Sun protection even in the winter??

3 Simple New Years resolutions for Healthy, Gorgeous skin

1. Eat the foods that support healthy skin and that discourage skin problems.
2. Sun protect your skin every day so that it stays healthy and strong throughout your lifetime.
3. Moisturize your skin to keep it working 24/7 as a strong barrier – it keeps “the outside out and the inside in” for you.

Now, the details…..
What foods should I eat to keep my skin healthy and prevent skin problems?
Foods you should try to eat every day for healthy skin:
Eat a variety of fruits, veggies, whole grains and legumes.  They’re filled with the phytonutrients and antioxidants that your skin needs for optimal health.  Eat beta-carotene rich foods that give your skin a healthy golden glow.  These foods include carrots, yellow squash, leafy greens etc.
If you eat meats, eat mostly those high in vitamin D3 like wild caught salmon and eggs (the yolks specifically).
Eat foods rich in inflammation fighting omega 3 fatty acids; flax seeds are one of the best choices.  Add freshly ground flax seeds to your morning cereal, smoothie or top a salad with them.
Use olive oil.  It’s been shown to reduce skin wrinkles.
Include naturally fermented and probiotic rich foods in your diet every day.  My favorite is kefir.  Others include yogurt, miso soup, kimchee, barrel fermented pickles and sauerkraut.  Remember, cooking, canning and sterilizing these foods destroys the probiotic organisms, so look for foods with live cultures and don’t cook them.
Foods you should minimize and/or avoid in your diet:
Minimize eating highly refined carbs and sugary foods (junk foods, sweets, sugary drinks etc).
Minimize the fatty foods of our traditional western diet.  These include pizza, fries, burgers, big steaks, buttery treats, ice cream, cheese cakes etc.  Medical studies now show that these foods worsen the inflammation of skin conditions including acne and psoriasis.  I expect to see more skin problems joining the list in the next few years.
Cow dairy milk products are now linked to acne problems.  Cow dairy products include whey protein powders as well.
If you want to learn more about diet and your skin health, click on the links below.
How does sun protection help keep my skin healthy and strong?
When UV rays shine on your skin they cause a gradual thinning of your skin over time.  It’s why the skin on the back of a person’s arms can become so fragile later in life that it tears and bruises easily.  It’s also why the sun causes wrinkles.  This thinning is, for the most part, irreversible.  It’s not just a summer tan that’s harmful, the daily incidental exposure you get from running errands and living on a sunny planet add up too.
Freckling and age spots are often an early sign of sun damage.   They too are hard to reverse.  Skin cancer is the sun exposure skin problem we all know about, but it’s not the only bad consequence of daily sun exposure.
Protect your skin by wearing a mineral zinc oxide sunscreen every day on exposed skin.  Use clothing to cover your skin from the sun and wear hats to reduce facial UV exposure by creating shade.  We have multiple wonderful sunscreen products here at our office to purchase and are HIGHLY reccomended by the American Cancer Society & by Dr. Rau himself.
What does moisturizing have to do with my skin barrier?
Your skin gives you terrific protection from the outside world.  It keeps an infinite number of harmful or harsh chemicals out (solvents, housecleaning products, germs, etc.) and it keeps your precious vital fluids in (your body is made up mostly of water and your skin is sort of like a water balloon holding it all in!).
This important skin barrier is protected by layers of dead cells and lipids (oils) that help keep your skin healthy and hydrated and its barrier strong.  When your skin is dry, that important barrier begins to weaken.  Harmful chemicals are more likely to penetrate (think dishpan hands).  The more damaged your skin becomes, the more it dries out.  When it’s really damaged it will actually blister and leak (think poison oak, a “rub burn” that feels sticky or severe eczema that weeps).
You can protect your skin barrier by moisturizing the more exposed and fragile parts of your skin daily.  Apply moisturizer to your face, hands, arms and legs after washing.  If you wash your hands frequently, use my non-greasy hand cream throughout the day.  Even if you have oily facial skin you still need to moisturize after washing because soaps and cleansers strip vital skin barrier oils.  Remember, moisturizers need to be applied within 3 minutes after you wash and towel dry your skin.

What to expect after your Breast Augmentation surgery

One of the most important conversations you’ll have with your plastic surgeon before breast augmentation is what the healing process will be like. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions, but here are some general guidelines.

For a few weeks after surgery, you will probably have soreness and swelling. You might also have numbness or a burning sensation in your nipples as you heal after breast augmentation. We suggest that you wear a compression bra for extra support and to minimize movement of the breast implants.

Will I Need to Take Time Off Work?

Yes, most patients will need to take a few days off following surgery. It will vary by patient and also by job description.

If your job isn’t physically demanding, you may be able to return to work within a week. If your job is physically demanding, you many need to take more time off. Most surgeons recommend that physical activity should be avoided for the first few weeks following surgery.

