TOP ANTI-AGING BREAKTHROUGHS (Part 2)

Top Anti-aging Breakthroughs (Part 2)

We continue to present the second of a three part series on the top anti-aging scientific breakthroughs to help in your quest for your best skin ever. In the first part, we mentioned Nano-encapsulation Technology and Fractional Lasers. Here are the next two breakthroughs.

Dermal Fillers

Perhaps nothing is more gratifying for patients than having an immediate correction of wrinkles after a filler injection. Dermal filler injection is one of the most popular procedures at SkinStation. We can use dermal fillers to volumize any part of the face, to sculpt a more natural youthful look without surgery. Nonsurgical rhinoplasty, lip augmentation, volumizing of cheeks, and filling up lines in nasolabial folds are among the most popular procedures. These fillers have effects lasting for one year, with new variants claiming to last up to 2 years. But the benefits go beyond these timelines. These fillers can lead to robust increase in collagen production for longer lasting anti-aging results. 

Since 1981, bovine collagen was used as dermal filler, with effects lasting for only 3 months. The breakthrough came in 2003 with the approval by the FDA of hyaluronic acid, marketed under the Restylane brand. Perlane and Juvederm followed shortly, using similar variants of synthetic hyaluronic acid. The wrinkle injection market soared to new heights with these approvals by the FDA. Recently, the FDA approved Artefill and Radiesse, each using a different substance to fill wrinkles. 

Anti-aging Sunscreens 

A new 4-year study in Australia showed that daily use of sunscreen resulted in 24% reduction in signs of aging. We can now look at sunscreen not just as a protection against aging. It can also reverse signs of aging.

DERMAX UV MILK
Anti-Aging Sunscreen

However, not just any sunscreen will do.  Your sunscreen must work against the damaging and aging effects of UVA rays. New breakthrough ingredients are now available to protect against UVA rays. Look for the broad-spectrum label. Check the PA rating, the measure of protection against UVA rays. The maximum rating is PA+++.

DERMAX UV MILK anti-aging sunscreen has the maximum PA+++ rating, plus a milky, non-greasy feel that’s best for daily use. 

What about SPF? This refers only to protection against burning UVB rays. Most sunscreens will effectively protect against UVB rays, even at a “low” SPF30. Save for a few field related work, there is no real risk of getting sunburn in our day-to-day activities. The marketing hypes on high SPF sunscreens are simply just that…hypes.

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This column was published in the Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section on November 26, 2013. The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. Skin Smart aims to clarify facts and myths on skin care. Send your questions and comments to info@skinstation.ph. 

TOP ANTI-AGING BREAKTHROUGHS (Part 1)

Top Anti-aging Breakthroughs (Part 1)

Anti-aging beauty products and clinic procedures have been coming out every year, each one claiming to be the new elixir of youth.  While some present scientifically solid and significant advances, many are simply hyped up rehash of old products and procedures with a new name. To guide you in what can really make a difference in your skin, we present to you a three part series on the top anti-aging scientific breakthroughs that can create your best skin ever. 

Nano-encapsulation Technology

Nano refers to size, the size of a virus. Nano is a billionth of a meter; a thousand times smaller than micro. The development of encapsulated nano sized active ingredients marks a major advance in skin care formulations. DERMAX Professional is the first Philippine brand which launched nano-encapsulated skin care products with enhanced effectiveness and stability.  Targeted skin absorption has vastly improved with the smaller particle size of the nano active ingredients.

Ordinarily, skin care actives would only lay on the surface of the skin accomplishing nothing beyond improving feel. For anti-aging products, the active ingredients must work inside the skin to have any effect at all. Nano-encapsulation technology has made it possible for actives to 

• go beyond the barriers much more easily,
• protect ingredients  from losing efficacy, and
• impart time-released benefit.

Anti-aging DERMAX products containing nano-encapsulated ingredients are NanoWhite, Hyal C, HYALIFT, Retinol C and UV MILK.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing

Many dermatologists consider fractional laser resurfacing as one of the most important breakthrough wrinkle treatments in recent years.  Prior to this, the gold standard in wrinkle removal was the traditional CO2 lasers, which completely ablate skin, resulting in horrendous downtime and complications. With fractional laser resurfacing, you still get the best way to remove wrinkles with less downtime and less complications. 

