DIY: Uni-sex aftershave

Even though it smells lovely, the initial association my brain makes with aftershave is this: 

However, despite my early-90's pop-cultural associations, aftershave is used because it does do good things for the skin. Used after shaving, the appropriately named "aftershave" usually includes the following ingredients: 

• Anti-inflammatories to soothe irritations
• Antiseptics to sterilize any nicks or cuts, and prevent razor-burn (Alcohol is sometimes used for this, which is what causes the stinging sensation that Kevin's face exemplifies above.)

Typically used by men for their faces, aftershave is also a great addition to a female's beauty routine, as all of the benefits can also be  reaped when shaving legs, underarms, or the bikini area.

Aftershaves are a dime a dozen at the drug-store, but if you have the following ingredients on hand, you can easily whip up your own DIY, Unisex Aftershave.

• 1TBSP Dark Rum (alcohol kills bacteria and germs)
• 1 TBSP Aloe-Vera Juice (soothes the skin)
• 3 TBSP Witch Hazel (extra germ killing)
• 2 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar  (prevents in-grown hairs)

Mix ingredients together, and apply to skin with a cotton ball. Whether applied to his face, or your legs, the skin will be left silky smooth with nary a chance of razor-burn or dreaded in-grown.

[insert drumroll here] And the best skincare products of 2011 are...

It always warms the bottom of my heart to see that the beauty experts of the world agree with my product selections. 

Year after year the products that win the "Best of ...." categories are usually the same ones that can be found lining our shelves-- and the validation this gives my product choice is priceless. 

This year is no exception, as both Obagi and SkinCeutical's skincare products won New Beauty's 2011 "Beauty Choice Awards", as picked by readers, editors, and experts. 

The lofty title of "The best OVERALL SKINCARE BRAND SOLD IN A DOCTOR'S OFFICE" was awarded to Obagi Medical Products.

Why it won: Obagi is a time-tested skincare line that combines the most powerful skin ingredients in an easy-to-follow numbered skin care system, which provides dramatic results. 

The experts like it because: "This is a great line that's been around for a long time. The brand continues to reinvent itself and utilizes clinical studies from dermatologists to show its benefits." says Nashville, TN dermatologist Michael Gold, MD. 

The editors like it because: "This supercharged skincare line works over time to really deliver dramatic results!"

We like it because: "They make certain products better than anyone else. Their gentle cleanser works well on every skin type, their Metrogel is better than anything else on the market, and I couldn't live without their hydroquinone-- it's used by every single one of my darker complected patients before a laser treatment." says Naomi Fenlin, co-owner of Cosmopolitan Skin Care Solutions.

And Obagi chalked up another win for it's "Nu-Derm Clear" product, under the category of "The best OVERALL DARK-SPOT ERASER" 

Why it won: Obagi Clear gets rid of dark spots on the skin, while also fighting the other signs of aging.

The reader likes it because: "I believe that Obagi Clear is a superior product because it repairs my damaged, aging skin."

The editors like it because: "Active ingredients in a strong concentration tackle common discoloration problems to achieve perfect, evenly toned skin."

We like it because: "Hydroquinone is a tricky chemical, that can provide great results when used properly. Obagi makes it the easiest for patients to safely and correctly use, with their 'Clear' product." 

 

SkinCeutical's line of anti-aging and antioxidant products won the Best Choice Award for "The best ANTI-AGING ANTIOXIDANT LINE."

Why it won: SkinCeuticals is always on the forefront of cutting-edge science and ingredients-- their products deliver what they promise. 

We like it because: Simply put, our skin looks and feels better after using these products.

Is your acne treatment causing premature aging?

Every new acne patient invariably leaves our office with the follow products: a great face wash, a great sunscreen, and... a bottle of Benzoyl Peroxide.

Our acne sufferers adhere to their prescribed skincare regimen so devoutly, that we often find ourselves shipping our products to them across the globe. However, it's easy to understand why-- after trying everything else to fix their acne, they want to stick with what works.

BZP (my Benzoyl Peroxide abbreviation) devotion is not unusual-- in fact it is the single most commonly prescribed ingredient for all acne treatments. However, the reason it is so effective at curtailing acne is because of it's innate drying capabilities. BZP dries acne out by reducing the amount of oxygen in the skin, which thereby reduces the acne causing bacteria and infections. 

It is this amazing drying capability that has earned BZP it's reputation as the ultimate acne fighting cream, however some doctors are starting to wonder about a possible darker side to BZP's magic. With all of this excessive drying taking place, is BZP inadvertently causing pre-mature aging? 

