It's not just us, see what anti-aging treatment everyone is talking about!

With each increasing year come increasing wrinkles. No matter how much we fight it, the wrinkles fight harder. But just in case you haven't yet heard, the anti-aging world is starting to make a comeback!

We at the Enza Mediaspa started using Pelleve in their office, the new buzz in the beauty world, and we're crazy about it! Our patients are raving, telling us the immediate results and about the non- invasive, no downtime procedure is incredible!

And we're not the only ones, this new wrinkle reducing treatment is a hit with celebrity clients and is virtually a painless treatment. It's all over the beauty blogs and people all over are asking about this warm facial-like massage that can reduce wrinkles!

Want more? See what Dr. Rucker has to say about Pelleve!

Why Trust a Plastic Surgeon with your Skincare Needs? Dr. Rucker is about to Tell You!

Shhhh, it's a Secret!

Ever notice how people in the movies never seem to have a bad hair day? Or never look bloated when they wear their glamorous clothes? And they never ever wake up with even a hint of a blemish on their perfectly glowing skin. How do they do it? Celebrity Plastic Surgeon Dr. Joseph Rucker, MD shares some of those Celeb secrets that you can use too!

• Cool your cleanser: Store your facial cleanser in the refrigerator before an important event. Washing it with a cool cleanser will reduce inflammation, invigorate your skin and give it a natural glow
• Don't stop at one wash: When you wash you face once, you're eliminating just the surface pollutants. Cleanse it a second time to rid the toxins from your skin. 
• Raise your head in bed: To avoid puffy eyes in the morning, tuck an extra pillow under your head at night. This helps prevent fluid build-up around your eyes. 
• Turn on the steam: Sleep with a humidifier to keep skin looking hydrated and lips plump.
• Drink water diligently: Adding a slice of lemon or lime to filtered water will not only help cleanse your system of impurities, but it will also improve digestion and stimulate the liver. Try for at least eight glasses a day!

While you may not be able to have movie star hair when you wake up, or avoid feeling bloated or groggy every now and again, you can control your skincare and have a movie star complexion!

Afraid of Commitment? Don't Be!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner and relationships are on our mind, how about thinking about the relationship you have with your skincare products? Sounds kind of strange, right? But proper and effective skin care can only be achieved if you are in it for the long haul-- you must be committed to your brand, routine and products!

Get to know them, spend time with them and never start using other brands or products in the early stages. We weren't kidding- starting with a skincare regime is just like starting a long term relationship!

Dr. Rucker states, "Good skincare requires commitment to both a regime and a product line. There's an advantage of staying true to your brand. The best products work synergistically so you get more out of standardizing on a brand you trust." If you don't give your products time to show their impact, you'll be limiting your skin's ability to show improvement and it will be difficult to tell what has really worked and what hasn't. Committing to a product for at least 4-6 weeks is crucial in seeing results. 

While you're trying to figure out what works best for you, remember, stick with it! Don't lose hope on your skincare after a few days or weeks. Hang in there and you will see the results! 

Do I Really Need to Use Toner?

If you were to browse the web or ask beauty experts about the value of toner, you may get some mixed responses. Some say that it's not necessary, others say it is only really helpful to acne-prone teenagers. But we at Enza Essentials are here to clear up any confusion. We say yes, you really do need to use toner! Dr. Joseph Rucker, MD weighs in on this topic. 

"Regardless of the effectiveness of a product, it will be of little help if the ingredients are unable to penetrate into the skin. Absorption problems can block even the best skincare lines. The pH balance of the product is one of the most important factors—it must be in a specific range to not only allow, but promote absorption. When an invisible, unintended barrier is challenging the product, you’ll get a less than optimal result because the deeper collagen layers are never reached."

The solution to this problem is, of course, use of toner.  Toner is the most effective way to bring your pH level back to normal when you wake up, before you go to bed, or anytime during the day, while it also helps keep a natural glow. 

As I mentioned earlier, after doing some research, I've found many beauty bloggers and writers say, in short, that toner is unnecessary. But from a personal standpoint, I'm not sure how they can say that. I never used toner until a few months ago. I am not an acne-prone teenager, but I do deal with the same skin issues most women do- waking up with surprise blemishes, all-too-obvious blackheads, an oily chin and nose, and often, a tired, dull complexion. After using toner, I've noticed a significant improvement my oily areas and minimized blackheads. For me, using toner has increased the effectiveness of my other products and has made me much more confident and lot happier with my skin!

