On May 9th, the Thursday before Mother’s Day, moms across America will take the night off and celebrate National Mom’s Nite Out. Any and all mothers who want to participate will be doing so at local events held at Simon Malls, in living rooms and even online through social networks like Facebook and Twitter. The point is for moms to get away from the daily grind and treat themselves to a little socializing, shopping and pampering. Last year’s event drew over 11 million participants!

It all started five years ago by a frustrated Florida mother who realized she and her kids had spent every Mother’s Day cooking for and doting on her mother-in-law instead of enjoying a little special treatment herself. She wanted just one day (or evening) she could truly have to herself… and she quickly found out she wasn’t alone!

For those celebrating in Austin, there will be official events taking place at Barton Creek Square and the Arboretum. In addition to fun giveaways, moms will also benefit from interactive demonstrations courtesy of the Rethink Varicose Veins campaign, a sponsor of National Mom’s Nite Out.

Over 30 million Americans suffer from varicose veins, but many are under-educated about the problem. The Rethink Varicose Veins campaign aims to change that by encouraging individuals to think differently about varicose veins and understand that if left untreated, varicose veins can progress to a more serious form of venous disease called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

The campaign is also providing a self-assessment online for individuals to take. When the assessment is complete, participants have the option to find a doctor and share the assessment with their loved ones through email, Facebook and Twitter.

To raise awareness and boost participation, the Rethink campaign is partnering with the popular women’s magazine, MORE, in sponsoring a sweepstakes for all of those who take the self-assessment. Once you take the assessment your name can be entered for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the Miraval Spa in Tucson, Arizona, where the winner and a friend will enjoy a luxurious weekend of spa treatments, yoga classes and health and wellness seminars led by the editors of MORE and other special guests.

So what are you waiting for? Visit rethinkvv.com to take and share the assessment, and enter for your chance to win today.

There’s no doubt that a good number of us are product junkies… Seemingly never satisfied with the ones we have, we tend to collect various skin care products, hoping that the newest one will have that magical ingredient that will solve all of our problems. The thing is, we often hold on to the older products as well, thinking we can go back to them if the new products don’t work out.

But like food and makeup, skin care products expire (it would be worrisome if they didn’t). Using skin care creams, gels, lotions and the like after their expiration date is never a good idea: Not only are the active ingredients rendered ineffective, bacteria will have accumulated in the product.

In general, a product’s shelf life depends on its ingredients, packaging and storage. Each product is a bit different, but you’ll know it’s time to toss it if any of these statements are true:

• The product has changed color
• The product’s texture has changed
• There is a strange or rancid scent coming from product
• There are small black (bacterial) spots in the product

Typical expiration dates for these common products:

Acne Treatment Products: A typical acne cream will last about 4-6 months. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, two common ingredients, break down rather quickly. If you don’t need it that often, put it in your refrigerator to maximize potency.

Skin Moisturizers: Basic moisturizers that do not have anti-aging ingredients can last a little over a year. But moisturizers with active ingredients will expire in a year or less. Keep in mind that any product with a vitamin ingredient (C, E, A) will begin to degrade once it is exposed to oxygen.

Peels and Masks: After about three months, it’s probably time to toss. This is especially true if the peel contains either an alpha hydroxy or glycolic acid, because after a few months its buffering agents begin to evaporate, leaving your skin exposed to the irritating acid ingredients.

Retinoid Creams: When packaged in an opaque tube, these creams can last 9-11 months. Again, the vitamin A in the product begins to break down the moment it is exposed to oxygen.

Scrubs: Facial scrubs are pretty hardy… they can last up to two years. Avoid purchasing a scrub that is in a tub or jar you have to dip into, as that allows bacteria to collect over time.

Sunscreens: Sunscreens can last 1-2 years, depending on how they are stored. To make it last, keep it in a cool, dark place.

To help products last longer, store them away from heat and light. Also, look for products that come in an airless pump that will keep products fresher for longer.

As for those pesky skin problems, quality products will only get you so far. For serious TLC for your skin, take a look at the treatments we offer here at Zimmet Vein & Dermatology. We address everything from skin laxity to sun damage. Give us a call today to learn more. (512) 485-7700.

