Dermatology

Get Rid of Dull Skin: Exfoliation Tips

 Is your skin looking dull?  An easy way to get your skin glowing again is to exfoliate your skin regularly. Exfoliation removes the dead skin cells which causes your skin to look dull.   It is also necessary for clear skin, free  of acne and blackheads. There are many ways to exfoliate, both your body and face.  Let’s talk about facial exfoliation.

1. Clarisonic system is the easiest way to get your glow back. Used daily you will see a significant difference in your skin.  There are different heads that you can buy, depending on your skin’s sensitivity.  I love mine and have had it for several years. Definitely  worth the investment. Clarisonic prices start at about $125.00 http://www.clarisonic.com/ Note that some kits come with cleansers. There are many options in OTC cleansers. My recommendation is to buy the machine only, with extra heads.

2. Buy a cleanser that contains glycolic or lactic acid.  These ingredients create exfoliation and cell turnover. You can find many professional brand name products online.  Or ask an esthetician or dermatologist for a recommendation.

3. Use a OTC Retinol product or  Retin-A Rx or  Tazorac Rx are also good choices. Your skin will shed the old cells and build new cells. Start off with a low dose of .05%. Using Retinoids will  also prevent acne and blackheads from forming. Retinols build collagen and ellastin necessary for healthy, youthful looking skin.

4. Get a chemical peel 2x a year. Change of seasons is a good time.  Peel are sometimes given in a series, this will depend on how much sun damage you have.  Time the peel accordingly, because you may be red and peeling for several days. Once your skin has peeled you will be amazed at how youthful, healthy and glowing it is.  Go to a licensed esthetician, RN, or Physician Assistant  who works either in a medi-spa, dermatologist or  plastic surgeon’s office.  There are many chemical peels available today. There are superficial peels, medium depth peels and deep peels. The strength of the peel will depend on what results you are seeking, your skin type and how much down- time you are willing to take. TCA (trichloroacetic acid)  peels and Glycolic acid peels are the most popular.   Chemical peels are recommended for  Hyperpigmentation, Sun damage, texture, pre-cancerous lesions, acne, lines, mild wrinkles, lip Creases. There are pre-cautionary measures to take prior to having a TCA peel, check with your skincare specialist first.

GO GET YOUR GLOW!!

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It’s Not About Vanity!

I have a love/hate with the beauty industry. How much is too much obsession with aging?   As women, we tend to be high maintenance, especially as we age.  Of course,  I cannot speak for all women.  It takes a lot of work to keep yourself looking as good as you feel.  Interestingly, I’ve  meet many baby boomer women who say that they are content with the way they look, wrinkles and all.  I applaud those women who let their hair go grey, have never tried Botox, cleanse their face with soap, use little or no face-creams, go au natural without make-up, eat healthy, and feel great or so they say.  Are you really OK with the aging process? Do you vehemently oppose trying Botox or fillers because it is unnatural to alter nature, is it a fear of needles, on  principle or strictly economics?

Is is wrong to want to look refreshed on the outside?

We are lucky to live in world evolving  anti-aging technologies. The choices are many- from  anti-aging skin care, to non-invasive treatments to surgery.  Is there a fine line between looking natural and overdone?  I think so.  You can look totally natural with a little Botox to soften frown lines or crows feet or on the other hand you can look frozen and unnatural. Fillers can  plump up the loss of volume in our cheeks and temple area giving a more refreshed look. Or they can overdone.

I started getting Botox injections in my early 40’s before its FDA approval. My  deep furrows are now gone from my forehead and  I go less often for injections.  My kids tease me that one day I will be in a nursing home begging for Botox. 🙂   I like not having deep furrows and frown lines.  I like  appearing younger than I really am , and at the same time I am proud of my  age. I don’t want to look  like I am 20 years old. Yet, I want to look as good as I can.

It’s all  about maintenance- I color my grey, shape my brows, use good skin care products, have chemical peels, get manicures and pedicures,  take vitamins, watch what I eat, exercise ( though not as often as I should) get my Botox fix, and fillers when needed.  Is this too much?  Perhaps some people may think I am obsessed.

You feel as good as you look.. and you look as good as you feel.. Maintaining your looks takes work.. and what is wrong with that? It’s not about vanity- it ‘s about feeling good!!

As Coco Chanel said,

“NATURE GIVES YOU THE FACE YOU HAVE AT TWENTY; IT IS UP TO YOU TO MERIT THE FACE YOU HAVE AT FIFTY.” COCO CHANEL

Steps for Preventing Skin Cancer

As I was watching  The Big C, the hit Showtime Original Series about living… with cancer-Melanoma, I decided to write this blog.

Melanoma is on the rise, it is the deadliest form of skin cancer if not caught early.  It is a horrible painful disfiguring disease. I know, my dad died from Melanoma which started on his scalp and metastasized though his body. He lost 1/3 of his neck to this horrible disease.

Children and you women are especially at risk.  Research also suggests that  higher income women and families are at greater risk due vanity and lifestyle.   According to the American Cancer Society Melanoma is thought to account for about 9,000 deaths per year in the United States. Many of these melanoma cases are avoidable through common sense measures such as limiting sun exposure.

The American Cancer Society has identified the following risk factors:* Unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation

* Fair complexion

* Occupational exposures to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, or radium

* Family history

* Multiple or atypical moles

* Severe sunburns as a child

There are many steps we can take to prevent this deadly cancer.  There is a new FDA approved technology that can aid your physician in an early  diagnosis.  Ask you physician about scanning with MoleMate, the first FDA approved skin cancer screening device.

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