Love Your Skin Clinic and Facial Center

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that breaks bonds between skin cells, making these easier to shed off. This in turn helps improve the appearance of fine lines & superficial wrinkles, lighten appearance of dark spots, and improve skin texture to reduce dullness.

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Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that breaks bonds between skin cells, making these easier to shed off. This in turn helps improve the appearance of fine lines & superficial wrinkles, lighten appearance of dark spots, and improve skin texture to reduce dullness. Here are some recommendations on using glycolic acid: 📌 Those with sensitive skin may tolerate gentle glycolic acid formulations. Tips for those with sensitive skin: ➡️ Patch test before use. ➡️ Start with a low-concentration product (10% or less) 3x a week. Increase as tolerated, or maintain at a low frequency if that suits your skin best. ➡️ Look for soothing & hydrating ingredients in the product formulation. This reduces the potential for irritation. ➡️ Moisturize & protect from the sun. ➡️ Discontinue/pause if the skin is irritated. 📌 It is not a must to use both retinoids (e.g. retinol and retinaldehyde) and hydroxy acids in your skin care routine. Those with sensitive skin may only be able to tolerate one active at a time. That said, using both may be helpful in some skin conditions, particularly in resilient skin. There are studies supporting benefits of using retinoids with hydroxy acids for photoaging, acne, post-acne marks, and acne scars. 📌 Ways to use retinoids with hydroxy acids in your skin care routine: ➡️ Different times of the day (e.g. hydroxy acid AM, retinoid PM) ➡️ Different times of the week (e.g. alternating days) ➡️ Use a retinoid regularly, but exfoliate as needed ➡️ Use a wash-off/short contact hydroxy acid product, and a leave-on retinoid product (or vice versa). This post is done in collaboration with @maeloveskincare ☺️ Maelove’s night renewer glycolic acid cream has 10% glycolic acid, as well as soothing and hydrating ingredients like squalane, shea butter, arnica flower, aloe, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. #maelovepartner

Retinoids remain the most popular skincare actives in our community, and one of the most common questions I receive is, “When should I start retinoids for photoaging?”

📌 Quick review of retinoids:
🔘 The term “retinoids” refers to vitamin A derivatives. These include drugs (e.g. adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin) and cosmetics (e.g. retinol and retinaldehyde).

🔘 The active ingredient of retinoids is retinoic acid. Some retinoids directly provide retinoic acid (e.g. tretinoin), while others (e.g. retinol and retinaldehyde) undergo a stepwise conversion in skin to become retinoic acid.

🔘 Retinoid ingredients requiring multiple conversion steps are generally less potent and less irritating than those needing fewer steps. This is the retinoid conversion process: Retinyl esters ➡️ Retinol ➡️ Retinaldehyde ➡️ Retinoic acid. This is why retinol would be a good option for those who are starting retinoids and those with sensitive skin, while retinaldehyde may be better suited for more experienced retinoid users and those with resilient skin.

Retinoids remain the most popular skincare actives in our community, and one of the most common questions I receive is, “When should I start retinoids for photoaging?” 📌 Quick review of retinoids: 🔘 The term “retinoids” refers to vitamin A derivatives. These include drugs (e.g. adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin) and cosmetics (e.g. retinol and retinaldehyde).  🔘 The active ingredient of retinoids is retinoic acid. Some retinoids directly provide retinoic acid (e.g. tretinoin), while others (e.g. retinol and retinaldehyde) undergo a stepwise conversion in skin to become retinoic acid.  🔘 Retinoid ingredients requiring multiple conversion steps are generally less potent and less irritating than those needing fewer steps. This is the retinoid conversion process: Retinyl esters ➡️ Retinol ➡️ Retinaldehyde ➡️ Retinoic acid. This is why retinol would be a good option for those who are starting retinoids and those with sensitive skin, while retinaldehyde may be better suited for more experienced retinoid users and those with resilient skin.  This post is done in collaboration with @MaeloveSkincare. Maelove has two retinoid products:  🌟 STARGAZE enhanced retinol serum with 0.25% encapsulated retinol - beginner/ sensitive skin option 🌟 MOONLIGHT advanced retinal serum with 0.11% enhanced retinaldehyde - experienced/ resilient skin option References: 10.1007/s40257-021-00594-8 10.1097/JW9.0000000000000003 10.1177/12034754211035091 PMID: 23839179 #maelovepartner

🔎 This post discusses some similarities and differences between Tretinoin and Adapalene, ending with my thoughts on selecting between these two retinoids.

👩‍⚕️ A gentle reminder that this post is meant to only provide general information, and must not be considered medical advice or replace a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist.

