Eat for Your Skin

There are so many ways to live a healthier lifestyle- some ideas extreme and some a little easier to manage. In general a healthy diet will produce an overall healthier you from the inside out, but what food exactly will help you get a natural glow?



–  Almonds are loaded with vitamin E (a great antioxidant) and can help defend against sun damage.
        –  Flaxseeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids which helps to erase spots and fine lines. It also helps lessen irritation and redness. Salmon is another great source of Omega-3s.
–      – COOKED Tomatoes actually help protect the skin from ultraviolet rays by helping to eliminate skin-aging free radicals. Lycopene, which makes tomatoes red, is actually the key to the magic and as the tomatoes cook the levels increase making tomato sauce, ketchup, etc pack on the goodness.  Watermelon has the same effect- yum!
–      – Sweet Potatoes are loaded with vitamin C which stimulates collagen production, in result smoothing out wrinkles. You can also try papaya and carrots!
–      – Canned Tuna can preserve your elastin- a protein that keeps skin smooth and firm. The tuna is packed with selenium, an antioxidant, which also has sub blocking powers.
–      – Carrots will help to clear up routine breakouts! Yes, it is true. Loaded with lots of vitamin A, carrots, prevents the overproduction of cells in the skins outermost layer which means less clogged pores. Vitamin A also lessens the development of skin-cancer cells!  Dairy products also contain lots of vitamin A- but eat/drink dairy in moderation because it can clog pores and contribute to acne.
–       – Green Tea we all know is wonderful for your health, but did you know it is also good for your skin? The antioxidant within the tea produces anti-inflammatory properties and anticancer properties. It can help prevent skin cancer and reverse sun damage. *Tip- effects are greater when drinking it when it is warm!
–      – Dark Chocolate is loaded with antioxidants that can reduce roughness in the skin and provide sun protection. No matter how you get your dark chocolate the texture of your skin should improve.

As you can see, generally ‘healthy’ foods benefit your skin as well as your body’s health. Most fruits and vegetables have antioxidants that will benefit your skin’s appearance. The same goes for the reverse.  For example white bread, pastas, and cakes are linked to an increase in acne. Also overeating sugar can cause wrinkles and dull skin by damaging your collagen.

With Spring in full bloom enjoy what the season has to offer! This is a great time of year to fill up on fresh fruits and veggies. 

Skin Care Precautions for Moms-to-Be

With Spring in the air it’s not only the flowers that are blooming…We are starting to see ducklings at the park, saplings on the trees, and baby bumps a plenty! While some moms-to-be have the all the luck of the maternal glow, the rest of us need some help. While looking at skin care products what should you AVOID during your routine while expecting?

Top of the list are products containing Retinoids.
Retinoids, a type of Vitamin A, are found in many moisturizers and are used to improve skin tone and reduce wrinkles. So far no evidence has been shown that topical use is harmful to a baby, but doctors are being extra cautious and advising to stop or limit the use while expecting due to the harmful effects of high doses of Vitamin A on babies in the womb.
Following suit is Salicylic Acid.
Salicylic acid is used mainly for treating acne (a big problem for many expecting mothers). High does in the oral form have been shown to cause birth defects and complications in pregnancy- again doctors choose to be extra cautious and suggest stopping or limiting it’s use while pregnant. One larger precaution is not to use facial peels containing Salicylic Acid as it gives the skin more time to soak in the solution- more absorption in the bloodstream.
Finally is Soy.
Yes you read that right… SOY! Most moms-to-be look for natural and healthy alternatives in diets and beauty products but soy isn’t the best go to. Expecting mothers who suffer from Melasma, also known as pregnancy mask, can actually get worse effects by using products with soy. Some products use soy which have the estrogenic components removed and this makes them safer to use. Check the ingredients carefully.

Basic rule, when expecting just take care of yourself! Pregnancy effects everyone different. If your usual products are too harsh for your mom-to-be self ask your dermatologists for some gentler options. Need a stronger, but safe, treatment for your pregnancy acne? Try using oil free makeup and lotions, and ask your doctor for safe treatment options. Germain RX has an anti-aging and acne line of Pregnancy SAFE products and we can help you set up a routine that is perfect for you.

Even though some women naturally have that glow- 
we can always help you fake it! 

Get Lucky with our March Specials

   *  20% off Ultherapy~ An uplift, NOT a Faceflift! 