The rule of aging usually goes like something like this; anything that dries the skin out, usually causes the appearance of more fine lines and wrinkles, thereby making the skin look older. Since BZP is by nature drying out the skin, reason lends that it would therefore be prematurely aging the skin. 

However, if BZP is being applied properly*, the uncomfortable, tight, dry, burning feeling shouldn't occur. Even anti-BZP California dermatologist Debra Luftman, MD admits that if the right moisturizer (i.e. a formula appropriate for your skin type) is used regularly, the skin will bounce right back to normal. 

BZP is now available in all sorts of strengths and formulas, so no matter what your skin is like-- there is a formula to help keep your skin pristine and clear. 

The one BZP precaution you do want to take to prevent premature aging is the avoidance of sun exposure. (We recommend all of our patients use their BZP at night so as to bypass this complication all together.) The light and heat of the sun amplify Benzoyl Peroxide's drying effects and can leave you with severely dried out, sun damaged skin. (Some experts even think that BZP cancels out the effect of SPF, which lends more reason to skip BZP application during the day.)

When used correctly, Benzoyl Peroxide is a must have in your anti-acne arsenal (if you look at the ingredients of the products you are currently using, you may be surprised to see you are already employing the benefits of this hard-working pimple buster.) Make sure to moisturize your skin properly, and enjoy your clearer skin-- Benzoyl Peroxide is not causing any premature aging. 

If you have any Benzoyl Peroxide experiences or questions you would like to share, please let me know. I'm always happy to hear skin related thoughts, inquiries, and stories.

* Benzoyl Peroxide should be applied in the thinnest layer possible, evenly covering the entire face, before bed. If you can see it on your skin, you've applied too much. Do not attempt to load-up an area for spot-treating, excessive drying (with peeling and flaking) is likely to occur.

Secrets to looking younger with makeup

It's a double edged sword in every aspect of your appearance-- any change can improve your appearance, but there is also the risk that the change might end up detracting from your looks. 

While makeup can be your biggest ally when it comes to changing or improving your appearance, there are some common mistakes you should avoid so as to prevent yourself from inadvertently making yourself look older.

Consider the model pictured to the left. Obviously she is a beautiful girl-- and yet her makeup application significantly ages her. 

To avoid some common aging makeup pitfalls, follow the tips below to enhance, and preserve your natural beauty.

Makeup techniques to avoid:

Harsh, dark eye makeup: As witnessed on Sharon Stone at the 2011 Oscars, there comes a time in every woman's life where thick, black eyeliner ages you, and makes eyes seem tiny-- the exact opposite effect desired. (In fact, looking at this picture more closely, Sharon Stone might be a poster child woman for all of the antigaging makeup "Don'ts".)

Thick foundation: When the foundation is visibly caked into your pores, it gives an overall impression of unhealthiness. It's ok to utilize makeup in an attempt to make the skin look uniform, but a lighter touch, and lighter formula of makeup, will make skin look more natural and healthy. (Extra bad if you can see the makeup sitting on top of fine facial hairs.) 

Thick lipliner: Similar to the heavily applied dark eyeliner, defining your lips is supposed to make them look larger, even though the opposite is what occurs. In addition, this is an outdated look, and any fine wrinkles around the mouth, or thinning of the lips, will be more apparent.

Blue eyeshadow: Unless you are very careful, blue eyeshadow can quickly send a message of "bad makeup." Neutral colors, such as copper, champagne, and peach, are much more flattering for maturing skin. 

Glitter: Makeups with subtle shimmer are fine for daily use, however try to avoid makeups (usually eyeshadows) that have a more distinct glitter component. The heavier glitter particles are prone to settling into fine lines and wrinkles, making them more obvious. 

Anti-aging Makeup tips to try: 

Let Mascara define your eyes: Properly defined eye-lashes are a more natural looking way of making your eyes pop. (Eyeliner is fine, as long as the color and usage are appropriate.)  Makeup artist Cindy Joseph offers the following application advice; "With mascara, you don't want to apply in a rush. Do one good coat, keeping the lashes perfectly combed so they are separated. A second coat will make them look longer and thicker." 

Go for dewy skin, as opposed to matte: Multitasking makeup that lends color and moisture can help make the skin look younger. Fresh, dewy looking skin is much more natural looking than matte, cakey looking foundation. 

