Author Archives: The Woodruff Institute

You Don’t Have to Skip the Sunscreen!

According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, only 43 percent of women “regularly use sunscreen on their face” and only 34 percent reported putting it on all exposed skin.

The physicians and staff at The Woodruff Institute for Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery counsel patients on a daily basis about the importance of wearing sunscreen, especially in south west Florida, so you can imagine our surprise when we found out so many women skip sunscreen.

We’ve tried hundreds of different sunscreens over the years and we’ve found some excellent products. You don’t have to skip the sunscreen! Keep reading to learn more about some of the sunscreens we’ve found that provide the protection you are looking for, in a formulation that feels great!

“I have to admit… I’ve not always been a sunscreen lover. I was guilty, like most young women, of skipping the sunscreen before heading out to the beach or pool. Most women don’t like sunscreens because they are greasy or cause acne breakouts. Well, ladies (and guys too) I am here to say that I have found a few sunscreen brands that you will LOVE!

I am a big fan of all the EltaMD products, not only because they provide physical broad-spectrum protection against harmful UV rays, but because they have created a luxurious formulation that feels great on my skin. Yes, you read this right… sunscreen that feels great!

I have acne-prone skin like many women, so one of my favorite sunscreens to wear on my face is the EltaMD UV Clear. I love it for so many reasons! The main advantage to this sunscreen is that you’re getting a superior barrier against the sun with an added bonus- it actually calms sensitive and acne-prone skin because of an extra ingredient called niacinamide. This is the perfect sunscreen for anyone who has sensitive skin because it protects and calms while having a lightweight silky feel. I never leave home without this stuff!

So I’m sure you’re wondering what makes EltaMD products so great? EltaMD is formulated with transparent zinc oxide to provide broad spectrum protection from both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. I’m sure you remember your mother’s zinc sunscreen. You know, the white stuff that you could never wash off. Well, EltaMD’s zinc formulation is truly transparent and is sensitivity and fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.

If you’re having a hard time getting your kids to apply their sunscreen, I highly recommend Blue Lizard sunscreen. The kids will love the fact that the bottle changes color in the presence of harmful UV rays and you will love the fact that it’s a physical sunscreen with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection in a SPF 30+ formulation.”

–Nicole Habib, PA-C

“For a daily sunscreen, EltaMD UV Physical Tinted Sunblock is my absolute favorite, by far. I have tried numerous other tinted sunscreens and always return to the EltaMD. It is has zinc and titanium physical blocks in it, along with other antioxidants. Because it is not a chemical sunscreen, irritation or allergic reactions are very unlikely. It is also wonderful for acne patients or people who tend to break out from heavier sunscreens. The finish is slightly matte and it feels very light on the skin. It is not greasy and never “feels” like a sunscreen. I use it as the base for my makeup daily. Elta MD Physical was also one of the only products I could tolerate post-procedure with TCA peels and lasers. If you have very dry skin, Elta MD Physical may not be the best for you, but they do make a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen.

Florida is an incredible place that allows us to play outside year round. Unfortunately, sun protection in and out of the water and while sweating profusely in the summer heat can be a challenge. As a runner, who enjoys running outside, I have tried dozens of sport sunscreens. In the Elta MD line, the EltaMD Sport sunscreen is superior to most, if not all other sports sunscreens I have tried. Because Elta MD Sport is a zinc based sunscreen, there is no stinging or irritation from chemical sunscreens. It stays on well even after sweating through a long day time run and does not leave that unattractive white sheen. It is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, but I generally try to re-apply every hour for the best coverage if I am in the water.”

–Lianne Martin PA-C

JuVaShape- The Skinny on Tightened & Toned Skin

Written by Certified JuVaShape Technician, Rikki Kretovic & Certified Aesthetician, Amy Buzzell

At last… a solution for that pesky, sagging, loose, gravity-fighting skin! If diet and exercise already fit into your routine, but you are killing yourself to shake off that “extra” skin, one word… JuVaShape! This new radio frequency laser not only assists in destroying your fat cells, but also uses bipolar radio frequency to tone and tighten your skin. This treatment can be performed on the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, face, neck, jowls, chest, and it has even been used to decrease the appearance of creping skin on the lower legs. How exactly does this miraculous laser work? It’s quite simple, once you take out all of the medical terminology. The JuVaShape device is a two-part deal. The first part targets the deep layer of the skin where all of the fat cells reside. The radio frequency technology of the unipolar hand piece painlessly heats up that deep fatty layer to the point where it essentially destroys and expels the fat cells. Then the bipolar hand piece promotes new collagen formation which in turn leaves the skin smoother, tighter, and toned. One of the best things about this procedure is that there is virtually no down-time. After your treatment you are left with some redness, but that dissipates within an hour or two. So many of our patients ask us, “What is the difference between JuVaShape and CoolSculpting?” Honestly, CoolSculpting does exactly what it says it does. It burns the fat. However, CoolSculpting does not treat the loose, sagging skin you are left with after the fat is gone and can only treat a brick-sized area at a time. And it can be uncomfortable. JuVaShape feels like a hot stone massage and is tolerated so well that many of our patients fall asleep during treatment.

