Florence Mussat, M.D.
680 N Lake Shore Dr. #1030 Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 751-9000

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Tag: skin care

Skincare Products You Should Be Using This Summer

Let summer benefit your skin with the right skincare products. While you may have some luck with over-the-counter retinoids to significantly reduce signs of aging, you’ll want to include prescription-grade Vitamin A topicals to restore your glow. In this article, we discuss the prescription topicals used to improve your skin’s appearance and the best products for the best summer skincare routine. Read on to learn how you can achieve a youthful summer glow. 

Should you have any questions about taking care of your skin in the summer, please feel free to contact Dr. Florence Mussat in Chicago, IL, for specific product recommendations on her website.

Go For Prescription Retinoids 

Prescription topical retinoids include Retin-A Cream (tretinoin), Isotrex Gel (isotretinoin), and Differin Gel (adapalene). These creams reverse aging, sun damage and eliminate acne. Long-term usage may also improve the appearance of wrinkles, comedones, and pigmentation. Let your skin get used to the cream by applying it every other night. Once your skin adjusts, apply it every night. Always wear sunscreen during daylight hours, as these creams increase the chance of sunburn. 

Summer Skincare Routine 

In addition to these prescription-grade products, you should also consider following a typical skincare routine for the summer months. The main products include a cleanser, sunscreen, moisturizer, exfoliating agent, and anti-aging serum. You won’t likely use the serum daily or exfoliate every day, but both rejuvenate your skin’s appearance. Here is a breakdown of what to look for:

Cleansers: The goal of a daily cleanser is to gently clean your skin and prepare it for additional skincare treatments. To avoid irritation and dryness, stick to cleansers that are free of harsh chemicals, including alcohol. Some gentle choices include micellar water and oil-based alternatives. To properly apply, wet a cotton pad with your cleanser and gently wipe it across your face. 

Moisturizers: After you’ve used your cleanser, apply a moisturizer to rehydrate. For effective moisturization, remember that staying hydrated is the goal. Moisturize twice a day with ceramides (a fatty acid) and hyaluronic acid. These properties keep moisture locked in, restoring skin and reducing aging. 

Sunscreen: Apply a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30. Do not make the mistake of using foundations or moisturizers tinted with sunblock as sunscreen. These are not adequate substitutes. 

Exfoliate On Occasion: Exfoliate twice a week and only after cleansing. Cleansing prepares your skin for the rest of your skincare routine, and this includes exfoliation. The purpose of exfoliation is to get rid of the caked-on dead cells that lead to acne. Integrate chemical exfoliants that do the deep cleaning on their own by sinking deep into the skin’s surface. 

Anti-Aging Serums:  Include an anti-aging product that aids against the decline of skin. The prescription-based products mentioned at the start of this article are anti-aging products that improve skin texture, anti-aging, and pore size reduction. 

Need More Information on the Best Skincare Products This Summer?

Taking care of your skin in summer requires paying special attention to how the seasons might affect your skin. Reward yourself with an effortless summer glow by using a carefully thought-out skincare routine. 

If you are looking for the best advice on summer skincare, we’re here to help. Dr. Florence Mussat is an expert in medical-grade skincare. Schedule a personal consultation or call (312) 751-9000 today!

Easy Skincare Routine For Busy Moms

When you’re trying to manage a career, a household, take care of a baby—as well as the rest of the family—it can be easy to let your self-care routine go. Remind yourself that taking moments for self-care can provide the well-deserved mood boost and mental pause you need for yourself, your work, and your family.

Even busy, tired mamas can have beautiful, glowing skin following a simple routine like this one shared by Dr. Florence Mussat in Chicago, IL. For specific product recommendations, feel free to contact her for more information.

Use a Gentle Daily Cleanser

Use micellar water, which is less likely to dry out and irritate your skin, or an oil-based, alcohol-free cleanser. Simply saturate a cotton pad, then wipe the pad across your skin, and of course, follow up with a moisturizer.

Always Wear Sunscreen

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays damage our skin all year round, not just in the summer, and are responsible for 90 percent of the skin’s aging. Sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 is essential when it comes to your daily skincare routine. Be sure to apply an actual sunscreen product, not a moisturizer with SPF or a foundation that includes SPF.

