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Jump Start Your Skin This New Year With These Simple Tips

Now that the New Year is upon us, many of us look back on the past year and take account of the good and the bad, especially when it comes to overall health, including our skincare regimen and needs. In some way or another, we all set out to set New Year’s goals centered around what we’d all like to improve upon for the New Year.

The New Year is the perfect time to make personal commitments that will help improve ourselves, especially our skin! With this in mind, we wanted to outline some of the suggested New Years resolutions that we work towards to consistently keep up with keeping our skin looking its best.

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Eat Smart: Given the excess amounts of sweet fixings and the celebratory champagne we all consumed this holiday season, our bodies (especially our skin) is feeling it! Get back on track with your diet and

Drink Water: Dehydration has been shown to cause pre-mature aging especially through the enhancement of fine lines and wrinkles (think raisins!). Make sure you are taking in the recommended amount of 8 glasses of water per day. Health Ambition shares the key health benefits to drinking your daily dosage. 

Stress Free: Stress is a leading indicator for many illnesses and we all should set out each day with a goal to reduces the amount of stress in our lives. There is no magic way of doing so, but if we keep this goal top-of-mind, we can overcome much of the stress that builds up in both our personal and work lives.

Exfoliate Regularly: Ever wonder why all the red carpet celebrities are always glowing? Well, it starts with exfoliation and Dr. Goldfaden is constantly preaching this as he truly believes that a glowing, clear and radiant complexion begins with exfoliation. Plus, there’s no better way to eliminate those unwanted dull and lackluster dead skin cells, dirt and excess makeup.

Stay Hydrated: OILS, OILS, OILS! We love oils because of their versatility since you can use by itself, mix with your favorite moisturizer and even with your foundation. Oils not only work to hydrate, but most offer that glowing and radiant completion that we all lack in the dead of Winter. Plus, given the advancements of the technology being used, many oils offer huge anti-aging benefits as well. We’re loving Goldfaden MD’s newest launch (coming out in February): Fleuressnce. 

Wash Your Makeup Brushes: Bacteria just builds and builds within the brushes bristles and reinfects our makeup which leads to skin irritations and breakouts. It is uber important to regularly clean these brushes, weekly, to keep any bacteria from building and spreading.

Stay Consistent: Topical skincare products take time. We know, you want immediate results, but trust us, be patient and younger-looking and glowing skin will come. It’s important to stay consistent with the recommended application of the products you’re using (AM + PM). Treatment products typically take anywhere between 2-5 weeks to show results.

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The 411 on Acne: Dr. Goldfaden breaks down everything that we need to know about treatment

If you suffer from Acne or are trying to eliminate those stubborn scars from years ago, you’ll want to read this. In the past decade there have been many treatment options developed for acne prone skin. With the popularity and availability of over the counter skin care products, the consumer has become more savvy about how products perform and what to use in order to treat and or prevent acne. We sat down with Dr. Goldfaden to get the 411 on the best and most effective acne treatments on the marketplace.

With the advancements of lasers, many turn to these to help to treat acne and eliminate scarring. There are many different types of lasers and while there is not a tremendous amount of research to suggest they really work against acne, they can help some people. Due to the possible side effects I would sooner suggest trying another treatment first before taking the last road.

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How do you approach treatment of acne? 

When a patient is dealing with Acne, it is always important to do a 360 degree evaluation. This means investigating all the possible things that could be causing the acne. The patients age, diet, exercise routine and overall health. I am more likely to treat acne prone skin with natural yet effective products before prescribing an antibiotic. If there is an infection present then an antibiotic will be suggested. Exfoliation is the main suggestion for fighting acne prone skin. Exfoliation not only clears up existing oil and bacteria, it also removes dead and dry skin cells and inhibits future breakouts. Throughout years of research one ingredient I have found to be beneficial when applied topically is Organic Red Tea extract or Rooibos. Red Tea extract is soothing and fights inflammation, irritation and redness. I will usually prescribe an exfoliation scrub in conjunction with a red tea based serum to Acne sufferers for dead skin and bacteria removal and healing properties.

What about antibiotic treatment and effectiveness, long term use, resistance, ability to tackle the root cause?

Accutane is the most clinically effective drug to fight acne but very strong and has many side effects. Long term use of any antibiotic is not recommended and the natural approach is always the first choice of treatment. Over usage of any antibiotic can result in a resistance, but when used properly and if all avenues have been exhausted prior, this can be a very beneficial and successful approach to combat stubborn acne.

What are your views on of accutane and dosing? Has your view changed over the years?

