B12 Regenerating Mask

What is your skincare routine? 

Standard sequence that our clinical team suggest: 

Applying face mask is also an important skincare component to maintain youthful looking skin and can help to address various skin condition (e.g hydration, regeneration). Topical B12 has been demonstrated to relieve the symptoms caused by chronic skin condition (eczema, psoriasis). B12 can deeply regenerate, repair and rejuvenate skin cells.

Other ingredients that have been proven to help relieving skin irritation and redness include allantoin, chamomile extract and Epilobium angustifolium extract.

Manuka honey extract has been show to help with wound healing.

Hyaluronic acid forms a barrier on the skin surface to protect skin from drying out. It attracts and retains more than 1000x its weight in water.

Tremella fuciformis extract is a natural form of hyaluronic acid that moisturizes and revitalizes skin cells. Study also demonstrated its’ help in wound healing and reducing redness and inflammation.

Ceramides help to restore the lipid barrier of our skin

Panthenol (Vitamin B5) significant maintains skin moisture and reduces transepidermal water loss.

When all these ingredients combine in a mask, they can offer instant repair and regenerate skin cells. Hydration level of skin can be optimized. They also help to calm and soothe irritated skin providing a fast relief of skin irritation.

Pamper your skin with the B12 Regenerating Mask. 

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Magnesium and You

Magnesium is one of the essential minerals and cofactors in our body. It involves in more than 300 biochemical reactions including energy production, production of protein, cell signalling, macronutrient metabolism etc. Up to 80% of the Americans are suffering from magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes. Current agricultural practices have significantly depleted the soils and nutritional values in our food including magnesium. In addition, the processed foods that we eat further deplete this mineral form our bodies.

In regards to magnesium supplementation, there are different forms of magnesium. Most magnesium salts, such as magnesium oxide, carbonate and citrate do not have ideal absorption rates. Only 4% of Magnesium oxide get absorbed. Yet if magnesium is not absorbed in our gut, the it can potentially cause diarrhea. Highly absorbable form of magnesium such as chelated form of amino acid, biglycinate, taurinate, glycinate forms are with good absorbability.

Reference:

www.lpi.oregonstate.edu

www.nutritionalmagnesium.org

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Hair Loss -> Hair Regrowth

On average, we have about 100,000-200,000 hair. On average, we shed 50-100 hair daily and our hair grow about ¼ inch each month. If we lose more than we grow, thinning of scalp hair and baldness will occur. This can be a devastating experience to both men and women. Find out any underlying cause. Hormonal changes (e.g. during pregnancy, menopause), chronic illnesses, thyroid problem, scalp infection, stress, mood, family history, overuse of hair styling products, poor nutrition can contribute to hair loss.

Some medications can also potentially induce hair loss. Some of the examples are: Oral acne medication (Accutane), warfarin, cholesterol medication (gemfibrozil, clofibrate), seizure medication, heart medication (beta blocker, ACE inhibitor, water pill), hormonal medication, some antidepressants, Parkinson medication, immunosuppressant and chemotherapy.

Topical medication: minoxidil for use on scalp twice daily has been approved to treat baldness for both men and women. It helps with hair regrowth, and a slower rate of hair loss.

Recent development of new non-medicinal ingredients has also been clinically proven to help providing thicker and fuller hair. Acetyl tetrapeptide-3 and trifolium pratense flower extract (rich in biochanin A) have been shown to inhibit 5-alpha reductase, that converts testosterone to DHT which cause miniaturization of hair follicles. Acetyl tetrapeptide-3 helps to improve the hair follicle length by 35% after 8 days of treatment. It also provides a repairing effect at the dermal epidermal junction level in helping hair anchoring.

Other ingredients that also contribute to hair and scalp health including Epolobium angustifolium extract, coenzyme Q10, therapeutic grade of cederwood, lavender and rosemary essential oil.

In addition, our body need to be well nourished with nutrients is also important to promote healthy scalp and hair. Avoid using hair products containing harmful ingredients are also essential factors that should not be overlooked.

Reference:

www.mayoclinic.org

www.medicalnewstoday.com

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Vitamin D and Stroke

Vitamin D has been show to help promoting healthy bones, reducing symptoms of depression, boosting immune system. 

More and more studies show the link between vitamin D and chronic diseases like cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and more. Low level has been associated with neurovascular injury. In a study involving 96 stroke patients, researchers found that stroke patients with low vitamin D levels were more likely to suffer severe strokes and have poor health months after stroke than those with normal vitamin D level. Vitamin D is not just a vitamin. It has many functions in our body. Remember to get your dose the sunshine vitamin every day.  

Reference:

http://newsroom.heart.org/news/low-vitamin-d-predicts-more-severe-strokes-poor-health-post-stroke

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Enzymes and Digestive Health

With hectic lifestyle nowadays, more problems related our gut are seen. Digestive enzyme deficiency causing health related problems seem to be increasing. Ingestion, heartburn, gas and bloating are some of the commonly seen signs and symptoms. Enzymes are an important component of our digestion process. Let’s understand what are the different types of enzymes in our body. There are 3 main types:

Carbohydrate digestion:

Amylase, maltase 

Fat digestion:

Lipase

Protein digestion:

Pepsin, trypsin, peptidase

What are the factors that can affect our digestive function? 

