I do not recommend quick weight loss schemes. And I never recommend extreme measures that encourage eating disorders or promote obsession. They are not good for your skin, and they are certainly not good for your overall health.

Like other fad diets, detox regimens promise a quick weight loss that is ultimately unsustainable. Most detox regimens urge dieters to limit themselves to water and raw fruits or vegetables. The problem with these detox diets is that they are so restrictive that they are ineffective for long-term use. Even though the average person doesn’t drink enough water or eat enough fruits and vegetables, any weight loss that does occur during these types of extreme diets is just water loss, and is usually temporary.

In general, human beings can lose only 2 pounds of body fat per week, maximum. If we lose more than that, we are only losing water and glycogen, which is only temporary. Losing, for example, 20 pounds in two weeks definitely qualifies as a extreme weight loss. You may think you are losing fat, and the scale may show you are lighter. But all you have lost is water, which is an essential part of our diet and body.

Drinking only syrup and lemon juice for two weeks is also an extreme measure. Worst of all, extreme diets like the Master Cleanse can cause serious side effects in vulnerable groups. Some diets even recommend laxatives, enemas, or colonic irrigation to speed up the detox process. But rapid cleansing, using these methods, changes the bacterial make-up of our digestive system. And bacteria are important for our GI system, which is also important for good skin

Detox dieters may report specific benefits, but none have been proven to be due to detoxification. Fewer headaches can be traced to other lifestyle changes such as reduction in alcohol and caffeine intake. Clearer skin and better health does result from improved hydration, decreased alcohol, quitting smoking, no junk food, and better diet. Weight loss in overweight people is always a good thing. It just needs to be done in a healthy and safe manner.

Some detox dieters talk of increased energy, or even a sense of euphoria. This is also seen in people who are fasting. This is actually a reaction to starvation, which probably evolved as a way to help a starving person evade threats, and have the energy to locate food during times of decreased food availability.

Healthy individuals may be able to endure even the strictest diet for a short while. The problem is that certain groups may suffer serious side effects from highly restrictive diets. Groups at risk include children and teenagers (who need the calories for their rapidly changing bodies) as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women, seniors, and people with heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic conditions. These people are especially vulnerable to intestinal and even cardiac problems caused by malnutrition. In addition, certain medications need to be taken with food.

The use of laxatives in detox diets is also considered risky, since laxative abuse is often associated with eating disorders. It is a myth that laxatives are useful for weight control, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. In fact, laxative abuse can cause severe dehydration, and damage to the heart or colon. Colonic irrigation, another component of some detox diets, can cause bowel perforation or infection, which can cause death.

Instead of a 10 day extreme diet, use those 10 days to begin a balanced diet filled with lots of fruits and vegetables, and then stick to that diet forever. This healthy lifestyle will benefit both your health and the way your skin looks.

As more and more of my patients come in to see me recently with the beautiful glow of pregnancy, I have been asked the same skincare questions…

If you are pregnant, or know someone who is pregnant, here is a list of common skin changes you might experience:

1. Spider and varicose veins. The fetus affects the blood returning from your legs, causing spider veins and varicose veins to develop on your thighs and calves. Sclerotherapy and laser treatments will treat the problem after your baby is born, but wearing support and compression stockings during pregnancy can minimize these veins from occurring.

2. Rosy cheeks, facial veins. Increases in blood flow affect the many blood vessels just below the skin’s surface. If this becomes a problem, there are safe ways to treat unwanted blood vessels on your face, even when you are pregnant.

3. Melasma (the mask of pregnancy). Melasma is when brown blotchy pigmentation develops during the second trimester of your pregnancy. It looks like a blotchy tan. It often affects the upper lip (in a moustache pattern) forehead, upper cheeks, and between the eyebrows. Changes in estrogen and progesterone cause your skin to produce more pigment. The same problem can occur with the use of oral contraceptives. Melasma can be minimized by using sunscreen, limiting your exposure to sunlight (of course, no tanning beds), and using skin products that contain licorice extract, which acts like a natural skin brightener.

4. Acne. If you do get acne during pregnancy, it usually resolves after you deliver. Most acne medicines, including tetracycline, Accutane, Retin-A, etc., cannot be used during pregnancy. However, your dermatologist can extract pimples, and also give an injection of a dilute steroid into the larger cystic lesions if necessary.