Shimmery makeup can be used for multiple purposes: Shimmery creams and powders can be used for eye-shadows, liners, lip color, and high-lighters. A soft champagne color can be applied right underneath the brow-bone, in the inner corners of your eyes, and along your clavicle. The light will reflect off all of these areas, for a subtly eye-catching effect.

Don't forget to brush your face?

The Clarisonic is just like an electric tooth-brush... but for your face. (It actually is made by the same company that invented the Sonicare toothbrush.)

Consisting of an electronic spinning brush, the Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System uses revolving brush bristles to uniformly exfoliate your skin. It feels good, massages your skin, and when you are done-- your face feels smoother and because of the massaging nature-- you are left with skin that is slightly glowing. (Depending on the Clarisonic model you have, there are even different brush attachments so that you can exfoliate your various body parts in addition to your face.)

Promising to remove 6x more makeup and dirt than washing your face with just your hands alone, an added benefit to using the Clarisonic face brush is that afterwards, your skincare products will work more efficiently because they can be absorbed into the skin more easily thanks to the removal of the layer of dead-skin cells.

If you have normal skin, this is a perfectly fine product that will not cause any harm, and can be an enjoyable way to exfoliate your skin.

Those that should avoid this product, however: anyone with very dry skin, or acne prone skin.

Even though the Clarisonic works off a timer so that no facial area can be too aggressively scrubbed, the revolving bristles may still rub away too much skin for those suffering from dry, flaky skin. Uncomfortable, raw skin can result, and the Clarisonic is supposed to lessen the amount of skin care products needed-- not cause extra usage to combat the excessive drying that will occur.

You should also definitely avoid using the Clarisonic if you are suffering from any sort of Acne breakout. The revolving bristles will be too abrasive for the delicate, inflamed skin, and will interrupt the healing process--potentially causing scarring. (Can you imagine scouring the skin pictured to the left? A bloody, infected mess would be the end-result!) In addition, by disrupting active Acne with the Clarisonic, you may inadvertently make the situation worse by adding new bacteria (that is on the brush bristles) into the wound.

Another type of person who should avoid the Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System: those who want to avoid the $150-$225+ price-tag. If you have normal, healthy skin and are looking for an easy, inexpensive way to achieve similar results, invest in a $3 baby hair brush instead. The soft bristles, combined with your regular face wash (or body wash), will achieve the same massaging/exfoliating effects as the electronic Clarisonic face brush, for a fraction of the cost.

A couple of good uses for this product that Clarisonic doesn't seem to have tapped into yet, are the other benefits derived from a good exfoliation. Whether on the face or body, a thorough, even exfoliation is a great precursor to a smooth shave. Also-- especially relevant with the warmer weather approaching-- the Clarisonic could be a great tool for evenly exfoliating the body before applying sunless tanner. 

The bottom line is that there are some benefits to using this device, however, those with sensitive skin should keep the Clarisonic use to below the neck, only.

Elle Fowler, a huge supporter of Isolaz acne treatments, had this to say about the Clarisonic face brush:

The key to glowing skin that's in every kitchen cupboard?

Baking Soda is the king of reinvention, and one of their latest incarnations has put this kitchen product square in the middle of at-home skin care.

Initially a seldom used product that non-the-less could be found in every kitchen cupboard, a household could buy one box of Arm & Hammer baking soda and have it last for years on end. In order to increase the frequency of sales, marketing geniuses began to promote the product as a way to keep your refrigerator odor-free. Sales sky-rocketed. 

Then, once every refrigerator in America had an open box of baking soda in it, sales flat-lined again. The marketing force then decided to advertise the product as a way to keep your freezer odor-free too, and sales again shot through the roof. 

Baking soda is a very inexpensive product, that can be utilized for a plethora of uses. In order to keep the company profitable, Arm & Hammer's marketing team has to constantly evolve and promote the different ways that baking soda can be useful to a wide variety of people.  

One of their most recent forays is currently being advertised amongst the glossy pages of In Style magazine, as a cheap, miraculous skin care product.

Apparently Secret #33 amongst the countless ways that Baking Soda can benefit you, is that Arm & Hammer Baking Soda can allow you to have healthy-looking glowing skin. By exfoliating your entire face and body with Arm & Hammer, you can allegedly remove your dead skin-cells and expose the healthier skin underneath, courtesy of baking soda. 

Their on-line description of this practice is as follows:

Are you a fan of the self-tan? Before applying products that give you a ‘glow’, give yourself an invigorating, yet gentle, facial and body scrub with ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda. Removing dead skin cells will leave your skin soft and smooth, perfect before application. Make a paste of 3 parts ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean.

