Finding a skin care regimen that can become a daily routine may seem like an ongoing journey

Remember that your skin is unique; what works for your friends and family may not work for you. Be open to new products for every season of the year and every season of your life. Skin enhancement and repair takes time and consistency, so be patient. Basic skin care is so important and, if its done regularly and properly, beautiful, healthy skin will result.

How do you begin?

Step 1: Cleanse the Skin

Cleansing removes sweat, oil, dirt and pollutants that collect on the surface. You should be cleansing every morning and before you retire for bed. Steer clear of harsh, body bar soaps on facial skin. Facial cleansers are available and should be chosen based on skin type.

Step 2: Tone

I can not stress enough how important toner is for your skin. It adjusts the pH level and prepares the skin to absorb moisturizers, serums and other products properly. Avoid harsh alcohol or citrus-based toner, as they can irritate your skin. Consultation with an experienced skin care expert can guide you on all products, including toner.

Step 3: Exfoliate

Your skin is shedding millions of cells every day. Exfoliating removes dead cells that have accumulated. Most dermatologists agree you should exfoliate one to three times each week. Both chemical and granule exfoliators can be effective, but chemical exfoliating ingredients like AHAs and BHAs often are more effective in getting deep into the pores to remove buildup. Exfoliation will help skin look younger, promote blood flow and collagen production and improve overall skin health. AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) products are preferred for sun-damaged, dry and aging skin. BHA (beta hydroxy acid) products are oil-loving and preferred for acne-prone skin. BHAs are anti-inflammatory and have antibacterial properties. On days you exfoliate, follow these steps: cleanse, exfoliate, tone.

Step 4: Serums, Eye Creams and Moisturizers

Traditional skincare products focus on the visible signs of unhealthy skin without addressing the underlying causes at a cellular level. Medical lines, however go deeper to obtain the collagen stimulation your skin needs to rejuvenate. Topical vitamin C is good to protect, brighten and stimu­late collagen. Eye creams depend on your need to brighten, firm or address puffiness. Many have a mild retinol to address fine lines without irritation. Moisturizers should be based on skin type so they properly hydrate without causing the skin to overproduce oil. I highly recommend consulting with a skin professional to help with the choice of proper products needed to meet your goals.

Step 4: Proper SPF Sun Protection

Sunscreen with a minimum protec­tion factor of SPF 30 is recommended in most skin care lines. I have seen skin of all types maintain clarity and reduce sun damage after SPF SO was incorporated into a daily routine. Formulas are available to match all skin types and tones. Always choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen for the best protection. Sunscreen costs pennies per day and is the number-one anti-aging product that can benefit everyone. Remember to apply SPF protection to your lips, eyelids, ears, neck and décolletage prior to applying foundation makeup. Apply full-body sunscreen 20 minutes (or as directed) prior to spending time outside. On the days you wear makeup and are not able to reapply as directed, mineral powder sunscreens are available – just brush and go! Also invest in a great broad-brim hat and sunglasses for you and the children.

A daily a.m. and p.m. skin routine is so important and easily followed with the right products tailored to YOU. A skin care professional, aesthetician, dermatologist or plastic surgeon will be happy to consult with you and help you reach your skin care goals. Above all, consistency is the key to progressing toward naturally beautiful skin.

Deborah Meza is a licensed aesthetician, as well as a massage therapist, medical skin care and laser technician and Ideal Protein coach with the Woman’s Clinic P.A. in Gulfport. Reach her at (228) 341-7879.

Ultrasound was first used for clinical purposes in 1956 in Glasgow, Scotland.  Obstetrician Ian Donald and engineer Tom Brown developed the first prototype based on an instrument used to detect industrial flaws in ships.  They perfected its clinical use, and by the end of the 1950’s ultrasound was routinely used in Glasgow hospitals.   It didn’t really take off in British and American hospitals until the 1970’s

A fetal ultrasound (sonogram) is an imaging technique that uses sound waves to produce images of a fetus in uterus.  The images captured can help your health care provider evaluate your baby’s growth and development during your pregnancy.  Most healthy women receive two to three ultra sound scans during pregnancy.  The first trimester to confirm due date, the second (and third if recommended) to confirm normal anatomy, fetus size and sex of the baby.  Additional scans may be necessary if the mother has medical issues such as diabetes or hypertension.

There is no evidence to show a prenatal ultrasound provided properly will harm the mother or her unborn child.  Done properly means it is performed by a trained technician, called a sonographer or by a Doctor.  There are different types of ultrasound.

The standard prenatal ultrasounds are completed in 2D.  This image reveals a grey outline of the baby.  2D allows the technician or Doctor to see through the body and observe the baby’s internal organs.

3D and 4D ultrasound scans are often optional.  3D imaging creates a 3-dimensional image of the baby.  While 4D ultrasounds create a live video effect like a movie.  You can watch your baby smile, yawn, suck on his or her thumb, etc.  You will see skin!  The 4D is a more realistic view of the child.  You will see a moving image of the baby.

The process of prenatal development occurs in three main stages.  The first two weeks after conception are known as the germinal stage, the third through the eighth week is known as the embryonic period and the time from the ninth week until birth is known as the fetal period.  The stages of growth month to month are fast and amazing.  An ultrasound when pregnant is an easy safe way to monitor the development of your baby and it will allow you the ability of peaking into the future to see if you will be blessed with a southern ribbon and Bows little girl or an energetic coastal water loving little boy.

