Oprah loves Weightless Protection SPF 45!

The May issue of O magazine has hit the shelves and guess what made The O List? PCA SKIN Weightless Protection SPF 45! Since its launch in 2010, this light, quick-absorbing sun protection powerhouse has quickly become a customer favorite. Now it seems it’s become one of Oprah’s favorites, too.

Weightless Protection SPF 45 is a revolutionary formulation that provides broad-spectrum protection with zinc oxide and octinoxate. Part of what makes this sun protection product unique is caffeine, an amazing topical ingredient that increases the activity of other antioxidants and also identifies cells damaged by UV exposure and forces them into apoptosis – the process of cell death.  This is an unprecedented boost to skin cancer prevention. Also, the powerful antioxidant sylibin from milk thistle fight free radicals, suppresses redness caused by exposure to UVB rays and reduces the formation of sunburn cells. Because it is so light and disappears into the skin, especially people with oily skin and acne love this product.  This member of the PCA SKIN family of sun protection products truly is the next generation of sun protection, and we’re glad that Oprah agrees! 

what is apoptosis?

Apoptosis, also called cell death, is a complex and important process within our bodies. It results in specific cells being targeted, completely engulfed and eliminated. Although ‘cell death’ doesn’t sound like a positive process in the body, apoptosis performs important functions in fetal development, as well as keeping the skin free from mutated cells that can potentially lead to cancers.

During fetal development, the cells between the fingers and toes are targeted for apoptosis.  If this process were not to occur, we would have webbed hands and feet. As it relates to skin cancer prevention, apoptosis contributes to the ridding of damaged cells from the skin. First, cells that are injured by UV exposure and other environmental offenders are identified. Then, cells called killer T cells communicate with the damaged cell and move to engulf it. The process continues with other biomolecules and proteins being summoned to participate in the breakdown and elimination of the mutated cell. Without this process, cells whose DNA has been damaged by UV radiation would be allowed to reproduce, resulting in the development of tumors.

An exciting ingredient that helps facilitate the process of targeting skin cells that have been damaged by UV exposure and instigating the process of apoptosis is caffeine.  This powerhouse ingredient not only increases the antioxidant capabilities of other polyphenols, but also helps prevent cells with compromised DNA from reproducing and potentially causing skin cancer tumors.  You can find topical caffeine along with the powerful antioxidant silybin in the whole range of PCA SKIN sun protection products including: Weightless Protection SPF 45, Perfecting Protection SPF 30, Protecting Hydrator SPF 30, Hydrator Plus SPF 30 and Active Very Water/Sweat Resistant SPF 45.

don’t let winter get the best of your skin: part 3

UVB rays from the sun are thought to be responsible for the majority of UV-related skin damage, partially because of the immediate visible changes they produce. Although the inflammation and redness caused by a sunburn are the obvious downsides, it’s what’s happening inside your skin that is the most troublesome. UVB radiation is responsible for a series of events that take place inside the epidermal skin cells, including increased levels of the damaging free radical reactive oxygen species (ROS). Radicals are compounds with unpaired electrons. This lack of electron balance creates highly reactive atoms and molecules. There are many types of free radicals, but ROS have been widely studied because of their particularly damaging effects in the skin. Of the wide variety of environmental offenders, UV radiation is one of the top contributors to the overproduction of ROS free radicals and stress in the skin. ROS include hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, superoxide anions, peroxide, triplet oxygen and singlet oxygen. 

ROS are widely known for their ability to cause damage to cellular proteins, fats and even our DNA. The important factor for avoiding this oxidative stress and damage is keeping the skin’s radical and antioxidant levels in balance. Exposure to UV rays increases the production of ROS and upsets this balance (homeostasis) in the skin.  Using topical antioxidants in your daily care regimen is important all year but especially during the winter months when skin is dehydrated and vulnerable to damaging free radicals. In addition, UVB rays cause a reduction of the skin’s natural antioxidant levels, making it even more susceptible to DNA damage and mutation. It is this UV-induced DNA mutation that is the number one cause of skin cancers. This inevitable chain reaction in the skin is the reason the use of sunscreen ingredients alone is not enough. Sunscreen formulations should include antioxidants to help prevent the initial over-production of ROS and to support our natural defenses. Certainly, the use of SPF and antioxidants is important year-round, but it is a particularly helpful support to dry, dehydrated winter skin.

Multiple antioxidant ingredients have demonstrated benefits for reducing the incidence of ROS-induced skin cancers and premature aging. While there are thousands of topical antioxidants that are worthy of further study, one category of antioxidants worth noting is botanically sourced phenolic antioxidants.

Look for sunscreens and topical formulations with the following ingredients to boost antioxidants within the skin and protect it from UV damage:

• green tea
• resveratrol
• genistien
• ergothionene
• coffea arabica
• cocoa
• caffeine
• mangosteen
• silymarin

Many of these important ingredients can be found in all of the products in the PCA SKIN suite of sun protection products.

show me the real answer?!

1.  My patient asked about Topical Botox
2.  My patient says his/her sunscreen is a ‘waterproof SPF 70’

Question number 1:

First of all, there is no such thing as Topical Botox.  This is the result of some very clever marketing.  By the time this false statement was removed, it had reached just about every type of media available.  The correct name for this ingredient is acetyl hexapeptide-8, or Argireline.  When Argireline is applied topically it inhibits the neurotransmission process that causes muscles to move or contract.  While this is a fabulous peptide that helps with the prevention of fine lines and wrinkles, it in no way is equal to an injection of Botox.  When explaining the differences to your patients, you can say that Botox temporarily places the neurotransmission highway that causes muscles to move under “construction” and the message cannot get from the brain to the facial muscles.  When Argireline is applied, the “highway” is fogged in…. the message will get there, but it’s much slower.  PCA SKIN®’s ExLinea ® Peptide Smoothing Serum is formulated with Argireline and a host of hydrating and antioxidant ingredients.

Question number 2:

Yes, another myth that gives our patients a false sense of security.  Currently, the SPF number on a sunscreen product ONLY pertains to the UVB protection provided by the product. (This will soon change).  Secondly, there is no such thing as a ‘waterproof’ sunscreen.  They all wash off and must be reapplied every two hours.  Explain to your patients to look for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.  Also, explain to them that no SPF product provides 100% protection.  We relate the SPF number with the amount of protection and the amount of time that we are protected.  The truth is that an SPF of 15 provides 93% protection, while an SPF of 30 provides 97% protection.  An SPF higher than 30 only increases the percentage of protection by a tiny amount.  Again, inform your patients that they should use a minimum SPF of 30, with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection and reapply every two hours.  All of PCA SKIN’s broad-spectrum SPF products are formulated with antioxidants and skin-friendly ingredients and carry the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Approval.

 

Understanding ingredient mechanism of action and product formulation in the skin health industry will enable the clinician to communicate with their patients on all levels.  This in turn will build credibility and long-standing relationships when your patients know they can turn to you for the real answers.  PCA SKIN offers education for aesthetic students, licensed medical professionals and aestheticians all over the country.  Call our team at 877-722-7546 for more information.

humectants and occlusives: what are they and how do they work?

Keeping the skin healthy and hydrated is important all year long, but seems to be more of a challenge as the weather becomes cooler.  We tend to think more about hydration during the summer months than in the winter.  Humectant and occlusive ingredients are key to maintaining healthy, hydrated skin. 

Humectants are ingredients that attract water.  By applying these water-loving ingredients topically, they are able to draw water towards the skin.  Some examples of humectants that are beneficial to the skin are:  glycerin, hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA, urea, honey, sorbitol and lactic acid.  Hyaluronic acid is a very powerful humectant in that it can attract and hold 1,000 times its weight in water, and sodium PCA can attract and hold 250 times its weight.  Urea, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid and lactic acid are also found naturally in our bodies and in our skin, so they are readily accepted and will not cause sensitivity.

But just using humectant ingredients is not enough.  We must also employ the use of occlusives. 

Occlusives are important because they “lock” in the moisture attracted by the humectants and keep it from evaporating off the skin.  Finding occlusives that will not clog pores can be a challenge.  Avoid occlusive ingredients such as petrolatum, mineral oil and lanolin, as these will sit on the skin resulting in blocked pores, sensitivities and breakouts.  Skin-friendly occlusives include silicones (dimethicone and cyclomethicone), plant oils, squalane, shea butter and zinc oxide.

One way to remember the importance of these two ingredient categories is to think of humectants as magnets and occlusives as locks.  By choosing ingredients that will work with the skin, you will be able to maintain healthy moisture levels all year long.

Is your skin really sensitive or just sensitized?

More than 40 percent of Americans consider their skin sensitive. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, many people that think they have sensitive skin because they experience stinging, burning, redness or tightness after exposure to a topical irritant.  This misconception is common.  The definition of sensitive skin varies based on who you ask. Some common conditions fall under the umbrella of ‘sensitive skin’ like rosacea and dermatitis (eczema). Typically, sensitive skinned patients experience bumps, redness and inflammation. It is unclear what specific factors lead to a person having truly sensitive skin.  It can be a combination of genetics, age and race.

Even if you don’t have clinically sensitive skin, it can still become sensitized as a result of over-exposure to harsh topical ingredients or climate. Some common irritants that contribute to this sensitization are:

• fragrances
• lanolin
• formaldehyde
• latex
• menthol

Additionally, aggressive use of chemical and mechanical exfoliants can increase the response to these and other irritants by impairing the natural barrier function of the skin.

Treating skin gently and avoiding the use of know topical sensitizers and irritants can help most avoid sensitization.  Patients that have truly sensitive skin usually need to seek additional assistance from a licensed professional or their dermatologist for product recommendations.

back to school and acne

The first day back to school is a fond memory for most of us. Wearing those new shoes and clothes, packing up perfectly organized binders and freshly sharpened pencils, and running to meet friends you haven’t seen all summer. However, for the acne sufferer, back to school means back to the frustration of dealing with pimples looking back at you in the mirror every morning.

Puberty is typically when androgen hormones trigger excess sebum production, which is a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of acne. Many times, acne sufferers will use harsh, alcohol toners and high-percentages of active ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, in hopes of ‘drying’ out the oil. Oil-free products are also alluring because they promote the idea that products without oil are best, since acneic skin is already oily. However, both of these thought processes need further explanation.

