Morgan King tries Dysport with Dr. Clemons

Morgan King stopped by the office last week to see what all the Dysport hype was about for Wednesdays at the Spa with Dr. Clemons!  Watch their segment below!  Have your own questions about Dysport?  Call us today to get all the skincare answers! 423-207-0154

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Fruits that firm your skin

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, so it makes sense that what you eat will affect your skin. Adding some nutritious fruits can help you reduce the signs of aging, brighten a dull complexion, and even firm up sagging skin. And, of course, the necessary vitamins in fruit will help out the rest of your body, too.

First off, think purples and reds. The deep, rich hues of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and plums contain high concentrations of antioxidants. Although research is still inconclusive, antioxidants -- especially the type known as flavonoids -- are believed to neutralize free radicals that can damage skin cells. It's easy to remember which foods have antioxidants because they're rich in color. Cherries, red grapes, oranges, lemons and limes count, too, although they don't contain as many antioxidants [source: International Food Information Council].

Papaya can give you a boost from more than just its taste -- its ingredients may also firm up skin and prevent sagging. On top of containing antioxidants, this tropical fruit also has beta-carotene, vitamin C, flavonoids, folate, potassium, magnesium and fiber. Vitamin C is vital to the production of collagen, a protein that provides skin with structure and gives it its firmness and strength.

Fiber, often found in fruit, helps rid your body of toxins. It may also help prevent toxins from even reaching your skin by simply moving them through your intestines and ushering them out as waste. Several fruits, including pears, dates, apples, blueberries and bananas, are full of fiber, and their natural sweetness can satisfy that desire for processed sugar. Sugar promotes inflammation, which can cause damage to your skin [source: Tufts University].

If your skin is dry, you might want to try avocado. Even though these fruits are high in fat, they're high in monounsaturated fat, which is typically considered a "good" fat. Monounsaturated fats are essential for your skin, because they help moisturize it and replace oil that gets washed away during your cleansing routine [source: WebMD].

For more skin firming tips contact Renovus at 423-207-0154 or by email drclemons@renovusbeauty.com

Looking better with age

We all see them, the leading women with the somewhat miraculous never-seem-to-age Hollywood complexions.  It is true, aging is beauty and aging is power.  Treat your skin with love and nourish it with the right products, and you, too, can look better than you did fifteen years ago!  Here are some of our favorites!

Visit Good Housekeeping to see more now and then's of your favorite starlets!

Call Renovus to begin your anti-aging regimine today!  

Let the skin care experts give you exactly what you need!  423-207-0154

What is the balayage effect? Let's Talk Ombre!

Everything you need to know about the biggest colour trend since Holly Golightly’s highlights.

First aflutter in Vogue forums in 2005, balayage is the most popular hair colouring request in salons today. The go-to for modern, chic hair, balayage creates depth and dimension, and leaves you with a sun-kissed finish.

What is balayage?
Balayage is a French colouring technique that was developed in the 1970s. It’s a freehand technique where the colour is applied by hand rather than using the traditional foiling or cap highlighting techniques. Balayage can be used in even the shortest pixie crop however the best results is in hair below the shoulders.

The appeal
You can achieve so many different effects from soft, natural highlights to something strong and punky. The fact it’s so low maintenance is such a drawcard for women too. People want to look fashionable and feel good about their appearance but in this day and age we don't all have the time to be in the salon every few weeks for a touch up.
It’s also a very economical way to colour your hair as you never have a solid demarcation line or regrowth, so if you can’t afford to get it done for another month it won't look atrocious. However, if your balayage isn't done correctly you can end up with excessive overlapping that can cause damage.

How it’s done
The process varies depending on the length of the hair and the desired result. You can expect to have individual strands coloured with a brush and a backing board. Some colourists like to separate their sections with cotton wool or foil, others tease the hair in sections first then freehand colour the ends.
I find that all my balayage clients are going for different looks and need to maintain it at different rates. You will need to have a minimum of three appointments to really build up the colour initially. These appointments are spaced six weeks apart. From there you could go up to four months without having more balayage. You would just need to come in for a toner and a treatment to freshen up the colour in between appointments.

The best hairstyles for balayage
I always love to see balayage finished with loose curls or a beachy, tousled look where you can see the colour variations ribbon through the hair. Sharp, strong haircuts like a bob require a stronger colour or a block colour to show off the cut. Balayage is best left to more flowing hairstyles.

Top maintenance tips
Balayage will dry your hair out no more than classic foiling as long as you have a trained professional applying your colour. As with foils you should always use salon professional shampoos and conditioners as well as have regular treatments. No matter what the technique, your colour will always look its best if your hair is in good condition.

