Facial Skincare | Afterglow Skin & Laser Centre

March 17, 2010

Introducing the MicroLaser Peel® and Resurfacing Peel

Now available to Afterglow are the MicroLaser Peel® and Resurfacing Peel to reduce fine wrinkles around the eyes and mouth, soften acne scars and tone, texture and tighten the skin. (Both peels stimulate the skin’s collagen matrix to firm it and add the resilience or tone we associate with youthful beauty.)

Introducing the MicroLaser Peel® and Resurfacing Peel

The MicroLaser Peel ® : Using the new Sciton Contour TRL™ laser, the upper layer of your skin will be gently and safely treated using a vaporization process. This has the effect of reducing fine lines, as well as toning and texturizing your skin. You will also notice a mild tightening effect.

The Resurfacing Peel: Using a different head on the Sciton Contour TRL™ laser, your skin will be gently treated to a deeper level than during a MicroLaser Peel®. This procedure is for skin that is showing deeper wrinkles or scars and needing increased toning and texturizing. The mild tightening effect will be intensified. (Actual depth of treatment will be determined by Dr. Ebrahim during your consultation.)

Best of all, it will normally take only one procedure to achieve these improvements!

To know more about how the Sciton Contour TRL ™ can help your skin look its very best this year, please call Afterglow at 604-980-3993 or email us to set up an appointment.

Category: Facial Skincare, Sun Damage/Protection
Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim

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February 11, 2010

Spring Packages for beautiful lips and smooth, hairless skin

Afterglow Medi-Spa Offers two Spring Packages for beautiful lips and smooth, hairless skin

Afterglow Medi-Spa Offers two Spring Packages for beautiful lips and smooth, hairless skin Beautiful Lips Package: It’s kissing time again! With all the new spring lip colours on drugstore shelves, many of us are wondering how we can make our lips look plumper and more youthful.

Women generally seek lip enhancement for one of two reasons: They were born with “thin” lips, and would prefer a fuller, more plump appearance, or they are noticing that their lips are becoming flatter and less “padded” due to aging. Either way, a treatment at Afterglow can restore or create natural-looking fullness in the lips, in a mere half hour or so.

To help your lips look their very best, Afterglow is offering a special lip enhancement package, Teosyal Kiss®, a safe and pain-free filler that has a completely natural feel and will not “drift” inside the lips.

Afterglow Medi-Spa Offers two Spring Packages for beautiful lips and smooth, hairless skin Laser Hair-removal Package: If facial or body hair is getting the better of you and you are tired of reaching for your razor, tweezers, depilatory, or waxing kit, a Laser Hair Removal treatment at Afterglow could well be the answer…

Women frequently have unwanted hair on the upper lip or eyebrow area, in the bikini zone, under the arms and on the legs, while men often wish to rid themselves of excessive hair on the back, chest, between the eyebrows or on other parts of the face.

The Sciton BBL™ (Broadband Light) laser offers a safe, effective and permanent alternative to shaving, tweezing and waxing, that you are sure to love.

Please call Afterglow at 604-980-3993 or email us now for more details.

Category: Body Skincare, Events / Media, Facial Skincare, Hair Removal
Tags: Afterglow Medi -Spa, Laser Hair Removal, Lip Enhancement, Sciton BBL Laser, Teosyal kiss
Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim

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January 12, 2010

Ten tips for youthful-looking skin

With 2010 already in full swing, a lot of our “of a certain age” clients are wondering how to improve their skin this year. So here are ten tips to help your body’s largest organ look and act more youthful:

1. Follow a skincare regime that is appropriate for your “stage” in life. Today’s professional skincare products are filled with active ingredients that, applied regularly, actually produce a beneficial effect, helping the ski’s cells to behave in a more youthful fashion. Talk to Afterglow staff about Afterglow’s own line of professional products to find a regimen that is tailored to you.

2. Need we say it again? Use your sunscreen every day and —just as importantly—make sure it is marked “broad spectrum.” The SPF rating applies only to UVB rays, however, UVA light is far more damaging to the skin in the long run. This is because it is all around us, even on a dull day, and can pass through a glass window pane. Broad spectrum sunscreens contain blocks against UVA light, protecting your skin from cumulative damage.

3. Get enough sleep. Although skin repair is an ongoing process, lack of sleep causes an increase in the stress hormone cortisol and this can slow the production of collagen. Between 7 and 8 hours a night is the appropriate amount of shut-eye for that youthful bloom.

4. Get enough exercise. By increasing blood flow, physical activity will bring blood and nutrients to the surface of your skin, encouraging a healthy glow.

