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Not All Sunscreens Are Created Equal: New Complete Guide On How To Pick A New Favorite

Friday, August 25th, 2017

NOT ALL SUNSCREENS ARE CREATED EQUAL

Today, most of us are aware that we need to apply sunscreen when we are headed to the beach or going to be outside for an extended period of time on a hot July day but have you considered the effects of incidental sun exposure?

The principal reason our skin ages is not our age itself, but rather recurring sun exposure from birth onward. Studies indicate that approximately 80% of our lifetime sun exposure comes from incidental sun exposure, not from a day at the beach. Incidental sun exposure refers to the UV exposure you get while walking your dog, walking to your car, sitting in front of a window in your home or a restaurant, driving to work, etc.

While there is no question that you need to apply and re-apply sunscreen when you are at the beach, it’s also failing to apply a sufficient amount of “proven-effective” broad-spectrum UVA / UVB sunscreen 365 days per year that will speed up your aging process and increase your risk of developing skin cancer. So if you are concerned about looking younger longer, protecting yourself from incidental sun exposure is paramount.

The difficult part of choosing a sunscreen is knowing which ones really offer you the protection you need. Not all sunscreens are created equal.  Some sunscreens offer broad-spectrum protection, while some do not. Some sunscreens are considered physical sunscreens (our preference) and some are considered chemical sunscreens.  More-importantly, some sunscreens are “medical-grade” and must be FDA regulated to prove it’s effectiveness, strength, ingredient content and stability while OTC sunscreens do not have to be regulated.  Chemical sunscreens can cause irritation or stinging when applied to sensitive skin types while physical sunscreens will not.

Sunscreens work by either using titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to physically reflect the sun’s rays or by use of absorbent ingredients referred to as chemical sunscreens, which absorb and break down the UV radiation. Some sunscreens use a combination of both. When choosing a sunscreen, there are some very important elements to look for. Look for labels that say “broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection” and check the ingredient label to make sure it contains micronized zinc oxide and / or titanium dioxide at sufficient levels.   For example, Physical Defense Sunscreen by Castillo MD Skin Science contains 10% Zinc Oxide and 5.5% Titanium Dioxide and Sun Defense Sunscreen contains 12% Zinc Oxide and 7.5% Octinoxate.

For years the media has drilled the importance of “SPF” into our heads.  It is used on labels with cosmetics, moisturizers and sunscreens, but gives us a false sense of protection. SPF (sun protection factor) actually refers only to UVB, a shallow ray that causes skin burns / tans & skin cancer. It is of great importance that we are protected from daily UVA exposure as well. UVA rays are deeper penetrating rays known as “the aging rays.” They are responsible for pre-mature photo-aging and hyperpigmentation, along with some skin cancers.

At Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, we recommend using a medical-grade physical sunscreens rather than chemical sunscreens for optimal protection. I prefer Physical Defense, Prime Defense or Sun Defense for the face and Body Guard for the body. Theses sunscreens by Castillo MD Skin Science are medical-grade and all contain high levels of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and some contain Octinoxate as well. These medical-grade sunscreens contain important physical (mineral) components we find necessary to provide effective protection:

  1. Finely Micronized Zinc Oxide – 10% -12%
  2. Titanium Dioxide – 5.5% – 8%
  3. Tint (iron oxides) – tinted sunscreen reflects the sun’s powerful rays as an added source of protection.
  4. Antioxidants – to provide future protection against UV and environmental sun damage.
  5. Water resistance (up to 80 minutes). There is no such thing as truly “water-proof,” as all sunscreens will break down within about 80 minutes when exposed to water or perspiration.

I recommend these sunscreens for a few reasons. They are formulated with the highest percentages of Titanium Dioxide and / or Zinc Oxide that I have used to date. I also like that don’t don’t feel like sunscreens. They are not sticky or smelly and actually enhance the appearance of your cosmetics and your bare skin. The cosmetically elegant formulation found in these sunscreens makes them perfect for daily use. Whichever sunscreen you choose, be generous with your applications.  If you are good to your skin, it will be good to you!

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Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Skincare & Aging, Sun Protection, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Look At Traditional CO2 Laser Resurfacing For Exciting & Brilliant Results

Friday, August 5th, 2016

I once read that “wrinkles are the road map of one’s life,” but who wants a road map when you can have a GPS! In the field of cosmetic surgery, we would consider traditional CO2 Laser Resurfacing the “GPS” of wrinkle solutions, providing a sleek, modern alternative to a wrinkly road map.

While Dr. Castillo offers 3 different levels of CO2 Laser Resurfacing, Level III Traditional CO2 Laser Resurfacing definitely offers the most dramatic anti-aging results available. This procedure is considered to be a surgical procedure and is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Castillo has performed thousands of these very effective procedures in his outpatient surgical facility. If you are looking for the best results possible for moderate to severe skin damage, you may want to learn more about this magnificent treatment option.4920

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LEVEL III TRADITIONAL LASER RESURFACING?

Ideal candidates for this procedure are men and women with advanced symptoms of aging,
skin damage or acne scarring. I am referring to moderate to severe lines, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, rough texture, brown spots, facial redness, spider veins, enlarged pores, skin laxity, loss of collagen, and acne scars. Their schedule will need to allow for week of down time before returning to work or social events.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

This is a one-time laser procedure. Of course, sadly, it cannot keep you from getting sun damage in the future. That part is up to you. But that being said, we are always here to guide you and educate you on ways to slow the signs of aging and protect your new, flawless skin from the sun.

 

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Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

 

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Posted in Facial Surgery, Laser | No Comments »

Ask Our Expert – Advantages of an Outpatient Surgical Facility Verse a Hospital

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

 

Question: Why do you prefer to perform surgery in an outpatient facility rather than the hospital?

Dr. Castillo’s state-of-the-art outpatient surgical facility.

Answer : Dr. Castillo: Actually, about 90 percent of cosmetic plastic surgical procedures are now done in outpatient surgical facilities for the following reasons:

 

•    Safety

The surgical procedures done in an outpatient surgical facility are done by a staff which is dedicated to doing only outpatient surgical procedures, so they are better focused, the staff is better experienced and dedicated to a single task.  This increases safety and provides the patient with knowledgeable people that are experienced in state-of-the-art outpatient surgical procedures.

*    Infection

The rate of infections in hospitals varies anywhere between 2 to 12 percent.  The rate of infection in outpatient surgical facilities is much smaller.  In fact, in our outpatient surgical facility, infection is a nearly non-existent problem and we say that because it only presents itself every few years.  That is, the rate is so small that it is difficult to quantify.  You may ask yourself, why?  The reasons are multiple but for the most part it has to do with carrying out procedures that are done in patients who are healthy and not suffering from disease and/or infection.  Also remember that in our facility, we do not do what is referred to as a “dirty case,” that is, procedures that involve entering the intestine, colon or areas that typically have bacteria.

*     Cost

The cost of care in a hospital facility is often unknown and extremely high.  The reasons have to do with hospitals having fees that are much higher than the real expenses to be able to cover the uninsured and establish artificially high rates that can then be applied to different insurances.  The reason why this is possible is that generally insurance have no choice but to pay a fee while in our facility, the choice is yours.  That is, you are the patient and you elect whether to pay or not pay the cost you know beforehand to be – that is, you approve of that cost.  What this results in is a great competitiveness and a much reduced cost for the surgical procedure.

*      Scale

When you go to a hospital, you immediately become part of literally hundreds or even thousands of people who may be at the hospital for one reason or another.  That makes you one of many and the services are going to be diluted, meaning you are not likely to have individual care.  In comparison, an outpatient surgical facility like ours has staff that is dedicated to only you and no other business to take care of during the time that you are at the facility.  Consequently, you have a staff member that remains with you throughout your surgical procedure.  There are no delays and this results in expedient care and a much reduced level of anxiety.

*     Comparative Services

Are the outpatient surgical facilities like ours able to take care of you in an emergency?  The answer is yes.  Our facility is equipped to respond to an emergency in the same manner as a hospital would be.  The level of response, equipment, drugs and supplies is par with a hospital.  What the outpatient surgery facility has that the hospital does not, is the experience to deal with the type of surgical procedure, that is, cosmetic surgery, which you are going to have.  This is an area, like in most areas, where expertise is not only important but is often the determinant for the degree of satisfaction and success that the procedure has.

So regarding the question, are you better off having your surgical procedure in a dedicated outpatient surgical facility doing cosmetic surgery only?  The answer is a qualified yes for the above reasons.

 


G. D. Castillo, M.D. FACS
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM   
800-252-7123 (within IL)
217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)

 

 

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Posted in Ask Our Expert, Body Procedures, Breast, Facial Surgery, Patient Advocacy, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »