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Perfect Skin By Your Wedding Day

During the month of Love, it’s time to be Wedding Ready! Yes, we realize your special day may not be for another 4-6 months, however, achieving perfect skin for your day may take 2-6 months. Here is a timeline to help make your wedding day blemish free. 6 Months Prior – See your dermatologist to discuss any skin issues you may have such as acne, brown spots, uneven tone, blackheads, and even excessive sweating (we’re the docs for that too!). If you have excessive underarm sweating, there is now a permanent solution with the MiraDry procedure. 2 Treatments spaced 6 months apart can leave you sweat-ring free. 5 Months Prior – Start (if you haven’t already) a skin regimen to help clarify your skin issues. The skin takes about 1 month to cycle from the bottom layer to the top, so it can take several months to get clear. Vitamin A retinoids, such as Renova, are good for pore size, fine lines, and controlling adult acne. 4 Months Prior – Consider getting a SilkPeel Microdermabrasion, or PCA Peel once a month to clear acne or reduce brown spots. 3 Months Prior – Check out your wrinkles between your brows – no one wants to squint or look stressed in wedding photos. Try Dysport to relax those muscles so you look fresh for your big day. One treatment lasts 3-4 months. 2 Months Prior – See your dermatologist if you have any stubborn skin blemishes that aren’t fading. Lasers and other treatments can help to fade them. 1 Month Prior – Get plenty of rest, exercise, and drink lots of water. Your skin will glow!

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Healthy Skin (and Heart!) Recipe for February

This month's recipe takes care of not only your skin, but your heart as well! This Strawberry Bruschetta comes to us from Eating Well. (http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/strawberry_bruschetta.html) Enjoy! Strawberry Bruschetta 4 servings Active Time:15 minutes Total Time:15 minutes Ingredients 4 thick slices whole-wheat bread 6 tablespoons light brown sugar 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 2 teaspoons lemon juice 3 cups sliced or diced hulled strawberries 4 tablespoons mascarpone, (Italian cream cheese) Preparation Toast bread in a toaster. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over high heat. Add sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice and cook, stirring, until the sugar melts and the mixture begins to bubble, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add strawberries and stir until juices begin to exude and the berries are heated through, 30 seconds to 1 minute more. Spread 1 tablespoon mascarpone on each piece of toast. Top with the warm berries. Tips & Notes Make Ahead Tip: Prepare the sauce (Step 2), cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, microwave on High for about 1 minute (defrost first, if necessary). Nutrition Per serving: 203 calories; 5 g fat ( 2 g sat , 1 g mono ); 9 mg cholesterol; 40 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 4 g fiber; 152 mg sodium; 240 mg potassium. Strawberries are a great source of Vitamin C, the essential "connector" necessary for collagen production. They also are high in anthocyanins (a type of flavonoid) which may have anti-cancer effects. Lemons provide more vitamin C, and the limonene compound helps scavenge free radicals which can damage skin. Mascarpone contains lactoferrin which helps stimulate the immune system and act as an antimicrobial agent to ward off infections. Bon Appetite!

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5 Ways to Treat Acne Without Antibiotics

Here are 5 ways to treat acne without antibiotics: Blue Light- The Blue Light treatment kills off acne causing bacteria, decreasing the pimples in a few short treatments. The Professional BLU Light treatments are done in our office every 2 weeks for 4 total treatments. You can also do your own blue light treatments with the Tria Skin Clarifying Blue Light. Be sure to get a $10 off coupon from us and purchase on-line. Glycolic Acid Cleansers and Lotions- Glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane and helps to exfoliate the skin and unplug pores. An added benefit is that it is anti-aging too! SilkPeel Microdermabrasions- Monthly treatments with the SilkPeel unclog pores, fade away pink scars, stimulate collagen production, and give your skin a healthy glow. Give Up The Sugar- Sugars in your diet (such as those in cookies and soda pop) increase hormones that lead to an increase in oil production, the primary cause of acne. Choose sugar free or savory options instead. Take Omega 3's- Fish Oil Gelcaps, such as Omega Max, are anti-inflammatory and reduce pimples as well as help skin stay in good health.

