Jane Iredale’s Tantasia is the most recent product we’ve tried. This product is thin and absorbs into the skin almost immediately so you have to work quickly. Combining it with a body lotion worked well to blend it more easily. The most favorable aspect of this product is the bronzer. It allows you to see exactly where the product has been applied, as well as providing an instant color change. If you’re in need of an instant tan, Tantasia is perfect for you! Careful attention needs to be paid to application though, since the quick absorption can prevent even distribution. When applied well, the outcome is a bronzy glow that looks very natural. It’s well worth the effort.

Avene Moisturizing Self-Tanning Lotion is a great product that we’ve recommended since it’s release. The consistency is thicker like a body lotion so its easier to get an even application. You definitely have time to work in the product before absorption occurs. Although there is no instant color change, a natural tan appears a few hours after application. The color that appears is a great golden glow. Ease of application is the favored trait of this product.

When using any sunless tanning product, keep in mind that the more concentrated the product, the stronger the product will appear. If you’re looking for subtle tan, apply the product thin and blend with lotion. Multiple application over several days will build up the tan and can be useful, but be careful not to go overboard. Typically the more you apply these, the more orangey it will look. Always wash your hands with soap and water after application to prevent orange palms. For good measure rub lotion over hands, ankles, knees and elbows to ensure blending any excess. Neither of these products offer sun protection so it is still very important to apply sunscreen daily even when using them.

Both sunless tanning products mentioned above are highly recommended by our product specialist and can found in the Renew skin Solutions Store online! 

Renew Dermatology & Laser Center offers two procedures to diminish leg veins: sclerotherapy and laser leg vein therapy. Both are quick treatments with minimal downtime. Sclerotherapy involves injecting an agent directly into the vein.  Laser leg vein therapy is a non-invasive procedure using our Lyra laser. It targets the veins underneath the skins surface. Both of these treatments result in the vein closing off, preventing blood from entering. The small particles of vessel are then naturally absorbed by the body.

Leg vein treatments sometimes require multiple treatments. This is why beginning in early ensures your legs will be ready for shorts come summer.

Schedule a consultation with our dermatologist to determine which treatment is best for you (530) 241-7772.   Find more information on leg vein treatment here! 

The Pure Hair/Skin/Nails Ultra Supplement contains optimal levels of key nutrients found to be vital in maintenance of radiant, healthy skin. Ingredients zinc and niacinamide

actively minimize the inflammatory response in the skin. Zinc, copper and silica promote skin elasticity. Biotin helps to maintain thickness and strength of hair and nails. Hyaluronic acid supports moisture retention in the skin. B vitamins can help to minimize  hormonal and stress acne breakouts.

We love this combination of high quality vitamins and minerals specifically formulated to improve the skin.

Clarisonic is a sonic cleansing brush that gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin. It can loosen embedded impurities in the skin that normally would remain stuck in fine lines and pores.  Clarisonic prepares your skin for your skin care products, allowing them to penetrate past the superficial layers of the skin. Clarisonic also provides a clean, smooth surface for makeup application. Clarisonic technology offers a selection of facial cleansing brushes, but I particularly like the Clarisonic Pro which offers multiple speed settings to cleanse with.

Clarisonic provides a cleaner, brighter, more youthful appearance of the skin. I absolutely love what Clarisonic has done to my skin and have heard the same from dozens of patients.

 Interested in the Clarisonic Pro? Call (530) 241-7772 or visit

The Skin Solutions Store for more info! 

]]> http://theskincareskinny.com/2011/12/clarisonic-pro/feed/ 0 http://theskincareskinny.com/2011/11/the-skinny-on-fraxel/ http://theskincareskinny.com/2011/11/the-skinny-on-fraxel/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:09:59 +0000 Nicolle Larkin, Elizabeth G. Stratte, M.D. http://theskincareskinny.com/?p=209 Continue reading →]]>

Everyone wishes they could undo the damage they’ve done to their skin over the years. Fraxel Laser treatments can actually do this! Fraxel Re:pair and the Fraxel Re:store procedures can fit the needs of any client wanting to reduce sun damage, wrinkling and other signs of aging.

Fraxel Re:store is most ideal for those with mild to moderate skin damage. Targets wrinkling around the eyes, uneven texture, age spots, melasma, actinic keratosis and acne scarring. This procedure is able to resurface the skin with minimal downtime: patients can even return to routine activities the following day. After the Re:store treatment you can expect to be slightly pink with mild flaking of the skin.

Fraxel Re:pair is considered our ultimate “one & done” procedure and is considered to be the best pre-emptibe strike against a facelift.  It targets irregular texture, age spots, wrinkles, sun-induced redness and scarring. This is our most aggressive treatment and the results are impressive! Downtime is approximately one week as clients do experience redness and peeling from this procedure.

The reviews from both of these procedures have been wonderful! Both these procedures offer results you can see and feel. Patients have been very pleased with their fresh new skin.

Some of our clients have been weary of Latisse; they’re hesitant to try something that sounds too good to be true.  The fact is that this product really does work though, providing thicker, longer lashes!  Visible growth of the eyelashes can be expected within just a few months with consistent daily application.  By four months, you can expect to see your full result. Latisse is a prescription product and its use must be prescribed and overseen by a physician.  This differs from other products you can purchase without a prescription; it ensures that the medication has been studied and proven effective at treating inadequate lashes.  These other types of products claim to do the same, but they truly don’t.  I have yet to find an over-the-counter product that comes anywhere close to working as well as Latisse.

