What makes a good skin care program?

Can nutritional supplements help the skin?

Beauty absolutely begins within. Our nutritional supplements for skin health include Maxogenol, DHEA, Green Tea, Vitamin E with Selinium.

Tretinoin Products

 (also known as Retinoids or Retin-A®).
For normal skin with little sensitivity (normal thickness and slightly oily, Fitzpatrick 3-6), I would suggest Tretinoin cream 0.1% or Afirm 3x to be used in conjunction with the Obagi System or with other products as listed (generally at night only).

For more sensitive skin, I would suggest Afirm 2X diluted with Blend (or water) used nightly or one of the lesser strength tretinoins, either 0.025% or 0.05% . Our Tretinoin 0.1% with hydrocortisone will eliminate erythema and flakiness associated with Retin A use as well and may be tried in more sensitive skin types. 10% hydrqoquinone with 0.1% tretinoin cream should be used in patients with pigmentation problems and fairly non reactive skin types.

Oil Control

Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser, or the Glycare products in both the M.D. Forte and are wonderful for keeping oil production under control. Skinceuticals Clarifying Clay Mask and Dermalogica Skin Refining Mask are excellent clay-based masks for controlling oiliness. Also, Bioelements Restorative Clay Mask with oil blotting powder can be used three times per week at night for 20 minutes to absorb oil and clarify pores. Our GreatSkin™ Alpha Beta Cleanser and GreatSkin™ Alpha Beta Complex Mask are also great products for Oily skin.  The is a kaolin based mask that also adsorbs oil. This mask also has soothing methyl-salicylate (beta hydroxy).  And for extremely oily skin the Lersosett Mask is great.

During the day, Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion and Seban Pads can be used. This product has tiny microspheres, which actually adsorb oil during the day to diminish oily shine. Only Accutane (a prescription drug) can diminish oil production. Low dose Accutane (10-20 mg ), for those not considering pregnancy, can be a wonderful adjunct to skin care with oiliness and Acne as the main problems. The Bioelements Colorless Powder will set makeup on any skin type or skin tone while reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines. Because this unique powder contains no pigment, you can use it on the lightest ivory to the deepest ebony skin tone. Talc adds softness and slip while rice starch absorbs oil and forms a protective barrier. Soponaria, an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory herb, makes the powder useful for sensitive or Acne prone skin.

Anti-Oxidants

The Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque is a powerful anti-inflammatory masque of concentrated vitamins and botanical extracts to calm environmentally-stressed skin. The mask soothes inflammation, redness and hypersensitivity. The mask increases elasticity and moisture content. Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Repair is a concentrated dose of pure vitamins A, C, and E, which helps reduce the signs of premature aging. The capsules help diminish appearance of fine lines and age spots. The antioxidants in these products slow cellular damage.

GreatSkin™ has many products that contain high levels of Antioxidant protection. GreatSkin™ C-Serum contains 14.3% vitamin C and retains 90% of its vitamins. Also available from GreatSkin™: C-Quench, Eye C Gel, MSM O2 Serum, Vitamin A & E Ointment, Squalane and Vitamin E, Night Rejuvenation Cream, Alpha Beta Complex Mask, Sen-C Freeze Mask, and Lipid Recovery Serum.

The M.D. Forte Rejuvenation Line offers advanced correction for environmentally damaged skin with products containing AHA's and Vitamins A and E that will rejuvenate skin texture and appearance for immediate results with continued improvement. MD Forte Rejuvenation I is the way to start the program, along with MD Forte Rejuvenation Eye Cream and the Skin Rejuvenation Hydra-Masque. After finishing MD Forte Rejuvenation I, then you are ready for MD Forte Rejuvenation II. The results are amazing! These products instantly hydrate, and refine the skin while diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. Elasticity and firmness are greatly improved. These products not only normalize the epidermal structure, but go on to protect against future skin damage.

The Skinceuticals Line makes many excellent products which are generally a topical Serum C with pharmacologic activity, such as the 15% Vitamin C Serum. The Phytocorrective Serum is a botanical based hyaluronic-glycolic acid clear serum, which smells wonderful and seals in the topical Vitamin C. You can use either our GreatSkin™ C Serum (our preference, of course!) with pycnogenol or the Skinceuticals topical C 15% serum. Other Skinceuticals products include a line defense gels and serums, sunblocks and other anti-aging products to be used in combination with other programs or by themselves.
 

Rosacea

Acne Rosacea is a complex medical disorder somewhat different than adolescent Acne. The process tends to occur in middle aged adults with a predilection towards women. The process begins with slight erythema in the malar areas of the cheeks, which gives the patient a flushed appearance. Acneiform eruptions may follow in the T-zone from the forehead to the chin. Vascular dilatation in this hyperactive area leads to capillary prominence and the cuprose appearance of "broken capillaries." As sebaceous hyperactivity accelerates, broken capillaries and Acne proliferate. A large, bulbous rhino-phyma nose is the end result of excessive sebaceous activity and can be effectively treated with laser surgery. There are many variations along the way, from subtle erythema (redness) to full-blown Acneiform scarring eruptions. Modern medical therapy would consist of GreatSkin® Metronidazole Gel with abstinence from alcohol and foods and environmental stressors which cause facial flushing.