Meet Dr. Fabian Lopez, Anti-Aging Expert.

“Dr. Fab” is a high profile physician, speaker and noted anti-aging and wellness expert based in Miami's South Beach. Dr. Fab has a private practice and multi-specialty aesthetics clinics that host quite an A-list of VIP clientele.

Have a burning question?  Submit your questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dear Dr. Fab,

How can I avoid jet lag as I travel?

I love to travel, but with my hectic schedule, it’s usually impossible for me to get away from my clinic in Miami. When I do finally get a chance, you can bet that I don’t want to spend my first few days there suffering from jet lag!

Jet lag occurs when your body’s internal clock is disrupted. The part of the brain in charge of this clock, the pineal gland, signals the release and blockage of a sleep-inducing hormone in response to light and darkness. When you travel across a time zone or two, the pattern of light and darkness changes, sometimes throwing the pineal gland out of whack. Jet lag symptoms can include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite, bowel problems and overall muscle soreness.

Because natural, outdoor light plays a huge part in setting your body’s natural rhythm or clock, exposing yourself to daylight at your new destination can help get your body back on track. Try to assimilate yourself to the schedule as soon as you arrive, even if this means going to bed earlier than you normally would or staying up a few hours more.

You can also help your body avoid jet lag by preparing it before you leave. Be well-rested the few days before your flight. Set your watch to your new destination time as soon as you get on the plane. Stay hydrated during the flight and try to get as much sleep as you can on the plane.

Dear Dr. Fab,

What can I do to cure a holiday party hangover?

Hangovers are your body’s response to an excessive amount of alcohol in your system. Excessive alcohol consumption can irritate your stomach lining, leading to nausea and discomfort. It can also cause blood vessels to expand in the brain, resulting in severe headaches, and provoke frequent urination which leads to dehydration. Although the symptoms usually go away within 24 hours, this never seems to be soon enough for hangover-sufferers.

The best way to avoid a hangover is to skip alcohol all together. However, for those who would like to indulge in a drink or two this holiday season, keep the following in mind:

•    Avoiding dark-colored liquors and wines, such as brandy, red wine and whiskey, may help control a hangover. Their dark coloration comes from congeners, ingredients created during the fermentation process, which contribute to hangover symptoms.

•    Stick to one type of alcoholic beverage rather than a wide variety.

•    Be sure to have a full stomach before you take your first sip. This allows alcohol to be more slowly absorbed into your system.

•    One of my favorite tricks is to follow each alcoholic drink with a glass of sparkling water. You’ll rehydrate and pace yourself at the same time.

•    Don’t consume alcohol if you are taking medication. Even over-the-counter drugs can provoke a reaction when it interacts with alcohol in your system.

•    If worse comes to worse and you’ve had one too many, drink a large glass of water and take a non-acetaminophen pain reliever before going to sleep. If you get up during the night, drink a glass of water each time to help flush your system out.

Regular hangovers may be an indication of a drinking problem. Contact your doctor or health practitioner if you feel your drinking is uncontrolled. 

Dear Dr. Fab,

I keep hearing about the anti-aging benefits of “superfruits” like the acai berry. What are these things? Do they really work?

“Superfruits” is a term given to fruits that are rich in nutrients and have high antioxidant levels, which promote protection against cellular breakdown within the body. Some of the most common superfruits on the market are acai berry, the goji berry, guarana, noni and pomegranate. Part of the appeal of these fruits is that they are not commonly found in most supermarkets and arrive from exotic locations around the world.

Because superfruits have high levels of antioxidants and other nutrients, they are being studied for their use in the treatment and prevention of dozens of illnesses. Do they actually possess anti-aging capabilities? The jury is still out on that one. Many cosmetics companies are incorporating superfruits into their products, but whether this is an effective skin care maneuver or just a marketing ploy remains to be seen. However, consuming superfruits, like any other fruit, on a regular basis can maintain a balanced diet and keep you healthy.

Dear Dr. Fab,

My skin starts getting really dry and chapped around this time of year. What can I do to avoid this?

I don’t know how many times a client has come to me with this puzzling question: why is it my skin is so smooth and supple in Miami….and so dry and cracked anywhere else? I like to kid and tell them it’s because we’ve got the Fountain of Youth as our water supply, but the real reason is due to the high level of moisture in the air here. Dry air naturally draws moisture away from the skin, while humid air help keep skin’s natural oils on the surface where they belong.

Winter’s cold weather is especially hard on everyone, even people with normal-to-oily skin, because the drier air depletes moisture levels even further and cold winds can irritate skin. Not to mention that constantly hopping from one overheated location to the next bundled up in layers can also wreak havoc on your skin with fluctuating temperatures.

To avoid dry skin, you have two options: move to a tropical paradise or replenish that moisture. Use a high-quality moisturizer whenever your face or body feels dry, paying special attention to hands and feet. I also recommend that my patients take showers using warm, not hot, water during the colder months. They should also apply a moisturizer immediately after bathing and refrain from drying off by scrubbing at the skin’s surface with a towel. Instead, pat gently to dry off. It might not be a lounge chair on a sandy isle, but you should greatly improve your skin with those simple guidelines. 

Have a Healthy, Happy Holiday Season from Dr. Fab! 

Medical Disclaimer: