A new product called Calmplex from SkinMedica offers help for the millions of people who are bothered by facial redness, which ranges from the medical condition known as rosacea to simply a flushed red appearance to the cheeks. While some 16 million people have true roscaea, facial redness is also a common manifestation of aging from sun damage. Regardless of diagnosis, the cause is dilated capillaries in the skin. Many treatments are available, though few address the underlying cause.

Calmplex is the first non-prescription product clinically proven to reduce redness. It works by inhibiting the substances in the skin that cause blood vessels to dilate, which we see as visible redness. After 4 weeks of use, the average reduction in redness was reported as 43%, while half of patients also experienced improvement in evenness of skin tone. Every patient in the clinical trials said they liked the product, and most saw significant reduction in redness. Calmplex is non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types. It is dispensed only through physician offices and medspas such as Calidora, and we are pleased to be among the first to offer it.

Other treatments include Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and laser therapy. Even with these more aggressive interventions, maintenance is required and Calmplex is potentially useful in this regard as well.

Written by Dr. Richard Baxter, Chief Medical Officer for Calidora

Our wonderful Aesthetician Meghann, in Bellevue, gets tons of client questions about the right way to exfoliate so we thought we’d share her tips. You can exfoliate your skin either by using chemical exfoliation or by using a mechanical exfoliating technique. Here is how the two compare so you can decide which type of exfoliation might be right for you:

Chemical Exfoliation uses various various Alpha Hydroxy Acids, like Glycolic or Lactic acid, or Enzymes found naturally in fruits like papaya or pineapple to “unglue” dead skin cell from the skins surface as well as from the follicle of the skin, resulting in smoother, brighter, firmer skin, AND unclogged pores! Could you ask for anything more? These results make Chemical Exfoliation preferred method here at Calidora. Our formulations of Alpha Hydroxy Acids can be gentle enough for everyday use in our home care products (which take the place of your everyday average facial “scrubs”) or they can be used in higher concentrations for deep peeling, as with our Chemical Peel services. Chemical exfoliation is recommended for all skin types because it treats a multitude of issues (acne, aging, hyperpigmentation). It is especially great for those who are dealing with acne in conjunction with aging.

Mechanical Exfoliation actually uses a physical element to literally knock dead skin cells off of the surfce of the skin; the most common form of Mechanical Exfoliation is a “scrub”, typically using beads, sand, or nut kernels a few times a week to slough dead skin from the surface. These scrubs should always be mild in texture and used ideally only once a week. Often times they are too harsh and used too frequently causing irritation and dryness, they also do not provide any long term benefits to the skin. Here at Calidora we like to save the “scrubbing” for Microdermabrasion, a machine that uses very fine and uniformly shaped crystals to smooth the texture and improve tone. We also offer Dermasweep, this machine uses a stiff brush to exfoliate the skin allowing for better penetration of Dermasweep’s Serum Infusion Process. Mechanical Exfoliation is best for the less sensitive thicker skin types, sundamage or hyperpigmented, and scarring.

Experience counts!
There is no question that Botox has revolutionized the practice of cosmetic rejuvenation. During the first decade of the 21st century, Botox injections increased more than any other cosmetic medical procedure, with now more than 5 million patients having Botox in the U.S. each year. Seattle based Calidora Skin Clinics has been a part of this success, doing more Botox injections than anyone else in the Northwest and earning the Diamond level distinction. But the popularity of Botox means that many practices are getting on the bandwagon in order to supplement their bottom line, without always taking the time to develop the expertise required to achieve consistent results. As a consequence, controversy has arisen as to who is qualified to do cosmetic injections, leaving consumers confused.

The popularity of Botox is due both to its excellent safety record and the fact that it is a brief and practically painless procedure with predictable results, but it is a powerful medication. I was an early advocate of Botox and have been using it for more than 15 years, and now serve as a national trainer for advanced injection techniques. The question of who should be doing the injections is a thorny issue for some however, since it is common to have a nurse do the procedure under a doctor’s supervision, but that supervision may take various forms. Interestingly, nurses often become the real expert injectors, especially if they work in a practice where they do it every day. At Calidora, medical aesthetics are the main focus, and our nurse injectors have more training than anyone else in the business. Because of this, both their experience and their expertise are second to none. Only a handful of practices around the country do as much Botox as Calidora, and no other in the Northwest.

Doctors who dabble in Botox and other cosmetic injectables sometimes paradoxically claim special qualifications, without the experience to back it up. But it takes more than a slick website or pretty office to be able to individualize treatments and avoid the “cookie cutter” approach that they may have learned in an evening course. There is just no substitute for experience.

Written by Dr. Richard Baxter, Chief Medical Officer for Calidora

Calidora can help you pinpoint the right ingredients for your particular eye concern. Whether your concern is dark circles, puffy eyes or wrinkles Calidora can help you figure out what will work best for you.

Puffy Eyes
To reduce puffiness before a big event make sure to avoid salt in your diet and drink lots of water to help flush toxins. Chill your eye cream in the refrigerator the night before to help stimulate blood flow in the morning.
One key ingredient you should look for in an eye cream is Centella Asiatica. Centella Asiatica is a potent Anti-oxidant that stimulates capillary flow and collagen synthesis. You should also look for Glycosaminoglycans which help you maintain healthy collagen which will increase skin firmness and will resist that under eye bag look.
One of our aesthetician’s favorite products to reduce puffiness around the eyes is IS Clinical Youth Eye Complex. This product packs a punch as it is also a favorite for addressing wrinkles.

Wrinkles
If you have wrinkles around your eyes you want to look for Peptides. Peptides have a small amino acid chain that encourages new formation of collagen and helps with dermal restructuring. Also look for Hyaluronic Acid Micro Spheres which are encapsulated micro spheres that help fill in wrinkles. They work similarly to how a sponge absorbs water, fills in and expands.

Other key ingredients to look for are Vitamin C and E. Both are Anti- Aging Anti-oxidants which work together to help fight free radical damage and improve the look of fine lines. IS Clinical Youth Eye Complex is a great choice for wrinkles.

Dark Circles
If you get lots of sleep and still suffer from dreaded dark circles that is not unusual. Under eye circles are not only caused by fatigue but other factors can be at play such as thinning skin under the eye. This is common as you age and can make the reddish-blue capillaries more obvious. You want to make sure you look for an eye cream that includes
Vitamin K which is key to assist in strengthening the capillaries under the eye. Boron Nitride is also a key ingredient as it acts as an optical diffuser to help lessen the visibility of discoloration. Finally, Chrysin has an anti-inflammatory effect and is also helpful to eliminate the by-products of weakened capillaries underneath the eyes.

We love Skin Medica TNS Eye Repair for diminishing dark circles.