Call 704-333-9113 today to set up a consultation to find out if Ultherapy is right for you!

The single best thing you can do for your skin is protect it from excessive sun exposure. A daily sun block of at least SPF 15 is recommended and a minimum SPF of 30 for outdoor activities. Not all sun blocks are created equal. Those containing zinc or titanium offer the best protection from UVB and UVA rays. Look for a concentration of at least 5% zinc or 2 % titanium. Apply sun block 15 minutes prior to sun exposure and reapply frequently if sweating or in the water.

Sun protective clothing provides a consistent SPF 50 that does not wash off and can give you and your family worry free sun protection. Seek shade and wear a broad brimmed hat and try to avoid sun exposure during the peak hours of the day – 10 am to 2 pm. Sun blocks purchased at a physician’s office are significantly more protective than most in stores. Examples of great sun blocks available over the counter include Blue Lizard and Sun Smart.

Topical antioxidants protect your skin from damage from free oxygen radicals that are generated by exposure to the sun. Choose only antioxidants from a skin professional’s office as over the counter versions may not have stable levels of antioxidant and may not penetrate the skin well. Daily use will result in an enhanced antioxidant level in the skin that consistently prevents oxidative damage to your collagen – the main support structure of your skin. Topical antioxidants include Vitamins C and E, green tea, red tea, coffee berry, phloretin, ferulic acid, zinc and others.

In addition to causing oxidative damage to the skin, sun exposure activates enzymes in the skin that breakdown collagen. Repeat sun exposure leads to significant loss of collagen with loss of skin elasticity and wrinkle formation. Retinoids or retinols have long been known for their anti-aging properties but many people stop using them in the summer. The summer is the best time to use a retinoid (tretinoin) or retinol as these substances prevent the collagen breakdown that occurs after even minimal sun exposure. Consistent use of a retinoid will lead to smoother, healthier skin as well as long term preservation of age-defying collagen.

Enjoy the fun-filled days of summer but act now to prevent sun damage and keep your skin healthy, vibrant and youthful!

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Skin cancer is the most common cancer with over 3.5 million cases each year in the United States. One in five Americans can expect to develop skin cancer in a lifetime. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer, followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and then malignant melanoma. Of people who live to age 65, 40-50% can be expected to develop at least one skin cancer. The numbers are staggering but the sobering data lies in skin cancer in young individuals under the age of 40.

Basal cell skin cancer incidence in women under the age of 40 has more than doubled in the last 30 years while the incidence of SCC increased 700% in this age group. Confirming what many dermatologists have already been seeing in their practices, a recent Mayo Clinic study showed an alarming increase in skin cancer – both melanoma and non-melanoma – in patients aged 18-39 years old. During the study period of 1970 – 2009, there was an eightfold increase in melanoma in women and a fourfold increase among men of this age group. Possible explanations include increase use of tanning beds, increased in tanning and intense intermittent sun exposure (think spring break).

Just one exposure to a tanning bed can increase an individual’s chance of skin cancer. People who have used a tanning bed once or more are 74% more likely to develop melanoma. The risk increases with increased exposure. Those who have used tanning beds for 10 years have double the risk of melanoma. A recent study showed that women who used a tanning bed four times a year between high school and age 35 were 15% more likely to develop BCC. An average one million Americans visit a tanning bed each day. Over 70% of tanning bed patrons are females aged 16-29 years.

Young adults are not the only ones at risk. The majority of people diagnosed with melanoma are men over the age of 50. One in 39 Caucasian men and one in 58 Caucasian women will develop melanoma in their lifetimes. National Cancer Institute data show that Caucasian men over age 65 have had an 8.8 percent annual increase in melanoma incidence since 2003 which is the highest annual increase of any gender or age group. Adults over the age of 40 have the highest exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun or tanning beds is a well documented carcinogen. Protection from the damaging effects of UVR is essential to maintain healthy, cancer-free skin as we age. We are currently experiencing a skin cancer epidemic with no end in sight. There is no such thing as a safe amount of sun exposure.

What about Vitamin D? Incidental sun exposure is enough to reach the skin’s maximum Vitamin D production.  A study of 93 frequent surfers in Hawaii (average age 24 years, average weekly sun exposure 29 hours) showed that over half had serum vitamin D levels under 30 ng/ml and almost all had levels less than 60 ng/ml which is the level currently considered a goal for normal level. Of this group, 40% never used sunscreen. If these surfers could not reach “normal” level of Vitamin D with an average of 29 unprotected hours in the sun per week, then it should be obvious that we need to rely on diet and supplements to maintain a healthy level of Vitamin D.

In rosacea, it is very important to maintain the barrier function of facial skin. Dry conditions in the winter, wind, physicial activities and over scrubbing of the skin can cause small cracks in the surface of the skin. When this happens, the barrier function of the skin is disrupted and the cracks can turn into very dry skin as the skin is no longer able to keep itself properly hydrated. These small cracks also can trigger blood vessel, immune and nerve responses that result in a rosacea flare – redness, flusing, burning, bumps, and swelling.

Daily moisture with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer can be essential to maintaining control of rosacea. New moisturizers feature ingredients that replenish elements in the upper layer of skin that help your skin function as a barrier – they improve your skin’s protection and armor function. These ingredients include ceramides and natural, physiologic lipids – examples include Cerave, Priori Barrier Cream and Charlotte Skin & Laser’s own barrier repair cream.

Physical exercise outdoors when it is windy and cold can really strip the skin of its natural moisture and trigger a flare of rosacea or dermatitis. Running, bike riding, and horse-back riding are examples of activities (especially when done for long periods of time) that expose skin to extremely drying and irritating conditions. For these activities, I recommend application of a thick occlusive moisturizer prior to outdoor activities to protect the skin – like a protective mask. Elta moisturizer, Skin Ceuticals Hydrabalm, Theraplex emollient and even plain Vaseline or aquaphor are great protective, occlusive moisturizers. These occlusive moisturizers are also very hydrating and soothing and calm and heal extremely dry, cracked skin.

A sun screen product whose main active ingredient is a physical agent such as zinc or titanium is recommended for sensitive skin patients and patients who suffer from rosacea. Chemical sun screens can cause sting and burn and are more likely to irritate the eyes. Chemical sun screens work by absorbing the ultraviolet rays of sunlight. This is then converted to heat energy in the skin which can cause a flush or flare of rosacea skin. Zinc works by reflecting the sun’s rays and thus does not produce heat in the skin. Zinc is also anti-inflammatory which is ideal for the sensitive skin of rosacea.
Sun protection also includes avoidance of sun exposure during peak hours of the day. Wear a sun protective hat and seek shade when possible. During physical activity, sun screen should be re-applied every 2-3 hours.

Sunscreens that are great for Rosacea

Avene Redness Relief Soothing Cream SPF 25

• Light green cream neutralizes and helps minimize the appearance of redness

• Contains Avène Thermal Spring Water to soothe and soften the skin

Elta UV Clear SPF 46

• Lightweight, oil-free sunscreen that calms and soothe skin

• Contains Niacinamide (vitamin B3) which is anti-inflammatory and can reduce breakouts as well as calm skin

Elta UV Sport SPF 50

• Great for athletes, outdoor activities, water sports, etc.

Tinted Sunscreens

Elta UV Physical SPF 41

• Chemical-free, non-greasy tinted sunscreen, great for light coverage

• Goes on smooth and easy and doesn’t cause irritation

• Antioxidants to neutralize free radicals to help prevent sun damage

Rosaclear Sun Protection SPF 30

• Sheer pink color that blends in easily with skin

• Chemical free and contains reflective agents that help reduce the appearance of redness and blotchiness

• Has the highest zinc level of these tinted sunscreens

Intellishade SPF 45:

• Most make-up like tinted sunscreen that can be combined with powders for full coverage

• Provides superior hydration while covering imperfections

• Click here to read Madeline’s product review on Intellishade!

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Ready to schedule? Call 704-333-9113 and set up a free consultation to see if Liposonix is right for you! Take advantage of our special introductory pricing!

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Dry, sensitive skin:

Use a cream cleanser or mildly foaming cleanser. Avoid soap as this is too drying and irritating for your skin. Use your fingers to massage cleanser into skin or to create lather to then apply to face and then rinse with lukewarm water. Use of a wash cloth is not recommended for rosacea prone skin as this can disrupt the normal skin barrier and trigger a flare of redness and inflammation. If you have really dry skin think about using a wipe off, water free cleanser such as Avene’s extremely gentle cleanser no rinse formula.

Oily Skin:

Some patients with rosacea have numerous and active oil glands – what we call “sebaceous skin”. These overactive oil glands can create a lot of oil on the surface. Cleansing can remove the oil that is present at the time of cleansing but does nothing to prevent more oil from building up on the skin. Over-cleansing with a harsh soap or with a scrubbing with a washcloth will not prevent oil and will strip the skin of its natural barrier function, creating dry, flaky and even irritated skin that still becomes oily several hours after cleansing. Often the best option is using a gentle foaming cleanser – like a liquid cleanser rather than a soap bar – and if you are very oily do a cleansing cycle twice. Cleansing twice will remove more of the unwanted materials from the surface of the skin and less of the components that are essential for moisture.

Normal Skin:

For the most part, your cleansing routine can be similar to the oily skin but no more than one cleansing cycle; however, if you are prone to dry areas, following the advice for dry skin will probably work best for you. Also seasonal variations in your skin may guide your cleansing routine – dry routine in fall and winter and the oily skin routine in the summer.

Cleansers we love:

Avene’s Anti-Redness Dermo-Cleansing Fluid: Formulated especially for sensitive and redness-prone skin. This cleanser smoothes and calms the skin while gently cleaning it and removing impurities.

Avene’s Extremely Gentle Cleanser: This is great for dry skin! You don’t even have to rinse it off, just gently wipe off and finish with a spritz of the Avene Thermal Spring Water.

Skin Ceuticals Simply Clean: This cleanser is great if you have oily or combination skin. It contains botanical extracts of chamomile and aloe to help soothe and heal skin.

Skin Ceuticals Gentle Cleanser: This is a mild cream cleanser that soothes and calms irritated skin. It removes impurities and excess oil without drying the skin.

Comes in light & medium!

$60