How to get longer, lasting eyelashes...

If you are looking for a cure for your thin, sparse or light eyelashes, you’re probably deciding between options like eyelash extensions and Latisse®.

We—AlluraDerm MD Med Spa—want to encourage you to take the Latisse® route for a more permanent solution to your eyelashes.

If you are unfamiliar with lash extensions, the technique consists of weaving false lashes into real lashes, and gluing them in place. It lasts longer that traditional false lashes, but extensions have several drawbacks compared to Latisse®.

Eyelash Extensions Damage Your Lashes

The strength of your real lashes may not be enough to have lashes attached to them. This can lead to a permanent loss of your lashes if they are pulled out or otherwise damaged by lash extensions.

Glue is used to keep lash extensions in place. Not only is this messy, but if you are allergic to the glue you could have a painful reaction.

Unlike Latisse®, eyelash extensions must be replaced every six to eight weeks, a major investment in your time.

Why Choose Latisse®?

We went over the reasons we don’t prefer eyelash extensions, but what makes Latisse® so much better?

Latisse® takes a little bit of dedication—you have to apply it every night—but the results are long-lasting and more effective than lash extensions.

Rather than messy, dangerous glue, Latisse® is a liquid easily applied to the upper eyelid with a wand.

That’s it. No weaving, no gluing. Just eight weeks to fuller, longer, darker lashes. After you’ve reached full benefits at 16 weeks, you’ll move on to a maintenance dose and use Latisse just three to four times a week.

Call AlluraDerm for Latisse®!

Latisse® is only available through prescription. If you want to grow your lashes in a safe, effective way, call AlluraDerm at 505-821-9630 to set up an appointment with our staff.

Come celebrate AlluraDerm's 15th Anniversary!

Time flies when you’re having fun. We can’t believe we are about to celebrate our fifth year as Albuquerque’s best med spa!

In 2007, Dr. Victor Mancha and his wife, Janelle, opened AlluraDerm Med Spa. Throughout May, we’ll be celebrating our birthday with discounts, giveaways, and an open house!

The Party!

AlluraDerm’s Anniversary Open House is Tuesday, May 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Stop by to say hello to Dr. Mancha and sip champagne with our staff!

You’ll also get to meet representatives from Botox®, Juvèderm®, CoolSculpting® by ZELTIQ®, Fraxel® Laser and Thermage®. Live demonstrations will show you the amazing results of the latest anti-aging and healthy skin treatments on the market today.

One more reason to join us: raffles to win your favorite products and services!

The Giveaways!

Not only will we give away your favorite products during our Anniversary Open House, we’ll also be giving away products throughout the month of May!

In honor of our five years, we will have five drawings to give away SkinMedica® skincare products. The winners will be chosen from our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/alluraderm

To win, “Like” our page and check out our status updates. Like them, leave a comment and keep checking back for more—we are going to choose the winners from our top 10 fans during the week of the drawing!

Need more information about our open house and giveaways? Call AlluraDerm at 505-821-9630.

Celebrate Mother's Day with AlluraDerm!

If you have children, you know: being a mother is a job that never stops. It’s around-the-clock work, a rewarding job, but one that you can’t clock out of at 5 p.m.

Did you ever notice that moms take care of everyone, but neglect themselves?

Since motherhood is a full-time job that lasts all year round, we believe Mother’s Day shouldn’t just be a DAY, it should be a MONTH and a YEAR, too!

Flowers and candy are nice, but let’s face it, they’ve been done before. Besides, the flowers will wilt in a few days, and if your mom is anything like us, the chocolates will be gone within a few hours!

How can you celebrate Mother’s Day all year?

Why not give the gift of beautiful skin and all of the benefits that accompany it?

Think about it: when you give your mother a gift card from AlluraDerm MD Med Spa, you’re not only giving your mother access to amazing skin care treatments, you are also giving her youthful, glowing skin that will make her smile with confidence all year round.

What can your mom buy with an AlluraDerm gift card?

With an AlluraDerm gift card, your mom will be able to purchase pharmaceutical skin care products, as well as treatments like:

• Skin rejuvenation
• Fraxel®
• Microdermabrasion
• Laser hair removal
• Botox®
• Juvèderm®
• Thermage®

In addition to our skincare treatments, your mom can also choose CoolSculpting® fat reduction to get rid of stubborn fat in the hips, stomach, thighs, bra line and more.

Call AlluraDerm at 505-821-9630 to receive a gift certificate for your mother this Mother’s Day, month and year!

Everyone has wrinkles, and if they don’t, we know they will eventually. And while we often talk about how to prevent them, we don’t often know the different types. At AlluraDerm MD Med Spa, we believe that understanding the different types of wrinkles is essential to preventing them from forming and diminishing their appearance.

