TotalBeauty.com chats with Dr. Dennis Gross, Creator and Co-Founder of MD Skincare and Carrie Gross, President and CEO of MD Skincare
Q: Dennis, what is most gratifying about being a dermatologist?
A: It's really the synergy between health and beauty. I recently saw a patient who came in for cosmetic procedures and I was able to detect melanoma on her, which saved her life. I knew she was a sun worshipper so we did a full body check, in which, we found something potentially life threatening. This is just an example of how gratifying it is to me to be able to practice both health and beauty procedures.
Q: What initially motivated you to create your own line of products?
A: Dennis: During my years in private practice, I noticed that no matter what my patients tried and tested, they seemed to be extremely dissatisfied with their products and the lack of results. At the same time, the harsh glycolic peels of the '90s were becoming more and more popular. I was against the philosophy that these irritating peels were good for the skin. That motivated me to develop the Alpha Beta® Peel, which is formulated to yield immediate results yet is also gentle enough for everyday use. Instead of using glycolic acid at a high concentration, I combined a proprietary blend of multiple acids at lower concentrations, which scored lowest on irritation tests and highest in results.
Q: How have you both managed to build a successful business together? We're sure working with your spouse has its challenges.
A: Carrie: Actually, there's nothing challenging about working with my spouse. It's when we get home that the challenge begins! The bottom line is, we share common goals and values. We both have high expectations, pay attention to detail, and we share a dream. I love watching him interact with his clients, either in one-on-one consultations or in a group setting -- he connects with them. He is way ahead of his time and I admire his scientific creativity.
Q: What's the biggest challenge your business is facing today? How do you plan to conquer it?
A: Carrie: There is a lot of noise in the beauty industry -- a lot of confusion in the marketplace. The industry is oversaturated. There are so many unsubstantiated claims. The whole beauty industry has become somewhat overwhelming to the consumer, especially with so many outrageous claims. In the last year, we have put our brand under the microscope and have conducted a 360-degree assessment of what we are offering our customers. We have met the consumers' challenges (paraben-free, streamlined marketing copy). We strive to create simple, yet highly effective skincare in convenient regimens that empower the modern woman to always look and feel her best. Our customer relies on easy and fun-to-use products with exciting results.
Q: How do you feel the beauty industry as a whole is falling short in educating women about important skin care issues?
A: Dennis: I worry that the beauty industry is not fully educating women on toxins in the environment. It is not just about heavy metals anymore but also about airborne and water pollutants and the combination of these as they interact with the sun.
A few examples of this are: Carbon Monoxide -- clear-cut data shows it causes redness and rashes to the skin. Ozone in the air from pollutants -- this depletes the antioxidants that our own body makes and also causes free radicals in the skin. And Nitrous Oxide -- this has detrimental effects on sebum, which is the naturally occurring protective layer on the skin that is responsible for "shielding" it.
Multiple ingredients are now available to fight the pollutants we are faced with. Educating women on how the environment is compromising skin's health and learning about the preventative measures available is the best way to combat it.
Q: What new in-office technologies, lasers or other non-surgical miracles, have you recently starting using or are looking forward to using?
A: Dennis: I am currently doing a lot of photo peels in my practice. This is a combination of a non-irritating chemical peel combined with non-invasive, gentle laser, otherwise referred to as "laser peel rejuvenation." The procedure is really catching on. It only takes twenty minutes and the results are astounding.
Q: Lets talk about your family, we hear you have four children. What skin care advice do you share with them? Are you constantly hounding them to wear sunscreen?
A: Dennis: Yes, sunscreen is a must. It is important to educate children at a very young age to put on their sunscreen, just like we teach them to fasten their seatbelts. Important tips are to work sunscreen two inches into the hairline and don't forget the ears.
Another piece of advice is in regards to diet and the foods that we eat. What's good for the heart is good for the skin. Skin requires essential fatty acids, which are not naturally produced so eating things like avocado, cheese, dairy products on a daily basis can be beneficial. I also recommend the tri-color salad approach. If you order a salad, make sure there are a bunch of different colors -- red cabbage, green lettuce, etc. Eat vegetables that have a lot of color, nature color-codes vegetables for us. The more colors you eat, the better.
Q: How do you both manage to balance your family and work life? Is it all business around your household?
A: Carrie: Our kids are very firm with us about weekends and vacations -- absolutely no talk about business! But they are very interested in what we do -- they love products and grooming. They enjoy suggesting names for new products and giving us feedback on a product launch (particularly our 14-year-old twins with the acne products). There are definitely times that I get in trouble with them for being on my blackberry though.
