Tag Archive for: Exfoliation

Unveiling the most common skin concerns and their treatments, Dr. G reports.

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Exfoliation– The beginning of every successful skincare regime starts with exfoliation. Exfoliation is key – You would be surprised how much smoother and brighter just one exfoliating treatment can do for your skin. Regular exfoliation, the removal of dead surface skin cells, dirt and oils greatly reduces the appearance of discoloration, fine lines and dull, lack-luster skin and prevents from future breakouts. It also allows topical products, particularly super potent treatment serums, applied onto the skin afterwards to penetrate deeper, increasing the overall treatment. Our coveted Doctors Scrub is a must have.

Moisturizing– Hydration is crucial in the fight against aging. Look for ingredients that hydrate and repair. Plant stem cells are powerful ingredients that hydrate and repair damaged, aging, sagging skin. Organic Red Tea extract also restores important anti-oxidants to the skin. Our Plant Profusion Night Cream contains powerful multi-functional anti-aging formula combines potent plant stem cells, antioxidants, and nourishing plant extracts to provide superior hydrating, firming and restoring skin treatment benefits. Supreme functioning Raspberry and Comfrey plant stem cell extracts along with Birds of Paradise extract promote skin cell longevity, skin detoxification, increase healthy skin function, and improve the appearance of fine lines. Developed specifically for dehydrated, sagging skin that has lost elasticity.

Radiance boosting– Exfoliation is the first step to radiant skin. Whether a physical scrub or a chemical peel (Lactic Acid, Ferulic, Glycolic), exfoliation will make the skin glow and also allow radiance boosting treatments to penetrate deeper. Essential radiance ingredients to look for –Hyaluronic Acid, Mongogo oil, Vitamins A, C and E, Birds of Paradise and Pink Grapefruit oil just to name a few. Our Fleuressence Native Botanical Cell Oil delivers Added powerful oils – Kalahari Oil, Mongongo Oil and Baobab Oil – protect and shield the skin against environmental stresses, support the rejuvenation and renewing of skin cells, improve skin elasticity and promote accelerated skin cell turnover. Skin is left glowing, hydrated and plump.

Banishing cellulite– Eating a clean balanced diet, exercise (circulation, blood flow and muscle mass) and drinking water are the best ways to combat cellulite. Dry brushing can be helpful in the appearance of cellulite. Not only does dry brushing exfoliate and allow for smoother appearing skin but it also helps breakup toxins trapped in the body and increases circulation.

Combating eczema– know the triggers that aggravate your Eczema. Dust, temperature, heat, food etc. then try and live tour life by avoiding these best you can. For example, if heat is a trigger, always try and run the air conditioner in your home. If cold weather is your trigger, then always use a humidifier inside your home to keep skin hydrated and cool.

Read ingredient labels and be smart about what you’re applying to the skin. Don’t scratch itchy red skin. Exfoliation is always a tricky subject with Eczema sufferers. A chemical exfoliant is better than a physical as it won’t tear or cause additional redness to the skin. Our Fresh A Peel is safe for Eczema sufferers. Lactic acid and fruit acids help to remove dead skin cells and provide a glowing complexion. Always speak with your physician and test a little on your skin before using any new product.

Psoriasis – very often can be stress or trauma related. Again, know your triggers. See a Dermatologist to find out which treatment is best for you.

Acne– Exfoliation, eating a clean diet, proper topical products. Our Doctors Scrub Advanced will help keep pores clean and skin clear. Ruby crystals remove dead skin cells, dirt and bacteria. If you are developing acne on the chest or back area (jog bra back-ne), always remember to shower after working out. This is a major culprit of body acne as bacteria grows form the sweat and dirt on the skin.

Sun damage prevention.- Reapplication every hour when in direct sunlight and up to three times daily (AM/Mid—day/Afternoon) when going in and out of indoor/outdoor areas. As a general rule of thumb: if you are going to be outside for 20 minutes or more, SPF is recommended and I always recommend an SPF of at least a 30 in any case. SPF safe clothing, hats and glasses are crucial.

