BellaSugar

The 2009 Skinnies Honor Epidermal Excellence

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:00:08 -0800

Awards season is in full swing, and along with the red-carpet galas, there's one less-publicized awards ceremony: the Skinnies. Every year, San Francisco dermatologist Dr. Vail Reese looks at the world's most famous faces, keeping an eye on their skin's changes. In years past, he's highlighted Angelina's acne and Miley Cyrus's scars, but this year brings a new crop of winners.

I won't ruin the surprises for you, but I will say that we finally find out what was likely up with Amy Winehouse's skin last year. Dr. Reese doesn't treat these celebrities, but he provides an entertaining way to learn about various skin quirks and disorders. Check out the winners and let me know if you think anyone was left out.

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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!

The Differin Diaries: Month One

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:02:17 -0700

To paraphrase Dr. Vail Reese, people who escaped acne in their teenage years are more likely to experience it in their 20s. I'm definitely in this camp, unfortunately, and I know a lot of you are, too. I recently started a prescription plan to clear up my skin, and I thought you might be interested in following the progress. (Of course, everyone's skin is different, and if you're thinking of prescription medicine, you should definitely see your doctor. My experience isn't necessarily what yours might be.)

I don't have terrible skin, but this summer I developed some problems that weren't going away: some clogged pores on my forehead, sore cystic acne on my chin, and blackheads on my nose. I went to see my dermatologist, who prescribed Differin 0.1% cream for the evening, and Klaron lotion for the morning. To find out how the first month has gone, read more

I was happy that my dermatologist prescribed Differin, because when I tried Retin-A Micro a few years ago, it was very rough on my skin. Differin, like Retin-A Micro, is a retinoid, so it accelerates cell turnover while acting as an anti-inflammatory. To use it, I wash my face, wait 30 minutes, then apply a pea-sized amount to my face. Because retinoids can be drying, I followed the Differin application with Lush Skin Drink, a somewhat heavy moisturizer. (It doesn't smell so good, but you win some, you lose some.) In the mornings, I apply a few drops of Klaron before putting on my sunblock. The idea is that Differin will exfoliate my skin and regulate the pores, while the Klaron fights bacteria.

I'm a little more than a month into this regimen, and it's been surprisingly gentle. These products do dry my skin out a little bit, but in a way that makes my skin feel tight-not red or flaky at all. The exciting thing is that my blemishes are quickly rising to the surface. I knew that the first eight weeks could accelerate pimples that were lurking deep in the skin, and occasionally I wake up with a pretty gross one (like, uh, today). The good news is that as quickly as these zits develop, they go away... and they don't come back. I don't yet have a flawless complexion, but I'm seeing an improvement. As time progresses, I'll let you know whether my skin does as well.

Trend Alert: Barely-There Makeup

BellaSugar — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 12:28:43 -0700

Halfway through Fashion Week, I think it's safe to say that the big makeup trend for spring... isn't one. By this I mean that makeup artists were sending models down the runways with barely-there makeup. (In some cases, they were completely free of mascara!) We saw it as shows such as Alexander Wang, Y&Kei, and Josh Goot. And after last night, we can add Doo.Ri , Jovovich-Hawk and Sari Gueron to the makeup "nudists."

To translate this look from runways to regular life, look for products with a hint of tint. That means tinted moisturizers, tinted lip balms, and maybe the sheerest pink lip gloss. Of course, with so much skin showing, you'll want to get your complexion in tip-top shape. I know, I know-easier said than done-but there's plenty of time between now and next spring, right? (For ideas on treating acne, read my interview with dermatologist Vail Reese, and don't miss this guide to face creams for your skin type.)