Hey there! It’s Dr. Ryan Shelton again, and since today is Friday it’s time for another Mailbag! Every Friday I answer two questions from customers who need my help with their skincare routine, and today our first question comes from Lisa in Portland, ME.
Q: Hi Dr. Ryan! Over the last 4 or 5 years my smile lines have gotten a lot deeper. I don’t want to do anything crazy like botox, so how can I make them a little less obvious?
A: Hi Lisa! I’m sorry to hear you’re not feeling confident because of your smile lines. If it makes you feel any better, you’re not alone! Don’t worry, I have a few suggestions that could help you…
First of all, it's important to know that smile lines, also known as laugh lines, are a natural part of aging. As we get older, our skin loses collagen and elastin, which can lead to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
That being said, there are a few things you can do to help minimize the appearance of your smile lines without resorting to painful procedures like Botox.
One option is to try using a good quality moisturizer on a daily basis.
Moisturizing your skin can help to plump it up and make it look more youthful, which can in turn help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
When you’re looking for a moisturizer, make sure to find one that is not only extra hydrating but also has peptides.
Peptides are essential for helping smooth wrinkles as they help to boost collagen and elastin production.
They’ve been scientifically proven to help turn back the clock on your skin, which is one of the reasons I have so many in my Repair and Release Cream!
In addition to this, it's also important to take care of your skin from the inside out. Eating a healthy diet that's rich in fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep can all help to keep your skin looking its best.
If you keep these tips in mind and stick to them as best as you can, you’re sure to see a difference in your smile lines!
I hope this is helpful to you!
My next question comes from Rebecca in Cincinnati, OH.
Q: Hello Dr. Ryan. I recently had a bad reaction to a face mask that I bought and a couple of weeks later my skin is still dry and flaky. What can I do to get my skin back to normal?
A: Hello Rebecca! It’s always awful when you get a skin reaction from a skincare product that you had high hopes for. I hope you were able to return it and get a refund! As for your dry and flaky skin, I think I know what can help you…
It's common for certain skincare products to cause skin irritation, especially if they contain harsh chemicals or ingredients that your skin is sensitive to.
In your case, the dryness and flakiness of your skin could be a sign of damage to your skin barrier, which is the outermost layer of your skin that protects it from your environment.
To restore your skin's barrier to its normal health, the first thing you should do is obviously stop using the face mask that caused the reaction.
Additionally, avoid using any other products that contain potentially irritating ingredients such as scrubs and drying cleansers.
Next, focus on hydrating your skin.
Dry skin can be caused by a lack of moisture, so it's important to replenish it by using a gentle, hydrating moisturizer.
Look for a product that contains ingredients like Shea butter which can help to restore the skin barrier and retain moisture.
You can also use a hydrating ingredient like Squalane to give your skin an extra boost of hydration. As an added bonus, Squalane has been known to help soothe irritation, so it might be exactly what your skin needs!
Both of these ingredients are in my Repair and Release Cream, which is also great for sensitive skin. If you don’t already have this on your shelf, I’d recommend trying it out!
In addition to using a product like The Repair and Release Cream, make sure to hydrate your body from the inside out by drinking plenty of water and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate your skin.
If you continue to have problems with skin sensitivity, it might be worth patch-testing your new skincare products on the inside of your wrist from now on to make sure you won’t react to them.
I hope you make a full recovery soon, Rebecca!
