Greetings From Mexico!
Hi, I am Dr. Esperanza C. Welsh from Monterrey, Mexico. I have been using the Baumann Skin type solution for the past 4 years since my training at the Department of Dermatology at the University of Miami where I did my Dermatology residency under the supervision of Dr. Leslie Baumann. After 6 years of medical school and 4 years of my dermatology residency, I spent two more years in the United States learning more about the skin. During this time, I did two fellowships: one in dermatopathology (studying the skin under the microscope lens) and then a year dedicated to the study of Cosmetic Dermatology with Dr. Baumann. She taught me all the science and secrets pertaining to skin appearance and how to make and keep your skin looking great! Here we will share the science and secrets with you, so your skin looks its best!
The skin type solution works for EVERYONE. Yes everyone…. it doesn’t matter if you are white or black, latino or asian. It works for every skin type. I use the Baumann Skin Typing System in my dermatology practice in Mexico. It is very simple. You just answer the questionnaire and then you will end up with four letters to describe your skin type. We can help you the most if you take the questionnaire found in the book “The Skin Type Solution” to determine your skin type. I will be frequently blogging to share my views and perspective from Mexico. Feel free to comment here and ask me questions.
So lets get started…
Here are a few topics to ask me about to get us started:
The ABC’s of skin care basic tips everyone should know.
Sunscreens, so many which one do I choose?
Pregnant with GLOWING skin, basic skin care tips you should know…
Best regards from Monterrey, Mexico
Dr. Esperanza Welsh
April 17th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
June 18th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Hi Dr Welsh! I have a question for you. What is your favorite sunscreen in mexico for daily use?
Dr. Baumann
July 14th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Welcome!
Jane in CT
July 14th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Here’s a question on Sunscreens:
(I’m DSPT/W & quite fair skinned with melasma)
I’ve been using Prevage or Neutrogena FF Total Effects moisturizer followed by a physical sunscreen (Nia 24 Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 :Micronized Titanium Dioxide and Micronized Zinc Oxide). I am wondering if it is okay to use a foundation or tinted sunscreen with chemical sunscreen on top of that.
While I was in Europe last month, I bought some L’Oreal Solar Expertise Sunscreen with Mexoryl SX & XL spf: 50+ (I think that’s what in it — the label was in German). I like that it’s tinted and labeled as high PPD for UVA protection. I wonder if there is any reason not to use this on top of the Nia 24. I know that you can’t add the SPFs together, but does this provide any extra protection?
July 14th, 2008 at 11:16 am
I would love to see you post about pregnancy skin care tips.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Hi Dr. Welsh,
Have you found any non-irritating & non-clogging physical sunscreens that are light enough for OSNW skin? thanks for joining the forum
-Kevin
July 17th, 2008 at 3:48 am
would love to hear your ABCs of skincare tips….
Thanks
July 20th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I will start with tips to take good care of your skin while pregnant.
1. Always use a susnscreen, pregnancy hormones make your pigment cells more active thus you will have a higher risk of getting melasma (brown blotches on your face).
2. Some women get acne while pregnant, there are a few creams you can use safely, ask your dermatologist.
3. Striae “stretch marks”: To prevent them, don’t gain too much weight (just what your OBGYN recommends), use a moisturizing cream with shea butter or cocoa butter, and there are fractional lasers that can be used to erase the stretchmarks a little afterwards…
4. Use compression stockings for your legs, and don’t cross them. You will have a lower chance of getting varicose veins.
Rest, eat well, and take your vitamins!
Have a glowing pregnancy!
Dr. Welsh
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:24 pm
It is nice to see all of you in my Blog. Here are my answers:
1. Favorite sunscreen in Mexico: -There are several sunscreens with mexoryl which give high protection, there are different ones with this substance depending on your skin type. Now for sensitive skin or patients who tend to have allergies I prefer those with titanium dioxide or micronized zinc. There are a few ones with tint that have a really nice consistency.. There is one which I love for those patients who like it to be very sheer, it is called Ansolar. Finally there are compact powders (like makeup) that you can find at the dermatologist’s office that have tint and and spf of 30….Hope this helps…
2. Jane: It is perfectly ok to use sunscreen with mexoryl on top of Nia 24. I like mexoryl a lot!
3. Kevin: for your skin type there is one that you can buy over the counter that is pretty sheer. It is called Neutrogena Ultrashear Dry touch. Now, buy Spf that is on the lower side. An SPF of 15 or 30 will always have a better cosmetic appearance than a sunscreen with a higher protection. Good luck!
4. Tina: Like I wrote above, use sunscreen always, don’t gain too much weight, use shea butter to prevent striae, dont cross your legs, use knee high Jobst ultrashear compression stockings for the lasts months of pregnancy. You can use some over the counter medications for Acne just check with your OBGYN. There are lasers and treatments for leg veins, spider veins, and striae that you can get after delivery. Have a peaceful and healthy pregnancy!
5. The ABC’s of skin care will be my next blog so be ready for some interesting info!
Have a great day!
Dr. Welsh
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Thanks for the reply!
Jane
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:56 am
I’m Brazilian and I love Ansolar too! Now there is a version in capsules…
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Hi Dr. Welsh, could you write about how the themes of Dr. Baumann’s book relate specifically to Mexican skin? For example, she describes OSNWs and OSNTs as mostly people of Northern European ancestry, could you write about what it’s like if you have darker skin and these types? And what the most common Mexican skin types are?
Thanks!
July 28th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Candelapura:
The most common skin types in Northern Mexico are OSPW and OSPT. In Northern Mexico, where I live and practice, there is a mixture of white and darker skin colors… This makes whiter skin types have a higher tendecy towards pigmentation. Darker skin types will also have a higher chance of pigmentation. This is extremely important when doing dermatological procedures in latin skin due to this increased risk of hyperpigmantation even though the skin could be fair…. Latin skin will wrinkle if it is exposed very much to the sun, but generally latin skin tends not to be as wrinkled as whiter skin types…..
Hope this answers your question.
Dr. Welsh
July 31st, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Thanks for the reply Dr. Walsh. It would be interesting if you could do blogs about OSPW and OSPT based on what you’ve seen in your Mexican practice. I also would love to see a blog on how Mexican skin is affected by exposure to the sun and how big a factor skin tone plays. I was also wondering about what you wrote in your new blog about how drying out your skin with foaming cleansers makes it more likely to wrinkle. Why is dry skin more likely to wrinkle?