Healthy Skin – New Leaf Wellness

Do Men Age Better Than Women?

People often hold the belief that men age more gracefully than women. This perception is based on the idea that men tend to exude a sense of distinction as they grow older, while women are often perceived as looking aged. But are these notions merely old wives’ tales, or do they reflect genuine stereotypes about aging and gender?

The differences between how men and women age are rooted in the intricate process of collagen loss. Collagen, a protein crucial for skin elasticity, experiences distinct patterns of decline in each gender. Males begin to lose collagen at an earlier stage in life and continue to do so consistently throughout their lifespan. In contrast, females retain most of their collagen until they enter the phase of hormone fluctuations associated with perimenopause and menopause. This biological phenomenon is supported by scientific evidence, underscoring the validity of these contrasting aging experiences.

The role of hormones in the aging process becomes even more evident when delving into the effects of specific hormones like androgen and estrogen. While traditionally associated with male characteristics, androgens also hold significance for women’s health. They are produced in the ovaries and adrenal cortex, eventually converting into estrogen.

Estrogen, a group of steroid hormones, plays a crucial role in developing and maintaining female body characteristics. A fascinating interplay between androgen and estrogen levels exists: declining androgen levels coincide with decreased estrogen production. This decline in estrogen is associated with a range of effects on the female aging journey:

Bone Density Loss: Particularly noticeable in the facial area, resulting in a more sunken appearance.
Diminished Sexual Function: A decrease in physical vitality and performance.
Weight Gain: Often concentrated around the midsection.
Cognitive Changes: Including a potential decline in mental acuity.
Emotional Shifts: Alterations in emotional responses and behaviors.

Researchers are actively exploring the impact of androgens on aging skin, recognizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of how declining testosterone levels influence female health.

ESTROGEN

Turning our focus to estrogen, insufficient levels of this hormone diminish the body’s ability to counter oxidative stress. Consequently, the skin becomes thin, less elastic, and more prone to wrinkles, dryness, and reduced vascularity.

Interestingly, until the mid-30s, females possess around four times the amount of estrogen found in males. Estrogen contributes to:

Stimulating collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production helps the skin to stay plump and firm.
Development of reproductive organs
Growth of the uterine lining (endometrium)
Sexual and reproductive function
The body’s use of carbohydrates and other fats

As estrogen production wanes, so do these vital functions. While the decline in males is gradual, females experience an approximately 80% reduction in estrogen production during the first year of menopause. This estrogen insufficiency leaves the skin more susceptible to oxidative stress, leading to thinness, reduced elasticity, heightened wrinkling, dryness, and decreased vascularity.

PROGESTERONE

Another hormone, progesterone, further shapes the skin’s youthfulness by influencing collagen preservation. However, as we age, progesterone levels dwindle. This decrease commences in the late 20s, accelerates after 30, and nearly disappears by menopause.

Progesterone contributes to:

Enhanced Hyaluronic Acid Production: Maintaining skin hydration.
Preservation of Collagen and Elastin: Essential for skin elasticity.
Involvement in Reproductive Functions: Including ovulation, menstruation, conception, and pregnancy.

The decline in progesterone leads to:

Menstruation stops or is irregular
Infertility
Signs of low progesterone include adult on-set acne, nails cracking, splitting, peeling, and cracking skin on your heels and hands.
After age thirty, most of us experience a drop in progesterone. Progesterone is partly responsible for stabilizing mood. One of the first signs of this lowered level is a mood shift.
Low libido, fatigue, foggy thinking
Slow metabolism, weight gain around the midsection, sugar cravings
Migraines, headaches, also joint pain, and allergy symptoms

In Conclusion

In essence, numerous factors intertwine to shape the aging process. Hormones certainly play a pivotal role, yet external factors also exert considerable influence. Genetics and hormonal changes are beyond our control, but lifestyle choices can mitigate their effects. Nutrition, stress management, lifestyle habits, and protection from environmental stressors like smoking and sun exposure all contribute to the tapestry of aging.

