Is Hyaluronic Acid Your Friend This Season?

Karen Yonick, NP here...

When the word acid is used, I think back to my college days of being in the lab

with acidic substances creating all sorts of “fizzy” experiments. So why on earth

would I willingly put something that has such a corrosive word included in the

name on my face...to hydrate?!? 

Let me explain…

Hyaluronic acid, which is also known as hyaluronan, is a “gooey” substance that

is naturally produced by your body. The largest amounts of it are found in your

connective tissue, skin, and eyes. Roughly half of the hyaluronic acid in your

body is present in your skin - where it binds with water to help retain moisture.

The natural aging process and exposure to things like ultraviolet light, tobacco

smoke, and pollution can decrease the natural amounts of hyaluronic acid that

we have in our body; this leaves us with dry and unhealthy skin. 

The reason hyaluronic acid is so magical is that it retains water to keep your

tissues well lubricated and moist. What that means for your face is more

“plump” and gloriously hydrated skin. When you have hydrated skin you lessen

the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles which, in turn, makes your skin feel

oh so smooth. 

Don’t let that “a” word scare you into not trying this fabulous product. It is so

silky and soothing your skin will be craving this as part of your daily skin care

routine. Especially during these dry and harsh winter months. Our Yonick

Hydrating Serum, lovingly called the “blue juice”, is a great hyaluronic acid skin

care product that works well for all skin types. 

So now that we have our skin nice and hydrated, let’s move on and talk about

dermal fillers. These fillers are injected by myself or Dr. Yonick to give back

volume to the face. Did you know that these fillers are also hyaluronic acid? Yep!

Adding back into your skin that “gooey substance” to give you more volume and

plumpness. You can have filler placed wherever you have tissue loss such as

under the eyes, cheeks, temples, jowls, marionette lines and many other areas!

Want just a little bit more volume for your lips? Hyaluronic acid filler is the answer! 

We love using dermal fillers to achieve beautifully natural looking results. We have

all witnessed the bad filler injections out there that give all fillers a bad name

(thanks, Hollywood!). Good filler, however, is barely recognizable. Your friends will

be saying, “I don’t know what is different about you, but you look amazing!”

Give us a call today and set up your consultation with one of our medical

professionals to discuss if our Juvaderm or Restalyne dermal fillers are right for you!

Don’t forget to pick up some fabulous “blue juice” when you visit us!

Botox Versus Fillers

Hey everyone, Tara, RN here! Have you ever wondered how to minimize the appearance of your wrinkles or, perhaps, how to make your lips look more youthful and hydrated, but are unsure of exactly which product helps with what? Or maybe you have an area of concern but you aren’t even sure of what your options are? Rest assure that you are not alone! Many people are lost in the world of cosmetic injections because they don’t know if they need neuromodulators (Botox, Newtox, Dysport, etc.) or fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, etc.). With all the brand names on the market, people aren’t sure what they would need to fix their areas of concern and inadvertently request a product that won’t allow them to achieve their aesthetic goals. I’m here to help! Let’s get down to the basics of the differences between neuromodulators, like Botox, and fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane that are on the market and offered at Yonick Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Center. 

Most people have heard of the brand Botox, and they may have a general idea that it can “take away wrinkles”, but there’s really so much more to understand when requesting Botox at your plastic surgeon or medical aesthetic office. Botox is a neuromodulator, which means that it relaxes the facial muscles that cause wrinkles. Neuromodulators last approximately 3 months, and take about 2 weeks to take full effect. Once injected with Botox, it can help smooth the appearance of dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles such as the “11’s,” crow's feet, and forehead lines are often seen with facial movements. Static wrinkles, on the other hand, are deep lines caused by a loss of skin elasticity and can appear smoothed from Botox, but won’t give you the same result when injecting an area with dynamic wrinkles. This is where laser resurfacing could be an option.

Fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in our skin, and holds water to help keep it hydrated and plump looking. As we age, we inevitably will lose this substance. Very unfortunate; I know. Juvederm and Restylane are popular brands of fillers and can help fill in the loss of volume for certain areas of concern such as, cheeks, lips, frown lines around the lips, and nasolabial folds. Fillers can last anywhere between 9 and 24 months depending on the type of filler used and location being injected. 

So, if you can remember that Botox helps to relax facial muscles and fillers help to “fill in” loss of volume, you are well on your way to understanding which product will best suit your concerns. If you have any questions on which options would be best suited for you don’t hesitate to call for a consultation or, book your next injection appointment. 

