5 Habits That Are Aging You Faster

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Introduction

Your skin is a direct reflection of what you put in your body and how you treat it. Aging gracefully and avoiding common skin concerns like acne, sun/age spots, eczema, psoriasis, melasma, premature aging, and rosacea starts from within. At Elite, we take a holistic approach to aesthetics, meaning that we offer many different skin treatments and injectables to help target skin issues, BUT we also provide our clients with wellness information regarding common root causes that may be contributing to skin concerns.

🌱 💉 In simple terms, we take a 360 approach: mind, body, wellness, and aesthetic treatments to help our clients reach their optimal goals. Combining 1. Regular skin treatments with 2. A total body and wellness approach is the key to healthy skin and feeling your best.

On top of that, when we do offer an aesthetic treatment, we ensure that we are using the cleanest and safest products available on the market. We really believe in the ingredients we put into our bodies, whether from nutrition or a treatment!

In this blog we uncover and explain five common lifestyle habits that may be:

  • Wreaking havoc on our gut and detoxification
  • Killing our collagen production
  • Making us age faster
  • Negatively impacting our skin
  • Interfering with healthy hormone function
Bonus: check out some of our favorite book recommendations at the end to help improve overall health! 
Learn more about Ali, NP's approach to functional medicine

Table of Contents

Of note: This is not an inclusive list of how these things affect your body, just a brief explanation on how these 5 things affect your skin exclusively. Additionally, this post is informational ONLY, always talk to your healthcare provider about what may be best for you and if you have any questions or concerns about your individual health.

1. Eating out all the time

Eating an inflammatory diet includes eating out all the time. These types of inflammatory foods are filled with poor quality protein, processed foods, sugar, low quality dairy, Americanized gluten, vegetable/seed oils, and exposure to pesticides and cause an inflammatory response in the body. 

When the body experiences inflammation for an extended period of time, it starts to negatively impact our DNA, gut health, natural detoxification processes, cellular function, and hormone health (just to name a few). When our bodies are experiencing these imbalances, it is not uncommon for our skin to suffer through potential skin concerns like: 

This is not a full list of potential skin concerns or body imbalances, just a list of popular ones that we see as an aesthetic office.

What foods improve skin health?

We encourage our clients to cut out  inflammatory foods and seed oils, and start to incorporate nutrient dense foods (or follow an ancestral or “pegan” diet method) that is filled with real foods that contain the vitamins and minerals to fuel our bodies, fight against free radicals, reverse signs of aging, and support healthier skin overall. This in turn, can also heal our bodies, and we tend to feel better in every aspect of our health when we focus on eating a balanced diet with limited/to no inflammatory foods. 

🌟 Keep in mind that some foods (even if they are healthy) can also be causing inflammation in the body, so if you are experiencing side effects even after limiting the above, please contact your health care provider or a functional nutritionist to run tests/labs to help rule out what may be a culprit for you.

Do toxic skincare products cause acne or eczema?

In many cases, yes. Toxic skincare products can trigger/worsen inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and others. At Elite, we take pride in carrying non-toxic, fragrance free skincare that is effective, yet safe to use as a healthier option. Commonly used and marketed medical grade skincare can contain MANY different chemicals, fragrances, and dyes, even though they may market that it helps relieve certain skin concerns. This also is the same with several pharmaceutical topical skincare products like antibiotic creams, retinols, acids, and steroids. 

Pro Tip: Read your product labels, do your research, and find a skincare routine with beneficial, less toxic products! This is important for anyone using skincare products. What we put on our bodies everyday has a huge impact on our health. Read our full blog on this topic by clicking the pink button below.

💜 If you are unsure what skincare products might be beneficial for you, schedule a consultation with one of our NP providers and learn more about options best suited for you!

Recognizing toxins in skincare

2. Over consumption of alcohol & caffeine

Drinking too many caffeinated beverages and alcoholic drinks can cause an array of issues within our bodies, which in turn effects our skin. Some, but not all, of these issues may include:

  • Chronic dehydration
  • Poor gut health
  • Sluggish liver 
  • Imbalanced hormones

With all of this to say, when these issues (listed above) are happening within our bodies, our skin may start showing signs of dehydration, dryness, crepiness, premature aging, unhealthy color, rosacea, redness, broken capillaries, acne, melasma, eczema, and much more. 

Tip: while the occasional drink with friends or cup of coffee is normal, be mindful of the quality of the alcohol and coffee you consume. For example, mold-free, organic coffee over Starbucks and organic, no-sugar wine/quality tequila over a sugary cocktail are better options!

What are helpful tips to limit caffeine and alcohol?

We encourage our clients to limit their alcohol and caffeinated beverages, and focus on not only drinking more water, but quality electrolytes every day (no, not Gatorade or other brands with dyes and sugar!). Quality electrolytes ensure that your skin/body is hydrated sufficiently, rather than over-diluting our bodies with water alone, which can cause mineral deficiencies.