In conclusion, debunking the notion that men age better than women involves a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between hormones and external factors. While hormones significantly impact the aging process, our choices and actions are equally instrumental in crafting our individual aging experiences.

menopause, Tictoc, BioTe

PLASMA PEN: A UNIQUE TREATMENT FOR MORE YOUTHFUL SKIN

For years people have tried to find the magic serum or pill that would keep their skin from aging. The older we get, the more and more money we spend on attempting to keep the wrinkles at bay – and nothing ever seems to work! Finding the perfect solution to combat aging skin can feel like a never ending battle but thanks to developing technology, there are now more anti-aging methods than ever before. A treatment that is rapidly becoming more popular is the use of plasma pens – a non-invasive way to tighten, lift, resurface, and regenerate your skin!

How Does It Work?

The Plasma Pens is an FDA approved tool that uses fibroblast technology to stimulate increased production of collagen in your skin. These tiny controlled traumas to the epidermis cause the outermost layer of skin to create thin sheets of carbon crusts, which fall off within a few days, revealing beautiful and rejuvenated skin.

It is a non-invasive procedure that requires no scalpels, stitches, sutures or injectable anesthetic of any kind. It is a low risk procedure with minimal side effects, little to no downtime, and most patients are able to return to work the very same day after the procedure.

What do Plasma Pen treatments target?

Fine Lines & Wrinkles – crows feet, forehead lines, smile lines, accordion lines, marionette lines, neck lines, etc.
Jawline Tightening
Acne Scars
Upper and Lower Eyelids – hoods or under eye bags
Stretch Marks

This advanced form of skin care gives you great results without the dangers of a more invasive procedure like botox, fillers, or plastic surgery. It is a non-surgical procedure that generates immediate and long lasting results with no bruising, bleeding or extensive healing process.

Do you want your skin back to what it used to be? Our Plasma Pen treatments are a safe and easy way to start looking – and feeling – more like your younger self!

How to Schedule

Contact New Leaf Wellness today to learn more about our Aesthetic Services for men and women, or you can also take our short informational quiz to help point you in the best direction for your skin!

LOW TESTOSTERONE MAY CONTRIBUTE TO DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN MEN AND WOMEN

We traditionally think about testosterone helping with energy, sexual interest, erectile dysfunction and libido. When we look closely at medical studies, we find a link to depression and anxiety when testosterone is low.

I’ll repeat it: Low testosterone levels may increase the risk of depression and anxiety. Higher testosterone levels decrease the risk of depression and anxiety. Taking testosterone (testosterone therapy) if your levels are low often improves depression and anxiety.

Testosterone levels are tested with blood tests at our clinics. Blood testosterone tests give providers an accurate idea of the amount of testosterone that is available to be used by your body.

Testosterone levels can be raised in numerous different ways and require a prescription from the provider at New Leaf Wellness. New Leaf Specialty Pharmacy specializes in compounding personalized testosterone and other hormones. At New Leaf Wellness, we also have NLRx supplements that can support your wellness.

Once you start testosterone therapy it will take 2 weeks or sometimes longer to see how well testosterone helps with depression, anxiety and other health issues.

There are many other factors that can contribute to depression and anxiety including nutrient deficiencies, let’s get you feeling better! New Leaf Specialty Pharmacy specializes in compounded personalized prescriptions of testosterone and hormone therapy prescribed by our providers. We can help; contact us for more information…

CELEBRATION OF HEALTH

Celebration of Health
June 3, 2021 | 9am – 5pm

We are offering give aways, demo’s and specials that we have never offered before!
We are giving all who attend a FREE B-12 injection! Please join us!

New Leaf Wellness has a simple mission – your health. Our commitment is not only the science, the reports and diagnosis, but also the healing, comforting and support that you need.

