“Forever young, I want to be forever young.” These catchy lyrics from Jay-Z’s hit song could not be further from the truth. We all want to look younger and will try anything that promises to reverse the signs of aging. But with all the products, treatments and information available that promises to make you look young and fabulous you may find yourself asking, where do I start? Don’t worry I’m here to help, I’m going to break it down for you with all my favorite anti-aging products and treatments for each decade.

Teenagers

Where’s my teenagers at? Listen up! You may have all your collagen still (which I hope you appreciate!) but don’t think for one second it’s too early to start thinking about anti-aging. Now is the time to start your anti-aging regimen. Remember, the best wrinkle and sun spot is the one you never get! While you’re a teenager anti-aging is actually a very easy process. Take my advice now it will save you hundreds, no wait scratch that it will save you thousands upon thousands of dollars over your lifetime! In addition to starting your anti-aging there’s a skin condition that if you’re a teenager you have likely struggling with, acne. In fact, 80% of teenagers experience acne at some point. There are many grades of acne from mild to severe cystic acne which can lead to acne scarring. Acne is multifactorial and must be treated using various treatments.

• Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen- I CAN NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH! If you only take one piece of advice from me its start wearing a physical sunblock (contains zinc and/or titanium dioxide) every day and avoid

Favorite product: Image tinted SPF moisturizer, Image face and body bronzer

• Develop a skin care regimen with medical grade skin care products and stick to it twice a day
• Favorite skincare line for teens: Image Skincare’s Ormedic line for normal skin and Image Skincare’s Clear Cell line for acne prone skin
• Develop a relationship with an experienced esthetician and get regular facials
• Favorite treatment: Acne Treatment Program, includes a specialized 30 minute consult with a medical esthetician, before and after photos, 6 complexion correction facials, ZO Skin Health Acne Treatment Product Kit, and access to ARNP (me!) for prescriptions medications to control your acne if needed
• Acne chemical peels- contain high level salicylic acid and provide smoother skin, immediate oil reduction, and reduction of active acne within 24 hours of this peel
• Favorite peel: Image Acne Lift Peel- did you know this peel can be added on to any facial for $30!

20’s

The wonderful 20’s, many people consider their 20s the best years of their life. The one downside, by the age of 25 we start losing 1% of our collagen every year. This can be a scary thought, but don’t worry we have many ways to increase your collagen production and keep you looking “forever young.”

• Continue all tips from the teens (sunblock daily, medical grade skin care regimen daily, regular facials)
• Upgrade your skin care regimen to include collagen stimulating products
• Favorite skincare line for 20’s – Image Vital C Line

Favorite product- Image Vital C Anti- Aging Serum

• Start getting collagen stimulation treatments- Now that your collagen is going bye-bye-bye it’s time to say hello to collagen stimulating treatments. Collagen stimulating treatments include microneedling or light chemical peels.Chemical peels are the application of a solution that creates a controlled injury in the skin causing it to shed dead layers which stimulates new skin and collagen stimulation. If you’ve never had a chemical peel, start with a peel series of three to get the best results.
• Favorite treatment: Microneedling with a retinol booster- get the benefit of microneedling and a light peel in one!
• Microneedling is the use a device with fine needles that create thousands of controlled microchannels in the skin and stimulates your body to create new collagen (I know what your thinking and don’t worry, we use prescription strength numbing cream for comfort). After one microneedling treatment your collagen production is increased for up to two years. Best results are achieved through a series of three treatments.

30’s

Hello 30’s and hello ghost of sun damage past! The 30’s is when the sun damage you’ve acquired over your lifetime starts to surface. Many women tell me they wake one day in their 30s and suddenly have crow’s feet and sun spots. Don’t worry these are both treatable, but remember the sooner you seek treatment the easier it will be.

• Continue all steps from teens and 20’s (sunblock daily, medical grade skin care regimen daily, regular facials, collagen stimulating treatments)
• BOTOX- (Botox, Xeomin, Dysport) A question I hear all the time is when is the best time to start getting Botox? The answer is before lines occur or at the first sign of lines present when you’re not making an expression.If you’re starting before lines occur I call this “Baby Botox” and you’ll only need small amounts. This will prevent lines from occurring and save you thousands of dollars over time. If you start once lines are present you’ll need a little more. The earlier you start the better!
• Favorite Product- Xeomin– Xeomin is a cleaner product than Botox that contains the same active ingredient so it provides the same results and is less likely to become resistant over time.
• Step up your anti-aging skin care regimen- By the age of 30 every single person should be using a retinol product. Retinol is one of my favorite things in the world because there are so many benefits to using it including increased collagen production which leads to less fine lines and wrinkles, increased cell turnover which leads to even skin tone and brighter skin, and unclog pores leading which treats acne.

