aesthetic

hot or cold water acne wash face

Hot or Cold Water for Acne: Which is Better?

Have you ever thought about which temperature of water is best when washing your face? Is it hot or cold water for acne? Here is what AC Skin Health dermatologist, Dr. Amy Chua has to say.

Let us look at the pros and cons of using the different temperatures in washing our face.

Hot water

Using warmer temperature of water may make you feel like you are enjoying a hot bath or sauna. This may be relaxing and destressing. However, when you read the next paragraph, it may not be so relaxing for you anymore.

Washing our face (or body for that matter) with hot water strips off protective oil from our skin. Our skin may perceive this as being dry, hence it responds with overproduction of oil. In general, more oil relates to more acne and uh-oh, that is bad news. Hot water, especially temperature over 40C may affect the integrity of the skin barrier and make you more prone to irritation, infection, and acne. Another effect of hot water on our skin is making you more prone to wrinkles! It seems then that washing your face (or taking a bath) with hot water, may bring your skin more harm than good.

Cold water

Have you tried melting an ice cube on your pustules and papules? If you haven’t, you may try getting an ice cube and sliding it over your inflammatory pimples a few times. You might notice that applying ice can lessen pain, redness, and swelling of inflamed acne.

We don’t know however if using cold water may produce the same results. Most likely not. Water from the faucet is usually not that cold. More so, your skin will be exposed to cold water for only a short period of time. How many seconds or minutes does it take you to wet and rinse off your facial cleanser? While using cold water may not be harmful, it will most likely have minimal benefits on our skin.

Our verdict

It is recommend to wash your face with lukewarm water – not too hot, not too cold, just right! Most products are also designed to be used with lukewarm water. But if you prefer to use cold water, feel free to do so too!

Here are more of AC Skin Tips for healthy and safe washing of face:

  • Use lukewarm to cold water.
  • Perform gentle washing of face using hands.
  • Avoid scrubbing cloths, loofah or scrubbing and exfoliating tools.
  • Use a gentle cleanser, or a soap/wash prescribed by your dermatologist for your specific skin needs.
  • Limit washing to 2x a day. Washing too often may dry your skin and result in overproduction of oil and we don’t want to suffer from more acne!

Hope you learned something today!

Keep safe and stay healthy! Cheers to healthy skin!

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casserole dish, vegetables, mushrooms

Whole-Food Plant-Based (WFPB) Diet and the Skin

AC Skin Health provides this summary of the article written by Solway J, McBride M, Haq F, Abdul W, Miller R. published at the Journal of Clinical and Aesthethetic Dermatolology May 2020.

Diet and Dermatology: The Role of a Whole-food, Plant-based Diet in Preventing and Reversing Skin Aging – A Review

WHAT IS WHOLE-FOOD PLANT-BASED DIET?

Kaiser Permanente defines a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet as, “an eating plan that includes lots of plant foods in their whole, unprocessed form, such as vegetables, fruits, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and small amounts of healthy fats. It does not include animal products, such as red meat, poultry, fish, dairy, or eggs. It also does not include processed foods or sweets.”

BENEFITS OF WFPB DIET

  • Lengthens telomeres which results in reversal of the aging process of DNA
  • Proven to prevent and reverse leading chronic diseases in the US such as coronary artery disease
  • Reduces amount of gerontotoxins
  • Increases amount of antioxidants
  • Provides the nutrients, vitamins and minerals to maintain cell health
  • Excludes high amount of saturated fat from animal products which can damage cells
  • Inflammation is a major culprit of many common dermatologic conditions, including accelerated skin aging.

IMPLICATIONS OF SKIN AGING

  • Cosmetically poor appearance
  • Affects skin fucntions such as skin permeability, angiogenesis, lipid and sweat production, immune function, and vitamin D
  • Impaired wound healing, skin atrophy, vulnerability to stimuli, development of benign and malignant lesions

GERONTOTOXINS

Gerontotoxins is a contributor of inflammation to our body. These toxins accumulate within the skin and can cause a rapid stiffening of collagen, elastin, vitronectin, and laminin. This can present clinically as skin ulcers and delayed skin healing.

Meat and processed foods contained the highest number of AGE units.

Cooking foods using high, dry heat (e.g. roasting, grilling) appeared to increase AGE content.

ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN SKIN HEALTH

Antioxidants exist to neutralize and mitigate ROS through the donation of electrons.

On average, plant foods contain 64 times more antioxidants than animal products.

Green vegetables (because of chlorophyll) contain the highest amount of antioxidants among vegetables.

Berries contain the highest amount of antioxidants of any fruit

Darker colors in plant food translate to more antioxidants.