New Leaf is a partner with you for your life in wellness. What makes us able to help YOU uniquely? The fact that many of us are patients and have dealt with the same issues you are dealing with. That’s what makes our lives so enriched – holding your hand with understanding as you take each step of a journey we have walked ourselves. This last year all of us learned how precious health is so we are having a Celebration of Health on June 3rd.

Remember there is good news for those who suffer from hormone deficiencies, weight issues, migraines, or other health concerns: There are solutions. Schedule a time for a complimentary consultation and sit comfortably one on one with a coordinator to explore what you want from life, what the journey can look like, and how to reach your goals with help from New Leaf. There are no shortcuts to wellness and happiness. We’ve helped thousands – let New Leaf help you reclaim the life you love and come to the Celebration of Health.

GIVEAWAYS!*
Plasma Pen Treatment (valued at $600)
Microneedling with PRP (valued at $349)
3 Month IV Vitamin Therapy Club Membership (valued at $765)

SPECIAL VALUE OFFERS
Hydration IV $39.00
Botox EXCLUSIVE pricing (limited)
Special Offers on Hormone, Low T and Weight Loss Evaluations
25% off Supplements & Skincare
50% OFF Plasma Pen, Microneedling and Facials
One Day Only Special Prices!
FREE B-12 Injections for EVERYONE!*

*Must meet with a consultant to confirm eligibility!

VITAMIN D FOR IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT

Winter is almost over, but with winter months come more illness. There are good reasons why we tend to see more illness during the winter months. One of those reasons is lower Vitamin D levels. As spring approaches it is vital you get your Vitamin D levels back to their optimal levels.

Humans are supposed to get over 90% of their vitamin D from the sun (diet provides very little), and the recommended Daily Value (or previously the RDA) assumed that most people received plenty of vitamin D from the sun. Our ancestors (both ancient and recent) spent a lot of time outdoors in the sun. However, in today’s modern world many people do not get enough vitamin D even during the summer months. People living in northern locales get even less. If you haven’t had your vitamin D levels checked (and most people have not) we highly recommend asking your New Leaf Provider about it. In America, most people test insufficient or deficient for this important vitamin. It is thought that most people need from 7,500-20,000 IUs per day (from all sources, including sun) to meet our needs; we need more when we’re sick or stressed.

Vitamin D helps our immune systems stay balanced during the cold and flu season. There are Vitamin D receptors and activating enzymes on the surfaces of all White Blood Cells. The role that vitamin D plays in keeping the immune system healthy is very complex because the immune system has to be perfectly balanced. If there is too much stimulation, autoimmune diseases can set in. If there is not enough immune system activity, frequent infections can occur.

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked with both extremes, including being associated with worsening autoimmune diseases. Low levels of vitamin D are not the underlying cause of the autoimmune disease, but low levels of vitamin D can make autoimmune disease states worse. Low levels of vitamin D have also been associated with frequent infections. In 2009, the National Institute of Health warned that low vitamin D levels are associated with frequent colds and influenza.

So it appears that vitamin D helps keep the immune system balanced much like a gymnast walking on a balance beam. It is important that daily and weekly vitamin D supplementation help keep your immune system balanced during the cold and flu season.

Epionce, The Power of Botanicals

Epionce products combine the power of botanicals and active complexes for clinical results you can see. At New Leaf Wellness, we like to incorporate natural options for our body to better bounce back

A Simple Approach

Actually, Epionce products are hand-selected for their efficacy to address a variety of skin issues including signs of aging, rough or uneven skin texture and dark spots. In fact, the unique blend of botanical ingredients in every Epionce product works synergistically to reveal:

Radiant, healthier-looking skin
Improve the visible effects of aging

Does It Work?

Short answer, yes. But let’s take a deeper dive about why… Established on decades of skin research by founder Dr. Carl Thornfeldt, Epionce is backed by over 16 independent clinical studies using the finished, market-ready products on patients. Also, studies have demonstrated superior results from Epionce regimens that utilized botanical ingredients, proving that beautiful, healthy-looking skin can be achieved without the “pain to get the gain” characterized by harsh, irritating ingredients.

Most notably, flagship Renewal Facial Cream, when used with Lytic Tx, displayed superior results against the gold-standard anti-aging retinoid for visible improvement of skin aging. So by employing a blend of unique botanicals and active complexes—in stable formulations—both products work together to provide clinically proven anti-aging results.

Don’t wait, contact your Epionce skin care professional to find the best products for your unique skin.

Contact our New Leaf Wellness Epionce Specialist Today!

Want to learn more about all of our Professional Aesthetic Services for both men and women, check out our full list of services!

NLW Services for Women

NLW Services for Men

You can also take our complimentary skin quiz that instantly sends you results to your inbox!

Take our Aesthetics Quiz for WOMEN

Take our Aesthetics Quiz for MEN

8 Reasons for Daily Lemon Water

Start the Day…

Drinking lemon water first thing at the start of each day is an easy routine to get into that can improve your overall health in a very positive way. Not only is it refreshing but it jumps starts digestion and your body’s natural detoxification process, add to that lemons are loaded with iron, calcium, vitamins C and B, enzymes, potassium, magnesium, fibers, and antioxidants, which may help build up your resistance to aliments, sickness, and disease. It’s a win win refreshment with seemingly endless benefits in a simple daily routine.

Replace Caffeine?

Lemon water right at the start of the day is not only refreshing, it gives you an immediate boost of energy that can improve your mood in one quick easy step while you are being hydrated. The importance of staying properly hydrated can not be stated enough. Water is always best, but many people find it too bland, adding lemons adds some zest to it that is enjoyable which may help you also kick the caffeine habit.

Lemon Water for Immunity

Lemon water can boost your immune system as it is high in vitamin C which fights cold and flu by strengthening the immune system, and helps improve the body’s ability to absorb more iron from the foods consumed which is an important nutrient. Lemons also have antiviral and antibacterial properties that aid in fighting off colds and flu, which also soothe a sore throat.

Lemon Water for GI Tract

Lemon juice has a similar structure to the juices that are found in you stomach that helps to loosen and flush out toxins from in the digestive tract. It also helps to hydrate your colon, stimulate bile production, infuses water into stool, and aides your bowels moving in the morning. It can help to ease bloating, heartburn, and indigestion. Lemons help to flush your system and stimulate your liver to produce more enzymes and make them work more efficiently. Lemon juice works as a diuretic to keep your urinary tract toxin free and change PH levels which decreases bacterial growth.

Lemon Water for Healthy Skin

Lemons are a very rich source of antioxidants that promote healthy skin by help to restrict free radical damage that is responsible for the premature aging of your skin. The vitamin C helps rejuvenate and maintain skin’s elasticity to help prevent the formation of wrinkles and decreases blemishes.

Lemon Water Reduces Inflammation

Lemons have the ability to reduce inflammation by removing uric acid from your joints. With its sour taste lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods known that alkalize the body. Build ups of uric acid is one of the known major cause of inflammation. Too many acids in the body not only causes inflammation, but it can also cause obesity, major diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes.

Lemon Water for Weight Loss

Drinking lemon water can help you achieve faster, long term weight loss goals when added to your routine. It helps boost your metabolism, fight hunger cravings, and gives you a full feeling making you less prone to snack between meals.

Lemon Water for Emotional Health

Lemon water can give you a boost to help fight stress and depression, it creates more focus and mental clarity as it contains high levels of magnesium and potassium which are beneficial on our nerve health and brain.

Source: Natural News

Aesthetic Services- Chemical Peels & Dermaplaning

Exfoliation is an important part of having younger skin, and who doesn’t want to have younger looking skin? Two of my favorite aesthetic services are types of exfoliation- peels and dermaplaning. Peels are a chemical exfoliation, while dermaplaning is a mechanical exfoliation. Before we get into these two types of exfoliation, let’s discuss the need for exfoliation.

