Synergistic Skin Care Program
Skin quality is one of the most important contributors to your appearance. A good skin care program is integral to the best appearance of your skin. Skin types vary and we will occasionally deviate from this program to customize your skin care. However, this article is meant to familiarize you with the importance of what we consider to be a basic and necessary skin health program.
Good skin care starts with overall good health and nutrition. You must use caution in the sun and protect your skin by reapplying a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher and using proper clothing, hats and sunglasses when needed. This is both for the appearance and health of your skin. UVA and UVB sun rays will not only cause various skin cancers, but also skin laxity, collagen degradation, broken capillaries, rough skin texture and very resistant hyperpigmentation (sun spots and/or melasma). Drinking plenty of water (at least 8 glasses per day) will keep your skin well hydrated, especially during the winter months when the house air is so dry from the heating systems. Avoiding cigar and cigarette smoke will help keep your skin healthy and oxygenated. If you are a smoker yourself, stop reading here. Quitting smoking will give you the most benefit to your skin and all corrective treatments will deliver results if your skin cannot heal itself. When using a skin care product, we want our patients to be using the most potent and highest quality ingredients on their skin. Medical grade skin care products are only available through a physician’s office and have the ability to penetrate through the top layer of skin, into the dermis. Over the counter products only have the ability to work on the epidermis where we continuously shed skin cells, including the products left on the outer most layer. Not only is it imperative to drive these higher concentration of ingredients deep into the skin for true skin corrective results, medical grade products have their own clinical trials published in medical journals and are scientifically tested.
Dr. Katherine Hein has created a number of skin care products and treatments integral to a healthy skin care program. We want to explain the benefits of each and how to incorporate them into your regimen. We encourage you to introduce only one new skin care product to your skin at a time. Our products are medical grade and are very potent to deliver the best results for your skin. Allow at least two weeks to get used to a product before adding a new one.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) are products that cause desquamation or sloughing of the dead skin cells on the outer layer of the skin. This works in conjunction with retinols because when your skin cells turn over faster, there is a quicker buildup (at least initially) of dead skin cells which is the cause of the flakiness. As we age, our natural exfoliation process becomes much slower, therefore our skin wants us to induce that process manually. There are many products that contain AHA’s. You should start on our cleanser first. Accurate Aesthetics Rejuvenating Cleanser is a great first product to introduce with AHA’s. Other products may be added as necessary. This can be used in the morning and at night as the first treatment to prepare your skin for the other products.
Vitamin A products increase the cell turnover rate, reduce photoaging and stimulate your skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is one of the most important components of the skin and gives it the structure and full-bodied appearance. Retinols are the gold standard in anti-aging products. We use Accurate Aesthetic Retinol Emollient Gel that is infused with vitamin C, vitamin E and green tea, and feels like silk on the skin. It is used once per day, generally after cleansing the skin. They should be used at night since it can make the skin more sensitive to the sun. Retinol occasionally causes flaking and dryness of the skin when you initially start using it, but this generally settles down after a few weeks. If you tend to be more sensitive, we may recommend you to start your applications every other night to help you skin acclimate better. We have different strengths and will guide you to choose the best for your needs.
Antioxidant formulations are important. These increase collagen synthesis creating a better appearance in the skin. They also help prevent ultraviolet damage to the skin and prevent photoaging. Accurate Aesthetic Synergistic Antioxidant Cream contains 21 percent L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C product), ferulic acid and salicylic acid. This works excellent at night alternating with one of our retinols. We also have a 12 percent vitamin C serum for daytime use for our more sensitive patients. Our C-Peptide Eye Cream is a high-potency combination of ingredients including anti-oxidants, peptides and a touch of lactic acid to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The facial product is too strong for the eyes and the eye product is not strong enough for the face. It helps protect against fine lines and wrinkles and improves the hydration of the skin.
Moisturizer is always an important part of a good skin care routine. Our cells work better when they are hydrated and are more accepting to heal. As we age, our skin becomes more dehydrated which inevitably causes more wrinkles. We have formulated an ultra-hydrating emollient with a combination of niacinamide (vitamin B3 product), ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol to help plump and rehydrate the skin. Our Accurate AestheticsIntense NiaCream and Intense NiaLotion are the last products you should be applying to the skin before bedtime. During the winter months, we recommend to use them under your SPF in the daytime as well for intense hydration. For an added boost of moisture, we recommend Accurate Aesthetics HydraPeptide Serum, a highly concentrated hylauronic acid-based gel enhanced with vitamins B3, B5 and peptides. It is completely oil-free and safe to use on acne-prone skin or under your moisturizer.
Retin-a (Tretinoin)
Dr. Katherine Hein is among the top cosmetic surgeons in the Boston, MetroWest, Wellesley, and Sudbury area and she has found that Retin-A is an effective treatment for acne, and in some cases to reduce wrinkles. If you are interested in finding out if you would be a candidate for a Retin-A prescription, contact Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hein.
Retin-A is a form of vitamin A that helps the skin renew itself. Also known as Tretinoin, it is a topical medication used primarily to treat acne. Other uses for this medication are to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as skin discoloration. It will make rough looking skin feel smoother.
When using Retin-A it is especially important to protect your skin against sun exposure and artificial UV rays (sunlamps and tanning beds). Retin-A can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result.
When you select Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery for your skin treatment, you can be reassured of a close personal relationship with Dr. Katherine Hein and her professional staff.
Sunblock is important to use at all times when in the sun. It should be worn everyday regardless of weather. UVA rays are present during all daylight hours throughout the year and they can penetrate glass and clouds. These rays have been long known to play a major role in aging, wrinkling and causing skin laxity. This should be re-applied every two hours during daylight. This product will make the most improvement in your skin and the product that your skin will miss the most if absent from your regimen. The sunscreen formulations that are popular now combine, broad spectrum SPF, tinted makeup and hydrating anti-aging ingredients all in one. We love Dr. Hein’s own Accurate Aesthetics Silk Sheer SPF 30 and Revisions Intellashade SPF 45. We want our patients to love their sunscreen so they use it every day. Find one you love and your skin will love you forever!
Many factors contribute to changes in your skin. Hormones, geography, medicine, diet and products all contribute to your skin health. There is a fine balance of in office skin care treatments, medical grade skin products, lifestyle and expectations that produce superb results. This is why it is very important to have a licensed medical skin care professional evaluating and customizing your regimen, so you can achieve healthy skin in a safe and clean environment.
To schedule your personal consultation, please contact Accurate Aesthetics by calling (781) 263-0011 today.
Results may vary and are not guaranteed. Consult with Dr. Hein to see if you are a good candidate.