Will I Be Able to Care For My Children?

As with your job, you will probably be able to get back to your routine of caring for your children within a few days.

However, if you have an infant or young child, it may be longer before you can completely care for them,  as you may not be able to pick them up. It is suggested not to lift over 5 pounds for at least a few days and no heavy lifting for at least a few weeks after surgery.

When Will I Be Able to Exercise?

Most often the recommendation is to avoiding physical activity for at least three weeks to a month following surgery. Even after that period, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery recommends making sure whatever activity you engage in is extremely gentle on your breasts for at least another month.

When Will I Be Able to Drive?

Usually it’s about a week before you’ll drive and only once you are off any pain medication your surgeon has prescribed.

Be sure to follow your plastic surgeon’s specific instructions for your recovery period to ensure the best results for your surgery.

What is the difference between Laser Liposuction and Traditional Liposuction?

We get many patient's inquiring on the differences between Laser Liposuction & Traditional Liposuction. The answer is that there is no scientific evidence that laser liposuction offers any benefits over standard liposuction.  The retraction of the overlying skin has to do with its turgor rather than the instrument used to remove the fat.  No matter the modality, (whether laser, vaser, smart liposuction, ultrasonic liposuction) they all produce the same results.  Through small incisions a liposuction cannula is inserted and fat cells are gently removed. Liposuction is the ideal procedure for removing small localized areas of fat to create a smooth, contoured physique.

*Actual Patient of Doctor Todd C. Rau

5 things you must know before a Breast Augmentation

Know Your Doctor

I rank this as number 1, because picking the right Plastic Surgeon will assure you a great outcome and happy results.
Some tips on getting to the right Breast Augmentation Surgeon are: Ask around, I’ve found the best referrals come from nurses who work with different doctors and can compare their surgical skills.
Also, make sure your Breast Augmentation Surgeon is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Most persons don’t realize that there is “NO” recognized Board Certification for Cosmetic Surgery by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the State of California. This is important, because only Plastic Surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery learn how to perform Breast Augmentation surgery while in hospital residency training prior to starting private practice.
An additional factor to help find the right Plastic Surgeon is to inquiry of about length of time in practice. An experienced surgeon is a valuable asset.

Understand if a Breast Lift is Necessary for a Good Shape

This is important because breast implants look the best if you have good shape to your breasts. If your breasts have stretched out or fallen, then a shaping lift may be necessary before or at the same time as a Breast Augmentation.

Understand the Limits of the Size and Shape Implant for Your Body

The more detailed in your discussion with me, the easier it is for me to match the breast implant size and shape to your new look. Specific things I find important include, a cup size, whether you want to be on the fuller or smaller side and photos of women who have already had Breast Augmentation.

Ask if You Should Have a Submuscular or Subglandular Implant Placement

If your nipple position is high and your breasts have not stretched out, then I will place the implant under the muscle. This places an additional layer over the implant to reduce visibility. However, if your breasts have dropped somewhat, your skin is loose and you are not very thin, then I will place the implants on top of the muscle. This subglandular placement of the implant may mean you can avoid a Breast Lift.

Find Out Which Implant, Either Saline or Silicone is Right for You

Here are some of the differences:

Saline implants have the following advantages;

Lower cost, ease of replacement, less interference with a mammogram reading and the most important of all, overfill and adjustability. Overfill means I can add more saline if you’re petite and want more fullness. Adjustability on the other hand gives me the ability to add more saline to one implant, if one of your breasts is smaller that the other.

Silicone implants have these advantages;

Sometimes a softer and more natural feel, less chance of visibility of the implant edge and better durability. Silicone implants on average last longer than saline implants.

The "Mommy Makeover" Helping the post baby blues

Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding are experiences that many women look forward to and enjoy. Although they take pleasure in their new roles as mothers, there are some unpleasant changes to the body that aren’t as delightful. Throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts and abdomen stretch, causing the skin to lose elasticity. In addition, there may also be specific areas of stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to exercise and diet.

Women who have exhausted natural means of weight loss often turn to cosmetic plastic surgery to achieve their desired goals. Typically, patients choose to undergo a combination of procedures in order to regain their pre-pregnancy shape; this is often termed a “Mommy Makeover.” Dr. Rau performs this surgery at his practice. The most frequently combined procedures include breast lift surgery (with augmentation), liposuction, and a tummy tuck. Some patients may also opt to undergo vaginal rejuvenation. These procedures can help restore the breasts to a more youthful shape and position, while tightening and contouring the midsection.

It is common for patients to comment that they have been able to reclaim their body with the Mommy Makeover surgery and are pleased with the results. If you are ready to learn more regarding these procedures, feel free to contact Doctor Rau’s office. Your questions/concerns can be addressed during an initial consultation.