‘Chicken skin,’ lemons, SPF makeup & more!

Hi {NAME}, Most mornings, people scroll through social media or read the newspaper while enjoying their cup of coffee… But me? I like to peruse the BHMD newsletter inbox. Reading through all your messages before I start my day is the absolute best… Because you all ask such thought provoking questions that really get the ‘juices’ flowing. In fact, they’re so good, I want to answer a few of them right here, right now — so everyone can benefit. Let’s dive right in. :) If my foundation has SPF in it — do I still need to apply sunscreen after? It’s SPF 30 if that helps.  -Pam This is such a good question Pam — and quite frankly, one I wish more people asked. After all, SPF has become a popular added ingredient in foundations, concealers, and even powders these days — and that’s great. (Especially if their SPF ingredients are mineral, rather than chemical.) The problem is, SPF cosmetics don’t cover areas like your ears, neck, and eyelids… So it’s still super important to apply extra SPF to these areas to ensure they stay protected all day. And remember, in order for SPF to be effective when you’re outdoors, it has to be reapplied every few hours — which is something most people don’t like to do with their foundation. My advice? If you like your sunscreen-infused foundation, by all means, keep using it… Just be sure to keep some regular SPF lotion on hand for touch-ups and re-applications throughout the day. _____________________________________________ I have these tiny red bumps along the back of my arms. I’ve tried exfoliating… but it doesn’t seem to help. It doesn’t itch or anything! - Leah Now, I can’t say for sure without an in-person exam — but to me, this sounds a lot like keratosis pilaris. This is also known as ‘chicken skin’ — because it tends to leave the skin extra dry, bumpy, and rough along the backs of the arms… And let me ease your mind and say this: It’s SUPER common and totally harmless. Now, this happens when the skin produces too much keratin (a natural protein) which then blocks the hair follicles — causing these tiny ‘bumps’ to form… Which means it can’t be treated like acne, whiteheads, or other surface blemishes. Luckily, you can help ‘soften’ the skin, and hopefully remedy its dry, irritated appearance with a simple coconut oil and sugar scrub. Just mix together 4 tablespoons of coconut oil and 4 tablespoons of sugar until it becomes the consistency of a thick slushie… And massage it into the backs of your arms using circular motions until the area feels smooth. Go ahead and use this twice a week, and you should see a noticeable improvement… But as always, check in with your doctor to make sure it is in fact keratosis pilaris — so you can decide what to do next. _____________________________________________ I’ve heard that lemon juice is good for dark spots. Yes or no? -Laura Ah, the old lemon juice trick! This dark spot ‘hack’ has been around for generations. (In fact, I think my own grandma used it every now and then.) The reason? Lemons are jam-packed with the antioxidant vitamin C — which can help lighten age spots over time. HOWEVER — if it’s used wrong, or too often, it can also BURN the skin. See, lemons also contain chemicals called furanocoumarins and psoralens, both of which can lead to redness and irritation when exposed to the sun. So while yes, lemons may “technically” help lighten the look of sunspots and discoloration a little bit for some people… I say, these minimal, short-term results aren’t worth the risk. Instead, I recommend taking a more gentle approach — such as [THIS at-home technique.]( (Just make sure to do it on skin that’s been exfoliated.) ______________________________________________ Would you please republish the make at home recipe for beautiful lips? I believe it had almond oil and peppermint oil but I’ve lost the actual recipe. -Gemma Sounds to me like you’re asking after our awesome DIY lip-plumping mask — which I’m more than happy to share again. To make it, all you need to do is evenly combine: - ½ teaspoon peppermint oil - 1 teaspoon shea butter - 1 teaspoon honey (The peppermint will help invigorate lip tissue, while honey and shea butter soften and replenishes moisture.) Simply apply your mixture to clean, dry lips for 5 minutes, rinse, and voila. Finish with a little balm or almond oil for a little extra shine, and your lips should look smoother, healthier, and yes — even a bit bigger. Note: Peppermint oil can cause a mild tingling sensation — which many people find pleasant. However, if it feels uncomfortable, try using grapeseed or avocado oil instead. ______________________________________________ Alright, that’s all I have time for — but I had such a blast answering these questions today. So please, keep em’ coming! I take questions 24/7, so if there’s a topic you’d like to know more about, or you need some advice… By all means, hit “reply” and ask away. :) Your Beverly Hills MD, Dr. John Layke       This email was sent to {EMAIL} by jlayke@beverlyhills-md.com Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group 436 N. Bedford Dr. Suite 214 Beverly Hills, CA 90210  [Edit Profile]( | [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Report Spam]( | [Subscribe](  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Â