Sebaceous Hyperplasia: Pearl-Like Lesions on the Face

WHAT IS IT? I see clients with this ALL THE TIME, and have no clue what they are. "Sebaceous Hyperplasia" are small, harmless lesions that can be found anywhere on the body where oil is produced (yes, including genitalia). They can typically be found on the face, usually the forehead, and are nothing more than a nuisance. I often have clients ask me about them and mention that "when they squeeze them, clear liquid comes out". Do not squeeze them! They are not pustules or milia, but rather inflammation of the sebaceous glands due to an over abundance of oil production. 

That "clear liquid" is sebum, our body's home-made skin lubricant and skin protectant. These lesions can stand alone, like an island in the Pacific, or can be part of a cluster. They resemble small pimples, but are typically the same color of the skin or have a yellow hue to them; they can even be pearl-like in tone. Their shape is either roundish or fleurette-like with uneven boarders. 

Their main identifiable trait is the small hole located in the center of the lesion. This is a chronic condition but is completely harmless. There is probably a genetic component to those who are bothered by them, but if you'd like to see them gone, you need to take action and manage them. So how do you get rid of them? You have to visit your Board Certified Dermatologist to have them removed....easy peezy. But be forewarned: the lesions will inevitably RETURN. 

STYLE ME PRETTY: Beauty Advice for the Bride to Be

After over 20 years of consulting with brides prior to their big day, there is one common denominator that has remained constant: all brides want to look stunning yet maintain the integrity of who they truly are. I get it. Brides want to look flawless and impossibly gorgeous, yet they do not want to be transformed into someone they (or their families) do not recognize. 

 

As a beauty and make-up teacher, I often instruct young women on how to create a flawless make-up application, as well as how to identify the specific angles of their face. Understanding how to emphasize your best features are very empowering! Therefore, before you hire someone to make you over on your big day, you must first have a good understanding of what (specifically) needs to be achieved in order to transform you into the best version of yourself. Here are my top 5 beauty tips to ensure that the blushing bride looks fresh and flawless on her wedding day.....and beyond:

 

1. TAKE A MAKE-UP CLASS: Learn the contours of your face and understand how to manipulate your facial features by the use of shadow and light. Even if you hire a pro to apply your makeup, you should have a clear understanding of how to create your wedding-day-look for your honeymoon and well into your anniversary years. 

 

2. HIRE A PRO: So you've taken a make-up class and your knowledge of glam-ready is in check. However, the last thing you want to do on your special day is your own hair and make-up. Therefore, find a recommended stylist and artist that will make house calls, and create at least two trial make-up looks prior to the big day. Make sure that the specifics of your look are documented and that all products and colors are noted. You want to ensure that any allergies or reactions, to any of the products used for your look, are identified well in advance. For example, you may decide to sport false lashes on your wedding day, but how will you react to the lash adhesive?

 

3. GET YOUR SKIN IN CHECK: As an Aesthetician and a beauty writer, I am constantly amazed over the technology available to achieve flawless skin (not to mention all the amazing skin-changing serums and creams on the market). However, skin needs time to adapt to new products and treatments, so make sure that you start a skin-care plan at least six months prior to the wedding. Whether it's a monthly-facial protocol, injectable fillers, a chemical peel, a series of radio frequency treatments or an Ultherapy session (just to name a few), have a customized skin care plan to treat the specific needs of your skin.

 

4. IT'S NOT ONLY ABOUT THE FACE: My clients come to me with questions about their skin concerns all the time, and the one question that is the most common pertains to hyper-pigmentation (AKA: sun spots). If you plan on bearing your arms and décolletage, make sure that this skin is smooth and spot-free. A protocol of glycolic acid twice per week may be all you need for that rough and patchy arm skin (can you say Keratosis Polaris?). Moreover, there are topical creams as well as amazing laser treatments that your Dermatologist can recommend to aggressively erase the hyper-pigmentation. The point is, be aware of every inch of your body. You may not bare your legs at the ceremony, but what about the shorts you plan on wearing on the honeymoon? 

 

5. EYEBROWS ARE THE PILLARS OF THE FACE: No feature on the face packs as much visual punch as the eyebrows. As a brow specialist, I see clients every day in brow-911 mode caused by years of over removal. The hair growth cycle of eyebrows is about 3-6 months. Which means that if you need a brow-growth plan to get those arches wedding day ready, start soon. I often recommend systemic supplements coupled with topical growth serums to get damaged brows back on track. An important point to note is that there is no such thing as "brow trends"; the eyebrows are part of the face. Every face has a specific brow anatomy which needs to be carefully identified and mapped out in order to maintain its integrity. In my opinion, hand tweezing is the only way to truly manipulate the shape of the eyebrow. Learn the anatomy of your arches by visiting an experienced brow-pro who can educate you and assist you in maintaining this very important, high-impact feature. 

 

Your wedding day will be one of the most memorable days of your life, so it is important to plan out even the minutest details like what lipstick color to choose.Understanding how to care for skin or how to contour your face is information that will last you well into your Silver Anniversary. Confidence is empowering, so when you know that you've created the best version of yourself, nothing can put a damper on your special day!