Side effects are another common question regarding Latisse. In reality, they are rare if you use the product as directed. In fact the only side effect I have seen is itching and redness of the eye, which we determined to be caused by using too much of the product.  Another common fear is discoloration of the iris. This actually isn’t a side effect of Latisse if used as the cosmetic product.  This change occurred when used as a glaucoma medication, as an eye drop.  Basically, when applying the proper amount to the base of the upper eyelashes, there is little if any report of undesired effects. Latisse is not for everyone, however; people with glaucoma or other eye conditions will have to be cleared by their doctor before using Latisse. So what happens if you stop using it? Don’t panic, your lashes will not fall out suddenly! They will return to their natural length, but this process occurs gradually, over months.

The consensus is that the amazing results of Latisse far outweigh the minor skin reactions that have occurred. I highly recommend trying it!

Most people are concerned if the procedure is painful. There is a certain degree of discomfort, but it comes from the heat. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to be offered medication to make the procedure more tolerable. In fact, I would recommend this in order to get a better treatment without the discomfort. In addition to it being less painful than an invasive procedure, there is considerably less downtime. With Thermage you can return to routine activities the next day! Thermage is an excellent option for those seeking to lift, firm or tighten particular areas without giving up weeks of your life for surgery.

See more Thermage before and after photos here!

I constantly get asked why minerals are better than other make-up.  Generally, minerals are considered more pure and have fewer “fillers” in them.  There are many different lines of mineral make-ups and the ingredients will vary though.  Through trial and error, I have become familiar with several different lines, some of which I would recommend over others! Truthfully though, people will have individual likes and dislikes about minerals.  If you’ve had a bad experience, I simply ask that you don’t give up! Because of the differences between brands, what you considered a dislike in one brand may not be an issue in another! Some of the most common concerns can be avoided simply by changing technique or the type of mineral product.

One misconception that I hear frequently is that minerals can’t cover as well as other liquid or cream products. This is totally untrue. In fact, I’ve found that minerals actually cover better than those products without feeling caked on!  In addition to this, they have more staying power. Jane Iredale’s Amazing Base is an example of one with excellent staying power. Other powders and makeups used to wipe off onto clothing or hands when wiped. Minerals though, actually adhere to the skin. Some even offer water resistance!  Another concern I have heard is from those with oily skin who aren’t interested in becoming more shiny. The result is actually the opposite of that with most brands. Several offer individual products that work to absorb excess oil, like rice powder. Some even incorporate this into the loose foundations. Another factor that I consider a perk is that minerals have a natural sun protection to them. I hesitate to advertise this because I hate to give you a false sense of security in regards to sun safety. Minerals cannot be used as your sole SPF. Using this in addition to a good SPF doesn’t hurt though! Colorescience’s Sunforgettable product is an exception to this. It’s intended to be used as your sun protection, providing an SPF 30. The light coverage it provides is a bonus! Another cool thing about minerals is that they have soothing and healing properties in them. Zinc oxide is a common ingredient in foundations and is known to have a calming effect. In addition to this, they’re less clogging to the skin. If acne isn’t a problem than you’ve probably never thought of this. If acne is an issue, I highly suggest giving minerals a shot. Not only will it aid in covering the pesky pimples, it will actually help prevent further breakout as well.

Aside from the foundations, other products have kept me interested in minerals. The mineral blushes and bronzers that I’ve tried far surpass the non-mineral product equivalents. For those who love the glowing, sun-kissed appearance like me, go for something with light-reflceting properties. It is different from an oily shine and gives the skin a smooth, youthful appearance.  Youngblood’s Splendor is an excellent option for a blush. They also have a bronzer product, Sundance, that looks just as good on a pale blonde as it does on a dark-skinned brunette. If you’ve tried this type of product and still don’t love them, simply go with a product that has a matte finish. Many lies have matte finishes as an option for all their products, as if they’ve anticipated this being an issue!  Keep in mind though that this light-reflective property is different from the glitter or sparkle that is used in traditional makeups. Unlike these properties, minerals won’t draw attention to fine lines or wrinkles but provides a soft, smooth appearance instead. It also aids in concealing imperfections…yet another perk!

I definitely have a tendency toward minerals, however, some types of products I haven’t found a favorite in minerals yet. I incorporate several types of makeup and love them each for different reasons!  I am always interested in finding new products though, so feel free to share your favorites in mineral makeup, skin care and other hot topics in beauty!

Need more guidance on makeup or skin care? Visit Renewskinsolutions.com!

One factor in acne involves home care. Developing a routine and being consistent with your skin care can produce amazing results.  Ingredients to consider implementing into your skin care routine are benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid and a retinoid. These ingredients are well known to help clear pores and prevent future breakouts.  Prescription products are sometimes used when a higher strength is desired than is available over-the-counter.  Common prescription medications used for treatment of acne include topical or oral antibiotics, retinoids,  benzoyl peroxide, Accutane and oral contraceptives.

There are also treatments designed to reduce acne symptoms and prevent breakouts. Chemical peels are known for diminishing acne as well as preventing aging. They allow for rapid exfoliation of dead skin cells, preventing oil and skin cells from clogging the pores.  Phototherapy has also been shown to improve acne by eradicating bacteria in the skin as well as reducing inflammation. The light therapy is safe and harmless to the skin and even promotes a healing response.

With all these options in acne care, it’s no wonder that people feel overwhelmed in choosing the right products or treatments. We recommend being seen by a dermatologist to determine the cause and the most ideal treatment for your particular form of acne.  Dermatologists can not only provide knowledge and guidance in the use of products but speed up the process of finding the right choices for you.