Cosmetic surgeons using stem cells to make the fat hold better in a fat-transfer face lift have discovered something new: The stem cells also rejuvenate the skin, erasing wrinkles as they repair the skin. The phenomenon was announced at the recent World Liposuction Conference.
If wrinkles, age spots, and changing skin texture have you down, it’s definitely time for a pick-me-up! And there’s never been a better time than 2010 for finding solutions specific to your skin’s needs. A surge in cosmeceutical products and non-invasive skin treatments has given us scalpel-free options to put a fresh face forward.
That said, we still have to be realistic. Facial aging involves more than just the skin. The muscles get “lazy,” skin begins to sag, soft tissue breaks down, and fat deposits accumulate. Anti-aging topicals work well on fine lines, pigment and texture, but may fall short when it comes to deep creases and a slack jaw line. If you expect a cream to put an end to your double chin or hanging eyelids, you are destined to be disappointed—but you can have beautiful skin!
A cross between a cosmetic and pharmaceutical, a “cosmeceutical,” is generally known as a skin care product that has one or more active ingredients that provide a medical benefit. But there’s a key difference between cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals: While pharmaceuticals are clinically reviewed and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for product safety and effectiveness, cosmeceuticals are not. What does this mean to you? You take your chances when making a purchase, as the responsibility lies with you to decide if these claims are valid and worth the cost. (FYI, pharmaceuticals require a doctor’s prescription
The Cosmeceutical Conundrum
A cross between a cosmetic and pharmaceutical, a “cosmeceutical,” is generally known as a skin care product that has one or more active ingredients that provide a medical benefit. But there’s a key difference between cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals: While pharmaceuticals are clinically reviewed and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for product safety and effectiveness, cosmeceuticals are not. What does this mean to you? You take your chances when making a purchase, as the responsibility lies with you to decide if these claims are valid and worth the cost. (FYI, pharmaceuticals require a doctor’s prescription
A cross between a cosmetic and pharmaceutical, a “cosmeceutical,” is generally known as a skin care product that has one or more active ingredients that provide a medical benefit. But there’s a key difference between cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals: While pharmaceuticals are clinically reviewed and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for product safety and effectiveness, cosmeceuticals are not. What does this mean to you? You take your chances when making a purchase, as the responsibility lies with you to decide if these claims are valid and worth the cost. (FYI, pharmaceuticals require a doctor’s prescription
Preventive and reparative. For example, sunscreen prevents skin damage, whereas peptides repair skin damage. Next to sunblocks, anti-oxidants are considered the best way to prevent skin damage. While prevention is usually easier and less painful than what it takes to repair damaged skin, unfortunately, prevention is difficult to sell—especially to 25 year olds with perfect complexions. While preventive products won’t necessarily provide visible results, they do offer cumulative benefits that may not be seen until years later.
So whether you’re looking for that youthful tone and texture of decades past, or committed to proactive prevention, it’s easy to get access to great skin care products. But knowing which ones are best for you? That’s the hard part.
The Shopping List
Before you go shopping, ask yourself a few simple questions to help you choose the best products for your skin. If in doubt, turn to your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon for guidance.
- 1. Identify Your Skin Type Is your skin predominantly oily, dry, sensitive or a combination in different areas? Do you tan or burn easily? If your skin tends to feel dry and tight, you may need products designed to retain moisture. If your skin is prone to oily areas with frequent breakouts, it may require products that reduce oil production and shine.
- 2. Target Your Skin Care Goals Do you need an age management program or are you eager to reverse the visible signs of aging? Are you interested in treating a specific problem such as acne, rosacea or hyperpigmentation? Prioritizing the issues that are most important to you will help define your mission.
- 3. Evaluate Your Lifestyle If you smoke, spend time in the sun, or drink excessively, your lifestyle will likely interfere with your quest for healthy skin. If you are too busy to apply more than one or two products daily, you may find it challenging to adopt an organized regimen. Be realistic about what you are willing and able to do and how much time you can invest in caring for your skin.
- 4. Set a Budget For Yourself Spend more on treatment products that offer solutions to your key skin care concerns. You can fill in with more affordable brands for your basic needs, such as cleansers and body lotions, to stretch your budget as needed.
