Skin Care Tips - Eastbay Acne & Skin Care Clinic

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It's Winter...
The days are short, indoor air is dry, and our outdoor activities have shifted to winter sports. It all adds up to added stress on your skin, and perhaps increased UV exposure.

As always, it's important to keep skin clean, hydrated and protected from the sun. Your facial cleanser plays a critical part in maintaining your skin's natural, slightly acidic pH. Never use alkaline bar soaps on facial skin; rather, pH-balanced cleansers like our Facial Shampoos clean without stripping all the skin's natural protective oils. And, with the increased oil production, you might consider switching facial cleansers from Extra-Strength to Normal, or Normal to Sensitive formula. The objective is to keep your skin clear of oil and debris that clog pores and lead to blocked pores, inflammation and breakouts — but that needs to be done without drying our skin out.

Help keep your skin's vitality and youthfulness, and protect it from the number one cause of premature aging and skin cancer: UV radiation! Our skin is the first line of defense against the elements, and the proper skin cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen are three of the best ways to help your skin maintain that protective role and stay young-looking longer!

Is your makeup
contributing to your acne?

If you have acne, it's very possible that your makeup is helping cause breakouts and blemishes.

We always recommend that our acne clients use mineral makeup. True mineral makeups are pure minerals and are "non-comedogenic" — that's our way of saying they don't clog pores and contribute to acne.

Mineral makeups are not all created equal, however. Some have additives and others don't use the right minerals, or process them improperly.

Here's a simple test to determine if the makeup you're using is right for your skin: sprinkle some makeup powder in a glass of water and stir. If it floats, it's good; if it muddies the water it's bad, because it can't form a protective barrier for your skin. Instead, the ingredients blend with the oils and moisture in your skin, and end up clogging your pores. We don't need to tell you that's bad.

We sell only mineral makeups at Eastbay Acne & Skin Care Clinic that are non-comedogenic and good for your skin, like Jane Iredale and ColoreScience.

Put your makeup to the water test!

Considering Laser or IPL? Important Questions to ask...

Clean Skin
It's the first step to healthy skin. But it's important to be gentle, especially with facial skin. Wash your face with clean fingers, or a brush specifically designed for facial cleansing, like the Clarisonic brush. When you use washcloths or buff-puffs, you actually damage delicate skin tissue, and that's not good. Damaged skin can become dry, inflamed and infected, then it forms scar tissue. Scar tissue thickens and hardens the skin over time as collagen and elastin are diminished, giving you an older, more "weathered" look.

So, when cleansing your face, and other parts you want to keep beautiful and youthful, use the right products for your skin — never alkaline bar soap or abrasive products — and, above all, no scrubbing!

Some is good, so more is better, right?
Wrong! Products are most effective when used in the right quantity and frequency. Use your home care products as recommended by your esthetician. If your skin gets dry or irritated, your skin is telling you to back off a bit. Also, don't mix ingredients from competing products in the hope of accelerating your skin care, because it will probably have just the opposite effect and take longer to clear.

Conversely, you maybe tempted to use less product in an effort to economize. The problem is the active ingredients won't be present in sufficient quantity and frequency to overcome the root cause of your skin condition. In the end, it can actually cause your skin care to be more expensive, not less, because your skin condition lasts longer and its successful treatment takes longer. That's definitely not the objective.

When travelling through airports, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires all liquids be enclosed in a ziplock bag, and the containers of those liquids must be less than
3.4 fluid ounces. It doesn't matter if the container is 8 ounces and there's only 3 ounces of product left in it — they will confiscate it!

So, remember to pack the larger bottles in your baggage in plastic bags to contain any leakage. Repackage any carry-on products so they'll pass TSA requirements!

Zinc's role in fighting infection is well documented, and we use it to combat acne. It has antibacterial properties and helps regulate oil glands. But did you know that it can also help the body fight against cold and flu viruses? However, not all zinc is created equal. Colloidal zinc is totally absorbed by the body, while the zinc in mineral tablets is absorbed at the rate of only 15%, or less. Combine it with vitamin C, and you get a powerful and effective virus-fighting medication! It won't interfere with other medications and it's natural, too!

