Our Secret Beauty Item: Baking Soda

May 1st, 2013

We are always excited when we find for great ways to add everyday items to our beauty routine.

Baking soda is an inexpensive item that has many applications.

Check out some of our favorites uses below, then head to NewBeauty to check out their complete list.

When you need a cleansing rinse: 

Add a few tablespoons of baking soda with some water for a clarifying hair rinse when you need to remove buildup and residue.

When you need to exfoliate: 

Add a little baking soda to your gentle cleanser when you want to get rid of off dead skin cells.

When you need to remove stains on your nails from dark nail polish: 

Stained nails are an unfortunate side effect of dark polish. Use a nail brush or toothbrush dipped in water and baking soda to bring your nails back to normal!

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Bad Skin Habits to Kick to the Curb Now

April 30th, 2013

We can’t be perfect all of the time, but there are some bad habits that are worse for you than other and should be avoided at all costs.

This article from Allure points out the the nasty habits that you need to kick to make sure that your skin is healthy and beautiful.

 

Check out our favorites below, then head to allure.com to read the full list:

1. Not using a broad spectrum sunscreen every day

Make sure you are using a broad spectrum sunscreen on your face and exposed areas of your body everyday. Your skin soaks in UV rays when you are in the car and at a window, so make sure you are always covered (with clothing or sunscreen)!

2. Drinking A Lot 

Too much alcohol increases inflammation, making your skin puffy and could result in sagging skin later on.

3. Not Washing your Makeup Brushes 

Dirty makeup brushes spread germs and bacteria, and could lead to recurring breakouts. Wash them weekly with warm water and shampoo to keep your skin clear.

4. Scrubbing Too Much

Over exfoliation can increase oil production in your glands and lead to the spread of more bacteria. Limit exfoliating to once or twice a week.

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Avoiding Acne Scars: What you need to know

April 18th, 2013

Pimples are bad enough as is, but scarring afterwards makes a pimple even worse.

The easiest way to avoid scarring is to keep your skin acne free to start. Use a gentle cleanser daily, and a topical treatment as soon as you feel a pimple coming on. If you can’t stop the pimple from surfacing, we have some great tips to help you avoid scars later on.

1.       Don’t pick at it. This one is hard (we know!), but popping and picking could spread the infection and make the area more prone to scaring later on.

2.       Use sunscreen on any inflamed region.  Inflamed areas are more prone to hyperpigmentation and scarring from sun exposure.

3.       Visit your dermatologist for a Cortisone injection which can help large pimples disappear quickly and safely, without leaving a scar.

4.       Use a brightening lotion to reduce the red or brown spots that might appear on the skin after a pimple has gone away.

Read more great tips at New Beauty.

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One of our favorite beauty secrets: face wipes

April 12th, 2013

Face wipes are one of our go to products in our beauty arsenal. They are so versatile and useful when you are on the run or in need of a quick pick me up.

Our top 4 favorite uses for face wipes are:

  1. Keep them in your desk at work when you need a refreshing break or to clean up before meeting up with friends before you head out for after work drinks.
  2. They are great for weekend hikes or cleaning up after the beach. Lotions and sunscreens spread nearly an inch after application, so keeping face wipes handy after applying sunscreen is a must if you want to keep the sunscreen out of your eyes.
  3. Make-up removing cleansing wipes are also great for late nights when all you want to do is get to sleep. Stash an emergency package in your bedside table so you have an easy way to remove your makeup before bed.
  4. Pack them in your carry on for long plane trips. A cleansing wipe is just the thing you need to feel fresh and clean when you are on a long trip.

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Poison Oak and Ivy: What you need to know

March 29th, 2013

Warmer weather and longer days means more time to get outside and enjoy nature!

To have the most fun this spring, be on the lookout for poison ivy and poison oak; it’s worth avoiding if you don’t want to have an itchy rash for weeks to come.

The rash from poison oak and poison ivy comes from an allergic reaction from direct contact with the urushiol allergen. You can also have a reaction if you touch something with the plant oils on it (like your shoes).

Your best bet when it comes to poison oak and poison ivy is to avoid the plant altogether. Start looking out for it on sides of trails. If you see three leaflets coming from a stem, walk the other way! If you do get in contact with it, wash the area with plenty of soap and water within five minutes to keep it from spreading.

If you develop the rash you will want to keep it as cool as possible to prevent further irritation. Apply cortisone cream to the rash, and check in with your doctor for a prescription strength cream if what you picked up over the counter isn’t cutting it. An oral antihistamine like Benadryl will help too.

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The best kept secret to fighting acne

March 19th, 2013

Tea tree oil is one of our favorite go to products for a host of skin conditions.

Tea tree oil comes from a native Australian plant that is used to make tea. It is antibacterial, anti-fungal and stimulates the immune system, so it is great for treating acne and infections.

Tea tree oil works slower than some other skin products (like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid) but use over time will result in clear, beautiful skin. It is great for sensitive skin and for use on a regular basis. You can buy tea tree oil at your local health food store to spot treat acne prone areas. Even though it is less harsh than other topical acne products, it can still burn the skin, so make sure you use a small amount, and wipe off and use a little less frequently if you notice burning or irritation.

Because it is antifungal, tea tree oil can also be used to treat a fungal infections like those commonly found on nails.

Check out this video from New Beauty to learn more about tea tree oil!

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Do you worry that the first thing people notice about you is your dandruff?

March 13th, 2013

What is Dandruff?

Dandruff is a form of skin shedding and is extremely common. Although it is pretty harmless, most of us would rather not have small flakes of skin in our hair or on our shoulders.

Treating Dandruff

Unfortunately, moisturizers won’t help the problem because dandruff is a rash, not dry skin, so grabbing your favorite lotion won’t help in this case.

The best bet is to use a mediated shampoo to treat the dandruff itself or the associated symptoms (inflammation, redness, flakes and itching).

Try a zinc shampoo and a scalp scrubber. The scalp scrubber will help the medicated shampoo lift oil and dandruff directly from the scalp (and give you a nice massage)!

If you have tried to treat your dandruff at home and can’t seem to get it under control, contact our Patient Manager to schedule an appointment at info@premier-dermatology.com or by phone at 415-371-8600 (SF office) or 650-551-9700 (Peninsula office).

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Want to look more attractive with minimal effort?

March 5th, 2013

Are you looking for an easy way to look more healthy and attractive to others? Amp up your veggie intake!

We all know that eating well is important to overall health and wellness but you might not realize that eating a diet high in vegetables can actually make you more attractive to others.

This article in Natural News explains that a diet high in vegetables results in a change in skin tone.

Carotenoids (the orange, red, and yellow pigments in fruits and vegetables) cause skin to be more golden.  The Scottish study referenced on Natural News offers further insight into this phenomenon. Based on this study, increasing the amount of vegetables to 3 servings a day (that’s still less than the recommended number you should get each day) can make you noticeably more attractive to others. Similarly, an extreme lack of vegetables can make you appear less attractive.

Carotenoids, a type of antioxidant, are also believed to protect your skin against the damaging effects of free radicals and can help slow down the ageing process.

Add more antioxidant-rich vegetables to your diet using this list of 20 antioxidant-rich foods from WebMD!

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Is sagging skin getting you down?

February 10th, 2013

Have you been keeping to your New Year’s resolution and losing weight?

If so, you might notice that you have some sagging skin that needs toning before you hit the beach.

One great option to tighten up sagging skin is Exilis, a non-invasive treatment that stimulates collagen growth and makes skin smoother!

Exilis use radiofrequency technology to get deep into the skin to reach the dermis and subcutaneous layers. Deep heating stimulates the development of new collagen at the deepest levels while cooling the top layers of skin, so they remain undamaged.

The deep heating technique reveals results you see instantly and will last for months to come. After  one treatment you will have smoother, tighter skin with improved tone and texture.

Learn more about Exilis by checking out this article on New Beauty and this past post about skin tightening procedures.

If you are interested in Exilis Skin Tightening, contact Robert, our Patient Manager, to schedule an appointment. He can be reached at info@premier-dermatology.com or by phone at 415-371-8600 (SF office) or 650-551-9700 (Peninsula office).

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Get Rid of Dry Lips for Good!

January 21st, 2013

Dry skin is an inevitable part of the winter months, but did you know that your dry lips should be treated differently depending on the kind of dryness you are experiencing?

Stop reaching for your lip balm every five minutes and learn how to treat your lips so they finally stop cracking!

Cold air has zapped your lips of moisture

The answer: Exfoliate! Rub a new toothbrush in small circles over your lips, then use lip balm. We like to do this nightly before we go to bed.

You had the cold or flu and now your lips are dry and cracked

The answer: Drink more water to rehydrate your dehydrated skin and lips.

The inner corners are dry and cracked

The answer: This could be related to low levels of iron, so start eating more nutrient–rich foods like kale, and consider adding a supplement.

Check out this article from bellasugar to read more!

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