5. Don’t smoke. Smoking damages the skin. Period. Not only will you develop dynamic wrinkles from all that puffing and squinting, but the blood vessels in the surface of your skin will constrict, resulting in a dull pallor.

6. Eat more fruits and veggies. Their antioxidants are good for your whole body. Fruits and veggies are also hydrating.

7. If you are past menopause, the reduced estrogen in your body will gradually cause breakdown of collagen and elastin, resulting in a thin, sagging appearance. Consider Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). Dr. Ebrahim will be able to advise you on BHRT so you may wish to set up an appointment with her.

8. Treatment with the Pro-Fractional laser has been shown to improve the tone and texture of aging skin. You may also wish to discuss this with the staff of Afterglow.

9. Don’t forget to exfoliate. Exfoliating the outer layer of skin (epidermis) encourages cell renewal in the deeper layers of the skin. Afterglow offers a microdermabrasion treatment that will polish and refine your skin in a mere 20 minutes. It’s a great way to refresh your look for the coming year!

10. Last, but not least, hydrate! Drink lots of pure water or—if you can afford the sugar content—juices. Foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids (walnuts, flax oil, flax seed, salmon, mackerel, sardines), also help keep water in the skin. At night, when skin loses moisture, use a humidifier in your bedroom and wake up to a plumper, more youthful-looking skin.

Category: Body Skincare, Facial Skincare, Sun Damage/Protection
Tags: Aging face, Aging hands, dry skin, Sun Damage/Protection, sun damaged skin
Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim

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December 1, 2009

Towards more beautiful lips…

If the thought of smooching under the mistletoe makes you wish your lips were a little more kissable, here are a few tips:

Dry, cracked lips. As soon as the weather grows colder, the lips (and the rest of your skin) give up moisture to the chilly air. Indoor heating methods also steal the moisture from your lips and skin. The lips are often the first part of you to dry out as, unlike the skin, they contain no oil glands.

Prevention is key to avoiding dry, cracked lips. Always use a lip balm under your lipstick, and after washing before bed. Remember that lipsticks containing pearlizing or sparkling ingredients—popular at this time of year—dry out the lips more than creme formulas. Long-lasting formulas can also be very drying.

If your lips are flaky, but not cracked, you may wish to mix a little brown sugar with olive oil and gently exfoliate them. Use a circular motion and be sure to follow up with lip balm.
Sore, flaky lips. Did you forget your sunscreen? On a clear winter’s day, especially at high altitudes (think skiing, boarding), your lips can be exposed to as much UV light as on a sunny summer’s day. Be sure that your lip balm has an SPF of at least 15.
Thin, undefined lips. The loss of lip definition is one of the many signs of aging, however, younger women can have poor lip definition as well. To better define your lips, first use lip balm, then gently dab foundation or concealer around their edges (known as the vermilion border). Pat with a little mineral powder, such as ColoreScience, and use your lipliner to line just on the upper edge of the vermilion border. Don’t take the liner right out to the sides of your lips as this will make you appear tight-lipped and is very aging. Blot the liner gently either with a tissue or your finger, then dab on a little more powder. Now fill in with your favourite lipstick. Remember that the darker the lipstick, the smaller your lips will appear.

Lips that you’d like to change. If the above measures are not enough, you might want to plump your lips up a little with an injectable filler. Afterglow now recommends Teosyal® Kiss for soft, kissable lips that look and feel natural. Teosyal® Kiss is made from hyaluronic acid that has been highly cross-linked to keep it from breaking down. This means your fuller lips will last longer. The product itself is a soft gel that cannot be detected after injection.

Injection with Teosyal Kiss® can also help lift the corners of the lips, which often droop with aging.

Vertical lines above the lip. Teosyal® Kiss can also be injected into the upper edge of the vermilion border, to plump and firm the lined area immediately above it. Many women (and a few men who have had the procedure) have been thrilled with their new, youthful appearance once these lines have been softened.

Category: Facial Skincare, Sun Damage/Protection
Tags: aging lips, cracked lips, dry lips, lip balm, lip lines, lips, Teosyal kiss
Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim

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September 17, 2009

Introducing SILKPEEL™ DermalInfusion™ for general skin enhancement, acne, aging and/or treatment of melasma

SILKPEEL™ DermalInfusion™

Afterglow is excited to be able to provide you with fabulous new SILKPEEL™ DermalInfusion™

This innovative procedure gently exfoliates your skin and infuses it with customized solutions to bring out youthful glow and clarity. If you have a skin condition such as melasma, acne, sun damage or dryness, your skin can be treated with highly effective ingredients that address the specific condition.

For example, Lumixyl™ (a safe lightening agent) is used to treat melasma, vitamic C and peptides are helpful for a dry and/or aging skin, and acne is treated using glycolics. All skin benefits from the use of vitamin C and moisturizing agents.

Here are some of the questions commonly asked about SILKPEEL™:

Q. What exactly is SILKPEEL™?
A. SILKPEEL’s™ “wet abrasion” exfoliates the skin and simultaneously infuses a topical dermaceutical, addressing your specific skin condition and stimulating new cell growth to give your skin the revitalization you want.

Q. Is it Safe?
A. Yes. SILKPEEL™ is a safe, comfortable treatment. You are no longer exposed to the hazards of particulate dermabrasion with SILKPEEL’s™ crystal-free technology.

Q. How long does the procedure take?
A. Procedures typically last about 20 minutes. Since the SILKPEEL™ delivers a dermaceutical during treatment, your post-treatment protocol is quick and easy.

Q. Will there be any pain or discomfort?
A. The exfoliation may cause a mild tightening of the skin. Combined with the cool, moisturizing effect of the topicals, your skin will feel healthy and smooth.

Q. What will my skin look like after a treatment?
A. Your skin will have an immediate, radiant glow that leaves you looking healthy and renewed.

Q. Will I miss work or have to alter my social schedule?
A. SILKPEEL™ is considered a “lunch hour” procedure so you can promptly return to your normal activities.

Q. What do I need to do after a treatment?
A. Dr. Ebrahim or a member of Afterglow’s professional skincare team will customize a post-care regimen which may include moisturizers, cleansers, serums and sunscreens to enhance and maintain results.

Q. Do I have to do anything before a treatment?
A. Not normally. The exception is when Dr. Ebrahim recommends Lumixyl™ (a skin-lightening peptide) as part of your customized treatment for melasma or hyperpigmentation. In this case, you will be requested to apply Lumixyl™ twice a week for two weeks, followed by a SILKPEEL™ dermal infusion every two weeks for a period of 3 months.

Q. How long does it take to see results?
You will enjoy visible results after the first treatment and will achieve optimal results after 4 – 6 treatments spaced 7 to 10 days apart, supplemented by a daily post-care routine. A monthly maintenance treatment will help your skin stay healthy.

SILKPEEL™ and Melasma

If you wish to address melasma or hyperpigmentation of the skin (including “age spots”), Lumixyl™ will be infused into your skin. Lumixyl™ is a skin-lightening peptide that improves the appearance of mild to moderate hyperpigmentation.

Lumixyl™ works by inhibiting the enzyme that causes cells in the skin to produce dark pigment (melanin). One of the benefits of using Lumixyl™ over the traditional hydroquinone in the treatment of melasma/hyperpigmentation is that it does not cause hypopigmentation (lighter patches of skin) in darker skin types.

Combined therapy with SILKPEEL™ and Lumixyl™ provides simultaneous exfoliation and delivery of Lumixyl™ deep into the epidermis. Results are optimized and maintained by the post-treatment home use of Lumixyl™ topical brightening cream twice daily.

To learn more about about SILKPEEL™ DermalInfusion™ or treatment for melasma/hyperpigmentation, or if you have any questions, please call us at Afterglow…

Category: Facial Skincare
Tags: Acne, age spots, aging skin, Dr. Shehla Ebrahim, dry skin, hyperpigmentation, Lumixyl, Melasma, Silkpeel dermalInfusion, sun damaged skin
Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim

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July 7, 2009

PROTECTING YOUR SKIN IN SUMMER

Protecting Your Skin In Summer

Of course, you know you must wear a sunhat and broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater to protect your skin… But did you know that, when out in the bright summer sunshine, you need to reapply your sunscreen every 80 minutes? This is because the UVA protection breaks down quickly when in sunlight. Sunscreens containing Mexoryl™ or Helioplex® last longer, and are the protection of choice for bright summer days.

Better still is the protection provided by ColoreScience’s Sunforgettable mineral sunscreens, now available from Afterglow.

Sunforgettable is a weightless powder that is safe for all ages, odour free, clear on the skin and will not burn the eyes if you perspire.

Sunforgettable brush

Sunforgettable SPF 30 mineral powder comes in an easy to use retractable brush so all you need do is brush it on, pat it in and forget about it. The formula consists of titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide and may be safely used if you have rosacea, eczema or other skin problems. It is especially helpful following skin peels, laser treatments and most surgical procedures, and will not rub off on your clothes.

Sunscreen will protect your skin from the outside, but you can also protect yourself from the inside! Researchers have recently looked into the role certain foods play in protecting the skin from UV rays. Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that protect plants from UV rays. When we eat plants containing carotenoids, this protection is passed on to us. Foods rich in carotenoids include carrots, tomatoes, melons, yams, pomegranates, yams, kale and broccoli.

Broccoli and other vegetables of the brassica family (Brussels sprouts, kale and dark leafy cabbage), also contain substances known as sulforaphanes. These reduce the inflammation resulting from over-exposure to the sun.

Chocolate's protective effects on the skin

Flavonoids are other plant-based antioxidants that have been shown to provide a degree of protection against UV light. Cocoa with high flavonoid content (usually marked on the package) and dark chocolate with over 80% cocoa content have been shown to exert protective effects on the skin after a few weeks’ daily use.

However delicious that chocolate may be, please remember that you will still need a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and a sunhat to fully protect your skin from the ravages of the sun.

Category: Body Skincare, Facial Skincare
Tags: broccoli, chocolate, Colorescience, pomegranate, SPF, Sun Damage/Protection, sunforgettable, sunhat
Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim

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June 4, 2009

The Aging Face, Part 3: The Cheeks

The Aging Face: The Cheeks

High, prominent cheekbones are one of the facial features most frequently associated with youthful beauty. As we age and gravity plus skin laxity take their toll, the malar (cheek) fat pads move downward and inward. This results in an older “apple shaped” face and emphasizes the naso-labial folds.

This aged appearance can be reversed with the use of injectable fillers, carefully placed over the cheekbone area, and in the naso-labial folds if necessary. The added volume over the cheekbone area has the effect of lifting the face, and restoring youthful contours. (The effect of this procedure is similar to having cheek implants, but is temporary. The treated areas are “topped up” as necessary.)

Using the new Juvéderm with lidocaine ensures that the injections are relatively painless, making this a “lunchtime” procedure with no downtime.

If you would like to learn more about how Dr. Ebrahim can enhance the contours of your face, please give us a call to schedule a free consultation.

Category: Facial Skincare, The Aging Face
Tags: cheekbones, Dr. Shehla Ebrahim, injections, Juvéderm, naso-labial folds, volume enhancement
Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim

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May 1, 2009

The Aging Face, Part 2: the jawline

The Aging Face: The Jawline

As the years pass, a combination of laxity and gravity causes the facial underpinnings to weaken and the skin to sag. Contributing to the aging appearance is the loss of facial volume provided by underlying fat and connective tissues (collagen and elastin). Nowhere is this more visible than around the jawline, where the loss of volume and downwards movement of cheek fat cause jowling and sagging.

Many Afterglow clients have been thrilled by the “reversal” of these signs of aging, following the placement of injectable filler—usually Radiesse— in the jawline area. Radiesse has a firm quality that greatly enhances the contours of the jaw while adding needed volume.

If you think your jaw needs a little contouring, simply make an appointment to see Dr. Ebrahim. She will explain how she can lift the years from your jawline and keep it looking firm and taut, with regularly scheduled treatments.

A tip: Lightly apply a powder shadow in taupe or brown underneath the jawline to give the illusion of contour. Be sure to blend well!

Category: Facial Skincare, The Aging Face
Tags: Aging face, jawline, Radiesse
Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim

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March 27, 2009

Introducing Colorescience

Colorescience: Colours, Protects, Corrects.

Have you heard of Colorescience? If not, you likely soon will as this innovative line of mineral-based skincare and cosmetics is fast becoming one of the most sought-after by those in-the-know. With its appealing packaging and premier quality ingredients, Colorescience is recognized by leading dermatologists and make-up artists as the first line to truly blend science and colour.

Colorescience products are completely free from dyes, talcs, fillers, mineral oils, perfumes and other ingredients found in traditional lines. This results in beautiful texture and colour as well as improved skin health.

The line comprises three categories of product to colour, protect, and correct.

• Colour: Colorescience products enhance your skin tone while allowing your natural radiance to shine through. The colour saturation of these minerals is remarkable. A little goes a long way. The minerals have a veil-like quality which gives you the ability to layer colours without a heavy appearance.

• Protect: Colorescience face colour adheres to the skin, lying on top of its surface and providing a protective barrier from the environment. The powders have superior reflective properties and light absorbing ability, shielding the skin from the harmful effects of the environment.

• Correct: Colorescience is perfect for use after a medical procedure to enhance the skin’s healing abilities. The specialized products help to shorten the down time usually necessary with treatments such as peels, laser treatments and other aggressive skin regimes.

Colorescience Products

Two of the most popular products in the line are the skin primers and Classic Corrector Kit:

Apply Line Tamer Skin Brightener as a primer and watch the look of large pores and redness disappear. This product soothes and smoothes, moisturizes and mattifies, eliminating the stressed appearance that often accompanies skin treatments.

Wild to Mild Skin Bronzer is a perfect primer for pre-sun or after-sun treatment. The skin looks tanned, not burned, and the texture appears more refined.

Is chocolate bad for your skin? Recent research says no, especially when it is applied externally! Chocolate Mousse is an exceptional moisturizer that hydrates skin and doesn’t clog the pores. This primer is an excellent choice for oily, break-out prone complexions.

And for your man? Metro Menerals soothes skin and helps cover blemishes, razor burns and ingrown hairs, while Real Menerals is a cooling, soothing gel that makes a great after shave moisturizer.

Colorescience Corrector Kit

The Classic Corrector Kit offers five shades to perfectly camouflage any skin discolouration. It makes a great travel kit and can be used to custom blend any foundation colour. Use as a highlighter, concealer, corrector, bronzer or foundation.

This is just a small sample of what Colorescience has to offer. We warmly welcome you to Afterglow, to see for yourself how these truly amazing products can benefit your skin!

Category: Facial Skincare
Tags: after shave, Chocolate Mousse, Colorescience, makeup primer, Metro Menerals, mineral makeup, Real Menerals
Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim

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March 15, 2009

Rosacea Rescue

If you suffer from rosacea (persistent rosiness of the face), you will know how frustrating this condition can be. To end the annoyance and embarrassment , Afterglow has put together a simple, effective treatment plan for this common skin disorder.

Symptoms of rosacea are ongoing redness, flushing, breakouts that resemble mild acne, and the development of small red facial veins known as telangiectasias. Fortunately, modern treatments and the new, effective ingredients found in Afterglow’s cosmeceuticals for rosacea, will target these conditions and, over time, return the skin to a more “normal” colour.

One of the most effective treatments for rosacea is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy. IPL addresses the skin’s redness by specifically targeting the superficial capillaries that contribute to the rosy appearance. A series of gentle treatments using state-of-the-art Sciton BBL Broadband Light will result in a marked improvement in appearance, while occasional maintenance treatments can ensure this improvement persists.

The Afterglow cosmeceutical line for sensitive, rosacea prone skin comprises a choice of cleansers (Afterglow RosaCleanse™ Foamy and RosaCleanse™ Creamy). These can be used on either dry or oily skin and are 100% soap-free. They effectively remove dirt and sebum (oil) without stripping or drying the skin.

Afterglow RosaGel™ emollient anti-redness gel contains a number of ingredients helpful for sensitive, rosy skin. Vitamin K helps minimize the appearance of small capillaries, Green Tea exerts a healing, antioxidant effect, and 4-ethoxybenzaldehyde reduces the redness associated with rosacea, and is particularly beneficial following a treatment such as IPL.

Afterglow RetiSilc™ retinol emollient gel is a low-dose retinoid for sensitive acne-prone skin. It is fragrance-free and silicon-based, which helps improve the skin’s tolerance to retinoids. (Retinoids are helpful for acne-prone skin and also help increase the production of collagen, thereby exerting an anti-aging effect.)

If you have rosacea, a course of IPL treatment combined with Afterglow’s targeted cosmeceuticals will help improve your skin colouration, soothe associated inflammation, and allow you to look and feel your very best!

Category: Facial Skincare
Tags: Acne scars, BBL, Broadband Light, increased collagen, IPL, retinoid, RetiSilc, rosacea, RosaGel, RoseCleanse, Sciton BBL, telangiectasias, vitamin K
Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim

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March 17, 2010

Introducing the MicroLaser Peel® and Resurfacing Peel

February 11, 2010

Spring Packages for beautiful lips and smooth, hairless skin

January 12, 2010

Ten tips for youthful-looking skin

December 1, 2009

Towards more beautiful lips…

September 17, 2009

Introducing SILKPEEL™ DermalInfusion™ for general skin enhancement, acne, aging and/or treatment of melasma

July 7, 2009

PROTECTING YOUR SKIN IN SUMMER

June 4, 2009

The Aging Face, Part 3: The Cheeks

May 1, 2009

The Aging Face, Part 2: the jawline

March 27, 2009

Introducing Colorescience

March 15, 2009

Rosacea Rescue