My friends are going to Vegas... Here is the product they NEED to be using

In honor of my friends' upcoming trip to Vegas, I thought I would share my recommendation for anti-aging during the summer in a hot climate... And what product I loaded them up with to make their trip as skin-safe as possible.

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It turns out that infrared radiation will absolutely zap your collagen and put your skin into a free-radical frenzy, creating damage. Read about that in another post I wrote, here.

A new, important factor in everyday skin protection, IR-protection is *of course* especially important when you're planning a vacay. Infrared manifests itself as heat on the skin, so you could imagine the havoc that hanging out poolside in Vegas could create.

Here's what I loaded them up with for their suitcases (also in mine when I was there in May for the Vegas Cosmetic Surgery meetings!):

SkinMedica’s Total Defense + Repair SPF 34 Tinted (also available without tint)

...is my absolute summer go-to superscreen.  It features:

• A cosmetically-elegant, easy-to use and wear consistency: creamy, but not greasy
• A semi-matte finish offers light, complexion-flattering coverage
• Tons of specially-formulated antioxidants for both UV and IR protection

Remember, it's important to protect from UV and IR on a daily basis, not just when you're sitting poolside. 

So give it a try this summer, don't forget to reapply, and until next time: stay fabulous, my friends!

Anti-Aging: We've been missing something

As a skin care professional, I'll admit that the first (and sometimes only) anti-aging recommendations I default to are the usual suspects: Retinoids, sunscreen, growth factors, antioxidants, and a smorgasbord of treatments to prevent and treat wrinkles. But with so much focus (from me, from like, everyone) on anti-aging of the skin, what about the hair?? Perhaps it's that hair anti-aging hasn't been a focus from a technology standpoint until recently. But technology IS catching up in this category, as I recently learned in a lecture featuring speaker Brian Hendricks, VP of Global Education for DS Laboratories. By the way, "DS" stands for Divine Skin. This organization is certainly speaking my language.

“The future expectation of hair care will not be to simply clean, condition, and style the hair.  Rather, products will be designed to protect, stimulate, and manipulate actual hair growth to achieve the best hair of your life.  DS Laboratories has already set this standard with stunning results.” says Hendricks.

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Here's what I learned:

As we age, the hair follicles shrink, harden, and weaken -Oh GREAT. We have the best hair of our lives at our follicular peak around the age of 19. Stop and think about it: have you seen a elderly woman with flowing, long locks lately? Well, I haven't. And while weekly roller sets might also be a convenience when you're 90, it's true that the potential for mermaid hair at that age is little to none.

So, is there potential for keeping the hair at its peak, restoring, or even maintaining where it is presently? There is, with recent developments in technology. And, with the help of stimulants, anti-inflammatories, and nutrient delivery, says Hendricks. The unique line of products from DS Laboratories, including Revita Shampoo and Revita COR Conditioner give the follicles a fighting chance.

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Here are some of the benefits: •Stimulants: No, we're not talking Rogaine here. Multiple stimulants including caffeine in DS Laboratories' Revita line can stimulate the follicles into action for length and volume!

•Anti-inflammatories: Anti-inflammatories rescue the follicles from arguably the Number 1 cause of aging: Inflammation.

•Antioxidants: Antioxidants like Spin Traps, one of the most potent (and expensive!) antioxidant molecules available on the market neutralize free radical damage, a serious offender in the aging process for hair AND skin. •Nutrient Delivery: One word: Biospheres. Just like skincare, once we've identified beneficial ingredients, the challenge lies in how to get them where they need to go. Biospheres magnetically attach the active ingredients to the skin on the scalp so they keep working. Rest assured these powerful products are not just rinsing down the drain - they're even working while swimming or working out!

•Beauty AND Brains: Aside from all the great science, these products make your hair look and feel glorious starting from the first time you use them. I speak from experience.

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Says Jessica Taylor, Regional Brand Manager for DS Laboratories, "We are all on the pursuit of perfection, and a fusion of hair and skin care is what will get us there. (With products) filled with antioxidants, amino acids & anti-aging components, science can be sexy too."

And who doesn't love that??

Until Next time, Stay Fabulous My Friends!

