Thanks to the myriad of photos posted and shared online, clients are more likely to undergo cosmetic procedures to improve their appearance, according to a new survey of plastic surgeons, but there are many less invasive alternatives you can offer them. “People especially want to look their best when hundreds, or even thousands, of viewers are looking at their photos – we hear it, too,” say Dr. Rick and Dr. Arlene Noodleman, the husband-and-wife physician team at Silicon Valley’s Age Defy Dermatology and Wellness. Here are their appearance-boosting tips that you can share with clients for low-downtime solutions to sun damage and signs of aging.
Corrective and preventative products and procedures that work from the outside in:
- Clients of all skin-types can't be reminded enough of the benefits of wearing a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB light and a wide-brimmed hat to prevent further damage.
- For those with aging skin, exfoliant creams remove especially stubborn, dead skin cells. Prescibe creams such as Avita, Avage, Renova, and Retin-A, which have been shown to reduce both wrinkles and “liver spots” caused by exposure.
- For forehead wrinkles, turn to Botox to smooth skin by partially immobilizing muscles. Prepare clients so they know some deep expression lines may not go away.
- Suggest laser treatments that can resurface facial skin by stripping away the outermost layers to reduce sun damage and scars. To convince new clients, some “non-ablative” lasers also stimulate collagen formation, which helps smooth wrinkles.
Recommend a nutrient-packed diet for glowing skin from the inside out:
- Clients should stock up on foods rich in antioxidants— such as blueberries, carrots, fatty fish, nuts, spinach, tomatoes, and peas— seem to have a protective effect on the skin. For instance, a 2007 study by the American Society for Clinical Nutrition found that women ages 40 to 75 who consumed more vitamin C, an antioxidant, had fewer wrinkles. The study also found that women who consumed more linoleic acid—found in nuts and seeds—had a lower incidence of dry skin.
- Those with frequent acne issues should steer clear of dairy products, especially cow’s milk; processed foods containing white flour, such as white bread; and sugary foods and beverages such as candy bars and soda. These foods commonly cause ‘spikes’ in blood sugar levels that also trigger hormone production and increases in oil production; ultimately generating breakouts.
- Certain foods— including gluten, dairy, eggs, and additives— can cause hives, rashes, and other reactions for guests with sensitive skin or psoriasis. Suggest a low-glycemic, Mediterranean-style diet to reverse these skin flare-ups.
Dr. Rick Noodleman, a board-certified, Stanford-trained dermatologist, is an expert in the medical and surgical management of skin disease, aging skin, and advanced cosmetic techniques. Dr. Arlene Noodleman, board-certified in preventive medicine and fellowship-trained in integrative medicine, is a healthy aging expert who focuses on the whole person and strategies that facilitate the body's innate healing. Together, the couple created the Revercel product line.