Is it dry skin or is it a skin condition?

This is the season for dry skin. Many will wonder if it is more than just dry, cold weather causing flakiness and itching. One of the most common reasons to go to a dermatologist is for a condition called dermatitis.  This is a very broad term but mainly describes dry, irritated red itchy skin usually localized in patches. It is stubborn and does not go away on its own.  One of the most common times of year for dermatitis to lurk is during the cold dry winter and seasonal allergy months.  These factors can spur on an underlying condition, which can be of a hereditary form.  Another name for dry skin, often starting in childhood and sometimes later in life is eczema. Your skin can also be sensitive to many irritants ranging from chemicals, dyes, pollens, wool, foods, medications, mechanical irritation and repetitive washing of hands and body to the point of dryness.  Once dermatitis is diagnosed, it usually has to be addressed with some type of therapy. The first step is the removal of the irritants or agents if possible. Then you should refrain from actions causing extreme dryness such as excessive hand washing in a job setting. Of course, you must still wash your hands. Be sure to protect your skin from direct contact of the substances causing the irritation.  Of course, moisture needs to be added to the skin in the form of soothing creams and lotions containing non-irritating substances.  A tepid bath soak, never hot, followed by a soothing healing lotion while the body is still wet is helpful.  Some people will seal in the moisture by wearing cotton gloves or clothing after applying lotion. If the condition does not go away and persists over years, it may be an atopic situation. This is the person who is likely allergic to medications, bee stings, nickel, pollens, dyes and chemicals.  If this is the case, it is chronic and not curable but can be controlled.  Many people notice in changing in environment they get either better or worse.  For example, a trip to the ocean could result in a clearing. However, a visit to a dry, cold environment or a region with heavy pollens such as ragweed and allergens could worsen the skin. The good news is that nothing is wrong internally and the majority of the time it is not associated with rare, internal diseases.  Most dermatologists will prescribe a cortisone cream for flare-ups, to be used topically and internally if severe.  Long term use can be a problem so determining the causes and keeping the skin moist with smooth, soothing creams and lotions such as Clinage will help significantly. When it comes to anti-aging and anti-acne clients, be prudent and evaluate what to use.  Most anti-aging and anti-acne substances such as Retin A and glycolic acid may be too irritating. However, vitamins such as Vitamins A and E, serums, niacinamide creams and mists containing minerals and vitamins with green tea are vey helpful in healing the skin and give skin the continuous moisture it needs. If a persistent rash does not go away and affects your daily functioning, see a dermatologist. Remember to always get a skin check while you’re there for any odd growths or changing moles to detect skin cancer or melanoma.  Both are curable if caught early. Until next time…..

Rosacea

Some call it rosacea. It is also known as hormonal acne.  Rosacea is an inflammation of the superficial blood vessels, many times resulting in acne.  Rosacea is hereditary and dietary related.  Acidic foods, spicy favorites, dairy and red wine can make it worse. Rosacea acne, as it relates in later years, can be associated with change in hormones with menopause.  Not all women get this condition and it’s best treated with a light acne peel and vitamins A, retinyl palmitate, Vitamin C, Mag C (for taking down inflammation and assisting in the healing of lesions and dark spots) and niacinamide, an antibacterial, immune boosting healing property. The real issue—most acne has a hormonal component no matter your age. Rosacea should be treated with diet and also plenty of Magnesium Ascorbyl Phospate (MAP) to keep down inflammation.  Light, glycolic abrasion free cleansers are recommended for a daily regime no matter what the age or cause of the acne.  Regular light peels, such as Clinage’s glycolic peel kit works well and prevents new lesions from forming. It also helps to remove the top, dead layer which clogs pores. The best news? Glycolic peels have the capacity to fill in acne scars with your own collagen and correct the pigmentation after inflammation.  Stress plays a big part in all acne at any age.  Meditation and yoga are helpful as well as a diet rich in antioxidant fruits and vegetables.  Remember, the more pigmented and colorful the better. Spinach, dark green and red peppers, broccoli and dark berries are also high in Vitamin A. And don’t forget to eat your carrots. Acne is chronic and not curable but it certainly is clearable and controllable with the right treatments. Until next time……

Hormonal acne…what exactly is it?

The terrible acne age begins when puberty hits. Our sebaceous glands overact and the hair follicles build up bacteria, causing acne lesions and papules or pustules. 

Large acne cysts are usually caused by hormone changes from puberty. Females and males also respond to hormones from stress throughout life called DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone.) It’s a precursor to male hormones secreted by the adrenal gland located above the kidneys. 

Women will notice more break out before menses with the surge in female hormones right before menstruation starts. There is a definite hereditary component to all acne, especially severe acne in the cystic form. 

Generally acne is treated with both topical and oral antibiotics as well as treatments to decrease inflammation such as anti-inflammatory injections and liquid nitrogen to destroy a lesion.

Today acne is wonderfully treated with our miracle substance—glycolic acid, which removes the clogging top layer. Clinage carries a wonderful product. The follicle is unroofed and disinfected without destroying the skin. The treatments can be topical or deeper peel treatments for in office or spa use. 

After using glycolic substances first, all other substances applied will work and penetrate much better such as topical antibiotics and Vitamins A, C and Niacinamide. 

Next time we will tackle how adult acne is and how it is different from hormonal acne.

What can take the place of microdermabrasion and why?

The easy answer-- a special natural substance called glycolic acid, which is derived from sugar cane. It’s effective, safe, non-toxic, easy-to-use and versatile.

Microdermabrasion is a rigorous form of mechanical exfoliation.  Micro particles are dispersed into the skin surface to topically abrade the surface’s dead skin layer. Machines utilize suction to remove the particles.  Different non-toxic particles can also be used.  The top dead layer, the stratum corneum is removed and the pores are cleaned out.  It puts stress on superficial blood vessels with its abrasive nature and suctioning. However, to the naked eye one may not see the surface injury.  Some look at this as a benefit to stimulate cell growth.  Any low pH or acidic products will burn the skin. Most anti-aging substances tend to have a lower pH so this can be a problem with advanced skin injury possibly leading to scabbing and hyperpigmentation.

There is a much easier alternative, which can be used at home and daily. Glycolic acid, derived from sugar cane is a key anti-aging and anti-acne alternative. It’s the number one substance used in advanced medical skin care today.  

If a cleanser carries enough of this active ingredient and a gentle massage is used simultaneously to the skin surface, the dead layer will merely melt away. 

The bond that holds the cells together breaks apart and the tiny glycolic molecules go into the pores and unroofs oil, sebum and dead skin cells

thus leaving the skin smooth and radiant with pores clean, clear and refined.  Acne breakouts are reduced as oil production is controlled.  

Glycolic acid is also contained in lotions, gels, and home glycolic peels which are now available to the public. Another benefit—the skin’s surface is not injured with this daily cleanser.

These products, such as Clinage’s are diverse and allow for different percentages.  They are available to the public as at- home glycolic peels with special ingredients to enhance cellular changes and encourages collagen building with an increase in elasticity, refined pores, lightened pigmentation and dark spots.

The cost is minimal compared to expensive doctor visits or other treatments available. So seriously consider the easiest, most effective approach to new skin. 

Additionally, these products and treatments, good for men and women, are safe to use on all skin types from fair to dark skin, from sensitive to oily skin. Stop aging, clear acne and keep your skin maintained each day. You are certainly worth it. 

Until next time……

Clean, even-toned skin is always in fashion!

