3 days ago
Dermatologist Reveals 5 Top Skin 'Buzzwords' Right Now
Dermatology and skin care are plagued by trendy terms that either slap a new name on an old concept or simply turn out to be nonsense.
But some dermatology buzzwords are based in real science, Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, board-certified dermatologist, explained in a segment on the TODAY show. And many of them refer to procedures that can easily be performed at home.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy, or light therapy, involves the use of specific wavelengths of light to manage skin conditions. Right now, red and blue light are the most buzzy types of light therapy, Nussbaum says.
While blue light is helpful in keeping acne-causing bacteria under control, she explains, red light is able to penetrate deeper into the skin. That means red light has more potential in managing inflammation and stimulating the production of collagen.
You can have phototherapy sessions done professionally at a dermatologist's office or look into at-home devices.
Hydrafacial
This popular type of facial is a multi-step process that cleanses, exfoliates and hydrates the skin using a vacuum-like tool. It can also be customized for your preferences and any specific skin issues you want to manage.
Since Hydrafacials don't include manual extractions (when the provider pops pimples and removes gunk from pores manually), it is still a relatively gentle procedure, making it better than traditional facials for many people, Nussbaum says.
Radiofrequency Microneedling
You may already know about the benefits of microneedling, but this procedure combines those effects with radiofrequency for extra effectiveness, Nussbaum says.
Microneedling makes use of a tool with tiny needles to stimulate the skin's natural wound healing powers, typically resulting in collagen production. With the addition of radiofrequency energy, which is delivered through the needles, the procedure stimulates the production of both collagen and elastin, Nussbaum explains.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is a huge world of its own in dermatology right now, so it's important to chat with a professional to figure out which of the many options out there is best for your situation.
There really is no one-size-fits-all laser treatment, Nussbaum says, and the right laser for you depends on your skin issue, skin tone, overall goals and how much downtime you're willing to put up with.
Fractional Lasers
A specific type of laser treatment, fractional lasers are a more targeted and less intense approach compared to ablative lasers, Nussbaum says.
Where ablative lasers destroy the entire top layer of skin, fractional lasers create microscopic columns of thermal damage on the skin, Nussbaum explains. "The old way of having lasers done was that you would take off the entire top layer of the skin," she says, "which (led to a) much longer downtime, and the healing process was much more involved."
Both approaches stimulate the skin's healing response, but fractional lasers are better suited for milder situations and result in much less downtime. These laser treatments can be used to minimize wrinkles and fine lines, as well as manage hyperpigmentation.
Fractional lasers aren't totally new, but they've become especially buzzy in the last few years, Nussbaum says. That's partly because they're much cheaper than ablative treatments but also because they can be used on many more patients than ablative lasers.
In the past, if you wanted a laser treatment to address signs of aging, "ablative was the only option, and it was lots of downtime and pain," Nussbaum says. "The recovery was long, and it would take two to three weeks to come back. Now it's five days."
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