What is causing your dry skin? Joel Schlessinger MD reveals the answer
Joel Schlessinger MD speaks with DailyGlow.com about common causes of dry skin.
Itchiness, tightness, flaking and redness are symptoms that people with dry skin deal with on a daily basis. While there is no way to avoid one’s skin type, there may be factors that aggravate the skin and cause these symptoms to worsen. In “7 Surprising Causes of Dry Skin,” on DailyGlow.com, Joel Schlessinger MD and other experts address this issue. They reveal everyday products and practices that contribute to dry skin and a lack of moisture.
The environment, skin care products and harsh ingredients may be to blame for dry skin, reveals Joel Schlessinger MD.
One daily habit that strips the skin of moisture is cleansing. Cleansing with harsh soaps and detergents can cause itching and flaking to worsen so it is important to use mild cleansers if you have dry skin. Make sure your facial cleanser, body wash and even your laundry detergents have gentle formulas that are free of ingredients such as dyes and fragrances.
Other factors, such as dry air, can be extremely harsh on dry skin. Environments with low humidity both indoors and outdoors lack moisture, making skin feel tight and irritated. To replace this moisture, Joel Schlessinger MD recommends using a humidifier.
Aside from changes to your routine, Joel Schlessinger MD recommends using products that soothe dry skin.
Replenishing dry skin with moisturizing lotions and creams is an excellent way to reduce irritating symptoms. “Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep a mild, 1% hydrocortisone cream on hand,” Joel Schlessinger MD says. “Use it early if you see signs of chapped or dry skin.”
FixMySkin Healing Body Balm Unscented with 1% Hydrocortisone is an excellent choice for dry skin. The healing formula penetrates deeply into skin to hydrate and heal dry, damaged cells.
Do you have questions about your dry skin care issues? Let Joel Schlessinger MD know in the comment section.
Joel Schlessinger MD warns about the use of retinol prior to waxing
Waxing, explains Joel Schlessinger MD, can aggravate the complexion when performed alongside a retinol regimen.
More and more people are discovering the anti-aging and renewal benefits of retinol products. Many people do not realize, however, that using a retinol product and then waxing may be detrimental to their complexion.
In a recent post, SheKnows.com discusses with Joel Schlessinger MD why this skin care ingredient, which causes cell renewal and exfoliation, can lead to more irritation and sensitivity while waxing.
What are the risks of using retinol and then waxing? Joel Schlessinger MD answers.
Retin-A, retinoids and retinols all exfoliate the complexion to eliminate the outer layer of skin and make way for the newer, living cell layers. While this does minimize the signs of aging, these new layers are more delicate and prone to irritation and sensitivity.
During the waxing process, both the hair and the outer layers of the skin are removed. Performing this procedure after applying retinol can cause redness, burning and even scarring to occur on the newly exposed skin.
“One of the side effects of retinols or retinoid is that the skin cells become sensitive, which can cause the skin to separate deeper than it should during waxing,” Joel Schlessinger MD says. Patients who apply retinol and then undergo waxing can experience extreme sensitivity and pain.
Joel Schlessinger MD explains how to avoid irritation caused by waxing.
To avoid irritation, Joel Schlessinger MD recommends discontinuing use of retinol products two to five days prior to waxing. After waxing, wait to use your retinol products until you no longer experience any irritation, redness or dryness. Patients should also discontinue using other exfoliants such as glycolic acid, lactic acid and AHAs a few days before waxing.
Do you have questions for Joel Schlessinger MD about retinol and waxing? Let him know in the comment section.
Joel Schlessinger MD Discusses Ultherapy Treatments with Omaha World-Herald
Ultherapy is a non-invasive anti-aging procedure offered by Joel Schlessinger MD and Skin Specialists.
In a recent article titled “Omaha doc offers heat-based alternative to ‘facelift’,” Joel Schlessinger MD discusses how Ultherapy works and who qualifies for the treatment. This procedure is a non-invasive “facelift” that uses ultrasound waves to encourage a firmer appearance.
During this treatment, a trained technician places and triggers the device across pre-marked areas of the face and neck. The micro-burst of energy bypasses the first three layers of the skin to deliver heat to the layer of your skin where collagen is located and stimulates the formation of new collagen. This process firms and tightens skin to reverse loss of elasticity.
