What is Glycolic Acid?

There’s a lot of buzz around this ingredient: glycolic acid. Here’s what I’ve discovered.

Dr. Susan Taylor, M.D. is a dertmatologist and Director of the Skin of Color Center. She also is the author of a book called Brown Skin. Dr. Taylor also created a website called rxforbrownskin.com. She specializes in the dermatological needs of people of color. People of color include Latino/as, African-Americans, Native Americans, and Asians.

The following question and answer was posted on http://tinyurl.com/kmb4l7

What is glycolic acid?

Glycolic acid is a fruit acid or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) derived from sugar cane. It is considered a natural product and is often used as a skin exfoliant and moisturizer. Glycolic acid reacts with the upper layer of your skin (the epidermis), weakening the binding properties of the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together. The outer layer of your skin "dissolves" revealing the underlying healthier skin. The result is a much-smoother skin surface and a more youthful appearance.

I would like to add to this posting the following additional information.

Benefits
Exfoliates and moisturizes (Dr. Susan Taylor, M.D., author of Brown Skin)
Hydrates skin (Dr. David E. Bank, author of Beautiful Skin)
Unclogs pores (Dr. David E. Bank, author of Beautiful Skin)
Stimulates collagen production (Dr. David E. Bank, author of Beautiful Skin)
Helps generate a smooth youthful complexion (Dr. Susan Taylor, M.D., author of Brown Skin)


The Other Side of the Coin

Now we know most products have some good and some bad.
A blog post titled “Five Ingredients Your Skin Can’t Live Without …and How to Use Them” http://tinyurl.com/acvyzq lists AHA’s as one of 5 must have skin care ingredients. This blog post, which is written by a second year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, adds some very beneficial warnings.

The blog post states that AHAs should be discarded “six months after opening. Over time alpha hydroxy acids become more potent, and hence more potentially irritating.” Most people probably assume that products become less potent over time. This is critical information to know especially about something that is designed to go on your face. The blog post offers up another warning. Don’t use AHAs in conjunction with retinol/retinoids.

Warnings

Discard after 6 months
Use sunscreen while using the product
Don’t combine AHAs with Retinoids

Here is one more awareness, on page 34 of, Brown Skin, it says if you have sensitive skin you should "avoid cleansers containing glycolic acid" especially if it irritates your skin. However, if you have one of the common skin types: dry, oily, or combination skin, "cleansing or moisturizing with products containing glycolic acid (an AHA)...will give you a clearer, smoother complexion (Page 105, Brown Skin)."

Your lipstick can do more for you!

Lipstick can be a little expensive!
Vincent Longo $32.00
Paula Dorf $20.00
NARS Sheer lipstick $24.00
Stila $18.00
Lorac $19.00
MAC $14.00
Mary Kay $13.00

Let's be honest. Rarely do we purchase one tube of lip stick or lip gloss. If we're going to pay for lip stick, and some of us are paying more than others depending on the brand, why not buy lipstick that gives us something more than temporary color?

Today's lipstick/lip gloss can do more.

Most people shop for lipsticks/glosses that come in a specific color. Probably, next on their list is a product that is "long-wearing with stay-true" color.

How about this?
Now you can find products that also contain moisturizers/conditioners to seal in moisture.

A quality lipstick/gloss will also have Vitamins E and/or C.

Vitamin C, according to WebMD, promotes a "lower likelihood of a wrinkled appearance, dryness of the skin, and a better skin-aging appearance."

Vitamin E is commonly used as an anti-oxidant to protect cells against damage. It also helps promote healthy skin!

The next time you buy a tube of lip stick/lip gloss, read the ingredients and make sure it's worth your hard earned money!

The Enemy in the Air-Conditioner

It's been upwards of 80 degrees in Los Angeles for about two weeks. Out of necessity, air conditioners all over the city have been cranked up to high power.

Air conditioners pull moisture out of the air. Air conditioners are not selective about where the humidity comes from. Some of the moisture pulled from the room in which the A/C is operating is removed from the skin. When air conditioners pull the moisture out of the skin, it creates a drying effect.

Water keeps things fluid, mobile and elastic. Water serves the same purpose for skin. Water is crucial to maintain the skins' elasticity. Without it, overtime, skin shrivels, creases, and wrinkles. In other words, the ageing process is hastened. There is not a person on Earth who would willingly volunteer to age faster than he/she has to.

To make matters worse, often people step out of an air conditioned office or car into the blazing hot sun that prompted them to turn on the A/C in the first place. Outdoors UVA and UVB rays beam down into the face.

Keep in mind, facial skin is also constantly battered by wind, pollutants, changing weather conditions, irritants, allergens, and emissions from cars. Nature and technology seem to be working against the skin's innate struggle to maintain its health. This is all negative stress. Negative stress is unhealthy and damaging.

