Not all UV rays have the same effect on skin. UV rays can actually be classified into three types: UVA, UVB, and UVC.

• UVA rays make up most of the radiated energy that comes to earth from the sun, yet they emit the least energy of all UV rays because they have the longest wavelength. Less intense doesn’t equal safer, though. UVA rays are the most common, the most consistent, and the rays that can penetrate most deeply into the skin. Early signs of aging are usually the result of exposure to UVA rays over many years.
•   UVB rays are mostly absorbed by the ozone layer, but not entirely, so some UVB rays still reach earth. As you might imagine, UVB rays vary in intensity by location, season, and time of day, and reflective surfaces like ice and water can intensify their effects. UVB rays cause sunburn, as well as damage to the superficial layers of skin, and can lead to skin cancer.
• UVC rays are the most intense and potentially damaging, but this same high intensity means the ozone layer is mostly effective at blocking this harmful energy. Interestingly, certain manmade procedures that produce energy can produce this type of wave – and exposure to UVC rays can cause eye problems like cataracts.

As we approach summer, you don’t have to remember exactly what UVA and UVB rays do. Just focus on preventing overexposure while still enjoying the benefits of warmer weather and the brilliant sunshine. We recommend straying on the side of caution and wearing elizabeth roche m.d. SolarEclipse 30 Sunscreen or SkinMedica’s Environmental Defense SPF 50 or Daily Physical Defense 30.  Wearing light clothing, a stylish hat with big sunglasses to protect your face, head, ears, neck, and eyes is also recommended. And don’t forget- during midday hours when the sun is at its strongest, try staying indoors and if you are outside, stay in the shade.

At New Jersey’s Elizabeth Roche MedSpa, we can undo some of the damage caused by years of sun exposure with treatments like chemical peels, but the easiest way to avoid future premature aging is to protect yourself from the sun.

We have always been quick to point out that regular aesthetic treatments are one of the best ways to maintain your natural beauty, but that’s not the only reason to make visiting our New Jersey medspa a monthly to-do. Aesthetic treatments with a skilled aesthetician can relieve the stress and muscle tension that are behind things like worry lines, eliminate toxins from the upper layers of skin, make fine lines almost invisible, reduce or even reverse the effects of sun damage and acne scarring, even out your skin tone, and more!

Because we know how important our services are to our clients’ wellbeing, we have decided to make it even easier to meet regularly with our specialized aestheticians by launching our new Essential Membership Club.

Joining the Essential Membership Club gives you access to exclusive member-only pricing on certain treatments and perks throughout the year like last-minute member-only specials and friend discounts. Becoming a member is simple. A yearly $99 membership fee signs you into the club and once you’re enrolled, you can choose from a Medical Grade Facial, Microdermabrasion, or DermaPeel for only $99 every month.

Some of the benefits available to Essential Membership Club members include:

•  Complimentary travel sizes of Elizabeth Roche, m.d. skin care products at the time of enrollment
•  A 10% discount on Elizabeth Roche, m.d. skincare products.
•  Essential Member-Only last minute specials.
•  Essential Member exclusive offers and events.
•  Bring a friend in for their First esthetic treatment at your discount rate.

So what are you waiting for? Call us today at 201-505-1020 to find out more about joining our Essential Membership Club and gaining access to a whole host of benefits that will keep you looking your best and most beautiful, all year long.

But when our clients come to use asking about summer hair removal options, we suggest laser hair removal for a variety of reasons. It is a non-invasive, FDA approved procedure that’s both safe and more effective at achieving lasting hair removal than other methods.

Who is a candidate for pre-summer laser hair removal? Anyone with unwanted hair! Sessions in our NJ spa usually last about 15 minutes and can cover large areas, and a full round of treatment typically consists of four to six sessions to ensure all unwanted hair is gone. The specialized Sciton™ Clearscan™ Laser we use in our office employs a distinctive computer-guided scanning system that automates the treatment ensuring that hair is evenly eliminated across sessions.

But our favorite thing about laser hair removal, as opposed to other hair removal procedures, is that it leaves skin feeling softer, smoother, and more beautiful. Do you have unwanted hair you’d like to see gone before it’s time to hit the beach? Then give us a call at 201-505-1020! There’s still time to achieve the smoothest skin you’ve ever had!

