Sunscreen

I get a lot of questions about sunscreen and SPF.  Prior to research and study, I didn't know the difference between SPF 8 or 100 and more importantly, I wanted to know what ingredients are key to block UVA and UVB rays.

UV or Ultraviolet light are made up of two rays of radiation that reach the skin, they are UVB rays which penetrate the epidermis (the outer layer) and burn the skin. UVA are rays penetrate deeper into the dermis and age the skin. Think of UV(B as Burn) and UV(A as Aging) causing wrinkles, photoaging, free radicals and leathery skin.

Your skin starts to age from your first sunburn. Babies aren't born with freckles, right? Your sun damage will surface 10 years after those burns. Everyone needs to wear sunscreen. You may think if you are darker toned that you don't need to wear it but you do, as it prevents aging and skin cancer. Darker skin tone does have more melanin so you may appear darker and may not burn, but you still need to protect your skin. If you have acne scars the sun will make them darker and hyperpigmentation will occur and darken every time you don't wear sunscreen. Some women also have melasma which will worsen in the sun.

So when choosing a sunscreen start with an spf 30-50. No need to go any higher because this is enough to block UVB rays. The main ingredient you will want to see is zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. This blocks the UVA rays. Apply a half hour before you go to the beach so it's already absorbed and protecting your skin. Apply every two hours if you are at the beach. One of my personal favorites is SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50. Its is a broad spectrum tinted facial sunscreen that protects skin from the sun and provides sheer coverage. Ingredients include Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It feels light and dewy on the skin and it's also great for no-makeup days when you want to sheer, whispy light coverage. It is available at Skin Medix in Hermosa Beach.

Treatments that will help erase years of skin damage are IPL, ViPeel, Cosmelan and regular facials to include Microdermabrasion, HydraFacial, Micropeels. Call for a complimentary skincare consultation with Catherine Markham at Skin Medix in Hermosa Beach 310.374.6600.

SkinCeuticals Micropeel

The Micropeel consists of three steps combining dermaplaning or exfoliation, chemical peel solution, and cryogenic therapy to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, laxity, dullness and skin imperfections.

Step 1: Dermaplaning is a manual exfoliation that safely removes the dead skin layer and velous hair.

Or an effective alternate for manual exfoliation is a mask with serum for patients with acne and breakouts. This step primes the skin for Step 2.

Step 2: Chemical Peeling Solution resurfaces the skin by removing the outer epidermis and stimulation collagen remodeling to improve hyperpigmentation, post acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, texture and skin impurities. There are 5 peel variations. I start with a baseline and work my way up when necessary.

Step 3: Cryogenic Therapy (CO2) is an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial freezing procedure that increases the rate of cell turnover and leaves skin feeling cool and tight.

• Improves the appearance of epidermal lines
• Even the appearnace of epidermal pigmentation
• Refines the appearance of pore size
• Makes the skin appear smoother and feel softer
• Reduces the appearance of dull skin

I customize Micropeel programs based on my skin assessment and what my client's skin needs. For optimal results, 2 series of 4-6 procedures per year are recommended. The benefits are amazing!

Hyperpigmentation

When patients come to see me, one of the biggest concerns they have is hyperpigmentation, which are brown spots on their skin.


Melanin is increased by sun exposure. A suntan is beautiful, but it's actually the melanocytes coming to the surface of the skin to protect it from the damaging rays of the sun. The result can be hyperpigmentation (brown spots), melasma (dark patches), freckles, fine lines, wrinkles and worst case skin cancer.


I've learned that 80% of skin damage is from UVA (aging) rays from the sun. Remember your first sunburn? That's when your skin started to age. If it hasn't surfaced yet, it will. Sun damage starts to appear approximately 10 years later.

To avoid hyperpigmentation, use at least a 30 spf sunscreen everyday that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Even if it's cold and cloudy, you never know when the sun will peek out. Avoid long periods of sun exposure and tanning beds. 

A topical vitamin C serum is quite effective as it works like a sunscreen from inside the skin. SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic (for normal to dry skin) and Phloretin CF (for normal to oily skin). Apply under sunscreen.

C E Ferulic^® is a revolutionary antioxidant combination that delivers advanced protection against photoaging - neutralizing free radicals, helping build collagen, and providing unmatched antioxidant protection. More protection means more youthful looking skin and better defense against environmental aging.

Containing 15% pure L-ascorbic acid and 1% alpha tocopherol, the addition of ferulic acid doubles the already synergistic benefits of our original high-potency formula, C+E, transforming C E Ferulic^® into a super-antioxidant combination.

There are many options in treating hyperpigmentation and achieving porcelain skin. I offer many affordable treatments from light to medium peels, microdermabrasion, the Hydrafacial, dermaplaning, combined with light peels, Micropeels, etc. Topical creams such as Hydroquinone and Retin-A will assist in lightening and increase cell turnover. 

Call and book your complimentary consultation with Catherine Markham at 310.374.6600 to find out which treatments are suited for you and your skin. 

http://www.skin-medix.com/