Me and My Collagen

Collagen is a protein and is found in all body parts, including the largest organ of the body - the skin – and is made up of three strands of repeating amino acids coils coiling into the unique collagen triple helix. Various types of collagen are found in the body and are required to build new cellular structures – like skin – and to repair any damage caused. Types I, III and V are specific collagen types involved in the health of your skin.

Together with soft keratin, the collagen and elastin fibers are responsible for the strength and elasticity of the skin – and degradation of the collagen leads to aging and accompanying wrinkles.
With the onslaught of normal aging, the collagen in our skin is under attack from various factors that hasten the degradation of collagen. Sun tanning and sun exposure are two of the main culprits of collagen deterioration in our skin and inflammation also destroys collagen. Large amounts of free radicals – which are formed during normal body functions (oxidation), can also destroy collagen – and here a person can specifically look at pollution and toxins in your environment, toxic heavy metals, fat filled diet, high sugar intake as well as cigarette smoking and consuming alcohol.

A Finnish study found type I and III collagen synthesis is decreased and the regulation of the Extra Cellular Matrix turnover is altered in smokers, which may lead to deterioration of the tensile strength and resiliency of skin in the long term. So stop smoking unless you want to age rapidly and call us to help you get they heavy metals out of your body that are high due to the Cadmium in the cigarette paper. We can help you anti-age internally and externally.
While we’re on the point of cigarette smoking, it is important to note that the body requires vitamin C in order to make collagen. Without collagen, many things in your body will deteriorate at a hastened pace. Smoking kills off the ascorbic acid molecule. This molecule deficiency is one of the reasons smoker’s skin ages rapidly.

Excellent examples of vitamin C shortage and its effect on collagen are the old English sailors who suffered from scurvy, a shortage of vitamin C, on long voyages. Their bouts with scurvy resulted first in loose teeth and ultimately in death – since collagen could not be formed to keep the body together.

Although it may sound flippant to talk about physical appearance in the face of death, it would have been interesting to note the skin condition of these sailors – as a shortage of vitamin C would have shown very quickly in the tone and health of their skin.

Visit our website for more information, and then contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134 for a FREE phone consultation and to setup an appointment.

Revolutionary New Treatment For Acne Scars, Upper Lip Lines & Stretch Marks

The medical roll CIT (collagen induction therapy) is a procedure developed to promote collagen deposition in the dermis, just below the surface of the skin. It is an effective procedure for acne scarring, stretch marks and upper lip wrinkles.

The procedure can be done under local anesthesia or with IV sedation. The procedure involves rolling a small device over the skin. This causes tissue regeneration and collagen deposition under the skin. The growth of new collagen fills in the depressions caused by acne scarring or by the resorption of collagen, as seen in the wrinkles formed in the upper lip. Because the collagen is formed by your own body, the results are permanent.

Conventional treatments for acne scarring and upper lip wrinkles are centered around resurfacing techniques, such as dermabrasion, CO 2 laser resurfacing, or deep peels. All of these modalities work by removing a layer of skin. Apart from being painful, they do pose risks, such as scarring and changes in pigmentation. The medical roll CIT works underneath the skin to promote collagen deposition, not by removing skin. In fact, the surface skin stays intact. There are no raw surfaces. The advantages are many. First, the risk for scarring is extremely low, because the procedure does not remove any skin. Second, there is no risk of pigment changes (changes in the color of the skin). And third, healing is painless and the recovery is relatively fast.

Visit our website for more information on Acne Scar Treatments, and then contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134 for a FREE phone consultation and to setup an appointment.

Mom, Would You Erase the Signs of Pregnancy?

More and more women are turning to post-childbirth cosmetic surgery. Nothing compares to the joy of motherhood, but the havoc you go through to get your body back into shape can bring tears to your eyes. That's why more moms are turning to combined surgical procedures, also called a Mommy Makeover, to recover their pre-pregnancy bodies.

