The Importance of Medical Grade Skin Care

Posted on by Y. Anthony Nakamura

Imagine it’s evening time, you’re about to wind down for bed and embark on your favorite nightly routine: skin care. But how much do you know about the products you put on your skin every single day? Are the ingredients effective? A high-quality skin care routine is integral not only to your self-care routine but also to your health. Over-the-counter skin care products smell nice and look pretty on a vanity, but they’re not accomplishing much. You deserve a skin care routine that goes deep to let your outsides reflect all the time and energy you use to take good care of yourself. If you’re using the same drug-store face wash you found in high school, it’s time for an upgrade. Accent On Your is here to support your self-care and provide advice on how medical-grade skin care products elevate your routine.

Why Medical-Grade Skin Care?

Medical-grade skin care products, also known as cosmeceuticals, go further than anything you’ll find at a drug store. Over-the-counter skin care products are cosmetic only, meaning they don’t penetrate the first layer of your skin (the stratum corneum) to impact the biology of your skin cells. They can wash your face and remove your makeup, but they’re not capable of establishing long-term effects that last as you age. On the other hand, cosmeceuticals have active ingredients that penetrate the stratum corneum to deliver their benefits to every layer of your skin. Since medical-grade skin care products are pharmaceuticals, it’s best to purchase them from an established dermatologist like  Dr. Y. Anthony Nakamura. Luckily, Accent On You offers a wide variety of cosmeceuticals so you can build the perfect routine.
Medical-grade skin care also offers an excellent alternative to injectables and surgeries. Cosmeceuticals are applied topically and are non-invasive. Some medical-grade skin care can even be used in conjunction with other cosmetic treatments to aid in the healing process.

What Makes them Medical-Grade?

It’s all about the active ingredients and formulation. Cosmeceuticals contain medical-grade ingredients like retinol, antioxidants, and peptides to affect structural change in your skin. Over-the-counter skin care contains these ingredients as well, but they are in minimal amounts to avoid penetrating deeply into the skin. Instead of buying something mass-produced and sold to anyone that walks down the skin care aisle, invest in a product that has been carefully formulated to address your personal skin care needs. Accent On You provides effective products recommended by plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and skin care professionals alike so you can achieve any skin goal. From reversing the appearance of sunspots to addressing hyperpigmentation, the specially formulated cosmeceuticals at Accent On You contain active ingredients that go beyond over-the-counter options.

So Where Do I Begin?

Choosing the right cosmeceuticals can be intimidating, and it’s important to consult a professional. Accent On You is here to help you build a customized skin care routine that will have you glowing. Schedule your consultation today to give your nightly routine the boost you deserve!

Med Spa Offerings at Accent On You

Posted on by Y. Anthony Nakamura

Are you looking for a non-surgical solution for your dull or aging complexion? If so, we have a large selection of med spa treatments available at Accent On You in Arlington, TX to help you look and feel your best! Read on to learn more about these treatments and how they can benefit you.

Facials and Chemical Peels

When you look in the mirror, are you pleased with your complexion? If your answer is “no”, then it may be time to try out a facial or a chemical peel. At our office, the Accent On You Signature Facial is our most popular choice, with a variety of specialized cleansers, masques, vitamins, steam, and more to help address your skin needs. We also perform dermaplaning and extractions to remove any dead skin cells, unwanted peach fuzz, and clogged pores for a radiant complexion.

Individuals who are particularly unhappy with the appearance of sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or a dull complexion can benefit from a chemical peel. We offer a selection of chemical peels to address your skin goals, including TCA Peels to treat sun damaged skin, and MicroPeels to address fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, acne breakouts, and more.

