Dr. Christine Rodgers Blog

Response to interview of the US Surgeon General

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:34:00 GMT

In response to the NYT interview of Regina Benjamin, US Surgeon General (1/7/11) :

Congrats to the Surgeon General for touting fun and exercise in the same sentence! I have always told my patients that if they aren't anxious to get to get to their exercise routine, they will not be able to keep up with it. Exercise should be something that makes one feel better spiritually and physically. In fact, I think sometimes that the endorphin release that we get with exercise is more important than the actual physical part itself.

The benefits of exercise on weight loss and reduction in severity and frequency of physical illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease are well known. Did you know that exercise can also reduce the incidence of breast, colon and prostate cancer? Even more astounding, complicated exercises , such as dance, can reduce the incidence of mental illnesses such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons as well. Anybody can dance. If you are not the ballerina type, do not despair! Perhaps you have always wanted to be Ginger Rogers and glide along in ballroom. Or maybe you see yourself as an exotic, sexy tango dancer, which is a great brain trainer as well. There are teachers for all kinds of dance, or you can just turn on the music on your computer, TV or iPod - just immerse yourself in the music and enjoy the movement of your own body. Dancing in front of others just requires that you don't take yourself too seriously, which is a very healthy attitude to have. Think about it. What have you got to lose? Just pounds, tension and stress! What have you got to gain? Laughter, friends, the joy of music and your own body. So get out there, girlfriend and bust a move!
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The healing properties of music and dance

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 17:40:00 GMT

Q: Hi, Dr. Rodgers. Dance and music have been a huge inspiration to you when developing your skin care line. Do you really believe that these things have healing properties and if so, how?

A: I have no doubt that dance and music have healing properties, and I am not the only one who thinks this way .
There is a lot of research going on now regarding the healing properties of music and reduction of cardiovascular disease . With regard to dance, there have been some interesting cases of neurological recovery following trauma or cerebral palsy with dance moves as well as reduction of depression and other mental health disorders.

If one looks at the purely physical aspects of dance itself, without any of the spirit lifting or emotional overtones, studies show the exercise , if done on a regular basis (moderately 3 hour/week) can decrease the incidence of breast cancer by about 25% and decrease the chances of recurrence by 40-50%.

For me, the joy of movement with music undoubtedly helped with my physical and mental recovery from cancer. I also tell my patients who come in for liposuction and toning that there is nothing better in the world for a youthful body than dance itself.

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Empower your skin

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 17:35:00 GMT

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Dr. Rodgers talks about empowering your skin - no matter what your age.

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How can I treat the mask of pregnancy?

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:44:00 GMT

Q: During both my pregnancies, my face developed hyper-pigmentation, or the mask of pregnancy. I have dark spots on my forehead, upper lip and cheeks that turn really dark if I’m in the sun. Will they ever go
away? Are there treatments that can help?

A: Melasma (also known as chloasma or the “mask of pregnancy”) is a skin condition characterized by dark brown, well-demarcated and roughly symmetrical patches on the face and occasionally on the backs of the forearms. It is nine times more common in women than in men, and it is more prevalent in darker-skinned individuals.

Although the cause of melasma is unknown, all cases occur on sun-exposed skin. And while it is usually associated with pregnancy, 10% of melasma cases occur in nonpregnant women or in men. Melasma is also associated with the use of certain medications (e.g., oral contraceptives or Dilantin).

Treatment of Melasma (Mask of Pregnancy)
a.. Melasma that is secondary to pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptives tends to fade several months after delivery or discontinuation of contraceptives. Patience and watchful waiting may bring a satisfactory result in these cases.
b.. Cosmetics can be used to blend and camouflage affected areas.
c.. For epidermal and some mixed-type melasma, topical treatment with hydroquinone, glycolic acid peels, azelaic acid, and retinoids are somewhat effective. Hydroquinone in combination with retinoids, glycolic acid, or topical steroids is probably more effective than any single agent.
d.. One study involving triple-combination treatment of epidermal melasma with Tri-Luma cream (fluocinonide, hydroquinone, and tretinoin) showed significantly greater improvement than treatment with any two of these ingredients in combination. The study was sponsored by the company which makes Tri-Luma cream.
e.. Laser therapy or intense pulsed light therapy combined with hydroquinone and sunscreen may be effective in dermal or refractory mixed-type melasma. Laser therapy is not recommended for epidermal melasma. You should see a dermatologist to determine which type of melasma you have.
f.. Treatment for melasma typically must be continued indefinitely for optimal results.

Prevention of Melasma (Mask of Pregnancy)
The most effective means of preventing melasma is to decrease exposure of susceptible skin to ultraviolet light (i.e., sunlight). Opaque sunblocks (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) are most effective, as they block the most sunlight.

Have a question for our Aesthetician? Post it in the comments!
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Dr. Rodgers talks about cosmetic surgery

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:28:00 GMT

Almost all of us have something that we don’t like in our appearance. Sometimes these things can be easily changed with cosmetic surgery. Both men and women get such a great boost in self esteem and confidence after plastic surgical procedures.

If cosmetic surgery is done carefully, and for the right reasons, it can bring a lot of happiness to people. I, myself, have had plastic surgery and the correction of some problems, although minor in the eyes of some , really made me feel better about myself, more feminine and restored a feeling of youth once again.

Having the right expectations about plastic surgery is really important and an honest, caring surgeon will help you understand what you can reasonably expect. Those who are already confident about themselves, but who need a little boost will get the most benefit, I think, because they realize that plastic surgery cannot radically change your self image, but can make it better and stronger.

Honestly, I can’t think of one reason why someone shouldn’t look younger and more attractive if they can accomplish this without harm to themselves.

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What's in the Bio- Energy Complex?

