Every summer, wildfire smoke becomes a reality for many of us in Bend, Oregon and throughout Central Oregon. While most people think about the effects on their lungs and eyes, your skin is also exposed to the harmful particles carried in smoky air. If you've noticed your skin feeling more sensitive, dehydrated, congested, or irritated during wildfire season, you're not imagining it. Here's why it happens—and how you can protect your skin. Why Wildfire Smoke Is Harmful to Your Skin Wildfire...

Vitamin D is essential for bone health, immune function, muscle strength, and overall wellness. While sunlight helps your body produce vitamin D naturally, many people overestimate how much sun exposure is actually needed—and underestimate the damage that comes with prolonged UV exposure. How Your Body Makes Vitamin D When UVB rays from the sun hit your skin, they interact with a cholesterol-derived compound called 7-dehydrocholesterol, triggering the production of vitamin D3. This vitamin D...

Living in beautiful Bend means we spend a lot of time outside — and honestly, that’s one of the best parts about living here. Whether you’re paddle boarding at Elk Lake, floating the Deschutes River, hiking around the Three Sisters Wilderness, or grabbing a bite of at one of the many outdoor food lots, our skin takes on a lot during the summer months. As much as I love retinoids for acne, pigmentation, texture, and anti-aging, I often recommend my Central Oregon clients consider taking a...