Category: Uncategorized
Keeping Dry Skin at Bay
When winter temperatures hit, we put on coats, scarves, hats and boots to keep our bodies warm. But it is just as, if not more important, to protect the delicate skin on your face.
Biting cold and wind can assault exposed skin, causing dryness, chafing and other more serious skin disorders, including frostbite. And, it happens quickly. So, before you venture out, even for a few minutes, moisturize with a broad-spectrum sunblock and apply a petroleum-based product to your lips. If your moisturizer is oil-based, choose an oil that is “non-clogging,” such as avocado, mineral, primrose or almond. Then, cover your face as best as you can with a scarf or hood. Also, don’t forget the sunglasses, which will protect your eyes from glare, freezing temperatures and wind.
To avoid the inflamed and itchy skin that happens all over your body during the winter months, you can take several preventative steps all season long, around the clock. Remember, the condition happens because of a lack of water, not oil, so the following tactics aim to prevent dehydration.
- If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Instead, find a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, an alcohol-free toner and masks that are “deeply hydrating” rather than clay-based, which tend to draw moisture out of the face.
- Trap water from a shower or bath quickly by applying a water-in-oil cream moisturizer. If you have sensitive skin to begin with, use a cream moisturizer that does not contain lanolin or perfume, and don’t scrimp. More is better in this case, particularly on your hands, elbows and feet (these can contain petroleum or glycerin).
- Choose a shower instead of a bath; sitting in hot water will break down lipids and dry your skin.
- Limit your use of hot water and soap. Take short lukewarm showers, using non-detergent soaps and cleansers, and only as much as you need since they remove natural moisturizers from the skin. If you must bathe, keep the water as cool as possible.
- Keep your house temperature as low as you can (no higher than 78 degrees) and use a humidifier that returns moisture to the air.
- Overnight, use a thicker night cream on your face, a product formulated for the delicate skin under and over the eyes, and a lip balm.
As always, call my office to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn how we can help you look and feel your best.
See you soon.
Adding More Comfort to Your Experience: Introducing Pro-Nox
We know that some of you become anxious with one step inside a doctor’s office. It’s not uncommon for people to experience the “White Coat Syndrome,” a heightening of nerves and increased heart rate. We have always had several ways to help you relax–depending on the procedure–but now, we are introducing something new. And you are in total control.
Pro-Nox is a mild form of nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas.” Some of you know about it from the dentist’s office, where it has been used for years. But Pro-Nox is new in two significant ways: it is a mild form (50 percent nitrous oxide/50 percent oxygen) and you take in as much as or as little as you need, through a simple tube that you hold yourself.
It’s effective enough to take the edge off if you are fearful of injections or want to forego a stronger anesthetic for longer or more involved procedures like SmartLipo or Thermage. You now have the option to drive yourself home after certain treatments that in the past would have required that you be picked up. The effects of Pro-Nox are immediate, and they wear off just as quickly. And don’t worry that you are administering it yourself–the system is fixed so that you can only take in the safest amount.
So, next time you come in for a cosmetic treatment, be sure to ask us about Pro-Nox. If anxiety or the fear of discomfort has discouraged you from having a treatment, now you have a solution.
Call our office for a complimentary consultation, and we’ll devise a treatment plan tailored just for you.
See you soon.
Are You Thinking About SmartLipo?
Not a day goes by at the office without my hearing that losing weight has become so difficult, despite your efforts to diet and exercise. So many of you tell me that you have cut back calories and ramped up workout routines but still fight with problem areas. This often happens when metabolisms slow down with age or hormones decline. For those of you encountering such frustration, a body sculpting treatment might be an effective option. (This is especially true for women, who store more fat than men do, though men are great candidates, too.)
If you’re thinking about body contouring, here are a few good questions to ask yourself as you decide. Count how many you can answer with a “yes.”
- Do you watch your portion size, eating small amounts more frequently?
- Do you make sure to eat breakfast?
- Do you graze instead of eating three large meals a day?
- Do you avoid eating late at night?
- Do you avoid refined grains such as white bread and crackers?
- Do you avoid hidden sugars and fats?
- Do you avoid processed foods that contain MSG, sodium nitrate and other risky food additives?
