While some still exaggerate the first syllable of “diet”, more and more people are looking at healthier lifestyles as the norm rather than the alternative. Physicians are also taking a closer lok at the relationship between nutrition and their respective medical fields. When it comes to skin nourishment, for instance, we have always been taught to turn to foods that belong to the “glow” group. Research shows how much of a radiance-booster foods rich in Vitamin A are: Retinoids, a compound derived from Vitamin A, exert prominent effects on keratinizing the skin epithelia^1,2 thereby giving the skin a youthful glow.

Other prescribed foods (whether for inside or outside goodness) are those with omega-3. Aside from competing and interfering with the pro-inflammatory components in the body, omega-3 may also increase the skin’s resistance to ultraviolet-induced Erythema.³ Being on the body’s essential fatty acids, omega-3 is greatly needed through diet to avoid unfavorable outcome on the skin when exposed to sun.

Nutrition isn’t just all for show either when it comes to skin care, it’s also true to touch. A study shows that the “natural moisturizing factor,” which consists mainly of amino acids from dietary protein, plays a role in skin hydration and acidity.⁴ Hydrating with water alone cannot support the general appearance of soft and smooth skin. Foods that are known to build muscles, moisturizes our skin as well. Imagine that!
So , the next time you consult your nutritionist check how to best incorporate skinfully good food. After all, your skin is what you eat!

1: Saurat JH. Systemic retinoids. What’s new? Dermatol Clin 1998;16:331-40
2: Zouboulis CC, Koge B, Akamatsu H, et al. Effects of 13-cis-retinoic acid, all-trans-retinoic acid, and acitretin on the proliferation, lipid synthesis and keratin expression of cultured human sebocytes in vitro. J Invest Dermatol 1991;96:792-7
3: Orengo IF, Black HS, Wolf JE Jr. Influence of fish oil supplementation on the minimal erythema dose on humans. Arch Dermatol Res 1992;284:219-21
4: Rawlings AV, Scott IR, Harding CR, Bowser PA. Stratum corneuum moisturation at the molecular level. J Invest Dermatol 1994; 103:731-40

The Cosmetic Compulsion

We define who we are in the world. In our current atmosphere of “Nip/Tuck” and reality-show cosmetic procedures, this has come to mean something more than “finding yourself”, pursuing your goals, or making a mark on society.

In part because “Getting a little work done” no longer raises eyebrows (in fact, it’s now frequently heard in casual conversation), more women and men are taking control of their images—from how they speak and their clothing to their physical appearance.*

The best thing about dermatology procedures today is their mainstream accessibility.** The worst thing about dermatology procedures of today is…their mainstream accessibility. Physicians of varying degrees of expertise make a good living off of these procedures—the risk is taken on entirely by the customer and because there are so many of them, one unhappy patient may not matter in an order-off-the-menu, assembly-line practice. BOTOX® parties, Filler Fêtes and procedures streamed to millions on video can trivialize clinical procedures, putting them on the same level as mani-pedi’s or massages. But make no mistake: dermatological procedures are serious procedures. They can be life changing—for better (dramatically) or worse (tragically).

Unlike impulse-buys at the checkout counter, dermatology procedures should be chosen with professional guidance and done by extremely well-trained physicians.

An ocular inspection by a qualified dermatologist should always be the first step towards determining the procedure that has the best chances of addressing your concerns. Success is not just a matter of sticking an injectable to obvious lines—often it requires an expert hand to determine quantity of medicine and location (otherwise, you could end up looking older)—or zapping a persistent dark spot (the wrong machine or setting could worsen dark spots or give you a serious burn).

Dermatologists are trained to see the details that bother you but they also look at the face as a whole. According to a study by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center there are 19 sections of the face that lose volume at varying rates. It is this asymmetrical loss of architecture, along with topical signs, that accentuate the appearance of aging. The most effective treatments, therefore, call for careful planning and punctilious care.

One comprehensive approach to advanced skin care is Combination Therapy which uses one or more procedures to significantly boost the effects of another treatment. BOTOX®, for example, produces immediate tightening that on average lasts for 4 months. When reinforced with a laser/light device, it extends this benefit to a year.9 This is further sustained when complemented with a daily skin care regimen that replicates the glow and other positive effects of clinical peels and procedures.

For the best return on your “skinvestment”, turn compulsion into consultation.

* Rosen, Christine. “The Democratization of Beauty”. The New Atlantis. Number 5, Spring 2004. 25 Oct 2010.
** Matthews, Imogen. “Linking Fashion and beauty.” GCIMagazine. Ed. Jeff Falk. 6 Apr 2010. Allured Business Media. 25 Oct 2010.

Aging in the present, however, while it’s happening, elicits an altogether different response. The language of aging is one of fear (if you don’t wear sunscreen, watch out!), rage (waging the war against aging!) or hyperbole and desperation (all wrinkles gone with just one swipe!). Fear, plus rage, plus desperation can lead to a bad case of confusion about what to believe and possibly an addiction to trying anything and everything that hints remotely at eternal youth.

While you may never like the thought of aging, making sense out of senescence (the biological term for aging) can help you put it in perspective and make smarter decisions about how to tackle it.

