Dr. Alex's Blog: Moisturizers

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Moisturizers

Moisturizer is an important of a skin care regimen. The skin is the largest organ in the body and approximately two thirds of the skin is composed of water. One of the many functions of the skin is to act as a barrier to prevent both water loss and water gain. Eczema is an example of a condition where the barrier function works improperly and the skin becomes red, dry, and sensitive.

The term moisturizer is broad and encompasses three main components. The first is a humectant, a substance that draws water into the skin from the deeper layers and ultimately the blood supply. Hyaluronic acid is a good example of a humectant; it binds 1,000 its weight in water. An occlusive barrier is a substance that retains the water in the skin. Petrolatum products such as Vaseline and Aquaphor are common examples of these products. Emollients are substances which sooth the skin, and examples include jojoba oil and dimethicone. These substances make a product cosmetically elegant because they feel good when applied to the skin. A good moisturizer should contain a combination of all of these.

Moisturizers should be applied twice daily, or even more frequently for those who have dry skin or live in dry climates. Some moisturizers contain sunscreen to make skin care regimens easier. Be sure to drink plenty of water daily for proper hydration of the skin. A good skin care regimen including moisturizers and other products will lead to healthy, radiant, and youthful skin. Contact Dr. Alex for a free consultation: 818-835-1833, info@aeskin.com.

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Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD was raised in Los Angeles, CA. He attended UCLA for college and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Biology in 1998. He received many accolades including Phi Beta Kappa, College Honors, Departmental Honors, Goldenkey International Honour Society, and Mortar Board National Honors Society.

In 2000, Dr. Alex moved to Nashville, TN to attend the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s distinguished Medical Scientist Training Program. With scholarships from the National Institutes of Health and the Canby Robinson Society, he graduated with an MD and a PhD. Dr. Alex completed his post-graduate training in Internal Medicine at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Alex has had clinical training in dermatology at Vanderbilt University, UC Irvine, USC, UCLA, University of New Mexico, Veteran’s Affairs Hospitals in Nashville, TN, Albuquerque, NM, Long Beach, CA, and Los Angeles, CA, as well as in various private clinics in southern California. He is also certified in the injection of Botulinum toxin and dermal fillers as well as in the use of lasers for cosmetic applications.

Dr. Alex has done research for over a decade. His interest in research was sparked early in college when he worked in a nephrology lab. He then spent four years in a molecular biology lab in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCLA under the direction of Harold G. Martinson, PhD. His dissertation in graduate school was in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology in the laboratory of James E. Sligh, MD, PhD where he studied genetic factors involved in photo-aging of the skin and in non-melanoma skin cancer. He has given oral and poster presentations at numerous conferences including the American Academy of Dermatology, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and American Society for Human Genetics. He has publications in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Free Radical Biology and Medicine, and Cardiovascular Toxicology. He is also a contributing author for the Textbook of Aging Skin.

Dr. Alex has held a number of leadership positions including University of New Mexico School of Medicine Resident Voice committee member, Committee of Interns and Residents member, Dermatology Interest Group Association president and founding member, Executive Board member of Vanderbilt Hillel, Vanderbilt University MSTP Physician Scientist Speaker Series Committee member, Vanderbilt University Careers in Medicine Interest Group member, Vanderbilt University MSTP Student Advisory Committee member, and Vanderbilt University Dermatology Interest Group president. He has also participated in numerous service activities including Miles for Melanoma, Sun Protection Project, Camp Discovery, Links for Locks, and the Shade Tree Clinic.

At Alex Eshaghian Medical, Dr. Alex is translating his research in photo-aging to his clinical practice. His passion is to prevent signs of aging in the skin to make patients look and feel their best.