We know that summer is right around the corner because it’s Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which happens every May. How knowledgeable are you about skin cancer? Do you know what you need to do to protect yourself? Take our quiz to brush up on the basics. All statistics are provided by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
True or False:
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.
True. More than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day in the U.S. More than two people die of the disease every hour.
The more unprotected exposure you have to the sun, the higher your risk for skin cancer.
True. Sun damage is cumulative. Having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma. Fortunately, when melanoma is detected early, the five-year survival rate is 99%!
Most sun damage occurs when you’re young.
False! Only about 23% of lifetime exposure occurs by age 18. Here’s the breakdown of sun exposure by age:
Ages Average Accumulated Sun Exposure*
1-18 23%
19-40 47%
41-59 74%
60-78 100%
*Based on a 78-year life span
An estimated 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun.
True! We like to blame genetics, but the sun is the main culprit for our skin’s aging. The good news is that you have control! People who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily show 24% less skin aging than those who do not use sunscreen daily. We love using medical-grade sunscreens because they not only protect your skin from UV damage, but are also packed with antioxidants, peptides and other nutrients to improve the look of your skin. For your convenience, you can shop at our online stores any time. Also, feel free to call us if you have any questions! We are here to help: 703.870.3844.
Tanning beds don’t cause skin cancer.
False! The International Agency for Research on Cancer, an affiliate of the World Health Organization, includes UV tanning devices in its list of agents that are cancer-causing to humans. Indoor tanning devices can emit UV radiation in amounts 10 to 15 times higher than the sun at its peak intensity. What’s more, people who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75%.
The good news is that you can reduce your risk for skin cancer by applying sunscreen today! You can also reverse sun damage and help trigger healthy new collagen and elastin growth by undergoing skin rejuvenation treatments with us, which includes (but is not limited to) BBL™ photofacials, Halo™ laser skin resurfacing, microneedling and chemical peels.
To learn more about protecting and renewing your skin, please call 703.870.3844. You can also request a consultation online today. See you soon!
— Kim
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6 Proven Treatments That Prevent Aging Leesburg, VA
Yes, you can prevent aging! While it sounds too good to be true, aesthetic advancements can literally help you slow the aging process. Here are three clinically-proven tools we use here at AVIE!, and how they may help you look your youthful best.
Forever Young BBL™
I was fortunate enough to be able to train with Dr. Patrick Bitter, Jr., the actual inventor of Forever Young BBL, a highly researched skin care treatment that is shown to change the molecular behavior of skin cells to act younger and healthier. A retrospective study from Stanford University revealed that people who underwent the Forever Young BBL skin care treatment for a period of several years had skin that looked 10 years younger than its actual age. Doesn’t that sound amazing?
Here’s what the Forever Young treatment entails: It’s actually two treatments in one: BBL™ photofacial and SkinTyte™ II. The photofacial is a light treatment that stimulates your skin with intense pulses of light. SkinTyte stimulates your skin with infrared energy. Combined, these two non-invasive treatments stimulate new collagen growth and help spur the growth of vibrant new skin that looks remarkably smoother and more evenly toned. The key to success with Forever Young BBL is patience, because you’re building benefits gradually over time. We get terrific results for clients who are committed to undergoing periodic or seasonal Forever Young treatments over the long term.
Botox® and dermal fillers
No anti-aging article worth its salt could leave out injectables! Botox and dermal fillers remain the two most popular non-surgical aesthetic treatments in the world year after year because they provide dramatic benefits with minimal to no downtime. In other words, these treatments are both easy and effective, and you can’t beat that combination now, can you? Botox works by relaxing the muscle movement underlying your wrinkles, preventing wrinkles from forming. Regular Botox treatments help stave off aging by preventing your muscles from creating those wrinkles in the first place. You can also smooth existing lines and wrinkles! Best of all, the more you do Botox, the less you need, making it an affordable treatment in your beauty regimen. Dermal fillers are also extremely helpful by replenishing lost volume to the face and lips. Similar to Botox, the more you do dermal fillers, the less you need over time to maintain your desired look. We’ll work closely with you to achieve your goals!
Skin tightening
Sometimes you need a lift and injectables won’t do. If you’re looking to pause aging and achieve subtle age-defying benefits in a matter of months, we may recommend Ultherapy®, a non-invasive ultrasound treatment for the face, neck and chest. Ultherapy is called the facelift alternative because it works deep down at the foundational layer of skin and muscle, similar to a facelift, to tighten and lift targeted areas. Except, unlike a surgical facelift, Ultherapy triggers tightening and lifting with powerful non-invasive ultrasound energy, so there’s no downtime! Also, results are gradual and subtle with Ultherapy, so we will work closely with you to determine if this treatment will meet your needs during your consultation.
Vivace™ Microneedle RF is our advanced microneedling with radiofrequency treatment that helps reveal smoother, tighter, brighter and younger-looking skin with a series of treatments. We love Vivace because it can be adjusted to your skin’s exact needs and goals. Sometimes you need a light refresh, and sometimes you crave intense skin renewal. Either and any which way in between, we’ve got you covered!
