Skin problems can affect the quality of life

IPL Photo Facial, Lifestyle
In this study researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine compared two questionnaires to evaluate the impact of sun spots on a patients' quality of life. Both tools were effective in evaluating the quality of life, which was affected by dark spots. Understanding this can help guide treatment choices. Mayra B. C. Maymone, Hind H. Neamah, Eric A. Secemsky, Neelam A. Vashi. Correlating the Dermatology Life Quality Index and Skin Discoloration Impact Evaluation Questionnaire tools in disorders of hyperpigmentation. The Journal of Dermatology, 2018; 45 (3): 361 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.14172

Light Therapy for Skin

Health Basics, Regenerative Medicine, Uncategorized
DaVinci Med Spa offers light therapy as a modality or as an add on to procedures. According to WebMD in an article titled Testing Potential Uses for Light Therapy, "For instance, when longer wavelength or visibly “red” light hits the skin, it nudges mitochondria (the cell’s powerhouses) to make energy more efficiently and boost production of healing anti-inflammatories or disease-fighting antioxidants." 

Illinois State Medical Society President’s Tour

Uncategorized
Dr Cummings had the privilege of escorting ISMS President Dr Ramirez as he toured the health care facilities here in Peoria. Meetings included OSF Medical Center, Jump training center, Unity Point as well as Family House of Peoria.  He was impressed with the high level of expert medical care and state of the art facilities.

Hottest Trends in Med Spas; Microneedling

Micro Needling, Microneedling, PRP
Practical Dermatology this March has reviewed some of the aesthetic trends taking the nation by storm. Top of this list is Microneedling. DaVinci Med Spa is ahead of the curve. We have been preforming microneedling, also known as Collagen Induction Therapy, for years. Our clients are happy we are seeing great results. This therapy has minimal discomfort, minimal down time and natural results.

Obesity Management

Health Basics, Lifestyle, Motivation
Dr Cummings recently attended an education meeting on the "Complexity of Obesity and Steps for Effective Management" Bernie Ranchero, MD from Sarah Bush Lincoln Medical Center gave a comprehensive review of the physiologic pathways responsible for obesity with an emphasis on Glucagon Like Peptide- 1 (GLP-1). This is a gut hormone that is released by the body in response to a meal. It inhibits the liver's release of glucagon, enhances the body's release of insulin and suppresses the appetite. GLP-1 helps stabilize sugar levels in the blood and can help with weight loss in certain patients. 

Cortisone (triamcinolone) shots in arthritic knees or PRP

PRP, Regenerative Medicine, Uncategorized
According to a recently published research paper by Timothy E. McAlindon, DM, MPH, et al, "Among patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, intra-articular triamcinolone, compared with intra-articular saline, increased cartilage volume loss and had no effect on knee pain over 2 years." This report was published in The Journal of the American Medical Association in May of 2017. 140 patients with symptomatic arthritis were entered into the study. Half got a cortisone shot every 3 months while the other half got saline (placebo) shots in their knee. Those that got cortisone shots resulted in significantly greater cartilage volume loss than did saline patients. In other words they lost cartilage with steroid shots and did no better as far as pain. Dr AJ Cummings has been using Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) instead of cortisone shots on his patients for years now.