There are two primary and simultaneous factors involved in pronounced maturity (looking older than your age). First, there are the dramatic signs of aging that cosmeceuticals are formulated to prevent and reverse: photo- and chronologic aging, the development of static and dynamic wrinkles, the appearance of sun spots and other discolorations with dilated vessels, attention-grabbing pores, and rough skin warts.*

The second happens below the skin’s surface yet is no less perceptible: it is the loss of architectural support. Bone, fat and tissue that give the face its fullness begin to yield to gravity and fat atrophy. Features that made one’s countenance unique diminish in definition: cheekbones become less convex and lose height, the eyebrow ridge and temple’s outward contours soften, jowls form that lend bluntness to the jaw line. Even one’s eyelids become traitors, with a droopiness that seems to match the sad sack lines behind the mouth and the deepening muscle insertion lines behind the nose.*

What does knowing this achieve? First, it demystifies much of what you see as aging: it is known and can be explained. Second, if you’re interested in dramatic anti-aging measures, this information gives you a 3-pronged plan of action. 1) Tackle aging topically (with prevention and treatment products with proven ingredients like retinoic acid, glycolic acid and virgin coconut oil**); 2), explore procedures (Refirme, Laser resurfacing (VBeam Perfecta is the machine), glycolic peels, etc.) to address the subcutaneous changes; and 3) fight aging from inside (get enough sleep, de-stress, switch to an anti-inflammatory diet, exercise).

Ask VSRC about available topical, procedural and nutritional help for anti-aging.

“The best advice I can offer consumers is not to be afraid to ask physicians direct questions about their credentials, training and patient results,” said dermatologist C. William Hanke, MD, MPH, FAAD at American Academy of Dermatology’s 2009 Summer Convention in Boston, “If you are not satisfied with the answers to your questions or if a physician becomes defensive, then these are red flags and you should seek another opinion.”

Why is it so important to be choosy? A good doctor can give you excellent results while poor care can result in more (sometimes drastic) problems to fix. Plus, a great dermatologist can raise your self esteem and sound the alert should she notice a skin problem that could be indicative of other health concerns. It’s safe to say: there are no downsides to being picky about who cares for your skin.

Yet many patients spend more time researching about a new phone, camera or computer that they’re eyeing than the physician they’ll be entrusting their skin to. If you find physician selection daunting, we’ve whittled the process down to three simple musts:

#1 An Expert

The Bare Minimum your dermatologist must have:

• Board certification in at least the physician’s country of practice. Board certification means that the doctor has completed a contiguous three-year residency in dermatology (contiguous meaning three years in a row, in the same residency program) and passed a rigorous test administered by the country’s board of dermatology.
• Regular attendance at conventions and subscription to board journals. In any specialty, do you really want a doctor who doesn’t keep up with developments in their field?

A Cut Above: A dermatologist who is at the next level of expertise could have one or more of the following under his belt…

• A teaching position at a reputable residency program, hospital or university
• Participation in (such as co-authoring) a published article in a peer-reviewed medical journal
• Diplomate or active-member status in a second dermatological board or association, usually outside his country of practice

Legends: If you want the top of the heap, the crème de la crème, the top best in the field, it’s not how much publicity a doctor gets that’s important. It’s achievement. In addition to what’s listed in “A Cut Above”, a top gun? in dermatology would also…

• Be a popular speaker at important medical conventions around the world
• Have more than one published article, as the lead author/investigator, in peer-reviewed medical journals, and/or
• Hold a senior position in her country’s dermatology board association.

#2 A Confidante

Bedside manner: someone you can (comfortably and freely) ask about prescription risks, procedure down time, and realistic benefit expectations.

#3 A Professional

Takes time with you, looks into your medical history and lifestyle, explores other methods of treatment (relies on his/her smarts before reaching for the scalpel), and provides pre- and post-procedure care.

* AAD Offers Tips on Seeking Out Safe Cosmetic Procedures.” SkinInc.com. Web Ed. Cathy Christensen. 28 Sept 09. Allured Business Media. 25 Oct 10.

Psoriasis is an immunologic condition of a) recurring, often disturbing-looking, scaly, thick and red patches in the skin; b) nail changes, and c) thick patches in the scalp. The condition can affect 10% of the body in mild cases to 20% or more of the body in severe cases (which can also come with mild to debilitating arthritis). As unnerving as the skin lesions can be, they are NOT infectious or contagious. In fact, psoriasis is just a form of allergy, much like a contact dermatitis or eczema. Stress is a big trigger and people with psoriasis can feel stressed or depressed about their appearance, the daily treatments they have to spend time on, and the expense of therapy. Relatives, friends, and caregivers need to be educated about the condition to provide a strong support system. Doctors must find the time to listen to their patients and watch for clues that are possible triggers for flare ups, and for comorbidities that may be signs of common causes of inflammation that can then trigger obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or arthritis.

Psoriasis groups exist all over the world and are great sources of assistance for treatment recommendations and subsidies as well as emotional support and even psoriasis-friendly career searches. A great place to start: the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations www.ifpa-pso.org.