New Year, New You: Spider Vein Treatments

If you suffer from Spider Veins, you know how painful they can be. If you’re sick of dealing with the aching and cramping that goes along with Spider Veins, start the new year off right with spider vein treatments at Pacific Vein Care and Blue Sky Med Spa. Our treatments will help reduce the symptoms that go along with spider veins.

What are Spider Veins?

Spider veins are red, purple, and blue vessels that twist and turn, and are easily visible through the skin.

What Causes Spider Veins?

There are a number of factors that can cause spider veins, including:

• Heredity
• Occupations that involve a lot of standing, such as nurses, hair stylists, teachers, or factory workers
• Obesity
• Hormonal influences of pregnancy, puberty, and menopause
• The use of birth control pills
• History of blood clots

Symptoms of Spider Veins

Many people who suffer from spider veins complain about aching or cramping pains in their legs. Other common symptoms include tiredness, restlessness, burning, throbbing, tingling, or heaviness in the legs. Pain from spider veins can usually be relieved by elevating your legs, or wearing support stockings.

Treatment Options

One popular treatment option for those with spider veins is sclerotherapy, which is a treatment that was developed in the 1950s and 1960s. It involves the use of an extremely fine needs to inject tiny amounts of a dilute solution directly into the spider veins. The solution causes the lining of the vein to swell, eventually sealing off the blood vessels and preventing blood flow. At Pacific Vein Care, we use polidocanol as our sclerosant of choice because it’s painless and effective.

Prior to treatment, a complete medical history is take and a thorough examination is made in order to determine, among other things, how long the problem has existed, are there any ongoing causative factors, and if there are any associated symptoms. If your spider veins are found in conjunction with varicose veins, treatment for the varicose veins may be recommended before Sclerotherapy is undertaken.

After your treatment, you are required to wear compression stocking for up to 14 days. Benefits and expected results include:

• Gets rid of spider veins
• Normalizes skin blood flow
• No incisions or scars
• Does not interfere with normal activities
• Safe, virtually painless, in-office treatment
• Only takes about 30 minutes

If you suffer from spider veins, and think you can benefit from treatment here at Pacific Vein Care, give us a call at 815-669-4224 to set up an appointment!

Keep Your Skin Healthy All Winter Long With Pacific Vein and the Blue Sky Med Spa

Keep Your Skin Healthy All Winter Long With Pacific Vein and the Blue Sky Med Spa. A dry, barren environment. An unappealing, inhospitable location, filled with grueling conditions and constant discomfort. Does it sound like we are describing a desert wasteland? That’s where you’d be wrong; these unpleasant characteristics can also be given to winter skin.

The summer season was your time to shine when it came to skin care; and for good reason—your skin was on constant display in your shorts, summer dresses, and even bikinis. But this change in the temperature that we are currently experiencing is no excuse to stop paying attention to your skin. In fact, we’d argue that this is the time of year where we need to pay the most attention to our skin. Hiding your skin under a baggy sweater or a parka will not hide the issues that come with dry, itchy, and unattractive skin. Now is the time to not only maintain your current beauty routine, but to enhance it.
Here are a few of our favorite ways that we keep our skin at its healthiest during the frigid months ahead.

Don’t Bathe in Hot Water
As good as a hot bath or shower feels during the winter months, it’s best to avoid it to keep your skin as moist as possible. Instead, set your water temperature to be lukewarm. This will sustain many natural body oils on the surface of your skin.

Never Forget the Moisturizer
Immediately following your bath or shower, give your skin a heavy dose of moisturizer. Applying lotion to damp skin will seal that dampness from your shower into your skin. To us, the more lotion you can apply, the better results it will have on your skin. We recommend stepping up your moisturizing routine this winter by scheduling a few massage treatments at Blue Sky Med Spa. It’s a relaxing experience that works wonders on your skin.
We at the Blue Sky Med Spa are also concerned about what moisturizer we are putting on your skin not only during your massage treatment, but also in your daily life. Your summer beauty products should absolutely be different than your winter ones. Look for products that have natural and nourishing ingredients rather than products that contain heavy amounts of petroleum-based ingredients. It’s also wise to choose oil-based solutions rather than water-based ones.

Layers are Important
It’s cold out there—so why expose your skin to the constant harsh conditions?
Always have a scarf and a pair of gloves on hand in addition to your coat and hat—it will do wonders for not only keeping you as warm as possible on a chilly day, but it sustain moisture on your skin.

