Potomac Station Medspa, Sterling Skin Doctor, Potomac Falls Dermatologist

Anti - Aging Active Ingredients (Loudoun anti aging skin care, serving Ashburn, Lansdowne, Leesburg and Broadlands)

Allantoin: Ashburn Dermatologist

Allantoin is a good exfoliating agent and a common ingredient in many skin rejuvenation products. Allantoin induced exfoliation is the basis of it's healing properties, skin repair, regeneration of skin cells, anti-inflammatory characteristics, and the ability to smooth the surface of the skin.

Allantoin is present in botanical extract of the comfrey plant and uric acid from cows, most mammals. Chemically synthesized bulk allantoin is natural-identical, safe, non-toxic, compatible with cosmetic raw materials. Beneficial effects for allantoin as an active ingredient in over-the-counter cosmetics: a moisturizing and keratolytic effect, increasing the water content of the extracellular matrix and enhancing the desquamation of upper layers of dead skin cells, increasing the smoothness of the skin; promotion of cell proliferation and wound healing; and a soothing, anti-irritant, and skin protectant effect by forming complexes with irritant and sensitizing agents. Leesburg Dermatologist

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA): Loudoun Dermatologist

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA) are among the few anti-aging treatments that have been repeatedly clinically proven highly effective. The AHA's include glycolic acid found in products like Neostrata's Glycolic Treatment, lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, and citric acid.

AHA's are primarily exfoliants, but they also stimulate skin repair, increase collagen production, increase skin thickness, improve elasticity, are an effective acne treatment, improve skin texture, improve skin tone and decrease enlarged pores.

Alpha Lipoic Acid: Leesburg Dermatologist

Anti-aging treatment studies on alpha lipoic acid indicate a great deal of promise as an effective antioxidant which can repair sun damaged skin, provide protection to the skin, diminish fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, and decrease large pores. Included as an active ingredient in many combination moisturizing products.

Arbutin Ashburn Skin care specialist

Chemically related to hydroquinone, a potent treatment for hyperpigmentation.

Beta Hydroxy Acids (Salicylic Acid): Lansdowne Dermatologist

Proven clinically as effective as the AHA's, beta hydroxy salicylic acid or BHA is an exfoliant that also improves skin texture, tone and acne. It is generally considered to be an alternative to AHA, and particularly beneficial for oily skin types. For an effective product, look Skin Medica Acne Toner.

Coenzyme Q-10 (Ubiquinone): Broadlands Dermatologist

Research indicates Co-Q10 may be an effective antioxidant that repairs sun damaged skin, energizes new cell growth, possess firming properties, and smoothes skin. Clinical results vary.

Collagen: Ashburn Skin care doctor

Collagen is claimed to increase skin hydration, firming and plumping properties while improving fine lines and wrinkles. A word of caution, formulations need to be very specific in order to allow for adequate absorption into the skin. Clinical studies are sparse, ultimately the consumer is the judge.

Copper Peptides: Loudoun Skin care doctor specialist

Copper is a metal with antioxidant properties found in every cell in the human body. Copper peptides enhance wound healing and may increase collagen and elastin production. There are no great studies with copper peptides, and case reports vary from helpful over time, to ineffective.

DHEA: Leesburg skin care doctor specialist

Preliminary study suggests the possibility of using DHEA topically as an anti-skin aging agent. Further research is needed to confirm these results. This is a growth hormone which is typically taken as a nutritional supplement.

DMAE Sterling Dermatologist/ Skin Care doctor specialist

Although anti-aging treatment studies on DMAE have not been extensive, the results demonstrate positive rejuvenating effects in skin firming properties, the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, improving moisture content, and in improving sagging skin.

Estrogen (Estradiol .o1% or Estriol .3%): Broadlands skin care doctor

Preliminary study results show promise in improving wrinkles, its firming properties, increasing collagen production, and improving the skin's moisture content. Topical use of estrogen is still in the study process.

The proven effects on improving aging skin currently occur when taken as a hormone replacement treatment for menopausal women, i.e., the birth control pill. Follow instructions carefully as there are warnings that accompany the use of estrogen. The risks of therapy are outweighed by the cosmetic benefits.

Green Tea: Ashburn anti aging skin care products

There is limited animal and human study of green tea as a protective agent of skin from ultraviolet light skin injury. Some study results conflict. Comparisons have not been made with well-established forms of sun protection such as ultraviolet protective sunscreen. The effects of green tea on skin damage caused by the sun remain unclear.

