rentinol

will i keep my results from using rentinol if i stop using it. or do i have to always use it to keep my results?

Hi,

Thanks for your excellent question. Any time you stop using any type of anti-aging cream or procedure - your skin will continue the normal aging process.

Even plastic surgery results start to degrade as time goes on and the person normally ages.

That is why you often hear of older celebrities getting 2 and 3 facelifts. Nothing last forever.

That is why instead of plastic surgery, I'm such a fan of using less evasive, anti-aging home techniques like retinol creams, face exercises.

You can use these techniques often for the rest of your life to slow - and in some cases - reverse skin aging. All without high cost and dangerous side effects.

Check out this video of Carolyn - face exercises expert. She is over 63 years old and look how tight and firm her skin is. Look at her firm jowl and high cheek bones.

She is my inspiration! I want to look like that when I'm 63 years. :-)

retinols and gentle acid peels at home for cheap?

by Elaine
(Seattle, Wa.)

Hi there,

I have problem skin. It's oily with spots and large pores. I had a facial a few months ago (it was a birthday gift from my husband) and loved it but I can't afford to keep getting them.

What can I do at home to give my skin smooth and clear that's not too expensive? I've tried retinols but didn't get the same great results. I think I need something stronger? I do the sugar scrub that you mention and it works nice, but I need more, especially for my large pores and red spots.

I used to have acne a long time ago and have a lot of brownish red spots. I'm tired of wearing tons of makeup especially in the summer time because it melts off. I just want to have clear even toned skin. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Elaine
Hi Elaine,

Thanks for your email regarding retinols and gentle acid peels. Yes, facials are great for improving skin tone and overall complexion. And doing the sugar scrub is a great way to exfoliate your complexion.

If you're looking for more dramatic results consider a gentle acid peel to go along with the scrub.

There is a really nice facial treatment that just came not too long ago. It's sort of an intense facial you can do at home....

It's a two step process. Step 1 is a scrub with micro-spher particles to really clean and remove dead cells (and prepares the skin for step 2).

Step 2 is a gentle fruit acid serum that you apply light all over the face and neck. This serum increases cell turn over which helps increase collagen production and it helps reduce appearance of wrinkles, spots, and scars.

It's pretty strong, so you only need to use it a few times a month. I believe the schedule is 5 days on and 5 days off until you see the results you're looking for. This is the schedule for those how have lots of spots or scars or very large pores on their face.

However, if you don't have issues with clogged pores or wrinkles and just want a nice facial rejuvenation, you can just this once or twice a month.

It's especially effective at removing those hardened oil plugs within the pores – so it really cleans the skin nicely.

After 7-8 treatments people notice a dramatic difference in the way their skin looks and feels. You can learn more about it here:

how to get clear skin at home.

If find this to be especially helpful during the summer and at the end of the summer seasons because our skin tends to get pretty dull from the extra sweat and heavy sunscreen use.

Thanks,
Linda

Purchase Retin-A

by Lynn

Hi there,

Has anyone had any good experiences with prescription Retin-A. I'm thinking about purchasing Retin-A for wrinkles and to help brighten and tighten my skin. Any opinions out there?

Thanks so much,
Lynn

Hi Lynn,

Here is my 2 cents about using Retin A. Especially, if you're young.

Yes, Retin-A is effective for wrinkles and age spots - you have to be careful if you like being outside in the sun.

If you don't cover up properly and use lots of good sunscreen, you're going to have problems with hyperpigmentation. So you need to be careful there.

Also, if you start using Retin-A too young -- the long term effects include the risk of thinning out your skin too much.

A better choice would be a good vitamin C serum or Retinols.

They will help brighten the skin, reduce fine lines, and offer skin aging protection without those nasty side effects of Retin-A.

Also, face exercises are an excellent option for reducing lines, lifting sagging muscles, and firming up the cheek and jowl areas.

Remember, looking old is not just about having wrinkles........droopy eyelids, sagging cheek muscles, hollowness around the eyes, and hanging jowls and neck skin also give you the appearance of looking older and tired.

And there is a limit to how much a cream can lift the skin. Face exercises lift the muscle under the skin which replaces the beautiful lost facial fat that goes away as we age. This loss of facial fat is what makes our face look like a deflated balloon when we get older....

Reversing Sun Damage

by CDR
(USA)

Hi Linda,

Do you have any tips for reversing sun damage?

Thanks,
CDR

Hello,

Thanks for your email regarding reversing sun damage. Well, there are lot's of ways to improve and heal damaged skin - it really depends on many factors such as: how severe the damage is, how much you can afford to spend, and where the damage is....i.e. on the body or face, or both.

Let's assume you want to repair damage on the face, then you can start with something as simple as renewing facials which can including a light scrub to reduce dead skin cells, followed up with a fruit acid serum to further help exfoliate damaged cells, reduce skin spots and discoloration, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.


While this option is inexpensive, it can take months see results and - as with any skin healing treatment - you must use a sunscreen and refrain from suntanning.

Another option, is the use of prescription Retin-A wrinkle removing cream. This prescription is stronger than over-the-counter Retinols and also helps remove dead cells, discoloration, and rough damaged skin but much quicker than any over-the-counter products.

And because it works faster, there are some side effects associated with it during the first few months of treatment. These side effects include redness, dry skin, and flaking.

But most people over come these as their skin adjusts to the treatment. Again, you must stay out of the sun and use a sunscreen at all times.

Microdermabraions machines can also be very effective and there are some you can use at home for very little cost. Click on the link above to watch a video from The Doctors' Show as Dr. Ordon reviews one of these machines.

Of course more intense and faster results can be seen with professional sessions - but they cost more.

For more faster and dramatic results, there are chemical and laser peels. Some people have used these peels (like a TCA peel) at home - with success - but I won't recommend that. I would have a professional perform these treatments as you can damage the dermis if not done correctly.

For extremely damaged skin, laser renewal treatments are very effective and fast. The laser treatments take about 30 min., but healing can take up to 2 weeks and side effects are pretty intense including peeling, redness, scabbing, oozing, and more. With this type of treatment, you need to stay indoors for a about 7-10 days for healing and then - with makeup - you can return to normal activities.

Again, it really depends on what type of damage you have, how severe it is, where the damage is, and how much money and time you can afford.

Hope this information helped,
Linda

P.S. Consider facial exercises to keep your face and neck in good shape and the skin smooth and facial muscles lifted.

Remember aging is not just about wrinkles - sagging jowls, cheeks, and droopy eyelids....can add to an aged appearance.