News

Beyoutiful Magazine posted “What 8 dermatologists have to say about toner!” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare .

The article includes Dr. Patel‘s thoughts on toner and if it’s needed for everyday skin care use.

In my nearly 10 years as a beauty editor, one debate that has yet to be settled is whether or not toner is a necessary skin-care step. Some experts suggest they’re becoming—or have already become—obsolete; others deem them highly beneficial for certain skin types. Here’s what eight dermatologists have to say.

“I believe toner is obsolete and not needed as part of an everyday skin-care routine. However, those who wear a lot of makeup or have oily/acne-prone skin may benefit from toner’s astringent benefits, and in this case, they should use it after cleansing. Apply it on a clean, dry cotton ball.” —Germantown, TN dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD

Read the full article here.

Open Fit posted “What Are the Benefits of Witch Hazel?” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare .

The article includes Dr. Patel‘s expert commentary on Witch Hazel anf the many benifits from using it for skin care.

Witch hazel is one of the O.G. skin care products — my grandma and my mom both swear by it, and I’ve been using it for years. But it tends to get overshadowed by expensive creams, cleansers, and serums.

Recently, though, the clear toner has been making a comeback — it’s been popping up as a trendy ingredient in skin care products. So what is witch hazel — and does it still have a place in a modern skin care regimen? Here are the benefits and drawbacks.

What is Witch Hazel?

Witch hazel sounds like a cocktail you’d drink at a Halloween party — but it’s actually a plant extract that’s been used for hundreds of years for its health benefits, says Purvisha Patel, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare.

Extracted from the leaves and bark of the Hamamelis virginiana shrub, witch hazel is best known for its skin care benefits. “Witch hazel leaf extract is used in skin care products because it is a source of several types of antioxidants, including gallic acid and tannins,” Patel adds.

Witch hazel can also be added to herbal tea — but only in extremely small doses, because it can be toxic (or even lethal) when too much is ingested.

What Are the Benefits of Witch Hazel?

Witch hazel is the most beneficial when it’s used topically, Patel says. Here’s why it may be a worthy addition to your skin care routine.

1. Soothe skin

With hazel contains gallic acid and tannins — two types of polyphenols with powerful antioxidant properties. Multiple studies have shown that witch hazel can help relieve inflammation caused by skin conditions such as acne. Research also suggests with hazel can help soothe the skin after UV exposure, and it’s FDA-approved for use in reducing skin irritation due to bug bites or minor cuts.

Read the full article here.

New Beauty posted “Why That ‘Needle-Free Filler’ You’re Seeing on Instagram Might be a Bad Idea” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare .

The article includes Dr. Patel‘s expert commentary on the needle free filler, Hyaluron Pen, and the risks that comes with using it.

It’s called a Hyaluron Pen and it’s making big waves on social media. The trending “needle-free filler” treatment is prevalent in medspas and salons and is blowing up on Instagram—but what kind of filler is it, and is it safe?

What It Is

Using a round-tip pen with a circular opening, the hyaluronic filler pen treatment uses pressure to deliver hyaluronic acid into the skin. “Hyaluronic acid is a water binding molecule, so this temporarily ‘fills’ the skin instead of injecting under the skin as with traditional HA injections,” explains Germantown, TN dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD. “They are popular in spa settings, as the administrator does not have to be a medical professional. The pen uses needles to penetrate the skin, so there are risks involved, especially if there is bleeding. Safety is in the hands of the injector, and it should be done in a medical or a medispa setting with a board-certified medical director. Risks include bleeding, bruising, infection—bacterial or cold sore activation—and asymmetric results.”

According to marketing materials used in salons and beauty bars, the ingredients are supposed to rejuvenate and lift the skin by “providing hydration and stimulating collagen production, leaving lips plump and wrinkles filled in.” Although advertisements boast results can last from four to 12 months like traditional filler, doctors say that claim seems rather unbelievable.

Read the full article here.

Byrdie posted “Are Pore Strips Bad for Your Skin? We Investigate” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare. The article includes Dr. Patel’s expert commentary on pore strips, including whether they work as well as effective skin care products, including the Advanced Purifying Cleanser.

Remember when pore strips first surfaced? Happy teens graced television ads, peeling away a paper-like strip from their noses and marveling with delight at all the gunk that came out. For me, I’ve never truly experienced the happy-teen-in-a-pore-strip-commercial sensation: Usually, when I peel them away, my eyes water, I pause in between small tears to take a breather, re-evaluate my life decisions, and curse the skin gods for burdening me with clogged pores, all to finally unveil just a few clogs leftover on the strip. A quick (and gross) Google search will have you believe that pore strips are extremely effective, so maybe I’ve just always done it wrong? However, a poll in the office made us all question whether these painful strips are even safe in the first place.

