Everything You Need To Know About Achieving Flawless Skin, As Advised By Charlamagne's Dermatologist
Summer is in full swing which means those winter months spent getting your body right and tight are hopefully paying off. But is your skin up to that level of "on pointness" as everything else?
If you have been following The Breakfast Club over the years then by now, you're familiar with the drastic, 180-degree change to Charlamagne Tha God's appearance. The radio jock once had a face marked with severe dark spots and hyperpigmentation, however his skin is now clear and even toned, thanks to dermatologist Dr. Natasha Sandy.
The miracle worker shared some tips on how to make sure your skin is summertime fine year-round on The Breakfast Club!
Despite the misconception that people of color don't need sunscreen because of our melanin, Dr. Sandy stresses that we still have to protect ourselves. She explains that the sun's harmful UVA/UVB rays still makes us susceptible to skin cancer. And that awful hyperpigmentation (darkening of the pigment)? The Maryland-based dermatologist says that can be caused from not applying sunscreen, too! However, she notes that the skin condition can also be triggered by other factors ranging from topical products, bad diet/lifestyle or even a pre-existing skin disease.
Now if you've already reached that bridge and need help crossing, Dr. Sandy recommends getting down to the root of the problem as it may not be something simple. You also don't have to decide whether to pay your rent or get your face cleared up because Dr. Sandy says great skin can still be achieved with a modest budget. Hallelujah!
Got questions about how to get rid of dark spots, chemical peels, semen facials, and those annoying period pimples? Dr. Sandy has answers.
xoNecole: What sunscreens and SPF (Sun Protection Factor) should you be using?
Dr. Sandy: The key thing is to get an SPF of at least 30. Anything above that, it doesn't make that much difference. The significant thing however, is the ingredients in it. So you want to have something that has Zinc Oxide in it, or Titanium. And the reason being is because you've got UVB Rays, which causes burning, and UVA Rays which causes aging, which you're exposed to on cloudy days. But Zinc and Titanium absorb all the wave of things. They absorb UVA and B. And that's the significant thing- You want protection from both rays. So you want Zinc and Titanium, and an SPF of at least 30.
Is tanning oil useful in sunscreen?
No. Because do you want to cook? It's like making yourself chicken or turkey. You put an oil on yourself and then you're sitting out on the fire.
When should you wear sunscreen?
Most people think about the UVB rays because they think about the burning and rays hitting them, but you need to do it all year around. Because like I said, the UVA rays you're exposed to even on cloudy days. So that's why in England, there's significant skin cancer. England is known for being cloudy.
Do certain products cause hyperpigmentation?
Most people try to associate when they have hyperpigmentation, as a triggering event that may have caused it. A lot of people think it may have been something that they put on their face, which it could've been. But really, why a product could cause that is basically, if you have anything that could cause hyperpigmentation, which is darkening of the pigment, that can leave you with dark marks.
What exactly causes hyperpigmentation?
The melanocytes, which are the cells that have melanin in the skin, inflammatory cells. So if you have anything that can cause inflammation on the skin, even the sun hitting it can make you have dark marks. And if you continually expose yourself to that thing, you never wear sunscreen, you're always in the sun, you don't protect yourself, then you're going to get hyperpigmentation.
You have the obvious topical things, external factor. So for example sun, products that you're using, maybe true specific skin diseases like acne, dandruff which you can actually get in your face. Even things like psoriasis, things like that. But also remember, we are a total being and the skin really manifests what's happening inside. So anything you're taking internally that's causes inflammation in the body, or even your lifestyle, can impact that.
“I had to change my lifestyle, too. I was 202 pounds, so I had to lose 30 pounds. And then when they say, 'drink in moderation', really drink in moderation. I would notice when I would drink, the marks on my face would be darker." - Charlamagne
If there are problem areas, how does a dermatologist care for the skin?
First, you have to treat whatever the source of the skin discoloration is, right? So if you've got acne, you need to treat the acne. So whatever the cause of the skin discoloration is, you want to treat that first. With Charlamagne, we treated some of the acne that he had, but he also had dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, as well. And that made a big difference. I've used chemical peels on him as well.
What are chemical peels and how do they work?
All chemical peels are not created equal. That's the first thing. So there's Medical Grade, and there is what you can get esthetician-wise. With chemical peels, you're putting a chemical, typically an acid and there's a lot of different types, on the skin so you can achieve a number of different goals. It changes the pH of the skin, and it makes the skin more acidic. Why does that matter? Well, the skin likes a more acidic environment. For example, we've all heard of Queen of Sheba soaking in milk. Milk has lactic acid in it, and that's why her skin was that great.
The other thing that it can do if you have uneven skin, depending on the depth of the peel, if it's more superficial it'll take off the top layer of skin for the uneven pigment. If it's deeper and you have fine wrinkles, you've got scars, you can use it for that as well.
Is Charlamagne bleaching?
No [he's not bleaching]. So here's the distinction, I think people are looking for the question of, like—because, in the culture, there's a lot of that. The bleaching, the cake soap, people just having that gray appearance.
How can you take care of your skin on a modest budget?
Cetaphil
Witch Hazel
Dr. Natasha Sandy acne pads
Cerave moisturizer
Elta MD
… And exfoliate!
What about pimples?
It's definitely hormonal. Usually around that time, people feel like eating lots of sugar. So what you want to do is not do those sugars, or pick a good sugar. So you want to do more fruits and vegetables. More fruits, sweet fruits. If you want to, make smoothies.
There's some prescription supplements (anti-inflammatory) that have things like turmeric, folic acids. I take that, and around my period I rarely get the dark marks.
Do semen facials really work?
Anecdotally, people have found that when they put certain fluids on their bodies, either internally or externally, they feel that their skin is better. However, there has not been any studies to support that. I'm a physician so I have to go with the evidence, so once there's a study that's put together with thousands of people, then I can provide evidence to support that.
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Are any of her tips you swear by? How do you currently care for your skin?
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage