Wake Up Your Look
Joseph Daw, M.D.

Are you frequently told that you look tired even though you are not? Do people think that you are older than you actually are? Perhaps the reason is the appearance of your eyes. Excess eyelid skin and bags under the eyes both can make you look tired and aged. Fortunately, cosmetic eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can restore that rested and rejuvenated look that you desire.

Blepharoplasty may involve the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids or both, and entail removal of excess skin and/or removal of fat. Incisions are positioned so the resultant scars are inconspicuously hidden within the natural upper eyelid crease, below the lower eye lashes or on the internal surface of the lower eyelid. Postoperative pain is minimal. Bruising and swelling of the eyelids is typically resolved by 10-14 days. Normal physical activity may be resumed after two weeks.

Occasionally, ancillary procedures are required to enhance and optimize the outcome. These procedures may include brow lift to reposition the eyebrows to a more youthful position, correction of droopy eyelids that may be hidden by the excess upper eyelid skin and tightening of the lower eyelid when there is excess laxity and display of the white below the iris. Laser resurfacing is an effective way to tighten the lower eyelid skin nonsurgically. Fine wrinkles located to the outside of the eyelids, ie - the crow’s feet, are best managed by Botox therapy.

The eyes are the major focal point of your face. Cosmetic restoration of the eyelid region is one of the most profound ways to allow you to look the way you feel. So feel free to call my office at 630-348-3000 and schedule a consultation if you think this may be for you.

My Blue Peel Experience

The Obagi Blue Peel is a popular chemical exfoliation treatment that can improve many skin conditions such as acne scars, blemishes, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, and sun damage. Seeing all the great results that our patients experience, I knew I had to try one myself! Here’s my experience:

Day 1: My Peel Day! (Monday)

I’m doing my peel at the end of the day, because I want to hold off on looking “Blue” until after a full day of seeing patients. I’m a little nervous but after doing so many Blue Peels, I should know what to expect, right? I guess its a little different being on the other side of the spa table!

…I just had my treatment. Based on my needs and my skin thickness, the peel I had was considered a light to standard Blue Peel. I took two extra-strength Tylenol about 30 minutes beforehand, just to take the edge off. On a scale from 1-5, the first pass felt like a 4 in intensity. The second pass was more of a 5. Wow, it was toasty. The good news was that it only lasted about 5 minutes, and I was back down to about a 3 for another 3-4 minutes, which was totally tolerable. I have some Obagi Action and some Obagi Tolereen that I’m going to apply later, and I’m going to wash more of this blue tinge off tomorrow when I cleanse.

Day 2: Nothing Yet (Tuesday)

When I cleansed this morning, I felt a little sensitive but it wasn’t too bad. I used luke-warm water and my Obagi Foaming Gel cleanser. Even though I got most of it off, I still have some blueness on my cheeks and my skin looks kind of dirty. People are not noticing right off the bat, but I can tell after a few minutes of chatting, they are wondering what’s going on with my blue tint. I explain it as, “I just had the Obagi Blue Peel yesterday, so my skin is a little blue. It’s a nice, deeper peel that resurfaces your skin”. That seems to explain everything, and we go on with our conversation. The skin on my chin is starting to get shiny, it will probably peel soon. Can’t wait!

Day 3: Still Nothing! (Wednesday)

I thought for sure when I woke up this morning that I would be peeling like crazy… but there was no sloughing action to speak of! As the day went on there was a very small peel forming on my right lower mouth area, but nothing major. My skin has more of a plastic-wrap look to it than yesterday, and pulls like a plastic mask when I move my face. The post-care instructions remind you not to make extreme facial expressions, and this is why. Very interesting! Now that the skin is so tight and shiny, I can’t wait for it to come off! There is still a very slight cast of blue on my cheeks and some blueness in my pores, but nothing really that noticeable. What I am noticing though, is that my plastic-wrap skin looks darker than yesterday. Can’t wait to peel!

Day 4: Here we go! (Thursday)

When I woke up this morning, I felt so tight that I knew for sure today would be my sloughing skin day. I have a baby shower to go to on Saturday and I was thinking there would have been a little more progress yesterday. Oh well, I guess I’ll be peeling for the shower. I’ve learned that if you wait until your schedule is completely clear of plans and work, you’ll probably never get around to doing your peel! It seems that it’s better to just bite the bullet and get your skin taken care of. So far the skin just under my bottom lip is curling off, and it looks like my chin is next. It’s still looking like plastic wrap everywhere else.

Day 5: Feeling the need to vacuum (Friday)

Things aren’t much different than yesterday, though I feel like I should have a vacuum follow me around to pick up all the skin I’m probably shedding all over the place. The skin that’s coming off is different than when I have had lighter treatments, its much thicker and feel almost firm and crispy. What an interesting process!

Day 7: Looking Better! (Monday)

The baby shower was the only social event I had scheduled for the weekend. It went well, I don’t think anybody really noticed the sloughing skin (or cared, for that matter). Now that I’m 7 days post-peel, I’m feeling much better. There is still some plastic-wrap skin on my jawline and near my temples, but it’s not bothering me. My skin looks almost normal now.

Day 14: Nice! (Monday)

Many people have been commenting on my skin this week, which is exciting. I’m going to be slowly incorporating my Obagi system back into my regimen, which will be the ‘icing on the cake’ for the appearance of my skin. It’s really important that I do that slowly. Like I tell our patients, even though the skin feels normal, there is still a healing process taking place underneath. This has been a really great transformation so far and I want it to continue!

Verdict: LOVE the Peel! (6 weeks post-peel)

I would definitely do it again. I thought that the texture of my skin improved beautifully. The way that the sloughing skin came off made it very easy to handle, because once it peels, that area is done! I’m getting a lot of comments on the even tone of my skin, and I feel like the tiny lines across my forehead are smooth. I’m happy that I experienced first-hand why the Obagi Blue Peel is a favorite method worldwide for improving skin texture and tone!

Are you ready to try an Obagi Blue Peel? Call our office today to schedule an appointment for a complimentary consultation!

FDA review indicates possible association between breast implants and a rare cancer

Agency requesting health care professionals to report confirmed cases
 
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today a possible association between saline and silicone gel-filled breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a very rare type of cancer. Data reviewed by the FDA suggest that patients with breast implants may have a very small but significant risk of ALCL in the scar capsule adjacent to the implant.

The FDA notification is based on a review of scientific literature published between January 1997 and May 2010 and information from other international regulators, scientists, and breast implant manufacturers. The literature review identified 34 unique cases of ALCL in women with both saline and silicone breast implants.

As opposed to systemic ALCL which can occur anywhere in the body, these rare cases have predominantly appeared in the scar tissue that forms around the implant, and when occurred, most of the patients have responded to a variety of treatments, including simple removal of the implant and surrounding scar capsule.  The incidence of ALCL anywhere in the body is 1 in 500,000 women while ALCL in the breast is 3 in 100 million in women.  So, the overall rate of lymphoma is no greater in patients with breast implants than in the general population. 

At this time, the FDA, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) remain confident that breast implants are safe and effective. 

In collaboration with the FDA, the ASPS and the ASAPS, DuPage Medical Groups Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Joseph Daw and Dr. Steven Sigalove recommends that women with breast implants continue their normal medical care and follow-ups, perform regular self examination and mammography as appropriate.  In addition, women should continue to monitor their breasts for symptoms such as pain in the breast or swelling.  If these symptoms occur, or if they have questions, they should contact their plastic surgeon for an examination.

Drs. Daw and Sigalove can be reached at 630-348-3000 if any of Dupage Medical Group physicians, staff or patients has questions.

FDA News Release

ASPS News Release

Winter is here!

Top 6 tips for treating your dry dehydrated skin

We all know that the winter months wreak havoc on your skin. Here are some great tips to relieve the uncomfortable dryness your skin endures each winter.

• Humidifiers: During the winter months, our central heating systems either at home or work provide HOT/DRY air leaving your skin depleted of moisture. Adding several small humidifiers throughout your home will help disperse moisture more evenly.
• Hot water: Using HOT soapy water while bathing is one of the quickest ways of striping the skin of its oils. Using warm water with a very mild soap is best. Keep your shower time to a minimum. Once you’re out, pat the skin partially dry then apply your moisturizer immediately to help seal in the moisture.
• Oil based moisturizers: In the winter months, for those of you with extremely dry skin can switch to an oil based moisturizer. It helps create a protective layer that helps retain moisture. Make sure you look at the ingredients; the oils need to be appropriate for the face (non-clogging). Ex: avocado or almond oil.
• Hyalauronic Acid: Something that the body creates naturally, Hyalauronic Acid works like a sponge and hold 1000x its weight in water. It also helps prevent the evaporation of water from the skin. Use this before your moisturizer for even better moisture.
• Sunscreen: Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you’re not getting sun exposure. The rays are strong especially when reflecting off the snow. Getting in the habit of wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen year round on your face and hands is very important.
• See a specialist: If you’re not sure what you should do for your skin, see an Esthetician or Dermatologist. They will help go over your current skin care regimen and give you advice on what skin care products you should be using to see great results.

Referral Reward Yourself!

Did you know that we have a Cantera Spa Referral Rewards Program?

That’s right, when your friends compliment your look, you can earn gift cards by referring them our way! We appreciate both your loyalty to our spa and your trust in us, and we want to reward you for recommending us to your friends and loved ones.

Make sure your referrals mention your name while scheduling and your Cantera Spa gift card will arrive by mail shortly. Gift cards can be used for spa services or spa products of your choice! All of our skin care consultations are complimentary, so it’s easy! Friends do not need to have a spa service for you to benefit.

Looking to turn back the clock?

Look no further

Did you know that your skin loses roughly 1% of its thickness each year? As this happens, we end up losing the human factors that are needed to maintain vibrant, healthy skin.

The latest ingredient being used in skin care products to treat this is human growth factor (HGF). These growth factors offer an array of benefits. They are known to play a role in tissue regeneration and stimulate collagen production. New blood vessel formation and cell growth/multiplication are also benefits of growth factors. In simple terms, HGF stimulates the skin so it can repair itself.

SkinMedica is one of the first to develop the use of HGF in skin care and has patented an ingredient called NouriCel®. It was originally developed as a result of wound healing research and realized what great effects it would have on the skin. In a 60 day study in 2003, they found these growth factors to improve skin elasticity and uneven skin tone as well as preventing the thinning of the epidermis (top layer of skin). I myself have seen the results first hand. About a month ago I burned my arm on the oven door. The next day I decided to try using my TNS Essential Serum on it. I used it twice a day and within a week or two I noticed that the burn was healing at least twice as fast as a previous burn I had.

• The TNS Recovery Complex is comprised of 93.6% of the NouriCel-MD®, giving you serious skin-cell therapy and beautiful skin.
  
  
• The TNS Essential Serum is the newest in this line of product. It is an amazing combination of the growth factor formula that is found in TNS Recovery Complex along with another chamber containing a corrective complex. This is a mixture of 7 different anti-oxidants and peptides which can heal, protect, renew and calm the skin. It makes a great all in one product.

Along with these 2 fantastic products, the SkinMedica line has now incorporated the growth factor into many other items including:

• TNS Illuminating Eye Cream
  
• TNS Night Eye Repair
  
• TNS Lip Plump System
  
• TNS Line Refine

These products can be used on all skin types. You get all these amazing benefits without any burning, peeling or irritation.

Finally! A skincare product with the same elements found in young healthy skin.

Patient Assessment:

• Improvement of patient with wrinkles 57%
• Improvement in appearance of skin texture 87%
• Patients who plan on continued use 93%

Fabulous Friday’s

Every Friday in November is FABULOUS at Cantera Spa!

Have you been looking to share the wealth? On Friday’s in November, bring in a fabulous first-time friend and receive 50% off your service!

Appointments must be booked in advance. Call today, availability is limited. Friend must be a first time Cantera Spa patient. Cannot be combined with other offers. Friend must schedule a Skin Care consultation with Reveal Imaging to qualify, no service necessary.

Back By Popular Demand!

One of Cantera Spa’s most popular product and service promotions is back!

During the Month of November, enjoy a FREE SkinMedica™ Vitalize Peel® when you purchase a TNS Essential Serum®.

TNS Essential Serum®, our “laser procedure in a bottle” treatment product is now your ticket to a FREE chemical peel treatment! The Vitalize Peel®, one of SkinMedica™’s most powerful but gentle chemical peel treatments, can help fight the effects of sun damage and aging. This exfoliation treatment is valued at $150!

