Dr. Brueck asks: "Are you washing your face the wrong way?"

Is there a right way to wash your face?

Hey, You’re washing your face wrong


As a board certfied plastic surgeon and member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, I recieve information about beauty from the association's Smart Beauty Guide. This message is based on an original article by C.A. Shenigo

Slapping on and rinsing off your face cleanser is NOT the correct way to wash your face. A lot of women are washing your faces wrong. According to a recent article in Allure Magazine, 70% of women still use soap and water. SOAP and WATER?! 

“How and what you wash your skin with sets the tone for the rest of your skin care.” Allure quotes one dermatologist as saying. “Many patients are either using the wrong cleanser or over washing, which leaves skin dried out, or under washing and going to bed with the day’s pollution on their skin.”

It’s safe to say that rule # 1 is wash twice a day — morning and afternoon. Since the skin’s repair process is heightened overnight, washing your face in the morning helps to eliminate the waste products that surface while you sleep. And washing your face prior to bedtime helps to eliminate the free radicals, pollution, and environmental aggressors that your skin has been collecting all day. Imagine all of those disgusting things marinating on your face all night long.

Can we agree that not all skin is created equal. Some faces are oily. Some are on the dry side. Some are prone to acne, some to rosacea, and some are so sensitive that one wrong move could result in stinging redness and itchiness. It all adds up to how and what you wash your face with is as big a deal as the rest of your skincare.

Dry skin requires moisture. The last thing you need is a cleansing product with harsh ingredients that can suck the oils out of your skin. Using a creamy or milky cleanser with ingredients like nicotinic acid and niacinamide, no more than twice a day, can help rebuild the lipid barrier that keeps the moisture in your skin.

Oily skin, on the other hand, warrants foamy face washes that produce large amounts of lather that allows the cleanser to reach maximum surface area. But don't overdo it with harsh formulas or lathering more than three times a day. You want to remove enough oil, without over drying — which will just produce more oil.

Skin that’s both very oily and dry requires a cleanser with a gentle foaming agent and glycerin to both cleanse the oily parts and the dry ones in a one-two punch. 

With acne prone skin, you can wash your face up to three times a day, which is nice in the warm summer season— but you can’t do it with foamy cleansers. Dermatologists recommend using cleansing formulas with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic acid — mild exfoliators that remove the day's buildup of oil and dead skin cells, and clean clogged pores. If you’re really brave, you can even use a trendy oil cleanser, which clings to the oil blocking your pores, so you can rinse both down the drain.

Sensitive skin or skin prone to rosacea are different situation, with the water temperature nearly as important as the cleanserss you use. The serious flushing of rosacea and burning redness of sensitive skin requires a gentle touch that can not be achieved with water that is too warm. Use a cleanser that has been tested on a small area for three days. Use it morning and night, with cool to lukewarm water This will help deter your skin’s vasodilation process, which just makes skin redder. Do not use products that include fragrance if your skin is really sensitive.

How many snails do you need for a beautiful complexion?

The pursuit of beautiful skin has new contender, albeit a slow one. 

From Asia comes news to my Fort Myers Cosmetic Surgery practice of snail mucus being used to rejuvenate facial skin. 

A special breed of live snails is allowed to slither across a patient's face. Apparently the substance left behind has special powers for healthy, youthful skin.

Word has it there also are salons in Japan that provide a sixty-minute “slither” session for the equivalent of US$250. The owner of a spa in the UK that offers the treatment is quoted as saying, “This isn’t just a gimmick. It really works. My spa promotes health and well-being and alternative treatments and this treatment is truly pioneering.” It's not something we do at Beauty-by-Brueck. But Maybe someday.

For now, I guess at a snail's pace, we can't call it a “breakthrough”. But we could describe it, both figuratively and literally. as "creepy".

Don't let Summer get the better of you

Summer is the time lots of us hit the road for distant places. 

When long road trips are on your schedule, be sun-wary.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that you're protected from the sun while in  

in your car. Even with the windows up, harmful UV radiation can get through to 

 you. 

It's wise to apply sunscreen, especially on the side of your face exposed the sun. Bring along sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher when you hit the road this season. 

(Although, higher than SPF 35 is pretty much wasted protection. If you can get higher SPF without paying more for it, it won't hurt to use it. It's just not worth a higher price, unless that is the only rating you can buy.) 

I also advise my cosmetic patients in Fort Myers, Florida, to reapply every time they stop to rest or fill up. 

If you are driving, have a great trip.

AN APPLE A DAY MAY BE GOOD AFTER ALL

As a Fort Myers MD and plastic surgeon, I try to keep up with news related to skin care.

Now there's this:

Maybe we should put those potato chips and chocolate cookies aside (even though they taste good), and start munching on apple slices and carrot sticks.