Need for Exfoliation

As humans age, we lose the collagen and elastin in our skin along with the ability to turn over skin cells at a faster rate. Now, collagen is the molecule that is responsible for plumping skin to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay while the elastin gives our skin elasticity. And elastin is too big of a molecule to put back in our skin. While collagen is also a big molecule, pores are large enough for some collagen to penetrate back in. Therefore, anti-aging results will be limited without exfoliation such as dermaplaning or peel. So, these exfoliation methods not only slough off dead skin cells, but they also stimulate the production of new skin cells which will produce collagen and elastin.

Note, both peels and dermaplaning exfoliate; however, peels will produce a deeper exfoliation because it is a chemical that penetrates down to the dermis while a dermaplaning will only work on the epidermis.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels come in different types. Glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane and is an alpha-hydroxy acid good for anti-aging and brightening the skin, while salicylic acid is derived from aspirin and is a beta-hydroxy acid known for combating acne. Actually, there is also a lactic acid which is the safest form of peel because women produce lactic acid. The VI Peel is done at New Leaf Wellness under the direction of a medical director, because it is a deep peel.

Peels are not usually recommended for pregnant women, as the chemicals can seep into bloodstream, although I have seen some estheticians perform a light lactic peel on a pregnant woman. In fact, peels are also not recommended for people higher on the Fitzpatrick scale due to risk of hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation happens when the skin produces too much melanin and forms darker spots in some areas. Also, other contraindications for peels include scarring, scabbing, cold sores or herpes break out around the mouth, if already present.

Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning, which we could also just call, “shaving your face,” because this treatment involves gently pulling a blade along your skin. But! Dermaplaning, unlike traditional shaving, uses a smaller blade to slough off dead skin cells in addition to removing wispy facial hair, so skin is more even in tone and texture. Interestingly, it’s superficial (there will not be blood) and strangely reminiscent of a cat lick(tickly, sandpapery). Perk: It makes makeup go on smoother too!

What to Choose?

So, peels yield deeper, long lasting result, although they usually come with a downtime of 2-7 days depending on the pH of the peel. However, peels are usually recommended in a series of 3-6 to get the results the you want to see. In comparison, dermaplaning is a safer exfoliation method that almost everyone can use and results are immediate. Both exfoliation methods can be used on different areas of the body along with various other aesthetic services we offer. To decide which is better, use your skin care knowledge or consult with your provider, and you will see younger, firmer, glowing, healthy skin in no time. For added skin care, check out our super supplements that assist with skin care initiatives. Check out our products>

How To Schedule:

Contact New Leaf Wellness today to learn more about our aesthetic services or give us a call at 888-728-7555! You can also take our short informational quiz to help point you in the best direction for your skin! Check it out below.

Aesthetic Health Quiz- FOR WOMEN

Aesthetic Health Quiz- FOR MEN

Save Your Skin During the Holidays!

We’ve compiled 7 best ways to save your skin during the holidays, so you don’t have to play catch up in January. It is bad enough the credit card bills come piling in, do we also need the wrinkles and dry skin? Shopping, parties, family in town, traveling, etc. there are so many things going on this time of year, sometimes neglecting ourselves in the process and even our skin.

Healthy Skin in December

1. Wear Your Sunscreen- Even though the sun is gone, we still need to be aware of the UVA rays that are present year round. These are the rays that can cause skin cancer and premature aging.

2. If you’re stressed out, your skin will show it. I know that being “stress free” isn’t always an option but it’s important to take a time-out every once in a while. Go do some yoga, get a pedicure, a facial (call New Leaf Wellness) or just relax by the fire. We all know these things but we need to be reminded.

