Stem Cells for Healing Sun-Damaged Skin

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We’ve all heard it a million times: Stay out of the sun! Reapply your sunscreen! Shade yourself! But there are still those instances when we find our noses a little pink at the end of a long beach day, or the tops of our shoulders feeling a bit more crisp than when we left the house that morning.

While it’s never advisable to let the sun damage your skin, there are ways of speeding up the healing process when it happens.  One of these methods is to harness the healing power of stem cells, which stimulates epidermal regeneration at the cellular level, in addition to improving cellular barrier function.

Our Lift Serum Intense was created with plant-based stem cells from the Criste Marine plant – a uniquely resilient maritime plant found in coastal regions of France, which is able to survive both the harsh sunlight and drying salt water conditions of its natural habitat.

Applying our Lift Serum to parched, toasty skin signals the body to send healthy, new cells to replace those that were burned or dried out.  It also helps the skin regain its moisture balance and heals free radical damage. For a bad burn, top off the Lift Serum with natural aloe and a rich moisturizer twice a day, and your skin will be back to normal in no time! That said, you don’t have to just take our word for it: Victoria Beckham swears by it too! See what she tweeted about it over 4th of July Weekend here.

Shop Lift Serum Intense: https://www.lancerskincare.com/lift-serum-intense

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Men’s Skincare 101

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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

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5 Minutes With… Celebrity Styling Team Wendi & Nicole

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Sister styling team Wendi & Nicole Ferreira count beautiful people Elizabeth Banks, Channing Tatum, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson, Jeff Bridges and Octavia Spencer on their roster of red carpet successes. So it’s no suprise that they know a thing or two about looking your best – and that, of course, starts with great skin. Here’s what they had to say about their skincare regimen:

Lancer Skincare: What difference does good skincare make in your line of work?

Wendi & Nicole: We are always on the go, so having good skincare means one less step in the “getting ready” process.

LS: Are there certain skin issues that you find common among clients that need covering up?

W&N: Everybody is different, but we all have something that needs a little covering up.

LS: Do you have a favorite product in the Lancer Skincare range?

W&N: Everything! They work together and compliment each other. If we had to pick one, it’s the Polish! We get excited to use it every time.

LS: Quick glowing skin tip!

W&N: Sleep and strict use of Lancer products.

LS: What is the the most unexpected piece of advice has Dr. Lancer given you?

W&N: Your skin regimen should start at your hairline and extend all the way to the white of your breast.

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4 Ways to Get a Better Night’s Sleep, Naturally

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Recently, in an interview with The Cut, Dr. Lancer revealed a three-pronged approach to staying youthful: good skincare, low stress levels (which we covered here) and getting the proper amount of quality shut eye. Today, everyone leads such busy lives that sleep often suffers. Tossing and turning and even insomnia have become commonplace. So, if you aren’t feeling as rested as you’d like, here are a few simple steps to get your brain and body cooled off in time for a restful night’s sleep.

Sounder Sleep Tip 1: Fight the urge to fall asleep in the warm glow of your iPad (or TV). Avoid electronic devices at least an hour (or two!) before bed. The blue light of the screens signals brain activity, which can disrupt the natural, circadian rhythm that helps you sleep soundly.

Sounder Sleep Tip 2: Create a bedtime ritual. This can be as simple as taking a warm shower and lighting a candle for yourself or reading a good book and listening to soothing music – whatever you do, try to repeat it each night. Simple, relaxing rituals help the brain transition from wakefulness to sleepiness.

Sounder Sleep Tip 3: Maintain your sleep schedule. Waking and rising at the same time most days (even weekends and holidays!) will help your body maintain a strong circadian rythmn; you will find it easier to fall asleep and rise feeling refreshed instead of groggy and disoriented.

Sounder Sleep Tip 4: Avoid known sleep disruptors. Stay away from alcohol, caffeine and nicotine a few hours before bedtime. All of these substances greatly disrupt the sleep cycle.

Sweet dreams!

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5 Minutes With… Celebrity Makeup Artist Kathy Jeung

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We have some real luminaries pass through the halls of Lancer Dermatology, and when fashion and celebrity makeup artist Kathy Jeung stops by, it always brightens our day. Kathy has worked with Rita Ora, Rashida Jones, Dita Von Teese, Nichole Sherzinger, Padma Lakshmi and Natasha Bedingfield, not to mention just about every fashion mag out there. The result: an endless knowledge of beauty and skincare, what works…and what doesn’t. Here’s what we learned from her in just 5 minutes:

Lancer Skincare: What difference does good skin care make in your line of work?