If anyone has tried using Arm & Hammer Baking Soda as an exfoliator,  please share your findings. From personal experience, baking soda is not abrasive enough to physically slough off skin cells, and all that will occur is a messy shower... with a need to buy* more baking soda for the kitchen.

*Ding, ding! The real reason Arm & Hammer wants you to cover your body with their product is revealed...!

Viviscal Part I: Was this Rapunzel's secret?

Ever wonder why Disney princesses always have super long, thick, lustrous hair? (Ok, even though it's just a cartoon-- somehow you just know that the princess's hair is super silky, soft, and shiny.) Did you ever wonder if there is any correlation between having that gorgeous hair, and the most handsomest prince in the world, falling in love with them?

Granted however, that Disney princesses are just drawings for children. 

So, consider their real-life counter-parts: the models of Victoria's Secret. Giselle, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Marissa Miller, Mirande Kerr, and Selita Ebanks, are all real-life women, whom are considered the echelon of female desirability. Lo and behold, they too ALL have thick, long, shiny hair. 

Would Victoria's Secret models be as sexy, with short/thin hair? Me thinks not. 

With my thin mop of shoulder-length hair, certainly no offense is meant to anyone with short, or thin hair. 

However, without a doubt-- long, healthy hair is sexy hair, and it sends a loud but subconscious message to the world: I am very healthy, you should mate with me. 

Despite the gloom surrounding the current economy, the hair care industry is still receiving it's share of dollars. Most models and celebrities with really long hair are sporting extensions-- which require frequent and expensive maintenance.(Good hair extensions need to be redone every 3-6 months, and start at around $1,000+.)  

And length isn't the only reason why people get extensions though, some get hair extensions at natural looking lengths, simply to thicken the appearance of their hair. 

The extension craze has gotten so big that it has slowly but surely made its way into the tresses of the every-day girls all around you. Those that have extensions readily admit the addictiveness of it, and cannot imagine a day when they would not want to keep up with the mandatory maintenance, despite the financial strain.

However, what if there was a way to allow your own hair to grow longer and thicker, for a fraction of the price of extensions? Vogue magazine recently ran an article where they revealed a secret trick that models employ to always look picture perfect: Viviscal tablets. 

Made of fish cartilage, pop two of these pills a day for up to 6 months and Viviscal promises that your will grow longer, faster.

The ingredients are all natural, and encourage faster growth of new hairs, in addition to prolonging the growth stage of your pre-existing hairs (so that the hairs you already have, don't fall out as quickly.) The final effect is thicker, longer hair, that is all yours. 

A little skeptical, I actually spoke with the customer service people. When probed about any possible side-effects (such as a fishy after-taste-- I was assured there was NO after-taste) I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the only other reported effects were the faster, thicker growth of nails and eye-lashes, too. 

Since the Viviscal supplement cannot change the appearance of the hair already on your head, you are advised to take this for at least six months before you start to see the real results. At about $70 for a month's supply, (an absolute steal compared to the cost of hair extensions) I placed my first 3 month order yesterday, and CANNOT wait for it to arrive so I can start this experiment on myself. 

The question remains: Is it really physically possible for a dietary supplement to allow me to grow the hair of my dreams?! 

Stay tuned to find out... and depending on how this goes down, boxes of Viviscal might soon be for sale next to our boxes of Latisse. 

• Nourishes thinning hair and promotes existing hair growth
• Clinically proven and scientifically tested
• Drug-free and safe from harmful side effects
• Strengthens and nourishes weak hair from within
• One formulation for men and women
• Proven to work for all ages and ethnicities
• 100% natural ingredients

It is this easy to look tan everyday:

With the onslaught of snow Philadelphia has received over the past couple days, most people are scurrying about with as little skin exposed as possible. 

Warm weather still seems impossibly far away, and yet... each morning when you look in the mirror, chances are good that you fall into one of the following categories:

a.) you are dying for summer so that your skin had a little color

b.) you are going to apply a blush or bronzer before leaving the house

c.) you are already tan from self-tanner applications, or (I hope not this option!) because you are frequenting a tanning salon.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to sport a little color: it has been proven time and again to make people look, and feel better about themselves... and I'm totally fine with that, as long as you go about attaining that tan in a safe/healthy way. (Safe tan= fake tan!)

A long devotee of St. Tropez sunless tanners, this short video was surprisingly refreshing to watch, because yes, it is that easy to look tan everyday: 

Bet you can't guess the 1st step to this fashion-forward look!

It's interesting that such a high-fashion makeup look can begin with a simple, everyday product:

2011 is looking good...