Stress, poor eating habits, enzyme deficiency caused by medical condition (e.g cystic fibrosis), people who has gall bladder removed, aging.

How to deal with this problem?

- Reduce stress, chew food thoroughly.

- Minimize or avoid food that can cause intolerance (eg. Lactose, gluten)

- Supplement with digestive enzymes with meals to help breaking down the food. 

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Don’t scare of ‘healthy’ fats.

There are still lots of myths about eating fats. People who are on a diet to lose weight always try to eliminate not just carbs but all fat in their diet. Eating more good fats (unsaturated fats) instead of bad fats (saturated fats) and carbohydrates is beneficial to our health. For those who want to lose weight, good fat is needed to help boost the metabolism. Also, a meta-analysis study reveals that replacing carbs and saturated fats with healthy fats (mono or polyunsaturated fats) lower blood sugar levels and improves insulin control. For each 5% of dietary energy that was switched from carbs or bad fats to healthy fats, researchers found that a drop of around 0.1% in HbA1C. HbA1C indicates how well blood sugar control long term. 

Choose and consume the right type of fats is important to health especially heart health and weight management. Some of the good fat sources: fish (e.g. salmon, mackerel, trout) are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Other good fats sources include nuts, olive oil, avocados. Pure omega 3 supplement is also a good choice. 

Don’t be afraid of ‘fats’. Choose wisely and eat healthy fats is essential in maintaining long term good health. 

Reference: 
www.worldhealth.net

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Lustra/Lustra AF is not available any option?

Lustra is one of the topical skin bleaching creams that contains hydroquinone (HQ) as the key ingredient. 

Hydroquinone is a clinically proven depigmenting agent that is used to lighten hyperpigmentation, or dark spots and patches, age spots, and freckles, by suppressing the melanocyte production by inhibiting tyrosinase (the enzyme that makes melanin).

Vitamins C and E and glycolic acid are also part of this formula, with Vitamin C and E possessing antioxidant effects, where as Glycolic acid acts as an alpha hydroxy acid helping to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cell. This exfoliation process helps to enhance the absorption of hydroquinone, which allows the formula to produce greater results.

Although Lustra  is currently not available, our clinical medicinal service team has been fielding a lot of inquiries on what clients can use and what could be tailored to fit their needs. As a result, they have formulated a custom compound hydroquinone 4% in a custom formulated sunscreen moisturizing cream base with glycolic acid, Vitamin C, E and antioxidants that works as a valid option for Lustra  clients.

Instructions:

To use hydroquinone products safely and effectively, our clinical team suggests avoiding long term use, recommending that clients take about a 2 month break after 4-6 month period of use. This will help to minimize potential HQ resistance, as well as minimize the potential for adverse effects such as ochronosis (black/bluish discoloration of the skin). Due to the nature of the formula and the effects of the HQ, sun protection is a must while on HQ therapy.

For more information on HQ product,  check out: https://biosenseclinic.com/collections/custom-hydroquinone-4-related-products. Feel free to contact our clinical team for more details. 

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How to apply topical numbing cream?

Topical anesthetics (numbing agents) are commonly used in different cosmetic procedures such as laser hair removal, electrolysis, microneedling, microblading, permanent makeup and tattooing. It is also indicated for reducing pain at injection site or muscle pain.

The 'caines' including benzocaine, lidocaine and tetracaine are the active numbing ingredients. Benzocaine has the quickest onset of action, then lidocaine kicks in next and tetracaine comes in last. With these 3 ‘caines’ combined into the formulation offers a faster start and longer acting effect. BiosenseClinical Numbing Cream contains these 3 numbing ingredients at highest percentage without added harmful preservatives.

To maximize the numbing effect of our Numbing Cream, how to apply is very important. Apply about 30-45 minutes before the procedure. Apply the cream and rub in well until it’s clear. A second layer can be applied or the area can be covered with saran wrap. Once numb, wipe off the numbing cream with damped cloth or tissue paper. Achieving beauty pain free is easy to do!

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Which Route Is Better to Administer B12 Injections?

Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that performs different functions in our body. B12 is indicated for Vitamin B12 deficiency, pernicious anemia, people who have difficulty absorbing B12 orally due to diseases such as Crohn’s or Celiacs, patients who have had gastric bypass surgery or who are on long term acid suppression medication and/or someone on a vegetarian diet. Vitamin B12 also is also commonly incorporated into weight loss or weight management programs to help regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates and fat.

"IM or SC? Which route should I use to give myself the B12 shot?"

The most common form of B12 injection is Cyanocobalamin and both intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC or SQ) are the recommended route. In order to determine which route of injection is should be used, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines. If you have a low pain tolerance level, SC route will be preferred, as IM is generally more painful and therefore can cause a bit more discomfort. For overweight or those with low muscle mass, the SC route is preferred as muscle is below our subcutaneous fat layer, whereas those with more muscles and less subcutaneous fat the IM route is preferred.
No matter which way you choose to inject B12, proper hygienic technique needs to be ensured to minimize the potential of infection. Don’t forget to sanitize the vial and the area of injection before and after the shot using alcohol swabs and do not reuse needles.
For more Biosense Clinic Health Tips, check out our Clinical Blogs at https://www.biosenseclinic.com/blogs/clinical-blogs

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