One common concern for African Americans is acneic (acne) problems as well as pigmentation problems, or dark spots, which occur at the site of inflammation. These dark spots are sometimes more stressful than the original pimple.

Pellé Medical Skincare has skincare programs implemented to help with acne and hyper-pigmentation for African American skin, including the following skincare regimen, which is a great starting point for anyone with dark skin.

1) Use cleansers at least once a day on your face. Cleansers are useful in removing excess oil and are essential for black skin care as it can be excessively oily in certain areas.

2) Exfoliate regularly in order to remove dead skin cells and debris that line the surface of the skin and clean the pores.

3) Treat dark skin spots, or hyper-pigmentation with a prescription hydroquinone such as Skin Lightener from Dermesse, or White Lightening from IS Clinical. Your skin care specialist will recommend what will be most effective.

4) Protect and moisturize with a complete sun block. Not only are Pellé’s sun blocks moisturizing, but they protect against UVA radiation which causes skin cancer and hyper-pigmentation. See our blog on General Skin Care.

Quick Quiz: Dark-skinned people don’t need sun block.

False! It is a common misconception that people with dark skin are not at risk for sunburn or skin cancer. Although dark skin does offer more natural protection from the sun’s harmful rays than light skin, no one is immune to the damage caused by the sun. And while darker skinned people won’t get sunburned as quickly, they will still burn and are still susceptible to sun-induced damage, such as sunspots (hyper-pigmentation), wrinkles and cancer. In fact, darker skinned people are more likely to die from skin cancer than light-skinned people due to this false sense of security.

Pellé offers a wide range of sun blocks for all skin types and color. No one should consider themselves immune to sunburns and skin cancer.

To get started on your healthier skin, schedule your appointment today!

Have you noticed that men can spend an hour or two a day in the gym but won’t spend two minutes taking care of their skin? My husband goes to the gym every night to keep his body in shape yet he refuses to invest in his skin. After talking to many patients at Pelle, this seems to be a recurring theme. For some reason, many men don’t think that skin care is a worthy investment.

Skin care for men is just as important as it is for women, sometimes more important. Men traditionally spend more time damaging their skin through participation in outdoor activities and hazardous work environments. Shaving can also really dry out the face.  So in just 3 steps, 3 minutes, twice a day, men can improve the overall health of their skin.

1. CLEANSE
This is the single most important step of a skin care regimen.

Cleansing the skin should take place twice daily: once in the morning upon waking up and once in the evening before going to bed.  It is important to insure that the product being used isn’t so drying that it is going to strip the skin of its natural oils. Most cleansers that produce bubbles with a good lather usually contain too much detergent and can dry the skin out. Using products containing salicylic acids for a person with dry skin can also cause irritation.  A basic gel cleanser tends to work best.

2. EXFOLIATE
Exfoliation is the process of getting rid of or shedding dead skin cells.

Exfoliation is important to unclog pores and prevent pimples or acne and is generally recommended at least three times a week.  For men, exfoliation is also important in helping to expose the hair follicles allowing for a closer shave.

3.  MOISTURIZE
If men do nothing else after cleansing it is vital to at least apply a moisturizer.

This step is often skipped because of the myth that moisturizing causes breakouts and blemishes.  The truth is exactly the opposite. When the sebaceous glands don’t get moisture they often produce an excess of oil to make up for it. This in turn can cause unwanted imperfections to appear on the skin. When choosing a moisturizer it’s extremely important to pick one with UVA/UBA protection.  The product should state on the packaging that it protects the sun from UVA and UVB rays. It may also simply say “broad spectrum.”  There are two main ingredients to look for when purchasing a moisturizer with sunblock: titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.  Look for these ingredients on the back of the bottle towards the bottom of the label.

While there are more skin care steps that are beneficial for men, this basic regimen is a good starting point.  The nurses at Pellé Medical Skincare are always available for a consultation to address any specific skin care issues you may have. Call us today at 272-0064!

The most frequently asked question in our office is, “What is a good regimen for the daily care of my skin?”

