Facials: Balancing Risk and Reward

Facials are one of the few procedures with virtually no downside. They are relaxing, they improve the appearance of the skin and they rejuvenate your total appearance. Age and the natural processes in the skin dull over time. Dead skin clogs pores and give the healthy skin an older look. Sun and wind damage skin over time as well. Facials help reverse all of this damage.

Facials have health benefits across the board. They bolster the immune system, help detoxify your body and reduce stress. Facial massage as part of treatment helps blood circulation and muscle relaxation.

How does a facial work? Facial treatments involve a number of steps. Cleaning the skin prepares the surface for treatment. Massage loosens muscles and leaves the skin pliable. Astringents, masks and peels strip away the dead layers of skin and leave the healthy, youthful skin beneath exposed. Oxygen facials boost skin cell growth and minimize lines. Some treatments even include electric microcurrent use to stimulate facial muscles and further reduce age lines. All of these combine for a rejuvenated face.

Facials aren’t completely without risk, of course. There’s always the possibility that a product used in the procedure will cause an allergic reaction. Equipment malfunctions are possible, though rare. Your skin may simply react badly to part of the treatment. There’s always the need to maintain your look as well — lack of exercise and a poor diet contribute to poor skin health, and a facial cannot cure everything.

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Popular Cosmetic Procedures in 2012

For the third year in a row, the plastic surgery industry has seen growth. This year, much of that growth was fueled by the popularity of Botox, dermal fillers and chemical peels. This is part of a five percent increase, with 14.6 million procedures performed in 2012.

While the industry is growing for the third year in a row, different procedures are growing more than others are. Minimally invasive procedures have seen the greatest rise, while invasive surgery — which is often more expensive and with longer healing times — has remained stable.

Botox itself remains one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. 6.1 million Botox operations were performed, a rise of eight percent over last year. Dermal fillers rose five percent, laser hair removal four percent and chemical peels a minor two percent. All of these treatments are fast and relatively inexpensive.

Invasive procedures, particularly breast augmentation and facelifts, dropped over the last year. This two percent fall brings the total to 1.6 million. Even at a falling rate, these procedures and others like tummy tucks were still among the most popular. Breast enlargement dropped seven percent, but there were still over 286 thousand performed.

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Fat Injections Combined With Skin Tightening Produces Natural-Looking Results

Julius Few, M.D., a plastic surgeon out of Chicago, opts to combine fat injections with skin-tightening for a natural looking alternative to traditional facelifts. Dr. Few states that by injecting fat, he can create a “semi-solid-based lift.” He is then able to utilize Ulthera ultrasound therapy for lifting and tightening. Sometimes Dr. Few can do both of these things in one appointment, making this an appealing alternative for many patients.

Typically, Dr. Few places the fat fairly deep down to where the ultrasound energy points of coagulation are located. He uses autologous fat for this combination treatment. He says that the amount he uses varies depending upon the individual. He prefers synthetic fillers like Perlane (Medicis), Juvéderm (Allergan) and Radiesse (Merz).

As a word of caution, Dr. Few states that one should avoid injecting filler in the same plane as the plane of the ultrasound treatment. There is a theoretic risk associated with placing the filler in that area. It is possible that the energy delivered by the ultrasound could negatively affect or interfere with the fat survival.

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Cosmeceutical Companies are Stepping Up Their Research Studies

Cosmeceutical companies have a long history of conducting in-house studies, and using subjective before and after photos as legitimate research. Physicians have been calling on these companies to conduct more objective research for years. Finally, dermatologists and cosmeceutical companies are working together to conduct more legitimate research.

This is great news for dermatologists, plastic surgeons and patients. Providing physicians with independent research is absolutely critical for ensuring the right cosmeceutical is chosen for each patient. Ellen S. Marmur, M.D., the vice chairwoman of cosmetic and dermatologic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, has long been calling for cosmeceutical companies to conduct more objective research. She recognizes that choosing the best cosmeceutical products for her patients means analyzing objective data and researching in peer-reviewed journals.

