Dr. Zein Obagi
If you follow all the rules, you miss all of the fun.
I like that expression–”if you follow all of the rules, you miss all the fun”. To a certain extent, that’s the way I’ve lived my life.
So I like it when people do their research, follow package directions, but ultimately–change things a little and do what’s right for them. Sometimes, when it comes to skin care, I learn a lot from those people.
That was the case with a blog that came to my attention–from Diva Debbi. On her blog, she rated Oraser Daily Hand Repair as “one of 2009’s Top Beauty Faves”. That was nice, but it’s even more interesting what she said about it. She said:
ZO Skin Health’s Oraser Daily Hand Repair is part of a trio of hand repair products. Despite wasting the SPF 20 while I sleep, the day version is richer and more emollient than the night, so I use this one twice a day. Packed with retinol, vitamins and anti-oxidants, this hand cream truly lifts away dark spots, plumps wrinkles, improves elasticity and softens cuticles. Nothing gives your age away faster than old looking hands. Worth every cent of the 6500 pennies it costs…and yes, I’ve contemplated using it on my face…many times.
Wearing a hand repair lotion on your face? I’ve reviewed the formula, and it does contain good anti-aging ingredients that would work well for your face. I personally prefer SPF’s of at least 30, though, for your face. But darn, you’re right… I’m glad that you’re an independent thinker and realize that a day hand cream can work perfectly well at night. It will even work for your face (provided it’s not too heavy!) There’s nothing in the formula that would cause any contraindication.
Dr. Zein Obagi
Keratosis Pilaris (aka, “Chicken Skin”)
Its nickname is chicken skin, but it’s more formally referred to as keratosis pilaris. Whatever you call it—it’s not easily corrected, and treatment can last for six months.
It appears as little red bumps on the back of the upper arms, the thighs, torso and/or derriere. It frequently affects people with eczema or asthma.
This condition has a genetic component, and is caused by hot showers, loofahs and abrasive scrubs, and exacerabated by cold, dry winter air. The real culprit is a protein in the skin (called keratin) that plugs the hair follicles.
Depending on the severity, there are several courses of treatment. ZO Skin Health’s Body Emulsion (which contains an ultra-high concentration of lactic acid) should be applied to the affected areas. It’s both an emollient and humectant, so it softens and smoothes the skin, as well as an exfoliator. Apply it after showering, while the skin is still damp, and then 2-3 more times throughout the day. For many people, this treatment alone will suffice. In combination with this, you may want to have an aesthetician perform microdermabrasion.
If you don’t see improvement after several weeks, see a dermatologist. He/she may recommend a light peel of retinoic acid and TCA, or low dose prescription retinoids.
First, though, try to treat keratosis pilaris without prescription drugs–ZO Skin Health Body Emulsion should be your first option.
Dr. Zein Obagi
Looking Younger = Living Longer
A Danish study which was recently published in the British medical journal BMJ concluded that people who look younger also live longer. The authors thought that the length of telomeres (which are a component of DNA, and protect the chromosome from destruction) affect lifespan: the longer the telomere, the younger the appearance, the longer the lifespan. That’s interesting; but there’s nothing I can do about the length of my (or anybody else’s) telomeres.
So let’s talk about what we can do to look younger and live longer–like environmental factors and diet and exercise.
Why is this so important? Because the condition of your skin is the most important factor which influences your appearance—more important than hair, posture, blood pressure, you name it. If you take good care of your skin, you’ll look younger. So let’s face the facts.
UV protection not only is important for your appearance, it’s important for your health. Wearing sunscreen (I like SPF of 30 or 35)every day will help you live longer. So is ZO Skin Health’s Oclipse SPF 30 Sunscreen a luxury or a necessity? I think it’s both. It’s possibly the first sunscreen that people actually enjoy wearing every day.
Dr. Zein Obagi
New Alternatives to Botox®–Should You Give it a Shot?
- Used to be, when you asked a doctor for Botox, you got Botox. That’s because Botox was first in the market and had no competition. But soon, that will change. The FDA has approved Dysport®, a new anti-wrinkle injectible, also made from botulinum toxin. When it becomes available, should you ask your doctor to make the switch, especially if it’s a little cheaper?
That’s an important question, so let’s face the facts.
- Dysport spreads after it has been injected. This is both a good and a bad thing. The advantage is that if large areas (like your forehead) need injection, theoretically it requires fewer injections, thereby reducing discomfort. In my experience, however, this migration causes a dilution, so more units need to be injected– so we’re right back where we started.