It’s true that benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are effective in preventing and clearing acne lesions.  Look for products that are formulated not only with these actives, but with other beneficial ingredients that provide needed hydration, keratolytic action and antioxidant protection.

Don’t be fooled by ‘oil-free’ products. It is important to understand that some oils are beneficial in the treatment of this skin condition.  By using beneficial oils for acne, the skin “thinks” it has enough sebum and, therefore, produces less.  When we strip the skin of its natural oils, the opposite happens, and the skin will produce even more sebum to make up for the loss. Grape seed oil, for example, is healing and functions as an antioxidant.  Jojoba seed oil is composed of liquid wax esters and not actually oil. Because it closely resembles our natural sebum, topical use helps to control sebum production.  It also has the ability to dissolve and remove excess sebum.

PCA SKIN® provides several products for acne that are formulated with antioxidants, proven anti-acne actives, beneficial oils, and soothing and hydrating ingredients, such as the BPO 5% Cleanser, Acne Cream, Acne Gel and Clearskin, to name a few.  These products are also featured in our Breakout Control and Acne Control Solutions. 

PS:  Our trial-size solution sets are perfect for keeping in school lockers too!

another long-standing PCA SKIN® favorite takes a leap into the future

The Oxygenating Trio has been part of PCA SKIN’s professional treatment offerings for over a decade. It has long been a favorite amongst PCA SKIN customers and their patients. Although it has always been a highly effective treatment, the science of product formulation has advanced by leaps and bounds over the decades since Oxy Trio was first formulated. The new Oxygenating Trio is still a three-step system, although the names of the steps have been changed to Activator, Detoxifier and Oxygenator to better reveal the part each plays in achieving healthy, beautiful skin.

Environmental and oxidative stress wreaks havoc on the skin and speeds up the aging process, leading to dull, sluggish complexions. The newly reformulated Oxygenating Trio is the skin’s best defense against these external factors. A combination of superoxide dismutase, fumaric acid, niacinamide, hydrolyzed candida saitoana extract and stabilized hydrogen peroxide provides antioxidant therapy to stimulate oxygenation and circulation, revitalizing damaged skin by bringing oxygen to the surface. AHA and BHA reduce inflammation and promote exfoliation, while also providing essential hydration. Even more dramatic and immediate results can be achieved with these revolutionary treatment improvements. Use the Oxy Trio to help clear acne, on smoker’s skin, or simply to reveal the radiant, healthy skin beneath the surface.

O Magazine features our amazing Active Very Water/Sweat Resistant SPF 45

Once again, the editors at O Magazine gave PCA SKIN some exciting recognition.  This influential publication circulates 2.7 million copies each year. Our revolutionary Active Very Water/Sweat Resistant SPF 45 is highlighted in the “Here Comes the Sunscreen” section featured in the June issue.  This unique broad-spectrum sunscreen combines Z-Cote and other potent sunscreen agents with caffeine and silybin to fight environmental cellular damage.  Proven effective for up to 80 minutes in dynamic water, this is the perfect choice for those enjoying outdoor sports, regardless of skin type.  This exceptional product also passed rigorous testing to qualify for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s ‘Active’ Seal of Recommendation.

We are thrilled to be recognized for our exceptional sun protection product.  Feel free to call PCA SKIN for more information about Active Very Water/Sweat Resistant SPF 45 and the rest of our suite of advanced products designed to protect skin from UV and other environmental damage.

avoiding summer hyperpigmentation

For those prone to hyperpigmentation, summer drawing nearer can mean worry.  Many put in lots of effort to clear their skin of discoloration throughout the fall and winter, only to see it resurface as the temperatures rise and they inevitably spend more time on outdoor activities.  With some minor adjustments to habits and regimen, this cycle does not have to repeat itself.

It is important to remember that heat, not only UV exposure, can stimulate melanogenesis.  Although it can be difficult to avoid getting overheated during the summer months, especially in humid climates, if you are prone to hyperpigmentation, it is wise to avoid extended or frequent overheating. Outdoor activities during the hours of 10am and 4pm should be minimized, and wearing wide-brimmed hats, protective clothing and staying in the shade can help to suppress unwanted pigment deposit.

The daily use of broad-spectrum sun protection is a must for everyone, but imperative for keeping skin discolorations from resurfacing. In addition to continuing with your regular use of the melanogenesis inhibitors in Pigment Gel and Brightening Therapy, adding Perfecting Protection SPF 30 to your regimen boosts your skin’s ability to suppress hyperpigmentation. This revolutionary broad-spectrum sun protection product contains a blend of bearberry, licorice root extract, kojic acid, mulberry root extract and lactic acid that work synergistically to inhibit and interrupt melanogenesis.  Additionally, the inclusion of caffeine and silybin from milk thistle gives skin powerful protection against free radical damage and the formation of sunburn cells.

For more tips on treating hyperpigmentation and keeping it at bay, feel free to call a highly-educated member of our Practice Development team at 877.PCA.SKIN (722.7546).