To schedule, contact our office at: 989.495.2723. You can also visit our website for more information at: YonickPlasticSurgery.com

Do We Wear Pink or Do We Wear Purple?

Do we wear pink in October? Or do we wear purple? The answer is both! The entire
month of October is identified as Breast Cancer Awareness month, and is most commonly
correlated with wearing pink as a reminder. However,  on October 16th we wear purple!
This day is symbolic for Breast Reconstruction Awareness and is known as National Bra Day! 

After doing some research, National Bra Day was brought to light in 2011 when plastic
surgeon, Dr. Mitchell Brown, from Toronto, Canada, decided to create a day to be able
to focus on supporting and educating patients about mastectomy surgeries and the
choices of reconstruction. October 16th was chosen for this observance holiday and is
still recognized as a momentous day for breast reconstruction awareness. 

Speaking of plastic surgeons…why is this cause so near and dear to our hearts?
Dr. Yonick is a leader in breast cancer reconstruction for the Great Lakes Bay Region.
He is also a strong advocate for breast cancer patients to be educated on all of their
reconstruction options. This is an important mission that Dr. Yonick feels very passionate
about. 

To celebrate National Bra Day, some women actually leave their bras at home to
cultivate breast cancer awareness and remind women everywhere that they should
get screens for breast cancer on a regular basis. This day is also a day when people rally
to raise money for breast cancer research. National Bra Day is celebrated without a bra
to stand in support of the many women who have survived breast cancer and can no
longer go without wearing a bra, because they need it to hold their prosthesis in place
after undergoing surgery. Women who aren’t able to go without a bra, but would still like
to participate and show support, choose to wear the color purple. 

So, anyone who wants to take part in observing breast reconstruction awareness on
October 16th, please wear purple and/or take a more relaxed approach and go sans-bra!
Guys, we’re talking to you too! Another way to show your support is to use these
hashtags on any social media platform:
#NationalNoBraDay or even just #NoBraDay. 

Medical Grade Skincare; Is it worth it?

Hi! Just a quick introduction; I’m Amber, the Business Manager at Yonick Plastic Surgery. I first came to Yonick Plastic Surgery as a client about a year ago and then, in January, joined the team. I am an accountant by schooling but I am also a self-proclaimed product junkie. I would always be drawn into products by their marketing and pick up “this product” for acne and “that product” for wrinkles because it’s supposed to be the “latest and greatest”. I was constantly searching for the best products but everything was falling short because, the truth was, I didn’t know what my skin needed. Luckily, a year ago, I came into the office for a free skin care consultation. It was truly eye opening. Although I am still tweaking my skin care regimen, I am no longer wasting money purchasing products that do nothing for my skin and take up space under my sink. 

Like most people, I wondered, what is the difference between Medical Grade skincare and Over-the-Counter (OTC), really? I have been doing some research and OTC is any product that you buy at the grocery store, department store, or even the spa. They are products that are designed to enhance your skin...but not correct it. OTC products generally come with a cheaper price tag but that doesn’t mean you are getting a deal. Instead you are getting a very small amount of the active ingredients and a bunch of water and fillers; these products just sit on the surface of your skin. Another thing to consider with OTC skincare is the elusive wording used for their products. For example, instead of saying “reduces wrinkles”, they say, “reduces the appearance of wrinkles.” This is because they are not changing the structure or function of the skin. 

Medical/Pharmaceutical grade gives you the highest concentration of active ingredients in order to change your skin at a cellular level. These products are sold in doctor’s offices and medical spas and are FDA regulated; backed by scientific studies. The higher concentrations of active ingredients are designed to penetrate the outer layer of skin to reduce wrinkles and brown spots, increase hydration and much more. Companies that create these products invest towards clinical research to ensure their technology is proven to be effective and they are constantly developing the most efficient way to deliver their products to you.

Interested to see what prescription-grade skincare can do for you? I highly suggest a consultation. During this consultation a medical professional will examine and diagnose  your skin care needs and create a customized plan to help you achieve your goals. This step has been key for me. Our Nurse Practitioner, Karen, even continues to meet with me to discuss how my skin is responding to the skincare and adjust my regimen accordingly. I honestly have never been happier with my skin (this is a big thing for me as I am approaching the big 4-0)! It looks and feels healthy and is functioning better than ever!

