Tag Archive for: Skincare

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Women Who Shine: Jennifer Hall Taylor

Meet Jennifer Hall Taylor. She embodies the definition of true beauty with her lust for life and passion for helping others. A GoldfadenMD Woman Who Shines is one who is happy, radiant & making positive change in society all while embodying a true likeness for natural beauty regimens & skincare routines. This is Jennifer.

Jennifer029Photo by Mary McHenry Photography

What is your occupation/what inspired you to get started in this field?

I’m a Holistic Health Coach and a Private Chef. I’ve always been interested in the power of food—as preventative medicine, as nourishment, as fuel, as enjoyment, as a means of connection to a place or a group of people, as a creative outlet. We need food. It’s seems so basic at first glance and it should be so easy, but there are all these incredible and often contradictory social and political forces at play that influence how and what and why we feed ourselves. I went through my own difficult time of trying to apply a cookie cutter model to my diet and health and found myself frustrated and defeated and certainly not at my healthiest. Over time I realized that the more I listened to myself, payed attention to my unique experience and responded to what my body was asking for, the better I felt, the happier I felt, and the healthier I was. It was so empowering, to suddenly begin to understand why I might feel a certain way and how to respond gently and effectively. I went back to school to study holistic nutrition, with no real intention of starting a coaching business, and along the way started sharing pieces of information with friends and family, offering advice and support where I could. Before I was finished with school, people were asking me when I was taking clients. By the time I was half way through my work with my first client, I was completely absorbed. It is so gratifying to watch people transform their health through their own actions, and to see how empowered they become in that transformation. A person’s health then becomes a vehicle for the life he or she really wants to lead.

Describe your beauty routine?

It’s pretty minimal. I dry brush from head to toe a few days a week to keep my circulatory and lymphatic systems invigorated and keep my pores clear and skin happy. I use coconut oil for practically everything—makeup remover, moisturizer, mouth wash, monthly hair treatment. I use either a custom-blended face oil from Kristina Holey or Goldfaden Vital Boost as my moisturizer during the day. When I’m feeling sassy I wear red lipstick and I’m a sucker for a good manicure.

What are three things you can’t live without? 

My yoga practice, real, printed-on-paper books, and my clan (blood related and otherwise).

Jennifer040Photo by Mary McHenry Photography

What is the healthiest thing a person can do?

Breathe, laugh, eliminate stress whenever possible, move your body, get outdoors, disconnect from your electronics every once in a while, and laugh. Did I say laugh?

What do you do for fitness?

So many things. I’ve always had a hard time sitting still. These days I am on my yoga mat almost daily which I think of as more of a mental-health practice than a fitness routine. I run, I rock climb, I walk, I hike, I swim, I cycle, I dance in my living room.

What is your favorite part about being a woman?

The deep bonds I have with other women in my life.

What is the best advice you’ve received from a woman?

Try your best & trust your gut.

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What was your favorite thing about Doctors Scrub Advanced?

That it’s made from rubies!!!

Describe beauty?

Confidence. Laugh lines. Evidence of a life well lived.

The next group cleanse begins January 12th! Sign up here if interested.

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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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