Your Guide to Healthy Skin

People always ask me, what should I do for my skin? That sounds like a simple question, but it is actually quite complicated. Everyone’s skin is different and my recommendations will be quite different for most. That being said, some recommendations will be the same for most. Here are some simple things that you can do to keep your skin looking great!

1. Protect it!
   • Apply sunscreen every day!
     • Most of the damage to our skin is from the Sun’s harmful UV rays. Using a great sunscreen that has titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide is the best protection you can get. Often, makeups will have titanium dioxide in it to afford some protection. The sun thins the skin, causes age spots, and wrinkles. The first step to having great skin is to protect it! Sun protective clothing and hats that have UV coatings are great and easy to use. CLICK HERE to see our selection of sunscreens.
   • Avoid midday sun
     • Avoiding sun exposure when the sun is more directly overhead is recommended. It is better to play sports or work outdoors in the very early morning or late afternoon.
   • Wear sun-protective clothing and hats when possible.
     • Sun-protective clothing has come a long way. From hats, to swim-shirts, to daily wear items, clothing now has built in SPF to keep you safer.

• Vitamin C when applied topically can help even out skin tones and protect the skin from sun-damage. Not all topical preparations are the same and many will oxidize, turn brown, and be worthless. The most potent forms of vitamin C are often the most unstable, such as L-AA, or L-ascorbic acid, which means that these serums break down when exposed to light, oxygen, and heat. Combining Vitamin C with ferulic acid helps extend the life and effectiveness of Vitamin C. The addition of Vitamin E has been shown to be more effective than using either vitamin alone. CLICK HERE to look at our topical preparation. Taking Vitamin C by mouth is not the same and is not helpful.
• Niacinamide has gotten a lot of hype recently and is now found in many topical sunscreens and other preparations. When taken by mouth it has been shown to reduce the risk of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, and is therefore often recommended for higher risk patients. When used topically it may help even out skin tones and even out skin texture. CLICK HERE to see our new sunscreens that contain niacinamide.

3. Treat it!

• Retinol products are everywhere now and quality products work well! This chemical acts similar to the prescription tretinoin and reduces fine wrinkles and evens out skin tones. This product should be applied after the Sun goes down as sunlight inactivates the product. CLICK HERE to see our superpotent Retinol.
• Topical Peptides have become popular over the past decade. Peptides are amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which are needed to build collagen and elastin in the skin. Some peptide formulations have shown to be quite beneficial and lead to firmer, younger-looking skin, and others will do absolutely nothing. CLICK HERE to see our anti-aging line of products
• Hydrate the skin with a good moisturizer. Dry skin looks more wrinkled than well-hydrated skin. Hyaluronic acid can plump the skin and reduce irritation seen with retinol use. CLICK HERE to see our hydrating serum.
• Toxins, such as Botox or Dysport, have been used for decades and has the highest satisfaction rate of any cosmetic procedure. It relaxes muscles that cause lines. Most commonly, the frown lines, crows’ feet, and forehead are treated. In addition to looking more youthful, one can prevent permanent lines that will be caused by repeated frowning, smiling, or raising one’s eyebrows. CLICK HERE to learn more.
• Light CO2 laser peels are done to even out skin tones and help with minor skin damage. The skin is pink for a few days to one week and looks refreshed for up to one year. Deeper peels are used to treat wrinkles and have much downtime, but light peels are great to “freshen up”. CLICK HERE to learn more.
• Chemical peels have been used for many different things, but are still a great tool to help keep the skin looking fresh. Light peels using glycolic acid, 20% TCA, and Jessner’s solution are all good options. Those with acne-prone skin can benefit from salicylic acid peels. CLICK HERE to learn more about chemical peels.
• Non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing has become very popular as it reduces fine lines and wrinkles, improves scars, and evens out skin tones without any significant downtime or discomfort. Unlike the CO2 laser which is not comfortable and has downtime of days to weeks, this has mild redness and sometimes hive-like swelling that can an hour to two days. CLICK HERE to learn more about laser resurfacing.
• Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to heat and tighten the skin. Fine lines and even deeper tightening on the face and neck can be improved with this popular treatment. The eyebrows can be lifted in a single 15 minute treatment. CLICK HERE to learn more about Ultherapy.
• Microneedling with Radiofrequency (SecretRF) can tighten and rejuvenate your skin in a 30 minute single treatment, or multiple gentler treatments. While microneedling alone offers little benefit, the addition of heat generated by using electrical energy adds significant benefit. CLICK HERE to learn more about Secret RF.