Think about what you put into your Body
It’s that time of year for drinking plenty of tea and cocoa, because those are hot and soothing beverages. But we recommend adding more water into your daily routine. Something we like here at Blue Sky Med Spa? A little warm water with lemon can be very refreshing and hydrating at the same time.

Don’t let your skin become a dry and uncomfortable accessory for you this winter. Keep Your Skin Healthy All Winter Long With Pacific Vein and the Blue Sky Med Spa. Now more than ever, you must practice healthy habits to keep your skin healthy and glowing all winter long, even under your multiple layers. Feel good and look good all winter long with Pacific Vein Care. Call 815-759-2368 or email blueskymedspa@gmail.com to schedule one of the mentioned appointments or to book your free initial consultation.

How To Keep Your Skin and Body Healthy This Fall and Winter

How to keep your skin and body healthy this Fall and Winter. Everyone has a daily skincare regimen that they follow without fail. Every day, it’s wake up, you’re your face, exfoliate, moisturize—and don’t forget the sunscreen! These are practices that should be followed every day not only for you to be looking your best, but also for your skin to be at its healthiest.

As autumn begins and winter looms on the horizon, taking extreme care of our skin becomes even more important. The harsh and chilly temperatures ahead can do incredible damage to our skin and body, and practicing your already good habits may not be enough to fight the harm it can cause you.

That’s why it’s important to educate yourself on how your skin can look vibrant and beautiful all winter long. Here are a few of our recommended ways to take care of yourself during the cold months ahead:

Freshen Up Your Entire Body From  Head to Toe

No part of your body should be ignored in the cold months ahead—or always, for that matter. But especially as the autumn begins, it’s important to treat your skin right after spending an entire summer in the sunshine, sand, and water.

Restore your hair, skin, and nails and get rid of tired and dull layers to kick off your fall. We recommend treating your hair to a hot oil application, spreading a masque moisturizer on your skin, and treating yourself to a pedicure to remove food calluses.

Never Stop Moisturizing

Summer is the time of year for constant heat and humidity, so naturally, lighter and multipurpose moisturizers are ideal for these stifling conditions. So, when the weather outside is frightful, it’s recommended to have hydrating body lotions to prevent dry skin. Consider investing in rich hair conditions or silicone serums to fight winter frizz. For your face, switch from your summer astringent face wash to a thicker cleansing oil.

Don’t Ditch the Sunscreen

Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean you get to hide your sunscreen. While it’s important to change how you apply sunscreen in fall and winter, it is crucial to remember to, well, not forget it! Focus primarily on your face and neck during the coming months, trade in your SPF 50 for an SPF 15 or 30 instead.

Switch Your Color Palette to Reflect the Season

Now that your face and body is fresh and clean, now it’s time to consider the makeup you put on your face. During cool weather, heavier eye makeup, full coverage foundation, and warm, saturated shades are the way to go.  We are loving shades of espresso, greens, mauves, and even grays.

While the autumn and winter seasons are the most wonderful time of the year, it’s important to remember that following these best practices to make sure your skin and body beautiful and healthy.

For more information on how to keep your skin and body healthy this Fall and Winter and what you can be doing to guarantee beautiful winter skin, contact your friends and experts at Pacific Vein Care. We would be happy to help you stay fit, healthy, and feeling beautiful all winter long. Contact us to schedule your consultation at 815-759-2368 or email blueskymedspa@gmail.com.

Keep Your Skin “Forever Young” This Summer

Youthful, radiant looking skin is the dream for millions of women across the country. Unfortunately, with age brings the appearance of wrinkles, sunspots, freckles and exhausted looking skin. It can feel impossible to meet the unrealistic expectations of photoshopped celebrities and social media. As we struggle to improve our appearance, remember that beautiful skin starts with healthy habits. Here’s what you need to know as we approach the sunny summer months.

Importance of Sun Protection:

Have you ever wished you wore sunblock after a day at the park or beach? It’s easy to know the right thing to do after it’s happened. When it comes to sun protection, always apply sunblock of at least SPF 30 approximately 15-30 minutes before going outdoors (even when it’s cloudy). Not only will this help prevent wrinkling but it will also protect against skin cancer. To learn more about sun protection please visit this link.

