January 9, 2010 12:13 PM
- Text
Dealing with Enemies of Beautiful Skin
(CBS)
Every day, we come face-to-face with the aging process when we look in the mirror.
But in "The Early Show Saturday Edition"'s special broadcast, "New Year, New You," Dr. Hilary Reich, a New York dermatologist, revealed the secrets to having healthy, beautiful, younger-looking skin. And they're not for-women-only!
She discussed the latest treatments and products with co-anchor Erica Hill and CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton.
According to Reich:
Having healthy skin not only helps you look good, but feel good, and boosts your self-esteem. It's empowering!
The five most common conditions I am asked about in my practice are acne, brown (age) spots, wrinkles, under-eye dark circles and, especially now in wintertime, dry skin.
All can be easily treated to enhance your overall look in the new year, prevent signs of aging for the long-term, and increase your self-esteem.
BROWN SPOTS
Brown spots are extra pigmentation deposited in the top layer of the skin caused by overexposure to the sun. Having blotchy, uneven skin makes us look weathered and worn out.
In the office, light-based techniques are the primary way to treat brown discolorations of the skin. This can be done with the use of a laser or by another device known as Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL. Both are equally effective, I generally use Intense Pulsed Light because that's what I have in my office, and it gives me the results I'm seeking for my patients. The device gives off light energy that destroys the unwanted pigmentation. Within two weeks you will already see improvement in your brown spots. Several treatments are typically required to get the optimal results.
There are topical bleaching or skin-lightening agents, available in creams and gels. The most commonly used agent is hydroquinone.
Finally, protecting yourself from the sun every day with a broad-spectrum sunscreen is absolutely crucial in the treatment of brown spots, and the key to preventing recurrences.
A key point: You have to use a combination approach -- topical therapy with skin-lightening agents and routine SPF.
WRINKLES
Wrinkles are a natural signs of aging, but we all wish we had fewer of them. No matter what time of the year, everyone is looking for ways to make their wrinkles melt away. Genetic predisposition is an important factor in causing wrinkles, as are sun exposure, which causes our collagen and elastic tissue to break down, and, with aging, we produce less collagen over time to replace it.
Smoking, excess alcohol and poor nutrition all accelerate the process of aging.
Not all of us have the finances for expensive procedures such as Botox, fillers or lasers. However, there is a brand new, instant wrinkle eraser, by Clarisonic, called the Opal. It uses a soft-tip applicator and sonic vibration technology to transfer skin-plumping serums into the skin. The serum is a mixture of antioxidants which repair sun-damaged DNA and glycosaminoglycans -- tissue elements that produce skin plumping. It leads to the instant reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. The results last four-to-six hours.
It is only available through a prescribing physician.
What's the best wrinkle cure in a bottle? How often do I hear this?! The truth is that we just don't know. More studies are desperately needed.
One new ingredient on the market that has produced some buzz is snail extract -- who would have thought that snails might offer some help to those seeking the fountain of youth?! Protein secretions from snails contain growth factors that may help to stimulate collagen production and repair sun-damaged tissues, and improve elasticity and texture, especially around the eyes. More studies are needed to validate some of these claimed results.
To treat your fine lines, look for products that include:
alpha-hydroxy acid
matrixyl
copper peptides
growth factors
antioxidants -- products such as green tea, caffeine, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
But in "The Early Show Saturday Edition"'s special broadcast, "New Year, New You," Dr. Hilary Reich, a New York dermatologist, revealed the secrets to having healthy, beautiful, younger-looking skin. And they're not for-women-only!
She discussed the latest treatments and products with co-anchor Erica Hill and CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton.
According to Reich:
Having healthy skin not only helps you look good, but feel good, and boosts your self-esteem. It's empowering!
The five most common conditions I am asked about in my practice are acne, brown (age) spots, wrinkles, under-eye dark circles and, especially now in wintertime, dry skin.
All can be easily treated to enhance your overall look in the new year, prevent signs of aging for the long-term, and increase your self-esteem.
BROWN SPOTS
Brown spots are extra pigmentation deposited in the top layer of the skin caused by overexposure to the sun. Having blotchy, uneven skin makes us look weathered and worn out.
In the office, light-based techniques are the primary way to treat brown discolorations of the skin. This can be done with the use of a laser or by another device known as Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL. Both are equally effective, I generally use Intense Pulsed Light because that's what I have in my office, and it gives me the results I'm seeking for my patients. The device gives off light energy that destroys the unwanted pigmentation. Within two weeks you will already see improvement in your brown spots. Several treatments are typically required to get the optimal results.
There are topical bleaching or skin-lightening agents, available in creams and gels. The most commonly used agent is hydroquinone.
Finally, protecting yourself from the sun every day with a broad-spectrum sunscreen is absolutely crucial in the treatment of brown spots, and the key to preventing recurrences.
A key point: You have to use a combination approach -- topical therapy with skin-lightening agents and routine SPF.
WRINKLES
Wrinkles are a natural signs of aging, but we all wish we had fewer of them. No matter what time of the year, everyone is looking for ways to make their wrinkles melt away. Genetic predisposition is an important factor in causing wrinkles, as are sun exposure, which causes our collagen and elastic tissue to break down, and, with aging, we produce less collagen over time to replace it.
Smoking, excess alcohol and poor nutrition all accelerate the process of aging.
Not all of us have the finances for expensive procedures such as Botox, fillers or lasers. However, there is a brand new, instant wrinkle eraser, by Clarisonic, called the Opal. It uses a soft-tip applicator and sonic vibration technology to transfer skin-plumping serums into the skin. The serum is a mixture of antioxidants which repair sun-damaged DNA and glycosaminoglycans -- tissue elements that produce skin plumping. It leads to the instant reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. The results last four-to-six hours.
It is only available through a prescribing physician.
What's the best wrinkle cure in a bottle? How often do I hear this?! The truth is that we just don't know. More studies are desperately needed.
One new ingredient on the market that has produced some buzz is snail extract -- who would have thought that snails might offer some help to those seeking the fountain of youth?! Protein secretions from snails contain growth factors that may help to stimulate collagen production and repair sun-damaged tissues, and improve elasticity and texture, especially around the eyes. More studies are needed to validate some of these claimed results.
To treat your fine lines, look for products that include:
alpha-hydroxy acid
matrixyl
copper peptides
growth factors
antioxidants -- products such as green tea, caffeine, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
- 1
- 2
- Next Page »
Popular Now in CBS News
- Teen's Facebook Sex Scam
- The Best Pregnancy Tests
- Cyberbullying Continued After Teen's Death
- Eight Delicious Foods That Help Fight Belly Fat
- Which Yogurts Are Healthiest?
- How Long Foods Stay Fresh In Fridge
- Perks of Five-Hour Energy Put to Test
- "Designer Babies" Ethical?
- Could Protein Shakes Harm Your Health?
- Ten Healthiest Fast Food Chains
- Best Low-Tech Cell Phones Suitable for Seniors
- Best Sleep Positions To Rid Aches, Pains
- Can Exercise Make You Gain Weight?
- Electronic Cigarettes: Are They Safe?
- How to Stop a Cold Before It Takes Hold
- Countertop Makeover In A Paint Can
- Cooking Oils That Are Good For You
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook
on CBS News
- Washington: Sales of homes up but prices down
- Blatter: Soccer is a victim of own popularity
- IPG Photonics 4Q net income up 15 percent
- Oil prices tumble on European debt concern
on Facebook
- Adele sings a cappella for Anderson Cooper
- Josh Powell had "incestuous" images on his home computer, authorities say
- Adele sings a cappella for Anderson Cooper
on CBS News
