At Blu Cocoon MedSpa in San Jose, we are in the Halloween spirit this month! We thought it would be fun to write a skin care blog post about some common practices that many of us believe in and/or partake in, but aren’t sure if they are a “TRICK” or “TREAT” for our skin. Read on to see if your rituals are “ghoulish” or “spooktacular”.
Using a wrinkle cream will erase my wrinkles and fine lines.
TRICK! Most wrinkle creams claiming to smooth out your crow’s feet or forehead lines are just “witchful” thinking (with two exceptions: Retin-A and Obagi’s Elastiderm Eye Cream)! These creams add hydration and plump your skin for a temporary amount of time (as in hours). Look for a solid solution such as FDA-approved Botox or dermal fillers to truly freeze your wrinkles or add volume to your face that lasts from 3 – 4 months (for Botox) and longer for dermal fillers.
I’m still using Retin-A even though my acne is long gone.
TREAT! Tretinoin topical cream (commonly known as the name brand, “Retin-A”) has come a long way from the dermatologist’s office where it was once used for the treatment of acne. It is really the only true “wrinkle cream” with historical evidence showing that it helps remodel the skin on a cellular level addressing photodamage (sun spots, age spots), fine lines, wrinkles, and texture. Treat your skin to a retinoid cream at least 2 times per week.
Expensive skin care products work best.
TRICK! It’s not the expense or packaging that determines how well a skin care product works, it is the ingredients. The best skin care products for a “boo-tiful” complexion are those that are medical grade and those that can only be sold in a physician’s office because they contain higher concentrations of the active ingredients that can make a beneficial change to your skin.
I have a glass of wine at night to unwind.
TREAT! The glass of wine that helps you relax is packed with antioxidants to help protect your skin against the free radicals that lead to aging and skin damage. Go ahead, indulge, but know that one glass is all you need to reap the benefits.
I don’t need to wear sunscreen because my foundation makeup or powder has SPF in it.
TRICK! Unless you want your skin to be as wrinkled as a witch’s, we recommend that you wear sunscreen underneath your makeup. To get the effectiveness of the SPF advertised in most makeup, with the exception of specialized brands such as Colorescience, you would have to apply almost 15 times the amount of makeup a normal person wears. This is true for foundation, liquid, or powder makeup.
I sleep on my back to prevent sleep lines on my face.
TREAT! If you sleep on your back and are getting at least 8 hours of sleep per night, this is like getting a king size candy bar at your neighbor’s house on Halloween! Sleeping on your back does reduce wrinkle formation according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and getting an adequate amount of sleep allows your skin to recover and produce more HGH (Human Growth Hormone) which helps skin remain “thick” and more elastic, and less likely to wrinkle.
No matter what I do, I am going to get wrinkles because my Mom has lots of them.
TRICK! Drop that “sour” thought. While genetics may play a role in your aging process, scientists are discovering that 70% of how you age is dependent upon you and your lifestyle choices. Eat your colorful veggies, hit the gym, and maintain a consistent skin care regimen.
I make time for my favorite treatment at Blu Cocoon.
TREAT! Whether you are coming in for a classic facial, peel, laser or Botox treatment, making time for yourself is always a “treat”! Our treatments rejuvenate your skin while you “rest in peace”. You will leave with a renewal of your outer beauty and your inner “spirit” and be the envy of all the ghosts and goblins.