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What Can I Do At Home To Reduce The Signs Of Aging?

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

More than ever, skincare has become a booming. progressive industry!  Finally, we have entered a culture  or state of mind that says it’s okay to value ourselves,  to invest in ourselves.   I’m not talking about entitlement,  That’s a whole other kind of topic. I’m talking about self-care and self-respect.  On one hand, that’s great.  We are living longer but we don’t necessarily want to look like it, am I right? This boom has created a push to develop and (hopefully) improve the very products you need to keep your skin looking good for as long as possible.  Now, on the other hand, wow – the sheer number of options out there is over-whelming, and it can be a disappointment and costly lesson to try to figure out which products work and which products are just marketing hype.  How many of you have drawers full of  product disappointment?

An at-home skincare regimen can mean so many different things to different people.  During each new skincare evaluation, I ask my patient to tell me what they are currently doing for their skin.  The answers range from an over-the-top laundry list of products to absolutely nothing.  I have always believed that delivering age-reversing results for our patients is best accomplished through dedication to communication, teamwork and most of all, consistency. You can start small with a smart, simple, medical-grade, proven-effective skincare product regimen at-home and move forward if needed, as you become more comfortable.

So, what can you do at home to reduce the signs of aging, sun damage and improve your skin’s texture and tone?  I will review a few of my favorite at-home product categories that will help you do just that!

Before I dive into discussing each basic product category, the first thing I want to talk about is the principal reason our skin ages.  Can you guess it? I’ll give you a hint… 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 a day at the beach.  Incidental sun exposure refers the UV rays you catch while walking your dog or in my case…walking my cat, walking to your car, sitting in front of a window in your home or while driving etc.  That being said, if you are not applying and re-applying quality, broad-spectrum UVA/UBA sunscreen on a daily basis, then the rest is for not because unprotected sun exposure will speed up your aging process and lines, wrinkles, rough texture, dull skin are certainly on the horizon.

Any basic anti-aging skincare regimen should include four application categories, although in some cases we may be able to streamline it even further.  Now of course, depending on the severity of your skin damage and your goals, we would customize a regimen specifically for you and skin concerns, but this will give you some good general knowledge.

 

The categories in review are:

  1. Cleansers
  2. Transformation products
  3. Anti-aging moisturizers
  4. Protection:

 

 

Okay, so the first product category I typically recommend to fight the signs of aging and achieve glowing skin is a good cleanser.

 

  1. CLEANSE:

In general, I prefer facial cleansers that contain exfoliating enzymes, AHA’s, BHA’s, and certain botanical ingredients. These ingredients will help to break down the build-up of dead skin cells, bacteria, grime, and sebum.  They can also stimulate circulation and improve cellular turn-over; all good things when you are looking for that natural glow.  Now do keep in mind, if your skin is really dry then you are better off using a gentle cleanser without AHA’s or other exfoliant properties until your skin’s protective barrier has been restored.

In the Castillo MD Skin Science Skincare line, I recommend one of the following cleaners depending on your skin type:

Advanced Enzyme Cleanser:

This cleanser can be used for dry, normal, oily, combo, acne sensitive skin types.  It is formulated to deliver a brighter, clearer complexion and encourages the healthy production of new skin cells. Papaya Enzymes and salicylic acid exfoliate dead cells, kill bacteria in pores and removes impurities and make-up without stripping the protective skin barrier.

 

Gentle Cleanser:

Gentle cleanser is for dry, normal, post-procedure, rosacea, sensitive skin types. It is formulated with botanical ingredients such as Clary Sage, Aloe, Cucumber Fruit, and Ginger Root. This cleanser will clean, condition and invigorate the skin, leaving it feeling soft, smooth and visibly younger looking without causing irritations. It is also a good choice for mature skin that is dry as aggressive cleansers can compromise the protective skin barrier even further.

 

  1. TRANSFORM:

This category refers to products that have a specific anti-aging job to do.  Transformation products might be used to reduce brown pigmentation, fight free-radicals, repair damaged DNA cells, brighten your complexion,  improve texture, reduce lines, wrinkles and large pores.  Depending on the skin concerns you may have, one of the following products might be recommended in your anti-aging at-home treatment plan.

