Courtesy of gloprofessional.com

glo minerals offers advanced mineral makeup that helps cover, correct and protect. This month we are focusing on the cover and correct part of that equation by featuring several different concealing options: Camouflage Oil Free, Brightener Highlight Concealer and our Corrective Camouflage Kit. Each of these products not only helps camouflage unwanted pigmentation, but the ingredients actually help your skin heal.

Camouflage Oil Free

If you are looking to camouflage blemishes, scarring, hyperpigmentation or any other unwanted discoloration, than Camouflage Oil Free is a must-have for your makeup bag. This oil-free formula delivers rich pigments to help conceal discoloration while clinically advanced ingredients help treat your skin and improve its condition.

Brightener Highlight Concealer

This easy-to-use pen is ideal for those of us with fine lines and dark circles around the eye area. After the moisturizing and brightening formula is dispensed from the applicator, apply Brightener Highlight Concealer anywhere you want to brighten and conceal – leaving your skin with a glowing luminescence!

Corrective Camouflage Kit

From bruises and tattoos to blemishes and hyperpigmentation, the Corrective Camouflage Kit can help you cover it all using color theory. Simply select the appropriate shade of camouflage then apply this sheer formula to expertly neutralize and conceal discoloration. In addition, its exclusive antioxidant blend of Vitamins A, C, E and Green Tea Extract help maintain skin’s healthy radiance.

 

Anti-depressant medications called SSRI’s are commonly prescribed to women who are in their peri-menopausal years because they are feeling tired, depressed, not thinking well, etc. These are medications such as Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), Sertraline (Zoloft). They work by raising the level of Seratonin or 5-HT (5-Hydroxytryptophan) in the brain. However, serotonin only works when it binds to a specific receptor in the brain. It is these receptors that are affected by menopause and the drop in estrogen levels associated with it. What many of these physicians prescribing these medications, and unfortunately many of their patients taking them fail to understand is that treating the problem with a medication that doesn’t fix the receptor issue is not an optimal approach.

The first reason that is that none of these medications are “natural”. For example no women is born with Lexapro circulating in her blood. However, all women have estradiol (Estrogen) circulating in their blood. Second, and more importantly, none of these SSRI medications replace the other 399 functions that estrogen supports in a female body, such as bone health (osteoporosis), skin health (sagging, lax skin), breast health (sagging breasts), heart health and brain health (some studies suggest supplemental estrogens reduce the chances of Alzheimer’s disease)

Estrogens can be replaced safely, without any increase in the risk of breast cancer or other problems such as blood clots. The key is to see an expert in this area and most gynecologists, and even fewer internists or family practitioners fit that bill.

However, at Essentials our Medical Director, Michael F. Lesser, MD., FACC, FSCCT, FAARM is one of just a few physicians on the Space Coast who is not only Fellowship trained, but also Board Certified in Anti-Aging Medicine and Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

If you are over the age of 40 and are experiencing any of these symptoms, we may be able to help!

• hot flashes
• night sweats
• mood changes
• memory loss
• weight gain
• sleep issues
• dry skin
• anxiety
• low libido

Initial consultations are free. Do you really want to keep taking un-natural, incomplete therapy?

It’s important to remember that your skin can be a reflection of overall health. In other words, a nutritious diet can help keep you healthy on the inside and healthy on the outside as well. Here are a few key points to keep in mind and discuss with your skin care physician when trying to improve your complexion through diet.

• It may seem fishy, but make sure you’re getting enough omega-3 fatty acids. Having the right balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can affect inflammation inside your body that can also show up on your skin. Eating more omega-3 rich foods, such as salmon and mackerel, and taking fish oil supplements may help achieve the proper balance of fatty acids that can affect inflammation.

• Stay hydrated! Drinking 8 or more glasses of water a day helps rid the body and skin of toxins.

• Keep that sweet tooth in check! Regulating blood sugar can help improve your complexion by limiting outbursts of the hormone insulin. Some studies show that people who adhere to a diet with a low glycemic load can help lessen skin issues such as acne. The antioxidants found in vegetables (which you won’t find in junk food) can help keep your skin looking fantastic.

 

Almost everyone has heard of the Sunshine Vitamin, specifically Vitamin D which is produced in the skin when it is exposed to sunshine (UV light).

Most also have heard of rickets (a bone disease due to Vitamin D deficiency) but that is extremely rare in today’s modern society. It is due to the fact that Vitamin D is very important for bone and calcium balance in the body. What many don’t know is that Vitamin D has also been implicated in cancer protection and immune system function as well as some other body functions, and can regulate the expression of up to 50 different genes in our bodies.

The most surprising thing I have learned over the past several years in evaluating clients for a variety of complaints from fatigue to weight gain is that over 90% of women have low levels of vitamin D. Some have even been told their Vitamin D levels were normal because their level came back within the laboratories “normal” range (30-100). Ideally your Vitamin D level should be 60-80.

How is it possible to be Vitamin D deficient in the Sunshine State? Well, it’s probably due to sunscreen or sun avoidance due to concerns over skin aging or skin cancer. We absorb less dietary Vitamin D as we grow older and produce less in the kidney as well.

If you’re fatigued, gaining weight, or just not feeling yourself… get your Vitamin D level checked. Call to schedule a consultation so we can discuss your concerns and help you achieve your optimum health.

 

michael f. lesser, md

medical director, essentials medi-spa and salon

board certified

fellowship trained advanced metabolic medicine and anti-aging