Skin Care News

Cold Weather = Dry Skin

Posted on October 19, 2009 with 5 Comments

For many of us it only took a matter of a few days as we saw temperatures drop from the mid-60’s to the mid-30’s as colder, drier weather hit us fast.  Chicago, Buffalo, and Philadelphia are being hit with the earliest snow falls on record (even New England played football in the snow this weekend!), and the cold, dry air is drying-out skin just as fast.

With that said, here is a short primer on why our skin gets dry when fall and winter hits.  Well, for one, colder air is

Moisturizing Dry Skin

less dense than warm air.  Therefore, it is unable to hold as much moisture or water molecules.  Cold air - as in “canadian fronts” - often brings with it wind that “wisks” away moisture and tends to dry-out tissue - causing oils and water vapor to evaporate more quickly.

An interesting observation for those who have swimming pools or jaccuzis…as with many folks we know, we cover our pool during the winter.  We keep the pump and filter going, but cover the entire pool with a floating plastic sheet.  I assumed this was to keep the leaves and debris out of the pool and the cleaner.  Well this is in-part true, but I was informed by our local “pool expert” that the primary reason for the covers is to lessen evaporation.  He told me the cold, windy weather would cause as much, if not more, evaporation than the heat and sun during the summer.

Well, that is what happens to our skin!  So, what do what should you do?  Here are a couple of ideas our staff and consultants suggest:

1. Keep your skin moisturized.  While this may seem an obvious first note, it is difficult for most folks to do.  First, you start your day with a hot shower (which depletes oils and moisture), then you go out into the cold, dry air - often windy, too.  So, by the time you get to work or school, you face is tight, and the skin on your hands hurt or are notiably dry and flaking.  The best thing to do is pat dry following a shower and immediately apply a light moisturizing lotion.  We recommend those that contain ingredients like aloe, lanolin and/or emu oil.  Generally an emu oil lotion is not greasy, is absorbed deeply into the skin, and lasts much or most of the day.
2. Stay hydrated - Again, kind of an obvious issue, but for any of you who like to snow ski know, you can easily become dehydrated without knowing it because of the cooler temperatures.
3. Use vitamin supplements - There is a bit of debate as to whether most folks need a daily supplement for their ski, nails or hair.  Personally I think it is a good idea - and there is no evidence that it hurts - none that I know of, anyway.   I believe this especially holds true during the winter.  Our diets change, level of active outdoor activities decline, and our skin and hair are constantly exposed to a barrage of UV rays and cold air.  Help keep your skin elastic and healthy by boosting up on some supplements.

You know your skin best.  What you do during the winter generally has an impact as you enter the spring and summer.  Care should be taken now to avoid wrinkles, dry patches, skin rash, and flaking.  While careful care can be given to protect your skin, a little bit of prevention can help reduce the rate at which your skin ages and helps to keep your complexion smooth and soft.

StriVectin-SD - Product Review

Posted on August 19, 2009 with No Comments

Botox injections are all the rage nowadays when it comes to temporarily removing wrinkles and leaving your face a lot less wrinkly and more “youthful-looking” than before, all the jokes about how downright creepy a deadened, frozen face looks aside. However, aside from this Botox injection trend, there’s also another way of achieving a more youthful, less wrinkly you—and it’s a lot less of an unnatural process to boot. We’re talking about the top-recommended Strivectin-SD, of course.

StriVectin-SD Stretch Mark Cream

Now, the concept of the stretch mark cream is hardly as innovative or new as Botox, but there’s a good reason why Strivectin-SD is so popular anyway. In fact, it’s not that much of a “stretch” to say that this product is among the best-selling and most famous topical stretch marks products next to skin resurfacing. Hundreds of vendors have published lists that have the Strivectin-SD as a consistent, high-level performer.

Then again, lists are one thing, and trying out the cream for yourself is another thing entirely. Is it worth the hype it’s receiving? The ever-growing stretchmarks cream market is inundated with all sorts of creams, ointments, liniments, cleansers, and whatnot, so you have to take even the top ten lists of merchants with a grain of salt. The proof, after all, is in the pudding, and the actual conclusion lies within the Strivectin-SD’s stretch mark solution, scar reducing ability itself.

