Heredity and aging....here it is at face value....

How much does heredity have to do with how we age? We are a mixture of both of our parents. Consider this when evaluating skin typing. 

Our skin can be typed based on fairness and potential to burn or amount of pigment from one to five.  One being the lightest, fairest with light colored eyes and easy to burn. Five is designated to those with darkly pigmented skin with dark eyes and little capacity to burn. 

The amount of pigment cells in our viable epidermis, the living layer, determines how much natural protection we have against the sun and elements. The more meliorates means you are less likely to burn, possessing more protection against the sun.

But don't let these facts fool you.  One can have a more olive medium skin tone (type 2-3) and still be a candidate for sun damage, aging and skin cancers including the deadliest— melanoma. 

What does all this mean to the average consumer focusing on the safest, healthiest way to prevent sun damage, cellular changes and aging?  The number one thing to do—stay out of the sun. The sun in the major culprit for aging, sun damage and cellar changes predisposing us to skin cancer. 

We must stay protected from sun exposure, particularly between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Wear a sunblock (containing titanium oxide and zinc oxide, preferably a 50 spf) daily and apply frequently if going out for long periods of time.

The sun is responsible for 80% of our aging and damage to our skin.  If we have a higher rated skin type, we can endure more sun before showing damage. However, your skin condition is a combination of heredity, environment, lifestyle, and the maintenance of good skin care and a healthy diet.

Besides staying out of the sun, eat foods rich in antioxidants A,C and E. Enjoy dark pigmented fruits and vegetables Remember only a portion of what we eat hits the skin level so it is very important to apply topically. 

What else can we do?  Keep up a good skin care regime with high level cosmeceuticals—glycolic acid based is the most effective. It will help keep our viable protective layer working at the optimal level. Many are going to home glycolic peels and vitamin therapies with additional, scheduled higher level treatments in salon or in an office like Clinage’s. (The Fosnaugh Center in Southfield.)

We all have the opportunity for healthy skin with a slow aging process. Monitor the skin for changes. You can slow the process down, repair and protect as outlined. 

Knowledge is so important when it comes to these aspects.  It will keep you young and it could save your life!

Oily skin—is it a curse or a blessing?

Now is the time of year when skin moisture changes with the warmer, more humid weather.  If you have oily skin, it becomes more pronounced.  Most individuals with oily skin usually have acne too since the pores are clogging and the sebaceous matter has nowhere to go thus building large pores, blackheads, acne papules and pustules. Men also have increased oil production, due to male hormones increasing sebaceous activity, oiliness and blackheads.   But oily skin is not all bad news. Usually individuals with oilier skin tend to age slower or show the signs slower.  Their skin is usually less sensitive as well.  Most importantly, dry skin is more sensitive and shows signs of aging and tends to get more sun damage. More good news—the new and greatest cosmeceuticals, anti-aging and anti-acne products available tend to work best with oily skin. Those with oily skin can get their acne under control, prevent future breakouts and heal current lesions and scars.  Oily skin can tolerate the glycolic acid treatments too. Whether in office or at home, these products work on all skin types. The percentage of glycolic acid used (an alpha hydroxy acid derived from sugar cane and used in advanced skin care and medical grade products) can also be increased at a faster rate thus offering improved results for both acne and aging. The moral of the story is if you do have acne, use good anti-aging substances such as glycolic acid peels and products with advanced vitamin therapies such as Clinage. These will help treat both acne and oily skin and slow down aging and jump start repair.  Keep on looking like the youngest at your high school reunions.  It’s truly possible to slow the aging process, reverse it with treatment and keep acne under control.

Your oily skin may just be an added blessing!

Can we all have beautiful skin no matter what we start out with?

Can we all have beautiful skin no matter what we start out with? The answer is yes! I would like to share a few tips that have kept me young and vibrate and fight aging and acne.  I feel qualified as I am in the cosmeceutical business and was raised in dermatology and plastic surgery all my life.  First and foremost—stay out of the sun and tanning booths—they result in 85 percent of aging and skin cancer. Next, munch regularly on anti-aging antioxidant pigmented vegetables and fruits as well as heavy Omega 3's and low glycemic foods such as olive oil.  Never starve—just eat the right stuff. Keep hydrated internally and externally. We all know to drink water but using anti-aging products and moisturizers helps increase our skin’s capacity to retain moisture. Use a true cosmeceutical such as Clinage and regularly apply an anti-aging skin regime, which includes glycolic acid and vitamins. The right substances and concentrations will work on getting and keeping your skin healthy. Start off each day with a gentle glycolic exfoliation, no granules. Now your skin can breathe and allow other active substances to penetrate. Use glycolic acid substances each week in the form of creams and lotions. This will help keep your collagen count up and skin pigmentation and evenness under control.  You can go for professional glycolic peel treatments or you can do versions at home in between. Clinage offers a wonderful at-home peel kit too. (Visit www.clinage.com) Use Vitamin C topically in the form of Magnesium C to penetrate and keep collagen up, skin pigment even and rosacea under control. This will even tackle pesky puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. Use other vitamin containing products such as Vitamin A for elasticity and pore clogging prevention, as well as a great antioxidant from the elements.  Niacinamide is another great vitamin to help with ours skin’s immunity pigmentation management. Never give up—keep your skin as healthy as you can. You can reduce aging and even control acne simultaneously. It only gets better.  Look at your friends who have been doing the right things and you’ll see a huge difference.  Start now. Until next time…….