Navigating the Skincare: Secrets of Serums

Navigating the Skincare: Secrets of Serums

With the skincare and cosmetic industry booming at $145 billion and releasing new lotions, cremes, and serums every day, it’s easy to get lost. But with a helpful guide to skincare serums, you’ll be able to walk down that skincare aisle with confidence.

If you haven’t added a face serum to your daily skincare regimen, you’re only doing half your job. Proper skin care is a little bit more complex than just washing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Knowing why a product is important to the health of your skin will make you want to use it more often.

For some people, wandering down the skincare aisle is like walking through uncharted territory. If you’ve ever picked up those tiny bottles of serums that look like magic elixirs and wondered what all the intimidating and hard-to-pronounce ingredients do, you’re not alone.

Here is how and why you should give your skincare routine an upgrade with a face serum.

What is a Face Serum?

Let’s focus on the latest skincare mystery: serums. A serum is a light, easily absorbed oil or water-based liquid. It contains high amounts of active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and glycolic acid. In other words, the saving grace for our skin.

Not to be substituted with moisturizer, serums sink deeper into your skin and address more skin concerns. Let’s take it back to basic biology. Our skin is made of three layers, the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat.

Skin-Layers

Your standard moisturizer and other face products only work on the top layer of skin, the epidermis. Serums, however, absorb deeper into the skin and make more noticeable changes to other layers. That is why serums have quickly caught the attention of dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts.

Benefits of Serums

Fortified with nutrients that skin needs to be healthy and vibrant, face serums are the workhorse of the skincare world. Here are the top benefits of adding serums into your skincare routine!

Hydration

Having hydrated skin means having healthy skin. Retaining water and moisture is imperative for our skin to fight toxins and produce new skin cells. Serums help bind moisture to our skin to give us that beautiful dewy glow.

Refines Pores

We all want that airbrushed, front-cover look, but sometimes our pores think otherwise. Serums are mostly water-based liquids that are oil-free. They keep our skin clean and our pores unclogged (that means minimized pores, hallelujah!)

Skin-Pores

Fades Dark Spots

Speaking of things that we love but our skin hates, the sun. If you’ve ever chosen to skip the sunscreen and go straight for the oil at the beach, you probably have dark spots. With the use of effective ingredients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and Retinol, serums can fade dark areas and improve the overall texture of skin.

Protects Against Future Damage

The dry, freezing air wreaks havoc on our skin in the winter. To add to it, indoor heating depletes our skin of moisture even more. Luckily, specific antioxidant serums protect our skin against the toxins and free radicals that we’re exposed to daily.

As we get older, our supply of antioxidants starts to decrease. This means we must get antioxidants from other sources to maintain healthy skin. Using antioxidant-rich serums can protect against future sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles.

What Type of Serum Should you Use?

Everyone’s skin is different. To choose the right serum, start by determining your skin type. There are three skin types: dry, oily, and combination. Use serums that will work to minimize the negatives of your skin type and boost new cell growth.

Serum-for-Your-Face

Serum for Dry Skin

For skin that tends to be dry use serums that contain hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Ceramides are basically the glue that holds our skin together and seals moisture in. These are also great for people with sensitive skin, as both ingredients are gentle.

Serum for Oily Skin

If your skin has some shine, try to look for serums that contain Retinol, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid. All three of these ingredients work hard to exfoliate dead skin cells and increase the production of new ones. They also keep our pores from becoming clogged which reduces the amount of oil our skin will produce.

Serum for Combination Skin

If you have combination skin (a little bit of both, dry and oily) it can be tricky to find products that work for everything. But the good news is, oily skin still needs hydration. So, serums with hyaluronic acid are good to use.

Additionally, look for products that offer calming and re-balancing benefits like seed oil. Serums that contain niacinamide, a form of vitamin B, will also help combination skin by improving texture and resiliency.

How to Use Serum

Serum is the third step in a good skincare routine. Serum works best when it’s applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. Don’t think this substitutes your favorite moisturizer. Applying moisturizer after serum helps seal antioxidants into the skin so they last longer!

Applying-Face-Serum

Here’s the Best Skincare Routine for Your Face:

1. Wash skin with a gentle cleanser. Try a foaming cleanser for sensitive skin.
2. Apply toner with a cotton pad for easy application.
3. Use the dropper on your serum bottle cap to apply a few drops of serum directly onto your face.

