Cleanser, Serums, Moisturizers, and More!

New post-procedure skincare!

Are you easily overwhelmed by skincare? We completely understand … with so many products to choose from, it can be so very confusing! There are some of us who love our skincare routines (cleanser, serum, eye cream, neck cream, lips, moisturizer, and sunscreen, oh my). And there are just as many of us who love to optimize and downsize (“no more than three products please”).

Board-certified Newport Beach female plastic surgeon Dr. Lavinia Chong tries to keep it simple, and offers only the best skincare lines…

We have been excited to introduce our Newport Beach patients to AlumierMD the clean science difference! It is perfect for daily use and post-procedure enhancement, and it is very budget-friendly. The term “clean” within the aesthetic industry has come to embody ethically created products that are free from toxic ingredients. For AlumierMD, clean means being honest and transparent about what ingredients are in their products and why. AlumierMD uses clinically proven medical-grade ingredients in optimal dosages within the formulations to create products that deliver impressive results. Order online with our unique code and it ships for free!

RestorseaPRO was brought in as an alternative to retinols. Many of our Orange County patients lead very active lifestyles and love to be outdoors. RestorseaPRO provides these patients a product which helps to lighten and brighten by gently exfoliating the skin with everyday use.

Aquabeautine XL (discovered in the salmon hatcheries of Norway) is the key ingredient. It is a proprietary enzyme released during the early lifecycle of salmon, and it does a fabulous job of breaking down the dead, dry layers of skin revealing fresh new layers. Click here to learn more about the RestorseaPRO product line! Ship direct to your home or office. Call Rita at RestorseaPRO (212) 828-8852 for assistance with placing your order.

Alastin was originally brought into our Newport Beach practice for our Orange County patients receiving non-surgical facial treatments. Alastin’s anchor product, Regenerating Skin Nectar, is a recurrent award winner, proving itself to be a beneficial post-treatment enhancement product. This nectar helps to prepare the skin for facial or surgical treatments, providing supportive regenerative properties which help to make way for the production of new collagen and increased elasticity (our skin’s ability snap back into place).

Over time, Alastin (a California skincare line based in Carlsbad, just South of us in San Diego County) has evolved, as studies have shown the benefits of their proprietary Tri-Hex Technology to also be beneficial as a routine skincare product for all patients. The line’s evolution now includes targeted products designed for the specific needs of the eyes, face, neck, and body. Alastin offers their loyal users discounts on subscription products and an option to pay in installments. Enjoy free shipping of your online purchase using Promo Code: SHIP20

SkinMedica (headquartered locally in Irvine under the parent company of Allergan, the maker of Botox cosmetic), offers a wide range of skincare for those looking target the specific needs of men, women, and acne-prone teens. A few of our favorite products include their award-winning Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum (recently named Best Tranexamic Acid of 2021 by Shape Magazine for targeting melasma), SkinMedica Rejuvenating Retinols, and TNS® Advanced+ Serum a next-generation skin rejuvenator for improvement of the appearance of coarse wrinkles, fine lines, skin tone, and texture. All SkinMedica products qualify for the all-new Allē rewards program, so be sure to log-in at checkout. A wide range of products are available with free shipping direct from the manufacturer!

Why is it important to get rid of the dead dry skin, and why does it matter if our skin snaps back?

Discoloration and skin texture contribute to our overall visibly noticeable aging process. Dull tone and rough texture can accentuate areas of our face which are most susceptible to the signs of aging. Unfavorable tone and texture also has a nasty habit of contributing to the pronounced appearance of wrinkles.

Skin laxity is one of our Newport Beach patients’ biggest pet peeves. The fear of our neck turning into a Turkey Gobbler, and increased hollowness in our face, causes us to become more aware of sagging skin when we look in the mirror. To combat these signs of aging, many patients seek out surgical options such as a face/necklift and fat grafting, while some opt for non-surgical options such as microneedling and injectable dermal fillers. The best outcomes from these procedures are more likely to be achieved when the skin is prepped for treatment (supporting the regenerative process), and when a routine at-home skincare maintenance routine is established.

Do you need a sunscreen?
Sunscreen is always a must in sunny California! Remember, sun damage contributes to the uneven tone and rough skin texture we are looking to avoid. Even when our Orange County beach areas are experiencing a cool marine layer, our skin is still in need of protection. Whether you are leaving the house for the day fresh-faced and without make-up, or getting ready to head out all dolled up, remember to apply a layer of sunscreen or tinted moisturizer with a SPF. Our favorite sunscreen is the Alumier Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 40 (untinted). And for those patients preferring sun protection with a hint of natural-looking coverage, Alumier Sheer Hydration SPF 40 Versatile Tint and Alastin ProMineral SPF 36 HydraTint are must have’s in your skincare routine!

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty, how do you use these products?
When we look to the basics of skincare, we are looking to cleanse, hydrate, and protect. This may be achieved in a few steps, or several, dependent on how much time you have to invest in your skincare routine, and dependent on how committed you are to maintaining your final result. Now matter how many steps you prefer, here is the order in which your products are best applied: 1) Cleanse; 2) Apply serum; 3) Apply moisturizer (whether an all-over face or specialty neck/eye/lip); Apply sunscreen.

How do you know which product would work best for you?

• CLEANSERS: Your cleanser provides the foundation for your skincare products. Alumier and SkinMedica offer a variety of cleansers for a variety of skin types and range from $40 – $60 dependent upon their active ingredients. Both Alastin and RestorseaPRO make cleansers which are great for all skin types. If you are looking for an economical cleanser (also able to remove make-up while cleansing), Alastin Gentle Cleanser is the one for you. Looking for something a little more unique with additional rejuvenating properties? RestorseaPRO Foaming Cleanser, gently cleanses and mildly exfoliates leaving skin clean, refreshed, and slightly smoother with each wash.

• SERUMS: Here is where it is easy to become confused…different serums target the needs of different individuals based upon their perceived problem area. Alumier, RestorseaPRO, Alastin, and SkinMedica provide a deluge of fantastic products for their brand loyal users. It is not uncommon for our Newport Beach patients to alternate between a variety of corrective and rejuvenating serums.

• SPECIALTY PRODUCTS: Looking for a little more oomph to target a specific zone? The skin around our eyes is different from our cheeks, and also different from our necks. Patient favorites at our office include AluminEye Brightening Eye Cream, RestorseaPro Firming Eye Serum, and Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment to target the eye area. While the Alumier Neck & Décolleté Firming Cream and Alastin Restorative Neck Complex are patient favorites when they need help with addressing skin tone and texture on the neck area.

• MOISTURIZERS: Here we like to keep it very simple…pick your favorite. This could be a moisturizer from your favorite product line, it could be a product you prefer based solely on texture or fragrance. If you are thinking about trying a new moisturizer, think twice before throwing away any unused product. While you will not know the full benefit of a product unless used daily as directed, you don’t want to waste product you have already paid for. Remember, while our face and neck are susceptible to signs of aging, so are our hands. Our Patient Concierge (and resident licensed manicurist) reminds us that our hands are a great area to repurpose our previous face creams. 

Are your areas of concern not being resolved with your routine skincare regimen? Discuss your surgical and non-surgical options for loss of facial volume (lipoatrophy), and sagging skin (skin laxity) with a plastic surgeon who has your safety and comfort in mind. Click here to request your virtual consultation with female plastic surgeon Dr. Lavinia K. Chong, or to schedule your in-office consultation call (949) 644-1400 to connect with our Patient Care Coordinator today!