Conquer Your Goals for the New Year

The new year is a better time than ever to try to get fit and in shape. Reaching your goal weight and getting that perfect figure can do wonders for your health -mentally and physically. Sure, there are some ways to improve your appearance, but wouldn’t it be a greater goal to actually feel better? Unfortunately, attaining these goals is not that easy, especially when you are going at it on your own. This is why many people look for professional help at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst to get them on the right track for a better tomorrow.

The benefits of wellness consultations

You will hear a lot of different things when you try to tackle weight loss struggles. It can almost feel like you are fighting a losing battle. Everyone is different, so what works for some does not necessarily work for others. For these reasons, it can be a great idea to seek a wellness consultation.

Speaking to one of our trained professionals can help you design the perfect program for you. Personalization allows you to optimize your time. Using your time more efficiently allows you to achieve the results you want faster and lets you focus on other parts of your life.

Here are just a few of the cutting-edge techniques available for you at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst:

Weight Management

At The Laser Institute of Pinehurst we provide a comprehensive, personalized approach to weight loss management and wellness solutions. We focus on individualized nutrition, vitamin supplements, sensible and realistic exercise recommendations, along with prescription treatment options when needed. No longer will you hear, “just eat less and exercise more.”

IV Therapy

Especially in modern times, it can be hard for you to get all the vitamins and nutrients you need from diet alone. Just because you’re living in a modern world doesn’t mean your body settles for less. Not getting enough nutrition can have effects on your appearance, mood, and mental health.

Nowadays, there is a way to get yourself rejuvenated in just a couple of hours. By injecting nutrients directly into your body, you can combat deficiencies and feel fresher immediately.

Unlike oral nutrients, which have absorption rates of less than 30%, IV therapy gives you the maximum results with 100% absorption. This means maximum benefits.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone imbalances are a leading cause of weight problems in men and women. Hormones guide our body chemistry, telling our cells what needs to be done. If you are finding difficulties keeping your weight down or battling cravings, you may have a treatable hormone problem.

Correcting hormone imbalances may also treat libidos, energy levels, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, moodiness, and brain fog. The treatment known as Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) works by using hormones that are bio-identical to the ones we produce naturally in our bodies. These substances are made from plants but manipulated to resemble human hormones.

There are many ways you can look younger or healthier. Your goal should be to actually feel the results.

Consider getting a jumpstart on the new you for 2020 by calling 910-295-1130 to schedule your wellness consultation at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst today!

Spring into Summer

Proper Exercise for Weightloss Laser Institute of Pinehurst

Spring is right around the corner and summer will be here in a flash. In addition to setting your clocks forward an hour, it’s important to think about all of the things that you can be doing to look and feel your best before the warmer months arrive. Winter has a way of making us all want to hibernate. Activity levels and motivation can drop, especially when the days are short and the temperatures are bitter.

Now is the perfect time to think about how you can achieve the weight you have always wanted with help from the caring staff at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst. Dr. Melley and her staff offer customized weight loss programs that are tailored to your personalized needs. Along the way, they will make the necessary adjustments to help you stay on track to success.

It is no secret that abs are made in the kitchen. Nutrition and fitness go hand in hand with weight loss and feeling healthy. Proper nutrition can help you maintain your ideal weight, fuel your body for work outs as well as reduce the risk of diseases such as certain cancers, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and osteoporosis. Introducing colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet can provide you with the nutrients needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Practicing good nutrition promotes healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Vitamins and supplements will help assure that you are getting all of the essential nutrients that you may not be getting from your balanced diet. Additionally, certain medical conditions or genetic disorders can prevent the proper absorption of the nutrients from food and taking supplements can help bridge the gap.

Your health may not be the only thing on your mind as the warmer days approach. With warmer weather comes shorts and other more skin revealing clothing, it’s time to also think about that unwanted hair. Shaving can be a hassle. Razors dull quickly, leave behind razor burn and ingrown hairs and is only a temporary fix. Laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to permanently remove hair by destroying the hair follicle while leaving the surrounding skin unharmed. Treatments can be completed in under 30 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated.

Spring and summer fashion is a great way to show off your fitness progress, smooth legs and even the artwork on your skin. Tattoos can be a beautiful way to express yourself, however, over time they can fade and look less than appealing. Many people regret the tattoos they received when they were younger and are self-conscious about showing tattooed skin. Depending on the size and age of the tattoo, laser tattoo removal can safely reduce or fade old tattoos while keeping the unaffected skin safe.

These are just a few things that you can do to get ready for summer. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Melley to determine if there are additional treatments such as skin rejuvenation and body sculpting that you can combine with your existing efforts. The experts at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst can tailor a skin rejuvenation program that suits your needs and goals. Learn more about how which laser treatments can benefit you and help you achieve younger looking skin at pinehurstlaser.com/Lasers or call 910-295-1130 today to schedule your consultation!

