Pink Prescriptions - June 2018

Dark or Fair, Don't Err When it comes to Skin Care

PinkRx0618

 

Why are facials important?

Skin is the body’s largest organ…not to mention it is the only organ constantly exposed to the elements. So considering that your face is the first thing people notice, it’s easy to see the importance of proper skincare. Though a facial is mainly meant to benefit the face, your entire body is relaxed during treatment. Along with decreasing stress, facials will improve acne, wrinkles, redness and uneven skin tone, making you look naturally younger. How? Through increased circulation, detoxification and exfoliation. They can even help undo some of the damage caused by too much sun exposure!

Even if you don’t have obvious skin issues, an esthetician can help you understand your skin and what it needs to stay healthy. You will never have the right products or equipment at home to get a professional effect. A knowledgeable, licensed esthetician will provide personalized skin recommendations and a regimen that will address your individual concerns. Once you’re on a great regimen, the esthetician will update it by season. It’s like having your own skin concierge! Regularly receiving facials will not only give you fast results, but also long-term results as well.

Patricia Owen is a former Makeup Artist and Educator for Estee Lauder cosmetics and the founder of FACES DaySpa and FACES Lash Studio in the Village at Wexford.

 

What are the top 3 things you can do for your skin?

1) If you only do one thing for your face, it should be skin care! Compared to surgery for drooping, or fillers for hollowness, skin care can slow the rate of aging and not just set back the clock. Prescription medical skin care, especially one in the Retin-A family, can reverse aged appearance up to 5 years by resetting the skin tissue’s architecture back to that of younger skin. The number of products available is overwhelming, which is why a personalized skin care regimen, designed and managed by a licensed aesthetician, is the starting point for skin rejuvenation. A medical spa can offer products that are medical grade and can only be sold under the supervision of a physician.

2) Further skin rejuvenation is available through various types of peels. Light chemical peels can be used as part of a quarterly skin care regimen with little to no downtime, slightly deeper peels can be used—still in the office—to peel back a few years of aging, and deep chemical peels or moderate laser peels, which may have up to a week of downtime, make even more of a noticeable difference.

3) Everyone’s skin must be protected from the sun. No exceptions. Sunscreen should be applied to the face and body every day as part of a morning routine. It needs to be re-applied when planning to be in the sun for some time. Certainly, a wide-brimmed hat has no replacement either.

These 3 skin care modalities: Aesthetician-managed medical skin care at home, peels as needed, and religious sun protection, will provide everyone the easiest opportunities to reclaim, maintain, and enjoy a healthy and youthful glow.

Frederick G. Weniger, MD, MBA, FACS is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who has over 15 years of experience in his field. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Notre Dame with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry. Dr. Weniger then graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he also completed his 6-year plastic surgery residency. He is the Author of Facial Rejuvenation: Surgical and Non-Surgical Procedures for a Younger-Looking You.

 

Should I use a separate sunscreen for my face?

For sensitive skin, absolutely! In general, we find patients prefer a higher and more absorbent SPF for their face versus their body. And once you try a premium sunscreen, you’ll be amazed at how much you enjoy having it on, which will likely result in you putting it on at the start of your day and reapplying without concern of being greasy and sticky. We can’t stress enough how important sunscreen is for the face and body.

We recommend EltaMD and Obagi Sun Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 50—not just because we carry them, but because out of everything available that we’ve tried, our patients love the way these feel, and we do, too.

EltaMD is recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation for all skin types as a safe, effective broad-spectrum ultraviolet (UV) protection that helps prevent sunburn and decreases the risk of skin cancer (along with other sun protection measures) and early skin aging caused by the sun.

Obagi Sun Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 50 shields skin from the sun’s harmful rays to prevent sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer. Its lightweight formula features broad-spectrum solar protection and absorbs quickly for a non-greasy finish. Vitamin C brightens the complexion, while ubiquinone promotes firmness and neutralizes free radicals.

Dr. David S. Reid, a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been in practice for 25 years, graduated from the University of North Carolina and earned his M.D. from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He maintains the highest standards and uses only the best technology and procedures to achieve optimal,natural-looking results for each patient. Member: American Society of Plastic Surgery; Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons; South Carolina Medical Association.

 

What age should anti-aging start as a part of my skin care regime?

Your mid-20s is the ideal time to begin adding antiaging strategies to your daily skin care regime. It is, at this age, when we experience a decline in natural antioxidants (such as Vitamin C and E) and a decline in the skin’s capacity to retain water. These issues cause a drastic decline in collagen and elastin production, resulting in dehydration, fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. The use of an SPF is a MUST at any age; the sun’s rays are the single largest cause of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Starting in your mid-20s and thereafter, the addition of a Vitamin C and/or E product, a hyaluronic acid product and a broad spectrum SPF are essential to maintaining more youthful looking skin.