Feature: Oily Skin

As you are trying to improve your skin in the new year, it is important, first, to understand your skin and your skin type. Keep in mind that each individual's skin is different and their skin care will be specific to not only their skin type, but also their lifestyle, location, etc. 

Understanding your skin type  is step one in proper skin care. One of the goals at Enza Essentials is targeting specific skin types and creating products to create beautiful skin for each of them. Dr. Rucker has created three systems that focus on each skin type: oily, dry and combination. This post will focus on  how to care for oily skin. 

First off, if you do have oily skin, it is not because you're dirty or you don't wash your face enough. You have oily skin due to mostly uncontrollable factors including heredity, hormone levels, and climate. Even though you cannot control your skin type, you can control how you deal with it. The products you choose and your skin care routine will make all the difference. 

When caring for oily skin, be sure to use warm water when washing your face. Use a cleanser that prevents pores from clogging- a gentle cleanser rather than harsh soaps. Exfoliating using a mask or clay can help with clogged pores and drawing out excess oils can be useful 2-3 times a week. Also, it is important not to skip moisturizers. Many believe that this extra lotion will worsen their condition, but that is not the case. Using an oil-free moisturizer is key in protecting and nourishing your skin. 

For products to combat oily skin, try Enza Essential's Extraction System, formulated by Dr. Rucker, MD. This system and others can be found at www.enza.com.

Forever Young

If we could find that mythical fountain of youth, we could do just that-- live forever young. But rather than spending the time, effort, and stress searching for it, there are ways that to  prevent your "appeared age" from catching up to your "actual age." So here the following tips is our version of a fountain of youth. Start with these easy tips, and while you might not be able to push off signs of aging forever, you certainly will be able to keep you youthful glowing skin for longer. 

• Stay hydrated: Drinking water allows your body to flush out toxins and helps hydrate your skin along with the rest of your body. By drinking 8 glasses a day you will help brighten your complexion. 
• Apply SPF and minimize sun exposure: Sun damage such as sun burn and tanning is a major factor in skin aging. It causes wrinkling as well as a dryer, worn appearance. By wearing SPF, you can protect your skin from this premature aging, but limiting sun exposure is key!
• Moisturize: Be sure to apply moisturizer after cleansing your face every morning and night, and as needed. By leaving your skin dry and flaky, your skin will age and wrinkle sooner.  
• Quit smoking: Smoking majorly increases your age. Not only does smoking increase wrinkling and dryness, but it also exposes your skin to to harmful cigarette smoke that can be just as dangerous as ultraviolet rays from the sun. 
• Rid your stress: Stress has the ability to damage your skin by causing breakouts, circles around your eyes and of course, wrinkles. 

If you've already started noticing signs of aging, there is still ways to "reverse" aging without having to undergo surgery. Enza Essentials offers a topical serum, the Tri-Peptide Cell Activator that prevents the skin from aging while improving fine lines and wrinkles. Dr. Rucker also talks about the newest anti-aging treatment Enza offers, for more information, check out his blog!

With the new year just beginning, what better time to work on improving and protecting your skin than now! It may not last forever, but you can keep your youthful look for longer than you may think!

Are You and Your Skin Care Products Compatible?

When purchasing your skin care products, what do you look for? Do you look at for products that match your supposed skin type- dry, oily or combination? While this makes sense, it is not the main factor to take into account when purchasing your skin care products. According to Dr. Rucker, MD, "Skin type certainly plays a role in product choice, but it is not the primary determinant. In fact, lifestyle, age, priorities, nutrition, genetics and environment all trump skin type."

Rather than defining your skin by the typical three categories-dry, oily, or combination- it is important to include your overall lifestyle as well. Dr. Rucker presents a few examples: Athletic Teen with Acne, Outdoor Active Teen on Acne Medication, Stressed Young Mother, etc. Once you define your skin type by taking all these factors into account, you will successfully find skin care products that are truly compatible with with you and your skin type. 


