The Myths and Truths of Pinterest Skin Care Tips

If you’re on Pinterest, you’ve probably seen or re-pinned some skin care advice. But how do you know where these claims are coming from? How do you know they are legitimate? The short answer is…you don’t. Here are a few common skin care pins.

CLAIM: Heal acne scars with a scrub made of honey and carrot seed oil.

FALSE

This pin is on my myths board. Honey is a natural antiseptic, but it won’t heal scars. As pointed out in my blog post, scars are the result of a change in the skin, so they’re not easily camouflaged with home scrubs like this one.

CLAIM: Sleep on your back to help prevent wrinkles.

TRUE

Sleeping on your stomach or side can be damaging to your posture. Also, when you spend an entire night with your face buried into a pillow, you may be “pressing in” wrinkles and crevices. Sleeping on your back can also help prevent fluid buildup in your facial tissue, kicking that “puffy morning look” to the curb.

CLAIM: Mix coffee grounds, raw sugar or sea salt and massage oil to use in the shower! The scrub can help redistribute fat cells and decrease cellulite formation. It will also shrink blood vessels and reduce varicose veins.

TRUE…mostly

Nothing will cure cellulite, but caffeine and mud can take the swelling out of skin and constrict blood vessels - which decreases the appearance of lumpiness and gives the skin surface a smoother appearance when the light hits it.

CLAIM: Boil olive oil and honey, cool and comb through your hair. This is supposed to work like an at-home oil treatment and help your hair grow faster and make it super smooth.

FALSE

The truth is that the massaging motion you use to get the oil into your hair is stimulating blood flow to the scalp, which can help your hair grow. Washing your hair with regular shampoo can do the same thing. The olive oil will help moisturize your hair, but it won’t do much for growth on its own.

CLAIM: Make your own natural makeup at home using ingredients like beets, arrowroot and coconut oil.

FALSE

The at-home recipes in this pin won't work long-term, as the makeup won't hold its color. The best bet, if you're trying to go all natural, is to go for mineral agents with natural pigment. You can also go beyond the drug store brands and try something like Youngblood Cosmetics, which we sell at the ADSCA medi spa.

CLAIM: Use warm mustard oil to massage your feet and legs twice a day until spider veins are healed.

FALSE

The mustard oil has a yellow color to it that may camouflage spider veins...but it won't get rid of them. It's not really any different than using makeup to cover a pimple and thinking it's been healed.

CLAIM: Mix baking soda with your favorite cleanser. Exfoliate several minutes for soft skin!

TRUE

Baking soda doesn't really do anything spectacular on its own, but it does create a gritty substance that can help scrub dead skin cells off. It's an easy household product to use if you’re out of your regular scrub.

Got any more questions about pins you’ve seen? Comment here or on Facebook. For more great skin care advice, follow us on Pinterest!        

Recommended Routine: Four Daily Steps to Healthy Skin

Like many of our patients, you probably hit the ground running first thing in the morning. Work, kids, errands and meetings can keep you going until right before your head hits the pillow each night. With time being such a valuable commodity, it’s common to wonder how you’re supposed to fit a whole host of products and processes into your schedule to keep the stress from affecting your skin. Let’s go over what you absolutely must do on a daily basis to keep your skin in good shape.

Cleansing/exfoliating
Your skin sheds cells on a regular basis, releases waste through sweat and picks up pollutants in the environment – all of which need to be cleaned off your skin every day. To save time, find a facial cleanser that exfoliates or use nylon gloves to gently wash your face. Remember to make sure the cleanser is tailored to your skin type and that the exfoliant is suitable for your skin type, as well. If you’re not sure which cleanser is right for you, read our blog post on the subject.

Moisturizer/sunscreen
Moisturizers are key in helping skin stay plump, healing existing damage and preventing further damage caused by dry skin. Likewise, sunscreen is essential to slowing skin damage and premature aging caused by sun exposure. If you plan to be outside at all between sun up and sun down, you need sunscreen on all exposed skin. Again, you can knock out two steps in one by using a moisturizer that has at least an SPF 30, but remember to use separate products for your face and body. 