Kathy Jeung: For me, proper skin preparation with good skincare is the most important step to a getting a great makeup look. Skin is really the canvas onto which makeup is applied, so how makeup lies on the skin, looks on the face, and its staying power is directly related to products used on the skin beforehand.

LS: Are there certain skin issues that you find common among clients that need covering up?

KJ: Dark circles and puffiness are a common issue. I’ll use Lancer Eye Contour Lifting Cream to reduce swelling and brighten under the eye, allowing me to minimize the amount of cover-up I’ll use to disguise the problem. I really believe that using skincare tailored to skin type or problem is key to help the issue before makeup, rather than using more makeup to cover it up.

Another common problem I encounter year round are dry, dehydrated lips. Same as with skincare, if the lips aren’t prepared for lip products, makeup will work against you and magnify the problem. I like to use a 2-step method of applying a lip ointment followed by a lip balm or salve. If the lips are starting to peel, use a lip scrub and then apply ointment or salve.

LS: Do you have a favorite product in the Lancer Skincare range?

KJ: I love Lancer Fade Serum Intense Brightening Complex

LS: What’s your ultimate glowing skin tip?

KJ: To refresh makeup and give the skin a healthy glow, moisten a BeautyBlender sponge with mineral or spring water spray and dab all over your face. For even more dewiness, rub a small drop of moisturizer between your palms and lightly press into skin along temples, tops of cheekbones and sides of face

LS: What is the most unexpected piece of advice has Dr. Lancer given you?

KJ: I have to thank Dr. Lancer for a key piece of advice he gave me quite a few years ago: apply skin products in thin layers. That completely changed the efficacy of the products I used and maximized their benefits, as opposed to my thinking that piling on more of something was better!

Follow Kathy on Instagram for a peek at some of her amazing work!

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Treatment Spotlight: Mia Belle’s Microcurrent

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Mia Belle is one of our highly skilled aestheticians who works under the careful direction of Dr. Lancer. She often travels to labs, spas, and research facilities to keep up with the newest and most innovative anti-aging treatments. Our new favorite treatment is Mia’s amazing microcurrent; it works as a stand-alone treatment or an add-on to one of her excellent facials. Painless, downtime-less, and with so many applications, her microcurrent is a true hero treatment here at the office.

Take a look at some of its amazing uses:

  • tightens skin by lifting and toning facial muscles
  • releases collagen growth factors, without causing inflammation
  • helps stimulate lymphatic drainage
  • great for post surgery, or facial trauma
  • acts as an anti-inflammatory and prevents the formation of scar tissue
  • treats acne with certain functions unique to this modality
  • results are comparable is Ulthera and acupuncture
  • can be used by all skin types and ethnicities

Call our office and schedule a session with Mia to try this amazing treatment!

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5 Minutes With… Celebrity Stylist Cristina Ehrlich

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One of the most powerful stylists in Hollywood, Cristina Ehrlich dresses established A-listers such as Penelope Cruz and Tina Fey as well as buzzed-about newcomers like Margot Robbie, Allison Brie and Greta Gerwig. Of course, glowing skin is the ultimate red carpet accessory, and Ehrlich is no stranger to the ins and outs of celebrity skincare. She took five minutes out of her stuffed schedule to chat with us:

Lancer Skincare: What difference does good skin care make in your line of work?

Cristina Ehrlich: It’s absolutely everything. Basically what I do, which is to help women get ready for a red carpet, is learning by example. When my clients come into my office I have to be a representation of what I will help them achieve; clients turn to me for advice across the board. There is a dietary aspect to my work as well – understanding the healthy way of getting red carpet-ready, and how that parlays into their physical shape. Most importantly, it comes down to their skin being the essential accessory. So much of what we’re doing is finding the colors that give them that sought after glow. And while many people believe this may be makeup, it is really a combination of healthy, beautiful skin, a beautiful shape, and the perfect color combinations. You see a client numerous times before an event – how they stand, which way they face the camera, how they feel, how they look, and it all starts with caring for their skin and body.

LS: Are there certain skin issues that you find common among clients that need covering up?

CE: The number one thing I have come to see and understand when seeking beauty is the value, the necessity, and the importance of water – for hydration and for energy. We have been taught to treat the symptoms in our life. Tired? Eat sugar, drink coffee. But you have to understand what gives you real energy, what will keep you glowing, that is water. Traveling, moving from location to location, being in filtered air, you need to stay hydrated to look good. It was not until I incorporated this into my own life that I saw how important it was for my clients to follow the same standard of hydration.

LS: Do you have a favorite product in the Lancer Skincare range?

