“[Essential oils are] extracted from plants to capture their natural scent and flavor, and all their beneficial properties,” dermatologist Peterson Pierre tells Teen Vogue. “Each essential oil has unique ingredients that give it a characteristic essence.”

And while they may feel oily to the touch, essential oils aren’t exactly oils, as their composition differs vastly from animal and vegetable oils. In other words, instead of being primarily composed of fatty acids, the molecular structure of an essential oil depends on the plant from which it came–usually through distillation or a mechanical process known as cold-pressing, explained Pierre.

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According to dermatologist Peterson Pierre, M.D., all skin types are fine candidates for facial shaving. Just note that if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you want to be extra careful to avoid any irritation. That said, make sure to only shave your skin with product, as “shaving dry can likely cause more irritation, nicks, and cuts,” Dr. Pierre says. He recommends using a shave gel because it creates a layer between the blade and skin, allowing your razor to glide more easily. “Follow up with a moisturizing and soothing after-shave to make the experience as comfortable as possible,” Dr. Pierre adds. You can shave as often as you need as long as you’re not finding irritation on the skin.

And no, shaving your face will not make hair grow back thicker or darker! According to Dr. Pierre, “the razor cuts the hair about mid-shaft, at its thickest portion,” he explains. “So when the hair grows in, it might appear to be thicker, but the hair diameter itself actually doesn’t change and neither does the color.”

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Cryosculpting: Cryosculpting is a non-invasive treatment that uses both cold temperatures and muscle stimulation to freeze and get rid of fat cells for good, according to Peterson Pierre, a board certified dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California.

Ice 21’s Cryotone: This machine firms and tones your muscles while draining out the lymphatic areas of your body, improving circulation and the texture of your skin, according to Pierre. He adds that it can be used on your abdomen, thighs, and buttocks as well as on a double chin. This is “a quick-and-easy, painless, and relatively affordable solution to getting rid of a double chin once and for all.”

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While they may serve as tasty toast toppings during brunch, avocados and honey are also hydrating superstars, adding much-needed water to the skin. According to Dr. Peterson Pierre of the Pierre Skin Care Institute, avocados’ chemical properties not only hydrate the skin, but they also placate inflammation associated with skin concerns.

“Avocado oil has high levels of vitamins B and E and is rich in fatty acids and many other nutrients that can nourish and moisturize the skin. It also contains oleic acid which promotes collagen production and accelerates the healing process. The antioxidants and vitamins have anti-inflammatory properties which can help acne, dandruff, and eczema,” he says.

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Again, one day is the ideal. A maximum of four days is a good metric to follow, advises Dr. Peterson Pierre, a board-certified dermatologist in California.

“You can go about three to four days in your sweats or loungewear before washing them,” Pierre says. “Any longer than that, and oils, bacteria, dander, and sweat can accumulate, leading to itchy skin and even an acne flare. It’s important to wash your favorites about twice a week even if you’re not leaving the house.”

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If you’ve ever run a long distance, taken an intense hot yoga class, come down with the flu, or, ahem, woken up with a hangover, you’ve likely reached for an electrolyte drink. That’s because the electrolytes in that bottle of Gatorade can supply your body with essential minerals that retain water and rehydrate you.

Now, imagine if there was a hydrating helper like that but for your skin! Pipe dream? Nope–very much a reality. Introducing electrolyte skin care, the newest beauty trend that’s all about applying electrolytes topically to reap similar benefits for your skin.

All electrolytes, whether from coconut water or coconut water-based moisturizer, work the same. Electrolytes–including magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, chloride, and phosphate–conduct electricity when mixed with water, says Peterson Pierre, M.D., a dermatologist at Pierre Skin Institute in Thousand Oaks, California. If you’re thinking electricity in the body sounds futuristic (or dangerous), have no fear. Electrical currents are naturally present in the body and electrolytes are essential to the functions of cells and organs.

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Retinol and alpha and beta hydroxy acids (aka AHAs and BHAs) are probably the MVPs of your skin care regimen, since they work overtime to keep fine lines and discoloration at bay. But can they be mixed?

“These ingredients on their own can be very beneficial, but using them together is a no-no,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre, MD. “You significantly increase your chances of irritation, redness, flaking without providing any additional benefit.”

To avoid any adverse reactions, Dr. Pierre advises introducing one product at a time to assess tolerability. Once that is established, you can then use your AHA/BHA product in the morning, and your retinol in the evening.