Mommy Makeover, aka “The Mom Job”

These patients are young moms who are doing their best to take care of themselves, but their bodies have gone through some irreversible changes that they find discouraging.

What does childbirth do to your body?

Often, abdominal skin that becomes stretched during pregnancy doesn’t snap back after the baby is born. In addition, the rectus abdominis muscles, which run vertically, can separate and become lax, adding to the abdominal protrusion. The breasts often sag after delivery and/or breastfeeding because the skin covering them gets overstretched when breasts become engorged during pregnancy and nursing but remains lax after they return to their pre-pregnancy size. The result is less support for the breasts. Some women also lose breast volume as a result of pregnancy. (Nursing does not result in smaller breasts.)

Many mothers today are not “just” mothers — they have professional lives outside their personal life as mommy. And, they don’t want to look like the stereotypical mom. They want to feel better about their bodies, and that desire shouldn’t be dismissed or criticized, says sociologist Victoria Pitts-Taylor, Ph.D., author of "Surgery Junkies: Wellness and Pathology in Cosmetic Culture" (Rutgers University Press).

Visit our website for more information, and then contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134 for a FREE phone consultation and to setup an appointment.

Want To Have Beautiful Skin Again?

Who needs nice skin? The multi-billion dollar cosmeceuticals industry testifies that much of what we call ‘beauty’ depends on that thin parchment that wraps us from head to toe. It not only transmits both the shape of our body and its sensation, but is also the principle medium of sexual attraction. It's our skin - the most visible yardstick for observing the effects of aging.

As far as your skin is concerned, the sun is not your friend. Excessive sun exposure is very damaging to all layers of the skin. Also, the effects of sun exposure are cumulative over a lifetime – just like radiation exposure. Fun in the sun at age 20 means paying the bill with the appearance of your skin at age 40. You start to see wrinkles, large pores, brown spots, thinning and uneven skin tones. This result is that you look older than you are. It’s important to realize that the effects of photo-aging are the most preventable cause of aging skin. These effects can also be reversed with a physician supervised skin rejuvenation program.

Chemical peels are the workhorse of a solid skin rejuvenation plan. When done in conjunction with a home skin care program, the changes can be remarkable. They work by causing several layers of the skin to dry up and peel away over several days, exposing a new layer of undamaged skin. Peels come in three basic flavors: superficial, medium and deep. They vary in the depth of the effect and the resultant downtime involved. TIFM Aesthetics has developed one of the most effective superficial peels available on the market called the "ApothéPeel". This peel can be used on all skin types, is painless and results in almost no downtime.

Specifically, the ApothéPeel can:

• Improve the tone, texture and clarity of your skin
• Reduce or eliminate age spots, freckles, and hyper-pigmentation (melasma)
• Soften lines and wrinkles
• Banish acne skin conditions and reduce or eliminate acne scars
• Stimulate the production of collagen for firmer, more youthful skin
• Can be used on arms, hands and neck

In only 10 minutes, you can have beautiful skin! This procedure can restore sun-damaged, wrinkled, blemished, acne-scarred or blotchy skin to its original youthful appearance. The results are a smoother, more even-toned and textured skin. The skin will look younger, tighter and fresher than before. Our free consultation will guide you in selecting the most comprehensive and individualized skin care plan to return your skin to optimum health.

Visit our website for more information, and then contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134 for a FREE phone consultation and to setup an appointment.

Got 30 Minutes? Lose a Few Years with a Lunchtime Peel

When someone asks "what did you do for lunch today", you could soon reply by saying "I had a Lunctime Peel and lost a few years off my face!".

If small wrinkles, skin breakouts and age spots are preventing you from looking your best, you don’t have to settle for layers of expensive skincare products to improve your complexion.

Today’s innovative skin rejuvenation treatments can help improve your skin from the inside out, and treatments such as the ‘lunchtime peel’ are a quick and easy way to enjoy a mini-facelift – without painful surgery or incisions.