VITAMIN E: PRIMARY ANTIOXIDANT

Aka tocopherol, alpha tocopherol most biologically active source of vitamin E in the skin

Terminate lipid radical chain reactions, stabilizing cell membranes against dAmage by phospholipase A, free fatty acids and lysophospholipids

Prevent damage from oxidative stress

Vitamin C, CoQ10 and glutathione can recycle the oxidized form of vitamin E

VITAMIN C: SECONDARY ANTIOXIDANT

L-ascorbic acid

Important role in collagen production, wound healing

Promote fibroblast proliferation, migration and replication of base excision repair of potentially mutagenic DNA lesions

VITAMIN A: TERTIARY ANTIOXIDANT

Quenches singlet oxygen species

CHLOROPHYLL AND COQ10

Chlorophyll blocks damage to DNA from carcinogens

POLYPHENOLS

Fruits and plant-derived breverages – fruit juice, tea, coffee, red wine, vegetables, cereals, chocolate, dry legumes

Antioxidant and potential prevention of certain cancers and cardiovascular, neurodegenerative diseases

ZEAXANTHIN

Lutein – antioxidant to prevent wrinkles and improve skin hydration

ROLE OF FATTY ACIDS IN PROTECTING AGAINST SKIN AGING

PUFA particularly EPA and DHA modulate and reduce skin inflmammation

ALA reduces senile dryness and skin atrophy – ALA is precursor of EPA and DHA

MUFA olive oil, potential prevent severe skin aging

Eat healthy and be merry. One of the solutions to aging is here, and it is as basic as what you eat.

Cheers to healthy skin!

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mesotherapy, fat, cellulite, flabs

Mesotherapy

AC Skin Health discusses some some FAQs on Mesotherapy.

Mesotherapy comes from the Greek work mesos meaning “middle”. It involves small injections of a pharmaceutical cocktail into the subcutaneous fat. It is non-invasive and non-surgical. 

Mesotherapy has been done by dermatologists for over decades now to treat localized fat as seen in the abdomen, flabs, flanks, back, arms, thighs, and even on the face such as the double chin.

Depending on the ingredients of the mesotherapy cocktail used, it dissolves the localized fat, which is eventually excreted from the body. Some medicine also cause increased local metabolism of fat resulting in smaller fat accumulation.

Patients may see results after one session, but in general, it is recommended for you to have weekly sessions for at least 3-5 weeks, depending on the severity of the area to be treated.

Common side effects are injection discomfort, pain, bruising, redness, and possible swelling on area treated. These symptoms are alleviated with using cold compresses during and after treatment.

The effect of mesotherapy, like any other fat management treatments depend on several factors. Results are best maintained with the appropriate diet and exercise.

Book your Mesotherapy appointment now with AC SKIN HEALTH’s board-certified dermatologists!

Cheers to healthy skin!

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beauty, smile, happy

Botox 101

Botox or Botolinum toxin is a neuromodulator that blocks release of acethylcholine hence preventing muscle contraction. Whew! That’s a lot of technical terms! Simply put, it is a toxin that relaxes or weakens your muscles.

In Dermatology, it is mostly used to treat dynamic wrinkles on the face. Common areas are:

  • Crow’s feet (lateral side of eyes)
  • Forehead lines
  • Frown lines (between eyebrows)
  • Bunny lines (nose wrinkles)
  • Cobblestone chin

There is also a procedure called “Botox lift” to produce that fresh, youthful look with a lifted appearance.

Botox can also treat TMJ disorders and bruxism (night teeth grinding).

It is also helps in producing a more V-shaped contour of the face.

Botox also helps with excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis. Patients with axillary or underarm hyperhidrosis greatly benefit from this treatment.

Fact Alert! Botox is actually a brand of the neurotoxin but is commonly used as a generic term for the procedure.

The procedureBotox for wrinkles

Your dermatologist will plan the injection sites and number of units to be used on your face. She will ask you to make facial expressions to map out where the best injection spots are for you.

We use a very fine needle to minimize the pain with injection. Other modalities may be used such as applying ice, tapping, or if necessary, applying topical anesthesia. Most patients tolerate the procedure well and ice compress is more than enough.

When do I see the effect of my Botox treatment?

Most patients appreciate the effect after a few days of the treatment. If a touch up is necessary, this is scheduled at least two weeks after the initial treatment.

Effect of a single treatment may last 4-6 months. Factors affecting this include: strength of facial muscles, how animated or active your facial muscles are, and the number of units used.  Once the effect of Botox wears off, your face will not be worse than before you had the treatment! A lot of patients worry about this. Botox will not make your wrinkles worse once it wears off, but you will do notice your wrinkles coming back.

Side effects

Some of the possible side effects are:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Bruising
  •  Mild headache (uncommon)

Frozen face – we do not like this either! We aim to give you a natural, youthful look while preserving your facial expressions.

Am I a candidate for Botox?

Don’t wait to have the permanent creases or wrinkles on your face before getting a Botox treatment. Those deep lines you see in older people are harder and more expensive to treat.

The trend now is to maintain and prevent the signs of aging, as early as you can.

Experienced dermatologists can plan the best treatment for you. The number of units and the injection points vary from face to face because each face is unique!

Cheers to healthy skin!

For inquiries and to set your appointment, CONTACT us here.

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pop zit mirror acne

Acne Scars – Types and Risk Factors

Learn about acne scars – the different types of acne scars and what factors increase your risk for developing acne scars.

Acne is usually temporary, while acne scars may last forever. Both acne and acne scars can cause anxiety, social withdrawal, even depression.

Different types of scarring

During the healing process, our body produces collagen in the area of the wound, or in this case, of acne.

Depressed or atrophic scars

            These scars signify lack in production of collagen in the wound healing process. The three types of atrophic scars area: rolling, box, and ice pick scars.

Raised or hypertrophic scars

            These scars signify overproduction of collagen. Scars may either be hypertrophic or keloid. You may develop this type of scars on the face, chest, back or shoulders. Unfortunately, our Asian descent is also a risk factor for hypertrophic scarring.

Who develops acne scars?

Anyone can get acne scars! Here are some of the factors that make you more prone to developing acne scars.

  • Family history

Like acne, scarring is also largely genetic. Look at your parents and other blood relatives. If they have scars – atrophic/depressed or hypertrophic/raised scars, then you are at greater risk of developing acne scars.

  • Inflammatory acne

Inflammatory acne is characterized by red, painful, and swollen pimples. Usually the deeper or more severe the pimples, the greater the risk of scarring! Acne that presents as cysts and nodules almost always heal with scarring especially if left untreated.

  • Delaying treatment or does not treat inflammatory acne

Already have acne but not paying mind to it?  Delaying or not treating your acne is another risk factor for developing those unsightly scars. Remember the more acne you have, the greater risk of each one to result in a scar.

  • Improper picking of acne

Some people love to pop, squeeze or prick their own pimples! Please try to avoid this especially if you are not trained professionally. This can cause more inflammation, hence more risk of scarring. Another danger is using unsterile hands and instruments in cleaning your zits. This is best left to dermatologists and well-trained skin therapists.

We have listed down the risk factors, not everyone who has risk factors develop acne scars, and vice versa! Some people who do not have risk factors may still get scars from acne! So what do you do? Treat your acne early and entrust your skin care and facial needs to your board-certified dermatologists.

For your acne, acne scars and other skin concerns, you may book your appointment with our board-certified dermatologists. Here is the booking link.

Cheers to healthy skin!

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Wrinkle Remedy: Botox

Want to learn more about Botox as a wrinkle remedy?

Wrinkles are lines on the skin that appear with facial expressions such as frowning, raising our eyebrows, squinting, smiling, etc. There are several factors contributing to the development of wrinkles. Intrinsic aging or natural aging is largely genetic and is inevitable with the passage of time. Exposure to UV rays, cigarette smoke, poor quality and lack of sleep, and stress can accelerate the aging of skin hence earlier appearance of unsightly wrinkles.

Over time, with repetitive facial expressions these wrinkles become permanent creases even when our face is not showing any emotion or even when we are not moving. These permanent creases are much more difficult to treat. It will cost you a lot more to treat the permanent wrinkles! So the best time to treat your wrinkles is now.

What do I need to prepare for my Botox appointment?

Inform your doctor of any history of Botox treatments and other facial cosmetic procedures. Tell your doctor if you are taking any medications especially blood thinners such as Aspirin.

What happens during this procedure?

Botox involves injection of the toxin in small amounts to targeted muscles. Pain is minimal as we use a very fine needle.  Most patients tolerate the procedure well. For people who are very sensitive to pain, inform your doctor and ask if “painless” option is possible.

When do I see the effect of my Botox treatment?

The full effect of a Botox treatment can be appreciated about 7 to 14 days after the procedure. Some patients may already experience the benefit of Botox after 3 days.

Any side effects?

These have been the reported side effects with Botox treatment: redness, swelling, soreness, bruising. Uncommon side effects are mild headache and temporary eyelid drooping.

Numbness or loss of sensation is not seen with Botox treatment.

After care?

You may go back to work immediately after the treatment. You may apply make up taking care not to apply pressure on the treatment points. Keep upright for a few hours after the treatment. Avoid facial massage or rubbing the treated areas for the next few days.

Follow up?

You may follow up with your dermatologist 2 weeks after your treatment. Some patients may need correction or injection of additional units.

Dermatologists who are experienced with Botox can plan the best treatment for you. The number of units and the injection points vary from face to face because each face is unique!

Our goal with Botox is to have a natural look while minimizing wrinkles. We want you to retain facial expressions and not have a frozen face.

Cheers to healthy skin!

For inquiries and to set your appointment, CONTACT us here.

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