Brilliant Distinctions is a program provided by Allergan, the company that produces Botox and Juvederm. This program allows patients to accumulate points from the use of Botox Cosmetic, Juvederm products, Belkyra, and Latisse.

 

Botox Cosmetic is used to treat wrinkles on the forehead, the angry lines between the eyebrows, the smile lines around the eyes, and other areas as well. Juvederm products can help bring back fullness to problem areas such as the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, cheeks, and lips that lose volume as we age or lose weight.

 

Belkyra is an exciting new treatment that can help reduce fat in the dreaded double chin zone and can help improve and contour your chin and jowl line. For longer and thicker eyelashes, Latisse can be used for lusher eyelashes.

 

Each of these treatments earn points that can be used towards the purchase of future Allergan products. For more information, please visit https://nakatsuiderm.com/treatments/botox-treatments-edmonton/brilliant-distinctions/ or http://www.brilliantdistinctions.ca

Hot Tub Itch

There is nothing quite like slipping into a hot tub after a day of battling the winter elements. The positive memories of the experience can quickly fade if the event is followed by hot tub itch, medically known as pseudomonas folliculitis.  If an itchy rash consisting of elevated bumps, some pus filled, appears within 12 to 48 hours after a hot tub immersion then it is likely hot tub folliculitis. These bumps may develop into dark red, tender papules.

What causes hot tub itch?

A hot tub rash occurs when a bacteria known as Pseudomonas enters the pores of the skin causing an infection. Pseudomonas lives naturally and without consequence in the skin of about 15% of the population.

If Pseudomonas is introduced into improperly treated and maintained hot tub water the bacteria will take up residence in it. Once this happens it is very difficult to ‘evict’ because the bacteria develops a slimy layer that protects it from recommended levels of hot tub disinfectants. Super chlorination may help to get rid of the problem but it might be necessary to drain and scrub the tub with bleach in order to ward off the infestation.

The second way that pseudomonas may infect hot tub enthusiasts is at a ‘hot tub party.’ Large numbers of people in a hot tub may cause a temporary drop in the disinfectant levels in the tub. This allows the pseudomonas from a carrier (the 15% of the population who carry pseudomonas naturally) to travel to other participants at the party. The hot water causes skin pores to open and the bacteria finds new hosts in the follicles of fellow partiers. Once the party is over and the tub is vacated the disinfectant levels increase and the remaining bacteria is killed before it has time to become established in the water. The party goers however go home with an unexpected and often unwelcome companion in the form of hot tub itch.

What can be done to treat hot tub itch?

Hot tub folliculitis given time will resolve spontaneously however most people do not like the appearance and the itch can drive them crazy. An antibiotic (Cipro) will rid the body of the bacteria and a medicated cream containing 2% hydrocortisone is helpful in managing the itch.

 

Author: Patricia Johnston

Eye Creams – Do They Work?

 Knowledge is power – how is the skin around your eyes different from the rest of the skin on your face?

The skin around the eyes does not differ from the skin on your face. This is a misnomer propagated by the cosmetic industry.  Aging of the skin around the eyes is caused by heredity, sun damage, muscle pull, fat loss and gravitational pull on the skin. Often wrinkles appear first around the eyes because of the dynamic movement of the muscles around the eyes and the breakdown of the building blocks of the skin due to sun damage.  Sun damage leads to wrinkles, pigment changes and vascular discoloration which contribute to the appearance of aging. It also leads to skin cancers which if left unchecked can damage the eye itself. Another little known fact about aging around the eyes is that the eyelashes become shorter and thinner.

Are you wasting your money or do over the counter eye care products work?

The skin around the eyes is just as susceptible to sun damage as the rest of the face therefore protecting the skin around the eyes from the sun’s rays is important. The single most important over the counter product for skin around the eyes as well as the rest of the face and neck is sunscreen.

Sun glasses designed to protect against the ultraviolet rays of the sun will not only protect the delicate skin around the eyes but will also protect the eye itself from UV light which may cause cancer of the retina. A broad-brimmed hat or visor is also beneficial.

Over the counter eye care products may cause some superficial irritation which results in some slight swelling or edema around the eyes which in turn may make wrinkles less obvious. This effect is temporary and does not actually facilitate any repair. Some topical agents, such as tretinoin and glycolic acids have proven to stimulate collagen repair in the skin and to reverse some of the signs of aging. The concentration required to promote a change is generally not found in over the counter products and must be obtained from pharmacist with a prescription from a physician.

 Treatment options for reversing signs of aging around the skin include:

• Sunscreens with an SPF of 45 or more plus protective eyewear and hats to prevent photo aging.
• Medicated creams for superficial improvement of fine wrinkles, texture and colour around the eyes.
• Botox Cosmetic to treat dynamic wrinkles.
• Fractionated laser resurfacing to erase fine wrinkles and address texture changes.
• Blepharoplasties of the upper and/or lower eyelids to reduce redundancy.
• Latisse to promote the growth of longer and thicker eyelashes.

