Monday, March 30, 2009

Comedogenic Skin Care: Fact or Fiction?

Many articles have been written about the comedogenic (blackhead forming) effect of raw ingredients in cosmetic and cosmeceutical products.  They say that some ingredients clog pores, which leads to blackheads.  For all the publicity, there is little evidence that cosmetic ingredients contribute to blackhead formation.  Test results depend on the ingredient being tested, its concentration and purity, and the way the test is conducted.  Only high concentrations of comedogenic ingredients have caused blackhead formation in the lab.  However, cosmetic and skin care products use very low concentrations and low concentrations do not clog pores.  Rx Systems PF uses the highest quality ingredients (United States Pharmacia grade when available) and create hypoallergenic products that do not clog pores.  

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Effective Anti-Aging: It Takes Two

We've all heard the saying, "You're only as young as you feel."  While I agree with this statement, I also believe that the younger you look, the younger you feel.  A good anti-aging routine can be the the key to more youthful looking skin and, as a result, a younger feeling you.

Let's start with the most obvious, but overlooked anti-aging strategy, which is your lifestyle.  Your skin is a reflection of your body's general health.  Many things that contribute to the aging process can be improved by changing your lifestyle.  For example, reduce excess sun exposure, increase physical activity, stop smoking, eat a well-balanced diet, drink lots of water, and get  little more shut-eye.

Additional anti-aging benefits can be achieved through products for skin and hair.  Anti-aging skin products aim to rejuvenate, restore, and repair the skin, improve the moisture content of the skin, and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  The most effective anti-aging program takes a two-pronged approach: prevention and repair.

The Rx Systems PF Rejuvenating Program uses scientifically advanced ingredients to renew and restore the skin's function, thereby preventing many of the negative changes associated with aging and sun-damaged skin: rough skin texture, flaking, dryness, poor skin tone, dilated pores, discoloration, brown spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.

The Rx Systems PF Reparative Program is designed to repair cell damage and to rebuild skin cells, reversing the signs of sun-damaged and aging skin, resulting in smoother skin texture, improved skin tone, decreased pore size, improved skin color, and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The active ingredient in both of our programs is Glypoic Complex (Glypure-L and alpha lipoic acid), retinol, and soluble collagen in propriety formulations.

The unique combination of glycolic acid and alpha lipoic acid in my Glypoic Complex stimulates cellular growth and repairs damaged skin cells, while neutralizing free radicals that can damage cells.  Rx Systems PF products that contain Glypoic Complex are the only products in the industry that combine the effectiveness and stability of reparative ingredient and a rejuvenation ingredient in one product.  This breakthrough uses real science to deliver real results.

Although aging is a natural process, we don't have to age so quickly and we definitely don't have to look our age.  With smart lifestyle choices and today's scientifically advanced skin and hair care products, we can all feel younger and "Everyday Fabulous."



Tuesday, March 24, 2009

ABCD Criteria for Melanomas

We hear about the ABCD criteria for melanomas. Treatment and cure of melanomas rely on early and accurate diagnosis. The ABCD mnemonic was created for individuals and primary care physicians to create awareness of the clinical features of melanomas.

"A" stands for asymmetry
"B" stands for border irregularity
"C" stands for color variation in the same lesion, and
"D" stands for diameter greater than 6 mm

Not all melanomas have all ABCD characteristic, but a combination of some of the clinical features.  Benign growths can demonstrate the ABCD criteria. Therefore, the ABCD criteria are only a screening too for clinical evaluation of the skin lesion. Suspicious moles can be biopsied to establish the diagnosis.

Recently, the mnemonic changed to ABCDE in order to increase one's ability for earlier diagnosis of melanomas. The "E" stands for evolving lesions characterized by change over time. Such lesions are characterized by change in symmetry, change in borders, shape, diameter, and symptoms over time.  Evolving lesions may lack significant asymmetry, fairly regular borders, mild color variation and smaller than 6 mm, but represent a non-healing, changing pigmented lesion.

Moles and suspicious lesions that fulfill the ABCD criteria can be biopsied to confirm a diagnosis.  Early detection allows adequate treatment and cure, and identifies benign lesions which require no further treatment.  I along with the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society, advocate the ABCD criteria for the early detection of melanomas and encourage you to perform a self-exam today.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Rx Systems Anti-Aging Skin Care Kit

I was thrilled when splendicity.com's Aging Fabulous blogger Beth Bender featured Rx Systems Anti-Aging Skin Care Kit as the site's March Madness giveaway on the 17th of this month. 

Rx Systems PF products are enriched with glypoic complex, which uniquely couples the reparative nature of glycolic acid with the restorative benefits of the powerful antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid.  The Anti-Aging Skin Care System contains Reparative Cleanser, Reparative Lotion, and Facial Moisturizer SPF 30.  These products are gentle enough for daily use. With continuous use you will see a noticeable reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improvement in the color, tone and texture of your skin in as little as four weeks. 

Thanks Beth and to all who entered to win.  And, a special congrats to the winner, Johannah B. who will be receiving her kit in the next few weeks.  This Anti-Aging Skin Care Kit is on sale  for $39.90 at RxSystemsPF.com.  

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Rx Systems PF Launches New SPF 35 Facial Moisturizer

It is never too late to begin a program to slow down and prevent the aging process. In a perfect world this should begin in our mid twenties.  The skin is the largest organ of our body and is the primary indicator of age.  It is the only organ chronically exposed to the environment and on public display. This means the skin is a reflection of your general health, lifestyle, and age.

The primary preventable cause of aging is exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Photo-aging is characterized by rough skin texture, dilated pores, blotchy skin color, brown spots, fine lines and wrinkles.  Although other factors can contribute to aging skin, such as smoking and environmental pollutants, ultraviolet radiation is recognized as the single most important factor.

The ubiquitous nature of sun's ultraviolet radiation requires the use of sunscreen agents to prevent photo-aging skin.  

I am very excited about our new, unique Facial Moisturizer with SPF 35 created as the ideal sunscreen for everyday use.  It provides a broad spectrum UVB/UVA protection appropriate for all skin types.  It combines four sunscreen ingredients to expand the range of ultraviolet ray protection including transparent, micronized zinc oxide which leaves no filmy, white residue. Lastly, I added antioxidants to enhance its photo-protective properties.  The combination of multiple sunscreen ingredients, antioxidants, and skin conditioning agents enhance the SPF of the final product especially with everyday use.  Don't reserve the use of sunscreen for only sunny days.  

Rx Systems Facial Moisturizer with SPF 35 is PABA-free, non-greasy, light weight, and does not clog pores.  This accommodates the need for a daily, all-year round sunscreen that provides protection from UVA and UVB rays.