Deborah Meza
Laser Technician, Aesthetician,
Massage Therapist, #187
Ideal Protein Coach
228-341-7879

Christen Blaine  
Sonographer
Woman’s Clinic, P.A.
4577 Thirteenth Street
Gulfport, MS  39501
228-864-2752

Remember your skin is unique.  What works for your friends and family may not work for you.  Be open to new products for every season of the year and every season of your life.  Skin enhancement and repair takes time and consistency.   Be patient.  Basic skin care is so very important and if routinely done and properly beautiful healthy skin will appear!

How do you begin?

Step 1: Cleanse the skin

Cleansing removes sweat, oil, dirt and pollutants that collects on the surface. You should be cleansing every morning and before you retire for bed.  Steer clear of harsh body bar soaps on facial skin.  Cleansers are available and should be used based on skin type.

Step 2:  Toner

I can not stress how important toner is for your skin!  It adjusts the pH and prepares the skin to absorb moisturizer, serums, product properly .   Avoid harsh alcohol or citrus based toner as they can irritate your skin. Consultation with an experienced skin care expert can guide you on all products including toner.

Step 3: Exfoliation*

Skin is in the constant process of shedding millions of skin cells every day.  Exfoliating removes dead skin cells that have accumulated.  Most Dermatologists agree you should exfoliate ONE to THREE times each week.  There are chemical exfoliators and granule exfoliators.  Both can be effective but chemical exfoliating ingredients like AHAs and BHAs are often more effective in getting deep into the pores to remove build up.

Exfoliation will help skin look younger, promote blood flow, collagen production and improve overall skin health.  AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) products are preferred for sun damaged, dry and aging skin.  BHA products are oil loving.  Preferred for oily, acne-prone and problems with black heads. BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) are anti-inflammatory and have antibacterial properties.

*On the days you exfoliate follow in these steps:  Cleanse, Exfoliate, Tone

Step 4: Serums, Eye creams, Moisturizer

Traditional skincare products focus on the visible symptoms of unhealthy skin without addressing the underlying causes at a cellular level.  Medical lines however go deeper to obtain the collagen stimulation your skin needs to rejuvenate and enhance collagen.    Topical Vitamin C is good to protect, brighten and stimulate collagen.  Eye creams depend on your need to brighten, firm, or address puffiness.  Many have a mild retinol to address fine lines without irritation.  Moisturizers should be based on skin type as to properly hydrate without overproducing oil. Problematic skin types also need their proper moisturizer so skin does not go into overproduction of oil after cleansing and toning. I highly recommend requesting a consultation with a skin professional to assist with the choice of proper products needed to meet your skin care goals.

Step 5: Proper SPF sun protection

Sun screen with a minimum protection factor of spf 30 is the recommended factor in most skin care lines. With my experience I have seen skin maintain clarity and reduced sun damage by incorporating 50 spf into your daily skin care routine for all skin types. Formulas are available to match all skin types and tones. Always choose a broad spectrum sun screen for the best protection.  Sun screen costs pennies per day and is the number one anti-aging product all can benefit from. Remember to apply spf protection to your lips, eye lids, ears, neck and décolletage prior to applying foundation makeup. Apply Full body 20 minutes or as directed prior to spending time outside.

On the days you wear makeup and are not able to reapply as directed there are mineral powder sunscreens available! Brush and go! Also for the summer invest in a great broad brim sun hat and sunglasses for you and the children.

A daily a.m. and p.m. skin routine is so very important and easily followed with the right products for YOU.  Visit a skin care professional. An Aesthetician, Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon will be happy to consult with you, guide you and help you to obtain your skin care goal.

But at the end of every day consistency is the key to progressing forward to natural beautiful skin.

Have a marvelous SUMMER!

Deborah Meza
Woman’s Clinic, P.A.
4577 Thirteenth Street
Gulfport, MS  39501
228-341-7879

Many patients however due to current or history of medical conditions are not candidates for HRT (Hormone replacement therapy). These patients may be suffering through symptoms of menopause or sexual dysfunction as their new “Normal” due to aging.

IT IS A NEW DAY FOR WOMEN!!!

The medical community is proactive in health care options for women and that is now expanding to sexual health care for WOMEN. The O-Shot was created by Dr. Charles Runels, M.D., the creator of the Vampire Facial, The Vampire Facelift and the Vampire Breast Lift.

This nonsurgical procedure uses PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), a woman’s own stem cells and growth factors from her blood to stimulate vaginal and clitoral rejuvenation and sensation. The O-Shot (PRP injected into specific areas of the vagina and the clitoris) increases sensitivity and tightens vaginal tissue. As women age many will, unfortunately, experience involuntary urine loss. The regenerative and restorative effects of the O-Shot is said to help with stress urinary incontinence as well.

If you are experiencing any of the above-listed symptoms and desire to move forward to address them, discuss your concerns with your Gynecologist or Physician. Also, check the official website for an Authorized Physician that provides the O-Shot in your area by zip code.

Understanding the options for women, The O-Shot, hormones, emotional and mental health all play a positive roll in your results and is to be discussed and followed by your physician(s) when pursuing this injection. Topical numbing is applied for your comfort prior to the procedure so there is minimal to zero discomfort and only temporary at the time of treatment.

The national average cost for the O-Shot is $1,200 – $1,500.

The results have been positive and it is ALL NATURALLY YOU!!!

Article original published by Gulf Coast Women Magazine. Photo courtesy of Gulf Coast Woman Magazine.