http://www.DermZone.com Check back every month for a new Beauty Tip from our dermatologist. en-us http://www.DermZone.com/tips/tip_2006_02.asp Having beautiful skin often includes have a healthy glow or shine with minimal pore appearance and blemishes. Achieving this goal may be done in a variety of ways, both at the physician's office or at home, and with solutions or other physical means. http://www.DermZone.com/tips/tip_2006_03.asp For maintenance of beautiful, smooth, and clean skin, glycolic and salicylic acids are excellent choices for cleansing and exfoliation. Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid which serves to loosen the top layers of the skin and promote shedding of the dead skin cells. Used in concentrations of less than 10%, these washes are excellent for daily cleansing and acne prevention as the dead skin cells no longer remain available to plug the pores and promote acne formation. Used in concentrations over 20%, glycolic acid provides more astringent properties for a deeper peeling and skin removal. Glycolic acid products are excellent choices for those who have oily skin, occasional slight blemishes, and those who wish to achieve a shiny, smooth exfoliated appearance. http://www.DermZone.com/tips/tip_2006_04.asp The treatment of eye wrinkles and dark eye circles centers around consistent application of a moisturizing compound with firming properties. These compounds primarily produce their effects by tightening the skin and reducing puffiness through moisturization, hydration, and rejuvenation of the dermal skin layer. In addition to the usage of these compounds, it is absolutely essential to apply a moisturizing sunscreen to minimize future possible sun damage and wrinkle formation. http://www.DermZone.com/tips/tip_2006_05.asp One of the most common beauty questions repeatedly asked in dermatology offices is how to prevent and treat blackheads, shrink pores, and decrease oily skin. Here are a few suggestions to help your facial skin looking clean, clear, and with time, smooth with smaller pores. http://www.DermZone.com/tips/tip_2006_06.asp Knowing your acne type may be very helpful in determining which of the groups of acne treatment may be most successful for you. While prescription acne care determined by your dermatologist is appropriate for all the types of acne, those of you with the first two types of acne may benefit by first trying an over-the-counter regimen. The general priniciples of basic and advanced acne skin care regimens are explained in the Learning Center. However, here is a very simple regimen that may be followed using simple over-the-counter products that may be found on this site and / or in your local drugstore. http://www.DermZone.com/tips/tip_2006_07.asp One of the most common questions confronted in dermatology offices amongst patients with acne is how to get rid of acne scarring. This is such an important question because, as acne has its own problems, occasionally the resulting acne scarring can be as cosmetically disturbing as the original acne. Many advances have been made to alleviate the appearance of acne scarring, but no over-the-counter remedies are currently available. The following discussion and suggestions must be carefully reviewed with your experienced dermatologist. http://www.DermZone.com/tips/tip_2006_08.asp Brown spots on the face, neck, and arms are among one of the most common cosmetic complaints addressed by dermatologists. Brown spots in these locations may be due to numerous causes, including but not limited to: post-infammatory hyperpigmentation, lentigos, poikiloderma (sun damage), seborrheic keratoses, and even melanoma. The discussion of cosmetic treatment of lentigos and poikiloderma will be addressed here, but it can not be stressed enough that a consultation with your dermatologist to determine the nature of any brown spot present in any location is needed to make absolutely sure that you are not dealing with a melanoma or other malignancy. http://www.DermZone.com/tips/tip_2006_09.asp Facial rejuvenation is a term encompassing methods by which to reverse the look of aging through a variety of invasive or non-invasive procedures, and topical treatments. For most people, facial rejuvenation involves treatments meant to eliminate the fine lines and wrinkles on the forehead, around the eyes, or around the mouth; and the reversal of the signs of photoaging. While there are methods by which to reduce even greater signs of aging, such as face lifts, blepharoplasties, and laser resurfacing, this article will mainly discuss some of the non-invasive ways of dimishing photoaging and fine wrinkles. http://www.DermZone.com/tips/tip_2006_10.asp While oils, dirt, and other contaminants can clog pores and worsen acne, it is not the primary cause of acne. Acne has numerous causes, the most primary being hormonal factors and to some degree, genetics. For those predisposed to acne, poor hygiene may make acne worse, but will not be the sole cause of acne for most patients. http://www.DermZone.com/tips/tip_2006_11.asp As winter approaches, skin care takes on new importance as the cold, dry air may cause some undesirable changes in your skin. While the focus always remains on proper sun protection, even in the winter months, taking some extra steps to make sure that your skin is properly prepared can pay numerous dividends throughout the upcoming season. Here are some tips for you to get and maintain your winter glow: http://www.DermZone.com/tips/tip_2006_12.asp There has been a lot of recent buzz regarding growing eyelashes, making them fuller, and much more noticeable. For years, mascara has been the predominant way of making eyelashes thicker and more prominent. Recently, there has been a flood of new interest in other methods of promoting thicker, fuller lashes. New products have come to market, and interest in cosmetic surgery for eyelash thickening is peaking. Do these new topical treatments work? Is cosmetic surgery the only answer to fuller, healthier lashes? Let's cover what is currently out on the market for those wishing to try things other than mascara for more lustrous lashes.