The Glowing Skin Effect

Do you find yourself coveting the airbrushed skin of models on TV, billboards or magazine covers? We all yearn for radiant skin, but can you get movie star skin naturally? How do you avoid crossing the line of natural shine to having greasy skin? Beauty may only be skin deep, but the importance of skin health goes much deeper. Here’s the skinny on how to keep your skin young and healthy while maintaining a sensible amount of its protective moisture. 

Do

• Protect skin from sun damage by using SPF 30 sunscreen every day and avoiding prolonged exposure.  
• Wash your face in the morning and at night.
• Moisturize twice daily. Be sure to change your moisturizer twice a year to adapt to seasonal changes. In the fall and winter, you should use a heavier moisturizer due to the dry air; while in spring and summer, use a lighter moisturizer with SPF for sun protection.
• Exercise regularly. Cardio can be especially helpful as it stimulates blood flow.
• Drink six to eight glasses of water each day to help flush out toxins from your body.
• Maintain a healthy diet. Fruits will help hydrate and rejuvenate your skin, and foods rich in vitamin C will help collagen production to keep your skin looking youthful and smooth. Some common foods containing vitamin C include oranges, guava, kiwi fruit, leafy greens and red peppers. For more information on the best foods for your skin health, read my blog post here. 
• Exfoliate weekly to buff out imperfections and remove dead skin cells, revealing a stunning new layer of skin. Use a loofah pad or facial/body scrub (sugar, salt, beads or crystals) gently against your skin in a circular motion. (Hint: This blog post will help you with at-home exfoliation.)
• Take a multivitamin daily that contains vitamins A, D and C.
• Switch from using pressed powder to loose powder, as pressed powders contain oil as an ingredient.
• Be patient. Most people start seeing their desired results in about two to six weeks.

Don’t

• Bathe in very hot water or take long, hot baths – Bathing in hot water strips skin of its moisture and washes away protective oils.
• Rub the wrong way – Rubbing your skin hard or aggressively can result in peeling, breaking small blood vessels and stretching the skin.
• Touch your face – Touching thousands of surfaces daily makes your hands magnets for dirt, germs and oils. While most of us are guilty of touching our faces throughout the day, doing this can spread these unwanted germs and oils on your skin, resulting in clogged pores.
• Smoke – This nasty habit can cause wrinkles, unwanted skin color and texture, and potentially skin cancer.

What to Use

• Mild, non-detergent cleansers – These include gels, foams or cloths. Using heavy-duty cleansers can dry out your skin and sometimes worsen a prior condition.
• Fragrance-free products –Fragrances cause most common skin-related allergic reactions.
• pH-balanced products – Make sure any acid-laced products are pH-balanced, meaning the pH is in sync with your skin. This will help remove makeup without robbing your skin of natural oils.
• Multi-tasking moisturizers – Look for moisturizers that will hydrate and protect.
• Toner – There are tons of mixed signals floating around about skin toners, and rightfully so. Toner is used to clean deep into the pores of your skin, but depending on your skin type, it may further dry out your skin. If you have found an appropriate toner for your skin type, be sure to apply a moisturizer afterward. Your dermatologist can help determine if toner is right for your skin and the best toner for your skin type.

Have more questions? Leave them in the comments below, and I’ll try to help you out! If you need an appointment with Advanced Dermatology, click here.

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. 

The Simple Science of Aging

Aging is one of life’s great mysteries. In elementary school, everyone learns about Ponce de Leon’s quest for the fountain of youth. Unfortunately, he never found it, but dermatology has come a long way in the hundreds of years since. This post will explain the aging process and how to slow down its physical manifestations. Have questions? Leave them in the comments, and I’ll answer them there.

Collagen and Elastin

Skin is the largest organ in the human body. For that reason, it manifests changes that occur on the outside and inside over time. Collagen and elastin are integral parts of the skin, as they provide its supportive structure and elasticity. As we age, collagen starts to break down and it becomes more difficult for our skin to build it back up. Elastin also starts to break down, giving the skin the inability to bounce back once stretched.

Fat…is important!

Aging skin begins to lose fat under the surface, which makes the skin much thinner and gives it a wrinkled appearance. That means that if you get a cut or an ulcer, your skin will take longer to heal than it did before. The skin can rip or bruise more easily than it did after minimal trauma. Sun damage and the release of free radicals (from smoking for example) accelerate this process.