Favorite Product- Image Total Repair Cream

• • Eye cream- The eyes are one of the first places women start to see lines form. Many women tell me they first notice this when they take a selfie in the sun. The skin around the eyes is one of thinnest areas which means it is very prone to aging. Don’t worry, eye cream to the rescue! Eye cream is an absolute non-negotiable anti-aging product.Like I said the skin around the eye is very thin so it needs a product that is made specifically for this area.
  • Favorite product- Image retinol eye cream- I swear by this eye cream and use it religiously every night. It contains retinol that is both effective at treating lines and safe for the eye area.
  • Serum- Same goes for a serum as for retinol, every person that is 30 or older should be using a serum. A good serum is a like a magical liquid that transforms your skin. There is a serum for every skin type. Remember always to use your serum first!
  • Favorite product– For someone with regular skin, wants anti-aging, or red/rosacea- Image Vital C serum. For someone with light sun-damage or acne scarring- Image Lightening Serum. For someone with moderate to severe sun damage- Image Bleaching Serum

• Exfoliation- With age and the decrease of collagen production also comes the decrease in cell turnover. This means dead skin cells continue to build up on your skin and cause a dull complexion, fine lines, and dry skin. The formula to ditch dead skin cells is to add exfoliation. There are two different types of exfoliation; chemical and physical. Chemical exfoliation is using products such as retinol or alpha hydroxy acids (ex. Glycolic acid) or chemical peels. Physical exfoliation is using a tool such as a Clarisonic to remove dead skin cells. “Which is best?” you ask, “both!” They both work in different ways and both are amazing at removing dead skin cell. Benefits of exfoliation: brighter complexion, decreased hyperpigmentation, decreased fine lines and wrinkles, and helps any products you use to penetrate deeper and work better.Favorite peel: Apeele– contains 7 different ingredients that will treat hyperpigmentation, fine lines, stimulate collagen, major shedding of dead skin, treat acne

• How often should you get a chemical peel? Minimum every season, if it’s a new season its time the shed away the skin that has accumulated over the past few months.
• Favorite combo: Clarisonic with Image Ageless Cleanser (contains 10% glycolic acid) then Image Ageless Mask twice a week

40’s

40 is the new 30, right? Well it can be if you play your cards right! By age 40, collagen loss has kicked in high gear and leads to skin laxity and volume loss in the mid face, which leads to nasolabial folds, marionette lines and jowls. On top of that, sun spots are at an all- time high! Don’t worry though, be happy….there are easy, no downtime solution to these problems.

• Continue all tips from teens, 20s, and 30s (sunblock daily, medical grade skin care regimen daily, regular facials, collagen stimulating treatments, Botox, retinol, eye cream, serum and exfoliation)
• Fillers- Fillers are one of the best inventions ever created. Because we all are losing 1% of our collagen a year we are all going to lose volume in our face. This is where fillers come in. Fillers are used to fill in volume loss in the temples, cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionettes, lips, and in fine lines anywhere on the face. The best part about fillers, they provide an INSTANT result and when done correctly, look completely natural, like a younger version of yourself.
• Non- ablative fractional laser resurfacing (New!)- Want to stimulate collagen to treat lines and tighten skin with no downtime? Of course! Our new Palomar ICON 1540 performs laser skin resurfacing with absolutely no downtime. The laser delivers energy that penetrates to the deepest part of the skin called the dermis. This creates channels of controlled damage surrounded by healthy untreated skin. The controlled damage causes the skin to repair itself and replaces old skin with healthy new skin. A series of three or more treatments are performed four weeks apart. Receive the same results as ablative laser without the downtime! Because this laser stimulates new collagen in the deepest part of the skin it is also one of the best treatments for surgical scars, acne scars and stretch marks.
• Ultherapy- Non surgical facelift anyone? Yes please! Well that’s exactly what Ultherapy is. Ultherapy uses ultrasound therapy to deliver a collagen-boosting treatment at the same level as a facelift. It also incorporates traditional ultrasound imaging, which allows practitioners to see the layers of tissue they are treating, ensuring the treatment energy is delivered to where it will be most beneficial. After the treatment your body will begin to stimulate new collagen and lift and tighten your skin. Another great part of Ultherapy, is that you can treat your full face, neck and chest or you can treat just your problem area.
• IPL (New!)- Want to treat sun damage, vessels and redness or rosacea with no downtime? Of course! Our new Palomar Icon IPL treatment provides the best IPL treatment the market. IPL stands for intense pulse light.  The device sends pulses of light into the skin that target and cause destruction of sun damage and blood vessels. This results in a more even complexion with the side benefit of decreased pore size and collagen production! Best part is we can treat sun spots or vessels anywhere on the body!