Lip balm
Love your lip balm, cherish your lip balm and carry it with you always! Lip balm will help keep those unsightly lip lines at bay and keep your lips smooth and supple. Plus, there’s the added benefit of almost any flavor you’d like available in some pout-protecting product. Tasty, glittery, shiny or even environmentally friendly, find your favorite lip balm and use it often.

Water
You had to know this one was coming. Almost any health-related blog you’ll read mentions drinking water. It’s essential to your health and your existence. The human body is made up of roughly 85 percent water, and that supply has to be replenished somehow. Drinking plenty of water helps flush out your body, prevents water retention and improves your complexion. Avoid those pesky mouth lines I mentioned above by drinking from a glass, a squirt bottle or a wide mouthed bottle to avoid pursing your lips unnecessarily around a straw. Reserve that for something fun – like smooching. ;-)

Do you have any other questions about what you absolutely must do on a daily basis to keep your skin looking good? Leave them in the comments below! Want to have more of a one-on-one chat about your skin? Schedule an appointment today!

Skin Through the Ages: The 30s

*This post is the third in a series called “Skin Through the Ages.” The series will focus on how to take care of and manage skin at various points in life.

Do you feel like an adult yet? Ready or not, your face is starting to show it. Now is when you’ll begin to see the results of the work (or lack thereof) you put into your skin in your teens and your 20s. Your skin will start to dull in your 30s due to it not shedding dead skin cells at the same rate it did when you were younger. This is also when you may start to develop lines on your forehead, around your eyes or at the corners of your mouth. You may also see some sunspots, but don’t give up! Although you’re starting to see signs of aging, you can still slow down the process with proper care. Let’s go over what you should do during your 30s to help slow Mother Nature down.

Exfoliation
Now is the time to get serious about exfoliation. In your 30s, the rate at which your skin turns over new skin cells and sheds old ones slows, so you’ll need to help the process. Remember, according to the exfoliation blog post, pick an exfoliating product that is right for your skin, whether you choose a manual or chemical method. Choose a product that is gentle enough to use on a regular basis to keep skin from looking dull.

Anti-aging products
It’s sad to say, but it’s time to start incorporating anti-aging products into your skin care routine. Don’t go overboard and buy every product out there. Your skin is just starting to age and some anti-aging products might be too aggressive, which can irritate your skin. Add a good anti-aging facial cream and eye cream to your routine to help boost collagen levels and plump up those fine lines.

Sunscreen
You knew it was coming. Keep using your sunscreen every day, multiple times a day, regardless of the weather outside. Sun damage is the most preventative aging factor out there. Fair-skinned people will possibly begin to see some discoloration (sun spots) in their 30s if they haven’t been diligent about wearing sunscreen on a regular basis. Unless you want to look like this guy’s bad side, keep using your sunscreen!

In with the good
With all this talk of the body’s processes slowing down, the skin becoming damaged more easily and the body not recovering the way it used to, it’s more important than ever to consider what you’re putting into your body. Make sure you’re drinking at least 64 ounces of water each day to help flush out your body and help carry nutrients where they need to go. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, moderate amounts of whole grains, lean meats and good fats, and minimal amounts of sugar, caffeine and alcohol. Take a multi-vitamin daily to make sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs. Remember, we are what we eat, so eat the best foods possible to give yourself the healthiest body possible.

Are there any other concerns you might have about caring for your skin during your 30s? Post your questions and concerns in the comments below, and I’ll try to help you out! You can also schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Patel by clicking here. 

Quick Tips for Men and Their Skin

I know this blog is probably frequented by women more than men, and I also know men don’t tend to think as much about their skin care needs. But I also thought it was high time to address some quick pointers for men’s skin care – and the women who are most likely to make sure they follow directions.

Wash your face. And I don’t mean with a regular bar of soap or body wash. There are plenty of inexpensive face wash options out there that won’t leave you smelling like a girl. For example, Dove carries a men’s line of washes for your body AND face.

Exfoliate your face. Put the sandpaper down. You need to exfoliate several times a week to remove dirt and grime from your face that can cause acne and razor bumps. Look for either a scrub or use nylon gloves when you wash to knock out two steps in one. If you’re wondering how to exfoliate, check out our blog post on the topic.

Moisturize your face. Again, there are face lotions out there designed for men, so don’t think using a moisturizer means smelling fruity all day. Choose one with an SPF of 30 or higher and you’ll again knock out two birds with one stone. Check out Neutrogena’s men’s product line that carries several different types.

SPF on all exposed areas. Sun damage isn’t limited to just your face; it can affect your whole body. Think about those older men whose skin looks like tanned leather. Use a body lotion with SPF 30 or higher to keep your skin protected (and make it a little softer).

Heat up before shaving. Put a warm, damp towel around your face before shaving, or even shave in the shower. The heat will help open your pores and soften your facial hair, giving you a closer shave and exfoliating your skin at the same time.

Lather up before shaving. Make sure to use a lotion, cream or gel product when you shave your face. Just soap and water doesn’t cut it. The more smoothly the blades move across your skin, the closer and better the shave you’ll get.

Shave with hair growth. Don’t shave against the “grain,” so to speak, which will only cause irritation. Shave in the direction your hair grows to cut down on razor bumps and irritation.

Don’t rub, pat dry. Rubbing your face dry will only cause irritation. Pat your face dry and immediately follow up with an after-shave product.

Protect your eyes and lips. These are sensitive areas on your face, so you want to keep them kissable and looking good. Again, there are manly products for these areas, so choose ones you like and use them on a daily basis.

Powder up. Whether you’re an athlete or a couch potato, guys have lots of crevices that can get itchy with a little bit of sweat. Use an antifungal powder or spray to keep jock itch and athlete’s foot at bay.

If you have any other skin care concerns, don’t hesitate to ask. Leave them in the comments below, and I’ll try to help you out!

Exfoliation Education: Do's and Don'ts for a happy face

Exfoliation is essential for keeping skin young and fresh-looking. Exfoliation can be done either through a manual process or a chemical process. Exfoliating manually consists of using a scrub, a brush or loofah, or a method like microdermabrasion. Chemical exfoliations use acids like glycolic or salicylic acid, among others, or even going so far as a laser peel. Here are some dos and don’ts when it comes to exfoliating.

Don’t worry about exfoliating if you’re in your 20s or younger. Your skin is turning over at a healthy rate, and adding exfoliation won’t make much of a difference.

Do exfoliate if you’re in your 30s or older. Your skin’s natural exfoliation process has begun to slow, so adding exfoliation will make a difference to the appearance of your skin.

Don’t exfoliate often if you have dry or sensitive skin and already use the gentlest products available. Either method (manual or chemical) can potentially do more damage. DON’T exfoliate visibly damaged skin at all.

Do exfoliate if you have oily skin. This will help clear out your pores.

Don’t exfoliate before you cleanse, otherwise you’ll just skim the surface and the product won’t do its job.

Do remove all makeup before exfoliating. This way you get the deep cleansing you’re looking for.

Don’t use too much pressure. This is your skin were talking about. You aren’t buffing a car.

Do use mild to moderate pressure and allow the product to do the job. Gentle pressure is better than harsh in order to avoid skin damage.

Don’t mix waxing with other procedures. While it is an excellent hair remover, waxing exfoliates skin, as well. Don’t exfoliate skin before or after waxing.

Do use proper moisturizers and sunscreen to protect the newly revealed layer of skin.

Don’t have intensive procedures like chemical peels or microdermabrasion done more than two times per year, unless recommended by a medical professional.

Do use a mild or moderate exfoliating product as needed. Usually, one time per week to as often as twice daily is appropriate. I usually recommend something like a toner applied with a cotton pad, depending on your skin type and skin care needs.

Do let your skin tell you when to exfoliate, how often to exfoliate and what products to use.

Do use the proper exfoliating products on the proper part of your body. Exfoliating products meant for your feet will be much more harsh than an exfoliate meant for your lips. Again, only use one product on each part of your body.

Do be careful with sensitive areas of your body, especially around the eyes, décolletage and the bikini area.

Do remember that pink and tingling skin after exfoliation is good, but red, peeling, burning or painful skin after exfoliation is bad. Seek medical attention if necessary.

If you have any other questions about exfoliating that weren’t answered in this post, leave them in the comments below!