Alongside water and electrolytes, we especially love herbal infusions, organic teas, lemon water, fresh-pressed organic juice, quality sparkling water like spindrift, and kombucha for healthier drink alternatives that have added “skin-benefits”. Swapping these types of drinks out for alcohol and caffeine is better for your overall health, too!

For a healthier dose of caffeine in the morning, consider green tea or a home-made matcha latte with collagen, honey and coconut milk instead of coffee. Also drink any caffeine AFTER eating a healthy high protein breakfast. 

What are the best drinks for healthy skin?

Like mentioned above, there are many drinks that can help contribute to healthy, hydrated skin. Some of these options may include: organic coconut water, green juices (organic and fresh), herbal teas like roobios, hibiscus, ginger, spearmint, quality electrolytes like Pickleball Cocktail or Needed, lemon water, and aloe vera juice. 

For easy and cheap electrolytes, also consider drinking a large glass of filtered water first thing in the morning with a few dashes of sea salt or pink Himalayan  salt with a splash of lemon!

3. Having to always be busy

In today’s culture, it is “normal” (and sometimes even glorified) to be overly busy and have jammed packed schedules. However, this type of chronic busy-ness can lead to an overload of stress, overwhelm, and fatigue, resulting in over-worked and drained mind and bodies. While there are going to be seasons of life where our schedules are busier than usual, or stress arises from occasional situations, red flags should pop up when this becomes a lifestyle. You may start to notice your skin changing/becoming compromised, and can continue to decline or worsen with time.

Without a doubt, chronic stress/busy-ness leads to adrenal fatigue and cortisol spikes within our bodies, which has a negative impact, leaving us in a constant “fight or flight” state. Potential skin concerns from this may include:

Plus, this lifestyle does not leave much time for a proper skincare routine, regular skin treatments, or self care.

Helpful tips for reducing stress and feeling the need to be busy:

We encourage our clients to make time for themselves each day to do something relaxing or that they love, even if it is just for 30 minutes. We find it beneficial to incorporate things like: 

  • Mindfulness
  • Deep breathing
  • Reading
  • Meditation
  • Getting outdoors
  • Monthly/weekly self care appointments
  • Daily gratitude practice 

These practices “fill your cup” and allow for you to “just be”. Slowing down, even on a busy work day, and enjoying the present moment can help with freeing yourself from “fight or flight” and cortisol spikes. In doing so, you may notice your skin looking more refreshed, youthful, and any skin concerns starting to calm down and heal. 

📕 As as team, we do a monthly bookclub that encourages practices like this, and lets us focus on time with each other to become the best versions of ourselves, both at work and in our personal lives.  

Tip: it can be hard to consider adding in extra things when life feels really crazy, so start with slowing down just one thing. Start walking slower, eating slower, or even brushing your teeth more slowly. Stay present with whatever you’re doing. 

Learn more about our team

How do I make time for a skincare routine when I am busy?

Prioritize yourself, you deserve it! View your skincare routine as self care, and set time in your schedule for it. There’s no need to rush through it, enjoy it, and make it feasible for your lifestyle. It is also less overwhelming when your skincare routine is simple with fewer more efficient products customized to your needs, rather than the 10-step skincare routines you see on social media. 

Also, getting routine skin treatments help with targeting skin concerns and getting you to desired results quicker and more efficiently. This is also a great form of self care and allows for you to feel confident in your skin. 

We also believe that taking time for you, and prioritizing your needs, will help set a positive tone for everything else in your life to follow.

See our top treatments for a "glow up"

4. Being lazy or cheap with sunscreen

Appropriate amounts of sun in healthy people* may have benefits such as vitamin D production, improved mitochondrial function, and better circadian rhythm to name a few. However, on your face, it is crucial to be diligent in wearing a quality mineral sunscreen everyday to protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays and prevent sunburns (yes, even in the winter months). You can get the benefits of the sun without directly exposing your face. If you don’t like sunscreen, then wear a wide brim hat to protect your face.

Even your body should either be covered with protective clothing or with mineral sunscreen after 5-15 min in the sun (depending on total body inflammation and sun tolerance–> the more inflamed you are the less natural tolerance you will have in the sun). 

Not only does wearing sunscreen everyday help protect you from certain skin cancers, but it also lessens your risk of sun spots, age spots, freckling, redness, wrinkles, lines, rosacea, worsening melasma, and pre-mature aging! 

Also, keep in mind that damage from the sun typically does not start appearing via sun spots on our skin until our 30’s+, so wearing sunscreen while you are young is super important.

What types of sunscreen are the best to prevent sun damage?

At Elite, we carry multiple brands and types of sunscreens to have options for our clients. We always say “the best sunscreen is the one you will religiously wear every day”. Luckily, there are many mineral based sunscreens that range from tinted, matte/oil-free, hydrating, powder-form, spray, and much more to suit an individual’s need and skin type.