50’s and beyond

“40 is the old age of youth, 50 is the youth of old age.” So in other words when you turn 50, you’re young again! If polled however, the majority of women in their 50s and beyond would not claim to feel young. This is related to an imbalance of hormones. The inevitable part of being a woman is that we are all going to through menopause at some point. Some experience it much earlier than others, and some women can experience peri-menopausal symptoms up to 15 years before menopause (not fair I know!). The two biggest complaints during this time are “I just don’t feel like myself” and “I’ve never had a weight problem but now I have belly fat that will not go away no matter what I do.” Hormonal imbalance also accelerates the aging process and leads to skin and hair changes. Many women believe that because this is an inevitable part of life that they just have to deal with the negative side effects of menopause but you don’t have to with bio identical hormone replacement therapy.

• Continue all tips from teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s (sunblock daily, medical grade skin care regimen daily, regular facials, collagen stimulating treatments, Botox, retinol, eye cream, serum and exfoliation, filler, non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing, Ultherapy, IPL)

• Bio identical Hormone Replacement Therapy- We are proud that our Medical Director Dr. Michael lesser is the only doctor in the Viera and Melbourne area that is board certified in bio identical hormone replacement therapy. If you are experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance you could be a candidate for bio identical hormone replacement therapy to help combat your menopausal side effects, slow the aging process, and help you feel like yourself again.
• Favorite program: Bio identical Class Monthly Membership–  Includes saliva test (most accurate way to test hormones), initial doctor visit, 4 follow up doctor visits, prescription for personalized hormone cream, supplement recommendations, 4 one hour sessions with wellness coach/nutritionist
• Medical weight loss program- Losing weight is not easy at any age, but is especially hard with each year we get older and our metabolism slows down. Don’t worry we are here to help, with our weight loss program you are going to embark on an exciting journey of transformation with the assistance of an elite team of professional to guide you in achieving your goals. If you are reading this you have decided that you want to make healthy changes to your life, put an end to current behavioral patterns that are no longer serving you, and overcome the challenges that have prevented you from living the live you deserve. Essentials’ Medical Director Dr. Michael Lesser, has tied together his 25 years of education, research, experience, and practice to develop the most advanced medical weight loss program available today. This program is designed to help you achieve weight loss through a structured goal-oriented process tailored to meet your specific needs.Favorite program: Lypoburn Medical Metabolic Weight loss Program– Includes month supply of Phentermine which is FDA approved to reduce appetite and enhance your metabolism, weekly Lipoboost B+ complex injections (contains beneficial vitamins, antioxidants, B vitamins and an amino acid complex to help burn fat), weekly weigh-ins and meetings with nutritionist, an hour “one on one” visit to develop individualized plan with nutritionist each month.
• *This program is great for anyone of any age that wants to lose weight and feel great*

I hope this article has helped simplify the anti-aging world and that when you find yourself singing “forever young, I want to be forever young” over in over again in your head that it helps you remember these tips.

Until next time…keep your sunscreen on, your collagen stimulated, your skin exfoliated and visit your favorite anti-aging professional regularly … (that’s us!) J

Live Beautifully!

Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that uses the “laying on of hands” to facilitate a deep state of relaxation in the body, as well as on a mental, emotional, and spiritual level. Rei- translates to “universal” or “higher power,” while ki- is “life-force energy.” Energy exists within all things, as Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein proved to be a scientific fact; it can be transferred from one party to the next, but not created nor destroyed. Einstein specifically stated, “Everything is energy, and that is all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you can not help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy. This is physics.”

