Dr Murad the Guru of Modern Skincare and Skin Science.

To continue with my history lesson today I wanted to tell you about Dr Murad, the guru of modern skincare, so as always grab a coffee or if its again wine o’clock in your house grab a glass and enjoy…..

I have been lucky enough to meet Dr Howard Murad twice and have loved to hear his story as he is fascinating. A true rag to riches story which hasn’t juts changed his life but has changed our derma are world for the good. Howard was the youngest of six children born to parents in Iraq, they fled Baghdad in 1946, when he was just seven years old. Leaving all their wealth and possessions behind, the family began a new life in a new country—squeezing a family of eight into a tiny 600-square-foot apartment in Queens, New York.

To make ends meet, everyone in the family worked—including the future Dr. Murad, who held jobs as a newspaper delivery boy, a pinsetter in a bowling alley, a soda jerk, a golf caddy, a gardener, and even a Fuller Brush salesman, going door-to-door in a very poor and dangerous New York City neighborhood. He worked to put himself through college and pharmacy school; and then worked as a pharmacist to put himself through medical school. Although he didn’t know it at the time, his background in pharmacy would uniquely equip him to recommend, and later develop, his own skincare products.

He completed medical school and his internship just in time be part of the Vietnam war, serving between 1967 and 1968. He triaged the wounded and shipped them to a MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital). He has always said the degree of suffering he witnessed changed his dreams for a medical practice.

“I’d gone into the Army wanting to become a surgeon,” he says. “But by the time I got back I’d changed my mind, about the war and about what I wanted to do with my life. All the injuries, trauma, blood, and killing had shown me what war was all about, which, in turn, helped me understand what life is about. Although my dream had been to become a physician, it didn’t mean I had to be a surgeon.”

Throughout his life, his passion has been to help people lead healthier, happier lives. Once home in the States and stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington, Dr. Murad became increasingly interested in dermatology, this field that would enable him to help people look and feel better about themselves. In 1972, he completed his dermatology residency at UCLA’s VA Hospital. He started a humble, 400-square-foot office that, at first, didn’t even have a sign on the door. However small seeds grow big dreams. 

As his practice grew, however, it quickly became clear to Dr. Murad that his patients’ diet, lifestyle, and emotional state had a tremendous impact on their skin condition and overall health. He quickly abandoned the idea of treating just his patients’ skin and began taking his patients’ overall health into consideration. This shaped the modern Murad ethos I practice today at Pennyfeathers. 

Always being ahead of the times, Dr Murad chose in the 1980s to open what would now be called a “medi-spa,” combining clinical care and beauty treatments, a good 15 years before the term “medi-spa” was coined in 1999. Eventually, he opened a full-service medical spa that provided a wide range of treatments and healing experiences.

In 1989—at the age of 50—he founded Murad, Inc., and launched his own line of skincare products, against the advice of many others, including respected physicians. He did this out of frustration that what he had availed wasn’t good enough and didn’t give the results he expected.  Sadly at first, the business was a financial failure. To educate the public about his groundbreaking products he commissioned a television advert that demonstrated the products that achieve significant, measurable, anti-aging results without surgery. Although it made dermatology history, it didn’t make his company a dime. Rather than throw in the towel, Dr. Murad made one more advert. This one connected with consumers, and the world’s first modern, doctor-branded, clinical skincare line was born.

He proudly tell us that “My name is on every Murad product, That means I am personally invested in making sure they are effective.” For those who use Murad I’m sure you agree this is so true! 

In his laboratory, Dr. Murad continued to develop breakthrough skincare products and to understand more deeply what was going on in his patients’ skin at a cellular level and far below the surface. His research led to 19 patents, as well as to important advances in understanding the role of hydration (“the water principle”) in maintaining cell health and youthful appearance; the cause of—and effective treatment for—cellulite; the importance of anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories in treating skin conditions; the role of diet and exercise in overall health; and increasingly, the importance of managing cultural stress in maintaining a healthy outlook and one’s passion for living.

Some of his groundbreaking achievment which has shaped the science based skincare world today are listed below…

  • Among the first to use alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), the game-changing anti-aging ingredient
  • First to treat the underlying connection between skincare, healthcare and hydration – leading to the first products to help the cells retain water (RepleniCell).
  • Pioneering identification of three distinct types of aging—environmental, genetic, and hormonal—and treatments for each type
  • First to introduce the medical spa—combining science-backed treatments with Inclusive Health® stress relief
  • “Dr. Murad has literally changed the face of professional skincare. His integration of science-based concepts with the reorganization of holistic care of the skin is a true innovation. Dr. Murad’s philosophy of ‘not treating skin problems, but treating people with skin problems’ supports his belief that ‘skin care is health care.’” ―Mark Lees, PhD, Chair, The Esthetics Manufacturers and Distributors Alliance of the American Beauty Association

Although Dr. Murad is known as a “dermatologist to the stars,” he believes without a doubt that beauty is not just skin deep. It radiates from healthy nutrition, pleasurable exercise, healthy stress reduction, and perhaps most important, healthy attitudes.

Art is a huge passion of Dr Murad’s and since he had a major eye op in 2008In the he has created literally hundreds of paintings that line the walls of his home and offices and fill the pages of his books and notecards. One is actually situated in Pennyfeathers…have you seen it? 

When he paints, he makes a few marks on a canvas, adds some vibrant colors, and then sprays water on them to watch the colors interact. He never knows how his paintings will turn out, he says, and he uses that metaphor for life, as well:

“Make your marks, add color, and then flow with the result. We can’t control everything, but we can make the best of whatever happens.”

Dr. Murad’s “third career” as an artist has also reinforced his understanding of the importance of creative expression in general and art therapy in particular. He believes that in helping people overcome the effects of cultural stress through art, dance, cooking or anything you have a passion for will release your inner toddler and help to overcome Cultural Stress.  In 1997 Dr Murad identified Cultural Stress as being a world health threat. Leading to poor immunity, low mood, faster ageing and loneliness. 

Dr. Murad’s ability to “connect the dots” linking cellular hydration, nutrition, joyful exercise, creative expression, reconnecting with your “inner toddler,” reducing cultural stress, and yes, efficacious skincare, are unique contributions to Modern Wellness.

In 1995 his Understanding that healthy skin comes from the inside out, Dr. Murad not only developed supplements designed to repair and protect skin cells, he was also, the First to identify cellular hydration—The Water Principle—as key to skin and overall wellness, the First to protect, repair, and restore skin from the inside out. He is the Creator of patented “youth-building” internal skincare supplements and Expanded “internal skincare” to include mental and emotional wellness

From this time onwards we have been so lucky to see the Murad brand grow worldwide and see him include his family into the flock. His passion, background and lack of standing still means that the products I have to offer in 2020 are still the best at achieving results with patents linked to Dr Murad. His TriRetinol system brings Vitamin A to the masses in a gentle yet effective manner, amongst many more innovative systems.  In the 30 years of hard work he has offered a constantly changing curriculum for dermal therapists to follow meaning we are trained to the highest level.  He hasn’t retired from the company at the age of 80, still formulating products, giving health talks, writing book and offering  a day a week in his LA Clinic.

So that’s Murad and Dr Murad in a brief outline, isn’t he fascinating? Hope you have enjoyed the read and please do ask any questions below. Have a great day xx