Cannot be combined with other offers, while supplies last. Expires 11/30/10.

The New and Improved Benzoyl Peroxide

Did you know that benzoyl peroxide is a great ingredient used to treat acne?

Well, it just got better.

Acne, a disorder of the skin’s oil glands and hair follicles affects an estimated 45 million Americans. Treating acne can be a long, stressful journey. While some people try antibiotics and others try birth control, skin care products continue to be the most popular treatment used to control acne.

One of the more common ingredients found in skin care systems popular for treating acne is benzoyl peroxide. Traditional benzoyl peroxide (used in a lot of these systems) is generally formulated with insoluble micro-crystals. When these products are applied to the skin, the micro-crystals tend to remain on the surface of the skin. A lot of the time, you can still feel or even see the crystals. This formulation works to a degree by drying out the skin, therefore drying out the “breakouts”. This is a start, so let’s take it a step further. The goal of treating acne should be to stop it before it starts, right? We found that the Clenziderm System from Obagi does this. They have developed a patent-pending liquid formula of 5% benzoyl peroxide. This liquefied form is 1/10,000 the size of other benzoyl peroxides. This allows it to penetrate the pores all the way down to the follicles where acne begins therefore greatly reducing breakouts. Allowing this liquefied form to penetrate will help treat these three main causes of acne:

• Eliminates P. acnes (acne causing bacteria)
  
• Decreases excess sebum (oil)
  
• Removes cellular buildup within the pore

So if you’re one of those people that feel like they have tried everything for their breakouts, this may be for you. For more information and a free “Reveal” consultation with one of our Medical Aestheticians, please give us a call at 630-348-3000.

Congratulations Cantera Spa!

Obagi Medical has welcomed us to 3 Diamond Status!  As one of Obagi’s most successful offices, Cantera Spa is being recognized as one of the leading Obagi providers in the United States.  Obagi Medical products are a unique prescription based physician dispensed skin care line that transforms aging, acne-prone, or hyperpigmented complexions into overall healthier, clearer skin.  By providing outstanding service and demonstrating expert product knowledge, Cantera Spa patients see the best results with this line.  Schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our licensed medical aestheticians to see if Obagi Medical products are right for you!

Click here to learn more about Obagi Medical Products!

Or click here to call or schedule an appointment!

Interesting Facts about Skin Cancer

Last month our article focused on the dangers of tanning beds.  This month I’d like to share a few interesting facts about skin cancer and just how common and dangerous it can be.

• Did you know that in 2009 melanoma killed approximately 8,650 Americans according to the Skin Cancer Foundation?  That’s almost 1 person per hour.
  
  
• Did you know that skin cancer can affect people of any skin type or color?  Just because you have dark skin doesn’t mean you’re safe from the sun.
  
  
• Malignant melanoma is one of the quickest spreading forms of cancer and if not detected can quickly spread to your lymph nodes and other organs of the body.

Those who found and treated it early:

• Ronald Reagan (Former President) - basal cell carcinoma.  
  
• Bill Clinton (Former President) - basal cell carcinoma.
  
• Johnny Carson (Talk Show Host) - basal cell carcinoma.
  
• Roger Moore (Actor) - basal cell carcinoma.
  
• Elizabeth Taylor (Actress) - basal cell carcinoma.
  
• Anderson Cooper (CNN Anchor; Journalist) - skin cancer.
  
• John McCain (US Senator and Presidential Candidate) - malignant melanoma.
  
• Troy Aikman (Football Player Dallas Cowboys) - malignant melanoma.
  
• Mr. T. (Actor) - exceedingly rare form of skin cancer mycosis fungoides.

Those who lost their lives:

• Maureen Reagan (Daughter of President Ronald Reagan) - died at 60 years of age from cancer when tumors developed in her brain.
  
• Bob Marley (African American ~ Reggae singer) - died at 36 years old from a combination of melanoma and brain cancer.
  
• Burgess Meredith (Actor) - died from of melanoma.
  
• John Milford (Actor; helped create the Hollywood Walk of Fame) - died of melanoma.
  
• Fitz Dixon Jr. (Owner of the Philadelphia 76ers) - died of skin cancer.
  
• Stuart Entwistle (Surfer) - died from skin cancer.
  
