What Is the Best Way to Wash Your Face?

What Is the Best Way to Wash Your Face?
What Is the Best Way to Wash Your Face?

You probably don’t pause and think about how important washing your face is, or how much your skin thanks you for it! When you wash your face, you’re literally washing the day away—this simple act is a chance to clear your pores from any free radicals they’ve been exposed to throughout the day, and your pores get a chance to breath and reproduce sebum, or the skin’s natural oil. When asked about the best way to wash your face, we always point back to The Lancer Method, which has three easy steps: Polish, Cleanse, and Nourish. Continue reading “What Is the Best Way to Wash Your Face?”

Natural Healing Powers of the Skin

Lancer - Natural HealingThe skin’s incredible ability to heal itself is at the core of The Lancer Method. Rather than relying on invasive measures or miracle ingredients to keep skin looking young, we always recommend the natural route first.  With young skin, cell renewal happens every 28 days. However, as aging occurs, the skin stops renewing itself at the same rate, resulting in dull, sallow skin, a lack of collagen and elastin, and eventually wrinkles and sagging.  But here’s the good news: You can fight this slow-down with manual exfoliation and recreate the lit-from-within glow of youth – and all it takes is a little scrub. By using Polish, you physically stimulate the skin to speed up the cell renewal cycle. Exfoliating (or Polishing, as we call it around here) causes a controlled injury at the most surface layer of the skin, which signals the body to send growth factors, blood and new cells to the skin. This action creates the fresh, glowing look of youthful skin and staves off aging. So next time you look in the mirror and see a reflection that’s looking a little tarnished. Remember this: all it takes is a little Polish.

Get social with us!
Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

The Secret of The Lancer Method: Interlocking Chemistry

Lancer - Interlocking Chemistry
Interlocking chemistry is not just some heady term you hoped you’d never hear again after narrowly passing science class, it’s the secret behind The Lancer Method (Polish, Cleanse, Nourish). The Method was developed as an integrative three-part system, wherein each step, or product, makes the others more effective. Though this might sound like mad science, it’s based on the most basic principle of pH and our skin’s acid mantle. Skin is naturally slightly acidic, and it’s this acid mantle that protects from bacteria, infection etc. Many cleansers, especially those of lower quality, can leave the skin stripped of it’s natural acid barrier; thus leading to irritation, redness, acne breakouts and other problems. Our Polish is designed to sweep skin of dead cells and debris; The Method Cleanse is designed to not only clean off the lifted cells, dirt and other debris, but also to restore the skin’s pH to protect the natural acid barrier.  The result is smooth skin that is prepared to receive the nurtrients and hydration in Nourish, with no “toner step” needed.
Get social with us!
Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

The Real Scoop on Frown Line Fixes

unnamed (1)

That moment when you notice a new expression line forming on your face is one of the most frustrating things about getting older. You may still feel (and act!) like an energetic 20 year-old, but your face is letting you down, giving away your actual age with every passing hour. What’s more, there are so many products and treatments out there that promise a quick fix, it’s hard to sort the wheat from the chaff. So we took the guesswork out of frown line fixes. Here’s the real scoop on what works, what doesn’t, and what you don’t want to overdo.

1. Patches such as Frownies or Furless. Although these ‘miracle patches’ may be tempting, there is absolutely no evidence they make a difference over time. You are much better off investing in high quality pillowcases and learning to sleep on your back to keep your face from getting creased at night. (Over time, those creases can become frown lines.)

2. Botox and Dysport. A popular option for freezing up the facial muscles to stop the formation of expression lines, neurotoxins are highly effective for preventing deep lines and wrinkles, but need to be administered every few months to keep results looking fresh. There is also a risk of “loss of expression” if the doctor administering the injectable is too heavy handed. If you decide to explore neurotoxins further, make sure you trust your doctor and take a light approach.

3. Juvederm and Restylane. Another popular option for deep expression lines, fillers do just what the name implies – fill in deep lines, wrinkles and facial folds. Fillers like Juvaderm are great for deep lines that are already prevalent, but won’t prevent further development of wrinkles. Again, these should be administered by a light-handed professional.