Compared to many Americans, Austin folks are a pretty fit bunch. We cherish opportunities to exercise, especially when it also means enjoying the beauty of Lady Bird Lake or the Greenbelt. Running in particular is the exercise of choice for thousands of Austinites… but are those with varicose veins barred from it?

What causes varicose veins? [Video]

First, there is a myth to clear up about running and varicose veins. Some are worried that running causes varicose veins to form–but it’s simply not true. In fact, running can actually help prevent varicose veins by improving your blood circulation.

If they are beginning to form, though, varicose veins might keep you from running. Some symptoms of varicose veins include swelling, heaviness and fatigue–which can make running less enjoyable or even painful. If you want to continue running at the onset of varicose veins, keep these things in mind:

• Running is a high-impact activity that will likely aggravate swelling, so reduce that impact by avoiding hard pavement. Instead choose a softer, more shock-absorbent surface to run on like grass, dirt or the rubber of an athletics track.
• Wearing compression stockings while you run won’t be the most comfortable option, but the pressure will increase blood flow help you not feel as fatigued.
• Keep an eye on your vein health, and stop running if bulging veins become acute.

If your varicose veins are already a problem, it is best not to run. You may still get exercise by going on walks, swimming or engaging in any other low-impact physical activity. To return to a more active lifestyle, it is imperative to seek treatment for your varicose veins. Dr. Zimmet offers five different non-surgical treatments for varicose veins.

If you would like to learn more about the procedures and treatments by Austin TX Cosmetic Dermatologist, Dr. Steven Zimmet, please contact us at (512) 485-7700.

Like the rest of your body, your skin undergoes natural changes as you age. A woman’s skin in particular is susceptible to unwanted changes in tone, texture and tightness, especially as she enters her 40s.

The fourth decade is one that is characterized by emerging evidence of sun damage and aging in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, age spots and large pores. It is also marked by a significant decline in various hormone levels and growth factors. This decline in hormones causes a reduction in the synthesis of collagen and elastin, and reduces the production of sebum (skin oil). In a woman’s 40s, cell damage has accumulated in many tissues, and skin is one of the most affected. The rate at which skin repairs and renews itself also takes place much slower.

Skin changes often include:

• Thickening and drying of the outer layer of skin resulting in a parched, dull appearance.
• Thinning of the middle layer of skin–the layer responsible for skin strength, resilience and firmness. Fine lines, wrinkles become more pronounced as a result.
• Deepening of motion wrinkles and creases.
• Development of uneven pigmentation and other discolorations.
• Slackening of facial muscles and loss of subcutaneous fat leading to a tired, haggard look.
• Some acne around the jaw related to fluctuating hormone levels.

Sun and sleep habits, overall health and genetics contribute to these adverse changes. You don’t have to take them lying down, though. Consider these treatments that specifically target problems women encounter in their 40s:

• Pulsed Light Rejuvenation to improve tone and texture
• Fractional Resurfacing / Active FX to reduce discoloration, shrink pores and tighten skin
• Botox® / Dermal Fillers to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines
• Ultherapy® to lift and tighten skin without surgery
• Blu-U Light Therapy to treat acne

Women in their 40s have a special beauty that comes from self-knowledge and a confidence born of experience. Don’t let signs of premature aging hold you back from looking as great as you feel.

Contact Zimmet Vein & Dermatology today to find out how Dr. Zimmet and his team can help you find the best treatment to meet your needs. Our number is (512) 485-7700.

It’s been a very busy yet rewarding few months for us here at Zimmet Vein & Dermatology, filled with exciting opportunities both at home and abroad. We are delighted to share some of these highlights with you.

Dr. Zimmet Heads to India and Africa

Dr. Zimmet and wife Adrienne

In January, Dr. Zimmet traveled to the colorful land of India, and had the honor of delivering a keynote presentation at the 6th annual National Venous Interventional Summit in Goa, the smallest state in the country. The summit was hosted by the Venous Association of India, a young but growing association that is dedicated to furthering the study and practice of phlebology. “The vein treatment community in India is growing rapidly,” Dr. Zimmet reports, “and these doctors are all interested in learning more about the field so they can provide the highest level of care to their patients. The meeting was exceptional and very productive for everyone involved.”

