Dr. Rachel Herschenfeld's practice is based in Wellesley, Massachusetts. After graduating from Harvard Medical School, she completed residencies in Internal Medicine and Dermatology, then joined two other dermatologists to found Dermatology Partners, Inc. Dr. Herschenfeld is board certified in Dermatology, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Herschenfeld performs cosmetic procedures including Botox, Restylane, collagen, Sculptra, and laser treatments for many conditions.
Dr. Rachael Herschenfeld is a practicing dermatologist. Her answers here should not replace medical advice. To submit a question, e-mail skincare
@washingtonpost.com. We reserve the right to edit submitted questions for length and clarity and cannot guarantee that all questions will be answered.
@washingtonpost.com. We reserve the right to edit submitted questions for length and clarity and cannot guarantee that all questions will be answered.
Thanks for your recent article in the washingtonpost.com on men's skin care; us guys really like the useful tips too! As a 37-year-old, I'm trying to hang onto my youth (albeit by a thread!). I have a question regarding the dark circles under the eyes: in lieu of expensive laser surgery, can you recommend a product that would help reduce their appearance? I've used the new Loreal men's product, but it hasn't worked for me. Unfortunately the dark circles run in my family, and I'm doing my best to combat it.
- S.R.
- S.R.
Topical creams do not work well to reduce the appearance of under-eye circles. Although eye creams improve the appearance of eyelid skin by moisturizing it and increasing the reflection of light from the skin surface this is not enough to get rid of dark circles. Injectable fillers, such as Restylane, Juvederm and Sculptra can often improve the appearance of under-eye circles by filling in the hollow area known as the tear trough. Concealers also help to lighten that area.
Does there come a time when the benefits of Retin A fade? I'm male and 60 and have been using Retin A every night for over three years -- with excellent results. But do results peak? After that, is their a maintenance routine? Also, can Retin A be used together with a product like Cerave?
- C. R.
- C. R.
Retin A can help to smooth fine lines, improve skin texture and fade brown spots on the face. It cannot remove all lines, and it will not remove all brown spots, so there is certainly a limit to what it can accomplish. That does not mean that you should stop using it. Skin is constantly exposed to sunlight, so sun damage and aging changes continue. Retin A can help to fade accumulating damage. It can also help to prevent some of the damage caused by sun exposure and maybe help to prevent some skin cancers. So, in addition to being an effective treatment for aging skin, it is an essential part of a good skin care maintenance regimen. I usually recommend the use of a moisturizer such as Cerave along with Retin A to minimize the development of dryness and irritation.
I have been using a Nivea for Men product containing an SPF 15 sunscreen and Q10 on my face for several years. How does it compare to those products discussed in you "Men Are Different" piece appearing The Washington Post?
- S. J.
- S. J.
The other products mentioned in last month's column include sunscreen, Retin A and glycolic acid. There is more convincing evidence for the use of these products for anti-aging than there is for the use of CoQ10. CoQ10 is an antioxidant. Although there are reasons to believe that antioxidants can protect the skin from UV-induced damage, there are no good research studies specifically demonstrating the effectiveness of CoQ10 containing creams in reversing aging changes in the skin. You will certainly benefit from the sunscreen in your current product, and the CoQ10 may help as well.