Another advocate for more objective cosmeceutical research is Michael H. Gold, M.D., who is the medical director of Gold Skin Care Center and holds various respected teaching positions. Ultimately, physicians should have all of the necessary data to make informed decisions about which cosmeceutical products are right for their patients.

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The Many Faces of Botox

In the 1960s, an ophthalmologist by the name of Dr. Alan Scott discovered he could cure crossed eyes with the help of botulinum toxin type A, a purified botulism strain. In the early 1990s, an injectable form of the same substance, called Botox, was used to paralyze tight facial muscles and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Today, people seek Botox treatment for everything from brow lifts to breast enhancement to hair restoration. As the body of Botox research continues to grow, the medical and cosmetic benefits of Botox continue to increase.

Migraine Medicine

Although scientists cannot explain exactly why, Botox injections to the head, neck and shoulder area can quell a migraine. Both Britain and the United States are now legally administering this FDA-approved treatment to chronic migraine sufferers.

Sweat Stopper

People who suffer from excessive sweating can receive FDA-approved Botox injections in their underarms, palms, and the soles of their feet. The Botox prevents the sweat glands from making secretions temporarily, for up to seven months.

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If You Wake Up Seeing Spots, Try These Treatments

If the skin on your face is dulled by brown age spots, red acne marks, or other unsightly facial blotches, we’ve got good news: you can easily restore the radiance of your youth with a number of at-home skin brightening treatments. Simply follow the beauty tips below for brighter, healthier looking skin.

Exfoliate with Acid

Exfoliation is one of the best gifts you can give your complexion. When you slough off your outermost layer of facial skin, you uncover the more youthful layer of fresh skin hiding beneath it. The act of exfoliation stimulates healthy cell production and promotes the turnover of dead, pore-clogging skin cells. Use an alpha hydroxy or glycolic acid-based product to scrub off your top layer and reveal a brighter complexion immediately.

Right after you exfoliate, your skin is more receptive to the active ingredients found in skin brightening agents. Follow exfoliation with specialized skin care products that use one or more of the following ingredients:

Vitamin C

Antioxidant vitamin C is a popular skin cream ingredient, known for its ability to fight wrinkles and keep skin looking soft and smooth. It also helps fade bothersome areas of hyperpigmentation.

Licorice Root

The Chinese have used licorice root to brighten the skin for thousands of years. This magical ingredient hampers the body’s production of melanin, helping to diminish the appearance of unwanted dark spots.

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5 Winter Skin Care Myths To Avoid

Indoor Heating Causes Dryness

Heat from radiators and furnaces won’t help, but numerous things can cause dry skin in winter. Wind can cause skin irritation and less physical activity can cause poor circulation, keeping water and nutrients from adequately reaching skin. This is why many people get dry legs first. To remedy this, it’s good to keep the heating to a minimum, but it’s also important to maintain plenty of physical activity.

Thicker is Better

Many dermatologists recommend thick, greasy moisturizers like petroleum jelly and prescription ointments to seal in moisture. While they do work well, they can irritate hair follicles, cause pimples and stain bedding and clothes. Furthermore, petroleum doesn’t penetrate skin very deeply. Instead, try using a ceramide-based moisturizer.

Use Moisturizer After Showering

May people believe that you have to use moisturizer immediately following a bath or shower in order to protect your skin. However, research has proven this statement to be false. It’s good to moisturize frequently, but you might want to change your bathing habits. Consider taking baths that aren’t so hot since they dry out skin.

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10 Winter Skin Care Tips

Cold winter air brings more than snow and festivities. It also brings dryness that can devastate your skin. This can result in itching and painful cracking and bleeding. In some cases, it may even trigger eczema. Here are ten tips for combating dry skin during the winter

Get Help

Make an appointment with a dermatologist. They can look at your skin type and provide valuable advice. They can also recommend a prescription lotion to ease the condition.

Moisturize

During the winter, choose an oil-based moisturizer. Oil provides a protective layer for your skin that holds in moisture. However, be sure that it’s made from an oil that won’t clog pores.

