Article was written by Bev Fast and was placed in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix 03-20-2008 

IT’S ALL IN THE EYES! 

This article was placed in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix on October 27th 2007

Tattoo Removal

This article was placed in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix on Saturday August 25th 2007

PORES GALORE

People attach a great deal of identity and pride to the appearance of their skin, especially that on the face. The corollary of this is loss of self-esteem and well-being when a skin disorder triggers a depressive illness.

BUMPS!  THEY REALLY ANNOY ME!

Often referred to as “barnacles”, seniors sometimes worry that the emergence of new bumps on the skin might represent skin cancer, especially those that are dark, raised and irregular

“I’M TOO EMBARRASSED TO WEAR SHORTS NOW!”

This article was placed in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix on March 31st

Colleen lives for springtime and golf season!  Recently however, her excitement has been dampened by the appearance of many blue blood vessels growing high in the surface of her thighs and calves

BLOTCHY BROWN SKIN

Melanie spends half an hour each morning applying several layers of foundation over her face to ensure that the brown blotches are camouflaged by the time she leaves her front door each day. She is afraid to reveal the "pinto pony look" that she conceals on her face. The brown discolorations are irregular, large, dark, and contrast markedly against her otherwise fair skin

SMILE!

Have you been encouraged by others to "Smile"? Apparently, your expression gave off that you are unhappy, tired, worried, or grouchy. If this was a surprise to you because you were feeling quite neutral or positive, then chances are your face is miscuing the world. Why?

I’M SO TIRED OF ALL THE SWEATING!!!

This article is placed in the Star Phoenix on November 25th

According to Lorraine:

"I can’t even wear a nice shirt without soaking and staining it. I have to wear a big sweater over top, or take several shirts with me and change frequently. I might have to change three or four times a day at work, and at the gym too. I certainly can’t drink coffee any more, and spicy foods are out as well. It is really humiliating at work. With just a little stress I feel drips down my sides, soaking once again, sometimes within minutes of changing. It happens in social situations as well. Precisely as I meet up with a new acquaintance,

YOU’RE BLUSHING!

This article was in the October 28th 2006 edition of The Saskatoon Star Phoenix.

Do you remember how it felt when you were embarrassed to the point of a big blush? Then, everyone stared at you while the obnoxious one in the crowd pointed out, "You’re blushing!" By now of course, there was no way out for you, as you felt the heat spread intensely over the entire face, ears, neck and chest, everything glowing pink.

THE YOUNG AT HEART

One day you are walking down the mall with all the mirrors in the store fronts, and you catch a glimpse of yourself.  You can’t believe it!  Reality check!  In the flesh, you look tired! And old!  In fact, you might even look like your beloved mom or dad. 

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE OF SUNDAMAGE

Just about everyone gets happy in the sun's warmth! Animals and humans alike are drawn to the comfort of warm sun and bright blue skies. By springtime, a person in Saskatchewan might feel emancipated as they emerge outdoors in T-shirts..

ROSACEA

This article was published Neighborhood Express Newspaper on June 19th 2006.

This diagnosis is well known by the public because it is comon and conspicuous. It is estimated that 5-10% of certain Caucasian populations suffer Rosacea, but it is not limited to fair skinned individuals.

MAN HAIR ON THE WOMAN'S FACE

This article was published in the Neighbourhood Express Newspaper on May 28th 2006.

You may know of such persons, but then again you may not recognize them as they generally try very hard to keep this secrest, understandably. The name of this medical condition is Hirsutism, meaning the growth of coarse hair and patterns, such as the beard, the chest, abdomen, and back.

THE AGING FACE AND TREATMENT OPTIONS

Until Recently, the conventional solution to the lax and aging face was to "cut out the excess skin and underlying soft tissue, pull tight, and tack". In order to accomplish the stretch, skin to bone ligaments may be severed.

Cosmetic Medicine Ad Wednesday March 27, 2002 Read more

 DON"T FORGET YOUR LIPS AND MOUTH!

We see our crow's feet, and our fine lines and jowls, but we often overlook our aging lips and mouth. And as you age, one or a couple of different procedures may be necessary to restore a natural rejuvenated mouth that suits your goals and personality.

THERMAGE TREATMENT NON-SURGICAL ALTERNATIVE TO FACE LIFT

Thermage article written by Bev Fast who is a Saskatoon freelance writter.  This article appeared in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix on Wednesday, March 23, 2005

PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL

Many devices achieve Health Canada and FDA clearance for safety, but this is not enough. The clearance for efficacy is the consumer reassurance that the hair is not simply stunned temporarily; rather it is evident that the hair is permanently disabled by the specific device being tested. Furthermore, the newer technologies are considered safe for all skin types.