We also encourage clients to get a yearly skin check-up with a reputable dermatologist, and to see a healthcare provider if you notice anything suspicious or concerning on your skin. 

☀️ If you need help finding the right type of sunscreen for you, or want to address sun damage concerns, book a consultation with one of our nurse practitioners HERE.

View our skincare products

Does getting sun make your skin look better?

*While there is some debate on if the sun is “good” or “bad” for your skin, here is our approach to it 👇 

  • Yes, as above, the sun can have benefits such as reducing inflammation by producing more vitamin D, improving mitochondrial function and resetting circadian rhythm. However, with that being said, benefits only occur if they can tolerate the sun and do not instantly burn (which unfortunately is not very many people in America due to chronic stress and inflammation). Once someone works on eating an anti-inflammatory diet, focuses on a healthy gut, gets adequate sleep, and so on, then they may tolerate the sun better for short periods of time. As a side note: It can be beneficial for everyone to enjoy a small amount of sunshine first thing in the morning to help regulate their circadian rhythm while the rays are not at their most intense.
  •  Bottom line is, wearing a mineral based SPF every day is important to keeping your skin protected from the harmful rays. We especially encourage clients to wear SPF every day on AT LEAST their face, neck, and chest if they are using active skincare ingredients (ie retinols, acids, other exfoliants) and if they are getting regular skincare treatments like IPL/lasers/chemical peels. Wearing quality sunscreen can also decrease your chances of premature aging and help to maintain your treatment results.

Learn more on this topic from Ali, NP’s holistic approach to the sun and sunscreen below:

Is sunscreen or sun causing cancer?

5. Not prioritizing sleep and rest

There is no negotiating that our bodies need adequate sleep and rest to recover. Lack of sleep can: weaken our immune systems, affect our hormones, slow down natural cellular recovery and so much more. When these things start to occur in our bodies, it negatively impacts collagen and elastin production within our skin leading to pre-mature aging concerns.

More importantly, when you don’t get enough sleep your body doesn’t have enough time to produce human growth hormone, which is responsible for healthy cell production. A lack of this can cause:

The saying “I can sleep when I am dead” is not a healthy way of living. Our team read the book “Power of Vulnerability” by Brene Brown where she explains how this perception on not sleeping is harmful to us in many ways. 

What are helpful tips for quality rest and sleep?

It is important to prioritize your sleep by unwinding in the evenings, limiting blue light/devices a few hours before bed, reading, taking a warm bath, sipping on camomile tea, consider taking magnesium bisglycinate (consult with your healthcare provider), getting sunlight first thing in the morning, and ultimately finding a night time routine that sets you up for successful sleep. 

  • Rest also comes in many forms, and for some that may be enjoying quiet time in the afternoon or mornings, short naps, meditations throughout the day, grounding in nature, talking to a loved one, and enjoying a tv show/movie (to be turned off at least 1 hour before bed).

Will my skin improve if I sleep more?

Generally speaking, yes your skin will improve if you sleep more (or the right amount around 7-9 hours for women). This is because during “deep sleep” your body has adequate time to repair cellular damage, detoxify your organs and bloodstream, and also strengthen your skin to help fight against free radicals and environmental pollutants. Sleep is very important for healthy skin, mind, and body, because a lack of adequate sleep drives further inflammation, weakens proper immune function, and therefore can worsen or drive any skin concern. 

Conclusion:

To put it simply, the health of your skin is greatly resembled by how you take care of your body. While aesthetic treatments can help/improve many skin concerns, and we recommended them for maintaining healthy skin, it is just as important to focus on your overall wellness, too! 

When you prioritize your health and follow a customized treatment plan, you will not only showcase the best version of yourself, but you will also feel your best. 💜 These are simple tips, if you want to take a deeper dive schedule a consultation with one of our NP providers. 

For a more thorough list of tips and tricks for overall health to decrease inflammation, improve gut health, improve sleep, and overall well-being, check out some of our favorite books (no affiliation or conflicts of interest btw, just a few books we love):

– Dirty Genes

– Pegan Diet

– Hormone Intelligence

Check out our instagram post on this topic below 👇 

Instagram

Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO that takes a holistic approach to natural results. We pride ourselves in having an all nursing staff of NP’s that put safety as #1 priority.

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Recognizing Toxins in Skincare

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Introduction

More and more in today’s society, we all have to be our own advocates to ensure that the products we are using on our bodies and in our homes are safe. Many of us have taken to reading every label and ingredient before buying. However, when something is purchased in a medical office, like a Medical Spa, many people just assume that because it is “medical” it is automatically safe and non-toxic. 

We have to remember that every skincare line, medical grade or not, is for profit and they often have non-medical or non-science based people on their boards making decisions on where to save money. Skincare ingredients are also highly unregulated as the FDA allows over 3,000 chemicals to be masked under the terms “fragrance” or “parfum” alone. 

