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Address: 515 N State St., Suite 900, Chicago, IL, 60654, US
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May 26, 2014

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.

May 26, 2014

The Basics of the miraDry Procedure

Excessive underarm sweating can cause embarrassment and stress. Sweat also ruins clothing and may negatively affect your work and social life due to decreased confidence. Fortunately there is a non-surgical solution to combating excessive sweating that offers permanent results. How miraDry® Works: The miraDry procedure available from your dermatologist uses specially targeted electromagnetic energy to destroy the sweat glands under your arms. Because these glands do not regenerate, they will no longer be able to produce sweat, making this procedure ideal for permanent relief from underarm sweating. Only 2% of your body’s sweat glands are located beneath your arms, so you will notice no increase in sweating from other areas of the body and no drop in your ability to cool yourself. What You Can Expect from Your miraDry Procedure: Before your miraDry procedure, your underarm area will be examined and marked by your dermatologist to identify the areas that will be treated. You will be asked to lie back and relax, and your dermatologist will apply the miraDry to your underarms. The procedure itself is painless and lasts for about an hour. After your miraDry treatment; no exercising the upper extremities for 3 days. You will expect mild swelling that is controlled with ice and ibuprofen. Call Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology for additional aftercare instructions following your procedure. What Results miraDry Offers: Because miraDry eliminates the sweat glands beneath your arms, it is a permanent solution to excessive underarm sweating. For maximum coverage and efficacy, dermatologists recommend two miraDry treatments scheduled three months apart. Studies report that on average, underarm sweating is reduced in those who undergo two miraDry procedures by up to 90%. Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology was one of the first practices in the United States to offer the miraDry procedure to their patients. To learn more about miraDry, read our miraDry page and contact our office at 316-245-9965 to schedule a consultation with one of our providers.

May 26, 2014

Visit These Sites For Helpful Information About Your Skin

Your skin is your largest and most visible organ, and taking good care of it will allow you to look and feel great. Take a look at these sites to learn more about treatments for skin conditions such as psoriasis and hyperhidrosis: Psoriasis may be triggered by a combination of genetic predisposition and outside factors. Learn more about known psoriasis triggers on Psoriasis.org. In some cases, psoriasis is accompanied by arthritis or joint pain and swelling. Find out how to recognize this condition early on Health.com. Learn more about how and why the body sweats on the website of the International Hyperhidrosis Society. Does underarm sweating negatively affect your life? Find out if miraDry is right for you with this information from the miraDry website. Read more about excessive sweating and what it means in this article by The Huffington Post.

May 26, 2014

A Drink of Water For Your Skin: Hyalis

Ever feel that your moisturizer isn’t giving you enough hydration? Has your skin ever felt dry even though you have just applied a moisturizer? If you have answered yes to either of these questions then I recommend you give Hyalis a try. When you apply this fabulous serum underneath your current moisturizer it will deliver immediate moisture for youthful, radiant looking skin. It’s a must have product if you travel on a regular basis and your skin suffers from constant dryness. If you’re just starting off on topical retinoid such Retin-A, it offers instant relief with surface dryness and redness. This is often a common side effect when just starting off on topical prescriptions creams. My personal experience with Hyalis is that it gives my skin that glow and dewy, hydrated appearance. My skin definitely can’t survive the cold, dry winter months without Hyalis because it helps significantly with my surface dryness and skin sensitivity. It especially helps with allowing my night time moisturizer to penetrate deeper into my skin leaving it plump as well as hydrated. Some fun facts about Sodium Hyaluronate, which is the main component of Hyalis, is that is has water retaining properties that creates a sponge like effect, absorbing up to 1,000 times its weight for optimal skin hydration. This wonderful molecule will literally draw in your moisturizer deep into your skin to offer instant relief and intense hydration. It will smooth and plump skin with the highest concentration of pure, pharmaceutical grade Hyaluronate for maximum tolerability and efficacy. Tip…great for under the eyes! Soothes stressed skin during the dry winter months and following any cosmetic procedure and helps to speed the recovery process. Minimizes the signs of skin aging and helps restore radiance. Use AM and PM and you’ll see immediate results that you’ll love. Price $55 Julie Blecker is a licensed medical aesthetician who has worked in aesthetics for over 12 years. She performs a variety of aesthetic procedures including microdermabrasion, chemical peels and deep pore cleanse. She has a passion for aesthetics and making her patients feel great in their own skin.

May 26, 2014

Meet A Member of Our Staff – Julie Blecker

Julie Blecker has been part of the Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology team since 2010. With over 12 years of aesthetics experience, she is a great resource to anyone who has concerns or questions about their skin. As a licensed, medical esthetician she’s seen it all. Julie has always been fascinated about skin conditions, treatments and skin care products. After attending college for a few years and being undecided on what path she wanted to take, she went back to her first love, skin care and enrolled in aesthetics school. Since graduating from aesthetics school she’s become an expert in product ingredient knowledge and worked with a variety of different pharmaceutical grade cosmetic lines. If you ask Julie what her favorite procedure and product is, she won’t hesitate before answering. Julie is a personal fan of PCA peels. She’s seen great results from having them done on a regular basis and frequently receives compliments about how her skin glows. Another reason that Julie’s skin glows is her use of the Clarisonic, a skin cleansing device, that removes 6x more makeup and 2x more dirt and oil than cleansing with your hands alone. Since using the device for the first time, she has seen and felt an immediate difference in her skin and has been hooked ever since. Like most people, Julie wishes she would have taken better care of her skin when she was younger by using sunscreen on a regular basis when she was a kid. “I wish I would have been more aware of the damage the sun causes,” Julie states. As she’s gained knowledge throughout her career, she offers this bit of advice for her clients, “Exfoliate your skin on a regular basis and wear a minimum of 7% zinc oxide sunscreen every day and don’t forget to reapply.” Sounds like good advice to us!