These Villains are the Cause of Skin Damage, Part 3

If we want to look at our anti-aging practices from an informed and discerning perspective, it’s good to know what’s going on in there that causes wrinkles (and other not-so-fun manifestations of skin aging). So far, we know about three main things that happen in the skin when damage is caused. Click HERE for the 1st Villain I wrote about, Click HERE for the 2nd in the series. Read on for the 3rd biochemical phenomenon in my series:

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Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs)

AGE is a a conveniently-coincidental acronym for Advanced Glycation End-products, which are the evil little products of a reaction between glucose (sugar) and proteins... Specifically collagen and elastin in this case (glycation).

Yes, it tastes good, but excess sugar in your diet screws up more than just your waistline.

How does it cause aging? 

Glucose is good, of course, in the way of providing energy. But when there's extra glucose, it rumbles with our collagen and elastin. This process produces AGEs, which make these fibers crispy and easily breakable. This reaction contributes to inflammation, slowed/inhibited growth of cells, and wrinkles (oh my!).

To simplify, think of it as turning your normal, elastic rubber band-like fibers into an old, dried out and crumbly rubber band. When AGE's wreak havoc, your rubber bands are in an accelerated aging state, causing that loss of elasticity, sagging, and wrinkles.

In an article for Prevention, dermatologist Dr Frederic Brandt (well-known for his research in AGE's) breaks it down further: "Besides damaging collagen, a high-sugar diet also affects what type of collagen you have—another factor in how resistant skin is to wrinkling... The most abundant collagens in the skin are types I, II, and III, with type III being the most stable and longest lasting. Glycation transforms type III collagen into type I, which is more fragile.

The article goes on to describe that "AGEs deactivate your body's natural antioxidant enzymes, leaving you more vulnerable to sun damage—still the main cause of skin aging."

(Read even more about it from a dermatologic perspective in this white paper.) 

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yikes! What Now?

1) It's time to build some new Collagen. If you're not already, start using a Retinol or Retinoid.

My favorites for sensitive or dry types:

RX Renova (super-gentle Tretinoin .02)

Or this SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex

My favorites for resistant or oily skin types:

Rx Tretinoin .05 or Tretinoin .1 creams

or SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 1.0

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2) Diet:

Cut down on simple sugars in your diet. From a dietary perspective, refined sugar seems to impact glycation about 10 times more than glucose.

Yup, just another reason... Sorry.

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3) Use topical antioxidants.

These guys are ONCE AGAIN a great way to cut down on all the domino effects of damage. . Click HERE to read more about them. 

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4) Try a Targeted Treatment Cream: One of my fave go-to's is Skinceuticals AGE Interrupter. Give it a Go if you're in the market for a rich, cosmetically-elegant treatment cream.

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And Until Next time, Stay Fabulous My Friends!

These Villains are the cause of skin damage, Part 2

If we want to look at our anti-aging practices from an informed and discerning perspective, it's good to know what's going on in there that causes wrinkles (and other not-so-fun manifestations of skin aging). So far, we know about three main things that happen in the skin when damage is caused. Click HERE for the 1st Villain I wrote about. Here's the 2nd biochemical phenomenon in my series: •    The Villains: MMP's

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes -envision Pac-Man!- activated by inflammation.  Inflammation can be caused by elements like UV exposure and infrared radiation. MMPs are not cool because they contribute to the breakdown of collagen. And as if that wasn't bad enough... they also work to inhibit new collagen formation.

For a scholarly article type of resource, check out this white paper on The National Center for Biotechnology Information website. They say Matrix-degrading metalloproteinases are key mediators of collagen degradation that is observed in photoaged skin. Key mediators? Oh man!!

Yikes! What to do now???

Don't freak out, its just one of the biochemical phenomena that results from CHRONIC damage and UV exposure. Let's be proactive about this...  Since we know MMPs are expressed as a result of UV and IR, we have a shot at preventing by using great SPF and using antioxidants. Click here to read more about some of my fave go-to antioxidants. And stay tuned for another edition of Skin Damage Villains, coming soon!

Until Next Time, Stay Fabulous (and Informed!) my friends!

These Villains are damaging your skin: Part 1

If we want to look at our anti-aging practices from an informed and discerning perspective, it's good to know what's going on in there that causes wrinkles (and other not-so-fun manifestations of skin aging). So far, we know about three main things that happen in the skin when damage is caused...here's one:

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The Production of Evil Villain #1: ROS, aka Reactive Oxygen Species

ROS: These little oxidative destructors are also known as free radicals. When they're produced by damage, they are missing an electron - so they'll tazmanian-devil through otherwise stable molecules wreaking all kinds of havoc.

