Changes Plastic Surgery Skin Care
Changes Skin Care
Skin Care today is based on scientific research which has discovered the way in which aging of the skin occurs and the steps which must be taken to reverse the signs of aging and prevent further skin damage.
Superoxides on the surface of the skin have conclusively been shown to age skin. These superoxides arise from sun exposure, smoking, stress, alcohol ingestion, etc. In a sense, our skin “oxidizes” causing the signs of aging we are all familiar with: coarse texture, wrinkles, pigmentation changes. Additionally sun exposure breaks down the elastic properties of the skin and causes uneven coloration (dyschromias).
Treatment of skin aging includes treatment with Vitamin A derivatives such as tretinoin, Retin A, Renova. Multiple randomized controlled studies have clearly demonstrated the benefits of retinoid derivatives in lightening age spots, increasing the collagen and elastic properties of the skin and reducing wrinkles.
Chemical Peeling agents also peel away the aged wrinkled and improperly pigmented skin and allow newer elastic skin to grow. The skin appears more even in texture, coloration, and with fewer wrinkles.
Recently, antioxidant medications have been shown to prevent superoxide damage to the skin and renew skin damage caused by environmental factors. Such agents as Vitamin C, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Ubiquinone, and Idebenone (Prevage MD), are just some examples of these agents. Idebenone is the strongest of these antioxidants and appears to give the best improvement and protection especially in the MD (physician) strength (1%).
Recommended skin care
Step 1:
- Cleanser with Salicylic or Glycolic Acid. This cleans the skin and induces a slight exfoliation of dead skin cells. This also helps to unclog pores.
- Toner: This works hand in hand with the cleanser and returns the skin pH to its normal state. The toner also helps to remove dirt from pores, allowing the pores to shrink and give a finer smoother appearance to the skin.
Step 2:
AM Treatment
- Prevage. This is an MD strength 1% Idebenone antioxidant which moisturizes the skin, protects the skin from superoxide aging, and repairs the skin damage present. See the pre and post treatment photos which show the effect of Idebenone. This is available at dept stores in the weaker 0.5% strength.
- Jan Marini Bioclear lotion and cream
This is a skin rejuvenating glycolic acid moisturizer which peels off the outer layers of devitalized skin, preventing the buildup of dry dead skin cells, all while moisturizing the skin. The lotion is for regular skin. The cream is for dry skin. - Sunscreen. We recommend the Jan Marini spf 35 sunscreen available in squirt bottle or travel tube. This is non comedogenic and blends nicely with makeup.
- Alternatively, patients may use the Skin TX or Vivite morning skin care regimen.
Step 3:
Pm treatment
- Cleanse and Tone skin
- HQRA
This is a physician strength combination of hydroquinone 7% (bleaching agent), tretinoin 0.05%(for wrinkle reduction), Kojic Acid (bleaching agent to remove pigmented age spots), mild steroid to decrease skin inflammation. This formula dramatically reduces sun damage seen as age spots, uneven skin coloration, and rough leathery skin. - Alternatively, patients may use the Skin TX or Vivite evening skin care regimen.
By utilizing this simple skin care regimen, you can bring about a dramatic improvement in the quality, tone, and appearance of your skin within 6 to 8 weeks. Regular skin care maintenance should only take a couple minutes in the morning and night to give you smooth and lustrous skin.