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Dear Dr. Irwin, I recently retired after 45 years as a registered nurse in Iowa – my husband and I really enjoy caring for our young grandson. We recently took a trip to Florida to celebrate and I had the time and space to really take a look at my 66 year old body and face! I have fair skin with red hair and freckles and recently had knee surgery – I’ve noticed my arms and legs look older than I’d like. A life of sun damage and some leg circulation issues. I heard about your website and was trying to learn more about skin care. I’ve made a commitment to caring for others I believe at the expense of caring for myself and I’m wondering if you could give me some advice on how to move forward. I thank you in advance. Take care Diana
This is the last part of Part 1, just a reminder. 🙂 Every year technology seems to get safer and better for all kinds of skin problems. The first thing you need to do is take a good look at your skin. What bothers you the most and in which areas? Write it down. Think CLEVER Gates – Sspecific, Mmeasurable, Aaccessible, Rrelevant and TIME based. Below are just a few of the ways you can improve your skin and your confidence. For all of the items listed below, please work with a reputable board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon on site at least 2 days a week.
For example, your list could look like this:
- forearms – Mottled/discolored sun damage and precancerous spots in the past and skin looks creepy.
- chest – brown spots and bumpy texture.
- upper arms – Skin too flabby and sun-damaged shoulders.
- Legs…Etc.
So, when using the SMART goal intents, keep the following in mind.
- Neck. Remember that the face and neck are connected. A “neck lift” is really just a bottom facelift. The same goes for non-surgical. For example, any radio frequency like Profound (deeper) or Exilis or Thermage (more superficial) will help, preferably on the face and neck at the same time. If the throat is red, Vbeam or IPL/BBL will help. If it’s brown and blotchy, consider Fraxel or a similar technology. If it’s wrinkled, consider a CO2, which will both firm up a little and help with wrinkles.
- chest. The chest has a very different skin than the neck; much tighter, prone to keloid-like scars and sun damage. Consider Fraxel or a similar skin care product for the spot with your doctor. Even then, some brown spots are too deep for this and may require expertly performed liquid nitrogen or a hyfrecator and curette used with a laser to complete the process. Wrinkles, especially for side sleepers, may need collagen support such as: B. Body Dilution Sculptra. Even if you have breast implants, needles should not be inserted into the “pocket” where the implant is located. If you’re busty, sleeping in a slightly supportive bra can help.
- Weapons. See chest above as there are similarities. But also fat pads on the upper arm can be suitable for CoolSculpting. Fraxel and similar systems can be particularly good for sun damage on the arms because they have a “roller” system head. This requires multiple treatments, usually with visible progress with each treatment; also helps with fine wrinkles. Use a body lotion with 2% salicylic acid every evening to support the skin’s cell renewal process. And train! 🙂 You need to tone your triceps and biceps.
- Legs. Similar to arms, but often the wrinkling and texture above the knees bothers patients the most. Consider skin tightening systems in addition to correcting fine lines and blemishes with Fraxel-like lasers. CoolSculpting can be very effective for some patients with love handles around the knees. Sculptra body thinning can also be used. Please only experts. It’s also good to add in some leg presses, squats, etc. to tone the underlying muscle. 🙂
If you have any other questions, please send them through Instagram or the Q&A here.
Hope that helps!
dr Brandith Irwin, MD
Founder of SkinTour & MadisonMD Skincare
Follow my skin tips and trips on Instagram!