Throughout this mission of destruction, they are looking to steal an electron for themselves, causing those other normal cells to become free-radicals, too. This chain reaction of destruction and theft leads to inflammation, damage, and the cross-linking of collagen and elastin (wrinkles!!)

Eeek! What should I do, you ask? The best product-related helpers are antioxidants and sunscreens, which both help prevent the formation in the first place, and help neutralize the offenders. (Picture a knight in shining armor, swinging a sword at an evil free radical... and read more about those here!)

More on those villains later, and until next time, Stay Fabulous My Friends!

Vitamin C: it's not just for breakfast... Products that Prevent

The best product-related helpers to prevent damage to the skin are arguably antioxidants and sunscreens, which both help prevent the formation of free radicals in the first place, and also help neutralize these offenders.

Picture a knight in shining armor, swinging a sword at an evil free radical, he'd be considered the antioxidant.

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My go-to, long-standing favorite antioxidants are topical Vitamin C's.

 Topical vitamin C's are known to have many benefits, including:

•  Neutralizing free radicals, preventing skin aging
•  Helping to maintain normal cellular turnover
•  Helping to build collagen
•  Lightening and brightening the skin
•  Reducing inflammation
•  Decreasing transepidermal water loss (your skin won't leak moisture so much)

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Here are just a few I love:

• Skinmedica C & E Complex This creamy, silky formulation has a satin-like consistency... Just like those makeup primers we all love. I tend to like it because of its cosmetic elegance and the lipid-soluble Vitamin C feature. Also, if you are as clumsy as I can be, the pump is very helpful. No spills! Read more about this one in my post, 3 Fast Facts: Skinmedica C and E Complex

• Skinceuticals CE Ferulic This L-ascorbic classic has been often imitated, never duplicated! Read More about it in my post, 3 Fast Facts: Skinceuticals CE Ferulic

• Skinmedica TNS Essential Serum My clients know that I refer to this one as 'the Mercedes Benz of anti-aging products'. Because, not only is there C, but lots of other potent goodies, too. Namely, growth factors, antioxidants, peptides, and alpha arbutin. Read more about it in my post, 3 Fast Facts: SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum

• Obagi C-clarifying Serum This little powerhouse is the first and the only of its kind on the market. It's really under-rated, in my opinion. Read more about it in my post, 3 Fast Facts: Obagi C-Clarifying Serum

• Obagi Professional-C Serums

• Environ C-Quence Eye

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The Need-To-Know:

How to Use Vitamin C: Use Vitamin C in the mornings after toner and before moisturizers and sunscreens to help defend skin from the onslaught of pollutants, sun, and all kinds of other threats that you'll meet out there during your busy day.

Think: I'm drinking my OJ in the morning, My skin needs its Vitamin C in the morning, too!

Oh, and don't forget the neck, chest, and the backs of the hands... they need protection, too.

Buyer Beware: Even though Vitamin C is a sort of 'knight in shining armor', it's also really unstable... always about to oxidize and die. Be sure that you don't go with just ANY vitamin C. Those that have published research or from reputable companies are the best bet.

Oxidation: If you've got a water-based C (L-ascorbic) like CE Ferulic, for example, be sure you toss it when it starts to turn orange/amber in color.  This assures that your product isn't weakened or *GASP* causing oxidation. This is an ANTI-OXIDANT, for goodness sake.

Acne Patients Beware: Vitamin C's are great for many people, but acne patients should avoid: even though Vitamin C's are great to lighten acne marks from old breakouts, they are not the best choice for those currently breaking out. If you currently have active acne, get your breakouts under control first, and then consider choosing a formula meant for all or oily skin types.

Stay safe in the sun out there - and Until Next Time, Stay Fabulous My Friends!

3 Fast Facts: Obagi C Clarifying Serum

I started 3 fast facts because I could go on forever about some of these products... which can make writing about them a little daunting.  Instead of overthinking (and therefore procrastinating), I'll just use this category to finally touch on some of my favorite products & three reasons you might love them too! 