3. Manicures- All your running around at the malls and cooking are going to wreak havoc on your hands and nails. Mix any oil (olive, jojoba, grape seed) with a lotion or apply by itself for extra hydration to save your skin for cracking and bleeding.

4. Chapped Lips- This is when you need a Lip BALM, not a chapstick. A balm will heal your lips and a chapstick will protect your lips. Burt’s Bees is my absolute favorite.

Enjoy this post? See 5 Easy Tips for a Healthy Skincare Regimen for more ways to save your skin! >

5. Sore Feet- Peppermint is the answer. You can find it in scrubs and lotions and it will make your feet feel fantastic! Or add peppermint oil to your current favorite lotion!

6. Dry Skin- Did you know that people with dry skin tend to age faster than those with oily skin? Yep, there is an advantage to oily skin. Keep your skin hydrated and not just your face. I’m obsessed with grapeseed oil right now so that is my go-to oil but whatever works for you is good. Just make sure you use it consistently. Those heaters can dry out our skin and make things worse.

7. Makeup- Keep it light and dewy and wash your face every night!

If you’re feeling like these tips are great, but you need more, we hear you! Take our quick assessment to understand what your skin needs!

Yes, I want to take the Free Aesthetics Health Quiz!

More On Microneedling at New Leaf Wellness

Micro-needling also called derma rolling or collagen induction therapy is very popular amongst celebrities. Micro-needling, also known as skin needling is a procedure using a device covered with tiny, shallow needles to essentially poke holes in the skin surface. The therapy is very therapeutic, since they cause a ‘micro injury’ that prompts skin to stimulate collagen production, filling in fine lines, plumping the skin and contributing to a younger looking appearance. It’s a medical breakthrough because it can produce collagen without permanently injuring the top layer of the skin. Here’s more on micro-needling at New Leaf Wellness and how it works.

Concept of Micro-needling

The concept is quite simple when skin is injured or punctured fibroblast cells which are responsible for producing collagen fill the holes or injured areas with collagen, filling in fine lines, wrinkles and scarring. Micro-needling works great for sunken areas on the skin caused by acne or chickenpox, as well as for fine lines, discoloration and general skin rejuvenation. This safe procedure isn’t just for the face, though. It can also be used on many areas of the body, including the arms, neck, legs, abdomen, back and hands. The process typically takes less than 30 minutes, and afterward, your skin can be somewhat red, similar to a sunburn. It takes only a couple of days for skin to look fairly normal, but results gradually become apparent. Natural collagen growth happens over weeks and months, so it isn’t an instant fix, but your skin will be much improved over the long term.

“I love that New Leaf has added aesthetics! I have done Botox as well as Micropenning and have seen great results! My skin is clearer and just has a fresh look about it. It is great that New Leaf offers services that can help you from the inside out!” – Caitlin S., New Leaf Wellness Patient, more testimonials here

You may need more than one treatment.

This isn’t a one and done procedure. Depending on the skin areas treated and what you’re trying to achieve, somewhere between three and six micro-needling treatments are typically required for optimal results. Those looking to treat deep wrinkles, stretch marks, severe sun damage or scarring may need six or more micro-needling treatments. To ensure the safety of your skin, treatments are usually spaced out three weeks to a month apart. Medical micro-needling belongs only in the hands of a skilled professional trained in the technique. Perish the thought of anyone going around and poking their own face in pursuit of skin health and beauty. Life happens but, in the right hands and with the right tools, it doesn’t have to show on your skin. Micro-needling can also be used as an easy complexion pick-me-up. Combined with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, micro-needling can deliver instant plumping, making it a great treatment to do several days before a big event. But that comes with a big proviso that you’ve had it tested first to know for a fact that your skin can tolerate it. It’s not uncommon that after the first few treatments at least, your skin will be slightly red and may feel sunburnt.

To have a New Leaf Wellness specialist answer your additional questions to schedule a micro-needling service with our aesthetician, contact us here.