We love to educate, because we know you want to understand the treatments you seek at a deeper level.
"That smells great, like pool water!" I hear this frequently during my injectables treatment sessions with my patients. This is because I use hypochlorous acid (HOCl) to clean the skin prior to placement of neuromodulators (e.g. Botox©) and hyaluronic acid filler. Widely used as a disinfectant in pools – hence, the strangely pleasant smell –, HOCl has more recently been formulated as a gentle...
Cold winter air retains less moisture than warm air. This, in addition to the use of air conditioners, can result in very dry air indoors. Dry air can damage the skin barrier, leading to a loss of moisture from the skin. Signs of dry skin include: Cracks/fissures Roughness Humidifiers can help with signs of dry skin. Humidifiers Can Help Maintain Optimal Humidity Levels An optimal humidity level...
Popularized on social media, skin "slugging" is a K-Beaty trend of moisturizing the skin during dry winter months. Slugging involves the use of a thick emollient applied to the face at night. An emollient (e.g. petrolatum) is an occlusive ingredient that holds moisture on the skin. The thicker the emollient, the more effective it is. However, thicker emollients tend to look and feel greasy on the...
Maskne is a term referring to symptoms experienced while wearing masks that started to trend at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when masks were worn more frequently and for longer periods by the public. Symptoms of maskne include: Redness Irritation Itching Acne breakouts These symptoms can be present on the skin from hours to days after wearing a mask. There Are Multiple Causes of Maskne...
Laser treatments can address specific concerns about the skin on the face and neck. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon to help determine whether a laser treatment is appropriate for your concerns. A Laser is a Powerful, Targeted Form of Light Used for Skin Rejuvenation A laser is a powerful form of light of a single...
It is important to maintain the moisture of your skin, especially during the winter months with its cold, dry air. This blog post does not promote a specific skin product. Instead, it is intended to empower those interested to better understand some of the ingredients in moisturizers. Our hope at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery is that this will help individuals make better-informed choices. It is...
It is a privilege to team up with dermatologists to assist in the treatment of skin cancer. As a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, I am enlisted to repair particularly sensitive, aesthetically important areas of the face, such as the nose. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about...
The English-language literature on the use of the natural ingredient bakuchiol topically as an alternative to retinols in treating age-related changes to the skin (i.e., photoaging) will be reviewed. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck. Bakuchiol Has Long Been Used...
You are likely aware of silicone-based scar gels by seeing ScarAway© or another over-the-counter brand in your local pharmacy. Surgeons in all specialties as well as dermatologists recommend these scar gels after procedures to promote healing and reduce the risk of scarring. But how well do they work? I reviewed the literature in order to determine whether silicone gels, placed post-operatively...
It is challenging to identify skin care products based on strong clinical evidence and a strong safety profile. The skin care products I currently use are not perfect. Therefore, my choices may not be well-tolerated or beneficial to others. Every individual's skin is different. Consider an evaluation by a dermatologist to help determine the best tolerated, safest, and most effective products for...
