An Elle article featured online, “Skin Firming Tips,” examined a series of antiaging products and procedures for patients seeking to restore a youthful complexion based on recommendations from Drs. Jessica Wu, Patricia Wexler, Heidi A. Waldorf, Macrene AlexiadesArmenakas, and Anne Chapas. To explain the aging process, Dr. Wu compared youthful skin to a piece of corduroy that turns into silk as a person ages, gradually becoming thinner and more susceptible to wrinkles. Dr. Wexler discussed the benefits of ultrasonography imaging used to stimulate collagen production in aging skin, and Dr. Waldorf recommended fractional laser treatment of fine lines and pigmentation problems. For treatment of volume loss in facial areas and nasolabial folds, Dr. Waldorf also suggested injectable fillers.
Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas highlighted a skin-tightening device (ePrime, Candela Corporation) designed to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the lower face and neck. According to Dr. AlexiadesArmenakas, with this technology patients can see one-third of the results of a face-lift with only 2 or 3 days of downtime while swelling subsides. Drs. Chapas and Wu also discussed various external factors that contribute to skin aging (eg, pollution, sun exposure, smoking) by destroying collagen and elastin. Dietary factors also play an important role in skin aging, Dr. Wu noted, as
weight loss or gain can cause skin looseness and sagging; therefore, she advised that maintaining a healthy weight is important to skin health. Dr. Chapas suggested using topical vitamin A in the form of retinol or retinoids to reduce enzyme levels and stimulate fibroblasts, thereby building new collagen and replacing damaged tissue.
A July 2011 article in The New York imes, “Sun’s Rays May Leave Mysterious Marks,” discussed the prevalence of photosensitivity reactions and how to avoid them. Dr. Deborah S. Sarnoff explained that patients may present with a rash that often results from a photosensitivity reaction to a combination of the sun’s UV rays and exposure to a commonly used drug, perfume, or another substance. She reported that patients may have a photosensitive reaction to a drug they have used for a long time. The culprit could be an oral or topical agent. Once it gets into the
skin, it is activated by UVA rays and may cause a rash within a day. As some phototoxic reactions are dependent on oxygen, Dr. Sarnoff suggested patients take oral antioxidants such as vitamins C and E as a protective measure. Some patients with chronic illnesses are more susceptible to photosensitivity reactions and must always protect themselves from UVA exposure. Dr. Sarnoff explained how sensitivity can be confirmed by a photopatch
test. She also warned of sunscreens with a high sun protection factor that lack good UVA blockers and allow the user to stay in the sun for too long without burning. Patients should use sunscreens with good UVA blockers, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, or sun protective clothing. In an online article from Oprah magazine,
“6 (More!) Things Nobody Explains to You About Aging,” Drs. Alan Matarasso, Roy G. Geronemus, Jeanine Downie, Wendy E. Roberts, Anne Chapas, Tina Alster, and Stuart H. Kaplan identified several common signs of skin aging. Dr. Matarasso revealed that the collagen content of the skin around the neck is different than facial skin, making it thinner
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