Feeling shy to take off that sarong when you go to the beach or pool? Don’t like wearing dresses or skirts that go above the knee? Well, you don’t have to be shy anymore! Many companies are developing great products to treat cellulite and give you firmer, toned skin. With powerful ingredients, these products can restore elasticity and make your skin firmer if used consistently over the same region.

Try products infused with collagen or ingredients that promote your natural collagen productivity. SkinCeuticals Advanced Body Firming Lotion is formulated with Japanese soy isoflavones and botanical extracts that hydrate your skin while making it look and feel firmer.

Striadril is a powerful chemical that is supposedly proven to treat stretch marks, make your skin firmer, and is even used to treat fine lines and wrinkles. It started out being used in products to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. When its users noticed how strong it was, it started to be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles. It’s a breakthrough ingredient used in skin care products that penetrates deep into your skin to promote cell turnover and renewal. It rejuvenates your skin over time with repeated use. Talk with a dermatologist to determine if Striadril is right for you.

If topical creams and lotions don’t seem to work for you, you might want to consider Mesotherapy. Mesotherapy works by injecting fat-melting medications directly under the skin where cellulite has affected you. Not only does it melt the fat, it shrinks fat cells, breaks them down, and your body excretes them naturally.

We read and hear a lot about our skin, the dangers we should avoid, and treatments we should use. But what statements are true and what should we ignore?

1. Acne only affects teenagers
False. Although more common in teenagers, acne can affect anyone at any age. An article in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science stated, “Recent epidemiological studies show that there appears to be an increase in post-adolescent acne, and that the disease is lasting longer and is requiring treatment well into the mid forties.”  There are multiple acne remedies (http://www.skindirect.com/acne.aspx) to treat all sorts of cases from moderate to severe and they come in pill form or topical treatments.

2. Going to a tanning salon is safer than natural tanning from the sun
False. No tanning is safe or good for your skin. The UV rays emitted from tanning beds are stronger and denser than the sun’s natural rays. People tend to think this is a good thing because it allows them to achieve their tan in less time than tanning outdoors. The reality is that your skin is being damaged much more than it would outdoors. You might think that the pink, red, or gray tones you see in your skin when leaving a tanning salon are signs that your skin is getting tanned, but in actuality, it’s a sign that your skin was damaged by the UVA and UVB rays. You should always wear sunscreen with minimum SPF 15 to protect your skin from the risks of these rays, indoors or outdoors.

3. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day will keep your skin hydrated and moist
True and False. Drinking enough water throughout the day will keep your body and the lower layers of your skin hydrated and moist. However, the texture of your epidermis, the outer layer of your skin, does not rely on internal factors. You must keep your skin hydrated on the outside to prevent drying and cracking of the top layer of your skin. You can do this by exfoliating your skin weekly or biweekly to remove dead skin cells and applying a moisturizer or lotion to your skin to protect it from environmental stressors.

We see this word a lot when browsing through the labels of skin care products. But what exactly is hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is the increase in the natural color of the skin caused by exposure to ultra-violet radiation from the sun. Melanin is the pigment in your skin that gives you your tan and is responsible for skin color. Over time, the skin begins to lose its ability to repair itself after harmful sun exposure, which results in the splotches of melanin around different parts of your face or body. Even people with darker skin tones can be more prone to hyperpigmentation after sun exposure.

Although the sun is a huge culprit of hyperpigmentation, it’s not the only factor. Inflammation and other skin injuries, even certain types of acne, can cause your skin to appear discolored in certain areas and spots.

If you notice any darker pigments or splotches on your skin, there are different types of topical treatments you may want to consider. Hydroquinone is a skin brightening treatment used in certain products to lighten areas of the skin that have been affected by sun exposure or age spots. Products containing Retinol are another option because retinol goes deep within the skins surface to promote cell renewal, which can help increase your natural tone and color.

Rosacea affects over 13 million Americans today. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Rosacea but there are many products that are safe enough to be used over your face where Rosacea has affected you. Many products can even help reduce the inflammation and redness that occur during outbreaks.

If you have rosacea, you should avoid using skin care products that contain alcohol, witch hazel, peppermint, menthol, eucalyptus oil, or clove oil. Your products should be fragrance-free and have a non-grainy texture. Mild soaps and cleansers are best for your skin because they do not irritate any problematic area. Using sunscreen and cosmetics with a minimum SPF of 15 will help protect these sensitive areas from sun damage and further redness.

Retinoids, which are Vitamin A derivatives, are useful in the treatment of rosacea. Several skin care products are formulated with Retinoids and can be safe to use on your skin where a breakout has occurred. An oral retinoid called isotretinoin, used for severe cases of acne, reduces the pustules and papules in severe cases of rosacea as well, especially cases that do not respond to antibiotics. Isotretinoin is known to cause birth defects so do not use any product with this ingredient if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Talk to your dermatologist first to find out which retinoid containing product is right for you or if you should use other treatments for your Rosacea.