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If you’re noticing that your skin is on the drier side, and you feel your eyes are dry and unable to produce tears, then beware of a vitamin A deficiency. “Difficulty seeing in dim light (also known as night blindness) is another issue,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist based in California. He suggests adding meats, dairy, eggs, as well as red, yellow, orange, and green plant foods to your diet.

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As store shelves keep getting cleared out due to coronavirus fears, some people are taking sanitizing concerns into their own hands. What are the best DIY hand sanitizer options, and what do the experts want you to know about these homemade recipes? In general, you’ll want to save that bottle of Absolut for your drinks, not your cleaning products.

When making your own, “your sanitizer must be at least 70% alcohol to be effective,” dermatologist Peterson Pierre, M.D., of the Pierre Skin Care Institute tells Romper. Honestly, making the stuff on your own can be a bit tricky. “Though it might be tempting, as hand sanitizer has become unavailable in many stores and pharmacies as consumers rushed in to stock up, it’s not as easy to make an effective hand sanitizer as it sounds,” Dr. Gabriella Baki, Ph.D., Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmaceutics at the University of Toledo, tells Romper. Not all DIY sanitizer recipes are equally effective at killing off microbes.

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It seems to depend on who you ask. Cleaning expert and national spokesperson for the American Cleaning Institute, Brian Sansoni, says that the idea that homemade sanitizers can effectively protect against illness is “highly suspect.” He continues, “The producers who make these products follow formulas. If you’re at home, nothing guarantees that you’ll get the product formulation just right.” Dermatologist Peterson Pierre, MD agrees, saying, “If you have a choice, you are better off buying sanitizer from a store because they’ve been made in large volumes, they’re reliable companies, they’ve been doing this for a long time, they have the right formula, and it’s consistent.”

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Generally, a third washing is okay, but only if you’ve “just come from a sporting event where you sweat a lot, or if you’re wearing a lot of makeup [ahead of going to the gym] and would prefer not to deal with that while working out,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre, MD, a dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California.

Apparently, overwashing your face is a thing — but your skin will likely let you know if you’re doing this via breakouts, dryness or irritation.

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The coronavirus scare has many people on edge, but overreacting and not doing simple things is your biggest enemy according to Dr. Peterson Pierre, M.D. of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, California.

Our forums have a lot of chatter about this virus making the news. He shared exclusive wellness tips and advice for our readers who may have concerns about shortages and staying well.

The CDC even used a popular TV series, The Walking Dead, as advice to people to observe habits to ward off any exposure.

“Everyone is panicked about the current coronavirus scare. Most people who get infected will recover without any medical intervention. Many will be affected but have no symptoms. A minority, typically the elderly and those with other medical conditions, may become very sick and a certain number will die, similar to what happens with the regular flu that we face every year.”

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Whether internal or topical, Pierre said that medications can be another sneaky culprit behind your skin care woes. Certain medications, he explained, can cause irritation to your skin, making it important to talk to your doctor (or dermatologist) if this is of concern.

“Certain medications can stimulate oil production and acne, while others can cause rashes and red, dry, irritated skin,” he said. “This may require an adjustment to those medications, and certainly a change in the products you use.”

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Dr. Pierre recommends slapping on those body lotions as soon as you get out of the shower. “The best time to apply your moisturizer is right after the bath or shower,” he says. “Pat the skin dry, then immediately apply your chosen product to seal in as much moisture as possible.”

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Long story short: traditional deodorants contain a couple “no-no” ingredients that have consumers worried. This is because any topical ingredient we put on our skin is inevitably absorbed into the body.

Let’s dissect the three ingredients that have generated the most concern: parabens, phthalates, and aluminum.

“Parabens have estrogen-like qualities, but no study to date has linked them with breast cancer. They are, [however], known to cause allergic reactions and many people are sensitive to them. For that reason, you should probably avoid them,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre, a board-certified dermatologist based in Thousand Oaks, Calif. “As for phthalates, they have garnered a lot of attention because of their potential link to various diseases such as asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, autism spectrum disorders as well as male fertility issues. The studies have shown inconsistent findings here, as well.”

