Advances in skin care have led to the development of cosmeceuticals that can be thought of as a hybrid creation, consisting of part cosmetic and part pharmaceutical ingredients. The products are typically sold in the offices of plastic surgeons and skin care specialists who understand how the ingredients function topically on the skin. Cosmeceuticals are not controlled like other chemical ingredients because the label is not formally accepted by the Food and Drug Administration.
With an increased interest in preventing and reducing changes of the skin that develop with age, it has become clear that not all skin care claims are valid. Cleverly marketed products with ingredients such as naturally found collagen may be present in the ingredients list, but will not perform as expected in regard to claims of its benefit to the skin. Hyaluronic acid is another ingredient that may be present as an oversized molecule that is unlikely to deliver any significant penetration into problem areas deep within the skin.
Preventing Damage from Occurring
Often times, skin has lost its structural integrity as an effect of sun damage, which is also called photo damage. Signs of excessive exposure to UV rays include loose, sagging skin with permanent lines, as well as non-uniformity in its overall pigmentation. The damage is due to accumulated, unprotected exposure to the sun, though it is important to note that sunscreen renders the conditions preventable. Sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays is effective in shielding the sun from skin cancer and most of the changes in skin attributed to photo damage, making its application a healthy regimen as well as one that will cosmetically benefit the skin over time. Sunscreen is not just applied on the face, but the chest, arms, hands, legs, and any other body parts routinely exposed to the sun. Sunscreen is regulated by the FDA and often contains ingredients such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, as well as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E to naturally work as antioxidants in the sun protection process.
Caring for Skin with Existing Damage
A subgroup of vitamin A is the treatment Retinol, known under the umbrella of retinoids. Tretinoin is also a part of this category. The FDA-sanctioned use of the treatment is for firmer skin that has, in part, rebuilt itself through the combination of collagen with other necessary tissues.
Another way to promote skin repair is through the use of alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) to slough off the outer layers of skin to promote the fresh, new undergrowth.
Other skin treatments that must be performed by a skincare specialist are laser skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion, and chemical peel procedures. These techniques are typically reserved for more severe cases of skin imperfections.
Dermal injections of cosmetic substances can also treat the existing lines and wrinkles on a person’s skin. Some options are Botox, which blocks the nerve impulse that creates muscle action and therefore lines, or plumping treatments derived from hyaluronic acid, such as Restylane or Juvederm.
Top Indianapolis facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Mark Hamilton, MD, FACS, is known throughout the country as one of the “Top Physicians” in America by the Consumers Research Council of America for his accomplishments in facial plastic surgery as well as reconstructive surgery. Book a consultation with the doctor now by calling the office locally at 317.859.3810 or toll-free at 800.597.3223.