Bonus Tip: For easy application place a few drops of serum onto your forehead, cheeks, and nose, then rub in with your fingers.
4. Moisturize!

When Will You Notice Results?

Some people can see a difference in their skin the next day. Generally, most of the changes will occur in about four weeks, but it can take as many as eight. This depends on the strength of the serum. If you’re looking for quicker results, try using a medical-grade serum.

Medical grade skincare products have been clinically tested and have proven results. These types of skincare products are only distributed by a doctor and contain powerful formulas you can’t buy over the counter.

Neocutis and SkinCeuticals are well-respected brands of skincare that people trust. Their products are born from years of research and clinical trials with positive results.

The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center doesn’t just treat veins. We also provide professional skincare treatments and products. Our highly skilled team can provide Xeomin Botulinum Toxin injections and chemical peels. We also offer both Neocutis and SkinCeuticals skincare solutions.

Contact us today to find out more about a face serum that will give you incredible results!

Emergency Blood Shortage – Blood Drive – Sat. Aug 3, 2019

Emergency Blood Shortage – Blood Drive – Sat. Aug 3, 2019

On Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 there will be a Community Blood Drive held at the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club’s Ballroom located at 79 N. Bertrand Road from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Please consider a blood donation now to assist with an emergency blood shortage in northern New Jersey. Community Blood Services, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit community blood service providers, will be offering their services to complete the safe and simple donation process.

Participants must be 18 years or older unless signed consent is received from a guardian.  Donors are asked to eat prior to donating and must bring identification showing a signature.

Also, Dr. Stuart Miller, Medical Director of The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center, will be offering Free screenings for Varicose Veins & Spider Veins, Peripheral Venous Disease, and Thyroid and Carotid Arterial Disease.

Stuart Miller, Medical Director
New Jersey Vein & Vascular

“The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center is pleased to be a part of a community event that will give people a chance to help others in need and aid in supplying 20 different hospitals throughout the area with blood.  Our hope is to combine the advantages of donating blood and giving back with education about the vein and vascular system and the benefits of proper screening”     Dr. Stuart Miller.

The New Jersey Vein & Vascular Center of Randolph, NJ is proud to partner with the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club and Community Blood Services to raise awareness about the need for blood donation in the area by offering participants in the Blood Drive a free vein and vascular consultation by one of NJ’s leading vein and vascular centers.
For more information call The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center at: 862-251-7111 or Email: [email protected].

About The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center:

The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center located at 390 Route 10 West in Randolph, NJ, is a highly rated center that provides a relaxing atmosphere with its knowledgeable staff and convenient outpatient setting for vein procedures.
The Center specializes in the evaluation and treatment of venous disease, symptomatic and cosmetic treatment of varicose veins and vein related procedures.

Dr. Miller, a graduate of Ohio State University with ties to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital and the University Medical Center at Princeton and Dartmouth, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Radiology and has been practicing in New Jersey since 1999. He is a consultant on several US medical device manufacturers’ advisory panels and an inventor of over 15 US patented medical devices.

Annual Blood Drive and Health Fair

Annual Blood Drive and Health Fair

Emergency Blood Shortage – Blood Drive – Saturday, August 4

On Saturday, August 4, 2018, there will be a Community Blood Drive held at the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club’s Ballroom located at 79 N. Bertrand Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Please consider a blood donation now to assist with an emergency blood shortage in northern New Jersey.

Community Blood Services, one of the largest independent blood centers in the region, will be offering their services to complete the safe and simple donation process.  Participants must be 18 years or older unless signed consent is received from a guardian.  Donors are asked to eat prior to donating and must bring identification showing a signature.

Also, Dr. Stuart Miller, Medical Director of The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center, will be in attendance and participating in the Blood Drive.  Dr. Stuart Miller will be offering free screenings at the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club Blood Drive for Varicose Veins & Spider Veins, Peripheral Venous Disease, Thyroid and Carotid Arterial Disease.