The Four Types of Wrinkles.

The four different types of wrinkles all have different causes. Some of them are due to extrinsic aging, such as sun damage, while others are due to intrinsic aging, or natural aging. Additionally, different types of wrinkles respond to different treatments.

Dynamic Wrinkles.

Also called dynamic expression lines, these wrinkles are caused by facial movement, intrinsic aging. Common forms include crow’s feet, 11’s between the brows and forehead lines. Treatable by Botox®.

Static Wrinkles.

These are mostly due to extrinsic factors like smoking, sun exposure and poor nutrition. You’ll notice crepey skin around the neck and under eyes. Much of this damage can be diminished with photorejuvenation therapy at AlluraDerm MD Med Spa.

Gravitational Folds.

These are caused by fat loss in the face that occurs naturally with age. As you lose subcutaneous fat, skin begins to sag. The most common is the nasal labial area, which can be treated by a facial filler like Juvèderm® to fill in hollow spots.

Atrophic Crinkling Rhytids.

These are fine lines that result from the loss of elasticity. They appear to run parallel to each other and change over time. One of the best ways to treat these is through Fraxel® laser.

The best way to prevent most of these is by protecting yourself from the sun. Wrinkles caused by facial movement can be prevented with Botox® as well.

It’s difficult to know what treatment will work best for your wrinkles without being evaluated by a professional. The professionals at AlluraDerm MD Med Spa will consult with you to help you choose the best way to prevent and diminish wrinkles. Call us at 505-821-9630 to set up a consultation today.

You’ve heard the world “exfoliation,” but do you know the importance of regular exfoliation? Much like washing your face, exfoliation helps rid your skin of dirt, oil, and pollution residue, all things that acne-causing bacteria consume. But exfoliation also removes the dead skin cells that can plug up your pores and cause a dull, patchy complexion.

For Young Skin

Younger skin has more resilience than mature skin. While “gentle” is still the keyword here, those with younger skin can handle slightly more abrasive exfoliants.

• After cleansing your face with a mild cleanser, apply the exfoliant in a gentle, circular motion, then rinse off with warm water.
• There is no hard and fast rule for how often to use an exfoliant, but using an exfoliant too much can harm your skin. The general rule is, the coarser the exfoliant, the less often you use it; a coarse exfoliant should only be used one a week.
• Chemical exfoliants (peels) and microdermabrasion can help reduce acne flare-ups and fight the skin damage that leads to visible signs of aging.

AlluraDerm Med Spa offers Parisian Peel® Medical Microdermabrasion, a gentle yet intense half-hour exfoliation process that softens the skin and allows more beneficial nutrients to be absorbed.

For Mature Skin

Exfoliation is important at every age, but because mature skin lacks the resiliency of younger skin, the exfoliation process is a little different. Exfoliation for mature skin requires a gentler touch and products that are less harsh.

• Lightly dry brush your skin for 15 minutes every day — it’s one of the most effective and gentlest ways to exfoliate mature skin. Dry brushing also helps tone and firm your skin, and helps remove toxins from the body by stimulating the lymphatic system. Use a loofah, a dry brush, or exfoliating gloves.
• Use a chemical exfoliant like a chemical peel often. A chemical exfoliant will remove the surface layer of skin to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, promote skin regeneration, and restore that youthful glow.
• A clay mask can help remedy age-related dryness and also help firm your skin.

Whether your skin is young or mature, microdermabrasion is a stronger form of exfoliation that should be done periodically to avoid signs of aging. Microdermabrasion removes the outer layer of skin, the layer where skin imperfections like fine lines, wrinkles, and acne blemishes occur.

Additionally, Vitalize Peel® by SkinMedica® is a gentle and effective peel for skin of all ages that fights the effects of time, sun and environmental damage. The Vitalize Peel® has also been shown to improve acneic skin and improve the look of skin with hyperpigmentation and Melasma.  Call us at 505-821-9630 to set up a consultation today.

It's important to wash your makeup off at the end of the day.

It can be a chore to wash your makeup off every night. You’ve had a long day, a fun night out, and you just want to fall into bed and go to sleep. That would be a huge mistake for your skin. Leaving your makeup on when you sleep at night may seem harmless, but it’s just a bad idea all around. Why?

Bacterial Growth

The average person touches their face about 5,500 times a day. When you touch your face, you could be unintentionally transferring dirt and bacteria to our skin. Leaving your makeup on at night traps the built-up dirt and bacteria and the oil it produced during the day on your skin, which leads to clogged pores and acne.

Free Radical Damage

Free radicals can also hang around on your skin at night if you don’t wash it. You collect free radicals throughout the day from things like pollution. If you don’t get rid of them, they can cause signs of aging.

