Many of my patients ask: What should I look for in a skin-care product? Below is a list of my favorite topical skin-care ingredients, which consist mainly of topical antioxidants that possess potent free radical scavenging capabilities and excellent data to support their use. Vitamin E Ferulic acid CO-enzyme Q10 (CO-Q10)- HINT Look for CO-Q10’s synthetic …
The Cosmetic Skin Benefits of Water from a Coconut
Hydration in its many forms is discussed in my upcoming book: The Skin Commandments: 10 Rules to Healthy, Beautiful Skin. But here is a beauty tip straight from the jungle- hydration with coconut water. Why this Orange County dermatologist recommends coconut water for your skin Utilized for centuries by ancient civilizations to maintain internal hydration, now …
New Labeling for SPF is both potentially helpful and potentially harmful
FDA CALLS FOR NEW LABELS In June 2011, the Food and Drug Administration issued new guidelines for sunscreen labeling to help consumers better understand the effectiveness of the products. New regulations also permit manufacturers for the first time to advertise that sunscreen helps protect against skin cancer and signs of aging. The key changes, made …
Summer Skin Care Tips from an Orange County Dermatologist
BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER WITH THESE SIMPLE TIPS 1. Choose a sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection. Most sunscreens only cover UVB. Make sure you choose one that covers BOTH. 2. Choose a sunscreen with high SPF. The higher the SPF, the more protected your skin likely will be. 3. Tips #1 and …
Lower eyelid bags? No problem, thanks to cosmetic dermatology
A youthful face is “plump,” filled with fluid and fat below the skin surface, with no hollows, dark circles, or areas of shadowing. As the face ages, the fat below your skin literally dissolves, creating an uneven distribution of fat and a sunken-in, hollowed appearance. This is true throughout the face and especially under the …
How can patients improve their experience at the dermatologist’s office?
Patients can improve their experience at their Orange County dermatologist’s office by having very focused visits. Pick one or two topics per visit and ask your dermatologist for a thorough answer on that topic. Many patients try to cram all of their questions in to one visit and come in with list of things to …
Cosmetic Dermatology Evidence of the Benefits of Green Tea For Skin
Many of my patients ask me about if green tea can be used in their skin care regimen and if they would benefit from such use. The answer is yes. As you get older, your body produces toxic chemicals known as free radicals which damage the DNA in your cells. This also occurs due to …
New skin cancer detection device pending FDA panel approval
MelaFind is a hand-held system that emits 10 different wavelengths of light to capture images of irregular skin lesions. Those images are run through an algorithm that is based on a database of thousands of images of lesions. That algorithm then provides a recommendation on whether the lesion should be biopsied. Melafind is designed to …
What type of skin care products should I use for my child?
Parents are encouraged to use dermatology-approved skin care products on their children that do not contain many “additives” such as fragrances, preservatives, or artificial dyes. This is especially true for babies. Since many children suffer from skin disorders such as atopic dermatitits (eczema) and seborrheic dermatitits (cradle cap), their skin is extremely sensitive and will likely become …
What Our Cosmetic Dermatologist Says About Natural Oils and Skin Care
Many of my patients ask me about “natural therapies”, such as natural oils, for use as part of a skin care regimen or for treatment of their dermatologic condition. The following are the three most common oils used by patients in dermatology and the most commonly questioned. Although they are used commonly, it is my opinion that …