The secret to flawless skin lies in a daily skin regime consisting of medical grade skincare products.
The truth is, we all wish for beautiful, healthy skin and we don’t realize how easy it is to achieve this personal goal.
Why are medical grade skincare products better for you?
The answer is in the ingredients. Medical grade skincare products contain stronger ingredients than over the counter products, these ingredients allow them to penetrate the top layer of skin and reach down into the more important layers. First they can work at the dermis, or the middle layer of skin, where collagen and elastin are contained. Then they can work at the basal, or bottom layer of skin where new skin cells are produced.
You may be saying to yourself, “that seems easy, what is a skincare regime and how do I start one?”
Well a skincare regime is an easy, daily routine you use to care for your skin and the products you use in your regime are not hard to find (don’t look farther than Lewis Plastic Surgery for your products). A skincare regime is used twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, and includes 5 (or more) products.
- Morning: cleanser, toner, antioxidants and sunscreen
- Night: cleanser, toner and Vitamin A (Retinols or Retin-A)
The most important parts of your skincare regime are the antioxidants and the Vitamin A.
Antioxidants are important because they help prevent and correct damage to your skin. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (or the sun) and environmental pollutants can accelerate skin aging and degrade collagen, which can trigger oxidative stress in your skin. Vitamin C, the most important antioxidant to your skin, is an essential component in the body’s production of collagen. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that neutralizes free-radical damage that causes premature skin aging and can help rejuvenate aged and photo damaged skin.
The antioxidants that I love and can’t stop recommending are C E Ferulic and Phloretin CF from SkinCeuticals. Lewis Plastic Surgery offers these at a reasonable price! In fact Lewis Plastic Surgery is running an awesome special right now that includes their signature antioxidant facial at a discounted price, a discount on a SkinCeuticals antioxidant product, and a free SkinCeuticals Sunscreen SPF 50 (total price of $197.00).
Retinol and Retin–A are basically pure Vitamin A in topical form. Vitamin A will help to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles while preventing new ones from forming. Vitamin A will also unclog your pores and reduce, treat, and prevent blemishes caused by acne. Retinol works so well that you can see a difference within 8-12 weeks!
Retinol, unlike antioxidants, can be tricky to work into your skincare regime. Retinol is a product that you need to slowly work into, if not you could be facing a lot of irritation. I suggest to all of my clients to use Environ’s step-up system. With this system by Environ you start at a lower dose and build up your resistance until you reach the highest levels of retinol, therefore avoiding irritation. So, if you start with the AVST Range, followed by the Ionzyme Range and then finally move into the Intensive Range retinol products you will avoid the side effects that cause most people to give up on retinol. Although this is a long process that can last up to a year it is the proper way to use the product and take advantage of the full benefits.
Also remember that retinol increases sun sensitivity and should only be used at night.
Again, all of these products are sold at Lewis Plastic Surgery in Richmond, VA. If you’re confused, have questions, or just want to talk about any of these products you can call Lewis Plastic Surgery at 804.267.6009 and set up a consultation with their Master Esthetician, Iveth Montenegro.
Remember: Beautiful Skin = Vitamin A, C and Sunscreen.