Healthy, Beautiful Skin Takes A Mix of Medical, Cosmetic Help

Many people, especially as they age, are looking for the newest and greatest ways to fight off Father Time by erasing signs of aging.

 

“Aging is a personal experience, and many people have specific complaints that bother them,” said Dr. Brian Wayne of Little Rock Dermatology.

 

 

However, to have healthy-looking skin, it is important to have medically healthy skin, which starts with getting it regularly checked by a trusted dermatologist.

 

“A lot of people, when they come in to see us, they’re worried about the cosmetic signs of sun damage, which are brown spots, wrinkles, sagging skin,” said Dr. Missy Clifton of Premier Dermatology in Bentonville, “but there are more serious consequences of chronic damage over the years, and that is increased risk of skin cancer.”

 

 

Many local dermatology offices start with a consultation appointment and use advanced technology to scan and map patients’ faces, getting an in-depth look at many things about the person’s skin. A device called VISIA shows hyperpigmentation, sun damage, dilated blood vessels, fine lines, deeper lines, skin hydration and even how much bacteria is in the pores on an individual’s face.

 

“It shows literally everything,” said Leah Marpel, esthetician at Wright Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Little Rock. “It shows your pores. It shows pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. It even shows things that aren’t to the surface yet.”

 

 

Another device is called the Oura. It is more often used to show where people have lost volume in their face and could consider certain fillers to help with that.

 

“We use both devices, as well as questionnaires, to hone in on what a patient’s skin care needs really are and then make an appropriate regimen,” Clifton said.

 

With modern technology, dermatologists can determine customized care plans, which can include a skincare routine, medications, and even suggestions for various types of facials or laser treatments.

 

Despite all the warnings and research, skin cancer from sun damage is still one of the most common issues that skin professionals diagnose and treat.

 

“We are seeing more skin cancer than ever,” said Dr. Hayden Franks, owner of Franks Dermatology in Little Rock. “The sun can cause a lot of different problems, everything from permanent freckles to wrinkles to enlarged pores.”

 

 

Even young people can get skin cancer despite possibly feeling like that is not something they need to think about until later in life, he said.

 

Wayne said although he has not necessarily seen an increase in young people tanning, he understands that the repercussions for tanning can feel further away when someone is younger.

 

“Young people aren’t thinking about the effects that unprotected sun exposure can bring later in life — quicker skin aging and increased skin cancer — because these consequences are delayed,” Wayne said.

 

The earlier people start to care for their skin, the better it will continue to look and the healthier it will stay, Marpel said.

 

“Starting in your 20s, or starting younger even, with skin care just gives a good refresh to the skin,” she added. “It’s a good time to start before there are things to correct.”

 

It can be hard to determine which spots on skin are dangerous and which are not. Wayne said any mole or spot that changes in size, shape or color, starts bleeding spontaneously, does not heal in a few weeks, or rapidly grows is something worth getting checked by a dermatologist.

 

“I teach patients about the ‘ugly duckling’ sign for checking themselves,” he said. “Any mole that looks different from all the rest should be checked.”

 

The best ways to protect against skin damage due to the sun are simple. Dermatologists recommend avoiding being in the sun whenever possible, especially from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hats, UV protective clothing and sunglasses are essential for safe outdoor time. Also, do not forget about sunscreen — everywhere.

 

“I tell patients that I have become more intentional with remembering to apply sunscreen on my neck, ears — areas that are easily forgotten,” Wayne said. “Over my career, I have seen many bad skin cancers in these areas.”

 

Clifton recommended using a mineral-based sunscreen versus one with chemicals because as those chemicals break down in the sun, they can cause harm to the skin, as well. She recommended looking for sunscreen containing only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. However, any sunscreen is better than none.

 

“From what we can tell, the chemical exposure from sunscreens is not nearly as dangerous as sun exposure without sunscreen,” Franks said.

 

Another extremely common issue dermatologists deal with is acne, especially among younger patients. A patient with acne may need a topical medication or antibiotic to help, which is something a dermatologist can prescribe, but their work can also be helped by cosmetic treatments such as regular facials. Many local skin professionals offer those cosmetic treatments alongside pharmacological ones.

 

At Wright Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, staff not only specialize in the more invasive plastic surgery procedures but also a wide range of facials.

 

Marpel said the top three most popular facials she performs are the HydraFacial, DiamondGlow facial and Glo2Facial. They all have similar steps, such as exfoliating, extracting and infusing, but infuse the skin with different serums. The best one to go with depends on the client and their skin goals.

 

Marpel said skin should have a good professional exfoliation every four to six weeks, but what a clients do in between their facials is also important.

 

“Maintaing a healthy skin barrier is going to come down to a consistent daily routine,” she said. “Cleanse, hydrate and protect. You want to start off with a good moisturizer and a good sunscreen and then add in some type of exfoliation a few times a week on top of your monthly facial.”

 

Many medical spas and dermatologists offices offer a range of reputable medical-grade skincare services and can give recommendations based on a specific patient’s skin type. It is best to get those product recommendations from trusted professionals rather than online influencers.

 

“New products come out every year,” Franks said. “It’s our job to keep up with the research and to assess each patient individually to determine if those products are good for them.”

 

 

Many skincare mistakes the local dermatologists point to have been exacerbated by the internet and influencers, who all give different information and product recommendations when it comes to skincare.

 

The first thing these dermatologists stress is that when it comes to a daily skincare routine, simpler is better — no need to have one of those 10-step skincare regimens.

 

“It is important to use gentle products with evidence-based ingredients,” Wayne said. “They do not have to cost more and should not irritate the skin. Natural products are fine, but you can still have irritation or even allergic reactions from them. Having more skincare steps increases the risk of irritation, increases the cost and ends up having products without proven benefits.”

 

Clifton said another thing people tend to do is overexfoliate and overcleanse, especially if they have oily or acne-prone skin.

 

“That overdries the skin and irritates the skin and actually makes the acne worse,” she said.

 

Along with facials and medical-grade proven skincare products, patients can also consider more invasive treatments such as lasers.

 

Lasers come in many different types and can do many things to a person’s skin. One popular laser treatment is the Forever Clear BBL. It uses broadband light to “comfortably and effectively clear acne without creams or medicine,” Premier Dermatology’s website states.

 

Marpel said laser treatments are better to get during the cooler winter or fall months because a patient’s skin can be very sensitive afterward.

 

Clifton described skin after a laser treatment as being “brand-new baby skin.”

 

There are certain types of lasers that can even help prevent spots from being more serious.

 

“It can be very helpful to prevent skin cancer down the road if they’ve had a lot of sun exposure in their life,” Clifton said.

 

Medical and cosmetic care are both important in maintaining skin that is healthy and that a patient feels confident in.

 

“A big part of what we emphasize is that those things should go hand in hand,” Franks said. “[Treatments] are going to make your skin feel better, it’s going to make your skin look better, but most importantly, it’s just going to make your skin better.”

 

SEE THE FEATURE BELOW AND IN OUR AUGUST 2026 ISSUE OF AY MAGAZINE

 

 

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