May 26, 2014

Meet A Member of Our Staff – Dr. Niki Christopoulos, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

You know that Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology has excellent dermatologists but did you also know that we offer aesthetic plastic surgery procedures as well? Dr. Niki Christopoulos is a plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic plastic surgery of the face, breast and body. A Chicago area native, she completed medical school at Chicago Medical School and then went on to complete an intensive seven year surgical training at Rush University, one of Chicago’s leading university centers. She is Board Certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery as well as the American Board of Surgery. Aside from her impressive credentials, what sets Dr. Christopoulos apart from other plastic surgeons is her passion to combine her artistic and creative side with her surgical expertise. Plastic surgery allows her to treat patients of all ages and both men and women. For Dr. Christopoulos, plastic surgery is about restoring people to their best possible self, giving them the confidence that was altered or shake by disease or the natural aging process. For people who have concerns about plastic surgery, Dr. Christopoulos offers this insight, “Probably the biggest misconception about plastic surgery is two-fold. First, that it is unattainable or only for Hollywood types…definitely not the case. Second, is that it is difficult to have plastic surgery that looks natural or that is not obvious. Also not true. That is why the most important thing when considering plastic surgery is to find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with whom you can connect and whom you feel understands your vision.” When this Chicago plastic surgeon isn’t donning a pair of scrubs and a surgical gown, you will find her taking in all the city has to offer. From amazing restaurants to all of the activities, “Chicago is one of the greatest cities to live in!” If you’re new to the city or just looking for something to do, Dr. Christopoulos recommends taking the Chicago River architecture boat ride and then grabbing a bite to eat at Le Colonial. And make sure on the first day or Spring, you drive down Lake Shore Drive with the sunroof open (and your sunscreen on!). Dr. Niki Christopoulos is now accepting patients at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology. Schedule your consultation with her today by calling 312-245-9965 ext. 2.

May 26, 2014

Julie’s Favorite Product: Clarisonic Pro Face & Body

One of my favorite products is the Clarisonic brush. I’ve been asked by many patients whether it really works. My answer is always, YES! I have seen dramatic changes in my patient’s skin in texture, skin tone, brightening effects and significantly reduced number of breakouts.The Clarisonic has micro-vibrations that gently loosen dead skin cells and makeup making it more effective than manual cleansing. Clarisonic is the only brand that has been approved to be used after a chemical peel during the post care period. The Clarisonic brand sets itself apart from all other brands on the market because of its superior quality. One of the best features of the device is the choice of brush heads depending on your specific skin type. So, whether your skin is sensitive, acne prone or contains blackheads, there is a specific brush that would fit your skin needs. Also, the body brush and extension handle is great for use on the back as well as back acne and KP (keratosis pilaris). Cleansing benefits: Removes 6x more makeup than manual cleansing. Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother. Removes impurities that keep creams and serums from working their best. Gentle enough to use twice a day. Reduces redness associated with old blemishes. Minimizes the appearance of visible pores. Clarisonic has been on the market since 2001. The new Clarisonic PRO for face and body is available exclusively through skincare professionals, is beauty engineering at its most advanced. I highly recommend the PRO model to all of my patients. Also, don’t forget to register your Clarisonic online to extend your warranty. Remember, healthy, beautiful skin begins with the Clarisonic. Using it every day will make a noticeable difference in your skin. Your skin will be smooth, clean, vibrant and changed! Julie Blecker is a licensed medical aesthetician who has worked in aesthetics for over 12 years. She performs a variety of aesthetic procedures including microdermabrasion, chemical peels and deep pore cleanse. She has a passion for aesthetics and making her patients feel great in their own skin.

May 26, 2014

An Esthetician’s inside point of view | Fine Line Eraser

Fine Line Eraser! So, I’m sure everyone has heard about growth factors in skincare products entering the market lately. Well, when I was introduced to the newest eye cream from Neocutis called Lumiere I was curious to see how this product was different. After just two weeks of using this product twice daily, I was sold. I noticed a significant difference in existing fine lines as well as tightening of the skin. This amazing eye cream contains 30% more PSP (processed skin cell proteins) than other products that Neocutis manufactures. This makes for faster results! This eye cream also contains anti-oxidants, caffeine and Hyaluronic acid to help firm and hydrate. This helps with stressed, puffy skin and reduces dark circles over time. Use twice daily for optimal results. Retail $80. Julie Blecker, Esthetician

May 26, 2014

An Insider’s Point of View | Latisse

...Miracle in a bottle. I have been using Latisse for four years and my eyelashes have completely transformed from average to fabulous with only one thing…Latisse. I often get asked if I have fake lashes on or eyelash extensions. I have tried the fake lashes but I’ve never been very good at applying them and so half way through my evening, they are usually falling out and can make for an embarrassing situation! My secret is Latisse. And it’s less time consuming and overall less expensive than the alternatives. My lashes look great with mascara but I can even go without mascara now. They have made my lashes not only longer, but also fuller and darker. And it’s very easy to use. Just apply directly to the skin of the upper eyelid margin and the base of the eyelashes (like using eyeliner) every night. It takes about four weeks for you to notice the effects but being patient is well worth it! Latisse is a prescription and can be purchased through our office. Give us a call and make a wish on your new eyelashes! Trish, Patient Entry Staff and Cosmetic Coordinator

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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