We recently went through months of back and forth with various companies trying to get them to be transparent about exactly what chemicals and ingredients they use under the blanket terms “fragrance” or “parfum” and we were hit over and over with the non-answer that it was “proprietary information”.

In our opinion, people have the right to know what they are putting on their bodies that could harm their health. So we refuse to buy products with these ingredients. However, companies will only change their behavior if the consumer demands they do or they take a hit to their bottom line, because people ARE becoming more aware.

👇 This article is to shed light on the lack of transparency in “Medical Grade” Skincare and what you can do to protect yourself from toxic ingredients 👇 

Table of Contents

What's the easiest toxin to recognize in skincare?

The easiest toxin to recognize, and therefore avoid, in skincare is “fragrance/parfum”.  

Any ingredient labeled “fragrance” or “parfum” is a blanket term that represents OVER 3,000 toxins that do not have to be recorded or reported. Source link for statistic found HERE. These chemicals include toxins, endocrine distruptors (hormone distruptors), carcinogens, allergens and more! 

⭐️ Look, we are realistic and fully understand that sometimes “chemicals” are needed in certain products in order to create lather, increase absorption of an active ingredient, increase stability for shelf life, etc.. However, any scents (and the other hidden chemicals) are 100% not necessary! 

Why does it matter?

The skin is the largest organ in the body and is absorbing whatever we put on it. Smells (aka fumes) are also inhaled and can cause other symptoms such as headaches and breathing issues. the fumes we are inhaling also absorb through our nasal and lung mucosa and can act systemically throughout the body.

Not only is this unethical, in our opinion, but also harmful to our overall health if companies do not disclose exactly what is in a product we use every day! We understand companies have a right to their proprietary information, but no one can replicate their product without exact ingredients AND proportions. So…why not disclose the exact ingredients unless they have something to hide?

Are fragrances unnecessary in skincare products?

Yes, fragrances are completely unnecessary to have in skincare products. These toxins only provide a scent or smell to products, they do not actually give a purpose to the product formulation. As above, while there are some ingredients that may not be as “pure” in skincare, they may be needed in order to create a lather, sud, or provide a barrier for hydration. 

⭐️ Overall, fragrances or parfum are NOT needed for any functionality of the product…so why are they put in there?!

How are fragrances endocrine disruptors?

When toxic fragrances are inhaled or absorbed in the skin, they mimic our delicate endocrine system by interfering with healthy hormone functions as well as the release of hormones in our body. 

⭐️ Dr. Hanisha Patel states ” Environmental toxins are one of the leading causes of infertility in both men and women and if we are not actively minimizing our exposure then it is easy for our bodies to be overburdened leading to hormonal imbalances”. 

Below are additional medical sources that explain how toxic skincare ingredients can be harmful to our health/hormones:

Here is a short explanation, from Dr. Jolene Brighton Hormone Expert, as to why endocrine disruptors like fragrances and parfumes are toxic to our health/hormones. 

Source Link HERE

Another example from Dr. Mark Hyman about how toxins (fragrances) in our skincare are related to many hormone and health issues. 

Source Link HERE

Dr. Ben Lynch explains in this diagram how fragrances are considered chemicals to our bodies. They rank with some of the most dangerous chemicals.

Source Link HERE

What are common health-related symptoms fragrances cause?

A few, but not all symptoms that are common from toxic fragrances include the following: 

  • Unbalanced hormone levels 
  • Headache, nausea, brain fog, or just feeling “off” 
  • Thyroid complications
  • Negative impact on fertility (both men & women) and women’s cycles
  • Skin concerns: acne, dermatitis, eczema, rashes 
  • General allergic reaction

These symptoms arise from topical absorption of toxins in our bloodstream, as well as inhaling the fragrances. Many people may not notice any negative symptoms from products with fragrances right away, but the daily (or even twice daily) use of these products accumulate overtime, increasing our toxic load (more below), which then leads to the negative symptoms. 

⭐️ Disclaimer: Everyone is different and some people will be affected more that others, especially those with histamine intolerance or a “dirty” DAO gene (Read “Dirty Genes“).  

Does medical grade skincare have fragrance in it?

Yes, many “medical grade” skincare products have fragrance in them. However, this it not to say that ALL medical grade skincare has fragrance in it. That is why it is important as a consumer, to read ingredient labels before purchasing skincare (or any product). It is such a bummer that clients come to medical offices trusting that medical grade skincare is a better option for them, when in reality it can be filled with these unnecessary toxins.

⭐️ Overall, we expect medical grade skincare companies to do better, especially if they really care about client safety and treatment outcomes. 

Examples of a FEW medical-grade skincare products with fragrances:

Below you can see many popular medical grade skincare brands that have fragrance listed in their ingredient list. This was from a very LIGHT search for fragrances in commonly used and sold skincare in the aesthetic industry. We are not trying to bash any one brand, but simply want to shed light on how common these toxic ingredients are. That way you can learn to be your own advocate if your medical spa does not carry options without known fragrances or parfum in them. 