For more information, or to book a consultation with Dr. Nakatsui, please contact our clinic at (780)482-1414 or to book online, please fill in the fields below.

Thank you.

For your convenience, Botox and filler appointments, as well as Coolsculpting, Thermitight, and HydraFacial MD appointments can be booked directly online or by calling the office directly at 780-482-1414. There is a $100.00 refundable deposit required to reserve an appointment using the online booking service (please note there is a $20.00 administrative fee deducted from this deposit). If you cannot find a convenient time using the online scheduler, please call as there may be additional appointment times available that are not visible online.
For all other services, please call to schedule an appointment.
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) must be filled out to complete this form.

The beauty of many of our Alberta golf courses is the tree lined fairways. I can attest to the fact that I have had up close and personal encounters with some of these trees while tromping through the underbrush in an attempt to find my ball. Having read an article written by Michelle Gagnon in the Rocky Mountain Outlook about Ticks and the risk of the Lyme disease I am more inclined to take the penalty strokes and leave the ball where it lies.

 

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacterium is spread from small animals to humans by little biting arachnids called ticks. Ticks are like vampires – they attach to you and suck away, quite possibly and inadvertently leaving behind the bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. The name of the bacterium is not as important as the damage it can do if a person is unfortunate enough to be exposed to it.

One of the first signs of Lyme disease is a bulls-eye rash around the site of the tick bite. Not all people get this rash so early detection may be missed. Other symptoms in the early stages are: fatigue; chills; headaches; joint and muscle pain and/or swollen lymph nodes. If you experience these flu- like symptoms after you have been in or near tree and shrub bed areas it may be prudent to visit your family doctor.

If untreated the consequences may become more severe – possibly involving the central and peripheral nervous systems; the joints; and the heart. Afflicted individuals often experience extreme fatigue and general weakness.

Specialized tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease. Treatment depends on the symptoms and where in the body the bacterium has settled.

As with many medical conditions awareness and prevention is the best approach. After you, your family members and your pets have been romping in the woods do a self check to insure that one of these little critters has not attached itself to your skin. If a tick has decided to tag along for the ride home remove it with caution. Using tweezers grasp the tick’s head and mouth parts as close to the skin as possible and pull gently. Do not traumatize the tick by squeezing or twisting it – this can cause the tick to regurgitate its stomach contents into your blood. Yuck!  As much as you may wish to destroy it – resist the urge. Place it in a zip lock bag as it may provide important information if you develop symptoms.

For more information, go to the Public Health Agency of Canada website http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/id-mi/lyme-fs-eng.php.

Dr. Nakatsui attended the TELUS World of Science Annual Fundraising Gala at the Shaw Conference Centre on November 4, 2015. He was happy to attend on behalf of the Groot DermaSurgery Centre and donate funds to support science education at the TELUS World of Science.

We are now offering direct online booking for Hydrafacial MD and Coolsculpting consultations at the Groot DermaSurgery Centre in Edmonton. We will eventually expand this to include bookings for HydraFacial treatments and other services so you can book them whenever you want to without having to wait on the phone when our lines are busy.

The Groot DermaSurgery Centre recently introduced online bookings for Botox appointments. Dr. Nakatsui thought this would make it more convenient for tech-savvy patients who want to book their appointments with their web browsers, even in the middle of the night or while on vacation from the cold of an Edmonton winter! Though many patients still prefer to phone, we have already had positive feedback with our online bookings.

A patient called our office the other day to tell us that we do ‘an excellent job’ and to say ‘how very impressed’ they are with our service. In turn, we would like to thank this patient for taking the time from their busy schedule to thank us for a job well done. It lifts our spirits to know that we are achieving excellence in the services that we provide to our patients.

After 34 years of serving the skin care needs of many of the citizens of Edmonton and Alberta, Dr. Groot has decided to retire. He does so with mixed emotions but knows that all his patients will be well served by the many competent dermatologists in the community.

The Groot DermaSurgery Centre will continue to operate under the direction of Dr. Thomas Nakatsui, dermatologist and as such will provide the same high quality care to our patients through a wide variety of skin care services including, but not limited to:

• skin rejuvenation including BOTOX Cosmetic®  and dermal fillers (Juvéderm®, VOLUMA®, VOLBELLA ®)
• 3D rejuvenation
• laser hair removal
• CoolSculpting for unwanted fat
• pigment removal by laser (tattoos, lentigines, blue black birthmarks)
• vascular treatments by laser (facial veins, birthmarks)
• small and medium size leg vein treatments
• mole removal
• laser treatments of onychomycosis (nail fungus)
• hair transplants

Many of these conditions do not require a referral. Our patient coordinators will be happy to advise you as to what is required to book an appointment.

Dr. Groot extends his gratitude for all the support he has received over the years from the medical community and his patients.

