What are the best self-tanners on the market?

We know that getting too much sun and tanning beds are harmful to your health. You can get that summertime glow with self-tanners; they’ve come a long way.

Dermatologist Dr. Madhavi Kandula has put together some of her favorites for you to look good this summer, the safe way.

Dr. Kandula offers these tips on self-tanning.

1) Exfoliate before applying self tanner. This prevents uneven or splotchy color.

2) Apply body lotion to particularly dry areas such as the knees, elbows and heels as this prevents the tanner from over saturating these areas and causing a tell tale darker color. Also use a towel to blot after applying to these areas to minimize over-darkening.

3) Use gloves to keep your palms from getting discolored. A back wand/applicator or spray self tanners work for hard to reach areas.

4) Apply self tanners at night so they have a chance to develop before showering(water keeps the tanner from working) and also less of a chance on getting on clothes, etc. an hour before bedtime will allow enough time to dry.

5) Exfoliate after three days to keep an even glow and color.

6) You still need sunscreen.

Best Self Tanners video

Cellulite: Getting Your Thighs Summer Ready

I was asked by a patient today, who was seemingly in amazing shape about the cellulite on her thighs. She was upset because when she sat down, she could see dimples on her thighs. She was thin but there it was as soon as she sat down to show me. Of course in her mind it was tragic, but the fact that it was barely noticeable and it was still bothering her stuck with me.

So what is cellulite? It is a made up word to describe the bumpy, lumpy skin on thighs, arms and bellies. It affects 80-90% of women who are past puberty. Cellulite is caused by a multitude of things. Being overweight is one but skinny girls can get it just as well. Cellulite occurs when fat protrudes between weakened fibers under the skin. This can happen because of genetics, weight gain, changes in hormones(is there anything good with this?), aging(there is nothing good with this, ever!), poor diet and lack of exercise.

Men (of course, they wouldn’t!) rarely if ever get it because of their higher levels of testosterone, low levels of estrogen, thicker skin and general musculature.

So can you treat it? Do the creams work? The anti-cellulite creams have chemicals that temporarily tighten the skin, thereby giving it a minimally smoother appearance. Temporary is ok but it’s not a great long term answer. Massage therapy(endodermologie) and body wraps are also temporary. The most effective way to treat cellulite is to eat a lower fat diet and exercise. (I know you thought I was going to tell you we had lasers for it, didn’t you?? They exist but they’re not perfected yet but I will be first in line for my own treatment when they’re here.)

Exercise is the key, but not just aerobics, which we women love, love, love. The MOST effective exercises to diminish the appearance of cellulite involve building muscle in addition to aerobic exercise. The more muscle you build, the thinner the layer of fat and the better the cellulite will look. So, unfortunately, there is no magic to get rid of it. As with many things in life, hard work is the answer.

Here is a link with some great tips and exercises to help:

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/lose-weight/burn-fat/the-30-minute-stop-cellulite-workout/

Good luck!

Dr K

Just because a Product “Says” It’s Better

We often time see commercials for new products that say they’re better than competitors, but unless you get an expert’s thumbs up, sometimes we may be skeptical.

Dermatologist Madhavi Kandula visits Fox 2 News in the Morning to talk about some of her favorite new skin-care products.

justbecauseproduct

Our New and Improved Website

We’re pleased to announce a new website for our office.  Our new site boasts a more interactive experience for our current and prospective patients.  We hired S03 Creative LLC of Concord, MO to provide us a robust site with a fresh look on our office and services.

You will now have more detailed information regarding Dr. Kandula’s services and our esthetician’s services.  Along with this, we have provided a more interactive Frequently Asked Questions layout that will help you discover the answer to your questions quicker than before.

You will also have the ability to access the media content from Dr. Kandula’s past work with different media outlets in the St. Louis region.  This will include interviews at KTVI Fox 2 as well as magazine editorials with various local media groups such as St. Louis Magazine and Ladue News.

We’ve also bolstered Dr. Kandula’s about page to provide a layout showing her experience, education, work history, and awards over the years.

Be sure to stop by our products section to see the new product images and information available to you.

Feel free to provide us any feedback you have concerning the new website and thanks for visiting.

 

X