To learn more about slowing the aging process in Leesburg, Virginia, please call 703.870.3844 or request a consultation online today. Please also be aware that we will continue to closely monitor all coronavirus (COVID-19) developments so that we can take the necessary precautions to keep you safe. If you are feeling unwell, please call us at 703.870.3844 to reschedule your appointment, free of charge. If you would like to reschedule your appointment for any reason, you may also do so free of charge.
Be well!
— Kim
3 Easy Ways to Boost Confidence Leesburg, VA
Do you know what we love most about working here at AVIE!? Helping you live your fullest life! When you visit us, you have made a decision to invest in yourself, and that’s a big deal. Whether you wish to slim and trim fat or smooth away lines and wrinkles, we are here to bring out your personal best so you can feel confident and revitalized every day. That’s our job, and we take it very seriously!
So, what makes you feel confident and at your best every day? Here’s a look at some of our favorite confidence-boosters, along with some tips for feeling more confident in general.
Try out a new look!
Clothing is a powerful influencer! Research indicates that what you wear not only affects how other people see you, but it also affects how YOU see yourself! So, why not simply ask yourself each morning, “How would a CONFIDENT ME dress today?” Maybe it means retiring your sweats in favor of a sassy pair of high-waisted jeans. Or, maybe it means putting on your most comfy clothing and throwing your hair up in a bun! Whatever makes you feel free and vibrant, that’s your ticket. The good news is that almost anything goes in fashion today. Just remember to have fun and enjoy it!
Make a commitment to yourself.
Whether you decide to work out three days a week at the gym or invest in a series of laser hair removal treatments with us so you can wear a bikini this summer without worrying about ingrowns and razor burn, any commitment you make to improving yourself works to build your confidence, according to research. It’s truly amazing when you really think about it, the fact that you can boost your self-esteem through any activity you do, whether it’s attending an appointment for your skin or doing your taxes. Keeping your commitments is self-care at its best. Plus, you get to enjoy the benefits (i.e., hair-free skin or maybe a tax return!).
Be more mindful.
We’re not suggesting that you think more. Rather, mindfulness is about being more present in the moment, instead of fretting over the past or future. Research indicates that mindfulness helps boost your mood by lowering your stress levels. It can also help you be more productive and focused on the task at hand. And the more productive you are, the better you’re likely to feel about yourself. It’s a positive cycle we love here at AVIE!
Our goal is to bring out your best self, and we can’t wait to work with you this spring so we can do just that! To learn about our leading menu of self-care treatments and aesthetic tools, please call 703.870.3844 or request a consultation online today.
Please also be aware that we will continue to closely monitor all coronavirus (COVID-19) developments so that we can take the necessary precautions to keep you safe. If you are feeling unwell, please call us at 703.870.3844 to reschedule your appointment, free of charge. If you would like to reschedule your appointment for any reason, you may also do so free of charge. Please call us with any questions you may have! We are here to help you!
Be well!
— Kim
Natural Beauty & Other TOP Trends Now Leesburg, VA
Probably the last thing on your mind right now is your beauty routine. So, we think it’s totally fitting that natural beauty is turning out to be one of the biggest medical aesthetic trends for 2020. Natural beauty has been trending for a while now, but it’s exploding in popularity as more and more people are seeking to simplify their routines and get back to the basics during these hectic times.
If you’re always fantasizing about simplifying your cosmetic routine, you’re in good company because no one wants to be high maintenance anymore. Savvy consumers are pro-actively seeking aesthetic treatments to correct “imperfections” so they can get away with wearing less makeup, which saves time in the long run. For example, seasonal BBL™ photofacials are fabulous for correcting redness, brown spots, small veins and broken capillaries, revealing brighter, more evenly-toned skin that doesn’t scream “cover me up!” with tons of makeup. Imagine feeling comfortable enough with your complexion that you only need to apply a tinted sunscreen to your face before leaving the house every morning. Now, that’s freedom, and it’s the kind of freedom you can truly get with a photofacial. It’s clinically proven technology, and that’s why we offer it.
Other “natural” trends to note:
Subtle lip enhancement
Few people these days want to look like they’ve had their lips “done,” or to have their lips be the most noticeable feature of their face. Trending lip enhancement techniques are a bit more selective about the placement of filler. For example, you can achieve balanced, super natural-looking enhancement by injecting filler into your cupid’s bow (that little dip in your upper lip) and also at the bottom of your lower lip. Other people may desire lip filler in the upper lips only. There are so many ways to enhance and rejuvenate your lips, and we can help you achieve the look that’s right for you!
PRFM Hair Restoration
One in five Americans are losing their hair. Fortunately, we finally have an all-natural treatment that can help! Here at AVIE!, we proudly use the purest, most potent form of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), called Platelet-rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM). PRFM is a concentrated portion of your blood that spurs healing and cellular renewal wherever it’s applied. When injected into your scalp, PRFM helps to stimulate new hair growth and thicken existing hair.
Skin tightening with microneedling and RF (Vivace™)
No-downtime or minimal-downtime skin rejuvenation treatments will always be big because they afford amazing complexion benefits without hassle. We recently added Vivace microneedling RF to our menu because it helps to tighten and smooth skin anywhere you need it. What more can we say?
Here at AVIE!, we’ve been driven from the start to enhance your natural beauty; it’s what we strive to do every day! We know you’re an informed aesthetic consumer and have choices when it comes to the aesthetic services you rely on, and we feel privileged to be your provider. To learn more about aesthetic treatments for revealing your personal best, please call 703.870.3844 or request a consultation online today.
Please also be aware that we will continue to closely monitor all coronavirus (COVID-19) developments so that we can take the necessary precautions to keep you safe. If you are feeling unwell, please call us at 703.870.3844 to reschedule your appointment, free of charge. If you would like to reschedule your appointment for any reason, you may also do so free of charge. Please call us with any questions you may have! We are here to help you!
Be well!
— Kim
Top 3 Coronavirus Wellness Tips Leesburg, VA
It’s nearly impossible to avoid feeling anxious these days. From school and restaurant closings to self-quarantines, our community is in a bit of a holding pattern, which has left many of us feeling uneasy.
For everyone out there who is struggling right now, we want you to know that you are not alone! We are in this together! And while we may have little control over the news, we can control our response to it. To help you stay healthy both physically and mentally, we’ve compiled a few clinically-backed wellness tips:
Wash your hands
We know hand sanitizer has sold out everywhere, but the good news is that you don’t need it to keep yourself well! The fact is, scrubbing your hands with good ol’ soap and water is your best bet for preventing infection. This is because the goal is to remove the virus from your hands, not kill it, and soap and water is extremely effective for this. Be sure to lather up with lots of suds and scrub your hands and fingertips while singing Happy Birthday twice. If you are unable to wash your hands, however, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol will do the trick. Just be sure to apply an ample amount in your palms and make sure to rub it in thoroughly for at least 20 seconds, paying particular attention to your fingertips.
Start a new routine, and stick with it!
While you may not be able to follow your old routine right now, you can start a new one! While habits like working out at the gym are on hold, it’s a great time to try at-home exercise routines like yoga or aerobics in front of the TV. If you’re working remotely instead of commuting to the office, don’t forgo morning grooming rituals like showering and changing into fresh clothes! These simple self-care routines are not only comforting but also clinically proven to help lower your stress level while boosting productivity and focus.
Stay connected
Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation! If your book group is postponed, try holding a group chat on Zoom or Facetime, or making more frequent phone calls to friends. Thanks to modern technology, staying connected is easier than ever.
Please know that our first priority at AVIE! is maintaining your health and safety. We are carefully screening patients before each visit and vigilantly disinfecting every surface and treatment room before every client visit. If you are feeling unwell, please call us to reschedule your appointment, free of charge. If you would like to reschedule your appointment for any reason, you may also do so free of charge.
We will continue to closely monitor all coronavirus (COVID-19) developments so that we can take the necessary precautions to keep you safe. Please call us with any questions you may have! We are here to help you! 703.870.3844
Be well!
—Kim
How to Make Laser Hair Removal Go Smoothly Leesburg, VA
We know we’ve said it before but we truly can’t say it enough: Trust only a licensed expert for your laser hair removal treatments! Only a highly skilled and experienced laser technician will be able to safely administer your treatments without risk of burning and other adverse side effects. That said, now that spring and summer are coming, plenty of us will be squeezing in laser hair removal sessions, hoping to get our skin ready for swimsuit season. So here are a few expert tips for getting your best results!
More is more.
We know the saying is “less is more,” but with laser hair removal treatments, the more the better! This is because your hair grows in stages, and your hair follicles are not active at the same time. Since laser hair removal only works on active hair follicles, it can take several treatments to catch all your targeted follicles in an active state. We recommend starting with a series of five treatments, scheduled every four to six weeks apart. After your initial series, you may opt for more treatments to achieve your desired goal.
Avoid the sun like the plague.
You don’t want hyper or hypopigmentation do you? The primary cause of pigmentation irregularities after laser treatments is sun exposure! You can reduce your risk by coming into your appointment with sun-free skin and avoiding the sun after your treatment.
Make friends with your razor.
We know laser hair removal is all about being able to finally ditch your razor, but your razor should actually be your best friend throughout the laser hair removal treatment process! Shaving with a razor helps your hair follicles to stay in the active, treatable stage. Shaving also cuts your hair to a short, treatable length. When your hair is too long, the laser can’t locate the hair follicle.
Did you know that laser hair removal was recently voted a “Most Worth It” treatment by RealSelf voters like you? Find out for yourself! It’s time to make time for you by scheduling your laser hair removal treatments. Call 703.870.3844 or request a personal consultation online today!
— Kim