• Diana Ashby (Wife of NASA astronaut Jeff Ashby) - died at the age of 34 from melanoma.

Even though skin cancer, particularly melanoma, can be dangerous and potentially deadly; it is one of the easiest to prevent.  Using sunscreen daily and avoiding tanning beds is a great way to start.

Lori’s Fractional CO2 Laser Experience

I had been thinking about having a Fractional CO2 laser treatment since our practice started offering this procedure three years ago. I had seen the traditional CO2 laser used by plastic surgeons throughout my career as a plastic surgery nurse. While it provided superior skin tightening, the downtime and risks (particularly the hypopigmentation) were stipulations that I wasn’t willing to accept. After watching our patients have the SmartXide Fractional CO2 laser treatment performed here at the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery and seeing the results they achieved, I knew this was something I really wanted.

Before the actual treatment, I applied the topical numbing cream to my skin and left it on for an hour. I could certainly tell at that time that my face was numb, particularly around my mouth. I was really excited and kind of nervous as Dr. Sigalove removed the numbing cream from my forehead before treating the area. The sensation of the laser was like nothing that I had ever experienced. The best way I could describe it is it felt like a warm/hot spray of something from far away. It was very tolerable, but very unusual. I ask every patient about their experience so that I can better describe this procedure to prospective patients as each patient describes it a little differently, but most say it is a warm/hot sensation. After my entire face and neck were treated, I applied the TNS Restorative Ointment to my skin. I did not have any pain at this time, my face and neck just felt a little warm and tight and the skin was very red. I did have Dr. Sigalove treat my upper and lower eyelids and due to swelling that can occur in that area, I had a driver available to take me home. I took my Vicodin that night “just in case” but I was not experiencing pain. I did not need any type of pain reliever after that first dose.

On Friday morning when I woke up, I was quite swollen, especially around the eyes. The only thing that really surprised me was how my skin felt for the first 2 days; it was rough like touching canvas. I applied the ointment after my shower and periodically throughout the day as needed, when the skin felt dry or tight. I was still very red at this point also. I came in to work that day but I would not encourage patients to do so. My eyes were sensitive to light due to swelling and it was hard to look at a computer screen that day. Other patients may also find being swollen and red to be a little awkward in most work settings.

On Saturday morning the swelling had decreased slightly and my skin looked more of a reddish-brown. When I washed my face, I could feel the skin balling up and starting to slough off. I could then see the first glimmer of the new skin underneath and that was pretty exciting. The skin still felt very dry and tight so I reapplied ointment again throughout the day. I had no pain or discomfort, only the tight, dry sensation.

On Sunday morning as I took my shower, the skin really started to slough off and the new pink skin was showing through. This was very exciting! I still needed the ointment at this time because my skin was still really dry and I felt that switching to the lotion would not have been enough moisture for me. I think most patients would still feel awkward going out in public at this point and so did I. I was getting extremely bored at home though and since it was November and the sun was not intense at all I did go out for a drive. I think the hardest part of some of these procedures is just waiting until the healing has taken place as I felt fine and wanted to go out and do something.

When I came back to work on Monday, almost the entire dead top layer of skin had sloughed off and my skin was glowing and slightly pink, but I could have easily covered it with mineral makeup. I was so thrilled to have those last little “pigment issues” from old sun damage resolved. The texture of my skin was also greatly improved and it felt so soft and smooth. I thought this was wonderful, but the benefits continued for several weeks as I noticed changes in the tightness of my skin. In the photos that were taken of me at Christmas last year, I remember thinking that I really liked the way my neck looked and I hadn’t been able to say that for a long time.

I would personally like to have this treatment performed about once a year to freshen my skin as time marches on and so does the aging process. I have spoken to several of our patients who feel exactly the same way as the downtime is minimal for the result. When it is time for facial surgery, I will gladly embrace that as well, but for now this is a fabulous treatment that has been extremely popular with our practice.

Lori Anderson RN/Patient Coordinator
The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery

Click here to learn more about the Fractional CO2 Laser and what it can do for you!

Tanning Beds: Once you know the facts, there’s not much of a heated debate…

As I stood waiting in the tanning salon to do my pre-vacation spray tan, I overheard the conversation between the employee in the salon and a teenage girl. “…You only get healthy rays in the tanning bed, so you’re fine,” she said. This got me thinking: Are there any “healthy” rays in a tanning bed? How could it be that radiation from UVA rays (the rays that tanning beds mainly use) could be healthy?