4. Dermatude. One of the newest and most innovative machines in our office, Dermatude is quickly becoming a favorite option for patients looking to reverse expression lines without the follow up appointments or risk of expression loss. The machine pairs micro rolling with radio frequency, triggering the body’s own healing action in the deep layers of the skin, boosting collagen and elastin production and nearly erasing expression lines. This treatment is especially popular with men.

5. Youth Serum. The newest addition to the Lancer Skincare collection, our Younger: Pure Youth Serum is an amazing blend of vitamin A esters and biomimetic retinol compounds that actually speed up the skin’s cellular cycle without the irritation that accompanies the use of traditional retinol. Youth Serum is a smart addition to your regimen if you’re looking to prevent expression lines or correct existing ones.

6. Facial Massage. Facial massage has long been the secret weapon for makeup artists and facialists, giving their clients an immediately lifted and beautifully contoured face.  The gentle stroking can relax facial muscles and connective tissue, thereby softening expression lines, in addition to aiding lymphatic drainage which depuffs the skin.  We love to use our Microcurrent Power Boost as a massage tool, which not only softens expression lines and lifts the skin, but also neutralizes free radicals.

Get social with us!
Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

Ask Dr. Lancer: How Do I Reverse Décolletage Damage?

lancerskincare_decollete

It’s very common for people to be diligent with sunscreen use on their face, while forgetting their chest area, resulting in skin that gives away their true age – or even makes them look older than they are. Here are six steps you can take to fix sagginess, dehydration or pigmentation of the décolleté area:

1. Don’t Neglect Your Décolletage. Sunspots and other forms of pigmentation can cause your décolletage to appear ancient, so start by bringing your facial skincare regimen down to your neck and décolleté. The skin in these areas and will respond to our three-step Polish-Cleanse-Nourish Method and other advanced treatments, such as our Retexturizing Treatment Cream, which features glycolic acid to help speed up cell turnover and reduce pigmentation.

2. Stay Hydrated. Dehydration is one of the main causes of crepey looking skin in the chest area. Nourish the skin you want to improve with hydrating ingredients such as stem cells and Vitamin C. Our Intensive Night Treatment is especially good for repairing damaged skin while you sleep.

3. Sleep on Your Back. Invest in a super soft pillow that forms to your head and learn to sleep on your back. This prevents creases from forming on your chest (and face) while you sleep. Waking up with an occasional crease from sleeping on your stomach or side may not seem like a big deal, but over time, these creases can become permanent fixtures on your skin.

4. Power Exfoliate. If all else fails, an in-office treatment can really turn back the clock and tighten up any sagginess. Start by booking a Power Peel to exfoliate and get blood circulating in the area, which will help to make the skin appear smoother, more evenly toned and instantly brighten it. Follow a Power Peel with a Dermatude session. An innovation in anti-aging treatments, Dermatude is a painlesss procedure that makes microperforations in the skin to allow certain serums (we use a stem cell serum) to be inserted into the deeper layers of the skin encouraging the skin’s natural collagen and elastin production, revitalizing the cells, and providing intense hydration.

5. Practice Safe Skin. Stay out of the sun whenever possible and always be sure to slather your décolleté with a high-grade physical and chemical sunscreen when wearing a skin-baring neckline. Our Sheer Fluid Sun Shield was formulated so that it won’t leave a mark on your clothes, so it’s safe to apply liberally just before slipping into your ensemble.

6. Keep the Faith. I am working on a top secret formula specifically for the neck and décolleté that will be groundbreaking when it is finally released next spring! Sign up for our mailing list to be the first to know about it.

Have a question for me? Post it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #AskDrLancer, and it could be featured in a future blog post.

Get social with us!
Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

Men’s Skincare 101

surfer_lancer_mens_skincare4

Let’s face it: skincare is just as important for men as it is for women, but most men don’t live by the “ounce of prevention” adage – and probably need a little prodding from the women in their lives to get going on a healthy skincare regimen. Here are three CORE reasons to get the men in your life protecting their largest organ ASAP:

Facial hair can clog pores. Men have fast-growing facial hair with strong hair follicles that can become easily irritated or congested. Daily skincare, especially exfoliation and hydration, is crucial to keep pores clear and skin healthy. With a little commitment, they can say sayonara to painful and unattractive ingrowns.

