Trying to find the skin care products best suited to your needs can be a daunting task. Dr. Pamela Rosen is constantly being bombarded by the latest and greatest skin care products featured in magazines, infomercials, and drug stores. They are all promoting their product of choice, but how do you know what is right for you? When you turn to Dr. Rosen who is trained in all facets of skin care - you can be sure that she will recommend the right products for your skin care needs.

To maintain and improve skin health, an effective skin care regime must contain three fundamental elements - prevention, protection, and correction.

Dr. Rosen performs skin care consultations for patients in South Florida. She will help you determine the correct skin care products for you based on your skin type, your desired level of improvement, your tolerance to ingredients (minimizing allergic reactions), and your lifestyle. When you think about it, it's more cost effective to consult with a physician or his or her highly trained nurse or aesthetician, who are specially trained, than to spend money on all the latest skin care fads or what is promoted at cosmetic counters.

What should I consider when choosing a skin care program?

Always consult with Dr. Rosen or our staff before making any changes to an existing skin care regimen. Look for products that work at the cellular level to re-establish the functioning of normal skin:

• Tretinoin is the gold standard and Retinaldehyde is a newer vitamin A derivative. Products containing these molecules are effective in treating fine wrinkles, dark spots, or rough skin on the face caused by damaging rays of the sun. They work by lightening the skin, replacing older skin with newer skin, and by slowing down the way the body removes skin cells that may have been harmed by the sun.
• Hydroxy acids are naturally occurring acids in certain plants and fruits. They work by stimulating dead cells on the surface of the skin so they can slough off more easily. A new layer of skin with a smoother texture and more uniform color can be revealed. These acids also encourage the production of connective tissue, lessening fine lines and wrinkles.
• Anti-oxidants are important, especially vitamins C, E and green tea. They fight free radical damage and collagen break down caused by the aging process, sun damage, stress and pollution.
• Growth factors are the newest ingredients to help your skin appear younger. They stimulate new collagen growth.

Healthy skin and the aging process

The signs of aging skin are the result of an assault on our skin from two main areas, extrinsic factors and intrinsic factors. Healthy, normal functioning skin has:

• an even skin tone with no uneven pigmentation areas.
• is smooth and firm with normal pore size.
• all cellular components functioning normally and efficiently.

Extrinsic factors include effects from the environment, sun damage, and lifestyle. There are several steps you can take to address these factors:

• Don't smoke. It impairs the healing process, can damage connective tissue, and it interferes with oxygen flow to blood vessels.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
• Get plenty of sleep and reduce your stress level.
• Maintain good dietary habits.
• Most importantly, use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15. The sun causes wrinkles and can damage DNA. Sunscreens should be used on a daily basis by all age groups.

Intrinsic factors include the normal aging process and your genetic make-up. To attack these factors we recommend you use products that have an effect on the cellular level. This is important. Products like cover-up cosmetics and quick cure products don't work at this level, and don't offer long term results.

Cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and drugs

Cosmetics: include skin moisturizers and any skin beautifying products.

Cosmeceuticals: the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act does not recognize this term. Created by the cosmetic industry, the term applies to products that intend to bridge the gap between cosmetics and drugs.

Drugs: include OTC (over-the-counter) drugs and prescription drugs. Sunscreens are an OTC drug as are anti-dandruff shampoos. Tretinoin is one prescription product that works at the cellular level to reverse the signs of aging.

When we think of aging skin, whether from natural aging, photodamage, or the environment, we think of wrinkles, creases, large pores, fine lines, sagging skin, folds, uneven skin tone and texture, dryness, and hyper and hypopigmented areas. Our doctor performs skin care consultations so you can treat these skin conditions and create younger-looking skin.

Learn how our physician-prescribed skin care program can benefit your skin. Schedule your consultation with our practice today.

LATISSE™

LATISSE is the first a solution approved by the FDA and prescribed by our doctor to treat hypotrichosis to grow eyelashes and make them longer, thicker and darker.

How does LATISSE work?

LATISSE seems to affect the growth phase of your eyelashes by increasing the duration of this phase and increasing the number of hairs in their growth phase. This enables your lashes can grow longer, thicker and darker.

How do I receive LATISSE treatments?

You will apply LATISSE once-a-day yourself each evening to the base of the upper eyelashes. Simply follow the basic guidelines in the product package and your results will come gradually over time. Great results don't happen over night. They are gradual. We recommend that you take a "Before" photograph of yourself prior to beginning your LATISSE treatments. Most patients generally begin to see results in about four weeks. Taking additional photographs about every four weeks will help you see the full effect of your eyelash transformation.

Does LATISSE replace my mascara?

No, LATISSE does not replace your mascara. However, mascara is a great complement to LATISSE™ to help make your new longer eyelashes look even longer and more attractive.

What will happen to my eyelashes if I stop using LATISSE?

Your eyelashes will return to their previous appearance over several weeks if you stop using LATISSE.

What are the possible side effects of LATISSE?

Some patients have reported that after using LATISSE solution they experienced an itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness. Other cause other less common side effects on the skin close to where LATISSE is applied include skin darkening, eye irritation, dryness of the eyes, and redness of the eyelids.

What is skin Hyperpigmentation?

This is a common skin condition in which areas of skin become darker than the surrounding skin color and may be a possible side effect of LATISSE. It is caused by an increase in the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, in the skin.

Could LATISSE cause the color of my eyes to change?

Patients using a similar drug, placed directly into the eye, to treat elevated intraocular pressure/glaucoma have experienced a change in the color of their iris pigment. However, patients using LATISSE have not reported any iris pigment changes. This is most likely because LATISSE is only 5% of the volume an is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes vs.. when applied directly into the eye. Most of LATISSE™ is absorbed by the skin at the upper eyelid margin.

Is LATISSE safe?

LATISSE™ is an FDA-approved prescription treatment for hypotrichosis used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker. The FDA reviewed the LATISSE clinical study and found the product to be safe and effective for its intended use if used as prescribed.