You may have heard of the food pyramid, which focuses on your diet. But did you know that there is another pyramid that focuses on the health of your skin? At the Dermatology Center for Skin Health, PLLC, we like to use the skin pyramid to help our patients achieve healthy skin. The base of the pyramid begins with a daily, at-home skin care routine. The pyramid’s additional levels contain other skin care elements and treatment options that help improve the skin as well. Read on to learn more about the skin pyramid.
WHAT IS THE SKIN PYRAMID?
The skin pyramid shows the steps you can take to better your skin. Our dermatologists use the skin pyramid as a tool to help our patients make informed decisions about best skin care practices, treatments and products that can improve their skin and address their skin goals.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE SKIN PYRAMID?
There are four levels to the skin pyramid; they are as follows:
- At-home skin care routine
- Medical-grade treatments
- Injectables, fillers and neurotoxins
- Plastic surgery
Level 1: At-home Skin Care Routine
The foundation of the skin pyramid begins with a daily, at-home skin care regimen. To properly take care of your skin, you should start by gently cleansing your skin twice each day — once in the morning and once at night before you go to bed. Wash with warm water and a mild cleanser; do not use soap.
After you cleanse your skin, follow with a toner. Toners balance the skin and remove all traces of oil, dirt or makeup you may have missed while cleansing. You can view our cleansers and toning products here.
Do not forget to apply sunscreen! Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause premature skin aging and skin cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to protect your skin from the sun throughout the entire year. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that works on UVA and UVB rays. When outdoors, be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. You should add another layer of protection to your skin by wearing hats, sunglasses and protective clothing. You can check out our sunscreen products here.
Topical antioxidants are essential for your skin, as they help to prevent the clinical signs of photoaging. Topical antioxidants are found in skincare products in multivariate combinations and include caffeine, green tea, Resveratrol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and CoEnzyme Q10. You can find antioxidants in some of our medical-grade skincare products, including:
Using retinol can help reduce your fine lines and wrinkles and increase the production of collagen. Additionally, retinol can be used as a preventive option for pre-cancers like actinic keratosis. You can view our skincare products that contain retinol here.
Lastly, you should use a moisturizer. While moisturizing may feel like just another step in your skin care routine, moisturizing your skin daily is a must. You should choose a moisturizer geared toward your skin concerns and skin type, whether it be dry, normal, oily, acne-prone, etc. A moisturizer keeps your skin hydrated and gives it a more youthful appearance. You can check out our moisturizing products here.
Level 2: Medical-grade Treatments
The next level of the skin pyramid includes professional treatments that can improve your skin concerns. Some examples of medical-grade skin treatments include chemical peels, microdermabrasion, photodynamic light therapy, and laser treatments. These treatments can help improve skin problems like acne, rosacea, sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone, skin texture and much more. Your dermatologist will determine which of these treatment options is right for you based on your skin’s unique needs.
Level 3: Injectables, Fillers and Neurotoxins
The third level of the skin pyramid seeks to reverse the signs of maturing skin. Injectables, dermal fillers, and neurotoxins can help improve fine lines and wrinkles, along with other skin concerns you may have. When skin lines start to bother you, consult with your dermatologist. They can determine which one or a combination of these treatment options is right for you.
Level 4: Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is at the top of the skin pyramid. Plastic surgery can be used to improve concerns you might have about your appearance, and in some circumstances, can benefit your health too. If you have questions about plastic surgery or wonder if it is the right choice for you, you should talk to your dermatologist.
LEARN MORE AT THE DERMATOLOGY CENTER FOR SKIN HEALTH, PLLC
At the Dermatology Center for Skin Health, PLLC, we use the skin pyramid as a tool to help our patients understand ways to care for and improve their skin. Keep in mind, each person’s skin is unique; therefore, a combination of professional treatments, preventive practices and products may be required to see improvement.
We are happy to share that we are now offering free skin care consultations with our Clinical Cosmetic Specialist, Karen Shafer. Karen can help you customize products and services to achieve your individual skin care goals. If you are interested in a free skin consultation, or if you have any questions, contact us today at (304) 598-3888 or online here. We look forward to hearing from you!
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