Without consistent proper skin care, a simple technological comfort such as turning on the A/C could potentially contribute to damaging the skin. The long term damage is not limited to premature aging. Some people's skin due to poor diet, underlying illness, or poor maintenance over time, is simply unable to quickly adjust and may suffer structural damage. Structural damage can't be repaired with over the counter (OTC) products.

Place several bowls of water in the area that's being cooled by the A/C. This simple inexpensive adjustment can help decrease the drying effect on the skin. This makes sense since the A/C can pull moisture from the sitting water and not facial skin.

"For $49.99 You Can Have Beautiful Skin for Life!"

Fifty dollars for a lifetime of ageless beauty is a bargain. If only attractive skin was that easy to not only obtain but also maintain. Here's the deal. Old wisdom still holds true. Henry Ward Beecher said, "Victories that are cheap are cheap. Only those worth having come as the result of hard fighting." Attractiveness does not come in a bottle, at least not the kind that lasts. And, fortunately, you do not have to fight for it in the literal sense.

However, gorgeous skin, whether it's brown, caramel, or fair in complexion, requires your effort and deliberatness to protect it. Certain habits nurture skin and others jeopardize the skin's health.

Don'ts

Don't smoke

• Smoking impairs the oxygen flow to tissue which can create dryness, wrinkles, and a dull complexion.

Limit your caffeine intake particularly sodas.

Don't sunburn.

• UV rays dry out the skin. The deeper the tan the deeper the moisture loss (Alfred Fornay, 11).

Avoid too much alcohol.

Petroleum jelly, cocoa butter and oil should not be used as moisturizers for your face.

• These products will only clog your pores and trap bacteria in the epidermis which could lead to acne.

Don't sleep in your make-up.

• Old make-up can irritate the skin or clog pores.

Avoid extremely cold rooms.

• See an article I wrote entitled, "The Enemy in the Air Conditioner."

Watch your weight.

• See an article I wrote entitled, "Beautiful Skin: The Answer is Inside You.

Do's

Exercise

• Exercise is simply good for every part of you: the skin, hair, and nails. Improved circulation helps the dermis push new fresh skin cells to the top and replace dead skin cells. This process is ongoing and gives the skin that natural glow indicative of healthy skin.

Drink plenty of water

• Hydration keeps the skin moist, flexible and elastic. Elasticity is another hallmark of youthful skin.

Eat a balanced diet

• Everything we consume finds its way into the circulatory system. The dermis relies on the circulatory system to supply it with nutrients, oxygen and water so it can do its job.

Follow a 5 step skin care routine daily:

• Cleanse
• Exfoliate
• Tone
• Moisturize
• Protect

If you could simply pay $49.99 for a lifetime of loveliness, I'd want to be the first person to sell you that product. However, since that simply is not likely and probably will never be available, I'm offering something even better: truth. Gorgeous skin requires a little time, a great deal of intention, and consistency. There simply is not a short cut around it.

'The Facts About Skin Cancer '

nI just created a powerpoint called 'The Facts About Skin Cancer '. You can view it at http://scribd.com/doc/17552805 The information contained in this brief slideshow is by no means exhaustive. It is meant to be a simple introduction to the topic. The headers contain phrases and quotations that we've all said at one point in time about the warnings we ignored about protecting our health. My hope is to ignite an exploration into the information and resources available on this issue. Skincancer.org is an awesome site with a wealth of information. A lot of it is very technical and that's where I come in. I aim to synthesize information from that site and make it easier to digest.

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Acne Myths Debunked

Poor Hygiene

Acne is not caused by poor hygiene. People think that dirt on their face causes acne so they scrub, and scrub, and scrub. Rigorous scrubbing could actually aggravate acne. Just gently wash your face twice per day (most people do this morning and night) and pat it dry. Buy an over the counter acne treatment for mild to moderate cases of acne. For more serious acne cases, see a dermatologist for assistance.

Nutrition

The medical community seems split on whether or not food can actually trigger acne. There are hundreds of articles that cite food as acne triggers. And there are many articles that claim food has nothing to do with acne.

I'm inclined to believe, from direct and observational experience, that food does contribute to acne. However, to walk the middle road, let's just say, if you notice an acne occurrence after the consumption of a specific food, maybe that food is an acne trigger-for you.

Here's something to consider. A balanced diet is always beneficial in limitless ways. If your topical skin treatments are controlling your acne, then perhaps you have the freedom to eat whatever you like. On the other hand, if your skin care routine is not yielding the results you'd like perhaps what you're eating needs to be examined. You may want to read Beautiful Skin: The Answer Is Inside You at http://funfreefacialfacts.blogspot.com

An Issue of Vanity

"Acne is not just a cosmetic disease." Acne affects how people look. The link between self-esteem and acne is well documented. Many acne sufferers battle low self-esteem as a direct result of their acne.

Just Deal With It

Acne can be treated. People do not have to just grin and bear it. Today there are dozens or more acne treatments available. If the treatment you're currently using is not working there are many other low cost options available. Should those fail, seek a dermatologist for assistance.

