Just this weekend I was feeling a little frustrated about my expanding waist line. I must admit this is a by-product of growing a little human in there, but whenever your body changes fast and furiously, it sometimes takes your brain a second to catch up! So I decided enough complaining about not having anything to wear, I was going to make the investment in some feel-good clothes! I’ve always been a very confident person and in pregnancy its been no different, but it doesn’t make you feel any less frustrated when you can’t find anything to wear to your daughter’s birthday party other what feels like a mumu! So off I went to Lululemon (every pregnant ladies saving grace) to find the perfect pair of black tights that I knew would go with everything (dresses, long tops, comfy sweaters!) But little did I know that my life was literally going to change the moment I tried on their NEW “NAKED-feel” stretchy pants. I feel like I should preface this but saying I am not that big of a shopper, so an intense love for pants was a bit of a stretch (pun intended.) I told the lovely lady helping me that my life was forever changed. I was comfortable, looked cute and best of all, I felt great! Ok so life changing, may be a slight exaggeration, but the fact of the matter is, my favourite part of the whole experience was spending the afternoon with my daughter getting hot chocolate, picking out a bouquet of blooms and making funny faces in the change-room mirrors at Lululemon. And isn’t that just the moral of the story? Find the things that fill up your heart and contribute to you being a more fulfilled, confident and happy person! I try to find ways that make me feel amazing every day. And thankfully for me, and my pocketbook, not all of them cost money, in fact lots of them don’t!

Now working in Dermatology means I meet people every day who are looking to improve something about their skin. I find for women in particular, I think we sometimes feel a level of added guilt for doing things for ourselves. Sometimes women come into the clinic for what would be considered “cosmetic” or “uninsured” services, and I can see or even hear the record playing of guilty messaging. But I think the take home is, if a scar stops you from wearing sleeveless tops, or redness on the cheeks stops you from taking risks at work, or acne makes you feel the need to wear makeup to bed so you don’t wake up feeling vulnerable; I would say these are reason enough. The fact of the matter is, making decisions that increase your own confidence, according to your own rules is very empowering. And I encourage everyone to find ways to do it everyday!

The post Confidence Builder appeared first on Clear Choice Skin Clinic.

Our lips take a beating on a daily basis, from wind exposure to sun damage to the millionth kiss goodnight…they need to be shown some extra love. For dry or peeling lips we recommend our number one go to, La Roche Posay Cicaplast Levres. Its not just any lip balm, it is a barrier repairing balm that will help to heal those chapped, cracked or irritated lips.

Here are a few tips to help keep those lips soft and beautiful:

1. Stop licking your lips. This will only cause them to need more hydration; therefore, feeling dryer every time you lick.

2. Avoid lip products with perfumes. The problem with having yummy smelling lips is that the perfume added to create the smell will in turn dehydrate your lips.

3. If you have flaking, do your very best not to pick at your lips, instead soften them with a lip balm. Que, La Roche Posay Cicaplast Levres.

4. Last but never least, SPF. Make sure you remember to apply sunscreen to your pout before heading out. Your lips have very thin skin and can burn quickly when exposed to the sun. La Roche Posay Anthelios 60SPF Targeted Protection Stick is an excellent product you can keep in your bag for quick and easy reapplication!

Lip care should not be overlooked and should be just as important as the rest of your skin care routine. So be sure to NOT TO FORGET THE LIPS and add it into your morning and evening routine.

The post Lip Care 101-Your Guide to the Perfect Pout appeared first on Clear Choice Skin Clinic.

Let’s start at the beginning shall we. Botox for cosmetic use began when a physician couple started looking into the desirable “side effect” of medical Botox used in ophthalmology which was the reduction in wrinkles. This set the stage, and now Botox® Cosmetic has become the biggest cosmetic treatment in the world and it’s only getting more popular.

Botox to help you “look” better became; Botox to treat your migraines and Botox to help with depression. Now studies show that the inability to “look angry” actually has a positive correlation to feelings such as happiness and joy and lowered feelings such as anxiousness. Similarly, according to Scientific American, which looked at a study from the Journal of Pain, people who frown during an unpleasant procedure report feeling more pain than those who do not. So clearly it has been shown that our facial expressions are able to influence our emotions.