Call our office today to set up a free skincare consultation and, during the month of September, when you mention you read our blog, you will be entered for a free ZO Getting Skin Ready kit!

SUNSCREEN!!

Hi! My name is Karen and I’m a sunscreen buff. Geek, if you will. This sunscreen blog
is complete with all the questions I’ve been asked plus a little more info to really hit it
home. Are you as excited as I am?! Let’s go!

What is the biggest bang for your buck when we are talking about anti-aging?

My answer every time will be to purchase a great sunscreen. Not only does it help with
protecting you from skin cancer but it also helps your skin from aging prematurely.
Easier said than done, right? You walk down any store isle and it can be extremely over-
whelming with all of the options. So, let’s go over the important facts you need to know
when selecting the right sun protection for you and your family.

The first descriptor you need to look for on any sunscreen container is “broad spectrum”.
Sunlight actually has two types of harmful rays, which are UVA and UVB. Overexposure to
either one can put you at risk for skin cancer. UVA rays are the culprit for giving us
premature aging to our skin, causing wrinkles and age spots. UVB rays are the cause of
sunburns. It is important to note that while UVB rays are blocked by window glass, UVA
rays are not. So keep in mind that when you are driving in your car, you may not be
getting a sunburn but, you better believe the UVA rays are still getting to you! When you
choose a broad spectrum sunscreen you are being protected from both UVA and UVB
rays.

I get the question on a daily basis of “who needs sunscreen?” and the answer is very
straightforward - everyone over 6 months of age (under 6 months old should avoid sun).  
I also have had many clients tell me that they tan nicely and don’t get burned so, are they
off the hook for worrying about the sun? No way! Anyone can get skin cancer regardless
of skin type, race, gender or age. Sunscreen is a must to keep you safe and your skin healthy.

What does SPF even mean?

SPF = Sun Protection Factor. It is a rating for sunscreens and other cosmetic products
containing sunscreen. In theory, the SPF number indicates how long you can stay in the
sun before your skin reddens. SPF is only used to rate a sunscreen’s ability to protect
against UVB rays.

Is a high number SPF better than a low numbered one?

The recommendation is to use a sunscreen that has SPF of at least 30, which will block
93% of the sun’s UVB rays. Higher number SPFs block slightly more of the sun’s UVB but
no sunscreen can block 100%. It is important to note that high number SPFs last the same
amount of time as low number SPFs. A high number SPF does not allow you to spend
additional time outdoors without reapplication. Sunscreens should be reapplied every
2 hours even on cloudy days, after swimming or sweating.

What types of sunscreens are there?

Chemical and mineral sunscreens are the two options available.  There is, and always has
been, a lot of debate if chemical or mineral sunscreens are better and/or have different
risks. The current research shows the FDA is stating chemical and/or mineral sunscreens
are safe and protect against skin cancers.

The chemical sunscreens work like a sponge and absorb the sun’s rays. They contain one or
more of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene,
momosalate and octinoxate. These formulations may be easier to rub into the skin without
leaving a white residue. Mineral sunscreens work like a shield, sitting on the surface of your
skin and deflecting the sun’s rays. They contain the active ingredients zinc oxide and/or
titanium dioxide. This may be a better choice for those with sensitive skin.

Who regulates sunscreen and are they safe?

Sunscreen products are regulated as over the counter drugs by the US Food and Drug
Administration. The FDA has several safety and effectiveness regulations in place that
govern the manufacture and marketing of all sunscreen products, including safety data on
its ingredients.

Scientific evidence supports the benefits of using sunscreen to minimize short-term and
long-term damage to the skin from the sun’s rays. Claims that sunscreen ingredients are
toxic and/or a hazard to human health have not been proven.

The FDA continues to evaluate spray sunscreens for safety and effectiveness on your skin.
There is so much variability on the application of the sprays since it is difficult to know if you
used enough to cover all the exposed areas. When using a spray, make sure to spray an
adequate amount and make sure to rub it in.

Is your sunscreen still effective?

FDA requires all sunscreens to retain their original strength for at least 3 years, so make sure
to check the expiration date if listed on the container; if it has expired, throw it out.

If you buy a sunscreen that doesn’t have an expiration date, write the date you bought the
sunscreen on the bottle; that way you will have a baseline of when to throw it out. However,
if any sunscreen becomes discolored or runny from when you purchased it, it is time to buy
yourself a new bottle.