Injectable Treatments

Injectable treatments are an effective solution to many signs of aging such as lines and wrinkles, loss of facial volume, and thinning lips. At Accent On You, we offer many different injectable treatment options to combat unwanted signs of aging. Our selection includes:

  • Juvéderm®: This hyaluronic acid-based filler is injected under the skin to smooth out lines and wrinkles and folds in the midface.  It can also be used to restore lost volume in the midface and augment the lips. Depending on the treatment area, results can last for one year.
  • Restylane®: Restylane® is also a hyaluronic acid filler that is formulated to restore volume in the nasolabial area as well as add fullness to the lips. Results can last up to six months.
  • Restylane® Silk: This formula was created specifically for sensitive areas such as the undereye troughs, acne scarring, and cheek depressions. It can also be used to augment the lips.
  • Botox®: Botox® is a neuromodulator and works by temporary relaxing the treated muscles so that they cannot contract and cause lines to form. The most common areas treated with Botox® include the forehead, crow’s feet, and frown lines. Results can last from 3-6 months.
  • Dysport®: Dysport® is also a neuromodulator and works similarly to Botox®. Results can last 3-6 months.
  • Voluma®: Voluma® is a dermal filler in the Juvéderm® family that can effectively restore age-related volume loss in areas like the cheeks while also augmenting the lips. Results can last up to two years depending on the area treated.
  • AquaGold® Fine Touch™: This treatment creates controlled wounds in the skin to kickstart the collagen response while also delivering injectable treatments into the deeper layers of the skin for more complete results.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a treatment performed to address lines and wrinkles, scars, sun damage, and other aging concerns. During treatment, a special tool equipped with many small needles will be used to create micro-wounds in the skin. This will stimulate collagen production to help soften signs of aging and create a radiant complexion.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion works by promoting new cells to regenerate quickly, resulting in firmer, more toned, and youthful-looking skin. This procedure can address wrinkles, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, scarring, hyperpigmentation, and more. During treatment, a diamond-tip microdermabrasion wand will be used to exfoliate the top layer of dead skin. Specific skin care products will then be applied to protect your skin.

DiamondGlow

DiamondGlow treatments utilize microdermabrasion using a diamond-tip applicator to gently remove dead, dull skin cells. Following this step, SkinMedica serums are applied. The newly-exfoliated skin allows for deeper and more effective absorption of these serums and improved hydration and other key benefits.

Skincare Products

At our office, we provide a number of dermatologist-approved skincare products to help you maintain a beautiful complexion at home. Our skincare products include Zo® Skin Health, SkinCeuticals®, and ISDIN. To learn more about these products, please contact our office today.

Reach Out Today

Are you ready to take the first step toward a more confident you? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Nakamura at Accent On You today! We will be happy to answer any questions regarding treatment that you may have so that you are confident in your treatment choice.

Exploring the Benefits of Microneedling with MicroPen

Posted on by Y. Anthony Nakamura

MicroPen is a new type of microneedling device that has been designed to allow for more personalized treatment. With this tool, you can choose from 3 different depths for your treatment: superfine, medium, and superfirm. This means that you can customize your med spa experience to suit your needs and preferences. The benefits of microneedling are vast, but we will explore them in-depth here.

1) Reduces the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles

One of the main benefits of microneedling is its ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The many small needles contained in the microneedling device cause a controlled injury to the skin, which triggers the body’s natural healing response. This response causes new collagen production, which helps to fill in and smooth out these lines and wrinkles.

MicroPen is an excellent option for those looking for a personalized treatment to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The superfine needles can provide a more superficial treatment, while the superfirm needles can provide a more intense treatment.

2) Reduces the Appearance of Scars

Microneedling is also effective in reducing the appearance of scars. The needles penetrate the scar tissue and help to break down collagen fibers, which triggers a healing response and causes new collagen production. Over time, this can help to reduce and soften the appearance of unwanted scars.

3) Skin Tightening

With proper care, microneedling can be effective in skin tightening. The needles stimulate collagen production to help the skin feel tighter and smoother. Over time this will lead to an overall improvement of the elasticity of your skin which reduces sagging or skin laxity. MicroPen is a great device for improving the appearance of aging hands because it can help to tighten the skin and reduce wrinkles on the hands as well.