What You Eat Matters:

A diet rich in vitamins and protein is good for both general health and glowing skin. Simply put, eating healthy is a win-win! Cut down on sugars, fats and starch. Instead, add plenty of Vitamin E and Vitamin C to your diet with fruits, veggies, and omega 3 fats. Some of the best foods for healthy skin include avocados, spinach, kale, berries, nuts, beans and olive oil.

How to Stay Forever Young:

Blue Sky Med Spa wants to help keep you looking youthful this summer with our ForeverYoung Package. This package includes an Atlantic Peel – PRPEN – Laser Skin Tightening and Collagen Mask. The Laser Skin Tightening stimulates collagen under the surface of the skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while the collagen skin treatment is used to fill lines/wrinkles around the eyes, lips, nose and forehead. (Treatments to be done 3 weeks apart).

Turn back the clock with our ForeverYoung Package available now at Blue Sky Med Spa. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about this package, please contact us today!

Compression Therapy and How it Works

“Compression Therapy” refers to wearing sock or stockings specifically created to improve circulation in the legs. Anyone with swelling, fatigue or discomfort in their legs can benefit from compression therapy, but it is primarily recommended for wound care or for patients with chronic venous disease.

Venous disease occurs when blood flows abnormally through the veins of the legs and feet. One of the more common signs of venous disease is dilated or “spider” veins, which are not only unsightly but can be painful. These small blood vessels are typically on the legs and face, and are easily visible. Another sign of venous disease is varicose veins. These swollen and twisted blood vessels generally occur in the legs and can be extremely painful. Aside from the discomfort, venous disease puts the patient at risk for multiple serious health issues, including blood clots and ulcers. Compression therapy with socks or stockings is often the first line of defense in strengthening vein support and alleviating the painful symptoms of varicose or spider veins. Compression increases the pressure below the skin, reducing swelling and eliminating excess fluid.

Venous insufficiency is often brought on by blood clots or varicose veins.  Symptoms of Venous insufficiency include swelling of the legs or ankles, throbbing or a feeling of heaviness in the legs, leg ulcers, and itchy legs. Compression garments such as socks or stockings are typically prescribed to improve blood flow and reduce swelling. Other recommendations include keeping legs uncrossed while sitting, elevating legs when possible, and starting a regular exercise regimen.

Compression therapy is shown to be beneficial to venous ulcer patients as a means of limiting swelling and helping the wounds to heal much more quickly. According to the American Venous Forum, in patients with severe wounds or ulcers, compression is the therapy of choice to encourage rapid healing and to prevent recurrence. When applied correctly, this therapy allows the patient to go about their daily activities with little or no disruption.

Compression garments are typically graduated, meaning that the compression is strongest at the ankle and decreases as it moves up the leg. Compression garments are generally worn during the day, from first thing in the morning until the patient goes to bed at night. The goal of compression therapy is not only to decrease symptoms but to allow you to carry on with your normal activities, including standing and walking as necessary. Compression therapy garments are generally covered by insurance.

If your doctor has recommended compression therapy, the staff at Pacific Vein Care is ready to help you select the right compression garment to get you back on the road to recovery.

5 Ways To Keep Your Legs Healthy

Legs take us places. So why are they typically taken for granted? Many people only pay attention to legs when experiencing discomfort or injury. At Pacific Vein Care, we believe a human body part that walks an average of 6000 steps per day deserves more. Instead of neglecting limbs on a daily basis, legs should be appreciated as a magnificent piece of human engineering. Plus, if you don’t take the proper measures, you may experience the wrath of unsightly spider veins and varicose veins. Here are 5 ways to keep your legs healthy.

Obesity: One leading factor that negatively affects legs and often leads to varicose veins is obesity. Excess weight adds pressure to veins, causing them to enlarge and weaken. Losing weight can help take the extra pressure off veins.

Diet: For a healthy, vein-friendly diet, cut back on red meats, dairy products and salt. Some of the best foods for healthy legs include high-fiber foods and healthy fats including olive oil, avocados and beans.

Exercise: Hitting the gym is a great way to tone legs, but improving blood circulation is as simple as walking around the neighborhood. Getting legs up and moving on a daily basis is a great start towards achieving healthy legs.

Avoid Inactivity: Our body is made to move. Sitting or standing in the same position for too long may cause circulation problems in lower limbs. It’s important for healthy legs to have sufficient blood flow. After sitting or standing for long periods of time, stretch to increase circulation.

