Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Big stress....Little stress & Your Skin
| | Myth BustersDerm RF | December 29, 2010 at 12:02 am | Categories: Myth Busters | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-gW |
Myth Busters
Stress from daily irritations is different than the stress caused by a single large event
Unfortunately, the effects of stress are cumulative. And it doesn’t have to be major sources of stress to take a toll. Think about how you react when you’re stuck in traffic or worried about making that holiday American Express payment. These small stressors add up and can affect you in the same way as stress from a car accident or bankruptcy. Don’t dismiss small stressors as “part of life.” Take control of your stress … your skin will thank you.
Monday, December 27, 2010
So much great news about Vitamin D ...
| | Common QuestionsDerm RF | December 25, 2010 at 8:18 am | Categories: Common Questions | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-gT |
Common Questions
It’s flu season—does vitamin D assist with creating a greater resistance to viruses?
Researchers at Yale University School of Medicine recently discovered that those with high levels of vitamin D became sick about half as often as those with low levels. In addition, when they did fall ill, they recovered quicker. Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields personally use and recommend Maximum vitamin D3 to their patients to help increase white blood cells to kill infections and increase overall health.
Do you have a routine for dry feet and cracked heels?
We recommend using ENHANCEMENTS Body Micro-Dermabrasion to buff off dead skin that creates calluses. This triple action bar exfoliates, cleanses and conditions skin in one step. Massage stick directly on wet skin daily while showering or bathing. Rinse clean. Use physical leverage to target the roughest areas of feet then follow with SOOTHE Sensitive Skin Treatment to further alleviate dryness, soothe and soften skin.
In addition, make sure that your shoes fit properly and do not pinch or rub. If you wear sky-high heels, reduce stress by slipping in padded insoles; they act as a cushion and reduce pressure.
What is the difference between the REVERSE Regimen and the UNBLEMISH Regimen?
The REVERSE Regimen primarily treats brown spots, dullness and sun damage. As a bonus, 30% of participants in a clinical study also reported a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while using the REVERSE Regimen.
The UNBLEMISH Regimen addresses all concerns associated with acne, including clogged pores, post-acne dark marks, redness, inflammation and excess oil production.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Habits that Haunt: Skipping Your Nighttime Routine
| | Habits that HauntDerm RF | December 21, 2010 at 7:50 pm | Categories: Habits that Haunt | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-gD |
Skipping your nighttime routine
When it comes to the holiday frenzy, every minute counts. At the end of a long, cold day you may be tempted to skip your nighttime skincare routine and fall straight into bed. When you do … you are missing out on the most valuable skin recovery and repair time. When you sleep, the processes in your body slow and this is when your skin is most receptive to treatment. Our advice is to be efficient. Skip the products and devices that are especially time consuming and seek alternatives with the best return on your time investment. We recommend a mild exfoliant cleanser followed by the application of a therapeutic toner. After these two quick steps, use a topical treatment for collagen regeneration … this should not take more than a minute … and ending with the application of a night cream. The three minutes you spend will pay dividends when you awake looking well rested and youthful.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Confessions of a Dermatologist: Skin Solutions for Holiday Stress
| | Confessions of a DermatologistDerm RF | December 21, 2010 at 1:09 am | Categories: Confessions of a Dermatologist | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-gA |
Confessions of a Dermatologist
By Dr. Katie Rodan
This derm’s confession? I am a control freak, especially when it comes to my appearance. Because even good stress can take a toll on one’s skin, every year I have the five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s to deal with my misbehaving complexion. Going to cocktail parties, battling the crowds while shopping for last minute gifts, packing patients into my schedule for their holiday “fix,” all while I’m sleep deprived and sustained on a diet of sugary carb-laden fatty foods, does not wear well! A flare-up of sensitive skin, breakouts and under-eye dark circles comprise my personal battlefield.
Fortunately, as a dermatologist, I have knowledge, experience and skills on my side to whip my skin into picture perfect shape, making sure I look as fresh and rested at my New Year’s Eve party as I did at Thanksgiving dinner. Here are my top tips to hide stress and prevent it doing a number on my skin.
First, I try to meditate at least 10-15 minutes a day. Meditation helps to control cortisol, the hormone which is released in response to the “fight or flight” reaction. The skin signs and symptoms of cortisol excess include an increase in TEWL (transepidermal water loss) which causes skin to become dry and itchy. Also, cortisol produces a spike in sebaceous gland output contributing to breakouts which can really ruin your family photos. While I don’t have the natural temperament to meditate and most days don’t feel like I have the time, fitting this practice into my routine really helps take the edge off holiday stress.