The disadvantage is that unless your doctor is experienced and has a good understanding of complex musculature (around the eyes, between the eyebrows), Dysport could migrate and cause blurred vision or sleepy eyelids. Those are some pretty devastating consequences–even if they last only 3-4 months, that can seem like a very long time.
Find out what other consumers are saying. In one blog, only 11 people (out of 21) were pleased with Dysport. Also read about what other physicians are saying about Dysport, and ask your physician to discuss it with you.
- The price of Botox is high, and competition may bring that price down. Up until this time, though, Allergan (the manufacturer of Botox) has not felt the pressure.
- Dysport paralyzes the muscle, and becomes effective in about 2-3 days; Botox generally takes longer than that.
- The FDA requires drugs like Botox to carry a warning label, saying that the drug may spread from the injection site to distant parts of the body, and can have serious side effects, like problems with swallowing or breathing. While anything is possible with botulinum toxin, problems are less likely with Botox Cosmetic. They’re of greater concern when Botox is used to treat spastic muscles of the eyes, and other systemic usage.
- Once popular, Botox parties are now making a comeback. The hostess usually gets her treatment for free, compliments of the doctor. And the doctor hopes to meet some new clients. For him, it’s a marketing tool. But for the patient, is it worth the risk? Not in my opinion. The risk of complications is too high. Sometimes the “doctor” isn’t a doctor at all—it’s only a clinician. For the patient, alcohol (even if it’s just a glass of wine!) and Botox don’t mix. Doctors should give Botox injections under the right lighting and conditions, and in the privacy of their own office.
- If you are in a restaurant that serves only Pepsi-Cola®, and you order Coca-Cola®, your waiter is required to advise you of that distinction. But that’s more of a trademark issue, than a truth-in-dispensing issue. If you ask for Botox, and your doctor chooses to give you Dysport, should she be required to discuss it with you?
When it comes to Botox or Dysport, be careful and be informed. Talk to your physician about it.
Dr. Zein Obagi
Winter Skin Care
As winter winds and cold, dry air dehydrate our skin—what’s a woman to do? Slather their skin with moisturizers, right?
Wrong.
A moisturizer is like “dessert” to your skin—it feels good, nice and smooth, but does little to nothing for your skin cells that lay beneath the surface—the source of skin aging. That’s why it’s important to remember the “main course” of skin care—products that activate, stimulate and protect your skin.
During winter, it’s especially important to:
- Exfoliate. The dull, dry skin cells on the surface of the skin should be exfoliated, and there are a couple of reasons for this. (1) Exfoliation allows younger, healthier skin cells can emerge, (2) you can enhance the penetration of other skin care products, because they don’t get trapped by the superficial cells. If anti-aging products (and these are generally the pricey ones!) remain on the surface of your skin, they’re pretty useless. Allow them to work, and work hard! (3) Exfoliation deep cleans the pores, and helps reduce excess oils. I like the ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish—it’s more aggressive than many of the exfoliating creams, because I want a product that’s as effective as can be, without damaging or irritating the skin. During the summer, I recommend exfoliating twice a week, but during the winter, every day. Use Exfoliating Polish in the shower; it’s easier to rinse off that way.
- Protect. During winter the days are shorter, but UVB rays will stay damage your skin, and UVA rays will penetrate through windows and go straight to the dermis—where they can create permanent damage . If you’re headed to the mountains for skiing (or even if you’re a ski bunny), remember that UV rays are intensified by snow and high altitude. Taking a vacation from sunscreen during the winter is a big mistake. Try ZO Skin Health’s Oclipse Sunscreen—two different physical sunscreens plus melanin all work to protect the skin.
- Avoid the use of hot water. It may feel good for a few minutes (no showers longer than 10 minutes, please), but will dehydrate your skin, deplete the natural oils and create parched, chapped, dry skin.
- Your face and hands need extra care during the winter, because they have greater exposure. Be sure to exfoliate and hydrate!
- After showering, pat your skin dry, and apply ZO Skin Health Body Emulsion why your skin is still slightly damp. The high concentration of lactic acid in Body Emulsion is a great exfoliator—be sure to apply it to the soles of your feet if they’re dry or scaley.
- With shorter days and colder temperatures, most of us spend more time indoors during the winter, where the air is warmer, but also dryer. Use a humidifer, don’t overuse space heaters (including your car), and drink plenty of water.
- Escape. These are stressful times. Find time for yourself. Take a warm bath, read a good book, do something just for yourself. I like to study foreign languages, especially French, because it’s a brief respite from the real world and 24-hour news. Do something that you enjoy for short, daily escapes.
While you take care of everyone else this holiday season, be sure to take care of yourself (and your skin!)