Seek Treatment for Varicose Veins: Vein Disease is a condition that refers to backwards blood flow in the legs and feet that cause veins to be impaired. If left untreated for a long period of time, varicose veins can cause discomfort and even lead to serious complications. Vein disease can be the gateway for serious health issues. It can put you at risk for blood clots, ulcers, pulmonary embolism and sometimes worse. For your health, it is vital that you eliminate the problem before it becomes deadly.

If you are experiencing varicose veins, spider veins or simply want advice on achieving healthy legs for life, contact the team at Pacific Vein Care today!

February Skin Care Specials at Blue Sky Medical Spa

Have the dry air and bright sun of winter taken a toll on your skin? Escape to Blue Sky Medical Spa this month to rejuvenate your skin and your mood. At Blue Sky, we know that “when you look good, you feel good.” Blue Sky’s is offering February specials that run through the end of the month, making it even easier to get the skin you want.

●       VI Peel for $149. VI is all about transforming the look and feel of your skin. VI peels are perfect for acne-scarred skin, and can be used for all ages. The goal of this medical, pain-free peel is to smooth and soften skin texture and even out the skin tone.

○       The VI Peel original fights the signs of aging skin, such as pigmentation and rough texture, as well as provides a softening of lines and wrinkles.

○       VI Peel Precision is a higher concentration for skin with excessive pigmentation.

○       VI Peel Purify is specialized for acne-prone skin. Its powerful blend opens pores, kills blemish-causing bacteria, and calms inflammation.

VI Peels are powerful, deep treatments that use a blend of salicylic, TCA, and phenol acids, as well as the antioxidant vitamin C to fight aging, blemishes, and uneven skin texture. 

●       $11 per Botox unit or one Juvederm for $575 per syringe. Get quick results in just a half-hour for lines and wrinkles. Botox works by temporarily paralyzing muscles to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and is a great choice for forehead lines, crow’s feet, and more. Juvederm, a long-lasting facial filler, works especially well for thin lips and sunken cheeks.

●       Receive a free 60-minute custom facial ($99 value) with the purchase of 50 units of Botox or one syringe of Juvederm. Includes cleansing, exfoliating, and mask.

If you’re ready to treat yourself to rejuvenated skin this month, give yourself a boost by calling Blue Sky Medical Spa at (815) 759-2368 for a consultation or to make an appointment. Please visit our website to find out more about our products and services. 

Six Tips to Stick with Your Workout Plan

The new year is here! Starting a regular exercise program always seems to be at the top of everyone’s resolution list. With a new workout program comes a plethora of health benefits including weight loss, increased endurance, more stable moods and better overall health. For individuals with varicose veins, low impact exercise such as swimming, walking or biking have the added benefit of increasing circulation and decreasing inflammation - but what do we do when the couch sounds more appealing than the treadmill? Here are six tips to help you stick to your exercise resolution.

1. Put it in writing – Taking the time to write plans out on paper increases your chances of success. Determine the specifics of your workout program, including type of exercise, goals, where you will work out and how often. In addition, create weekly workout plans on Sunday night based on your schedule for the coming week. 
2. Tell a friend – Tell a friend your goals and ask them to keep tabs on your progress. Better yet, ask your friend to join you in your efforts. Added conversation will make the time fly by.
3. Own your goal – Working out with a friend can create added accountability; however, it is important that you own the success of your program. It is not your friend’s job to make sure you are working out, it is yours. They are there for added encouragement, but the drive to succeed needs to come from you.
4. Set attainable goals – Setting goals you cannot achieve can create a recipe for disaster. Set goals that will give you a challenge, yet are still realistic. This will keep you motivated and still give you something to work toward.
5. Set specific goals – Determine measurable results for your efforts. If you want to lose weight or increase the amount of weight you are lifting set a specific goal. Come up with short term (weekly), mid-term (monthly) and long range (three to six months) goals.
6. Reward your achievements – As you start to see success, take some time to recognize all your hard work. Buy a new outfit, get a massage, do something special for yourself (try not to make it food related).

If varicose veins are keeping you from reaching your fitness goals, contact the team at PacificVein Care to discuss your options.