CE: First of all, the Polish has literally changed the texture of my skin. It’s amazing, and I’m addicted. But my absolute favorite, favorite product has to be the Advanced C Radiance Cream. I put it all over my face, neck, chest – it feels like velvet and preps skin perfectly for moisture and SPF. It’s even better than a date with a hot guy!

LS: What’s your best get-glowing-quick tip?

CE: Time in a steam room is incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating for the mind and body, and of course, exercise. SoulCycle and hot yoga are my go-tos. And after all that – sleep and water.

LS: We’ve heard you had an interesting experience with Dr. Lancer that extended beyond mere skincare.

CE: During a routine follow up appointment, he inquired about my marital status and then proceeded to describe the exact type of man that he thought would best suit me, and was dead on. He’s a dermatologist, but his services extend to the mind and body! It was like having a life coach in the room with me. Dr. Lancer is adamant about the connection between your personal wellbeing and the health of your skin. I have never known another dermatologist to care for their patients the way he does.

LS: Why do you think The Method works so well for you?

CE: In general, I tend to be a highly disciplined and routine-oriented person, and Lancer Skincare is the first dermatological experience I’ve had that mimics the discipline I have in my life. Dr. Lancer and his team put me on a regimen perfectly suited to my life that has completely changed my skin for the better.

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Dr. Lancer Devotee: Angela Bassett

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Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Angela Bassett has been a Hollywood fixture since the mid-80s, but with her radiant glow, she could easily be mistaken on the red carpet for a fresh-faced newcomer. Besides great genes and a healthy lifestyle (she’s a vegetarian and raw food proponent), the mother-of-two’s anti-aging regimen includes Lancer Skincare products.

“I love the Polish,” says Bassett. “A quick way to rid the face of dead skin cells and reveal the fresh complexion beneath! And the cleanser is delightful. You need such a little amount but feel as if you’ve rinsed away everything you don’t need without stripping the moisture. Smells clean and fresh on top of it.”

“Speaking of moisture,” she goes on to say, “the daily one feels like a treat for your pores along with the Vitamin C and the evening anti-aging formula. I like that they do not leave me oily or greasy.”

If you can believe it, Angela is 55. She doesn’t look a day over 30 to us.

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5 Minutes With… Celebrity Makeup Artist Cathy Highland

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One of the most well known makeup artists in Hollywood, Cathy Highland has beautified more A-listers than a nitpicky accountant could keep track of. From Oscar nominees (Glenn Close, Helena Bonham Carter) to supermodels and celebs so beautiful you’d think nothing could be done to make them look any better, Cathy’s been called in to work her makeup magic. She gave us five minutes of her time to talk Hollywood skincare and more:

Lancer Skincare: What difference does good skin care make in your line of work?

Cathy Highland: It makes a huge difference. Good skin you cannot fake. As makeup artists we can paint on the pretty, but you cannot fake [skin] texture or pore size, and with everything being high def now you really don’t want to have to pile on loads of foundation to cover pigmentation either.  [Pigmentation] is another difficult dilemma, especially on male clients going to red carpet events. Most men don’t want to wear a lot of makeup and I agree, less is more especially on men, but if they have heavy pigmentation and it photographs in a really unflattering way…one has no choice but to apply a more full coverage foundation.

LS: Are there certain skin issues that you find common among clients that need covering up?

CH: I would say spots, sun damage and acne scars are the most common.

LS: Do you have a favorite product in the Lancer Skincare range?

CH: That is a hard one! There are so many, but probably the Polish if I had to choose one. Wait…the sunscreen…and the Blemish Control cleanser, moisturizer and eye treatment! I cannot pick one!

LS: What’s your quickest glowing skin tip!

CH: Polish every day like I have been taught through Dr. Lancer’s office – he’s right! Initially, I couldn’t imagine [exfoliating] daily, but the formulation is so unique, in that it is aggressive in removing the dead layers of the skin, making it radiant. My facialist has encouraged me to be really good about target areas [when polishing] – talk about glow to the skin.

On a side note, both of my older sisters experienced bad rosacea when they went through menopause and they both are on a prescription medication to clear it up.  I was suffering from what I thought were breakouts and going through hormone changes, but Dr. Lancer explained that it was rosacea. I had already drastically changed my diet, almost exactly as Dr. Lancer recommends…but when I went to Dr. Lancer about my breakouts, he had me start on his Blemish Control line which was in development at the time. It was miraculous. My skin cleared up and I have never had a problem since. I swear by it! See, I really cannot choose one product! It is from my own personal experience for many years of using the Lancer line, even as he was developing it, that I have no problem suggesting it to my clients. I am not a salesperson; I never try and sell a client on anything, but you don’t have to with Dr. Lancer’s line…results sell.

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The Good, The Bad & The Sunburned

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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!

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