Tag Archives: alpha lipoic acid

Dr. Perricone Q&A – Laser Treatments for Acne

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Q: I have very bad skin; acne and dark spots on my face. My doctor suggests laser treatments but I have heard that they could make it worse. What can I do to make my skin clear?

A: Laser is fancy way of burning the skin, and can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Therefore I do not use laser in my practice. All of the anti-inflammatory topical products can be beneficial here, especially DMAE and alpha lipoic acid. Take anti-inflammatory supplements and apply Advanced Face Firming Activator twice daily to the area with the hyperpigmentation (dark spots). Drink at least eight glasses of water per day. You may also try a spot treatment containing glutathione on the acne lesions. To clear your skin and keep it clear you need to follow the anti-inflammatory diet—lists of good foods and bad foods can be found on my website (see anti-inflammatory diet) or in several of my books.

Dr. Perricone Q&A – Adult Acne

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Q: I’m a 27-year-old female who has suffered from adult acne for more than two years. Since its onset, I have been seeing a dermatologist who prescribed antibiotics to be taken daily, a day cream, and a gel to be applied at night time. When I took the antibiotics, the acne appeared to be under control. However, when I tried to discontinue the antibiotics, the acne returned with a vengeance in about six weeks. In fact, it was worse than it had been prior to taking the antibiotics. Now, two months after that big eruption of acne, the marks are still vivid. I don’t want to stay on antibiotics for the rest of my life.

A: Because acne is a systemic inflammatory disease your first and best line of defense is to alter your diet. In addition to eating foods that are rich in antioxidants (Nature’s natural anti-inflammatories), you must avoid pro-inflammatory foods. Foods that are starchy – for example, bread, potatoes, chips, sweets, etc. – cause inflammation at a cellular level that leads to a clogged pore, the first step toward an acne lesion. Therefore, what you eat is a direct cause of your breakouts, and you need to stop the cycle. Start a supplement regimen that includes antioxidants (Alpha Lipoic Acid, DMAE, vitamin C ester and vitamin E), a good multivitamin with zinc, the B vitamins, and the essential fatty acids discussed in my books. Cleanse twice daily with a gentle cleanser, and tone with pads containing DMAE. I have formulated an anti-acne regimen that include anti-inflammatory alpha lipoic acid – I recommend using this after gently cleansing and toning. Use only oil-free makeup. And remember, if your pores are not clogged you will not develop a secondary infection, i.e., acne.

Dr. Perricone’s Top 10 Super Supplements – #7 – CoQ10

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Super Supplement #7: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Coenzyme Q10, also called ubiquinone, is a powerful antioxidant/anti-inflammatory with many benefits for treating and preventing obesity. It acts similarly to acetyl-l-carnitine in that it assists in energy production within the mitochondria. As we have learned, energy production declines as a cell ages, and that means that the cell’s ability to repair itself also declines. Working synergistically with acetyl-l-carnitine, carnitine, and alpha lipoic acid in the mitochondria, CoQ10 enhances the metabolism, giving us greater energy and endurance, and a greater ability to lose body fat, while preventing the energy decline seen in aging cells. CoQ10 also works synergistically with other antioxidants to elevate cellular levels of vitamins C, E, and glutathione and to help regulate blood sugar and enhance insulin sensitivity. CoQ10 also maximizes the burning of foods for fuel, helping to normalize fats in our blood.

DOSAGE RECOMMENDATION: I recommend a minimum of 30 milligrams per day. For those with health problems, under the supervision and recommendation of their physician, up to 300 milligrams per day. About three weeks of daily dosing are necessary to reach maximal serum concentrations of CoQ10.

CoQ10 Tips:
This supplement should be taken by anyone over 40, as tissue levels of CoQ10 decrease as people get older.

Although CoQ10 can be found in small amounts in fish such as sardines or salmon, as well as in nuts, I recommend supplementation for optimal anti-aging and weight loss benefits.

CoQ10 supplementation is of particular importance for women because they tend to have lower levels than their male counterparts.

CoQ10 is best taken with food.

Perricone MD products with this super supplement (click below to shop PerriconeMD.com):
Perricone MD Health & Weight Management

Dr. Perricone Q&A – Hyperpigmentation Treatment

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Q: Last year I changed my skin care regimen to include a retinol product. This
caused some damage to my skin, leaving spots of pigmentation on my checks, as well as a brownish scar. What can I do?

A: It sounds as if this product may have caused a condition known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Try a skin care regimen that includes products containing natural anti-inflammatories, such as alpha lipoic acid or pycnogenol. Further, toner pads containing the powerful anti-inflammatory DMAE should help relieve this condition. Alpha hydroxy acid creams can also help to even out skin tone.

Dr. Perricone Q&A – Acne Questions #3 – Atrophic Scars

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Q: During my teens I suffered severe acne problems resulting in atrophic scars. A local skin specialist suggested a treatment called subcision, and I underwent six sessions with him. As I didn’t see any sign of improvement, and the treatments were very painful, I stopped. Now I’m concerned that maybe I gave up too quickly. If I resume this form of treatment, do I have any hope of seeing an improvement? Is there any other easy way to permanently remove the scars?

A: Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to remove atrophic scars and, as you’ve experienced firsthand, invasive procedures can have undesirable side effects. I recommend that you try applying a topical DMAE/alpha lipoic acid/pycnogenol combination twice a day; this could help diminish the appearance of the scars.

Holiday Radiance Kit

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Our Holiday Radiance Kit, with powerful anti-oxidants like alpha lipoic acid, will restore the glow to your skin as well as brighten the entire eye area. The kit includes Perricone MD bestseller, Advanced Face Firming Activator and Advanced Eye Therapy. This combo will ensure soft, supple skin with diminished lines and wrinkles.

Alpha Lipoic Acid Benefits

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Alpha Lipoic Acid regulates production of nitric oxide, which controls blood flow to the skin to transform the complexion from dull, pasty, and pale to vibrant and glowing. Make it a part of your daily routine. Not only is this product a great addition to your skin, but it can also be used as a supplement, as it has been proven to be both an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant!

Alpha Lipoic Acid Essentials – The Universal Antioxidant

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Recent studies have shown alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an even more powerful antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agent than previously thought; however, therapeutic amounts can only be obtained from supplements, because it is almost non-existent in foods.

ALA be praised

Alpha lipoic acid is unique among antioxidants because it is soluble in both fat and water. This gives it the ability to penetrate the lipid or fat soluble portions of the cell, such as the cell’s first line of defense, the cell plasma membrane. In addition, it can also penetrate the watery portions of the cell, known as the cytosol. Because ALA can protect both the fat- and water-soluble parts of the cell, scientists have named it the “universal antioxidant.” ALA is found as part of an enzyme complex in the mitochondria that converts food to energy, it is also known as the “metabolic antioxidant.” Diseases of aging are caused by the damage and inflammation that result from free radical damage to the cells. Since ALA can protect all portions of the cell, it is ideally suited to help prevent the diseases of aging and the signs of aging in the skin.

A stitch in time saves nine

When taken orally as a supplement, ALA can concentrate in both the cell and mitochondrial lipid membranes, where it protects both from free radical damage, thus preventing the commencement of an inflammatory cascade.

Good for diabetics

ALA is especially protective to the mitochondria in nerve cells, and can therefore help prevent degeneration of the brain seen with aging and age-related diseases of the central nervous system. In addition, ALA has been used successfully to treat patients with diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage).

Understanding which supplements and topicals are important to take on a daily basis is a great way to keep all of your organ systems, including the skin, functioning at optimum levels.