4 minute read

Doris Day

Dr. Doris Day, MD, is a board certified dermatologist who specializes in cosmetics and dermatology on the Upper East Side in New York City. She is a clinical associate professor of dermatology at the New York University Medical Center where she was presented with the award for Dedication and Excellence in the Teaching of Dermatology. She has also won the ASA award for mentorship in dermatology and the AAD Presidential Citation in recognition of her dedication and leadership in aesthetic dermatology.

Dr. Day has won awards for her work in laser research and continues to actively participate in FDA clinical research trials and publish in peer reviewed medical journals. She regularly lectures nationally and internationally to her peers and the public. She is an active member of many organizations including the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the Women’s Dermatologic Society.

After graduating with a B.A. in English from Columbia University and an M.A. in Journalism and Science Writing at New York University, Dr. Day earned an M.D. at Downstate Medical School and completed her residency in dermatology at Cornell University College of Medicine. She is the host of the Dermatology Show on Doctor Radio on SiriusXM 110 and has frequent appearances on many national media outlets. Dr. Day is the author of four books, most recently writing “Rebooting the Biome: The Germ Theory of Health.”

What drew you to a career in dermatology?

Dermatology is one of the most comprehensive and broad fields of medicine. It is not only a powerful reflection of one’s overall health and well-being, but the skin gives so many important clues as to the health and functioning of every other organ. As a dermatologist, I need to be well-versed in all aspects of medicine in order to take the best care of my patients throughout their lifetimes. I am able to not only help my patients look better but also be better in their overall health and self-esteem. Every patient is unique; every day is interesting and exciting. I get to travel the world to lecture, participate in clinical trials, advise brands on new products they would like to bring to market, and create a skincare line of my own. Since I started out as a medical journalist, I also enjoy continuing to use those skills on TV and as host of my radio show on Doctor Radio on SiriusXM 110. At what age should a woman start paying attention to taking care of her skin?

I say, only half tongue in cheek, that anti-aging starts at birth. The reality is that the earlier you start properly caring for your skin,

What are the three biggest “no-no’s” that women should never do to their skin? On the flip side, what are the three most important things they should incorporate into their skin care routine?

No-No’s

1 Over-exfoliate: we need all of the layers of the skin to be healthy and intact in order to help protect our skin from UV rays and to prevent excess water loss from the skin.

2 Squeezing or picking at pimples: this only increases local inflammation, makes the pimple last longer, they are more likely to come back in the same spot and more likely to scar.

3 Don’t get treatments on sale rather than from a board-certified dermatologist. When it comes to skin care, skin products, and anti-aging treatments, who is doing the treatment is as important as the treatment itself.

4 Don’t over-do treatments or think you need to get rid of every wrinkle to look young. It’s about balance and confidence.

Must-Do’s

1 Be ‘SunSmart’: this means wearing sunscreen every day all year round, wearing sun protective clothing and hats, limiting mid-day sun exposure, avoiding tanning salons, and wearing sunglasses. I often tell my young patients: “Nothing looks better in your 50’s than sun protection in your 20’s.”

2 Understand that your skin reflects your health, so take care of your health for beautiful skin from within. This means avoiding highly processed foods and simple sugars as these are very inflammatory. It also means staying well-hydrated, minimizing alcohol consumption, and getting enough sleep. The beauty of it is that you don’t have to be perfect all the time, you just need to be good most of the time.

3 Get a skin check every year with a board certified dermatologist. Skin cancer can happen anywhere on the body and in any skin type. Please get checked regularly and see your dermatologist right away if you notice any new or changing spots between visits.

Recipe for puffy eyes:

Brew 2 cups of strong white or green tea

Add ¼ cup honey

Allow to cool to room temperature

Add sliced cucumber and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight dorisdaymd.com the better it will age. As a child and young adult, taking care of your skin means proper cleansing and sun protection, and then as we continue to age it means adding in antioxidants and growth factors, and eventually hormone replacement as needed. My new book, “Rebooting the Biome,” was just published. It’s all about the skin biome and how taking care of it helps your skin age beautifully. We tend to use products that are destructive to the biome or that don’t take the biome into account, and this has had a negative impact on our skin. There is so much to learn about skin care and healthy skin aging. My focus is to continue to learn and grow, and to educate the public and my peers as well.

Use: Place cucumbers on and around eyes for 2-4 minutes. You can keep adding cucumbers to the liquid and use until it runs out, or up to 1 week before discarding the remainder.

How do you help a patient understand their options and determine which procedure would be the best for their desired results, given all of the treatments now available on the market?

We do a thorough evaluation of every patient and talk through their goals. After this, we make a person alized calendar to help them plan for the treatments I recommend specif ically for them, and the best timing for the treatments to give them optimal and long lasting results. We also review skin care, travel, and im portant events so we can plan around that as well.

What does the word power mean to you?

It means the responsibility to be the best doctor, and person I can be, and to take the best care of my patients every day. Being a physician is an honor and a privilege. It is a commitment to life-long learning and growth. It comes with a lot of power and responsibility. I take the responsibility very seriously and do my best to use my knowledge to