Around this time of year, we can start to feel the effects of spending less time outdoors and the decrease in daylight hours. Our skin begins to really feel dry from the weather and the indoor heat. Are you feeling the Winter Blahs? You are not alone!

In addition to running a Special Event in my office in an effort to help you chase away those Winter Blahs and get you ready for Valentine’s Day, here’s a bit of advice on how to minimize the blues this winter.

Schlessinger Eye & Face Winter Blues Event

Aside from the pick-me-ups you can get in my office what are some other ways to combat the blues we feel from the long Winter?

• Keep up the exersize! Exersize is a great way to release those endorphins that make us feel good.
• Try to get out in the sun for 15-20 minutes a day. Some sun exposure can be beneficial as it is a great source of Vitamin D!
• Limit your alcohol intake. A glass of wine is fine but remember that too much alcohol disrupts your sleeping patterns and causes dehydration - not good for your skin!
• Drink plenty of water. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - water moisturizes your skin from the inside-out. Try to drink 24 ounces a day.
• Spend time with friends, especially those that make you laugh - a good laugh is the most fun way to do a crunch and work your abs.

After healthy living and good habits, what next? At Schlessinger Eye & Face, we will do our part to help you feel rejuvenated by offering some special Winter pick-me-ups including….

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light Photo Facial treatment) book 2, get second treatment at half price! A $900 value for only $675 through 2/28/2010 only

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) facial rejuvenation can correct or erase the signs aging. The IPL machine treats sun damage, brown spots, freckles, broken blood vessels, enlarged pores, rosacea and uneven skin tone on the face, hands and body. Following treatment, you will see smoother skin, smaller pore size and fading of sun spots. Rosacea, a common vascular problem, will show significant improvement.

Botox, Restylane, Juvederm $100 off of any of these injectables through 2/28/2010 only

Microdermabrasion 20% off. If you book a SERIES OF %, discount increases to 25%

A technique for gently exfoliating the topmost layer of your skin delivering immediate results for tighter, glowing, more beautiful skin. Microdermabrasion treatments for the face, neck and eye area combat the visible signs of aging and sun damage, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and diminish fine lines, as well as sun and age spots. Microdermabrasion is a wonderful alternative to laser or chemical peels because it is non-invasive procedure that requires no downtime. Ideal results are achieved over a series of treatments (customized depending on skin type and condition) approximately two weeks apart. Following treatment you’ll see an immediate vibrant ‘glow’ to your complexion which gives way to an overall rejuvenation of your skin’s total health.

January is almost over and Spring is just around the corner!!!

Schlessinger Eye & Face Winter 2010

Dr. Schlessinger comments on Blepharitis your decision to use Latisse

I spoke in my last post about Latisse - a wonderful product for the right candidate. I also mentioned that there may be some underlying issues related to eyelash thinning and loss to take into consideration before obtaining this prescription medication to increase thickness and lash length.

For those of you who may not know me or who are not familiar with my Practice, I see all sorts of eye conditions, disease, trauma and the like. There’s never a shortage of conditions, but thankfully, there are treatments that I provide every day to my patients here in Woodbury & Hauppauge.

One such condition that would preclude a patient from benefiting from using Latisse is Blepharitis. This is a condition that is characterized by inflamation and redness in the margins of the eyelid. Symptoms can include one or more of the following: redness, itching, scaling and irritation of the eyelid. If you’ve ever had “Pink Eye” (conjunctivitis) you may notice that the symptoms are similar. It can also be mistaken for “dry eye” by patients due to the gritty sensation that may occur.

The clinical definition (as provided by the American Academy of Ophthalmology) is

“…a chronic condition that has periods of exacerbation and remission. Although onset
usually occurs in middle-aged adults, it can begin in childhood. …Severe staphylococcal blepharitis may eventually lead to eyelash loss…”

If you suspect that you have this condition, naturally come see me in the office for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment, as this may be the cause of your thinning lashes.

I mentioned other conditions in the 6/15 post on Latisse, such as thyroid disease, eyelid skin cancers and trichelomania. Stay tuned to my blog for more info on these conditions and what to look for.

Dr. Dave

In a society where Hollywood’s perfection standards reign supreme, two women set themselves apart as markedly distinct.

As a Saturday Night Live regular and famed actress on NBC’s 30 Rock, Tina Fey understands the pressure of perfection. Her prominent scar forced her to find her “good side” in photo shoots and tapings. “It’s really almost like I’m kind of able to forget about it, until I was on-camera, and it became a thing of ‘Oh, I guess we should use this side’ or whatever. Everybody’s got a better side.”

Fey’s scar, the result of a violent cutting attack by a stranger when she was five, is the cause of major intrigue to viewers and those closest to the actress. “That scar was fascinating to me,” recalls Richmond, Fey’s husband. “This is somebody who, no matter what it was, has gone through something”.

Padma Lakshmi certainly went through something but now handles the heat of the kitchen in her role as judge for Bravo’s Top Chef. The only thing more talked about than her scantily clad, ex-model frame, is the prominent scar on her right arm.

“The accident happened on a Sunday afternoon filled with sunshine. Flying in a car felt like an exhilarating hallucination, an unbelievable ride that oddly remains one of the most beautiful images in my memory. When I first got the scar, I was self-conscious about it. I perfected a casual pose that hid it under my left hand and thumb when my arms were crossed. But I also knew my scar was a symbol of my survival.”

Despite the scar, Padma went on to have a successful modeling career, working with famed photographers like Helmut Newton and Annie Leibovitz. During her modeling days Padma underwent chemical dermabrasion and cortisone injections to reduce the scar’s appearance.

Their painful memories remain with a constant and visible reminder. Thankfully modern technology has developed several ways to treat the appearance of scars. From surgically removing the scar to minimizing its appearance through the use of dermabrasion, lasers and fillers, there are a number of way to improve skin damage caused by injuries, acne or burns. If you need help in finding a solution that’s right for you, look for a doctor with experience in all of these areas.

At my Woodbury, NY practice I use a wide array of services that effectively reduce the appearance of scars. From accidents to acne- there ARE ways to alleviate discomfort and provide a renewed sense of self-esteem.