 

Clear Skin Pads

These pre-soaked pads are a quick and simple way to deliver an at-home, anti-aging micro-peel to exfoliate and improve dull skin, rough texture and lines or clean out pores, correct acne and prevent future breakouts.  Clear Skin Pads soften and sooth acne-prone, inflamed skin while reducing irritations and redness with a botanically infused formula.  Contains Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Yeast, Horse Chestnut, Ivy, Burdock, Olive, and Clary Sage Extracts.

 

Tretinol PM Serum

Beyond sunscreen, topical Vitamin A products (retinoids) such as Tretinol PM Serum are the most beneficial, proven-effective anti-aging topicals available.  Tretinol PM Serum stimulates cellular regeneration which improves tone, texture and hyperpigmentation. It reduces lines and wrinkles (who doesn’t love that)!  It is naturally derived, sulfate and paraben-free and contains antioxidants.  This is an after dark product only.  You should not apply this product during the daytime as it can make you more sun sensitive and could increase your chances of developing unwanted pigmentation.  If you are going to use this product you should always wear a UVA/UVB broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day.  Vitamin A products generally have a reputation for being harsh at first.  However, Tretinol PM Serum by Castillo MD Skin Science is impressively gentle due to the product’s silky emollient delivery system.

 

Antioxidant Serum:

This is a powerful combination of medical-grade Vitamin C (15% L-ascorbic acid), Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid and a peptide complex. It enhances collagen syntheses, which means you can expect firmer more supple skin.  Vitamin C is the ultimate skin brightener. Not only will it brighten dull, lifeless skin, but this antioxidant serum inhibits melanin production which helps reduce unwanted pigmentation and melasma,  leaving your skin clearer and luminous.  Antioxidant Serum neutralizes free radicals to protect the skin from cellular damage, resulting in healthier, more radiant skin inside and out! It even increases the SPF in sunscreen as it helps to fight UVA/UVB sun damage.  Vitamin C reduces sunburns, redness and irritation. It is a wonderful anti-inflammatory and increases your skin’s ability to produce collagen. This product can be used twice daily. It is formulated for dry, normal, oily, combo, acne sensitive skin types.  Note:  Vitamin C products are known to very unstable and in those cases it’s not likely to deliver much benefit.  It is important to choose a Vitamin C product formulated with  both Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid.  These two ingredients help keep the Vitamin C stable so you can enjoy the benefits.

Pigment Reducer:

This is a recent addition to Dr. Castillo’s skincare line.  This is another “after dark” only product.  It is an advanced, multi-active formula designed for rapid and significant improvement in the appearance of unwanted pigmentation. Pigment Reducer features an innovating lightening complex combined with alpha-hydroxy acids and botanical extracts to maximize penetration and stimulate cell turn-over.  This technology interrupts the melanogenesis pathway at multiple points, resulting in visible reduction in brown spots and other pigmentation.

 

Microdermabrasion Scrub:

Microdermabrasion is a wonderful, inexpensive addition to almost any skincare regimen in need of exfoliation or resurfacing to improve rough texture and allow your smooth, natural glow to show through!  It gives your skin an instant little boost of radiance.  It smooths dull, dry skin by exfoliating away dead cells and debris from your skin’ surface. It allows your skincare products to penetrate more effectively and will improve the look of your make-up.  While I am focused on faces to today, this product is also wonderful on your neck, chest, legs, feet, hands, lips, everywhere really! You will love how smooth your skin feels after using Castillo MD Skin Science Microdermabrasion Scrub.  This product is also beneficial in helping maintain the result of an in-office microdermabrasion in between treatments.

 

  1. MOISTURIZERS:

For many patients, winter means even drier skin. Not only does the outside air become drier (less humid) but when you turn on the heat, our homes and vehicles become drier too and our skin suffers.  Without proper hydration and moisturization, skin can become dull, dry, flaky and irritated. Lines and wrinkles will become more apparent and cosmetics will not perform as well if your skin becomes dry.  You can avoid losing that supple, youthful appearance by using a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type.

 

Lush Replenishing Cream:

Lush Replenishing Cream is a patient favorite for sure! It is an elegant moisturizer that combines 5% Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) with barrier enhancing lipids. It is intended for dry, normal, sensitive skin types and those with occasional minor acne breakouts.  It is formulated to decrease the appearance of sun damage, texture, hyperpigmentation and lines. Because of its anti-bacterial properties and oil reducing factors, those with mild-acne breakouts may also benefits from this moisturizer.

 

Calmative Cream:

Calmative Cream is intended for dry, normal, combo, oily and sensitive skin types. It is fortified with Vitamin K, Sunflower Oil, and Sweat Almond Oil. It is a concentrated, restorative treatment moisturizer that helps reduce dark under-eye circles and puffiness. It reduces the appearance of bruising, spider veins and broken capillaries. Calmative Cream is an excellent choice for those with conditions such as Rosacea who wish to reduce facial redness. Soothing, hydrating properties help skin retain its natural moisture. Calmative Cream combats symptoms of aging with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and calming emollients relieve redness and irritation associated with rosacea. It can be used for pre and post-treatment of fragile skin.

 

Revive Recovery Complex:

Revive Recovery Complex contains four different ceramides to restore the skin’s barrier function which helps the skin maintain its structure. Maintaining structure decreases water loss and increases factors which hydrate and protect the skin and aid in the skin’s recovery after exposure to stress. It is specially formulated with cactus and yeast extracts to significantly reduce irritation and redness caused by AHA’s, or  retinoids.  Appropriate for Dry, normal, combo, sensitive, and irritated, acne skin types.

 

  1. PROTECT:

The last step in this basic skincare routine as I mentioned earlier is the most important if your goal is to fend off the appearance of wrinkles and sun damage for as long as possible.

Sun Defense SPF 45

Sun Defense is designed to protect the skin from UVA / UBV and infrared radiation. It is a thin, lightweight, medical-grade, broad-spectrum sunscreen that is recommended for acne, oily, combo and sensitive skin types.  It absorbs quickly and contains high levels of Niacinamide along with Vitamin E, knotweed extract and hyaluronic acid to increase firmness and elasticity and reduce redness and blotchiness.

 

Physical Defense SPF 49

Physical Defense  is a very versatile, medical-grade, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen. It is both gentle and light-weight.  It absorbs and dries quickly.  It offers our patients a more natural approach to sun protection by utilizing only chemical-free active ingredients.  Zinc Oxide & Titantium Dioxide sit on top of the skin to deflect UV radiation. Physical Defense SPF 49 creates a moisture barrier to stop the skin’s water from evaporating to help maintain hydration.  This sunscreen is beneficial for all skin types, especially those who are sensitive to over-the-counter chemical sunscreens. Barrier reef safe.

 

Prime Defense SPF 40:

If you love the feel of a good BB cream, you will love Prime Defense.  I always feel a little extra pampered when I am applying this product. It just feels so amazing!  Not only does it provide you with the necessary sun protection, but the pigments in this luxurious tinted sunscreen help to even out your skin tone.  Prime Defense contains protective anti-oxidants like Vitamin C & E, and Ferulic Acid Ester along with barrier protective lipids.  Prime Defense is a chemical-free sunscreen.  It even contains silicone polymers that provide a make-up primer base which leads to an even, smooth make-up application.

If you would like more information on building a custom skincare regimen that is right for you, contact Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center in Champaign at 217-359-7508.

 

 

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY http://www.cosmeticplasticsurgery.com

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Can a Facial Cream Make Me Look Just as Amazing as a Facelift?

Thursday, July 22nd, 2021

 

Someone once said, “inside every older person is a younger person just wondering

“what the hell happened!”

They were so right!  What happened? Well… Stressors happened. Metabolism changes happened.  Sun exposure happened. Menopause happened. Health issues happened. Prioritizing the needs of others over our own happened; not making time for self-care happened. Time happened.

