Four things to remember in avoiding the sun’s harmful rays:

1. Wear Sunblock
2. Stay out of the sun when it is most harmful - between 10 am and 4 pm
3. Check the UV index each day and be especially careful outdoors on higher numbered days
4. Remember that beach sand, water and snow reflect the sun’s rays and increase radiation. Clouds only block about 20% of UV radiation, and being in the water does not offer protection since UV radiation can pass right through it.

The summer season inevitably brings trips to the beach, lying by the pool, working in the garden, riding bikes, and walking the dog. We need to remember the dangers of exposure to the sun without skin protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Telling patients to stay out of the sun is often advice not heeded, especially after a long, cold, New England winter. Wearing a hat and long sleeved clothing is also not always possible or desired. The use of sunblocks is a great and an effective compromise.

Most people have a basic understanding of sun protection factors (SPF). These provide a measurement of the UVB sunlight needed to produce redness on sunscreen product-protected skin as compared to unprotected skin. Higher SPF numbers are better. Newer to the market are sunblocks which block UV radiation of the skin by reflecting the rays, not allowing absorption. These physical blockers include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

Since the effects of sunlight on the skin include premature skin aging, skin cancer, and other skin disorders, we recommend using skin care products which contain sunblocks. These can be found in the makeup, skin care products, and sunblocks which we carry. By adding sunblocks to your daily skin care regimen, you protect your skin, keep its appearance more youthful, and avoid exposure to cancer-causing UV radiation.

Boston Plastic Surgery carries a full range of medical-grade skin care products, including Allergan, Avene, Boiron, Glytone, Kinerase, Neostrata, Nia24, Obagi, Person & Covey, and Vitamedica, plus Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup. Many of these products incorporate the sunblock components of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, thus providing the best protection available against UV rays. We also carry sunless tanning products in liquid and pad-infused forms, to help you get that healthy glow without subjecting your skin to sun damage.

If you are careful and safe when out in the sun, you will look beautiful for years to come.

As a Medical Aesthetician in the Skin Wellness Department of Boston Plastic Surgery, and someone with extensive experience with the Cutera laser system, I am often asked questions regarding laser treatments. The following are the most FAQs:

Who can be treated?
Women and men of any age and skin type who wish to improve their skin can be treated, even with a suntan.

What areas can be treated?
The most popular areas for treatment are the face and neck, but other body parts such as the hands, arms and abdomen, are also frequently treated.

What are the more common conditions that lasers treat?
Laser treatments very effectively tighten loose skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, even skin tone and texture, erase spots and blemishes, eliminate spider veins and laser away unwanted hair. These treatments can be an adjunct, or in some cases, a great alternative to surgical procedures.

What do the various treatments feel like?
LimeLight Facial and Photo Genesis deliver a series of pulses of light. When each pulse of light is delivered, you may feel a mild, brief pinching sensation. Laser Genesis treatments are gentle and soothing. During the session you will feel a series of warm pulses along your skin. With each Titan pulse, you will first feel cool, then a brief heating sensation followed by a cool feeling.

How many treatments will I need?
Each treatment regimen is different and customized to an individual patient’s needs. Most patients can expect between 2 and 6 treatments.

Are there any side effects?
The most common side effect is a slight redness or mild swelling in the treated area that disappears within a few hours.

When will I see results?
Immediate results are observed by some patients. More typically, you will see results in two to four weeks and improvements will continue for several months.

Please join Boston Plastic Surgery in welcoming Laura J. Whyte to our staff. Laura is a Massachusetts-licensed Medical Esthetician, and an experienced Massage Therapist.

Our patients wil benefit from Laura’s knowledge and experience with all aspects of skin care. Her caring manner and gentle touch have already won over many of our patients and staff members. Laura also brings extensive expertise in make-up artistry to our practice.

Laura provides a complimentary skin care evaluation to define your skin type and help you choose the best treatment and products tailored to your individual needs.

Some of the services Laura will be providing are:

v Therapeutic facials including gentlemen’s, Rosacea, ultrasonic, antioxidant, Thermal, layered, acne, and back facials.
v Exfoliative chemical and natural peels.
v Mineral Make-up Application.
v Lymphatic Massage and Relaxing Massage Treatments.

Laura is offering $10.00 off your first facial treatment for the month of December.

As always, gift certificates are also available.

Fouad J. Samaha, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Boston Plastic Surgery
www.bostonplastic.com