Do you know what cosmeceuticals are?

No, it has nothing to do with cosmonauts.

Cosmeceuticals are a combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

“They’re used for the cosmetic improvement of skin, but they also have pharmaceutical properties,” Dr. Jeff Popp explained.

In the world of cosmeceuticals, there are two ways to reduce photo aging, a problem we all experience due to genetics, sun exposure, smoking or a combination of these

1. Stimulate the old cells that exist in your skin – “These are the cells that produce elastin and collagen, the things that make our skin look youthful,” Dr. Popp said.You can do this using:
   1. Alpha Hydroxy Acids
   2. Retin A
   3. Vitamin C
   4. Vitamin E
   5. Growth factors
   6. The newest is Heparan Sulfate.
2. “Heparan Sulfate is a chemical in our skin that protects it,” he said. “It has two purposes:  to protect growth factors but also to tell cells to listen for the signals to change from an old cell to a new one.”

And in each category, there are different products with different brand names, including Skin Medica and Sente.

1. Stimulate stem cells that reside in hair follicles in your skin – “There are two ways to do this. You can wound the skin with lasers or chemical peels. Or you can use products like Defenage, which utilizes defensins to stimulate the stem cells to create new, youthful skin cells.”

Product availability

Dr. Popp said some of these products are available online but the majority area available through your doctor’s office.

“Retin-A is a specific prescription cream. Its sub types are called retinols and many of those are sold over the counter,” he said.

Dr. Popp said the types of products you should use depend upon what skin issues you want to address and the outcome you hope to achieve. Common issues include:

• Wrinkles
• Blotchiness
• Pigmentation

“Most people usually have a mix of things but one particular problem may dominate,” he said.

Dr. Popp and his staff “cherry pick” products that work the best in about five different lines from each company. You can use these products before or after a procedure.

“Using them after may help prolong the effects of a particular procedure for a longer period of time,” he said.

Want to know more? Set up your consultation with Dr. Popp at 402.391.4558.