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.
