Ask the Expert
Ask the Expert
Dr Lydia Waterson, MD Q: Should I be using vitamin C on my skin? What form is best for me? A: Vitamin C is crucial in maintaining healthy, resilient skin. Young
skin is full of vitamin C, while aging skin naturally loses this nutrient over time. UV light, pollutants and cigarette smoke compound the vitamin’s decline, leading to accelerated aging of the skin. Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the skin. It helps to slow down the aging process by preventing free radical damage and long-term use has been clinically proven to regenerate collagen production, thereby reducing the appearance of fine wrinkles. Vitamin C also combats and lightens sun-related pigmentation and brightens skin tone. To specifically target and prevent your face from aging, topical vitamin C is best. Applying vitamin C to the skin can be 20 times more effective than taking it orally. Topical vitamin C is sold in a wide range of skin care products. Look for the ones that contain between 3% and 10% vitamin C, including the active ingredient ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid. Packaging is also very important. All antioxidants, including vitamin C, are vulnerable to deterioration in the presence of air and light. Unless the product is in an airtight and opaque package, don’t buy it! Vitamin C is safe to combine with all your skincare products as it works synergistically with other antioxidants. For a super powerful anti-aging punch, try combining vitamins C and E.
Internationally accredited since 1986, Dr. Lydia Waterson MD practices at The Coliseum MediSpa in West Vancouver where she specializes in aesthetic medicine and treatments. www.thecoliseum.ca
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Anita Fofie, MD Q: I’ve always had rosy cheeks, but as I’ve
gotten older it seems like my face is always red. Plus, I’m dealing with adult acne for the first time and have little broken blood vessels on my nose that I can’t seem to get rid of. What’s going on? A: Sounds like you have rosacea, which is a chronic, inflammatory
skin condition affecting the central part of the face. Rosacea causes facial redness and produces small, red, pus-filled pustules or bumps. It is often mistaken for acne, eczema or some other skin allergy. Very rarely, rosacea can affect the eyes making them irritated and bloodshot. It’s most common among fair skinned people of European descent. It’s also hereditary, so that gin blossom on the end of your uncle’s nose could be a clue into whether your redness and skin sensitivity could be rosacea. In its mildest form, it can cause intermittent flushing when triggered with alcohol, spicy foods, sun, wind, or heavy exertion, but the condition can progress to persistent redness, dilation of the facial vessels, and permanent skin changes on the nose and cheeks. Don’t despair! There are things you can do to manage rosacea and keep it from progressing. Topical antibiotic agents like Metrogel alone or in conjunction with oral antibiotics like Tetracycline, Erythromycin or Minocycline, can help control the inflammation associated with rosacea. Photorejuvenation treatments such as pulsed dye laser or intense pulse-light can help shrink the blood vessels on the face and reduce redness. There’s no need to suffer with redness any longer. Talk to your doctor about how you can manage your rosacea today.
A graduate of Yale University and a fellow in aesthetic medicine, Anita Fofie, MD is the owner and founder of the Dermix Institute of Aesthetic Medicine in downtown Vancouver’s English Bay, specializing in nonsurgical facial and body rejuvenation. To make an appointment for a free consultation at Dermix, please call 604.652.4SPA or visit www.dermixinstitute.com to book your visit online.
fresh Vancouver Issue 19