Salon-perfect Skin for Spring

I recently visited my Mom in Springfield, MO. Spring is definitely around the corner as the grass is greening, the birds are moving back and the crocus flowers are blooming everywhere. Her birthday is in March and I decided this year to surprise her with something fun, so I took her to have a facial. She is 76 years old and had never had one. We went to a local salon/spa, had the best time, and emerged looking 20 years younger (not really, but the experience was terrific).

The spa facial consisted of seven steps: cleansing, a mask, hot towel wrap, another cleansing, a second mask, another hot towel, and finally a serum-type moisturizer was applied along with a shoulder, neck, arm, and scalp massage. Our skin definitely looked brighter and more vibrant and I was reminded how essential cleansing and exfoliation really are for great looking skin.

Aging skin, and problem skin (acne and other issues) experience a slowing down in the natural exfoliation process. It is very important that we encourage this vital function with either physical or chemical exfoliation. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA Beauty Fluid) are chemical exfoliants that dissolve the lipid bonds between the surface cells and reveal younger, plumper and healthier looking skin. Physical exfoliants are scrubs with different types of abrasive materials.

derma e® makes several excellent scrubs that feature some favorite skin-pleasing ingredients such as the: Vitamin A Glycolic Facial Scrub, Fruit Enzyme Facial Scrub, Tropical Solutions™ Facial Scrub and the Very Clear® Cleansing Scrub. And finally, I think the best facial scrub is the Microdermabrasion Scrub, which is based on a crystal-blend system featuring magnesium oxide crystals from Dead Sea salts for the most effective exfoliation possible. If you haven’t tried this amazing product before, I invite you to ask for a sample from your favorite store and then use it on only half your face (to begin with). The results will be visible and immediate. (Of course, then do the other side so that you won’t appear lop-sided.)

So if you too would like to look like you just stepped out of the spa, make sure you cleanse, exfoliate and use a nutritious moisturizer for great looking skin.

Yours in health,

Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D. O. M.

A Bundle of Love for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day came early at my house this year. I adopted a 13-month old Rottweiler from a rescue: www.petmatchmaker.org. My “bundle of love” is the sweetest, gentlest puppy you could imagine. He is essentially an 8-week old puppy in a much bigger body, in that he had never seen cats, horses, chickens, television and almost everything was “new” to him. He is quickly learning what his new world is about, and has readily bonded to Ron and me. Willie, our chocolate Labrador, still has her nose bent out of shape but she will get over it.

When I got him home I noticed he was tracking unnaturally and that one hip seemed painful. Big breeds are very susceptible to hip dysplasia and that was the obvious conclusion. I have always given my dogs 1000 mg of Vitamin C per day for immune and bone health and have never had this problem before. In researching what I could do from a natural standpoint, there are now several actual studies on Vitamin C or Ester-C® at 2000 mg/day that show it can reverse the symptoms of hip dysplasia and that it did improve the animals’ mobility and reduce pain.

Interesting to me, was that one of the studies did before and after x-rays showing the joint was only marginally improved, yet the dog was running, jumping and seemed to be pain free.

As a doctor, I know how vital Vitamin C is for connective tissue health, re-growth and repair. Connective tissue forms the basis of bones, ligaments, tendons, and the elastin and collagen fibers in the skin. These elastin and collagen fibers in the skin are responsible for helping to keep the skin smooth and wrinkle-free from repetitive movements such as smiling or frowning. They also form the foundation of the skin and keep it firm and supple, preventing “sagging”. derma e®’s Ester-C® Crème is the perfect moisturizing crème if your primary skin issue is lack of firmness. And of course, make sure you are taking at least 1000 mg/day internally to keep your body healthy.

My new puppy will be getting his Vitamin C regularly along with other joint-specific supplements and I hope that soon he too is running, playing, and pain free.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Yours in health,
Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D. O. M.

PS My puppy has a brother, Goliath, who still needs a forever home. If anyone is looking for a sweet, gentle and beautiful, Rottweiler please contact www.petmatchmaker.org in California.