If that’s not incredible enough, the positivity is spreading like wild fire since similar affects are seen for those who socialize with Botox users. If that’s not good news, I don’t know what is!

So back to my earlier point, not having that “frown” (whether it is a knee jerk reaction that my face does without my knowledge or whether I’m just having a rough day) certainly makes me happier when I look in the mirror and so in turn makes those around me feel happier that they are choosing to surround themselves with a more relaxed and positive person. They say that you are the average of the 5 people you hang out with the most!

Let’s face it, everyone likes to look their very best. The end result is that looking great tends to help us feel great too.

We all know that we pick up on the energy around us. If you are surrounded by happier people everyday, you in turn will become a happier person.

Now whether you want to start early for preventative treatment or if you have the permanent frown from years of scowling, Botox® is an excellent option and we are here to provide education and information.

When people say I look so fresh and rested – I say, “That’s my Botox®!!”

The post Botox ® The Key to Happiness appeared first on Clear Choice Skin Clinic.

Sensitivity in the skin is one of the most common complaints we hear when it comes to peoples’ skin. It’s also heavily marketed within the skincare industry. But in the realm of skin types ranging from dry, oily, normal, combination, does sensitivity really fit the mould? All of these previous skin descriptors refer to the type of skin you have. Sensitivity on the other hand is a skin condition that has to be considered when choosing products that will work for you. Now let’s find out if you have sensitive skin!

Count how many times you say “YES” to the comments below: 

1. I develop a rash or irritation when most skincare is applied

2. I breakout with acne, blackheads, whiteheads or milia when most skincare is applied

3. My skin feels “tight” or I experience a “burning” sensation when skincare is applied

4. My skin is easily irritated by the elements such as sun, water, wind or cold

If you said “YES” to two or more of the comments above, you may in fact be experiencing sensitive skin. But the good news is, there are a lot of things you can do about it. The first step is seeing a board-certified Dermatologist to rule out other conditions such as eczema or dermatitis. If you are given the green light and you don’t have any underlying conditions, there are many skincare products that are specifically formulated to treat concerns you may have while still respecting the fact that your skin is sensitive. Let’s break it down:

Cleansers: When we’re looking at cleansers we want to ensure that they are soap and alcohol-free. Cleansers that have a soap-base can strip the skin’s natural lipid barrier, ultimately exposing your sensitive skin to the elements and putting you at risk for irritation and that “tight” or “burning” sensation.

MUST TRY: Vivier Hexam Gentle Cleanser ($40.50) is super-gentle but still foams up nicely so your skin feels clean. It’s great for purely sensitive skin conditions, but is also excellent for rosacea and acne-prone skin since it contains anti-inflammatory or anti-redness ingredients that soothe and cleanse the skin of pore-clogging bacteria. Who knew a cleanser could be so good for such different types of skin!

MUST TRY: La Roche Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream ($23.00) This luxe foaming cleanser is suitable for skin that is sensitive to other cleansers. With only 9 ingredients and primarily soothing thermal Spring water that has barrier-protecting qualities, it is sure to suit the needs of even the most sensitive! The best part is you don’t have to lose out on that clean feeling since it still foams up beautifully.

MUST TRY: La Roche Posay Dermo-cleanser ($28.00) Still need a gentler option? This 8 ingredient non-foaming cleanser is so sensitive you don’t even have to use water; you can just tissue it off. Because for some, even water can be sensitizing. After harsh laser treatments that leave the under-layers of the skin exposed, this is the only cleanser we will suggest. It also happens to be the BEST eye makeup remover for even waterproof mascara and eyeliner.

Moisturizers: Moisturizers can also be one of the worst contributors to sensitivity and irritation since if you don’t read the label properly, you could be missing irritating ingredients such as retinol, salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids or glycolic acid. While all of these ingredients have amazing treatment qualities, you need to be informed whether or not they may be too aggressive for your skin. A Dermatologist can quickly determine if your skin is too sensitized for certain ingredients.

MUST TRY: La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra ($34.00) is a super light-weight cream that also contains primarily soothing thermal Spring water to protect the skin’s moisture barrier. It is also paraben, preservative, alcohol and fragrance-free; which is why it’s in an air-less pump to protect the ingredients. Men love this cream because its not heavy and makes the skin feel soothed after shaving, without the use of harsh alcohol-based after shaves.

