Archives for March 2016

If there is one area that is really difficult to tone, thin, and reduce, it’s the chin & neck.  Often referred to as a double-chin or turkey neck, men and women both struggle with this area.  The chin area is resistant to diet and exercise and can detract from an otherwise balanced facial appearance (which usually makes people look older & heavier than they are).  For many years, the only treatment option for this area involved surgery (with either a neck lift or liposuction). 

Introducing Kybella – a non-surgical option for eliminating the double chin.

Kybella is the first FDA-approved procedure specifically developed to address the difficult-to-treat fat deposits under the chin.  Essentially a neck liposuction without the need for surgery, Kybella involves a series of injections of a special fat-dissolving solution.  The solution is a formulation of deoxycholic acid that aids in the breakdown and absorption of fat.  The destruction of fat cells prevents future fat storage or accumulation. The injection penetrates a deep layer of fat and then kills the fat cells making them unable to accumulate fat.  When you lose weight, fat cells shrink.  When you get rid of the fat, skin will get elasticity back and your chin will look slimmer. 

Each treatment takes only about 20 minutes, and optimal results can be achieved in three to six treatment sessions.  With a healthy lifestyle, the results of the procedure can be long lasting.  As far as downtime is concerned, there is swelling associated with this procedure. It starts shortly after the procedure and can last for up to 72 hours. As the fat is being dissolved, the chin area may fill a little lumpy. We recommend massage for this.  Most side effect resolve in as little as three day, but it can take up to 2 weeks.

You will notice fat reduction one month after the procedure, and these results are semi-permanent. 

For more information or to book an appointment, contact me. 

The weather in Boston is warming up, which means Spring will be here before we know it!  When the air is very dry and cold it is important to layer up with serums and moisturizer to help combat dry skin.  As the air warms up, humidity will increase which will help keep your skin from drying out.  It’s time to say good bye to dry, itchy skin!!  There are a few simple things you can do to help transition into warmer months.  Each of these will help to keep your skin healthy and glowing. 

Beauty Routines

Exfoliate:  Cold, dry air has surely left extra dead skin cells behind and an exfoliation will help to slough away those cells.  I suggest a chemical peel for your face (if you are in the Boston area, schedule an appointment with me!) and a DIY Sugar Scrub for the rest of your body.  Pay extra attention to elbows and knees and always exfoliate before hair removal. If you want something you can use at home, I like the HydroPeptide Anti-Wrinkle Polish & Plump Peel (order with code ‘Doctor-Ip’ for preferred pricing) or Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads. 

Moisturizer:  Swap your heavy moisturizer for something a little lighter.  Skin will hold more water in the spring and summer so you won’t need as much moisturizer.  Your heavy winter moisturizer could leave you feeling and looking a little greasy.  In general, I recommend that creams be used in the winter and lotions be used in the summer.  CeraVe AM and CeraVe PM  are my go to moisturizers. 

Sunscreen:  Incorporate sunscreen into your routine. An easy way to get your sunscreen is use a moisturizer with sunscreen in it. In the winter, we can get away with using a moisturizer that includes an SPF 30.  Once we move into warmer months I suggest using a sunscreen separate from your lotion and makeup that is at least SPF 50.  When enjoying the sun for a prolonged period of time (e.g. beach, hikes,  pool), sunscreen needs to be applied every two hours. After two hours the sunscreen is no longer effective. Sometimes, people do not reapply make up because they are concerned about ruining their make up. In this instance, I recommend that you try a brand like Colorscience. The brand makes several  SPF 50 mineral powders that will allow you to freshen up your make and get your sunscreen.  Check out my Product Recommendation page for my favorite sunscreen options. 

A Good Spring Clean

When you open the windows and start your Spring cleaning at home, don’t overlook your personal products.  Toss anything that is past its expiration date or over six months old and be sure to give your make-up brushes a deep clean.  Products with SPF will lose their effectiveness overtime so this is a good time to replace these products.

Take The Challenge

Spring is a great time to freshen up your skin care routine.  Download my FREE E-BOOK, The Clear Skin Challenge for 30 days worth of skin tips, product recommendations and advice that will set you on a path to clear skin.  

What changes do you make during the transition from winter to spring? 

Dermatologist Boston

Hyde Park Dermatology

Black Dermatologist

Canton Dermatologists

African American Dermatologist

If you missed my first post in this series, be sure to head over to the main Cure Your Acne page to read “Making The Diagnosis” so that you can effectively treat your acne with the information below. Face wash for combination acne prone skin is one of the options available in the market for a more glowing skin. 

