Medical – ZO by Dr. OBAGI

Acne is a condition that affects the skin’s oil glands. The small holes in the skin’s pores connect to oil glands under the dermis layer of the skin, which produce an oily substance called sebum. The pores are connected to the glands by a canal called a follicle. When the follicle clogs up, it results in the growth of a pimple.

Acne is usually caused by hormonal changes (during pregnancy and/or puberty), genetic factors, or a reaction to certain medications. Oily skin may also be caused by these factors and is therefore a skin type that is prone to the development of acne.

Although pimples may appear anywhere, they are most commonly found on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. While acne itself is not a serious health threat, it can cause scarring if left untreated and understandably, leaves individuals feeling self-conscious about their skin. ZO Medical’s line of skin care products effectively treat and prevent acne.

Rosacea is a common and chronic skin condition that usually affects people over the age of 30. The identifying characteristic of Rosacea is usually redness on the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. In some instances, it also leads to the development of small bumps and pustules on the affected areas. Rosacea leaves the skin extremely sensitive and may also affect the eyes by causing a burning or stinging sensation.

Rosacea may be aggravated by sun, stress, wind, heavy exercise, alcohol consumption, hot baths, and spicy foods. If left untreated, the condition can worsen over time. However, ZO Medical’s best in class skincare products can effectively counteract Rosacea by evening your skin tone.

Below are the products used to treat Rosacea and their roles in its effective treatment:

• C bright: Provides a potent dose of pure vitamin C that is stabilized to brighten and re-texture the skin.
• Cebatrol: Contains exfoliants, which effectively remove dead skin cells. These pads also contain an emollient complex to soothe skin and reduce redness. The mandelic acid also helps reduce inflammatory agents that cause irritation.
• Normacleanse: This gently removes impurities and oil, while also nourishing and calming the skin.
• Oilacleanse: This dual action cleanser exfoliates and cleanses skin, targeting excess oil. It reduces the factors that contribute to skin inflammation and promotes exfoliation.
• ZO GSR System – normal to oily skin: The Getting Skin Ready system (GSR) includes three products; a cleanser, scrub and oil control pads.

At Philosophy of Beauty, we will help you determine which product or combination of products best suits your individual needs. Below is a list of the ZO Medical acne care products we carry.

• Aknebright: This is used for acne spot and pigment treatment. It is a fast acting, targeted treatment for rapid relief from acne lesions and post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation.
• Cebatrol: This is a maximum strength, invigorating acne medication used to treat and prevent outbreaks. It exfoliates the skin to effectively remove dead skin cells. The mandelic acid helps to reduce inflammatory agents that cause irritation. These pads also contain an emollient complex to soothe skin and reduce redness.
• Oilacleanse: This is a dual action cleanser which exfoliates and cleanses the skin, targeting excess oil, thereby cleansing the skin and clearing acne.
• Retamax: Retamax utilizes an innovative micro emulsion technology, a potent retinol (0.5%), blended with plant stem cell antioxidants and bio-mimetic proteins. The product aids in skin rejuvenation by triggering the natural formation of collagen and encouraging the restoration of the skin barrier function by regulating the production of hyaluronic acid.
• ZO GSR System – normal to oily skin: The Getting Skin Ready system (GSR) includes three products: a cleanser, scrub and oil control pads.
• ZO non-hydroquinone Hyperpigmentation system: This is for the treatment of Hyperpigmentation without the use of hydroquinone. It is ideal for the treatment of skin conditions either when hydroquinone treatment is completed or contraindicated, or as a healthy maintenance system.

Melasma and Hyperpigmentation are both skin conditions which generally affect the face and can have a devastating effect on one’s self-esteem. Melasma, which is most common in people over the age of 40, causes brown spots or gray- brown spots, usually on the face. to appear on the face. Although Tthese spots commonly appear on the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead, chin, and upper lip. They can , they may also appear on other parts of the body that experience prolonged exposure to the sun. Melasma has been linked to estrogen and progesterone sensitivity, which means that birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone therapy may trigger the condition. Stress and thyroid disease have also been cited as possible causes of Melasma.

Hyperpigmentation is characterized by patches on the skin which are darker than the surrounding unaffected area. These darker patches are formed when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin colour, forms deposits in the skin. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by inflammation due to acne, trauma, chemicals, skin products, or as a reaction to a procedure.

Philosophy of Beauty is proud to offer the following products which can be used to effectively treat Hyperpigmentation, restoring your skin and confidence.

• Aknebright: This product is a fast acting, targeted treatment for rapid relief from acne lesions and post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation.
• Brightalive: Brightalive uses a multi-vectored skin pigment management approach to reduce the appearance of brown spots, even skin tone and inhibit melanin production.
• Brightenex: This product has been Bioengineered to target all three stages of skin discoloration through a patented, bio-vectored, microsphere delivery system. It is formulated to even skin colour and tone, and is recommended as the first course of action when treating Hyperpigmentation.
• C-Bright: C-Bright provides a potent dose of pure vitamin C that brightens and re-textures the skin.
• Melamin: This product is only available through a prescription. It is a highly effective solution to lighten Hyperpigmentation which contains 4% hydroquinone. It corrects Hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production to even skin colour and tone.
• Melamix: This product, which also requires a prescription, is a 4% hydroquinone bleaching cream that penetrates the skin and effectively delivers the active ingredients of the system to the melanocytes. It alters the essential subcellular metabolic processes that cause cytolysis and inhibit melanin production. As a result, it reduces the appearance of Ccholasma, Melasma, and freckles.
• ZO GSR System –normal to oily skin: The Getting Skin Ready system (GSR) includes three products: a cleanser, scrub, and oil control pads.
• ZO non-hydroquinone Hyperpigmentation system: This is for the treatment of Hyperpigmentation without the use of hydroquinone. It is ideal for the treatment of skin conditions either when hydroquinone treatment is completed or contraindicated, or as a healthy maintenance system.
• ZO multi-therapy hydroquinone system: This product is used to treat moderate to severe Hyperpigmentation, especially Melasma. It is recommended as a starting point for treating Melasma.

To find out how you can benefit from ZO Medical’s line of skincare products, we invite you to a complimentary consultation with one of our experienced practitioners. Conveniently located in Vaughan, Philosophy of Beauty proudly services clients in the Thornhill and Toronto areas, helping them realize their skincare goals, one step at a time.