While pores strips possibly can be effective at removing buildup inside the pores, the effects are not long-lasting, and the strips can cause more harm than good to the skin. I reached out to dermatologists Dendy Engelman, MD, Jennifer Herrmann, MD, Nava Greenfield, MD, and Purvisha Patel, MD, for their honest, no-holds-barred take on using them. Take a look at what they had to say below.

How Do Pore Strips Work?

In theory, pore strips work to clean your pores by clinging to the buildup inside them. “Pore strips are strips of material with an adhesive on one side to adhere to and pull out open comedones or blackheads,” Patel explains. “Blackheads happen when oil in the pores of the skin is exposed to air and oxidized, resulting in [a black appearance]. If the adhesive truly grabs the oil and pulls it out, voilá—the blackhead is taken out.”

MEET THE EXPERT
Purvisha Patel is a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon and creator of Visha Skincare.

As far as their effectiveness, other dermatologists aren’t so convinced. Patel continues, “The ability of the strip to adhere and clear the pores is a variable factor, and pore strips may not work for everyone, especially those that may have adhesive allergies.” Herrmann adds, “Although they are marketed well, most aren’t powerful enough to ‘clean’ pores.”

MEET THE EXPERT
Jennifer Herrmann is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at MFC Dermatology in Beverly Hills.

Greenfield doesn’t seem to think they’re any more effective as a longterm solution, either. “I am not a fan of pore strips,” Greenfield says. “They occasionally do a fair job at removing keratin buildup in pores, but the pores will fill right up again. The underlying issues, which are enlarged pores and overactive sweat glands, are not addressed with the strips.”

MEET THE EXPERT
Nava Greenfield is a dermatologist who practices at Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC.

Are Pore Strips Safe?

If you like the peeling sensation and instant gratification of a pore strip too much to kick the habit, despite what you now know about its effectiveness (or rather, ineffectiveness), you might be wondering if it’s safe to do anyway. The conclusion: Peel at your own risk.

“If they contain alcohol or other astringents, they can be irritating to sensitive skin,” Herrmann says. Engelman cites another important piece of info to know about your pores: They don’t open and close, so clearing them out won’t make them physically “smaller”—in fact, by yanking away at a pore strip, you could be enlarging them. She explains, “I’m always wary of pore strips because while they [may] be fun, you risk damaging the skin and thus, make your pores bigger.”

MEET THE EXPERT
Dendy Engelman is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in NY.

What to Use to Clean Your Pores Instead

While pore strips may “work” for you, the dangers outweigh the benefits. As a result, we asked for a few effective methods to help remove the gunk in your skin.

Visha Advanced Skincare Purifying Cleanser $30

“Cleansing with a strong oil-busting wash that also exfoliates, such as Visha Skincare Advanced Purifying Cleanser, is a more surefire way of eliminating blackheads,” says Patel. This formula contains a combination of chemical exfoliators salicylic acid (BHA) to exfoliate deep inside the pores and glycolic acid (AHA) to slough away the dead cells on the skin’s surface.

Skinceuticals Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream $76

Several of the dermatologists also recommend using retinoids to help sweep out pore-clogging debris. Says Greenfield, “I would recommend using something that addresses the underlying concern. For example, a retinoid cream can improve the appearance of the pores and also decrease sweat gland product.” Because retinoids are known to be irritating, this formula also contains bisabolol and Boswellia serrata extract to soothe skin and counteract the drying effects of the 1% retinol in this night cream.

Differin Gel $12

Herrmann adds, “Using a retinoid or retinol can help reduce blockage more effectively and prevent acne.” This over-the-counter retinoid cream is a dermatologist favorite for its effectiveness in reducing and preventing acne.

If you have a bit more to spend, try getting an in-office treatment. Herrmann recommends an Oxygeneo Facial, which oxygenates the skin from within, or a laser treatment like Clear + Brilliant, which she says will reduce the look of pores temporarily.

The Final Takeaway

While pore strips are a fun and satisfying way to unclog your pores, the dermatologists we consulted are not convinced they’re worth the possible damage they can cause to the skin. Stick with other, safer–albeit slightly less exciting–methods when deep cleaning your pores for better results.

Read the full article here.

Skincare.com posted “Do Pore Strips Actually Remove Blackheads? FIND OUT!” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare .

The article includes Dr. Patel‘s expert commentary on pore strips and how to get the best results when using them.