4) Reduces Pore Size

One of the other benefits of microneedling is its ability to reduce pore size. The needles cause micro-trauma to the pores, which trigger a healing response. This response causes new collagen production and helps to close and tighten the pores. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your large pores, MicroPen is an excellent treatment option.

5) Decreases Oil Production

Another benefit of microneedling is its ability to decrease oil production. It stimulates collagen production, which helps reduce your skin’s oil levels and is great for acne-prone skin types. Microneedling helps to balance out your skin’s oil production so that there will be less excess oil on the surface of your skin which leads to congested pores.

6) Improves Skin Tone and Texture

Microneedling can also help to improve skin tone and texture. The tiny needles cause trauma to the surface of the skin, which triggers a healing response. This response stimulates new collagen production and helps to even out skin tone and reduce pigmentation. It can also help to smooth out rough textures and give you a more radiant complexion. MicroPen is great for those who are looking for an overall improvement in the appearance of their skin.

In conclusion, microneedling is a great treatment option for those looking to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, scars, skin elasticity, pore size, and oil production. With MicroPen, you can customize your experience to suit your needs and achieve optimal results.

Contact Us Today

If you are looking for a way to improve the appearance of your skin with microneedling with MicroPen, schedule an appointment at Accent On You today! This device offers many benefits and can be customized to meet your individual needs.

Your Fall Skincare Guide

Posted on by Y. Anthony Nakamura

After the summer season, everyone’s complexion needs a little reboot to get their skin ready for the cooler autumn days ahead. At Accent On You, our team can help you achieve your best skincare yet in readiness for the new season. Here are some of our favorite best tips for changing up your skincare regimen.

Exfoliate Away Damage

One of the best things you can do for your complexion is to exfoliate away dry, dead skin cells, and grime. You can use gentle physical exfoliation with a facial sponge or soft washcloth to improve circulation, unclog pores, remove bacteria, and leave behind smooth, radiant skin. Additionally, chemical exfoliation can be a great way to reach deep into your skin and avoid irritation from scrubs. These usually include active ingredients like AHAs and BHAs which can boost your cell turnover and get rid of sun damage.

Invest in Vitamin C

After the strong summer rays and heat have leveled off, it’s common for your skin to have a blotchy appearance and show dryness, with fine lines and wrinkles being more apparent. Our team can recommend the right Vitamin C serum to help balance skin tone, encourage collagen production, brighten your complexion, and halt inflammation after sun exposure. It’s important to always use this L-ascorbic acid-based topical during your nighttime routine to rewind sun damage and neutralize free radicals.

Don’t Skip Your Eyes

Don’t skip on eye cream no matter your age. Having a separate treatment for the thin, dry, and delicate skin around the eyes is essential. In fact, your eyes are the first feature to show wrinkling and sun damage, so it’s important to wear eye cream at night to soften any fine lines or wrinkles and to keep the sensitive skin nourished, especially if you tend to sleep with a fan running or have a dry sleeping environment. Look for ingredients like retinol or hyaluronic acid to deliver suppleness and firming.

Book A Professional Facial

Here at Accent On You, we believe radiant, clear, youthful skin only comes with the best in professional-grade skincare treatments. That’s because you get the latest and best in specially-tailored treatments based on your individual skin type and condition. Options like chemical peels or microdermabrasion can be some of the most effective ways to reduce damage and rejuvenate your skin for the season ahead. These options produce real, noticeable results with the help of our professional skincare team.

Schedule a Consultation

During a consultation at our Arlington office, we can recommend the best in skincare products and treatments for you and your goals. To meet with our team and get started, we invite you to contact us by calling or filling out our online form.

How to Reverse Sun Damage

Posted on by Y. Anthony Nakamura

Spending time in the sun is beneficial for everyone. Among other things, it can help boost your vitamin D levels for a healthier body and mind. However, being exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays for long periods of time can cause significant damage to your skin. It’s important to know that sun damage is not irreversible, and you can take steps to prevent it. Here’s what to know about it and how our team can help.