Often, when our NJ medspa clients come to us with their skincare concerns, we ask about what products they’re using and when those products will expire. It’s sad to say, but many women (and some men, too) don’t bother to consider makeup expiration dates or to ask does lotion expire. The answer to the latter question is, yes, of course lotions has an expiration date. As do cosmetics, cleansers, and other products we put directly on our skin. If you’re like most women, way back in your beauty closet there are probably some majorly outdated products. We know it can be tough to part with them, but consider that expiration dates are often determined by how long it takes for a preservative to stop being effective. That means germs could be lurking in your Retin-A.

But wait, you say! This product doesn’t have an expiration date! That’s not uncommon – in fact, most cosmetic and beauty products aren’t labeled with their expiration dates.  That’s why it’s up to you, the consumer to keep track of when you bought your makeup, lotions, and other products – and toss whatever is out of date. Here’s a breakdown of how long, on average, the stuff in your beauty cabinet lasts:

2 Years

• Pressed or loose powder
• Lipstick/Lipgloss
• Body lotion
• Nail polish
• Shaving cream
• Deodorant
• Perfume

1 Year

• Oil-based foundation
• Water-based foundation
• Anti-aging treatments (pump dispenser)
• Acne treatments
• Toners
• Bath oil

6 Months

• Sunscreen
• Concealer
• Moisturizers
• Cleansers

These guidelines are for conventional products – natural, organic products often have a shorter shelf life because they’re made without preservatives. Botanical extracts, essential oils, and plant pulps can be a ripe breeding ground for bacteria. If you suspect a product, natural or otherwise, has turned because it looks or smells different, follow our makeup mantra… when in doubt, throw it out.

We recommend using a waterproof marker to jot down the date you bought a product before you stash it in your makeup kit so you’ll never be left sniffing your concealer to tell if it’s still good. No matter what, expired beauty products shouldn’t be subverting your skincare! Yes, sometimes it’s hard to part with a favorite product, but consider the alternatives and stay safe.

1. Smoking. We shouldn’t have to tell you this, but if you smoke it’s time to quit. Not only does smoking cause those telltale lip lines – it also contributes to premature aging and may increase the risk of certain skin cancers. We know that quitting isn’t easy. If you’re struggling to quit, ask your primary care doctor for help.
2. Picking and scratching. As tempting as it is to pop that pimple or scratch at that spot, resist! Scratching and picking can actually cause itchy skin, leading to a cycle of itching and scratching that leads to at best redness and at worst, real, lasting damage.
3. Not getting enough sleep. Haven’t you heard of beauty sleep? Sleep and beautiful skin go hand in hand, so if you’re not getting enough shut eye don’t be surprised if your skin starts to look drawn, wan, and more wrinkled than before. Luckily, the effects of exhaustion are easily reversed by a few good nights of zzzzz’s.
4. Skipping sunscreen. Leaving the SPF at home can increase your risk of skin cancer, of course, but it also sets you up for sun damage that can turn into wrinkles, discoloration, and spots. Get in the habit of wearing sunscreen every day to protect your beautiful skin.
5. Leaving makeup on overnight. Not cleansing makeup away at the end of the day sounds gross, as well it should. A layer of dirt can form underneath your cosmetics – and that dirt can get into pores and even cause infections.
6. Not visiting the dermatologist. We get checkups for our physical selves and our mental selves. Some of us get checkups for specific parts of the body. Doesn’t your skin deserve a checkup of its own once in a while? A lot of pre-cancers are caught in the doctor’s office!
7. Ignoring skin from the neck down. Every part of you that’s exposed to sunlight deserves sunscreen. Your whole body can benefit from moisturizer. You may see your face in the mirror every morning, but your body is also part of the package. Treat it right.

The consequences of bad skin care habits can outweigh good genetics and youth. But the results of good skincare habits will stay with you for a lifetime. If you look at this list and cringe a little bit because you have some bad habits of your own, now is the time to review your skincare regimen and make the change to healthy habits for beautiful skin!

We’ve compiled a list of questions you can ask yourself to help you on the path to healthy skin, now and for decades to come.

How does my skin feel? The condition of your skin can help you determine what you need to do to care for it correctly. Skin that is dry, rough, and itchy needs a different sort of attention than skin that is oily. Combination skin – more common in later life – can add another level of complexity to your skincare routine.

Am I wearing sunscreen daily? If the answer is yes, keep doing what you’re doing. If the answer is no, it may be time to give us a call so we can discuss how best to take care of dark spots and other imperfections caused by UV exposure.

