As we grow more and more concerned about harmful UV rays and the risk of skin cancer, we are taking better precautions when outdoors.  Sunscreen, extra clothing, and avoiding the sun all help to keep you protected from UV rays.  The side effect of all this is that we are seeing more people with vitamin D deficiencies. 

Vitamin D is an important component to overall health.  Your body uses vitamin D to manage the amount of calcium in your blood, bones and gut.  There is also new compelling research that shows that Vitamin D plays a important role in how our immune system functions. Vitamin D is unique in that your body makes the vitamin when your skin is exposed to sunlight.    There are some foods that will provide small amounts of vitamin D, but you likely won’t be able to get the amount that your body needs just from food.  

Vitamin D Deficiency

When your body doesn’t get enough vitamin D to keep it healthy, this is called a vitamin D deficiency.  In severe cases, this can result in soft, thin, and brittle bones (called rickets in children and osteomalcia in adults).  

People with darker skin are more at risk for vitamin D deficiency because darker skin requires more sun to get the same amount of vitamin D as fair-skinned people.  It is also more common to see vitamin D deficiencies in people who spend a lot of time indoors during the day and in people who cover their skin all of the time.  

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are not always apparent but will sometimes appear as tiredness and general aches and pains.  Vitamin D deficiency can also contribute to hair loss.  I often hear people finding out about a deficiency through a routine blood test during an annual exam with their physician.  In severe cases there may be pain in your bones and frequent infections.  Your physician can offer a blood test to check your vitamin D levels.  

Vitamin D Sources

Sun exposure is the natural source of vitamin D but as a dermatologist I wouldn’t suggest exposing bare skin to the sun in order to increase your vitamin D levels.  There is a healthy balance – moderate but frequent sun exposure is ok but when your exposure to the sun becomes too intense, the risk of skin cancer increases dramatically.   If you do plan to spend more time outside for the benefit of vitamin D, don’t over-do it.  You don’t need to get a tan (or sunburn), in fact your body can produce a large amount of vitamin D in a short amount of time.

Fun fact:  If your shadow is longer than you are tall, you’re not making much vitamin D (the angle of the sun’s rays are resulting in the atmosphere blocking the UVB part of the rays). Wrinkle Remover Cream

Supplements are a good way to get vitamin D when you are worried about exposing your skin to the sun.  Your physician can provide a specific recommendation on the amount you would require.  I use Adora Calcium Supplements (purchased from Whole Foods) which provide a boost of D3 to help absorb calcium.  These provide an added bonus of a nice chocolaty treat! How do you supplement Vitamin D in your diet?

Summer is almost here and my motto is ‘Healthy Skin Is In’.  Show your body some love with some Body Therapeutics Skin Care from Hydropeptide.  I’m running a giveaway at the moment and one lucky person will win one of these kits.  Click here to enter!

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This is the third post in my series, “Cure Your Acne Once And For All”.  My goal is to educate and support people in their mission to achieve clear skin.  A huge part of controlling your acne is understanding why we get acne.  One important element to how acne develops oily skin that our body produce naturally and get help with Vibrant Dermatology to cure this. 

If you notice that your skin is really greasy throughout the day you likely have overactive sebaceous glands.  As I discussed in my first blog post about acne (Step 1, Making A Diagnosis), we have sebaceous glands attached to follicles and when these follicles become obstructed the oil does not have a way to get out and a comedone will develop.  Bacteria begin feeding on these oils and skin cells and the body reacts with an inflammatory response creating pustules.  In some cases, the sebaceous glands will go into overdrive and create excess oil which leaves your skin looking greasy (and makes you more prone to acne).  

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There are a number of things that can cause the sebaceous glands to go into overdrive.  For some, oily skin is hereditary or hormonal (or both!). It’s important to have a better understanding of why sebaceous glands go into overdrive, and what you can do to ameliorate this process.

• Teenagers and women who have PMS likely notice extra oil because of a spike in androgens which results in increased sebaceous secretions.  Take extra care of your skin during this period to help prevent breakouts.  By extra care, I mean make sure you are washing twice a day (no more!) and keeping your skin well hydrated.  You may need to switch to a face cleanser that targets acne (see Step 2, The Best Face Wash For Acne Prone Skin for some tips here).  Proper nutrition will also help during these times.  
• If you suffer from polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS) you will likely notice oily skin because of the extra sebum being produced.  PCOS presents extra challenges for many women. When a woman has PCOS her hormones may be out of wack. She may have excess androgen production that leads to oily skin, acne, and even unwanted hair growth. In this instance, hormonal measures such as oral contraceptives and a pill called spironolactone are two medications that can help get hormone levels back to normal. Many women with PCOS also have insulin insensitivity, otherwise known as metabolic syndrome, this can results in weight gain. Eating foods with a low glycemic index (meaning avoiding white, refined starches) can go a long way to controlling the hormonal fluctuations seen in PCOS. When the hormone levels are better regulated, the sebaceous glands chill out and your skin appears less oily.

If your oily skin is not caused by hormones or a specific disorder, it is likely caused by your lifestyle.  Even if you identify with some of the things I mentioned above, the tips below may help you too.  

• Over washing – Scrubbing your face multiple times (more than twice) every day with a harsh product will strip your skin of its natural oils.  Once the oil is stripped away your body will create more oil to replace it.  The more you strip, the more you create.  Washing twice a day with a gentle facial wash will ensure that your skin is balanced and healthy.  It will take some time for the oil production to slow down once you cut back on washing so be patient with this.  
• Diet – If you consume a lot of dairy, sugar, refined carbs or hydrogenated oils, you may notice an increase in oil.  These foods all increase the amount of androgens in your body so cutting back and eating a cleaner diet will certainly help, as will eating enough essential fatty acids (like salmon, walnuts and flaxseeds). Also, be sure to stay hydrated from the inside (drinking water) and the outside (moisturizing) as your skin will go into overdrive oil production mode when it is dry.
• Stress – An increase in stress will increase the amount of cortisol in your body which will cause an increase in oil production.  Be sure to take time for yourself – yoga, meditation, or a regular fitness routine will help keep your stress hormones down. Instant Wrinkle Remover Cream

To achieve clear, healthy skin you will need a skincare regimen that is gentle yet effective and a lifestyle that supports overall health and general well being.  Managing your oily skin will help to prevent future breakouts and is an important step in the process of clearing your skin.  

Do you suffer from oily skin?  Acne?  Be sure to sign up below so that you don’t miss any of my future posts about acne.  

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There is a famous saying, “The eyes are the windows to the soul.”  The eyes often show emotion when the rest of our body might not.  Squinting, blinking, tears and excitement are all evident through the eyes.  These emotions play a role in the changes that take place around your eyes as well – typically leaving the skin dark and wrinkled which makes us appear older.

Women.

The skin around the eyes is thin and there are no oil glands in this area to help with keeping the area moisturized.  Collagen weakens easily in this area which results in deep lines and wrinkles.    The eye area tends to show signs of aging before any other area on the face.

There are some precautions you can take to help maintain your youthful eyes:

1. Protect your eyes from the sun. Use sunscreen to help protect again UV rays that will weaken collagen and result in premature wrinkling around the eyes.
2. A quality pair of sunglasses is well worth the investment – especially if they block out UVA and UVB rays.
3. Consider a vitamin A cream which will help prevent wrinkles and minimize those that you already have. Hydropeptide Eye Authority (link) is a great option for helping to moisturize and revive the skin around your eyes.
4. Soothe tired, puffy eyes with something cool.Try cucumber slices, cold spoons or even a chilled teabag.The caffeine in the tea bags helps to temporarily reduce swelling and puffiness.
5. Don’t skimp on sleep – lack of sleep is usually evident with dark circles under the eyes.It’s important to get enough sleep at night.
6. Keep your vision in check with an annual eye exam and make sure you are using the correct prescription for your eye glasses to help reduce the amount of squinting that you do.
7. Stop smoking. Not only is it horrible for your health, but it will age your skin prematurely.

If you are a happy, smiley person (like me) then you may experience crow’s feet over time.  The solution to this annoying problem is a little bit of Botox. I use Botox regularly for my crow’s feet.  Patients often complain about a furrow that develops under their eyes with time. This is called a tear trough and results from volume loss under the eyes and in the cheeks. The best way to address tear troughs is with a small bit of hyaluronic acid filler. This procedure can have some down time, as there may be swelling for 24- 96 hours. Arnica gel can help with swelling. The great thing about tear through filler is that it lasts a really long time. Some women feel that their eyes remain youthful and rejuvenated for up to 3 years after the filler.  The last complaint that I hear about often is crepey under eye skin. As mentioned above, a good eye cream is very helpful for helping to hydrate the skin under the eye and minimize crepiness. However, when crepiness is severe, laser treatments may be necessary to stimulate collagen production under the eye.  Your dermatologist can help you figure out what treatments are best for you. Face Needle Roller

How do you maintain youthful looking eyes?

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I’ve blogged before about the concept of ‘clean’ products and chemicals that can be found in personal care products.  Today I’m diving a bit deeper into lipstick, and specifically, lead. 

Over the last few years this topic has been covered a lot in the news.  First reported in 2007 with a report on lead contamination in lipsticks, “A Poison Kiss,” by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics highlighted the levels of lead (and other metals) in lipstick.  The Food and Drug Administration followed up with a review of lipstick in 2011 and found traces of lead in 400 lipsticks. 

According to the FDA, ‘lead is an unintended contaminant or impurity that can be present at very low levels in some color additives and in other common ingredients, such as water, that are used to produced cosmetics.’  The FDA standpoint is that lead in lipstick is not a safety concern because lipstick is intended for topical use and has limited absorption levels.  The cosmetics industry has supported this argument.

How limited is it though?  If you are wearing lipstick daily – and reapplying frequently – the cumulative exposure over time can add up, so low exposure repeated can add up to a significant level.  Have you ever counted the number of times you apply lipstick each day?

The concerns with lead

Lead poisoning is a big deal.  Lead is a neurotoxin and is linked to learning, language, and behavioral problems; reduced fertility; hormonal changes; and delayed onset of puberty.  Lead poisoning is something that we should all be paying attention to.  The FDA sets a very low safety standard for lead (meaning that they are not concerned about ingesting small amounts of lead) but medical professionals agree that there really isn’t a safe level of lead.

There have now been numerous studies done to study the amounts of lead in lipstick and one of the general themes seems to be that dark colors tend to have higher levels of lead (versus more neutral lip balms).  The findings of lead in lipstick are not brand specific – and even some of the higher-end, expensive brands aren’t completely clean.

Lipstick labels

You won’t find ‘lead’ listed explicitly on a product label.  Lead shows up in lipstick as a contaminant that is present in the pigments and base materials used to make the product.  Cosmetic companies are not required to list contaminants on ingredient labels.  Given that cosmetics are not governed by the FDA, it’s really up to the consumer to do their own research about products.  Safecosmetics.org is my go-to resource for personal care products.  Read ingredient labels and know what you are using.  If your lipstick isn’t 100% lead free then find an alternative.  In the mean-time, cut back on use.  I tend to go without lipstick a lot of the time and prefer to keep my lips shiny with Petroleum jelly instead.  My last, and possibly most important comment on this topic, please don’t let your kids wear lipstick.  Their tiny bodies are more vulnerable to toxic metals and it’s not worth the risk. Lip Augmentation

I would love to hear your thoughts on this one!  Have you checked your lipstick ingredients?

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For most parents, keeping their kids healthy and safe is a number one priority. Given the fact the skin is your child’s largest organ, it is important to take steps to keep it safe this summer. Since the school year will be winding down soon and spring sports are starting, kids will be spending much more time outdoors. Did you know that suffering one or more blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence more than doubles person’s chances of developing potentially deadly melanoma later in life?  Sun safety is SO important!

Here are some Skin Tips from the Skin Cancer Foundation that can help you keep your children healthy and safe in the sun.

Wear SAFE sunscreens/sunblocks:

• American Academy of Dermatology recommend sunscreen NOT be used on babies under the age of 6 months. We recommend sun protective clothing for young infants. Between the ages of 6 months and 6 years old, dermatologists recommend that sunblocks containing only zinc and titanium oxide be used. Chemical sunscreens are deemed unsafe for young children. Brands that I like include Blue Lizard, Aveeno Baby, California Baby, and Badger. The most important thing is to do is to read the label. If you see any other ingredients besides zinc and titanium then you can conclude that the product is not is safe for a baby, even if it says “babies” on the label. 

• Take extra precautions: Remember that water and sand reflect the sun’s rays. Sunscreen/Sunblock should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure. It should be reapplied every 80 minutes if your child is swimming and every 2 hours if your child is not swimming.
• Avoid sunburn: It may seem like a temporary irritation, but sunburns cause long-lasting damage to the skin. To decrease the risk of sunburn, seek shade whenever possible, particularly for outdoor activities taking place between 10 AM and 4 PM when UV rays are most intense.
• Set a good example: Incorporate these tips into your own lifestyle. You’ll not only set a good example, but you will also lower your risk of skin cancer as well.

I’m all for getting outside and enjoying the warm air and sunshine, but doing it safely is important!

The month of May is here and that means its skin cancer awareness month.  I’ll be spreading messages about skin cancer and how to detect and prevent it.  I would love for you to pass these messages along to all of your friends and family.  Melanoma is 100% curable with early detection, so we should all be doing our part to spread awareness!

Don’t miss my PSA on sunscreen!

Click below to read.

Bugged Out!  Keeping safe from mosquito’s and ticks

April is Rosacea Awareness Month.  Almost 5 times a day, a patient will come into my office and say: “Doctor, I have rosacea.” “What do you mean by that?” I ask. “I have a red face, of course” is usually the response. The fact of the matter is that there are many things that can cause facial redness, of which rosacea is only one. Furthermore, it is important to know that there are different sub-types of rosacea. Your treatment options for you rosacea will depend on the sub-type. Let’s discuss the most common ones.

• Telangiectatic Rosacea. This is the type of rosacea that leaves you with a red face. Patients may experience easy flushing as well. Redness and visible blood vessels are more prominent on the cheeks and around the nose.
• Papulopustular Rosacea: Mimics acne without any white heads or black heads. Facial redness and swelling are also prominent.
• Rhinophyma:  Characterized by a large, bulbous ruddy nose
• Perioral Dermatitis: A variant of rosacea that causes you to get red bumps and pustules around your mouth and near the corners of your nose
• Occular rosacea: A variant of rosacea that affects the eyes primarily, and is associated with red eyes, and burning, sensitivity to light

If you think that you might have rosacea, please consult with a board certified dermatologist for a diagnosis. So now that we know more about rosacea variants, let’s talk about some common rosacea myths.

• Myth 1. Eating spicy food and drinking alcohol causes rosacea: Many people (incorrectly) assume that rosacea is caused by eating spicy foods and drinking alcohol.  This is not true.  These things may trigger the redness and flushing that is associated with rosacea but they do not in fact cause rosacea.  Additional triggers include sunlight, stress and caffeine.
• Myth 2. Over-the-counter medications that target acne will treat rosacea.  Most acne treatments will not work for rosacea. In fact, these medications can cause irritation,  making rosacea worse!  The most common treatment for rosacea is Metronidazole which is a topical antibiotic that is generally well tolerated.   Sometimes a powerful drug used to treat cystic acne (isotretinoin) will be used to help clear up acne-like lesions of rosacea.  The type of rosacea that presents with bumps and pimples is often mistaken for acne.  However, the cause of acne is different than that of rosacea and needs to be treated differently.
• Myth 3:  Rosacea is contagious:  Given the fact that rosacea is often treated with antibiotics many people believe that the condition is contagious.  In fact, there is zero evidence pointing to rosacea being contagious.  Antibiotics work because they are anti-inflammatory.
• Myth 4:  The final myth is that rosacea can be cured, and once your skin is clear you are free to stop all treatments.  Sadly, there is no official cure for rosacea.  Long-term regular treatment of rosacea is often necessary.

Do any of these myths surprise you?  Are you struggling to manage rosacea?  I’m here to help!  Comment below with your questions or email them to me at info@vibrantdermatology.com.

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Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has made headlines thanks to Kim Kardashian and the ‘blood facial’ image she posted on Instagram for all to see.  PRP has been around for a while to promote healing in dental, orthopedic, and plastic surgery procedures but in the last few years the benefits of skin rejuvenation have been recognized.

One common misconception is that this procedure requires us to smear blood over your face – leaving you looking a bit like Kim in her photo.  It’s actually a much more involved process that includes a blood draw, centrifuge and needles.

PRP is derived from your own blood.  Blood is drawn from a small needle similar to the ones used when you are getting labs done.  The blood is spun in a special centrifuge to separate its components into red blood cells, platelet rich plasma and plasma.  The platelet rich plasma contains platelets, which have anti-inflammatory properties and are rich in growth factors. When PRP is applied topically or by injection, high concentration of these growth factors are applied to an area of aging and/or scarring.

Using your own blood/growth factors eliminates any potential allergies.  PRP has been shown to have an overall rejuvenating effect on the skin (improved skin texture and tone, improved fine lines and wrinkles, increased volume, and improved appearance of scars).  In practice, PRP has shown success when used on the face, neck, chest, and hands and results are very natural looking.

Before treatment:

• Do not take Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) for 10 days before treatment as these impair platelet function in the normal clotting process and thus promotes bleeding and bruising. Acetaminophen is ok.
• Eat a light meal and be well hydrated for the procedure.
• Do not wear makeup the day of treatment.

Post treatment:

• In the 2-3 days following treatment, do not expose yourself to long periods in the sun and do not use a sauna, hot tub, Jacuzzi, or go swimming.
• Avoid hot or cold temperatures and large temperature swings for 2-3 days.
• No exercising or strenuous activity for 24 hours.
• No facial treatments (peels, lasers, etc) for at least 2 weeks following procedure.

PRP is also making headlines for its application in hair loss.  Stay tuned for a post about this!  If you’re ready to experience the blood facial, contact me for an appointment. 

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A Dermatologist’s Guide to Picture Perfect Skin for Your Wedding Day

Wedding season will be here soon which means it’s time to start getting your skin in the best shape.  By starting early we can ensure that your skin will be naturally healthy and glowing.

Skin care regimen

For starters, it is important that you start with a basic skin care regimen that includes a gentle to mild cleanser twice daily followed by moisturizer (with SPF in the morning).  I also suggest a gentle exfoliation once weekly and like to add in a hydrating serum in the morning to help accomplish a  dewy well moisturized complexion.

Diet & exercise

It’s a common theme that brides go into ‘diet’ mode to get in the best shape for their big day.  By restricting your diet you will starve your body of nutrients and could leave your skin looking dull and damaged.  Focus on healthy food choices with lots of variety and don’t starve yourself.

Sweating is actually really good for the skin and can help to flush out toxins and impurities.  If you’re planning to step up your gym activities, make sure wash with a gentle cleanser post sweat-session.

Visit the dermatologist

A few months before your big event, schedule a consultation with your dermatologist to discuss any areas that you would like to treat before the wedding.  Some brides contact me six to twelve months before the wedding!  You can never start too early here.  Your dermatologist will suggest a plan for you that is tailored to your specific needs and skin type.  A few things that brides are often interested in:

Chemical Peels – This is my preferred way to get rid of dead skin cells.  By eliminating the dead cells you will reveal healthier, glowing skin.  If you’re worried about looking like Samantha from Sex and the City, fear not!  Check out my post on Chemical Peels (link) for more information.  Remember to schedule your last peel at least two weeks before the wedding.