He will be offering Free Ultrasound Screenings, including:

  • Ultrasound for Varicose Veins and Spider Veins
  • Ultrasound of Leg Arteries (PAD)
  • Ultrasound of Carotid Artery
  • Ultrasound of Thyroid
  • Ultrasound of Abdominal Aorta

“The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center is pleased be to be a part of a community event that will give people a chance to help others in need and aid in supplying 20 different hospitals throughout the area with blood.  Our hope is to combine the advantages of donating blood and giving back with education about the vein and vascular system and the benefits of proper screening”

~ Dr. Stuart Miller

The New Jersey Vein & Vascular Center of Randolph, NJ is proud to partner with the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club and Community Blood Services to raise awareness about the need for blood donation in the area by offering participants in the Blood Drive a free vein and vascular consultation by one of NJ’s leading vein and vascular centers.

For more information call The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center at: 862-251-7111 or Email: [email protected].

Why Winter Is the Best Time for Varicose Vein Treatment

Why Winter Is the Best Time for Varicose Vein Treatment

Varicose vein treatment is on the rise across the United States. New research indicates that this growth is likely to continue at a rate of 6.9% by the year 2021. If you are one of the millions of people who are planning to seek vein treatment, you might be wondering when you should schedule your treatment.

Below are five reasons why winter is the best time for varicose vein treatment. 

1) Compression Stockings are Easier to Tolerate in the Winter

Compression stockings play an instrumental role in optimizing vein care treatment. However, some people find them a bit hot and confining – especially in warmer weather.

By scheduling your treatment in the winter, these sensations are not as pronounced because the weather is cooler.

Wearing pants over compression stockings will be much more tolerable in cooler weather than in the summer months.

2) Your Legs Will Have Time to Respond to Treatment Before Spring and Summer

People who receive vein treatments sometimes do not notice positive results for weeks or months.

If you want to show off your treated legs during spring or summer, winter is the best time for varicose vein treatment. This will allow plenty of time for healing.

3) Your Treated Legs Will Likely be Hidden from View

In the days following sclerotherapy, your legs may show signs of bruising and discoloration. Additionally, you will likely be asked to wear compression stockings after treatment.

If treatment is completed during the winter months, people will not even notice that you have undergone a procedure to eliminate spider and varicose veins.

4) Patients are Less likely to Engage in Strenuous Activity

Rigorous exercise and weight lifting are both discouraged in the weeks following sclerotherapy or other vein care procedures. This can prove to be difficult for some people who are accustomed to regularly exerting themselves.

Because most people tend to exercise less in the winter months, it is a bit easier to adjust their exercise routines.

If you love the summer sun and swimming, take note that avoiding sun exposure and public swimming pools for a time after vein treatment is recommended.

5) Varicose Veins are Often at Their Worst During the Winter

A more sedentary lifestyle during the winter months can exacerbate varicose veins and highlight the need for treatment.

Lack of exercise can cause more pooling of blood in the legs.

It’s common for people to put a little weight on in the winter which doesn’t help either.

Failure to seek treatment for your varicose and spider veins can cause pain and other symptoms to worsen.

Winter really is the best time for varicose vein treatment. But if you are suffering and don’t want your condition to get worse, you should seek treatment right away regardless of the time of year.

Winter is the perfect time to visit The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center to change the look and feel of your legs. Contact us today to find out how we can help you escape the escalated discomfort of varicose veins during the winter and become more confident in the look of your legs for Spring 2018.
Chemical Peels: Separating Fact from Fiction

Chemical Peels: Separating Fact from Fiction

Chemical peels have gotten a bad rap due to DIY horror stories, but they’re actually a great way to treat a number of skin issues when administered by a qualified physician. They increase skin turnover to improve the appearance of acne, mild scarring, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, sun damage, discoloration, and dark spots. They’re also great for improving the youthful appearance of skin, so they’re not just for people with skin problems.
Properly applied skin peels can change the look and feel of your skin with minimal down time. We want to dispel the most common myths and misconceptions about chemical peels.
  • Myth: All chemical peels are painful.
  • Truth: The level of discomfort depends on the depth of the peel. Most people will only feel a light tingling sensation, which can increase with deeper peels. A physician can help you determine the level of peel you will need to achieve your desired results but, peels should not be painful. During the procedure you may feel a slight tightening of the skin and after the procedure your skin may be slightly sensitive. You shouldn’t do anything that might irritate your skin for a few days, such as use any type of exfoliant. Staying hydrated is essential for your skin.
  • Myth: You must stay home for days after a chemical peel because of flaky skin, redness and sun exposure.
  • Truth: In most cases, you can go about your day directly following a peel. Many people can even apply makeup after our Lunchtime Peel. Modern peels are gentler on the skin, so there’s less irritation and downtime after a treatment, but it may depend on the type and sensitivity of your skin and how deep a peel you get.
  • Myth: You can do chemical peels at home.
  • Truth: Chemical peels should only be performed by a qualified physician. There are many factors that affect the success of a peel, such as skin sensitivity and skin disorders. Performing a peel without professional training can lead to severe complications or even permanent damage to your skin.
We’ve seen many patients who have actually caused damage to their skin and come to us for help. A professionally administered peel will always yield better results.