Types of Sun Damage

Sun damage comes in different forms, with some being minor and others being severe enough to require medical intervention. Things like freckles and benign moles are on the least concerning end of the spectrum, but that doesn’t mean they can’t become concerning with continued exposure. Too much time spent outside or using a tanning bed leads to skin cancer.

Other types of sun damage include:

  • Sunburn
  • Melasma
  • Actinic keratosis
  • Actinic cheilitis
  • Bowen disease

If you have something like actinic keratosis or other types of suspicious lesions, you should see a medical professional immediately. Everyone’s skin processes UV rays differently, and factors such as your age and melanin levels will influence how quickly and to what extent sun damage affects you.

How to Reverse Sun Damage

Reversing sun damage can require aggressive treatment if it’s severe or long-standing. Our team can create the ideal treatment package for you using some of our best products and skincare treatments.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating simply means removing dead skin cells and debris so healthy skin can take its place. Normal cell turnover is about one month, but you can exfoliate regularly to help boost the process. You can use physical exfoliation, meaning you use a tool or scrubbing product to gently remove debris and dead cells from the surface of the skin. A more uniform and gentler way to exfoliate is through chemical exfoliation, which uses active ingredients in products to loosen and remove dead cells.

Increase Your Intake of Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a nutrient that gives the health and quality of your skin a major boost. It can also help hydrate your skin and benefit your immune system. A great source of vitamin A is retinol, which is also something that boosts and stimulates collagen production. In addition to using sunscreen, look for retinol products that are suitable for both day and night application. This is because retinol products can make your skin photosensitive, increasing your exposure to UV rays.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is a more aggressive treatment option that can reverse signs of sun damage and boost collagen production in the skin. There are a huge variety of laser treatment options available, so your plastic surgeon can recommend the right one for you. Although you might require downtime after each treatment, lasers can produce transformative results with the right approach.

Schedule a Consultation

Sun damage can put your skin at risk of skin cancer as well as get in the way of your cosmetic goals. To discuss your options and how to protect your skin in the future, we invite you to meet with Dr. Nakamura at our Arlington office by calling or filling out our online form.

Creating an Effective Skincare Routine in Your 30s

Posted on by Y. Anthony Nakamura

While turning 30 is great and a step into the next phase of your life, there are some downsides. Your skin changes drastically in your 30s, so its time to make some changes with your skincare routine. Finding the best routine for your skin in your 30s can feel like a minefield at times. We’ve all felt panic about aging and how it’ll affect our looks. This is completely normal. The best way to continue loving your skin, even as you age, is to take proper care of it.

Taking Care of Your Skin

Your 30s is the time in life when your skin starts to change as the production of essential substances like collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid slows down. Along with this, cellular turnover is slowed as well so the skin doesn’t bounce back like it used to. This is all due to the various hormonal changes that start to occur as you age. Luckily, there are plenty of products and treatments available that can help to restore your skin.

Be Gentle

Your skin is becoming more sensitive and irritable, so it is important to choose products that are gentle to maintain healthy skin. Ditch the makeup wipes. These might’ve worked for you in your 20s, but your skin is no longer able to bounce back the same way. Many makeup wipes are rough on the skin and can lead to dehydration. Instead, choose a gentle cleanser filled with antioxidants to replenish the skin after a long day.

Use Serums

Since your skin is slowing the production of essential proteins and nutrients, you should add them to your skin routine. By using daily serums made with hyaluronic acid and collagen, your skin will be hydrated, tight, and plump. These daily serums can help to reduce the signs of wrinkles and damaged skin.

Moisturize and Protect Your Skin

You’ve likely heard it a million times, but using a daily moisturizer and sunscreen are best practices for youthful skin. SPF is essential in delaying the aging process and avoiding damage from harmful UV rays. The moisturizer keeps the skin hydrated and supple.

Use a Night Cream

At night while you are sleeping your skin goes through a regeneration process. As you get older, this process becomes less efficient. By implanting a nightly cream, it can support your skin during the regeneration process and boost its efficiency.