Colloidal Zinc is the weapon the pharmaceutical companies don't want us to know about, and we have it here! Flu season seems to be here to stay with West Nile and Bird Flu constantly threatening. And now, it's the swine flu! Colloidal zinc should be part of everyone's nutrition and "preventive maintenance" program.

Tablet zinc is good, but the body only absorbs 10 to 15% of it. Colloidal zinc is best because your body absorbs 100% of it.

Note that the FDA's Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) numbers apply to tablet minerals and not to colloidal minerals. They can't be equated with colloidal minerals due to their 100% absorption rate and colloidals' different (ppm) measurement system.

Skin Care Treatment

Is your skin reacting
to a skin care product? Sometimes it's hard to tell which is causing a reaction when we use multiple products. Here's a way to find the offending one: Dab a bit of one behind your left ear; dab another behind your right ear. If the spot becomes red, itchy or irritated you've found the culprit. Now you just need to remember which one you dabbed behind which ear!

Miracle Skin Cures
As much as we'd like to believe it, there are no one-time, miracle cures. The best skin care results come from regular and consistent care, with products and treatments that are right for your skin.

CosMedix Lightning is a wonderful and effective product that targets hyperpigmented skin, for more even skin tone. You can extend its application by mixing it with CosMedix Mystic. Place a portion of Lightning in the palm of your hand and thin it out slightly with a spray of Mystic. Blend, and dab the mixture on affected areas. You don't need to be precise in the application of Lightning because the active ingredients target the melanocytes, leaving normally-pigmented cells alone.

Give your skin a fighting chance and maintain your home care program! It's been proven time and time again that home care and clinical treatments complement each other for clear, healthy skin.

Have you just had an exfoliating facial? It's important that you let the peel take it's course. Cortisone creams, such as our Aloe Cort cream, will calm the skin, but it will actually stop the peeling process. So, you should avoid using Aloe Cort for 3 to 7 days, depending on the peel, and let the peel do it's work. To alleviate any dry skin during that time, use an ultra-light (oil-free) moisturizer, instead.

Want your skin to look better, faster?
Be persistent and consistent with your skin care program, to achieve the desired results. When you stray from the prescribed schedule, you give your skin condition an opportunity to reestablish itself. Also, your skin won't become acclimated to ingredients, like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and glycolic acid, as quickly. This prevents full-strength application of those ingredients, and can prolong your treatment.

Remember, you'll save time and money by sticking to the prescribed clinical and home care programs, and your skin will look better, faster!

Are you using Retin-A, AHA or Glycolic Acid products?
These products increase the skin's sensitivity to Ultraviolet (UV) rays and should be used in conjunction with a sunscreen to minimize skin damage and premature aging.

We recommend a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30, or higher, be used on a daily basis.

Using Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) on Dry Skin can be difficult. BPO tends to dry and irritate your skin, while moisturizers applied to alleviate the dryness aggravate the condition for which you are using BPO.

We recommend you gradually acclimate to the BPO by applying it in the evening for 10 minutes to an hour. Then, wash it off and apply a glycolic and Age Intervention Serum. After one to two months (longer in the Winter) your skin will become acclimated to the BPO medication, and will not be so dry. An application of the Age Intervention Serum two or three times a week will keep your skin hydrated, and the inflammation under control. The goal is for you to be able to wear glycolic acid and BPO medication nightly without redness, dryness and irritation.

Environment

Acne and Protecting Your Skin from UV Rays
Everyone knows it's important to protect their skin from UV rays. That's especially good advice for people with acne, but what's up with that?

Acne sufferers are always at risk for scarring from inflammation and infection, and scar tissue is more prone to hyperpigmentation, a darkening of the skin. Sun and UV exposure increase the tendency for skin to hyperpigment. When scars darken they really stand out and become noticeable. Then, you feel more self-conscious by their appearance.

That's why we always recommend a safe and non-comedogenic (not-acne-causing) sunscreen as part of your home care program: to block UV radiation and prevent hyperpigmentation.

Sunscreens may not seem that important, but they are part of the program to acheive beautiful skin. After all, beautiful skin is what it's all about!

If you get a sunburn, bathe gently in cool or tepid (lukewarm) water using a gentle cleanser, then apply a cortisone cream or Karin Herzog's 3% Oxygen Body Cream. Over the next 12 hours, apply cold compresses and take an oral, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine*. Do not cover the affected area with oily, occlusive preparations like butter or petroleum jelly - they restrict oxygenation and slow healing.

Discontinue use of potentially irritating glycolics and benzoyl peroxide preparations (for treating acne) until the burn has healed.
If sunburn or inflammation is painful or severe, consult your physician.

* As always, observe all warnings and precautions when taking any medication.

SPF 30 isn't always SPF 30...
Sunblock/Sunscreen ratings are based on a very liberal application ~ much more than the typical person applies at one time. To be sure you are getting adequate UV protection, apply a second layer of sunscreen after the first layer dries.

Sun damage is a leading cause of prematurely aging skin.
Use a sunscreen with a Sun Protector Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher every day! Remember to use sunscreen in the winter as well as summer; on cloudy days, as well as sunny days. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is reflected off of shiny surfaces such as snow, sand and water. Shade is not adequate protection from the sun.

Make it a habit to check for localized areas of sun damage. These often appear on sun-exposed areas such as the bridge of the nose, above the eyebrows, and the arm that sticks out the window while driving.
See our article, "Prevent Skin Irritation and Promote Healing" to learn about clinically proven treatments for controlling and repairing skin damage.

Skin cancer rates have increased dramatically in recent years, so be sure to protect yourself. The reason for the increase is partly environmental and partly lifestyle. The way to prevent skin cancer is clear: use a sunscreen! The #1 cause of skin cancer is excessive and/or unprotected exposure to the sun's (or other source's) UV radiation, so be sure to apply sunscreen to your skin every day.

When it comes to your skin, the "Golden Rule" applies!

According to the British Journal of Cancer, using a tanning bed 5 times in a year makes you 4 times more likely to get melanoma (skin cancer).

Is your skin reacting to something?
Sometimes the bumps, pimples and dry patches of skin are reactions to the soaps and shampoos we use. Try to isolate them, one by one, to determine which one is irritating your skin. It could be the ingredients, a reformulation of an old product, or the essence or perfume in the product (try an unscented version, if available). Shampoos are often the culprits, as they contain multiple ingredients for everything from cleaning to conditioning, that can clog follicles as the shampoo drains off your head to the rest of your body. It could also be your water. If you suspect a higher than normal level of chlorine and/or salts in your water, install a filter on your shower head. If it's not from outside, could it be a change in your diet? Remember that skin responds to environments both inside and outside our bodies.

Moisturizers act as a barrier to water loss through evaporation. Phospholipid molecules hold moisture in the skin for up to 2 weeks.

Winter skin care is a challenge because of the low temperatures and low humidity. The combination adds up to dry, irritated skin. Make sure you keep your skin calm and hydrated. If you're an active winter sports person, be sure you protect your skin from UV radiation which, with snow reflection, can be particularly intense this time of year.

Your skin will look its very best when it's kept hydrated and protected from UV radiation!

For more helpful tips
on keeping your skin healthy and beautiful, see our skin care
Information, Articles and FAQs.

Fine skin care products, including
cleansers, hydrators, moisturizers
and anti-bacterial products
can be found online at
Eastbay Skin Care

Lifestyle, Nutrition and Diet

Holiday diets can be a challenge for our skin. The foods we eat this time of year tend to be much higher in fat and sugar, and we eat fewer fruits and vegetables. Such high inflammatory diets cause breakouts and wreak havoc on the skin. It's also a high stress season, which makes our bodies create cortisol, a stress hormone that just adds to the inflammation. It can become a vicious cycle of stress and eating.

As you eat all the rich, delicious Holiday foods, don't forget your antioxidant friends: fruits and vegetables. They reduce inflammation and lower cortisol levels. And, try to relax, and remember the reason for the season.

School is stressful! Life is hard on the skin, especially in the teen years. As you know, hormones can wreak havoc with skin, and stress contributes a hormone of its own, called cortisol, that is a very powerful inflammatory agent. So, it's important to stay with your skin care regimen of home care and regular clinical treatments to keep ahead of any breakouts that come your way — and, believe us, if you are a teen, breakouts are probably headed your way.

