Often my patients are most interested in the services that can produce an immediate cosmetic result. They explain to me that they have become fixated on one aspect of their appearance and have spent hundreds of dollars on store products without relief. I reassure them of two facts: 1) medicine now has remedies that can enhance their appearance 2) there are critical habits they can adopt to improve their skin on a daily basis. While frustrated by cosmetic pigmentation, sun spots, age spots, pore size, or wrinkles, many patients are unaware of the degree of damage their skin has suffered even by their mid-thirties. My practice has the advantage of computerized skin analysis to reveal the level of skin damage and help create a smart skin strategy that makes sense… for their lifestyle and budget. There are several steps one can take to improve the health of the skin even before seeing a Cosmetic Physician. In fact, whether I am using laser technology, photodynamic therapy, dermal fillers, wrinkle relaxation, abrasive therapy or peels, my patient’s level of health has a direct effect on what procedures are available to them and their ultimate result. I achieve my most beautiful results on healthy skin where the cosmetic procedure of choice can stimulate or alter the skin in a predictable manner.

Keep this 5-step plan on hand to improve your skin’s appearance today and every day.

Lean and Clean – physical activity, emotional stress, chemical exposure and even the weather contribute to the buildup of sweat, oil, and other debris on your skin. Cleanse every day with products geared toward your skin’s unique needs. No matter what your skin type, resurfacing the skin daily in some way is essential to improving the health and appearance of the skin. Some of our favorites include topical alpha/beta hydroxys, retinoids, and antioxidants.

Soft and Smooth – Dryness can become a significant problem as you age. This is often the result of depleted essential fatty acids or specific hormone deficiencies. For men, shaving and cleansing will strip your skin of protective moisture and oil. High grade fish oil taken by mouth, like sockeye salmon oil or other omega 3 sources, in a dose of 2-3 grams per day, can enhance the moisture factor of your skin while also providing some additional overall health benefits. Hydrating from the inside out is always best, but when extra moisture is needed consider some advanced products that are now available. These include medical -grade products containing measured active ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, grape seed extract, and vitamin E. Be careful not to grab just any moisturizer as it may do more harm than good. Ingredients like mineral oil and parabens have been observed to cause breakouts or increased sensitivity to already compromised skin in some individuals.

Feed Your Skin – The same diet you require to keep your body lean and tone is the same one you need to maintain clear, healthy skin. Lean protein from fish, skinless chicken, and legumes helps build collagen, a key building block for skin. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and other antioxidants that aid in wound healing and skin health. An adequate intake of magnesium, selenium, zinc and B vitamins, along with other micro-nutrients, is also essential. Most people do not achieve sufficient levels of these by diet alone, so supplementing with a pharmaceutical grade multi-vitamin is often recommended. Also, don’t forget to drink lots of water to keep your skin and other organs detoxified. Filtered or reverse osmosis water may have some added health benefits.

Patrol the Moles – Men suffer higher rates of skin cancer compared to women. Early detection is one key to a good prognosis. Visit a qualified physician once a year for a professional evaluation, learn how to perform a skin self-exam and check your skin markings about once a month. If your skin has endured significant sun damage you may consider early treatment with non-surgical procedures such as photodynamic therapy to clear skin of sun damage, pigmentation and pre-cancer lesions. Even in winter the following areas should have sunscreen daily: face, ears, neck, chest, and backs of hands.

Sun Protection: Get Personal – One sunscreen does cannot fit everyone because skin tone and type has a critical influence on your risk for UV damage. The sun protection factor (SPF) ratings, while still important, are beginning to take a back seat to the proposed FDA 5-star classification system that better predicts protection against harmful UVA rays. This system will rate sunscreens for UVA coverage in addition to the SPF rating. It will also make SPF50 the highest allowable rating claim and discourage vague claims like “waterproof ” or “sweat proof ”, from use on the label. FDA anticipates instituting the changes by the end of the year. A daily-use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 may be all you need. There are many cosmetically elegant sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or a new ingredient, mexoryl, which can provide added protection against the UVA wavelengths. In addition, new science suggests that adding a topical L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to skin can provide even further protection against damage. By cosmetically elegant, we mean that these products can be worn under make up, and yet still moisturize and enhance the reflective quality of the skin without creating the heavy or pasty feeling of less elegant products.

Consulting with a medical professional who specializes in Cosmetic Medicine is the best way to ensure that you have access to the technology, science and products available for great skin.