Second, I always address the visible signs of stress-induced inflammation, like redness and irritation. My favorite methods of masking these flare-ups is with the powerful combination of SOOTHE Sensitive Skin Treatment and ENHANCEMENTS Mineral Peptides. Both contain exclusive RFp3 technology to reduce irritation, diminish redness and build up my skin’s barrier so it’s more prepared to battle my next bout of stress.
And when things get really bad, I escape it all and retreat to the mountains for some R&R. While I’m skiing I think of nothing more than getting down the mountain safely.
Here’s to looking fabulously flawless for the festivities ahead. Wishing you and yours a healthy, happy and stress free holiday season!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Clinical Corner - AMP MD Results
| | Clinical Corner - AMP MD ResultsDerm RF | December 15, 2010 at 8:22 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-gi |
Cynthia Pierce’s amazing 8 week ANTI-AGE and AMP MD results. No wonder AMP MD is a contender for Allure’s Beauty Breakthroughs for 2010. Vote now
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Habits that Haunt: Sleep & the Holidays
| | Habits that HauntDerm RF | December 7, 2010 at 9:49 pm | Categories: Habits that Haunt | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-g1 |
Skimping on sleep during the holidays
With so much to do between now and the new year, many of us burn the candle at both ends to get it all done. This sleep deficit quickly takes a toll on you emotionally and physically, and it shows on your face. Skin recovers and renews at night. When you sleep, the cells undergo repair and turn over slightly faster, helping your face look vibrant and refreshed. Therefore, if you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t look your best. Our advice is to save time by shopping online and ordering personalized holiday cards. Use this extra time for the precious sleep your body needs to look its best.
Holiday Stress and Your Skin
| | Stress and the SkinDerm RF | December 4, 2010 at 12:22 am | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-fU |
Don’t Stress … Tips for a Beautiful Holiday Season
Black Friday has come and gone and the holiday season is in full swing ... and so is seasonal stress. Greeting cards, wish lists, holiday menus, party details, traffic. parking spaces, sold-out electronics, lines at the toy store, lines at the post office, lines everywhere, air travel … phew … even compiling this list is causing a surge in cortisol levels. While it might be “the most wonderful time of the year,” holiday season is often accompanied by a super-sized serving of stress.
Mounting stress needs an outlet or the first place it may show is on your face. Your body responds to stress with an increase in the stress hormone, cortisol. Cortisol is part of the natural fight or flight response that enables self-preservation. But when you’re all stressed out with no place to go (like waiting in line at Target), cortisol can wreak havoc with virtually every organ in your body and that shows on your most visible organ, your skin. The signs are obvious: breakouts, an ashen or sallow complexion, the flushing of rosacea, dark under-eye circles, dull and limp hair, and more pronounced lines and wrinkles. And what’s more, the effects of stress on skin are cumulative so even small stressful events can show on your face.
While stress is a part of everyday life, there are ways to manage it and control how it affects your skin, so you can look great at the party even if you stressed over planning it or getting there. This month on Derm RF, we’ll give you tips to manage stress from the inside out so you can look your best this holiday season and well into the new year.
Happy Holidays,
Your Derm RF Team
Exam Time is Here! Protect Your Skin ....
| | Dermatology 911Derm RF | December 7, 2010 at 3:01 am | Categories: Dermatology 911 | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-fX |
Dermatology 911
By Dr. Kathy Fields
Patient Name: Bree*
Gender: Female
Age: 29 years old
Concern: acne
Doctor’s Notes:
Bree, a graduate student in psychology and longtime acne patient, presented with a flair in her condition. This event is a common one seen in students undergoing final exams just prior to the winter break. The fact that Bree’s acne had severely worsened under pressure is no surprise. Research from Stanford University’s School of Medicine shows that there may be a strong correlation between exam-related stress and acne severity in college students. A volunteer sample of students with varying degrees of acne was assessed during both non-examination and examination periods. The result was that as students approached exams and experienced a higher level of stress, they also experienced more severe acne. But unfortunately, acne flare-ups don’t stop once you’ve received your diploma. Acne can be a lifelong condition and flare-ups can be brought on by any of life’s stresses.
The best way to prevent acne is to treat the full face daily with an acne-focused regimen containing either sulfur or benzoyl peroxide to address breakouts, and hydroquinone to address post-acne dark marks. If you’re coming into typically high stress circumstances, double up and apply your regimen twice daily. People with really persistent acne may need to see a dermatologist for more intensive treatment options. In Bree’s case, I recommended an over-the-counter acne regimen twice daily for a month before resorting to a prescription alternative. But daily preventative treatment the month before her finals would have most likely saved her the trip. Because when it comes to acne, prevention is key.
*Patient name has been changed to protect privacy
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The link between dairy & acne ...
| | Myth BustersDerm RF | December 1, 2010 at 12:58 am | Categories: Myth Busters | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-fP |
Myth Busters
Dairy foods are essential to a healthy body
The calcium that comes from dairy products is essential to a healthy body but if you’re noticing increased breakouts, you could be reacting to the hormones that are in the milk. A study conducted by a team of scientists at Harvard and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that the hormones in milk can lead to increased acne. As dermatologists we believe the most reliable way to get calcium and vitamin D is from supplements. But if you can’t live without dairy products, go organic to avoid the potential problems that come from the growth hormones in non-organic products.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Don't miss the chance to win two of my faves!!
| | A Chance to WinDerm RF | November 29, 2010 at 11:59 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-fM |
A Chance to Win…
When it comes to the link between food and skin, there are countless myths, superstitions and facts that shape our beliefs and drive our decision making. Comment on this post in the next 24 hours with anything special you eat or don’t eat because of how it affects your skin. Everyone who responds will be entered in a drawing to win a signed copy of the national bestseller Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change, our SOOTHE Sensitive Skin Treatment and the ENHANCEMENTS Mineral Peptides SPF 20-Medium—a valuable set of tools to keep your skin looking great through the holiday season and beyond.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Myth Busters
| | Myth BustersDerm RF | November 16, 2010 at 10:46 pm | Categories: Myth Busters | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-fy |
Myth Busters
Chocolate gives you acne
The overall correlation between diet and acne is still unclear. However, dermatologists now understand that it is not likely to be the cocoa / chocolate component of that Godiva truffle that is behind an acne flare-up, but it could be the sugar that is the culprit. That’s because foods that are high on the glycemic index (high sugar/carbohydrate foods) are not skin friendly in general. High glycemic foods cause a surge of insulin in the body which may accelerate collagen breakdown and increase oil production (thus increasing the likelihood of breakouts). So regardless of your skin concern, eating healthy foods will always serve you well and help your skin resist the effects of inflammation and stress.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Habits that Haunt: Gaining the Notorious Holiday "10"
| | Habits that HauntDerm RF | November 9, 2010 at 10:25 pm | Categories: Habits that Haunt | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-f7 |
Gaining the notorious holiday “10”
As a society, we love to indulge over the holidays and that is why gyms across America will be filled to capacity come January 2. While we can work off the weight each new year, our skin pays the price for years to come. By constantly losing and gaining weight, you are putting undue stress on your skin’s ability to expand and contract, eventually resulting in the sagging that comes from loss of elasticity. So this holiday season, pace yourself. If you can, avoid the over-indulgence … it’s probably not worth the price you pay anyway. But if you do indulge, try to put in extra time at the gym to counterbalance your increased caloric intake. Your skin will thank you.
An Incredible Supplement!
| | Ingredient of the WeekDerm RF | November 11, 2010 at 4:43 pm | Categories: Ingredient of the Week | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-fa |
Ingredient of the Week
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a hot topic these days. Created when the body absorbs the sun’s UV rays, vitamin D is essential for bone health and overall wellness. While it may sound like a good excuse not to wear your sunscreen every day, getting your vitamin D from the sun needlessly increases your risk of skin cancer and causes lines, wrinkles and age spots. Topical vitamin D, while available, is typically used to treat psoriasis. To ensure you get enough vitamin D, eat a diet rich in salmon, egg yolks and mushrooms, drink vitamin D fortified milk (organic is best to avoid hormones) and orange juice, and take a supplement to make sure you keep levels in the healthy range.
Find vitamin D3, the most absorbable form of vitamin D, in Rodan + Fields® ESSENTIALS Maximum D3® Vitamin D3 Supplement.
