Turning Back the Hands of Time

When you shop for an anti-aging cream at your department store's cosmetic counter or at a drug store, are you confused about the number of choices? Well, you are not alone. In a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology, 94 per cent of the 2,079 American women surveyed are confused about over the counter and prescription anti-aging products as well as anti-aging treatments available at their doctor's office.

"The best place for consumers to find answers to their questions about aging skin is from their dermatologist, since we are the experts in the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of aging skin," says dermatologist Arielle N.B. Kauvar, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. "Potentially, women could save time, money and confusion by simply seeking out the advice of a dermatologist, rather than guessing what might work for them."

The survey also found that over 69 percent of women are concerned by the visible signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness, 47 percent want to improve the look of the skin around their eyes , and 18 percent want to improve the look of the skin around their mouth.

Over-the-Counter Anti-aging Products

"An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) product can also help remove the dead outer layers of skin, leaving the face with a fresh, younger appearancek, says Dr. Kauvar. "AHAs are particularly beneficial for wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, which are two areas of the face where women would like to see the most improvement."

You should also look for over-the-counter topical products with the anti-oxidants, vitamins C & E.

"But the most important thing consumers can do to prevent aging skin and further damage is to protect themselves from the sun," recommended Dr. Kauvar. "Consumers should wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays from the sun, and has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher."

Anti-aging Products by Prescription

To reverse the signs of aging consider using retinoids, a vitamin A cream that can help reduce fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.

"As long as patients have realistic expectations of the kind of improvements they can achieve, both over-the-counter or prescription treatments remain a valuable tool in the treatment of aging skin," remarked Dr. Kauvar.

Cosmetic Treatments

Are you also confused by treatments offered by your dermatologist? More than 78 percent of the women surveyed wanted to know how long the anti-aging benefits would last and how invasive the treatments are.

Non-ablative laser skin rejuvenation plumps up skin when a laser or light source is absorbed by the water in the skin cells. Another treatment is microdermabrasion, where crystals of aluminum oxide on the skin are removed with a vacuum line, thus removing the outer layers of the skin. Chemical peels refer to a chemical solution placed on the face to remove the outer, dead layer of skin, leaving new skin underneath.

You may wish to try injectible fillers and botulinum toxin to reverse the signs of aging. injectibe fillers are injected in the skin to reduce winkles, furrows and hollows in the face. Botulinum toxin is injected to relax the muscles to soften frown lines, crow's feet and other wrinkles.

"All of these options are perfect for people with busy lifestyles who do not want the inconvenience of a long recovery," said Dr. Kauvar. "Each of these procedures can often be performed in under an hour, require very little or no downtime, and allow healing to occur rapidly. Most important of all is that there is minimal discomfort to patients during these procedures."

Dr. Kauvar encourages patients who are considering a cosmetic treatment to ask their physician questions about:

• Doctor's credentials and training

• Expected results

• Recovery time

• Risks

• Cost

About The Author

Diana Clarke is a teacher, freelance writer and founder of The Sun and Your Skin, a website on life and light at http://www.yourskinandsun.com.

dianaclarke2001@yahoo.com

---

Best Home Tanning Beds

It would be really nice to be able to tan... Read More

Beating Dry Skin and Dandruff the Natural Way

For most of my life I've struggled with dry skin... Read More

An Introduction to Sunless Tanning

When the weather starts to warm up and the days... Read More

Dry Skin Care

Is your dry skin itchy and flaky or cracking and... Read More

Slow The Aging Process By Watching What You Think

How to stop the old aging process is the ultimate... Read More

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Information

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a major... Read More

Going Beyond Benzoyl Peroxide

Millions of people suffer from acne in the United States... Read More

What Causes Aging?

Although we experience the aging process as a progressive physical... Read More

Makeup Tip: Beautiful Eyes

Eyes have been called the windows of the soul because... Read More

Personal Care Products Can Lead To Cancer

Our skin is a two way membrane. During perspiration toxins... Read More

Hair Split Ends

This is a common condition which proves to be the... Read More

The Ultimate Beauty Tip: Good Posture

When you think of projecting a professional image, do you... Read More

Lip Tips

Nice lips are every woman's wish but as we get... Read More

Beauty

There are many vantage points from which to find beauty.... Read More

Why Use A Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon?

Beverly Hills is Mecca of all people looking for plastic... Read More

The Role of Alpha Hydroxy Acids

You have probably heard a lot about AHAs, or alpha... Read More

Sunless Tanning Salons Today

When the weather starts to warm up and the days... Read More

Boost your Natural Beauty

Make your hair shine and your skin glow with these... Read More

When Clear Skin becomes an Obsession

Billions of people around the world experience acne over their... Read More

Natural Skin Care Mask

Healthy skin is one of the most common health and... Read More

When Beauty Tries to Compensate For Self Esteem

We all strive for a beautiful and healthy body. This... Read More

Botox Injections: A Closer Look

Just about everyone has, at one time or another, heard... Read More

Colored Contact Lenses Guide ? Picking The Right Color Every Time

Choosing the perfect colored contact lens can be a daunting... Read More

Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Makeup

Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent CosmeticsQ2) What is the recovery... Read More

Being a Beautiful Bride

Everybody wants to be a glowing beautiful bride on that... Read More

Tooth Whitening, Tooth Treatment: Get that Perfect Smile!

I would say a smile throughout the day keeps doctor... Read More

It?s All in the Name of Beauty? Baby

From firming the skin, decreasing wrinkles to achieving a healthy... Read More

Taming The Frizz

My daughter hates her hair. Several of my friends hate... Read More

Flawless Makeup: Are You Using the Right Tools?

Like organizing our closets we must from time to time... Read More

Serious Skincare

Serious skin care vs. winter weather, cleansers, and stress. Serious... Read More

The Advantages of Sunless Tanning Booths

While many people recall seemingly endless hours outdoors soaking up... Read More

Importance of Your Skins pH

One of the most important roles of our skin is... Read More

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) Who Do They Benefit?

IN WHICH CASES ARE AHA RECOMMENDED?* Hyperkeratinization (increased accumulation of... Read More