SKIN CARE TIPS FROM THE TOP

From the Experts: 

Top Skin Care Tips
 

When the Skin academy presenters were asked for their top skin care tips,the responses offered a glimpse at the kind of expert care that dermatologists provide their patients every day. These include:


• Use Soap on Select Areas of the Body to Avoid Dryness – “Unless
you have really oily skin, because you are a teenager or work with oils or
gases, you do not need soap to get yourself clean. Pure water does the
job to get you clean. However, you do need to use soap on your face,


under your arms, and in the groin area. As you get older, the use of soap
on the rest of your body can unnecessarily dry your skin.” – Brian B.
Adams, MD, MPH, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology, University
of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; director of dermatology, Veterans
Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Don’t Smoke! It Causes Wrinkles – “Quit smoking or, better yet, don’t
even start! More and more young people are smoking and doing so to
relieve stress, but it’s bad for your skin and causes wrinkles. Deep-set
wrinkles will appear around your mouth from puckering, your skin will be
dehydrated and dull, and you may experience premature aging.” – Flor A.
Mayoral, MD, FAAD, clinical instructor, departments of dermatology and
cutaneous surgery, University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, Miami,
Fla.

• Wear Sunscreen! It Prevents Wrinkles – “Use sunscreen every day,
preferably one with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that
provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and
ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Today, many skin care products contain
sunscreen and are multifunctional, which allows you to get many skin
benefits from one application. This saves time and money. For example,
to protect and maintain healthy skin, use a daily facial moisturizer
containing sunscreen. You also can find body lotions that contain
sunscreen. These products can help hydrate and protect your skin,
especially areas of your body that are sun-exposed throughout the day –
like your hands.” – Sandra I. Read, MD, FAAD, instructor of dermatology,
Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.

• Your Skin Reflects What You Eat – “What you apply to your skin helps
give it a healthy, radiant glow, but remember what you put into your body
is just as important. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants can
make a real difference in the appearance of your skin.” – Susan C. Taylor,
MD, FAAD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology, College of
Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.; clinical
assistant professor of dermatology and associate faculty, School of
Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.

• Do As Little As Possible to Your Hair – “When it comes to hair care,
less is more. Using unnecessary products or subjecting the hair to
repeated procedures – such as perms, coloring, waving or straightening –
can damage the hair and lead to breakage. Although women use these
things to improve the cosmetic appearance of their hair, in the long run
they will inevitably cause the hair to lose some of its natural luster and
look unhealthy. I advise my patients to do as little as possible to their hair,
which will help keep it healthy.” – Zoe D. Draelos, MD, FAAD, private
practice, High Point, N.C.

• Dermatologists Can Help Turn Back the Hands of Time –
“Dermatologists can now use a combination of procedures to give a nonsurgical
facelift. For many people in their 40s, 50s and even 60s,
combining laser and other light-energy treatments with botulinum toxin
and fillers can take years off their appearance while maintaining a natural,
youthful look using non-invasive procedures. Some procedures, such as
photodynamic therapy, can even remove pre-cancerous growths –
improving the health of the skin.” – Arielle N.B. Kauvar, MD, FAAD, clinical
associate professor of dermatology, New York University School of
Medicine, New York, N.Y.

Specialized Training Equals Unmatched Care
As we age, genetic and environmental factors – such as sun exposure or
smoking – can begin to take a toll on the skin. When the appearance of laugh
lines, crow’s feet and sun spots create little to smile about, people often seek out
cosmetic procedures to help turn back the hands of time.

“Although the scope of skin care has expanded tremendously in recent
years, with it has come an increasing number of unqualified practitioners who are
not properly trained or do not have the medical expertise to treat the skin,” said
Dr. Kauvar. “It is vital for patients to select a qualified physician to ensure a safe
and effective skin care procedure.”

In addition to earning a medical degree and completing an internship, Dr.
Kauvar explained that dermatologists receive three more years of specialty
training in the medical, surgical and cosmetic care of the skin, hair and nails.
This intensive residency training includes hands-on instruction in
dermatopathology, the study of skin disease through the examination of skin biopsies, and dermatologic surgery. Some dermatologic surgeons also
participate in post-graduate surgical fellowships lasting one to two years.
To assist patients in choosing a qualified physician, the Academy
recommends that patients should ask the following questions:

• What are the doctor’s credentials? Is he/she a board-certified
dermatologist or other appropriately trained surgeon? Ask to see the
doctor’s credentials.
• How many procedures has the physician performed?
• What results can be expected? How long is the recuperation period? For
cosmetic procedures, ask to see before and after photos of the physician’s
previous patients.
• What are the risks, if any, of the procedure or treatment?
• Where is the procedure typically performed?
• What is the cost?

“Patients who are well informed and ask questions are on the right track to
experience a successful treatment outcome,” said Dr. Kauvar.