Tag Archives: health

What Causes Dark Under-Eye Circles?

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Perhaps the most frustrating skin complaint is under-eye circles and bags, in part because they are difficult to cover regularly and treatments aren’t as publicized. Contrary to popular belief, dark circles underneath the eyes don’t necessarily mean you skipped a full night’s rest. If you’re sleeping an ample eight hours or more per night, yet your skin is telling a different story, other factors are likely at play. In these cases, under-eye bags require aesthetic treatment or a lifestyle overhaul.

Consider the primary causes of dark under-eye circles:

  • Heredity – Genetics play a big role in dark circles and unfortunately cannot be prevented, only treated.
  • Allergies – Congestion leads to blood vessel dilation, which leads to a darker look underneath the eyes
  • Sleep Deprivation – The clear short-term cause of under-eye circles is lack of sleep.
  • Stress – Traumatic life events or an overwhelming schedule can cause exhaustion which showcases in your skin.
  • Age – As we get older, the skin’s elasticity weakens causing wrinkles, lines and bags to become more noticeable.
  • Diet – Lack of adequate nutrition can also lead to a tired look since the body is not functioning at its peak. Iron deficiency in particular affects oxygen blood flow, stifling the tissues underneath the eye.

 

While temporary dark circles can be relieved by getting to bed earlier, de-stressing your schedule or shifting poor eating habits, some dark circles can’t be cured at home. Dr. Busso offers lower eyelid rejuvenation and dark circles reduction procedures to his patients suffering from unsightly shadowy rings and puffy bags.

Eyelid rejuvenation is performed using a combination of Botox to lift the eyebrows, dermal fillers and platelet-rich plasma to reduce volume loss. Dr. Busso also uses ThermiRF to tighten the skin around the eyes along with laser resurfacing to restore color and complexion.

To schedule an in-person visit to discuss dark circle removal, contact Dr. Busso’s office at 305-857-0144 or schedule an appointment online.

4 Ways to Decrease Belly Fat

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That stubborn pooch on your lower stomach is unsightly, embarrassing and often difficult to reduce. Despite years of sporadic dieting and exercise routines, many men and women fail to eliminate their belly fat and then become discouraged from trying further. But, you don’t have to suffer from a bloated tummy for life – change is possible and easy to achieve with a little extra effort and determination.

Consider the following tips to flatten out your stomach and become a healthier, more confident you:

Jumpstart Your Exercise Routine

A little cardio here and there is great for your overall wellbeing, but casual walking won’t get rid of belly fat as fast as a targeted exercise routine. Combining moderate-intensity cardio with interval and weight training sessions is the key to shedding unnecessary pounds. Strengthen abdominal muscles with crunches, planks and ball exercises that’ll make your tummy look and feel tighter. Full body exercises that engage the core stomach muscles, including pilates and yoga, are great for creating a toned and tight physique.

Eat Clean

As the old saying goes, abs are made in the kitchen. Therefore, a six-pack of beer and a six-pack on your body don’t mesh well. The simplest way to decrease your excess calorie intake is to cut out the booze. After all, alcohol is not a necessary food group and overindulgence can lead to poor sleep, headache, dehydration and lack of motivation. While a glass of wine is proven to offer neurological benefits, keep drinking limited to a few nights a week at most to cut down on unnecessary calories. That said, opt for fresh foods over processed junk. Generally, any food classified a fruit or veggie is fair game, as long as you keep your sugar intake in check. With the holidays quickly approaching, maintaining a balanced nutritional profile now can help you gear up for a slimmer winter season.

Flush Out the Bloat

Drinking enough water is vital to maintaining overall health and wellbeing. Not only does water keep you hydrated, but it helps flush internal toxins out through the kidneys and skin. Drinking water can also fill you up before meals to lessen the likelihood of overeating, thereby prompting greater weight loss and a flatter stomach. Always keep a refillable water bottle on your person to ensure your water intake is up to par while sticking with your weight loss plan.

Undergo a Minimally Invasive Procedure

Sometimes, belly fat just won’t budge, which is when cosmetic procedures can help. The Vanquish™ ME fat elimination procedure, specialized and refined by Dr. Mariano Busso, is one such procedure that can give your slimdown routine the boost it needs. Most patients see at least two inches of size reduction in the tummy or thighs, although individual results may vary. In the three months following the procedure, patients can expect to see six to eight inches of loss.* Vanquish™ is safe, painless and non-invasive. However, fat removal procedures are not a long-term solution for poor diet and exercise, so finding a balance between these three is key.

For more information on reducing fat with minimally invasive therapies, consult Dr. Busso’s office at 305-857-0144 today.

Skincare Must-Dos for Summer

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It’s summer, which means sporting a sun-kissed glow is highly tempting. But, baking at the beach all day long can cause serious damage. Understanding the risks associated with sunbathing might make you think twice about spending time outside with unprotected skin.

Skin cancer is a serious disease, and most often, preventable. Summer is high time for strong rays and sunburns, so check out the following tips to keep healthy when your skin might be most susceptible to damage. 

