Growth Factors for Your Skin

As we age our skin changes. The production of growth factors that occurs in young, radiant skin slows down as we age. Collagen, an important molecule in providing firmness to the skin, is broken down and it's formation slows down. This leads to laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles. Retinoid compounds have been used for many years to restore collagen. A unique product from Skin Medica, TNS Essential Serum, contains growth factors, peptides, and antioxidants to counteract the aging process. Overall there are over 100 active ingredients in the product. The growth factors stimulate collagen production to strengthen the extra-cellular matrix and the peptides and antioxidants prevent the aging process. It provides improvements in terms of color, texture, and tone. It plumps and brightens the skin. And it prevents free radical damage that occurs from sun exposure. Many people see improvements in a matter of days. This is a great product that can be added to any skin care regimen.

Clarisonic Pro

The Clarisonic Pro is a great product to help clean the skin. It can be used with any facewash and it's waterproof, so you can take it in the shower. The gentle micro-massage loosens dirt and debris that builds up on the skin, leading to cleaner and healthier skin. Studies show that using it leads to much cleaner skin that manual cleansing. It removes makeup more effectively than manual cleansing. It improves absorption of skin care products. And it reduces signs of photo-aging. It has multiple brush heads which can be used for the face or body, and for all skin types from oily to sensitive. There is even a travel size option called the Mia. It's a great supplement that can be used with any skin care regimen.

Importance of a Daily Skin Care Regimen

The importance of a daily skin care regimen can not be emphasized enough. This is important whether or not you are having a procedure done. A good facewash twice daily is the first step; clean skin is healthy skin. Sunscreen is important to prevent discoloration, fine lines, and laxity and to prevent skin cancer. Anti-oxidants such as vitamin C also prevent sun damage. Exfoliants such as tretinoin and salicylic acid help remove the surface layer of dead skin cells. This gives the skin a youthful radiance. Bleaching agents such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, and licorice extract decrease hyperpigmentation (dark discoloration) and prevent it from occurring after a procedure.

Sublative Rejuvenation

Sublative rejuvenation with the Syneron Matrix RF is a new and effective method to improve textural irregularities in the skin. This resurfacing device uses radiofrequency to heat up the deep layer of the skin called the dermis. It stimulates collagen regeneration, giving a smooth appearance to the skin. It works great for acne scars, enlarged pores, fine wrinkles, and discoloration. The best thing is that it does not use a laser or light source, which makes it safe for all skin types. The before and after photographs above show a typical result after a series of treatments. Most patients have a series of at least three treatments in one month intervals.

See the video below for more information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmu1mD86PbM

Top Ten Skin Care Tips

1. Use sunscreen every day. Even if it's overcast or if you're not going outside. Wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and with UVA and UVB protection.

2. Wash your face twice daily. Clean skin is healthy skin.

3. Avoid excessive sun exposure. Wear sunglasses, hats, and protective clothing. Avoid the sun during the middle of the day and try to stay in the shade when outside. Sun damage can lead to wrinkles, laxity, color irregularities, and skin cancer.

4. Use an antioxidant such as a vitamin C product. This will help prevent sun damage and maintain a youthful and radiant appearance.

5. Use a retinoid such as tretinoin. This will remove the dead surface layer of the skin giving the skin a brighter glow. It also helps restore collagen, which will decrease laxity.

6. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day.

7. Exercise regularly. This will promote blood flow to the skin and give you a healthy looking complexion.

8. Eat healthy. Avoid oily and fried foods, while consuming foods rich in nutrients such as fish and dark green vegetables.

9. Get an appropriate amount of sleep every day. This is especially important to avoid puffiness and bags around the eyes.

10. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by avoiding tobacco, excessive alcohol, and non-prescription drugs.

Fears of hydroquinone

Many people express fears of the compound hydroquinone, which is the active ingredient in a number of skin bleaching agents such as the Obagi Clear, Blender, and Sunfader. Hydroquinone is a naturally occurring chemical found in coffee, tea, beer, wine, blueberry, wheat, grass, and other foods. People ingest it daily.

Some side effects such as redness or irritation are common and to be expected.  It should not be used in women who are pregnant, breast feeding, or trying to get pregnant. Over the counter products contain it in up to 2 % strength. The most common prescription strength is 4 %.

Fears of this product stem from a study in which rats genetically prone to kidney tumors were fed hydroquinone many times the normal dose. These rats were found to have kidney tumors. When applied topically to humans, it has never been shown to cause cancer. While hydroquinone can bleach the skin effectively, it's use should be supervised by a doctor, and when used topically (not orally) at the appropriate doses for an appropriate time frame, there should be no concern for cancer.