A New You for the Holidays and New Year: How varicose vein treatment can improve your health

Varicose veins are not just unsightly; they can be painful and result in more serious complications such as ulcers and hemorrhaging. With the New Year rapidly approaching, this time of year is the perfect opportunity to take charge of your health and resolve to be your best, healthiest self. This year, make a resolution to get rid of unsightly veins, painful swelling, and discoloration for good.

At Pacific Vein Care and Blue Sky Medical Spa, we understand that looking good and feeling good go hand-in-hand, and are closely tied to a healthy self-image. Fortunately, thanks to treatment improvements, varicose veins are often easily and quickly taken care of in an outpatient setting. Insurance may cover the cost of treating varicose veins if they are due to a medical condition, such as venous insufficiency.

Treating varicose veins most often involves closing off the problem veins so that blood stops pooling in them. Once these veins are closed off, they will fade. Pain and swelling also disappears as blood is successfully rerouted through healthy veins. It is safe to remove varicose veins, because these veins are dysfunctional, and your body has already made new veins. In fact, removing these damaged veins allows your body to circulate blood more efficiently through its newer, healthier veins. Some of the methods implemented to close off veins are laser surgery (by a burst of light), sclerotherapy (by foam, or a solution that causes scarring), radiofrequency (by heat), or microphlebectomy (by extracting veins through tiny incisions).

At Pacific Vein Care, our treatment approach is:

●       Revolutionary and unmatched by other vein-only centers.

●       Quick and convenient, with treatments usually under 1-2 hours for a single vein.

●       Minimally-invasive.

●       Committed to giving you “healthy legs for life.”

●       Outpatient, with a fast recovery time.

●       The most advanced methods that are both effective and pain-free. 

Located in McHenry, IL, Pacific Vein Care and its medical spa, Blue Sky, can help you achieve a better, healthier you for 2017! For more information or to set up a free consultation, call (815) 759-2368 or visit our site. We at Pacific Vein Care and Blue Sky Medical Spa wish you a bright holiday season, Happy New Year, and a successful journey on your path to wellness!

 

Back to School Fall Spa Specials

Check out our back to school fall spa specials! With fall officially here, it’s easy for moms to forget about their needs and well being as they focus on getting kids acclimated to a new school year. There’s one more item on your school supply list that deserves attention… your health, beauty and wellness.

Now that school is back in session, it’s time to focus on you! Pacific Vein Care is currently offering a 15% reduction on any laser services done through September 30th and Blue Sky Med Spa specials through October include a Mini Facial for $29.00, a VI Peel for $195.00 and Micro-Needling (60 minutes) for $79.00.

Take a look at some of the laser services available at Pacific Vein Care:

• Endovenous Ablation – Do you suffer from varicose veins? Endovenous ablation treatment uses radiofrequency or laser energy to create intense heat in varicose veins. That heat is then directed through a catheter to close up the varicose vein.
• Spider Veins – Blue Sky Med Spa uses laser and pulsed light to complete sclerotherapy in the thighs and lower legs. Laser therapy is quick, safe and you can immediately resume most normal activities.
• Hair Removal – If you are sick of shaving, tweezing or waxing, there is an easier way to get rid of unwanted hair. Laser hair removal uses pulses of laser light to destroy the hair follicle and prevent regrowth.
• Skin Tightening/Rejuvenation – Laser skin tightening is a minimally invasive process that uses a laser to heat the collagen under the skin’s surface, causing the skin to tighten.

Located in McHenry, Illinois, Pacific Vein Care is dedicated to providing revolutionary vein treatment for both men and women. If you are suffering from varicose veins or spider veins, make sure to take advantage of our back to school fall spa specials. Give us a call at (815) 759-2368 to schedule your consultation with Pacific Vein Care today!

The Benefits of Medical Skin Treatments

The benefits of medical skin treatments are abundant. Did you know that Botox isn’t just for foreheads? Botox can treat crow’s feet, overactive eye muscles and other muscle spasms, frown lines, and even migraine headaches and excess sweating.

Botox works by temporarily paralyzing muscles, such as the ones that make our facial expressions, so that they relax and give the skin a smoother appearance. Botox treatments work best on “dynamic” wrinkles, meaning those that haven’t set into permanent lines yet. Dynamic wrinkles only appear when certain movements are made, such as squinting or smiling. Because the effects of these injections are temporary, if you don’t love the way you look afterwards, your skin will return to its previous appearance once the medication wears off.

