There are many factors that contribute to blemishes and irritation, commonly called acne and unfortunately we cannot control all of them. Natural oils from the skin build up beneath the surface and then become infected. This creates blocked pores and leads to acne. The blockage can be caused by: Dead skin cells Stress A build up of make-up or creams Grease or oils (e.g. where a person works in a kitchen or car garage) Dust and dirt

Generally, no. The primary trigger of most cases of acne is the fluctuation of hormones. Hormones stimulate the oil glands to produce more sebum, which can block pores. Bacteria can then grow within the pores, causing them to become inflamed and break out. That happens at times of major hormonal change, such as during the menstrual cycle, and during the teen years, no matter what you eat. So despite what your grandmother told you, eating too many potato chips won’t make you break out in pimples. But there some evidence that certain diets may have an effect on acne, says Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD, PhD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. Studies, such as one published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, have suggested that high consumption of dairy products raises the risk of getting acne because of the hormones in milk, cheese, and yogurt. However, subsequent studies have not supported the theory. Still other studies of acne's relationship to nutrition have shown that a diet with a high glycemic index, such as white breads, waffles, and other carbs, worsens acne.

You don’t have to stop wearing makeup altogether, but you might try switching brands or going with a different type. If you’re noticing breakouts along the sides of your temples, hair creams or gels might be exacerbating your acne, says Alexiades-Armenakas. Look for cosmetics and toiletries with the label “noncomedogenic,” meaning that they don’t clog pores.

Not necessarily. In fact, scrubbing too hard at your face can aggravate your acne, and using alcohol-based astringents can dry out the skin. Acne is triggered by hormones, and while gentle, regular cleansing with soap and warm water can sometimes help with mild breakouts, more significant acne requires more than just good hygiene.

The primary trigger for acne is fluctuating hormones -- specifically, the male hormone testosterone. (Women do have some levels of testosterone.) When teenagers hit puberty, their hormones start surging -- and often, so does acne.

Although the hormonal fluctuations that cause acne are most common during the teen years, they can also affect adults. Women may experience hormonal swings during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause that result in acne breakouts. Acne can also be a side effect of certain medications, such as anticonvulsants and steroid drugs. Some people may also have a genetic predisposition to acne. One study found that 50% of adults with acne had a parent, sibling, or child with acne.

That depends on many factors: your age, whether you’re male or female, how severe your acne is, and how long you’ve had it, among others. There are several options available. For mild to moderate acne, many dermatologists will start with a combination of a topical cream or gel containing either a retinoid or benzoyl peroxide along with a topical antibiotic. For more inflammatory acne, an oral antibiotic may be added. For more significant cases of acne, women may be placed on birth control pills or on the drug spironolactone, a water pill which also blocks male hormones. Severe cases of acne may be treated with the drug isotretinoin, which is very effective. However, side effects and blood abnormalities must be monitored monthly and requires registration with the FDA to obtain a prescription. There are also various types of light or photodynamic therapies available.

If over-the-counter treatments, like a topical retinoid or products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, along with gentle cleansing, don’t work for you (give them a chance -- it can take 4-12 weeks to improve acne), a dermatologist may be able to help. Severe acne requires aggressive treatment to prevent scarring.

Most often, acne will go away on its own at the end of puberty, but some people still struggle with acne in adulthood. Almost all acne can be successfully treated, however. It’s a matter of finding the right treatment for you.

Certain skin creams and oils such as moisturizers and sunscreens, applied to the surface of the skin may increase the amount of oil present which in turn further blocks pores. People with acne should only use the skin products recommended by their skin technician, which can assist in maintaining skin’s hygiene and preventing further congestion. Most cosmetic foundations consist of particles suspended in a cream base. The cream is bad for acne but the particles are also bad as they enter the open pores and add to the dead skin cell plug obstructing the pore. Young Blood Make-Up is talc free, oil free and is non-comedogenic (which means it will not block the pores) – this is why we recommend its use.

Certain medications and conditions can make your skin photo sensitive. You therefore should stop the use of antibiotics two weeks prior to treatment. If you are on antibiotics at the time of your treatment please let us know so we can reschedule.

Most people describe the treatments as a gentle snapping sensation with minimal discomfort.

