TIRED OF DARK SPOTS & HYPERPIGMENTATION?

Patients seek skin lightening and or brightening for a variety of reasons, and science has produced an equal variety of products to meet their needs.  Some of the more popoular ones with Derma MD is its New Lightening and Brightening Cre’me…soon to launch, and its Diminish and Trusted Lightening Complex.  Each of these have purposes to not only help lighten dark spots, but to  also help brighten the skin so that it appears more vibrant.

Function of  Melanin

It is a known fact that both hyperpigmentation and melasma are two of the most difficult skin conditions to clear up next to acne.  As much as we all enjoy the sunshine, it is also one of the skin’s worst enemies.  Melanin serves an important role in our health by absorbing ultraviolet light thereby protecting the skin from sun damage, but overtime the skin will show its damage and we will start to develop those ugly dark spots, sometimes referred to as age spots and or hyperpigmentation.   Those with more melanin, such as people of color are less likely to burn when exposed to sun and will show less overall affects of sun damage compared to people with fair type skin.

Ingredients Found in Lightening Products

Professionals wary about hydroquinone’s possible side effects now have several newer options to choose from.  Don’t get me wrong…hydroquinone is and has been one of the more popular skin lightening agents for many years, but in my opinion is still an ingredient that should be prescribed by physician only when used for long periods of time.

So what are our options?  Kojic Acid is derived from mushroom and has been used quite successfully in lightening products.  Derma MD incorporates 8% in Diminish and 4% Kojic Powder in its Trusted Lightening Complex and it’s soon to launch …Lightening & Brightening Cre’me.  Another up and coming recognized ingredient for its lightening properties is Melanostatin-5. This is a new peptide that helps prevent the melanocyte from producing melanin which causes the darkness.  Other ingredients  that are found to be excellent when incorporated into lightening products are licorice extract, bearberry, and vitamin c to name a few.

Lightening ingredients appear to have far superior results when combined with some alpha hydroxys, such as your lactic, malic and or glycolic acids, such as found in Skin Renew or Wasabi Resurfacing Gel.

NOTE:  If you have severe hyperpigmentation and or melasma, consult with your physician and or skin care specialist to discuss  a non-invasive procedure named IPL (intense pulse light).  This procedure combined with topicals will accelerate the diminish of dark pigmented areas.  This procedure is usually performed in a series of 3-6 according to level of skin condition.

As long as there’s a need for skin lighteners, its’ safe to assume that products and technology will continue to evolve, and those with the conditions of  hyperpigmentation, melasma or age spots will continue the journey looking for result oriented lightening products for their cosmetic improvements.

Feel free to contact me directly with any question you may have regarding hyperpigmentation, age spots and or melasma…I’m your personal skincare specialist

email:  sheila@dermamdskincare.com – Founder of Derma MD

DRY SKIN VERSUS DEHYDRATED SKIN…WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

Does Your Skin Feel Tight, Dry or Itchy?

If so, your skin may be dehydrated.  Dehydration is a common skin condition that can occur in all skin types.  Most people will experience skin dehydration at some point in their lives.  If you have ever had a sun burn or wind burn you have experienced a more severe form of skin dehydration.  That tight, hot, itchy feeling is your skin crying out for moisture.  Dehydration doesn’t have to be that severe to be damaging though.  Even subtle signs of dehydration can lead to premature aging and a dull, lackluster complexion.

In accessing your own skin, it is important to know the difference between dry skin anddehydrated skin.

Dry skin generally refers to skin that is lacking oil.

Dehydrated skin refers to skin that is lacking water in the outermost layers (the stratum corneum).

Although dehydration often accompanies dry skin, dehydration can also occur in the oiliest skin types as well.

Your body is made up of 80% water, but maintaining it on the skin’s surface can be difficult.  A healthy, efficient epidermis should hold 13.5% of water, yet  if it loses just 3.5% of that then it can become dehydrated.  The environment is a large contributing factor to dehydrated skin.  In the winter dry, cold air outside and electric heating inside can dehydrate the surface of the skin.  In the summer hot sunshine and air-conditioning can contribute to the condition.

Does Your Skin Feel Dehydrated?

Signs of Dehydration in the Skin

- Skin feels tight.  This is especially noticeable when you smile.  You may feel pulling around the nose and mouth.

- Skin feels irritated.  Dehydrated skin may feel hot or itchy.  Windburn is a form of dehydration.

- Skin develops superficial lines.  If you lightly pinch a section of skin, dehydrated skin shows fine, dry lines and sometimes flaking.

Does Drinking Lots Of Water Prevent Dehydration?

It is a common myth that drinking water will help prevent skin dehydration.  Although drinking plenty of water is good for your general health, it will do very little to prevent skin dehydration. Cosmetic Dermatologist, Dr Sam Bunting says, “Drinking water to rehydrate dry skin is a bit like sitting in the bath and expecting it to quench your thirst.”

Does Diet Make A Difference?

Yes.  Eating a well balanced diet that includes essential nutrients like Omega 3 fatty acids can help the skin hold onto water and stay hydrated.  Dr. Howard Murad, who wrote the book “The Water Secret” recommends eating your water by replacing some of the water you would drink in a day with a serving of “juicy” fruits and vegetables.  Dr. Murad says, “‘Eating foods that are rich in structured water, especially raw fruits  and vegetables, will not only help your body hold onto water longer,  you’ll get the added boost of important antioxidants, fiber and other  nutrients.”

Eating “juicy” fruits and vegetables can help your body hold onto water longer.

Does Skincare Make A Difference?

Absolutely!  One of the best ways to hydrate the skin from the outside in is with a serum containing Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic Acid is produced naturally in the body however over time the synthesis of hyaluronic acid decreases.  A baby’s skin is full of hyaluronic acid which explains why babies and children rarely experience skin dehydration.  Hyaluronic acid helps the skin hold onto water, plumping up cells and giving skin backs its youthful appearance.  It not only hydrates the surface of the skin (the epidermis) but also penetrates deeply into the dermal layer, increasing the viscosity of the connective tissues and giving the skin the soft supple glow that it has been missing.

At Derma MD we are known for producing products with a high percentage of active ingredients and our Replenish Hydrating Serum is no exception.  It contains 8-10% Hyaluronic Acid combined with a mega peptide complex including Copper Peptide Complex, Matrixyl 3000 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to stimulate collagen synthesis.  Use morning and night after cleansing but before applying other treatments and moisturizers to increase hydration and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.  To learn more about peptides, see our article Let’s Talk About Peptides.  Used daily skin texture and hydration will significantly improve and your once thirsty skin will be quenched.

Feel free to contact me directly for any question you may have regarding your skin…

sheila@dermamdskincare.com   - Founder of Derma MD...your personal skincare specialist!

Age Managment Antioxidants: Vitamin C & Astaxanthin

Antioxidants are important in skincare because they can help reduce free radical damage.  Free radical damage is known to contribute to premature aging, wrinkles and hyper pigmentation.  When you slice an apple in half it will begin to turn brown within minutes.  This is called oxidization, or free radical damage in action.  The vitamin C (also a powerful antioxidant) will help prevent oxidization and the apple will stay fresh for much longer.  This is antioxidization in action! Derma MD® incorporates multiple antioxidants in our skincare line, but two of these very important antioxidants are AstaXanthin and Vitamin C!

AstaXanthin is an extremely powerful antioxidant that plays a very important role in skincare.  AstaXanthin is extracted from a type of marine algae that gives salmon and shellfish like shrimp, its beautiful pink color.                                      

This powerhouse antioxidant has been getting a lot of press lately.  It is a relatively new discovery for skincare, but Derma MD ® has been incorporating it for the last 10 years, in one of its most popular products…”Pink Silk” Face Firming Rejuvenator!

AstaXanthin has been proven to be one of the strongest, anti-inflammatory/antioxidants available.  Studies show thatAstaXanthin far surpasses the antioxidant benefits of beta-carotene, Vitamin A and Vitamin E combined! Derma MD ® uses AstaXanthin in many key products in high concentration (2-3%) for best results.  Our newest addition withAstaXanthin is our new revolutionary… S-Cargot Face Lift Anti-Aging Serum …Some of the more anti-aging benefits of this product are as follows:

One of the more potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidants.  Found to be to 1000 times stronger than Vitamin E, and up to 10 times stronger than beta-carotene.

Combined with potent anti-aging ingredients that fight free radicals, this product also protects from UV damage.

Stimulates collagen synthesis and improve skin’s elasticity.

Vitamin © is a very potent antioxidant and can be found in most of the citrus fruits such as grapefruit.  Some of the more beneficial properties found in Vitamin C are:

Promote collagen production- Vitamin © is proven to stimulate the synthesis collagen. Skin loses vitamin C over time, thus making line & wrinkles more prominent.  Topical Vitamin © allows for the skin to start that stimulation once again, thus reducing fine lines & wrinkles, protecting from free radical damage.

Helps to brighten the skin and improve its texture.  Vitamin © is found to stimulate increase of the cellular turnover, leaving skin more radiant and softer.

Fights free radicals-being a potent antioxidant it helps protect skin from free radical damage.  Free radical activity increases due to UV radiation from sun, environmental factors, such as pollutants, over excessive alcohol intake and cigarette smoke to name just a few.

Derma MD ® newest addition is C-Genie 17% Vitamin C Serum…This stabilized formula should be a main staple of your skin care regimen.  Used daily and you skin will look more vibrant, healthier and younger looking within a few weeks.