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Healthy Skin Recipe for December

December's Healthy Skin Recipe comes to us via Food & Wine Magazine. It is for a pearled barley salad with apples, pomegranate seeds, and pine nuts. Dr. Jacob's tips for why this is a healthy recipe for your skin follows after the recipe. Enjoy! Pearled Barley Salad with Apples, Pomegranate Seeds and Pine Nuts Ingredients 1/3 cup(s) pine nuts, preferably from Italy 2 ounces 1/4 cup(s) plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoon(s) white wine vinegar 1 small shallot, minced 2 tablespoons Salt and freshly ground pepper 4 cup(s) Thyme-Scented Pearled Barley (see below) 1 large tart apple, such as Honeycrisp cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1/2 cup(s) pomegranate seeds, from 1 pomegranate 1/2 cup(s) chopped flat-leaf parsley Directions Preheat the oven to 350°. Spread the pine nuts in a pie plate and toast until golden, about 5 minutes. Let cool. In a bowl, whisk the oil with the vinegar and shallot and season with salt and pepper. Add the Thyme-Scented Pearled Barley (see below), pine nuts, apple, pomegranate seeds and parsley; toss before serving. Pine nuts provide Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, to help decrease wrinkling in the skin. The olive oil provides natural ingredients to moisturize the skin from the inside out. Shallots (containing flavonoids), apples (containing proanthocyanadins), and pomegranate provide potent antioxidants for quenching free radicals that break down collagen in the skin. Parsley contains alpha linolenic acid, which provides anti-inflammatory effects, further protecting the skin!

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New Years Resolution for Better Skin

Tired of breaking all those New Year’s Resolutions by February? Why not choose a resolution you can stick with AND makes you look great? Here are 5 tips on getting better skin for 2012: Cleanse twice a day with a glycolic acid cleanser. Why? Because dead skin cells tend to pile up on the skin, leading to a dull, flaky appearance. Glycolic acids help to gently lift dead skin cells off the skin, and stimulate new collagen formation at the same time. They also help unplug pores which can help prevent acne breakouts. Start a topical Vitamin A regimen. Vitamin A helps to normalize the skin cycling process, and also inhibits breakdown of collagen and elastic tissue in the skin (preventing wrinkles). Vitamin A comes in many forms such as prescription tretinoin (Renova, Retin A, Ziana, Atralin), and there are less potent versions over the counter in the form of Retinol. It should be used at night, as it can be inactivated by sunlight. Wear sunscreen with SPF30 everyday. This is the easiest (and least expensive!) way to fight sun damage and signs of aging! UV rays from the sun break down collagen and elastic tissue, leading to wrinkles. The UVA rays cause brown, uneven spots to develop, and both UVA and UVB can lead to skin cancer. 1 in 31 light-skinned americans will develop basal cell skin cancer in their lifetime, and 1 in 67 will develop melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer. Sunscreen will help protect your skin when used daily. Seek the shade and get a spray tan or use self tanner. When you want to have some color for warmer weather, self tanners are the way to go. They look great fast, and won't cause sun damage. Avene Bronzant Self Tanner also smells great! Take omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil gel caps). They are anti-inflammatory which helps with acne, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, and skin aging. 2000mg daily is recommended.

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Healthy Skin Recipe for January