Does balayage have an expiry date?
The technique has been around for so long and will remain an integral part of the way we colour in the salon for as long as I can foresee. However, the trend at the moment with the heavy graduation from dark to light is constantly changing. It started out about five years ago being very subtle with people like Gisele Bundchen being a favourite. A more natural, sun-kissed effect was desired then. In the last few years we have seen much stronger effects being worn, for example [stylist] Pip Edwards, who has really taken it to the next level. This winter we have seen the same techniques used but with a warmer, deeper feel. Lots of celebrities have their balayage finished with copper or red glosses and this is now being called the new ombre look.

Celebrity balayage favourites
We love Australian actress Rose Byrne, Lauren Conrad, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, Rachel Bilson, Sarah Jessica Parker, and of course, Erin Wasson.

Call Renovus to schedule your next ombre look!

423.207.0154

copy from vogue.aus

Gel Nails: UV yay or nay?

Gel manicures are offered everywhere these days. They come in "soft" and "hard," generic and brand name and are a beautiful option for those interested in long-lasting, chip-free color that can last upward of three weeks. In fact, the idea of having perfectly polished nails that last is so popular, that some nail brands like CND Shellac and Orly GelFX have created quicker-to-apply, more natural-looking variations of the classic gel manicure to meet the demand. At-home gels have also recently hit the market.

While all these different options have features that set them apart, they all have one very important technology in common: The necessity of a UV nail lamp to cure the polish, creating that unique nail color longevity women clamor for.

With the overwhelming success of this technique and rise in use, along with the growing epidemic of skin cancer and increased awareness of the danger of UV tanning beds, the public has to wonder if repeated use of UV nail lamps is safe. Are these mini UV beds for the hands akin to the photo-aging and cancer-causing UV tanning beds doctors strongly advise against?

In 2009, the report "Occurrence of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers on the Hands After UV Nail Light Exposure" from the Departments of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery at The University of Texas, stated that exposure to UV nail lights is a risk factor for the development of skin cancer. In contrast, an independent study published by the Nail Manufacturers Council found that the UV exposure from UV nail lamps is not similar to the exposure from a UV tanning bed, and if administered by a professional twice a month, is no more harmful than spending around 26 extra seconds in natural sunlight.

Melbourne, FL, dermatologist Anita Saluja, MD, agrees with the latter. "It appears that UV nail lights do not pose the same risk that tanning beds pose in terms of skin cancer." Meaning, the average person, exposed to UV nail lamps twice a month is not in danger of developing melanoma. "If someone were highly sensitive to ultraviolet light (had a condition such as skin lupus), then sunscreen on their hands prior to this treatment might make sense, but for the majority of patients who are intermittently exposed for a few minutes at a time, the current thought is that there should be no need for extra protection (sunscreen)," says the doctor.

by Anna Jimenez, Senior Interactive Editor New Beauty

Is your SPF legit?

Wait - you might say - aren’t there responsible scientists testing all these sunscreens? Yes, but that doesn’t mean your bottle is telling you the whole truth. Here’s what to look for on the label.

1. Does your sunscreen protect against sunburn- and cancer-causing UVB rays?
If it doesn’t, it’s probably not allowed to be called “sunscreen.” Anything with an SPF number on the bottle contains ingredients that shield against UVB. SPF 15 buys you 15 times more sun exposure before you burn - but the catch is, it only stays effective on skin for about 2 hours. SPF 15 screens out 93 percent of UVB rays; SPF 30, 97 percent; and SPF 50, 98 percent.

2. Does it protect against aging and cancer-causing UVA rays?
Here’s where things get tricky. In the US, there are currently no legal guidelines for UVA protection on sunscreen labels. “Broad-spectrum” is a term used by many manufacturers to denote UVA & UVB protection, but it’s not regulated - and it doesn’t specify how much UVA protection you’re getting. What's more, there are two types of UVA wavelengths: UVA1 and UVA2. Your sunscreen should protect against both.

3. Does it contain UVA-protective ingredients?
Of the FDA-approved sunscreen ingredients, only about half protect against UVA at all. And only zinc oxide protects against the full range of UVA1 and UVA2; the rest should be combined with complementary ingredient to hit all the wavelengths. Here’s a chart from the Skin Cancer Foundation:

4. How effective are those UVA blockers?
The FDA has proposed new guidelines to measure effectiveness of UVA sunscreens, but the regulations remain in limbo. However, there are UVA protection scales used in other countries, and you might see them on products sold stateside. (Just remember, no agency in the United States is regulating these claims.)
The PA(+) rating system was developed in Japan and is used throughout Asia. You'll find PA ratings on brands like Shiseido, AmorePacific, 3LAB, Elizabeth Arden and Stri-Vectin. Here's what those ratings mean:
PA+: some UVA protection
PA++: moderate UVA protection
PA+++: high UVA protection

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In the US, the independent nonprofit Skin Cancer Foundation has adopted new standards for its sunscreen Seal of Recommendation. By May 2012, all sunscreens with the seal must have a PPD of 10 or higher. (Currently, the seal is awarded to any product with an SPF over 15.)