Hinders Repair

Your skin goes into hyper repair mode at night, renewing itself so that you can look your best (and youngest). Failing to wash your makeup off can hinder the process.

And if you use retinols or retinoids to boost your skin’s ability to repair itself, you won’t get the same effects on a dirty face as you would a clean face. That’s because the layer of old makeup and oil keeps your skin from absorbing the product, which reduces its efficacy.

The same goes for the benefit of your nighttime moisturizer, especially since this is the best time to hydrate your skin.

The Benefits of Washing Your Face

By washing your makeup off every night, you also wash off all of the bacteria, dirt, pollution, free radicals, and oil your skin collected throughout the day. Not only will this leave you feeling clean and fresh, but it will help control acne breakouts and signs of aging. A clean face will also act as a fresh palate for your skin and night creams to work their magic.

If you want to give your skin a night-time healing boost, AlluraDerm MD Med Spa offers retinoid and retinol night creams and moisturizers by SkinMedica® and SkinCeuticals®. Call us today at 505-821-9630 today to get the best for your skin!

Stress can show up in your skin and hair.

We all have moments of stress in our lives. You know how stress makes you feel—irritable, unable to sleep, unable to concentrate. It gives you sweaty palms, makes your stomach flip-flop, and can ruin your appetite. What you may not know is how stress affects your outward appearance, including your hair and skin.

How Stress Affects Your Skin

When you become stressed, your body starts to produce more of the stress hormone cortisol.  A rise in cortisol causes an increase in oil production in your skin, leading to oily skin, acne flare-ups, and other skin problems. Even those who aren’t usually acne prone can begin to see acne breakouts.

Stress also negatively affects your skin’s ability to act as a barrier, resulting in water loss. Water loss leads to dry, dull skin and inhibits the skin’s ability to repair itself. A study involving 27 medical, dental and pharmacy students found that during periods of stress (final examinations, in this case), it took longer for skin to recover from tape being stripped from their skin than in times of low stress.

How Stress Affects Your Hair

During times of stress, your hair may go into its telogen, or fall-out, phase. Other times, red blood cells can start to attack the hair follicles. Both lead to the loss of hair and slow regrowth. In these cases, it usually takes from 6-9 months for your hair to return to its pre-stress condition.

A big event like childbirth or surgery can also cause your hair to thin since your body takes time off from growing hair to focus on healing itself. Some people can even develop a compulsive urge to pull out their hair in times of stress. This impulsion is called Trichotillomania, and it’s more common than you think!

Lowering Your Stress Level

It’s impossible to avoid stress all-together. Consider going to a doctor to talk about your symptoms. There are also activities you can do yourself to relieve stress (and its visible impacts).

Light Exercise

Exercising gives an outlet to the extra cortisol and adrenaline in your body. Exercise also gives you a rush of endorphins, making you feel better and feel better about yourself.

Get a Massage

Massage is a great way to take time out and relax. A good massage can help relax tight muscles, enhance circulation, and lower stress levels.

Meditate

Something as simple as taking 10 minutes out of your day to find a quiet place, breathe deeply, and focus on quieting your mind can help relieve your stress and give you more focus to get things done.

Laugh

Just the anticipation of a good laugh can reduce levels of stress hormones. Think about what a real laugh session can do.

Feeling like you don’t look your best can also contribute to stress levels. At AlluraDerm, we have services and products that can help you reduce the outward signs of stress so you can go back to feeling beautiful:

• Microdermabraision and peels
• Thermage® skin tightening and contouring
• Botox®
• Juvederm®

We also carry TNS® Essential Serum and Vitamin C Serum, which can help fight off the free radicals that cause aging, skin cancer, and dull skin.

For a stress-free solution to your stress-related needs, visit AlluraDerm MD Med Spa. Call us at 505-821-9630 today!

Tell the difference between acne and rosacea.

If you have adult acne, you know how frustrating it can be waking up to a new blemish every morning. You probably assumed that the acne you had as a teenager would disappear as you passed through adolescence and are wondering why you continue to have flare-ups.

There are many causes of acne, however, you may be looking at the wrong cause of your symptoms. Rather than acne vulgaris, what we usually refer to when we talk about acne, your complexion could be affected by acne rosacea, a skin condition that typically affects women over 30 years of age.