It turns out that UVB rays used to take the rap for causing cancer (think: UV-“Burning”). But now research proves that both UVA and UVB cause cancer. In fact, UVA is specifically linked to Melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer). Even the cast from the popular MTV show Jersey Shore announced this week that they are switching to spray tanning after hearing the facts in a recent intervention from The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Senior Vice President, Dr. Deborah S. Sarnoff. If they’re switching to spray, why shouldn’t you? Here are a few more reasons:

Risk: Risk of Melanoma increases for tanners to a whopping 75%, especially when you tan before the age of 35. According to the study that discovered this, the type of tanning bed used can affect the risk (Super, Ultra, Mega, etc) some tanners in the study were 4.44 times as likely as non-tanners to develop melanoma!

Expense: Beginning this month, indoor tanners will pay an additional 10% tax every time they tan.

More Risk: Chances of squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that can start out with a flaky, fish scale-like appearance) increase by 2 ½ times when you use a tanning bed!

Carcinogens: Tanning beds used to be classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. If that didn’t sound bad enough, they have been changed to the HIGHEST cancer risk category: “carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Even More Risk: Tanners are 1 ½ more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma (the most common form of skin cancer)

Addiction?: According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, the idea that indoor tanning is addictive is not new. Even though the new term, “tanorexia” was recently coined for the condition, studies that date back through 2006 have shown that we’ve known that UV radiation can have a druglike effect, and even cause withdrawal symptoms.

Avoiding Indoor Tanning is easy with the right Self Tanner! Try Cantera Spa’s Gradual Glo Self Tanner (9 ounces, $28) or add some temporary gleam with the easy-to-apply Glo Body Bronzer ($33)!

Avon Walk For Breast Cancer 2010!

The Pretty in Pink Ladies conquered their third annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this the weekend of June 5th and 6th in Chicago. The Ladies included DuPage Medical Group (DMG) employees from Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology, and the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery. Not only did they walk the length of the marathon on Saturday, June 5th, but they continued to walk 13.1 miles further on Sunday.

The walk began in a crowded Soldier Field and finished in Warren Park on day one of the two-day walk. The Ladies walked through Chicago landmarks such as the lake shore, Lincoln Wood, Lincoln Park, Sauganash, and the Village of Skokie. This adventure was experienced in the presence of friends and families that came together for a common goal. The prevention and cure of breast cancer grew a little closer to discovery this weekend when the Pretty in Pink Ladies raised aver $14,000! The dedication and teamwork of these ladies was exemplified by their team total.

The fundraising hurdle was easily overcome with the help of these corporate sponsors. Special thanks to DMG, The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery, The Northstar Group, Inc., The Suburban Woman, ReSound and Leonblu. The Ladies also held specific fundraisers within the DMG community. The Bake Sales in Glen Ellyn were a complete success! Other fundraisers that contributed to our success were “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, a raffle of White Sox and Cubs tickets hosted at Highland Oaks Administrative Offices, a Silent Auction, and Jeans Days.  Each individual member also made an extraordinary effort to reach the $14,000 mark. The personal and joint fundraising of the team shows how determined the Pretty in Pink Ladies, and their corporate sponsors, are to finding a cure!

The money and advancements that resulted from the Avon Walk will save many lives in the near future, and the effort of the Pretty in Pink Ladies helped to make this possible.  Although, this was only the third walk for the Pretty in Pink Ladies, Chicago has hosted eighth walks total!   The eighth annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer raised more than $7.7 million to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. The Avon Walk Chicago, the fourth of nine Avon Walks this year, attracted more than 3,400 participants from 45 states, Washington, D.C., and Denmark, including 307 breast cancer survivors, who joined together to raise lifesaving funds and awareness for breast cancer.  

During the Closing Ceremony, Carol Kurzig, president of the Avon Foundation for Women, announced a total of more than $2.35 million in grants to eight local organizations, ensuring the funds raised immediately benefit the community. More grants are slated to be awarded throughout the year to breast cancer programs nationwide.
The new Chicago-area grants include:

Stroger Hospital received $150,000 to support the Breast Cancer High Risk Screening Program, which will provide more than 400 underserved women access to genetic counseling services. Genetic Counselor Christina Seelaus accepted the award.

Mercy Hospital received $150,000 to continue support of a patient navigation program and the purchase of new ultra sound equipment. Connie Murphy accepted the award.

Sinai Health System received $250,000 to support Patient Navigation services reaching underserved populations in Chicago’s west side neighborhoods of North Lawndale and South Lawndale. Epidemiologist Kristi Allgood accepted the grant

Northwestern University received $150,000 to support research to determine if two biomarkers accurately predict which women are at high risk to develop breast cancer. Dr. Seema Kahn, professor of surgery, accepted the award.

Washington University Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center received $300,000 for research to determine if hereditary changes to DNA increase the risk of developing early onset breast cancer in young women. Postdoctoral Fellow Missy Fish accepted the award.

University of Illinois-Chicago received $300,000 to support research to determine if breast cancer risk can be predicted based on a new series of biomarkers they have identified. Postdoctoral Fellow Szilard Asztalos accepted the award.

Rush University Medical Center received $300,000 to support research to study a new protein named Runx2, to determine if it promotes cancer-related changes in healthy breast tissue. Assistant professor Jitesh Pratap accepted the award.

Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University, the Avon Walk medical sponsor this weekend and the home of the Avon Foundation Breast Care Center of Excellence and the Avon Breast Cancer Research Laboratories, received $750,000. The new grant will support access to breast care for low income women at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Erie Family Health Center, as well as support new research to better understand the effect that naturally occurring pregnancy-related changes have on the development of breast cancer. Kara Kennedy, clinical coordinator, accepted the grant.

Finally! A Tretinoin cream for sensitive and dry skin.

Tretinoin (Retin-A), has a reputation for being too harsh on patient’s skin. Not anymore! Refissa is a great new product that delivers a .05% Tretinoin in a fragrance free, emollient based cream, therefore causing less irritation. It’s the perfect product for patients who have dry, sensitive skin and those with more maturing skin.

Tretinoin is a prescription strength form of Vitamin A. It works deep at the cellular level of the skin to increase your collagen production which the body starts to lose with age. By increasing your collagen production, you’ll see the fine lines start to soften. Tretinoin also fights intrinsic (continual) aging by improving blood supply to the skin which in turn increases the turnover of dead cells.

The FDA has approved Refissa for the reduction of fine facial lines, irregular pigmentation and rough skin. To see maximum benefits it’s best to use for a minimum of 24 weeks.

Refissa is easy to use. You would just use a pearl sized amount nightly along with your usual routine. Using Tretinoin can make you photo sensitive, so you must use sunscreen daily to ensure maximum results. In a clinical trial, 71% of women saw improvement in fine lines/wrinkles and 83% saw improvement in irregular pigmentation.

~What to expect month by month~

• Months 0-1: As Refissa takes effect, your skin may produce some redness & some mild flaking. This usually tapers off within a couple of months.
• Months 1-2: Skin will feel and look smoother and will have a softer texture.
• Months 3-4: Irregular pigmentation should start to lighten, while fine facial lines start to soften.
• Months 5-6: You’ll continue to see and feel your skin texture and skin
  tone improve.
• Months 6+: To continue to see results, keep using your Refissa nightly.

Skin care consultations with Aesthetician Izzie Flynn are always complimentary.

Call to book yours today at (630) 348-3000.

Vaser LipoSelection® – Look and Feel Confident!

Many patients are looking for a proven and trusted liposuction method that safely and effectively removes unwanted fat. In fact, liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures performed today. Hundreds of thousands of people choose to have liposuction each year.

Drs. Joseph Daw and Dr. Steven Sigalove, physicians at the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery, are proud to offer Vaser LipoSelection®. This has been proven to be a safer, less painful alternative to traditional liposuction. What distinguishes the LipoSelection® procedure is its ability to differentiate targeted fat from other important tissues. Only the LipoSelection® procedure uses the VASER System to liquefy fat and then remove it form the body. This promotes smooth results and rapid healing, typically with low to minimal pain. Please contact our office today at 630-348-3000 for information on VASER Liposelection®.

See VASER ad in the September issue of marie clare…on newsstands now!