Turning back the effects of aging

The desire for consumers wanting to turn back the clock with anti-aging products or treatments is not slowing down.

Anything promoting anti-aging benefits has become a booming industry in itself - especially for the baby-boomer generation.

As plastic surgery and other surgical options have their benefits, there are many who do not want invasive surgical procedures and are turning to treatments that are not.

Here in Hernando County, the Black Swan Spa Vein Institute & Aesthetic Center in Spring Hill offers the latest in laser and other anti-aging procedures with two highly trained advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNP), who are both board certified.

Carolyn Agnew, MSN, ARNP-C, a nurse practitioner with Black Swan Spa, said the most common skin problems are related to sun damage, due to the fact that we are in Florida. Everyone has some sun damage, but the severity differs due to how often the skin is exposed.

"Our most common complaints we get from our patients in their initial visit, is that they 'feel' like they look tired, or people keep asking if they are angry, due to frown lines," Agnew said. "We offer an opportunity to look more refreshed. As we do not get people who come in asking to look like a celebrity, most of our patients just want to look refreshed and younger."

Tami Juliano, the office manager and make-up artist expressed excitement for what they offer in state-of-the-art technology, procedures/techniques and products are the same as those in the Tampa and Orlando areas.

"Comparably, our services are on average 15 to 20 percent lower than if you go one county over," Juliano said, "and after almost seven years in Hernando, it is still a surprise when we hear from people in the community who are unaware that the elite spa services offered in the big cities are available right here in Spring Hill."

Services available include: Microdermabrasions (facials), Botox, dermal fillers, laser services (hair and facial), skin care treatments and care products, vein treatments, diet programs, with a free mineral make-up session after treatments/procedures.

Initial consultations are complimentary and include a three-dimensional facial scan, done before and then again after any procedures, showing skin improvement.

The device provides images of the face that are not visible to the naked eye. It analyzes fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage, comparing the skin's aging to data gathered from others in the client's age group. It also provides an image of what a person would look like after a procedure.

"Educating our patients is a main focus here," said Agnew, "We want our patients to understand the services we can provide to help correct and improve their areas of concern."

John Batista, M.D., a primary care physician in Spring Hill and medical director of the spa, said he has seen an increase in requests for laser treatments over the past few years, most likely due to the love of tanning and tanning beds in our youth.

"It is so important for everyone to use a good sunscreen," Agnew added. "There is no substitute for healthy skin."

"Over the last couple of years, there has been in increase in men seeking anti-aging treatments as well," Batista said.

Agnew said, "More men over the age of 40 are getting these services to look younger, which builds their confidence. Often men feel by doing so, they can obtain or keep their competitive edge in the workplace."

Jamie Johnson, a practitioner with Black Swan Spa advised there are many procedures offered in anti-aging that can be done quite conservatively with laser treatments.

"Laser treatments help with acne scarring, it helps tighten the skin, and helps with rosacea, and sun damage," Johnson said. "We offer the latest in technology for laser treatments with the Cynosure® and Cutera® lasers."

These two lasers offer not only hair removal, but also treat fine lines, wrinkles, veins and age/sun spots, Johnson added.

"Most popular with young adults is the demand for hair removal procedures," Johnson added. "For older adults we more commonly do Botox and filler treatments, and are not as expensive as most think."

"While safety and affordability are our top priorities," Juliano said, "we also strive to achieve the utmost in customer service. Privacy, respect and personalized attention are what you can expect from our staff.

"We want you to leave looking good and feeling good," Juliano added.

A few times a year, the Black Swan Spa hosts open house events for the community.

Their next event will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5, for Mother's Day. Vendors will be present to provide information and education on the latest anti-aging treatments and products. There will be specials and raffles throughout the day.

For additional information, visit www.BlackSwanSpa.com or call 352-666-1300. The Black Swan Spa Vein Institute & Aesthetic Center is located at 495 Mariner Blvd., in Spring Hill.

Consumer awareness

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautions consumers that cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority, with the exception of color additives.

There are many low-cost options to looking younger; the No. 1 choice a person can make for younger looking skin is to quit smoking.

According to reports, smoking increases skin aging more than the sun does. The effects on the skin are much worse for women, as it inhibits the body to regenerate skin cells as essential vitamins are not stored or absorbed. Smoking causes higher risks to women's health too, as it increases the risk to heart attacks and strokes.

Other things you can do to keep yourself looking younger is to change you eating habits to by consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables, plus while grains. Vitamin C and E helps to restore the collagen in the skin to keep it healthy. Foods rich with omega 3, an antioxidant helps to maintain the fluidity and moisture within the skin cells.

Protecting yourself from the sun with a sun-block or moisturizer to protect the skin from UV damage is important to use year round. A desire for sun-tanned skin over the years, the use of tanning beds with teens and young adults has increased, and so has the risk to skin cancer and increased aging of the skin.

Along with proper moisture and skin protection, comes exfoliation. It is recommended to exfoliate about twice a week, for anti-aging skin moisturizers to work effectively.

There are no federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term 'hypoallergenic', states the FDA. Hypoallergenic as a term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean. Cosmetic manufacturers label products as hypoallergenic, are not required to substantiate their hypoallergenicity claims.

Buyer beware, according to the FDA, the term 'hypoallergenic' can increase the market value when promoting cosmetic products in a retail setting, dermatologists advise the term has very little meaning in the retail market of cosmetic sales.

There are many at home products or treatments sold in stores today that promise results. However, regular exercise, proper sleep and increased water consumption are simple steps to improve the skin's appearance, to look younger.

Anna Lamy is the Health and Fitness Content Coordinator for Hernando Today. She can be contacted at alamy@hernandotoday.com.