Skin Care 101

Cleansers, lotions, day creams, night creams, serums…  There are so many skin care products available that it can become very difficult to know which products are right for you.  Considering all the conflicting information, finding the perfect skin regimen for your skin type can be very confusing; but it doesn’t have to be that way.  Start with the basics: cleanse, tone and moisturize and work up from there if necessary.

Cleansers should be gentle and non-irritating, but still strong enough to remove makeup.  Many people make the mistake of using very harsh cleansers or even soap on their face which only leads to worsening dryness, redness, breakouts and flaky skin.  Skin typically gets drier as we age, and a cleansing oil may be more suitable for mature or very dry skin instead of a cream or gel based cleanser.  Cleanse twice a day, morning and night, with the exception of those who work out in the afternoon, then cleanse a third time after going to the gym.

Toners work to restore the pH of the skin after cleansing.  Most cleansers are alkaline and in the process of cleansing away makeup, dirt and oils, they also raise the pH of the skin.  Toners work to bring down the skin’s surface pH back to a slightly acidic level.  Use a toner that is botanical based, non-irritating and does not contain alcohol.  Alcohol only dries out the skin, leading to dry flaky patches and rebound oil production.  Tone the face and neck every time after cleansing.

Every skin type needs a moisturizer.  Moisturizers come in every strength from a light oil free hydrating gel to rich heavy balms, so there is something for all skin types and ages.  Typically younger people will need lighter products and will need progressively richer products as they age.  Most people will also need a heavier moisturizer in the winter than in the summer.  Many moisturizers will also contain anti-aging ingredients such as vitamins A and C, Co-enzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, plant extracts and copper-peptides, making quality lotions and creams an ideal and cost-effective  first step in preventing aging.  Separate day creams and night creams are also good for those looking to prevent or treat aging.  Day creams are lighter, usually contain sun protection and are ideal to wear during the daytime under makeup.  Night creams tend to be richer and contain higher doses of anti aging ingredients that work to repair the skin while you sleep.  Moisturizer should be applied twice a day to the face and neck after cleansing and toning and those looking for simplicity should always use a product containing an SPF of 30 or higher.

A basic skin care routine is something that will benefit everyone and is easy to implement.  Using well chosen, quality products will improve the look and feel of your skin now, as well as in the future.

Post-Summer Skin Care

We all love the summer, salt water and sunshine, however we all know the sun does cause significant damage to the skin.  Even with the most diligent avoidance of the sun, some exposure is inevitable.  Sun spots, freckles, loss of skin firmness and elasticity, wrinkles, dehydration and even acne flares are all external signs of this deep damage.  The good news is that much can be done to help repair the harm that has taken place.  Autumn is the perfect time to begin a skin care program to help restore and repair your skin.  These are a few of the best treatments to achieve the beautiful skin we all desire:

• Medical Microdermabrasion

Medical microdermabrasion uses a sapphire plate and ultrasonic speed to gently remove dead skin cells sitting at the surface of the skin.  Over time, these dead cells build on top of each other to create a thick, uneven surface that leads to dull, dry skin and fine lines.  Exfoliating these cells away reveals the younger, smoother and  fresher skin below.  This helps reduce fine lines and hyper-pigmentation while allowing  skin products and moisture to penetrate into deeper layers of the skin.

• Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy works at a deeper, cellular level within the skin.  It painlessly boosts collagen production, increases cell renewal (vital after the summer or a sunny holiday), and increases blood flow to bring more nutrients to the area.  In addition, cold laser works to realign the melanocytes (cells that produce melanin which gives skin its color) to further improve sun spots and freckles.  This results in skin that is firmer, lifted and more evenly toned.  This treatment is also ideal for acne breakouts, as the blue light kills surface bacteria that leads to blemishes.

• Antioxidants and Nutrition

One cannot have the beautiful skin they desire without proper nutrition.  Proper balance of organic produce, lean proteins, low glycemic carbohydrates and healthy fats is critical to both health and beauty.  Avoid aging foods: sugar, refined grains, trans fats, caffeine, processed foods and any food sensitivities you may have.  Choose organic whenever possible to limit your exposure to pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and other unhealthy chemicals.

Antioxidants, which are mainly found in fresh fruits and vegetables protect cells from free radical damage. Resveratrol, a flavanoid found in foods including red grapes, has been shown to be particularly effective in preventing aging.  Increase your antioxidant intake by eating a wide variety of fresh colorful vegetables and fruits and asking if antioxidant supplementation is right for you.

• Pure Collagen Therapy

Dr. Belter Pure Collagen Therapy is perfect for mature and dehydrated skin.  It uses the purest freeze dried collagen on the market and is combined with nourishing vitamins and botanicals to increase skin hydration by 180% .  Patients notice immediate improvement; their skin is smoother, firmer, lifted and lines are reduced.  For optimal results, this treatment should be done once per month.

• Home Skin Care

Even with the best professional skincare treatments, your skin will not look its best without proper home care.  With so many products on the market, it is very easy to be overwhelmed with finding the right skin regimen for you.  Start with the basics: cleanse, tone and moisturize (during the day use a minimum of SPF 30) using high quality natural products.  Depending on your skin analysis, other products such as eye cream, serums or other specialized treatments may be beneficial.

Clearly, there are many options available when it comes to repairing the damage accumulated during the summer and sunny vacations.  Depending on the degree of sun exposure, everyone will need a different course of treatment to achieve their desired results.  I offer complimentary skin analysis to patients, so feel free to come in anytime and I can help you design the perfect skin care routine for you!