The ProLite III

Four Secrets To Optimial Skin

Dr. Jason Riehs has developed the perfect skin care program - utilizing key medical products to keep skin youthful, fresh and in optimal condition.

These aren't your average drugstore products - as they are medical formulations that can only be purchased through medical facilities, in most cases. This means, they aren't necessarily the most inexpensive products either.

However, you can start this program slowly, and integrate different products into your own skincare system - as you are able to do so. Another thing to keep in mind with these products - is that they are highly concentrated, medical grade quality products - and this means, you don't have to use a lot. The product will last you several months if used correctly.

Certainly, every skincare program should begin morning and evening with a great cleanser. STEP AWAY FROM THE BAR SOAP. We know you can make a great choice of cleanser depending on your skin type - and we can help you decide as well. Our product lines have cleansers that typically range from $20-40 - a manageable price point. Again, cleanser can be used sparingly (a pea sized amount per cleansing) and can last several months.

It's the next few products that Dr. Riehs specifically prescribes for his patients - they are medical grade skincare products.

Secret Weapon #1: TNS Recovery Complex - with it's advanced Nouricel™-MD formulation - is a masterful combination of antioxidants and other elements found naturally in the skin. This product sells for $155, and should be used in the morning, just after cleansing.

Secret Weapon #2: Vitamin C Serum - We did a whole post last week dedicated to Vitamin C Serums and why they're important. Check it out here! The long & short of it it is that they are key in the 'prevention' and 'anti-aging' step of skincare; providing valuable antioxidant support for harmful free radicals resulting from UV exposure. These products typically cost between $90-$150 - and come in a few different formulations for different skin types. Again, only a VERY small amount should be used at a time (literally 2-3 drops) and it is applied immediately after TNS Recovery Complex in the morning.

Follow your morning steps with a moisturizer and broad spectrum sunscreen. Here's a recap of your morning program:

1/ Cleanse
2/ TNS Recovery Complex (or similar)
3/ Vitamin C Serum (one of several depending on skin type/needs)
4/ Moisturize
5/ Protect with sunscreen

Secret Weapon #3: Alpha-Hydroxy Acid should be used after your Vitamin C Serum in the morning. We carry an array of products with AHA's, such as MD Forte, SkinCeuticals and SkinMedica. Your AHA product can range upwards of $30 - and should be applied in the evenings after cleansing.

And finally - Secret Weapon #4: Retin-A - which is a derivative of Vitamin A. Certainly, for our acne-prone patients - Retin-A works great to resolve whiteheads and blackheads. It works to increase skin cell turnover & renewal by clearing our pores of the residue and dirt that gets trapped in the skin (which causes whiteheads and blackheads). Also known as Tretinoin, Retin-A is the only topical medication that has been proven to improve wrinkles - and must be used consistently to see results. It can cause some flaking and irritation (specifically at first) so many might be apt to stop using it. BUT DON'T. If you want the awesome benefits of Retin-A - use it religiously, daily, and with other elements of a great skin care system as described above. Retin-A is only available with a prescription (Dr. Riehs can prescribe and sell Retin-A directly in our office) and costs around $50. It should be applied every evening - just after cleansing.

For your evening program, the steps are more simple than in the morning. Evening program should include:

1/ Cleanse
2/ Retin-A
3/ Moisturize

If you follow this or a similar program (we can tailor a program just for you!) you will see results quickly - and benefit long term as well with great looking, radiant skin!

Prevent Aging With Antioxidant Serums

Photoaging, or the damage to the skin from prolonged sun exposure and UV radiation is accountable for many of our aging dilemmas with regard to our skin. These issues include wrinkles, sagging skin, leathery and yellowish skin, dark spots and pigmentation problems - and worst of all - skin cancers.

Even when you religiously use a broad-spectrum suncreen, there can still be damaging effects from free radicals that remain in the skin. Using a powerful, daily topical antioxidant can help neutralize these free radicals.

SkinCeuticals makes several antioxidant serums, all enriched with powerful vitamin-C, and all of which are all designed to provide the most advanced protection from free radicals and environmental aging.

There are four different types of vitamin C serums from SkinCeuticals, each specialized to work best for a different type of skin.

• C E Ferulic^® is a combination of L-ascorbic acid, alpha tocopherol, and ferulic acid.
  
  
• Serum 20 AOX+ combines 20% L-ascorbic acid with ferulic acid to provide a punch of antioxidant and anti-aging benefits.
  
  
• C+AHA is great for acne prone skin, and is a combination of 15% L-ascorbic acid and 10% mixed hydroxy acids - to assist in natural exfoliation.
  
  
• Phloretin CF^® is the choice for people experiencing hyperpigmentation, and is a broad-spectrum antioxidant treatment containing phloretin (a flavenoid found in apples), L-ascorbic acid, and ferulic acid.

All of the serums are meant to be used with a proper skin care program - including cleansing and moisturizing.

Esthetician Spotlight: Cassy

A highly trained and experienced esthetician is not easy to come by.

Because our patients expect only the very best in skin care product, and the latest in medical skin rejuvenation and laser technology - Le Beau Visage strives to hire and maintain only the most passionate, educated and specialized staff.

Cassy has been working with Le Beau Visage for a little over two years. After attending Baylor University, Cassy attended technical school, and then received her Esthetician License. After receiving her license, she received more extensive and specialized training during an internship under Dr. Riehs and his staff. Cassy is certified through Reliant as a Fraxel Laser Resurfacing specialist and staff trainer in the areas of IPL Laser Photo Facials, Laser Hair Removal and more.

Cassy's favorite services to perform are Fraxel Laser Resurfacing, and IPL Photo Facials. Mostly because of her extensive knowledge of the equipment used, and the process of performing these services. But she also loves when a patient's skin is visibly improved, even after just one treatment. As Cassy would say - "Good times!"