Beverly Hills - Plastic Surgery, inc.

In this beauty conscious world, everyone is looking for an edge to stay young. There are those who tout eating superfoods and antioxidants to stay young… and there are those who are putting concentrated serums and antioxidants on their face to fight aging. Why not maximize your efforts and do both? Before we get into that, let’s look into the benefits and limitations of each to gain an understanding of their usefulness.

As we age, the amount of collagen and elasticity in our skin decreases, causing wrinkling to occur. Smoking and increased sun exposure accelerates the aging process while a healthy diet and exercise will help fight it because they increase blood flow. Fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseed oil, may also be helpful. Of course, the signs of aging include not only wrinkles, but also memory loss, decreased brain function, and an increased risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. Many studies have documented the link between a healthy diet and prevention of age-related or chronic diseases. As we age, we become more susceptible to the long-term effects of oxidative stress and inflammation on the cellular level. The theory is that antioxidants and other age-defying compounds help fight damage from free radicals and minimize the impact of aging. Just as oxidation causes iron to rust, it causes humans to age.  Vitamin A, found in leafy green vegetables, whole milk, and liver, can help maintain and repair skin. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that protect you from sun exposure, pollution and smoking. Besides citrus fruits, vitamin C can be found in broccoli, bell peppers, and Brussels sprouts. Vitamin E can be found in vegetable oils, nuts, olives, spinach, and asparagus. Red wine in moderation can help fight aging as well. Resveratrol, found in red wine, is a potent antioxidant, inflammation damper, and artery protector.

What else will help you fight age and look younger? Selenium, found in whole grains, seafood, garlic, and eggs, also help to minimize the damage caused by free radicals. Zinc can clear skin by controlling oil production and is important in cell growth. It can be found in oysters, lean meats, and chicken. Lutein, a dietary nutrient available as a supplement and long-known for its effectiveness in promoting eye health, also provides specific skin benefits. These include increasing hydration, elasticity, and superficial lipids of the skin, while decreasing the oxidation- a process that causes degradation- of those beneficial skin lipids.

As part of a regimen to protect, restore, and nourish your skin, antioxidants and other skin care topicals will fight the effects of accelerated aging and skin damage from the environment and internal factors. Some excellent topical antioxidants are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, green tea, selenium, and alpha lipoic acid. Similar to using an asthma inhaler as compared to a pill, topical applications with these ingredients will begin to work quickly and have a lasting effect.

While there are many products touting similar ingredients, it is important to use products that work and are in sufficiently high enough concentration to be effective. For instance, vitamin C is the standard by which other topical antioxidants are compared. It can be found in serum, cream, or other topical product. The most potent form of it is L-ascorbic acid, but most over-the-counter products use a different form that is less effective. Even some products that are endorsed by doctors may not have this form. Finally, if the concentration was high enough to work significantly, it would be FDA regulated and likely require a prescription or to be sold through a doctor’s office.

So why should we bother fighting the effects of aging on two fronts? Because the aging process, and factors that accelerate the aging process, occur on two fronts: external forces and internal factors. External forces include smoking, sun exposure, pollution and dryness. Internal factors include stress, diet, and genetics. While we can change some of these influences, it’s impossible to change all of them, so we need to take extra measures to combat aging. Changing your diet to include more superfoods and antioxidants will help in the long term. For immediate help that will also give you lasting results, topical agents added to a customized skin care regimen will melt the years off and refresh your look!

As the days get longer and hotter, our desire to get out and enjoy the sun gets stronger. After all, the great weather is one of the things we love about California, right? Of course, we want to look great while we are enjoying everything California has to offer, and we want to protect ourselves from environmental factors that cause aging.

Everybody wants that summer glow. To help your skin radiate, don’t forget to exfoliate! Your skin is continually turning over and shedding skin cells. These dead skin cells clinging on make your skin look dull and dry. For your body, using a scrub like a loofah or beaded cleanser 2-3 times per week will give your skin the glow you are looking for. You should use a facial exfoliator for your face and neck. This can be a mechanical exfoliant, like a facial brush or a cleansing scrub, or a chemical exfoliant, like a product with gentle fruit acids. If you really want to give your face a refresher, you can’t go wrong with a light chemical peel to get your skin out of hibernation. SkinMedica Illuminize Peel and Vitalize Peel are excellent for doing just that!

Once you have that youthful, summer glow, you want to keep it around as long as possible, right? Hydrating your skin with high quality moisturizers are a must. Did you say that you don’t want to use that thick, heavy cream emollient you’ve been using all winter? Well, neither do I. Most of us can put that heavy stuff away and use a lighter lotion or even a gel based moisturizer. The best time to apply a body lotion is right after you dry off from your shower to seal in the moisture. A light, refreshing fruity or other summer-scented lotion will pick up your mood and have you itching to get outside.

Remember that your face has different needs than your body and you shouldn’t pinch pennies in choosing the right products for healthier skin. Medical grade products are significantly superior to ANYTHING you can get at a department store or Sephora (sorry, those Dr. This and Rx That products really aren’t medical grade- otherwise they would need a prescription or be sold only in doctor’s offices!), and frequently are more cost-effective than those heavily advertised products. There are various formulations for different skin types, and it’s best to get input from a medical professional who can help you choose the right products. One of my favorite product lines for skin care and maintenance is SkinCeuticals. They have incredible moisture retaining gels, lotions, and creams. Hydrating B5 Gel is a great humectant (moisture retainer) and very light on your skin. Daily Moisture is a lightweight cream that will hydrate and nourish your skin.

Have a problem with cellulite? While there is no treatment or lotion that permanently removes it, there are some products that will improve the look of cellulite as well as stretch marks. Advanced Body Firming Lotion by SkinCeuticals is a favorite of many women- some of whom have reported their cellulite improving after two days of use and many who testify that their cellulite has disappeared after a few weeks!

There are many choices when it comes to adding some color to your summer glow. While tanning beds have improved a lot since their introduction, they still don’t protect your skin from premature aging caused by UVA rays. Using a self-tanning lotion will give your skin a beautiful start to summer. Most of these products use DHA (dihydroxy acetone) which, when used alone, can cause dryness and create an uneven, unnatural looking tan. Products with DHA enhancers like erythrulose will help ensure a more even, streakless, longer lasting tan. To prevent getting too dark, you can alternate your self-tanner with a moisturizer.

Of course, summer skin care would not be complete without a little advice on sunscreen. For full details, feel free to visit the blog section of our website: www.bhpsinc.com. First off, be safe and pick up some new sunscreen. They don’t last forever after all. Second, get one that works! The nonprofit Environmental Working Group says that 85 percent of sunscreens either inadequately protect from the sun’s rays or contain ingredients that may be unsafe. Of the products they recommended to consumers, only one of the 144 products sold by the top three sunscreen makers (i.e. Coppertone, Neutrogena, and Banana Boat) made it on the list!

Here in California, a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 should be used and reapplied every few hours to ensure protection. Also double check that it will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Solar Protection’s TIZO3 protects against both, has an SPF 40, and is very water resistant. It is made specifically for facial use, having a light tint, a flat matte finish, and a silky texture without a metallic shine. Another excellent sunscreen is La Roche Posay, but make sure it’s the line with Mexoryl, which will protect against the full spectrum of UV light.

While following these recommendations won’t make you smile more, make you play harder, or get you anywhere faster, they will help you enjoy more of the things that will! Isn’t that why we love California?

From Alexa Simpson, Medical Esthetician:

Your skin is one of a kind. The most important part of treating a skin condition is working with professionals who understand this. I’ve felt the frustration of walking out of dermatology offices and day spas having been rushed through their analysis and fed the same generic answers given to nearly every client they see.

There is a vast difference in visiting a day spa or a dermatologist and visiting a plastic surgeon’s office where the doctor and staff are actively involved with every patient. And the biggest difference is in taking the time to get it right.

Individualized treatment is so important.  What works for one person’s skin might not work for another’s.  At Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, you have the privilege of being able to meet with Dr. Chiu before your visit with a medical aesthetician.  You are able to sit down and express your concerns and questions knowing that you will be heard.  Best of all, it’s complimentary!  

Another factor in the outcome of your skincare treatments is the use of medical grade skincare products during your treatments and at home.  As much as I would love to have a quick fix for certain issues, it really does take a compliance with the client as well.  You really do get what you pay for and using products like SkinCeuticals or Obagi will make an amazing difference with your skin.  I feel fortunate to work with such a great arsenal.

As an aesthetician, I am proud to be able to take my time in working with Dr. Chiu and our clients, to help get to the root of the issue, determine what results are desired and plot a course of action to reach them.

The best part of my job is getting to see the results!  After all, that’s what it’s all about

Schedule today for a free skin analysis! 310-888-8087 or email: concierge@bhpsinc.com

What vitamins should you take to keep young and elasticity in your skin? What types of skincare are good for you to keep from wrinkling or aging?

There are two things that definitely decrease the skin’s elasticity, causing wrinkling and accelerated aging: smoking and the sun. If you want to look young, protect yourself from the sun and don’t smoke. A healthy diet and exercise may also help because they increase blood flow. Fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids (such as flaxseed) may also be helpful.

Vitamin A, found in green leafy vegetables, whole milk, and liver, can help maintain and repair skin. Vitamin C & E are antioxidants that protect you from sun exposure, pollution, and smoking. They help remove free radicals, thereby reducing the damage. Besides citrus fruits, vitamin C can be found in broccoli, bell peppers, and Brussels sprouts. Vitamin E can be found in vegetable oils, nuts, olives, spinach, and asparagus.

Selenium, found in whole grains, seafood, garlic, and eggs, also help to minimize the damage caused by free radicals. Zinc can clear skin by controlling oil production and is important in cell growth. It can be found in oysters, lean meats, and chicken.

Lutein, a dietary nutrient available as a supplement and long-known for its effectiveness in promoting eye health, also provides specific skin health benefits. These include increasing the hydration, elasticity and superficial lipids of the skin, while decreasing the oxidation – a process that causes degradation – of those beneficial skin lipids.

As the weather warms up, many people notice a dull appearance of the skin. This is frequently caused by the build up of dead skin cells. A cleansing facial does very well, but a microdermabrasion is even better. Treating yourself to a medical-grade facial or microdermabrasion will not only make your skin feel more refreshed, youthful, and hydrated, but regular treatment has been shown to increase the amount of collagen, which helps reverse the aging process in your skin. Going a step further, various chemical peels can dramatically improve the look and quality of your skin without the downtime of a surgical procedure. For the body, use a skin care scrub to slough off the old skin, or a chemical exfoliator like an alpha-hydroxy acid.

Of course, be sure to use a cleanser specifically made for your skin type. Glycerin-based cleansers, like Neutrogena, may be good for acne, but is too drying for most skin. Soap bars should be avoided because they leave too much residue on your face and may not clean deeply. SkinCeuticals is an excellent brand, found only in physicians’ offices, that makes cleansers for different types of skin.

A good toner will not only refresh your face, but will balance the pH and remove any residue. Using a high-quality topical antioxidant, such as a vitamin C serum from Obagi, IS Clinicals, or SkinCeuticals, will fight the aging process and protect your skin from environmental damage. Finally, using a full spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 will help protect you from sun damage and its aging effects.

What’s the best type of sunscreen? We know about SPF, but should we look for more natural and less alcohol? If we get sunburned, what’s the best course of action to somewhat repair the damage?

There are two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays. UVB will cause you to sunburn, while UVA will cause your skin to age. Think B for “burn” and A for “age”! A sunscreen or sunblock should protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Unfortunately, most products on the market do not effectively absorb all wavelengths of UV light. And a high sun protection factor (SPF) will not assure full protection either, since SPF is a measure of a product’s effectiveness from only UVB rays.

The nonprofit Environmental Working Group says that 85 percent of sunscreens either inadequately protect from the sun’s rays or contain ingredients that may be unsafe. Of the products they recommended to consumers, only one of the 144 products sold by the top three sunscreen makers (i.e. Coppertone, Neutrogena, and Banana Boat) made it on the list!

Everyone should definitely use a sunscreen, preferably one that blocks all UV light, with at least an SPF 30. It’s arguable, but the best sunscreens on the market are the physical blockers that contain titanium and/or zinc oxide. Not only do they block the full spectrum of UV light, but they don’t contain any chemicals that may cause allergies or sensitivities. In that respect, they are safer for children to use. Unfortunately, they can leave a metallic shine on your skin.

Fortunately for those who have a doctor with knowledge of skin care and carry the best products on the market, there is TIZO3, by Solar Protection Formula. This product protects against the full spectrum of UV light, has an SPF 40, is very water resistant, is silky smooth to apply, and has a matte finish! Now if it could apply by itself to that area between your shoulder blades…

A very close contender (some would say it ranks first) is a sunscreen that contains Mexoryl. Mexoryl is a camphor-based lotion with full spectrum protection that can be found in the best of certain product lines by L’oreal: SkinCeuticals and La Roche-Posay. Sunsceens from these lines have SPF from 15 to 60. Not all of their products contain Mexoryl, so you must check the label to be sure that you get the right stuff.

Finally, make sure that you use sunscreen properly and religiously. Remember that a certain amount of UV light will still penetrate clothing, so it is important to wear anytime you are out enjoying the sun. Apply your sunscreen about 30 minutes before sun exposure, reapplying often, especially during the peak hours between 10 am and 4 pm. Even though they make claims to last longer, even waterproof and sweatproof sunscreens only last up to two hours.

Is there any “truth” in using that Vitamin E or Coco Butter on yourself while you’re pregnant to diminish your stretch marks?

Striae, or stretch marks, affect the majority (50-90%) of pregnant women. They occur when your skin cannot keep up with a rapid growth, like pregnancy or rapid weight gain. Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the elastic middle layer of skin that allows it to retain its shape. However, when constantly stretched, the dermis can break down leaving behind stretch marks.

While pregnant, adequate hydration keeps your skin soft and less likely to develop stretch marks. It not only means that you should moisturize your skin- this is where the belief that using cocoa butter, shea butter, lanolin, or vitamin E oil will help- but drink lots of water as well to hydrate from the inside. You should begin hydrating and moisturizing in the first trimester. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of these products in preventing stretch marks has been shown to be rather limited. On the other hand, caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, or soda can increase your risk of stretch marks.

Stretch marks can also result from nutritional deficiency, so it is very important to eat foods that promote healthy skin. Foods rich in zinc, selenium, protein, and biotin and with high amounts of vitamins A, C, & E, will help maintain the elasticity and strength of your skin.

There are other important factors involved, such as genetics, so if your mother or sister got them during pregnancy, you are more likely to have them too. Adhering to these recommendations won’t guarantee the prevention of stretch marks, but it’s a great place to start!

Skincare products.  A girl’s best friend . . . Or worst enemy!  By Carol McKibben

I’m sure like most people, you have spent time in the drug store, looking up and down the aisles of the multitude of products lining the shelves.  Have you ever noticed how much space is given up to skincare?  How much of your medicine cabinet space is taken up as well?  How much of what is in your cabinet is what you can’t live without?

I have been the victim of buying every crème, lotion, potion and miracle serum on the market.  At best I would find my skin hydrated for a very short while, at worst a product would make me break out or dry out.  Most people that have acne (and I’ve had my share) think they have to blast their face with the strongest acne product available.  Usually you just continue to break out on top of skin that looks like the Saraha desert. 

My experience with hydrating my skin was to have a greasy lotion that clogged my pores and wouldn’t stay put under makeup.  With a greasy lotion, who wants to look like a glazed doughnut? 

As time and suntanning have caught up with me I also noticed some brown spots appearing.  I thought this happened to eighty year old ladies.  Surprise, it can happen anytime.  All the afternoons of lying on the beach covered in baby oil or some coconut flavored concoction has finally caught up with me.  Who wants brown spots on their face????  Answer, no one.

Skinceuticals to the rescue.  The products I’ve found I can’t live without are the gentle cleanser, it is a lovely crème that smells of oranges and cleanses all makeup away.  Or using it in the morning is a refreshing way to wake up your skin.  Following that is Phyto +, a green liquid that contains fruit acids.  Guess what it does?  Fades those brown spots caused by years of abuse.  It works by gradual fading because it uses natural acids as opposed to chemical blasts.  I’d rather put a few months into working on my hyperpigmentation then to use something more severe, this is my face we are talking about, right? 

The Phyoto lays a nice groundwork to CE Ferulic, which hydrates and protects.  It comes in a serum that absorbs enough to go nicely under makeup, but stays in your skin all day.  The combination gives my face a ‘spongie’ texture, in the nicest way.  The layers actually feel plumped up.  This lasts all day and doesn’t go away by the time you are ready to go out the door.

For those blemishes?  Blemish control gel of course.  It can get rid of a ‘problem spot’ in a day.  Remember to moisturize even if you have oily skin, daily moisture is a product that will hydrate without leaving you feeling greasy.  Reduces pore size too!  What more can a girl ask?

These are just a few products in the Skinceutical line that I have used personally.  The best thing is that they actually work.  I have been faithfully putting them into my daily routine and see a HUGE difference in my skin.  The products I’ve invested in before?  I’ve found a new place for them, in the bottom drawer. 

Everybody is aware of the fact that prolonged sun exposure will burn your skin. Not as many people know that it will also cause your skin to age faster. For summer skin care, it’s the same old story, now with more information. Protecting your skin from burning is a must, but most sunscreens are inadequate to protect you from sun-induced aging. SPF for sunscreens measures how many times longer you can stay out in the sun than if you weren’t using it. But it only measures protection against UVB rays, which are associated with burning and skin cancer. SPF does not measure any protection against UVA rays, which are associated with skin aging from sun damage. Good sunscreen/sunblock products will protect you from both.

Most people don’t know that about 80% of skin aging and damage to your skin is caused by the time you are 30. It just doesn’t show itself until later in life. If you don’t take care of your skin when you are younger, you will regret it later with faster aging of your skin as well as increased risk of skin cancer.

Melanin, the pigment in the epidermis of your skin, actually protects you from burning as readily. So having a base tan, while not as good as having a UVA/UVB sunblock, will allow you to stay out in the sun longer.

For our Southern California, sun-loving patients, we recommend Tizo3 sunscreen. Tizo3 Mineral SPF is a mineral-based, utilizing ultra micronized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as its approved active sunscreen ingredients. It is free of dyes, fragrance, chemical-free, and oil-free, and it is tinted. The texture is that of silk or silicone, and patients love it. Give yourself 5 minutes to apply proper sunscreen, and you’ll get 5 years back . . .