Sunscreen: We have definitely heard people having sensitivity to sunscreen. So if you are one of those out there that doesn’t use sunscreen due risk of irritation or to avoid breakouts, you are in luck. Our physician-only sunscreens are specifically formulated to give the highest level of protection without the use of harsh chemicals or preservatives that are typically responsible for causing issues of sensitivity.

MUST TRY: EltaMD UV Physical SPF 41 ($41.00) This sunscreen has a light-weight texture, tinted colour to blend seamlessly with all skin types and avoid that white chalky appearance, along with physical sun blockers instead of harsh chemical additives to ensure that people do not react upon application. It also is one of the ONLY sunscreen with an NPD or Natural Product Designation, which is big news for anyone who is diligent about remaining all-natural in their skincare regime.

So fear not my sensitive flowers, you too can use excellent skincare that treats, protects and corrects, without the worry of causing undue harm to your beautiful skin.

The post Sensitive Skin-Find Out If You Have It appeared first on Clear Choice Skin Clinic.

This is not to discount those who do take sun protective measures including wearing daily sunscreen, avoiding peak hours and wearing sun protective clothing. We know you’re out there, we’re with you and we salute you.

Our physicians are constantly counselling our patients on good sun safety, along with how to conduct a self-skin exam. The question is, in a world so saturated with sun safety information its hard to sometimes understand hearing things like:

“Well I don’t go outside anyways.”

“I work indoors.”

“I’m only outside for a few hours.”

“It’s not even sunny out.”

“I wear a hat almost every day.”

“I don’t like putting things on my skin.”

This post is not in anyway shape or form attempting to diminish these beliefs. Instead, our goal is to counter these thoughts with data and medical expertise that will hopefully allow you to see a different perspective and take measures to protect yourself. Call it your summer skin guide to sun protection! Because at the end of the day, you yourself are your best health advocate!

So here goes:

Did you know that just minutes of unprotected sun exposure causes damage to the skin over time that will lead to pre-mature aging and can lead to increased risk of developing skin cancer?

Everyone has to go outside, even if its just a quick drive in the car, a daily commute to work, or sitting at your desk. Did you know that windows or cloud cover do not block the harmful rays that lead to premature aging and skin cancer?

While a hat is DEFINITELY one of the measures we suggest to protect yourself. But it is still leaving susceptible areas such as the back of the neck, ears, nose, backs of hands and face uncovered. We get it, not all sunscreens are created equal. It needs to be non-sticky and not get all over your clothes. For this we recommend the EltaMD SPF 45. It feels like the lightest weight moisturizer you could imagine. Just quickly slap it on like a moisturizer to these sensitive areas after you get out of the shower. It dries in seconds and you’re protected for your morning commute or while dropping the kids at school.  

What you may not realize is that all sunscreens are not created equal. There are sun blocks which create a physical barrier on the skin so UVA and UVB rays don’t cause damage. These do not typically involve any chemicals. One of our favourites is EltaMD UV Physical SPF 41 since it is chemical, fragrance, oil and paraben-free, water-resistant up to 40 minutes and has an NPD (Natural Product Designation.) Hallelujah!

Changing your sun protection behaviour may just mean finding the right sunscreen. We love the whole EltaMD line for many different reasons. Maybe you’re looking for a primer underneath your makeup? Try UV Daily Tint SPF 40 with hyaluronic acid that is so moisturizing, a tint to help cover and a lightweight matte texture, you’re sure to love this powerful addition to your skincare army.

Now we get it, not everyone is perfect, but changing your habits is something that’s never to late to start. We are your champions cheering you on every step of the way! So when you go to head out the door tomorrow morning, make the decision to stay protected and make your health the ultimate priority.

The post Summer Skin Guide to Sun Protection appeared first on Clear Choice Skin Clinic.

While we 100% support our brave women for taking the plunge and leaving the makeup at home, because true beauty is something that can’t be denied, we also know there is some dermatological merit behind this great decision as well. We don’t always think of the potential harm we could be causing by layering the stuff we love so much onto out faces everyday. Granted, depending on the makeup you’re using, not everyone will experience reactions such as clogged pores or breakouts, but even so; the benefits of going “oh natural” even a few times a week can make you rethink the whole process!