- Do you include weight training with your cardio workouts?
- Do you do resistance exercises to build muscle?
- Do you mix up the types of workouts that you do?
- Are you sleeping from 6 to 8 hours a day?
If you’ve answered “yes” to all or most of these questions, you are doing everything right. So that is great news. But if you are still having trouble losing weight, and you do not have an underlying medical condition that is causing the weight retention, you could be a good candidate for SmartLipo TriPlex, a high-definition body sculpting procedure.
SmartLipo TriPlex is a minimally invasive method for removing unwanted fat and sculpting areas of the body that you’d like to change. It’s a laser procedure that treats localized pockets of fat in targeted areas, virtually melting fat cells and suctioning them away. It uses three wavelengths of laser light and yields optimal fat removal, tighter skin and high-definition body sculpting capabilities. SmartLipo can be used on many areas of the body, and is particularly effective on waistlines and abdominal areas. One of the best parts–you can see results immediately.
If you’d like to hear more about the treatment, call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation. We’ll devise a plan just for you.
See you soon.
Fun Fact: Where Cosmetic Procedures are Most Popular
You guessed it–the USA leads the list, comprising nearly 18 percent of the procedures performed globally. According to a survey of International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American men and women undergo more treatments than people do in any other country. Here’s how it breaks down…
| USA – 17.9% | Number of procedures: 4,217,862 |
| Brazil – 10.7% | Number of procedures: 2,524,115 |
| Japan – 4.8% | Number of procedures: 1,137,976 |
| Italy – 4.1% | Number of procedures: 957,814 |
| Mexico – 3.9% | Number of procedures: 923,243 |
| Russia – 3.8% | Number of procedures: 896,629 |
| India – 3.7% | Number of procedures: 878,180 |
| Turkey – 3.3% | Number of procedures: 789,564 |
| Germany – 3.1% |
Number of procedures: 730,437 |
| France – 2.2% |
Number of procedures: 517,731 |
South Africa, Romania and Lebanon have the fewest procedures of all surveyed countries.
Also, for all of the treatments that Americans have, they have spent more than $15 billion for the first time ever, according to the ASAPS survey. This figure represents combined nonsurgical and surgical procedures: nonsurgical procedures comprise 44 percent of the total and surgical, 56 percent. The expenditures are up 11 percent from last year. Botox remains the most popular nonsurgical anti-aging option this year, with about 4.6 million treatments given in the U.S. in 2017.
Remember, fall is an optimal time for laser resurfacing and SmartLipo, in addition to Botox and dermal fillers. So, call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation, and we’ll help you devise a treatment plan just for you.
See you soon.
The Best Fall Fixes
Now that the temperatures have begun to drop and the sun is no longer at its height, it’s prime time for certain cosmetic treatments that do their best during the fall.
Here’s a run-down of the best treatments for right now:
Laser Hair Removal: This procedure works best on fair skin, so if you’ve become tanned in the summer and now notice a fade, you might consider scheduling an appointment.
The greater the contrast between a dark hair follicle and a paler skin tone, the easier it is for the laser to find the root of your hairs and remove them.
Fraxel Laser Resurfacing: After the treatment, which penetrates through the surface of your skin, you’ll need to avoid direct sun for a little while. So, autumn is a fine time for Fraxel. It may take a few days for your damaged skin to flake off, revealing a smoother blemish-free complexion. Fraxel will help improve summer’s damaging effects on your skin.
SmartLipo Triplex: You will see immediate improvement with SmartLipo Triplex, but it can take some time for optimal results to emerge. So, it’s best that all of this happens during the fall. You’ll be ready for beachwear, whether on a winter vacation to a warm locale or the local beach next summer.
Of course, your individual needs determine which procedures you choose, and when to have them. Call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation. We’ll help you figure out the fall plan that serves you best.
See you soon.
Lips, Naturally: It’s All About Balance
Many of you have a simple request when you come to my office: you don’t want anyone to know that you’ve been there. One of the biggest giveaways is the overdone lip.
My guiding principle has always been “less is more.” Much more. When it comes to restoring lips, this philosophy is critical. To restore lips to their more youthful selves, naturally, I like to utilize a triple-play: Define, shape and add volume.
