No one is born with sensitive skin. And it’s usually just women who complain of sensitive skin–not men or children.  Why?  It’s because the skin becomes lazy from the use of too much moisturizer, and intolerant from the use of products with perfumes, dyes and additives.

So once people think that they have sensitive skin, they start using products that are weak–which only further weakens their skin!  So the problem continues, or gets worse.

In order to successfully treat symptoms—redness, itching, and bumps—we have to improve overall skin quality and  reduce the reactive nature of sensitive skin.  The best treatment for sensitive skin is a program of skincare products with retinol, because that strengthens skin, and enables skin to renew itself. A skin-strengthening product such as ZO Skin Health’s Radical Night Repair  is an important step toward resolving sensitive skin issues.  Retinol increases cell turnover which forces the damaged surface cells to slough off, allowing the new healthy cells to emerge. Because Radical Night Repair contains 1% retinol, a natural form of Vitamin A, it replaces what the skin has lost over time, (the ability to stimulate the retinoid-receptor found on every cell) and takes the skin to a new healthier state–and that is important in the treatment of sensitive skin.

The use of retinol, in some cases, can increase skin redness.  Although it sounds counter-intuitive, that is why Radical Night Repair is especially great for sensitive skin. ZO Skin Health’s Radical Night Repair uses an encapsulated, time released delivery system that gently delivers the retinol load over a 6 – 8 hour period, while you sleep. We recommend using Radical Night Repair only one night a week, to start. This will gradually increase skin tolerance, and will prepare the skin, so that the treatment can be used more often. Long term regular use of retinol will provide the skin with the vital nutrient, (vitamin A) it needs to be healthier and less reactive to the environment.

Products with high concentrations of retinol will cause peeling, and make your skin more vulnerable to UV rays.  So be sure to wear a full spectrum sun protection!

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Yes, you can! By removing the top layers of dead skin cells and activating the lower dermis, (where all the action is) the texture, tone and firmness of your skin can change. If your products and treatments only work on the surface, all you are going to get is a temporary cosmetic effect and no real change. Think of the top layers of your skin as a dried sponge. If you get it wet, it will soften and plump, if you leave the sponge out on the counter, it will just dry up again. Consequently, you will have a temporary change, but inevitably, the sponge will go back to its original dry state. If you can get past the top layers and slough them off, you can open up pathways to deliver nutrients, antioxidants, hydration, and the essential building blocks to build support structures as in collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and healthy new skin cells. The result will be skin that appears smooth, soft, firm, radiant, AND the look won’t wash off.

Here is Dr. Obagi’s recommended approach to producing lasting changes and not just a temporary cosmetic cover-up:

1. Seek the guidance of a licensed skin care professional.
2. Start on a regular program of daily cell renewal, using a high concentration of retinol (NATURAL Vitamin A)
3. Accelerate resurfacing with more aggressive professional resurfacing treatments (microdermabrasion and laser).
4. Supplement your daily resurfacing regimen, with application of nutrient rich antioxidants and growth factors.
5. Use targeted products to treat specific conditions: acne, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, tired eyes, etc.
6. Use injectables such as Botox® to smooth the frown and Juvederm® to fill in the deeper wrinkles.  Be sure to ask your doctor for his/her brand recommendations, though, as not all fillers are the same.
7. Apply sun protection every day.
8. Stay on track with proper coaching and support from your skincare specialist.

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“The problem,” Dr. Obagi says, “is that stress increases the production of hormones that damage collagen and elastin.”  Too much stress also takes the joy out of life–so you’re more likely to frown or scowl, which induces wrinkles.

Take good care of yourself, get plenty of exercise, and try to get 8 hours of sleep per night!  Thirty minutes before bedtime,  be sure to apply skincare products with retinol–nighttime is the best time to repair your skin. You’ll feel better–and better about yourself–in the morning!

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Stick with a simple regimen, from one skincare company.  If you mix and match brands, you’re likely to have redundancy–too much of one ingredient–or voids–not enough of another.

Your regimen must include a good cleanser, treatment product (that activates cellular function), anti-oxidant (that suppresses free radicals), moisturizer (for occasional use), SPF 30 sunscreen, and nighttime repair product.

If you have acne or oily skin issues, other specialty products will need to be added.  And of course, the older you get, the more cellular function slows and the more repair you need.  So you may need more products–or least products that work harder.

Another benefit of sticking with just one company:  you can generally get value-priced kits that give you a good selection of products.  These are typically positioned as “introductory” kits–to entice you to try the brand the first time.  But if they work for you, keep buying the kits… they’ll save you money.

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It’s autumn, and for your skin, that’s very good news.  Just as we all look forward to relief from the heat and intense UV rays, so too your skin benefits from the cooler temperatures and less intense light.

And your skin is more than ready for change.  Because after several months of summer, your skin has accumulated a lot of dull, dry and damaged skin cells.  It’s ready for new skin cells to emerge and brighten your complexion.

