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subscribe to beauty counter blog via RSSDr. Obagi Is Taking New Patients. Lots Of Them.
June 22, 2009 4:22 pm
One of our favorite skin gurus and frequent Beauty Counter contributor Dr. Zein Obagi is the latest MD to go virtual. Now, if you can’t make it to his Beverly Hills office (or can’t afford the $300 visit), you can still benefit from his vast expertise with “MouseCalls,” his new online service that’s meant to provide answers to your general skincare concerns, no appointment necessary. While he won’t be addressing urgent medical issues via e-mail (keep those camera phone pics of that curious rash to yourself, thanks), the new forum is a great place to ask questions about whether a particular product is right for your skin or the best facial exercises for slimming down that double chin. All you have to do is fill out a form detailing your lifestyle, skin type, and specific question, and the good doctor or one of his colleagues will get back to you. Ultimately, the correspondence will cost $75 per inquiry, but it’s free through August. Click here for more information.
tags: Dr. Zein Obagi, MouseCalls, Skincare
Teeth Whitening, A Tip Sheet
June 18, 2009 5:55 pm
According to celebrity cosmetic dentist Dr. Jeff Golub-Evans, when it comes to teeth bleaching, peroxide is peroxide. “Whether it’s drugstore teeth-whitening strips or a professional bleaching gel, it’s the same ingredient, just in different concentrations,” the self-described “smile designer” explains, adding that strips can actually get your teeth almost as white as a pro treatment; it just takes longer. Seeing as how it’s allegedly almost summer and nothing goes better with sun-kissed skin than pearly whites, we asked the good doctor if he’d break down our options for a brighter bite—with price differentials—so that, just in case the rain does eventually clear up, we’ll be ready:
In-Office Bleaching
Process: A dentist paints teeth with a peroxide gel, then shines a blue light on them to accelerate the bleaching action.
Peroxide strength: 15-35 percent
Whitening ability: 6-10 shades lighter
Cost: At least $500
Time commitment: 1 hour
Take-Home Trays
Process: A dentist custom-fits bleaching trays that are to be worn regularly at home.
Peroxide strength: 5-11 percent
Whitening ability: 6-10 shades lighter
Cost: $200-$600
Time commitment: 30 minutes to 1 hour a day for up to 2 weeks
Whitening Strips
Process: Strips that contain bleach are adhered to both top and bottom rows of teeth.
Peroxide strength: 9-12 percent
Whitening ability: 3-6 shades lighter
Cost: About $45
Time commitment: 30 minutes a day for 2 weeks
tags: Dr. Jeff Golub-Evans, Teeth
Sweat Lipo To Keep You Sure All Summer Long
May 22, 2009 2:14 pm
With the unofficial start of summer upon us, you can expect a few changes to your everyday routine—some good, some less so. Outdoor dining and an overwhelming desire to partake of early-afternoon cocktails should set in soon—as will an increased electric bill from AC abuse and, even worse, excessive sweating. For those of you for whom over-the-counter antiperspirants bring no relief, New York-based plastic surgeon Dr. Elliot Jacobs may have the answer to keeping you dry and happy. He’s been championing “Sweat Lipo” at his Upper East Side office, a new procedure that reduces hyperhidrosis and body odor by removing some of the sweat glands under the armpit. Unlike prescription deodorants or getting a few shots of Botox in the area, axillary curettage suction (as the treatment is referred to by medical professionals) permanently regulates the problem, rather than serving as a temporary fix or perhaps making it impossible to sweat at all. Seeing as how 176 million Americans suffer from this often embarrassing and always inconvenient affliction, knowing that there is a way to be comfortable—and to protect that collection of summer silk blouses—is reassuring. The procedure takes less than one hour, costs about $3,500, and in some cases may be covered by insurance. For more information, call (212) 570-6080.
tags: Axillary Curettage Suction, Dr. Elliot Jacobs, Skincare, Sweat Lipo
Dr. Obagi “Gets Real Serious” About The Onset Of Aging
April 3, 2009 1:34 pm
This column features weekly tips and advice from a revolving cast of industry leaders, on hand to discuss your beauty dilemmas, from blemishes to Botox. To submit a question, e-mail celia_ellenberg@condenast.com.
I am 29 and starting to notice the early signs of aging. What is the best course of action to either diminish or prevent these fine lines from getting any worse? Is it just a matter of proper sun protection at this point or are there certain ingredients I should look for in my skincare regimen that will help slow down the inevitable?
UV protection (a sunscreen with SPF 30) is a good and very important first step, but it may not be enough. Skin aging starts at the age of 30 and that’s when you need to get real serious about combining physical UV sunblocks with a heavy dose of antioxidants. For example, vitamin E is vital in protecting skin cells from ultraviolet light and other elements and conditions that produce free radicals. Its antioxidant activity provides powerful antiaging benefits, but more than that, it increases the effectiveness of sunscreens because it protects the epidermal layer from damage. That’s why I recommend applying ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense, which contains both vitamin E and DNA-repair enzymes—before applying a sunscreen.
A board-certified member of the American Board of Dermatology and a leading expert in skin health restoration and rejuvenation, Dr. Zein Obagi is an internationally renowned dermatologist and educator who is known for his ability to successfully correct a wide range of skin conditions—often after other traditional treatments have failed. He is also the founder of the Obagi Medical Product line, the number one brand of physician-dispensed antiaging skincare products in the world, as well as the Obagi Skin Health Institute in Beverly Hills, where he currently practices.
tags: Antioxidants, Dr. Zein Obagi, Skincare, Vitamin E, ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense
Dr. Obagi Tackles Combination Skin
April 2, 2009 3:13 pm
This column features weekly tips and advice from a revolving cast of industry leaders, on hand to discuss your beauty dilemmas, from blemishes to Botox. To submit a question, e-mail celia_ellenberg@condenast.com.
I have combination skin of the dry and sensitive variety, and it’s been extra-flaky of late. I’ve tried everything from exfoliating regularly to extra-rich moisturizers, which tend to make me break out. What can I do to hydrate my skin without irritating it?
The problem could be with the “extra-rich moisturizers” that you mention. They could be clogging the pores and causing the breakouts. Look for a moisturizer that hydrates while reducing skin sensitivity and keeping the skin active. Moisturizers with some retinol in them—like ZO Skin Health Daily Renewal Crème—will stimulate your skin cells and expedite skin renewal and regeneration.
A board-certified member of the American Board of Dermatology and a leading expert in skin health restoration and rejuvenation, Dr. Zein Obagi is an internationally renowned dermatologist and educator who is known for his ability to successfully correct a wide range of skin conditions—often after other traditional treatments have failed. He is also the founder of the Obagi Medical Product line, the number one brand of physician-dispensed antiaging skincare products in the world, as well as the Obagi Skin Health Institute in Beverly Hills, where he currently practices.
tags: Dr. Zein Obagi, Retinol, Skincare, ZO Skin Health Daily Renewal Cr�me
Dr. Obagi Says, “Stick To The Program”
April 1, 2009 3:02 pm
This column features weekly tips and advice from a revolving cast of industry leaders, on hand to discuss your beauty dilemmas, from blemishes to Botox. To submit a question, e-mail celia_ellenberg@condenast.com.
Are there benefits to using an entire skincare system as opposed to mixing different products from different brands, or is that idea just a marketing ploy to build brand loyalty?
Yes, there really is a benefit to working within a system. Unless you are a complete skincare junkie and like to spend hours online researching the ingredients and technologies, or squinting trying to read the ingredient labels, you need to trust the manufacturer to develop a skincare line that uses products with ingredients that work synergistically. For example, if you use a “repair” product from one manufacturer and a “recovery” product from another, you may be doubling up on some of the same ingredients (and therefore overdosing or just duplicating). You might also miss one of the key ingredients that are critical to activating and stimulating the skin. Even with my own brands, I don’t advocate mixing and matching. If you trust a manufacturer enough to buy one product, please trust them enough to assure that you’re getting the necessary ingredients in the appropriate amounts.
A board-certified member of the American Board of Dermatology and a leading expert in skin health restoration and rejuvenation, Dr. Zein Obagi is an internationally renowned dermatologist and educator who is known for his ability to successfully correct a wide range of skin conditions—often after other traditional treatments have failed. He is also the founder of the Obagi Medical Product line, the number one brand of physician-dispensed antiaging skincare products in the world, as well as the Obagi Skin Health Institute in Beverly Hills, where he currently practices.
tags: Dr. Zein Obagi, Skincare
Dr. Obagi Talks Skin Food
March 31, 2009 1:27 pm
This column features weekly tips and advice from a revolving cast of industry leaders, on hand to discuss your beauty dilemmas, from blemishes to Botox. To submit a question, e-mail celia_ellenberg@condenast.com.
“USDA approved” food-based ingredients seem to be the new big thing in skincare. Are there benefits to using food on my face, or is just a gimmicky offshoot of going au naturel?
I haven’t seen any evidence that food ingredients will provide nourishment when applied topically to the skin. In my opinion, caviar and caviar extracts are just a gimmick—and an expensive one at that—and other ingredients will do nothing more than provide mild surface hydration. Our skin likes to receive its sustenance from the foods that we eat (particularly natural, fresh foods and plain water), and slapping them on your face is just not an acceptable or viable substitute. There are some things that may work, though. For example, applying lemon slices (which are a source of alpha hydroxy acids) may help exfoliate your skin.
A board-certified member of the American Board of Dermatology and a leading expert in skin health restoration and rejuvenation, Dr. Zein Obagi is an internationally renowned dermatologist and educator who is known for his ability to successfully correct a wide range of skin conditions—often after other traditional treatments have failed. He is also the founder of the Obagi Medical Product line, the number one brand of physician-dispensed antiaging skincare products in the world, as well as the Obagi Skin Health Institute in Beverly Hills, where he currently practices.
tags: Alpha hydroxy, Caviar, Dr. Zein Obagi, Skincare
Dr. Obagi On Moisturizer Myths
March 30, 2009 4:37 pm
This column features weekly tips and advice from a revolving cast of industry leaders, on hand to discuss your beauty dilemmas, from blemishes to Botox. To submit a question, e-mail celia_ellenberg@condenast.com.
Is there any truth to recent claims that excessive moisturizing can accelerate aging?
Yes, it’s true. Many moisturizers cause skin to be weak, lazy, and sensitive, and instead of rejuvenating your skin, will actually cause it to age faster. Here’s why: Normally, skin cells in the dermis collect water from the food and beverages that we consume, and supply that water to the surface of the skin. That’s what keeps skin cells active, vital, and producing collagen and elastin. But when moisturizers are the source for hydration, they satiate the superficial skin cells and send a message to the cells in the dermis to slow their production and supply of water. When that happens, the skin cells get lazy, retire, and eventually stop functioning. Not only do they not supply water, they slow the cellular regeneration process, and don’t produce sufficient amounts of collagen and elastin. All of that accelerates skin aging—wrinkles, dullness, hyperpigmentation, and loss of elasticity. As a precautionary measure, once you turn 30 it’s important to keep your skin cells active with products that contain retinol, like ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense.
A board-certified member of the American Board of Dermatology and a leading expert in skin health restoration and rejuvenation, Dr. Zein Obagi is an internationally renowned dermatologist and educator who is known for his ability to successfully correct a wide range of skin conditions—often after other traditional treatments have failed. He is also the founder of the Obagi Medical Product line, the number one brand of physician-dispensed antiaging skincare products in the world, as well as the Obagi Skin Health Institute in Beverly Hills, where he currently practices.
tags: Collagen, Dr. Zein Obagi, Elastin, Hyperpigmentation, Retinol, Skincare, ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense
How To Clean A Dirty Mouth, Au Naturale
March 16, 2009 3:55 pm
This column features weekly tips and advice from a revolving cast of industry leaders, on hand to discuss your beauty dilemmas, from blemishes to Botox. To submit a question, e-mail celia_ellenberg@condenast.com.
I’ve heard that a lot of toothpastes have formulas that are similar to detergents, which is disconcerting, to say the least. Are there any natural options out there that work without all the chemicals?
The detergents that clean your teeth and provide a foam to help carry away the debris are called surfactants. Toothpastes most commonly have surfactants called lauryl sarcosinate or sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS), which have anti-bacterial properties and can penetrate and dissolve plaque. The difference with natural toothpastes is that they typically offer a formula that does not contain dyes, harsh chemicals, saccharin, alcohol, preservatives, or SLS, which can dry or irritate the mouth. These soothing herbal pastes can be as effective, but it’s important that you choose a brand that contains a natural fluoride for cavity prevention and a high concentration of xylitol, which is a natural sweetener derived from birch pulp that also helps fight oral bacteria.
As a leader in the cosmetic dentistry movement, Dr. Marc Lowenberg is renowned in celebrity circles for an artistic ability to perfect his patients’ smiles, bearing in mind their individual facial structure and personality. Making regular appearances on television programs like Extreme Makeover, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Live With Regis and Kelly, the Today show, and Good Morning America, Dr. Lowenberg is also a popular fixture on the lecture circuit—and in New York, where he runs a private practice with his partner, Dr. Gregg Lituchy.
tags: Dr. Marc Lowenberg, Teeth, Xylitol
Dr. Lowenberg’s Food For Thought
March 13, 2009 4:56 pm
This column features weekly tips and advice from a revolving cast of industry leaders, on hand to discuss your beauty dilemmas, from blemishes to Botox. To submit a question, e-mail celia_ellenberg@condenast.com.
I know that excessive amounts of sugar is bad for your teeth, but are there other things I should be steering clear of—or adding to my diet—to maintain optimal mouth health?
The quantity and quality of sugar-sweetened foods that you consume is of less concern than the frequency with which you consume them during the day. In other words, it is better to eat large amounts of sugar after a meal than to expose your teeth to a small amount of sugar on a frequent schedule, because during meals saliva production is increased, and this helps in neutralizing the acid from sugars that may damage teeth. Here are a few simple dietary guidelines to help you nourish healthy teeth and gums:
Limit the number of snacks that you eat: Every time you eat foods that contain sugars, your teeth are attacked by acids for 20 minutes or more.
Mind the structure of your meals: Try to incorporate “tough foods” into your daily diet as they increase saliva production and help in the self-cleaning of teeth.
Avoid the soft and sticky: Foods with this consistency can attach to and get in between teeth, providing a favorable place for bacteria to grow.
Good foods to incorporate: Fresh milk, vegetables, yogurt, cheese, whole wheat bread.
Bad foods to avoid: sugar, honey, jam, milk with sugar, white bread, cakes and sweets, ice cream, chocolate, biscuits.
As a leader in the cosmetic dentistry movement, Dr. Marc Lowenberg is renowned in celebrity circles for an artistic ability to perfect his patients’ smiles, bearing in mind their individual facial structure and personality. Making regular appearances on television programs like Extreme Makeover, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Live With Regis and Kelly, the Today show, and Good Morning America, Dr. Lowenberg is also a popular fixture on the lecture circuit—and in New York, where he runs a private practice with his partner, Dr. Gregg Lituchy.
tags: Dr. Marc Lowenberg, Teeth
