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Specific Beauty's Dermatology Expert
Dr. Heather Woolery Lloyd
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd is an internationally recognized expert in skin pigmentation. She has lectured at national and international conferences on this topic. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd also pens thedermablog.com, focusing on skin pigmentation issues. She is the Creator and Co-Founder of The Specific Beauty skincare restorative treatment line.
Dr Woolery-Lloyd practices dermatology in both a private practice and academic setting. The private practice locations are in Miami Beach and Midtown Miami. She also serves as Director of Skin Pigmentation at a leading University in Miami. Read more >
Tips and FAQs
TIPS
- Wear a daily sunscreen with SPF30 and that offers broad spectrum coverage (UVA and UVB) to help prevent hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and dark marks from acne.
- Sunscreens with antioxidants have been proven to offer additional protection from the sun by preventing damage from free radicals in the skin.
- Wear a hat with at least a 4 inch brim to protect your face from the sun at the beach or during outdoor activities.
FAQ
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Does Specific Beauty offer broad spectrum coverage?
Yes Specific Beauty Daily Hydrating Lotion blocks both UVA and UVB rays from the sun. It has an SPF of 30 and should be worn daily
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What does SPF 30 mean?
A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 blocks 96.5% of the sun’s rays. A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 is recommended by most dermatologists. SPF values correlate with protection from UVB rays. Currently there is no scale on labels that describe a sunscreen’s ability to protect from UVA rays; however, a UVA scale should be coming soon.
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What causes uneven skin tone?
There are many causes of uneven skin tone. Acne and pimples can cause irritation in the skin which activates the skin to produce more pigmentation and a dark mark. Melasma is a condition often caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy or from birth control pills. In some people, melasma occurs even without obvious changes in hormones. However, in all people with melasma, this condition is aggravated by sun exposure. Finally, people with multihued skin tones can simply get uneven skin tone with aging. This usually starts in the 30’ and 40’s. Specific Beauty Skin Brightening Serum contains a breakthrough formula based on years of research that can help brighten and even skin tone without hydroquinone.
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Should I apply Specific Beauty Skin Brightening Serum all over the face or just on the affected area?
Specific Beauty Skin Brightening Serum is a very effective breakthrough formula to help even skin tone. It should be used only on the affected area and discontinued when the desired result is achieved.
TIPS
- Do not squeeze pimples. Trauma from squeezing or picking at pimples increases the likelihood of dark marks
- Adult acne is very common and occurs in over 50% of adult women. The best approach is to find a regimen that works for you and to stick with it.
- New studies suggest that high glycemic diets (diets high in sugar and processed food) can contribute to acne. If you have acne it may be helpful to eat a diet rich in whole grains and vegetables.
FAQ
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Why do I get a dark mark from my pimples and acne?
Acne and pimples can cause irritation in the skin which activates the skin to produce more pigmentation and a dark mark. Sun exposure without sun protection can make these dark marks darker. There are two important steps to prevent these stubborn blemishes. First, a product for uneven skin tone like Specific Beauty Skin Brightening Serum can help even skin tone. Also a sunscreen, such as Specific Beauty Daily Hydrating Lotion SPF30, with broad spectrum coverage is important to prevent the dark marks from getting darker.
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What ingredients should I look for in acne treatments?
Benzoyl peroxide is an excellent acne treatment. It is available as a cleanser or gel and can be a very effective over the counter solution. For more severe acne, you should see your dermatologist.
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When does adult acne resolve?
Adult acne is most common in the 20’s and 30’s but it can persist into 40’s and even 50’s in some women. Each person is different so there is no set time when it resolves for everyone. The best approach in treating adult acne is to find a regimen that works for you and to stick with it.
TIPS
- Avoid cleansers with harsh detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate. These can dry the skin.
- Avoid long hot showers. Extended exposure to hot water in a shower can actually strip the skin of its natural moisture.
- Apply body moisturizers to moist skin after getting out of the shower. This helps to lock in the moisture
FAQ
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Why are gentle cleansers important for dry sensitive skin?
Dry skin should be addressed with both gentle cleansers and moisturizers. The first step is choosing a gentle cleanser that will not strip the skin of its natural oils. Specific Beauty Daily Gentle Cleanser is an ultra-gentle cleanser that does not contain harsh detergents.
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Is fragrance bad for sensitive skin?