To achieve clear skin, we are going to go back to basics and start with washing your face. Irrespective of what type of acne you have, washing your face is an important thing to do. Facial cleansing is important because it enables you to remove dirt, oil, and other unwanted debris from the skin. During the course of a day, our facial skin can get covered with pollutants, bacteria, viruses, dirt and old skin cells. In the first blog in this series, I mentioned how all acne starts from a clogged pilosebaceous unit (aka pore). People with acne prone skin may experience poor skin turnover, which results in dead skin cells getting trapped in the follicles causing white heads and black heads. Improper skin washing can make acne worse, because excessive dirt on the surface of the skin can also block follicles. Furthermore, excessive dirt on the skin’s surface can prevent acne medications and anti-aging products from penetrating the skin and thereby prevent them from curing your acne. Cleansing also helps promote proper skin hydration, and helps maintain proper pore size. So how do you know what cleanser is best for you? It depends on three main factors – what type of acne your have, whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, and most importantly, what other acne medications or anti-aging products you are using on your skin.

Before we dive into the details, I would like to make a quick recommendation on how to read this post. My goal is to try to help people cure their acne, so this has to be pretty comprehensive!! If you have a short attention span like me, I recommend going straight to the subtitle that pertains to what kind of acne you have. If you don’t know what kind of acne you have, please read the first blog in this series. At the end of this post, I give some general instructions that apply to everyone, so be sure you read that too.

How to choose the right facial cleanser

In my first blog in this series (making the right diagnosis), I introduced you to the four main types of acne. For a brief review they are as follows: 1) comedonal acne (non-inflammatory); 2) inflammatory acne (pustular and cystic); 3) combination acne (both comedonal and inflammatory); and 4) hormonal acne. If you are not currently using any acne treatments, then your face wash can actually be the first step in your treatment plan. Let’s discuss what ingredients may be helpful for you based on what type of acne you have.

• Comedonal acne – at the core of comedonal acne is a problem with poor skin turnover resulting a number of white heads and black heads. If you have this kind of acne, you want to get an acne wash with salicylic acid. Most over the counter salicylic acne washes contain 2% sal acid. With the introduction of Differin (a topical retinoid available over the counter), I would recommend sticking to a gentle face wash combined with Differin to treat comedonal acne. 
• Inflammatory acne – If you have you have inflamed bumps or pustules on your skin, you’ll want to find a face wash that contains benzoyl peroxide (BPO). When it comes to BPO washes they come in many different strengths. BPO washes can range from 2%-10%. If you have inflammatory acne, you may be tempted to think that a stronger wash is better. This is not always the case. BPO washes can be very irritating to the skin, causing dryness and burning. As a result, I do not tend to recommend 10% BPO washes, unless it is being used for the back. In most instances, I think a 5% wash is fine. However, if you have inflammatory acne and sensitive skin, I would start with a 2% wash. BPO is the ingredient used in Proactiv. If you have inflammatory acne, then this may be just what you need. However, if you don’t have inflammatory acne… well, then that’s why Proactiv is not working for you!  Take caution when using 3-step acne systems that are sold as a kit as these products will often include active ingredients in each step of the kit.  When BPO is applied in excessive amounts the skin will become dry and irritated. 
• Combination skin – In general, I recommend that most people wash their face twice a day. If you find that you have combination acne, and you are NOT on any other acne treatments… meaning the only other thing you apply to your skin is moisturizer, then you could try to use a sal acid cleanser in the morning and a low strength BPO wash at night – 2% tops. It will be very important to avoid over irritating the skin, so you will want to apply a moisturizer to your skin after each wash.
• Hormonal acne – When it comes to hormonal acne, I have to say out right that a wash alone will not improve this problem. Hormonal acne requires a hormonal solution, which will be discussed in another blog. Most women with hormonal acne are in their mid-late 30s or forties, which is a time where they may also be concerned about anti-aging. My recommendation for women with this type of acne is to pick a product that will help with acne, but that is also anti-aging. Look for ingredients such as glycolic acid and azelaic acid, which can help with acne, but also help with brown spots, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines. Again, it’s important to remember that less is more. Using too high concentrations of these ingredients will cause skin irritation and that may lead to more acne. I recommend concentrations between 2-5%. Hydropeptide makes a great cleanser in it’s anti-aging clarify collection that would be good for a woman with hormonal acne. It contains ingredients that will gently exfoliate and control oil, balance the skin’s pH, and sooth inflammation. Hydropeptide is on the pricier end of skin care products but I would say, well worth it. Use code ‘Doctor-Ip’ at checkout for 15% off all Hydropeptide products.
• Face wash for the individual who is already on acne medication – Let’s say that you are already on acne medication. Maybe it was given to you by your PCP or by a dermatologist. Often times, I see patients who have been seen by other dermatologists. They have received acne medications, but they feel that are not seeing results. It’s not enough to have medications… skin care matters as well. As I mentioned, if you are not using the right facial cleanser, medications may not be able to penetrate properly. For those on acne treatment, I always recommend a gentle facial cleanser. In this instance, the washes that I have mentioned above may be much too strong if acne medications are already being applied to the face.  If you are looking for a gentle face cleanser, my top choices are HydroPeptide Cleansing gel (use code ‘Doctor-Ip’ to save 15%) or Vanicream Gentle Cleanser.  