Laser Treatments – If there is enough time before the wedding, a laser can help to reduce brown spots, acne scars and facial redness from veins.  It may take multiple appointments for a laser to be effective. 

Acne Treatment – Acne can be troubling for anybody, but for a bride ready to walk down the aisle, a pimple can be devastating.  A good makeup artist can cover anything, but the healthier your skin, the more likely you won’t have to worry about a last minute spot!  Check out my series on acne to get started with a plan of action to clear your skin once and for all, and if you think you need additional help to clear your skin, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. 

Eye brows

Consult with a brow specialist a few months before your wedding date so that you can start building the perfect look that you want for your wedding.  It can take time for sculpt a brow or to grow back sparse spots so starting early is important.  If you want to thicken your eyebrows (or eyelashes), LASH is a great option for this. 

Also, if you plan to use waxing to shape your brows, make sure that you aren’t overlapping treatments with your wax appointments and that you consider the effects of any medications you are taking.  Take it from somebody who has had her eyebrows burned off, planning for wax appointments is critical!  Check out these ten things you should know before getting your face waxed that I shared with Good Housekeeping .

Tanning

Whatever you do, please please please do not try to ‘build up’ a base tan in a tanning bed.  These are cancer machines and it just is not worth the risk.  If you really think your skin is too pale and needs a boost, find a professional air bronzer who can tailor a shade to suit your skin color.  You will end up with a safe, natural result.

Last minute treatments

Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule any treatments – especially facials, eyebrow shaping, and spray tan.  It’s important that the skin have some time to settle after a treatment and you may end up with some irritation or redness that you wouldn’t want present on your wedding day.

Are you getting married this summer?  Do you have a treatment plan for your skin?  Questions about where to start?  I’d love to hear in the comments below!

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Baby rashes are a part of the experience of raising a child.  One of the not-so-fun experiences.  As a mom to two young children, I’ve been there.  Baby gets a rash and you stress.  What’s the cause?  How do I treat it?   

Eczema is a hot topic for most parents and something I get asked about often.  I’ve posted before about eczema in young children and babies with my suggestions on skin care for these children.  Many parents believe that eczema is related to a particular food in their child’s diet but it is often not that simple.  The majority of eczema is unrelated to diet and altering your child’s diet could be causing more harm than good.  However, one confusing element of this topic is that eczema triggers do include food allergies – most commonly dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds, soy products and wheat.  

So what’s the difference?  

A rash that is caused by a food allergy typically appears quickly and then will go away within a few hours of exposure to the allergen.  These rashes appear as hives, redness and itching and will appear randomly all over the body.  Eczema is a chronic condition that does not go away quickly and will tend to show up in predictable places (cheeks of young babies, elbow creases of older children).

It is important to note here that you should never attempt to self-diagnose any rash or illness and should always consult with your pediatrician for guidance.  

If your child’s rash presents suddenly after exposure to a new food, you should remove that particular food from your child’s diet and consult with your pediatrician.  The rash should resolve pretty quick on its own.  

For babies that are not yet eating solid food, a skin reaction can indicate an allergy, along with vomiting, excessive gas, diaper rash, and excessively loose stools.  If you are formula feeding, your pediatrician will be able to suggest an alternative formula.  Breast-feeding mothers may need to alter their own diet to determine if a food is causing a reaction.  Remember though, fussiness is a typical behavior in most babies and a change in diet is not likely to change this!  

If a rash presents as eczema, I would attempt to treat the eczema as outlined in my last post on this topic.  Remember, treatment does not work overnight, and although you may notice some immediate relief it will take a few weeks to completely resolve.  If you don’t notice any change (or conditions are worsening), the next step would be to work with your pediatrician to determine if a food allergy is in fact playing a part in the skin condition.  Your pediatrician may want to start an elimination diet (avoiding any allergens and then re-introducing in a staged approach) or perform allergy testing.  A lot of children will outgrow allergies so don’t be surprised if your doctor is hesitant to perform allergy testing (especially for a child under 1).  