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Obagi C-Clarifying Serum

Obagi C-Clarifying Serum

What can I say except: WOW. This little powerhouse is amazing, and the only of its kind on the market.

➢ Fact 1:

The first and only:

Its unique formula features 10% Vitamin C combined with prescription strength 4% Hydroquinone, the Gold standard treatment for dark spots and discoloration. Prescription strength means that the product is able to penetrate the dermal layers to reduce the over-activity of melanosomes.

Translation: Not only will the Vitamin C work to lighten and brighten, but the power of RX lighteners are in your corner too. It's really under-rated, in my opinion: This product is not only neutralizing free radicals and protecting the skin, improving the appearance of age spots and hyperpigmentation! What more could you want??

➢ Fact 2:

It works. And Fast:

In studies, this product was mostly observed effective at about 4 weeks. In reality, I observe patients (and on my own skin!) notice changes much faster than that. Some people swear up-and-down that they see significant lightening and brightening as soon as a few days! Expect results to continue to get better for up to 4 months. The prevention benefit will continue beyond that, as long as you're still using it.

➢ Fact 3:

Two sizes fit most:

Originally (way back) only available in one formula, this serum is now-a-days available in two 'flavors': Normal to Dry and Normal to Oily, they've thought of everyone here! It will help treat multiple kinds of darkened skin:

•  Freckles
• Age spots
• Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (the 'stain' that's left over after a blemish for example)
• Melasma

Until Next Time, Stay Fabulous, My Friends!

3 Fast Facts: Skinceuticals CE Ferulic

I started 3 fast facts because I could go on forever about some of these products... which can make writing about them a little daunting.  Instead of overthinking (and therefore procrastinating), I'll just use this category to finally touch on some of my favorite products & three reasons you might love them too! 

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Three Fast Facts About: Skinceuticals CE Ferulic

➢ Fact 1

This fantastic product is a topical antioxidant used to protect the skin from future damage, promote cell renewal, and increase the build of collagen. Distinguished Duke professor, faculty-member, chemist, and Dermatologist, Dr Sheldon Pinnell published more than 200 articles and studies on topical antioxidants.

Known (by me, at least!) as the grandfather of topical antioxidants, Dr Pinnell developed this product based on much of his research. This serum has gone on to become and remain the cornerstone of Skinceuticals collection. Dr Pinnell had formulated the perfect C Serum: the right PH, the right percentage of C, and the perfect C-stabilizers: Vitamin E and Ferulic acid.

This emollient-like serum can be perfect for normal-to-dry skin types. Side note: Most reviews on the product describe it as 'featherweight', but I find that most oily- types find it too heavy, likely because of the Vitamin E.

➢ Fact 2

I love this formulation in particular because of its reservoir effect: once it is in the skin, it stays there for about 3 days- which makes it great for sweating runners and outdoor-lovers. This also says to me: "It really gets in there!"

(Keep things consistent and apply every day though).

➢ Fact 3

It also reduces inflammation in UV-irradiated cells. Slather this on afterwards if you happen to get a sunburn on vacay in Barbados. (But I know you won't get a sunburn, right?!)

Here's a link to learn more about it (the science!)

Until Next time, Stay Fabulous, My Friends!

3 fast facts: Teoxane

Teoxane Cosmeceuticals is a Swiss skincare line licensed and distributed by Alphaeon. When a good friend of mine began working for Alphaeon, I had my first opportunity to try the RHA Serum. Here are a 3 reasons you might just love Teoxane RHA Serum:

1) The Ingredients: The combo of the patented RHA (Resilient Hyaluronic Acid) with 8 amino acids, 3 antioxidants, 2 minerals, and a vitamin make this a nice concentrate of actives that hydrate and protect. Antioxidants are vital to the defense and preservation of your skin in the barrage of free radical damage we experience by like, leaving the house every day.

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Ummmm, Time Out: What the heck is Resilient Hyaluronic Acid (RHA), you ask?

Teoxane Cosmeceuticals' skincare line has the same crossed-linked hyaluronic acid used in their dermal-filler injections (Not yet available in the US). The main difference is the patented cross-linking process. A good comparison with a US cross-linked HA filler? It would be like if Juvederm was available for topical use. 

HA is already a popular skin care and dermal filler ingredient for it's water-loving properties, but Teoxane's RHA is said to form a mesh on the application zone that allows the active ingredients to gradually be released. Pretty cool concept.

