5 Tips To Help Treat, Repair, and Protect Your Skin

I have 5 great tips for you to help treat, repair and protect your skin!

Tip #1 – HYDRATION

Overexposure to the sun causes dehydration to our body’s balance and skin so it’s important for us to get that moisture back! Drinking a lot of water to replenish and detoxify is a great start, but we need to go that extra mileSkin O'Neill Charleston, SC Water to help our skin. I would like to suggest a moisturizing, hydrating masque at least twice a week. Here at O’Neill Plastic Surgery, I like to use ZO Ossential Aloe Hydra Masque and Massage Gel in my facials. It’s gentle, calming and cooling and it really works well with all skin types. This Hydra Masque can not only be used on your face but your body as well! I also love using ZO Ossential Skin Brightening Sheet Masque in my facials. It’s a single pack sheet masque that delivers superior brightening effects as well as replenishing moisture and hydration. Another great hydration tip is the use of toner. I love to use Balatone by ZO Skin Health. This toner invigorates dry weak skin. It has a beautiful blend of conditioners, moistures, and hydrators to help soothe and heal. Toner is also great to get your pH levels back in balance after external or internal factors such as hormonal changes have gotten you off track.

Tip #2 – EXFOLIATION

Exfoliation is my favorite thing to do not only in the summer months but all year round. There are so many wonderful benefits to getting rid of the dry dead skin and keeping your face clean of any external debris as well as unclogging pores! It’s like the saying “Out with the old” and I like to say “ to make room for the new” Exfoliating your skin at least 2 to 3 times a week will not only get rid of the old, but it increases your Cell Renewal Factor (CRF), or your cell turnover rate!! As we age, our CRF slows down, so it’s very important to keep that cell mitosis going for your overall skin preservation.  I love using ZO Offects Exfoliating Polish in my facials and my patients tell me it’s almost the best part of the facial!  The Exfoliating Polish is loaded with ultra-fine magnesium crystals, vitamins A, C and E for that antioxidant boost to help maintain the skin barrier.

Tip #3 – PROTECTION

Preventative measures for skin care include avoiding the sun when possible and wearing protective clothing, hats, and of course sunscreen! This is the best protection for your skin. Living in the south we are not privy to weather that keeps us from being outside and enjoying our surroundings! So in this case, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN! Did you know that approximately 80% of premature extrinsic aging is caused by the sun? Harsh isn’t it!? Sunscreen has two types of active ingredients, chemical screens, and physical blocks. The sun protector factor, or SPF as we all know it, is the ingredient ability of a product to delay sun-induced erythema or redness caused by inflammation. This is the visible sign of sun damage to our skin. Some examples of chemical sunscreens have ingredients listed such as Octinoxate, Octisalate, and Oxybenzone. Physical sunscreens have Titanium dioxide and Zinc. So take a look next time you are shopping for a new sunscreen.  I personally like to use Oclipse Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 by ZO on my patients after a fabulous facial. This sunscreen provides daily multi-defense protection from UVA, UVB, and HEV (high energy visible light). It has a 12-hour release complex guard against photo-damage, and DNA protection and repair as well. It also has a slight tint to it and feels silky smooth to the touch! This ZO product can be used alone or worn under makeup for a more even, long-lasting application.

Tip #4 – PREVENTION

It is always good to practice prevention with your overall skin health. Take a look at your body from head to toe keeping an eye out for any new growths or skin changes as well as yearly visits to your medical provider for skin checks.

Tip #5 – FACIALS & PRODUCTS

Whether it’s simply mature skin or extrinsic aging, we all need help combating the effects and this is part of the reason why the skincare field has grown so rapidly in the recent years. Though facials can be considered luxuries, having regular facials and a maintenance product regimen are now regarded as necessities by many. There are a lot of products out there that promise to do this or that so be sure to find one that truly works for you. I believe that with the commitment to having better skin you can achieve a look that’s vibrant, youthful and healthy.

 

Danielle Cios, LE

A picture of Patrick J. O’Neill, MD wearing his doctor attire.

About the Author

Upon completing medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC, Dr. O’Neill completed nine years of residency training. These nine years included a full general surgery and a plastic surgery residency, both at the Medical University of South Carolina, and a hand and microsurgery fellowship at the Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery. Dr. O’Neill has extensive certifications, training, skills, and knowledge that make him a successful physician who can carry out your next plastic surgery procedure. His expertise and technique will result in the beautiful and natural look you desire post surgery.

Board Certified:
American Board of Surgery
American Board of Plastic Surgery
Sub-Certification in Hand and Microsurgery

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