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.

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A few weeks ago, I visited a friend who has a son who is applying to medical school. After advising him to sleep as much as he could now to make up for what he’d be missing for the next 20 years, my friend’s son asked if there was someone in my life that most influenced me to become a doctor. That’s a story much too long to contain in this column. But I can definitely shed light on who had the biggest influence on my nutritional habits.

Growing up in California, my mom had access to some amazing produce, especially citrus fruits. While the rest of my friends were gulping down gallon after gallon of sugary grape drinks, my mom’s rule was 2 big glasses of fresh juice every day. If she had it her way, the store-bought, synthetic stuff was never going to touch MY lips. Wonder of wonders, 20 years later, everyone is exonerating organic, fresh juices and we are still dealing with childhood obesity problems. So it looks like Mom was right (again).

The point of this little aside is to do two things: thank Mom once again for teaching me the value of vitamins and minerals from fresh fruit and vegetables, and emphasize the importance of instilling good nutrition habits early on. It is a lesson I never forgot.  

Dear Dr. Fab,

Celebs like Madonna and Catherine Zeta-Jones look great in swimsuits even after having babies! What happens to their stretch marks and how can I work that magic?

Before we can discuss how celebrities bounce back after having children, please keep in mind that they often have a cavalcade of trainers and dieticians to help them get back into shape. Believe me, I have been a physician to several A-list celebrities and while they do work hard for their bodies, they also have a lot of help on their side.

However, just because you don’t have a fitness army at your disposal, does not mean the situation is hopeless. Stretch marks or “striae” are caused when the middle layer of skin (the dermis) stretches due to rapid growth from any kind of extreme weight gain or loss. Unable to stretch back, the skin becomes discolored. The most effective treatment of stretch marks is laser surgery, dermabrasion or chemical peels. Many over-the-counter lotions and creams are also available, but the majority of them have not been clinically tested. One of the best solutions for treating stretch marks is to prevent them: if you are rapidly gaining or losing weight, I recommend you continue to exercise regularly to keep stretching to a minimum and apply an effective moisturizer with AHA or BHA to the area even if no marks are apparent yet.

Dear Dr. Fab,

Help! I’m expecting my first baby, and pimples are popping out on my face and chest. Why is that? How can I get rid of them?

Acne is a condition caused by hormone imbalances, which is why women often find that their acne worsens or new acne appears during pregnancy when hormone levels fluctuate.  An increase of the male hormone androgen also causes oilier skin and leads to acne breakouts. A physician can speak with you about hormone therapy to correct hormone levels, but this is often not advised when a woman is expecting. A better course of action is to reduce acne by caring for your skin with effective topical products.

Once or twice a day, depending on how oily your skin is, wash your face with a facial cleanser. Apply a topical, over-the-counter treatment that contains Benzoyl Peroxide to diminish acne. Because skin becomes photosensitive with Benzoyl Peroxide use, apply a sunscreen if you are going outside. If you are suffering from severe acne on a frequent basis, talk to your obstetrician or dermatologist about your choices. Most women find that they stop breaking out once the baby is born and hormone levels even out.

Pregnant women should be careful to avoid prescription acne treatments containing Isotretinoin, such as Accutane and its generics. The FDA is still studying its role in the incidents of birth defects in pregnant women who use products that contain these ingredients.

Dear Dr. Fab,

I’ve finally got a job with great health insurance and was wondering what my checkup schedule should be? How often should I see a doctor?

A good preventive care routine varies by age. From 19-39, women should receive a physical exam 2-3 years, men every 5 years. Men and women should have their blood pressure checked every year and cholesterol tested every 3-5 years. Women should schedule a professional breast exam every year, and a pap test every 1-2 years. Both men and women should have yearly dental exams and vision exams every 2-3 years. Sexually-active men and women should receive routine STD screenings annually.

After 40, men and women should check for diabetes every 3-5 years. Women should begin scheduling a mammogram on a yearly basis. After 50, men and women should schedule a sigmoidoscopy every 3-5 years and glaucoma tests every 2-3 years. Men and women should speak with their doctors about digital rectal exams after 40, and men should schedule annual prostate exams after 50. Good luck with your new job and here’s to a lifetime of preventive care!

Dear Dr. Fab,

Can spicy food hurt my system?

My favorite cuisine is Mexican so I am a huge fan of spicy ingredients. Enchiladas, ceviche, sopa de albóndigas…you name it, and I am for it. Although there is a great deal of medical debate over whether spicy foods can adversely affect your health, there is very little clinical evidence as of yet to back these claims. In fact, many cultures use spicy ingredients, such as capsicum peppers, in their cuisines for their health benefits. Eating spicy foods stimulates circulation and induces sweating, which helps cool and regulate the body temperature in hot climates. These peppers also contain high levels of Vitamins A and C, and potassium and are low in fat.

Patients who suffer from heartburn or gastrointestinal distress often do not link these problems to spicy foods because these health problems can also be caused by alcohol, caffeine and citric juices. Likewise, each person’s reaction to the spiciness of food is individual and specific. I usually caution patients who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcers and bowel disorders to avoid spicy foods or any other ingredients which may cause them discomfort, but everyone else should not have a problem.

Medical Disclaimer: