ZO Skin Health
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.
ZO Skin Health
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.
ZO Skin Health
If you want to look younger, hold up your hands.
At about age 35, your hands begin to make you look older. Then, wham! Wrinkles, age spots, loss of elasticity, protruding veins.
In fact, 68% of women claim that their hands make them look at least 10 years older (if you’re in the 32%, you don’t need to read any further).
So why do most hand lotions fall short?
Tip: As we get older, the skin on our hands begins to thin. Because there’s so little fat and muscle in our hands, the bones, wrinkles, veins all begin to show. You need to thicken the skin on your hands—and retinol is the best ingredient for that. Retinol is the only ingredient proven to work on intrinsic (not environmental) damage. So why don’t most companies put in retinol? It’s expensive.
Tip: Your hands are covered with up to 30 layers of dead skin—called the stratum corneum. Occasionally you need to exfoliate all of this dead skin so that the active ingredients can penetrate the epidermis, and to make your hands soft and smooth. At least once a week use a good scrub to polish your hands. Try the ZO Skin Health™ Oraser™ Microderm Hand Renewal, or mix sea salts in an acidic base (like lemon juice).
Tip: Fragrances like “peppermint kiss” may be nice for your nose, but don’t do a darn thing for your hands. Look for ingredients that really mean something—like:
- Shea butter (it moisturizes and protects, and is particularly beneficial for sun-exposed skin).
- Retinol (it boosts cellular turnover and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, plus it reduces hyperpigmentation—aka sun spots)
- Sunscreen with an SPF15+. UV rays are your skin’s worst enemy. Wear it every day!
That’s what we mean by “no frou-frou skin care.” Our anti-aging hand lotions aren’t loaded with the namby-pamby stuff. Just high concentrations of active ingredients.
One woman that I spoke with told me that she doesn’t worry about how old her hands look—she just sits on them! She meant to be funny, but hands that make you look older are no joke.