New Year, new products, new treatments... so many new things to talk about!

We just received our first shipment yesterday from EOS (stands for Evolution of Smooth) and after reading rave reviews about these adorably packaged, organic, good-for-your-skin products, I am so excited to be offering them to our patients. (Plus, I love how the cheerful packaging makes me smile every time I pass the display.)

More about EOS later though, because I'm also so excited about the new SkinCeutical chemical peels that are joining our inventory of magical skin care treatments!

Whether your skin concern is acne, aging, or unevenness... there is a customizable SkinCeuticals Chemical Peel for you. 

Each of the peels (aging: MicroPeel, acne: MicroPeel Plus, uneven skin: Pigment Balancing Masque) can be made as strong or as mild as needed for your specific skin type, and the MicroPeel is literally the coolest peel ever due to the cryogenic therapy involved. Yup, the last step of this peel includes a man-made snow-ball on a stick, which is used to administer the final step of exfoliation. (It is the coolest thing ever, it feels amazing, and leaves your skin feeling so soft!) 

More on this later, too...

The other thing that has me especially stoked right now, is kind of frustrating considering that it took this long to think of... For months and months we have been trying to teach our patients the best way to use Latisse (use a lipstick brush to apply it to the lashes). However, patients used to always call to say that despite ardent looking, a lidded lipstick brush seemed impossible to find... but no more. We finally found the perfect brush, and are currently stocking it so that all of our Latisse lovers can get the most lash for their buck. 

(The thicker plastic brush on the left is the applicator brush that is included in the Latisse kit, and the thinner brush to the right is the kind that we recommend.)

Next on my to-get list: the perfect eye-lash curler. After Latisse does it's magic and grows your lashes long, longer, longest, the best way to get the most dramatic effect is by curling the lashes and really allowing their length to show. 

I've been doing my homework, but am not fully sold on any one curler yet. Do you have any recommendations on the BEST eye-lash curler out there? 

Also, with resolutions at their year time high, I am told that this is the best time of year for self-tanning. My St. Tropez inventory is stocked and ready to go... will be interesting to see what happens.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday, can't wait to share the rest of 2011 with you. :)

The jewel of her eye: Tarte's crystal covered eye-lash curler

For the girl that has everything (in our case, including killer lashes thanks to Latisse) what better way to extra emphasize (again-- in our case, ridiculously long) eyelashes than the perfect eyelash curler?

Tarte cosmetics has released a limited edition, crystal encrusted version of it's already popular eye-lash curler, just in time for the holidays! 

Ergonomically designed to be easy on both your hands and your lashes, it enables the user to get the most dramatic results from their lashes. (See before & after below.) Made to accommodate all eye shapes and sizes, the rubber padding is supposed to help prevent leaving any obvious "crimping" marks in your eye-lashes. 

The jeweled eye-lash curler has received great reviews, and is an adorable product guaranteed to appeal to many people. With it's reasonable price-tag (only $15) this is one eye-lash curler that you better get before you blink and it's gone. 

(Extra props to Tarte for it's dedication to the environment, and their free advice on what to do with the packaging so as to not waste anything.)

10 tricks to look better in photos

With the Holiday season in full-swing, there is never a time when more pictures are being taken of you. The events at all of your parties, family get-togethers, and gift exchanges are being recorded by at least one paparazzi in the group. With the prevalence of Facebook, Twitter, FlickR, and many other social media sites, it is easier than ever for the entire world to have access to photographs of you doing all sorts of thing, while looking less than stellar...

Luckily, there are people who are paid to take pictures, and there are people who are paid to look good in pictures. Both models, photographers, stylists, and make-up artists have gotten together in order to share the tips and tricks they've figured out to ensure their best chance at capturing a great photo. 

Thanks to their advice, the following 10 tips can enable you to always look picture perfect:

10. Let the camera do the work!

A good camera goes a long way when it comes to taking good pictures. Don't be intimidated,  Los Angeles celebrity photographer (and former model) Jack Guy promises that "a good [camera] doesn't have to be complicated." He swears by the Canon G series because it takes great pictures—and doesn't require expertise.

9. Sunsets provide the best natural lighting

Granted, this tip is hard to take advantage of during the winter when a sunset occurs around 4pm, but dusk is the best time of day for outdoor pictures. "The lighting is really flattering," says former model and photographer Jack Guy. "The sun casts less shadow downward, so you don't end up with bags under your eyes in the photo. Instead, it lights up the area under the eyes and you look younger." 