Again, fragrance and parfum are 100% non essential to the product working and only cause harm to ones health. 

⭐️ Each product listed below has the official ingredient list with a circle around “fragrance/parfum” listed. You can also view the product ingredient list with the source link provided. 

Is Clinical Perfect Neck Correct:

Check it out for yourself!

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Serum:

Full List of Ingredients

Obagi Professional C Serum 20%:

Read Ingredient Label

Zo Skin Health Exfoliating Cleanser:

Product Ingredient List

Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream:

Fragrances Found

Trying to get companies to disclose ingredients:

Topix Skincare:

In our office at Elite, we have carried a private label skincare line, Topix, for a few years now. Previously they really marketed themselves as “clean”, “hypoallergenic”, “fragrance free” and heavily researched. Unfortunately over the years we have received many products that contain fragrance when we were told they were fragrance free, or they now have fragrance in them when previously they did not. 

The sales reps were clearly naive to the dangers of the blanket terms “fragrance” and “parfum” and during our back and forth made several claims that ended up being false. Including that they only had 5 skus with fragrance and no parfum (they have both and there are over 15 now). They also claimed that none of their ingredients were toxic because they were prescription strength.

As someone with a license to prescribe, Ali-NP countered that many many prescriptions contain toxins and other unnecessary ingredients. Otherwise why would some prescription pills have bright artificial colors and why would creams contain fragrance and other additives and preservatives (see chart below for full source)?

Ali asked several times for the exact ingredients and was told over and over they would not tell her because it was “proprietary information”. 

 

⭐️ ⭐️ But, if none of their products are toxic, then why would they need to use the blanket ingredient label “fragrance”? This is just one example of how hard it is to get transparency in ingredients in skincare. 

Is prescription strength skincare non-toxic?

No, prescription strength skincare is not necessarily non-toxic. Just because a skincare product is prescription strength, does not mean it is non-toxic! There are many additives in prescription strength skincare that can be toxic to our health and hormones, too. Below are just a few examples of common additives in these types of products we get from Doctors and Dermatologists for our skin concerns 👇 

 Again, most of these additives are unnecessary ingredients needed for skincare products to do their job.

Link to read entire study  below. 

View Full Source

Please Do BETTER!

From a few of our personal encounters with this issue, it is known that these medical companies need to do better! Like mentioned earlier, we feel it is unethical to promote a product as “medical grade” or “clean” and then hide toxins under the terms “fragrance” and “parfum”. Consumers deserve to know what they are using on their skin, bottom line. The only way for change is to call these companies out and stop purchasing their products…it should not be a mystery for anyone. 

What are some non-toxic skincare options?

At Elite, we want to give a shout-out to skincare brands like Alastin Skincare and Dr. Alkatis Skincare who are transparent with their ingredient lists and avoid toxic fragrances. We will continue to carry and support skincare lines like this because they clearly state on their ingredient labels where the scent of the product is coming from.

  • For example: “Fragrance from orange oil” or “Orange essential oil” are not blanket terms for “fragrance” 👇 

Alastin TransFORM Body Cream:

View Product Source

Dr. Alkatis Organic Nourishing Oil:

View Product Source

Toxic Cup Example:

Above is an image demonstrating two different types of “toxic cups” that represent the toxic overload in our bodies. 

1. Many different lifestyle factors can create an over-flowing toxic cup such as:

  • Alcohol consumption, unfiltered/tap water, fast food, abundant stress, sugary caffeine drinks, not exercising, limited sleep, excessive news/consumption of media, dehydration, exposure to fragrances, toxic household supplies, etc.

2. Someone with a low toxic up usually finds themselves prioritizing their health in ways like:

  • Meditation, organic/balanced diet, hydration, managed stress levels, detoxification practices, adequate sleep, proper gut health, exercise, spending time outside, avoid toxic personal/hygiene products, etc.

When someone is exposing themselves to excess toxins every day, their toxic cup eventually overfills and negative health symptoms may arise. If a person with a full toxic cup comes in for an elective procedure such as  botox or fillers, negative side effects and adverse reactions are more likely to happen. Versus someone with a low toxic cup can handle a few “toxins” much better and safer (i.e. botox quarterly or lip filler yearly), because there are less toxins for their body to manage. 

⭐️ This is why it’s very important to go to a medical office with providers that asses each client before treating them AND take a holistic approach to injectables by offering cleaner options in the office for procedures like Xeomin and RHA. 

Why does this matter?

We bring this up  because we are seeing social media flooded with reels/posts similar to the one here. 

While we understand the humor in it, we also want to make a point that it is VERY important to live a healthy lifestyle for anyone doing elective procedures. It’s controversial but aesthetic treatments, or any elective treatments (think tattoos, hair chemical treatments, etc.), are less likely to cause problems for someone with a low “toxic cup” (see figure above). 

