blog

Retinoids

Retinoids are a group of compounds derived from Vitamin A. They are commonly used in skin care products because they have the ability to help treat a multitude of skin conditions such as acne, wrinkles, and sun damage. The most popular forms of retinoids used in cosmetics are Retinol and Retinaldehyde. Retinoids work to speed up cell turnover and boost collagen production, resulting in smoother, brighter, and healthier looking skin. A well-formulated retinoid product can reduce fine wrinkles, even out skin tone, reduce hyperpigmentation, reverse sun damage, improve skin texture, and shrink the overall appearance of pores. Retinoids also have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, making them an excellent choice for fighting acne.

Read More »

Hormone disruption by chemicals

Hormone disruption, also known as endocrine disruption, occurs when chemicals in the environment interfere with the body’s normal hormonal systems. These chemicals, called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are found in a variety of products, including pesticides, plastics, cleaning products, and personal care items. EDCs mimic natural hormones, such as estrogen and androgen, and can disrupt the body’s normal hormone functions, leading to adverse health effects in humans. EDCs are known to cause hormone disruption in humans of all ages. Some of the most common ways EDCs act on the body are by decreasing fertility, increasing the risk for certain types of cancer, and affecting brain development and behavior. One way that EDCs can cause fertility problems is by disrupting the hormones responsible for reproductive functions. This can lead to early puberty, menstrual irregularities, and infertility. EDCs may also increase the risk of certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, and testicular cancer.

Read More »

Toxic Ten in skincare

As a Dermatologist, who has to recommend personal care products to use on the skin and hair, I want products to be safe and effective. I am concerned with an increasing number of scientific reports that raise concerns with chemical ingredients in our products. To be sure, all chemicals are not bad for your health. However, cosmetic and personal care products are under regulated by the FDA. In the European Union, hundreds of chemical have been panned from personal care products due to questions about their safety. In the United States, the FDA has only banned 12 chemical ingredients. Companies may claim their products are “natural” or organic but it is unclear what thislabel means. So, you must turn to the ingredient list on the back of the label. Certainly a more difficult task. With chemical ingredients,  it is especially important to limit exposure to times with the body is

Read More »

Sports

It has always been a well- known fact that exercise improves your physical and mental health. However, the effects of exercise on your skin are just as important. Exercise increases circulation and blood flow in the body which can keep you looking youthful. Your blood carries oxygen and nutrients to your organs, and it just so happens that your skin is the largest organ in your body. While your blood is taking all that good stuff to your skin cells, it is also taking away all the waste and harmful debris like free radicals can cause cell damage and promote aging. A study by NCBI contrasts the results of individuals in an active lifestyle with those that live a sedentary lifestyle. Results showed that exercising can reduce skin aging in humans and improve tissue mitochondria that generate most of a cell’s Adenosine Triphosphate. This means that your cells have more

Read More »

Self Esteem and the Skin

Your skin is probably the first thing that you notice about yourself when you look in the mirror. Whether we like it or not, there is a deep connection between self esteem and the skin. For many years, I have witnessed patients suffer both emotionally and physically from skin diseases. For example, patients who had psoriasis were asked to give up their health club memberships because of complaints. Teenage girls with acne suffering ridicule and rude remarks by the public as they tried to work waitress jobs. Our skin is certainly not the deciding factor in happiness and success. There are many who excel in school and jobs with skin conditions. But, many studies, such as The Impact of Pediatric Skin Disease on Self Esteem by Vivar and Kruse, underscore the fact that conditions such as acne have a negative impact on emotional well-being. Another article on acne in 12-25

Read More »

The beautiful skin diet

In 2001, I read The Wrinkle Cure by a fellow dermatologist Nicholas Perricone MD. His idea of lowering inflammation in the skin and body to fight aging and disease was revolutionary. Still today, science supports the idea that beautiful skin begins at the grocery story. The anti- inflammatory diet is made up of super foods, antioxidants, and foods that lower inflammation. The most important ingredients are the antioxidants from fresh vegetables and fruit and the amino acid building blocks from protein. Protein is necessary to maintain and repair the body on a cellular level. Salmon and other cold water fish such as sardines, herring and trout are rich in anti inflammatory omega 3 essential fatty acids which keep the skin radiant and supple. Wild salmon has astaxanthin, a super carotenoid antioxidant as well. Olives and olive oils are a good source of fat in our diet. Extra virgin olive oil

Read More »

Did you get your beauty sleep?

It turns out that beauty sleep is not a myth. Science shows that sleep is very important for the health and appearance of your skin. During the first three hours of sleep, growth hormone is secreted which helps skin cells repair damage from ultraviolet rays, stimulates collagen formation, and decreases the breakdown of protein. Growth hormone works at night to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Melatonin is a hormone that is increased during sleep as well. Melatonin is often referred to as the sleepy hormone because it helps induce sleep. However, it also acts as an antioxidant which helps protect the skin from damaging free radicals. Research shows that antioxidants could help with dark spots, fine lines and even skin cancer formation. During the final hours of sleep, active REM sleep occurs and levels of cortisol ( the stress hormone ) decrease. During the night, old skin cells on

Read More »

What to Expect from a Chemical Peel?

