ZO Skin Health
TIP: Under a Lot of Stress? Relax!!!
Have you noticed that people are looking older these days? Could be that they’re not getting their Botox injections as frequently (that’s a fact!) or it could be that they’re under a lot of stress–and that shows up as wrinkles, skin laxity, rosacea and acne.
“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!
ZO Skin Health
TIP: Save $$$ on Skincare
Want to save some money on health and beauty purchases? Here’s one easy way:
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.
ZO Skin Health
Tip: Repair Summer Skin Damage
It’s one of Dr. Obagi’s favorite themes–before you can have fresh, healthy skin, you have to repair the skin you’ve got.
Walls can be repainted–any old time. Just start all over, with a fresh gallon. But skin has to be repaired from within.
So when Dr. Obagi was asked by StyleList, AOL’s beauty and fashion site, to write a regular column, his first article was about how to repair summer skin damage.
You can check it out at:
http://www.stylelist.com/2010/09/24/tips-for-repairing-summer-skin-damage-skin-sense-with-dr-obag/
ZO Skin Health
Get Your Skin Ready for Fall
Everyone loves summer, right? Your skin doesn’t. It suffers from the heat and intense UV rays. The result: dull, dry damaged skin.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
ZO Skin Health
TIP: Get Smart about Fillers
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.
ZO Skin Health
Stay Cool!
If you live in an area where the temperature is soaring, your skin is under stress and duress. Dry skin, eczema, acne-prone and sensitive skin are all especially problematic. Here’s what Dr. Obagi recommends to get through the summer heat:
- Sweating is your body’s way of regulating temperature. Wear fabrics that allow your skin to breathe properly—like linen and cotton. Spandex, lycra, etc. are comfortable, but they may trap sweat, congest pores and cause breakouts on your back or neck.
- Hold off on facial waxing, glycolic peels, microdermabrasion, etc. Avoid or reduce the use of products that contain high concentrations of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, retinoic acid or retinol. They all work to expose new, younger, healthier skin cells, but in so doing, shed the dull, dry skin cells that have been blanketing your skin.
- Drink plenty of water or a sports drink. When your skin is not properly hydrated, it will appear more wrinkled, dry and damaged.
- Apply a good sunscreen (like ZO Skin Health’s Oclipse SPF30) about 30 minutes before going outside—it can take that long for it to be fully absorbed by your skin, and reapply it throughout the day. Sunscreens with physical blocks (like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) are better than chemical sunscreens.
- Avoid the use of products that are fragranced.
- Wear a broad-brimmed hat. Not only will it shelter you from the UV rays, it will provide some welcome shade (and protect your hair color!)
- Opt for a treadmill instead of your favorite jogging path. Now is the time to enjoy an air-conditioned fitness center.
ZO Skin Health
Under a Lot of Stress? It Shows!
Stress. There’s just no getting away from it. Women have more stress than men at least partially because they’re so hard on themselves and try so hard to please others. All that stress shows–in fact, it’s written all over your face!
Problem: Chronic stress triggers a hormone called cortisol, which reduces the ability of the skin to retain water. The result: a dull, dry complexion.
Solutions:
1. Although it seems counter-intuitive, reduce the amount or frequency of moisturizer. It causes your skin to stop collecting water from the food and water that you consume.
2. Avoid the use of hot water and highly fragranced skincare products.
3. Don’t use cleansers that strip your skin of its natural oils.
Problems: A furrowed brow, fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. All of this may be caused by a decrease in the amount of collagen and elastin fibers, as well as increased dryness (which exacerbates the appearance of wrinkles)
Solutions:
1. Stimulate the production of collagen and elastic with active Vitamin A (ZO Skin Health’s Radical Night Repair Plus) or Rx Retin-A.
2. Drink more water.
Problem: Chronic stress causes or complicates other skin problems, including rosacea, acne, eczema and psoriasis. There’s a new term for this–psychodermatology–skin disorders that are related to your thoughts or feelings.
Solutions:
1. For acne–use products specifically for oily or acne-prone skin. Dr. Obagi’s favorite cleanser is ZO Skin Health’s Exfoliating Cleanser. Cleanse twice a day, but avoid the use of hot water. Slough off the surface skin cells that trap debris–try the ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish. Apply a product that has salicylic acid–like Dr. Obagi’s TE pads, which help to break down the sebum. Once a day is sufficient for maintenance; twice a day if you have active or persistent flare ups.
2. For rosacea, or if your skin appears red in the nose, cheeks, forehead–there are lots of OTC that claim to reduce redness, not as many that really work. Dr. Obagi is a fan of Growth Factor Serum to reduce redness. If a prescription is required, he frequently recommends baby-doses of Accutane.
For advanced medical conditions or persistent problems, see a dermatologist.
This is a stressful time. You can’t take care of all of the problems, but you can take care of yourself. Physicians are now saying that strict dieting is very stressful–so take it easy; don’t be too hard on yourself. Take a walk, put a slice of cucumber over your eyes and close your eyes for a few minutes, have a glass of wine, enjoy some me-time.
Dr. Zein Obagi
What Does SPF Stand For? Your Sunscreen Probably Flunked!
SPF = Sun Protection Factor. Or SPF = Your Sunscreen Probably Flunked. That’s right. Even though physicians have been preaching for years the importance of wearing sunscreen, one bunch of treehuggers now claims otherwise.
Two years ago, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) challenged the safety and efficacy of sunscreens, claiming that the chemicals used in it can cause or accelerate cancer. In fact, they claim that 80-some percent of sunscreens flunked–claiming that they are not safe and/or effective That’s worrisome.
So let’s face the facts:
* EWG’s studies were done only on laboratory mice, and mice are much more susceptible to cancer than people.
* One of the ingredients that they claim is responsible is retinyl palmitate, which is a form of Vitamin A–which in fact is used in the treatment of cancer.
* the EWG generally prefers titanium dioxide and zinc oxide–two physical sunblocks. On that particular point, dermatologists generally agree that physical sunblocks (which block the sun’s rays) are preferable to chemical ones (which absorb the skin’s rays). So we agree. But what should you do about it?
Remember the column that was first published in the Chicago Tribune, with advice for new grads?
“Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.”
Sunscreen is still your best protection again skin cancer and skin aging. Just reapply it frequently, use a minimum of SPF30 and use it every day.
Dr. Zein Obagi
Sunscreen and Vitamin D: The Controversy
Eggs are bad for you; no, eggs are good for you.
Carbs are bad for you; no, carbs are an important part of a healthy diet.
Coffee is bad for you; no, frappuccinos with double whip are bad for you, coffee is actually good for you; it reduces the risk of diabetes and Parkinson’s.
You need to apply sunscreen every day. No, sunscreen limits your body’s exposure to Vitamin D, which is important for strong bones and auto-immune functions.
Wait a second. Which way is the wind blowing today?
Here’s my opinion. UV rays are an important—and very efficient—source of Vitamin D which helps prevent osteoporosis, high blood pressure and cancer. But you can still apply sunscreen every day, and get all of the Vitamin D that you need.
- You only need about 10-15 minutes of exposure per day, and that can come through any part of your body—your hands, your arms, etc. If you’re going to be outdoors, you still need sunscreen on your face!
- That UV exposure doesn’t have to be between the hours of 10-2. Go outside during off-peak hours.
- You can get vitamin D from a variety of sources—including salmon and eggs. Milk, OJ, yogurts and cheese are also frequently fortified with Vitamin D. You can get Vitamin D from vitamin supplements.
- Looking for a good facial sunscreen? I like ZO Skin Health’s Oclipse SPF 30. For body, dermatologists like Neutrogena sunscreens.
There are things that we all need to be concerned about. Getting sufficient amounts of Vitamin D doesn’t need to be one of them.
Stick with the sunscreen!
ZO Skin Health
Free (well, almost!) Samples!
Like to try before you buy? So do we. Women–much more so than men–like to see, touch, feel, smell a product before they buy it. That’s why we are now offering free samples of ZO Skin Health products, as well as a brochure which gives an overview of the anti-aging line.
Sampling is especially valuable for people who:
* want to try the new Radical Night Repair Plus. Note that the sample jars are not totally occlusive to light or air–so the sample will have lost some of its potency.
* may be sensitive or allergic to certain ingredients. Dab a little behind your ear to test sensitivity.
* want to test the product under cosmetics or before a workout.
* can’t afford to buy every product, so want to determine which products should take priority.
* want to try something new–like applying the product to your neck or decollete.
You can order your free samples at https://www.zoskinhealth.com/free-samples.html. We’ll give you up to five free samples of whatever products you want (pay only $4.95 to cover the costs of freight and shipping). Each sample is enough for 2-3 applications.
Help yourself!
