15 Minutes With Dr Harold Lancer

I have devoted the last 30 years to helping my patients make the most of their looks by dramatically improving their skin. I am a physician and surgeon with special training and certification in dermatology. Since beginning my solo practice in 1983, I have treated all of my patients from beginning to end.  Daily, I care for a roster of thirty thousand patients from around the world, an eclectic mix of all ethnicities from all walks of life. Lancer Dermatology offers the most up-to-date medical, surgical, alternative, and cosmetics care at my Beverly Hills office. My philosophy of skin care is neither theoretical nor lab-based. Rather, direct experience in daily patient care for the past three decades has allowed me phenomenal opportunities for observation and creative solutions. I have been dedicated to developing effective treatments for the many skin conditions that keep people from feeling and look their best, and that includes the effects of aging. Twenty years ago, I had an epiphany that become the vision for how I practice dermatology today – my focus is on restoration, not alteration.

Creating “believable beauty”. This implies seamless appeal without being able to understand from a viewers’ perspective, how that person looks as good as they do. I believe that cosmetic and aesthetic maintenance is important - but that there can be too much of a good thing. Any procedure, whether invasive or not, should be approached with caution. As we age, we want to look like our best selves, not an unnatural version of ourselves. This emphasis on natural beauty is why I have put so much time and effort in to developing my products. Topical skin care should always be your first line of defence; not surgery, not injections but high quality self-care.

I had an interest in skin in general because I had a terrible burn when I was 7 years old. My family physician was slowly healing the burn and I was fascinated with the way he was getting my skin to heal itself. Watching my own skin recover from injury helped me develop an incredible sense of what makes skin interesting and amazing, and inspired me to specialise in repair and healing. So I developed an interest in dermatology from a very young age.

I use my Lancer Method, which is a three part system that harnesses essential dermatological science coupled with my own experience working with patients at my private practice that provides an effective skin care regimen. The set includes the Polish, the Cleanse, and the Nourish. Some days I use Advanced C Radiance Treatment, alternating with Retexturizing Treatment Cream – they contains some of my favourite therapeutic ingredients - Vitamin A, C, and E and Glycolic Acid. I developed my own eye cream formula, Eye Contour Lifting Cream, to be the answer to the perfect eye cream for all ages and concerns so I use this everyday as well. Finally, SPF. I always recommend my patients wear an SPF of at least 30 as it provides enough sun protection for basic daily tasks like driving to and from work etc.  If you’re going to be on the beach or doing an outdoor activity, I recommend finding shade whenever possible, investing in a good hat, and making sure to re-apply SPF often. [product_display id="1"]

The challenge with my skin is oil production, which is odd for a 63 year old man. But because I am biologically healthier than my chronological age, I have oily skin so I use Lancer Makeup Removing Wipes (even though I’m not wearing makeup!)  on my skin during the day, after about every 4-5 patients to keep my complexion shine-free and refreshed.

Stress reduction, diet management and The Lancer Method.   For a skin care novice, the starting skincare regimen needs to be simple - so 1. Polish, 2. Cleanse and 3. Nourish is about as easy as it gets.

Simple: skin biology. The basis for skincare has always been some sort of cleanser, toner, and moisturiser which has nothing to do with how skin biology actually works. Skin needs exercise to function properly, so The Lancer Method ( Polish, Cleanse and Nourish) was developed because it’s how the skin actually benefits through skin chemistry.

Younger Pure Youth Serum is my favourite product. It contains a non-irritating blend of plant extracts, which provides the skin with next-generation retinoids for the ultimate in anti-ageing benefits.  The most incredible engineering went into developing it. [product_display id="2"]

Yes, I think I have seen medicine change dramatically. When I was a student in the 1970s, only the super-wealthy resorted to surgery. In the 1980’s and 90’s it was a status symbol adopted by lots of people. By the late 1990’s, non-surgical dermatology sped ahead. And now since about 2005 to 2010, dermatology is considered the ultra-speciality of the 21^st century.   After 2010, dermatology has taken over, becoming more important than ever before. From medicine, to plastic surgery, to dermatology, to research, there have been a lot of changes. People want more active homecare products to minimize the about and intensity of procedures. In our office, it is skincare first and then laser or radiofrequency procedures as needed.

Interestingly, the majority of people don’t use any skincare. So, use Polish, Cleanse and Nourish for one day, just one day – and I promise you a client they will develop an appreciation for good skincare.  After the first use of The Method, you will notice softer, smoother, more even-looking skin, with the results amplifying over time. Eventually, the look of wrinkles and age spots are diminished and a youthful bounce is brought back to the skin. Many people shy away from daily exfoliation, but it’s really the key of The Method. When exfoliating daily, it’s important to replenish your skin’s moisture, and protect it from your environment, so proper healing and anti-ageing can take place - this is the role that Nourish plays.  You see, it’s an integral system that allows for such fast and noticeable results. [product_display id="3"]