Dermesse Medical Grade Skin Care

Does Hydroquinone Work?

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Briana

Seeing Results with Hydroquinone

does hydroquinone work

If you’re bothered by freckles, age spots and skin discoloration, hydroquinone may be your ticket to clear, vibrant skin.

Numerous studies and user reviews have shown hydroquinone to be an effective treatment for uneven skin pigmentation. It works by suppressing melanin production (which normally causes the skin to darken following sun exposure).

This process prevents further discoloration. Hydroquinone also corrects any visible discoloration by lightening the skin.

Note: Hydroquinone is classified as an over-the-counter skin treatment in concentrations up to 2 percent. Higher concentrations usually require a prescription.

Results should start to be noticeable within four weeks of treatment. In some cases it may take longer to see any change in the skin. The more significant your skin discoloration is, the longer it will take to see results. If you don’t see results within three months, however, you should stop using hydroquinone.

A few things to remember when using hydroquinone…

Do not use other products containing benzoyl peroxide.

Combining hydroquinone with other skin care products that contain benzoyl peroxide or hydrogen peroxide (both commonly found in over-the-counter acne medicines) can cause temporary skin discoloration.

Take extra precautions to protect your skin from sun damage.

Hydroquinone reduces melanin production, which in turn makes your skin lighter. Because melanin production is down, your skin will also be more sensitive to sun exposure. If you aren’t already wearing sunscreen, it’s time to make it a part of your daily routine.

Be careful when using hydroquinone near your eyes.

If hydroquinone comes into direct contact with your eyes, it can cause serious damage. It’s important to use extra caution when applying a hydroquinone-based cream anywhere near your eyes. If you accidentally get hydroquinone in your eyes, you should rinse them with water and contact your doctor right away.

Hydroquinone Product Before and After Photos

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Tips for Treating Large Pores

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Briana

large pores Pores are microscopic openings at the surface of the skin. They provide a way for the body to flush out toxins, regulate body temperature and moisturize overly dry skin. We need pores to stay healthy and the average human face has thousands.

That being said, enlarged pores are a bothersome cosmetic concern for many people. Fortunately there are a number of ways to treat large pores with lasers, proper skin care and other topical methods.

What Causes Enlarged Pores?

Pores may appear enlarged for a number of reasons:

Genetic predisposition
Too much sun exposure
Increased oil production
Naturally due to age
Smoking

Dirt, oil and dead skin cells tend to collect around pores, making them appear even larger.

Switching Up Your Skin Care Routine

There are number of ways to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, starting with your daily skin routine. Washing your skin daily is vital to a healthy, vibrant complexion. Just make sure to use a mild cleanser and exfoliant so that your skin doesn’t become overly dry. The body responds to dry skin by increasing oil production, which could exaggerate the appearance of already enlarged pores.

Daily sunscreen is also important. Protecting your skin with an SPF of 15 or higher will prevent the rims of your pores from becoming thicker and enlarged. Depending on your skin, a combination of topical treatments may also be recommended such as retinoids, salicylic acid, alpha hydroxyl acid or benzoyl peroxides to further minimize the appearance of your pores.

Professional Treatments for Large Pores

If switching up your skin care routine simply isn’t enough, there are a number of professional treatments that may help eliminate large pores, including:

Chemical Peels
Microdermabrasion
Laser Skin Resurfacing
IPL Photofacial

You will need to schedule a consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist to determine which approach is best for your skin.

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Super Foods for Your Skin, Hair and Nails

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Briana

We’ve all hear the saying “you are what you eat.” Well it’s true – especially when it comes to beauty.

If you’re struggling with common beauty problems like dry skin, puffy bags or premature wrinkles, it might be time to re-evaluate your diet. The nutritious (and delicious) snacks below may just be the beauty answer you’ve been looking for:

The Problem: Thin or Damaged Hair

The Fix: Whole Grains

Whole grains found in oats, quinoa and brown rice are rich in essential B vitamins which can help improve the texture and quality of your hair. They also contain silica, which can minimize hair breakage, and zinc, an important hair nutrient that prevents hair loss.

The Problem: Wrinkles

The Fix: Oily Fish

To keep your skin hydrated and wrinkle free, it’s important to get enough omega-3 fatty acids. These essential nutrients will keep your skin hydrated and supple. They’ll also boost your skin’s collagen production – which will prevent fine lines and wrinkles in the long run.

The Problem: Dry Skin

The Fix: Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are not only tasty – they’re also a great source of vitamin E, which can help your skin stay hydrated longer. Walnuts and flaxseeds (unsalted) will give you the best results because they’re also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.

The Problem: Puffy Bags

The Fix: Avocado

Puffy under eye bags are often caused by excess fluid retention. To fix this problem, you should decrease your sodium intake and increase your potassium intake. Avocados are rich in potassium and healthy fatty acids which can also reduce skin inflammation.

The Problem: Brittle Nails

The Fix: Egg Yolk

Egg yolks are rich in vitamin B7, zinc, iron and protein – all of which are essential to strong, healthy nails. Eating egg yolk rich foods like omelettes on a regular basis is a great way to reduce brittleness and nail abnormalities.

Source: Huffington Post

Image: Pixabay

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4 Tips for Springtime Fitness and Beauty

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Briana

Spring is finally here, which means warm summer weather is just around the corner.

As the days get longer and the temperature begins to rise, it’s important to update your beauty and fitness routines. Check out some of our favorite springtime tips below:

Don’t Forget About Your Skin

There’s nothing like feeling the warm sun on your face after a long, cold winter. But as you’re enjoying the extra vitamin D this spring, don’t forget to put on sun screen. Too much unprotected sun exposure is the leading cause of premature aging and skin cancer – so be careful. Remember to slather on SPF 30 sunscreen (or higher) before you head outdoors.

Take Your Workout Outdoors

Even when the weather’s beautiful, it can be hard for most of us to get outside and enjoy it. One of the best ways to make the great outdoors apart of your daily routine is to switch up your daily workout routine. Instead of hitting the gym, head outside. Just remember to take the same precautions you would inside – warm up and stay hydrated.

Drink Plenty of Water

As the weather starts to heat up, it becomes easier to get dehydrated. Up your daily water intake this spring and you’ll see improvements in both your fitness and beauty. Staying hydrated will give you the added boost you need during a hard workout and it will give your skin a nice, healthy glow.

Time for Cosmetic Enhancement

Spring is one of the best times of the year to get cosmetic enhancement. Most of us still have some paid time off to burn from work and it’s still cool enough to cover up during recovery. If you’re interested in more invasive procedures, it’s also a good time to take care of them so you’ll be ready for a full reveal come beach season.

Source: Surgery.org

Image: Wikimedia Commons

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Tips for Managing Rosacea

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Briana

Managing rosacea can be a challenge – especially if you don’t know what triggers it.

Fortunately there are a number of skin care options available that can help. Just remember that skin care can improve or escalate rosacea – so it’s important to understand your options.

Avoid scrubbing your skin with a harsh exfoliant. This can irritate the skin and make rosacea worse.
Use a gentle skin cleanser. A mild, fragrance-free cleanser combined with lukewarm water is the best way to wash your face.
Don’t apply medication to the skin until it’s completely dry. If your dermatologist has prescribed a facial cream or gel for your face, always make sure it’s completely dry before application. You may want to wait as long as 30 minutes to prevent burning or stinging.
Moisturize your skin. A daily moisturizer can prevent water loss and soften your skin – which is key for rosacea sufferers.
Apply sunscreen every day. Too much sun can cause rosacea to get worse. A daily sunscreen should be applied every morning to keep your skin safe.
Be careful when selecting skin care products. Because rosacea affected skin is so sensitive, astringents, toners and exfoliants should be avoided.

Lasers for Rosacea

In addition to proper skin care, lasers can be used to treat signs of rosacea, such as:

Dilated blood vessels
Persistent flushing/redness
Thickening skin along the nose and cheeks (rhinopyma)

During a personal consultation, your cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist will be able to determine which laser treatment is best for you.

Some of the most popular laser treatments for dilated blood vessels and facial redness include:

Pulsed dye lasers (PDL)
Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL)
Nd: YAG laser

Some of the most popular laser treatments for skin thickening around the nose and cheeks include:

CO2 laser resurfacing
Erbium: YAG lasers

If you’re considering laser therapy for rosacea, it’s important to keep in mind that lasers aren’t a cure. They may provide dramatic results, but it’s still important to see your dermatologist and avoid any known triggers for rosacea.

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4 Inexpensive Anti-Aging Treatments

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Briana

Not everyone wants to spend thousands of dollars on cosmetic enhancement – and luckily they don’t have to. These days, there are a number of cosmetic procedures, medications and injectable treatments on the market designed to turn back time without breaking the back.

The treatments below all cost less than one thousand dollars:

Chemical Peels

One of the oldest cosmetic treatments in the world, a chemical peel is an acid-based solution that removes the top layer of skin, revealing a more youthful complexion underneath. Chemical peels can be used to treat a wide range of skin imperfections, including fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, uneven skin tone and superficial acne scars.

Intense Pulsed Light therapy

Intense pulsed light therapy (or IPL) is similar to cosmetic laser treatment – but instead of emitting only one wavelength of light, IPL treatments emit a broad spectrum with each pulse. This makes IPL diverse enough to offer significant improvement after a single treatment. IPL is an effective treatment for sun damage, wrinkles, vascular birthmarks, rosacea, broken capillaries and facial redness.

Botox Injections

Botox is the most popular minimally-invasive procedure in the world – and for good reason. It’s both effective and affordable. A quick and easy injection, Botox can be used to treat wrinkles between the brows, forehead creases and lines around the eyes. It can also be an effective way to rejuvenate cleavage or eliminate neck bands.

Tretinoin (Retin-A)

Originally developed to treat acne, Tretinoin is a topical cream also known for its powerful anti-aging properties. Continued use of Tretinoin speeds up the cell turnover process and increases collagen production beneath the skin. The result is a reduction in fine wrinkling, sun damage, skin roughness, and loose skin. Tretinoin creams are available in prescription-strength doses, as well as over-the-counter.

Are you interested in learning more about anti-aging treatment? Contact us today!

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Martha Stewart Reveals Beauty Secrets to Allure Magazine

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Briana

Famous the world over for impeccable taste and a keen eye for detail, Martha Stewart takes a similar approach to her daily beauty routine.

In the most recent issue of Allure Magazine, the 71 year old former model turned business woman revealed some of her most intimate beauty tricks, including the secret behind her blemish-free complexion:

“I rarely get blemishes now, but if perchance I’m starting to get one, I extract it with my old-fashion fingers, unless I’m getting a facial later that week. I don’t like metal on my face.”

Martha also wasn’t afraid to admit she ops for the occasional Botox and Juvederm touch-up:

“I haven’t had facial surgery yet, but I did get Juvederm filler after my dog bashed my lip and split it open. I tried Botox. It works for certain things, like for skin under the chin, but I don’t want a taut jawline and a quizzical look.”

As for her more conventional beauty tricks, Martha says she cleanses her face with a hot, steamy cloth every night to loosen up her makeup. She also uses some of her expertly crafted DIY skills to formulate her very own beauty products:

“I’ve made all kinds of things. For instance, I love salt. So I use sea salt, grated lemon peel and sesame seed oil (but not hot sesame oil). That’s s a very good scrub. Sesame oil is the best oil for your skin. It has no smell and dries like a powder.”

Interested in learning more about Martha’s beauty routine? Check out her latest book Living the Good Life, a practical beauty guide for women over 40, which is due to hit store shelves late April.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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Five Things You Should Know About Wrinkles

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Briana

Let’s face it: wrinkles are an inevitable part of the aging process. But guess what? Not all wrinkles are created equal. Understanding the different types of wrinkles and how they form is the best way to age gracefully.

Check out the five wrinkle facts below:

1) There are two types of wrinkles: dynamic and static. Dynamic (or active) wrinkles appear when we use muscles to form facial expressions, such as frowning or furrowing the brow. Static wrinkles are the ones that develop as we get older when natural substances like collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid decrease in production.

2) Even in the car, you still run the risk of developing sun-related wrinkles. Though it might feel like you’re protected, a car window isn’t enough to shield your skin from harmful UVA rays – regardless if it’s sunny or not. Wearing sun screen on a daily basis is the best way to prevent sun damage while driving.

3) Smoking can cause wrinkles and skin damage. We all know smoking is bad for our health, but did you also know it’s bad for your skin? Nicotine deprives the skin of oxygen, causing it to deteriorate over time. Other chemicals found in cigarettes can cause damage the skin’s underlying elastin and collagen. While the physical act of smoking can result in dynamic wrinkles over time.

4) Frown lines may mean vision problems. Rather than indicating age or sun damage, frown lines might actually mean it’s time for an eye exam. Many people overcompensate for poor vision by squinting. This repeated contraction can cause wrinkles to develop on the forehead and between the brows over time. If you address eye issues soon enough, you’ll be able to soften the appearance of fine lines on the upper face.

5) Poor diet can contribute to wrinkles. Unhealthy foods that contain excessive sugar can cause the protein fibers of your skin (including collagen and elastin) to become stiff over time – eventually resulting in wrinkles. Avoiding sugary foods and sticking to a diet high in fruits and veggies that contain antioxidants can help repair and protect your skin.

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Study Suggests Aspirin May Prevent Skin Cancer

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Briana

skin cancer Sunscreen isn’t the only way to prevent skin cancer.

Yet another study has come out suggesting that aspirin may actually inhibit skin cancer.

The study, which was published in the medical journal Cancer, is by far the largest of its kind. Researchers at the Women’s Health Initiative were able to gather data from nearly 60,000 post-menopausal women over the course of 12 years.

During their enrollment, these women regularly answered questions about their diet, lifestyle habits (including sun exposure) and medication use.

Aspirin and Melanoma Risk

What researchers found was that women who took aspirin at least two times per week showed a nearly 21 percent lower risk of developing melanoma (the most deadly form of skin cancer) than women who didn’t take the pain killer.

“We’re really excited aspirin could be used as a potential preventive agent for melanoma,” the study’s senior author Dr. Jean Tang of Stanford University said in a recent interview. “In terms of cancer prevention, a lower melanoma risk by 20 percent is very large and significant.”

And the longer women stayed on a regular dose of aspirin, the lower their risk. In fact, women taking aspirin for five years or longer had a 30 percent lower risk of developing melanoma.

Additional Research is Necessary

Despite the results, the study’s senior author was quick to point out that this type of observational study isn’t enough to prove anything in concrete terms.

“We would have to do a large clinical trial, randomizing women to receive aspirin versus placebo, following them for 10-plus years.”

So the question remains: Should you start popping a couple aspirin tablets a week to lower your risk?

Opinions are certainly split on the matter, but Tang had this advice to offer women:

“In somebody who’s at high risk for melanoma, I would say that taking aspirin is a good idea.”

High risk means anyone who has previously been diagnosed with skin cancer (whether it be melanoma or a less dangerous form) or individuals who sunburn very easily.

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Treating Dark Under Eye Circles

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Briana

Whether you’re facing genetics, sun damage or seasonal allergies, dark under eye circles can make you feel old, tired and unhealthy.

Fortunately there are a variety of treatment options on the market, which depend on the cause and color of your under eye circles.

Blue Under Eye Circles

Bluish under eye circles tend to get worse with age, but they can also be genetic. Thinning skin combined with a loss of collagen can cause bluish circles – especially in the morning. When you’re lying down at night, fluids accumulate and the veins underneath your eyes expand to hold more blood.

Over-The-Counter Treatments

Topical creams containing stimulating ingredients like caffeine can cause the blood vessels under the eyes to temporarily constrict, reducing the amount of pooled blood.
Hydrating creams that contain plumping ingredients like hyaluronic acid can push the skin up and away from pooled blood.

Professional Treatments

Prescription-strength retinoids are an option for those suffering with chronic under eye circles. Retinoids bolster skin thickness and elasticity – while also slowing down the skin’s natural breakdown of collagen.
Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane Juvederm can plump the skin underneath the eyes, concealing blueness. Results last for up to a year or longer, but routine treatments will be necessary to maintain results long term.

Brown Under Eye Circles

Brown under eye circles are common with Asian and African American skin tones. They can be due to a variety of factors such as natural hyperpigmentation (uneven skin tone), excessive sun exposure, genetics or chronic under eye rubbing.