Living beings, such as humans, animals, and plants all carry life-force energy within them that carries a vibrational frequency. However this energy does fluctuate, especially when we are facing challenges in our lives. Energy consists of several levels of vibrations, and when we are feeling stressed, fatigued, and sluggish this brings our personal vibration to a lower frequency. These symptoms have the ability to cause significant drain on the human body and put one at risk for further potential health issues. Yet on the contrary, when we are experiencing feelings of joy, awareness, love, and gratitude we are operating on a higher vibration, raising our own frequency of life-force energy. Reiki energy radiates with warmth, compassion, and unconditional love that is so powerful that it affects every aspect of our being and can never do any harm. The energy is highly intuitive and intellectual, knowing exactly what the recipient needs. This is why no two sessions are ever experienced quite the same. Each time you receive a Reiki treatment the energy is going to focus on the precise needs of the client to promote overall well being.

As the Reiki Master-Practitioner, Renee Masse channels this energy and transmits it through the palms of her hands to the client. As the client lays comfortably, Renee uses light touches and transfers the Reiki energy to client along the chakra system, which are the seven primary energy vortices in the body. Starting at the base of your spine is the root chakra that governs our ability to feel secure and stable. Below the naval is the sacral chakra, which connects to our emotions, creativity, and sexuality. Below the diaphragm is the solar plexus that is the center of our being and ability to demonstrate confidence and will. At the center of the chest is the heart chakra that connects us with compassion and unconditional love. At the base of the throat is the throat chakra, which is based on our ability to effectively communicate and speak our personal truth. Slightly above the eyes is the third-eye chakra that provides deep intuition and seeks truth. Finally at the top center of the head is the crown chakra, which connects us to universal wisdom and divine energy. Each chakra has domain over different areas of physicality, as well as emotional states. Using this knowledge and training, Renee has the ability to detect various imbalances within the body’s system, apply Reiki healing energy to them, and promote a more serene state of being so the recipient may heal on a deeper level. As we bring healing energy to our mental/emotional state, this also correlates to a healing effect on the body. The more Reiki treatments an individual receives, the more influence this energy will have on various aspects in one’s life. However, even one treatment will leave you with a deeper sense of serenity, while connecting on a deeper level to your higher self.

Q: What do you feel makes for a great injector in your field of cosmetic surgery / dermatology?
A: There is no single approach that is right for every patient. Practicing in the field of Neurosurgery for 8 years gave me an in depth understanding of facial anatomy. I feel the KEY to success is a keen clinical skill set, an understanding of both anatomy and form combined with a willingness to listen, get to know one’s client and to always be striving to be better.

Q: Are most of your treatments focused around treating ‘wrinkles’?
A: Today we understand that treating the effects of aging goes far beyond wrinkles. I see both male & female patients with long lists of concerns about beauty. I like to tell them my work is not just about filling and erasing lines; it’s also about bringing back an overall youthful appearance to the face. This entails analyzing the patient and determining which elements are contributing to making him or her look tired and not as fresh. Often wrinkles are a major factor but they are not the only factor. Sunken cheeks, dark circles under the eyes, and facial features that seem to be heading south are equally guilty, as is the loss of facial fat.

Q: Why are many of your non surgical cosmetic treatments often referred to as ‘lunchtime’ procedures?
A: Options available to my patients include everything from Botox®, collagen stimulating treatments, dermal fillers, DermasweepTM, chemical peels, to an array of laser skin services. All of these treatments can be completed in 15-30 minutes with minimal to no discomfort or down time.

Q: Why Botox®?
A: Botox® / Xeomin® / Dysport® (neuromodulators) treatments are one of the most versatile procedures available today, and it has fulfilled people’s demand for instant gratification. This injectable has made people realize that there is no need to wait until their looks fall apart before dabbling in cosmetic procedures. It is also one of the few treatments I offer that is truly preventative in the way it addresses certain aging processes. Dermal fillers work by adding flattering volume to the face and softening wrinkles. With products like Juvederm® / Restylane® / Radiesse® / Sculptra® I am able to restore natural volume to the face and fill in lines and wrinkles instantly.

Q: Why are these procedures appealing?
A: Why have millions of people signed up for these procedures? The answer is actually quite simple: the procedures work!! Over my 16 years I’ve learned that people want the most impact with the least possible commitment of time. They also want little to no recovery time, low risk of adverse effects, minimal discomfort, and ultimately, striking results. I think it is safe to say that these procedures deliver all this.