Natural Skin and Hair Health Tips For 2024

By Hema Sundaram, MA, MD, FAAD

Sundaram Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center

. http://doctorhema.com

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Natural Skin and Hair Health Tips For 2024

Every celebrity we know has rigorous skin, hair and beauty regimens, yet claims their ageless look is due to healthy eating and living! 

Of course, it’s a necessity to look good, even under the harsh glare of studio lights and high-definition cameras. Celebrities aren’t always the best example, as they can look unnatural and “overdone” if they had drastic surgery. Those who look as if they are aging gracefully are using state-of-the-art strategies that help reverse the effects of aging without surgery. It’s the new way – natural-looking results, a great value, no scarring and minimal down time. A healthy lifestyle is equally important, as our skin is the mirror of everything happening within our bodies.

How can we take our cue from the stars while avoiding extremes, and look as healthy, youthful and energetic as we feel inside?

The first skin health tip is to find a board certified dermatologist  – you can ask to see their American Board of Dermatology certification – who prioritizes skin treatments that are based on listening to your unique concerns and making a customized plan. 

A second tip is that you may want to select a dermatologist with European experience. Many new beauty technologies in North America were actually developed in Europe. The ideal philosophy is for your dermatologist to be subtle and preserve your individuality so that you still look like yourself – just a more healthy, rested and relaxed version. As a way of knowing if your dermatologist is truly on the cutting edge and aware of the best new treatments, ask them if they serve as a Principal Investigator on FDA studies to bring these treatments to North America, teach at the Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Academies, and publish scientific papers. These are all indicators of a real expert.

Healthy skin and hair begin with at-home treatment… but we need to look for proven science. Better to invest in what’s actually in a skin cream or hair lotion than to pay for fancy packaging and expensive celebrity endorsements. Leading dermatologists are researchers who identify key ingredients that can truly turn the clock back, by stimulating new skin collagen and elastin or reducing hair shedding. Dermatologist-dispensed skin care includes medical-grade antioxidants, growth factors, retinoids, peptides, DNA repair, vitamins A, C and E, hyaluronic or glycolic acid, and other scientifically proven active ingredients.

Broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential for skin health – even in winter. Some of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays can pass through car or house windows. Year-round sun protection helps prevent skin cancers and pre-cancers, and also sunspots, wrinkles and premature skin aging. Modern sunscreens from your Dermatologist include “chemical-free” formulations with natural minerals, brush-on powders, and added skin repair ingredients. It’s important for your sunscreen to be customized to your skin type and unique daily needs.

The next step can be to consider non-surgical procedures – with the key being to look natural at all times. This article by an independent journalist has excellent information on some new, no-down time treatment options and combinations that you can discuss with an expert dermatologist:

https://www.realself.com/news/botox-or-fillers-first

Ultherapy Non-Surgical Face, Neck and Body Lifting is a unique micro-focused ultrasound with no recovery time that lifts and tightens your jawline, neck, forehead, cheeks, chest, arms, buttocks, abdomen and knees. Featured on Dr. Oz and The Doctors, Ultherapy is an FDA-approved treatment for non-surgical lifting. Christie Brinkley considers Ultherapy a secret to her youthful beauty at the age of 69.  

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP): Sometimes known as the Vampire Face Lift, this harnesses your body’s own restorative power to naturally treat wrinkles, scars, pigmentation – and also hair loss. Many stars, including Kim Kardashian, model Bar Refaeli and actor Rupert Everett, have spoken out about their use of PRP to maintain youthful skin and hair.

Body Contouring: Exilis Ultra, a state-of-the-art, no-downtime laser that combines radiofrequency and ultrasound, can painlessly melt away unwanted fat or cellulite on your chin, neck, arms, abdomen, waistline, hips, thighs, buttocks and other areas. Results are quick and effective, with skin tightening and lifting and a radiant glow. Kybella effectively dissolves away submental fullness (double chin). Laser Lipo permanently removes stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to exercise and a healthy diet, to recontour and tighten your chin, abdomen, arms, thighs, and other areas. Treatment is quick, comfortable, and requires only local numbing. Celebrity devotees include the Real Housewives of New York City, Omarosa from The Apprentice (who has tweeted about her body contouring in our clinic), and Khloe Kardashian.

Liquid Face Lifting: This is a popular but not really accurate term! Natural fillers such as Voluma, Juvederm, RHA, Restylane and Sculptra remove under-eye hollows and bags, restore youthful cheeks and lips, and define your jawline. They can also improve bony, veiny hands and sun-damaged necks and chests. French cannula techniques stimulate new collagen for better and longer-lasting results. The most expert Dermatologists have early access to the newest fillers, and know how to re-shape your whole face. They also offer fat grafting using your own natural fat with stem cells. Cindy Crawford and Joy Behar are among those who describe fillers as a key to ageless beauty.

Botox and More: Expert treatment with muscle relaxers like Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau and Daxxify safely smoothes out your frown lines, forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and lines around your mouth and neck. Gwyneth Paltrow, Vanessa Williams and Brooke Shields are among many who have publicly spoken about their positive experiences.

Advanced Lasers: The most dedicated clinics have the best technologies. GentleMax Pro offers rapid, effective and pain-free removal of unwanted face and body hair in all skin types from lightest to darkest. The VBeam laser is the gold standard and a celebrity go-to for scars, facial and spider veins, leg veins, sunspots, scars, stretch marks and birthmarks. Elos Plus, featured on CBS News and the Rachel Ray Show, rejuvenates all skin layers together, while fading sunspots, veins, wrinkles, scars and other blemishes.

Expert Tip: The American Board of Medical Specialties recognizes board certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons as the core aesthetic specialists who are appropriately trained to perform cosmetic procedures. Some European countries now have patient safety laws that allow only dermatologists and plastic surgeons to perform cosmetic procedures independently.

As we look with anticipation towards the New Year, today’s treatments in expert hands empower us to reflect outwardly the good health, energy and vitality we strive for internally. Consulting a qualified expert removes the fear of looking unnatural or experiencing a complication after a procedure.

The final and very important health tip is to get a skin check. Skin cancer now affects one in five Americans. The key is early detection and treatment. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends annual full-body skin examinations by a board-certified dermatologist, and more frequent examinations if you have a personal or family history of skin cancers or pre-cancers. Your dermatologist can show you how to perform at-home skin self-exams in between your regular office visits.