Cosmetic Botox is created in medical labs and is derived from diluted Clostridium Botulinum, a toxin that is dangerous to humans when eaten in its pure form, but has been deemed safe by the FDA for medical and cosmetic uses.

One of the most popular areas for Botox injections is the area around the eyes. Eye wrinkles are often of the “dynamic” type described above, and respond exceptionally well to Botox administration. Other popular areas include the brow, which smooths frown lines between the eyes, giving both men and women a happier, more youthful appearance, and of course, the forehead.

Botox should always be administered by a qualified professional in a medical setting, such as a doctor’s office or medical spa. Side effects from Botox are rare, but occasionally an allergic reaction or bruising at the injection site can occur. It is important to fully disclose all current medications and natural or herbal remedies before receiving Botox injections due to possible interactions between drugs. To read more about the benefits of Botox and how to prepare for treatment, click here!

If you think Botox is for you, call (815) 759-2368 to set up a free consultation with Blue Sky Med Spa and learn more about the benefits of medical skin treatments!  Located in McHenry, IL, Pacific Vein Care and Blue Sky Medical Spa are devoted to the highest level of quality and offer a wide range of services, including medical skin treatments and facial injectables. Let our team help you look and feel your best!

Don’t Forget About Dad This Father’s Day

It’s officially June and that means beautiful weather, fun in the sun and plenty of summer recreation. With all of the excitement that summer brings, it can be easy to forget that the June 19^th is Father’s Day.  This is an important day to celebrate all that dads do for us.  Often times, shopping for the perfect Father’s Day gift can be a challenge. If you’re seeing Father’s Day ads for the usual mugs, ties, and fishing gear and feeling stumped, Pacific Vein Care can help!

                

Does your dad suffer from varicose veins and spider veins?  Give the gift of good health with a gift card towards Pacific Vein Care or Blue Sky MedSpa!  While many people think of varicose and spider veins as being a problem for only women, the condition is just as common in men.  Varicose veins, also known as varicosities, are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin that overfill with blood.  Symptoms come in many forms but the most common include swelling, itchiness, numbness, throbbing, and pain near the veins. 

Varicose veins can affect men of all ages but the risk increases with age.  While this condition is typically inherited, it can also be caused by obesity, prolonged standing or trauma.  Many men who experience varicose veins try to avoid the issue but treatment options are fast, easy and effectively work for both men and women.  At Pacific Vein Care, we offer a number of vascular treatment services including ambulatory phlebectomy, compression therapy, endovenus ablation, and sclerotherapy.

Like many conditions, varicose veins will progress without treatment.  If the man in your life is suffering from vascular issues, stop into Pacific Vein Care and pick up a gift card he will actually use!  We offer the latest in revolutionary treatment techniques that provide real results for varicose veins, leg swelling and pain related to vein reflux disease.  Father’s Day is right around the corner – hurry in and pick up the gift of good health at Pacific Vein Care!

Mother’s Day Gifts from Blue Sky Med Spa!

Mother’s Day is just about here! Have you gotten the special lady in your life a gift yet? Mother’s Day is the third biggest holiday for sending cards, behind Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Moms often receive flowers on this day as well, but if you want to get her something more useful than a bouquet of blooms, then consider gifting her spa services or products from Blue Sky Med Spa!

Pamper Mom this Mother’s Day with any of the spa services expertly provided by Blue Sky Med Spa. Choose from massage therapy, lasering, facial treatments, and more. Every service from Blue Sky Med Spa will help Mom look good and feel good! You can also get her a Blue Sky Med Spa gift card that she can use toward any of the services of her choosing. Or, if she’d rather, she can use it to purchase any of the wonderful products we offer:

●       Neocutis - We carry the Neocutis line of skin care products, which were originally designed for wound healing. These products contain PSP (Process Skin cell Proteins) and MPC (Micro Protein Complex) to deliver super-potent anti-aging benefits to your skin.

●       Visao MD - Visao MD is a plant-based medical grade professional and home care line of products. These products are called “skin care cocktails” and focus on anti-aging, acne, rosacea, and sensitive skin care.

●       Obagi - Obagi products are designed to help minimize the appearance of premature skin aging, skin damage, hyperpigmentation, acne, and sun damage and are primarily available through dermatologists, plastic surgeons, medical spas, and other skin care professionals.