An experienced physician should properly assess your skin, take time to understand what you are trying to achieve, and provide you with realistic expectations. Only then can they determine the right application for you, and the correct length of time the product should remain on your skin. For some people, getting a series of peels will achieve the best results.

  • Myth:  Skin Peels Are Not Safe
  • Truth: One of the most common questions we get is, “are skin peels safe”?  When performed by a professionally trained physician or esthetician in a controlled setting, and if all pre-procedure and post-procedure instructions are followed, skin peels are safe.
For best results, the procedure should take place in a sanitary medical environment where the appropriate steps can be followed before, during, and after the application.
Chemical peels are a wonderful, non-invasive way to improve the look of your skin. At NJVVC, we’ll work with you to determine the best solution for your skin.
Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and find out which chemical peel is right for you.
Why Sclerotherapy is the Most Common Spider Vein Treatment

Why Sclerotherapy is the Most Common Spider Vein Treatment

Sclerotherapy is the most effective and common spider vein treatment option. It has been called the Gold Standard by a multitude of patients and providers around the country. Are unsightly spider veins keeping you from being your most confident self?

If so, you’re not alone.

It’s estimated that one in five Americans, ages 18-60+, are burdened by the trademark of blue, knotted veins on their calves and inner legs.

Spider veins are smaller versions of varicose veins and are visible on the surface of the skin.

They are known for their thin, tangled, web-like appearance and are mainly seen as a cosmetic nuisance.

As do most vein doctors, Dr. Stuart Miller at New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center (NJVVC) considers sclerotherapy the most effective treatment for small varicose veins and spider veins available today.
Why? Well, let’s take a look at the other options.

Alternative Treatment Options

One popular treatment is Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatment. With IPL, a local anesthetic is administered, and the use of heat energy destroys the abnormal veins. The vein is then absorbed into the body over a short period of time. Another option is surface lasers. They are similar to IPL treatments in that the heat from a laser destroys the diseased vein.
Saline injection, classified as the older alternative, is rarely used anymore due to the risk of skin necrosis.  However, some clinics still offer this treatment.

Doctors inject a hypertonic saline solution into the veins to irritate the lining, causing it to collapse and stick together.

How These Other Procedures Fall Short

IPL and laser treatments are often painful and can result in blistering of the skin. The average cost for these treatments is high and the effects of this procedure are rarely desired. They are not long-lasting, and the patient will need to return every four weeks to see continued results.
Saline solution injection often results in an extreme burning sensation and possible skin alteration at the injection site. The results are minimal and continued treatment is advised. Sclerotherapy has graduated beyond this painful treatment and has exceeded the expectations of many clinics and patients.

Sclerotherapy is the Gold Standard for Spider Vein Treatment

Sclerotherapy is the most effective treatment for spider veins available today.

The treatment takes 15 minutes to an hour to complete and doesn’t require anesthetics.

It’s important to understand that no treatment for spider veins will prevent new veins from forming.

The sclerosant solution is administered by a thin needle that fills the vein, causing it to collapse and disappear before your eyes. A band-aid is then applied to the injection area and recommended compression stockings are applied.

The procedure is minimally invasive and will reduce up to 80% of spider veins within the first treatment.

Additional medical advancement of this treatment includes ultrasound assistance and foam solutions for those deeper, more damaged veins.

Let New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center help you step out in confidence. Contact us today and see for yourself what sclerotherapy can do for you!

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