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Understanding Hyperpigmentation and How To Treat It

With the heated Summer sun now here, we wanted to understand the most common harmful effects from UVA/UVB rays, hyperpigmentation, so we sat down with Dr. Goldfaden to better understand hyperpigmentation, what causes it and how to treat it.

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Photo via Rodan & Fields 

Q: What is the cause of increased pigmentation and darkening of the skin, and what can I do for its prevention and management?

A: Dr. Goldfaden, MD: There are many possible causes of pigmentation disorders, which are marked by changes in melanin, the pigment in skin.

First, you should consult with your primary care physician or dermatologist to rule out the possibility of a systemic health disorder or a cancerous lesion that requires medical treatment. Your health care provider will conduct a physical examination, examining the location, distribution, color, and ap-pearance of the areas of increased pigmentation. Additionally, the practitioner will assess the history of the condition, which will help determine whether the disorder may be due to a developmentally programmed, congenital, or acquired cause.

Your practitioner will also evaluate whether external factors, such as medications, chemical exposure, or other environmental influences, could have contributed to the increased deposition of pigment in the skin. Furthermore, the practitioner will make note of any prior history of pigmentation disorder and its treatment.

The most common localized pigmentation disorder affecting the skin are ephelides, more commonly known as freckles. Ephelides appear as flat brown pigmentation in sun-exposed areas, usually on the face. They are much more common in fair-skinned individuals, and a propensity to have freckles is an inheritable condition. The degree of pigmentation in the skin changes according to the amount of ultraviolet light exposure, so that freckles usually darken in the summer and lighten in the winter.

Q: What are the causes? 

A: Dr. Goldfaden, MD

Pigmentation disorders such as melasma or chloasma arise from increased melanin in the lower layers of the skin and increased free melanin in the skin. The pigmentation is usually brown with a non-distinct border, and is usually found on the central facial areas such as the cheeks, moustache, and forehead areas. Melasma affects both men and women, though it is more frequent in women (up to 30% may be affected). Its incidence is much higher in Asian and darker-skinned individuals than in fair-skinned people. The causes are unknown, but probably include genetic predisposition, hormonal factors, pregnancy, and exposure to ultraviolet light.

Another very common skin disorder is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The underlying mechanism is unclear, but may involve inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. While the causes and clinical presentation of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can vary, they are usually secondary to a traumatic incident to the affected area of the skin. Sun exposure can worsen this condition.

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Q: What is the treatment protocol?

A: Dr. Goldfaden, MD

There is no true curative therapy for melasma. Affected individuals should avoid ultraviolet light exposure and drugs containing hormones, such as oral contraceptives and conventional hormone replacement therapy agents. Skin-bleaching agents are extremely helpful in lightening melasma and maintaining skin-lightening improvements.

Topical therapies in combination with sunscreens can be quite beneficial.

Exfoliation: For enhanced results, these products should be used in conjunction with exfoliation. Regular exfoliation (chemical or physical) removes the dead surface skin cells and allows the treatment ingredients to penetrate deeper and more effectively into the skin, providing enhanced overall results.

Treatment: Many all-natural, topical skin-lightening agents have been found to be quite beneficial in lightening hyperpigmented areas of the skin. These include alpha arbutin, as well as kojic acid, which comes from berries. Topical applications of natural, fruit-derived alpha-hydroxy acids, including glycolic acid, have been extremely beneficial in combination with the aforementioned naturally derived bleaching agents.

Sun Protection: Once your physician has ruled out conditions necessitating medical treatment, you may be able to minimize areas of hyperpigment-ation using a well-rounded approach that includes avoiding ultraviolet radiation from the sun, using an effective sunscreen throughout the day to stay protected and keep additional hyper pigmentation from forming.