To define your skin type and product match, visit www.enza.com 

They do, they Don't

Not to lecture you, as we all get enough of that without reading Enza's blog, but as we begin the new year with our improved skin care resolutions, there are some things that are essential to know. So on second thought-- we might need to lecture you just a bit (don't worry, there won't be a quiz!). The following is Enza Essentials' friendly list of skin care do's and don't's to help you along your skin care journey. 


DO

• Limit sugar intake- A large sugar intake can destroy your skin's collagen and elasticity resulting in quicker aging
• Include Vitamin C- Be sure to include vitamin C in your diet and apply it directly to your skin as it fights off free radicals
• Choose red wine- Red wine contains anti-oxidants and flavonoids that can help your body fight against skin cancer
• Drink water-Dr. Rucker recommends drinking at least eight glasses per day to help cleanse your system of impurities

DON'T

• Rub your skin dry- Pat your face dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing it, in order to protect your sensitive skin
• Use products with mineral oil or petroleum- These ingredients may lead to clogging your pores and prevent your body from naturally flushing out your skin's toxins, leading to breakouts
• Skip toner-Apply after cleansing and throughout the day in order to keep your skin's pH balance normal, rid your face of excess oils, and keep you looking fresh
• Touch your face- Touching your face leads to an increased exposure to bacteria and oil which will quickly show up as acne and blemishes

Exfoliate, Exfoliate and Exfoliate Again!

As if I wasn't repetitive enough already, exfoliating is an essential step for overall healthy, glowing skin- especially in the heart of winter. 

But what does it mean to exfoliate? Exfoliation uses a scrub or a peel to remove dead skin cells that accumulate on the skin's surface. Its purpose is to prevent clogged pores, stimulate cell regeneration and circulation, and provide immediate brightening and smoothing of the skin's surface. 

Exfoliation can improve all aspects of your skin's health including clogged pores, brown spots, dry skin, aging skin, etc. Exfoliation in the winter is especially important because our dry skin builds up on the top layer of our skin. Instead of layering moisturizers on top of the dry, flaking skin, remove the dry skin altogether by exfoliating. This will keep your skin's naturally soft and bright skin tone. 

To find the right exfoliator for you, search for DIY exfoliators that are inexpensive and easily made. OR visit Enza's Website and see which of our exfoliators matches your skin and your lifestyle.

Stressing Your Skin

Now that it's hitting the peak of the holiday season, this may indicate that the holiday stress is in full strength. Our hope is that you have not been caught stressing your way though the holidays, but in case have been-- stop-- and think about what your most wonderful time of the year-stress is doing to your skin. 

Because stress affects your entire body, including your skin, the most crucial part of your current stress is how you decide to handle it. Affects of stress on the skin can include: 

• Making your skin more sensitive and reactive
• An increased difficulty to heal skin problems
• Increased production of cortisol- leading to oily skin and breakouts
• Worsened skin conditions including psorasis, rosacea, and rashes
• A duller, worn-out appearance

While these effects are not permanent, they may be uncomfortable, irritating, or embarrassing. However, with a little planning ahead, mental preparation, and time for yourself, you can beat the stress and be able to show off your gorgeous skin all season long. 

It's About More than just the Looks

Whether you get your products at the drugstore, department store, online, or at your physicians's office, you can be sure that every potion and lotion is promising youth in a bottle. 

But how do they back up these promises? Should we listen to them? Dr. Rucker, MD gives a few tips on what the pretty bottles won't tell you about your products.

"Keep in mind that the amount of money spent on marketing a product often eclipses the cost of the ingredients. There is a distinct difference between highly promoted products that rely upon packaging and national campaigns vs. those born of clinical testing and analysis of proven results. All products should be tested to the highest standards to ensure their effectiveness and safety prior to release to the public. Ingredients are not all created equal. Pharmaceutical grade skin care offers ingredients in strengths not available on the mass market."  

Therefore, the best advertised, most expensive, or most recognized brand most likely is not the best product line for your skin. For products that are right for you  and your skin type, visit Enza Essential's  website and go beyond just the pretty bottle. 

