“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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“A white or red patch that won’t go away–it may be on the tongue, palate, gums, inner cheek or lip–may be a sign of oral cancer,” says Sharona Dayan, MD, board certified periodontist and owner of Aurora Periodontontal Care in Beverly Hills, California. “If it persists for more than three weeks, be sure to see your dentist or physician.”
The Remedy Rx: “To catch oral cancer early, be sure to see your dentist twice a year and ask if a routine cancer exam is part of the cleaning visit,” says Dayan.
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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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