Daily maintenance can be just as important as the hottest new laser option to keep your skin looking fresh and youthful. For tips on low-tech options and high-tech approaches we talked with Dr. Grace Kim-Abroms, a physician specializing in medical aesthetics.
While Dr. Kim's practice focuses on some of today's most cutting-edge laser and injectable treatments, she also emphasizes the importance of everyday care. Read on for her tips and insights to help you find the right daily regimen for healthy, attractive skin.
Younger.com: Are the prescription products and more expensive name brands worth the investment?
Dr. Kim-Abroms: Prescription and medical grade products include ingredients such as:
• Retinoids
• Hydroquinone
• Idebenone
• Niacin
• Alpha-hydroxy acids
• Salicylic acid
• Copper
-- to name a few. Some over-the-counter products will list these ingredients, but you still get only what you pay for. The over-the-counter brands have far less of these medical-grade ingredients, which is why these products are more readily available.
In almost every case, daily maintenance with over-the-counter products is still very important. However, if you need a more intensive treatment an over-the-counter alternative that has limited benefits can actually end up being costlier than "the real thing."
Younger.com: What over the counter beauty products do you recommend to incorporate into my everyday routine?
Dr. Kim-Abroms: I would recommend a good sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection. Sunscreens chemically absorb the UV rays, and sunblocks such as zinc and titanium deflect the harmful UV rays. UVA penetrates the skin deeper and is the cause of wrinkling and photoaging (sunspots and leathering). UVB is a shorter wavelength responsible for sunburns or reddening of the skin.
UVB rays are the cause of skin cancers such as squamous and basal cell carcinomas as well as melanomas. Therefore, protecting against both UVA and UVB wavelengths is essential for the health of the skin. Keep in mind that SPF only measures protection against UVB, not UVA.
Younger.com: If SPF isn't enough to help us identify an effective sunscreen, what are some clues we should be looking for?
Dr. Kim-Abroms: Well, SPF is not irrelevant; SPF 30 achieves 99+% protection against UVB, but yes, you do need to look at the ingredients list as well. Key ingredients to look for would be:
• Parsol 1789 or avobenzone, which gives protection against all UVA wavelengths
• Zinc or titanium, which help maximize protection
I personally like both sunscreen and sunblock combined in my products for sun protection.
Dr. Grace Kim-Abroms is a doctor specializing in cosmetic skin care through options like BOTOX® Cosmetic at her San Luis Obispo County practice, Rejuvenation Medical Skin Care and Laser (http://www.irejuvenate.com). Dr. Kim-Abroms earned her medical doctorate from the prestigious McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, Quebec, and has in-depth experience with some of today's latest laser skin care procedures. Dr. Kim-Abroms is also a board-certified anesthesiologist and a member of societies including the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and the American Association of Cosmetic Physicians.
While Dr. Kim's practice focuses on some of today's most cutting-edge laser and injectable treatments, she also emphasizes the importance of everyday care. Read on for her tips and insights to help you find the right daily regimen for healthy, attractive skin.
Younger.com: Are the prescription products and more expensive name brands worth the investment?
Dr. Kim-Abroms: Prescription and medical grade products include ingredients such as:
• Retinoids
• Hydroquinone
• Idebenone
• Niacin
• Alpha-hydroxy acids
• Salicylic acid
• Copper
-- to name a few. Some over-the-counter products will list these ingredients, but you still get only what you pay for. The over-the-counter brands have far less of these medical-grade ingredients, which is why these products are more readily available.
In almost every case, daily maintenance with over-the-counter products is still very important. However, if you need a more intensive treatment an over-the-counter alternative that has limited benefits can actually end up being costlier than "the real thing."
Younger.com: What over the counter beauty products do you recommend to incorporate into my everyday routine?
Dr. Kim-Abroms: I would recommend a good sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection. Sunscreens chemically absorb the UV rays, and sunblocks such as zinc and titanium deflect the harmful UV rays. UVA penetrates the skin deeper and is the cause of wrinkling and photoaging (sunspots and leathering). UVB is a shorter wavelength responsible for sunburns or reddening of the skin.
UVB rays are the cause of skin cancers such as squamous and basal cell carcinomas as well as melanomas. Therefore, protecting against both UVA and UVB wavelengths is essential for the health of the skin. Keep in mind that SPF only measures protection against UVB, not UVA.
Younger.com: If SPF isn't enough to help us identify an effective sunscreen, what are some clues we should be looking for?
Dr. Kim-Abroms: Well, SPF is not irrelevant; SPF 30 achieves 99+% protection against UVB, but yes, you do need to look at the ingredients list as well. Key ingredients to look for would be:
• Parsol 1789 or avobenzone, which gives protection against all UVA wavelengths
• Zinc or titanium, which help maximize protection
I personally like both sunscreen and sunblock combined in my products for sun protection.
Dr. Grace Kim-Abroms is a doctor specializing in cosmetic skin care through options like BOTOX® Cosmetic at her San Luis Obispo County practice, Rejuvenation Medical Skin Care and Laser (http://www.irejuvenate.com). Dr. Kim-Abroms earned her medical doctorate from the prestigious McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, Quebec, and has in-depth experience with some of today's latest laser skin care procedures. Dr. Kim-Abroms is also a board-certified anesthesiologist and a member of societies including the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and the American Association of Cosmetic Physicians.
