Message from Medical Director of VIP MedSpa Clinic

Maryam Hekmat, M.D, FACPHoliday Glam Beauty Bash.

Holiday is around the corner. Please join us for Holiday Glam Beauty Bash party on Friday, Nov. 2 2018. Be ready for some glamorous photos by Shadi Ameri.

You can order the customized skincare baskets, gift bags, gift cards ahead of time to be ready for pick up at the party. Please RSVP 858-451-6500

Medical News

My Metabolism Is Slow— What Can I Do About It?

Your weight is determined by many factors, including gender, activity level, diet, disease status and genetics. But in the end, your metabolism may ultimately steer the ship. As you age, you lose muscle, and along with that muscle loss comes a decrease in how efficient you are at burning calories.

But here are a few things you can do to keep the fire burning:

Focus on weights — and your waist.

Keeping your muscles makes all the difference. One effective way to do this is to add resistance training to your workout. You can use machines, free weights or even your own body as resistance. Studies show that central obesity is a larger predictor of disease risk than actual weight.

VIP MedSpa Clinic NewsVIPMedSpaClinic.com 858-451-6500

11665 Avena Place, Suite 104 San Diego, CA 92128

Maryam Hekmat, M.D. Inc. October 2018

Page �2 VIPMedSpaClinic.com October 2018

Pimple Popping: How to safely zap your zits

Zits. Pimples. Acne. No matter what you call them, whether they are whiteheads, blackheads, or pustules, nearly everyone has struggled with them. Some people try to clear their blemishes by popping them— a practice doctors call extraction.

Although popping pimples is often immediately gratifying, doctors highly discourage this.

It can cause more problems than good, including inflammation and acne scars.

But, if you’re determined to get rid of your pimples by popping them, there is a better way to do it.

What causes pimples to pop up?

Before you start squeezing blemishes, you should know why they happen.

The cells around the hair follicles on your face get sticky. Once they stick together, they form a plug that blocks your pores. Oil builds up behind the plug and causes a bump— a blackhead, whitehead or pustule.

Overtime, the hair follicle fills up and stretches. If it gets too full, it can burst, causing inflammation or developing pus.

�2

Load up protein.

Your protein needs double after age 65, but at any age, it helps to retain muscle. The key here is to focus on lean and plant sources of protein, like fatty fish, chicken breast, tofu and beans.

Add some heat to your diet

Capsaicin, a compound found in hot foods like hot peppers and red pepper flakes, provides a temporary boost in metabolism.

Ditch the saturated fats.

Choose polyunsaturated fats instead. Studies show that people who ate more saturated fats were more likely to gain fat in their midsection, while those who focused on polyunsaturated fats gained more muscle.

Engage in planned aerobic activity

You burn calories even after exercise stops, so plan your workouts, and actually do them.

Page �3 VIPMedSpaClinic.com October 2018

Do some prep before you pop

You can pop pimples far more easily if you loosen the plug first.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can effectively open up your pores if you use them consistently for several weeks.

Best approaches for a hands-on process

Whether you’re dealing with a blackhead, whitehead or pustule, the first step is always the same, wash your hands and face.

From there, the process is slightly different for each type of acne.

✦ Blackhead — After using an OTC medicine, popping a blackhead is fairly easy. Gently apply pressure to the outer edges with either your fingers or cotton swabs. Blackheads are technically open pores, so the plug should pop out easily.

✦ Whitehead — They are closed pimples, so you will need to create an exit point for the plug. Sterilize a needle with alcohol and gently prick the top of the pimple. Then, apply pressure in the same way you would to extract a blackhead.

✦ Pustules — A pustule sits deeper beneath your skin. Use a hot compress to draw the pus to the surface before applying pressure. As with a whitehead, you may need to open an exit. Stop if you aren’t immediately successful. If nothing comes out, wait a while. If you manipulate and squeeze it too much, you will only make the problem worse.

What are the risks of pimple popping?

Popping a pimple certainly releases any oil trapped in your pores. But mashing blemishes comes with risks.

�3

Page �4 VIPMedSpaClinic.com October 2018

You could take something small and not noticeable to someone else and make it a big, red bloody mess.

Being too aggressive could cause skin inflammation or long-term scarring. It could also stretch your pores, permanently making them bigger.

Your best bet? Preventing the next pop session

Pimple popping is, by far, the most popular way to deal with these forms of acne. But working with your doctor is a much better method that is safer for your skin in the long run.

It’s a good idea to see a doctor who can advise you on how best to treat your acne. Doctor can get you on a regimen to treat the existing blemishes and prevent new ones from coming up.

�4