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Although natural plant-based active ingredients (think essential oils, botanical extracts, etc.) are currently used in many skincare products, Peterson Pierre, M.D., says that these plants take up a lot of valuable farmland, water, and energy to produce. Biotechnology successfully addresses this problem, he adds, saying that lab-produced skincare ingredients usually don’t have the carbon footprint associated with their plant-derived ingredients.

Unlike natural resources, which are often more expensive and subjective to variabilities such as seasonal changes (crop rate and global market pricing index), Dr. Hu says biotech ingredients are produced at a lower cost. Similarly, she adds that biotechnology’s genetic process can harvest an ingredient at a higher rate and higher consistency when compared to the traditional extraction process, reducing biotech skincare ingredients’ carbon footprint as a whole.

Finally, biotech skincare ingredients also have the advantage of being free of unwanted irritants and pesticides, as a 2011 study points out that many field-grown plants can be contaminated with pesticides and heavy metals. This makes tech-powered ingredients a potentially safer alternative for those looking for cleaner cosmetic products.

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You’ve probably heard a great deal about the health risks associated with formaldehyde, since it’s a well-known carcinogen. Peterson Pierre, M.D., explains that formaldehyde can be found in many cosmetic products, and that formaldehyde-containing products can also cause irritation and redness to the skin.

The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, which gives ingredients a toxicology score depending on how hazardous they find it to be, gave formaldehyde a score of 8-10 out of 10.

While it’s true that many beauty brands may not be forthcoming about including formaldehyde as a product ingredient, Dr. Pierre adds that you’ll also want to be on the lookout for formaldehyde-releasing ingredients–quaternium-15, DMDM-hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, and Diazolidinyl urea.

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Cleansing, without a doubt, is an integral part of maintaining good hygiene. A 2011 study published in the Indian Journal Of Dermatology suggests that cleansing products have been used for centuries to treat a variety of dermatological disorders, such as acne, rosacea and atopic dermatitis.

And since there are many factors that can influence your skin health (including stress, weather and hormones), board-certified dermatologist Peterson Pierre does see some positives associated with the situational cleansing method, especially since it can help address skin concerns at a particular time.

“Situational cleansing refers to switching cleansers based on different life circumstances,” Pierre told HuffPost. “This can be very beneficial because there are times when your skin will be dry (or oily, red and irritated), so this gives you the flexibility to properly address your skin’s needs at the appropriate time.”

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So how do you do it? Follow these simple steps provided by Dr. Peterson Pierre of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, California, to achieve the safest outcome possible:

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“As we age, our brains shrink in volume, particularly the frontal cortex and hippocampus, areas involved in higher cognitive function and encoding new memories,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California, and founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute.

The Remedy Rx: “It’s important to keep the mind stimulated, and one of the best ways to do that is with the brain training app Lumosity,” says Pierre. “This app is personalized and trains key areas of your brain. Just a few minutes a day can help your mind stay sharp and can even help you improve in certain areas.”

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Peterson Pierre, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in California who specializes in cosmetic dermatology, calls it the “golden standard of anti-aging” for its unmatched ability to reduce collagen breakdown and accelerate skin cell turnover.

Odds are, if you haven’t been using retinol in your routine yet and are looking for an anti-aging product, you may want to start.

But with retinol products now so readily available in so many different forms, it’s become difficult to find the best retinol cream for you. Luckily, these retinols come recommended from the pros. Just keep in mind that all of these creams and serums are powerful, so it’s best to use them at night when your skin is in the regenerating process, and follow them up with a moisturizer to avoid dryness, a common side effect when starting retinols. Also, you’ll want to start by using twice a week, and slowly working your way up to a nightly routine to avoid irritation.

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So many women take care of their bodies but forget about their brains. “As we age, our brains shrink in volume, particularly the frontal cortex and hippocampus, areas involved in higher cognitive function and encoding new memories. Myelin (a conduit sheath around nerves) is also thought to shrink with age resulting in slow processing and reduced cognitive function,” Peterson Pierre, MD, board-certified dermatologist, and founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute, explains.

The Remedy Rx: Dr. Pierre points out studies show that regular physical exercise can reverse the signs of aging in the brain with dancing having the most profound effect. “It’s also important to keep the mind stimulated,” he explains. “No matter your age or skill level, just a few minutes a day can help your mind stay sharp and can even help you improve in certain areas. You exercise your body regularly; don’t neglect your brain!”

