Apsaras Aesthetic Clinic | Theraderm Frequently Asked Questions

Theraderm - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are Theraderm products superior to other skin care products?

Therapon's philosophy mandates that each Theraderm product evolves only in response to medical need, that the product will solve the need or improve the condition, that it will be the most effective that it can be, and that it will have minimal irritability. Any of our products must be proven superior to other products in a clinical setting before we even consider adding them to our product line. The Theraderm Skin Renewal System is designed so that each of the Theraderm products may be used in conjunction with one or more other Theraderm products to achieve the maximum result.

2. What skin types will benefit from Theraderm products and how will these products improve the health of my skin?

All skin types of all ages will benefit from Theraderm products due to the fact that they promote the natural restoration of health and natural beauty of the skin, regardless of age or damage incurred. The benefits to be seen from using the Theraderm Skin Renewal System include a more even skin tone, a silken smoothness to the touch, a decrease and elimination of breakouts or problem blemishes, and a lessening of the appearance of fine lines.

3. How long will it take to see results from using these products?

Any user of the Theraderm Skin Renewal System should feel smoother, softer skin within two weeks. By four to six weeks, noticeable change such as more even pigmentation coloration and a lessening of fine lines caused by sun-damage and aging can be seen. Many patients who also elect to have a series of chemical peels in a plastic surgeon's office in conjunction with every day use of the Theraderm System notice an even greater improvement in their skin.

4. Can I use the Theraderm Skin Renewal System before going out in the sun?

Certainly. Unlike Retin-A, Theraderm products do not cause photosensitivity. However, sunscreen must be used when any exfoliation process is being stimulated, because the skin is more sensitive to sun at these times. In addition, a higher SPF should be used when sun exposure occurs following deeper chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, or other events that make the skin more vulnerable to sun damage. Sunscreen should always be used diligently when using Theraderm Enlighten for Age Spots, because excessive lightening may occur in the area of application after unprotected sun exposure.

5. I have dark, puffy circles under my eyes. Will the Theraderm Skin Renewal System help?

Dark color under the eyes is actually more often related to genetics - the dark discoloration is usually due to the veins and tissues underneath the skin of the eyelids. Many patients, however, have reported an improvement in the dark coloration of eyelid skin from using the Theraderm Skin Renewal System as a result of the more healthy appearance of the skin itself.

6. What is the difference between alpha and beta hydroxy acids and does your product line contain either of these?

Alpha and beta hydroxy acids are very different from each other in structure, and therefore have different effects upon the skin. Alpha hydroxy acids, such as the lactic acid contained in the Theraderm Fruit Acid Exfoliant, are more effective as exfoliating agents. Although the Theraderm Skin Renewal System does not contain beta hydroxy acids, Therapon's Reversion Acne Control System does utilize salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, as an effective acne medication.

7. Will these products lessen my chances of getting skin cancer?

It would be improper to make a bold statement that any product would lessen the chance of getting skin cancer. The factors of skin cancer are greatly influenced by genetics and the amount of prior sun exposure. However, actinic change or sun-damaged appearance can be suppressed or reversed with the use of antioxidants in the OPC Reparative Gel and the increased exfoliation and rejuvenation of the skin when the complete Theraderm Skin Renewal System is used for daily maintenance. Science has also shown that lactic acid increases the tumor-necrosing factor in the immune system - a fantastic benefit and unique property of the Theraderm Skin Renewal System.

8. Can I use these products while on Accutane?

People who are using Accutane will notice extreme sensitivity to many products. While on Accutane, you should not have the in-office chemical peels. You should stop using Accutane six weeks prior to using the Fruit Acid Exfoliant, and three months prior to having any in-office chemical peel such as the 70% Lactic Acid peel or the Jessner's peel.

9. I have been using the products for two weeks and my skin looks worse than it did before I began. Is this normal?

Most people who use the Theraderm Skin Renewal System have no time period in which their skin seems to look worse than it did prior to using the products. However, some people with acne-prone skin have layers of dead skin and plugged sebaceous glands and hair follicles. The increased exfoliation due to the use of the Fruit Acid Exfoliant speeds the process of the skin cleansing itself of impurities - thus stimulating minor breakouts in acne-prone skin. However, you should not be discouraged, as the impurities are expunged from your skin, these minor breakouts should discontinue.

10. Is it safe to use Theraderm products during pregnancy?

Yes. Most of the Theraderm home maintenance products have no contraindication whatsoever during pregnancy or lactation. Due to the fact that lactic acid is a normal human metabolite, there is no toxicity and therefore no potential problem during pregnancy. Two exceptions, however, should be noted. The Enlighten for Age Spots, which contains Hydroquinone and Kojic acid, should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy, although no studies have shown any correlation with these ingredients and problems in pregnancy.

11. Can Theraderm help acne - either chronic or occasional blemishes?

Most mild monthly breakouts can be controlled by simply using the Theraderm Skin Renewal System. For acne that is troublesome or chronic in nature, we have designed the Reversion Acne Control System. This System contains an antimicrobial wash, which eliminates 99.99% of bacteria from the face for up to 12 hours, and an acne medication which combines a solution of 6% lactic acid and 2% salicylic acid to control multiple factors in the acne process and markedly improve or arrest the occurrence of acne breakouts.

12. Can I use these products while using Retin-A?

Retin-A may certainly be used while using any of the Theraderm home maintenance products, but should be discontinued two weeks prior to in-office peels of any sort. For better results and less irritation, a milder strength of Retin-A should be used with any type of alpha-hydroxy acid, such as the lactic acid in the Fruit Acid Exfoliant.

13. What is a fruit acid?

Fruit acid is a term used to describe a group of substances that occur naturally in the vegetable and animal kingdoms by a fermentation process. Some examples of fruit acids include vinegar (acetic acid) from fermentation of grapes, malic acid from apples, and glycolic acid from sugar cane. The unique fruit acid common in the animal kingdom, and especially in mammals, is lactic acid. All of the fruit acids have a chain of carbon atoms with an acid group on the first carbon atom, and a hydroxy group on the second carbon atom. Fruit acids are classified as alpha hydroxy acids and have the ability to act on the skin surface cells to promote exfoliation.

14. Are lactic acid and glycolic acid the same?

Both are alpha hydroxy acids. However, lactic acid is the only alpha hydroxy acid that occurs as a natural human metabolite - it occurs naturally as a very essential part of the human metabolic system and, as such, is actually produced by our bodies in the metabolism of glucose under certain conditions. Therefore, lactic acid has no toxicity in humans. Although lactic acid and glycolic acid both have similar characteristics that cause exfoliation, lactic acid is a three-carbon chain, whereas glycolic acid is a two-carbon chain. Therefore, due to the smallness of the glycolic acid molecule, it reacts more rapidly, is usually harsher and more irritating to the skin, and thus more likely to cause unwanted complications.

15. Previously, I had a negative reaction to a product containing glycolic acid. Will I be able to use the Theraderm Fruit Acid Exfoliant, which contains lactic acid?

As noted above, glycolic acid is more irritating than lactic acid and does not occur in the normal metabolic process of humans, so you should not expect a negative reaction on the basis of your negative experience with glycolic acid. However, if you have extremely sensitive skin, the Fruit Acid Exfoliant may be used only once daily, or even every other day. You may also dilute the solution by half with water, to minimize any potential for irritation. Most skin types, however, are able to use the Fruit Acid Exfoliant on a longterm basis with no negative reactions.

16. Can I use these products around my eyes?

The Theraderm Fruit Acid Exfoliant is designed to be used over the entire surface of the skin, including eyelids, right up to the eyelashes. The RS-OPC Reparative Gel should then be applied to the complete eyelid twice daily, without using any additional moisturizers on the eyelid. The Theraderm Enriched or Gentle Facial Moisturizer should then be applied to the whole face, excluding the eyelids.

17. Do I need to use a toner?

One benefit of the Theraderm Skin Renewal System is that toners, which simply act to contract the skin, become obsolete. In fact, toners may cause negative side effects when improper moisturizers that are waxy or oily are used; as the skin contracts, the waxy material may become trapped in the pores, causing whiteheads and blackheads. The Theraderm Skin Renewal System, using the Fruit Acid Exfoliant with an ethanol base, actually helps to cleanse the skin from sebaceous buildup in the pores. At the same time, it stimulates new collagen and elastin production in the dermal skin. Collagen gives a long-term, permanent effect to restore the youthful appearance of skin, rather than a short-acting "toner" effect.

18. I sometimes notice a slight stinging sensation when using the Fruit Acid Exfoliant. What causes this, and is it normal?

This is normal in that the Fruit Acid Exfoliant, when used on a continuous basis, allows dead skin cells on the outer surface to shed. The tingling sensation simply means that the system is working as a prescription strength product would.

19. If I use the Fruit Acid Exfoliant long enough, will I obtain the same results that I would get from having a series of in-office 70% Lactic Acid peels or Jessner's peels?

The deeper exfoliation of the in-office peels causes a slight advantage in the long-term deposition of new collagen and elastic fiber in the deeper dermal layers of the skin. However, the daily maintenance Theraderm System causes long-term improvements in appearance, coloration, and softness of the skin, while improving new collagen deposition and elastic fiber rejuvenation.

20. I recently experienced a severe sunburn, but I noticed that I didn't blister and peel in the areas that I was using the Fruit Acid Exfoliant. Is there a correlation?

There is in fact correlation. If, up to six hours after a severe sunburn, you apply the Fruit Acid Exfoliant in a thin, even layer, followed by a thin layer of the RS-OPC Reparative Gel, you should experience no redness, pain, or blistering. This is related to the beneficial attributes of the lactic acid contained in the Fruit Acid Exfoliant, which protects from an inflammatory response to thermal or chemical energy during the skin's healing process, and the soothing effect of the aloe in the RS-OPC Reparative Gel.

21. My husband gets ingrown hairs from shaving. Can any of the Theraderm products help this condition?

Yes. A number of men have noted the presence of ingrown hairs from shaving the face, and women have reported the same with the skin of their legs after shaving. The Theraderm Fruit Acid Exfoliant lessens the appearance of ingrown hairs, as well as improving the healthy appearance of the skin. If men use the Fruit Acid Exfoliant daily in place of aftershave lotion, they should see significant improvement in the appearance of ingrown hairs.

22. Is the OPC Reparative Gel the same as Vitamin C?

OPC and Vitamin C are both antioxidants. Vitamin C has a unique function in that it allows single amino acids to be hooked together in chains, forming collagen. As Vitamin C performs this function, it temporarily becomes a beneficial free radical, activating the site for the amino acid to link with the collagen chain. RS-OPC assists in this function by surrounding the Vitamin C-amino acid-collagen complex to protect it from other harmful free radicals during the process of building collagen. However, Vitamin C is more effective in reaching the skin tissues where collagen exists when taken internally as dietary supplements, rather than as a topical application.

23. What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants simply act against free radicals, which are active particles that cause oxidation in the skin (oxidation is a breakdown of the components of collagen and elastic fiber) resulting in the appearance of aging in the skin. Free radicals are created from two primary sources: from our own body's metabolic process in the breakdown of foodstuffs, and as a result of ultraviolet light striking the skin. Both sources cause charged particles to be formed, which then affect all tissues in the body, including the skin. Antioxidants, or free radical scavengers, are chemical compounds (many of which occur naturally in the normal metabolic processes of the body) that trap and hold harmless these very small oxidizing free radicals. The RS-OPC Reparative Gel is a proven free radical scavenger, and is effective in restoring the growth of collagen and elastin.

24. Will lanolin clog my pores?

There are a number of myths about lanolin that have made some people leery of using it as a moisturizer. However, lanolin, an animal oil derived from sheep's wool, absorbs very readily into human skin, and does not clog pores. Lanolin is unlike other moisturizers, which may contain petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or vegetable oils, in that it penetrates deep into the skin; other moisturizers simply coat the surface of the skin, causing comedones (whiteheads or blackheads), or they may just wash off with the next cleansing.

The lanolin used in the Theraderm Enriched Facial Moisturizer is hypoallergenic, causing it to have a very low incidence of irritation or allergic response, as well as hydrophilic, so that it actually attracts the body's natural moisture to itself. This hypoallergenic, hydrophilic lanolin is absorbed into the dry keratin surface skin cells and penetrates to the deeper layers, where the skin's natural oils are often depleted from the use of harsh soaps and cleansers.

Therefore, Theraderm lanolin-based moisturizers actually restore and replenish the natural softness and suppleness in the deep layers of the skin where other moisturizers cannot penetrate.

25. I am allergic to lanolin. Which moisturizer should I use?

Very few people have a true allergy to lanolin - approximately 1% or less of the population. The lanolin used in the Enriched Facial Moisturizer is hypoallergenic, thus further decreasing the chances of irritation or allergic reaction. However, if a true allergy or even sensitivity to lanolin occurs, you may use the Theraderm Gentle Facial Moisturizer, which contains no lanolin, as well as no dyes or fragrances, making it ideal for sensitive skin in general. The OPC Reparative Gel, a non-oily gel that contains aloe to soothe sensitive skin, may be used in place of a moisturizer if necessary.

26. I have dark spots or "age spots" caused by the sun - how can I get rid of these?

Actinic pigmentation or increased melanin pigmentation occurs not just in older people, but also occasionally in people who have hormonal changes, such as those who take birth control pills or other medications. Theraderm Enlighten for Age Spots is a medication containing Hydroquinone 2% and Kojic Acid 3%, both of which suppress the production of melanin (brown pigment) in skin. This product is guaranteed to be effective in decreasing the melanin pigment irregularity, thus giving skin more even coloration.

27. Does Enlighten for Age Spots "bleach" dark melanin pigment in the skin?

Bleaching does NOT occur. The active ingredients suppress the production of new melanin pigment in the cell, while the melanin pigment that is already present in the skin must exfoliate over time.

28. Will these products get rid of freckles?

Most people have a number of freckles present from birth. These freckles are darker pigmented areas that are genetic imprints and usually will not disappear with the use of any products or surgical procedures. However, sun exposure over a period of time causes actinic damage to melanin producing cells, resulting in an increase in melanin production in localized areas. This increased melanin production always lessens with the use of the Fruit Acid Exfoliant and the Enriched Facial Moisturizer, giving the net effect of a more even complexion. Those very darkly pigmented areas that remain as either localized spots or blotches can be further improved by using the Theraderm Enlighten for Age Spots along with the Theraderm Skin Renewal System to further decrease the production of melanin and its deposition in the skin. It should take four to six weeks before there is a noticeable decrease in the production of new melanin and for the exfoliation process to remove the previously deposited melanin pigment.

29. Why must I use sunscreen when using Enlighten for Age Spots?

Although Enlighten slows the production of new melanin, direct sunlight (UV rays) can once again speed melanin production. If sunscreen is not used and direct sunlight exposure occurs, a yellow-orange halo will develop around the treated skin within a day or two of exposure. Although this is very noticeable, it will disappear after discontinuing the use of Enlighten.

30. Would a Jessner's peel or Enlighten for Age Spots help rosacea?

A Jessner's peel is often beneficial in controlling rosacea, although there is no definitive cure for the disease. Enlighten for Age Spots, likewise, will help to lessen the purplish discolorations from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation with rosacea, as well as with acne or other injuries to the skin.

31. Will Enlighten for Age Spots "erase" the discoloration from acne?

The brown color that remains after a long-healing pustular breakout will respond very well to the use of Enlighten. This brown residue of melanin is due to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and may be reversed. It is best to apply Enlighten to a dry skin surface as soon as the breakout is healed in order to prevent permanent discoloration.