Monday, November 8, 2010
How will you greet Thanksgiving Day?
| | Confessions of a DermatologistDerm RF | November 8, 2010 at 11:11 pm | Categories: Confessions of a Dermatologist | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-f2 |
Confessions of a Dermatologist
By Dr. Kathy Fields
My dermatology training and experience provides a profound appreciation of the impact of diet on skin. And I do my best to eat healthy foods that will benefit my body and complexion, and avoid the ones that will derail my diet, cause mid-day energy slumps and adversely affect my skin. But there is one day every year when self-control goes out the window and I can’t help but indulge … and that’s Thanksgiving Day. I absolutely love the classic Thanksgiving meal and just can’t stay away from port marinated turkey and stuffing.
In my 20s and 30s, I tried different tricks to survive the 4th Thursday in November … turkey without the sauce, the three bite rule, no stuffing, no desserts—you name it, I’ve tried it. But older and wiser now, I’ve learned to better manage this indulgence with simple planning. Here’s how I prepare for Turkey Day:
· I start Thanksgiving Day reflecting on what I’m grateful for during an hour long cardio session. It’s a great way to meditate, not to mention make room for the meal to come. I make sure to drink lots of water and if I’m feeling really hungry before mealtime, I’ll sneak in an apple to curb my appetite.
· After dinner, I am first to volunteer for dish duty. Getting away from the buffet table helps minimize grazing and gives me the opportunity to catch up with the other relatives that are drying as I wash.
· Finally, I make sure to send all the leftovers home with our friends and relatives. While one day of indulging is completely appropriate … stringing it out through the weekend is not. At the end of the day, my advice is to enjoy Thanksgiving (and all the trimmings) guilt free but make sure you plan appropriately so you don’t carry it with you into the new year.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Do you really need 8 a day?
| | Myth BustersDerm RF | November 3, 2010 at 12:04 am | Categories: Myth Busters | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-eT |
I need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day
Contrary to a popular belief perpetuated by bottled water companies, eight glasses of water is typically too much for most people. You only need ninety-one ounces of fluids a day, a large part of which comes from foods you eat as well as other beverages you drink. In fact, over-hydrating will flush essential vitamins and electrolytes out of your bloodstream. Trust your body’s natural signal: thirst.
Monday, November 1, 2010
You are what you eat ... Or are you?
| | Letter from the EditorDerm RF | November 1, 2010 at 9:38 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-eP |
You Are What You Eat … Or Are You?
Remember when we believed that chocolate caused breakouts? Then it didn’t. Then it was the sugar in chocolate that was the culprit as a pro-inflammatory agent, but the chocolate itself is actually the good stuff because it has anti-inflammatory benefits. Who can keep up!? The relationship between food and skin is complex to say the least. And our understanding continually evolves. But we now know that those greasy French fries are not making your skin greasy, but the high glycemic index carbs of the potatoes could be problematic. So how do you keep up? The solution is to eat a healthy diet and pay attention to how your skin responds. Recent research suggests that certain foods slow the aging process by interrupting the inflammatory process in the body in general and the skin specifically. Because acne is a process, anything that mitigates inflammation is beneficial. Other foods, however, particularly those with a high glycemic index (ie. diets filled with refined carbohydrates like flour and sugar), accelerate inflammation and all negative effects that come along for the ride.
Good or bad, your skin is a reflection of what is going on inside your body. As we round the Halloween holiday and head into Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season, we want to arm you with the information to make the best choices for your skin. Keep an eye on Derm RF this month for tips on how to hit the holiday social circuit with the glow of healthy radiance that will make season bright.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
A Halloween Treat for YOU!!
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Thursday, October 28, 2010
Proven Results Bring Great Recognition
Hot Off the Press! You don't have to live with your sun damage or brown spots (melasma) anymore - I know I'm not! (Check out my own results!!) Our Reverse products are the solution. The editors of Essence are recognizing Rodan + Fields in their November issue!! Beauty editors love us, because our products WORK! Visit www.jennyaiken.com for more information!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Do I really need a toner?
| | Myth BustersDerm RF | October 26, 2010 at 6:48 pm | Categories: Myth Busters | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-eL |
Toners are for Teens
We often think of toners as astringents only good for cleaning and drying out oily, acne-prone skin. Nothing could be further from the truth. By our definition, a liquid vehicle designed to deliver actives to the skin is a toner. In fact, some of the most powerful anti-aging ingredients, including poly-hydroxy acids and ogliosaccharides, are best delivered in a liquid solution. To combat aging skin, look for an alcohol-free toner containing the above actives for maximum benefit.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Are you guilty of looking for the silver bullet?
| | Habits that HauntDerm RF | October 19, 2010 at 6:10 pm | Categories: Habits that Haunt | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-ep |
Searching for the Cream of Week
As your skin ages, there are several things happening under the surface:
· Cell turnover decreases
· Collagen and elastin fibers decrease in content and weaken
· The moisture barrier becomes compromised, causing dry skin
Given the complexity of the aging processes listed above, there is no silver bullet that will stave off Father Time. To effectively combat skin aging, you need a comprehensive regimen clinically proven to address each of these major causes.
