Archives: Answers

Hi Diana, thank you for your great question. I believe glycolic is the gold standard of exfoliation, that’s because it’s very gentle yet effective, and doesn’t cause irritation.  I used to use retinoids in the 1980s, before glycolic was available. Retinoids are effective exfoliants but are much more difficult to use, require a prescription and commonly can cause irritation, sun sensitivity and even broken capillaries. I have countless stories of patients and viewers being irritated by retinoids because they’re so therapeutically brittle. When glycolic became available in the early 1990’s, it quickly became my exfoliant of choice as it’s much more effective and much less irritating.

An exfoliant shouldn’t dry out your skin. However, if hydration needed, then it’s not about oil, but water. An oil can help maintain moisture, but your skin needs a water based product with or without oil in it. I suggest using a richer moisturizer like BeautyRx’s Soothing Moisture Cream, or another that you like, to maintain optimal oil and water balance.

Great question! Enlarged pores are caused by excess oil and dead cells mixing together to form a clog in your pore. A pore is a small open hole surrounding a hair follicle that sits above an oil gland. The opening of these glands release oil into the open space of your pore. When the buildup of dead cells sitting on the surface of your skin mix with excess oil, a clogged pore is formed. But even when the pore is clogged, the oil gland does not stop producing oil which creates a backup of excess oil, which then enlarges the size of your pore.

While you can’t make pores disappear altogether, there are ways to minimize them. “It is a combination of physical and chemical exfoliation,” said Dr. Schultz. Using exfoliants will remove dead surface skin and ultimately, prevent the mixing of dead cells and oil in an open pore. Try using a physical exfoliator at the end of your shower by massaging it into your skin for ten to fifteen seconds before rinsing it off. A granulated exfoliator should be gentle and applied on and around your nose.

Following your shower, you should then use a chemical exfoliant, such as the BeautyRx Dermstick for Pores or any product with five to 10 percent glycolic or two percent salicylic. The combination of the physical and chemical exfoliant should be used every day, once a day. In two weeks, you will begin to see a reduction in the size of your pores.

Hi Jhonie, thanks for your excellent question.

Scars from a stitches or a surgical procedure are typically what we call hypertrophic scars, and they usually are raised, firm and they start out pink or red and then they finally become white. There are a number of at-home treatments that can reduce the appearance of scars. For example, there are silicone sheets or even scar gels like Mederma and this scar gel from your local drugstore. The scar gels have chemicals called polyethylene glycols or even polymethacrylates. Usually these products work over a period of weeks to months to fix the scar but I’ll give you a tip for another home treatment. When my patients are looking for at-home treatments for their scars, I usually tell them to take some Vaseline or any other lubricant and very firmly rub the scar for 15-30 seconds, three to four times a day for a few weeks and that may well make the scar go away. It’s the rubbing and the pressure that makes the scar better and the Vaseline or whatever other lubricant you’re using is just to prevent a skin irritation. But what happens if these treatments don’t work? Then you see your dermatologist who will shrink the scar and normalize it with tiny injections of cortisone or if the scar is young enough so that it’s still pink while it’s raised it can be fixed with painless laser treatments. Remember, the longer a scar has been there, the more difficult it is to treat.

Hi Mary, thanks for the great question. There is a lot of confusion about what you can use Retin-A and other retinoids with and what you cannot. The real issue here is the fragility or instability of retinoids; that instability means you cannot use those chemicals with acids, acids like glycolic acid or salicylic acid, both of which are used to treat acne and also for exfoliation. However, you can use retinol and other acids as long as you use them on opposite ends of the day.

But when it comes to antioxidants like Vitamin C and retinoids, there is no conflict in using both. They can be used together as long as they are layered properly, so they both can come into contact with the skin. I always tell my patients to exfoliate before applying their antioxidant, like BeautyRx’s Triple Vitamin C Serum. And do not forget one other thing: In order for antioxidants to work, they cannot be used in sunlight. So use your antioxidants at bedtime.

Hi there, nose hair is actually your body’s first defense for helping protect you from getting an infection from breathing in germs, like viruses, bacteria and even fungi! However, if they are visible and you want to get rid of them, there is a way to control the hair.

It’s ok to trim them but don’t pluck them out because the germs inside your nose can invade the damaged skin and cause an infection. Plucking any hair can set you up for ingrowns which in the nose are really a problem. So trimming carefully with a scissors, making sure you don’t cut yourself is the first step. And if you want to get rid of them permanently, since the roots are often fairly close to the surface of your nose, they can often be removed by laser hair removal which of course is permanent and safe even for nose hairs. I suggest talking to your dermatologist about laser removal.

Hi Bobby, this is a very common question! I tell my patients with hyper pigmentation on their legs that they can treat it with a one-two punch: exfoliation and bleaching. Exfoliation gets rid of the dead, darker cells that have accumulated on the skin’s surface. BeautyRx’s Exfoliating Body Lotion is a gentle yet effective exfoliant you can use on your skin daily. Bleaches help stop those overactive pigment cells causing the brown color. I suggest connecting with your dermatologist to discuss your options!

Hi Karen,

Thanks for your question. I think of rosacea as almost a hybrid between acne and eczema, with the inflammatory red pimples and cysts of acne,and the skin sensitivity and inflammation of eczema… with disproportionate redness.

 

In people who have Rosacea, certain factors aggravate it. Some of the most important are unprotected sun exposure, alcohol consumption, stress, cold weather, exercise, many foods such as spices, hot beverages and dairy… and even certain skincare products.

While Rosacea can’t be “cured” it can definitely be controlled by oral and topical medicines and lifestyle modifications, all of which I suggest you discuss with your dermatologist to find the right treatment options for you.

Hi Joanne, thanks for the question. You should try my regimen builder which will provide you with a regimen based on your answers: https://www.beautyrx.com/pages/your-rx

Generally, there are a few products that I always recommend to my patients. In the morning, first start with a cleanser and toner, then a sunscreen like BeautyRx’s Solar Defense Sheer SPF 50 Sunscreen, which is the best way to prevent future skin damage. Finally, a moisturizer like our Soothing Moisture Cream.

At night, continue with cleanser and toner, then exfoliate with a gentle yet effective exfoliant like Essential 8% Exfoliating Serum. Exfoliating removes all of the dead skin cells sitting on the surface of your skin. Next, follow that with an antioxidant to fight free radicals and brighten the skin like Triple Vitamin C Serum. Finally, end with the Soothing Moisture Cream or another cream for your skin type.

Hi Marylynne, I certainly can. Glad to hear you’ve been taking care of your skin! For oily skin, I recommend following an oil-free regimen during the day and at night. In the morning, start with BeautyRx’s Balancing Cleanser, then a toner like the Purifying Toner– this is what I call a one two punch cleansing process! It removes all the dirt and oil on your skin. I then suggest using a sunscreen like BeautyRx’s Solar Defense SPF 50 Sheer Sunscreen. Put this on before your moisturizer– for oily skin I suggest BeautyRx’s Light Rehydrating Lotion. It’s oil free and won’t clog pores.

At night, after exfoliating and toning, I suggest that all my patients exfoliate every day. BeautyRx’s Progressive Peel 2-Step is a great way to start your exfoliating routine. This will remove all the dead skin cells sitting on the surface of your skin that can clog pores and make skin look uneven or dull, revealing the glowing skin underneath. Then, I suggest using an antioxidant, like Triple Vitamin C Serum, which is great for all skin types and helps brighten the appearance of your skin making you look younger and smoother. Finish with the Light Rehydrating Lotion.