Is gold the new buzzword in skin creams?

According to legend, 5,000 years ago, Cleopatra slept in a gold face mask every night because she believed it made her skin luminous and soft. Whether that was true or not, Cleopatra is said to have had beautiful skin. But then again, in that day and age, women lived to a ripe old age of 30-something, so who is to know. Cleopatra herself lived only to 39.

Many new skin products coming on the market contain gold particles, reported to tighten loose skin, reduce discoloration and ward off the sun’s damaging UV rays. Unfortunately, there are no studies that have documented these claims, and the creams are enormously expensive, as you might guess.

The truth is, few skin care ingredients have been proven to create real results in skin tone, texture and luminosity. Among them are Retin-A. Laser skin rejuvenation, microdermabrasion and chemical peels have also been proven to rejuvenate collagen beneath the skin and create a much smoother, more youthful appearance. 

Saving Face: Hidden Dangers of Microdermabrasion

Skin resurfacing is one of the most sought after non-invasive skincare treatments. Skin resurfacing is done with lasers, chemical peels, and quite often microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is often considered a reliable way to treat acne, scarring, and uneven skin; however, the traditional process could be more harmful than they are helpful.

Traditionally, microdermabrasion helps to smooth the skin's top layers by surgical scraping or sanding using aluminum oxide crystals. During the procedure, the outermost layer of skin is removed with a rough wire brush and the dead skin cells and crystals are then vacuumed off. Once praised in the cosmetic industry, the earlier methods are now being criticized by medical professionals due to the negative effects of the aluminum oxide crystals.

 

An article by StyleList.com reports that traditional microdermabrasion treatments can have post-treatment reactions. The named reactions include intense redness, infections, streaking from pressure on the probe, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. When not executed by a trained professional or physician, crystals can scatter into the hair, lashes and ears, which can cause to corneal scratches and abrasions.

Never fear, for there are newer technologies available for microdermabrasion treatments. Most modern microdermabrasion treatments use diamond tips and other alternatives in place of aluminum oxide crystals. If you are concerned about the treatment, make sure to check with your physician about what type of microdermabrasion they use.

Even though microdermabrasion is considered a noninvasive procedure, it is imperative to have your treatment performed under the guidance of board-certified plastic surgeon. Microdermabrasions in Wilmington, DE, can be performed by licensed aestheticians. More aggressive microdermabrasion treatments, however, should be performed by the plastic surgeon themself.