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March Healthy Skin Recipe

This month's Healthy Skin recipe comes from Whole Living. This Banana-Yogurt Smoothie is quick, easy, and great for the coming warmer weather. Banana-Yogurt Smoothie Ingredients 2 teaspoons flaxseeds 1 medium banana (6 ounces) 1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt 1 to 2 teaspoons honey 2/3 cup ice cubes Directions Place the flaxseeds in a blender and puree for 30 seconds until they are coarsely ground. Add the banana, yogurt, honey, and ice cubes and puree until smooth and thick. Serve immediately. Flaxseeds provide an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory and help with acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema. Bananas provide magnesium, an essential nutrient for the health of the skin and for sleeping well! Bananas and honey help to promote good rest, which improves the health and function of your skin! Bon Appetit!

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April is National Rosacea Awareness Month

April is National Rosacea Awareness Month Over 14 million Americans suffer from rosacea, and currently there is no cure. However, there are certain medications and habits which can keep rosacea under control and keep your skin looking clear. Patients with rosacea have redness of the skin, often with individual broken capillaries or “telangectasias” across the nose and cheeks. They most often have acne-like bumps on the face which also tend to (but not always) be on the nose and cheeks. Patients have a tendency to “flush and blush” and get red during exercise, times of embarrassment, in the heat, wind, the cold, and with spicy foods or alcohol. Early recognition and treatment are important to prevent progression of the condition and changes to the skin leading to red blood vessel formation. Several creams are available to help combat rosacea including Avene Redness Relief Cream with SPF25. It is important for patients with rosacea to wear sunscreen daily as the sun and heat can aggravate rosacea. Some patients require antibiotics or anti- inflammatory medications such as Oracea, which can help reduce redness and bumps on the skin. For patients who have broken blood vessels-which are actually just enlarged, not broken-the Gemini laser can remove up to 60% of them in one treatment. Decreasing the red blood vessels decreases the redness and also improves the rosacea and the condition of the skin. If you think you might have rosacea, see your Dermatologist for an evaluation and treatment options.

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Are Hair Supplements Necessary?

Carolyn Jacob, MD, founder and medical director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, tells WebMD, "Any vitamin deficiency will cause hair loss. All the vitamins are important -- B, C, E." But that doesn't mean, as she and other experts point out, that you need to buy special supplements for your hair. "The best source for the nutrients you need," Jacob says, "is a true, well-balanced diet." If you are going to take an over-the-counter supplement, Jacob says, talk with your doctor or nutritionist to make sure you're "getting a high-grade women's multivitamin that will ensure you get what you need."

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April Healthy Skin Recipe

This month's recipe comes from WholeLiving.com. It's a Curry-Rubbed Salmon with Napa Slaw. Curry Rubbed Salmon with Napa Slaw Ingredients 1 cup brown basmati rice Coarse salt and ground pepper 1 pound Napa cabbage (1/2 head), thinly sliced crosswise 1 pound carrots, coarsely grated 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil 4 salmon filets (6 ounces each) 2 teaspoons curry powder Directions In a large saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil; add rice. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, mint, lime juice, and oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss. Heat broiler with rack set 4 inches from heat. About 10 minutes before rice is done cooking, place salmon on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Rub salmon with curry, and season with salt and pepper. Broil until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork and serve alongside salad and salmon. Pepper is full of antioxidants, while cabbage has an antioxidant known as quercitin. Carrots provide vitamin A which acts to reduce oxidants in the skin. Lime juice contains Vitamin C, which is necessary for collagen production. Grapeseed oil helps with moisturizing the skin and salmon is rich in Omega 3’s which are anti-inflammatory and help with acne, rosacea, eczema, and dry skin. Bon Appetite!

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May’s Healthy Skin Recipe

May's Healthy Skin Recipe is a Walnut-Crusted Chicken Breast from Whole Living. Enjoy! Walnut-Crusted Chicken Breasts Ingredients 2 slices whole-wheat bread, dried 1/3 cup walnuts 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, freshly grated Coarse salt and ground pepper 1 large egg white 4 chicken breast halves, boneless and skinless (6 to 8 ounces each) 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil Lemon slices, for serving Seasonal green salad Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a food processor, combine bread, walnuts, and Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Process until fine breadcrumbs form. Transfer to a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, beat egg white until frothy. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dip each breast into egg white, letting excess drip off, and then into crumb mixture, pressing to adhere. In a large nonstick ovenproof skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned, 1 to 3 minutes. Carefully turn chicken over and put skillet in oven. Bake until chicken is golden brown and cooked through, 8 to 12 minutes. Serve chicken with lemon slices and green salad. Walnuts are rich in Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, to help quench free radicals and stop them from destroying your skin. They also are packed full of omega 3 fatty acids which are anti inflammatory and help with the skin's moisturization. Eat them whenever you can!

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Tips for Coping with the Symptoms of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that results in the buildup of skin cells over time, creating dry, red patches of skin that can cause discomfort. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, your dermatologist can help you control your symptoms for maximum comfort and healthier skin. What Are the Symptoms of Psoriasis? The symptoms of psoriasis may vary in type and severity from person to person, and they may go into remission and return many times over the course of your life. In general, the symptoms of this dermatological condition include the formation of silvery scales and red patches of skin. These patches may become dry, itchy, and cracked, or even bleed, and may be accompanied by feelings of burning or soreness. Psoriasis can cause thickening of the finger- and toenails, causing them to become ridged or pitted. This condition may also affect the joints of your body, resulting in soreness and stiffness. Stacy London suffers from psorasis. Credit: Roger Eldemire/WENN.com There are a number of easy steps you can take to minimize the impact of psoriasis symptoms. Keep your body clean by bathing with sea salt and bath oil daily to remove dead skin cells. Avoid hot water and harsh soaps, however, and limit your exposure to the sun. Talk to your dermatologist about moisturizers and medicated creams for your skin type, and apply these after a bath when your skin is still soft. Apply moisturizer and wrap the affected area with plastic wrap while you sleep; in the morning, wash the area thoroughly to help remove scaling. Other lifestyle changes you may want to consider include eating a healthy diet and avoiding stress, alcohol, and any triggers that worsen your psoriasis symptoms. Get help managing your psoriasis symptoms from the dedicated dermatologists of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology. We are here to help you care for the largest organ in your body: your skin! Learn more about our dermatological and rejuvenating treatments by calling us at 312-245-9965.

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Client Reviews

Thank you to the friendly staff at CCSD for always making my visits pleasant and efficient! An even bigger thank you to Dr. Jacob for the phenomenal job she did all but erasing a scar on my face from skin cancer, and the amazing job she always does defying Mother Nature keeping my face looking young and alert!

— Christopher

Dr. Ibrahim is AMAZING. He has such a wonderful “bed side manner” and his experience is multifaceted. I go to him for both regular skin concerns and cosmetic reasons and he has been able to help with every issue I have! He is by far the best dermatologist I have been to and I recommend him 100%!

— Maddy

Loved results..and my daughter had microdermabrasion and beautiful results..they r so professional and very organized..appointment times right on schedule..no waiting. I would say this is the best place in Chicago..for any needs of the face. They are the experts..

— Rosalina

What a great experience! I love this office, every time I come everyone has a great smile, and the office is always bright and clean. Dr. Pritzker is awesome, she is so fast and efficient and knows exactly how to combat those pesky wrinkles.

— Valarie

4.8

1,000+ reviews

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