●       Latisse - Latisse is an FDA-approved treatment to grow eyelashes for people with inadequate or not enough lashes. Latisse grows your eyelashes thicker, fuller, and darker.

●       Dermaka - Dermaka is an all-natural plant based cream to use post procedure for sclerotherapy, chemical, and laser peels.  It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Clinical testing has shown Dermaka to show rapid resolution of inflammatory changes, swelling, and bruising.

We’re only a few days away from Mother’s Day, so be sure to give her the gift of good health. Stop by Pacific Vein Care/Blue Sky Med Spa yourself to pick up any of these wonderful products for Mom, or get her a gift card so she can choose herself!

The Benefits of Micro-needling

Micro-needling is the latest trend in anti-aging skin care. Even though it’s seeing a surge in popularity, micro-needling has been around for some time. Micro-needling therapy is minimally invasive skin rejuvenation procedure that involves rolling fine needles over the skin. These needles puncture the skin to create a controlled skin injury. It may sound bad, but these small, microscopic injuries trigger the body to fill the wounds by producing new collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are both proteins that live in our tissue and give our skin that youthful, wrinkle-free plumpness and elasticity. As we age, these proteins diminish, so many anti-aging remedies and skin rejuvenation treatments aim to raise their levels and restore our skin to a more youthful appearance.

At Blue Sky Med Spa, we use the Power Rejuvenator (PR) Pen, an automated micro-needling pen that visibly tightens the skin of the face, neck, décolleté and hands for a more youthful appearance. The PR Pen is safe and more effective than the readily available micro-needle rollers you can buy online. The PR Pen moves the needles in a vertical direction for better precision when treating the skin, whereas needle rollers do not create a precise vertical action, which can irritate the skin and generate inconsistent effects.

So how does the PR Pen work?

When you arrive at the Blue Sky Med Spa office on the day of your treatment, you will be comfortably positioned on a cart. A topical anesthetic will be applied to your face, or other target area, to minimize any possible discomfort. A sterile cartridge containing the micro-needles is then attached to the PR Pen. Next, in a single motion, the pen will be gently pressed against the skin while simultaneously gliding until the entire treatment area has been covered. The feeling associated with the PR Pen is akin to sandpaper lightly being moved across the skin. Most procedures last less than an hour, and you may begin to see results before you even leave the office! With progressive healing, final results are typically achieved within six weeks. Some patients will see optimal results with one treatment. Yearly follow-ups help keep the skin vibrant and refreshed. Others, especially older patients, may want to receive 2-3 treatments each year to stimulate collagen and elastin production.

To learn more about micro-needling or our other spa services, visit the Blue Sky Med Spa website or give us a call today at 815-759-2368!

Compression Therapy for Varicose Veins

Vein disease plagues about one in three Americans over the age of 45. Varicose veins are an unfortunate family trait, often appearing in the form of oversized, bulging, bluish cords easily visible under the skin. Sometimes they do not bulge, but rather are small, purplish, flooded capillaries called spider veins. Varicose and spider veins can be painful and unsightly, but thankfully there are several avenues of treatment you can take to healthy legs for life. At Pacific Vein Care, we specialize in several different therapies to treat varicose veins. The focus of this blog will be on compression therapy.

Compression therapy is the use of compression stockings over a period of time. These stockings squeeze the leg and allow the valves to be closer together and function properly. This helps the blood flow easier and your legs respond accordingly with less swelling, fatigue, discomfort, pain, heaviness, throbbing, and cramping. Most insurance companies require this as part of their conservative therapy criteria prior to approval for procedures.

One thing to keep in mind about compression therapy is that while it helps relieve symptoms, it is not a true cure for varicose veins. Support stockings are a temporary measure that will not fix a chronic, physical problem like the new, effective, minimally invasive technologies and treatments will. Compression stockings are not a definitive treatment, but they are a good place to start when it comes to vein disease.

Compression stockings can be purchased at Pacific Vein Care, where we will measure and use our suppliers sizing chart to get the right fit for you. Since each patient’s diagnosis and symptoms are different, a consultation with Pacific Vein Care will help us get you into the correct compression gradient and stocking length for your particular situation. We will also take the time to explain how to properly use your stockings for compression therapy, and if the compression therapy isn’t doing the trick for your varicose veins, we’ll talk about the next step for you in treatment. To schedule your consultation with Pacific VeinCare and be on your way to healthy legs for life, give us a call today at 815-759-2368!