is seen in the mirror or felt in other areas of the body, cortisol is key player in wellbeing and should not be ignored. Ask your provider for the simple at home saliva test that just might reveal answers to some unwanted health issues.