This anti-aging treatment requires no downtime and is ideal for younger patients, explains Joel Schlessinger MD.
Ultherapy is a quick procedure, only taking about an hour with results that last for well over a year. Patients describe this treatment as mildly uncomfortable with a slight sting. “Patients don’t require pain medication after the procedure,” Joel Schlessinger MD said. “There’s no down time either.” Ultherapy is suitable for patients in their 30s to 70s without major issues in sagging skin.
Joel Schlessinger MD believes Ultherapy is a major game changer in skin rejuvenation.
This firming treatment is a great alternative to a facelift and is especially beneficial for younger patients. “A lot of things promised lifting and tightening and didn’t work,” Schlessinger said about facial procedures. And although Ultherapy is not the same as a surgical facelift that cuts away skin, he said, “It provides a certain degree of improvement in skin laxity and may even keep you from having surgery later.”
The article also focuses on the growing popularity of facial procedures over body procedures like liposuction and breast augmentations.
Learn more about Ultherapy by reading this blog or visiting the Skin Specialists website.
Joel Schlessinger MD highlights his favorite at-home skin care devices in Dermatology Times
Joel Schlessinger MD was featured in the March 2013 issue of Dermatology Times in an article titled “DIY Devices.” In the article, he discusses the growing popularity of personal skin care tools and highlights a few of his favorites.
Clarisonic offers some of Joel Schlessinger MD’s favorite skin care tools.
Clarisonic’s Mia2 Sonic Skin Cleansing System is at the top of Joel Schlessinger MD’s list. This micro-massage cleansing tool removes six times more impurities in 60 seconds than regular hand washing.
“It’s somewhat like an Oral-B toothbrush for your face. It doesn’t irritate – it removes the dirt via shaking rather than rubbing,” he says.
To minimize crow’s feet, Joel Schlessinger MD likes Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System. This tool uses pulsating technology to press products into the delicate skin around the eye area.
“I believe the Opal shows merit for delivering other cosmetics as well,” Joel Schlessinger MD says.
Joel Schlessinger MD also recommends TRIA Beauty light therapy devices.
TRIA Hair Removal Laser 4X has become a popular choice for patients seeking at-home laser hair removal. With weekly treatments, this laser hair removal device promises permanent hair reduction in just three months. This device provides an at-home option for patients who don’t want a lengthy series of in-office hair removal sessions, Joel Schlessinger MD says.
For acne-prone skin, Joel Schlessinger MD suggests TRIA’s Skin Perfecting Blue Light. The device uses blue light therapy to fight bacteria and other impurities that can lead to breakouts. So far, its clinical studies have yielded positive results, but he says there’s still room for improvement.
“I’m not sure that the blue light devices live up to their potential as much as I would like to at this time. But there’s a lot of work being done on them.”
Do you have a favorite at-home skin care tool? Share with us in the comments.
Dr. Joel Schlessinger discusses melasma treatments for Beauty in the Bag blog
Dr. Joel Schlessinger weighs in on the different treatment options for melasma.
Beauty in the Bag is a skin care and beauty blog featuring hundreds of articles on skin, hair, makeup and healthy living. The article “Triluma’s Triumphant Return” discusses melasma, a skin care issue that affects many women.
Dr. Joel Schlessinger explains that melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that causes discoloration for many women due to an increase in hormones during pregnancy. This condition can also be caused by birth control pills, sun exposure and other hormone fluctuations.
TriLuma Cream, a melasma treatment product, is recommended by many dermatologists including Dr. Joel Schlessinger.
After being briefly unavailable, TriLuma Cream, which contains hydroquinone and tretinoin, is now available for consumers. These ingredients fade the appearance of discoloration while increasing cell turnover and calming inflammation for an overall healthier complexion.
“TriLuma is the gold standard for prescription products for skin lightening,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger. At his dermatology practice, Dr. Joel Schlessinger sees many women who experience a reduction in their dark spots after treating the area with a product like this cream.
Dr. Joel Schlessinger recommends other advanced products to complement TriLuma.