Face-Off: The Symptoms

To better understand your skin, consider the symptoms of acne and rosacea. Most people know the symptoms of acne:

• More prevalent in teens and adolescents
• Largely found on the face, although it can appear elsewhere
• Characterized by whiteheads, blackheads, and painful red bumps
• Scarring and discoloration
• Flare-ups may correspond with hormonal changes, changes in humidity, failure to wash your face nightly, or times of high stress

Some of the symptoms of rosacea are similar to those of acne, such as flare-ups and the appearance of acne-like red and often painful bumps. However, look for other non-similar symptoms:

• Typical onset is 30-60 years of age
• May begin as easy blushing or flushing
• Commonly affects the cheeks, forehead and nose
• Could also be mistaken for rosy cheeks and sunburn
• Triggers include heat and the ingestion of alcohol or hot and spicy foods
• Besides pimple-like bumps, symptoms may include cysts that aren’t “squeezable” like pimples, and fine red lines created by small visible blood vessels near the surface

Rosacea is not dangerous, but if left untreated it can intensify. If you suspect you may have rosacea, we encourage you to see Dr. Mancha for a consultation. Whether its traditional acne or rosacea, we can diagnose your skin condition and find ways to control it.

Treating Rosacea

Like acne, there is no cure for rosacea, but we do carry products that assist in relieving redness. AlluraDerm MD Med Spa carries Redness Relief CalmPlex by SkinMedica® and Redness Neutralizer by SkinCeuticals®. Both are great for helping keep rosaceaand the underlying causes of redness at bay and under control.

Even better? We’re offering a discount on these items in honor of Rosacea Awareness Month! That means 15% off all Omnilux® Medical Treatments throughout April. Additionally, you’ll receive 50% off SkinMedica® “Redness Relief Calmplex” or SkinCeuticals® “Redness Neutralizer” with every IPL or Ominlux® treatment.

If you suspect you have rosacea, or just need rosacea maintenance, AlluraDerm MD Med Spa is here to help. Call us at 505-821-9630 today!

The votes are tallied and we have a winner! The winner of the AlluraDerm MD Med Spa Model Search is…

SKYE POTTER!

With nearly 300 votes, Skye won the grand prize, one free CoolSculpting® package worth $2,400. Congratulations, Skye!

Skye will model her incredible CoolSculpting® results on our website, AlluraDerm.com. CoolSculpting® is a non-surgical fat reduction treatment designed to treat stubborn fat in areas like your stomach, arms, thighs and back. It is based on the science of cryolipolsis—the freezing of fat cells that are then flushed naturally from the body.

Thank you to all of those who took the time to enter and to vote! We are truly thrilled to have had such enthusiastic participation in our Model Search.

If you’d like to find out more about CoolSculpting®, contact AlluraDerm at 505-821-9630.

Eyelash enhancement without the fuss.

Thick, beautiful lashes are something every woman wants, but messing with eyelash extensions? Not so much. Even if you are eyelash-challenged, there are ways to make up for it. Just like the skin under your eyes, your eyelashes need to be nourished and cared for as gently as possible.

General Eyelash Maintenance

There are several small ways to care for your lashes that will make a big difference in their appearance of health. The Do’s and Don’ts of eyelash maintenance:

Do

remove all traces of mascara, shadow and liner with gentle products specially designed for this purpose. Baby oil or a gentle eye makeup remover will easily remove most cosmetic products from the eye area.

Don’t

go to bed wearing eye makeup! Cosmetics can harden during sleep, causing lashes to weaken or shed. The entire eye area should be gently and thoroughly cleansed before sleeping.

Do

use a light touch of Vaseline every night to condition and moisturize the lashes.

Don’t

shave, pluck or dye your eyelashes. A little abuse goes a long way, but so does a little tender loving care.

Lash Enhancement

Now that you have the basics of eyelash maintenance, how about making your peepers pop? Even Cleopatra lined her eyes with kohl to give the appearance of long, thick lashes. Some enhancement tips:

Don’t

use green or blue mascara. Stick with dark brown (for fair eyelashes) or black (for dark eyelashes). Use two coats of mascara for best results, allowing the first coat to dry before applying the second.

Do

use an eyelash curler. Press for about ten seconds at the base of your lashes, then press gently in the middle of the lash and the tip. That way, you’ll avoid one big banana curl!

Don’t

let your mascara clump. Use an eyelash comb after applying mascara to remove clumps and separate the lashes.

Do

put a tiny bit of dark brown or black eyeliner on the outward corners of the lids to enhance the effect of mascara, making your eyes look larger.

Do

apply some eyelash primer before mascara to increase volume. Cover as much of the lash area as you can without allowing the primer to get in your eyes. Allow it to dry, and then apply mascara.

For serious help with skimpy lashes, we offer Latisse® at AlluraDerm MD MedSpa. This FDA-approved product is the only product on the market that treats a condition called hypotrichosis, which causes eyelashes to be noticeably sparse. Latisse® contains an active ingredient called bimatoprost that has been shown to promote eyelash growth. Our clients report darker, longer, fuller and thicker lashes when they use Latisse®, all without the help of false eyelashes or eyelash extensions!