Dr. Zimmet continued his travels by visiting the “incredibly beautiful” African country of Tanzania. Known for dedicating at least 25 percent of its land to national parks and protected areas, Tanzania offered Dr. Zimmet the fascinating opportunity to see and experience wildlife in their natural habitats. He also enjoyed meeting his guides, all native Tanzanians, and is even keeping in touch with one of them, Simon, who liked to play guitar and sing in the camp in the evenings.

Upcoming World Congress in Boston

This September, Dr. Zimmet will continue to serve the international vein community at the International Union of Phlebology World Congress. The annual conference has never before been held on American soil, but will take place in Boston, MA, this year. Dr. Zimmet will serve on the elite seven-member Scientific Committee that will work to evaluate and ensure the quality of the scientific presentations made at the conference.

Extra! Extra!

Although engagements with fellow doctors have kept him busy, Dr. Z has not lost touch with the everyday women and men who have skin care questions and concerns. Just in the past few months he has been interviewed by several publications (from Cosmo to Prevention) for articles aimed at answering such concerns. Check out our Media and Press page for the details on those articles.

As is evidenced in this update, Dr. Zimmet is committed to serving the public, his peers and ultimately his patients — and is delighted to do so. As for us, we’re delighted to be a part of his growing team!

On a final note, we’re proud to announce that we’ve been recognized as a “Premier Center of Excellence” by BestVeinCare.com. Only 26 other vein care centers in the state earned this distinction and we’re honored to be in such good company.

We hope you found this update interesting and relevant, and if you’re here for the first time we hope you’ll get familiar with the skin and vein treatments we offer. At internationally recognized Zimmet Vein & Dermatology, you can be confident you’re in the best hands.

We have a new face in our office! Meet Colleen Cassady, our new Director of Operations and Development. She comes to Zimmet Vein & Dermatology with a professional background in marketing and website development, among other things. She is the person to talk to about things you would like to see here at Dr. Zimmet’s office or if you have comments of any sort.

Colleen received her BFA in studio art from the University of Texas right here in Austin and continues to have a keen interest in the arts. In fact, you can see her artwork on her site colleencassady.com, or read her curator page at artmuse.com. She also has a love of entrepreneurial endeavors, design, the discovery of perception-altering concepts, reading non-fiction books and hiking in the outdoors. She and her husband are regular dog rescuer-fosterers and have a beloved cattle dog named Tula. For more about Colleen, see her LinkedIn page.

We are so excited and pleased to have Colleen join our team. Again, if you have any comments or suggestions for services you’d like to see in our office, she’s your gal. Feel free to swing by and say hello the next time you’re in our office — she is looking forward to meeting you!

Congratulations on your decision to pursue treatment for those troublesome varicose veins! You are one step closer to getting smooth, even-toned legs again. Along with the procedure itself, you’re probably wondering what to expect immediately following the procedure so you can plan accordingly.

At Zimmet Vein & Dermatology, Dr. Zimmet typically treats large, bulging varicose veins with a combination of both ambulatory phlebectomy and endovenous laser treatment. (You can learn more about each procedure on their respective pages.)

Our varicose vein treatments are minimally invasive and therefore recovery is relatively short and simple. Some patients experience light bruising and discomfort for a few days after the procedure, but this is managed through compression stockings and oral pain medication.

Here are a few guidelines you can expect to follow after you complete your treatment:

• Wear a bandage over the treated area for about three days following the procedure.
• Wear a compression stocking over treated leg(s) for a week after the procedure.
• Take walks every day for the first week or two (if this is not already part of your daily routine). Note that frequent walking is more important than walking long distances.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity for a week.
• Avoid long travel by car or by plane for about a month following the procedure.

Varicose vein treatments have come a long way in the past twenty years. Those who suffer from bulging veins now have treatment options available to them that are highly effective and minimally painful. Contact our Austin office today to learn more.