It's summer again which means more sunlight for many of us. Sunscreen is the most important way to protect yourself from damaging rays of the sun, but Vitamin C will also help protect against UV damage.

How does vitamin C protect the skin?  It's a powerful antioxidant that reduces free radicals which cause damage to skin cells.  Sun has been shown to decrease the natural levels of vitamin C in the skin, so we can replace it with a cream.

What are the other skin benefits of vitamin C? It improves fine lines and wrinkles. It helps to build collagen (the building block of the skin). It can reduce sunburn severity.

Only certain forms of vitamin C are stable in creams, so make sure you have proper counseling  on a good product that will reach the deeper skin layers. These products can also be sensitive to light, so they need to be stored in a dark place.  Dr. Mok and Dr. Kotlus at Allure Medical Spa in Michigan can help you with your skin needs in a free consultation.

Latisse is the latest cosmetic buzzword since it's release several months ago.  It is an eyelash enhancement medication that is used once daily as a topical solultion applied like a mascara to the base of the eyelashes with an applicator brush. Does it work? Absolutely. Is it safe? Yes.

A clinical study showed that 3% of patients may experience some irritation from Latisse that resolves when the medication is stopped. So far, no discoloration of the iris (the colored part of the eye) has been reported with Latisse, but it has occurred with the glaucoma version of the medication, which is used directly on the eye surface, not on the eyelashes.

The effects of Latisse are seen after several weeks, and after a few months the results are dramatic. If Latisse is stopped, the eyelashes will gradually return to their previous appearance. Below is an actual photo of a patient from Allure Medical Spa in Michigan, before and 2 months after using Latisse. Latisse is only available by prescription.  Dr. Kotlus at Allure Medical Spa is a fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon, the highest-qualified specialist to prescribe and monitor Latisse.

Cellulite is a huge enemy - especially as we enter swimsuit season.  There is only one FDA-approved device that improves the appearance of those unwanted skin dimples and ripples: Velashape.  It uses a combination of technologies: radiofrequency energy, infrared light, vaccum, and mechanical massage.

The treatment is safe and requires no downtime. The result is smoother skin surface and cellulite reduction plus circumferential size reduction.  Thighs, buttocks, and abdomen are the main target areas for VelaShape.

Want to learn more? Check out velashape.com, or Allure Medical Spa's VelaShape page.

Or watch this video about VelaShape from the Rachel Ray Show:

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Now you can visit Allure Medical Spa on facebook, the wildly popular social networking utility that boasts more than 200 million worldwide members.  Everyone is facebooking these days, so why not your favorite medical spa?

Click here to visit Allure's Facebook page!

The FDA approved a new wrinkle treatment called Dysport (also known as Reloxin) to be distributed by Medicis under license from Ipsen Pharmaceuticals. Dysport is a form of botulinum toxin type A, as is Botox(there are 7 types of botulinum toxin, A-G, and 3 subtypes of type A). 

With small injections, Dysport and Botox can both reduce frown lines that make us look angry, tired, or older.  In a clinical trial, 93% - 95% of patients who received Reloxin treatment noticed an improvement in forehead wrinkles in just 7 days. 

Dr. Mok and Dr. Kotlus at Allure Medical Spa in Macomb County, Michigan are expert cosmetic physicians, and they are among the most experienced injectors in the state. The only question is which to inject, Botox or Dysport?