8.  Don't be too shiny.

While it's nice to have a subtle glow to your skin, too much shine can be distracting, says L.A. makeup artist Troy Jensen, who recommends applying a matte finishing product, like Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector. "Run it on the side of your nose, forehead and chin. It neutralizes shine instantly without feeling goopy."

Keeping some oil absorbing blotting sheets in your purse can also help-- just wipe one across your trouble spots while in the bathroom, and it will soak up the excess oil while leaving you with a matte finish.

7. Say "money!"
"Cheese" is the classic spoken request for picture taking, but saying "money" yields better results. "The strong e sound makes the corners of your mouth go up," says Patti Wood. "And the crinkles around your eyes make it look like a genuine smile." 

6. Give yourself a berry smile!

"A berry lip color with a hint of sheen flatters everyone," says Los Angeles image consultant Mimi Dorsey. Avoid nudes, which can make you look like a corpse once the flash hits—and brights, which often come across as harsh.

5. Don't get sloppy

It is very hard to take a good picture while intoxicated (and this might be the hardest tip to follow, as holiday parties are usually full of libations). Try to take the majority of pictures early, before that third (or fourth or fifth) alcoholic beverage. You're more in control, and it shows! Says Los Angeles makeup artist Troy Jensen, "no matter how bright the flash is, your eyes will look droopy after drinks."

These are the last type of pictures you want floating around the inter-webs...

4. Keep your hair touchable

The styles of the 1980's are definitely back... but the best hair today shows no sign of that decade.

N.Y.C. hairstylist David Evangelista says "you really don't want your do to look sprayed or crunchy," so show some reserve with the big hair and styling products. Hair that can move comes across as sexier on film. (Just think about the hair styles shown on the models in a Victoria Secret catalog for proof... and inspiration.)

3. Stick out your face

Los Angeles image consultant Mimi Dorsey recommends pushing your face forward ever so slightly. "It feels absolutely ridiculous when you're doing it, but it makes your face look thinner and hides any sign of a double chin."

2. Trademark Your Own "Blue Steel"

Zoolander's trademarked "Blue steel" look was purposely laughable, but this practice is something that celebrities actually do. 

Is your right side more flattering? Does a subtle smile look sexier? "Pull out all of your favorite pictures of yourself and see what you like," suggests Guy. "You'll probably find a look that's consistent. Once you know how you like yourself to look, it's much easier to replicate." 

 

1. Stand like this to look your longest & leanest

There's a reason starlets like to stand at an angle... "Twist your torso, turning one shoulder toward the camera and the other away from it," says Atlanta body-language expert Patti Wood. "It makes you look very slender."

Putting your hands on your hips also helps, as the waist is more defined and the torso looks more shapely.  (Standing with your arms hanging down by your side makes the whole torso appear wider, while hiding the waistline.) Pointing one foot in front of the other helps make legs appear more slender.

Taking the sting out of dry-skin lotions

It's one of the most annoying/frustrating skin-care scenarios to find yourself in: dry, cold winter air leaves you with severely chapped skin, and when you apply some moisturizing lotion in an attempt to soothe the irritated skin-- Owwwww!!! The lotion stings your skin more than the dryness did!

(You know the scene in the Home Alone when young Kevin shaves his face, and then innocently applies some after-shave like he always sees his Dad do? Yeah, the dry-skin-lotion-sting can be expressed sorta like that...)

Salvationless salves...

Unfortunately, this is an all too familiar situation during the winter when skin is extra-dry and extra-sensitive. The salve you were hoping would provide some dry skin relief instead becomes the enemy you can't wait to wash off your skin. 

Despite the fact that winters are often brutal in Philadelphia, my patients continuously report of this uncomfortable burning sensation year after year, from all sorts of skin moisturizers.  The very high-end varieties all to the way to the most inexpensive drug store variety can cause the dry skin burn, because the key to a lotion that actually soothes isn't in the price-- but (as you've probably guessed by now) the ingredients. 

When trying to soothe irritated, dry skin, you should first and utmost avoid products that are alcohol based, and secondly, avoid fragranced lotions.

Alcohol free

Alcohol is an ingredient often used for disinfection, and is a chemical that exacerbates skin dryness. (Dry skin also often has tiny, microscopic cuts and tears in it, which alcohol further stings and irritates.) When shopping for a potential skin care lotion, make sure to check the ingredients. Although a popular ingredient, do not buy any product that lists alcohol as a main ingredient. A lotion that is primarily made of a drying agent is both oxy-moronic, and useless in your attempt to give your skin the sensitive kind of moisture it needs. 