👩‍🏫 One of the most common questions I receive from my patients and social media followers is, “Which retinoid is better for me: Tretinoin or Adapalene?” 🔎 This #dermomtology post discusses some similarities and differences between Tretinoin and Adapalene, ending with my thoughts on selecting between these two retinoids. 🙏🏻 A special thank you to Michelle @labmuffinbeautyscience for reviewing this post and providing insightful feedback. Thanks as well to Tony @capricorneumskin for tagging me to respond to a question (adapalene vs tretinoin for photoaging) sent by one of his followers via IG story Q and A - this actually inspired me to create this post. 👩‍⚕️ A gentle reminder that this post is meant to only provide general information, and must not be considered medical advice or replace a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. 📌 References: 10.1016/j.mad.2004.03.008 10.1177/12034754211035091 10.3109/09546634.2011.631981 10.1080/09546630410033006 10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.327 10.1067/mjd.2003.451 10.2165/00128071-200506010-00002 PMID: 23839179

👩‍⚕️Adult female acne can be due to physiological hormonal fluctuations, or medical conditions like Polycystic ovarian syndrome. For the latter, co-management by a dermatologist with a gynecologist or endocrinologist may be helpful to achieve optimum care.

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👩‍🏫 In the spirit of June being acne awareness month, let’s talk about hormonal / adult female acne. 👩‍⚕️Adult female acne can be due to physiological hormonal fluctuations, or medical conditions like Polycystic ovarian syndrome. For the latter, co-management by a dermatologist with a gynecologist or endocrinologist may be helpful to achieve optimum care. References ⤵️ https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6126808 https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/ https://doi.org10.1186s43042-019-0031-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.04.054

👩‍⚕️Vitamin D is important for our health, and for many people adequate levels are easy to achieve with day-to-day incidental sun exposure. Vitamin D may also be obtained from the diet and through oral supplementation.

🌎 Guidelines for vitamin D screening, recommended dietary allowance & vitamin D supplementation (and even photoprotection guidelines) may also differ per country. For example, countries with low UVB levels, particularly over the winter months i.e. further from the equator, may have different guidelines as tropical countries that receive a relatively constant level of UVB all year round.

📌 It is important to know that while this post strives to provide general information, it remains best to consult with a medical practitioner in your area for a more nuanced discussion, particularly if you are at risk for vitamin D deficiency.

👩‍⚕️Vitamin D is important for our health, and for many people adequate levels are easy to achieve with day-to-day incidental sun exposure. Vitamin D may also be obtained from the diet and through oral supplementation.   ☀️ The production of vitamin D from sun exposure is influenced by personal factors (e.g. age, skin phototype, medical conditions, nutrition) and environmental factors (geographical location, latitude, season and time of day), making it difficult to provide advice to the population as a whole. 🌎 Guidelines for vitamin D screening, recommended dietary allowance & vitamin D supplementation (and even photoprotection guidelines) may also differ per country. For example, countries with low UVB levels, particularly over the winter months i.e. further from the equator, may have different guidelines as tropical countries that receive a relatively constant level of UVB all year round. 📌 With these considerations in mind, it is important to know that while this post strives to provide general information, it remains best to consult with a medical practitioner in your area for a more nuanced discussion, particularly if you are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. 👯‍♀️ This #dermomtology post is a collaboration with @drzenawillsmore, a dermatologist based in London. Zena has been one of my favorite dermatologists to follow on IG because of her evidence-based content and easy-to-digest-practical advice. References in pinned comment ⬇️

👩‍🏫 This post discusses scientific evidence on melasma from published literature, and incorporates some learnings from melasma experts in a past World Congress of Dermatology.

✅ Kindly keep in mind what works for someone's melasma wont necessarily work for you. Many factors determine response to treatment beyond the treatment itself – skin phototype, genetics, severity, lifestyle, environmental factors, among others.

👩‍🏫 This #dermomtology post discusses scientific evidence on melasma from published literature, and incorporates some learnings from melasma experts in the recently concluded World Congress of Dermatology. ❓Hyperpigmentation vs melasma Hyperpigmentation refers to conditions of excess pigmentation. It is a descriptive term, not a diagnosis. Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation. ❓How is melasma diagnosed? Melasma is often diagnosed by appearance and is generally an issue restricted to skin. In rare cases, melasma may be a symptom of a medical condition (e.g. thyroid dysfunction) or a side effect of medications (e.g anti-epileptic drugs). In challenging cases, further tests may be done to rule out other causes of hyperpigmentation.   ❓How is melasma treated? A complete history and a thorough physical examination will guide management. There are several treatment options available, targeting various aspects of the pathogenesis of melasma. ✅ Kindly keep in mind what works for someone's melasma wont necessarily work for you. Many factors determine response to treatment beyond the treatment itself – skin phototype, genetics, severity, lifestyle, environmental factors, among others. ⚠️ While in-office procedures have a role in melasma, these will not be discussed further in this post. The success of any procedure is highly dependent on the provider’s expertise & experience with melasma and the patient’s skin type. Side effects may occur and melasma worsened if procedures are not used judiciously. 👩‍⚕️ Please consider seeing a board-certified dermatologist, especially if your melasma isn’t going away or seems to be getting worse. We are here to help! 📌References in pinned comment. Questions? Drop them in the comments section 💬 #dermomtology