Bacteria – How often does one really clean their brushes? Come on… be honest. I would say not often enough. So what, right?! Your face is clean when you apply your make-up. And how can your brushes be that dirty you ask? Your skin is constantly shedding dead skin cells and even though you may have just walked out of the shower, your skin produces oil, ergo, you have oil on your face and tada…it ends up breeding little friends in the bristles of your brushes. Ew right? It’s recommended that you clean your brushes at least every 2 weeks. We say at least once a week if you are applying everyday. There are tons of great makeup brush cleansers on the market (or see our recommendation below.) But if you’re feeling like releasing your inner Martha Stewart why not try making your own at natural skin home remedy? We love this DIY from Live Simply which uses:

½ cup witch hazel

2 tsp castile soap

1 tsp nourishing oil such as olive oil, coconut oil, almond, apricot or avocado oil

1 cup distilled water (or boiled and cooled water)

Acne – Clogged pores is still a major cause of acne formation. Generally, when a hair follicle is clogged, acne forms; and the oil added to most make-up these days is a huge contributing factor. You think that applying make-up over the acne will help to hide it, but truly what you are doing is potentially causing more breakouts and flaring lesions you may already have.

These are just a couple downsides to the age old makeup tradition. So how do we get the flawless look without putting our skin at risk?

1. Invest in proper skin care that will thoroughly clean your skin and will remove any trace of make-up on the days you decide to apply. We recommend VivierSkin Hexam morning and night. It has Hexamidine which is an anti-bacterial and helps reduce redness. Did you know that you can use this cleanser as an excellent anti-bacterial brush cleaner? Gentle enough to keep them in great shape but strong enough to rid them of bacteria and pore-clogging nastiness!

2. Use make-up that’s going to help your natural skin rather then hurt it. We love our Glo Minerals. Not only will it give you great coverage but it will help to correct your skin and protect it all at the same time with some SPF value. It sits on top of your skin unlike other make-up that your skin absorbs. This will reduce clogged pores and the dreaded acne breakouts! 

3. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!! Not only are you going to prevent your natural skin from aging damage like wrinkles and brown spots but with our go-to SPF, Elta MD SkinCare UV Physical you get the added benefit of tint to help even out your skin tone, as well as the fact that its oil and chemical free. Could it get any better for your skin? I think not! So come on ladies…we’re behind you 100%. Show off your face sans makeup, or look for makeup that will help your skin to become healthier over time.

The post Natural Skin Rejoice appeared first on Clear Choice Skin Clinic.

1. Increasing blood flow helps to nourish your skin cells. When your blood is pumping, it is carrying oxygen and nutrients to working cells throughout your body, which includes your skin. Some of these nutrients are beneficial to your collagen production, which in turn helps to improve fine lines and wrinkles.

2. Bonus! In addition to that, the blood is then carrying away waste products from your working cells. You might say its like your skin is cleaning itself. That’s pretty cool!

Sweating is another great benefit for your skin. As much as some people will say that sweating increases oil on the skin and contributes to acne or breakouts, is can actually do the opposite as long as you handle it the right away. By opening up the pores, you are releasing trapped dirt and oils from your skin. Of course, you must shower directly after your workout. Having sweat sit on your body will indeed dry and clog up the pores once again.

www.instagram.com/skinclearchoice

One of our favourite post-workout cleansers is La Roche Posay Effaclar. It comes in a large pump format and does wonders for battling acne on the body including spots where your workout gear might rub, such as the bra line, upper back and shoulders for men.

Let’s not forget that exercise is an incredible stress reliever. Your endorphins increase in your body which trigger happy and positive feelings. Stress can wreak havoc on your skin. Hello pesky breakouts. Keeping your stress level low through exercise will help to keep breakouts to a minimum! So what are we waiting for? Lets go on that hike this weekend for our skin!!!

The post Do Another Rep for Your Skin appeared first on Clear Choice Skin Clinic.

Imagine having products that would heal damaged skin from the inside out; that would enhance your skins elasticity, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and that would fight sun damage to improve the appearance and health of your skin. The history of this amazing skincare line is not only over 10 years in the making, but it is grounded in science, and was originally founded in wound healing. As with many scientific discoveries, we couldn’t be more thrilled that it turned into one of the most cutting-edge anti-aging solutions available.