Sculpt a new you with SculpSure

sculpsure for valentines day

For many people, the toughest part of weight loss is getting rid of the stubborn pockets of fat that seem to hang on regardless of diet and exercise. These areas of fat may come in the form of a double chin (submental fat), love handles, or excess fat on the inner or outer thighs and abdomen. Fortunately, Dr. Melley offers non-surgical fat reduction options at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst.

SculpSure is an FDA cleared, non-invasive body contouring procedure that uses specific laser energy wavelengths to target fat under the chin (submental), thighs, abdomen, and back in just 25 minutes per session. During the procedure, SculpSure heats the targeted fat cells to a temperature that damages the integrity of the cell walls without negatively affecting the skin’s surface.

Afterward, the body’s lymphatic system naturally eliminates the damaged fat cells which prevents them from returning. Treatments are easy and require no downtime. Patients can return to their daily routine immediately following treatment. While results may vary from patient to patient, a change can usually be seen in as little as six weeks with optimal results being seen after 12 weeks. As the body continues to process the unwanted fat cells, you will notice a more sculpted appearance.

Patients require 2- 3 treatments to achieve maximum results. Dr Melley and her staff will be able to help you determine how many treatments will be necessary to reach your aesthetic goals. The best candidates for SculpSure are individuals not looking for a replacement to diet and exercise and who are willing to still maintain an active lifestyle. Dr. Melley offers a customized weight loss program, including personalized medical counseling.

The caring staff at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst will monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments so that you can achieve your weight loss goals. Learn more about which weight loss program is right for you at pinehurstlaser.com/Weight-Loss or call 910-295-1130 today to schedule your consultation!

5 Ways to Freshen Up Your 2019 Look

Proper Skincare Laser Institute of Pinehurst NC

With a new year comes the sense of a new you and a clean slate. Resolutions can help you stay on track with fitness, skin care, and wellness as well as give you goals to strive towards in 2019. Here are five great ways to refresh yourself this year:

  1. Proper skin care
  2. Skin revitalization with PicoSure
  3. Our 30 day wellness challenge
  4. Tattoo removal or tattoo fading
  5. Laser hair removal to avoid the hassle of shaving
1. Proper Skin Care

Proper skin care is one of the most important parts of maintaining great looking skin. At the Laser Institute of Pinehurst, Dr. Melley suggests these “must-haves” for maintaining healthy skin:

  • A gentle cleanser for your skin type
  • Topical Vitamin A
  • Alpha-Hydroxy acids
  • Antioxidants
  • Sunscreen (one that protects against UVA and UVB waves)

Depending on your skin type, you may want to rinse your face with warm water or use a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt and bacteria. Topical vitamin A, or retinoids, can help combat the damaging effects of the sun’s harmful rays and photoaging.  Alpha-Hydroxy Acids, or AHAs as they are more commonly referred to, can firm and brighten skin and improve overall tone by working to reconstruct collagen and elastin. In addition, they help exfoliate dead skin cells. Antioxidants, which you can get from fruits, vegetables and some grains, can protect against sunburns as well as help fight the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, which may contribute to certain diseases if the body cannot mitigate them.

Don’t Forget Sunscreen!

The sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays are linked to wrinkles, premature aging and skin cancers. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you apply sunscreen before spending time outside and reapply throughout the day if you plan to be out in the sun for an extended period of time. In addition, you can help protect the delicate skin of your eyes with sunglasses and hats, which help block the sun.

2. Skin Revitalization with PicoSure

In addition to proper skin care, maintaining a healthy glow and smooth skin can boost your confidence in 2019. PicoSure is a state of the art laser skin rejuvenation treatment that can remove unwanted age spots, acne scars and reduce wrinkles with minimal downtime. PicoSure is a safe, non-invasive procedure.

3. Take Our 30 Day Wellness Challenge!

Proper hydration promotes healthy skin and aides in digestion. For 30 days, challenge yourself to drink an adequate amount of water daily. To find out how many ounces of water you should be intaking weigh yourself in pounds and divide that number by 2. This will give you the number of ounces of water you should be drinking a day. Remember that exercise and other factors will impact your water intake needs. For 30 days, take a multi-vitamin and monitor how the combination of water and supplements has positively impacted your wellness and skin.

4. Tattoo Removal

Over time, tattoos can settle and fade, making the pigments appear dull and blurry. Many people regret tattoos they had done many years ago and may choose to have them removed. Fortunately, PicoSure is the leading choice for unwanted tattoo removal. This device uses energy delivered in trillionths of a second to break up tattoo pigments which keeps the skin safe from damage and the patient more comfortable.

5. Laser Hair Removal

Shaving can be a hassle. Unsightly razor bumps and ingrown hairs are always a risk if you shave often. Laser hair removal can thin, reduce and even completely remove unwanted body hair. The expert staff at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst are trained to use a variety of machines for laser hair removal.