Review of what to look for when buying a sunscreen:

Broad Spectrum

SPF 30 or above

Reapply every 2 hours

A sunscreen that covers what is listed above will assist to protect your skin from early signs
of aging, sunburn and skin cancer. Sunscreen is quite the powerhouse but, it cannot stand
alone to reduce your exposure to skin cancer, so here are a few other things you can do to
protect yourself.

Protective clothing

First, let’s start with a broad brimmed hat! A broad brimmed hat will cover your face, neck
and, of course, don’t forget the tips of your ears! This hat needs to be occlusive or have a
lining, so say goodbye to your straw hat.  And baseball hats have a nice brim to cover your
face but leave too many other areas exposed.

Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) is a rating that is generally used in clothing that will
protect you from the sun.This will measure the amount of UVA and UVB radiation that
penetrates the fabric and reaches the skin. The higher the number is better when it comes
to UVP clothing. It is a great time to start looking for swimsuits, dresses, hats and shirts.
These are becoming very popular, which means they have many varieties and styles to
choose from. I came across a UVP long sleeve shirt that has thumb holes so not only is my
upper body fully protected but, also the tops of my hands that are so easily forgotten to
protect. I wore this type of shirt all week on a cruise and it kept me protected from the sun,
cool on the beach, and it was easy to swim in. Clearly, I am a big fan! Also, most of our
young daughter’s swim gear we purchase is UVP clothing, as it is a time saver for putting
sunscreen all over her body. Minutes count when they are excited and whining to get into
that pool!

And don’t forget about your lips! Apply a lip balm or lipstick that contains sunscreen with
SPF of 30 or higher and reapply at least every 2 hours, or as needed.

Avoiding the sun

Are you using sunscreen all year round? I hope your answer is yes because the sun emits
these harmful UV rays year-round; it does not take vacation days. Even on cloudy days,
up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin. Did you know that water,
sand, and even snow reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance
of sunburn? So, use good judgement and protect yourself whether you are skiing in the
summer or the winter! Seek shade whenever possible and don’t forget the sun’s rays are
strongest between 10am and 2pm so be extra diligent with sun protection during those
times.

PLEASE, please, please avoid tanning beds and booths. Ultraviolet light from the sun AND
tanning units cause skin cancer and wrinkling. The United States Department of Health
and Human Services and the World Health Organization’s International Agency of
Research on Cancer have declared UV radiations from the sun and tanning beds are a
known carcinogen, which means this is a cancer-causing substance.  If you love the look of
your skin being tan, seek out self-tanning products and then wear your sunscreen over that.
There are also some incredible mineral makeup tricks you can do to have a beautiful
bronzed look without putting your skin at risk.

We have multiple mineral sunscreens here at Yonick Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Center
that will keep you protected from the UV rays and are great for sports, water and everyday
wear. You must find the sunscreen that your skin loves. For example, I use a few different
sunscreens that feel best for my various activities. My favorites are:

ZO Skin Health Sunscreen + Primer. I use it as the last step in my morning facial regimen.
This is a broad spectrum mineral sunscreen with SPF 30. The benefit is the built-in primer
so I can just bypass that step when applying makeup. It also has a sheer matte finish and
a slight tint so, if I decide not to put makeup on, it gives me a little coverage. I can also
reapply this over my makeup when it is time to and it won’t smudge!
How amazing is that?!

Yonick Antioxidant Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50 is my go-to for my weekend sunscreen.
This is also a broad spectrum mineral sunscreen that is fast absorbing, oil and paraben
free and can work as a makeup primer. Most of the staff in our office, and a lot of our
clients, prefer this one as their daily sunscreen use but, my skin chooses something
different. Your skin is the boss so listen to it!

I strongly suggest to come into the office and try on a few to see which one is right for
you! When you find the sunscreen that doesn’t make your face/body feel oily or greasy,
you will love putting it on.

Armed with all this sunscreen knowledge, have a blast this summer and, as always,
keep your skin protected! If you have any additional questions about sunscreen or skin
care, please call our office for a free consultation.

Before and After Pictures

When you begin research for a board-certified plastic surgeon, you will most likely browse the before and after pictures looking for a body type similar to yours; real and untouched. These pictures are extremely helpful by giving potential clients visual and realistic expectations when they are thinking about cosmetic surgery. While you are choosing a plastic surgeon for cosmetic surgery or any type of cosmetic procedure (such as laser or filler), it is important to see the quality approach, technical skills, and professionalism that are shown through those pictures. Dr. Yonick and his clinical staff take tremendous pride in helping our clients achieve results expertly tailored to each individual.  