Smell free

Another precaution to take is avoiding moisturizers with added fragrances. Sure, they might smell good in their containers, but once applied the chemicals creating those pleasant smells can be the cause of non-pleasant skin-irritations. 

Products like Cetaphil and Lubriderm are fragrance-free and specifically formulated for sensitive skin that is prone to reacting to irritants.

 

 

Recommendations for the sensitive

Even though the stinging and burning is a temporary situation that causes no long-lasting damage, it is in the best interest of your skin to not further aggravate active irritations. 

By seeking out lotions that are specifically made for "sensitive skin", you can heal your upset skin and actually get some relief. (If you can find a lotion that contains anti-inflammatory ingredients such as chamomile or aloe, it's even better!) 

Lubriderm, Vaseline Intensive Care, Aveeno, and Burt's Beeswax all make nice lotions that hydrate and nurture your skin, and once you find something that works for you, feel free to apply as often as needed.

Lastly-- I have also heard complaints about sunscreens that sting and irritate, too. (Yes, sunscreen is needed even during the winter!) In order to maintain the level of sun protection you need without sacrificing your comfort, look for "physical" sunblocks that contain zinc or titanium dioxide. (SkinCeuticals makes my favorite.) Because these ingredients sit on top of the skin and aren't absorbed, they tend to be much less irritating.

Comfortable despite the cold...
Armed with this winter skin-care knowledge-- NO alcohol, NO fragrances, "physical" sunscreens only-- you are on the way to happy, hydrated, pain-free skin. (Sorry, can't do anything about the freezing-cold aspect!)

Winter-proofing your legs

"I do some of my best thinking in the bathroom...."

This lead-in left me unsure about where my patient was going with the conversation. 

She stood up and started to unbutton her pants, while I desperately hoped my face portrayed the professional stoicism I was trying to project.

 Uncommon way to bring up something very common

"So the other day, while I was --you know, in the bathroom-- I looked down at my legs, and saw all of these bumps everywhere." 

At this point, she unceremoniously dropped her pants to show me the exact bumps she was talking about. Sure enough, tiny flesh colored bumps covered her legs. 

When Winter and your wardrobe conspire against you...

 Although a mildly uncomfortable way to bring up her concern, the bumps covering her legs were actually quite normal.

 

As the weather gets colder, a bunch of things happen all at once. The indoor heat, outside cold air, and increased use of hot water (for bathing) saps all of your skin's natural moisture, leaving it extremely dry. Dry skin, encased in the popular constricting styles of today (skinny jeans, leggings, jeggings, tights, etc.), create the most ideal set of circumstances for in-grown hairs galore-- which is exactly what my straight-forward patient was suffering from. 

After shaving her legs, her seasonally dry skin blocked her pores, making it hard for her growing hair follicles to break through the skin. Her penchant for tight pants made it even harder for the hairs to grow properly, and break through the skin.

With no exit-way to allow for growth outside of the body, the hairs were instead forced to curl in on themselves and continue their growth underneath the skin. Hence, the plethora of in-growns. 

Year-round smoothness...

Because the mechanics of this problem are easily understood, this is one winter skin care concern that's easily preventable.

1. When bathing, begin by washing the problem areas with an anti-bacterial soap. I'm particularly partial to Dial, but use whichever brand you like. The anti-bacterial properties will help cut down on the existing infected hair follicles, while preventing additional in-growns from occurring.
   
2. Increase your exfoliating! Exfoliating your legs can benefit you in many ways. If you exfoliate before shaving, you may notice a better, more even shave. If you're not shaving, exfoliate anyway! Removing the build-up of dead, dry skin-cells will help get rid of existing in-grown hairs, and allow new hairs to grow easier.
   
3. When you get out of the shower, make sure to give yourself a quick application of moisturizer. Lubriderm and Vaseline both make nice, non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) lotions that will keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
   
4. Finally, allow your legs to "breathe" as much as possible. You can continue to wear tight bottoms, but try to at least wear loose pajamas, and perhaps looser fitting pants a couple days a week. 

It's speculated that Philadelphia is in for another winter like the one we had last year, but by following the above steps you can make sure to have beach-ready legs regardless of the snow onslaught just beyond your window... and perhaps I can be spared from future surprise pants-droppings.

Elmers's Glue: the new Biore strip?

 When I was little, half the fun of any arts & crafts projects was the excuse to play with glue... 