What can a chemical peel do for my skin? Chemical peels can make a dramatic difference in the surface of your skin. They can smooth texture, improve fine lines, lighten pigment such as melasma, fade sun spots, and treat acne. What type of chemical peel is right for me? Chemical peels are categorized by how deeply they penetrate the skin: superficial, medium or deep. Superficial peels penetrate the superficial epidermal layer of the skin. They are usually performed in a series of 2-3 to treat fine lines, acne, pore size, and hyperpigmentation. A medium depth peel is for patients with moderate sun damage, whereby, the age spots and wrinkles are more significant. Deep chemical peels were traditionally performed with phenol, but this is not done any longer as laser resurfacing became popular. The main chemicals used for peels fall into two categories: water soluble such as AHAs and TCA and

Read More »

Eyebrows are Important

Eyebrow trends come and go through the years from a pencil thin in the 1960s to a heavy, bushy style made famous by with Brook Shields in the 1980s.   The brow is currently getting a lot of attention in the beauty world with the trend of micro blading. This is a tattoo technique that fills brows out or reshapes them by drawing tiny lines that look like individual hairs.   While eyebrow styles may change, the ideal measurements of the female eyebrow show a raised lateral arch. This ideal has been realized for more women using Botox injections. However, Botox injections are only temporary, lasting only 3-4 months, and must be maintained. For most people, with age and sun exposure, we can expect the lateral brow to fall due to the loss of collagen and elastic tissue. A common complaint many doctors hear from patients is that their droopy

Read More »

The Search for the Perfect Hat

Hats are the perfect combination of art and function. In protecting our skin from the harmful effects of the sun, a hat truly fulfills these dual roles. In order to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun, a hat with a wide brim of at least 3 inches will offer the best shade to the face ears and back of the neck. A tightly woven fabric, such as canvas, works better than straw because it will not let sunshine through. A baseball cap is not recommended for those who want to prevent skin cancer because it does not shade the cheeks, ears and neck. A better option is a Legionnaires hat because it has flaps that will offer protection to those areas. Hats should have the seal of recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation. The criteria to earn this seal includes an UPF of 30 or higher,

Read More »

Retinoids

Retinoids are a group of compounds derived from Vitamin A. They are commonly used in skin care products because they have the ability to help treat a multitude of skin conditions such as acne, wrinkles, and sun damage. The most popular forms of retinoids used in cosmetics are Retinol and Retinaldehyde. Retinoids work to speed up cell turnover and boost collagen production, resulting in smoother, brighter, and healthier looking skin. A well-formulated retinoid product can reduce fine wrinkles, even out skin tone, reduce hyperpigmentation, reverse sun damage, improve skin texture, and shrink the overall appearance of pores. Retinoids also have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, making them an excellent choice for fighting acne.

Read More »

Hormone disruption by chemicals

Hormone disruption, also known as endocrine disruption, occurs when chemicals in the environment interfere with the body’s normal hormonal systems. These chemicals, called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are found in a variety of products, including pesticides, plastics, cleaning products, and personal care items. EDCs mimic natural hormones, such as estrogen and androgen, and can disrupt the body’s normal hormone functions, leading to adverse health effects in humans. EDCs are known to cause hormone disruption in humans of all ages. Some of the most common ways EDCs act on the body are by decreasing fertility, increasing the risk for certain types of cancer, and affecting brain development and behavior. One way that EDCs can cause fertility problems is by disrupting the hormones responsible for reproductive functions. This can lead to early puberty, menstrual irregularities, and infertility. EDCs may also increase the risk of certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, and testicular cancer.

Read More »

Toxic Ten in skincare

As a Dermatologist, who has to recommend personal care products to use on the skin and hair, I want products to be safe and effective. I am concerned with an increasing number of scientific reports that raise concerns with chemical ingredients in our products. To be sure, all chemicals are not bad for your health. However, cosmetic and personal care products are under regulated by the FDA. In the European Union, hundreds of chemical have been panned from personal care products due to questions about their safety. In the United States, the FDA has only banned 12 chemical ingredients. Companies may claim their products are “natural” or organic but it is unclear what thislabel means. So, you must turn to the ingredient list on the back of the label. Certainly a more difficult task. With chemical ingredients,  it is especially important to limit exposure to times with the body is

Read More »

Sports

It has always been a well- known fact that exercise improves your physical and mental health. However, the effects of exercise on your skin are just as important. Exercise increases circulation and blood flow in the body which can keep you looking youthful. Your blood carries oxygen and nutrients to your organs, and it just so happens that your skin is the largest organ in your body. While your blood is taking all that good stuff to your skin cells, it is also taking away all the waste and harmful debris like free radicals can cause cell damage and promote aging. A study by NCBI contrasts the results of individuals in an active lifestyle with those that live a sedentary lifestyle. Results showed that exercising can reduce skin aging in humans and improve tissue mitochondria that generate most of a cell’s Adenosine Triphosphate. This means that your cells have more

Read More »

Self Esteem and the Skin

Your skin is probably the first thing that you notice about yourself when you look in the mirror. Whether we like it or not, there is a deep connection between self esteem and the skin. For many years, I have witnessed patients suffer both emotionally and physically from skin diseases. For example, patients who had psoriasis were asked to give up their health club memberships because of complaints. Teenage girls with acne suffering ridicule and rude remarks by the public as they tried to work waitress jobs. Our skin is certainly not the deciding factor in happiness and success. There are many who excel in school and jobs with skin conditions. But, many studies, such as The Impact of Pediatric Skin Disease on Self Esteem by Vivar and Kruse, underscore the fact that conditions such as acne have a negative impact on emotional well-being. Another article on acne in 12-25

Read More »

The beautiful skin diet

In 2001, I read The Wrinkle Cure by a fellow dermatologist Nicholas Perricone MD. His idea of lowering inflammation in the skin and body to fight aging and disease was revolutionary. Still today, science supports the idea that beautiful skin begins at the grocery story. The anti- inflammatory diet is made up of super foods, antioxidants, and foods that lower inflammation. The most important ingredients are the antioxidants from fresh vegetables and fruit and the amino acid building blocks from protein. Protein is necessary to maintain and repair the body on a cellular level. Salmon and other cold water fish such as sardines, herring and trout are rich in anti inflammatory omega 3 essential fatty acids which keep the skin radiant and supple. Wild salmon has astaxanthin, a super carotenoid antioxidant as well. Olives and olive oils are a good source of fat in our diet. Extra virgin olive oil

Read More »

Did you get your beauty sleep?

It turns out that beauty sleep is not a myth. Science shows that sleep is very important for the health and appearance of your skin. During the first three hours of sleep, growth hormone is secreted which helps skin cells repair damage from ultraviolet rays, stimulates collagen formation, and decreases the breakdown of protein. Growth hormone works at night to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Melatonin is a hormone that is increased during sleep as well. Melatonin is often referred to as the sleepy hormone because it helps induce sleep. However, it also acts as an antioxidant which helps protect the skin from damaging free radicals. Research shows that antioxidants could help with dark spots, fine lines and even skin cancer formation. During the final hours of sleep, active REM sleep occurs and levels of cortisol ( the stress hormone ) decrease. During the night, old skin cells on

Read More »

What to Expect from a Chemical Peel?

What can a chemical peel do for my skin? Chemical peels can make a dramatic difference in the surface of your skin. They can smooth texture, improve fine lines, lighten pigment such as melasma, fade sun spots, and treat acne. What type of chemical peel is right for me? Chemical peels are categorized by how deeply they penetrate the skin: superficial, medium or deep. Superficial peels penetrate the superficial epidermal layer of the skin. They are usually performed in a series of 2-3 to treat fine lines, acne, pore size, and hyperpigmentation. A medium depth peel is for patients with moderate sun damage, whereby, the age spots and wrinkles are more significant. Deep chemical peels were traditionally performed with phenol, but this is not done any longer as laser resurfacing became popular. The main chemicals used for peels fall into two categories: water soluble such as AHAs and TCA and

Read More »

Eyebrows are Important

Eyebrow trends come and go through the years from a pencil thin in the 1960s to a heavy, bushy style made famous by with Brook Shields in the 1980s.   The brow is currently getting a lot of attention in the beauty world with the trend of micro blading. This is a tattoo technique that fills brows out or reshapes them by drawing tiny lines that look like individual hairs.   While eyebrow styles may change, the ideal measurements of the female eyebrow show a raised lateral arch. This ideal has been realized for more women using Botox injections. However, Botox injections are only temporary, lasting only 3-4 months, and must be maintained. For most people, with age and sun exposure, we can expect the lateral brow to fall due to the loss of collagen and elastic tissue. A common complaint many doctors hear from patients is that their droopy

Read More »

The Search for the Perfect Hat

Hats are the perfect combination of art and function. In protecting our skin from the harmful effects of the sun, a hat truly fulfills these dual roles. In order to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun, a hat with a wide brim of at least 3 inches will offer the best shade to the face ears and back of the neck. A tightly woven fabric, such as canvas, works better than straw because it will not let sunshine through. A baseball cap is not recommended for those who want to prevent skin cancer because it does not shade the cheeks, ears and neck. A better option is a Legionnaires hat because it has flaps that will offer protection to those areas. Hats should have the seal of recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation. The criteria to earn this seal includes an UPF of 30 or higher,

Read More »