Bye Bye Brown Spots!

Playing in the sun is fun when you're young, but as you age you may find that what was once a smattering of endearing summertime freckles has now become radiance robbing dark spots and uneven pigmentation. In order to properly treat these pesky pigmentation issues, it is important to understand and differentiate between the different types of pigmentation and the severity of their damage. 

Melasma

What to look for: Spots can range from light to medium brown in splotchy patches that are inconsistent in shape and size. This is typically found on the cheeks, sides of the face, nose, forehead, and above the lip. These spots are typically related to hormonal changes and commonly appear during pregnancy or the start of birth control combined with sun exposure. 

Sunspots (Age Spots)

What to look for: Spots ranging from a light to dark brown and that develop as small, flat, dark spots. These spots are found most commonly on the face, chest, and hands. As the name implies, these spots are caused purely by the sun. 

Post-Inflammatory Hyper Pigmentation

What to look for: Spots ranging from pink, red, or brown in color and that develop as flat spots on the skin. These may be found anywhere on the face. These are caused by inflamed and/or irritated acne. 

Freckles

What to look for: These spots can be in a wide range of colors. They can appear to be light to dark brown or even red or black. They typically occur on the face, chest and arms in concentrated small spots. The sun is mostly to blame for this form of pigmentation as well! 

 1. IS Clinical Lightning Complex and Serum: These two products help with those pesky dark spots by providing antioxidant protection, reducing inflammation, inhibiting the production of melanin, and exfoliating the skin without excess peeling or irritation. These products both have gentle yet powerful formulas to help achieve lighter, healthier skin. 

2. 3 Step Vivatia Advanced Skincare System: This three step system visibly improves dark spots and pigmentation within four weeks! The kit includes a Gentle Cream Cleanser, Active Repair and The Gentle Cream Cleanser is designed to help restore your moisture barrier while gently cleansing your skin. The Active Repair Complex is gentle on the skin but yet powerful enough to give you younger, more radiant-looking skin. The Brightening Complex will help even out your skin tone and fade dark spots for more luminous looking skin.

3. Hydroquinone Pads: These work to lighten dark spots by inhibiting the production of melanin which gives pigment to the skin. Depending on your skin type we can provide you with the correct formulation to insure you get the best results. These can be used to help with any of the above types of Hyper Pigmentation.

4. Elta Md Sunscreen: After taking care of the appearance of your hyper pigmentation it is vital that you try to prevent it from happening again, so you need to make sure you are always wearing your sunscreen! Elta Sunscreen is definitely a client favorite here in our office!

Still have questions? Dr. Lily and our Master Estheticians are always happy to recommend treatments and products tailored to your specific goals and concerns. Call us today so we can determine the best option for you! 

Prevent Scarring Before It Starts

Before a dark spot can become your worst enemy, here are 3 stages to preventing acne scars:

1. When you feel a blemish coming on...
- Apply medication to the area. Almost all acne patients require medication of some degree, be it antibiotics, tretinoinor something that helps regulate hormones, to get the skin under control.
Don’t overload your skin with products that are too harsh or too drying. Stick to one zit-zapping ingredient with a proven track record. Steer clear of overcleansing and overexfoliating the skin. This can strip away too much of the skin’s natural oils, making the skin dehydrated and instigate additional breakouts.

2. When you are faced with a full-on breakout...

- Don’t squeeze it, pop it or pick at it. The pressure incurred from picking or squeezing can push the infection deeperinto the skin and spread it to the surrounding tissue, in turn causing more inflammation and the potential for further damage. Wear an oil-free noncomedogenic sunscreen. Another beneficial option is to have a dermatologist inject the blemish.

3. When the pimple starts to dwindle in size and intensity...

- If a scab forms, let it fall off on its own. Forcing or picking a scab off the skin will most likely leave behind a discolored spot. Apply a brightening lotion or cream. Topical products that work to lighten and brighten, such as Hyrdoquinoine, may reduce how dark a spot may be, especially if you are prone to post-acne discoloration.

Article source: New Beauty

#mcleanderm #askdrlily #acnescars #darkspots #hydroquinoine #healingskin

The NOTICEABLE difference between corrective makeup and camouflage makeup

Acne scars, pigmentation, melasma - if you have these, you struggle to cover them up. But instead of hiding them, why not treat them?

Be careful when purchasing makeup, however, because there is a big difference between over-the-counter corrective makeup and skin camouflage products. For example, skin camouflage products are designed to last 8-16 hours and are significantly water resistant making them harder to wash off at the end of the day. A great way to avoid that "caked on"  look is to apply an oil-free tinted moisturizer like our Avene Tinted Compact with SPF or Revision's Intellishade Matte. 

Now if you are looking to really cover up a stubborn dark spot or scar try Dermablend Cover Cream or Foundation. It's great for both moderate to major imperfections. Warning: markup should enhance your beauty, not make you look fake. We are here to not only make you look beautiful, but feel beautiful as well.

#mcleanderm #askdrlily #dermablend #makeupdoneright #beauty #healthyskin #loveyourskin

" I Have Sensitive Skin! " But Do You Really?

Q: What exactly does “sensitive skin” mean?

A: The term “sensitive skin” is a marketing expression that really has no medical definition.

With over 60% of the population claiming they fall victim to so-called “sensitive skin,” it is easy to see why so many cosmetic companies market their products to this group.

There are three types of skin that tend to make up the population of sensitive skin sufferers: subjects with rosacea, subjects with atopic dermatitis, and subjects with cosmetic intolerance syndrome.

Tips:

1. Avoid over washing of the face.

2. Avoid products with fragrance, formulated with propylene glycol, lanolin, and paragons.

3. Moisturize 2 x a day to preserve the normal layer of the skin.

4. Avoid treatments with retinol, glycol acid or peels.

5. Test it...before you buy it.

Introducing Lizette!

Get Always Perfect Eyebrows in an Instant!

Introducing, Lizette, our new line of under eye concealers, conditioning mascaras, and 

the perfect eyebrow.

Come by the office this week for a true color match.

You may have acne, but do you know which TYPE?

Whether you suffer from troublesome blackheads or embarrassing pimples, we all know the uncomfortable feeling acne can cause.

At McLean Dermatology, we are dedicated to both teaching you about the possible causes of your acne and how to treat it.

What most people don’t know is that there are several different types of acne, meaning not all products are “one size fits all.”

Comedonal Acne - the typical blackheads underneath the skin’s surface. These are essentially small non-inflamed, clogged pores.

Papular/Pustular Acne - develops as red bumps and pus-filled whiteheads. These bumps have a tiny opening to the skin’s surface.  So tiny, in fact, that it makes air hard to reach the follicle causing the white bubble.

Nodular/Cystic Acne - the most severe type of acne. These are hard (nodules) or fluid-filled (cystic) painful bumps. Cystic acne is known to take much longer to heal and often results in scarring and discoloration of the skin.

Hormonal Acne - the result of fluctuating hormones in the body. This type of acne can occur into late adulthood. Easily recognized by the bumps located on the chin and jaw, hormonal acne can also advance to the neck and posterior scalp. These develop into hard, painful bumps that can take weeks to heal.

Treatment options are available for each of these particular types of acne and can be addressed with various oral and/or topical agents. However, not all medications are a right fit.  If you suffer from acne and have yet to find relief, please call today to schedule an appointment.

Under Eye Concealer vs. Blemish Concealer

Conceal (kuh n – seel): to hide or remove from observation; cover from sight; keep secret.

We are well aware of what a concealer can do for our unwelcome facial flaws.  It’s no secret that we utilize makeup to cover up unwanted blemishes from the public eye.  There is a difference though between under eye concealer and blemish concealer. Do NOT use one product for both problems because they are not the same.

The trick to getting the perfect concealer is based on color, not product. The redness caused by a blemish is best concealed with a green or yellow-toned concealer. Choose one that is the same color of your skin tone. 

For those persistent under eye circles that are a blue/brown hue, choose a pink-toned concealer.  For the region under your eyes, the concealer should be several shades lighter than your skin color. This highlights your eyes giving them a fresh, bright look.

Each problem area has a different cause and a different regimen for proper coverage.

What comes first, foundation or concealer? Always put foundation on first and then highlight with the concealer.  Using a makeup brush will provide the best coverage for both foundation and concealer. Choosing the right color to fit the problem will give you the best results. 

Remember makeup not only conceals but also contours your face so choose wisely!

Dark Spots

There are many women as well as men who have melasma or dark spots from chronic sun exposure. Whether a slight case or one that is more severe,  wearing a sunscreen everyday is a must. Even if you think you are "inside all day" or "it's raining today, so I don't need sunscreen". Ultravoilet light is present even if it's raining or snowing..... and goes through window glass. 

When you read on a product, "SPF 20", it only refers to protection against UVB radiation and does nothing to protect from UVA radiation. UVA is highly implicated in skin cancer, dark spots, and aging. If you are only using the SPF rating to choose your sunblock, you are being misled. Sun protection needs to be "broad spectrum" which means covering both UVA and UVB rays.

There are two sunscreens that provide complete coverage of both these rays, Anthelios with Mexoryl and Neutrogena with Helioplex.  However, sunscreens with borad coverage often leave a white, ashy residue on darker skin making the complexion appear sallow and unhealthy. Sunscreens with micronized titanium dioxide or zinc oxide minimize the white residue and are more appealing. 

Similarly, new technology in cosmetics have been developed that contain a high SPF in a tinted base. A couple of my favorites are Revision Intellishade SPF 45, which is available in our office and Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20. They both provide a small amount of tint to counteract the potential of looking sallow on darker skin tones. Both of these also offer an oil-free formulation which are great for acne prone patients. 

In order to help your dark spots or melasma, you must be very vigilant about using sun protection 365 days a year. If you are seeing a dermatologist  and receiving laser treatment, hydroquinone bleaching creams, retinoids or peels to treat these condition, your skin is even more susceptible to ultraviolet radiation.  

My philosophy is:  prevention is more important for the health of your skin than treatment. Practice sun avoidance and use the right sunscreen!