A short series of superficial chemical peels lays the foundation for an effective lunchtime peel. If you’ve got 30 minutes to spare over your lunch break, give your looks a boost with these anti-aging skincare treatments:

How the Lunchtime Peel Works

The latest and most effective advancement in superficial chemical peels is the ApothéPeel. The ApothéPeel is easy to apply and painless too! This peel can help treat several types of skin conditions including:

• Sun-Damaged Skin – Any age spots, skin pigmentation and skin discoloration can be dramatically reduced after a deep exfoliation treatment.
• Acne Scars and Superficial Scars – The ApothéPeel can help buff away the top layer of skin so that you’re left with a clearer, smoother complexion.
• Aging Skin – Wrinkles, fine lines and even slightly sagging skin can be treated with chemical peels that help tighten and tone the skin from the inside out. If you have enlarged pores that are often the source of breakouts, chemical peels can be particularly effective in shrinking the pores and reducing your risk of breakouts.

Key Benefits of the Lunchtime Peel

In addition to being a quick, safe and effective treatment, the lunchtime peel has several other benefits:

• No Discomfort – You won’t need anesthesia or any type of medication to recover from this facial rejuvenation treatment. The lunchtime peel is simply a deep exfoliation treatment that will cleanse the pores, reduce oily patches on the skin and leave the skin clean and fresh.
• Low Risk of Side Effects – Almost all skin types respond well to chemical peel treatments, and the procedures present very few side effects. This reduced risk makes it easy to manage skin after the treatment and enjoy the benefits right away.
• Low-Priced Treatment – When you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on skincare treatments, a chemical peel can help you balance the budget. These skin rejuvenation treatments are inexpensive, and you will see results immediately. Problem skin may require a series of 3-5 treatments to see dramatic results, but even then, the total cost is considerably lower than other facial rejuvenation procedures.
• Quick Procedure - Most people who book a lunchtime peel can be in and out of the doctor’s office in under 45 minutes, and the treatment itself only takes between 20-30 minutes. If you want to improve the look of your skin and ward off the signs of aging, a lunchtime peel may be a quick and effective way to begin your anti-aging skincare plan.

Visit our website for more information on Lunchtime Peels, and then contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134 for a FREE phone consultation and to setup an appointment.

More Men Embracing Cosmetic Surgery

Modern society's increased emphasis on looking young and fit is causing men to take a higher interest in their appearance. Men are spending more time shopping, working out, and even having cosmetic treatments to present their ideal image - both professionally and personally. While men in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles may have started the male plastic surgery trend, the number of Texas men opting for cosmetic surgery has steadily increased in recent years.

During the last decade, men have found it much more socially acceptable to undergo cosmetic surgery. Today, men are expected to look young, healthy, and stylish. To do so, they're turning to a wide variety of products and services, like cosmetic surgery, to help them look their best.

In 2007, the top 3 cosmetic surgery procedures for male patients across the nation were rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), eyelid surgery, and liposuction. According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, rhinoplasty was the cosmetic surgery procedure most frequently performed on men in 2007, with male patients making up 26% of all rhinoplasty procedures. Nose surgery can be an effective option for men who want a more aesthetically pleasing nose or who need to correct breathing problems.

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is another popular option for men in Texas. This plastic surgery procedure corrects droopy skin above the eyes and "bags" under the eyes that can make men appear tired and old. During eyelid surgery, excess fat deposits and loose skin are removed from the upper and/or lower eyelids. Scarring is minimal and the procedure can offer the added benefit of increasing visibility for patients whose vision is impaired by sagging skin.

It makes sense that men are becoming more and more interested in cosmetic surgery. Facial cosmetic surgery, in particular, can help men look their best for their careers and in their personal lives. But, we also see many men who choose cosmetic surgery to enhance their body’s shape. Liposuction is the most popular body contouring procedure for men. Some men incorrectly believe that this surgery’s main function is to achieve weight loss. In fact, the procedure is used only for body shaping. For instance, liposuction is an ideal treatment for love handles and small rolls of fat on the belly that don't respond to diet and exercise.

More and more men are realizing that they feel better when they look their best. Cosmetic surgery is more acceptable for men now – and it is even more affordable than ever!! TIFM Aesthetics is excited to play a role in this emerging trend.

Visit our website for more information on Eyelid Surgery, Liposuction and more. Then contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134 for a FREE phone consultation and to setup an appointment.

Matrix Metaloproteinases and Why You Need to Know What They Are in the Antiaging World

Wow! What a great Scrabble word!! Let me explain, in simple science, the underlying reasons why you age faster than you want:

The human body has a large group of very complex substances that constantly remodel you and repair your body tissue. These substances work on your extra cellular matrix, the area containing non-cellular materials that provide structural support (the scaffolding), supply ingredients for cell adhesion (the glue) and migration and regulate cellular differentiation (what each new cell becomes), as well as its metabolic function (the rate of growth). The number of these elements is often larger than the total number of actual cells in your body.

Shew... And, we all thought there was only “jelly” beneath our skin. What a workhorse it really is!

But, you may ask: Where does this group of substances get its orders? It comes from Matrix Metaloproteinases (or MMP's)!! The complexes lie dormant in your body until receiving a signal to activate them. This is where the MMP's enter the equation. MMP's stimulate this complex group of substances to determine what your skin and body look like! MMP stimulants are both natural and synthetic in origin. MMP-1, for example, directly affects your skin. It is also known as Collagenase (the "-ase" part indicates an enzyme that breaks down the first part of the word "Collagen"). So, in this case, the MMP breaks down collagen. This dissolution is a good thing because it is constantly breaking down old collagen which gets stiff and inflexible, allowing for new collagen to replace it in new blood vessel construction, tissue growth and wound repair.
It's the Circle of Life - Break Down - Build Up - Break Down - Build Up! This remodeling process is natural and takes place every day. When a cell is old, it is removed. When an injury afflicts an area, cells are changed for emergency support and repair functions. The extracellular matrix is like a network of phone lines that communicate around your body and talk to your cells all the time.

The name METAL proteinase is critical as the metal is ZINC. Cadmium replaces the ZINC and deactivates the remodeling crew. Thus, support for the skin decreases. The result is “smoker’s skin” plus rapidly aging skin that is wrinkled, thin, droopy and shallow. Mercurials, oxidized glutathione and other heavy metals also excessively activate the MMP-1 (or Collagenase) enzyme, resulting in decreased collagen. Collagen breaks down faster than normal, so your skin looks older than it should.

Growth factors are critical in signaling cells to become active and do what cells should do - such as proliferation, differentiation, and synthesis and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. These factors work both inside and outside of the extracellular matrix. Recent data indicates that they have very critical roles in skin aging. In answer to these discoveries, cosmeceuticals are now being found in high-end department stores.

So, how can we insure that the tissue beneath our skin is as healthy as it can be and, in turn, make us look as young as possible? Matrixins (the MMP’s that work on the extracellular matrix can be inhibited with EDTA, Cysteine, thiols, etc. Success in this undertaking means eliminating our bodies of toxic heavy that inhibit proper functioning of extracellular matrix remodeling and, thus, more rapid aging. Chelation substances contain all of the important factors such as DMPS (which removes mercurial compounds from the body), reduced glutathione and Vitamin C, all of which work together to decrease the activity of both MMP-1 (or Collagenase) and several other MMP's. These MMP's are all involved in breaking down many types of collagens, which leads to increased rates of aging.

Bottom line action items to keep from aging rapidly:

• Rid your body of heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead and STOP smoking
• Remove silver fillings from your teeth and do IV chelation (you'll spend much less on this process than on skin treatment products which report sales in the billions of dollars annually!)
• Add as many nutrients as possible to your diet that contain anti-oxidants
• Get off all sugars! (everyone loves sugar, but your skin does not!)
• Balance your hormones (this is the true anti-aging movement of the future!)

We offer the entire range of services, not just the really great fixes of filler, fat transfers and Growth Factor cosmetics.

Visit our website for more information on Heavy Metal Detox, Amalgam Fillings, Food Allergies, and more. Then contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134 for a FREE phone consultation and to setup an appointment.

The Liquid Facelift – How to Look Younger Without Surgery

Sagging facial features, fine lines and wrinkles, and a dull complexion can add years to your appearance, but facial rejuvenation and contouring procedures may help turn back the clock.

Cosmetic surgeons offer several anti-aging solutions that can help you maintain your youthful looks, but many people prefer to avoid surgery, opting instead for alternative wrinkle treatments such as BOTOX^® and other dermal fillers to enhance their appearance.

The Liquid Face Lift is a facial contouring procedure that can provide visible results without a single incision; the treatment is a combination of dermal fillers and collagen builders that contour and sculpt the face in their own way, offering several benefits for aging skin. The treatment may even help produce results similar to a facelift or other facial rejuvenation procedures.

The Liquid Face Lift involves a series of carefully administered dermal fillers around the face. From BOTOX^® to tighten up grooves on the forehead to Radiesse and Juvederm to fill out hollowed cheeks and deep lines.

Key Benefits of the Liquid Face Lift

The Liquid Face Lift may be a valuable alternative to surgery, especially for skin that has only begun showing a few signs of aging. It can help to:

• Plump up wrinkles around the lines and mouth
• Reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eyes and forehead
• Tighten up loose skin, especially around the jaw and cheek areas
• Improve the texture and tone of the skin for a more youthful look
• Revive dull-looking skin
• Increase natural collagen production, in addition to adding collagen to weaker parts of the face
• Providing a temporary ‘lift’ to the face as the skin becomes plumper and firmer
• Make the face look more rested and energetic

Results of the Liquid Face Lift will vary by individual and the type of dermal fillers used. Still, most people can benefit from just one round of treatments!!

Visit our website for more information, and then contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134 for a FREE phone consultation and to setup an appointment.

Why Do Eyelids Sag With Age? Mystery Is Solved!

ScienceDaily (Aug. 27, 2008) — Many theories have sought to explain what causes the baggy lower eyelids that come with aging, but UCLA researchers have now found that fat expansion in the eye socket is the primary culprit. As a result, researchers say, fat excision should be a component of treatment for patients seeking to address this common complaint.

"A common treatment performed in the past and present is surgical excision of fat to treat a 'herniation of fat' — meaning that the amount of fat in the eye socket does not change but the cover that holds the fat in place, the orbital septum, is weakened or broken and fat slips out," said lead author Dr. Sean Darcy, a research associate in the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a plastic surgery resident at the University of California, Irvine. "This orbital septum weakening or herniation-of-fat theory is what most plastic surgeons have been taught.
"However, our study showed there is actually an increase in fat with age, and it is more likely that the fat increase causes the baggy eyelids rather than a weakened ligament," Darcy said. "There have been no studies to show that the orbital septum weakens."

According to a recent report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 241,000 Americans underwent eyelid surgery in 2007, making it one of the top four surgical cosmetic procedures performed.

Currently, many plastic surgeons performing procedures to treat baggy eyelids do not remove any fat at all. They reposition the fat or conduct more invasive tightening of the muscle that surrounds the eye, or they tighten the actual ligament that holds the eyeball in place. These procedures are performed despite there being no data indicating that these structures change with age."Our findings may change the way some plastic surgeons treat baggy eyes," said study co-author Dr. Timothy Miller, professor and chief of plastic surgery at the Geffen School. "Our study showed that a component of a patient's blepharoplasty procedure should almost routinely involve fat excision rather than these procedures."