Thicker skin needs extra TLC. Men have thicker, more durable skin than women, which is a net positive because they are better protected from the elements. But this sturdier skin also makes the absorption of vital nutrients more difficult. Careful but simple skincare (think: the 3-step Method) will help keep skin healthy, hydrated and in great condition as men age.

Many men aren’t programmed to do it themselves. Women have been taught to care for their skin from the time they became teenagers (or before), and are conditioned to apply creams, makeup, masks and oils first thing in the morning. Men, on the other hand, are not used to wearing anything on their skin and often forgo the use of sunscreen leading to sun damage and prematurely aged skin. Daily sunscreen application is absolutely crucial for men (read just how important it is in Dr. Lancer’s newest LA Times feature); we just need to teach men to get started.  Help your guy by finding a formula he likes – our liquid SPF is popular among many of Dr. Lancer’s male patients because of its quick-absorbing formula and non-greasy feel.

Pick up one of the three versions of The Method for the man in your life: https://www.lancerskincare.com/the-lancer-method

Get social with us!
Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

The Good, The Bad & The Sunburned

lancer_sunprotection3

As you all know, sun protection is uber-important in the fight against aging. We get so many questions about various new sun protection tools and technologies that we thought we’d help separate myth from fact by breaking down what works and what doesn’t. Here’s what Dr. Lancer has to say about 5 alternative methods of sun protection:

UV-blocking clothing. Wearing UV-blocking clothing is a great way to protect your skin when you’re in the sun for extended periods of time playing sports, walking, hiking, driving or doing anything active. UV protection is woven into the fabric and provides full spectrum protection without the worry of mis-applying or forgetting to reapply sunscreen. These items are a smart option for kids or people with sensitive skin.

Drinkable sunscreen. It may sound crazy, but there is a product that claims to be drinkable sun protection called Harmonized H20 UV Neutralizer. But whether it actually works is highly questionable. There is no ingredient information provided by the company, making it impossible to accurately judge the efficacy. Additionally, there is no current scientific or medical evidence that would indicate the possibility of an internal sunscreen protecting the skin externally. Experimenting with sun protection is a dangerous gamble and not worth the potential ill-effects. Stick with externally applied sunscreen and you will be safe.

UV monitoring wristbands. UV monitoring wristbands and patches are a great tool to help monitor how much sun you have had, especially on days when it may be hard to tell, like when it’s overcast, or you’ve been in and out of the shade. The patches or wristbands change color in accordance with the amount of UV light they have been exposed to, letting you know when you’ve had a safe amount of sun exposure and when it’s time to get out of the sun completely.

Super high SPF. Understanding the risks and benefits of a sunscreeen with a super high SPF (think 50 and above) means understanding what Sun Protection Factor truly means. Many people today believe Sun Protection Factor translates to the number of minutes you can spend in the sun and remain protected, when in fact it refers to the level of UV light the sunscreen protects your skin against (it has little to do with time and more to do with the strength of the sun). Much of the concern over high-SPF sunscreens comes from the incorrect consumer belief that they can stay in the sun for 100 minutes without reapplication – leading to overexposure, sunburns and skin damage. For example, an SPF of 50 protects skin from 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays, while an SPF of 100 protects skin from 99 percent of rays. Though the number doubles, the amount of protection does not. So while there isn’t anything necessarily wrong with a super high SPF, do be aware of what you are putting on your skin and how well you are being protected.

Astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a supplement that is said to help protect skin from damaging UV rays in sunlight. The company that produces it claims that it’s an antioxidant more powerful than beta-carotene, lycopene, and alpha-tocopherants, and that the supplement works wonders against free-radicals and helps with cell protection, including the damage that occurs from UV rays. Even though this supplement may help your body protect and repair itself from free radical damage, the effects of astaxanthin are not strong enough to use in lieu of a true sunscreen.

Have you tried any of these alternative sun protection methods? We’d love to hear about your experiences with them!

Get social with us!
Facebook // Instagram // Twitter