BellaSugar

Bella Interview: Dr. Vail Reese, Dermatologist and Expert on Skin in Film

BellaSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:00:57 -0700

Meet Dr. Vail Reese, a San Francisco dermatologist who brings new meaning to the phrase "skin flicks." When he's not working, he's busy maintaining Skinema.com, a fun and fascinating site about skin in cinema. I recently sat down with Dr. Reese to talk about celebrity skin, acne, Botox and more skin topics. We had so much to talk about that I'll be adding more from him in the future. For now, read on!

You run Skinema.com, a website chronicling skin and dermatology in cinema. Which celebrities have good skin, in your opinion?
Nicole Kidman. She's a role model for being fashionably fair. So are
Scarlett Johansson, Reese Witherspoon and Keira Knightley. These are women who are not hitting the tanning beds. Being tan is last century's look. With all that said, Keira has acne, but so do a lot of stars-like Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. In the last Harry Potter movie, they had to go in frame-by-frame and digitally fix blemishes.

For more, including Dr. Reese's advice on treating adult acne, read more

What's the best way to find a dermatologist?
Talk to your regular doctor to find out who’s reputable. It’s more powerful to talk with family members, friends and coworkers. I also suggest contacting the American Academy of Dermatology. That way, you’re getting someone who's board-certified.

How prevalent is adult acne?
You are not alone if you have adult acne. Usually, it's worse with people who didn't have severe teenage acne. In our society, teenagers are expected to have acne. They're not thrilled about it, but at least they're not alone. By the time they reach their 20s, their acne usually isn't as significant.

But when a twentysomething client walks in breaking out, it's a double-whammy. They're trying to be professionals, but it's often considered juvenile, and that undermines confidence. Does acne impact peoples' lives? Absolutely. So I don't give acne the brushoff. People worry that they're vain, but I don't think it's wrong to want to look your best. It's biologically normal to want a healthy complexion! The good thing is, we have treatments at all stages.

So what do you recommend?
There's no magic bullet. Treatments need to be tailored to each person, but there's usually something that will work. Especially with acne, dermatologists have things to offer that you cannot get over the counter.

You also have to be patient. In reality, acne does not clear in three days. Anything we prescribe takes longer than three days because it's fixing problems at the pore level. Basically, with any acne treatment, it takes time to see the full benefit. You'll see a benefit in four weeks, more in eight, and in 12 weeks you get a real sense of the improvement.

Does diet affect acne?
I don't find that diet plays a role.

But you have to admit, sometimes you can look at someone's skin and tell they're not healthy, they're not eating well.
Well, maybe on that level. If people get more rest and eat a good diet, that helps. But they can still get acne. Eating chocolate, for instance, isn't going to cause acne.

Are there any over-the-counter remedies that you recommend?
Low-strength benzoyl peroxide can clear bacteria, and I recommend using gentle cleansers for acne. And there are some good moisturizers with sunscreen, which everyone should use.

Well, I'm obsessed with wearing sunscreen. But can you tell readers why it's so important?
When I see someone who's 18 and getting sun, I can see where their skin is headed-where it'll be at 28, 35. They're headed for wrinkling, discoloration, or even skin cancer. So stay away from the sun-no tanning beds! And wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 15, but more preferably, 30. Put your dermatologist out of work!

Visit Dr. Reese at Skinema.com and at his practice. And if you have any questions you want me to ask him, leave a comment-I've got an appointment next week!

How Do You Feel About Doctors Who "Prescribe" Cosmetic Procedures?

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:00:29 -0700

I've been suffering a lot of dermatological trauma lately. After the Botox incident, I keep hearing stories about people who go to the dermatologist for routine care - think mole checks and the like - only to come out with pamphlets for fillers, injectables, and laser resurfacing. I'm all for doing what makes you happy when it comes to cosmetic procedures, but lately it seems like some doctors have morphed into pushy medispa aestheticians. Have you ever gone in for a skin health issue only to have your doc interrupt with an advertisement? And do you feel your level of care was affected?

Germany Makes Under-18 Tanning Illegal

BellaSugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:02 -0700

In a world where little girls get $50 haircuts and teenagers get Botoxed, it looks like the Germans are taking a stance against underage beauty practices. Last Friday, the country's lower house of parliament passed a law that will prohibit those under the age of 18 from using tanning beds in an effort to help put a halt to skin cancer.

According to the ADP dermatological association, four million Germans under age 18 go tanning one or more times in a month - some of whom are as young as 10. No doubt, these are disturbing statistics. "If people under 35 regularly use solariums, the risk of getting at some point in life malignant melanoma, the third deadliest cancer that there is, rises by 75 percent," ADP Professor Eckhard Breitbart told AFP. What do you think of Germany's preventative measures? Should the US be the next to follow suit?

Do Facials Promise Too Much?

BellaSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:00:36 -0700

Do you get regular facials? According to the International Spa Association, they are the third most popular spa service. However, some estheticians feel that dermatologists often downplay the effectiveness of their services, the New York Times reports. On the flip side, some dermatologists feel that facials create unrealistic expectations and are just not worth the cost. Fight!

"Getting a facial is a great cost to cut," Dr. Leslie Baumann, a dermatology professor at University of Miami, told the newspaper. "It’s not doing anything preventative or anything long term for your skin." (Baumann does acknowledge that estheticians offer great advice sunscreen and home-care regimens.)

Dermatologists also worry that facials are too one size fits all, although many estheticians now pick the service for the patient, as opposed to having the patient pick the service themselves. "At the end of the day whether you’re spending $40 or $400," said Celeste Hilling, the founder of Skin Authority, "if that facial doesn’t have active ingredients for what you want, it’s not worth it."

Personally, I enjoy facials, but go to the dermatologist when I need serious skin care. Do you think facials help your skin, or are they just a fun spa treatment?

Source

All About the New New Face

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:00:55 -0700

Set aside a little time to check out this New York magazine story about the changing face of, well, faces. The writer, Jonathan Van Meter, points out something I've been noticing, too: Our culture is so obsessed with youth that looking good is becoming synonymous with looking like a teenager. He writes:

In the last 10 years, perhaps with the coming of Britney Spears, the age of the ideal has dropped precipitously. Now both fashion and celebrity magazines are filled with images of teenagers - whether they’re Eastern European models or tanned California reality stars. Their faces are plump and dewy and flushed with youth. As thin as their bodies are, they still haven’t entirely shed the baby fat in their faces. This, it seems, is what women in their forties and fifties are now after: baby fat.

It’s impossible to pinpoint exactly when or how a new aesthetic is born, but it seems clear that once we became obsessed with the baby face of the teenage girl, the world of dermatology came up with more and better ways for us to achieve the plumpness of youth.

The story goes on to discuss the "New New Face," the idealized look that famous people ask their dermatologists and surgeons for. It features full lips, large eyes, a small chin, high cheekbones, a petite nose, and a wide smile - pretty much what all babies are born with, and what some women are now paying tens of thousands of dollars to re-create. Except it never really does look convincingly natural, Van Meter says; a 50-year-old will never look just as she did at age 30.

Faces aren't like hair color or hemlines - in one season, passé the next - and yet with fillers and Botox, it's possible to have a dramatically different visage. But are people fighting a battle that nobody can win?

Beauty Byte: Estee Lauder Might Buy Murad

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Murad's slogan is "Where skincare meets healthcare," and soon, the dermatological brand may be meeting up with Estee Lauder, too. According to Women's Wear Daily, the Lauder conglomerate may be considering an acquisition of Murad.

Based in Southern California, the brand was founded in 1989 by namesake Dr. Howard Murad. Murad makes some really great products, but what's really interesting is how this potential deal fits into an overall trend.

Large beauty companies - once focused mainly on makeup - are increasingly buying into the fast-growing market for clinical skincare brands. Earlier this year, Procter & Gamble acquired Doctor's Dermatologic Formula, and Estee Lauder already snatched up another derm-developed brand, Rodan + Fields, in 2003. To me, this points to the future of beauty, wherein women are just as concerned about taking care of their skin than they are about enhancing it with makeup. What do you think?

The Pill Fights Acne. Should You Take It?

BellaSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:55:25 -0800

Good news if you're fighting hormonal acne: A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology shows that a drug combination can help women with severe acne. Researchers gave a group of 27 women the combination of spironolactone (a diuretic) and oral contraceptive Yasmin, and the results are fantastic:

At the end of the study, 11 percent of women were entirely clear of acne lesions, 74 percent had excellent improvement, 7.4 percent had mild improvement, and 7.4 percent had no change.

All in all, 85% of women saw marked improvement in their complexions. Huzzah! This doesn't shock me, though; birth control pills regulate hormones, which can keep acne from flaring up. Being on the Pill has kept my jawline much clearer, that's for sure. For some pros and cons of using the Pill to combat blemishes, read more.

Pros of the Pill

It minimizes cystic acne and recurring breakouts, especially along the jawline.
It leads to lighter periods with less cramping.
If you're already looking for a birth control method, this one keeps your face clear.
You can easily stop taking the Pill if you're unhappy with it.
You won't wind up with Junior before you're ready.

Cons of the Pill

You have to take it at the same time every day, which is a large commitment if you're using it for acne alone.
You shouldn't take the Pill if you're a smoker.
You could experience mood swings, changes in weight, or other side effects.
It can cost up to $55 per month.

Not to sound like a pharmaceutical commercial, but only you and your doctor can decide whether you should go on the Pill. Personally, I love having easier periods and a clearer face. (In fact, whenever I've gone off the Pill, I become the de facto mayor of Pimpletown.) But if you're not concerned about contraception, and you're interested in the Pill only because of its acne-fighting abilities, be sure to talk with your physician about the side effects and small-but-real risks.

And one last thing: Some prescriptions, like Yasmin and Ortho Tri-Cyclen, have received FDA approval to treat acne. That's why their ads tout this as an added benefit. But many, if not all, oral contraceptives will fight acne. So don't panic if your doctor prescribes a version that isn't marketed that way; more than likely, it'll get the job done just as well.

Bella Brand: Being True

BellaSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:00:00 -0800

I recently came across two little green compacts displaying just the words "Being True." Ahhh, simplicity, how I am a sucker for you. One was a powder blush and the other a creme, in colors that gave me a little chill of excitement-you know, the one you get when you think a color might just be perfect for you? When I tried them, I was immediately hooked. The creme gave a perfect rosy flush that when topped off with a dusting of the powder stayed in place all day. I did some research on the line and was pleasantly surprised to find out just how innovative it is.

Being True Cosmetics is a spa brand, which means it is focused on dermatological health. They have incorporated the powerful antioxidant idebenone into their products, (which also happens to be the key ingredient in the ritzy Elizabeth Arden Prevage line). Idebenone not only protects from free radical damage, but also acts as a depigmenting agent to help correct existing age spots and sun damage. Since I try to take care of my skin in as many ways possible, I feel good knowing that one more thing I apply in the morning is working to protect my face.

To find out where you can get your hands on Being True, read more.

Being True can be found in spas nationwide, and offer a full range of products from mineral powders, to lip glosses, to Idebenone-packed serums. They range in price from $9.50-$60, comparably priced to most higher end mineral-based lines on the market. I've only tried the blushes so far, but I'm interested to see whether the rest of their products are equally impressive. Have any of you tried this line?

Is This $500 Serum Worth The Pretty Penny it Costs?

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 09:20:00 -0700

If you're like me, you probably look at the price tag of Amore Pacific Time Response Pure Essence 100 Skin Renewal Serum and sloowwwly back away from the cosmetics counter. The spendy serum has a price tag of $500 for a one-ounce bottle. Yowza.

Fortunately, a story explains why the serum costs what it does-and consults experts to see if it's worth the cash. For instance:

Vegging out: More than 100 botanical ingredients fill every bottle. Yes, extracts of broccoli, grape and carrots may read more like a salad-bar menu than the components of an antiaging serum, but they help other active compounds penetrate the skin and counteract the effects of UV rays.
Expert opinion: [University of Alabama dermatology researcher] Santosh Katiyar supports using fruits and veggies on the face, but, he adds, they’re not exactly hard to come by and therefore shouldn’t be so costly.

Another dermatologist weighs in, too, and while both experts agree that the serum is a good one, the final consensus is that "the benefit of these ingredients doesn’t necessarily warrant the product’s cost." I can't say I'm surprised-what about you?