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I’m going to be honest and admit that I only heard about the acid mantle recently. I know it’s my job to stay current with wellness trends, but frankly, I thought it was a drug thing. In case, like me, you’ve been out of the loop, an acid mantle is the protective oily film that coats the skin and supposedly protects not just the skin, but the whole immune system. Before you sprain a muscle with your side eye, here’s what dermatologists say about the function of this mystical, invisible barrier.

“The acid mantle is a thin layer on the skin composed of a mixture of free fatty acids secreted from the oil glands mixed with lactic acid and amino acids from sweat,” says Peterson Pierre, a California-based dermatologist. That’s a lot of complicated science words, so for liberal arts grads, it’s the slight film you feel on the surface of your skin most of the time, says Rachel Liverman, an esthetician and co-founder of Glowbar, a skin treatment boutique in NYC.

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As we give our skin some extra TLC during the winter, it’s important to remember that our scalp could also use that same kind of special attention, especially since everyone knows that healthy hair always starts with a healthy scalp.

Marina Perkovic, the resident scalp treatment expert at Eliut Salon, points out that just like our face and body, our scalp is made up of skin, meaning it definitely needs the same amount of hydration (plus exfoliation!) your complexion does during the wintertime. And while you may think that a simple clarifying shampoo can help keep your scalp under control, board-certified hair restoration physician Alan Bauman, M.D., suggests that scalp care has definitely advanced for the better, and there are many new treatments available that can improve the health of your follicles.

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“In the eternal quest to lose weight, this symptom may be viewed as a blessing rather than a potential warning sign,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California. “But this can be a problem, especially if accompanied by loss of appetite or changes in bowel habits. A number of cancers can present this way, including cancers of the esophagus, liver, colon and pancreas, as well as leukemia or lymphoma.”

The Remedy Rx: “It’s important to report these changes to your doctor as soon as possible to maximize your quality of life, treatment options and survival,” says Pierre.

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With all the scrubs, masks, creams and gels on the market that promise to transform dull, aging skin, it can be confusing to know what to reach for on drugstore shelves. But the road to healthy skin starts with what’s on your refrigerator’s shelves.

“Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for skin health. Healthy fats are important as [they contain] anti-inflammatories that help maintain the skin’s integrity, as well as keep it soft, supple and moisturized,” explains Peterson Pierre, a board-certified dermatologist at Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, California. “Skin care can be very effective, but treating the entire body from the inside is definitely more productive. There are many ingredients that simply cannot penetrate the skin but can be supplied through an effective and complete diet.” To eat your way to gorgeous skin, add these foods to your next grocery list.

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Since both your hair and scalp have different needs in the winter, choosing the right at-home products can make all the difference, according to Bauman. Not only does this include using sulfate-free shampoos and cleansers, but he also advises adding conditioning products (including leave-in-conditioner!) to your routine in order to provide moisture to damaged and dehydrated hair. However, board-certified dermatologist Peterson Pierre, M.D., suggests that there are certain ingredients to look out for when selecting such products, as products containing oil-based ingredients tend to deliver a big blast of moisture to your tresses: “Oil-based leave-in-conditioners are best during the winter, with moisturizing coconut oil being particularly effective because it reduces inflammation.”

And no winter hair routine is complete without a scalp oil, which Hill says is essential for enhancing circulation and decongesting your scalp. She recommends using peppermint, tea tree, and citrus-based oils to give yourself a DIY scalp massage (starting at the nape of your neck) every week before shampooing. “Spend three to five minutes massaging the appropriate oil into the scalp to soften skin cells, exfoliate, and remove debris to encourage blood flow,” Hill explains.

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We’ve proudly sung the praises of oats – yep, as in the breakfast food – once before, but today we’re doubling down on the many benefits of this skincare ingredient. Sure, it may not sound quite as sexy as vitamin C or hyaluronic acid, but oats can actually do wonders for your skin. Even Aveeno (the scientific name for the common oat) concocted an entire skincare line based on the stuff, and it’s incorporated into some of today’s trendiest products.

“The oats found in skincare products are very finely milled to a powder, known as colloidal oatmeal, which is processed with the whole bran and then boiled down to produce an extract,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist. “This extract is full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, oil-replenishing lipids, as well as moisturizing beta-glucans that moisturize, soothe, and protect your skin.”

This oat extract also acts as a humectant, which means it draws water into your skin, and its lipid content means it also helps create a protective barrier across your skin. Dr. Pierre says it’s an especially legit miracle worker for those with sensitive skin – including those with acne, eczema, and psoriasis – and can help soothe itchiness, dryness, and inflammation.

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“Avoid talking on your cell phone or having it ring at any point during the encounter–from the second you walk in the door until the time you exit the office. It is very frustrating and disruptive on a busy clinic day when a physician walks into an exam room and their patient is talking on the phone. The scenario becomes even more intolerable when they put their finger or hand up to signal that they will only be a minute and worst of all, when the phone rings during the visit and they actually answer the call!” says Craig Tifford, MD, a Yale Medicine orthopedic surgeon.

The Remedy Rx: “Whether you’re on the phone, texting or emailing, put it away and give the doctor your undivided attention. You took time away from your life, drove to the office, paid your copay for some valuable information but you’re too busy to listen to what the doctor has to say? Respect your time and respect the doctor’s. I’ve had to walk out on patients who expected me to wait for them to finish their conversation. I have other patients waiting so I move on,” says dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre, of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, CA.

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And then there is concern about test accuracy. That, according to board-certified dermatologist Peterson Pierre, is a gamble. Beauty-focused DNA tests, according to Pierre, contain up to a 40% false positive rate. He suggested building a solid skin care regimen with the help of a trained professional.

“When it comes to building an effective skin care routine that will deliver results, it’s best to leave that job to the experts, namely your board-certified dermatologist, who has access to the best science and the best products,” Pierre explained.

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For some, freckles can be a nuisance that re-emerges in full force as the summer months roll around. While they themselves are harmless, many want to know how to get rid of freckles and how to prevent them in the first place.

If you have freckles that you want to get rid of, read on to learn more about professional and at-home treatment options.

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I first realized I had acne when I was 11-years old, and my skin looked more, um, colorful than the other girls in my class. Back then, I had no idea how to treat acne and I was even worse at hiding it. People would point and laugh at giant cystic pimples on my cheeks, ask to touch my forehead, and call me a long-list of nicknames that callously described what was happening on my face.

As I got older, I got better at hiding the acne, but not necessarily taking care of it. I would spend hours at beauty counters begging the professionals to try anything on my skin so that my red bumps didn’t show up in photos or become the first impression when I met people. Makeup became my new best friend, but really, it became my skin’s biggest enemy.

I tried every kind of concealer, foundation, airbrush makeup machine, and even once, started using Band-aids on an unruly pimple that I just didn’t feel like worrying about all day. But while it may have boosted my confidence to cover my face in a layer of makeup, it was likely doing me more harm than good.

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When looking for an effective anti-aging supplement, it can be difficult to discern which products are the most effective and can actually help you look younger. According to Dr. Peterson Pierre, board-certified specialist in dermatology and cosmetic dermatology at the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, CA, one of the best anti-aging supplements you should add to your routine for younger looking skin is Bubs Natural Collagen Peptides

Read on for why Bubs Natural Collagen Peptides tops his list as one of the best anti-aging supplement to take for a more youthful appearance.

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If you’re new to Botox, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Manish Shah, shares that Botox is a cosmetic treatment that’s typically used to treat dynamic wrinkles, which are lines and folds that occur as a result of repeated facial expressions including smiling, frowning, or laughing.

Dynamic wrinkles can be difficult to treat with other cosmetic treatments, but Dr. Shah suggests that Botox can effectively and safely soften or make them disappear altogether. But before you discuss Botox with your dermatologist, there are a couple of things to keep in mind, from side effects to downtime.

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Herbs have played a major role in beauty and wellness for literally ages, with rosemary being one of the most popular (lavender, eucalyptus, and chamomile are pretty high on the list, too). When we talk about rosemary’s usage in skincare, we’re typically talking about an essential oil that’s been extracted from either the flowering top of the plant or the thick and aromatic stems.

Rosemary Oil Benefits

Rosemary oil has loads of skincare applications because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, and pain-relieving properties. “For example, its anti-inflammatory action allows it to soothe and even treat dry skin and dry scalp, [and it can also help soothe and treat] eczema and acne,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist. “Also, rosemary oil is known to stimulate hair growth and can also condition the hair to help it look and feel healthy.

