Skin Care

Dr. McMenamin and his staff often get asked about recommended skin care for our patients. He believes in keeping skin care simple because patients are more likely to adhere to a daily skin care regimen when there aren’t a lot of steps to take.

Our estheticians, Fonda Jo and Carol, offer excellent skin care products and procedures tailored to your particular needs. Feel free to call one of them for a skin analysis and recommendations.                           

Fonda Jo:  (916) 967-6266         

Carol: (916) 924-3223

Cleansers

Cetaphil lotion (or the generic) is an excellent over-the-counter cleanser for most skin types. It is gentle, greaseless, and inexpensive. Use it in place of regular soap as a makeup remover and cleanser. You can purchase Cetaphil lotion at most pharmacies, department stores, and super markets.

Retin-A (Renova)

One of the most valuable treatments for skin maintenance and rejuvenation is Retin-A (retinoic acid). This vitamin A compound should be used at night after cleansing the skin and removing all makeup. We recommend 1/2 of a pea-size amount Renova 0.05% Cream applied to moist skin. The package insert says to apply the Retin-A to dry skin, but we have obtained more even spreading by applying the cream to skin that is moist. This also makes it easier to use less to cover the entire face. This process avoids over exposure and burning or irritating the skin by using too much cream.

Some patients will need to use even less than the 1/2 of a pea-size amount due to their sensitive skin. It will take some experimentation to find the best combination for your skin type. Retin-A will still work if you skip a few nights, use less than the 1/2 pea size amount, mix the Retin-A with a moisturizer before applying it to your face, or even putting moisturizer on immediately after the Retin-A. After applying Retin-A to your face, you may use most other skin treatments, moisturizers, masks, or makeup on your skin. You should be gentle and cautious until you figure out how best to use Retin-A for the rejuvenation of your skin.

Scientific studies show that results from Retin-A are best if used for approximately four months straight. Most patients need three to six weeks to build up to every night use. Some patients are unable to use the Retin-A this intensively, but they still can improve their skin by less frequent use. For the first three to six weeks most patients will have some peeling, scaling, and irritation of the skin, especially around the nose and mouth. Retin-A can make acne worse during this introductory period. Your skin becomes hyperactive as it begins to renew itself. You can adjust the frequency of application or use a moisturizer to decrease these side effects. Almost everyone, in three to six weeks, can adjust to a routine that will fit their skin type and tolerance.

After four months of nightly use, most patients can decrease the frequency of Retin-A application. Fair skinned patients can use it one to two nights per week. Normal skin responds well to three to four nights per week. Oily skin can get the best benefits by using the product four to seven nights per week. These regimens will maintain the improvement you have achieved.

Since Retin-A will cause some healthful thinning of the skin, it is essential that sun block be used if you are going to be in the sun. Any type of sun block with a sun protection factor (SPF) of greater than 30 (UVA and UVB) will be adequate. Many patients use Retin-A from Sunday through Thursday, and then avoid weekend use when they will have greater sun exposure. We still recommend a sun block and a wide brimmed hat whenever you will have sun exposure.

Glycolic Acid

While Retin-A rejuvenates the deep skin, or dermis, Glycolic Acid works best on the superficial skin or epidermis. It should be used in the morning, four to seven mornings per week. We recommend 5 - 10% Glycolic Acid for sensitive skin and 10 - 20% for normal to oily skin. It is also available in cream, lotion, or gel so that the correct combination for your skin can be used. Glycolic Acid will enhance the effects and benefits of Retin-A. We recommend the application of a small amount of Glycolic Acid to moist, clean skin in the morning prior to makeup or moisturizer. You can put sun block, moisturizer, and/or makeup over the Glycolic Acid without difficulty. Most patients benefit from the combination of Retin-A and Glycolic Acid use. Occasionally, patients with sensitive skin use Retin-A a few nights per week and Glycolic Acid on the nights that they do not use the Retin-A. They may or may not use Glycolic Acid in the mornings depending on the response of their skin. It is important to remember that everyone has different skin care needs and a little experimentation will find what works best for you.

Sunscreen

We recommend that you use sunscreen daily. PABA free, non-comedogenic (greaseless, so it won’t block pores) products that protect against UVA and UVB light are preferable. A sun protective factor of 15-20 SPF should be used for regular daily protection and a stronger SPF of 30 or more should be used with prolonged sun exposure and be reapplied every 2 hours.