BHRT Hormones, Health and Longevity

Whether you are in your 20s, 40s or 60s your individual hormone balance plays a hugs part in how you feel physically and emotionally, how you look – quality of the skin, and all the aspects of your life.  BHRT refers to bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, something that has been around for over 70 years, but that mainstream western medicine, dominated by male physicians, has ignored. In fact many will tell their clients no hormones – your issues are just part of aging that you have to live with.  Each person is different and so are their hormonal needs. Fortunately there are a growing number of physicians and naturopaths who offer women better alternatives.

Did you know that there are many forms of testosterone therapies that are accepted by the medical community for men, and they are all covered by insurance, while for women the options covered by insurance for women are much more restricted?  It is important that women become pro-active for their own health and use the internet and other resources to find a specialist who can best meet your needs whether that be to control bothersome symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, painful intimacy, breakouts, thinning skin or more.

Within the field of BHRT there are many options available including creams, suppositories, vaginal rings and pellets.  The doctors that offer these also take a look at the whole person to see what other factors may be affecting hormonal balance including diet, thyroid issues and much, much more. They will always need some sort of a chem-panel to see where your hormones are. In addition to the hormones they may also suggest natural supplements to make sure your body is functioning not just at normal, but at optimal level.

In 1900 most people did not live far beyond menopause. By the time you reached 50 you were old and the life expectancy was under 60.  Loss of hormones didn’t matter much.  Now in 2015 80 is considered the new 60 and life expectancy is well into the 80s for the bulk of the population. I recently heard through a client whose mother is 100 that doctors are expecting more and more people to reach or live beyond this landmark.  With that kind of a change, it is crucial that we work to keep all of our internals operating at optimum so they will last as long as we do.

It is time we wake up and take care of ourselves so that we can have a long, active, healthy progression into maturity.

Can Medications Really Affect My Skin Care or Permanent Cosmetic Procedure

This is a common question clients often ask and the one word answer is Yes, medications can affect even the most simple skin care services.  Many medications have effects on the body aside from the reason they are being taken.  This is easily demonstrated – just listen to one of the many television commercials for prescription medications.  The list of possible side effects is rather staggering.  Of course not every person has these side effects but they can happen. Be sure to let your esthetician or permanent makeup artist know about all prescription and non-prescription drugs, supplements, topically applied products, eye drops, etcetera.  The more they know about what you use, the better an outcome they can help you achieve.  Do NOT stop taking your medications. Depending on the problem there are often workarounds. If your medication is a contraindication to doing the desired service your technician will probably recommend you talk to your doctor. Or they may request you confirm with your physician that having this procedure is safe for you. Your health and safety is our number one concern.

Cholesterol and blood pressure medications while not blood thinners, work to make the blood platelets not stick together. In permanent cosmetics this often means there may be more chance of a blood droplet coming to the surface. The down side is this molecule is bigger than the tattoo pigment molecule and can wash some of them away.  This leads to more color loss than would experienced on a client not on these medications.

Clients on thyroid medications often need permanent cosmetic procedures re-enhanced a little more frequently.  We have noticed that for whatever reason their color fades a little more quickly.

Blood thinning medications can also cause issues with permanent cosmetic procedures. You may be referred to get clearance from your physician.

Diabetic clients who are insulin dependent often do not heal as well and may be at a heightened risk for infection. They may need clearance from their physician for permanent cosmetic services, waxing or other more aggressive skin care treatments.

Use of retinoids (Vitamin A) or acids like Glycolic, Lactic or blends work to thin the dead skin of the epidermis. This means that a service like waxing, microdermabrasion or other exfoliating therapy increases the risk of skin irritation or even creating a wound.  Be sure to discuss use of any of these products, prescription or over the counter with your technician.

Restasis is a new concern as it has been observed that those who use it have increased sensitivity of the eyelid to the point that a permanent cosmetic eyeliner procedure is not well tolerated. Your technician may want you to discontinue use for 30 days before doing the tattoo procedure.  Do not restart use of the restasis for at least two weeks after your technician has determined it is completed. (Wait until all follow up work is finalized.)

Patients on chemotherapy drugs have a compromised immune system and may not heal well.  All of these drugs need your doctor’s written permission that this procedure is safe for you.

Botox and injectables are extremely popular today.  Any skin care or permanent cosmetic procedure is fine before having botox or injectables.  If you have had either a neurotoxin or filler injectable wait at least 2 weeks before having a facial massage, other skin care treatment, waxing, or permanent cosmetic.  The manipulation of the skin has a small potential for affecting the outcome and lasting of your injection site.  For a lip coloration procedure the best timing is before any fillers are injected. This has been clinically observed to produce the best most predictable outcome.

Herbs and supplements can also have an impact on the skin.  Some can cause blood thinning or skin thinning.  Be sure to provide your technician with a complete list of everything that you take so that we can avoid unexpected complications and make sure you have the safest procedure with the most positive outcome.