Because of its versatility, it’s found in a handful of different products ranging from cleansers and toners to shampoos and face creams. It’s particularly useful for those with dry or itchy skin (including their scalp), acne issues, eczema, and oily skin types. If you’re curious to try a product with rosemary essential oil, we pulled some good ones for you below.

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Dr. Peterson Pierre, a board-certified dermatologist with the Pierre Skin Care Institute in California, notes that dermatology is “a very visual field” that demands an ability to accurately interpret the visible symptoms of an illness. “You have to be able to process information just by looking at it,” he says.

Pierre adds that dermatologists need both a compassionate disposition, so that they can provide comfort to patients in distress, and “an inquisitive mind” that helps them solve medical mysteries.

“A lot of times you have to try to figure out the puzzle,” he says. “The patient presents with certain symptoms. You have to figure out what’s going on there.”

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We’ve all heard a great deal about blue light’s harmful effect on eye health, as blue light glasses have become more mainstream in 2019, and it’s definitely for good reason. However, you probably didn’t know that this same form of visible light can also have an impact on your skin health, especially since we are constantly exposed to it (through our smartphones, computer monitors, and LED televisions) all day long.

If you aren’t sure what blue light is, dermatologist Laura McGevna, M.D., explained to HelloGiggles that it is part of the visible light spectrum, and it’s present, along with ultraviolet light, when outdoors in the daytime. But, since most humans are constantly exposed to this kind of light for many hours of the day, McGevna says that it can have a negative influence on your skin.

Dermatologist Peterson Pierre, M.D., suggested that skincare products containing antioxidants can also be extremely helpful in correcting damage caused by blue light.”Antioxidants are critical in fighting free radicals,” he told HelloGiggles. “They are DNA-repair enzymes are a powerful weapon to help correct the damage that has already occurred.” Similarly, he explained that nighttime antioxidants are also very helpful in repairing any damage that has occurred during the daytime. These include antioxidants include vitamin E, green tea, and ferric acid, he added.

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If you start your microneedling research with an Instagram or Google image search, you’ll probably be scared off. The photos are alarming — that’s because the procedure involves puncturing the skin with tiny needles that draw blood. Sticking a bunch of needles into your face may not sound like a good idea, but the process sets off a rejuvenation reaction that leaves many people raving about the results.

You’ll likely see results from microneedling almost immediately, Shah says. “As soon as the microwounds are created within the skin, the body’s wound-healing processes respond to heal them,” he says. Peterson Pierre, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Thousand Oaks, California, says your skin may look plump and radiant for up to two weeks following the treatment. The best results, however, can take six to eight weeks to appear. That’s when the increased collagen effects become evident, Dr. Pierre says.

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One of the best times to apply the moisturizer is just after bathing, while the skin is still moist, dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre, founder of the Pierre Skincare Institute, tells us. The expert suggests drying the skin with the towel and sealing the remaining moisture in the skin with a moisturizer.

When we wake up in the morning and when we go to bed at night, there are also two key moments to use this product.

“In the morning, the focus of the moisturizer should be protection,” says Pierre. It is very important to prepare, moisturize and protect the skin to face the day and the innumerable environmental and irritating factors that we will encounter.

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A new Toy Story movie. A new Taylor Swift album. A new British Prime Minister. There’s not a ton of superficial differences between 2010 and today. Yet in the last decade, scientists and doctors have made an incredible amount of discoveries and advances, finding new cures and treatments and tirelessly progressing medicine while researching areas like genes and stem cells. Before the dawn of the new decade, The Remedy asked the country’s top doctors to select the most impactful medical discoveries of the last one.

We’ve Developed Targeted Cancer Therapies

Melanoma is one of the deadliest skin cancers because it spreads aggressively, and metastatic melanoma has a poor prognosis, resisting chemotherapy. “Fortunately, the landmark discovery of activating mutations in the cancer gene called BRAF–present in up to half of all melanomas and responsible for unrestrained cell proliferation–has allowed the development of several targeted therapies specifically aimed at suppressing this mode of tumor growth,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, board-certified specialist in dermatology and cosmetic dermatology at the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, CA. “In addition, advances in immunotherapy–antibodies that are targeted directly at melanoma–have revolutionized the treatment landscape for metastatic, recurrent and late-stage melanoma. Similar discoveries are occurring for many different types of cancer.”

