J-E-L-L-O®

The dermis is like a Jello® mold strewn with pretzel sticks.Yes, a food analogy for the architecture of this all-important structural portion of our skin.The pretzel sticks represent collagen fibers. These strong little strands hold up the skin like a tent pole.As we age, the skin loses 1% of its collagen fibers each year after the age of 40.This is why fine wrinkle lines appear. Collagen fibers don’t exist in a vacuum, though.They live within the Jello® of the Jello® mold.Here, other important structures such as blood vessels, nerve endings...

Retinol, Retinoids & Rejuvenation

Retinoid is common jargon in the skin rejuvenation world, yet for all the marketing hype, it’s not well understood. The word “retinoid” is a generic one.  It merely refers to any member of the Vitamin A family. Consider for a moment the word “antibiotic”.  There’s penicillin, sulfa, tetracycline, cephalosporin; they’re all related but different in their own ways. In the retinoid family there’s retinoic acid, retinol, esters of retinoic acid.  Each is unique, yet related. Their use in skincare is legendary, yet not all are created equal or are equally effective. Retinoids come available only by prescription; others are found in...

Retinol, Retinoids & Rejuvenation

Retinoid is common jargon in the skin rejuvenation world, yet for all the marketing hype, it’s not well understood. The word “retinoid” is a generic one.  It merely refers to any member of the Vitamin A family. Consider for a moment the word “antibiotic”.  There’s penicillin, sulfa, tetracycline, cephalosporin; they’re all related but different in their own ways. In the retinoid family there’s retinoic acid, retinol, esters of retinoic acid.  Each is unique, yet related. Their use in skincare is legendary, yet not all are created equal or are equally effective. Retinoids come available only by prescription; others are found in...

A Message from Dr. Kunin

A Message from Dr. KuninWelcome to the NEW DERMAdoctor.com! Thirteen years ago I was an internet pioneer, bringing essential, hard to find skin health and beauty items online along with accurate healthy skin information.  Back then your feedback inspired me, as it continues to.  I realized the need for unique problem-solving skin care; solutions consumers didn’t realize they wanted until they were created. Since that time, DERMAdoctor Specialist Skin Care has become an internationally acclaimed brand. My solutions continue with recent launches such as Photodynamic Therapy liquid red light laser lotion, Gorilla Warfare hair minimizing facial moisturizer and KP Duty intensive priming...

A Message from Dr. Kunin

A Message from Dr. KuninWelcome to the NEW DERMAdoctor.com! Thirteen years ago I was an internet pioneer, bringing essential, hard to find skin health and beauty items online along with accurate healthy skin information.  Back then your feedback inspired me, as it continues to.  I realized the need for unique problem-solving skin care; solutions consumers didn’t realize they wanted until they were created. Since that time, DERMAdoctor Specialist Skin Care has become an internationally acclaimed brand. My solutions continue with recent launches such as Photodynamic Therapy liquid red light laser lotion, Gorilla Warfare hair minimizing facial moisturizer and KP Duty intensive priming...

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures that patients avail themselves of today. Chemical peels can give your skin a healthy, "just refreshed" look, or can be aggressive, taking years off of your appearance. What do chemical peels do? The outer portion of the skin (epidermis) is composed of multiple layers of epidermal cells. These cells provide a barrier against the environment, protecting deeper, more delicate tissues, maintain an even internal temperature and also prevent against dehydration. Epidermal cells are anchored together in two ways. Microscopic fibers called tonofilaments run between individual cells, helping anchor them together. An extracellular...

Exfoliation

Breaking The Ties That Bind It's widely known that exfoliation is good for your skin, and most beauty junkies choose to exfoliate regularly. But is the rationale for partaking in this daily grooming habit apparent, or is it simply performed because beauty editors universally demand it of us? The perception that exfoliation is healthy has true roots in the structure and physiology of the skin. While skin thickness varies by region, the epidermis is on average composed of 30 layers of cells, (16 in the outermost stratum corneum), stacked upon each other like bricks. And like a brick wall, an intercellular cement...

Hydroquinone Update – Go Hydroquinone Free!

You may have read previous articles or posts on our site or others about the highly-controversial ingredient hydroquinone, which is the most commonly used skin bleaching agent in the U.S. Hydroquinone essentially shuts down melanin production and can be found in large numbers of both prescription (at the 4% level) and over-the-counter (at the 2% level) skin lighteners. The main issues of controversy surrounding hydroquinone are skin irritation and the potential for a rare side effect known as ochronosis, when long term use with high potency hydroquinone, particularly in people of color, may be associated with darkening of the treated...

Antiperspirants

Inspired to conquer your perspiration woes but wonder what antiperspirant is up to the challenge? Misinformation and over-the-top claims create confusion. So do high tech sounding ingredients, low-tech "back-to-basics" approaches and a plethora of decidedly not dermatologist-friendly ingredients. Know your sweating physiology, what really works (and doesn't) and why. Staying dry, fresh and confident can be just a roll-on away. Only Make Believe? If searching for a product that is going to keep you dry, don't be fooled by the labeling. Antiperspirants and deodorants are not necessarily the same. Believing a product labeled merely as a "deodorant" may be an unpleasant surprise...