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Book Excerpts
Excerpts from Dr. Becker's book, "What Are You Putting On Your Skin? A Plastic Surgeon's Perspective On Skin Care Products, Cosmetic Ingredients and Treatments"
On Skin Care:
"You'll be aware of some of the common causes of skin problems, many of which are actually caused by the very cosmetics designed to improve your skin" - page 6. "Good skin care can keep skin youthful and healthy, and can often help a patient avoid or delay the need for face-lift surgery. After surgery, good skin care can help maintain the result that was achieved" - page 43.
"Skin type is a hype. Skin is in a constant state of change . . . your skin care program should change as your skin does" - page 12.
On Chemicals:
"Many chemicals commonly found in cosmetics easily penetrate the skin" - page 10. "Chemicals do penetrate the skin's surface to some degree, so what happens when a cosmetic remains on the face (as a makeup base might for twelve hours) or spreads over the entire body (as suntan lotions do)? What is the effect of exposure to ingredients that are used over a number of years? What about the questions of systemic absorption, toxicity, and chronic effects?" - page 13.
"Cosmetics frequently cause skin problems, such as irritation, dryness, blemishes and break outs. Moisturizers can clog pores. Allergic reactions occur in response to numerous ingredients in skin care products. Chemicals and certain plant extracts can be irritating, too drying or cause excessive oiliness" - page 11.
"I [Dr. Becker] recommend that my patients avoid exposure to cosmetic ingredients that may be harmful to their skin, such as detergents, chemicals, coloring agents, synthetic fragrances, artificial preservatives, and mineral oil. Furthermore, to help prevent premature aging, I recommend that they follow a basic skin care program of cleansing, exfoliation, moisturization, and sun protection" - page 43.
On Cleansing:
"Detergents can be harsh on the skin, removing excessive oil and breaking down the skin's natural defensive barrier" - page 44.
"Natural fruit acids are excellent water soluble cleansers. Dilute fruit acid used with a cotton gauze pad is recommended" - page 46.
"Salicylic acid is oil soluble thus it is able to penetrate the sebum filled follicles and clean the pores. It is also a mild exfoliant and thus an excellent cleanser" - page 46.
On Exfoliation:
"The most effective means of rejuvenating the skin is exfoliation . . . fruit acids are excellent exfoliators . . . they loosen the adherence of old and dead cells to the underlying healthy cells" - page 46-47.
On Moisturization:
"All facial skins differ in their oil content, not only from day to day, but also from area to area. It therefore does not make sense to use one moisturizer with a fixed percentage of oil. It is far more effective to first apply an oil-free moisturizer which will absorb excess oil from the oily areas, and then apply a specific amount of oil as needed to the dry areas" - page 48.
"Synthetic moisturizers such as mineral oil and its derivatives inhibit the skin's own moisture-producing capacity and thereby produce dry skin!" - page 49.
On Sun Protection:
"Zinc Oxide or Titanium dioxide sunscreens that are completely free of chemical and synthetic ingredients are recommended" - page 50.
To Purchase a copy of Dr. Becker's book ($14.95 plus shipping & handling $8.95)
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