Visit our website for more information on Eyelid Surgery, and then contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134 for a FREE phone consultation and to setup an appointment.

CVD: Bypass the Surgeon, Not Your Heart!

You have the power to prevent the number-one killer of men and women. At TIFM, we can help you reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack - the two most pervasive outcomes of unchecked cardiovascular disease (CVD) - through highly advanced healing and regenerating treatments that focus on the root causes of CVD.

To uncover the root causes and determine your risk for CVD, TIFM uses thermal imaging, heavy-metal toxicity analysis, hormone assessment, and a host of other evaluation tools designed to expose your risk factors before they cause irreparable damage. TIFM also offers a test that measures highly sensitive C-Reactive protein levels in the blood. C-reactive protein is an indicator of inflammation, and is linked to CVD.

Our CVD protocols are without comparison and can be highly successful. Intravenous (IV) therapies like our famous Phosphatidylcholine IV, Calcium EDTA and other revolutionary treatments and processes, stand out in the field of advanced medicine as effective, life-altering treatments.

Visit our website for more information on CVD, and then contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134 for a FREE phone consultation and to setup an appointment.

Politicians and Business Leaders Strong Candidates for Cosmetic Surgery

While women make up the largest population of cosmetic surgery patients year after year, an increasing number of men are showing interest in Botox, facial rejuvenation and other cosmetic enhancements.

The Harley Medical Group reports that politicians and business leaders are particularly strong candidates for treatment, and the number of men going under the knife has increased significantly in the last six months.

According to UKPRwire.com, there has been a 33% increase in eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty), a 17% increase in male facelifts and a 43% increase in Botox.

Dr Fratti, cosmetic surgeon at The Harley Medical Group, commented, “High stress careers take their toll on the face and can speed the aging process” (Source: UKPRwire.com)

Politicians and business leaders who need a fresh, clean-cut image as part of their career can erase many of the common signs of aging with these key procedures.

Staying competitive in today’s business environment also means maintaining a youthful look, and many men reportedly turn to cosmetic surgery as a career move. According to US News and World Report, “there’s increasing research that says looks matter in jobs beyond the silver screen—that beautiful people make more money and have more opportunities for advancement.”

Is Your Nose Causing All Your Problems?

The Mayo Clinic often prescribes "anti-fungal" medications to sinus patients because they've found that those who suffer from sinusitis have a fungal overgrowth in their sinus cavities. While these medications may provide some relief, they do come with side effects, and they do not address the underlying problem — they simply treat the symptoms.

Note: Fungus can get into your sinus cavities from mold in your home, office, car, and other places.

Since 1996, we (at TIFM) have prescribed a very unique product that some of you have already used with great success. There is fungus everywhere, and sadly it affects our daily lives.

It is hot and it rains — symptoms rise from bad backs, hot flashes, increased carb cravings, and more — as the mold count goes up. I suggest checking the daily pollen count and avoid the outdoor air as much as possible to the same degree you would avoid getting wet when it rains. It is in your car air filter, your duct work at home, food and YOUR NOSE!!!

There are also foods that feed this fungus in your nose and in your GI tract. Wine, beer, coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, sugars (pasta, wheat, potatoes, corn) and cheese. All of these foods "feed" the yeast/fungus. I Do NOT recommend using commercial sugar substitutes that contain dangerous chemicals! For more info on this, search Dr. Russell Blaylock on YouTube. I also do not recommend substituting dairy products with soy.

If you suffer from stuffy nose, chronic rhinitis, can't sleep on your back at night (because of clogged up sinuses), or often go to your family physician with sinus infections (only to be prescribed antibiotics, which actually makes the problem worse), then you should strongly consider being treated for yeast in the sinuses!! Our custom compounded product that was designed for this by Apothecure is called FLUQNAC Nasal Spray.

For more information, please call Beverly Osborn, Patient Coordinator, 972-239-7317 ext. 134.