As we live in a smaller community where everybody knows a friend of a friend, it can be scary to give your permission to post before and after pictures. “What if my friends see me?”, “I don’t want anyone to know I had plastic surgery.”, “Where is this going to be posted?”…these are just some of the questions and comments we frequently hear. To help ease your mind, let us walk you through our process of taking and posting pictures.

First, we will take your pictures in our office in a comfortable and private room. These will include before, after your surgery/procedure and during recovery. We then take our time to look at the pictures we captured correct/erase identifying marks like a birthmark or tattoo that would cause someone to recognize you. A lot of procedures Dr. Yonick performs consist of areas of the body that do not include your face being in the picture at all! Before and after pictures are never posted with your name but, will have an age range, height, and weight so potential clients can try to find someone that may share some of their same body traits. If you are having a procedure on your face, we can also minimize the risk of others recognizing you by covering your eyes or only using a portion of your face, such as a before and after of your cheek. These pictures are always very exciting to see afterwards!

We understand that plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures continue to carry a stigma but we would love to be at the forefront of “Stopping The Stigma”. So, when we ask you for permission to post your before and after pictures on our website, or to include them in a book in our office for clients to view, please think twice before you say no. Think of how helpful it was to have before and after pictures for you to view prior to your procedure. Your picture could help someone take the first step towards embracing their aesthetic journey.

Take a look at just one of our clients that have achieved amazing results!

*This photo was taken one month after surgery.*

ZO 3 Step Chemical Peel

Ashlee, RN here:

Acid. It sounds a little scary—especially when it comes to applying it to your face in hopes of anti-aging results. Still, as crazy as it may sound, when you pair acid with Retinol, your skin can yield amazing results. Your epidermis layer of your skin actually dies (which don’t worry, is supposed to happen), and it allows for growth of new, beautiful, healthy looking skin!

When embarking on your own skin health journey, you’re bound to explore the various possibilities in achieving facial rejuvenation. The role we take on as a practice is identifying problem areas that are specific to each client and determining which treatments will provide the best results. We keep the lines of communication open to make sure your voice is heard and your personal needs are met. So—for treatments that sound intimidating (like chemical peels), we want to take the time to answer all of your questions and provide you with the facts.

Our ZO 3 step peel is one of the chemical peels we offer at Yonick Plastic Surgery. It’s a spectacular treatment and can provide significant results in just one application. It is a great option for those struggling with skin discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, acne, and poor texture. The service is performed in office by a ZO trained RN, NP, or MD, only takes about a half an hour from start to finish, and by day 5 your skin will look amazing! It’s a peel you can repeat every 3-5 weeks for optimal results. AND it is as easy as three steps.

Step 1: The application of 3 acids: Salicylic, lactic, and TCA (trichloroacetic acid). The goal of this step is to exfoliate (the peeling) of the epidermis, which will occur on days 2-5. 

Step 2: We will then apply a 6% Retinol Creme. Retinol (vitamin A) is the mack daddy of anti-aging ingredients. This step is SO important and likely the reason for yielding those amazing results I mentioned earlier. Applying this immediately after the superficial peel allows the retinol to penetrate to the deeper parts of your skin where it is needed to stimulate your cells to turn over. This process will result in a boost of collagen for reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, improvement of irregular pigmentation and firming, and provides skin protection with powerful antioxidants. In terms of facial rejuvenation, this is truly a valuable step in transforming any problematic skin.

Step 3: Say hi to your stage of relief. Revitatrol. This topical is a recovery cream applied after the retinol has been introduced. For your newly exfoliated skin, this will be a delightful relief for you after steps 1 and 2. This Revitatrol will be your friend in the coming days to relieve you of the expected effects of this peel (redness, dryness, peeling, etc.). And yes, it’s yours for the keeping!

While parts of this process might sound intimidating, skin health depends on good clinical treatment to kick start cellular renewal. If you’re looking for big picture results in a short amount of time, our 3 step peel may be a great option for you! If it isn’t a peel, we’ll get you in your sweet spot and before you know it, you’ll be looking back on your pre-treated self, wondering why you didn’t start sooner.