Winter Skin Woes

I commonly hear the question, how can I keep my skin moisturized in the winter? This can be more challenging during this time of year because of chilly weather conditions, low humidity and indoor and car heating. A healthy lifestyle in combination with natural ingredients that effectively deliver moisture can help relieve dry, cracked and irritable skin.

I firmly believe that our skin is the outward expression of our inner health so make sure you drink plenty of water. At least eight glasses a day. A healthy, balanced diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats and proteins are also essential. And don’t forget stress reduction – yoga, exercise, or whatever works for you.

To aid in hydration, apply crèmes directly to the skin that are rich in natural moisturizing ingredients. The first ingredient that comes to mind that delivers maximum moisture is Hyaluronic Acid. Nicknamed “Nature’s Sponge” or the “Moisture Magnet,” Hyaluronic Acid hydrates skin in a way that no other ingredient can, and is a recent addition to the list of exceptional skincare ingredients. This molecule earned these nicknames because of its remarkable ability to attract and bind water molecules, thereby hydrating, softening and smoothing dehydrated skin.

Daily application of crèmes enriched with Hyaluronic Acid restores needed moisture for plump, healthy and radiant skin.

If your skin becomes dehydrated to the point of cracking, it is essential to seek a combination of ingredients that not only deliver moisture, but that also offer anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties to help relieve skin discomfort and repair damaged skin. An excellent combination would include Bay Leaf Oil, Arnica Extract, Clove Oil, Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil. derma e® has combined these ingredients in our Cracked Skin Relief Crème.

For healthy, happy skin this winter, remember to hydrate the inside with water, as well as the outside with crèmes rich in effective natural ingredients.

Yours in health,
Dr. Linda Miles, L. Ac., D.O.M.
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The Spirit of the Holidays

… is awesome! The pervading sense of kindness, hopefulness and cheerfulness makes this one of my favorite times of the year. But it also can be a time of intense stress trying to get everything done and meeting everyone’s expectations.

To keep yourself physically and mentally healthy during this time of year try to take time out for yourself. Take that ½ hour or hour and practice yoga or meditation. Or how about a bubble bath with candles and soft music? Or perhaps an active meditation like walking or running in nature without thinking (harder than you might imagine).

I am blessed to have a chocolate Labrador named Willie who “needs” a walk every day. I have hundreds of acres of undeveloped land across the street from me and my daily mile or two with her is one of my special times. It’s hard to stay stressed while watching the cavorting of a group of crows or the soaring of a red tail hawk or just listening to the conversations of mockingbirds, blue jays or mountain quail. My coyotes frequently watch me to ease their boredom and once in a while I’m treated to a glimpse of a mule deer that has strayed from the top of the mountain. If I can keep my mind from thinking, I always come back refreshed and ready to tackle the next thing on my list.

Remember, stress does add extra free radicals to your body’s load, so make sure you take your anti-oxidant supplements and of course, to keep your skin looking it’s healthy best use an anti-oxidant crème: derma e®’s Age-Defying Night Crème with Pycnogenol® and Astaxanthin is my favorite and the essential lavender oil it contains is also relaxing.

I hope that the holidays are a very special time for you and your family and that the New Year is a kind and generous one.

Warm wishes and yours in health,
Dr. Linda Miles, L. Ac., D.O.M.

Being Thankful

Thanksgiving Day is about counting our blessings. Yes, it’s also about sharing a meal with family and friends, but it was originally meant to be a time for us to give thanks for an abundant harvest.

Too often we do forget how blessed every one of us is. People who suffer from depression can be helped substantially by simply writing a list of things to be thankful for: from the taken-for-granted roof over our heads and food on our table to the support of our friends and family,the love of a special pet, etc. The longer the list, the better. Try to read this list at least twice a day. Science has shown that when we are thankful we actually are releasing positive brain chemicals that really do make us feel better. This technique can be used by all of us to have a better outlook on life.