While this product offers many benefits for the complexion, it can only be used for a period of 8 weeks. “For this reason, there is the need for other methods after the use of TriLuma,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger.
After using TriLuma Cream, Dr. Joel Schlessinger recommends products such as Elure Advanced Skin Lightening Lotion and Lumixyl Topical Brightening Crème. Both of these products are hydroquinone-free for less irritation and less side effects.
Dr. Schlessinger also notes the importance of sun protection while using these products. “It is incredibly important for any individual using these products to practice sun avoidance and protection if they are out in the sun.”
Joel Schlessinger MD warns consumers about the dangers of nail salon practices
Exposure to UV lights at the salon can lead to serious health risks, explains Joel Schlessinger MD.
In a recent article for the Dermatology Times, Joel Schlessinger MD discusses the dangers many people are exposed to while at the nail salon. More and more, he is seeing skin cancer on women who have been exposed to the UV light devices used to dry nails.
“We have to warn our patients about the possibility of this, especially if they have a history of skin cancer or if they have had significant sun exposure already,” says Joel Schlessinger MD.
Women who are exposed to this UV light on a regular basis are at a significant risk of developing skin cancer as well as visible signs of aging.
Joel Schlessinger MD reveals that proper hygiene is not always upheld at salons.
Many nail salons share tools and products between customers, which can contribute to the transmission of bacteria and infections.
“I was shocked to hear that the standard of practice is that the tools are reused from patient to patient, and that nail files are commonly shared,” says Joel Schlessinger MD.
Everything from chairs to water basins can be shared without being properly sanitized. Exposure to tools that have not been sanitized can cause mycobacterial infections and fungal infections.
Joel Schlessinger MD explains how to protect yourself while at the salon.
Women should attempt to find an alternative method for drying their polish rather than exposing their nails to UV light. You can also insist on newly sanitized tools and utensils to protect against contracting an infection.
Many dermatologist offices and spas provide nail services that adhere to medical sanitization standards. Consumers can use these services to ensure that they are receiving top quality care.
Questions about best practices at nail salons? Ask Joel Schlessinger MD in the comment section below.
Dr. Joel Schlessinger discusses Ultherapy in Dermatology Times
The February 2013 issue of Dermatology Times includes Dr. Joel Schlessinger’s expert commentary in an article titled “Assessing Ultherapy: Ultrasound device begins to make waves.” The article covers the evolution of Ultherapy and how recent changes have improved patient results. Dr. Joel Schlessinger also discusses his personal experience with performing Ultherapy in his practice.
Recent changes have made Ultherapy treatments more effective. Dr. Joel Schlessinger explains.
Ultherapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure that uses ultrasound and the body’s natural healing process to lift, tone, and tighten loose skin. Since the device was introduced in 2009, experts have expanded to new treatment areas and improved treatment heads designed to address different tissue layers of the face and neck for optimal results.
“Just as most energy-based devices become more efficient and effective as time goes on and patterns of success are delineated, the same has happened with Ultherapy,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “This is contributing to its overall success as a new modality.”
Dr. Joel Schlessinger also notes improvements in patient comfort during the procedure.
“We’ve discovered that higher energy levels don’t always correlate with more success. Yet they clearly create more discomfort,” he says. “Therefore, many of the treatment parameters have backed off from the initial higher energy settings.”
Dr. Joel Schlessinger also highlights increased patient satisfaction with Ultherapy.
Thanks to its concentrated treatment with virtually no downtime, Dr. Joel Schlessinger has seen an increase in Ultherapy over competing laser or energy-based devices.
“The main difference between this device and all other energy devices is the fact that Ultherapy delivers the energy to the exact area we want to tighten,” he says.
Dr. Joel Schlessinger is pleased his patients are showing an interest in Ultherapy. He says the new treatment areas are “responding quite nicely” with Ultherapy leaving “extraordinarily limited” side effects.
“We’ve been very pleasantly surprised with the results and patient acceptance of the treatment,” he says.
Have you tried Ultherapy? Let us know in the comments.
Joel Schlessinger MD reveals how to fix thin or sparse brows in Elle magazine
This article featuring Joel Schlessinger MD addresses the common issue of thinning brows and lashes.
Women have been known to spend hundreds of dollars trying to find a product that will create fuller, longer and thicker lashes and brows. The March 2013 issue of Elle magazine attempts to get to the root of this issue with their article “Great Lengths.” Expert dermatologists, including Joel Schlessinger MD, explain what causes this issue and why it is so prominent among women.
Joel Schlessinger MD reveals the causes of lash and brow hair loss.
In this article, author Janna Johnson O’Toole explains how the growth cycle affects the thickness and fullness of your lashes and brows. Interrupting this cycle can cause breakage and hair loss that contributes to a thin and sparse appearance.
Joel Schlessinger MD mentions several common practices such as tweezing and waxing that interrupt the growth cycle. These procedures can cause trauma to the hair follicles and halt growth resulting in bald patches and transparent brows and lashes.
While this issue is common for many women, there are several short term and long term steps you can take to re grow your brows and lashes.
Many dermatologists, including Joel Schlessinger MD, recommend hair growth products for thin lashes and brows.
To halt hair loss, Dr. Joel Schlessinger recommends applying a hair growth product. Latisse, a popular cosmetic product, has been shown to create lashes that are 25% longer and 106% fuller. Joel Schlessinger MD also recommends products such as Rogaine that include the active ingredient Minoxidil to stimulate growth.
You can also try several over the counter products to encourage a healthier and fuller appearance. Obagi ELASTILash Eyelash Solution conditions hair to prevent breakage and Jan Marini Lash Eyelash Conditioner protects lashes to encourage healthy renewal.
Have you tried any eyelash or eyebrow growth products? Comment and let us know which ones have worked for you!
Joel Schlessinger MD named best in American medicine 5 years running
Joel Schlessinger MD recently received word that he has been named one of the best in American medicine as one of Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors in his region. Joel Schlessinger MD has received this honor for the past five years.
Every year, doctors from around the United States are nominated by peers and selected by experts to be highlighted as among the very best in their specialties. Only a very small percentage of physicians have earned this prestigious award for five years in a row.
Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. is one of the most trusted sources for identifying top doctors in American medicine. Every year, Castle Connolly selects the top doctors in the nation through an extensive nomination process. Learn more about the process here.
Joel Schlessinger MD has received numerous awards over the years, including Elle Magazine’s “Genius Award.” He’s been named the best cosmetic surgeon in Omaha for over 10 years and he has taken home the award for best dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon in the Reader’s annual survey. Read more about Joel Schlessinger MD’s awards here.
What qualifications do you look for when selecting a doctor? Tell us about them in the comments.
Joel Schlessinger MD Offers Anti-Aging and Sun Protection Advice for Eyes in SELF Magazine
The March 2013 issue of SELF Magazine shares advice from Joel Schlessinger MD in an article titled “Trust Us On This One.” Dr. Schlessinger offers advice on preventing premature aging around the eyes with powerful, yet gentle sun protection products. He discusses SPF strength and types of products best-suited for the sensitive area and why it’s so important to protect.
Joel Schlessinger MD suggests using SPF 30 or higher to protect your eye area.
Most eye creams only offer a maximum SPF 15 in order to avoid irritation, but dermatologists recommend using at least an SPF 30. Using a product with a higher SPF provides better results in preventing the formation of dark circles, skin cancer and premature wrinkles. While a product with SPF 15 will provide some protection, it won’t offer the same benefits that can be provided by a stronger, gentler formula.
Joel Schlessinger MD suggests using a gentle, mineral skin care formula.
Choose a sun protection product that contains minerals that are less likely to irritate sensitive skin like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Find gentle facial lotions with an SPF 30 or higher from brands including Elta MD and Neova at LovelySkin.com.
For individuals concerned with stinging, try mineral powders from brands like Colorescience. Powder sun protection formulas won’t burn your eyes and can be dusted over makeup. Colorescience offers a sheer pink powder designed for use on the eyes and an all-over tinted formula with a variety of color options that can double as a facial powder.
Choosing a mineral product over a traditional sun protection formula promotes healthier skin and fewer premature signs of aging. It can also lead to less discomfort and a more even complexion.
Have you tried any mineral SPF products? Let us know in the comments!