Those Years that aren't Behind Us

Just when you think you've escaped those awkward teen years, sometimes the most annoying part of being a teen creeps back up to you: acne. While many believe acne to be a result of a poor diet or poor hygiene, the direct cause of acne is unknown. However, some of the major culprits that fuel adult acne are:

• Undefined Stress: Practitioners link adult acne with the stress hormone, cortisone, which flows through the body when it is over stimulated.
• Hormonal Fluctuations: For women especially-- acne appears during times of ovulation, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. 
• Environmental Influences: This is where diet may become relevant-- eating hormone-injected meat and dairy, environmental pollutants may increase inflammatory conditions. 
• Metabolism: The older we get, the slower our skin's metabolism gets, this means cellular turnover decreases and our skin begins to lose it's moisture and age. 

To beat these acne culprits, some suggested steps to take in order to relive adult acne include: 

• Microdermabrasion: To gently slough off dead cells and increase cell turnover
• Alpha and Bega Hydroxy Acids: Are gentle options for aging and acnetic skin
• Exfoliate: Use jojoba beads to gently exfoliate the skin and prevent clogging of pores
• Deep Cleansing Facial: Natural exfoliating enzymes will help clear the pores and reduce inflammation
• Retinol Products: Can help balance your skin's pH and clear pores of excess oils
• Laser Therapy: BBL will help reduce bacteria and is effective when combined with Light Chemical Peels. 

For more information or to try any of these acne-reducing treatments, contact the Enza Mediaspa. 

Beyond the Products

Have you ever wondered why your "promised-results" products just aren't working?  It may be because your overall lifestyle isn't supporting a healthy mind and body. Dr. Rucker emphasizes the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. "You can use the best products in the world, but if your habits are unhealthy, your skincare probably won't work." Dr. Rucker goes on to describe examples of the worst ways to treat your skin. These include getting too little sleep, smoking cigarettes, excessive alcohol intake, poor nutrition, skipping sunscreen, sunbathing, or tanning indoors. 

The following tips will ensure you are supporting a healthy mind and body: 

• Hydrate- Dr. Rucker recommends 8-10 glasses per day to hydrate and brighten your skin while making it healthier and younger.
• Diet-  Hidden in those brightly colored fruits and veggies are tools your body needs to repair the skin.
• Sleep- The skin's prime time to repair itself is while you are asleep, don't stop your body from doing that!
• Quit- Bad habits such as smoking and drinking make your body and skin vulnerable to bacteria and infections, while also encouraging aging of your skin.

Can You Imagine BOTOX Results without the Needles?

Anti-wrinkle procedure, needle injections —these daunting phrases associated with using Botox as a wrinkle reducer may be no more. New preliminary research suggests that a gel based topical Botox called RT001, could help reduce facial wrinkles—without the pain of needles.  

A few facts on RT001- Topical Botox:

• Has been shown to produce significant improvement in the crow’s feet wrinkles in 89 percent of the 553 patients already treated
• Similar to the injectiable form, the gel relaxes the muscles responsible for causing skin wrinkles beneath the skin
•  Is not yet FDA approved and therefore will not be available until 2013 or 2014
• Preliminary results are significant and exciting, but not quite as successful as traditional injectable Botox
•  Results of topical Botox have proved to last up to three months

After reviewing the results of the studies on RT001, Dr. Rucker is hopeful it will deliver as promised. He has many patients that want the results of Botox, but refrain from it due to needle phobia. In the meantime, he strongly recommends Tri-Peptide Cell Activator as an effective alternative. Where Botox relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles, the Tri-Peptide Cell Activator stimulates collagen production to plump the fine lines and creases. So if you are wary of needles, the Tri-Peptide CellActivator just might be your new best friend. 

Cookies, Gingerbread and ... Avocados?

Now that all your favorite holiday food and drinks are back in season, it becomes so much easier to indulge. And it certainly doesn't help when your baked goods become the most popular giveaways from your neighbors, co-workers, friends and family. While the first thing we often begin to worry about is our weight, our skin also takes a hit from a high-sugar diet. 

So while it may be nearly impossible to completely avoid a little holiday indulgence, it becomes essential that you try to limit the goodies and mindfully include healthful foods to keep your skin glowing through the winter seasons. We've compiled a list of the best foods for your skin. Be sure to sneak in a few of these before testing out the neighbor's freshly baked cookies!

