Healthy Habits for Healthy Skin: Part 5 of 5

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients, such as vitamin A, that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — may contribute to wrinkles.

If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.

-Mayo Clinic

Tip: Debunking a myth - - splashing cold water on skin after cleansing does not make pores smaller. What does work? Exfoliating cleansers with salicylic acid, lotions containing retinoids and peptides to help increase collagen production, and microdermabrasion all can help.

- Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change by Rodan and Fields

Your Skin is a Reflection of Your Inner Health

What do you feed your skin?

Did you know that what you eat may be reflected in your face? To maximize your skin's appearance start with eating properly or adding supplements to your daily regimen. Dermatologists Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields recommend the following if taking a daily supplement:

Vitamin D3 (1,000 IU)
Folic Acid (400 mcg)
Magnesium (400 mcg)
Iron (10 - 15 mg) unless you are post-menopausal
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids
Calcium citrate (1,000-1,500 mg)

It is always best to get your nutrition requirements through food, if possible. Of course, always consult your doctor with any questions or concerns.

Tip: Avoid long hot showers. They draw moisture away from your skin and can cause itchy skin, as well.

-Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change
Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields

Healthy Habits for Healthy Skin: Part 4 of 5

Manage stress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — takes steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results may be more dramatic than you expect.

Tip: Cut and paste this Dr. Andrew Weil, MD video on stress reduction. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_HMt8eRiNQ

Healthy Habits for Healthy Skin: Part 3 of 5

Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear — but research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in fats and carbohydrates may promote younger looking skin.

Tip: If you want the golden glow of a tan without exposure to damaging UV radiation, consider using a sunless tanning product. Avoid tanning beds, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen whenever you're outdoors.

Healthy Habits for Healthy Skin: Part 2 of 5

Treat your skin gently

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin, so keep it gentle:

• Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water.
• Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
• Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.
• Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
• Moisturize dry skin. Find a moisturizer that fits your skin type and makes your skin look and feel soft.

Tip: Good effective skin care is incomplete without exfoliation. Exfoliation is very effective in making your skin look younger and also gives blemishes free skin. More on exfoliation in a future blog.

That Pesky Sun Is at It Again

Skin is an excellent record keeper. Every moment of exposure to daylight adds up like money in the bank – the problem is the payoff known as sun damage (also known as photodamage). As the top cause of premature signs of skin aging, sun damage shows on skin in the form of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, and can lead to a repressed immune system and the potential for skin cancer.

Even if exposure is limited to brief outdoor lunches or a 20-minute walk, cumulative exposure is enough to cause the signs of skin aging. The first line of daily defense against sun damage is daily use of SPF. Even on cloudy or overcast days, UV light can strike skin and cause damage, so simply wearing sunscreen on sunny days isn’t enough.

Tip: Protect your skin from the sun. It may seem like a tan masks acne, but it's only temporary. A tan can cause the body to produce extra sebum, which may worsen your acne, not improve it. Tanning also causes damage to skin that will eventually lead to wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.

Cracked Heels (Udderly Ridiculous?)

Cracked heels are a common foot problem that are often referred to as heel fissures. Cracked heels are commonly caused by dry skin (xerosis), and made more complicated if the skin around the rim of the heel is thick (callus). For most people this is a nuisance and a cosmetic problem but when the fissures or cracks are deep, they are painful to stand on and the skin can bleed - in severe cases this can become infected.


Heel fissures (Cracked Heels)

There are many different possible remedies that one can find online or at their podiatrist. One that I happen to like, which is simple and inexpensive is to apply udder cream. Yes, Udderly Smooth Udder Cream and a pair of socks will do the trick. Rub some on and pull on the socks. Within a few days you will see a marked improvement. Hey, if you have a dairy cow you can take care of her as well. Good luck to you!!

Tip: I cannot stress this enough, even if it is overcast as it has been a lot lately - - wear sunscreen on your face. Sun damaged skin is what make us look old not the wrinkles.

I Love Rave Reviews

CybeleSays (website)...

November 03, 2009

Rodan + Fields Makes Minerals Really Good For Skin

Yup, I’m spoiled. I pretty much expect my beauty products to do double-duty these days. And one I can add into that category is RODAN + FIELDS’ new Mineral Peptides SPF 20 from the Enhancements line. Think of this one as a mineral foundation on steroids. Not only is this your even-out-your-complexion powder with those light-deflecting minerals but it also contains something called RFp3. This is two peptides that simultaneously sooth and detoxify the skin, which includes working on acne. Available in Light, Medium and Bronze. $29/4g.

And if you can, I totally recommend picking up their Retractable Brush ($37). Not only is is great for on the go but the quality of this one is really good. The bristles are synthetic and treated with a hypoallergenic solution that keeps bacteria at bay but that doesn’t mean you should skip out on washing it
- CybeleSays

Tip: Regardless of brand, purchase two shades and mix them to achieve a closer match to your natural skin color.

Healthy Habits for Healthy Skin: Part 1

Protection

The most important way to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. Ultraviolet light— (UVA and UVB) the invisible but intense rays from the sun — damages your skin, causing deep wrinkles, dry, rough skin, liver spots, and more serious disorders, such as noncancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) skin tumors. In fact, most of the changes seen in aging skin are actually caused by a lifetime of sun exposure.

For the most complete sun protection, use all three of these methods:

• Avoid the sun during high-intensity hours. The sun's rays are most damaging from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reduce the time you spend outdoors during these hours.
• Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also, keep in mind that certain clothing styles and fabrics offer better protection from the sun than do others. For example, long-sleeved shirts offer better protection than short-sleeved shirts do. And tightly woven fabrics such as denim are better than are loosely woven fabrics such as knits. Several companies now make sun protective clothing (SPF clothing), which is specifically designed to block out ultraviolet rays while keeping you cool and comfortable.
• Use sunscreen. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) greater than 15. Apply liberally 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, after heavy sweating or after being in water.

- Mayoclinic.com

I Love a Happy Ending!

"My beautiful son is in the throes of puberty. He is 14 years old and was being eaten alive by acne!! He started using the new UNBLEMISH regimen and his face has gone from mine fields to Rodan and Fields. After 4 weeks his forehead is as smooth as a baby's bottom!! He was beaming from ear to ear. Max is about 95% acne free and has NO scars. I must say we have landed in friendly territory!" - testimonial



Tip: Don't smoke

Smoking accelerates aging of your skin and increases wrinkles. Skin changes from smoking can appear in young adults after 10 years of smoking.

Smoking causes narrowing of the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin. This decreases blood flow, depleting the skin of oxygen and nutrients, such as vitamin A, that are important to skin health. All of these factors increase damage to the elastic fibers (elastin) and collagen, which give your skin strength and elasticity.

In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — may contribute to wrinkles. It's also possible that repeated exposure to the heat from burning cigarettes may damage your facial skin over time.

Successful Presentation

Tonight we had five very interested ladies attend our first real presentation. It was held at Bare Bones in Ellicott City. Everyone seemed to have a genuinely fun time learning about this timely opportunity.

Tip: When using an exfoliate, be careful not to use the pad of your hands to apply it. You may irritate your face needlessly with far harder rubbing than if you used your fingertips and fingers.

Age Spots - Liver Spots

Age spots — also called liver spots and solar lentigines — are flat, gray, brown or black spots. They vary in size and usually appear on the face, hands, shoulders and arms — areas most exposed to the sun. Though age spots are very common in adults older than age 40, they can affect younger people as well.

True age spots are harmless and don't need treatment, but they can look like cancerous growths. For cosmetic reasons, age spots can be lightened with skin-bleaching products or removed. However, preventing age spots — by avoiding the sun and using sunscreen — may be the easiest way to maintain your skin's youthful appearance and to avoid these dark skin spots.

If you are not sure about any new spots on any area of your body, please see a dermatologist soon. It is not worth taking unnecessary risks.

Tip: Consider wearing floppy hats and sunglasses. Floppy hats protect the face and sunglasses can aid in reducing wrinkles caused by squinting. As many previous entries have noted, wear sunscreen daily regardless of weather conditions.

Here Comes the Sun - - Beware of the Sun's Harmful Effects

You may walk away from the beach with a suntan, but that's not all you're getting. Excessive sun exposure is responsible for most of the skin damage associated with aging. This damage accumulates slowly over time and starts at an early age. Much of the skin damage is merely cosmetic, but some effects, such as skin cancer, are more serious.
-Mayoclinic.com

Tip: Rain or shine, overcast or a bright sunny day... Always wear wear UVA/UVB sunscreen and do not sunbathe.

Sexy Today? Not Tomorrow, as Sun Can Damage Your Skin, Makes You Look Older

80% of your skin’s aged appearance is caused by the sun, not the passage of time. And the damage caused by UV exposure that lurks under the skin’s surface is also visible on your face; it causes your complexion to appear dull, sallow, uneven, and aged. See for yourself how the sun has damaged your skin over time. Compare the skin on the inside of your arm with that on the outside of your arm and the backs of your hands. For most people, the skin on the inside is smooth, clear, firm and unmarked, while the skin on the outside is “dry toasted”: freckled, dry, finely lined, not as firm, and possibly dotted with brown spots. Studies have shown that digitally adjusting the pigment patterns on skin can affect the perception of age by as much as 20 years. With the right treatments and prevention, you can reverse many of the effects of past sun damage and make a huge difference in how your skin ages going forward.

There are other more serious health concerns that can be caused by the sun, which will be addressed at another time.

-Rodan + Fields website

Tip: Wear sunscreen daily rain or shine. Find a therapy that can reverse some of the sun's deleterious effects.

Simple But Effective Way To Prevent Wrinkling Around Mouth

Sometimes, you don't need products to maintain proper facial health.

Tip: Skip straws. "The constant lip puckering leads to wrinkling around the mouth," says (Dr. Katie)Rodan. The same applies to what happens if you smoke.

New Book by Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields Garnering High Praise Prior to Release

Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change, the soon to be released skincare guide by Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields is being released on November 1. Already it has earned rave reviews from peers and editors from highly regarded magazines such as Allure, Bazaar, Real Simple, Body and Soul, and Prevention.

“I was expecting a reference text and was delighted by Katie Rodan’s and Kathy Fields’ entertaining, reader friendly approach that makes this book a practical and easy to read guide consumers will turn to again and again. As a skincare industry veteran, I applaud Dr. Rodan’s and Dr. Fields’ knack for empowering consumers with essential knowledge to make smart choices and clearing up confusion. The commonsense, logical approach this book offers will help consumers make a lifelong commitment to healthy, beautiful skin.”
YOHINI APPA, Ph.D. Senior Director Scientific Affairs, Johnson & Johnson Beauty

“This book, from two of the most respected dermatologists in America, tells you everything you’ve always wanted to know and everything you should know about your skin, from head to toe. It’s an engaging, fast-paced read that deftly blends science and beauty with more than a dash of attitude. You’ll learn to think like a dermatologist and your skin will thank you forever.”
ALIZA LIFSHITZ, M.D. Internist, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Editor-in-Chief, VidaySalud.com; Medical Commentator, Univision Networks.

Tip: Sleeping on your back can prevent wrinkles better than Botox. "Sleep on your back, not with your face planted on a pillow. Over time, eight hours of 'sleep crush' will permanently etch lines in your face," says (Dr. Katie) Rodan. "I trained myself to sleep on my back with the contoured Therapeutica Sleeping Pillow."
- excerpted from Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change

Vitamin D3 - It is very important!!

Understanding Vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol

Many Americans, particularly African Americans, may be suffering from unrecognized deficiencies of a key nutrient -- vitamin D -- that increase the risk of bone problems and perhaps a host of other diseases, a growing number of scientists say.

Technically not a "vitamin," vitamin D is in a class by itself. Its metabolic product, calcitriol, is actually a secosteroid hormone that targets over 2000 genes (about 10% of the human genome) in the human body. Current research has implicated vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, rickets, and more.

Some researchers suggest that one spend more time in sunlight for natural vitamin D3 production by the skin, while others prefer to reduce one's exposure to the ill-effects of the sun's UV-light by suggesting the taking of vitamins.

Bottom line - consult your physician. A simple blood test can indicate a deficiency.

- Vitamin D Council
- Washington Post

Kick-off from Ellicott City

I am very excited to announce that our very first Rodan + Fields (R + F) Dermatologists Ellicott City presentation is being held on October 28th.

Please bring a friend or two. I will pay you $10 for each friend over the age of 18 that you bring with you (spouses don’t count). The actual presentation will run from 6:30 – 7:15 PM. Please arrive on time. For those that want grab a bite to eat afterwards, food can be ordered following the presentation. Thank you and see you there.

BARE BONES GRILL & BREWERY
9150-22 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042

October 28, 2009

6:15 – 6:30 PM Arrival
6:30 – 7:15 PM Presentation
7:15 – ? PM Dinner

Tip: Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields (dermatologists) recommend using an anti-aging multi-function eye cream twice daily after the age of 20, because your eyes are the first place to show the signs of aging.

www.washmyface.com

Kick-off from Rockville

Our first meeting!!! We had a small yet effective and productive meeting last night. Reviewing our reasons why we want to be a part of this exciting company, Rodan + Fields Dermatologists, along with the benefits of partnering with the doctors only solidified the attendees' desire to grow their businesses.

Tip: Protect your eyes and face from the damaging effects of the sun. Choose sunglasses that block at least 99 percent of UVB rays and at least 95 percent of UVA rays. This level of UV protection is in accordance with guidelines established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). - Dennis Robertson, Mayo Clinic

www.washmyface.com