Question: “I’m going to buy a new moisturizer that smells like cucumber, watermelon, cinnamon, or raspberries.” That’s a BAD IDEA, I frequently hear. While they might smell good, products with strong fragrances are not good for your skin. Scented products contain chemicals that can dry out and irritate your skin. Fragrances account for 11.7% of …
Cosmetic Skin Care Home Remedies: A Good Idea?
Patients constantly ask me about “sure-fire” home remedies. For instance: “Should I put toothpaste on my pimples?” “My mom told me to rub mayonnaise on my face to prevent wrinkles. Does that work?” “Does milk lighten my skin tone and help get rid of dark spots?” “If I place two cucumber slices over my eyes …
Any sunscreen is good, right? WRONG! OC Dermatologists Discuss
SPF measures only one type of harmful light from the sun (UVB) and is not the only factor to consider when you choose a sun- screen. You must make sure you have adequate UVA protection as well. Let me explain. UV light from the sun is divided into three categories: A, B, and C—based on …
Our OC Medical Dermatologists Pinpoint Foods that Cause Acne
Some 40 to 50 million Americans have acne, and it’s anyone’s guess how many people believe that fried food, greasy food, pizza, and sweets all cause acne. Ordinarily, they don’t—though they may in you. Huh? Most large studies have been unable to consistently prove that these common food culprits cause acne. That said, dermatologists all …
The “Natural” Skin-Care Scam – Orange County Patients Beware!
Beware of the term “natural,” which is thrown around a lot in skin-care ads. The term implies “better” or even “good,” but that is not always the case. In skin care, the term natural is, in fact, completely arbitrary. Tobacco (a plant) and feces (a normal by-product of metabolism), for example, are both produced naturally. …
The Dark Side of Tanning – What Orange County Residents Need to Know
Some people think it’s healthy to get some sun and often refer to darkened skin as a “healthy” tan. These people are terribly mistaken. The dangers of sun tanning in Orange County Tanning is to skin what smoking is to the lungs. In the 1940s, smoking and tanning were in vogue, symbols of glamour. Going out with friends meant …
Dr. T’s Tips for Luscious Lips
Based on the artistry of the injector performing your procedure, the results of injectable fillers in the lips range from “Daffy Duck” to “sexy yet subtle.” Here is my advice: If you’ve never had big lips, you shouldn’t try to achieve big lips. The key with lip fillers is to provide shape, volume, and definition …
Do You Know How to Choose a Sunscreen? OC Dermatologists Discuss
Summer is almost here. Do you know how to choose a sunscreen? Sunscreens come in several different forms, including lotions, creams, oils, gels, sprays, sticks, and aerosols. There are two main categories of sunscreens: Physical and chemical. Physical sunscreens literally get between your skin and the sun’s rays. Applying physical sunscreens is like draping an opaque, …
Stressed-Out Skin Tips from an Orange County Dermatologist
Just as your skin is a reflection of your physical health, your mental health also is on display on your skin. Stress actually can trigger many skin diseases. Hives, shingles, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, and some acne are all skin disorders that may be triggered by stress. Stress also ages your skin and overall appearance. How …
Do you know how to exfoliate effectively? Cosmetic Dermatology Tips
Exfoliation leaves you with new, smoother, softer, brighter skin. Plus, exfoliation diminishes fine lines and softens deeper lines. Over time, exfoliation evens out skin tone. So how do you exfoliate effectively? A quality cosmetic dermatology tip for your skin’s health This is Skin Commandment #5 in Dr. Nakhla’s book, The Skin Commandments: 10 Rules to Healthy, …