Seek Out Professional Treatment

To get a complete rejuvenation of your skin, seek out a professional skin treatment. Our team at Accent On You offers a range of custom facials, chemical peels, and injectable treatments that can have you looking younger. We even have medical-grade skincare products that we can recommend for your specific goals and concerns. We can address wrinkles, folds, damaged skin, rosacea, acne, scarring, and more in our Med Spa.

Learn more about our treatments here:

You can choose one treatment or get a combination of treatments. The best way to know which one(s) can benefit you is by speaking with our Accent On You team during a consultation appointment.

Schedule a Consultation

To learn more about our Med Spa and the various skin treatments we offer, contact our office for a consultation. We can examine your skin, learn about your concerns and lifestyle, and create a custom skincare treatment plan for you. Contact us today by phone at 817-417-7200 or by filling out our contact form.

Best Practices for Glowing Skin This Holiday Season

Posted on by Y. Anthony Nakamura

With the holidays upon us, the work events, parties, and family gatherings are all coming up. Holidays are a great time, bringing cheer, happiness, love, and celebrations, but also a lot of different social gatherings. While this is great, the winter weather isn’t the best for our skin. It brings some colder temps and dryer air which can make skin look dull and unnourished. Any change in the season needs a skincare change to keep your skin looking fresh. You want to look your best for the holiday events. Our team at Accent On You have curated these best practices for you to get glowing skin before your party.

Facials

Facials are a quick and effective way to get glowing, healthy skin. At Accent On You, we offer our signature facial to help revamp your skin for the holidays. The signature facial involves a variety of specialty cleansers, masques, vitamins, and steam to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and impurities while opening the pores. Also, a relaxing massage of the face, shoulders, arms, hands, and scalp is provided.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are great options for aged, sun-damaged skin. They help to boost collagen and other essential nutrients in the skin. There are various levels of chemical peels such as light, moderate, or deep. For your holiday event try out some of our light or MicroPeel options to rejuvenate your skin and heal in time for your event.

Chemical Peels at Accent On You:

  • TCA Peel
  • MicroPeel
  • MicroPeel Plus
  • MicroPeel With Cryogenic Therapy

Injectables

Along with our facials and chemical peel treatments, we also offer a range of injectables here at Accent On You. Injectables are minimally invasive cosmetic treatments that can smooth out wrinkles, plump up thin lips, and add volume to hollow areas. They are quick treatments with very minimal downtime, perfect for your party.

Injectables at Accent On You:

  • Juvederm®
  • Restylane®
  • Restylane® Silk
  • Botox®
  • Dysport®
  • Voluma®
  • Volbella®
  • Vollure®
  • Kybella®
  • AquaGold® Fine Touch™
  • Sculptra
  • Radiesse
  • Belotero

Stay Hydrated

As previously stated, wintertime means dryer air which then leads to dryer skin. To combat this, you need to keep your skin and body hydrated. Use hydrating skin products that have water-binding ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, honey, or sodium PCA. These will help your skin stay supple and healthy. It is also important to drink water. Dehydration is one of the leading causes of breakouts. A lack of water causes the oil glands in the skin to overcompensate, creating zits. So, keep drinking water throughout the day to keep your skin glowing.

Keep Your Skin Moisturized

Along with making sure you are hydrated, keeping the skin moisturized is a huge benefit as well. Invest in a good, natural moisturizer that will help you to avoid peeling, dry, itchy skin. At Accent On You, we have an array of skincare products that we handpicked with our patients in mind. Moisturizers are great for keeping your skin look youthful and radiant.

Schedule Your Skin Care Appointment

If you need an extra boost before your holiday event, then come into our med spa for a skin treatment. To make an appointment contact us by phone at (817) 417-7200 or fill out our online form. Happy Holidays!