Washing Fruits and Vegetables for Safety

weight loss pinehurst nc

Eating the recommended daily serving of fruits and vegetables is a key factor in maintaining both a well-balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Along with taking supplements, colorful produce can give us the nutrients we need to fight off illness, have more energy and feel better on a day to day basis. Unfortunately, there are underlying risks to understand when making sure your fruits and veggies are safe for eating. Bacteria may be present in the soil that crops are grown in or the water used for irrigation. In many cases, pesticides and bug killers are sprayed to keep destructive insects away. Pesticides, Bacteria, Parasites, Viruses and Chemicals are all reasons to wash your produce before eating.

Consuming fruits and vegetables without first washing them thoroughly could lead to foodborne illnesses if contaminants are present on the surface. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has established some guidelines to follow to make sure your produce is safely prepared:

  • Clean – Wash your hands before handling fresh fruits and veggies and be sure to also wash your produce. Organic fruits and vegetables can still carry trace amounts of pesticides. Some prepackaged salad mixes may be listed as “prewashed,” however, it is safest to wash them.
  • Separate – Be sure that, when cooking produce, not to cross-contaminate when also preparing meats or seafood. This includes preparing your meats and produce on separate cutting boards and thoroughly sanitizing the surface on which you’ve cut or kept raw meat.
  • Cook – Cook food to the temperature which kills germs and bacteria. This varies for each type of meat. Fruits and vegetables are usually safe to eat raw but can be peeled and/or cooked to remove potential bacteria.
  • Chill – Refrigerate food promptly! Be sure your food is kept below 40°F. Never thaw food on the counter because bacteria can easily multiply on food once it reaches room temperature.

Fruits and vegetables can be washed by soaking the produce in a mixture of white vinegar and water, ½ cup vinegar to every 2 cups of water. Soak for 5-15 minutes, then be sure to rinse items under a running tap while massaging the surface to remove any dirt that may be clinging on. Another way to clean produce is by soaking in a salt water solution. Use 1 tsp of salt for every cup of water, soak and then rinse thoroughly. Using 1 teaspoon of Clorox to every gallon of water will help kill parasites and bacteria on fresh produce. Always rinse, rinse and rinse again.

It is most important to wash loose produce such as lettuce because its leaves can contain more soil than other types of vegetables. In addition, you can peel some produce such as potatoes, carrots, onions, cucumbers and apples to safely remove any bacteria or chemicals that could be on the skin. Wash utensils with hot soapy water and clean countertops and cutting boards so that bacteria, that may be present on the outside of fruits and vegetables, is not transferred to the inside when cutting.

These steps will ensure that you are not at risk for illness while eating healthy. At The Laser Institute of Pinehurst, we offer a customized weight loss program that includes personal medical counseling from our providers. We will monitor your progress and make the necessary adjustments that will allow you to best achieve your short and long-term goals. Learn more about the weight loss programs we offer at pinehurstlaser.com/Weight-Loss or call our office at 910-920-9411 today to schedule your consultation!

Recommended Exercise to Lose or Maintain Weight

Weight Loss Pinehurst NC

Whether you are trying to lose weight or maintain the weight you are at, exercise will always be a major part of a healthy lifestyle. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of intense activity for an average adult per week. If you would rather do strength training in place of aerobic activity, train all major muscle groups at least two times a week using resistance heavy enough to tire your muscles after 12-15 repetitions.

To Lose Weight

If you are beginning your journey to a healthier you at a weight you are not satisfied with and wish to lose weight, you must create a calorie deficit (i.e. burning more calories than you take in). Today there are multiple devices you can use to track you calorie intake vs. calories burned. For example, you can use a Fitbit or Apple Watch that tracks your heart rate and shows you how many calories you burned for the day and pair it with the popular app My Fitness Pal which tracks the calories you take in throughout the day. For a specific time, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends 250 minutes of exercise per week for significant weight loss.

To Maintain Weight

If you have reached your goal weight and don’t wish to gain or lose weight, you don’t want to quit exercising altogether, but gradually slow down your exercise regimen. According to a study done at the University of Alabama, adults aged 20 – 35 who worked out one day a week saw no muscle loss or weight gain. Just make sure to keep that one day a week workout intense enough to break a sweat. For improved health benefits The Laser Institute of Pinehurst recommends 3 – 5 workouts per week alternating cardio-vascular work-outs with strength training.

At the Laser Institute of Pinehurst, we offer a customized weight loss program that includes personal medical counseling from our providers. We will monitor your progress and make the necessary adjustments that will allow you to best achieve your short and long term goals. Learn more about the weight loss programs we offer at pinehurstlaser.com/Weight-Loss or call our office at 910-920-9411 today to schedule your complimentary consultation!