People that have a high toxic cup and don’t get any elective treatments also aren’t necessarily healthier either (in our humble opinion). Eating fast food, wearing tons of artificial fragrances and drinking tap water could very likely be more harmful to health overtime compared with getting injections quarterly or yearly. 

⭐️ There are also ways to have treatments that are cleaner/less toxic when you go to an office like Elite Medical & Aesthetics that prioritizes this!

Bottom Line:

  • What we put on our skin daily affects our hormones and our health
  • Just because something is labeled as “Medical Grade” or “Prescription Strength” does not make it non-toxic
  • Just because someone works for a skincare company doesn’t mean they know what is in their products or why (i.e. you can’t just trust what a sales rep tells you)
  • YOU have to advocate for yourself by reading ingredients and choosing safer products
  • It matters because your toxic load (toxic cup level) can greatly affect your overall health
  • Getting any elective procedure could increase stress or “toxic load” so it is important to live a healthy lifestyle 
  • Go to a medical provider that cares about overall health to keep toxic load down if you choose to have any elective treatment

Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO. Our staff of Nurse Practitioners provide a holistic approach for natural results with safety as a #1 priority.

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Reasons why people are triggered by you getting aesthetic treatments

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Introduction:

FYI: This article may have some triggering content in it for those reading, but we feel it is important to share our take on this topic, as we are tired of seeing others being shamed for getting aesthetic treatments done. Especially when they are done in moderation with a natural result! 

For starters, we want to emphasize the fact that only people who are insecure with themselves will judge others for doing treatments, this is because:

⭐️ A really secure person does not actually care what other people do, so long as it is not hurting anyone else= if they’re triggered, it’s about THEM and not about YOU⭐️

While keeping that main point in mind, this article explains a few reasons why people tend to feel triggered by others getting aesthetic treatments done. 

Table of Contents

They believe they cannot have it for themselves

Oftentimes people who have to make rude comments or judge others for something, it is actually because they are upset that they cannot have it for themselves. AKA they are “hating” on you for getting a treatment done that they really want, too. 

So rather than digging deep and admitting they want something they can’t have, they try to bring you down to their level and make it sound bad or like they don’t even want it. 

There have been a few main reasons we see this issue arise from instances in our own practice👇 

1. Financial Reasons

At Elite, we have heard many times that people cannot afford certain treatments. And while we understand aesthetics can be expensive, we also believe that people can prioritize and budget what they want in life. 

Bottom line, if you truly cannot afford aesthetic treatments, that is absolutely understandable, but do not shame the people who can/choose to afford and budget for them! 

2. Society Expectations

It is such a shame that SO many celebrities lie about getting plastic surgery and aesthetic treatments done. This sets an unrealistic expectation for women that they need to look/age a certain way with all natural methods (or with their olive oil skincare line, haha).

We can understand how this may turn people sour towards the aesthetic industry, but trust us they all have work done and will continue to try and hide it instead of empowering women with truth!

3. Pleasing someone else

It can be frustrating trying to live up to someone else’s expectations as to how you should look. BUT you will never please everyone in your life, so it is important to let go of that expectation.

Instead, do aesthetic treatments because it feels empowering to you, not because someone else does or doesn’t want you to do them!

Their partner or family will judge them for it

Like mentioned earlier, you will NEVER please everyone in your life. It is also funny, because oftentimes partners/family members that are judgmental, ALSO expect their partners to look a certain way…can we say hypocritical?! 

Overall, people who get aesthetic treatments should do it because they feel empowered to and love the way it boosts their confidence. If you think about it, these treatments are just as comparable as people who alter the way they look through: 

  • Makeup (regular and permanent)
  • Hairstyles (especially perms or relaxers that are not reversible)
  • Clothing or high heels 
  • Fake nails 
  • Padded bras

Again, someone who is really secure with themselves does not care what other people do, so long as it is not negatively impacting them. Even more so, really secure people tend to support and congratulate people who do what they love because it can be viewed as a form of self care and self love (PS: those are the kinds of people you want in your life anyways 😘).

Overall, we are not trying to convince people to get any treatments done, we are just emphasizing to STOP shaming the people who do! 

We especially love this quote written by, Alex Pike, because it sums everything up in a few short words.

They think it is "unhealthy"

To put it simply, health is not that black and white. Many people claim that getting treatments such as Tox is just injecting a toxin into your body…and while this can be argued, consuming foods such as:

  • Processed foods
  • Inflammatory oils 
  • Refined sugar 
  • Alcohol
  • Artificial dyes and fragrances 

Are just as toxic for your health if, not worse. What people do not understand is that Tox injections only occur every 3-4 months in a very localized area. People consume and apply toxins on a daily basis that accumulate overtime to a very large amount. Everything in life is about balance, and one extreme over the other is not healthy either way, we are the first to say “NO” to people who are over-filled, or want aesthetic treatments for the wrong reasons. 

