Get rid of acne & wrinkles

While reading Elle Canada magazine, I came across an article about acne treatment. Dr. Benjamin Barankin, from the Toronto dermatology center, answers readers questions and offers solution on how to get rid of those annoying, nasty acne.

1. What acne solution can you use to get rid of acne scars? The type and severity of scarring needs to be assessed based on a number of factors including age, skin colour, presence of ongoing acne, etc. A dermatologist is the best person to discuss this with. Acne treatment options include laser (the new Fractionated Lasers have shown nice results, or you can use smoothbeam or another resurfacing laser), subcision or punch excision of scars, and a more modest benefit with chemical peels (remember, the deeper the peel the better the outcome, but it will mean more downtime) and microdermabrasion. Injectable fillers such as Restylane are sometimes used as well to plump out indented scars. It's critical to make sure that any acne is cleared up before going after the scars. You need to stop the fire in the house before rebuilding.

2. What's the best way to treat discolored skin? It needs to be determined by a dermatologist why the skin is darker or discoloured in that particular area. We need to know if there was a rash or eczema, or another problem in that area. What medications have been used, (some medications can darken the skin.) The skin can be lightened with hydroquinone creams or Vitamin A acid creams (Tretinoin, Tazarotene), or a combination cream. Other times, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or laser treatments can be beneficial. The use of a good daily sunscreen (minimum SPF 30, ask your dermatologist for which ingredients to look for) is also important as the sun keeps pigment from fading.

3. I have what is called milia under my eyes (tiny white pimple like bumps). Is their any product that will cover them without damaging under my eyes? Milia seems to be more common in people who have dry skin and while it is difficult to cover up any bumps on the skin, COVERFX and Dermablend make great cover up solutions. Milia are also easily extracted with no scarring by a dermatologist with special extraction tools and minimal discomfort.

4. I started getting small bumps on my face, which appear to be kind of like blocked pores and they won't go away. How can I get rid of them/prevent them from happening? What you're describing sounds like comedones (whiteheads and/or blackheads). Salicylic acid washes that are available over the counter can be beneficial, but often a topical Vitamin A acid (Tretinoin, Tazarotene, Adapalene) is required to keep the spots at bay. If there are numerous lesions and they are slow to respond to creams, oral Isotretinoin (Accutane) is usually successful, but usually reserved for moderate to severe acne. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion can help as well.

5. I'm still young but I have a lot of deep lines and wrinkles. I've tried many creams but they don't work. What can I do? Most over the counter creams are only modestly beneficial. Prescription creams with Vitamin A (for example Tazarotene, Tretinoin) in particular have been shown to help with fine wrinkles and other signs of sun/photo-damage in numerous studies. Botulinum Toxin A (Botox) is very popular, effective and safe, and it is particularly helpful for dynamic wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes. As well, fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are very useful for lower face, static wrinkles, especially the smile lines. Resurfacing lasers can also be tried. Surgical options are less in vogue, involve more downtime and have more potential risks.

Again, a dermatologist, the only skin expert, is your best bet for more information.

À bientÔt

Top-Rated Acne Fighters

Top-Rated Acne Fighters
These beauty products by Prescriptives, Avon and more left skin zit-free. By Charli Schuler
The only thing worse than a painful pimple is a product that can't cure (or worse, irritates) a painful pimple. We scoured your reviews to find the top acne fighters, from drugstore favorites to high-end formulas. Find out if your acne treatment is really the best one out there by reading these product reviews. ...More

À bientÔt

Is Botox for you?

Are You Ready for Botox?
Fillers, peels, lasers -- find out if one is right for you. By Mary Rose Almasi
Choose the best answer to each question to find out whether you really need treatments. ...More

À bientÔt

Right skin care for your age

The Right Skin Care for Your Age
How do celebrities get that youthful glow? Probably with a little help from these products. By Kristen Oldham Giordani
Getting ahead of yourself when it comes to skin care is easy to do. With so many products containing beneficial ingredients like antioxidants, retinoids, peptides, acids, etc., it's easy to think that you need to use them all -- now! But pace yourself; different ages have different skin issues and sometimes (most times) less is more. We talked to dermatologist Dr. Heidi Waldorf and Kinara Spa owner, aesthetician Olga Lorencin, who both agreed. Here's the scoop on what products you should think about using in your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s to keep your skin looking great. ...More

À bientÔt

Best way to fight wrinkles and zits

Skin Problem: The Best Way to Fight Wrinkles and Zits
By Charli Schuler

Acne is bad enough during your teen years but aging beneath incessant breakouts is no fun either. While you might be thankful your hormones are still raging, keep any negative effects under control (and out of your mirror) by following these tips from top skin doctors and estheticians. ...More

À bientÔt

Stila 20% Family and Friends

Stila fans, get ready for the annual Family and Friends event at http://www.stilacosmetics.com/
Use ECYX12 when checking out to get 20% off on your total order along with free shipping. Hurry ladies, this offer ends December 16th.

À bientÔt

Urban Decay Friends & Family Sales

Alright ladies, Urban Decay is having a sale for family and friends. 30% off all products! Time to stock up on some old and new favorites. Use the code: FFH30 during checkout. Have fun shopping!

À bientÔt

Mac Fix+

Omgoodness, the weather here is so terrible! one minutes is windy, the next is freaking cold or raining like crazy! We got our 1s SNOW the last week of OCTOBER.....wtf....come on, from past experience, when snow falls early, the winter will be extremely cold when January comes. Well at least the snow melted just in time for Halloween, but it was still freaking cold! For the past couple days, the weather is so dry that makes my skin feels flaky and crack. To make it worst, the air at work is just as bad! I think the air circulation is not working properly because the air feels dry; which makes my face and contact lenses extremely dry and itchy. Also my throat was feeling itchy and 2 days later I was sick. I don't think it's a cold because when talking to my colleague, she told me that we was also sick for 3 months when she started working at this company......OMG....3 MONTHS!?

Aside from using eye contact drops, hand cream, I brought my Mac Fix+ at work. During the day I keep spritzing some Fix+ to hydrate my skin. Let me tell you.........the cold water and the woody scent feel awesome on my drench thirsty skin! Yes I use it every morning to set my makeup but I never used it through the day.......but I like it. I have 1 more item to add to my makeup case in my purse, and I hate carrying so many makeup. What you don't realize is that makeup bag do take space in your purse and can be heavy too if you have other articles in your bag; such as agenda, cell phone, pen, gum, sanitizer, water bottle, wallet, home and car keys, ipod, and other unnecessary crap that you may or may not need. All that adds bulk and weight in your bag!

As stated on the website, the Fix+ has "vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi." It is basically good for your skin.

So all this wining concludes to how much I appreciate Mac Fix+ and how I like to use it throughout the day to hydrate my skin. What you beauty bloggers carry in your purse/bag? Is it as heavy as mine?!

À bientÔt

Sephora Friends and Family special

What makeup junkie and skincare addict aren't crazy in love with Sephora store?! Well ladies, here's your chance to save and splurge at the same ladies! This comes in jut in time for Christmas, Sephora is doing a friends and family special by taking off 20% on regular products that never goes on sales. So it's time to start the holiday shopping. This promotion starts Nov 6-Nov 10 just enter the Code FF2008 when shopping online.

Too bad that this offer is not valid in Canada. So my American beauty bloggers, what are you buying?

À bientÔt