I personally have so much to be thankful for: two great daughters, a supportive husband, wonderful pets, a comfortable home, a bountiful garden, fantastic neighbors and very dear friends. My list is multiple pages in length. I do try to spend a few moments every morning in prayer, meditation and thankfulness. It has made an amazing difference in my life. I invite you to add thankfulness to your everyday life and see how uplifting it can be.

I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day filled with abundant blessings.

Yours in health,
Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D. O. M.
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Ghosts, Goblins and Frankenstein

Halloween is my favorite holiday. My childhood memories of dressing up, of running from house to house with a pillow case and getting all the “treats”, then unloading them onto the living room floor to see what treasures I had are some of my best. I also love the spookiness, the black cats, the bats and other things that go bump in the night.

Unfortunately I live where I do not get to see any trick-or-treaters, but I always celebrate the holiday in spirit anyway. And although scars might be stylish at this time of year for at least one night, they can be a real problem for folks the rest of the year. Scars can seriously interfere with a person’s self esteem and at the very least will seem like a nuisance.

So what can be done about them? Silicone patches, vitamin E oil and other scar “fixes” do provide some benefits, but the downside to each is sometimes not worth the hassle for the marginal benefits.

Tamanu Oil is said to be extremely good for wound healing and scar reduction. However there are several natural ingredients that do diminish the appearance of scars and help them blend in with the surrounding tissue. Allantoin and Panthenol are keratolytic; helping to break down scar tissue. These natural ingredients also have an opposite and complimentary function in that they encourage healthy tissue growth. derma e® has blended these two amazing ingredients into our Scar Gel, a pleasant to use, non-oily formula that makes scars seem to disappear. If a scar is lumpy, bumpy or has discoloration, then this product will make a significant difference. It is excellent for removing the red or purple color from stretch marks too.

We had a father write to us years ago that his daughter had gone through the windshield and had multiple lacerations and stitches. He thanked us for the Scar Gel as he had used it regularly and said that you couldn’t see a scar on her face. In another incident, I tripped over my Rottweiler Ziggy and fell into a counter top opening my forehead to the skull. It required 22 stitches to put my forehead back together. I used the Scar Gel religiously and today there is no evidence of my accident (it is my picture that you can see on our website). This is one product that does make a difference in peoples’ lives and I am thankful that our Scar Gel is so effective.

Happy Halloween!

Yours in health,

Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D. O. M. SHARE

What's my favorite?

I am frequently asked, out of all the derma e® products to choose from, which is my favorite? Without a doubt it is the

Age Defying Night Crème. This rich orange moisturizer contains two super antioxidants, Pycnogenol® and Astaxanthin, which are both currently known as the strongest antioxidants yet discovered for topical application to the skin. It also incorporates my very favorite essential oil, Lavender, known for its healing and calming qualities.

The Free Radical Theory of Aging teaches us that the aging process is due to an accumulation of free radical damage. In the skin this shows up as fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, uneven skin pigmentation or brown spots. The powerful antioxidants in derma e®’s Age Defying Night Crème help prevent and correct this damage.

Pycnogenol®, pine bark extract from the French maritime pine tree, has been shown to be 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E and has incredible anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to support and stabilize the capillary system in the skin, encouraging it to pick up fluid and not leak any additional fluid. This benefit is extremely important for those who suffer from under eye puffiness or have capillary issues such as rosacea.

Astaxanthin, extracted from marine algae off the coast of Hawaii, has been shown to be 500 times more powerful than Vitamin E and is also anti-inflammatory. It stimulates the killer cells in the skin to seek out and destroy pathogens before they have a chance to invade and cause damage.

Antioxidants are truly the answer to optimizing the health of the skin. I have a tremendous amount of sun damage on my arms from living in the sun (gardening, horseback riding, cleaning corrals, water skiing, hiking, etc. – anything outdoors) and when I use this amazing crème, I can see the damage diminish within just a few days of regular use. Antioxidants are the answer to anti-aging and age prevention. Find your favorite antioxidant and you too will have healthy, younger and better looking skin.

Yours in health,
Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D. O. M. SHARE