by Vlada Groysman

How to Sweat-Proof Your Wedding Day!

“I love sweat stains on my beautiful wedding gown,” said no bride, ever! Whether it’s rising temperatures, living in a warm, humid climate, or pure nerves, excessive sweating can spoil anyone’s walk down the aisle. While fans and deodorants can certainly help to keep you dry, many brides are opting for more effective treatments to prevent sweat disasters on their big day. There are several options to sweat-proof your biggest day. One option is Botox, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. About 365 million people worldwide suffer from this condition, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society.  Botox is also great for people without a medical condition like hyperhidrosis. We use Botox in our practice to treat general underarm sweating as well. Small drops are injected throughout the entire underarm area to prevent the sweat glands from releasing perspiration. We often get asked, “Don’t I need to sweat?” Underarm sweating accounts for only 2% of overall sweating. We promise, you won’t miss it! Underarm Botox lasts about six to nine months and costs $1,300 per treatment. We often see brides who have never had Botox come in for their first treatment before their wedding. They want to ensure that they have extra protection for their magical day.  Have you heard of Blotox? This is one of my favorite procedures to perform for both the bride and the mother of the bride! Botox is injected into the scalp to help extend the life of blowouts and hairstyling by reducing sweating on the scalp. It prevents makeup from running and extends the life of your very expensive hairstyle so that you can look picture-perfect all day. (Botox is used off-label in this instance; it is not F.D.A. approved for scalp use.) A lot of brides love it because it makes their hair look perfect—not just for the wedding, but for the honeymoon and beyond. But let’s not forget about the nervous grooms! Botox in the hands, while painful, is incredibly effective in treating sweaty palms. He will be able to shake the hands of every guest with confidence! Brotox (Botox for fine lines and wrinkles in men) is also gaining popularity.  Some brides and grooms prefer a more permanent solution for underarm sweating. miraDry is a noninvasive, permanent treatment using microwave technology, and it is F.D.A. approved to destroy underarm odor glands and sweat glands. It is also F.D.A approved for underarm hair reduction. miraDry is the only treatment that can dramatically reduce underarm sweat (up to 85%) by addressing the cause of excessive sweat, and not just the symptoms. This treatment has an immediate effect and is non-surgical in nature. A single session is often enough; however, depending on the degree of sweating, some patients may require two treatments. Treatment starts at $1850. miraDry is completely safe to use for all skin types. While some swelling and tenderness may occur, the side-effects are minimal. We recommend that miraDry patients cease workouts for at least one week following the appointment.  Need help getting ready for your big day? Let our staff at Cahaba Dermatology assist you with your preparation!

by Jonathan Tunstall

Medical Grade Skincare vs. Over The Counter

Chances are, you have heard someone raving about how amazing the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Serum is. You're also probably wondering why these products boast such a hefty price tag ($166). Or maybe you are wondering why brands like Revision and ZO Skin Health have such a cult following. However, if you went to your nearest Ulta or Sephora, you would be out of luck. These products are typically sold exclusively at Med Spas and dermatology offices.  Even with the huge following that professional skincare brands have, you still may be wondering if medical grade skincare actually works or if it's worth the price tag. Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Vlad Groysman explains her stance on the topic. What is Medical Grade Skincare Medical grade skincare or "cosmeceuticals" are skincare products that contain a higher concentration of active ingredients that have been proven to have a positive effect on the skin. These products have gone through testing and have been determined to have a greater effect. The higher concentration of actives allows the ingredients to reach the deeper layers of the skin where they are most effective. "I am very results driven, I never recommend a product to my patients unless I know it will help them. I am a fan of professional brands because they have actually been clinically tested", explains Groysman. "I personally have seen amazing results from some of these products with my own patients". Medical-Grade vs. Over-the-Counter When it comes to the differences between medical-grade skincare vs. over the counter, there are a few important differences to note. For starters, medical grade skincare used to only be available in a medical office. However, with the help of the internet, these products have become much more accessible. Even though this is the case, these products are still only available through medical facilities and certified online retailers, while over the counter products can be found in most drug stores. Innovation Most medical grade skincare companies go the extra mile with the innovation of their products. More research goes into creating products that have the highest absorption rate possible, allowing them to reach the deepest layers of the skin and making the products much more effective.  A Little Goes A Long Way Medical grade skincare products tend to be much more expensive than over the counter products. The upside to this is that professional products normally have concentrations of active ingredients compared to over the counter products which tend to be more diluted. This means that you can use a smaller amount of the product to achieve the desired results, making the products last much longer.  Unlike medical grade skincare, over the counter products are not allowed to make any medical claims or claim to fix a certain skin issue. Why Should You Choose Medical Grade Skincare? Dr. Groysman is a strong advocate for professional strength products, mainly because of their clinical testing. She says it is possible to find high quality products a a beauty store, but you need to understand exactly what's in them. Dr. Groysman recommends that even if you want to try something from one of these stores, it is best to consult your dermatologist to understand what effects it will have on your skin.  "When I recommend a product to a patient, I need to know exactly what's in it so I will know what to expect when my patient uses it." explains Groysman. "With medical grade products, there has been clinical testing. We know what effects to expect. When patients come and ask me why certain products have caused their skin to have a negative reaction, it is normally because the ingredients are not suitable for their skin." she adds. The Verdict Medical grade products are the clear winner in Dr. Groysman's book. The clinical testing along with the higher concentration of active ingredients make these products a no-brainer. "There are a lot of times that I will recommend some of these products over prescription products for my patients, they are THAT good!" says Dr. Groysman. "Some of my favorite acne treatments are products made by Avène" she adds. Before using any skincare products, you should have a decent understanding of what your skin type is and what products are most suitable for you. The best way to know exactly what products you should be using is to visit your local dermatologist or get a skincare consultation. Here are some of our favorite products: Avene A-Oxitive   Revision C+ Correcting Complex 30%   SkinMedica TNS® Advanced+ Serum