Do you sometimes look at a baby's skin and wonder, "Did my skin ever look and feel like that?" What if you could make your skin baby-smooth and soft to the touch again?
In all likelihood, none of us will ever quite regain that same fine texture and resilience, no matter what we do. Yet, there are ways to get back much of the smoothness and luminosity that we lose with age and exposure to the sun.
If you think a trip to the beach is the only outdoor activity that’s capable of ruining your skin--think again. The damage is really more from the accumulation of chronic daily sun insults-even through the windshield of your car-that's the main culprit in sunny locations like LA---(and you don't even get a tan from that!)
The number one reason for the loss of soft and smooth skin? Under-estimating the power of the sun...a little bit at a time.
The body's immune system attempts to clean up the damage daily, but over time it becomes overwhelmed. As all that daily sun exposure adds up over the decades your body's clean-up crew just can't keep up. By the way, your body never forgets ANY of the sun it's had!
It's almost like having one fire station in all of NYC that's supposed to be able to answer all the calls. The bell rings, the truck races down the street to put out the fire and before they get done, another fire call comes in. In short order, the there's too much going on and hundreds of calls get ignored.
Daily protection (with sun blocks and antioxidants) and correction (with antioxidants, retinoids, growth factors and AHA's) go a long way toward freeing up your immune system to correct some of the damage you got on that last vacation to the beach--instead of tying it up with what you got on yesterday's drive home from the office
How do you reverse some of the sun damage you unknowingly allowed to happen? And how do you prevent future damage?
Skin Care is a process - not a product.
There are multiple elements that go into protecting, repairing and nourishing your skin. Much like a recipe for a main course, each ingredient plays an essential part in making it all turn out the way you want. Skin protection, diet, adequate rest, exercise, hydration and reparative preparations are all part of that ingredient list.
First and Foremost- Sun Protection
Start every day with the all-the-time easy step - sun protection. UVA protection is the number #1 most important element in a skin care program.
This patient has noticeably more sun damage on the left side of his face. This is from sun exposure while driving in his car.
Sun Damage can add years to your "skin age". First thing in the morning, whether you're staying inside, going out or even when it's raining; whether you're planning to be in a car or a plane or your office - put a protective layer between you and sun damage.
Sunscreen and sun block, as well as antioxidants, provide the best protection. Why spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on expensive products or treatments and then not protect those investments?
Think of sun protection as an insurance policy for your skin's health
Retinoid - A derivative of Viatmin A. Retinoids cause increased turnover of skin cells. This pushes newer cells to the surface more quickly and rids the skin of older, dehydrated and damaged skin much faster. As we age, skin cell turnover dramatically slows, causing loss of radiance, smoothness and clarity.
A complete skin care system such as Obagi Nu-Derm includes active ingredients to create a beautiful complexion.
Antioxidants are chemicals that protect cells by neutralizing external forces (such as damage from the sun, pollution, wind, and temperature) and internal factors (for example, emotions, metabolism, and the presence of excess oxygen). Common antioxidants are Vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene. These special chemicals assist in skin repair and the strengthening of blood vessels.
Why do we need them?
Antioxidants are necessary because they combat free radicals. Free radicals are byproducts that are formed when oxygen is used by the body. Free radicals start a chain reaction under the skin's surface, altering DNA and causing aging and illness. Cell structure is damaged and weakened.
Some forces that cause free radicals are air pollution, sunlight, alcohol, and cigarette smoke. Another factor is stress.
Topical products can contain these vitamin antioxidants and also specific free radical fighters such as idebenone, kinetin, coenzyme Q10 ,lipoic acid, selenium, zinc, silymarin, soy isoflavones, and tea polyphenols (green tea).
Growth factors play a role in cell division, new cell and blood vessel growth, and collagen and elastin production and distribution.
Growth factors have been used extensively in the medical industry for treating wounds - as topical application of growth factors has been shown to facilitate faster and more complete healing. Likewise, the use of growth factors for aging skin has been shown to positively counteract aging and photodamage, specifically loss of elasticity, uneven skin tone, and thinning of the epidermis.
