The Magic Anti-Aging Skin Cream
Poof! You are 20 years younger. If only that were true. There are literally thousands of skin creams out there. From infomercials on TV, promises on the internet, to classy department stores, they all tell you what you want to hear. Unfortunately, they seldom work like advertised because they dont have enough of the key ingredients to make a difference. They are formulated for the “average” person. In this video I try to answer the question by talking a bit about Retinoids, Retin A, Tazorack, Obogi, free radicals, anti-oxidants, and even coffee berry products. If you would like information specific to a product, please just let me know and I will do what I can to help. Just use the comment box under the video.
Anti-Aging For the Youth
You may think this is a silly title but you would be surprised how many of my patients want to know how to prevent their children from having to face the same skin problems they do. They know first hand how ignoring their own skin for years has made them look older than needed. Take a look at this brief video where we talk about anti-aging skin products, sunscreen, SPF ratings, zinc, titanium, skin damage from smoking, and finally, what a balanced diet can do for your skin.
Effects Of Smoking On Your Skin
Here is an interesting photo, taken of twins. One is a smoker, one is not. Can you tell which one is the smoker? Although both have skin damage from sun exposure without protection, you can see other obvious signs of smoke damage on the smoking sister. Look around the eyes. They are the first to tell your secrets.
Why 
Does Smoking Damage Your Skin?
Smoking is one of most damaging practices one can engage in when it comes to your skin. How does smoking lead to wrinkles and other skin damage? Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. This impairs blood flow to your skin, depleting it of oxygen and important nutrients, such as vitamin A. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. As a result, skin begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely.
The first thing you notice about a smoker is “dull skin”. It is a bit difficult to quantify and measure, but its almost as if their skin has no real tone or “life”. Most folks describe dull skin as skin that “does not glow”, “looks pale”, “looks lifeless”, or “is not dewy”. Also, smoking causes a tremendous amount of free radical damage.
All in all, smoking is the fastest way to create premature skin aging , ranking right up there with super agressive sun damage. If you are smoking, STOP. I know it is easy for me to say, but you must at least make a serious effort to stop if you want healthy skin. After only 10 years of smoking, this damage can not be reversed, but we do our best.
It may interest you to know some plastic surgeons feel so strongly about this that they will not consider operating on a smoker. Everything from actual surgery, to outcome, to healing time is negatively affected with a smoker.
Need Help Quitting?
If you need help quiting, email me. There are treatments available that work, but there is no “easy button”. You have to want it bad enough to endure the challenges as you break this damaging habit.
Dark Circles Under Eyes Give Away Age
Men comprise about 20% of my practice. While Botox Cosmetic (made by Allergan) injections are the most common, an increasing number of men are concerned with dark circles and hollows under their eyes. Often this is a heredity issue, but can be alleviated with a few simple procedures. Since the lower eye-lid skin is so extremely thin, even for our male folks, it often shows more signs of wear and tear, can be translucent allowing visibility of dark structures below, and is prone to a “basket-weave” pattern due to muscle pull from various directions. Also men in general, aside from our “metro sexual” types, tend to not use evidence-based products on their skin, if anything. Therefore, the eyes are on their own. There are other solutions also, like Vivite eye cream made by Allergan, Elastergan by Obagi, and some caffeine based creams. The video discusses these and other remedies. Look at the Q and A video just below that discusses these and other remedies. Let me know what you think and if this answered your questions.
Fillers May Be An Answer
It is possible to fill some of these hollows with a hyaluronic acid such as Restylane® or Juvéderm®, or collagen such as Evolence®. When performed by an expert, the look is smooth, hollows are flattened, and the structures below are no longer visisble. In addition, there is Sculptra®, a product that stimulates the growth of collagen (your own). Though it takes several sessions, the look is completely natural and may last for years, since it is simply part of you.
You Don’t Have To Call It Mens Make Up!
Finally, if I can convince a man to use good products, the battle is nearly over. While I routinely suggest a retinoid, like Retin A for under the eyes (yes, it should be used under the eyes, just not on the upper lid), there are other alpha-hydroxy acid products that really help. It is important to understand that if you don’t like what you see now, it is not going to get better without action on your part.
Based on the increasing number of new men patients, they really do care! At least here in South Florida!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Bonnie