RED FACE

Most acne patients realize that acne is not an easy fix. For most, there have been many over the counter products that might have "helped for awhile". Many have graduated to prescription topicals or pills, with reports of improvement followed by complete relapse. Some patients will experience scars as a result of nodular or cystic (deep) pimples. Others will notice a residual brown stain where the pimple healed. The cumulative total of the brown stains may add up to spotty skin. Those with scarring or severe acne may be offered the "Big Gun", a pill taken for 4 – 8 months with a goal to remission, and possibly a cure. This medication certainly has been a salvation for some patients who might have had severe scarring acne, but it is not without its serious potential risks such as birth defects, blood disorder, liver damage, etc. The patient requires monthly follow up and frequent blood tests to monitor closely. Not surprisingly, not all people are willing to "go there" with such a medication. And furthermore, others may not be a suitable candidate for this oral medication on the basis of their acne or their medical profile. Fortunately, there is a new alternative, and a very good one at that.  

FACE LIFT - WITHOUT THE KNIFE

Depending on the social scene you keep, you might have heard about the fuss over a newer development in skin beauty, dubbed the non-surgical face-lift. As with so many of the new technologies in dermatology, this one targets aging skin with a goal to reverse some of the less desirable changes, in favor of more youthful characteristics. For example, the dull complexion that we associate with the elderly can be reversed. Or the lax sagging skin of the cheeks, otherwise known as jowls, may be firmed up, gradually, without the awareness of your associates. The only comments you might hear from them may be "You look good! Did you change your hair?" And for those who might have contemplated a brow lift, this is another option. In fact, Health Canada agreed that Radiofrequency application with Thermage is effective at lifting the brow, and smoothing the wrinkling around the eyes. Lifting the forehead may lift the heavy brows off the eyelid to give a more wide-eyed appearance consistent with your photos a decade or two ago, without surgery. And this may be done without a day off work. It doesn’t matter what skin type you are, the complication rate with this technique is certainly much lower than that associated with anesthesia and surgery.

NONINVASIVE METHOD FOR TIGHTER SKIN

NO INCISIONS, NO NEEDLES, NO LASERS – JUST RESULTS

(Saskatoon, Saskatchewan). This newer method of tightening the face is capable of smoothing wrinkles and lifting jowls or heavy brows without the knife. Dr. Genesis of Nirvana Laser Hair and Skin Clinic in Saskatoon, reports that for the first time, women and men seeking a more youthful appearance have the option of a cosmetic procedure that does not require invasive surgery.

LASERS AND LIGHTS IN DERMATOLOGY: PROGRESS

Although Einstein theorized about laser concepts in 1917, it wasn’t until 1959 that cutaneous applications of lasers pioneered the subsequent rapid development of laser therapies in all aspects of medicine, including dermatology. Now, the technology is sophisticated and the field is highly specialized. Specialists and researchers are linked to practitioners of light medicine by societies and publications. Although the field is still very new, the therapies are increasingly defined by evidence, with enhanced results and safety as desired endpoints. Lasers have revolutionized cosmetic dermatology and the field continues to evolve. The trend has been toward effective treatments of skin pathologies and skin aging, without downtime. Examples of conditions that have been significantly improved by dermatologic laser therapy are exemplified as follows.

EXCESS HAIR GROWTH

There are several reasons a person might be troubled by perceived excess hair growth on the face and body.

Over recent decades, Canadian culture has grown rather intolerant of facial or body hair. For this reason, the threshold for hair removal action is much lower than it used to be, regardless of age or gender. And now the whole body is subject to scrutiny, as the trend moves in some men toward bare backs, chests, abdomens, etc., and in some women whole body hair removal. Of course, other societies and other eras in time might view hair as attractive or advantageous.

ROSACEA - THE RED FACE

Red face is a frequent complaint, in the young, and especially in the aging adult. Rosacea is the cause of facial redness in a large portion, but certainly there are a number of other unrelated factors or conditions that may be the cause as well.

Read more

LASER TECHNOLOGIES REVOLUTIONIZE COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY
by Jeannie Armstrong, Creative Features Editor, Saskatoon Star Phoenix, 03-23-04

Beautiful skin is something we are all born with as babies, but as the years progress, the environment, genetics, medical conditions and age all take their toll. The telltale signs are revealed in blemishes, bumps, scarring, brown spots, broken capillaries and more! Until recently, there was little that could be done to treat these skin complaints, other than attempt to camouflage inflammations and discolourations.

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