👩‍🏫 Retinoids are often touted as the best active ingredients for skin care, so it’s unsurprising that people are caught off guard when retinoids fail to meet expectations.

📚This post discusses some potential reasons why desired results aren’t achieved, and some tips on how to go about it.

👩‍🏫 Retinoids are often touted as the best active ingredients for skin care, so it’s unsurprising that people are caught off guard when retinoids fail to meet expectations. 📚This post discusses some potential reasons why desired results aren’t achieved, and some tips on how to go about it. 👩‍⚕️I hope you find this post helpful! That said, despite me trying to pack as much nuance, there are many details about retinoids that one cannot simply address in a single post. For more details on retinoid use, please talk to a board-certified dermatologist. 🙏🏻 A special thank you to @drsamanthaellis @thenerdyderma @drkatiebeleznay and @ava.perki for their helpful comments in this post. References: 10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.327 10.1097/JW9.0000000000000003 Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557478/ @drdrayzday has an excellent video on a similar topic: https://youtu.be/nxxQoBuvkvw?si=tveUYQqpXBmRkfuI

🧴Product formulation has evolved through the years. While ingredients do matter, how the product ultimately performs relies on the formulation as a whole, and not a single ingredient.

Read more in this post below.

👩‍🏫 I always get asked practical questions with regard to using products beyond their label. While it is good practice to use products as intended, there is definitely some wiggle room. 🧴Product formulation has evolved through the years. While ingredients do matter, how the product ultimately performs relies on the formulation as a whole, and not a single ingredient. I love multitasking actives and multifunctional skincare products because these play a role in keeping skincare routines affordable and sustainable. 👯‍♀️I would like to say a special thank you to Cosmetic Chemist, Formulator, and Regulatory & Product Development Expert @skinchemy for her very valuable inputs in this post. If you aren’t following Lalita yet, please do. Her page has a wealth of information on actives, formulation, cosmetic regulation and so much more (and honestly her feed aesthetic is just *chef’s kiss*). ❓What product do you use beyond their marketed label? #dermomtology

👩‍🏫Retinoids and vitamin C & its derivatives are well-known actives in skin care, and for good reason! They are multifunctional ingredients that can provide several benefits for the skin. But which active is better suited for you?

Watch this video below.

👩‍🏫Retinoids and vitamin C & its derivatives are well-known actives in skin care, and for good reason! They are multifunctional ingredients that can provide several benefits for the skin. But which active is better suited for you? ➡️ If your concern is premature skin aging: retinoids (+ sunscreen!) Aging is not only normal, it’s a privilege! That said, the aging process of the skin can be accelerated by overexposure to the sun and environmental pollutants. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that can address the signs of skin aging. It can decrease the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles and refine skin tone and texture - leading to skin that looks fresh and plump! ➡️ If your concern is uneven skin tone: vitamin C & derivatives Vitamin C and its derivatives (e.g. 3-0-ethyl ascorbic acid) can brighten overall skin tone and lighten the appearance of dark marks – reducing skin dullness and leaving you with a more radiant complexion. These actives may also protect the skin against environmental damage, preventing/slowing down premature skin aging. ➡️ Can you use them together? It depends! Some can tolerate both actives in the same routine. ➡️ How to use them together: ✅ Read the product label re: proper use. Some retinoids can only be used at night, others may be used both morning and evening. Vitamin C and its derivatives can be used both times, but daytime use is recommended due to suggested protective effects against sun damage. ✅ One way to use both is to apply vitamin C and its derivatives in the morning, and retinoids in the evening. ✅ For those with more sensitive skin, using these products on alternate days may lessen the chance for irritation. ➡️ Other things to note: ✅ One active may be enough for some. Listen to your skin. ✅ Retinoids are to be avoided in pregnancy, while vitamin C and its derivatives are generally safe for pregnant women. ✅ When in doubt, see a board-certified dermatologist.

To the professionals, the creators, and the builders: Happy Labor Day!

We know how much dedication you put into your craft. At LoveYourSkin Clinic and Facial Center, our craft is making sure you feel confident in your own skin. Take a well-deserved break today and celebrate your achievements!