Moisturize Twice a Day

Hydration is what keeps your skin plump and youthful throughout the day. Apply moisturizer twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.

With all the moisturizers on the market, finding the best one can be a challenge. Keep it simple by looking for gel creams that incorporate ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help restore the skin barrier, retain moisture, and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Exfoliate Occasionally, Not Every Day

Exfoliating your skin removes the dead cell buildup that can cause irritation, dullness, and acne. While it’s not something you should do every single day, make it a part of your skincare routine a few times a week.

Rather than a physical exfoliator, use a chemical exfoliant as it polishes away dead and dull skin, allowing the active ingredients in your other skincare products to penetrate better. Ultimately, this leads to healthier, smoother-looking bright, and dewy skin.

Add an Anti-Aging Product

While the routine outlined above is essential for establishing and maintaining healthy skin, you need to optimize it even further by including an anti-aging retinol serum to help prevent the wear and tear of everyday life.

Retinol—a less potent, over-the-counter version of a retinoid—is one of those rare ingredients that can penetrate deep into your dermis and stimulate collagen production right at the source. Over time, a retinol-based product will help even out texture, fine lines, wrinkles and even reduce pore size.

Keep in mind that retinol makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays and that sunlight decreases its efficacy, so it’s best only to apply it at night.

Need More Information To Get Started?

If you are looking to jumpstart your skincare routine, we’re here to help. Dr. Florence Mussat is an expert in medical-grade skincare, as well as plastic surgery of the breast, body, and face.

Schedule a personal consultation with board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat in Chicago, IL, or call (312) 751-9000 today!

What Are 3 Pre-Surgery Tips for Self-Care?

Are you patiently counting down the days until your scheduled cosmetic surgery? Your thoughts are probably on what you can do to prepare for your procedure and increase your chances of a successful outcome.

Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat will provide detailed pre-surgery and post-surgery instructions. In addition to these, let’s look at three super-helpful tips you can follow to help you be as healthy and strong as possible before your surgery.

1. Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

The better your health before going into surgery, the smoother your recovery process will be. To this end, address these three lifestyle factors to ensure you’re in the best possible shape.

Balanced Nutrition

In the days leading up to your surgery, eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Focus primarily on fresh fruits and vegetables – which will help prevent inflammation – and foods rich in protein and nutrients such as vitamin C and D, zinc, and calcium, all of which can aid in your healing. You should also stop consuming alcohol and avoid foods that can cause constipation, like dairy and red meat.

Routine Exercise

Among exercise’s other countless benefits, being more active before your surgery will increase your chances of bouncing back sooner after the procedure. Walking at least 5,000 steps a day will go a long way toward increasing your stamina and improving your cardiovascular health and muscle recovery.

Kick Bad Habits

Use the time before your surgery to quit smoking and drinking alcohol, along with any mood-altering substances that could affect your sleep or anxiety levels leading up to your surgery. Alcohol and nicotine can significantly affect your circulation and can increase your anesthesia risk.

2. Organize Your Personal Affairs

To avoid any anxiety and improve your peace of mind, here are a few things you should take care of before your procedure.

Check With Your Employer

Ensure you understand your options regarding vacation or sick time. Arrange for a colleague to fill in for you during your absence, so any professional responsibilities can keep moving smoothly.

Take All Required Medical Tests

Dr. Mussat will inform you what tests you will need before, during, and after your surgery. Check if any of these may require pre-authorization from your insurer.

Contact Your Health Insurance Company

You must understand what your policy will and won’t cover, including any deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket costs.

3. Arrange for Help

Have a family member or friend agree to drive you to Dr. Mussat’s practice for your procedure and back home again afterward, where they can stay to help you for a day or two. Recruit family members and friends to take over meal preparation, diaper changes, laundry, and most parenting duties at home.

Those helping you both pre- and post-surgery can assist you in packing a bag with all of your basic essentials like toiletries, medications, and loose, comfortable clothing to wear home. They can also ensure you have plenty of water, vitamins, supplements, and healthy food at home.

Finally, make sure you take your personal ID, insurance card, and a list of any medications you may be taking, including the dosage.

Contact Us With Your Questions

If you have any questions about preparing for your surgery, please contact board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat in Chicago, IL. Schedule a personal consultation online or call (312) 751-9000 today.