Introducing: Farmhouse Fresh!

McLean Dermatology is proud to announce that we now carry Farmhouse Fresh products in our office.

Each Farmhouse Fresh product is made with 90-99% natural and naturally-derived ingredients. Everything they make is Paraben and Sulfate FREE. Man

y of their products are also Vegan and Gluten FREE.

Not to mention, they smell so good you could almost eat them!

To learn more about these awesome products visit their website and stop by the office to pick up yours today!

The Epidemic of Over-Washing

“My skin is dry AND oily!”

 Do you find yourself constantly frustrated with the condition of your skin? You are not alone! There is an epidemic sweeping the nation - Over-washing.  As a dermatologist I have several patients come to me with skin issues that could easily be alleviated by actually decreasing the amount they wash their skin! Many believe washing their skin again and again is the only way to get rid of the oil and bacteria that covers their skin. Believe it or not, constantly washing is not the answer - it actually makes your skin more oily!

The oil your skin naturally produces acts as a barrier to protect your skin from the environment. When you wash your skin, especially with harsh soaps, cleansers, and hot water, it strips away all oil and leaves your skin with out any protection. Your skin then dries and cracks. Because your skin is too dry, it then overcompensates by producing MORE oil and the unfortunate cycle repeats itself.

So how do you break the cycle?

• Cleanse gently.
• Start by only washing your skin with gentle, non-foaming cleansers. If you have acne prone skin, try Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser. Dry skin? Try Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser or Avene Trixera Gel Cleanser.
• Limit time under the water.
• Water, especially when it is hot, whisks away the protective oil barrier that protects and moisturizes your skin. Limit your time under the showerhead to only 5-10 minutes.
• Rebalance your skin.
• Use an exfoliating scrub to remove the dead skin cells. This is a great way to diminish the rough appearance of your complexion. SkinKure microdermabrasion is the best product I have found and is sold in our office! Simply use once or twice a week for fantastically smooth skin.

As a rule, if your skin feels tight after you wash or if it feels “squeeky clean”, the wash you are using is too harsh. It is a hard transition to make, but one week of limiting the over-washing cycle will make a world of difference in rebalancing your skin.

Don’t fall prey to the endless cycle of over-washing! End it today!

Gleam by Melanie Mills

If you're looking for that perfect velvet, bronzed glow then look no further.  McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center is happy to announce we now carry Gleam Body Radiance created by Emmy award-winning makeup artist Melanie Mills.

Melanie started her Gleam line in 2010 while working on the set of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, and soon her brand was made known to A-list celebrities.

Gleam Body Radiance provides that perfect spray tan finish in seconds and made with ingredients that are actually good for your skin.  Olive oil, green tea extract, and jojoba seed oil are just a few healthy agents that help nourish the skin while leaving a gleam-tastic effect!

End of the Year Product Clean Out!

Out with the old, in with the new! We all have those products that we love and cling onto for years because it’s that perfect shade of red, or have that drawer full of half used mascara, blush, or eye shadows because we think we will need it in the future. But it is time to come to terms with the fact that these products eventually become breeding grounds for bacteria. The New Year is a good time to clean out your make up and facial products you’ve had for years. 

Here are some guidelines for your End of the Year Product Clean Out:

• Facial Moisturizers: These have a shelf life of two to three years unopened, however once opened they are good for 6 to 12 months. Keep in mind, facial moisturizers that include added ingredients such as antioxidants or vitamins (A, C, or E) can expire quicker due to their sensitivity to light. In contrast, ones that contain acids (such as glycolic or salicylic acid) may have a longer shelf life. 

• Liquid Foundation: Unopened, foundation can last up to two years, but once opened it has a shelf life of 12 months. Most formulas are water based, which means bacteria loves them, so storing them in a cool, dry area will prolong the life of your foundation.   

• Mascaras: To prevent bacteria from forming it should be replaced every three months because every time the applicator is taken out it can pick up bacteria. Do not share your mascara! 

• Eyeliner/Eye Shadow: Due to contact with the eye’s mucous membrane, the possibility of transferring bacteria to the product and back to the eye is higher, which increases the risk for infection. Powder eye shadows and eyeliner should be replaced every three months.

• Lipstick: For most formulas lipstick can last for about two years, but since it is exposed to the mouth often it’s recommended to replace them if used while sick. Storing them in a cool, dry area helps their shelf life. 

• Nail Polish: It can last up to two years. Nail polish will not go bad from bacteria, but it can dry up and get clumpy. Keeping the top on tightly helps. 

• Powders and Blush: Have a shelf life of about two years, although cream blush should be replaced after one year. To prolong the life of your powders and blush clean your brush regularly.  

• Tools: Makeup brushes should be cleaned once a month with a gentle shampoo or cleanser. Quick Tip: Wash them at night, lay them flat to dry overnight and they will be ready to use in the morning!
• Can’t invest in makeup brushes? Use paintbrushes! They are a fraction of the cost of top of the line makeup brushes, are made of the same hairs, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For acne prone skin, try washing your makeup brushes with one of our Glytone face washes.

Tips to Keeping a Healthy Glow during the Harsh Winter Months

Anyone can get dry skin, but with these tips everyone can avoid it.  We see it begin in the fall and by winter our skin is dull, flaky, and itchy.  The low temperatures, absence of humidity, and harsh winds all play a role in causing this unwanted dry skin.  Here are some tips to help your body keep moisture in.

1     -  Take warm, but not hot showers.  Yes, they feel great but they aren’t great for your skin.  Hot water robs your skin of its moisture, so try taking a lukewarm shower only once a day.  This rule also applies to washing your hands.

      - The best time to moisturize is right after showering.  Try to apply your cream within five minutes.  It is better to use a cream rather than a lotion because lotions are oil in water, whereas creams are water in oil.  Creams are thicker and are often in a tube or jar, not a pump.

3     - Invest in a humidifier. The winter air is in short supply of humidity, especially if your home has a fireplace.  A room heated by a fireplace has less than 10% moisture in the air.

4     -  Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!  I can’t say it enough.  Moisturizers work much more effectively when applied to exfoliated skin.  For facial exfoliation try Clarisonic’s Facial Cleansing Brush along with any glycolic acid face wash such as Glytone’s Self-Foaming Acne Cleanser, which can be purchased at your next visit.  For hydrated, smooth skin try our Avéne Emollient Cleansing Bath.

5    -  Skip the drying soaps such as anti-bacterial, bar soaps, and anything that lathers.  Stick to creamy cleansers with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin or petrolatum.  Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash is great for the body and for the face try Avéne’s Extremely Gentle Cleanser sold in our office. And don’t forget your lips!  Eucerin’s Aquaphor Healing Ointment works wonders for dry, cracked lips.

Argan Oil

You can find argan oil on many beauty products from shampoo to lip balm. What’s all the fuss about? It’s a super rich, all natural oil that is perfect for softening lips, elbows and heels, taming hair flyaways, you can mix into your hair conditioner for an overnight mask and mix into your body lotion for supple skin. Multi purpose essential oil, try it out for yourself and send your feedback!