Many people are allergic to fragrance so if you have sensitive skin, it is probably best to avoid fragrance, especially in skincare for the face because this is the most sensitive skin on the body. All of the products in the Specific Beauty Regimen are fragrance free and are an excellent choice for people sensitive to fragrances.
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Should parabens be avoided in people with sensitive skin?
Parabens are preservatives that are used in skincare products. Parabens can cause contact dermatitis which is an allergic reaction in the skin. People with sensitive skin should avoid parabens to lower the chance of a reaction to a skincare product.
TIPS
- Benzoyl peroxide cleansers and gels can be used to manage oil production in people with very oily skin
- Use an exfoliating wipe throughout the day to remove excess oils and impurities without the inconvenience of washing your face in the middle of the day
- Don’t skip sunscreen just because you have oily skin. Sunscreen can prevent dark marks and photoaging. Instead choose lightweight options.
FAQ
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Why do I have oily skin?
Oily skin starts to occur after puberty and can continue in to the 20’ and 30’s. Oily skin is thought to be genetic but you can manage oily skin with the right skincare regimen. In addition, as people age, their skin gets drier so oily skin eventually resolves with time.
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What can I do for the midday shine that I get in the middle of the day?
Using an oil free wipe throughout the day, such as Specific Beauty Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths, can remove excess oil and dirt in the middle of the day without the inconvenience of washing your face.
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What type of ingredients should I look for and avoid if I have oily skin?
As mentioned above benzoyl peroxide cleansers and gels can help with oily skin even if you don’t have acne. Also oil absorbing mineral makeups can be helpful in women with oily skin. Sunscreens and moisturizers high in mineral oil or petrolatum should be avoided if you have oily skin. Specific Beauty Daily Hydrating Lotion SPF30 is an excellent lightweight option for oily skin.
TIPS
- Gentle exfoliation can remove dead skin cells and help revive dull skin
- Do not “over-exfoliate”! If you are too aggressive with exfoliating products, irritation can occur.
- Look for products with retinol which works by sloughing dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin
FAQ
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What causes dull skin?
Dull skin occurs when the skin cells on the top layer of the skin are rough and not smooth. These rough, adherent skin cells do not reflect light well and therefore give the skin a dull appearance and rough texture
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What can I do if I have dull rough skin?
Gentle exfoliation can help to remove the dead skin cells. Specific Beauty Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths can remove these dead cells and help to give the skin a smooth, more radiant glow.
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What ingredients help to exfoliate dead skin cells?
Products with ingredients such as salicylic acid and retinol can help to exfoliate dead skin cells. Retinol has the added benefit of anti-aging properties. Specific Beauty Night Treatment Complex contains retinol, a key ingredient used to improve the appearance of rough, dull skin.
FAQ
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Can I use the products individually or do I need to use the whole regimen?
Although Specific Beauty was designed to be used as a regimen, the products can easily be used individually to meet your skin care needs. For example, the Specific Beauty Skin Brightening Serum can be added to any regimen to help improve uneven skin tone and dark spots.
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I am using the Specific Beauty Regimen for the first time. What do I need to know?
The Specific Beauty Regimen was created to address the cosmetic concerns of women with multi-hued skin tones. It is designed by a dermatologist and will yield visible results. The simple step by step regimen is very effective and can be modified as needed depending on your skincare needs. For example, the Specific Beauty Skin Brightening Serum can be used once or twice daily depending on the severity of hyperpigmentation or dark marks.
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I am using the products and noticed flaking and/or peeling. What should I do?
Light peeling and flaking can occur with products that contain retinol such as the Specific Beauty Night Treatment Complex or the Specific Beauty Skin Brightening Serum. If this occurs, you can decrease the frequency of application to every other day to avoid flaking and/or peeling.
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How quickly can I expect to see results?
You should start to see more smooth, even, and radiant skin within 2 weeks of using the Specific Beauty Regimen. Within 4 weeks, you should notice even more visible results.
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Should I use the Daily Gentle Cleanser or the Exfoliating Cloths to cleanse my skin?
The Specific Beauty Daily Gentle Cleanser is great for daily use and is great for sensitive skin. If you have more oily skin or you wear makeup, you can also add the Specific Beauty Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths. They have a smooth side to remove makeup and a side with textured beads to gently exfoliate and remove oil and impurities.
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