Blog Entries tagged 'Sun Damage'

Is it okay to use tretinoin/Retin A, etc if I live in a sunny climate and am driving a lot?

questions@skintour.com — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Thank you! Sorry it took me so long to get to your question since it's a good one. Car window glass does not block all UV rays as you pointed out. Window glass usually blocks UVB but not UVA. So..... using sunscreens that block UVA well becomes even more important if you are in a car a lot. Make sure your sunscreen has a very high percentage of zinc like the Dermaquest Zinclear (18%). Using a mineal powder makeup over that like the Jane Iredale (SPF 2 [...]

Which treatment should I have next?

questions@skintour.com — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Your question brings up two good issues: customization and maintenance.

First, the answer to your question really depends on your particular skin. I think it would be bad medicine to recommend something without really knowing you, your goals, your lifestyle and your skin! Do you see what I mean though? A good dermatologist can customize this for you so you don't waste time and money and get the best results possible.

Secondly, I think a lot of women [...]

Is SkinMedica TNS Recovery safe?

questions@skintour.com — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Jane - TNS does NOT have human growth hormone in it!!!!! The cell growth factors (from skin cells in the lab) and human growth hormone are completely different things. Please don't worry. Dr. I

Preventing Brown Spots (#1 of 3)

jeff@fdgweb.com — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100

First, you have to understand them! What kind of brown spots do you have?

Are they lentigoes (flat and light to medium dark brown) and caused by sun damage? Are they seborrheic keratoses (bumpy and light tan to dark brown)? Are they true moles (can be raised or flat and any color)? Are they melasma (blotchy brown patches, flat and larger than lentigoes)? Or, a combination of several.

And skin cancers can mimic all of these. If you're not sure, or if a brown spot is changing, you [...]

Should I use Renova during the summer?

questions@skintour.com — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100

If you have an indoor job and really aren't outside much in the summer, it's fine to keep using it. If you are outdoors frequently, I usually recommend stopping or cutting back on use for the summer or for sunny vacations.

The reason? The skin has 3 layers - the outer dead layer (stratum corneum), the "barrier" layer where the pigment making cells live (epidermis) and the deep layer where the collagen, elastic fibers, blood vessels, etc. are (the d [...]

What causes pads under the eyes?

questions@skintour.com — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Under eye pads or puffiness are complicated because there are several different causes and sometimes they coexist together. So....... causes can be:

1. The skin on the eyelids loses collagen and elasticity from sun damage and intrinsic aging causing it to not snap back well after puffiness from a salty meal, too much alcohol, etc.;

2. The fat pads under the eyes slip or move a little causing an irregular contour;

3. The orbicularis oculi muscle around [...]

Is Heliocare helpful for added sun protection?

questions@skintour.com — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This is a tough one because since Heliocare is sold as a supplement, it is not regulated by the FDA. That means that side effects from it's use may go undetected for some time. I cannot find any convincing safety data on this product. It is an extract made from a fern polypodium leucotomos and is take norally. I'm always wary of new drugs (and herbs & plants are drugs), when there isn't a track record of safety.

The company website says Heliocare is an [...]

How can I get rid of sun spots if I work outside???

questions@skintour.com — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Thank you! I'm having so much fun doing this. You're doing a good basic job I can tell. Here are some thoughts for fine tuning more. Do you have a hat with a good brim?? Hats are real skin savers if you work in the sun - even just a baseball hat is better than nothing. A nice, wide brim is even better.

I'm not sure which Obagi product that is but the Triluma (prescription) is probably going to be better. It has a little tretinoin (generic [...]

New Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Lasers

jeff@fdgweb.com — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

I'm getting a lot of questions about this relatively new class of laser. For good reason too, because the right fractionated CO2 system coupled with an experienced dermatologist can be astonishing.

These lasers target wrinkles, sun damage in general, pigment problems, acne scarring, and texture problems.

See my new article about these lasers: Dr. Irwin's Guide to Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Lasers for Sun Damage, Wrinkles, Acne Scars, and Surgical Scars.

How do I construct a great skin care regimen?

questions@skintour.com — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Whoa!! This is way too much so let's simplify and get back to basics a bit. Here's what I'd recommend:

AM cleanse, Vit C & E (your antioxidant), eye cream, spot treat your brown spots with the Nu-derm, then change to a moisturing sunscreen (2 steps in 1) like the SkinCeuticals Active with the Mexoryl.

PM cleanse, TNS Recovery (your cell growth factors), eye cream, moisturize and then wait 5-10 minute, pea sized amount of Renova (your vitami [...]

Avoid Spots on the Back of Your Hands

jeff@fdgweb.com — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Don't forget your hands when it comes to aging skin. Most people get as much sun on the backs of their hands as they do on their faces.

You can use the same products you use on your face on the backs of your hands. The one exception may be Renova, because it may be irritating with the constant small traumas to our hands.

Use your sunscreen daily on the backs of your hands and remember, UVA comes through car window glass. Consider driving gloves if you're in your car a lot.

Is sunscreen in makeup enough?

questions@skintour.com — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Good question. A think a lot of people are confused about this one. The answer to this depends somewhat on what you do. If you are commuting in your car and then indoors all day, it's probably enough for winter if you're commute isn't too long. Remember that UVA goes through window glass and that includes cars. You want to look for a product that contains a UVA blocker - at least 5-10% zinc or titanium (try SkinCeuticals SPF 20) or 3% Mexoryl (t [...]

After growing up in Florida, at 25, what is the best way to deal with sun damage?

questions@skintour.com — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Andrea - Thank you for the compliment! Growing up in Florida IS high risk for skin cancer and wrinkles. Since you already know that you have more sun damage than average for your age, I'd recommend going to the prescription strength tretinoin 0.025% (Retin A) or you might like Renova (tretinoin 0.02%) better because it's in a more moisturizing base.

I'd recommend for morning a gentle cleanser, a good antioxidant like SkinCeuticals C & E Ferrulic (as lon [...]

Is sunscreen in makeup enough?

questions@skintour.com — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CORRECTION. See the first blog post please. I realized I goofed on the sunscreen. The Helioplex is the stabilized Parsol complex in Neutrogena. The Antihelios is the one that contains the Mexoryl. Dr. I

Protect the Skin on Your Neck and Chest

jeff@fdgweb.com — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Put the same sunscreen on your neck and chest that you do on your face.

This may sound obvious, but it's surprising how many of us don't do it regularly. And it looks odd to have facial skin that looks pretty good, with skin on the neck and chest that is red, blotchy, leathery, or sun damaged.

Your neck especially has few oil glands, so apply a moisturizer there under your sunscreen. Same with your chest. If your Vitamin A, retinoid, or antioxidant repair creams irrita [...]

Should Renova go on before or after moisturizer?

questions@skintour.com — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

I know this is confusing because you'll see it both ways depending on who you consult. Renova works well either way but I counsel my patients to wash, apply moisturizer, wait 5-10 minutes (brush your teeth, etc) and THEN do the Renova because it pretty much eliminates the problem of irritation. Irritation (redness andor flaking) is the main reason people stop using it. Renova provides the cosmetic effects we all love but it also helps to prevent skin cancers and norm [...]

Is there a difference between Renova and Retin A Micro gel?

questions@skintour.com — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Okay so there a lot of understandable confusion about creams that are vitamin A cousins (also called retinoids) because the names are all similiar. When you say retinal micro gel 0.4%, I'm thinking you meant Retin A micro gel 0.4%. Renova and Retin A are basically the same thing in that they are both tretinoin (the generic name). Renova is formulated in a more moisturizing base for dryer skin types specifically for older patients using it to repair sun damage. The gel work [...]

Winter Sports - Protect Your Skin

jeff@fdgweb.com — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Suncreen is even more important at high altitude. Look for sunscreens with a good UVA blocker like Mexoryl 3%, zinc or titanium 5-10%. UVA becomes more intense at altitude. It's a longer wavelength of UV radiation, and it damages your collagen and your collagen-making cells more because it penetrates more deeply, causing wrinkles.

Here's to a skin healthy holidays!

For a good sunscreen with mexoryl, try La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40. I know that some of the customer reviews at [...]

Sun Damage from Summer - What To Do Now

jeff@fdgweb.com — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Now's a good time to take stock of any sun damage accrued over the summer.

If you're in your 20s or 30s, consider a series of microdermabrasion or light peels to help your skin slough off those damaged cells faster. Add your Vitamin A product back in at night (Retinol/Renova/Retin A/tretinoin, etc), if you stopped it for the summer.

If you're 40+ you may need more, like a photorejuvenation treatment or series (light laser cousin called an IPL) to remove the brown spots. This als [...]