Fractional laser resurfacing uses beamlets of laser light to bore pin point holes in the skin. This prevents damage to the top layer of the skin, reducing downtime to just 4 to 7 days. The body’s natural collagen production is encouraged to work fast-forward, with effects that will last for years. 

What’s new: Aside from the CO2, new fractional lasers are now available that are more skin friendly, meaning there is less possibility of hyperpigmentation with Asian skin types. These are the Erbium:YAG laser, Erbium:Glass laser, and fractional RF (uses radiofrequency energy rather than laser). All these fractional lasers are available in SkinStation.

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This column was published in the Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section on November 5, 2013. The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. Skin Smart aims to clarify facts and myths on skin care. Send your questions and comments to info@skinstation.ph.  

INNOVATIONS IN THE NEW DERMAX LIP PLUMPER

INNOVATIONs IN THE New

DERMAX LIP PLUMPER

If your lip plumper tingles or burns when applied, it is probably using spicy extracts like cinnamon, menthol, and even hot pepper (commonly labeled as capsaicin).  The ingredients intentionally irritate the lips, make them swell, and give an appearance of plumping. That may sound a bit harsh for a beauty product but the irritation is generally mild and safe.

Other popular lip plumpers use a blend of ingredients to achieve a vasodilation effect. They increase blood circulation in lips to make them look fuller.  Caffeine and niacin, a form of vitamin B, are popular vasodilator ingredients.

The problem with lip plumpers, which rely on spicy irritants and vasodilating ingredients is that their effects would barely last for an hour, some for just a few minutes.

Two Award Winning, Patent-Pending Innovations

Here comes the new DERMAX Pink n Pout that promises long-term benefits beyond the transient appearance of fullness. It combines two multi-awarded and patent-pending innovations that add volume and improve the contour of the lips with lasting results.

The first innovative ingredient received two awards this year. It is a unique active that is clinically proven to literally “fatten” the lips in just one month. It increases the number and volume of fat cells around the lips to achieve long lasting, fuller curves. As an antioxidant, it also helps in overall anti-aging protection.

The second is a patent-pending blend of nano-encapsulated, time released plumping actives that improves collagen and moisture level of the lips. The tiny spheres deliver peptides directly into the lips, working on the cellular level to regenerate lip tissue. The results are immediate and sustained for extended periods of time.

DERMAX Pink n Pout has a hint of pink that will blend well with any lipstick color. It comes in a 15-ml airless packaging, with a novel injection-design packaging. Do not be intimidated. Although it may appear like a dermal filler injection for the lips, this will produce similar results without the pain. DERMAX Pink n Pout is the topical alternative that can create youthful, smoother, beautiful fuller lips.  

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This column was published in the Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section on October 22, 2013. The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. Skin Smart aims to clarify facts and myths on skin care. Send your questions and comments to info@skinstation.ph. 

CAN CREAMS ELIMINATE SPIDER VEINS?

Can Creams Eliminate Spider Veins?

We often receive inquiries if we have a product that can eliminate spider veins. Our short answer is “No! Creams will not work on spider veins.” At times, some will question our frank reply. Many people are being deceived into believing claims of “revolutionary cure in a jar” for unsightly spider veins.

These expensive creams are highly advertised and sold over the counter and in the internet. Some preparations have horse chestnut extract. Some have caffeine. Others have extracts of arnica and cypress. Most have vitamin K. And then there is the popular Hirudoid cream. The ingredients in these creams cannot penetrate the skin in sufficient concentrations to have any effect on the veins. None of these can fix the underlying problem of a stretched out vein.

Spider veins are small, superficial blood vessels that are highly visible on the surface of the skin. They may look like a group of veins radiating out from a central point; they may have a shape like the branches of a tree; or they may be thin, separate lines. They're most commonly found on the legs.  You can have spider veins if you're pregnant, overweight, inactive, or have a job that requires standing for long periods of time. In most cases, heredity plays a role. If your mother has them, there's a higher risk that you'll also have spider veins as you get older.

Sclerotherapy is the best
treatment option for
legs spider veins.

Prevention is possible by wearing compression stockings if you have to stand frequently for long periods of time, such as with nurses, teachers and retail sales personnel. Walking, weight loss, and elevating the legs at bedtime are also very beneficial.

If creams do not work, what are the treatment options? Sclerotherapy is the best treatment for spider veins on the legs and laser treatments are the best for treating spider veins on the face and nose. Sclerotherapy involves injecting the veins with a saline solution that causes the vein to collapse and disappear. The procedure is simple and relatively inexpensive. For very small spider veins on the face, laser therapy and IPL are the effective options. The high energy treatment causes the veins to shrink and gradually become invisible. Although needle free, there is still stinging sensation with the laser and IPL options.

While these clinic procedures for spider vein treatment are more expensive than those creams being peddled in the internet, the results are far more effective. The bottom line? Don't waste your money on creams that won't work.

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This column was published in the Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section on October 8, 2013. The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. Skin Smart aims to clarify facts and myths on skin care. Send your questions and comments to info@skinstation.ph. 

THE 10 MOST POPULAR USES OF ARGAN OIL

The 10 Most Popular Uses of Argan Oil

Argan oil has been touted as Hollywood’s secret beauty elixir. Considered the crème de la crème of cosmetic oils, Argan oil is exclusively produced in Southern Morocco. This luxurious oil is known to heal many skin conditions. It works as an antioxidant, with high levels of skin-nourishing vitamin E (tocopherol), squalane, carotene and fatty acids.

Sourcing the very rare Argan oil has been a daunting challenge. We wanted to source direct from Morocco. We wanted not just pure Argan oil, but one with organic certification. After a series of sampling from several suppliers, we found a good source with ECOCERT certificate. It took a long while to get the shipment to the Philippines. We have to contend with extended production lead time. We have to adjust to the new Argan oil export regulations of Morocco.

Argan trees grow in the desserts of Morocco.

Finally, we are ready to offer you pure Argan indulgence from head to toe.  We call it Pure Bliss LIQUID GOLD, which is the moniker of the oil in Hollywood.

Below are 10 most popular uses of pure Argan oil:

1. Facial moisturizer - Argan oil can be used as an intensive moisturizer, especially when applied during evenings. As an antioxidant, it helps reduce signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles and prevents new wrinkles from forming.

2. Make-up base  – Use Argan oil as your make-up base. It is non-comedogenic and is easily absorbed by the skin, while providing moisture.

3. After-sun nourishment - Hours under the harsh sun can make your skin dry. Argan oil soothes and moisturizes your skin.

Exclusively Available
at SkinStation

4. Body moisturizer - After your bath, add a few drops directly to your body, or to your body lotion. It helps moisturize skin, improve skin elasticity, and prevent stretchmark during pregnancy.

5. Sensitive skin relief - Argan oil works wonders on sensitive skin as it helps relieve eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea and other skin conditions.

6. Hair conditioner - Avoid bad hair days by applying Argan oil on towel dried hair. A few drops will help reduce frizz, make hair strong and shiny, and lock in moisture for softer hair from roots to tips.

7. Overnight Hair Treatment - Massage a generous amount of Argan oil into your hair, ends and scalp. Wrap your hair and leave it on while you sleep. In the morning, wash your hair and you’ll have luminous soft locks. Visit Hairguard (https://skinstation.ph/the-10-most-popular-uses-of-argan-oil/) for more information on Argan oil for healthy hair. 

8. Hair Styling Shine – Use as a styling product while your hair is dry. Add a few drops onto your palms, rub your hands together, and run your fingers through your hair to create shine and tame frizz.

9. Lip moisturizer - Cold or hot weather can make your lips dry. A few dabs of Argan oil on the lips can soften and heal dry, chapped lips.

10. Cuticle and heel softener - Massage a few drops of Argan oil into your cuticles to soften, moisturize and encourage healthy nail growth. Use as an overnight treatment to moisturize dry, cracked heels. Cover with socks and wake up to supple feet.

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This article was published in the Lifestyle Section of Manila Bulletin on September 24, 2013. The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. Skin Smart aims to clarify facts and myths on skin care. Send your questions and comments to info@skinstation.ph.