 

Hence our motto “Holistic approach, Natural results” 💜 

They are projecting their own experiences on you

If someone had a really bad experience with an aesthetic treatment or an injector, they might have the tendency to project that negativity onto you. Sure, that is only human to do (to a point) but it does not mean that all aesthetic treatments should be given that kind of reputation. That is why it is always important to do your research before going to an injector or a medical spa in general, to ensure your safety is number one, but that their morals align with yours and that their credentials/before and after work is legitimate!  

⭐️ It is also important to keep in mind that you never know someone’s intentions behind getting an aesthetic treatment done or the reasoning behind their decisions. Aesthetic treatments and surgeries can oftentimes change people’s depression or help heal past trauma that they experienced in their lifetime. 

Many therapists indicate that people who stop caring about their appearance are actually more likely to have signs of depression and lack of self confidence. Compared to the people who take the time to do self care acts (whatever form this may be) and do things that make them feel beautiful and confident. 

Ali, NP's Personal Experience with Health & Aesthetics

Ali, NP takes her health and wellness very seriously as she has put in thousands of hours as a Nurse Practitioner and is training in the functional medicine field. For example: 

-She eats an all organic diet full of vegetables, fruits, animal protein, and supplements based on her own body’s needs; drinks filtered water and has a reverse osmosis system installed in the office too! She limits caffeine to ~2-3 servings/week and rarely drinks alcohol. 

– Not only does she factor in diet, she also uses non-toxic beauty products and household products. 

– Alongside those important lifestyle choices she focuses on mental health by reading, meditating, and spending time doing things she loves like painting, playing sand volleyball and doing pilates. 

-With all of that being said, she DOES get aesthetic treatments done that are appropriate for her and make her feel even more confident and beautiful with a holistic and natural approach. 

Ali clearly takes care of her health and even jokes that, “the only toxin I put into my body is localized Botulinum Toxin”. However, others may put toxins in their bodies daily and then believe they are healthy by not getting tox injections. It is not that simple, health is not that black and white!

Running her own medical spa, Ali also prioritizes carrying less-toxic, cleaner products for her clients such as:

  • Xeomin: double filtered, purified neurotoxin that does not have any added/unnecessary proteins
  • RHA filler: the only HA filler on the market that closely mimics our body’s own HA with a cleaner formula
  • Dr. Alkaitis holistic skincare line that is organic, raw, and toxin free

Conclusion

Overall, we want to inform people that if someone has to make comments or shame you for getting aesthetic treatments, remember that it has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with them! Usually people are triggered by others getting treatments because of the four main reason explained above 👆 

1. They believe they cannot have it for themselves 

2. Their partner or family will judge them for it 

3. They think it is “unhealthy”

4. They are projecting their own experiences onto you 

At Elite, we want to use aesthetic treatments as a way to feel empowered as women (and men) and to do them because we feel even more confident and beautiful than we already are 😉 

Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO. Our staff of Nurse Practitioners provide a holistic approach for natural results with safety as a #1 priority.

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5 Reasons NOT to get Aesthetic Treatments

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Introduction

While we support and empower women (and men) to get aesthetic treatments that make them feel good, we also are not afraid to say “no” to clients getting aesthetic treatments. Our providers care about our clients on a personal level to advise them to do what is best for them at that time, and sometimes that means not doing a treatment at all. 

💜 In this article we will cover our Nurse Practitioner’s top 5 reasons to NOT to get aesthetics treatments and frequently asked questions regarding this subject.

Elite's Values

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Reason #1

Because everyone else is doing it:

Just because there is a new trend on Tik Tok, or you’re seeing the new “latest and greatest” treatment on social media does not mean it is going to be a treatment best for you. There are side effects and risks to every medical treatment that could cause complications later on if not taken seriously or done for the appropriate reasons. If you are interested in a certain treatment, talk with your provider/injector about your options, instead of seeking a medical spa that offers the trendy treatment at that time.

 ⭐️ FYI- it’s not uncommon for these trends to end, and people end up not being happy with the treatment/results anymore because there is a new trend. 

Example

  • Ozempic aka “the skinny shot”: This is all the rage right now for losing weight! But, while you may see many people taking/using a certain medication, this does not mean it is a safe option for everyone. Also, we strongly believe that not everyone is meant to look the same, and “skinny” does not mean you are healthy! Consider taking care of your total health/wellness through a balanced diet and exercise and consult with a medical professional for any type of weight-loss medication. 

Reason #2

Your partner wants you to look a certain way:

First and foremost, do not let anyone make you feel like you should look a certain way! We recommend to refrain from doing treatments because someone wants you to look differently. It is never a good idea to do aesthetic treatments to “people please”. 

⭐️ Instead, do treatments because you want to, and it empowers you to feel your best! Your partner should support and care about you just as you are, with or without aesthetic treatments done. 

Example

  • Your partner says you “need botox”: Ali, NP and owner of Elite has had clients in her office tell their partners that they “need” botox in front of her. While there may be jokes aside, it is important to note these kind of comments from your partner (if any) and talk to them about it, because you should never feel like you have to change for someone else in order to feel loved or accepted! 