Here are 6 easy (and one that is not-so-easy) ways on how to re-energize your skin:

1. First, undo the summer damage, and exfoliate—from head to toe.  My favorite, for your face, is ZO Skin Health’s Exfoliating Polish.  It does a great job of scrubbing away the dull, dry skin so that fresh, healthy cells can emerge.  It’s more aggressive than most, so if you have weak skin, be gentle at first.  You will love the difference in your skin.  For your body, use a lotion high in lactic acid—such as ZO’s Body Emulsion.  It’s not your typical smell-good body lotion—it will really work hard to exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin.
2. Fill ‘her up—with water!  Too many glasses of wine and not enough water can dehydrate your skin!  Drink at least 64 oz. of water throughout the day.  If you don’t like water, reduce the amount of caffeinated beverages, and increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables like pears, apples, oranges, lettuce—all of which have a high water content.   Don’t use real hot water—on your face, on your hands or in the shower.
3. Want to splurge?  Get a facial at your favorite spa.  If you’re confused by the menu of options available, look for adjectives like hydrating, restorative or preventative.
4. Prefer an at-home facial?  Go to your favorite beauty store and look for a clay mask. Clay can refine pores, cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize and rejuvenate your skin.  Pink China clay, a particular type of clay, is recommended for dry skin.
5. Keep your skin active.  High concentrations of retinol will work to rejuvenate your skin, produce more collagen and accelerate cellular turnover.  Make sure that it’s a potent concentration, though—like in ZO Skin Health’s Radical Night Repair Plus.
6. Exercise.  Here’s the one that’s not so easy.  Work up a sweat at least three times a week.   Take brisk 30-minute walks–you can stop and smell the roses later.  When you work up a sweat, you moisturize your skin from the inside out.  Avoid the temptation of saunas and steam rooms, though—they may seem refreshing, but actually dehydrate your skin.
7. If your skin needs added moisture, it’s OK to apply a moisturizer.  Don’t overdo it, though.  Use moisturizers only as a short-term fix; they can cause your skin to become weak and lazy.

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Here’s what to look for:

For anti-aging, nothing beats retinol.  It stimulates cellular turnover and revs up collagen, reducing age spots and fine lines.   Just be sure to wear a sunscreen, because retinol does make your skin more photo-sensitive.

Ingredients that hydrate your skin (ceramides, hyaluronic acid) will plump the fine lines quickly.  No eye cream–even the most expensive one–is smart enough to know the difference between the lines around your mouth, and the lines around your eyes.  If it works for your eyes, it will work for your lips!

Then smile–you don’t need to tell anyone your secret.

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If you’re in your 40′s or 50′s chances are  you’ve noticed some vertical lines in your face–not wrinkles, but loss of  volume.

To the rescue:  facial fillers.  There are several on  the market now, some of which you’ve probably heard about.  But which one  is right for you??   Your doctor may be the best judge of that, but  here are some things that you should know.

After you have lost collagen and elastin, fillers help the dermis return to a more youthful condition.   They work underneath the skin to trap water, plump the skin and restore volume that has been lost.  They’re frequently  used in the naso-labial folds (on the sides of the nose), the “marionette lines” (around the corners of the mouth). These areas are particularly susceptible to breakdown because there is so  much chewing, talking, smiling.  But facial fillers can also be used to raise scar depressions, plump the lips, enhance the temples, cheeks or lower eyelids.

With fillers there is little pain,  and not much downtime (although swelling and minor bruising can last for  up to a week).  Your doctor will use a fine needle and may use a numbing cream or local anesthetic  to reduce the pain.

Fillers are made from synthetic compounds that are  safe for your skin.    There are lots of different brands, including Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, Sculptra, Radiesse and Prevelle.  Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane and Prevelle are all made  from hyaluronic acid, which is a natural sugar compound and provides fullness  to the skin.  Radiesse is made of tiny crystals that contain calcium  hydroxyapatite, a substance found in our bones and skin.

Here are some  of the pro’s and con’s of each:

Restylane:  particularly good for  nas0-labial folds, smile lines, forehead wrinkles, lips.  You can expect  it to last for about six-twelve months.

Perlane:  injected deeper, so  typically recommended for the cheeks, chin, eyebrows and around the mouth.   The manufacturer claims it lasts 9-12 months.  Not as popular as it used to be.

Juvederm:   you’ve seen this advertised–for the “parentheses” folds.  It’s the leading brand and from the company that brought us Botox.  Lasts  for about 6-12 months in the naso-labial folds; about 3-6 months in the lips.

Radiesse:  recommended for smiles and  nas0-labial folds.  Lasts for up to one year.

Prevelle:  recommended for fine lines, naso-labial folds, lips, lines around the mouth. Lasts for only 2-6 months, but is generally less expensive.  Has lidocaine added to reduce discomfort.

Sculptra:  generally multiple treatments are performed over a period of several months, but then it lasts for 2-4 years.  Has lidocaine added, to reduce discomfort.  Generally more expensive.

At the Obagi Skin Health Institute, Dr. Obagi uses Juvederm, Prevelle and Sculptra.  Ask your doctor to explain his/her recommendations.  It’s your face and your money, so make an informed decision–and be sure to select a provider who is well-qualified.

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1. Dr. Obagi recommends applying products vigorously in a circular motion.  You’re giving your skin added exercise to stimulate dormant cells.

2.  You’ll enhance the activity of the functional ingredients, because you’re increasing penetration and absorption.

It only takes a few seconds.  Give your skin a little extra exercise today!

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Want some breakfast food that works for your waistline as well as your skin?  It’s so good you may even want to have some for dessert.

It’a a mango, and although it’s relatively new to the American diet, it’s been around for 4000 years. Not only are mangoes low in calories and high in fiber, they have some very interesting properties.

* Mangoes are powerhouses for anti-oxidants (like beta-carotene) that neutralize free radicals  that damage skin cells and lead to premature aging.  Just one mango contains 1-3X your minimum daily requirement of Vitamin C.

* They’re  a very good source of silica.  Never heard of it?  Our bodies hold a small supply of this important mineral, but that reserve diminishes as we grow older, causing dry skin, wrinkles, brittle hair and nails.  Silica retains 300 times its weight in water, so it helps your skin stay hydrated and plumped. .

The only problem with mangoes?  It’s a little difficult to cut the fruit away from the stone.  But the best things in life aren’t easy, are they?

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