Most people have a fascination with their pores — expelling debris from them, making them appear smaller — all in an effort to achieve a smooth, imperfection-free complexion. Case in point: pore strips. These tiny adhesive strips are applied to your nose to work their magic and visibly pull dirt and oil from your pores when removed. There’s something so much more satisfying about them as compared to detoxing mask treatments but there’s some conflicting reports out there that say they might be doing more harm than good. So, what’s the deal with using pore strips? Do they actually work to clear your pores and, most importantly, how do they affect our skin? We found out.

HOW DO PORE STRIPS WORK?

Pore strips seem pretty self-explanatory. Each strip is coated with an adhesive that bonds to skin. To apply, you typically wet your nose, place on the strip, wait 10-15 minutes and then slowly peel it off. What’s left stuck to the strip is a combination of sebum and dirt extracted from your comedones or blackheads. “Blackheads happen when oil in the pores of the skin is exposed to air and oxidized, resulting in a black appearance,” says Dr. Purvisha Patel, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare.

It’s important to keep in mind that different people will see different results when it comes to using pore strips. “If the adhesive truly grabs the oil and pulls it out, voilá — the blackhead is taken out,” says Dr. Patel. “But the ability of the strip to adhere and clear the pores is a variable factor.”

The main catch (because there always is one) is to not overdo it. Pore strips are a form of exfoliation — they remove dead skin cells and debris from your skin’s surface — and like all exfoliation products, you need to use them in moderation. By over-exfoliating and over-using pore strips, you run the risk of dehydrating your skin which can cause your sebaceous glands to overcompensate by producing excess oil.

Read the full article here.

WELL+GOOD posted “*This* Face Wash Has A Rep For Being Super Gentle, But Derms Say Not So Much” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare .

The article includes Dr. Patel‘s expert commentary on why oil based cleanser isn’t the best to use and what it does to your skin.

Out of all of the facial cleansing options that exist—makeup wipes, micellar water, milky cleansers and the list goes on and on—one would think that oil cleansers would be the most gentle of the bunch. They’re formulated with an oil as the base, after all, and facial oils are known for dousing your skin with moisture.

Dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare Purvisha Patel, MD, echoes the fact that dryness can happen if you’re going overboard on oil cleansing. “Vigorous oil cleansing when done either by itself and definitely with double cleansing can indeed strip away the natural layer of oil on the skin,” she says. “Start slow and see how your skin responds. If you feel your skin is drying out, then cut back.”

She explains your skin’s sebum as the cement that fills the cracks between your skin cells, which function as “a waterproof barrier that when intact, keeps water in skin and pollutants out.” So if your barrier is disrupted, the exposed cracks in the skin can more easily get inflamed, and water evaporates more, which results in drier skin. So what can ya do? Keep oil cleansing to a special treat for your skin, and be sure to apply more oil or a moisturizer right after you do it so that your complexion stays nice and quenched.

Read the full article here.

NEW BEAUTY posted “Teenagers Are Spending More Time on Their Beauty Routine Than You Are. But What Does That Mean for Their Skin?” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare .

The article includes Dr. Patel‘s expert commentary on the best skin routine for young teens.

Zac Mathias is diligent with his skin-care routine: Microdermabrasion every four weeks, HydraFacials frequently and “all the other kinds of” facials about once a month. He has a preference for natural lines— Indie Lee is a current favorite—but he also researches and purchases a lot of products and actives online and at his derm’s office in Westport, CT, which he frequents often.

When it comes to body care, he’s equally as focused with moisturizing, exfoliating and dry-brushing regularly (he refers to it as “the whole run down”); he recently got into derma-rolling and just finished reading The Beauty Geek’s Guide to Skincare: 1,000 Definitions of the Most Common Ingredients.

He’s also 16.

While other teenagers may need to be wrangled to wash their face every night, Mathias, who says he does get a “breakout from time to time,” is in-tune with the whole prevention message so many skin-care brands preach. (He’s also a design-based blogger who sometimes receives beauty products to test and review.)

“People, like my classmates, always tell me I’m too young to get wrinkles. But if I wait until I’m 50 to start moisturizing, there’s not much I can do then to fix everything—except maybe get a facelift,” he says. “I’m all about doing all this stuff while I’m young.”

Application, Application, Application: Germantown, TN dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD makes an important point: “We used to recommend gentle skin products in preteens, but now we have preteens and teens at earlier ages thanks to hormones in foods.” Her Rx: “If a child is starting to get clogged pores and pimples at age 9–10, then I recommend starting good skin-care practice, as in washing your face twice a day with a facial cleanser versus soap /shampoo. Salicylic acid and facial exfoliants help here, and so does drinking enough water, decreasing milk intake, taking a a probiotic and washing before and after sports activities. Using too many products and not knowing how and when is when you get issues with contact irritant reactions.”

Read the full article here.