Moreover, the constant comparisons to this cream and resurfacing are partly induced by the company itself. The product’s slogan is actually, “Strivectin-SD: Better Than Botox”. It takes a lot of moxie to claim such a thing, but it inevitably leaves consumers suspicious and more than a little skeptical. For people who’ve tried out the Botox procedure and staunchly support it, they’d probably take personal offense at the gall of alleging that a comparatively cheap anti-aging cream applied daily is more effective and impressive than a $500 or so cosmetic treatment.

As a note, this particular product from StriVectin was orginally designed as a treatment for reducing and diminishing stretch marks.  Interestingly, women noticed that it tightened the skin where it was applied and wrinkles disappeared.  So, as chance would have it, women began using it as a “wrinkle cream”.  As a follow-on, StriVectin introduced a new product (Eye Cream) with a few less-harsh ingredients specifically for wrinkles.  Thus our review may seem a bit confusing.  Effectively we’re evaluating its (their) success at both - wrinkles and stretch marks.

Checking out Strivectin-SD reveals first and foremost that, no, it’s not superior to Botox or isn’t even the next best thing to Botox. To be true, it’s just about as effective as any other anti-wrinkle cream currently available in the market.

On the other hand, it’s quite potent and it’s undoubtedly among the better anti-aging topical agents available right now. It’s particularly effective against fine lines and early onset wrinkles. Using this as daily maintenance on your face will at the very least help you age gracefully, if not look ten years younger in the long run.

The verdict? The product is worth recommending, but it is definitely overrated and very expensive compared to other products that contain essentially the same ingredients and provide similar results - both as a stretch mark cream or wrinkle cream. It gets 7.88 out of 10 stars, with points mostly taken from its expense and the fact there are very worthy competitors - on both fronts.

Anti Aging Conference: 9-12 September 2009 - San Jose, CA

Posted on July 6, 2009 with 17 Comments

The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine has announced its fall Congress and Exposition in San Jose, CA on September 9-12, 2009. 

It is a 4 day event and they have over 75 speakers slated for presentations together with workshops on In-Office procedures.  Several focus areas include hormone replacement therapy, aesthetic venous treatments (spider vein treatments), detox and weight management, stem cell research updates, as well as fundamental and advanced topics on managing your “Anti-Aging” practice - medical, spa or medspa - a critical topic in today’s challenging economic environment.

They are currently accepting enrollment into the conference (http://www.worldhealth.net/) and it is not too late for reserving the best spots as exhibitors.  If you are a manufacturer of anti-aging skin care products, equipment, cosmetic or plastic surgery aids, advertising, or other anti-aging systems, you want to make sure you are in attendance.  Spa and  med spa owners and managers as well as  clinicians will be on-hand.

Here are some very interesting facts to know if you are in the industry or considering it:

Fast Facts on The Anti-Aging Marketplace

• The consumer public has voted with their wallets overwhelmingly in favor of the anti-aging healthcare model. The anti-aging marketplace is one that is demographics-driven: people around the world are getting older. As a result the anti-aging marketplace is projected to reach $41.94 billion by 2006, expanding at an average annual rate (AAGR) of 8% [Business Communications Company, 2002].

• The anti-aging market is expected to grow to $41.94 billion in 2006, reflecting an average annual rate (AAGR) of 9% [“Drugs and Cosmetics for Aging Boomers,” Business Communications Company, Inc., 2002]

• The market with the highest projected AAGR is hormone replacement therapy, at 16.5% [“Drugs and Cosmetics for Aging Boomers,” Business Communications Company, Inc., 2002]

• Global nutraceuticals market grew from $38.2 billion in 1999, to reach $46.7 billion in 2002; by 2007, global nutraceutical sales are projected to reach $74.7 billion [reported by NutraIngredients.com, “Nutraceuticals sales to hit $75 billion”] In he nutraceuticals market stands at $17.1 billion [“NBJ Releases New Report on Maturing US Supplement Industry,” Nutrition Business Journal, September 2002.]

• Sixty percent (60%) of Americans age 65+ are pursuing anti-aging interventions — including hormone replacement therapies and dietary supplementation [MSNBC Jan. 28, 2002.]

• Dietary supplement sales in 2000 were $17 billion. [Nutrition Business Journal, Nov. 2001.]

• Thirty-three percent (33%) of adults take supplements on the specific advice of their doctor. [Harris Interactive survey, 2001.]

Anti-Aging Conference

What Causes Spider Veins?

Posted on May 27, 2009 with 1 Comment

While there are several underlying reasons and causes of spider veins, the consensus seems to agree on pressure. Pressure from increased weight gain, pressure on the legs and thighs from fatty tissue or fluid build-up, pressure from plastic surgery (as in breast augmentation), or pressure related to being on your feet all the time (as in work-related).

How does pressure play a role?

Spider veins are considered the result of leaking through the vein walls which then coagulates leaving reddish, fine lines; poorly functioning or blocked valves which causes circulation “mis-direction” or blockage and swelling; or protrusion up and to the surface of the skin increasing visibility.

Presssure is considered a cause for many of these symptoms and ailments.  Why?  The first is the most obvious.  Standing on our feet all day because of work or home chores can increase blood pressure to lower extremities - our legs, thighs, calves, etc. - pushing capillaries closer to the surface making them more visible.  It can also increase pressure applied to the vein walls and structure increasing the propbability that leaking or malfunction can occur.

Similarly, weight gain - especially if related to cellulite build-up, can squeeze tissue and surrounding muscle making capillaries more visible and prominent while adding the risk of damage.  It is also considered a valid cause that natural aging and associated free-radical damage complicates appearance.  Many experts believe that free-radical damage caused by oxidization damages organs and tissue.  UV rays, smoking, and alcohol use accelerate free-radical damage causing cell membranes to become weak.  This can lead to leaking and poor circulation - giving rise to spider veins on the nose, cheeks, and underneath the eyes, as well.

In our next related post, I’ll discuss available spider vein treatment - sclerotherapy, laser and surgical removal and the use of vitamin k creams.  Follow this link for more information on what causes spider veins.

Dermory ST Breast Enhancement Cream

Posted on May 21, 2009 with 8 Comments

Coincidentally, we had on our agenda to do a review of Dermory ST - a breast enhancement cream that was introduced last year…and, well, one of our staff was watching The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet on FOX and saw the product feateured earlier in the week.

It was discussed along with other enhancement and enlargement products - inserts and a breats pump developed to stretch the skin.  It was featured as an investigation segment showing women optins for enlargement and augmentation without resorting to implants or cosmetic or plastic surgery.  Dermory ST - as reviewed on the program - was formulated to firm sagging and drooping breasts resulting from childbirth, nursing, weight loss or from natural aging.

If you’re unfamiliar with Dermory ST, it is the first (I believe) to use Bio-Bustyl, a polypeptide developed by Croda specifically for enhancing the bust.  Their clinical studies show a substantial improvement in firmness, cell respiration and reduction in skin fatigue.  Bio-Bustyl is also shown to improve collagen synthesis and development and sparks natural hormonal activity to assist “plumping” and firming breast tissue - getting a “perky” and enlargement benefit.

Additionally, it uses several ingredients common to anti-aging skin care - Matrixyl, Hyaluronic Acid and Ale Vera.  One of the more unique charateristics besides Bio-Bustyl is Dermory uses Emu Oil as a “carrier oil”.

While many may be indifferent to using carrier oils, a barrier to effectiveness of natural breast enhancement creams has been their ability to 1) provide adequate efficacy and 2) penetrate the dermal structure deep-enough to do any good.  Emu Oil is transdermal and a natural moisturizer…in affect, carries the active ingredients into the subcutaneous layers increasing firmness.

To summarize feedback from customers and staff, Dermory ST is the only breast enhancement cream using Bio Bustyl, Emu Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Matrixyl and Aloe.  Results are often seen in 7-10 days, but some of the ingredients - Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe - show benefits almost immediately.  It firms and tighten the breast skin removing and smoothing wrinkles, dryness or roughness and is designed to reduce sagging (point down?!) caused and often experienced after pregnancy or losing weight.  It’s ingredients work well for chest wrinkles also.