Dr. Tracey Leaver-Williams has received extensive training in the field of cosmetic treatments, including one-on-one training with one of the top aesthetic physicians in the country. She believes in providing each client with the best and most effective treatments to address their concerns.

 

I’m still breaking out at middle age. Why? And, what can I do to finally stop it? 

Most of us typically think of acne as being something that happens to teenagers. Unfortunately people will break out in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. There are multiple reasons we “break out.” Some facial blemishes are due to rosacea, a skin condition similar to acne that has different triggers and treatments. This type of condition typically produces lesions on the nose, cheeks and chin that are red bumps but never come to a “head,” or form a pustule on top. To determine if your breakouts are rosacea, or true acne, you should be evaluated by a dermatology office.

For those who have pustules (pimples), there can be several contributing factors. First, sweat and bacteria from exercising, the gym floor, or sweaty wet gym clothes can be a culprit. Outbreaks on the chin and cheeks frequently are attributed to hormones that change in middle age. Changing, or stopping, birth control causes a temporary release of testosterone in the blood, leading to outbreaks about 3-6 months after the medication is stopped. Too much scrubbing with a loofah, rough washcloth, or those scrubbing beads in some cleansers, cause a loss of the normal stratum corneum skin barrier that protects against bad bacteria. Once you have breakouts, excess makeup meant to hide the lesions can contribute to pores becoming clogged.

The good news is that sometimes small changes in your skin hygiene regimen can combat this problem. Throw out all your cleansers with scrubbing beads and use your Clarisonic only once a week at most. After you work out, use hand sanitizer and avoid touching your face to gym floor. Make sure you shower as soon as possible, and use a gentle cleanser on your face within an hour of exercising. Don’t ever go to sleep with makeup on, always cleanse your face, morning and night. If you have bad genes and tend toward clogged pores, despite all this (or just want to prevent wrinkles, as well) a prescription retinoid is a must. For severe cases, oral medications or combination topical antibiotics, retinoids and other anti-acne medications may be necessary. See your Dermatology office for these prescriptions.

If you are acne prone, your facial routine must include a moisturizer. Keeping your skin barrier in good shape is crucial to prevent bacteria from entering small cracks and leading to pimples. Clogged pores from too much makeup is a problem, but you will not break out from a good moisturizer. One last tip is avoid a high carbohydrate diet. Recent studies have shown that a high carbohydrate diet can make acne worse. For those with rosacea, spicy foods, chocolate and red wine may be triggers. Sorry!

Carmen Traywick, MD, FAAD is a graduate of Emory University Medical School in Atlanta, Georgia, and has completed her Internship and Dermatology Residency at Emory University School of Medicine. She is a board certified Dermatologist who specializes in medical Dermatology, but has a unique talent and passion for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

 

Can cellulite be prevented and what can I do to get rid of it?

Cellulite dimples are influenced by genetics, age and weight gain. Virtually all of the treatments to date have been some sort of non-surgical massaging machine, with or without lasers, which have to be frequently repeated. At best they slightly diminish cellulite temporarily.

Now there is Cellfina, the only FDA-cleared, minimally invasive procedure clinically proven to diminish cellulite dimples for three years with one treatment. This is the longest FDA clearance for cellulite treatment. Using Cellfina, the fibrous bands causing the dimples are severed and uniquely the ends are pulled apart for a lasting effect. Local anesthesia is used and the recovery time is minimal.

E. Ronald Finger, MD, FACS Owner of Finger and Associates Plastic Surgery Center is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and is available for surgical and non-surgical services in Savannah Georgia as well as Bluffton South Carolina. Dr. Finger was voted one of the Top Doctors on RealSelfCom and is dedicated to outstanding patient care.

 

How does not removing my makeup affect my skin?

We all have experienced those times where we are too tired and do not take the extra time and effort to properly remove our makeup, cleanse our skin, and provide our nighttime skin routine. Don’t make it a habit and this is why:

Preservation of our skin is a lifetime process. Time is not our biggest enemy when it comes to our aging skin, but rather environmental exposures that speed up the aging process. Our skin takes a big hit every day with sun damage, a harsh environment and pollutants. The least we can do for it is cleanse our skin at night and moisturize. Not washing our face at night allows pollutants to remain on the skin, damaging skin cells, breaking down collagen and elastin, causing fine lines and wrinkles.

Not only does sleeping in your makeup cause you to prematurely age, but it can also lead to acne prone skin. Makeup clogs the pores resulting in a microcomedome, which attracts acne causing bacteria. Even noncomedogenic makeup can cause acne if you sleep in it. Hopefully next time you will think twice before skipping out on washing your face and heading straight for bed.

Savannah Rogers DNP, FNP-C is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner at Bluffton Aesthetics. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina and her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Follow her on Instagram @aestheticallysavy

Leave a comment

You are commenting as guest.