My Journey in Reverse - Turning Back Time
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| “I don't have sun damage -- I have good skin...I don't smoke and I really take care of my face with all kinds of lotions & potions! And, I ALWAYS wear sun screen … at least I do now.” This is what I thought about my skin & what my friends always told me. Everyone said, “Jenny, you have beautiful skin.” Or so they & I thought! Then I decided to be brave & go “naked” for a before picture ... so I took off all my make up, turned on the Spot Light and had my skin's sun damage brought to light. Oh my! Who's face was that? Spots everywhere, unevenness and chaos I had never noticed before. That can't be right. Too make matters worse, it turns out 80% of the appearance of aging is actually caused by sun damage. And apparently, even though I was doing a relatively good job with my skin, time and those lapses in sunscreen had caught up with me! (Like the times when I was a teen & my cousins & I laid out on the tin barn roof covered in baby oil … girls, this is what happens when you do that!!) Now, deep down, I knew I was using foundation for a reason … I just looked better with it! It was covering up all the “imperfections” that I thought I was destined to have from now until the bitter end. So, when I joined Rodan+Fields & found the REVERSE regimen, I wanted to document … would it really work? I’m still not finished … but can you believe the difference in just 3 months? I am all about aging with grace & I still plan to battle the signs of premature aging, brown spots, and dullness to the very end!! The difference is that I can win the battle by REVERSING the damage & not just covering it up. Rodan + Fields REVERSE Regimen promises to exfoliate, lighten, brighten, and protect your skin for a more even tone and texture. Can you image how beautiful my skin will be in just three more months? Don’t let me be the only one with beautiful skin! Start your own graceful battle against Father Time … find out more about REVERSE & call me (615.243.8911) to get started!! (In both of these pictures, I have no foundation, powder, cover-up or blush on! And, no creative editing via Photoshop was done! I don’t even have Photoshop!)
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Monday, October 18, 2010
Confessions of a Dermatologist
| | Confessions of a DermatologistDerm RF | October 18, 2010 at 11:27 pm | Categories: Confessions of a Dermatologist | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-el |
Confessions of a Dermatologist
By Dr. Katie Rodan
I am afraid of plastic surgery. Sure, I’ve been through med school, performed countless surgeries, and I face blood on a regular basis. I even share my medical practice with an excellent plastic surgeon, well known for his “natural results.” But nevertheless, I’m afraid to undergo “the knife.” Mainly it’s because for every good outcome attributable to any one of the number of excellent Bay Area plastic surgeons, there are a handful of less-than-perfect results. I’ve also seen friends and patients who have dared to undergo surgical, cosmetic procedures only to look a little bit like someone else. But here’s my dilemma—as a 55-year-old dermatologist, with everyone looking at my skin, I’m expected to have a flawless complexion.
To ensure that my skin always looks its best (even after a night of lousy sleep) and to delay or hopefully avoid cosmetic surgery, I can’t waste my time with products that are anything less than stellar. That’s why I use a daily skincare regimen loaded with peptides to smooth existing fine lines and prevent new ones from forming. Every night before I apply my skincare, I use a micro-channeler system to maximize the effects of those peptides and other beneficial ingredients I’m putting on my face. The micro-channeler creates small channels in my skin’s outermost layer, allowing products to penetrate deeper, giving me better overall results. In the morning I use my top secret anti-aging cream, which contains sunscreen, of course and is loaded with lots of other goodies, and I’m out the door. There are also occasional botox touch-ups … I’m not opposed to a little extra help here and there. But my daily routine keeps my skin looking its best today, tomorrow and the years to come.
While l I’m open to changing my mind in the years to come, for now I’m sticking to my guns. So as time takes its toll, I’m continuing to roll … and that’s how I do it!