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2) The History: TEOXANE Laboratories was established in Geneva in 2003 and has been busy with the design and production of HA based dermal fillers, with products in more than 80 countries. If they know HA that well, I'm going to guess that the quality of the HA ingredient in the topical line is top notch, Oh, and this has got to say something: The RHA technology has been patented now for 10 years!

3) The Feel of it: This paraben free, satin-like serum feels like a gloriously light makeup primer. I was told to use it as one of the last steps in my skincare routine to fully take advantage of the primer-like benefit, but I love how my other products glide on after it's application.

Check it out here, http://www.teoxane.com/en/rhatm-serum

And until next time, stay fabulous, my friends!

3 Fast Facts: Skinmedica TNS Essential Serum

I started 3 fast facts because I could go on forever about some of these products... which can make writing about them a little daunting.  Instead of overthinking (and therefore procrastinating), I'll just use this category to finally touch on some of my favorite products & three reasons you might love them too! 

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Three Fast Facts About: SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum

➢ Fact 1

All-in-one-awesome:

TNS Essential serum is product is used to correct, protect from future damage, promote cell renewal, smooth, lighten and increase collagen.

I personally call this fantastic product 'The Mercedes of anti-aging products'. Not only is there Vitamin C in here, but lots of other potent goodies, too. Users will benefit from ultra-high concentrations of growth factors, 7 antioxidants, peptides, and super-potent  alpha-arbutin for lightening and brightening.

➢ Fact 2

Antioxidants both ways:

The antioxidants found in Essential Serum include ergothionine, green tea extract, blackberry leaf extract, saccharomyces ferment filtrate, coenzyme Q-10, tocopheryl acetate (E) and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (lipid-soluble C), which are all free-radical fighters.

Just like SkinMedica's C & E Complex, there's a combo of water- and lipid-soluble antioxidants here.  This is good because the water-soluble antioxidants can weave down between skin cells. The lipid-soluble's are meant to actually enter the cell through its membrane. The two types of action here means that you're covering your bases and in for a better result.

➢ Fact 3

In a hurry?

Essential serum is essential for the gal (or guy) on the go. A combination of both the beloved TNS Recovery Complex and APS corrective complex in one. This super-covenient dual chamber packaging is like those toothpaste/gel combo pumps that pump out both products simultaneously. One pump and both the APS serum and the Recovery Complex are dispensed.

Oh, and for the instant-gratification lovers out there: hyalauronic acid plumping spheres are present in this all-in-one serum. Buh-bye, fine lines!

Check it out here

Until Next time, Stay Fabulous, My Friends!

3 Fast Facts: Skinmedica Vitamin C & E Complex

I started 3 fast facts because I could go on forever about some of these products... which can make writing about them a little daunting.  Instead of overthinking (and therefore procrastinating), I'll just use this category to finally touch on some of my favorite products & three reasons you might love them too! 

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Three Fast Facts About: SkinMedica C & E Complex

➢ Fact 1

This fantastic product is a topical antioxidant used to protect the skin from future damage, promotes cell renewal, and increases the build of collagen. Topical vitamin C's have been known to reduce inflammation (think rosacea and post-sun exposure) and brighten the skin. These are usually great for everybody with the exception of super oily skin types, and some very sensitive or fragile types.

➢ Fact 2

Usually Vitamin C is really unstable... always about to oxidize and bite the dust. In this case, the vitamins are suspended in a silicone (dimethicone suspension) base so they are gradually released throughout the day and won't oxidize. This assures that your product isn't weakened or *GASP* causing oxidation. This is an ANTI-OXIDANT, for goodness sake. But don't become oxidation paranoid, you're safe with this formula.

There are 2 forms of beneficial C in there, too... lipid soluble and water soluble. Covering our bases here.

➢ Fact 3

The above-mentioned dimethicone suspension is not just a great delivery system, it feels like an awesome makeup primer! This super-satin finish will make you look forward to applying it. Use it in the AM's to protect against the onslaught of free-radical threats that you'll meet in your day. Your skin will thank you for it!

Here's a link to learn more about it:

http://www.skinmedica.com/skin-care-products/vitamin-ce-complex

Until Next time, Stay Fabulous, My Friends!