For a recommended acne treatment please read the article titled Ouch that Burns! at http://funfreefacialfacts.blogspot.com/2009/07/ouch-that-hurts.html

Ouch, that burns! When Acne Medication Hurts

Benzoyl Peroxide

Washing your face is an inexpensive and sure-fire way to help reduce acne breakouts. If that's not working, you may want to purchase a benzoyl peroxide cleanser or soap to treat mild to occasional acne. There are various over-the-counter products that contain this key ingredient. Oil and dirt clog pores and cause acne. Benzoyl peroxide is designed to kill bacteria in the pores and on the surface of the skin.

When Not To Use Benzoyl Peroxide

If you have any of the following conditions you should not use this type of topical agent.
 Dry skin
 Chapped skin
 Irritated skin
 Sunburned skin
 Wind-burned skin
 Open wounds
 Eczema
 Women who are pregnant
Wait until your skin heals from the above conditions before applying an acne treatment that contains benzoyl peroxide.

Warning

Listen to your skin. Benzoyl peroxide is not meant to dry out your face. If your skin begins to itch, burn, or redden; stop treatment immediately. Wash your face with cool water. Apply a cool compress until the irritation desists.
It's probably not a good idea to use that product anymore. Your skin is telling you that you need one of the following three things:
 A different product
 A different set of ingredients
 A less intense dosage of the active ingredients

Benzoyl peroxide is available in various strengths 2.5%, 5% and 10%.

The Future of Acne Treatment

Science has improved the quality of acne treatments on the market. Some cosmetic companies now make acne treatments that, of course, include benzoyl peroxide but also a secondary ingredient. Mary Kay makes an Acne Treatment Gel that dries and clears acne blemishes. The treatment also aims to prevent the reoccurrence of acne by penetrating deep into the pore to kill unwanted bacteria.
Mary Kay's Acne Treatment Gel also goes a step further by adding an ingredient that helps the skin heal. The healing agent is cucumber extract. Cucumber extract moisturizes, works as an astringent, relieves puffiness, removes dead skin cells, and tightness skin. You can save time and money by using an acne treatment that treats acne as well as repairs damaged skin.

Written by Carmen Blacklock

What Is Acne?

Visit the following web link to read my article entitled, "What is Acne?"
http://www.scribd.com/doc/17465195/What-is-Acne

Beautiful Skin: The Answer Is Inside You

Beautiful Skin: The Answer Is Inside You

Our skin is the most visible part of our bodies. This fact immediately reminds me of the age old adage regarding making quality first impressions. Who does not want to look awesome and, better yet, feel great too? Taking care of your skin is a great place to start.

Nutrition
What are you eating? Dr. Hanish Babu, MD has been practicing dermatology for the past 25 years. He believes that our consumption of “chocolates, fried food, and fast foods,” may be contributing to acne breakouts. Bottom line, the F.D.A. wins again. A balanced diet (fruits, veggies, lean protein, and complex carbs) can help produce healthy looking skin.

Water
Fact is people don’t like wrinkles. Skin is like an old car. When a car has its oil changed regularly, it drives smoothly. When the fluids in a car are low, the car starts chugging along looking and feeling haggard. The same thing happens to skin but what skin needs is lots of water to help it maintain its natural elasticity. When skin loses elasticity, it becomes dry, dull, and wrinkles start to form. Drink water and help the natural elasticity in our skin continue fighting off those unsightly wrinkles!

Exercise
You may hate this one but, yes, exercise helps your hips and skin! Physical activity increases the blood flow which gives skin a healthy glow. The tone and texture of skin can be improved with regular exercise. Besides, exercise makes you feel better from the inside out!

Stress
Where do the signs of stress, frustration and tension show up first? No, not in your neck or shoulders but on your skin! Stress increases perspiration. Profuse perspiration can make skin “itchy and irritable.” Some special skin conditions are triggered or aggrevated by stress. Depending on the extent of the stress, the affects on the skin can include damages to the very “structure” of the skin.

Sleep
Get some rest. Eight to ten hours of sleep per night is suggested. Milk is not the only thing that does a body good.

Alcohol and Drugs
Alcohol and drugs wrecks havoc on skin. Too much alcohol can prevent the skin from absorbing much needed nutrients. Drugs and alcohol can also prevent a good night’s rest. Moderation is, once again, the key.

This article is a summation of an article entitled, “Basic Skin Care Tips for Healthy, Clear and Beautiful Skin” written by Dr. Hanish Babu, MD and posted on www.skin-care-tips-from-dermatologist.com

Blog Blueprint {Hey! I've got a knack for alliteration it seems!}

Hi and thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate the audience. Here's my idea. I want to set this blog up in six easy to access sections. Does that sound like a plan?
Ideally each section will be progressively more in depth and tailored to a specific need then the section preceeding it. I figure that it will be easier if we move from general basic information into more precise technical information. The thought behind this is that we need to build some background so that we can comprehend the more technical articles/topics. Sooooo if you're on board let's get started!