The Human Genome Project is Paying Off

“Scientists have completed sequencing of the human genome, meaning they have established the order of the more than three billion letters in all the genes that make up our DNA,” says Dr. Pierre. “Gene sequencing has helped researchers identify single genes that cause diseases which, in turn, leads to better treatments, such as curing sickle cell disease, building new skin for a patient with a connective tissue disorder, restoring sight in patients with eye diseases, and addressing hemophilia. Scientists are now working on the Human Microbiome Project to better understand the complex bacteria that live in and on our bodies.”

Stem Cell Research Advances

“There certainly has been a lot of potential promise in this area of medicine but also a lot of controversy and with good reason,” says Dr. Pierre. “The ability to cure diseases is quite fascinating, but the source of the stem cells raised moral and ethical concerns. Now that we have the ability to transform skin cells into embryonic-like stem cells, the moral dilemma has been somewhat addressed and we can focus on the possibility of regenerative medicine, the ability to grow new tissue to replace damaged or defective ones.”

We’ve Nearly Obliterated Polio

“In 2018, the World Health Organization announced that only 33 people worldwide are now afflicted with polio, an illness that mostly affects children,” says Dr. Pierre. “That’s quite an improvement over the 350,000 cases reported in 1988. Lots of work, however, remains to be done to completely eradicate the disease.”

Dry brushing, one of the latest skin crazes, sort of feels like a massage, it only takes a few minutes, and it reportedly provides a variety of significant benefits–everything from lymphatic drainage to improved circulation and cellular exfoliation, purportedly helping to make your skin glow–but for most people dry brushing remains a mystery. How does it work? How do you keep it from hurting? Will any old brush do? To demystify the process of dry brushing, we spoke with dermatologists who shared their wisdom, and techniques.

Among other benefits, dry brushing is a fantastic exfoliator. “Dry brushing, or when you use a large bristle brush to massage the skin while it’s dry, helps to exfoliate and increases blood flow,” says Dr. Sapna Palep of Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. While benefits aren’t clinically established, derms tend to regard it as a worthwhile practice.

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Dr. Peterson Pierre, a certified dermatology and cosmetic dermatology specialist at  the  ​Pierre Skin Care Institute​ , explains that UV nail lamps use the same mechanism as  sunbeds so they ​”can pose a risk to skin health “​ .  “Gel manicures use UVA radiation to harden nail polish and make it less likely to splinter.  Ultraviolet rays penetrate deep into the skin and damage collagen and elastin, two proteins  that keep our skin young. This can lead to signs of premature aging such as dark spots  and wrinkles. Cumulative DNA damage can lead to precancerous growths and eventually  skin cancers, “says Pierre.

However, there are several other factors involved. “First is the strength of the bulbs used  that emit different amounts of ultraviolet light. Second, the amount of exposure to that light
and thirdly, the frequency of exposure. Given that manicures are usually performed one or  Twice a month for a few minutes, the amount of exposure to ultraviolet light is relatively  low, especially when compared to sun exposure. Therefore, ​health risks are low, but not  zero,​ “he says.

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“The application of eyelash extensions is a meticulous and delicate work that requires experience, because the eye area is very sensitive,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre, a certified specialist in dermatology and cosmetic dermatology at the Pierre Skin Care Institute.

In addition, the expert advises:
Wash your hands and use clean and disinfected tweezers.

• Check the labels of all the products you use to make sure they do not contain chemical compounds to which you are allergic.
• The adhesive you use must be pharmaceutical grade and safe to use around the eyes.
• Rinse the area immediately after application to remove any adhesive residue.

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We all live for a detoxifying facial–there’s really nothing some extractions (our personal fave) and glycolic acid can’t fix. However, while a 30-minute facial treatment is always a treat for our pooped-out complexion, there’s no denying that getting facials on the regular can quickly add up. And sure, there are at-home devices that promise to cut down on pricey salon visits, but there hasn’t been a gadget on the market that claims to match the pore-cleansing treatments we get at the derm’s office, until now.

Thanks to industry giants like Rodan + Fields and DERMAFLASH, at-home extraction tools are now a thing. In just the past year, both brands have unveiled blackhead-removing tools that allegedly deep-cleanse your pores in minutes. While these gadgets can indeed cost just as much as (or even more than!) a medical-grade facial, the vice president of product development for Rodan + Fields, Sumita Butani, says they are cost-efficient in the long run, since they can spare you from costly dermatologist visits in the future.

But are they safe?

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