Subcutaneous Tissue

OK, you probably aren’t very familiar with this term. Bear with me. The loss of subcutaneous tissue can also change the appearance of skin by altering skin structures such as pores, follicles and oil glands, making them look bigger or more prominent. These skin structures also become less efficient, meaning that we sweat less with time. Some people notice that their skin is more fragile – meaning that it's more sensitive to light, heat and extreme temperatures.

Combined Natural Effects

With all the combined effects of tissue loss and skin structure break down, the signs of photo-aging, such as sun freckles, moles and liver spots, become more noticeable. The incidence of skin cancer also significantly rises with age. This is especially true after the age of 50 or if you've had years of prolonged sun exposure or a genetic condition that predisposes you to skin cancer. Skin can also show signs of internal illness that become more pronounced over time. Regular skin exams are recommended, at least every year, to evaluate the skin and all of the changes that occur with age.

So how do you avoid or slow the process?

Check out the rest of our blog posts or leave a comment here. Here are a few quick tips:

• Wear sunscreen of at least 30 SPF every day to avoid damaging sun exposure.
• Moisturize! Even if you have oily skin, moisturizing helps your skin keep its elasticity longer, which prevents wrinkles and other signs of aging.
• Eat right. Check out this blog post on the best foods for skin health for a few tips.
• Choose your makeup wisely and, if it’s too late to prevent, cover up your signs of aging. This blog post will help you determine which products are right for you. 

Eat food. Get great skin. (Sort of.)

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We all love to eat. And we all have probably been told (by our grandmothers, no doubt) that eating the wrong foods can wreak havoc on our skin. I’m here to tell you that a lot of those rumors are just that – rumors. In this blog post, I’ll tell you all about the real super foods…and debunk some myths along the way.

For Anti-Aging

Vitamin C

A 2007 study released by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid and lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates were associated with better skin-aging appearance. In simpler words: More vitamin C means fewer wrinkles, less dryness and a reduced risk for skin atrophy.

Sweet Potatoes

Wrinkles are, unfortunately, an unavoidable sign of aging. What you can help control is how quickly the aging process takes place. Try eating sweet potatoes — these orange spuds are filled with vitamin C that helps with the production of collagen, which helps smooth out wrinkles and prevent new ones.

Flaxseeds

If you’re not a fan of sweet potatoes, try adding flaxseeds to your diet. Flaxseeds fight wrinkles because of their payload of omega-3 fatty acids. These super seeds go great on top of your favorite yogurt and salads. You can also try blending them into your favorite smoothie!

Almonds or Avocados

If taste is your goal, add some almonds or avocados to your diet. These super foods are packed with vitamin E, which helps fight sun damage.

Tuna

Although dietitians do not always recommend canned foods, canned tuna is what I would consider an exception. That’s right, canned tuna contains skin-tightening selenium that preserves elastin, a powerful protein that helps your skin maintain its elasticity – and fight wrinkles.

For Anti-Aging and Lowering Your Risk of Skin Cancer: Vegetables. All of them.

Being told to “eat your vegetables” doesn’t seem as ridiculous as an adult — especially if you want healthy skin! Oranges, limes, kale, asparagus, spinach and grapefruits are rich sources of vitamin C – which, of course, is Super Food No. 1 for anti-aging.

Veggies can prevent skin cancer too! Spinach is particularly important for skin health because of its ability to fight various skin cancers, and carrots are filled with vitamin A, which reduces the risk of developing skin cancer cells. A bonus for carrots: They’re great blemish blasters for those with minor breakouts.

For Anti-Aging and Antioxidants: Green Tea

Green tea has become very popular in the last several years, as the media has reported on a variety of studies extolling its value. Are you drinking it yet? You should be. If all of those studies weren’t enough to convince you, here is one more: Green tea has always been known for its antioxidants and anti-cancer properties, but a recent study has found that drinking two to six cups a day will not only help prevent skin cancer, but can help reverse the effects of sun damage. Remember to drink this mighty tea when it’s hot – the antioxidants degrade as it cools.

For Dry Skin: Safflower Oil

As important as it is for our skin to actually be healthy, most of strive for it to look healthy as well. Try safflower oil. It’s packed with omega-6 fatty acids that act as a natural moisturizer, and can be beneficial for people suffering from dry, flaky or itchy skin. Some studies have 
found that this oil may even help with eczema.

Did I miss anything you want to ask about? Leave your questions in the comments and I'll answer them there.