Now here’s the skinny on tightened and toned skin. There is actually a body sculpting cream created by SkinCeuticals that has been tested in conjunction with JuVaShape to even further improve the appearance of that troublesome skin. Dr. David Goldberg with Skin Laser and Surgery Specialists of NY & NJ performed JuVaShape treatments on 20 female subjects with mild-to-moderate skin laxity of the thigh/buttocks area. A randomly picked amount of subjects used SkinCeuticals Body Tightening Concentrate in combination with their JuVaShape treatments. The outcome was that a significant improvement was found in the overall appearance of all subjects treated with JuVaShape. However, the subjects who applied SkinCeuticals Body Tightening Concentrate showed a significantly greater degree of improvement than the subjects who did not use any topical therapy. Thus concluding that combined therapy leads to better results. SkinCeuticals Body Tightening Concentrate is a unique cream that uses yeast extracts to drive the product into the skin, and it has cryofluids which give it a cooling effect. It is dye and paraben free, and it smells good too.

We consider SkinCeuticals Body Tightening Concentrate to be the non-fat icing on top of a toned and tightened cake!

If you are still unsure if JuVaShape is the right treatment for you, ask yourself a few of these questions:

• Are you interested in taking advantage of the latest and most advanced beauty technology to help improve the appearance of problem spots on your face or body?
• Does cellulite get in the way of your confidence despite a healthy lifestyle, clean diet and commitment to overall wellness?
• Are you interested in noninvasive treatments that fit into your busy schedule, requiring little to no downtime and minimal discomfort?
• Do you want to soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles on your face, revealing your naturally radiant beauty?
• Are you interested in preventative, anti-aging treatments?

If you answered yes to even one of the questions then JuVaShape’s non-invasive, painless approach to achieving your goals is something to seriously consider.

At The Woodruff Institute there are Certified JuVaShape Technicians waiting for your contact us TODAY to setup a free consultation!

Meet our newest JuVaShape Technician, Rikki

We are thrilled to introduce our newest JuVaShape technician!

Rikki Kretovic is a Credentialed Dermatology Technician who has worked in the field of Dermatology since 2011. Rikki joined The Woodruff Institute in 2013 and she has served multiple roles, including Medical Assistant, Mohs Histotech, and various management roles. Recently, Rikki underwent intensive training and certification by Alma Lasers to become one of The Woodruff Institute’s Certified JuVaShape Technicians. Once you meet Rikki, you will witness her passion for providing the highest quality patient care and helping people achieve their aesthetic goals.

“I really enjoy witnessing my patient’s reaction when they begin to see their transformation!”

Rikki was raised in South West Florida and enjoys being outdoors; whether it’s boating, fishing, or just cruising around in her jeep. She is currently studying to earn her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies.

The JuVaShape Laser system is a state-of-the-art skin treatment regimen designed to help smooth wrinkles and tighten desired areas of skin. The procedure is very safe and can be great for improving skin tone and restoring a youthful appearance. Click here to learn more about JuVaShape!

Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatment at The Woodruff Institute

Got spots? Red spots? Brown spots? Maybe just an overall uneven skin tone? Well, you might not even know that there’s a laser for that!

Intense Pulse Light (IPL) is hands down one of my favorite lasers because it does a superb job at evening out skin tone with minimal down time. IPL is my go-to laser to not only combat red broken blood vessels, but it also treats brown spots that have accumulated on your skin from the sun- essentially we’re killing two birds with one stone, which is why patients love it and why I love using it.

Here’s some of the science behind how the laser works:
The light energy in the IPL is absorbed by brown and red pigment which causes it to generate heat and destroys the the blood vessel or the brown spot that holds the color. The body then sees this structure as damaged and takes it away leaving the skin tone more even and bright.

Before & After with IPL:
As you can see from the photo provided by my patient, she had quite a few brown spots that she wanted treated with IPL. The photos at the top show what it looks like when your body is trying to take away the brown spots after an IPL treatment. The photos at the bottom show my patient after 4 days with gentle exfoliation. You can see that the brown spots have disappeared, leaving behind beautiful, glowing and even skin. She barely needs to wear foundation now and she is thrilled with her results.

In my practice, I have found the results with IPL to be incredibly consistent and IPL has become one of my favorite tools in the office.

Written by Nicole M. Habib, PA-C

Introducing the new Restylane “Lyft + Lips” Special. Limited time offer.

The Woodruff Institute for Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery is excited to offer our clients savings on Restylane Lyft and Restylane Silk.

Restylane Lyft is the first and only FDA-approved treatment to provide fullness to the cheeks and to smooth smile lines. Restylane® Silk is the first and only FDA-approved treatment specifically for lips and the lines around them.

Save $180 when you come to the office for treatment with 2 syringes of Restylane® Lyft + 1 syringe of Restylane® Silk or save $120 for treatment with 1 syringe of Restylane® Lyft + 1 syringe of Restylane® Silk. To take part in our Restylane® Lyft + Lips offer, you need to be enrolled in the ASPIRE Galderma Rewards program. Not a member… no problem… visit the ASPIRE rewards Program to sign up for exclusive rewards, bonuses, and discounts.

This limited time offer combines significant savings on Restylane Lyft & Restylane Silk. It’s beauty x2, so you can feel good about looking your best!

Click here to learn more about the benefits of Restylane.

End of Summer Cosmetic Event!

The physicians and staff at The Woodruff Institute for Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery would like to say THANK YOU for a great Summer Cosmetic Event! Thank you to our sponsors for educating our guests on the benefits of ‪Dysport,‬ ‪‎Restylane,‬ ‪Restylane Silk,‬ ‪‎Restylane Lyft,‬ ‪SkinCeuticals,‬ ‪‎SkinAuthority,‬ ‪EltaMD,‬ ‪JaneIredale,‬ and ‪CollagenPIN‬. Thank you to our volunteers for demonstrating our new radio-frequency laser, ‪‎Juvashape‬. And a special thank you to everyone who donated a new back pack for The Shelter for Abused Women & Children! Check out our video of this amazing event!

Back to School Donations a Success!

The Woodruff Institute for Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery collected back packs to support the Naples Shelter for Abused Women & Children. We can’t thank our patients and staff enough for donating over 50 backpacks. These donations will go to help children in our community return to school with new supplies to improve their education and their own futures.

Restylane Silk- The lips you want. The lines you don’t.

The Woodruff Institute for Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery is excited to offer patients a new filler for lips… Restylane® Silk! Finally, a filler that can help you achieve your ideal smile. Restylane Silk is the first and only FDA-approved product specifically designed for lip enhancement and the smoothing of wrinkles around the mouth in patients 21 years of age and older.

Call The Woodruff Institute for Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery for your consultation. Bonita Springs / Estero 239-498-DERM or Naples 239-596-9337

The Woodruff Institute earns Best Dermatology Group in Bonita Springs 2015

The Woodruff Institute for Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery is proud to be recognized by the News-Press as the Best Dermatology Practice in Bonita Springs for 2015! Dr. Jonathan Sonne, Dr. Kathryn Russell, Aesthetician Amy Buzzell, and Practice Manager Rachel Coughlin accepted the honor at the award ceremony at the Hyatt Coconut Point hotel in Estero, Florida on July 22, 2015. The Woodruff Institute would like to thank everyone for voting. We are proud of our physicians and staff and feel honored to have provided the communities of Southwest Florida with over a decade of quality dermatologic and cosmetic care.

Choose the natural-looking way to fight frown lines with Dysport

Many people have heard of Botox and will even ask for Botox treatments by name. But did you know that Botox is not the only neuromodulator out there?

Botox is actually a generalized trademark… similar to Kleenex, Q-tip, or Coke! There’s another neuromodulator out there that you may not have ever heard of and it’s called Dysport. Dysport has become one of my personal favorites, not only for myself but for my patients because it provides a beautiful, natural way to fight frown lines in the forehead, between the eyebrows, and the crow’s feet. We all want to look our best and Dysport can help us achieve that. I have found that just a little Dysport will go a long way and does not give that dreaded ‘frozen’ look. Dysport improves the lines that are bothersome, and retains that natural look that we all want.

And Dysport is great for men too! Guys, you may not know this, but your buddies are getting Dysport. Dysport is perfect for men because it spreads nicely and the effects last in those larger muscles without making it look like something was done. – Nicole M. Habib, PA-C

Contact The Woodruff Institute for Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery today for your consultation. 239-498-DERM. Gift certificates available.