To give your lips the appearance that they once had, I carefully use dermal fillers in small specific ways to create subtle changes that provide maximum visual impact. The secret is balance. If any part of the lips is too fat or too thin, the result will affect the entire appearance of your face.
First, I define the edge between the top lip and the skin above it, beneath your nose. Then, I place gentle injections in key spots to reshape and plump the upper lip, keeping it looking natural. The upper lip should have variation across the lower border and a bow across the top.
As for the lower lip, which typically has a uniform shape all the way across with a little extra volume in the middle, I take all angles into account. When I look at your lip from the side, I want to make sure that it isn’t too puffy, and when I look from the front, I like to see some extra height.
Lip injections take only a few minutes, and you should be able to go back to your normal activities right after the procedure.
Lips tend to thin out and lose fat as we get older. A variety of lip injection options are available to take care of your concerns, and the results should last from several months to a year, depending on the type of filler used. We like to use the hyaluronic acid fillers Restylane, Restylane Silk, Belotero Balance, Volbella and Juvederm.
So, call our office to talk about how we can give you back the lips of your youth.
And…Remember to register for our upcoming Fall Beauty Seminar, scheduled for this coming Saturday, October 14 at 10:30 am. You’ll learn about the latest cosmetic treatments, including Infini, the nonsurgical approach to reducing sagging skin and wrinkles on the neck, and Kybella, the fat-melting “double chin” injection. You’ll also see me perform treatments and “glimpse the new you” on computer imaging. We’ll be offering exclusive discounts and free gifts to attendees.
RSVP (631)878-9200 or online at www.drcovey.com
Atlantis Banquet & Events Seastar Ballroom
431 East Main Street, Riverhead
See you soon.
Don’t Forget Those Hands
You may have taken care to keep your face and body looking youthful, but the telltale signs of aging happen in places that we might forget. Hands, even though we use them and see them all of the time, are one of the most overlooked spots for cosmetic treatment. Because they are so active and exposed to the elements, and because the skin is so delicate, hands are prone to sun damage, wrinkles and discoloration. Often, they can make you look older than you are.
There are a number of effective techniques that can help rejuvenate your hands, improving the quality and texture of your skin, while decreasing the wrinkling and prominent veins. If you’ve noticed prominent veins and tendons because of volume loss, or wrinkly and thin skin, or age spots, we have several techniques that can help.
First, injectable fillers may be used in various locations on the hands to plump and reshape sagging or loose skin. For fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, sun damage or irregular pigmentation, we offer non invasive treatments like Fraxel DUAL and Thermage CPT.
Mid-summer may be an optimal time for these quick and easy hand rejuvenation treatments. Call our office for a complimentary consultation, and we’ll devise a plan just for you.
See you soon.
Neck News
For many of you, the neck is a body area that you’d like to improve. Because the skin is so delicate, it’s prone to changes in tautness, smoothness and color, particularly as we age.
Some of you may notice little lines or bands that run horizontally around the neck or vertical cords (platysmal bands) that become prominent. Also, when collagen and elastin decrease over time, the skin on your neck may sag and look crepey. Changes in color may include brown spots and pigmentation, particularly on the decolletage, the chest area. Or, you may see red, blotchy or wrinkly skin, most often due to excessive exposure to the sun.
At home, remember to moisturize and use SPF and retinol products, as you would on your face. If you are still not happy, come see us. We have many ways to help your neck look beautiful and more youthful. Here are a few:
Infini: This radio frequency microneedling treatment tightens the neck and jowls and reduces crepiness, too.
Thermage CPT: This tightens skin on the neck and jowls, non-invasively. It’s often called a “Thermal Lift” treatment, and it’s highly effective for many areas of the body.
Exilis Elite: Another thermal treatment, Exilis Elite tightens skin on the neck and jowls and reduces fat, non-invasively.
Fraxel Repair: This laser treatment resurfaces and tightens the skin on the neck and jowls and reduces crepiness and hyperpigmentation (brown spots). It is the procedure of choice for deep lines, hard-to-erase lip lines, pronounced photodamage, sagging face and neck skin, facial wrinkles and discolorations, age-related/sun-damaged rough skin texture, acne and surgical scars.