Reason #3

You think it will make you feel more secure:

Consider doing aesthetic treatments because they are empowering to you, not because you feel the need to “fix” something about yourself to feel secure or beautiful. Your mental health is #1 priority, and oftentimes if you are struggling with an insecurity, there is an underlying reason that needs to be addressed (ie. your inner child was made fun of for something that is still affecting you). 

⭐️ Our EMA team strives to make aesthetic treatments an empowering thing to do that makes YOU feel good, bottom line.

Example:

  • You were once made fun of for “chicken lips”:  So naturally, getting lip filler might make you feel better about your appearance, but it doesn’t fix the “inner child” that was made fun of for her lips to begin with. PLUS, the same person that made fun of you for having “chicken lips” will most likely make fun of you for getting lip filler! Overall, you have to do it for yourself…you will never make everyone happy 💜 

Reason #4

You are under immense stress:

We understand that when life feels out of control, you usually feel the need to control something. But, aesthetic treatments should never be used as a coping mechanism in hard, stressful times. When you are not in the right headspace, it is only human to make impulse decisions that you may regret later when things have calmed down. 

⭐️ This is often when our NP providers will say “no” to a client and tell them to come back when things are less stressful and consult about it then (and most of them thank us for it)!

Example

  • Someone is going through a family crisis: Getting any type of medical treatment is not the way to go about handling a stressful time/event in your life. It is also posing a risk for you to have adverse reactions to a treatment or slower healing time, simply because your body is already being triggered by other stressors. Don’t worry, our providers will still be here for you when things have calmed down and when you can enjoy getting treatments done 💜 

Reason #5

You have an uncontrolled illness:

Having uncontrolled illnesses like autoimmune diseases simply puts your body at risk for more complications, reactions, or longer downtime post-treatment. This is why it is important to see a real medical provider that has practiced in a health care setting not just in the aesthetics industry. 

⭐️ Providers with actual medical backgrounds know how to identify symptoms of diseases that could put you at risk, and what to look for before considering if someone is a candidate for a treatment. Your safety is always a #1 priority, and should be taken seriously. 

Examples that our providers refrain from doing treatments:

  • Recent vaccines of any kind within a 2 week time frame
  • Any dental work within a 2 week time frame (for filler treatments)
  • Being on steroids. This causes the immune system to be lowered
  • ANY uncontrolled autoimmune disease that is not being treated

In general, any illnesses, or just not feeling well in general, is also not a good time to do elective aesthetic treatments. 

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Other Commonly Asked Questions

Can aesthetic treatments improve mental health?

Aesthetic treatments should not be used as a coping mechanism for mental health issues. If you are experiencing any kind of mental health struggles, please consult with a therapist and get help. Your mental health should always come first/be a priority. 

  • However, aesthetic treatments can be empowering to people, thus making them feel more confident and even more beautiful than they already are! But we emphasize that these treatments are meant to be done for you, and not to please other people (because lets face it, you will never please everyone so do it for YOURSELF) 😉 
Our Favorite Glow up Treatments

Can aesthetic treatments become addictive?

Yes, aesthetic treatments can become a behavioral addiction if people are getting them for the wrong reasons. Like mentioned earlier, we support people getting aesthetic treatments because they feel empowered to and use it to feel good about themselves, NOT to “fix” something about themselves. If our providers sense alternative motives from clients they, will have a discussion and are not afraid to say “no” if things are no longer a good fit (because we genuinely care about our clients on a personal level).

💜 Note: There are also some people who are diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder that can become addictive to cosmetic treatments/surgeries to look a certain way. This is a serious disorder and if recognized to seek help from a trusted provider/therapist.

Does botox improve depression?

Botox, or “Tox” Xeomin, Dysport, Daxxi, Jeuveau, may work in treating depression by inhibiting the muscle movements in the face that occur when certain emotions linked to depression occur:

  • Anger
  • Fear
  • Sadness

These neurotoxin results work by regulating these emotions and also help patients have improved self-esteem with or without underlying depression. A 2006 case study by Finzi & Wasserman evaluated how effective Botulinum Toxin A glabellar treatments were on patients with major depression. 9 out of the 10 patients were no longer depressed 2 months post treatment (the 10th patient had improved mood). 

Read MORE studies here

In Summary:

All in all, we want to emphasize that there is a right time and place to do aesthetic treatments. Unfortunately, we have seen many cases where aesthetic treatments are being used for the wrong reasons. And while we support the aesthetic industry and most treatments, it is important to us and our values to know when to say “no” to clients for their safety (and to have their best interest at heart 💜)

We hope you view aesthetic treatments the way we do: to empower yourself and show a form of self care that makes YOU feel good at the end of the day. 

Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO. Our all nursing staff of Nurse Practitioners take a holistic approach to natural results with safety as #1 priority. 

Talk with one of our providers.

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