How Diet Affects Your Skin

Posted on by Y. Anthony Nakamura

It is not uncommon for people to hear the phrase “you are what you eat,” and when it comes to your skin, there’s nothing truer than that. Your body is breaking down what you eat and using it as the building blocks of every internal function. Our cosmetic procedures can enhance the appearance of your skin and help it stay strong, but nothing can replace the benefits of a healthy diet.

The Negative Effects of Carbohydrates

A diet rich in simple carbohydrates such as sugars from sweet foods and sodas can increase the amount of insulin the body produces. High amounts of insulin production can lead to inflammation that causes breakdowns of collagen. Collagen is one of the most important chemicals the skin needs to keep it looking young and healthy. Many of our cosmetic treatments often consist of generating collagen for the skin, but an unhealthy diet can detract from those efforts.

In addition to breaking down one of the most important chemicals in the body, a carbohydrate rich diet may also be causing your breakouts. Several studies have linked sugar to acne spikes, which can ruin your skin further with blemishes and acne scars.

Healthy Alternatives to Try

There are ways to prevent the body from having fluxes of chemical imbalances. Foods that are high in zinc help to combat inflammation and bacterial production. Avocados are a popular alternative that falls into this healthy category. For those looking for a healthy alternative to a sweet treat, we recommend satisfying your craving with a variety of berries, which contain enough antioxidants to help improve skin quality.

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration!

When it comes to skin care, water is imperative. Hydration really is the key to healthy skin. In addition to helping digestion, circulation, and almost every bodily function, staying hydrated will keep your skin looking clean and healthy. Skin, just like every other organ in your body, is made of cells that are made up of water. Cells that lack water can become flaky and prone to wrinkles as well as a buildup of toxins.

If you’re in need of a flavorful incentive to drink more water, try adding some lemon or infuse your water with other fruits. Lemons add some zest to your drink and they also help the body maintain a healthy pH level and dispose of toxins.

Your Comprehensive Skin Consultation

It’s always important to remember that there are multiple facets to skin care and in order to maintain a healthy and youthful disposition, each needs to be taken into consideration. Dr. Y. Anthony Nakamura is one of the only board certified plastic surgeons in Dallas Fort Worth. We welcome you to contact us at Accent On You to learn more about our skin care treatments and schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help your skin glow.

 

Tips for Skincare During the Summer Months

Posted on by Y. Anthony Nakamura

The summer can be a hot and damaging season, especially for your skin. Proper skin care is essential year-round but giving your skin some extra love during the harsh summer months is always a bright idea.

Tip 1: Stay Hydrated!

It is a common misconception that staying hydrated has nothing to do with your skin. It does, indeed, have everything to do with the rejuvenation of the skin. To keep your skin looking healthy and to gain that “summer shimmer,” it is best to keep that water bottle filled and by your side as much as possible.

Tip 2: Sunglasses!

It is true that oversized sunglasses are in again this year, with the likes of Kendal Jenner and Kim Kardashian sporting their large shades. Even aviator styles are rounder and bigger this year. All of this is great news for your eyes. Prolonged UV exposure can redden the whites of eyes, just as the sun can burn skin. Over time, this can cause eye problems, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Sunglasses are an essential part of your summer skincare routine.

Tip 3: Wear A Hat!

If you tend to garden or just hang out in the sun for multiple hours a day, it is recommended you wear sun protection, such as a hat. Our hair is not the best scalp sun protection, but a hat provides total coverage. Hats can be fashionable, so pick one up next time you’re downtown or at your favorite store.

Tip 4: Sunscreen, Always!

Sunscreen is required in more instances than when you are hanging out at the beach or by the lake. Sunscreen should be used daily as it not only hydrates your skin but protects you from sunburn and skin cancer. The average high temperature in Arlington and Dallas Fort Worth this summer is expected to be 100+ degrees, which means plenty of sunshine, so be sure you’re protected in more ways than one.

Accent On You offers a variety of skincare treatments that can help improve the look of your skin. If you live in the Dallas Fort Worth or Arlington area, contact us for more information.