What causes dry skin?

The effects of cold, air conditioning and low humidity. In one word, the environment is the most common cause of dry skin. The dryer the air the more rapidly skin moisture is lost. This is why dry skin is more common in the winter months, when our skin is exposed to cold air, winds, and the low humidity of heated rooms. In the summer air conditioned rooms similarly expose our skin to dry air that removes the moisture from our skin. Living in Southern California with all of our sunshine can be a detriment to our skin as exposure to the sun can also dehydrate normal healthy skin.

Age plays a role too! The tendency toward dry skin increases with age and changes in hormone levels. Years of sun and wind exposure and damage contribute to the loss of the skin’s natural softness and suppleness.

Are you taking any medication? Medications sometimes aggravate or cause skin conditions. Common molds cause allergic reactions, itching and inflammation in some people.

Don’t despair, help is on the way!

Hydrating and barrier protection for the skin is the key to prevention of dry skin. Use of creams and lotions that intentionally direct cells to form water holding, skin protecting, lipids will keep your skin hydrated no matter what conditions we find ourselves in this winter. Often results can be seen within a few weeks. As you use the products you will notice that less moisturizer will be required as your skin’s natural ability to hydrate will kick in again. The substances found in these moisture barrier products are plant extracts such as borage, kukui, sunflower and Evening Primrose and are featured in many of our products. Here is a sampling of the wide range of products available to help you fight off the effects of environmental dehydration of your skin.

Extra Rich Moisturizer (for dry skin types)
Extra Mild Protection (for oily skin types)
Antibac Acne Protection & Lotion (for acne prone skin)
Hydrating Serum
Phaze 17 from Physician’s Choice of Arizona
Hydroactive Emulsion
Light day time moisturizers with SPF protection

Antioxidants, what are they and what will they do for your skin? Vitamin C, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin E are key players in restoring and maintaining healthy skin. Let’s look at each one and the benefits they produce when used as part of our daily skin care regime. Vitamin C is a nutrient that holds unlimited benefits when used both internally and topically. Vitamin C plays a vital role in the production of collagen in the skin, creating a firmer and younger looking complexion. Applying it daily will help smooth fine lines and wrinkles in every skin type. The number one enemy to your skin are free radicals. These destroy cell membranes and accelerate the aging process. The use of antioxidants counteract the action of the free radicals. We feature a variety of 100% L Ascorbic Vitamin C in gel, powder and cream formulas.

Alpha Lipoic Acid can increase the positive effects of other antioxidants. It protects Vitamin C and E in the body and enables them to do a more efficient job of destroying free radicals.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is water and fat soluble. It is a universal antioxidant. It can also increase the rate of metabolism in the cells. As we age our metabolism slows down. The capacity of our cells to regenerate and heal is increased by use of this antioxidant. Regular use also decreases inflammation in the cells and causes reduction in pore size.

We are pleased to offer our clients the complete line of Alpha Lipoic Acid Skin care Products. Many of these Perricone products are High Potency, not available in the department stores. Here is a listing of the products offered.

Nutrient Cleanser
Evening Facial Emollient with NTP Complex
High Potency Eye Area Therapy with NTP Complex
Lip Plumper with NTP Complex
High Potency Face Firming Activator
Face Finishing Moisturizer
High Potency Phosphalidyl – E Treatments
High Potency Olive Oil Polyphenols Treatment.

What can be done about brown spots?

There are multiple products available for sun damaged skin. Hydroquinone and Kojic Acid are key players in evening out skin tone. Kojic Acid was discovered in Japan in 1907. We most often see Kojic Acid used in cosmetic preparations to lighten hyper pigmentation. It is a successful lightening agent because as a lyrosinase inhibitor it helps to dissipate areas of discoloration. This ingredient is very effective without causing irritation that is sometimes seen with high doses of hydroquinone. Another little recognized benefit of Kojic Acid is its antibacterial properties. It is a water soluble antibiotic. This property makes products formulated with Kojic Acid beneficial in the treatment of acne. Especially effective with darker more sensitive skin types who find traditional acne treatments too aggressive, Kojic Acid’s dual action will help patients clear their acne and lighten hyper pigmentation in one step. In our next issue we will go into more detail on aggressive treatment for deeper sun damage that includes stronger products and peels to turn back the clock on your skin. Here is a sample of some of our products that contain Kojic Acid.

1. Conditioning Gel (BioMedic)
2. Conditioning Gel Plus (BioMedic)
3. Phaze 13 Pigment Gel and Pigment Gel Forte (Physician’s Choice of Arizona)
4. Phaze 23 A & C Synergy Serum (Physician Choice of Arizona)

Please address any questions or requests to Linda King and Vickie Olson at
Burr von Maur, M.D.
27800 Medical Center Road, Suite 351
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 364-9107 or (949) 364-1705 or Fax to (949) 364-9451.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Linda King leads our team with ___ years of experience in Medical Skin Care. She has been providing her skin care expertise with Dr. von Maur since _____. Linda keeps on top of this constantly changing industry by attending advanced training seminars from all of the product lines that are offered. These include BioMedic, Refinity, Skin Medica, Obagi (Blue Peel and products), and Physician’s Choice of Arizona (PCA).

We are happy to introduce the newest addition to our skin care team, Vickie Olson. Vickie is a licensed aesthetician with multiple years of experience in private spas. She has completed advanced training in Medical Skin Care and we are excited to be able to offer expanded skin care hours now that she is part of our professional team. Vickie is available on Mondays and Thursdays and select Saturdays by appointment.

Burr von Maur, M.D., F.A.C.S.
SKIN DEEP

Welcome to our first issue! We are excited to begin bringing you helpful tips and useful information on restoring and maintaining healthy, youthful skin as well as provide a forum to address your questions and concerns about skin care and plastic surgery. We will be in touch with you throughout the year in the Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer offering you the latest knowledge, products and procedures to keep you looking your best! Look for seasonal specials that will be offered with each publication as well as gift ideas. We welcome your letters and phone calls about products and procedures. In future issues we will have a section in which we will answer your skin care questions and share your comments with our clients. Once again, welcome to Skin Deep!

Your questions about plastic surgery procedures are welcomed and I will answer a few of them with each newsletter as well as keep you informed about the latest innovations in the evolving practice of Plastic Surgery. Please contact me at
27800 Medical Center Road, Suite 351
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Or call and speak to our patient counselors at (949) 364-9107

Dr. von Maur

(Insert questions and answer pieces from Dr. von Maur here as well as any news about plastic surgery)