​I’ve never heard a patient regret the decision to invest in a quality skincare regimen that
makes their skin look great! I used to have a lot of different items that I used but now I have a
simple regimen that focuses on the best ingredients with the most science.

Anyone who wants the best in skincare should try to incorporate a retinoid into their routine
as the effects can be significant. These compounds include retinol, retinoic acid and others that
have been studied extensively for decades. There is much validity to their use in our antiaging
skincare! The active ingredient is retinoic acid. Some over the counter formulations can be
effective but at a much slower rate even when used consistently.

Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant. Originally used to treat acne,
they cause skin cells to turn over faster through microexfoliation which improves fine lines and
wrinkles, unwanted pigmentation and creates smoother skin. These powerful products can also
slow down our own collagen breakdown, thereby producing thicker and more plump skin. A
few of the better medical grade retinol products are balanced by other active ingredients that
convert retinol to retinoic acid more quickly, can act as retinols themselves, promote deeper
penetration of product, limit surface irritation and even provide moisture and anti-
inflammatory action to minimize side effects. A few products are now shown to be as effective
as prescription with many extra abilities.

Retinol side effects are variable but include redness, dryness, flakiness, itching and irritation.
They are sun sensitive and so should only be used at night. Do not use retinol products if you
are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Since prescription and physician grade products are required to be extensively skin tested, I
recommend using products that are followed by a skincare expert. Start lower in strength, go
slow 1-2 nights per week and build tolerance gradually. Most of us feel our skin looks a little
worse before it starts improving. I like to recommend using a moisturizer over the retinol at
night to minimize side effects. Gradually build up to at least 3-4 nights per week or every night
if tolerated. Over the long term it will be consistency, not strength of the product that provides
results.

Here we are several weeks into our quarantine for corona virus protection and I finally feel like I’m coming out of the fog. Those first couple of weeks were surreal…I think I was in a state of numb disbelief. Now that we’ve been at this social distancing for a while, I realize how difficult and unnatural it is. Humans are meant to be together not isolated without socialization.

I am fearful of the reality of losing my business; I think about all the hard work, training and experience it has taken to build it over more than a decade. There have been days where I would just sit in my office in disbelief of what has happened. In the midst of this angst and stress, my landlord decided to send out his rent increase.
Wow… I’ve spent my entire medical career watching how someone else’s life can change in an instant, never thinking that it would be my own.

As a doctor, it’s quite uncomfortable not being in control of a situation. Over the past few weeks I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to so many of my patients while they’re at home. It’s quite unique as most conversations occur with my reception staff. Thank you for openly sharing your stories and for your support. Many have said how happy
they are to have work and how they never appreciated their jobs as much as they do now. I hope my own staff feel the same way when they get to return!

 Now, I am preparing for life returning to a new normal. There may be a world of good things that emerge from this tragic event. Let’s hope that some lessons well learned will serve us all in the future. Let’s not dwell or blame for what has happened. Let’s move forward and be better than before!

​Valerie Schneider M.D.

Every year I get together with my best friends from college for an extended girls weekend. We find a place to meet and everyone brings their stories and pictures to share from the prior year. This has turned out to be something we all look forward to greatly.
   A few years ago, we met in Las Vegas. One night we saw a great show, had a leisurely dinner and while we were getting up to leave the restaurant, a group of young Aussie men who were celebrating one’s bachelor party started chatting us up. They wanted to include us in their ongoing festivities. My girlfriend said to them…don’t you know how old we are? The young man cheerily replied…yes, probably about 40 but it doesn’t matter.
   Needless to say, for us “over 50 somethings” we were beyond thrilled! Maybe that means we are beating the aging process!  We floated out of the restaurant. Actually, 40 likely seemed ancient to them as they could have easily been any of our sons!
   We’ll never know what was really meant but for us more mature gals, it was an “ageless” moment we’ll never forget. We repeat the details and relive that particular trip every year! thanks guys!

​   Many conversations I have during my workday have guided me into the type of education I believe my patients need. First, it’s actually okay to be imperfect.
    I am shocked by the amount of frozen, puffy overplumped faces we see out there and wonder how the creators of such unnatural features can see them as a beautiful aesthetic.
I have learned that not everyone has a good aesthetic eye. We live in a sea of human mannequins, all trying to achieve the same firm, smooth, plump, frozen, plastic appearance as the doll in the department store window or the latest housewives TV episode. How did we get here? Why have we as a society decided not to accept our inevitable aging process?
   The aesthetic industry is not one of perfection but one of artistry. Creating a softer more youthful appearance with a multitude of tools. The ultimate result is art and function that is pleasing to the eye or provides pleasure through beauty. My belief is when we feel confident about our appearance then we go out into the world and do good things. So… it’s okay to have some laugh lines. After all, we earned them from smiling!
 
Valerie Schneider M.D.