1. Wear Sunscreen

A suitable sunscreen is absorbed by the skin and fully protects against both UV-A and UV-B rays. Many sun block creams solely contain SPF (sun protection factor), which only limits the UV-B rays to prevent burns and discomfort. Since UV-A rays damage skin beneath the epidermis, it’s crucial to find a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 minimum. Make sure you apply before sun exposure and let sit for at least 15 minutes for proper absorption. Don’t forget about areas like your scalp and lips. Simply rub a small amount of sunscreen on exposed areas on your head and use a lip balm of SPF 15 or higher around your mouth.

2. Check for Melanoma

Skin cancer is typically identified as changes or growth in the skin. Skin cancer can manifest on the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms, hands or legs, so giving yourself a full body regular check-up is recommended. Growths often appear as pearly or waxy bumps, flesh-colored or brown lesions, firm and red nodules, crusted and flat lesions, moles shifting in shape or color and/or shiny, firm bumps. Because skin cancer severity can’t be determined without further investigation, contact a qualified, local aesthetic dermatologist as soon as you notice abnormalities.

3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Although not necessarily a skin cancer prevention strategy, staying moisturized both inside and out is vital for healthy skin. The sun has a tendency to dry skin, and the heat makes internal dehydration a reality. Combat both by drinking more than the usual recommended eight glasses per day. Keep in mind, overhydrating can also be dangerous. Rather than drinking all of your daily H20 intake at once, gradually sip from your reusable or filtered bottle throughout the day.

Dr. Mariano Busso provides skin care screening in Coconut Grove, Florida. While regular body screening at home is highly recommended, we perform a biopsy to determine if growths are cancerous. To inquire about potential skin cancer and sun safety, contact our office at 308-857-0144 or book your appointment online.

The Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

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Shaving can be a real pain, especially if you have thick, stubborn hair prone to razor burn and bumps. Plus, the act of shaving, epilating or applying removal creams to legs, underarms and upper lip adds significant time to your daily bathing and grooming routine. To make things easier, and smoother, many individuals opt for laser hair removal to avoid painful shaving and messy topical creams. The beauty of laser hair removal is the hair is gone for good*. Even after just a few treatments, shaving and epilating becomes easier since there are fewer strands to target.

 The Ellipse Laser

Dr. Busso offers the Ellipse Laser, an innovative product providing the fastest application on the market. The Ellipse system uses less energy and targets more hairs than the Intense Pulsated Light (IPL) systems seen in many commercial or spa hair removal facilities.

Because it has a larger surface, treatment time is significantly reduced. Ellipse can be used on the face, armpits, legs, bikini line, chest and back. After just four to six treatments, patients can expect to see results. Studies show that 77 percent of the treated hair doesn’t grow back after a decade*!

What to Expect with Laser Hair Removal

Many hair-conscious individuals fear the pain associated with lasers. But, the Ellipse system is relatively pain free compared to other laser treatments. The procedure works best on patients with dark hair and light skin, but many individuals can benefit regardless of their specific hair or skin color.

After laser hair removal, you might see redness or a sunburn-like sensation for a few days, which is completely normal. After a week, what looks like hair re-growth occurs. In reality, the follicles are pushing the dead strands out – without regrowth.

Depending on your individual hair composition, multiple treatments may be required. To allow the skin and follicles to rest, procedures are performed four to six weeks apart. The average patient benefits from almost 50 percent of hair reduction in just three treatments*. After six to eight treatments, patients can expect up to 80 percent reduction in hair*.

To schedule a consultation or appointment for laser hair removal with the Ellipse system, contact Dr. Busso’s office at 305-857-0144.

Hydration for Skin Health

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You may have heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: Water is a vital component to the human body. That’s why it’s wise to focus on hydration for skin health, as well as for the rest of your body. In fact, the average adult human body is just under 60 percent water. Babies and children have higher percentages, as do men do to lower fat percentages. In fact, the average adult woman is 55 percent water compared to the average adult male at 60 percent water. Overweight men and women typically have lower water percentages compared to leaner individuals.

Have you ever wondered what sparks the feeling of thirst? Usually, it’s when you’ve lost about 2 to 3 percent of your total water composition. At just 1 percent dehydration, your mental and physical condition slightly deteriorate before you even feel the need to drink up. Therefore, continuously hydrating before you get thirsty helps keep your body and mind at peak performance.

What is Water’s Role in the Body?

As the primary building block of cells, adequate H20 consumption is no doubt a crucial aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Water behaves as an insulator, digestion aid, metabolic catalyst, lubricant and detoxifier.

According to a recent study, water consumption is higher than it was two decades ago. In 1998, the U.S. averaged 54 gallons of soda per person compared to 42 gallons of water per person. In recent years, the ratio shifted to 44 gallons of soda and 58 gallons of water per person. Nonetheless, 58 gallons annually equates to 20 ounces, or 2.5 cups per day. This is far less than the recommended eight glasses. Lack of water can lead to fatigue, digestion issues and dehydration. Not to mention, dehydrated skin cells can cause premature wrinkling.

