Seventy-three percent of women believe that skin is the most impressive indicator of health and beauty, yet only 17 percent are satisfied with the appearance of their own skin (American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, 1999). Fortunately, there are many things women can do to improve the health and appearance of their skin.

Daily Skin Care

Daily skin care does not have to be complicated. There are two basic steps:

1. Wash your face with water and a soap or cleanser. True soaps remove dirt but are not healthy for skin. A mild "soap free cleanser" or lipid-free cleanser is better at preserving the healthy glow of skin.

2. Apply a moisturizer. For daytime use, this lotion should have a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more. For nighttime use, a moisturizer may have a higher oil content and therefore be thicker. Nighttime products may contain retinoic acid or glycolic acid to help reverse the effects of aging and correct the damage caused during the day’s activities. Check the ingredient label; moisturizers and other skin care products with 10 or more ingredients are probably not good for your skin.

Exfoliants

Exfoliants are products containing one or another type of acid. They are used to remove the thin layer of dead cells on the surface of your skin. Common exfoliants include retinoic acid and alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid. These products help to improve the color and texture of your skin.

Cosmetics

Your skin will absorb cosmetics, so it is important to choose products that will do the least damage. Use matte foundation products, a sable brush, powders, black eyeliner, and earthtone shades. Some cosmetics today contain sunscreen which is an added bonus. It is important to discard cosmetics when they no longer look or smell the same as when you purchased them.

Topical Vitamins

Applying topical vitamins to your skin may be soothing or promote healing. They need to be absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin in order to be effective. For optimal results, it may be best to consume the vitamins for your skin by taking a multivitamin daily as opposed to applying it to your skin.

Protection from Sun Exposure

One in five Caucasian men and women will contract skin cancer during their lifetimes. One in 75 will develop melanoma, a particularly dangerous form of skin cancer. Sun exposure is a serious factor in skin cancer. Most sun exposure occurs before our 18th birthdays, so it is important to teach children and adolescents to be careful when they are in the sun.

To protect yourself and your children from sunburns and potentialskin cancer, avoid exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. whenever possible. Wear sunglasses, a hat, and tightly woven clothing when you are going to be in the sun. Apply sunblock to the backs of your hands if you plan to drive a long distance.

Use a sunscreen product that protects you from UVA and UVB rays. Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater at least 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours while in the sun, even if the product is waterproof. Sunscreens with titanium oxide or zinc oxide are best since they provide broad ultraviolet (UV) coverage and do not irritate sensitive skin. Use the sunscreen every day, beneath your make-up if you wear cosmetics.

Use of tanning beds can damage your skin, despite the claims of commercial tanning salons. The effects may not show up for decades, but they will make an appearance in time and they will not be pretty! It is much healthier to enjoy your natural skin tone or, if you must, use "sunless" tanning lotions for a darker look.

How a Dermatologist Can Help

Dermatologists can help reduce or eliminate the effects of many skin problems. They can provide treatments that are more effective than salon treatments or non-prescription products. These types of treatments are common and successful for many patients:

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a technique that is more than a half-century old and can be very successful in reducing or eliminating acne scars. It should not be confused with "microdermabrasion," which abrades the superficial epidermis and has no lasting beneficial effect. However, dermabrasion is a difficult procedure. Today, many dermatologists offer laser resurfacing as an alternative.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser treatments can have remarkable results for many types of skin problems, including wrinkles, acne scars, tattoos, brown spots, red spots, and spider veins. The UAMS Laser and Cosmetic Surgery Center is the only place in the state that offers the FotoFacial™, which can improve dull complexions and mottled pigmentation and reduce enlarged pores, fine wrinkles, age spots, freckles and sun damage.

Chemical Peels

Also known as "dermapeels," these procedures yield effective results, reducing or eliminating fine wrinkles, brown spots, and other problems. The effects may be temporary, so that the patient must have repeat treatments every few months or so. There are superficial and deep chemical peels that can be performed depending on the desired effect.

Removal/Treatment of Leg Veins

Forty-one percent of women 40 years and older have minor or serious leg vein problems. About half as many men suffer from this problem. These veins may be prominent and patients may consider them unattractive, although they may not pose a health problem. Treatment involves injection of a saline solution into the veins. It is uncomfortable but effective. I encourage all of my female patients to wear support stockings whenever possible to reduce visible leg veins and prevent further leg vein damage.

Hair Removal and Replacement

For women (and men) who have more hair than they want, treatments include laser removal, electrolysis, waxing, hormone therapy, bleaching creams and vaniqua.

For individuals who would like to have more hair, dermatologists can provide transplants, hormone therapy, and chemical treatments.


Sandra Marchese Johnson, M.D., is an assistant professor and director of clinical trials in the Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The information presented here is her opinion, based on her professional experience. Dr. Johnson has no personal or financial interest in types of skin care products mentioned here. She can be reached at the UAMS Dermatology Outpatient Clinic (501-686-5960) or the UAMS Laser and Cosmetic Surgery Center (501-526-4400).

Links on This Page

UAMS Center Offers FotoFacial™: http://www.uams.edu/today/011801/yee1.htm
FotoFacial™: http://www.uams.edu/today/011801/yee2.htm
UAMS Dermatology Outpatient Clinic: http://www.uams.edu/dermatology/clinics.htm
UAMS Laser and Cosmetic Surgery Center: http://www.lasercenter.uams.edu/

© 2001 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "UAMS," "UAMS Medical Center," "UAMS Online," "UAMS Today," "uams.edu," and "Here’s to Your Health" are marks of UAMS.

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