The last factor to consider when choosing a cleanser is what skin-type you have. If your skin is excessively dry, you will want to avoid foam-based cleansers, and those with a high alcohol content. You’ll also want to avoid astringents (which I tend to avoid in all my patients). If you have dry skin and acne, you need to be careful. Whenever your skin senses that it is too dry, it will respond by increasing your sebum production. Increased sebum production means increased acne. After you wash you face, you will need to moisturize twice a day. It’s non-optional for you. You’ll want to look for a creamy cleanser. For oily skin, foams may work well for you. You’ll also want to make sure that your cleanser is pH balanced. Cleansing gels can be used as well. In most instances, because I am treating patients with acne medications, I recommend a simple gentle cleanser. However, this is particularly important if you consider yourself to be someone with sensitive skin.

So now that I have taken you through how to pick the right facial cleanser, let’s close by reviewing how to wash you face. Yep, there is a right and wrong way to wash your face!! Proper face washing is almost as important as a proper face cleanser.

When washing your face, it is important to remember a few things:

• Use lukewarm water. If the water is too hot or too cold you might end up with broken capillaries on your face, which will leave your face red.
• Make sure your hands are clean. A clean face starts with clean hands.
• Wash twice a day, no more. If you over wash and strip your skin of natural oils your body will start producing more oil and pores will be more likely to become clogged. If you have excessively dry skin, you may need to wash only once a day. I would recommend washing at night and then splashing lukewarm water on your face in the morning.
• Avoid abrasive face towels, and keep clarisonic brushes to a minimum. Over exfoliating, will cause skin irritation, which will cause your skin to break out. I would limit the use of these brushes to three times a week max.
• Don’t rush. After a long day I know how tempting it can be to rush through your evening routine. Your face requires gentle action and you should take time to work in the product and to rinse well. When you have finished with a thorough cleanse and rinse, pat dry with a soft towel.

Do you have a favorite cleanser?  I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.  Also, be sure to enter your email address below if you would like to be notified when I publish the next post in the series. 

Dermatologist Boston

Hyde Park Dermatology

Black Dermatologist

Canton Dermatologists

African American Dermatologist

If you’ve read my some of my acne posts, then you know that from a dermatologist’s perspective all acne starts off with a clogged pore. But what do we really mean when we say clogged pores. Literally, clogged pores result when dead skin cells are retained in the pores of your skin rather than being shed into the environment. This creates whiteheads and blackheads. When this happens bacteria on your skin can get very excited, because they love to feed off of the dead skin cells that are clogging your pores. The end result can be inflamed bumps and pustules. For most acne sufferers, there are many things that control this process (to find out more read the Cure Your Acne Once and For All post). However, even if you have perfectly clear skin most of the time, they are certain things you could be doing that may explain your occasionally clogged pores and breakouts.  

1. Smog – This is location dependent but if you live in a city, you likely suffer the effects of smog on your skin.  Unless you’re up for relocating, there isn’t much you can do to prevent this.  To combat these environmental toxins, make sure to cleanse with a gentle cleanser twice a day. You can also try applying a weekly mask that contains activated charcoal which can help to draw oil, dirt and other substances from pores.  
2. Cell Phone – If you are constantly on the phone, you may notice your face is more prone to breakouts in certain areas.  If you think about it, cell phones can be pretty gross.  They come in contact with multiple surfaces during the day and often end up in the bottom of a purse (along with everything else that is in there).  Use hands-free when possible and clean your phone every day.
3. Your Hands – Stop touching your face!  Yes, you can get rid of the bacteria on your hands with regular hand washing.  However, hands have naturally occurring oils which will clog pores.  The less you touch your face, the better!  And please please don’t pick your acne… this usually just results in more scarring.
4. Pillowcase – Wash it once weekly, at least.  Your skin may be clean when you go to bed every night, but your face is not the only thing coming into contact with your pillowcase.  Some swear by a silk pillowcase to help retain moisture and help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  
5. Makeup Brushes – Bacteria can accumulate here, quick!  I always suggest a deep clean of makeup brushes every month.  Bonus, a clean brush seems to help with makeup application too!  
6. Athletic gear:  Working out regularly is so good for you! If you are into sports where you’re wearing a helmet or other equipment all the time, beware.  The constant friction from equipment can make it difficult for your skin to shed dead skin cells properly, resulting in clogged pores. These pieces of equipment can also be a bacteria breeding ground. This can contribute to inflammatory acne. They can also result in staph infections of the skin a condition called impetigo. Make sure the gym equipment in washed regularly, and always wash your face with a gentle cleanser after a tough work out.
7. Makeup – This one may seem pretty obvious but it is amazing how many women don’t wash their face before going to bed!  A solid evening skincare routine is important.  Removing makeup will ensure clear pores and will allow your skin to repair itself.  

If your pores are clogged, stick to a gentle cleanser twice daily.  Avoid vigorous scrubbing as it can stimulate more sebum production.  Exfoliation once per week will help slough off dead surface cells and a product with salicylic acid will help to clear pores (and keep them clear).  

Join me in the Beauty Club and Referral Program and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for lots of fun skin tips, giveaways and more!

Dermatologist Boston

Hyde Park Dermatology

Black Dermatologist

Canton Dermatologists

African American Dermatologist