Nutrition

Summer is Gone!

Summer is Gone!

But some of the skin changes are still there! And this is a perfect time to consider reversing these issues. You may see more brown spots, visible blood vessels, texture irregularities or fine lines and wrinkles. The good news, winter is a perfect time to correct some of the damage. Here are a few strategies I recommend.

Protect from the sun. Even though it is winter, you are still susceptible to the sun rays. Sunscreen in the winter can protect from sun reflecting off the pavement or snow. Besides protecting you from new exposures, it can also give your skin an opportunity to heal and reverse some of the damage. It is always good to wear a sunscreen or sunblock year round.

Support your skin with an antioxidants. Topical skin care with vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea, and resveratrol (one of my favorites!) can provide antioxidants that can help skin cells repair their DNA and fend off free radical damage from sunshine, pollution, and the body’s metabolism. I take antioxidants orally every day in the form of vitamin supplements. Using skin products with antioxidant properties and vitamin supplements allows our skin to heal from the outside in and the inside out!

The B vitamin called nicotinamide (vitamin B-3) found in this B-Complex supplement, has been shown in human studies to lower the risk of skin precancers and non-melanoma skin cancers. Resveretrol, vitamin C and CoQ 10 among others offer the ability to repair damage to skin.

Products for your skin- (gr8lookproducts.com)

Nutrition for your skin- vitamin A cream. Creams, gels, and serums derived from vitamin A (retinoids) have been proven to reverse signs of sun damage and age, including fine lines, wrinkles, spots, and sagging. Over time, retinol and retinoid creams help to thicken the epidermis and improve collagen and elastin fibers in the deeper layer of the skin, the dermis. Because retinolic acid (marketed as Retin-A) can be harsh on the skin expecially during the dry winter months. I suggest using creams with retinol as a therapeutic ingredient which is milder to the skin and can gently and gradually help to turn the clock back.

Chemical Peels- Creams and serums containing alpha hydroxy acids (such as glycolic acid) or beta hydroxy acids (such as salicylic acid) can improve the skin’s tone, smoothness, and texture while reducing acne breakouts and large pores. Chemical peels done in an office can be a good ‘jump start’ towards reversing summer damage. I recommend the use of customized layered PCA chemical peels that we offer at the Aesthetic Associates Centre. We utilize Recorcinol, Hydroquinone, Vitamin A, C and alpha hydroxy peels to help exfoliate, refine and smooth the complexion. These peels create a controlled flaking of the skin over 2-4 days, after which the skin looks smoother, brighter and with more even tones.

Shed the light on your skin. Another option to improve summer damage is with light therapy. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) devices, such as the Cynosure Icon (we have 2 such devices, at our main office and the Tres Aurae Spa) are great ways to freshen up your skin by fading tan spots and reducing visible blood vessels. Lasers with longer wavelengths, such as Picosure 755nm or Cynosure 2940nm can ablate the surface irregularities with one or a series of treatments.

If you are looking to reverse some of the skin conditions caused by fun in the sun and summer activities, let my Aesthetic Skin Care team assist in finding the right combination of office and home treatments to repair and restore!

Spring into Beauty

Spring into Beauty

Spring into Beauty

 

“Beauty is what health and happiness look like on the outside”. This may be an old quote but is just as true today as when it was written. (Good Housekeeping 1916) So for my spring into beauty tips, here are some simple choices that can help you look your best!

 

  • Start every day with sun protection. The best and scientifically proven way to keep your skin looking its best thought your life is using good sun protection and religiously applying it daily. Even when the sky is cloudy, UV rays can penetrate to affect your skin. Changes that occur include dehydration, loss of elasticity and breakdown of collagen. When you are younger, the changes are less noticeable, but trust me when I tell you that you will pay the price later in life with the aging changes, not to mention the increased risks of skin cancer.

 

  • Use the right skin care. There are many creams and lotions on the market, and when you look at the shelf, you wonder what is best. I suggest starting with a skin care analysis from a health professional. Aestheticians and Cosmetologists, particularly when they work as a team with Plastic Surgeons or Dermatologists, know best how to customize treatments to your skin type and needs. In addition, over-the-counter products may be sufficient to keep your skin moist and protected, but they lack the ability to truly “turn the clock back”. For most individuals with normal type skin, I recommend three main ingredients. One, serums that contain antioxidants like Vitamin C will help to brighten your skin. Two, to help increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen renewal, a product for nighttime should include retinoid (vitamin A), and three, use an alpha hydroxyl acid product either in solution form or cream to help remove the top dead layer of skin cells.

 

  • Want radiant skin that glows? Ever hear the expression we are what we eat? Well guess what? Take it literally. Go for items that are nutrient dense, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and healthy lean protein like fish. If you struggle taking in plenty of vegetables, consider taking vitamin supplements. Vitamin D deficiency is rather common, particularly following a long winter, and supplements can help to boost your levels. If you prefer meat to fish, take Omega 3 fish oil to keep your skin glowing. It works by reducing inflammation and can even help with skin problems like acne and psoriasis. Not only will eating well improve the way you look on the outside, but these same choices help on the inside, and are beneficial for aging changes like menopause and heart health.

 

  • De-stress. – You will show all those worry and stress signs on the surface of the skin. Frowns, lines and wrinkles are accentuated when you don’t take the time to reduce anxieties. Do things you enjoy, like reading, meditation, hobbies, or other activities particularly outdoors, like walking or playing golf. The fresh air and fitness will help keep you mentally and physically fit and improve your outlook.

 

 

  • Enjoy life! – I recently saw the Carol King Musical-Beautiful. To paraphrase her lyrics for that popular song, “You have to get up every morning with a smile on your face…people gonna treat you better, You’re gonna find yes you will”. I find that people are most beautiful when they smile. Have the right attitude towards life and surround yourself with people you like. If you find beauty in the world, beauty will find you!

Follow these simple tips to Spring into Beauty.