The unique formulation of Derma filler provides results that last up to one year in typical cases.*

Results are instant in typical cases. You will often see an immediate improvement to the treated area.*

Fillers are injected directly into the skin using a fine needle to reduce injection discomfort. Some of the derma fillers offered at “Dr. Sheenam’s Skin | Hair & Laser Clinic” are available with pain reducing lidocaine, making the whole injection process a more comfortable experience.*

The treatment requires minimal downtime in typical cases. Most people return to their normal routines immediately.*

Botox® has been licensed in Canada since 1990 as a safe and effective treatment for a variety of medical conditions. In 2001, Health Canada approved BOTOX® Cosmetic for wrinkle therapy.*

A BOTOX® Cosmetic procedure is quick, simple, and there’s no downtime. Following a facial analysis by one of our physicians and a discussion on your desired outcome, the procedure itself only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to perform.*

BOTOX® is intended to enhance the way you look, not change it. When administered by our physicians, you can still smile frown, and be expressive. The treatment only helps to relax the muscle beneath the lines at the point of injection, so the other elements of your facial expression remain active. It also has no effect on the sensory nerves, so you will have normal feeling in the treated areas.*

There are few restrictions regarding the use of BOTOX®. Those who are pregnant, nursing, or have a neurological disease should not be treated.

Each Advanced Facial begins with a consultation with one of our medical aestheticians that will be performing the treatment. The medical aesthetician will then customize a treatment protocol tailored to your skin care needs to obtain the best results possible.*

The Biomatrix Collagen Mask is a sheet of pure natural collagen that is compatible with all skin types. Biomatrix can store moisture thirty times its weight enabling it to be released directly onto the skin during application. Just one treatment can provide the skin with a hydration increase of 180% that is clinically proven to last up to 14 days. This incredible mask moisturizes and firms the skin, helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and helps to restore your skin’s radiance and softness.*

Yes, they are suitable for all skin types because every treatment is tailored to each individual and their skin care needs.

In Hair transplant procedure we take hair follicles from the very back and sides of the head and artfully transplant them to thinning or balding areas. With follicular unit technologies, this results in a very natural appearance. Simply put, we take hair from where you have more than you need and put it where you need it more. It’s the ideal solution to baldness because it uses your own hair.

Eyebrow restoration is not makeup or tattooing. In eyebrow transplantation, the hairs above the ears or from the back of the head are transplanted to the brow area for a very natural looking restoration. If you have lost hair permanently from over-plucking, scarring, a skin condition, aging, or if you simply were not born with complete eyebrows, you could be a candidate for this procedure. Eyebrow restoration is suitable for and popular with both men and women.

For the vast majority of patients, virtually all transplanted hair lasts a lifetime. In some cases, a small percentage of transplanted hair may be lost as the patient ages.

Although patients are administered local anesthetics and other medications, the degree of pain or discomfort experienced during or after the procedure varies according to the patient. We may supply patients with medication to use after the procedure, if needed. Many of our patients find that they do not need to take any medication at all after their hair transplant procedure.

Whenever human skin is cut, it always heals by the process called “fibrosis.” This fibrosis (commonly known as scarring) is the skin’s way of healing. Thanks to the skill of our experienced hair transplant physicians, the healing sites in the transplanted areas are usually so small that the fibrosis is virtually undetectable. The scar in the donor area is covered by your existing hair. Our hair transplantation procedure is designed to produce a very natural look. In the great majority of cases, the micro-technologies currently used at “Dr. Sheenam’s Skin | Hair & Laser Clinic” make the restored hairline virtually undetectable.

Infection occurrences after a hair transplant procedure are rare. In the few cases where infection does occur, it is often due to the patient’s failure to fully follow post-operative instructions. Even when infection occurs, it generally is easily treatable with antibiotics, which can be prescribed by the physician.

The number of procedures necessary to achieve a personally desired goal varies from person to person and the individual degree of hair loss; but in our experience, the great majority of our patients want to have at least two procedures.

Our staffs undergo vigorous training in laser safety before they can treat clients unsupervised. Operators require laser licenses and Clinic’s staff work under strict guidelines. While some patients feel no pain during laser, others experience a mild discomfort. Advise your practitioner if you are in pain and they will adjust the laser accordingly or provide relief. We know hair removal is never a fun process, so we invest in quality equipment to ensure your speedy path to smoothness. Using the best technology and the most efficient operators, “Dr. Sheenam’s Skin | Hair & Laser Clinic” will normally kill those roots in six to 12 sessions, compared with 12 to 15 with less effective machinery!

No laser clinic can claim 100 per cent permanency, as some hair will always strive to grow back. Re-growth is affected by hormones and other biological factors, which vary from person to person. Laser hair removal on teenagers may often require re-treatment in later years but most teenagers still feel they have had significant benefit despite this. Where re-growth occurs the hair is usually much finer than the original growth and can be maintained with one treatment every six months.

You can expect to have 80% or more hair reduction with anywhere between 6 to 10 treatments with 4-6 week intervals.*

The laser targets the pigment of the hair follicle; therefore if there is no pigment, the hair cannot be treated.

Because laser hair removal is generally recovery free, you may return to your regular activities immediately following the treatment, although redness around the follicle could be expected 24 hours following the procedure. To avoid discomfort 24 hours following the treatment avoid strenuous activities that would make you sweat.*