What we do for our skin on the daily can impact its health.Take it from me, the world of skincare is vast and confusing because ultimately, skincare is a business and a lot of money goes into marketing. When choosing products I like: clean and ethical, results-driven, and research based, and preferably simple. When it comes to results-driven and research based, retinols are a must-have for those looking to live their best wrinkle-free life.

Bone broth is a traditional kitchen remedy that has been used across the globe. In general, bone broth is made by boiling bones in water with a splash of acid (like vinegar) and time. Through this process, nutrients like minerals and collagen fibers are extracted from the bones and into the liquid.

When it comes to the skin, bone broth is medicine. Studies demonstrate the nutrients in bone broth help heal wounds, improve skin quality, and address brittle nails(1,2). Most of the evidence here uses collagen peptide supplementation, however it is ideal to get nutrients from a whole foods source.

Probiotic foods contain the ‘good’ bugs our bodies require, and prebiotics are fiber-rich foods that probiotics feed and grow on.

COVID has touched my household, and likely yours too. Aside from stuffy noses, sore throats, and random feelings of insecurity, isolation has been the toughest, particularly with a 5-year-old. Over the weeks there were sweet moments, like when we made an IG reel together, had a Shakira and Bieber dance party, and made stone ground dark rye chocolate chip cookies with cashews. But to be real, it hasn’t been easy.

Thanks for taking the time to click and read. Life gets hectic around this time of year. For me it’s the holidays, my kiddo’s birthday (she’s FIVE), my birthday (I’m 40), and other end-of-year business. I’ve been a little overwhelmed by it all which seems compounded by the stressors we all experience. I, like you, want my life to have meaning; I want my work to have a positive impact, my environmental footprint small, to have health, and for my friends and family to feel the enormity of love I have for them. 

This week’s topic is inspired by the recent daylight savings change and the seemingly ‘sudden’ shift into winter with shorter and darker days. It’s almost reflexive to reject the change however through observation and a bit of adaptation, I believe we set ourselves up for better health. This week I point out three observations from nature and how we can live in accordance during this season. The week’s topic is inspired by my formal Chinese medicine training where it is believed that by harmonizing oneself with the seasons, you can stay healthier and prevent disease. 

New service alert!  I am proud to introduce the Mini Lip Fill treatment, the perfect service for first-timers, or someone who just wants a little.  The Mini Lip Fill is customized to each client’s goals and we can upgrade to the full syringe if you decide you want more within one month of your original treatment.  While the lips are sensitive, worry not, because I make sure you are comfortably numb before injections begin.  

Collagen and elastin are essential protein fibers in the skin that give support and elasticity. As we mature, these fibers break down and can cause wrinkles. Regenerating the skin’s collagen and elastin helps give you a more youthful appearance. Collagen also plays a role in scaring, like happens from acne. Skin remodeling can have an important role in the improved appearance of scarring. 

Over the past three years, I have performed hundreds of dermal filling services and as of this writing, I average about 10 fill treatments a week.  The most popular areas to treat with filler include: lips, cheeks, chin, nasolabial folds, jawline, and under eye area. 

On average, I perform about 20 neuromodulator treatments per week, with three years of injecting experience and I use Botox Cosmetic 99% of the time (Dysport 1%).

Back in the day when I first started practice, my dear friend Dr. Kasten and I held a B12 Happy Hour once a week.  This quickly became a sought-after event, and while COVID shut the happy hour down, B12 injection remains a service I offer.  This week I discuss what vitamin B12 is, who is most susceptible to deficiency, and its benefits.

As you may know, I am formally trained in Chinese Medicine. During a neuromodulator treatment (ie Botox or Dysport), we needle common acupuncture points. This week we learn about acupuncture, common points treated with Botox, and why we use these points. 

We have learned that what we put in our body can be reflected through skin health. Adhering to a clean diet abundant in fresh foods and vegetables for fiber, clean proteins, and minimal sugar supports the body’s natural detoxification process and elimination of toxins. Minimizing our sugar intake is super important here because our body becomes less efficient and detoxification and elimination (1).  

The status of our nutrition can be seen through the skin. In fact, nutritional deficiencies often first appear on our skin. Nutritional deficiencies can stem from both vitamin and mineral deficiencies (micronutrient) as well as carbohydrate, fat, and protein (macronutrient). You are more likely to have a nutritional deficiency if you adhere to a restrictive or inadequate diet, drink alcohol excessively, or have digestive issues.

Fall is around the corner and the season for resurfacing treatments like peels and microneedling are here!  I am proud to have invested in the Skinpen, the world’s first FDA-cleared microneedling device. Integrating microneedling treatments into your self-care regimen will rejuvenate your skin, address uneven skin tone, and facial acne scarring .

There are two ways to assess food’s impact on blood sugar: the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL). GI measures the impact of a carbohydrate-containing food on blood glucose levels. Ideally, we eat low GI foods so that only small fluctuations in blood glucose are produced. Examples of low GI foods include: legumes (ie soy, kidney, beans, lentils, chickpeas), nuts (ie almonds, walnuts), seeds (ie pumpkin, flax, sesame, most intact grains (oat, barley, spelt), and most vegetables and fruits (ie peaches and berries). 

Our lifestyle choices impact the quality of our skin. Past writings have taught us that inflammation, microbiome imbalance,  and oxidative damage can set the stage for unwanted outcomes like acne, dermatitis, skin cancers, and accelerated aging. This week we learn how blood sugar issues also impact the health of our skin. The information is inspired by Dr. Trevor Cates, author of Clean Skin From Within: The Spa Doctor’s 2-Week Program to Glowing, Naturally Youthful Skin. 

The garden is going off; I have a jungle of sunflowers, a dehydrator full of asian pears, and every day we’re eating tomatoes, cucumbers, and/or beans. I come from gardeners (we pretty much all do). I remember snacking on cherry tomatoes in my grandma’s garden, eggplant from Auntie Linnea’s, and that time Auntie Val planted a strawberry garden in our backyard. My mama’s got a vegetable-producing touch that I only aspire to and my Auntie Val homesteads her way into winter. Watching a garden grow and flower and fruit makes me happy. I believe that having a garden, even if it’s only a pot of herbs, sets the stage for healthy, clear, and youthful skin. This week I show how having a garden supports optimal skin.