Do I take the time necessary to really care for my skin? When a quick cleanse is all you do, it may be time to step up your skincare routine. A little pampering can do wonders for tired, rough, or discolored skin. Moisturizing is, as always, a must, but treatments like our NJ microdermabrasion and peels can do what moisturizer can’t.

Am I seeing acne or redness? Getting to the bottom of acne and other conditions that can cause redness, texture issues, or scarring isn’t a luxury. Conditions like these can be indicative of deeper issues affecting your overall wellness. Don’t ignore them!

What is my skin type? Many of us haven’t considered this question since high school when magazine quizzes asked the same thing. But knowing your skin type can not only help you identify the best products to promote healthy skin, but also the cosmetics that will look best on you.

The bottom line is this: When you look in the mirror every morning, are you really seeing your skin? Remember, what you see on the outside is often determined by what’s happening in the deeper layers of skin – the layers that only treatments like Ulthera can touch. Staying on top of your skin health will not only help you look your best, but may also help you stay healthy all over.

There are numerous anti-aging products specifically designed for over-50 skin. However, this is the decade in which a greater number of women begin to look into skincare procedures like Ultherapy that lift and tone the skin of the face and neck. But if you feel driven to look into Ulthera or other procedures, that doesn’t mean you can leave your skincare regimen behind if you want to have beautiful, healthy skin now and for years to come.

The Danger of Dry Out

Mature skin is typically dry, which comes as a surprise to women who have spent their lives coping with oily skin. In the warmer months, moisture in the air can compensate for the skin’s own lack of hydration. In wintertime? Dry skin over 50 becomes too obvious to ignore. Cold air outside, dry indoor heating, and low humidity can add up to skin that is dry and even itchy. Without adequate moisture, skin can become flaky or even crack – which aside from being decidedly uncomfortable can also be unsightly.

Remember when your grandmother would slather her face in petroleum jelly before bed? We don’t recommend going that far, but a high-end facial moisturizer and body moisturizer, applied twice daily if not more often, can go a long way toward maintaining fresh-looking, beautiful skin. Whether you choose a moisturizer that contains urea, alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid is up to you, but these ingredients can also minimize fine lines.

Stick With It

The biggest skincare mistake that women over 50 tend to make is not sticking with it. Products like Retin-A can take time to work and may initially cause side effects like redness or peeling. Using sunscreen and taking other steps to prevent sun damage can seem unnecessary when the worst sun damage is usually sustained in one’s teens and 20s. Researching skincare treatments can even feel like a waste of time. But skincare over 50 has to be about commitment. Our foremothers may have had scant years left after hitting the half century mark, but 50 is the new 30. A 50 year old woman today can expect to live 25 years or more!

Remember last month when we said that there’s no reason a woman can’t have beautiful skin in every decade of life? It’s true even at 50 and beyond, provided you care for your skin with the same diligence with which you maintain your physical health and emotional wellbeing.

At Elizabeth Roche MedSpa, we offer a full range of non-invasive, non-surgical, and proven skin care treatments like Ulthera and are happy to discuss the specifics of skincare over 50 with our clients.

Get Acquainted With Power Products

This is the decade in which many women and men truly begin to embrace Retinoids, different chemical acids, peptides, anti-oxidants and products like hydroquinone. In one’s 40s, developing and retaining youthful skin isn’t just about treating fine lines and wrinkles. Look for products that stimulate collagen synthesis, and consider whether you might need to switch to products designed for drier skin or more importantly anti-aging products. Even if you’ve been blessed with normal skin or coped with oily skin for your entire life, you may find that the big 4-0 brings with it a new skin type. Drier, sun damaged and the beginning of fine lines and wrinkles.  Look for products formulated to regnerate your skin, such as SkinMedica’s TNS Essential Serum which has a combination of natural growth factors, collagen and proteins to reduce fine lines and improve elasticity. And if you’ve suffered from facial redness in the past, consider whether you might actually need a rosacea treatment like our  Equalage Peel, or the Equalage products, an easy 3-step rosacea remedy to control and eliminate facial redness.

Treat for Tone and Texture

Your 40s are the perfect time to start researching treatments that will improve both the tone and the texture of your skin. Sometimes, products alone are not enough and you need to combine treatments along with products to get a better and faster result.

