What Is Hyaluronic Acid and How Does It Help Your Skin?
Can skin quality be improved? Our Little Rock-based Dermatology Group of Arkansas team knows that patients are routinely searching for treatments to make their skin clearer, smoother, and even healthier.
One of the best-known powerhouse ingredients for the skin is hyaluronic acid. Chances are good that you have heard of this ingredient before, since facial fillers and many types of topical products contain it. Even if you know the words, however, you may be wondering what exactly hyaluronic acid is and how it works.
Hyaluronic acid can often be the key to getting a plump and glowing look. To put it simply, this ingredient works by increasing water content in the skin. It’s a strong hydrating ingredient—medically known as a humectant—that absorbs water from the environment and holds it in the upper layers of skin. The molecules can even retain up to 1,000 times their own weight in water, so hyaluronic acid is great for keeping your skin dewy and luminous throughout the day.
It has many benefits, such as:
• Making the skin look and feel more supple
• Speeding up wound healing
• Smoothing the texture of the skin
• Decreasing the depth of wrinkles
• Enhancing skin firmness and elasticity
• Reducing symptoms of mild to moderate eczema
• Acting as an antioxidant to protect the skin against damaging molecules called free radicals
It's best to use toners, essences, serums, and moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid. Water or gel-based products are ideal for those who have oily skin, while oil-based products will be the better choice for those with dry skin. It’s perfectly safe to use products that contain hyaluronic acid every day, but it’s important that you use them the correct way to get the most from them.
Always apply hyaluronic acid products to clean and damp skin, then lock it all in with a layer of moisturizer. Remember that hyaluronic acid fillers come in different “sizes.” Products with a lower molecular weight can penetrate the skin more deeply and are longer lasting. Hyaluronic acid fillers can also be injected directly into the skin to reduce the depth of wrinkles and give it a smoother appearance.
Want to know more about improving skin quality? Our team at the Little Rock-based Dermatology Group of Arkansas will explain more about how cosmetic procedures can enhance your appearance. Call us at 501-227-8422 or submit a contact form online and schedule a consultation.
3 Spring Skin Care Suggestions
The old saying “March winds and April showers bring May flowers” reminds us of how spring is a time of renewal and hope. After a long, bitter winter, we have brighter and warmer weather to look forward to as the Earth brings forth its new life. When it comes to skincare, many people also look forward to shedding the dead skin that has built up throughout the winter (we recommend chemical exfoliation from our Little Rock team) and making their complexion look more vibrant as they get ready to wear more revealing clothes and enjoy more outdoor activities.
Keep in mind, however, that increases in temperature, humidity, and sun exposure will also bring about their own challenges.
Even though we might be more than ready to enjoy sunshine, our skin needs a longer time to adapt to seasonal changes. Some of the most common warmer-weather skin issues include acne breakouts, contact dermatitis from touching certain plants, grass and pollen allergies, eczema flare-ups, insect bites, dry skin, rough skin, and sunburn. One thing’s for certain: Even though you still need to be wearing SPF during the winter, proper sun protection is definitely more important during the shift.
Want to maintain healthy skin as the world wakes up? See below for some of our suggestions.
Exfoliate
Dry and flaky skin is a common issue during the winter, but it can still be a problem when your skin comes out of hibernation. In fact, your skin will probably be even more sensitive to weather changes now. Dry skin will be much more noticeable when we ditch the sweaters and scarves to expose more of our surface. Exfoliating during the dead of winter isn’t always advisable, but spring is the perfect time to start. Slough away winter skin with chemical peels for the face or use an exfoliating mitt in the shower for your body.
Manage Acne Breakouts
Use a cleanser that contains acne-fighting ingredients, and “spring clean” to get rid of any old beauty products that may have expired or developed bacterial colonies while lurking in your medicine cabinet for the past year.
Lighten Up on Moisturizers
Switch from heavier creams to lighter, gel-based moisturizers and cleansers that hydrate but won’t clog your pores or feel greasy.
Want more advice on seasonal skincare? Contact our team at the Little Rock-based Dermatology Group of Arkansas. Call us at 501-227-8422 or 1-800-225-8422 or fill out a contact form online to request a consultation.
What Are the Best Methods to Reduce Uneven Pigmentation?
Discolored patches on the skin are a common condition that may occur because of several possible causes, such as illness, injury, inflammatory problems, or a difference in levels of melanin—the substance that provides color to your skin and gives it some protection against sunlight. The most effective way of treating these discolored areas on the skin depends on their underlying cause, so you should a see a dermatologist if you’re noticing any such lasting changes and want to do something about them. If your overall skin tone is uneven and you’re discovering irregular dark spots, IPL from our Little Rock-based team at Dermatology Group of Arkansas can help you get a more even, uniform skin texture, as can some other techniques.
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy may sometimes cause dark patches called melasma on both sides of the face. In other cases, darkened blotches on the skin called age spots or sunspots may occur on sun-exposed areas. Acne sufferers can discover marks left on their skin due to inflammation. These dark marks are collectively referred to as hyperpigmentation. As mentioned previously, your skin produces pigment called melanin as a natural way of protecting you from damage caused by sun exposure. Excessive ultraviolet radiation is the primary cause of hyperpigmentation because it disrupts the melanin production process.
Here are some ways to reduce unwanted discolorations:
IPL
IPL is a light-based procedure that gives off multiple flashes of broad bands of light—as opposed to lasers, which produce beams in one focused wavelength. The light energy IPL gives off is absorbed by both melanin and hemoglobin in the skin without harming the surrounding areas. The discolored spots eventually flake away.
Over-the-Counter Products
Several common skincare ingredients can help with pigmentation, including vitamin C, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and retinol.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are ideal for lightening unwanted pigment on the surface of the skin. A chemical solution is applied, then penetrates into deeper layers depending on its strength. This removes the damaged, older skin on the surface. With this exfoliation, newer, healthier, and clearer skin is revealed. This treatment promotes skin cell renewal.
Want a clearer complexion? Learn more about the benefits of IPL and more from Dermatology Group of Arkansas. Call us at 501-227-8422 or 1-800-225-8422 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation.