Pure Dermatology
and Skin Surgery Center
2001 Santa Monica Blvd.
Suite 480-W
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-954-9501
Pro Tips from a Dermatologist Series: Summer Sun Protection for Your Skin & Excel V for Rosacea
This post is part of our biweekly series “Pro Tips from a Dermatologist,” where you can receive tangible tips and all the latest in skincare directly from Santa Monica’s premier dermatologist. To have skincare tips sent directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
Summer’s almost here, and it’s the perfect time to make sure you’re protecting your skin from dangerous UV rays and sun damage. Let’s talk about incorporating sun protection in your daily routine — plus Dr. Sadeghi answers a question about using IPL for acne and rosacea.
Tip 1: Ensure Your Daily Routine Includes 3 Key Steps
You may be doing it wrong! With all the skincare products out there, it’s easy to overcomplicate your daily skincare routine and still miss the essentials. These are the 3 core components to a good anti-aging skin care routine:
- MORNING: Use an antioxidant such as a Vitamin C serum
- DAY: Put on a physical sunscreen that’s SPF 30+ — and use it every single day.
- NIGHT: Before bed, smooth on retinol or tretinoin cream
If you’re following all three of these steps, you’re hitting the basics of a good anti-aging skincare regime.
Insider tip: As you choose products, please beware of those that tout themselves as "natural." Often times, the ingredients in these products are very irritating to the skin and in fact are one of the most common causes of rashes we see in the office
Tip 2: Consider A Pill for Additional Sun Protection
Oh yes, there’s not just sunscreen! Polypodium leucotomos is derived from a tropical fern plant found in South and Central America. Studies show that the extract of this plant provides UV protection, as well as other beneficial skincare effects, including reducing oxidative stress and DNA damage. You can find this supplement at your local drugstore under the name of Heliocare®.
Please remember that this is not a replacement, but rather an addition to your sun protection regimen.
Tip 3: Pay Attention to Sun Protection While Driving
Excessive sweating, also known as “hyperhidrosis,” can be a particularly embarrassing condition. If you suffer from hyperhidrosis and experience worsening of the condition in social settings or stressful situations, you may want to consider treatment with Botox®.
Botox® is not only FDA-approved for treating excessive sweating in the armpits — studies also show it’s one of the most effective treatments for this condition. In a procedure that takes less than 5 minutes and has no downtime, small amounts of Botox® injected in the affected areas “turn off” sweat glands, resulting in less sweat and embarrassing wetness. It’s a safe and effective way to control hyperhidrosis.
Ask the Doctor: Is IPL a Good Treatment for Rosacea or Acne?
This week’s question:
Dear Dr. Sadeghi, I’m 32, fair skinned and rosacea/acne–prone. I’ve heard about IPL. What do you recommend to achieve a more even skin tone? - Monica S.
Hi Monica,
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light or Photofacial) is a kind of light therapy often used to improve skin texture or treat spots. It can be a somewhat effective treatment for acne and/or rosacea when combined with other topicals — but unfortunately, in our experience, IPL doesn’t do anything expertly well.
My recommendation: There are more effective solutions for your needs.
For optimal results, you should use a designated laser treatment designed specifically for that purpose.
Excel V, a modern, noninvasive laser treatment considered the best in the field, is the right fit for what it seems you’re needing. For rosacea, it will improve the redness and capillaries associated with the condition, and for acne, it will reduce the inflammation component. One of the benefits of Excel V is that your dermatologist can be very precise in adjusting settings to address your specific skin conditions to bring the best results.
- Dr. Sadeghi
About the Author
Dr. Parrish Sadeghi, Board-Certified Dermatologist
A graduate of UCLA and Albany Medical College, Dr. Parrish Sadeghi has over 20 years experience as a medical and cosmetic dermatologist. She is board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery and the American Academy of Dermatology. As a dermatologist at Pure Dermatology, she prides herself on offering personalized care to both children and adults. Learn more about Dr. Sadeghi here.
