The Youth Equation: Take 10 Years Off Your Face - Hardcover

by Jeffrey Dover (Author), Cara Birnbaum (Author)

From one of the world's leading dermatologists, a major new guide to skin health and beauty that helps readers look ten years younger without surgery

Renowned dermatologist Jeffrey Dover and his expert skincare advice have been featured everywhere from the Today show, Good Morning America, and CNN to the New York Times, Vogue, Self, and many other publications. Known for providing high-end yet affordable skincare advice and products, Dr. Dover is the creator of the highly successful Skin Effects line. Now Dr. Dover shares his secrets with the rest of us. The Youth Equation first proves that it's not people's real age that matters, it's their skin's virtual age, or SVA, that reflects the way their complexion is behaving. The book then reveals Dr. Dover's unique program for looking ten years younger--at any age.

The Youth Equation includes a revealing quiz to calculate readers' SVA scores. Dr. Dover then walks readers through the world of skincare ingredients to create a customized do-at-home plan anyone at any age can follow simply by picking up a few products at the local drugstore. Dover's comprehensive product guide includes many popular brands and shows which cleansers, treatment creams, and sunscreens really live up to their promises, offering options to suit a range of skin types and budgets. For those who want to jumpstart their progress with a more aggressive approach, Dr. Dover demystifies injectable fillers, Botox, lasers and light sources, anti-cellulite treatments, chemical peels, cosmetic surgical procedures, and more with a combination of intelligence, warmth, and refreshing candor. The Youth Equation is a fresh and indispensable guide to better skin health and beauty.

Front Jacket

What do you see when you look in the mirror--a face with a healthy, youthful glow or a complexion marred by fine lines, blotchiness, or a dull and tired look? No matter how old you are, you can have healthier, better-looking skin that can help you look ten years younger--and you don't need surgery or costly treatments to get it.

In "The Youth Equation," renowned dermatologist Jeffrey Dover gives you the knowledge and tools you need to make big changes with just a handful of products. The first step is to understand that it's not your chronological age that matters--it's your skin's virtual age (SVA), which reflects your skin's current health and status, that counts. To determine your SVA, you'll take a simple quiz that factors in everything from your sun-tanning habits to your personal lifestyle to your genes. Once you know your SVA, you're ready to start lowering it with a customized six-week plan that will make your skin look smoother, firmer, and more lustrous. Dr. Dover guides you through your three-part "cleanse--treat--prevent" program with a range of easy-to-find products at all price ranges that can be picked up at any drugstore or department store. He also offers some options available by prescription if you prefer to work with a dermatologist.

You'll find everything you need to know about the treatments that live up to their promises--from cleansers that brighten the skin to serums that reduce sun damage and fight acne. You'll navigate the skin-care aisle with confidence once you learn to read product labels and understand more about ingredients such as:

Retinoids and retinol

Matrixyl, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), and other peptides

Growth factors, one of the most potenta "and little knowna "anti-aging tools around

Alpha hydroxy acids, including glycolic, lactic, and fruit acids

Antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10, botanicals, soy, and green tea

If you're interested in supplementing topical formulas with more aggressive treatments, you'll also find information on procedures such as Botox, cosmetic fillers, light-source devices, and plastic surgery.

Today's advanced skin-care products are more potent and effective than ever. Start using them to encourage your skin to act and look younger. All you need to know is your SVA and Dr. Dover's simple "cleanse--treat--prevent" equation to add up to a fresh, healthy-looking, and radiant new you.

Back Jacket

Advance praise for "The Youth Equation"

""The Youth Equation" introduces the new concept of the 'skin's virtual age, ' or SVA, which helps the reader carefully review the factors that have influenced her skin over the years. Once the SVA is determined, Dr. Dover gives sound recommendations for skin care products and procedures that can help turn back the clock (or at least slow its ticking). His advice is based on scientific evidence and many years of experience. My favorite part of the book is the thought-provoking questions found in each chapter that help the reader learn more about skin science. Dr. Dover proves in this book, as he has proven to dermatologists for years, that he is a great teacher and a trustworthy source of information."
-Leslie Baumann, M.D.
Director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine
and Research Institute, and author of "The Skin Type Solution"

"In the ever-growing market of cosmetic skin care and in-office procedures, Dr. Dover provides the reader with the knowledge to educate and guide the individual with her or his choices. An excellent book for those seeking the latest information in the cosmetic arena."
-Frederic Brandt, M.D.
author of "10 Minutes/10 Years"

"Dr. Dover presents honest, scientifically based explanations of common cosmetic concerns and their treatment in language everyone can understand. It demystifies a complicated subject and helps consumers get through the barrage of skin care misinformation so many of us are subject to."
-Jean and Alastair Carruthers, M.D.
coauthors of "Textbook of Facial Rejuvenation"

Author Biography

Jeffrey Dover, M.D., is one of the world's most prominent dermatologists, a member of the Yale and Dartmouth medical faculties, and the author of over 30 dermatology textbooks. He has been featured in the "New York Times, Vogue, Allure, Self, Prevention, " and other publications. Dr. Dover has appeared extensively on national radio and television, including the "Today" show, "Good Morning America," and CNN. His Skin Effects skin-care line is available at CVS pharmacies nationwide.

CARA BIRNBAUM is an award-winning freelance writer whose articles have appeared in "O: The Oprah Magazine, Vogue, Elle, Allure, Glamour, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living," and "Marie Claire."