Hyaluronic Acid: Loudoun anti aging skin care products

May be effective for diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid is often used in conjunction with Vitamin C to assist in maximizing absorption into the skin. It is most effective as an injection (Restylane).

Hydroquinone: Leesburg anti aging skin care products

Clinically proven to effectively bleach age and dark spots as a skin lightening ingredient for hyperpigmentation (dark spots). Look for prescription strength formulations as found in Obagi Nu-Derm.

Kinerase and Kinetin (N6-Furfurladenine): Lansdowne anti aging skin care products

Kinetin's story of discovery is extraordinary. That is why the folks at ICN, the makers of Kinerase, like to say that the science behind beautiful skin begins with a lesson from nature. It all started when scientists discovered a natural chemical compound called kinetin that protects leaves from drying and prematurely aging. Topical formulations of kinetin were studied in a scientific manner. Treated skin was shown to retain 15% more moisture after just 12 weeks. By 24 weeks, moisture retention was improved by an average of 25%. Furthermore, key measures of skin aesthetics such as fine wrinkles, color, texture and blotchiness were improved in a majority of study participants. Patient results vary.

Kojic Acid: Sterling anti aging skin care products

Clinically proven effective as a lightening treatment for skin pigmentation problems as it inhibits melanin (brown skin pigment) production. Often used as an alternative to hydroquinone. Neostrata

Liposomes:

Liposomes are found as a component of many anti-aging treatments to facilitate the delivery of the active anti-aging ingredient through the skin layers and directly to the cells.

Lycopene:

Only preliminary studies completed for topical anti-aging effects as an antioxidant that can improve skin texture. Most commonly used in diets to build antioxidant protection.

Methyl dihydroxybenzoate

Clincally proven to decrease hyperpigmentation. It works to stop the enzyme that produces pigment in the skin. It is a hydoquinone free alternative to skin lightening. See Vibrance.

Pal-KTTKS: Neostrata in Ashburn Loudoun

There have been no independent clinical studies to demonstrate the claims that Strivectin dramatically reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Pal-KTTKS is the active ingredient in StriVectin-SD.

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide: Obagi skin care line in Lansdowne Loudoun

Only preliminary studies have been conducted for the effects that stimulate collagen production, improving skin elasticity, repairing sun damaged skin and diminishing wrinkles. Sufficient concentration is necessary to produce results, although non-irritating.

Progesterone: Ashburn dermatology

Not clinically proven as a topical skin rejuvenation cream but preliminary studies suggest effects that include diminishing wrinkles and fine lines and improving overall skin texture. Look for concentrations of 400 to 500 milligrams per ounce. Adverse health consequences preclude the use of this hormone for cosmetic applications.

Tretinoin (Retinoic acid- Retin A / Renova): Loudoun dermatology

Tretinoin is a form of Vitamin A that is clinically proven to have significant effective results for anti-aging treatment and skin care issues. Although available by prescription only results range from the reduction of both wrinkles and fine lines, increasing collagen production, smoothing skin texture, increasing skin thickness, improving elasticity, improving acne, exfoliation, improving overall skin tone, diminishing mottled pigmentation and increasing skin hydration. This is the strongest of the Vitamin A's and can be very irritating to the skin. See Obagi Nu-Derm

Retinol (a form of Vitamin A):

Retinol is clinically proven to have similar yet less significant effects as Tretinoin due to less efficient absorption into the skin. Effective skin rejuvenation treatments require a concentration of .3% to .6% of retinol. Can cause skin irritation so follow application directions carefully.

Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A derivative):

Promising preliminary anti-aging treatment research indicates that retinyl palmitate has similar skin rejuvenation effects to that of Tretinoin.

Spin Traps:

Promising preliminary research on anti-aging treatment suggests significant rejuvenating results by trapping free radicals, detoxifying free radicals and as for skin protective properties. Described as an intelligent antioxidant that turns skin damaging free radical activity into productive regenerative activity.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid):

Clinically proven in stable versions, Vitamin C increases collagen production, has powerful antioxidant properties, healing properties, reduces fine lines and wrinkles while minimizes scars. See Obagi CRX

L-Ascorbic Acid is often used in conjunction with hyaluronic acid to assist in effective absorption. Do not layer with Copper Peptides as the combination will nullify the effect of both products. Simply use each anti-aging treatment at a different time of day.

Vitamin E (Tocopherol):

May work as an antioxidant, improving the skin's moisture content, skin protection properties, smoothing, and healing properties. A product's ingredient description should state high-potency E.

Vitamin K:

May be helpful in treatment for broken capillaries and bruising. An alternative to treating dark circles under the eyes and spider veins.

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