While I was never one of those paste-eating kids, Elmers glue provided endless fascination to me. I loved how quickly it dried on the skin, and how when you peeled it off you could capture an imprint of every pore and hair follicle. It was incredible to my young mind that even though my skin looked so solid and flat, it was actually a wild landscape of tiny crevices, peaks and valleys. (Perhaps this was the first glimmer of my future skin fascination?)

Interestingly enough, Elmer's Glue has recently made it onto the radar of several do-it-yourselfers, as an excellent way to rid your skin, at home, of blackheads. This glue trick was featured on "The Doctors" (along with a quick way to get a peachy keen Vitamin C peel), where the glue was applied over the targeted areas (nose and chin), and when peeled off-- the blackheads come away with the glue! No muss, no fuss, plus the fun of playing with glue again. 

Although  I have never tried this, I am intrigued: this could potentially work on blackheads near the surface of your skin. Elmer's Glue can't do any damage to your skin, and it is an interesting way to remove blackheads yourself without mangling your skin through picking and squeezing.

Barbed-wire condom made to prevent rape

During my daily scour for women's interest stories (usually the best way to find skin care and beauty news & advancements) an article about a "condom with teeth" stuck out like, well.... a condom with teeth.

It truly is hard to believe that in the year 2010-- where regular people are able to connect with the Internet via computers that fit in their pockets-- there are still parts of the world where humans live like barbarians. Surreal as it might seem however, it is a fact that there are currently many places where human life has no value, especially those of women.

In some under-developed areas, just like stories from thousands of years ago also relay, women are considered property instead of people, which means they can be stolen, plundered, and thrown away when their use is complete. Take into consideration Africa alone, where places like Darfur, the Eastern Congo, and parts of South Africa see rape as a constant part of every female's life. In South Africa alone, the staggering statistics show that one out of every two females will be raped at some point in their lives. 

In order to allow women to protect themselves against this frenzy of sexual abuse, a secret weapon has been developed-- a weapon so discreet that it is actually only activated once something unwanted has been inserted into her vagina.

Similar a tampon, the device called a Rape-aXe is smooth, soft, and leakproof on the outside, so as to cause any discomfort once the woman inserts it into herself. 

However, the inside of the device is covered with carefully crafted hooked barbs that latch onto anything which penetrates that area. The Rape-aXe is designed so that once it hooks into a man's penis, only a doctor can remove it, at which point the police should be contacted.

The theory is that once the Rape-aXe latches onto a rapist's penis, they are overcome with pain and unable to complete the rape. Sonnet Ehlers, a woman in her 60's who spent 40 years developing this device, was at first concerned that a rapist might be prone to more violence after being snared in the Rape-aXe. However, a study of jailed rapists revealed promising news; the convicted rapists admitted that the surprise attack to their penis would be such a shock that they wouldn't immediately know how to react, thus buying the female time to escape. 

Although the Rape-aXe is not on the market yet, Ehlers is currently in the works with multiple medical supply companies to enable this product to be available worldwide. Her website antirape.co.za gets 18 million hits a month, and many groups are contacting her about future distribution, including female soldiers in the U.S. military who want to protect themselves from enemy rapes in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. (And, Ehlers also adds, against rape from fellow American male soldiers.) 

This is a very interesting concept with which to help empower women to protect themselves, but the element of surprise surrounding this device will only last so long. If this became a common enough practice, wouldn't a would-be rapist insert a stick or rod inside first to safely remove the threat of the Rape-aXe? For fear of the Rape-aXe, isn't it possible sodomy rapes would increase instead?

My cynical brain can't help but trouble-shoot this almost brilliant concept: How does a woman take it out if she wasn't raped? If the woman is not raped, is it reusable? Can they be used in other vulnerable orifices? (So that a man could possibly use this for protection also?) If there was a group of rapists, wouldn't the presence of this device probably create more harm than good for the victim?

In order for something like this to work, (and I feel like I am completely going to sound like a science-fiction-pervert here) it seems like the device should almost be surgically implanted, and controlled by specific muscle contractions or something, so that it can be used even if the victims body is incapacitated. Instead of hooked teeth on the inside, the weaponry should be a taser, or something that could be used multiple times. Yes, I just recommended a vagina laser, but as crazy as it sounds-- in order for a vaginal weapon to work it would have to be something which couldn't forcibly be removed and could be used numerous times. 

Is there an app for that? It's ironic AND sad that in this day and age, our amazing technological advances should be used to prevent the oldest crime in the world. However, it is inspiring to hear of (absolutely no pun intended) truly out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to developing ways to allow women to protect their own bodies.