It’s Fashion Week! Fashion starts with our best face and skin forward.  All the wonderful makeup products in the world cannot take the place of healthy, glowing skin.  Great skin care should start early in life and never stop.  We know the basics—stay out of the sun and drinking plenty of water but there is more…..  Cosmeceuticals allows us to keep beautiful smooth even plump radiant skin.  They are medical grade substances for beauty purposes and they work!  Cosmeceuticals, such as Clinage allow us to keep all of the layers of our skin healthy and prevent acne. It’s accomplished when you truly change the skin structure—not just the surface—with good lotions and creams.   With cosmeceuticals, we build our own collagen and elastin deep within the layers of the skin and remove the dead skin layer, which dulls our skin. We must gently exfoliate almost daily in order to keep the dead layer off and our pores unplugged, breathing and refined.   Using products which contain key substances such as Glycolic Acid (sugar cane acid), Vitamin C (form of Magnesium C), Vitamin A, Niacinamide and Vitamin E consistently creates a perfect palate. In turn, you’’ll use less makeup. Smooth, even-toned skin with small pores is what all makeup artists love to start with.  Concentrate your beauty dollars on great advanced skin care instead of bags of makeup to conceal your skin. You’ll look more youthful and healthy.  So let’s embrace 2013 and celebrate Fashion Week by asking yourself, “What am I going to put on my skin today?” “What am I going to wear?” Until next time…….

Illysia loves Clinage!

Meet Illysia Neumann-Loreck of the blog Madly Chic. She grew up in New York City but has lived all over including Boston, Philadelphia and even Hong Kong. She has been interested in fashion since  she was in diapers. Everyone thought she just speaking baby talk but she was really explaining how to accessorize her ensemble.

Fast forward. She is now a fashion stylist helping individual women look and feel their best through her personal styling business, Closet Envy (www.closetenvy.net). She has worked backstage at over 50 shows during Fashion Week in NYC executing looks for labels such as Badgley Mischka, Marchesa, Oscar de la Renta, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria Beckham, Project Runway, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Custo Barcelona, Joseph Altuzarra, J. Mendel, Rebecca Taylor, Zac Posen and others.

You can write her at illysia@madlychic.com and subscribe to her blog.
Illysia is a big fan of Clinage. She is so cool, stylish and has beautiful skin! She will be on FOX 2 Friday, Feb. 1 talking fashion during the 9 am hour. You will love her!
Here is what she had to say recently about Clinage-

• I’ve mentioned Clinage skincare in a post before here, but I need to mention it again because it has really changed my skin, and I have gotten a lot of compliments since I started using it. You can find it at clinage.com. The Vitamin C Home Peel Kit is $125, but you can also call the number on the website to talk to someone about which products would be best for you.

Have you exercised your skin today?

We have all set our New Year’s resolutions for a new body or mind program but how about our skin? 

Our skin is the largest organ of our body and shows face daily.  It’s important to keep our skin moving by turning over dead cells layers, which in turn leaves our pores open, clean and ready to breath. If you do not do this, your skin will clog up and form large pores, blackheads, acne and generally dry, dull skin. 

But it does not end with this top layer, which in childhood is almost down to none, which gives youngsters their smooth, silky look.  The next layer to "exercise” is our living immunology or protective layer. We need to keep our bacteria and viral fighting cells in full gear as well as our pigment cells dispersed, helping us to avoid age and sun spots.  Better yet, we can stimulate increased cell production and enhancement of collagen cells, elastin cells and moisture retaining cells in the deep dermal layer. This layer gives our skin plumpness, elasticity, radiance and tightness. 

We can accomplish all this with a few active ingredients called cosmeceuticals—medical grade substances for beauty purposes and more.  The key ingredient is a sugar cane based acid called glycolic acid, one of our most active alpha hydroxyl acid due to its small molecular structure. It works all the layers I talked about—the top dead layer, middle living free radical fighting layer and the lower structure enhancing layer.  The neat thing is this ingredient is highly effective, safe, non-toxic, available, easy-to-use and versatile.  It comes in products ranging from soap to chemical peels (for both home and clinic use).  The Clinage line, tried and true for more than 20 years, produces results with minimal to no side effects. Other important ingredients are Vitamin C (Magnesium Ascorbal Phosphate form), A, E, and Niacinamide. 

These vitamins work along with glycolic to synergize and enhance the functions of glycolic acid to keep your skin working out. 

The best regime is a daily regime and weekly treatments, which can be done at home. Start the year off right.  Front Face Forward! (These substances are also anti-acne and tackle rosacea too. They are safe on all skin types and colors.)

Until next time……