The skin care nurses at Pellé believe that all patients benefit from using three core products: Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), sunblock and a Retinol or Retin-A. Each product contributes greatly to one’s skin health. Here’s how:

1) Vitamin C Serum
This serum should be used every morning to protect the skin barrier from free radicals such as solar damage-UV radiation, pollutants, smoke, etc.

This potent anti-oxidant stops free radicals before they touch the cell or cause damage inside the cell. Vitamin C has been clinically proven to stimulate and increase collagen synthesis and is effective against reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

2) Sunblock
We encourage the use of sunblock everyday, January through January, and on cloudy, rainy and snowy days. Sunblock used daily protects against UVB rays; the shorter, burning rays as well as UVA rays which are the deeply penetrating, longer waves, that cause skin cancer including melanoma.

Pellé sells only sunblocks, which contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both. These are physical ingredients that are not absorbed into the skin. The ultraviolet rays are absorbed into the sunblock or reflected away from the skin, protecting you from UVB and UVA Rays. In contrast, sunscreens are made up of chemical ingredients that are absorbed into the skin which merely filter the rays rather than blocking them.

Physical blocks, because they are not absorbed into the skin, are nonirritating and hypoallergenic. Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are non-comedogenic, which means they do not produce or aggravate acne. Zinc oxide is also a wound healing substance. Pelle’s sunblocks contain vital ingredients such as anti-oxidants, vitamins, enzymes and essential moisturizers that not only hydrate but also help to retain moisture at a level far below OTC products.

3) Retinol or Retin-A
Both retinol and Retin-A are retinoids, however we prescribe one or the other depending your skin’s sensivity. They are both made from Vitamin A and promote faster skin cell turnover. Retinoids are some of the most proven, effective and powerful options for treating skin issues ranging from acne to signs of aging.

Prescription level retinoids such as Retin-A contain “tretinoin.” This active ingredient prevents the buildup of dead cells in the skin’s pores and follicles, and promotes the growth of healthy cells. The downside is dryness, redness, irritation and skin peeling. Pellé’s skin care patients are instructed how to use Retin-A effectively, so as not to incur irritating skin reactions.

Over-the-counter products, containing “retinols” are much weaker than prescription retinoids. Retinols are ideal for treating very sensitive skin, and will leave the skin feeling smoother and look healthier than if not used at all.

At Pellé, each patient completes an information form in order to tailor a skincare program that is just right for him or her. It is imperative that we know our patients in order to design a skin care program specifically for their needs and skin issues. We suggest the three core products to get each client started, but also encourage our patients to consider a full medical grade skin regimen for the healthiest and best looking results.

To get started on your healthier skin, schedule your appointment today!

You have so many options when deciding on skincare and spa treatments. Why should you choose Pellé Medical Skincare? For many people, medical spa services provide the best of both worlds: relaxation and rejuvenating therapies with medical expertise. At Pellé, you’ll be evaluated by a medically trained professional who will not only assess your skin’s needs but also prescribe a treatment plan that leaves your skin healthy, glowing and gorgeous.

Our skin is the body’s largest organ, and it’s important to take good care of it. Choosing a medical spa regimen over a cosmetic plan ensures that you’re receiving the highest quality product, regulated by the FDA and tested for effectiveness in clinical trials. The products used and prescribed by the licensed and trained medical professionals at Pellé are stronger than anything you’ll find in a salon or day spa, and the results can be seen in the healthy, vibrant skin of our clients. We offer peels with medical grade potency, as well as procedures like Dermaplaning, which combines hair removal with exfoliation. These types of services can only be done under the supervision of a medical expert, like the staff at Pelle.

When choosing a provider it’s important to remember a few things: half price may mean half strength, and you’ll never find half strength at Pellé. We choose only the best prescriptives on the market, with proven results as determined by the FDA and clinical trials. The products and services we offer don’t just deliver results based on customer perception; they deliver results based on medical fact.

You’ll find that when our services are medically tailored to you and your unique skincare needs, the results will be fantastic. Pellé isn’t like other Tristate area day spas. Under the direction of a board-certified plastic surgeon, owners and Registered Nurses, Chris Klueh and Debbie Gittinger are able to provide you with healthy and beautiful skin that will last a lifetime.