A new study revealed if you only eat ONE – that’s right – not two – extra servings of a fruit or vegetable, it can enhance the appearance of your skin. The study involved 35 college students and after 6 weeks, independent observers noticed an increase in the redness and yellowness of individuals who ate extra fruit/vegetables. They feel the carotenoids in the fruits/vegetables was the causative culprit.

Sounds good.

MERCURY IN SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

As a Fort Myers plastic surgeon, I am an avid reader of the FDA alerts.

The FDA recently published a warning about mercury contained in certain skin care products ie. lotions, soaps, and/or cream. They have been marketed as anti-aging treatments.

The products are manufactured abroad and have been imported illegally.

Exposure to mercury can have serious health consequences. It targets kidneys and the nervous system.

My suggestion would be to go to the website at http://www.fda.gov/ Once there, look for updates.

Dr. Brueck MD FACS reports on skin care news

Dr. Robert J. Brueck regularly blogs about skin care and cosmetic surgery's contribution to healthy skin and youthful looks. Dr. Brueck, who practices in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida, also maintains a web site featuring insights and information about plastic cosmetic surgery.

SKINCARE/WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON

Every time I pick up a journal it seems that there is a new skincare product or regimen. “What’s the latest new craze?”

Vitamin B3 is the latest. Emerging literature seems to indicate application of topical B3 can reverse sun damage. It may not be as effective as Retin-A but it also is less irritating and easier for some patients to tolerated especially people with fair skin. It can also be used in treating acne, rosacea, actinic or sun damage, and even alopecia.

We now have the NIA24 skincare regimen which is based on this research. The results so far have been good.

So if many of you have been trying other skincare regimens and have had problems you may want to consider getting on the NIA24 regimen.

Thanks for stopping by.

SLEEP YOUR WRINKLES AWAY - Skin Care news from Dr. Brueck, Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Robert Brueck scours the news for the latest information about cosmetic surgery, which he posts here when he finds it. Read on, and make a point to set up an RSS feed of the blog so you won't miss any future issues.

Sleep Your Wrinkles Away?

Now that’s what I call progress! Imagine going to bed at night knowing that when you wake up in the morning your wrinkles will be fewer and less pronounced.

WOW! There may be a modicum of truth in the old adage, to get your beauty rest.

A company by the name of Copron based in Israel produces pillow cases that contain copper oxide infused into the fibers of the pillow cases. The director of research Dr. Gadi Borkow did a blind study: some women slept on normal pillow cases and the others slept on the copper oxide pillows.

He stated that there was a statistically significant difference in the 2 groups. The study included 57 women. They were evaluated only at 2 and 4 weeks. The women with the copper oxide pillows had fewer fine lines and overall improvement in their skin.

More work and studies are currently on their way and maybe next year’s resolution will be to get more beauty rest. Intriguing.

WRINKLE CREAMS - MIRACLE DEVICES? More hype than happening.

(Ed: As a Board Certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert J. Brueck, MD, FACS, is frequently asked by people he meets or has free consultations with if there is ANY substance to the claims advertisers make about "Miracle Wrinkle Creams and Devices." Here is Dr. Brueck's response, from a recent article he wrote:)

"I am so amazed how people are inundated with infomercials about beauty products that supposedly turn back the clock.

I remember recently seeing one that related to the 'neck/exerciser'.

I don’t know the exact name or title of this product, but you put this product on your chin and the other end goes up against your neck and you go up and down, up and down like you are bobbing for apples in a pool of water and after 10 to 15 years of doing this 3 or 4 times a day you have a beautiful more youthful neck line. And it’s only $29.95 plus shipping and handling and if you act now we will throw in at no extra charge our new miracle neck cream so you too can have a softer, more youthful neck. I think you get the gist of this.

Then I get an occasional patient who comes into the office to see me and asks me about this new miracle breast cream that is supposed to give you fuller, more youthful breasts. People buy them because they are cheap and people are desperate.

Sad but true, they don’t work.

Consumer reports in their 2009 addition recently reported on “winkle creams”. The sense of the article is simple, save your money.

The priciest cream tested was Perricone MD for $95. It was costlier than the over-the-counter drugstore brands. But notice, they put the MD in there... ah that must mean it works, it’s tested, it’s MD approved.

Sorry folks it doesn’t!

So the bottom line is save your money, go to Vegas, roll the dice, have some fun and, if you are lucky, you may come back a few dollars richer."

Dr. Brueck is Board Certified in Plastic Surgery and discusses the various procedures available at his Fort Myers - Cape Coral, FL in his web site at Beauty-by-Brueck.com.

You're invited to visit the web site or arrange for your own private, no charge consultation by calling 239-939-5233. If you would prefer to speak with a woman first, ask for Judy. Thank you.

Very Small Plastic Surgery News - from Dr. Brueck, MD

“A MILLIONTH OF A MM”

WOW, that’s impressive and small to say the least.

I don’t think I would want to be that small. But that is the degree to which the skin is now being studied and researched.

Scientist at the UK-based University of Leeds are using sophisticated scientific equipment to study the age old question of why our skin feels soft and good.

To determine this, they are going to the tiny building blocks known as molecules. The researcher heading this up is Professor Peter Olmsted of the School of Physics and Atomic Force Microscopy. Now that is a title, whatever it means.

Also on the team is a Dr. Massimo Noro from Unilever, a consumer products company. They are applying the molecular techniques to get a better understanding of the skin.

They want to understand the molecular structure of skin that gives it its strength and elasticity. This molecular data, it is hoped will lead to better skincare products for all of us.

It is truly amazing how science and research are improving our lives all over the world every day as we “sleep.”

This food for thought is brought to you by Dr. Rober J. Brueck, MD FACS, Board Certified plastic surgeaon practicing Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Southwest Florida.

Visit Dr. Brueck's web site at Beauty-by-Brueck for more compreshensive discussion of various cosmetic plastic surgery procedures.

Dr. Brueck Busts Some Beauty Myths

#1 Shampoo hair daily for healthy hair.

Shampooing hair daily can open up the hair follicles and cause the loss of essential oils. The oil needs to go from cuticle/follicle to the end of the hair. If you want to “wash” your hair daily, consider a simple warm water rinse. Look for a shampoo that contains essential ingredients for healthy hair follicles, such as lemongrass oils, ginkgo biloba, soy protein and Vitamin A, E and B. Good Choice: Giovanni Smooth as Silk Shampoo (giovannicosmetics.com)

#2 Pop a pimple to get it to go away.

NO! Popping a pimple can lead to greater inflammation and actually enlarge the pore. Oh, those ugly large pores! Minimize touching your face – this can spread bacteria. Environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke are a no-no! Get a skincare system that is for example salicyclic acid; the ingredients should be noncomedogenic.

#3 Concealer is the best solution for dark under the eye circles.

The skin under the eyes is very thin and the protruding fat can lead to “bags”. Good sleep, nutrition and hydration go a long way to minimize circles. Choose a concealer close to your normal skin tone. Use a soft hand when you apply it. Mineral based makeup is the best. The newest ingredients include Vitamins K and A. Pick: Jane Iredale Circle/Delete Concealer

For more information on how cosmetic surgery can reveal your natural beauty, visit Dr. Brueck's website, Beauty-by-Brueck.

New Trends in Skin Care

Lots of new activity about Skin Care

Photodynamic therapy is being used more and more in treatment of acne. 9% of dermatologists used it in 2004 and that figure has increased to 23% last year. We have this available NOW.

A new study using Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) showed that its use increased wound healing by as much as 59% in a study conducted in laboratory rats. The study was done at the Albert Einstein Medical School.

There are new trends in skin resurfacing. A few years ago, the aesthetic scene was excited about micro dermabrasion and before that there were “hot” glycolic acid peels. It is important to understand that, for the most part, these are limited in their depth of treatment and, hence, the conditions they can treat.

CO² lasers came on the scene and became very popular. They can produce great results but they are painful, have long downtime and can have prolonged periods of red or erythema.

The newest and most exciting lasers to come on the market recently are called fractionated lasers. They first hit the market in 2004.

The fractionated lasers leave the epidermis intact and create zones of damage under the skin in the dermis. This new laser can be very effective in treating skin surface irregularities as well as pigmentary problems. The recovery time is usually a few days and in some cases the downtime can be as little as 24 hours.

One can combine fractionated treatments with a micro laser peel to get even more improvement but with a slightly longer recovery time, depending on how deep one lasers. We now offer both of these therapies.

Many times more than one treatment is needed to get the desired result. A lot depends on the condition of the skin at the time treatment is initiated. These treatments coupled with a good skin care program can offer dramatic results.

Give us a call at 239-939-5233 to set up a free consultation.

Skin Care in the Dr.'s Office

What’s new?

Two of the biggest forces in the non-surgical cosmetic world are teaming up.

Estee’ Lauder’s Clinique Laboratories and Allergen are teaming up to produce a skin care line that will NOT be available in retail outlets – only in doctor’s offices.

They are producing a cosmetic line that will blend cosmetic benefits with aesthetic medicine.

The new line will be premium and will be priced at a premium over the standard Clinique line of cosmetics. Mr. David Pyott, Chairman and CEO of Allergen said, “The big idea here was: How do we really become a leader in skin care?”

We’ll keep you posted. Sounds interesting and EXCITING!

- Dr. Brueck