CIAO for now xoxo

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Apply RETINOLS to the NECK

NECK-CARE TIP: I always tell my clients that a woman over age 28 should be using an OTC Retinol or a Retinoid, period. But an anti-aging regiment should NOT stop at the jawline. "The Face" begins at the hairline and goes down to the décolletage, including the NECK. The neck's skin is unique and requires special care. This skin is significantly THINNER than that of the rest of the body and does not contain as many hair follicles as compared to the face, which means that this skin is not receiving as much naturally produced moisture. If a client is on a prescription Retinoid (like Retin-A), I always recommend that she use an OTC Retinol for the neck only. Retinoids, can be irritating and drying to the neck...but my PRIMARY concern is the sun exposure to this area. Retinoids make the skin vulnerable to the sun, so a broad spectrum SPF (minimum 30) is essential. Most women (and men alike) neglect to apply sunscreen to the neck & décolletage during their morning routine & only apply protection to the face. Using an OTC Retinol on the neck will ensure that you're maximizing your at-home skin care regime whilst protecting this delicate and oh-so-important part of the body. 

UNDERSTANDING is the Key To Delaying the Process of AGING

Taking care of one's self is a matter of attending SCHOOL, and my institution is called the school of PERPETUAL MAINTENANCE. What classes do I recommend? ALL OF THEM. Here are the facts: aging, fine lines, loss of elasticity, loss of collagen, loss of volume, arm hair, sparse eyebrows, yada yada yada.... are INEVITABLE. The key to slowing down the inescapable evolution of self-image is education. It's about understanding what it is that one needs to do to become the best version of one's self...within your means AND within the realm of realistic expectations. Botox, fillers, retinoids, antioxidants, glycolics, cleansing, toning, teeth whitening, arm-hair removal, laser hair removal, exercise, anal bleaching....(the list goes on & on)....is ALL part of the school. The question is, do you wish to attend or not? 

SPARSE Eyebrows can mean Hypothyroidism

If you're convinced that the beauty Gods have cursed you with sparse brows, think again. If your eyebrows have always been (or have suddenly become) very sparse, PARTICULARLY the hair on the tail-end of the brows, then you may want to call an ENDOCRINOLOGIST rather than your eyebrow specialist. I see clients in my Electrology practice EVERY DAY with hair-growth-symptoms that are red flags pertaining to hormonal changes. It seems random, however, thinning eyebrows is a sign of Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Disease. And if you think that visiting your General Practioner will do, I'm telling you that it will NOT. He will most likely order a "TSH" test ("thyroid stimulating hormone", which is a standard protocol), however, there are at least 4 other hormone tests that need to be administered and can only be done so by a Physician specializing in Hormonal Imbalance.

Use a TISSUE to keep the face bacteria free

BEAUTY TIP: ...so you're soaking in the tub after a long exhausting day and you take extra special care of your face and  apply a hydrating mask; your invigorated face loves you right now because it feels oh-so-delicious! So what happens next? When you drain the water and step out of the sudsy tub? Well, you probably grab a towel to dry off...right? What about your face? Most women I speak to on a daily basis use the SAME bath or hand towel, used on their body, to dry their faces. THIS IS A FACIAL CRIME LADIES!! Don't...do not ever use a towel to dry your wet face, especially one that has been used for other parts of your body. A towel will quickly harbor bacteria which, if used on the face, will compromise the health of the skin. The solution? That's easy... use a TISSUE. A store-brand no-frills tissue will not leave fibrous specs on the face. Using a tissue to BLOT your wet face after you've cleansed it will ENSURE that your skin remains clean & bacteria free. 

UNDEREYE CIRCLES

UNDER EYE CIRCLES are yet another curse brought to us by those wicked beauty Gods. If you have them, it most likely means that another family member does as well; it's a genetic disposition. "Lightening Creams" don't actually fade the pigmentation; for the most part they contain light reflectors to create the illusion of brighter under eye skin. There are medical-aesthetic treatments, like Thermage, that can significantly reduce the appearance of under eye discoloration by stimulating the dermal layers of the skin, resulting in new collagen production. However, I would first give Retinoids a try. If used consistently, Retinoids will thicken the skin surrounding the eyes (the thinnest skin on the body) and stimulate collagen production as well. The skin around the eyes is the thinnest skin on the body. At .5mm, it acts like a window, reflecting all the under lying surface fluids and bone beneath the surface; those with allergies may find their under-eye area even darker, as a result of fluid build-up and nasal congestion. A great beauty tip that I often give to clients is to temporarily conceal their under eye discoloration with basic color theory. Using an orange based corrector cream or concealer will cancel-out purple/red discoloration, preparing the eye skin for your regular makeup routine (foundation and a skin-toned under-eye concealer). If you do not negate the discoloration with an orange corrector prior to applying makeup,  the resulting under eye skin tone will appear gray and ashy. There is no "cure" for under eye circles and it certainly has nothing to do with lack of sleep. A good consistent eye care routine which includes lots of moisture-rich hydration and drinking plenty of water will definitely help keep the eye skin plump and hydrated which can ultimately reduce the appearance of those unsightly shadows.