5. Changing moles. You may notice new moles, or existing moles can get larger or darker. Most of the time, these are ok. But it is best to consult your dermatologist to make sure a new or changing mole is not dangerous. If it does appear to be of concern, a 30 second biopsy can confirm it is not dangerous.

6. Skin tags. Small fleshy growths, called skin tags, can occur in areas where skin rubs, such as in the underarm area, sides of the neck, under the breasts, or in the groin. If they bother you, they can be burned or frozen off within seconds.

7. Stretch Marks. Not all pregnant women get stretch marks. But the rapid stretching of the skin over your abdomen increases your chance of getting stretch marks. Stretch marks can be purple, brown, tan, or even lighter than your skin. Try to moisturize and lubricate your skin during pregnancy. Following delivery, lasers can help improve the color, texture, or appearance of your stretch marks.

8. Itching. Some areas of your skin may become dry and itchy during pregnancy. It may occur in areas where the skin stretches, such as the abdomen, hips, and thighs. There are many OTC and prescription products that can relieve the itching and dry skin associated with pregnancy.

9. PUPP, also known as Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy. This usually occurs during the last trimester of a woman’s pregnancy. Around one percent of pregnant women experience itchy, red, raised areas on their abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and extremities. It always disappears shortly after delivery.

As skin care products become more organic and natural, preservatives are needed to prevent the ingredients from spoiling. If a product is labeled “parabens-free,” it does not mean that it is preservative-free.  There must be a preservative in products that contain natural or organic components to allow for shelf life, or the products will rot.Parabens have a 50-year history as effective preservatives.  This track record is the reason that many scientists and medical professionals absolutely believe that parabens are the best option for skin care formulations. Unfortunately, the newer preservatives have no track record, and may have unknown, or even worse, consequences.

But what exactly are Parabens, and why are they getting so much negative criticism?

First of all, parabens are actually derived from nature. In fact, ALL plants produce some natural preservative, often p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Certain plants, such as cucumbers, carrots, and olives, actually produce parabens to protect themselves from attacks by microorganisms. (Bach M et al, Plant Physiol, 103(2),  1993); (Aziz N et al, Microbios 93(374), 1998); Smith-Becker J et al, Plant Physiol, 116(1), 1998); (Dweck A, “Natural Preservatives”, Cosmet Toilet, Aug 2003).

This makes sense, since destruction by bacteria of a natural organic product is the same, whether the bacteria attacks a plant in the wild, or a botanical ingredient in a bottle.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “The best preservatives for sensitive skin are those containing parabens.” (2002 Prof Zoe Draelos, Summer Scientific Meeting, New York, AAD, 2002).

In fact, two common parabens, Methylparaben and Propylparaben, which are used widely in cosmetic skin products, are also used to preserve spices, black and green teas, beer, fruit juices, jams, and wine.

The US Food and Drug Administration, and other national agencies worldwide, have also approved parabens as a direct food additive in amounts ranging from 0.0001% to 0.10%. When we EAT vegetables that contain parabens naturally, they obviously enter the human body, are digested, and are eliminated in the urine. (Metcalf D, et al, Food Allergy: Adverse Reactions to Foods and Food Additives, Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1991).

We now live in an age where scare tactics and misleading information are used to market products.  Frightening information, whether accurate or not, always gets headlines.  Unfortunately, the more frightening and negative, the bigger the headline.

But remember, if a product is termed “parabens-free,” it does not mean it is preservative free. Every skin care product that has natural ingredients must have a preservative.  If it is not a paraben, then it has to be another preservative.  But the new preservatives have not been used nearly as long as parabens.  In time, we may find out that these newer preservatives have serious side effects and consequences, which we do not know as of now.

In summary, remember:

1) Parabens are a naturally derived preservative.  Plants produce parabens, naturally, to protect themselves from bacterial deterioration.  We use them the same way to protect our skin products.

2) Parabens are a safe, FDA approved food preservative with a 50-year track record, and are used in almost all food items to prolong shelf life.

3) All skincare products must contain some type of preservative prevent bacterial growth, and to ensure shelf life. It is better to use parabens, which is a naturally derived, FDA approved preservative that has been used in food items for over 50 years, than a new, untested preservative with no long-term track record.  Why take a chance on a new preservative that, in the future, may be shown to have dangerous side effects?

4) Skincare products that do contain parabens usually have them in minute concentrations. In the kaplanMD Skincare line, there is a less than 0.0001% parabens concentration to ensure stability of the 10 active ingredients.