Extracted from cultured epidermal cells, placental cells, colustrum, human foreskin and even plants, growth factors are compounds that act as chemical messengers between cells – turning on and off a variety of cellular activities.
Alpha hydroxy acid(AHA) is a blanket term for a variety of fruit acids such as Glycolic, Citric, Lactic, Malic and Tartaric. These acids, when used correctly, help to smooth the skin, enhance the effects of other skin rejuvenation treatments, keep problem skin under control, attract moisture to the skin, even texture and complexion of skin and reverse some of the effects of UV damage. They can be used to achieve these goals over a period of time or in quick sessions.
Medical strength AHAs start at a concentration of 8%. This is the baseline of where truly effective results will begin to be obvious. When using AHA-containing products purchased at the drug, grocery, or department store, the percentages are generally going to be negligible.
If you feel that your skin is looking dull, lifeless or uneven, using an AHA product may benefit you. As the skin ages, it can lose that lustrous youthful glow. Using an AHA can quickly restore a fresh, healthy appearance.
Vitamin-C is necessary for the production of collagen, the major structural protein of the skin. Topical Vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid produces a visible difference in skin texture, color and tone.
The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles should become less noticeable within three to eight months giving you a firmer, smoother, younger looking appearance. Topical Vitamin-C also helps protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Used in combination with other protective antioxidants such as Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid, Vitamin C's efficiency can be increased up to 8 fold.
The unique properties of Hyaluronic Acid make it the ideal moisturizer. Hyaluronic Acid plays an important role in tissue hydration, lubrication and cellular function, and is able to hold more water than any other natural substance. Its unmatched hydrating properties result in increased smoothness, softening and decreased wrinkles.
Hyaluronic Acid has also been shown to reduce dryness, itching and burning of the skin. It offers an excellent environment for the growth of new cells and healing following skin peeling.
Topical hyaluronic acid can have remarkable effects on dehydrated and maturing skin. By boosting the moisture volume in the skin, fine lines are minimized, skin takes on a glow and looks healthier and more radiant.
By the time we become adults, we'll only have about 1/20th of the amount of hyaluronic acid we had as a baby. The topical replensihment of this vital moisture ingredient can make a huge difference in your skin's overall vitality.
If you don't believe sunscreens and sun blocks are important, do a little comparison test:
Compare the skin on your breasts or buttocks to the skin on your forearm. Looks and feels quite a bit different, doesn't it? (And you didn't really have to look to know that, did you?) Clothing is almost a total sun block, protecting your covered skin from all manner of sun damage, DNA alteration, and pigmentation havoc. Since it's impractical to cover all your skin all the time, the next best step is to use a serious sunscreen or sun block.
Sunscreens contain chemicals that "absorb" UV rays and take about 30 minutes to become effective. Sun Blocks physically "reflect" the UV rays with micronized minerals such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide. Sunblocks offer immediate protection. Both need to be reapplied during the day to provide adequate protection. Use products that contain avobenzone, parsol and the mineral oxides mentioned above in an SPF of 30 or more.
"Fix-its" Micro-exfoliation (microdermabrasion) to polish the skin and allow it to readily accept nourishing treatments. Dr. Fitzgerald loves the Silkpeel for it's unique ability to perform two special functions at once - both exfoliation of skin-dulling surface cells and the infusion of customized nutrients and hydrators that feed and fortify the skin.
The 02 Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial to renew and rejuvenate the skin with topical hyperbaric oxygen technology. The treatment reduces the appearance of fine lines, improves skin tone and provides an instant firming and lift by using hyperbaric technology to saturate the skin with oxygen and infuse a rejuvenating hyaluronic acid serum.
Clarisonic Brush - The Clarisonic brush uses the same sonic cleansing technology as the well-known Sonicare Toothbrush. By providing a superior level of deep cleansing, the Clarisonic Brush prepares the skin for better absorption of active care products, helps clear clogged pores, reduces inflammation and improves skin tone clarity. See Video
Call our conveniently located Larchmont Avenue office in Los Angeles to book your complimentary comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Fitzgerald. (323) 464-8046