Follow these simple steps and you'll enjoy many years of blemish-free skin without scarring:

Keep your skin clean with a pH-balanced cleanser.
No bar soaps and no scrubbing!
Use the appropriate skin care products regularly and consistently
If you're out in the sun, protect your skin with an SPF 30, or higher, non-comedogenic (one which doesn't promote acne) sunblock.
Don't pick at blemishes! Picking only makes them look worse than they already do.
Eliminate (or at least minimize) your junk food consumption. Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruits. Avoid fried and greasy foods.

If you don't know what products are right for you, come in for a consultation. We'll be glad to help get you and your skin on the right program.
Remember: be good to your skin and it will return the favor.

Healthy skin starts within
Include lots of vegetables and fruit in your diet — foods that are high in antioxidants and low in fat. Eating low-inflammatory foods will be reflected in your general health and your skin.

Rosacea has a reputation for flaring up after eating certain foods, especially spicy foods, but the triggers vary with each individual.
If you have rosacea and are not sure what foods are triggering it, keep a food diary. This will make it easy to identify the foods that trigger your rosacea so that you can avoid them.

Are You on Cholesterol-lowering Medication?
These drugs will tend to dry your skin out. If so, increase your intake of essential fatty acids by eating more oily fish, like salmon, or take an Omega-3 supplement. Flax seed oil is an excellent source of this oil. This will not impair the function of the medication, in any way, nor will it increase blood cholesterol.
Omega-3 fatty acids are important part of everyone's diet, and especially for those taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Remember to Moisturize!
Not just externally, but internally, as well. Health experts recommend that you drink 8 to 10 glasses of pure water per day. High water intake is good for your health. Your skin, in turn, reflects your general health.

Eat right, sleep tight, exercise and avoid stress!
Remember, your skin reflects your general well-being — good health care habits are good for your skin!

Vitamin C is strongly recommended in a daily dosage of 2000 mg to help you maintain your good looks and prevent the appearance of broken capillaries. Vitamin C is one of the building blocks of blood vessels and helps strengthen them. The result is more resilient skin.

Do you have fragile, superficial blood vessels?
Avoid or cut down on caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, spicy foods and extreme temperatures if you This will reduce dilation of the blood vessels in response to these stimuli, and helps reduce stretching the superficial blood vessels which may not spring back to their original shape and size.

Use only your own clean hands to wash your face.
Never use harsh or abrasive cleansers or puffs which aggravate fragile blood vessels. The skin on your face is thinner than skin elsewhere on your body and cannot tolerate harsh treatment.

Skin cell production slows down as we get older.
This leads to a build-up of dead skin cells in the top, outer skin layer. Harsh scrubbing damages the skin and dulls your complexion. Chemical exfoliation safely restores a youthful glow to your skin.

Our lips have no oil glands...
and only a very thin keratin layer to prevent moisture loss. Lip products, including balms, which contain petroleum derivatives actually draw oil out of the lips. Petroleum products are also easily assimilated into the body over time and can build up in your body tissues. In fact, if you use a lip product every day, you will eat two tubes a year! So, we think it's important to look for products with natural oils like vitamin E, castor oil, avocado oil and natural crystals which have small molecules that are easily absorbed into the lips and help to moisturize the tissue naturally. Beeswax and Carnauba wax have larger molecules and form a needed protective barrier against moisture loss and the elements. We recommend Cosmedix' Eye Believe Crystals for the lips to keep delicate lip tissue soft and hydrated. Jane Iredale's lip glosses are in a base of white lily gel that helps protect and moisturize. These should be used daily, and can be applied over your own lipstick color; otherwise, choose a colored lip gloss.

Looking for the Right Plastic Surgeon?

An effective way to minimize your risk is to ask the following questions when selecting a Plastic Surgeon:

Is the doctor "Board Certified"? A five-year residency is required by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Has the doctor applied to a hospital's review board for surgical privileges? If the answer is no, it may mean the doctor's credentials are sub-standard.
Don't choose a doctor based on price alone. Low fees may mean the doctor is cutting corners on treatment, or expensive life-saving drugs and equipment.