Check out these amazing winter picks from marlameridith.com

“In only a few weeks of using Neocutis products I have noticed a complete change in my skin, unlike anything I ever expected.” Just one of the many comments I hear daily from patients that use Neocutis.

Every product in the line contains a percentage of human growth factors. An already natural protein found in the body that, like everything else decreases over time. Neocutis products help to boost and maintain these proteins so that your collagen doesn’t break down as quickly and so that your body can continue to fight the signs of aging as it did when you were younger.

If we could turn back the clock and change the things we did to our skin that made it age more quickly, would we?? I believe the answer for most would be YES! Why wouldn’t you want to look in the mirror and see younger, healthy skin?

You can, and it doesn’t involve turning back the clock or building a time machine. I can teach you how! We decided that in honour of Valentine’s Day, we would create a special package that would offer substantial savings and get people started on a line that we know confidently will prove to be the best Valentine’s Day gift you’ve ever received! Want to know why?

1. It doesn’t go to your hips (sorry chocolate)
2. It doesn’t wilt after 2 days (sorry flowers)
3. Neocutis actually brings you a new present every day as you see your skin improving day after day

BUY the Neocutis Bio-Serum $211.50 & get the Bio-Cream ($99 on its own) for FREE! If that doesn’t spell out L-O-V-E I don’t know what does!!

The post In Love with Great Skin appeared first on Clear Choice Skin Clinic.

We officially opened our doors this past Monday February 1st, and the very next day the whole building had their official Grand Opening at the North Oakville Medical Center. Even the mayor of Oakville was here to cut the ribbon. According to Inside Halton, Ben Swirsky, vice president of business development describes North Oakville Medical as “…a full-service medical building. It has essentially all the services a medical office building would need, so a lab, x-ray, pharmacy, physio, chiro and even things like dermatology, audiology, optometry, ophthalmology,”

Photo credit: Inside Halton

It was certainly a lot of work ensuring that we were ready to open our doors to our patients. We put such an emphasis on patient care and experience, that we knew every “t” had to be crossed and every “i” dotted. And thankfully with a week under our belts we feel more confident than ever. The transition has been smooth, any hurdles have been quickly overcome, and most importantly we feel as though we have offered everyone an informative, helpful and positive patient experience.

One of the features of our clinic that we are most excited about is the section of physician-only skincare that we have at our fingertips to recommend for a wide variety of skin conditions. It truly covers the full gamut of Dermatology, ranging from chemical-free natural sunscreens, to hair loss and nail treatments, to anti-aging repair serums. Having these types of active, topical solutions along with prescription and laser therapies enables us to have a solution for almost every person who walks through our doors. And that really is the goal at the end of the day, is to get people better and have them feeling wonderful when they leave our clinic. We can’t wait to see you at your appointment, or meet you for the first time by phone or in person in order to book an appointment. Our doors are wide open!

The post Our New Home appeared first on Clear Choice Skin Clinic.

We have been a huge supporter of the Melanoma Network of Canada and the “Strides for Melanoma” and the amazing awareness it brings to sun protection and skin cancer awareness. Being in Dermatology, it is a cause that you can image is near and dear to our hearts.

In operating a Dermatology clinic we feel a responsibility beyond just the diagnosing of melanoma and skin cancers to do something more. Melanoma has some frightening statistics, so if we can extend our reach beyond our immediate patient base, to our overall community, we feel that we can play a more integral role in early detection and the cause as a whole.

Our Clear Choice team along with other friends and family got together for the “Strides for Melanoma” walk in Mississauga. It was a gorgeous day and we made sure to slather a solid SPF on all exposed areas of skin. We even purchased bracelets through the Walk that changed colour the longer you were exposed to the sun. It may sound simple, but sometimes a reminder is all you need in order to reapply your SPF. A tan or even worse; a sun burn is your bodies way of saying that you’ve been over-exposed to dangerous UV rays. But by the time your skin colour has changed, it’s too late and the damage has already been done. So staying on top of reapplications is important in skin protection.

Fortunately a glorious day turned into lots of money raised, and we look forward to participating in this event along with others throughout the year in support of melanoma awareness.

The post Walking for Melanoma appeared first on Clear Choice Skin Clinic.