Laser resurfacing, such as a Micro Laser Peel or  a Fractional CO2 Laser treatment, can

eliminate signs of aging faster, then the use of products alone. Skin rejuvenation, includes a smoother, even complexion, diminished fine lines and wrinkles, reduction of  uneven pigmentation and a more refreshed, youthful appearance with the benefit of a lustrous glow. While considering treatments such as these, continue to slather on sunscreen, as that will continue to be one of your biggest allies in your efforts to maintain healthy skin that stays beautiful as you move into each new phase of life.

Turn to the Pros

As we’ve mentioned before, the needs of skin will be different in different decades of life. Look first for skincare products specifically designed for your age bracket, but if you were a sun worshipper back in the day, don’t expect an over the counter treatment to work miracles. You may find that your 40s represent the first time you’ve looked for more dramatic, longer lasting skincare results. Many of our patients visit us for the first time in their 40s because it’s usually around this time in their life, that they realize it’s time to consult the medical aesthetic professionals to help undo the damage caused by environment and genetics.

At Elizabeth Roche MD MedSpa, we offer a full range of non-invasive, non-surgical, and proven skin care treatments that help women and men look their best in every decade of life.   For additional Anti-Aging treatments we highly recommend ULTHERA®.

Please visit our ULTHERA® page  to read more on this New, Non Surgical procedure, that can make you more youthful in less than an hour.

Tip: Take It to the Next Level

In your 20s, skincare was simple. And the good news is that in your 30s, it’s still relatively simple. We recommend just taking what you were already (we hope) doing to the next level. Continue to avoid sun exposure, treat adult acne as it appears, drink plenty of water, and get plenty of rest, but also enhance your current skincare protocol with additional preventative skin care products and treatments designed specifically for women and men in their 30s. This is the time to concentrate on the eye area and to use a hydrating eye cream or an eye cream for fine lines and wrinkles such as elizabeth roche md skincare Retinol Eye.

Tip: Moisturize Moisturize Moisturize!

No matter what your skin type, you will likely find that your skin gets drier faster in your 30s, making moisturizing an absolute must. This is the decade in which you’ll see more roughness and unevenness, and maybe even tiny brown spots. Is moisturizer enough? Of course not, but choosing a moisturizer with sunscreen can prevent more problems down the road. Continue using retinoid formulations to help with cellular turnover and collagen production. Begin to consider treatments that address sun damage and rough skin texture. At Elizabeth Roche MD MedSpa, we offer a variety of treatments for these concerns. Photorejuvenation, Microdermabrasion or a deeper chemical peel, such as E-lluminating

Melenage Peel may be recommended.

Tip: Don’t Neglect Your Hands and Neck

It has been said that a person’s hands and neck will age them faster than the face, and considering how many people don’t include these two areas in their daily skincare regimen, it’s probably true. Thinning skin and the aforementioned loss of moisture in this decade can make the skin on your hands and neck look loose and papery, but this is easily avoided. Just make sure that your neck and hands are exfoliated, protected, and moisturized daily to ensure that they never stop looking as smooth and as youthful as your visage.

Also, note that most aesthetic treatments can also be performed on your hands and neck and can be included while you are doing your facial treatment.

Tip: Don’t Over Think Your Skincare

Most people navigating their 20s have enough to worry about without having to think about intense anti-wrinkle treatments or invasive cosmetic procedures. This is the decade for moisturizing, wearing SPF 20 sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection daily, and gentle cleansing. You’re goal is to set the stage for healthy skin in your 30s, 40s, and beyond. In other words, focus on damage prevention.

Tip: Watch for Adult Onset Acne

As annoying as it may be to find out that acne has followed you into adulthood, it is also both extremely common and easily treatable. In adults, breakouts often occur at the hairline and jawline, but some people prone to adult acne find that their breakouts and the location of those breakouts are more unpredictable than they were during the teen years. So what’s a young adult to do?  Visit a professional who can properly diagnosis the type of acne you are experiencing – at Elizabeth Roche MedSpa, we carry a full product line for treating acne and a peel called Elimine, formulated exclusively for Dr. Roche designed to treat acne-prone skin.

Tip: It’s Time to Try Retinoids

For a proactive approach to skincare in your 20s, nothing beats retinoid formulations like Retin-A or a Retinol. These vitamin A-derivative creams can prevent breakouts, undo some childhood sun damage, and up your skin’s collagen production for the most youthful skin possible. Retinoid and retinol creams should be used all over the face, including under the eyes in place of an eye cream, in the evenings.  Elizabeth Roche M.D Retinol Eye cream is a recommended favorite.

Follow these three simple tips and your skin will not only thank you, but also look vibrant and youthful well into your 30s!