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:33:00 GMT

Dr. Rodgers talks about what's in the proprietary Bio-Energy Complex in her skin care products.
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Dr. Rodgers recommends the top 3 products for every woman - regardless of skin type

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:32:00 GMT

Q: Hi, Dr. Rodgers. Your line, En Pointe Skin Solutions, offers many different products for different skin needs. What are the top three products in your line that you would recommend to everybody, regardless of skin type?

A: The top 3 products that I would recommend for anyone would be the Bravo Daytime Hydration Moisturizer with SPF 30, the Éclairci C Serum for daytime use and the Encore Renewal Serum.

There is no doubt that sun exposure hastens the aging process and acts as a causative factor in skin cancers, so the Bravo Daytime Hydration moisturizer will help mitigate the effects of the sun on almost everyone’s skin. In addition, it is loaded with the latest botanicals and anti-agers that will give the skin a healthy luminosity and more youthful appearing tone.

The vitamin C in our Éclairci C Serum is water and fat absorbable and has a delayed absorption rate, which allows it to work on the skin with a deeper penetration for a longer period of time. It has protective effects against the sun, lessens free radical damage to cells while providing an anti-aging benefit and makes the skin feel softer and healthier.

The Encore Renewal Serum gently lightens the skin over a period of time , thus decreasing the aging effects of hyperpigmentation, and has many ingredients that combat aging in multiple ways, such as decreasing free radical damage, energizing the mitochondria of cells, strengthening collagen and elastin production without overstimulating cell production.

The Bio-Energy Complex, which is present in all 3 of these products, contains botanicals that have been used worldwide , as well as scientifically derived ingredients to safely protect and energize the skin.

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Tags: serum,Vitamin C,SPF,moisturizer,bio-energy complex

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Dr. Rodgers talks about cosmetic surgery

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:31:00 GMT

The term ‘plastic’ or ‘cosmetic surgery’ actually covers a variety of surgical and chemical procedures which alter the body’s outward appearance. Procedures are used to shape certain body parts such as the breast or nose, to soften skin tone reducing or eliminating wrinkles, and to correct problems resulting from either accident or disease.

Plastic surgery is a combination of art and science. Cosmetic plastic surgery, in particular, requires meticulous technique, basic surgical principle, and the surgeon’s tasteful creativity combined to result in the ultimate pleasing outcome.

Plastic surgery procedures are generally safe and relatively painless when performed by an experienced surgeon, although each procedure is different. As with all surgical procedures, there are certain degrees of risk and uncertainty. During an initial consultation we will discuss your procedure with you in detail, describing the realistic potential outcome and any possible risks involved.

The safety and well being of our patients is emphasized during the pre, peri and post operative periods.
Denver Plastic Surgery Associates was established in 1990. Dr. Rodgers is Board Certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Inc. Our office staff is trained to answer questions and to care for the plastic surgery patient. We believe our patients should be informed and knowledgeable in all aspects of the procedure they have chosen.

We look forward to working with you, answering your questions and helping you look and feel your very best!

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What should I look for in a sunscreen?

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:29:00 GMT

Do you use sunscreen every day?

In my patients, the sun is one of the biggest causes of aging skin: pigmentation problems, dry and flaking skin. The easiest way to protect your face from sun damage is to use a daily moisturizer with sunscreen every day, even if you spend most of your day indoors, and reapply that sunscreen throughout the day. There are countless moisturizers with SPF to choose from, and some work better than others. Many of the most popular brands don’t provide long lasting, broad spectrum protection.

SPF (sun protection factor) refers only to a product’s ability to protect from UVB radiation, or the rays from the sun that cause sunburns. However, we now know that UVA radiation can be just as damaging to the skin. There is a proposed UVA rating system, but it has not been adopted yet.

So how can you be sure your moisturizer blocks both UVA and UVB radiation?

Look for ingredients like oxybenzone, octisalate and homosalate, just three of the six sun-blocking ingredients found in our new Bravo Daytime Hydration SPF 30. These ingredients block a broad spectrum of both UVA and UVB rays, along all wavelengths, to ensure complete protection. These ingredients also provide stability, which means the sun protection lasts longer.

At the same time, our proprietary bio-energy complex helps repair previous sun damage and regenerate healthy skin down to the cellular level with an infusion of anti-aging botanicals, anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. It has ingredients to stabilize epidermal-dermal junction and promote healthy growth of collagen, fibroblasts and elastin. These contribute to healthy regeneration of skin without stimulating uncontrolled cell growth.

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Are you soaking up Vitamin D?

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:37:00 GMT

Many Americans have inadequate levels of Vitamin D, a vitamin that's essential to our health. Known as the "sunshine vitamin," your body manufactures Vitamin D when you are exposed to sunlight. It is also available through the diet via fish, fish oil, egg yolks, cheese and beef liver -- and supplements. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, a healthy cardiovascular system and mental cognition.

Sunscreen blocks the production of Vitamin D through the skin. Some doctors, including Dr. Frank Lipman on Gwyneth Paltrow's site GOOP, make the controversial recommendation to go out in the sun without sunscreen for 15-30 minutes, 2-4 times a week.
On the flip side, The Denver Post asked whether soaking up Vitamin D through the sun was safe. Here's what that article said:

As for getting D from the sun, "It takes only a few minutes of ultraviolet light exposure to produce a large amount of vitamin D in your skin," [dermatologist Richard G. ]Asarch says. "One study showed that by just exposing your head, neck and arms to four minutes of noontime Denver sun is all you need to produce enough for the day."

Once your skin produces 20,000 units of vitamin D, additional exposure actually begins to degrade the vitamin because our skin is programmed to not make too much.

Dr. Rodgers recommends erring on the side of caution: use sunscreen when you're in the sun, and take a good vitamin D supplement.
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Tags: vitamin D,sunscreen

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