 

This year, as I stared down all the candles on my birthday cake, I began to wonder what people wish for in 50+ crowd. After thinking about all the conversations I’ve had with patients and friends over years, I would imagine those wishes to include:

 

  • “I wish… I didn’t have these jowls and a turkey neck.”

 

  • “I wish… that when people tell me I look hot, they weren’t referring to my flashes!”

 

  • “I wish… for a face cream that will tighten my skin and make me look 10 years younger without having a facelift.”

 

 

 

 

Now, if you have limited your sun exposure and consistently used a broad-spectrum, UVA/UVB sunscreen throughout your lifetime then you might just sail through your 50’s, maybe even your 60’s looking pretty darn good. BUT, if you and sunscreen have not been life-long friends, you’ve notice of a few signs of aging.  You may have started to entertain the idea of doing something about it or at the very least you’ve probably stood in front of the mirror and pulled back your facial skin to mimic what you might look like after a little nip and tuck. Maybe you have even started to research a facelift or neck lift or skin resurfacing.

And truly, there are worse ways to spend money than on finding new empowerment at this new stage of life through surgical intervention …like on a facial cream marketed as a “facelift in a jar.”

 

Myth buster…  facelifts do not come in jars.

 

There is no cream that will give you facelift-like results.  Nope, nope, nope! A facelift is a highly technical procedure that requires repositioning your muscle structure to create a tighter, more youthful appearance. It involves removing excess skin and fatty tissue, and it requires years of dedicated training and experience to give you the look you desire. A cream, no matter what marketing tells you… cannot do that!  So, if you are showing enough signs of aging to warrant a facelift, then a facelift is the only thing that will give you the results you really want. An effective, at-home skincare regimen plays a vital role in maintaining the health and appearance of your skin. But, if you are expecting a cream or any other topical application to reposition, tighten and lift you back in time, then you will be disappointed.

While skincare products are not a replacement for a facelift, they are a necessary daily accompaniment. Medical-grade skincare products are known to improve the tone, texture, brightness of your skin. They can replenish the skin with antioxidants, create cell turn-over, improve barrier function, increase hydration and most importantly, they can provide protection from future sun damage.  Don’t under-estimate the damage caused by sun exposure. It’s the reason you were standing in front of the mirror wishing a facelift in a jar in the first place!

Unlike marketers, our job at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center isn’t to tell a patient what they want to hear; it is to evaluate their degree of aging then match the severity of aging signs and the patient’s goals of improvement to the proper treatment plan. For a patient is in their 20’s, an anti-aging plan often just includes daily medical-grade, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen (which by the way, sunscreen is the closest thing you will get to a facelift in a jar, via prevention), along with a good cleanser and moisturizer and a discussion about lifestyle, unprotected sun exposure and how taking care of you skin in your 20’s will determine how you look in you 40’s and beyond.

For that 30 something patient, we might recommend adding a topical Vitamin A product, and anti-oxidants to their at home regimen along with a few micro-dermabrasion treatments or a light chemical peel and a reality check about the effects of unprotected sun exposure.

A patient in their 40’s may need to add a CO2 Micro-Fractional Laser Resurfacing treatment to reduce brown spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and rough texture or a few IPL treatments to take care of broken capillaries.

For those patient’s over 50, the signs of aging become more difficult to minimize with at-home efforts alone.  Gravity really begins to flaunt its superpower and drives everything south. There is a more substantial breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers along with bone and tissue loss.  The result is loose, sagging skin, shadows, hallows, wrinkles, drooping jowls, and a turkey neck.  Skin becomes drier and thinner. Facial redness, visible, broken capillaries / spider veins become more difficult to conceal.

With each passing decade, maintaining a youthful, fresh appearance usually calls for a new plan of attack and after a certain degree of aging, there are no quick OTC fixes, certainly no effective facelifts in a jar. But there are several effective options to help you look and feel your best!

 

Spread love & sunscreen,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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)