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It is spring time in Boston and a great time to exfoliate away all the dead skin that winter helped build up.  Chemical exfoliation is my preferred way to get rid of dead skin cells.  A common misconception is that a chemical peel will leave you with red, flaking skin.  Sex and the City introduced us to chemical peels in an episode where Samantha decides to get a “freshening” peel just days before Carrie’s book launch party and ends up with red, flaking skin that was a hot mess!  I often hear “If I get a chemical peel, am I going to look like Samantha?”

I’ll be honest, for some people a chemical peel will leave you with some redness and irritation, but it is unlikely that you will look like Samantha did after her peel.  As a dermatologist, I can offer very strong peels that will require a small amount of downtime.  There are more mild peels that also have great benefits so it is worth discussing options before jumping into a peel.

Why a peel?

There are so many benefits to a chemical peel – many women like that the peel will help to smooth any fine lines and wrinkles and increases collagen and elastin (so helps you look younger!).  A peel will also even out skin tone and will eliminate acne and prohibit further breakouts.  If you are a person of color with stubborn post-acne hyperpigmentation, peels can help to eliminate these brown spots in a safe and effective manner. Peels can also be used to fade away the stubborn age spots that can appear in Caucasian skin with age and sun damage. Chemical Peels can be applied at any age – I’ve used chemical peels to treat teenagers with acne as well as women in their 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s to treat the effects of aging.

Things to consider

If you are going to get a peel and already use some type of prescription medication for your skin, you will need to stop any prescriptions for three to five days before and wait five to seven after the peel before using again (speak to your dermatologist about this and they can make specific recommendations based on your prescriptions).

A chemical peel is not a one-time treatment but is repeated based on the condition we are treating.  Uneven skin tone is treated every 4 weeks while acne may be treated up to every 2 weeks.  In general we do a series of peels until we achieve the desired results. Afterwards, peels can be used intermittently along with good skin care to maintain the results you’ve achieved.  Sensitive skin may be treated every 6 weeks.  I suggest doing a peel at least two weeks before any planned events (ie prom, wedding, etc) so that the skin will have a chance to calm down before you need to be looking your best.

After the peel

Skin that has been exposed to medical-grade chemical peels need intense hydration to promote healthy healing and prevent excessive peeling, redness and dryness.  I suggest using a hydrating, hypoallergenic moisturizer like Vanicream or Cerave cream in the days following the peel. You want to use a gentle cleanser to wash the skin twice a day. Avoid harsh toners and cleansers for at least a week after the peel.  Be sure to use ample SPF daily, limited sun exposure is also important.  For those to experience excessive redness and peeling a mild OTC hydrocortisone cream can be used to soothe the skin. Finally, you will want to avoid exercising for 24 hours after your peel as the skin needs to stay cool.

With so many peels out there, it’s hard to know what to ask for! Remember, when you go to a spa you are not getting a medical grade peel. The spa peels are similar to at home peels that provide temporary exfoliation and a temporary glow. Often the peels you get at a spa can be similarly priced to the ones you would get at your dermatologist’s office. So, I recommend getting the most bang for your buck!

Finally, I will share a few words about the peels I offer. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it will given you some ideas about what to ask for when you go to your dermatologist’s office.

• Salicylic Acid/Glycolic Acid Peels – Mild superficial chemical peels that are great for acne, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and fine lines.
• Modified Jessner’s Peel – This slightly stronger peel gives dramatic results after even one peel. It is more effective for textural changes resulting from sun damage and acne scarring. In addition, it is an excellent choice for acne, fine lines, and discoloration.
• VI Peel® – All the rage in Hollywood, the VI Peel is a custom blend of peeling agents that result in a glowing complexion within a week. The VI Peel is particularly effective in clearing hyperpigmentation quickly. It is also very effective for acne, wrinkles and sun damage.

We are having a spring chemical peel bonanza at my office. Call my nurse if you’d like to schedule your spring peel.

If you have ever had a chemical peel I would love to hear more about your experience in the comments below.

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