Wrinkle

Dear Dr. Jen,

What OTC wrinkle-preventive treatment would you advice? What age would be a good time to use it?

Lucy

Dear Lucy,

It is never too early to start on a wrinkle-preventive regimen. As early as your 20s, you must start skin protection already.  Daily use of a sunblock (that is separate from your moisturizer or makeup) with an SPF of 50 cannot be overly-emphasized.  We live in a tropical country, with an abundance of whitening agents that strips the skin of natural protection. Applying sunscreen daily, indoors and outdoors, is truly a necessity.

The key to finding good OTC creams is identifying (and memorizing) the generic components of the cosmetic.  There are many brands in drugstores, but identifying the ingredient is important.  Even generic brands work for skin, as long as the ingredient is there. The easily available OTC agents and most effective are still the retinoic acid, tretinoin, adapalene and other vitamin A derivative creams.  These are most helpful in evening skin tone, ironing fine wrinkles, tightening skin and prevention of sagging. Adding an antioxidant like a vitamin C serum can also improve skin and prevent aging.

Dear Dr. Jen,

Are there any hair growers for the eyebrows you can recommend?

Leslie

Dear Leslie,

Ever since Latisse released their eyelash growing and eyebrow growing solutions, people have been clamoring for it. The brand is expensive but there are several other cheaper brands that have entered the market which achieve the same effect.

The active component is bimpatoprost. Other companies have followed suit in producing it at cheaper prices and even imitated the effect with organic plant-based products. This can be found in careprost, revitalash, xlash, lashgrow, grandelash, etc.

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with the Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). Information on PDS is at www.pds.org.ph. Questions or concerns regarding the skin may be sent by text to 0932 857 7070 or emailed to [email protected]; or coursed thru The Freeman – (032) 2531276, or thru PSH – (032) 2338620 and 2325929. Inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.