GLOW Blog

What is it about a summer tan that we love so much?  It is actually quite interesting where the popularity of tanning began.

The history

Tanning is a fairly recent trend in our society.  Throughout history, tanned skin has not been considered as universally desired as it is today.  Historically, pale skin indicated high social status.  If you had a tan, it meant you worked outdoors as a manual laborer, while pale skin showed that you could afford to stay out of the sun and spend time and money on your physical appearance. 

Topics: aging skin, glowing skin, sun damage, SPF

I don'’t know how many times I have asked a patient their skin type and they say “Oily” while I find no sign of shine or oil anywhere on their skin.  Just because you were oily at 18, does not mean you will be oily at 38, 28, or even 21.  Our skin is constantly changing based on our diet, climate change, our choice in skincare, etc.  Those changes could be every couple of years or even seasonally. Even if you love a product in the winter, doesn'’t mean you will love it in the summer. You wouldn'’t wear your thigh high leather boots for the 4^th of July, right?This means throw out that acne cleanser you'’ve been using since the 90’s! If you are unsure about your skin type, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. When I wash my face, does my skin feel tight?  If so, where?
2. How many times a day do I need to touch up my powder because of shine?
3. Do I breakout when I use certain moisturizers?

Topics: salicylic acid, glycolic acid, skincare, aging skin

Fine lines, dark spots, acne scarring, oh my!  With thousands of products that promise to minimize our most dreaded complexion concerns, it is hard to decipher the truth from the fairy tales.  At GLOW, we treat these concerns with lasers (IPL, SmartSkin C02, Fraxel).  However, to achieve the best results, we recommend the use of prescription skincare post laser treatment.  For dark spots and uneven skintone, we suggest the use of Hydroquinone.  For dull skin and fine lines, the prescription called for is Tretinoin. 

Topics: hydroquinone, Retin-A, tretinoin, facial wrinkles, laser skin resurfacing, skincare, aging skin, sun damage

We’'ve all heard the saying when the seasons change and spring approaches “time for spring cleaning!” You proceed to clean everything out whether it be your wardrobe or nick knacks around the house that have seen better days...but what about your skincare products? We’'ve all done it... kept all the little sample products of creams, cleansers, toners, masks, that are all outdated or have never been touched!

 Well you know what I say? Out with the old, in with the new! Summer is here and is in full effect. Ask yourself … do I have a good sunscreen and skincare regiment? Everyone should have the “basics” as I like to call it to their daily skincare regimen, what are these you ask?  I like to keep it simple and less congested with my skincare ritual. I am a firm believer in having 4 products on hand ALWAYS.

Topics: skincare, skin health, aging skin, glowing skin, sun damage, antioxidants, SPF

Scenario:  You are a Botox regular.  You get your treatments every 3-4 months religiously.  You know this treatment is great at minimizing the appearance of fine lines.  But, as always, your Botox fades, and your fine lines come back.  What now?

Botox and dermal fillers are a great fix.  But in order to fully achieve a more youthful complexion, you need to think about skincare.  A healthy mix of glycolic, anti-oxidants (vitamins A, C, and E), sun protection, and moisturizers is the key to a glowing complexion.  Here is an example of a great skincare regimen:

Topics: Botox, crow's feet, facial wrinkles, eye wrinkles, forehead wrinkles, skincare, aging skin, glowing skin

In honor of May as skin cancer awareness month, here is a list of important things to know about sun protection.  Take a look at what you are using daily as well as what you use for a beach or park outing and compare it to the list below.  How does your sun protection measure up?

Topics: skincare, skin health, aging skin, sun damage, SPF

You are what you eat.  We have all heard this, but what does it really mean?  Surely if we eat healthy foods, our health and body will show for it.  Have you thought about what your choice of foods does for your skin?  Skin is the largest organ in the body and greatly affects our appearance and only 20% of the skin (aka the epidermis) can be treated by topical skincare products.  Healthy, beautiful skin is associated with smooth texture, plumpness, and a glow.  We can all get our skin healthier by treating it from the inside-out with a diet full of antioxidants, healthy fats, and water that all play a huge role in the synthesis of collagen and elastin.

Here are some great foods to get you started.

Topics: food for great skin, skincare, skin health, aging skin, glowing skin, sun damage, antioxidants

Those great summertime feelings seem to be slipping away as we contemplate shorter days, changes in the tree leaves, and major congestion around schools mornings and afternoons. Summertime sure is great here in the Bay Area.

Topics: laser skin resurfacing, aging skin, sun damage