      Ultherapy allows physicians to focus sound waves deep under the skin to heat, lift and tighten loose skin without needles, cutting surgery or any damage to the skin’s surface. New collagen is naturally created and restore skins youthfulness. In addition, the deeper layers of the skin are thermally tightened and contract, to lift the skin. This latest FDA cleared technology is being used primarily on the face to lift sagging brows, reduce excess skin on the lids and open up the eyes thus wiping away years for a younger, rejuvenated look.
·        *  CoolSculpting – The best way to get problem areas Beach Body Ready!
LARGE Applicator~ $999.00
REGULAR Applicator~$500.00
CoolSculpting™ by Zeltiq is an FDA cleared technology that uses cold therapy to freeze and destroy fat cells permanently, no surgery required. Zeltiq uses precisely targeted cold therapy in a comfortable treatment room.  The process zaps the energy from the fat cell, causing it to die over a period of 2-4 months. It crystallizes the lipids in the fat cells causing the slow breakdown of the cells and then is released through your body’s normal metabolic processes. The procedure takes about an hour and is literally harmless.
·         * Perfect 10 Peel- One Intermediate and One Advanced for $450! 
Turning back the hands of time has never been so easy thanks to all the advancements in peels. Unveil clearer and more even skin tone with this most advanced chemical peel.
·         * Purchase a Fraxel Face Package- Receive a Neck Treatment Package for FREE! ~ $2,500 Savings*
Fraxel is the original fractional laser treatment that works below the skin’s surface from the top down, addressing imperfections like fine lines, visible photo aging, wrinkles, scarring and age spots. Fraxel light energy stimulates your skin’s natural collagen, rejuvenating skin cells below the surface to help smooth the creases and pockets that cause wrinkles and scars. Fraxel only treats targeted problem areas – so the results are focused and effective.
·        *  Buy 1 syringe of dermal filler and get the 2nd syringe 25% off!
Dermal fillers such as JUVÉDERM® Injectable Gel, RADIESSE®, SCULPTRA® Aesthetic, Perlane® and Restylane® can replace lost volume in a non surgical treatment. Dr. Marguerite Germain uses these injectable treatments with skill and artistry to temporarily fill-in wrinkles and plump up facial features for a natural-looking, refreshed appearance.
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Some fillers, such as JUVÉDERM XC, have incorporated lidocaine for a more comfortable injection experience. For other fillers, Dr. Germain may use a topical anesthetic to ensure that your treatment is as pleasant as possible. She takes the time with each and every patient to be sure that she is accomplishing your aesthetic goals and, in the process, ensuring your comfort both during and after the procedure.
·        *  Botox $9.75/unit
BOTOX works by relaxing the specific muscles that contract to cause wrinkles. Although a great deal of skill and focus is required on the part of the physician, for patients, BOTOX treatments in South Carolina will actually seem very simple and easy. Just apply some ice to the treatment area, a few tiny injections, a slight amount of pressure – and, before you know it, the treatment is over! Dr. Germain recommends that her patients keep up with BOTOX treatments every 3 to 4 months to maintain beautiful, prolonged wrinkle reduction.

* Dysport $3.00/unit

Dr. Germain also offers Dysport™, a BOTOX alternative. She may recommend Dysport for some patients and can discuss the differences between the two treatments with you. Dysport is an injection used to temporarily improve the look of your moderate to severe frown lines without changing the look of your whole face. The untreated facial muscles still work normally, allowing you to freely show facial expressions, such as smiling, in untreated areas.


*Dr. Germain Performs all Injections

Does your Suit Protect You?

It is that time of year where retailers are starting to stock the shelves with the dreaded BATHING SUIT  From the trendy vintage one piece to the tiny bikini they can make even those with the fittest bodies feel uncomfortable. Other than hiding your less favorable features what do you look for in swimwear?

Most women (and men) do not know that most swimwear material is not UV Protected. When we head to the pool or the beach and do our duties of lathering on sun block to all the ‘exposed’ areas we are leaving out some of the most delicate and, actually, exposed parts of our skin- those under the suits!

In general bathing suits and clothing alike aren’t protection from UV Rays.  When buying swim wear or beach attire look for those with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) as high as 50. If you can’t find clothes with UPF, we recommend wearing tightly woven, dark-colored fabrics. You’ll be surprised when inspecting the tags of your favorite bikinis or cover-ups that they offer little to no protection from the sun.

In addition to looking for sun protected clothing/swimwear we suggest applying sun block to your ENTIRE body before dressing for a day in the sun. You’re most sensitive areas deserve as much TLC from damaging rays as the rest.  Also, when planning your summer fun make sure to stay hydrated, wear sunglasses, hats to protected your face and scalp and stay near shaded areas to retire to in the hottest times of the day (10am-4pm).

Even with all the awareness of skin cancer and sun damage the numbers are increasing- take your first steps in not becoming a statistic. 
Fun Facts: Technology and Swimwear?
Some designers are also on the brink of developing a ‘Smart Bikini’. A new swimsuit was developed in Canada to provide protection from “post-tan” problems by warning of excess UV light. The suits look like regular bikinis decorated with beads of plastic that can change their color depending on the intensity of UV emission. Exposed to low or medium emission, the beads are of white or lavender color. Abnormal rate of UV emission makes the beads glow deep violet, alarmingly indicating that tanning should be ceased.   This swimsuit is available this month! Check it out at Solestrom. There is also one already on the market by Solestrom that has a LED UV meter built into the belt, which also shows if it’s time to stop sunbathing. The LED UV meter is solar powered.  What will we see next?!
As always the best preventative measure is abstinence. Staying out of the most harmful rays of the sun, wearing sunscreen each day and getting checked regularly. If you know you will be exposed to the sun we want you to be protected the best you can!