Every woman has her own routine, however only few women have great skin.

Why you ask? Well, it’s because having great skin is a high maintenance routine that some of us just don’t have time for. The thing of it is, you can do something to help yourself get glowing skin. Follow these guidelines for the secrets of women with great skin:

1. Diet

There’s a ton of foods that are good for your skin. Try strawberries for their super dose of vitamin C. Almonds are a great source of vitamin E which is noted as an impressive sun blocker. One doctor from the dermatology department at Yale University, Jeffrey Dover, M.D., associate clinical professor, stated that “Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that helps to protect skin cells from UV light and other environmental factors that generate cell-damaging free radicals.”

The overall idea is to find foods that are rich in skin favorable vitamins and antioxidants. 

Also, stay away from foods such as Carbonated Drinks, Rye, Wheat, and Dairy Products etc as they often lead to abdominal bloating which might cause acne and breakouts. The more powerful the food, the more powerful the results.

And by all means don’t forget to incorporate at least sixty four ounces of water into your daily diet.

2. Vitamin C and Multi-Vitamins

Research shows that people who eat foods rich in Vitamin C have fewer wrinkles and less age related dry skin than those who don’t.
Vitamin C can provide a range of benefits to keeping your skin looking younger, longer.

• Reduce the appearance of brown spots and other types of sun damage
• Helps boost healthy collagen production
• Reduces inflammation and irritation
• Fades post breakout red marks by improving skin’s natural healing response
• Increases the effectiveness of your sunscreens and boosts your skin’s defense against UV exposure

And of course you need to be taking Multivitamins anyway.

3. Exercise

Take note that excessive cardio can actually cause your skin to lose its elasticity. You’ll want to focus on muscle building exercises if you’re trying to actually tone your skin. Yes, you can actually tone your skin…

With exercise, you are also increasing the blood flow to the living layers of your skin. Opening up sweat glands can push out some of what clogs pores too.

4. Sleep

Beauty Rest is no cliche statement ladies. With proper rest you should experience fewer wrinkles in your middle to older age. Skin makes new collagen when you sleep, which prevents sagging. Patricia Wexler, MD, a dermatologist in New York says that more collagen means skin is more plump and less likely to wrinkle. She goes on to mention that just five hours per night of sleep can lead to twice as many fine lines as sleeping seven hours. More sleep essentially leads to clear, hydrated skin.

5. Stop Picking and keep your hands off your face

It’s inevitable that you’re going to get a blemish or three from time to time. You must learn to keep your hands off your face. Picking and touching are key factors in causing pores to clog, furthermore allowing dirt from your fingers and hands and nails onto your face. Ewww. Don’t do it… Just don’t do it.

6. Wash Regularly

Make sure you’re washing your face after a workout and before bed, not to mention – it couldn’t hurt when you wake up in the morning. A quick splash of cold water is a great way to excite your senses. Use mild soaps and water. If you suffer from acne, there are various washes available on the market specifically designed to treat acne.

7. Exfoliate

Exfoliating is essential for healthy, bright skin. Focus on the dry spots concentrating on the places where your complexion is especially dull.

Make sure you’re only rubbing your face in upward, circular motions. Wash your face with warm water and then gently pat dry with a towel. Don’t forget the moisturizer afterward.

8. Use Protection

Hats, Long Sleeve Shirts and Jeans may not be the answer but make sure you’re using at least 15 SPF Sunscreen or a moisturizer with sunscreen mixed in.

9. Honey Scrubs

There are many ways to use honey for your face. It’s loaded with antioxidants and other nutrients to help battle carcinogens and other radicals that enter your sensitive facial skin on a daily basis. Do your homework. A general recommendation is to rub 1 part honey to 1 part sugar (just a dab of each really should do)…mix it in the palm of your hand and rub it into your face, avoiding your eyes. Rinse with warm water. But feel free to leave the scrub to soak into your skin for 15 minutes or more.

10. Choose Skin Products Wisely

Try to avoid the grocery store cosmetics section and opt to spend a few dollars extra on the face products you’re investing in. That’s right, your face, your skin, your body. You’re investing in something viable here.

You might consider Rodan and Fields, which offers a range of products for your skincare regimen, and it’s also amongst the popular choices on the market.

As always, you should discuss any dietary changes and exercise routines with your doctor as this might play a significant role in your skincare routine as well. 

You might consider having a conversation with your dermatologist about any new products you’re trying to be sure your skin is compatible.

So women, now you know the 10 secrets of women with great skin.

What are you thinking about now? Just go ahead and start following these secret tips into your daily routine.

So, get to it you can do this!

 

Chemical peels are a lot like your favorite pair of shoes: They come in a variety of styles and prices. Some are durable and long-lasting, while others provide a quick pick-me-up for a special occasion. Regardless of what it does, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Different strengths are used for different things.

 

There’s no doubt people love the quick results and smooth, blemish-free skin. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons report it was one of the top three non-invasive cosmetic procedures performed last year. From erasing sunspots to reducing wrinkles, these mini-miracles pack quite a punch at a very reasonable cost.

 

Peels are available in a wide range of formulas that can be customized to target specific problems. Before we dive into how strong of a peel you need, it’s important to talk about who is a good candidate for different levels of peeling. This largely comes down to your Fitzpatrick skin type.

 

Fitzpatrick Skin Types

 

A doctor at Harvard University invented the Fitzpatrick Scale in 1975. It’s still widely used today to gather important information about how the skin might react to certain procedures. It takes into account genetics and how the skin responds sun exposure. The factors are:

 

• eye color;

 

• hair color;

 

• skin color;

 

• reaction to the sun;

 

• skin cancer risk;

 

• hyperpigmentation risk;

 

• and the tendency to scar.

 

At the lowest end of the spectrum are Type I people with blue eyes, blonde or red hair, pale skin and possibly freckles. They burn easily and don’t ever get a tan in the sun. The risk of skin cancer is very high for this group, but they usually have a lower risk of hyperpigmentation and scarring.

 

The scale advances as skin tone and hair color get darker. The ability to tan also goes up with each level. The risk for procedural side effects also increases beginning at type III, but isn’t considered elevated until type IV. The highest end of the scale is type VI, with black skin that doesn’t burn, dark eyes and black hair. This group has the highest risk of all for hyperpigmentation and scarring.

 

Higher Fitzpatrick skin types may be more limited in the strength of peel they can get. Hyperpigmentation causes spots of discoloration that can be difficult to reverse. Scars in this skin type can also be problematic.

 

Mild Chemical Peels

 

Alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids make up the bulk of most mild chemical peels options. These formulas are gentler than other types. The beta hydroxy is usually salicylic acid. Alpha hydroxy includes glycolic, lactic, malic, citric and/or tartaric acid.

 

They work by removing the most superficial layer of skin, revealing the fresh skin underneath. It doesn’t take long to get one and there’s no downtime afterward. For this reason, you’ll often hear it referred to as a lunchtime peel. It’s usually safe for all Fitzpatrick skin types.

 

As a single application, it works best on milder problems or as part of a regular skin care routine. For better results, a series of peels can be done relatively close together. Doing five to eight in a row can stimulate collagen production and increase elasticity. Mild peels are good for:

 

• very fine lines;

 

• acne;

 

• mild discolorations, such as sun spots;

 

• large pores;

 

• and uneven skin tone.

 

Medium Strength Chemical Peels

 

Even though this class of peel is considered medium strength, it can be very intensive. It’s perfect for Fitzpatrick skin types I, II, and III but may be fine for other types as well. Trichloroacetic Acid, or TCA, is a stronger type of acid used in this type of peel. It may be combined with Jessner’s solution, which is lactic acid, resorcinol, and salicylic acid.

 

It damages several layers of skin at once. The layers of skin will dry up and come off, revealing fresh, new skin underneath. It’s more durable than lunchtime peels because it triggers the body’s healing mechanisms to send more collagen to the area. It’s beneficial for

 

• age or sun spots;

 

• leathery, photodamaged skin;

 

• moderate wrinkles;

 

• and acne scars.

 

Medium depth chemical peels can be uncomfortable. You can ask for a topical numbing agent to be applied beforehand. This peel requires more dedication to following aftercare instructions. From start to finish, you can expect it to take an average of ten days for all of the old skin to come off. It will usually look the worst around day three to six.

 

Deep Chemical Peels

 

These peels are the strongest you can get and the results are impressive. The possible formula combinations include high concentrations of TCA or a Gordon-Baker phenol solution. It is offered for severely photodamaged skin and requires sedation.

 

Higher Fitzpatrick skin types are most likely not good candidates, as the risk of hyperpigmentation and scarring is significant. The process of applying the solutions can take well over an hour. Sometimes tape or bandaging is added. Deep peels can cause discomfort six to eight hours after it’s finished. Healing takes weeks, although collagen will continue being deposited in the skin for up to four months.

 

While deep chemical peels do take longer to heal and are more uncomfortable, they produce outstanding results for most people. It’s the longest lasting and most effective choice for deeper wrinkling, especially around the mouth and forehead.

 

How Strong Can You Go?
Overall, the determination of the strength of your chemical peel depends on several factors, including what you’re using the peel for and how much downtime you can live with. Dr. Frankel will take that information and factor in your skin type and level of photodamage to make a recommendation. Please visit Dr. Frankel’s website for more information.