The technological march towards less and less invasive methods to improving skin health, slowing the signs of aging continues at a fast pace.  Just 5 years ago, when I entered this arena, the choices in topical skin care agents that actually transformed the skin were limited and laser treatments required a longer recovery time. Today we still have the main stay in tretinoin (Retin-A, Refissa), but newer agents such as peptides, growth factors, and antioxidants allow us to customize a skin care regimen to a greater degree. No longer does one need to have a red and peeling face to have an effective result.

Non-surgical treatments such as ablative laser resurfacing (to erase lines and wrinkles), and non-ablative lasers such as Intense Pulsed Light (to remove brown spots) allow us now to dramatically change the texture and tone of the skin with minimal down time. We have found the combination of our ProFractional and BBL treatment done on the same day can have dramatic effects on the skin with only a weekend of down time. Skin tightenting, while still not at the level of a surgical result, can never the less result in noticeable results, especially when combined with a good skin care program and other laser services. The key in maximizing results and minimizing recovery time is by combination therapy: various laser treatments with high quality, effective skin care.

When should one start on a skin care program? I truly believe that begining in one's 20's can pay huge dividends for one's fourties. In the twenty's a good skin care program along with using sun screens diligently and avoiding tanning beds may be all one needs. Botox is appropriate if one is developing wrinkles. In the 30's, more aggressive skin care products may be needed. Botox for wrinkles along with fillers for fuller lips and more youthful contour of the face may be needed as well. Often we employ mild laser treatments to address any uneven skin tone, enlarging pores, lines and wrinkles or sagging skin. This combination approach continues into the fourties and fifties as well, although it may require a more aggressive approach. The younger one begins with good skin care, the less aggressive and fewer treatments will be needed as one approaches thier 40's and 50's.

So what are the stars doing? Read here: http://bit.ly/aDvUUP

So I am often asked what am I doing for my skin. Well, one of the benefits of working at Evolve, is my staff and I get to try out a variety of skin care products. In fact, we often will try a product for a while before deciding to bring it on. Not only do we assess how that product feels and functions, but we also look at the clinical science behind the product, as well as the ingredients. 

My personal skin care routine varies though out the year. I use different products in the summer as compared to the winter months. Some products I use in summer are too drying for my skin in winter, while my winter products will leave me too oily in the summer months. Also, and there isn’t any science to back this up that I’m aware of, I feel changing out the products is beneficial as well. I liken it to going working out, doing the same exercise over and over. While there are certainly ongoing benefits, our bodies plateau unless we change up our work out routine. I feel the same goes with our skin.

My winter routine, I use a gentle cleanser to avoid drying my skin. Dry skin equals wrinkled skin. I use Vivete Vibrance therapy twice daily every other day. On the intervening days I use Evolve Barrier Repair twice daily. For around my eyes I use Lumiere eye cream.

Summers I change up my routine. I use Evolve Gly/Sal cleanser as my skin is much more oily. At night, I use Retin-A and Obagi Blender 3 nights per week. In the in between nights and every morning I use Evolve DNA Repair. For around my eyes I use Obagi Elastiderm eye gel twice daily. Of course daily use of a good quality, broad spectrum sunscreen is an absolute must!

As far as in office procedures go, I’m currently undergoing a series of 5 Skin Tyte treatments monthly. I’ll maintain the collagen stimulation and thickening by undergoing a Skin Tyte treatment every 3 months. As I’m pushing 48, I figure now is the time to get more aggressive, but in reality probably a Skin Tyte every 6 months is adequate. I do a BBL Photorejuvenation in the fall to clean up any brown spots that might have appeared during the summer. Finally a light ProFractional treatment once or twice a year to keep my pores, wrinkles and texture as smooth as possible.

Instead I've been trying latisse out on the (slightly) thinning spot on top of my head. Yes I know it's off label and not an approved use for Latisse, but what the heck. If I can keep my hair follicals a bit longer and maintain my full head of loks, it is worth a try. And guess what? The hair is thickening up! I'm sure Allergan is studying this potential use for Latisse, but I'm not waiting. Now I haven't done a formal study with hair counts, etc. But there appears to be more hair and feels thicker. And my hair stylist even noticed the hair was thicker. Now if Allergan can get the price lowered.