5. Is it chemical or physical?
Chemical sunscreens rely on a chemical reaction to block UV; physical sunblocks create a barrier between rays and skin. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are physical filters; almost every other sunscreen ingredient is chemical. Both types can provide broad-spectrum protection, though some people are sensitive to chemical formulas.

6. Is your sunscreen waterproof?
Trick question. There is no truly waterproof sunscreen, and even though you might see the word “waterproof” on labels, its use is unregulated. The FDA currently approves sunscreens as “water resistant” (40 minutes of activity in water) or “very water resistant” (80 minutes of activity). Towel-drying isn’t included in the test, so assume that toweling off wipes away most of your protection.

Try our Environ Sunscreen that has everything you will need to keep safe from the sun this summer!

Call Renovus for your sunscreen needs! 423.207.0154

How you should really wash your face

Most of us assume that cleansing is a task so basic it can be accomplished even when you're completely exhausted or slightly tipsy — which, of course, it can. But with all the latest options (lotions, milks, foaming mousses, oils, wipes, motorized brushes) and antiaging ingredients to consider, there's a lot more to it than soap and water, says Dr. Doris Day, NYC dermatologist and author of Forget the Facelift. "With so many sophisticated, gentle cleansers that won't strip the skin, using the right one allows moisturizing and antiaging products to absorb more effectively." Clearly, an old-school splash and scrub won't do. Here, the new rules for getting your freshest face.

Myth 1: WASH AND GO It's more of a two-step process. "Remove your makeup before you wash your face," says Montclair, New Jersey, derm Dr. Jeanine Downie. "Many cleansers can't take off concealer or foundation completely, especially around the eyes and nose." Use an oil-based cream, an emollient wipe, or a cleansing oil to dissolve stubborn sunscreen and makeup. Follow with lukewarm water and a dime-size amount of cleanser (look for the ingredients cocamidopropyl betaine or caprylic triglyceride, which are sulfate-free surfactants) on your fingers or a clean, damp washcloth. Rinse and dry with a soft paper towel if you're acne-prone.

Myth 2: WASH TWICE A DAY While the jury is still out on how often to cleanse (every a.m. and p.m. or just once at night), all derms agree that over-washing can lead to irritation and a lack of moisture. The rule is to use common sense: Always wash your face after a workout to prevent breakouts, and wash excessively oily skin morning and night. For very dry or sensitive skin, stick to cleansing once daily in the evening.

Myth 3: CLOSE YOUR PORES Sorry, folks, but you can skip rituals like massaging your face to increase circulation or splashing with cold water to "close" your pores. "Pores don't open and close," says Downie. In fact, extreme hot or cold can exacerbate problems like rosacea and redness. That said, mild steam can help soften hardened oil in pores, so it's never a bad idea to cleanse in the shower. And "while it feels nice, massage doesn't do much," adds Downie. "Exercise is what boosts your circulation."

Myth 4: BUY CLEANSER ACCORDING TO SKIN TYPE No matter what kind of skin you have, make sure the ingredients list doesn't contain fragrance, which can be irritating; parabens (potentially toxic preservatives); or harsh soap (it's drying). "If a cleanser fits that bill, the formula itself [cream, lotion, foaming, etc.] is more a matter of personal preference," says NYC dermatologist Dr. Brad Katchen. Of course, people with dry skin may prefer formulas with added moisturizers, like glycerin or shea butter. And "if you have oily skin, you might want a foaming wash that leaves skin feeling superclean," says Day.

Myth 5: SCRUB TO EXFOLIATE AND SMOOTHA salicylic- or glycolic-acid cleanser is gentler and more effective than grainy scrubs, and both offer antiaging benefits and help prevent breakouts. Alternate with your regular wash (start with three times a week), and adjust depending on how your skin is looking and feeling.

Myth 6: USE TONER "An alcohol-based toner strips off natural oils," explains Day. Not good. "Gentle toners calm the skin and balance pH levels, but with the right cleanser, you don't really need this step." Love the feeling anyway? Choose gentle, alcohol-free versions.

Myth 7: BRUSH YOUR SKIN TO A GLOW EVERY DAY "A brush removes oil, dirt, and dead skin better than your hands can, and it's less aggressive than most exfoliating cleansers or scrubs," says Day. "But it's not something you have to use every night, especially if you're also applying ingredients like retinoids or acids. Too much exfoliation can cause inflammation." Basically: Use, but use sparingly.  To keep your brush bacteria-free, rinse and air-dry after use. Oh, and hey, clean freak, like you do with your Brita, replace the brush head every three months.

Myth 8: SPEND A FORTUNE Save your pricier ingredients, like retinol or antioxidants, for leave-on products instead of washing them down the drain. "They're most effective when they stay concentrated on the skin," says Katchen.

To get in a proper fash washing routine, call Renovus today to see our skin experts! 423.207.0154

Marie Claire