H20 and Skin Benefits

Water doesn’t just assist your internal health. The skin is your body’s largest organ, and it’s made up of cells comprised of water. When dehydrated, skin cells don’t function properly and lead to drying, flaking and overall tightness. Over time, dryness causes wrinkling that could otherwise be averted.

Aside from consuming water to reach skin cells via internal absorption, applying moisture-rich creams and serums topically is recommended. Dr. Busso highly recommends the Obagi Nu-Derm system to his patients. The Hydrate cream is the final step within the Obagi Nu-Derm system, effectively soothing areas prone to flakiness. When combined with the prior steps of the system, Hydrate minimizes age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, restores skin laxity. In addition, the system relieves redness, sallowness and hyperpigmentation.

If you’re looking for a topical regimen to restore moisture to your dry skin, contact Dr. Busso today and schedule a consultation. Appointments can be easily arranged online, or call our Coconut Grove office to discuss your first visit.

Does Restylane Hurt?

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Restylane is one of the most common dermal fillers, intended to smooth wrinkles and other fine lines in the face and mouth. When aging becomes apparent in your appearance, you might be considering Restylane, an FDA-approved option, for your treatment. Because it is made of hyaluronic acid, a sugar molecule found in every living organism, Restylane provides biocompatibility to the existing tissue at the injection site. Patients can rest assured that Restylane is one of the healthiest, most natural dermal fillers on the market.

While totally safe, Restylane isn’t painless, illustrating how even the most advanced procedures can be minimally painful. While slight pain is common and expected during the injection, discomfort goes away in just a few days for most patients.

Restylane vs. Restylane Silk

Dr. Busso uses Restylane to treat issues in the following areas:

  • Upper and lower lips
  • Cheeks
  • Chin
  • Skin rejuvenation along hands, décolletage, face and neck

 

In cheek augmentation, Dr. Busso restores the natural life of cheekbones to target volume loss from aging and/or weight loss. In addition, Restylane is used to smooth out prominent veins and folds in the neck, face, hands and chest.

Aside from the face and neck, fillers can benefit the chest and cleavage areas to minimize wrinkles. When used in conjunction with laser resurfacing to improve skin texture, Restylane injected into the chest area allows for a lifted, more youthful appearance without invasive surgery like implants or breast augmentation.

New FDA-approved Restylane Silk can provide optimal results for combatting lip lines specifically. The hyaluronic acid component includes smaller, smoother particles to allow for a more precise, natural looking application in small areas like the lips.

For both Restylane and Restylane Silk, benefits typically last up to a year* and do not affect your ability to move your face naturally.

With over 18 years of experience in aesthetic and cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Busso provides unparalleled results with Restylane fillers for South Florida patients and beyond. To contact Dr. Busso regarding Restylane fillers, book an appointment online or call our Coconut Grove office at 205-857-0144.

Skin Cancer Doctor | Dr. Mariano Busso

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Skin Cancer Doctor | Dr. Mariano BussoSkin cancer doctor, Dr. Mariano Busso, specializes in the diagnosis of melanoma along with various other skin conditions. An acclaimed aesthetic dermatologist, Dr. Mariano Busso has built an international patient base through comprehensive cosmetic, laser, and dermatological care. As a skin cancer doctor, Dr. Busso helps patients identify, target and prevent future incidences of melanoma.

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Is Laser Skin Treatment Safe?

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Is Laser Skin Treatment Safe? Laser skin treatments are an effective option for many patients looking to improve the appearance of their face, neck, chest, and overall body. In general, laser treatments may fall in to 1 of 2 categories. First are ablative treatments, which are laser devices that gently remove layers of skin to achieve specific aesthetic goals. Alternatively, laser skin treatments can be non-ablative, meaning that the skin absorbs laser light without any cellular damage. Non-ablative laser skin treatments are known to achieve various results, including increased blood flow, collagen production, and visible skin improvement. Learn more about the laser skin treatments offered by acclaimed Miami dermatologist, Dr. Mariano Busso. Continue reading →

Finding a Doctor for Acne Treatment in Miami

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Finding a Doctor for Acne Treatment in MiamiLooking for a doctor for acne treatment in Miami? Take a moment to review this article and learn more about acne, acne treatment, and what to look for in an acne doctor. Then, review the top recommended acne treatments and tips by Doctor Busso, Miami’s leading aesthetic dermatologist.

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How to Keep Nails Healthy

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How to Keep Nails HealthyWhen it comes to forming a good first impression, healthy nails are an important piece of your overall image. In both personal and professional interactions, healthy nails tell new acquaintances that hygiene, appearance, and wellness are top priorities. Particularly in business, well-manicured nails often project a positive image that perfectly complements any suit, blouse, or firm handshake.

Healthy nails do more than form good first impressions, however. Fingers come into contact with the face throughout the day, making it extremely important that both hands and fingernails are kept clean. Eating, eye rubbing, and itching are just a few of the conscious and unconscious behaviors that can transfer potentially harmful bacteria to the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Keep nails healthy by following Dr. Mariano Busso’s nail care tips below.

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