Enza Essentials: Best foods for your Skin

• Salmon (and other seafood) has high concentrates of omega-3 acids which nourish the skin.
• Kiwi is packed with Vitamin C which helps maintain the collagen in our skin. 
• Squash's vitamins and antioxidants will help boost immunity and fight aging of the skin.
• Tomatoes contain lycopene which reduces effects of sun exposure and stimulates healthy skin.
• Yogurt aids in dry lips, skin, skin lesions, and dermatitis due to its high content of Vitamin B.
• Avocados will act as a natural moisturizer with its healthy fats and its phytonutrients. 

Can You Take the Heat?

Well, you might be able to, but your skin certainly cannot. Even though a hot, steamy bath may be exactly what we're craving to de-stress at the end of a long day, in the long run, it will only stress out your skin.

When you do take long, hot showers or baths, the heat softens your skin's oil and when combined with the soaps or body wash you use, will strip the skin of its natural oils. This allows the moisture to escape from your skin and thus, could severely dry out your skin. Which means that winter- when a hot shower is most appreciated- is the absolute worst time do use hot water. 

So, as an alternative de-stress method, treat your skin with a customized bubble bath! Here are some of our favorites: 

•  Milk & Honey bath: Add 3 cups of milk 3 tablespoons of honey: This combination will soften, cleanse, and nourish your skin while locking in natural moisture. 

• Foaming Vanilla Bath: Add one cup of vegetable oil, 1/2 cup of liquid soap, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup of honey (all blended together). Vanilla is meant to be good for your sense of well-being as it is one of the most recognized flavors and scents around the world. 

• Lavender Oil bath: Add 1/2 cup of Castor oil and 1 teaspoon of lavender essential oil (blended together). Feel relaxed during your bath, and your skin will be silky smooth after, free of irritations, inflammations, etc. 

Now go ahead, relax, and give your skin a treat!

Location, Location, Location!

A few words from Dr. Rucker--

The environment in which you live and work can play a major role in how you take care of your skin. This means, if you are in an area that has drastic seasonal changes, you may want to consider changing your skin care  routine to avoid stressing your skin. 

It's probably no surprise that the lower levels of  moisture make for drier skin in the winter and therefore, moisturizer application may need to be enhanced. But extreme dry heat can have the same drying out effect because the heat will actually bake moisture out of your skin. Yet in warm, humid climates, your skin will be prone to excess oils, and you may need to look into products that will manage oily skin. 

Each climate can impact your skin uniquely,making it vitally important to be aware of your location and environment to ensure you correctly adapt your skin care routine accordingly. You just might find out that last bit of your summer product left isn't worth saving.

Feeling Stressed? We have a Product Just for You

If your beginning to feel the stress that comes around this time of year, leave your skin-care concerns to us! Enza Essentials has various products that are perfect for any lifestyle. Formulated by Dr. Rucker himself, our products, specifically our Stress Extraction Créme, will keep you and your skin remain sane through the holiday and winter seasons. Directly from our Extraction System, the Stress Extraction Créme will protect your skin from the effects of harsh weather environments and all of your daily stresses. Apply this sheer, lightweight moisturizer daily and allow  your skin to feel nourished with vitamins A, C, and E-- leaving you feeling relaxed, refreshed and stress-free all season long. 

Sunscreen? In the Winter?

Yes, that's right! Just like you would when you're out by the pool, it is vital for your skin to be protected with sunscreen year-round. As we get into the colder, winter months, this may seem silly. While most of us spend significantly less time outside, sunscreen is still essential to keep your skin sane this winter.

One reason for wearing sunscreen year-round is that you are still exposed to the sun, and when in contact with any amount of sun, sunscreen exponentially decreases your risk of aged skin and cancer.

However, did you know that the suns UVB rays (known as the burning rays) are up to 80% stronger when reflected by winter snow or ice? This is why sun protection with an SPF of at least 50 is necessary before heading out to participate in any recreational winter activities.

Sunscreen can also protect your skin from windburn. Windburn can take quite a toll on your already dry-winter skin and strong winds can strip the skin of its natural oils and protective moisture barrier. Sunscreen helps lock in the natural oils and keeps your skin safe looking and feeling smoother, healthier, and younger-looking.

Although we're most likely not going to be heading to the beach anytime soon, be sure to slather on sunscreen daily to keep your skin looking fabulous all winter long.