Hello there and welcome to another Mailbag Friday! My name is Dr. Ryan Shelton and Fridays are my favorite day of the week for two reasons: First, it means the weekend has finally arrived! And Second, every Friday I get to answer two skincare questions from my South Beach Skin Lab Family!
My first question comes from Linda in Pittsburgh, PA.Q: Hi Dr. Ryan! I go for facials once a month because the lady at the spa told me I needed to so that I can keep my skin looking good. Is that really true?
A: Hi Linda! Facials can be a really relaxing thing to do, but after a while they can get pricey, especially if you’re getting a fancy type of facial. The answer to your question is yes and no. Let me explain…
To understand whether your facials are really worth the extra money, you’ll need to know more about the type of facial you’re getting.
There are a few out there that include some high-tech machines, like microdermabrasion or microcurrent facials.
While these treatments are expensive, they can help you create a more radiant complexion in a lot of ways!
But if you’re getting a facial that doesn’t require any special machines, the truth is…
It’s not worth the extra cash!
That’s because, in my professional opinion, this is something that you could easily do at home with the products you have on your shelf.
Of course it’s a lot more relaxing to let someone else do all the work, but if you’re looking to save a bit of money, this is definitely something that you wouldn’t need to schedule every month.
And even though the fancier facials can be beneficial for your skin, it doesn’t mean you can’t live without them.
You can still help create a glowing, youthful complexion if you’re using the right products and staying consistent with your routine!
I hope this answers your question, Linda!
My next question comes from Suzette in Fresno, CA.
Q: Hello Dr. Shelton. I just moved to Fresno and my biggest fear is getting dark spots. How can I make sure I don’t get them now that I’m in such a sunny city?
A: Hello Suzette! Moving can be both exciting and stressful - I hope your experience was a positive one! I think it’s great that you’re thinking ahead about protecting your skin, especially since we’re going into summer. Let me tell you how you can keep your complexion as clear as possible…
You’re probably right to fear dark spots. They are pretty easy to develop, but not so easy to get rid of!
The sad thing is that most people who have them could have made just 2 simple changes in their skincare routines to prevent themselves from getting dark spots…
The first change is to wear SPF every. Single. Day.
I’ve said this so many times, and I’ll continue to say it because it really is important.
Even when it’s not sunny outside, even when you’re indoors, you’ve got to protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF30 or higher.
Not only is this the best way to help protect your skin from getting dark spots, but it’s also going to help protect you from serious conditions like skin cancer.
The second change is not so obvious…
It’s to start using a Dark Spot Corrector!
Although most people think these types of products are only for people who already have dark spots, that’s simply not true.
Some Dark Spot Correctors (like mine, for example), have ingredients in them that help to prevent dark spots from forming in the first place.
All you need to do is apply it all over your skin like a serum and you’ll be helping to give your skin the best chance at staying clear and spot-less.
Keep in mind, both of these tips need to be used every single day if you really want to help keep your skin free from spots!