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Reverse Summer Skin Damage: Dr. Goldfaden Reports

Reverse Summer Skin Damage

Reverse Summer Skin Damage

Years of daily exposure to ultraviolet radiation and long Summer sun days at the beach take their toll on your skin. Sun-damaged skin becomes dry and rough, uneven patches and dark spots begin to appear, fine lines and wrinkles deepen, and your skin loses its firmness and elasticity. And, if you spent any part of your youth sunbathing you may find that your skin looks years older than you feel. Scientific research has led to the discovery of natural compounds that can help support the structure of skin as well as minimize signs of aging, such as crow’s feet, lines, sagging, and uneven tone. Many of these natural compounds come from the foods we eat. Dermatological research increasingly focuses on the value of exfoliation followed by a topical application of concentrated extracts of nutrient-rich foods to even out the skin tone, naturally!

Ever wonder why a baby’s skin is so soft? It’s because babies naturally replace their skin cells every few days. As you grow older, however, the rate of skin cell turnover slows down dramatically. Dead cells on your skin’s surface hang around much longer, a fact that tends to accentuate those fine lines, increase the appearance of discoloration and make your complexion look dull and lifeless. By removing these dead skin cells, exfoliation helps make up for the gradual slowing down of your natural skin renewal process, improving the tone and texture of your skin.

The process of exfoliation is a lot like peeling away the dry, outer skin of an onion to reveal the living layers beneath. Whether the exfoliation is done using mechanical abrasion or a controlled chemical reaction, removing dead and damaged skin cells on the surface allows the fresh new skin underneath to become visible. This newly exposed layer of skin feels much softer and smoother. Its surface reflects light better, making fine lines and other small imperfections harder to see. Age spots and other areas of unwanted pigmentation are less noticeable because the dead skin cells containing the pigment have been removed. Exfoliation unplugs clogged pores and allows for the release of natural skin oils. Regular exfoliation also helps to maintain open pores, decreases pore size, and minimizes many types of superficial scarring. In addition, removing the top layer of dead and damaged cells allows other health-promoting agents such as moisturizers, antioxidants, and collagen-boosting ingredients to better penetrate the skin and work more effectively.

How to Pick a Good Exfoliating Scrub + Skin Lightening Product

In general, choosing the right exfoliating scrub from all the commercial products on the market today depends a great deal upon the thickness and sensitivity of your skin. It’s important to remember that all kinds of particles can be used for exfoliation, and mainstream products encompass a wide and varied selection. With that being said, it is extremely important to acknowledge particles that are perfectly round in shape. Some examples include, Amber Crystals and Conundrum/Ruby Crystals, found in Goldfaden MD’s Doctor’s Scrub, to name a few. This lessens the likelihood of tears happening in the skin. It’s also important to realize that certain ingredients, although natural, may not be appropriate for your skin type. Some natural products, such as crushed nutshells, sea shells, pumice, ground fruit pits and seeds, have uneven edges and irregular shapes that can damage sensitive skin. The best exfoliating scrub is the one that effectively removes your dead surface skin cells but, at the same time, is gentle to the rest of your skin.

The final group of compounds that can improve the health and appearance of aged skin are skin-lightening agents. These compounds help reduce unsightly, mottled areas of hyperpigmentation where melanin has pooled underneath the skin.   It is important to select and look for naturally-based skin lightening agents so that you avoid further skin damage. Many all-natural, topical skin-lightening agents have been found to be quite beneficial in lightening hyperpigmented areas of the skin. These include alpha arbutin, kojic acid, which comes from berries, Gooseberry Extract, and  Nicatinamide. Topical applications of natural, fruit-derived alpha-hydroxy acids, including glycolic acid, have been extremely beneficial in combination with the aforementioned bleaching agents. It is important to select and look for naturally-based skin lightening agents so that you avoid further skin damage.

There’s no doubt in my mind that regular exfoliation, followed by a topical lightening treatment and daily sunscreen use is absolutely essential to maintaining smooth skin and keeping the appearance of hyperpigmentation and wrinkles at bay.

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