SmartLipo Triplex: This laser procedure permanently removes fat by destroying fat cells, removing them and tightening the skin. It is effective for large areas of the body as well as smaller ones, like the neck.
Kybella: This series of injections dissolves submental fat permanently and causes some skin contraction, too. Once fat cells are destroyed, they can no longer store or accumulate fat, so re-treatment is not expected.
Call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation. We’ll devise an individual treatment plan just for you.
See you soon.
Smile Big: We’re Introducing the Latest Fillers for your Mouth Area
We’re proud to offer a duo of next-generation dermal fillers aimed at keeping the lower half of your face happy and beautiful. Two of the latest developments in the Restylane collection of dermal fillers, the products are specifically formulated to minimize the lines in the lower half of your face.
The first new filler, Restylane Refyne, helps to soften these lines, restoring a youthful look to your face and maintaining your natural movement and expression, whether smiling, frowning or puckering up. Commonly called “laugh lines,” the wrinkles that run from the sides of your nose toward the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds) and the lines that extend from the corner of your mouth toward your chin (marionette lines) can age your overall appearance.
Used for the treatment of moderate facial wrinkles and folds, Restylane Refyne is made with a special technology that offers maximum flexibility and subtle support to the mouth area. Your skin will move just as it always does. The hyaluronic acid-based product is natural, safe and effective. Introduced in Europe six years ago, it has a proven safety profile in more than one million treatments worldwide. And, your natural-looking results may last for up to 12 months.
Restylane Refyne could be a smart treatment for you. Be sure to call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation, and we’ll talk about your options.
Next week, you’ll hear about Restylane Defyne, the new filler that helps to correct deeper lines and wrinkles.
See you soon.
Good Health, Good Times to You and Yours
Wishing you and your families a wonderful holiday and safe, peaceful and happy new year. My staff and I hope that you enjoy this time with the special people in your lives, and we look forward to seeing you again in 2016.
All best,
Dr. Covey
‘Tis the Season: Join Us and Celebrate
I’m looking forward to seeing you at our Holiday Open House next week, where you’ll enjoy all sorts of festivities…special VIP treatments, free mini massages, holiday makeup tips and a $100 gift card good for any future treatment of your choice.
Be sure to stop by Tuesday, December 8, from 4 to 7pm, and bring a friend, too. You’ll both be treated to hors d’oeuvres and drinks and a goody bag to take home.
If you like, bring a toy for a needy child and we’ll donate it to Toys for Tots.
RSVP: (631) 878-9200
PLACE: Center Moriches office
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, December 8, from 4 to 7pm
See you next week.
Face Fall with the Right Skin Care
Each season places different demands on the skin. Though it may seem harmless, with its crisp sunny days and moderate temperatures, fall presents its own collection of issues for post-summer skin.
Outside, cool dry air makes it difficult for skin to retain its moisture. Inside, heating does the same. As a result, you may notice that your skin tone looks sallow and dull, develops dark spots, flakes and becomes irritated more easily. Also, chronic skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema may intensify. We advise using heavier moisturizers during the fall (particularly when your skin is damp after bathing), drinking more water, and continuing to use sunscreen.
For the removal of localized areas of pigmentation, or dark spots caused by overexposure to the sun, we offer nonsurgical state-of-the-art laser treatments. Some of these include Fraxel DUAL Laser, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), Fraxel Repair Laser, Diolite Laser, Clear & Brilliant, DermaFrac and GentleWaves Photomodulation.
Finally this week, remember to register for our upcoming Fall Beauty Seminar, where you’ll learn about all the latest cosmetic procedures, including the new double-chin treatment, Kybella, as well as the new fillers, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Silk and Voluma. You’ll also see real patients undergo live procedures, hear the latest on removing excess fat and see computer images of how you’d look after specific treatments.
WHEN: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH
TIME: 10:30 AM
LOCATION: Atlantis Banquet & Events Seastar Ballroom, located next to the Long Island Aquarium, 431 East Main Street in Riverhead. Free valet parking available.
RSVP: (631) 878-9200 or click here to complete online.
Hope to see you there.