Party Season is just around the corner. Please consider booking your appointments for Botox Cosmetic and/or Dermal Fillers (Juvederm, Voluma, Volbella) at your earliest convenience to ensure that we can accommodate you.

Edmonton dermatologist, Dr. Don Groot suggests five quick treatments to enhance your natural beauty:

• Microdermabrasions exfoliate the superficial dead skin cells of the face, increasing the production of new cells resulting in a fresh, polished appearance.
• IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments reduce pigment and red discoloration to improve your complexion.
• Muscle Relaxants soften frown lines and crow’s feet giving a relaxed and rejuvenated appearance.
• Juvéderm fills creases around the mouth enhancing your smile and those kissable moments.
• CoolSculpting freezes away pockets of unwanted fat in just a couple of hours so that your party clothes look particularly attractive.

Here are ten skin care ideas you may wish to add to your list of New Year’s Resolutions for 2013:

• Wear sunscreen of an SPF of 45 or more whenever I am out in the sun.
• Simplify my skin care routine – get rid of all the expensive creams.
• Deal with unwanted fat with CoolSculpting.
• Permanently remove unwanted hair with Laser Hair Removal.
• Get rid of my tattoo with Laser Pigment Removal.
• Have my ugly mole removed.
• Age spots – gone.
• Bring my pesky rosacea under control.
• Deal with my hair loss.
• Oh yes, maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly – this will help maintain a healthy glow to my skin.

 

 

I recently heard a young woman enthusiastically describe a new cleansing routine involving the application of cooking oil followed by hot water to clean her skin. She informed me that her skin was softer and pimple free because of this new ‘natural’ regimen.

In an effort to forestall a possible skin disaster I explained that it is quite likely that this new routine might result in a condition call ‘cosmetically induced seborrhea.’ The purpose of cleansing the skin is to remove cosmetics, dirt and grime, and dead skin cells. The oil routine might successfully remove make up, however is unlikely to get at all the dirt and grime and will probably not remove the dead skin cells. If these cells are not removed they become matted to the skin. The build up causes flakiness and inflamed oil glands leaving a scaly, red rash that is sometimes itchy (seborrhea). People often interpret the flakiness as dry skin and apply more occlusive moisturizing creams or lotions to the skin. A vicious cycle begins which often results in a visit to the dermatologist.

The best cleansing routine is:

• Remove make up with a makeup remover.
• Wash the skin with warm water and a cleanser – mild soaps are better than cream cleansers. Glycerine soaps such as Pears and Neutrogena or Cetaphil Lotion are recommended.
• Wait 30 minutes after cleansing to give your skin time to replenish its natural oils. If your skin is tight and dry then a light moisturizer may be necessary. Use a moisturizer with sunscreen protection.

Makeup is the palette of the cosmetic artist. Features of beauty can be accentuated and less desirable features can be subdued. Artful application of makeup can greatly enhance ones natural beauty, yet when poorly applied makeup can be distracting.

Cosmetics are a multi-billion dollar industry. As the ‘baby boom’ generation ages, the industry has shifted its emphasis away from products for the younger generation to ‘anti-aging’ products. Magazines are full of advertisements for products suggesting that they alone have the answer to aging. They would have your believe that the daily use of their product will assure you an everlastingly youthful appearance. Their claims, though seductive are questionable.

Let’s review the components of the skin. The skin has three layers: the epidermis (top layer), the dermis (middle layer) and the layer of cushioning fat (bottom layer). Aging largely affects the dermis and at this level a product must reverse the signs of aging to be as effective as it claims. At this time most products are incapable of penetrating the epidermis and are therefore rendered relatively impotent in their impact on aging.

However, liposomes have appeared on the scene. These micro-balloons can carry active ingredients to deeper levels of the skin’s surface and beyond. For the quick delivery of medications they are very effective. However as cosmetic companies begin to use these microscopic vehicles to transport the active ingredients in their products, which they claim will prevent or reduce the signs of aging, the risk to the user increases.

This has caught the attention of the Food and Drug Administration in the United States and the Health Protection Branch of Canada. The outcome of their scrutiny will have one or both of two possible outcomes:

First, if the product actually alters the tissue, then it is no longer considered a cosmetic product. This means that the product must undergo scientific evaluation to support the claims, a very expensive process. If the claims are substantiated, the product must be reclassified as a drug, which means it will be shelved differently in stores and the marketing strategies for the product will have to change.

Second, claims that are unsubstantiated may be considered fraudulent. The product could then be removed from the shelves without further warning and class action suits may ensue.

These consequences apply to product claims whether liposomes are used or not. Some companies have chosen the simpler route of changing the anti-aging claims on their labels and in their advertising. However the competition is stiff so many ignore the warnings and continue to press their claims.  For the most part it is up to you, the consumer, to evaluate the legitimacy of cosmetic products.