Cosmetic Manufacturers Claims Often Exaggerated Dermatologist Notes
People purchase billions of dollars of skin care products every year in the hope that their self diagnosed problems including premature aging, sun damage, acne, rosacea, and more can be adequately treated by over-the-counter (OTC) or mail order company products. These manufacturers products bolster the public’s belief with claims like “Clinically Tested”, “Proven”, “Organic” or “All Natural”. Dermatologist Tim J. Rosio, MD, FAAD, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology in El Dorado Hills, California breaks down the common myths and offers a skin specialist’s helpful approach to evaluating claims made for improving your skin, and where you can turn to learn more.
It’s Natural. Aren’t all our lives a bit too hectic and urbanized, leaving us longing for a return to “Nature”? Also concerns about uncertain chemicals, pesticides, and carcinogens abound. First, claims of ‘It’s Natural” or “Organic” is a misleading psychological approach, says Dr. Rosio, implying that the product is safer or more effective because it’s closer to nature. There’s no scientific data to support this claim. I remind my patients that Cyanide is both natural and organic, but toxic and dangerous. In reality, most synthetic substances are far purer, more reliable, better tested and safer. Furthermore substances in their natural state usually can’t be put into skin care products; they must be chemically changed and processed before they can be formulated and sold, thus canceling out the “natural” claim.
Ingredient Overload. The current trend to load large number of plant extracts into products actually increases the chance that a person will have an allergic or irritant reaction. Overloaded combination products actually decrease the chance that a possibly favorable ingredient has a chance to make a difference because it is over-diluted by the other ingredients, and it’s effects may be cancelled out by the other ingredients. See more of these mechanisms explained in my blog articles: “Why ‘Natural’ Is Not Always The Best;” “Cosmetics Overload: Why Your Cosmetics Should Not Be Like Spaghetti Sauce;” and “What Ingredients Does Your Dermatologist Recommend for Skin Care?”.
Scientifically Proven. Dr. Rosio says that the biggest problem with OTC cosmetic products is that their testing is inadequate compared to Dermatologic medical products and they may exaggerate claims. Cosmetic products do not have to prove they improve a condition or treat a disease. Most companies do not test with the most trusted medical scientific approach called “the double-blind vehicle controlled study.” They simply have test subjects apply their cream for a short period and compare how the skin is ‘improved’ compared to untreated skin. Of course anything is better than nothing, But how do you know their “active ingredient(s)” are doing anything more than the cream or lotion base (vehicle) without it? You don’t, says Dr. Rosio, because most don’t test the vehicle separately, and few use scientific measuring devices. Instead, most use statements such as: ‘9 out of 10 had smoother skin after using lotion X.’ In contrast, Dermatologists insist on more rigorous scientific studies where both the vehicle with and without the active ingredient(s) are tested, and this is key….investigators and the subjects do not know which cream has the active substance added. I also look for measures I can trust that show me the treatment is actually effective, such as the appearance of cells and skin layers under the microscope, and quantity of molecules made by the cell that increase or decrease.
Helpful Tips. Dr. Rosio provides these helpful tips when evaluating skin care products: Don’t be swayed by emotional tactics such as “It’s all natural, and organic.” Find out what your skin problem or condition is, and your skin type, by asking your Dermatologist. Many people injure their skin and waste years and hundreds or thousands of dollars on products not ever realizing they have a diagnosis they could and should be treating. Ask what the product claims to do, and what kind of research studies backs it up. Don’t rely soley on ingredients listings and percentages on bottles. Bioavailability of ingredients, how well they are dissolved, and other factors can make a huge difference in effectiveness and negative side-effects such as irritation and rashes, notes Dr. Rosio. See my arti
cle: “Cosmetic Recipes for Disaster: How to Ruin Your Skin by Ingredients Only!” If the claims made sound too good to be true, they probably are. However we have made huge advancements in skin care science in the last few years. Especially in the areas of active peptides, growth factors, cell receptor signaling, and better sunscreens, Consult your Dermatologist and ask for recommendations based on strong science and professional experience.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Beautify your Skin with Our Many Cosmetic Services
Cosmetic Services
Cosmetic procedures include the following:
Advanced Laser Hair Removal
Men and women alike can now enjoy the benefits of laser hair removal without the annoying bumps that accompany shaving or waxing. If you are concerned about unwanted hair, you are probably a candidate for hair removal. Laser or light-based systems are a faster, easier alternative for hair removal. Now for all skin types.
How does a laser or light-based system remove hair?
The system emits a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin, to the hair follicle, where it is absorbed. Upon absorption, the energy is transformed into heat, which can disable the follicle, while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed.
Smartlipo™ Laserlipolysis - Minimally Invasive Liposculpture
What is Smartlipo™ Laserlipolysis?
Smartlipo™: Reduction without Suction, Lunchtime Lipo is finally Here!
As more women and men want to look and feel better about themselves, body contouring and lipo-sculpture continue to grow in popularity, making liposculpture the most popular cosmetic surgery performed today.
Smartlipo™ is the first and only laser that eliminates fat gently without suction. It provides a revolutionary and minimally invasive procedure Dr. Rosio uses to gently liquefy fat and remove it to sculpt body contours and tighten skin* with less downtime and side-effects.
Affirm Fractional Resurfacing - Laser Facial Skin Treatment
Fractional Resurfacing: No Pain, No Stain!
AnewSkin now offers the fastest, most convenient state-of-the-art skin resurfacing technique. We treat in minutes scars, wrinkles, the signs of skin-damage and age, without removing the entire top layer of skin, leaving you with fantastic results with far less down-time than traditional CO2 laser treatments! We eliminated the pain, messy staining blue dyes, and lengthy time associated with earlier fractional devices. PhotoFacials alone or in combination also remove the brown and red spots associated with sun damaged skin giving a healthier, smoother look and feel to your skin.
How many treatments are required?
Typically several treatments are required for full face treatment. The average treatment takes about 20 minutes. Results may become apparent after the first few treatments.
Cosmetic procedures include the following:
Advanced Laser Hair Removal
Men and women alike can now enjoy the benefits of laser hair removal without the annoying bumps that accompany shaving or waxing. If you are concerned about unwanted hair, you are probably a candidate for hair removal. Laser or light-based systems are a faster, easier alternative for hair removal. Now for all skin types.
How does a laser or light-based system remove hair?
The system emits a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin, to the hair follicle, where it is absorbed. Upon absorption, the energy is transformed into heat, which can disable the follicle, while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed.
Smartlipo™ Laserlipolysis - Minimally Invasive Liposculpture
What is Smartlipo™ Laserlipolysis?
Smartlipo™: Reduction without Suction, Lunchtime Lipo is finally Here!
As more women and men want to look and feel better about themselves, body contouring and lipo-sculpture continue to grow in popularity, making liposculpture the most popular cosmetic surgery performed today.
Smartlipo™ is the first and only laser that eliminates fat gently without suction. It provides a revolutionary and minimally invasive procedure Dr. Rosio uses to gently liquefy fat and remove it to sculpt body contours and tighten skin* with less downtime and side-effects.
Affirm Fractional Resurfacing - Laser Facial Skin Treatment
Fractional Resurfacing: No Pain, No Stain!
AnewSkin now offers the fastest, most convenient state-of-the-art skin resurfacing technique. We treat in minutes scars, wrinkles, the signs of skin-damage and age, without removing the entire top layer of skin, leaving you with fantastic results with far less down-time than traditional CO2 laser treatments! We eliminated the pain, messy staining blue dyes, and lengthy time associated with earlier fractional devices. PhotoFacials alone or in combination also remove the brown and red spots associated with sun damaged skin giving a healthier, smoother look and feel to your skin.
How many treatments are required?
Typically several treatments are required for full face treatment. The average treatment takes about 20 minutes. Results may become apparent after the first few treatments.
"I have been a meticulous caring physician for 40 years and patients have expressed their appreciation for my care and advice.
Now that I am a patient of Dr Rosio’s I can more fully appreciate the good feeling to be under the care of a conscientious, extremely knowledgeable and caring doctor.
Dr Rosio discovered and treated a number of Basal Cell Carcinomas, but also one that appeared more suspicious to him. Neither my own internist nor myself had noticed any suspicious lesions. In fact, biopsy revealed melanoma fortunately quite early and shallow and it’s treatment rapidly, expertly, and definitively followed. No doubt, my successful and uncomplicated outcome was largely due to Dr Rosio’s early recognition and accurate diagnosis.
My experience confirmed two prior beliefs that I had held for forty years. The first, in the words of the "MasterCard" advertisement, is that having a caring, knowledgeable, careful physician is "priceless". The second is that while I was an expert internist, I was not a dermatologist, and I insisted that my patients see a dermatologist for all but the most obvious skin lesions and for their routine cancer screening
I fully intend to see Dr Rosio routinely for my future skin checks."
Steve Drogin, MD
Now that I am a patient of Dr Rosio’s I can more fully appreciate the good feeling to be under the care of a conscientious, extremely knowledgeable and caring doctor.
Dr Rosio discovered and treated a number of Basal Cell Carcinomas, but also one that appeared more suspicious to him. Neither my own internist nor myself had noticed any suspicious lesions. In fact, biopsy revealed melanoma fortunately quite early and shallow and it’s treatment rapidly, expertly, and definitively followed. No doubt, my successful and uncomplicated outcome was largely due to Dr Rosio’s early recognition and accurate diagnosis.
My experience confirmed two prior beliefs that I had held for forty years. The first, in the words of the "MasterCard" advertisement, is that having a caring, knowledgeable, careful physician is "priceless". The second is that while I was an expert internist, I was not a dermatologist, and I insisted that my patients see a dermatologist for all but the most obvious skin lesions and for their routine cancer screening
I fully intend to see Dr Rosio routinely for my future skin checks."
Welcome to AnewSKIN Dermatology!
About Us
Welcome to AnewSKIN, a private dermatology and dermasurgery practice. Offices are conveniently located to both major Highways 50 and 80 serving the greater Sacramento area.
Dr. Tim Rosio offers expert and professional dermatology services, and specializes in cosmetic and laser services, and Mohs (highest cure-rate and most cosmetic) skin cancer surgery. Medical, cosmetic, reconstructive, and med-spa aspects are integrated so that a comprehensive range of services can be provided.
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