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Medical Edge Newspaper Column from Mayo Clinic

HOME SKIN-CARE PRODUCTS WON’T TURN BACK THE CLOCK

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve noticed over-the-counter microdermabrasion kits and chemical peel kits in stores. Are these products regulated by the FDA so that I can believe the claims? How do they differ from similar services offered at a doctor’s office? — Rochester, Minn.

ANSWER: There is an increasing array of skin-care treatments and products available to try to turn back the proverbial clock. Treatments previously only offered in doctors’ offices are now packaged on drugstore shelves. While the drugstore variety might offer some benefit, they are different from what is available from a dermatologist or skin-care professional.

A chemical peel involves applying a solution to the skin that dissolves skin layers, producing new, smoother skin. It’s used to treat fine lines, especially around the eyes and mouth. A variety of chemicals — and strengths — are used. A dermatologist can use stronger chemicals than are available over-the-counter. If you want your skin to look a bit more healthy, the drug store variety could be helpful. If you’re looking for dramatic results, you’ll likely be disappointed.

The Food and Drug Administration considers over-the-counter chemical peels a beauty product, so claims of effectiveness are not monitored.

Microdermabrasion is a process where a dermatologist or skin-care specialist uses a hand-held device to blow crystals on the skin. The treatment gently polishes the skin’s surface, stimulating skin growth. It may require up to a dozen visits to subtly reduce fine lines and crow’s feet. That’s a hard process to package in a kit. You may see some benefit from at-home kits, but it’s not the same as the procedure done by a dermatologist, nurse or esthetician.

The FDA has not cleared any microdermabrasion products for over-the-counter use. True microdermabraders are considered surgical tools that can’t be sold over the counter. So buyers should be wary of package claims about effectiveness.

While at-home kits may seem easier on your pocketbook, you can spend a lot on products that don’t work. And they do pose some risks of skin irritation. If you do use at-home skin peels or microdermabrasion kits, follow directions carefully.

— Pamela K. Phillips, M.D., Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Additional Resources:
Skin-Care Treatments
Appointment Information
Additional Information on Skin Care

READERS: Weight-loss fads come and go. But no matter what you hear, limiting fat in your diet — particularly saturated fat and trans fat — is one of the most important diet changes most Americans can make for optimum health.

Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers 10 tips to help cut back on fat:

— Cool it: Chill soups, gravies and stews, then skim off the fat that floats to the top.

— Buy skim: Skim milk may taste weaker at first, but if you use it regularly, your taste should adapt. Try other dairy products such as fat-free yogurt, reduced-fat or fat-free cheeses, and low-fat or fat-free sour cream and cream cheese.

— Cook smart: Limit using oils or butter for frying. Instead, saute or stir-fry foods in a small amount of vegetable broth or cooking wine. Try baking, broiling, steaming, poaching or grilling instead of frying.

— No yolk. With eggs, it’s the yolk that contains virtually all of the fat and cholesterol. Try using egg substitutes. Or, in most recipes, you can use two egg whites instead of one whole egg.

— Cut butter and margarine: Use apple, pumpkin or other fruit butters on breads instead. Try fat-free, butter-flavored spreads or sprinkles. For baking, substitute unsweetened applesauce, prune puree or a commercial baking substitute for half of the butter, shortening or oil in your recipe.

— Top it off: Use fat-free salad dressing to add zip to salads or vegetables. Plain, fat-free yogurt can be used in sauces for pasta, salads and sandwiches. Top bagels with fat-free cream cheese.

— Bean protein: For a meal or two a week, use beans or legumes instead of meat in a salad, soup or as the main dish.

— Lean on meat: Use extra-lean ground beef, ground chicken or ground turkey. Instead of bacon, use Canadian bacon or prosciutto, a lean Italian ham. Buy beef labeled “select” instead of “choice” or “prime.” Trim all fat from meat cuts and remove chicken skin, before or after cooking.

— Meat substitutes: Meatless products, such as imitation hot dogs, bacon, burgers and sausage, are available at many grocery stores. They often contain less fat — especially saturated fat— than an equivalent portion of the meat product.

— Room for dessert: Use fat-free ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet or sorbet and top with berries or a fat-free non-dairy whipped topping.
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Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. To e-mail a question, go to www.mayoclinic.org, or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com.