Accutane will be prescribed as a last option. I have never been a fan of Accutane as it has many unwanted side effects. However it remains the most effective drug for Acne. Natural topical treatments are always recommended first before an antibiotic.

How have lasers impacted treatment?

There are many types of lasers available now, however they can be expensive and can cause unwanted side effects such as pain, burning, peeling, redness and dark spots as well as no results. I recommend older and more mature adults to look at this option as a last resort rather than sending younger men and women to laser treatments simply based on the variety of alternative and successful options that do exist.

Any recent advances that are exciting to you?

Accutane still remains the popular choice for prescription. Lasers and OTC skincare products have become more and more popular in recent years which allows all of our research to become more mainstream and accessible to the general public which is so great.

Can you talk to us about AHA/BHA acids as treatments?

Alpha hydroxy acid-based facial exfoliators are an excellent choice for people with oily skin. In general, beta hydroxy acid is a more effective treatment for acne prone skin. Beta-hydroxy acid (also called salicylic acid), is a synthetic derivative that comes from the same source as aspirin.  Both AHAs and BHA work by combining with the structural lipids in your stratum corneum and dissolving them so that the dead skin cells break away. Since the introduction of OTC skincare products such as the popular wipes and our Fresh A Peel lactic acid wash, peels can be done safely at home with no side effects.

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How does Vitamin A interact with spot prone skin?

Vitamin A or retinoids help repair sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, overall skin tone,  cell turnover, Acne and overall skin repair. Vitamin A stimulates skin cell renewal by increasing the rate of cell division 1-3. Retinoids or Retinol products can help to unclog pores thus inhibit dead skin cells to clog pores and cause future breakouts. Vitamin A can also help to inhibit acne scars from forming.

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Dr. G’s tips to keeping skin healthy & hydrated this winter!

Winter can be a wonderland but not for your skin. Dry, flaky, red, irritated, inflamed and itchy skin can wreak havoc on a healthy complexion. Hydration is the main key to keeping skin balanced during the winter. Getting a head start on your winter skin regimen is the most important thing to do entering the Fall.

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The reason winter months can be damaging to the skin is because there is less water or humidity in the air. Less humidity means less natural moisture on your skin. Inside heat doesn’t help the skin out either. To help control this, invest in a humidifier. Humidifiers blow cool wet air and add humidity into the room. Leaving the humidifier on and your heat off during the day can help to control inside air and keep it humid but it is especially important to run it during the night. Not only will the humidifier help keep your skin hydrated it will also help your nose and mouth not to dry out.

Two other culprits during the winter months are the Sun and wind. Many people are under the misconception that skin cannot get sunburned or windburned during the winter. Cloudy skies can disguise the actual strength of the sun and UVA/UVB rays. When there is snow on the ground the sun reflects off the white and can cause sunburn if your skin is exposed. Cold, harsh winter winds can dry the skin and cause cracking and redness. Always wear an SPF during the day and a hat if outside. To avoid windburn, cover your face with a scarf when outside in the elements.

Another easy way to get ready for winter is to look at which products you will carry into your winter regimen. If you are a retinoid or exfoliation junkie, back off. Use of Retinoids/Retinol usually causes redness, so do not add insult to injury by over usage during the winter. Try cutting back on exfoliation too, as this can strip the skin of natural oils if used too frequently. Instead of a physical scrub exfoliant consider using a hydrating acid peel, such as Fresh A Peel, which contains Lactic acid. Lactic acid is a larger molecule than Glycolic acid so it does not penetrate as deep or as quick, which makes it less aggressive. Lactic acid is also very hydrating as it pulls moisture to the surface of the skin. Try and exfoliate only a few times a week or as much as your skin can tolerate. Invest in a creamy cleanser to get skin clean on days you do not exfoliate. Choosing a hydrating serum (think Hyaluronic acid) and a hydrating moisturizer or facial oil is imperative in your regimen. stay clear of moisturizers that contain Dimethicone. While Dimethicone will make you feel hydrated it is actually only sitting on the surface of the skin and not getting absorbed. This ingredient mimics a hydrator but in reality is only a silicone blocking any nutrients from the applied moisturizer from penetrating into the skin. Consider products with coconut oil, avocado oil, grape seed oil and rose hip seed oil.

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As good as it feels after a long cold walk home, avoid very hot showers as the water and heat can irritate already dried out skin. Make sure to hydrate the body and face immediately after getting out of the shower or bath as this will seal in the moisture. Drinking plenty of fluids will also help to keep the skin and body hydrated all winter long.

Stay warm and hydrated!

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