Here is this month's Healthy Skin Recipe brought to you via Bon Appetit. It is a Pan-Seared Salmon with Pumpkin Seed-Cilantro Pesto. Enjoy! Pan-Seared Salmon with Pumpkin Seed-Cilantro Pesto Ingredients 2 1/2 teaspoons tsp. plus 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1/2 cup shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas) 1/2 cup (firmly packed) cilantro leaves and stems 1/2 teaspoon cracked coriander seeds 1/2 garlic clove, coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon (or more) fresh lime juice Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 6-ounce salmon fillets (preferably wild) 1 lime, cut into 4 wedges Preparation Heat 1 1/2 tsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pumpkin seeds; sauté until beginning to brown and pop, about 2 minutes. Transfer seeds to paper towels to drain; let cool. Reserve skillet. Pulse 6 Tbsp. pumpkin seeds, cilantro, coriander seeds, and garlic in a food processor until coarsely chopped. With machine running, gradually add 1 Tbsp. lime juice, 1/4 cup oil, then 1/4 cup water, blending until coarse purée forms. Season pesto to taste with salt, pepper, and more lime juice, if desired. Heat remaining 1 tsp. oil in reserved skillet over medium heat. Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Add to skillet and cook until just opaque in center, 3–4 minutes per side. Place fillets on plates. Spoon pesto over. Garnish with remaining pumpkin seeds. Serve with lime wedges. EVOO is a must in your diet. Why? Because it’s great for your heart, your skin, and your food! Olive oil is rich in vitamins A, B-1, B-2, C, D, and Iron. Most importantly, olive oil helps the body to maintain strong levels of vitamin E, which is a great helper in delaying the aging process. You can also use olive oil as face moisturizer since the healthy fatty acid existing in olive oil encourage soft and suppler skin. But I don’t recommend doing this while cooking! Garlic contains active compounds that stimulate immune function, and scavenge free radicals that can break down the skin and cause wrinkles. Black peppercorns contain good amount of minerals like potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is essential for cellular respiration and blood cell production. Zinc and magnesium are especially important in promoting healthy skin. Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids which have an anti-inflammatory effect on the cells of the skin. It also decreases the production of enzymes which lead to inflammation. Inflammation is detrimental to the skin, because it causes a breakdown of the collagen and elastic tissue. Lime contains limonene, a compound that which helps detoxify cells. It is also a great source of Vitamin C, which is necessary for collagen production. Bon Appetite!

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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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Client Reviews

Love love Dr. Ibrahim. He helped me to find a combination that helps with my acne scars due to cystic acne in my teenage year. Just like anything in medicine, good things take time with a good skin care and medical grade products. I continue to see him for Botox concurrently with the acne scar regimen, so l can get a snatch jawline again. He is funny and a knowledgeable. The best compliment I had was when my patient see me every 3 months saw my skin recently and complimented on it. I have found myself not wearing makeup and only using tinted SPF.

— Huong Iodice

Dr. Grushchak is my favorite derm I've been to so far. She is very professional and has great bedside manner. Same thing goes for all the staff. I always see great results after leaving the office. The office itself is very clean and enjoyable to visit. Would definitely recommend.

— Krystyna Marynevytch

This is nicest place I have ever seen looks like a luxury spa. Everyone is nice and friendly. Looks amazing and they help me with my Personal skin issues. Whitney was awesome to work with . Great team work *** Appreciate everyone love this place

— Daniel Nino

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

I am BEYOND obsessed with this place! From the front door staff, to the medical assistants to wonder women herself (Dr. Jacob) and her amazing counter parts- hands down the most magical experience EVER! Not to mention if you’re going here for cosmetic reasons, Dr. Ibrahim is an absolute MAGICIAN/WIZARD with injectables! My lips are the best on Instagram! I 100000% recommend this place over and over and over again!

— Kelly

I have lines above the bridge of my nose, wanted a more relaxed, rested look. I had a dysport appointment, it was ontime, my nurse asked if I had any concerns.I was a little nervous… Then Dr. Jacob came in, made sure I was comfortable. She asked if I wanted more of an arch in my eyebrow. She said it would really opened my eye area… 4 days later… Full effect…AWESOME results!! Very…

— Gracie

I’ve been seeing Dr. Ibrahim Omer for a few months now for some derm issues (perioral dermatitis, eczema). He instantly identifies the problem and prescribes appropriately. He is also great with taking the time to explain what’s happening, and how to manage the medications and creams once I get home. I’ve never done botox or fillers, but am planning to return for a little boost once my skin heals. The front desk is attentive, and appointments run on time. I’ve never waited more than a few minutes.

— Lindsay

4.8

1,000+ reviews

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