Sunscreen

Even in winter, sun can still cause skin damage. Consider using sunscreen on your hands and face before you go outside. When you stay out for prolonged periods, be sure to reapply often.

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Beauty Secrets From Around the Globe

Sometimes something old is new again and the same holds true with beauty secrets. Although there are many new-fangled cosmetics appearing on the shelves and in ads every day, sometimes the best way to get back to basics is to get back to nature. Women all over the world have been utilizing what Mother Nature gave them in their beauty regimens for centuries.

Essential Oils

Women all over the country and all over the world take essential oils provided by Mother Nature to soothe and moisturize their skin. Oils have always been used to soothe burns and cuts such as the oil from the aloe vera plant and olive oil.

Olive oil is an excellent moisturizer especially for those target areas under the eyes. Olive oil can soothe tired under eyes, moisturize, and diminish the look of circles. Olive oil when mixed with other ingredients can also be used as a moisturizer for hair. Rubbed on the soles of feet will give tired pups a reason to pound the pavement once again.

Citrus and Fruits

Not only do citrus and fruits assist in the aiding the body internally of many ailments, they can also do wonders for complexion. Women all over the world have turned to strawberries, kiwis, and pomegranate to make their pores smaller and their skin shine.

Water Water Everywhere

Women all over the nation have come to realize that not only does getting the proper amount of sleep aid in their beauty regiment, but staying hydrated is also important. Skin will take on a brighter, more vibrant look when a woman properly hydrates herself. Tired skin becomes rejuvenated when water is added to a woman’s daily beauty regimen.

These are just some of the beauty secrets that women from around the globe use every day and you can use them too.

This article does a nice job of discussing a variety of different skin treatments from around the world and I think that this is really where skin care got its start historically even going back to the early Egyptian days with Cleopatra and some of her milk baths giving her essentially a lactic acid peel of her skin. A variety of these fruits and essential oils have been incorporated into today’s high-end skin care lines and certainly water is always on the list of things that patients should be doing to maintain good healthy skin. I think that good skin care involves a multitude of different items including sun protection, a well-rounded diet, and good hydration.

Fraxel: Beauty Secret to the Stars

Did you ever notice that celebrities, most especially female celebrities, have a natural, effortless skin tone? Of course, that does not mean that if you are a talented actress that you cannot pursue your craft if you have less than perfect skin tone. They must have a secret to that peachy glowing skin.

Actresses such as Kim Kardashian openly admit that they partake in laser treatments known as Fraxel. Even Jennifer Aniston uses the treatment to achieve her youthful, glowing look.

What is Fraxel All About?

The Fraxel Treatment is a laser treatment used in areas such as the face, cleavage line, and even hands to minimize the effects of aging skin. Celebrities and dermatologists alike are raving about the wondrous effects that Fraxel has in diminishing age lines.

How Does Fraxel Work?

Fraxel is a process in which small boosts of laser light energy is delivered into the skin leaving rejuvenated skin behind. It is said that Fraxel can change discoloration of pigments and also plump up skin to minimize the fine lines of crow’s feet and laugh lines.

What Areas Can Fraxel Improve?

Fraxel has been touted as diminishing and minimizing the effects of crow’s feet around the eye area. It has also been known to diminish those laugh lines that are not always so humorous. Acne scarring, sun spots, and age spots are all good reasons to explore the idea of having a Fraxel laser treatment.

When you think about the expense involved in heavy cosmetics and the possible chemical reactions you may have in the future, looking into, exploring the idea, and investigating if Fraxel laser treatments are right for you may be a wise choice indeed.

Fractionated lasers have certainly taken off in the last several years and there are multiple different companies providing physicians with ablative and nonablative fractionated treatments. Fraxel was certainly the first on the scene with a nonablative fractionated modality and that it heats up small tunnels in the skin but does not destroy the skin and, therefore, recovery is quite quick. The only downside is that the improvements are also relatively limited with this modality. You can go up to the CO2 or Erbium lasers in a fractionated modality and you can ablate the skin, which means that you are destroying or vaporizing these tunnels in the skin and, therefore, healing is more intense which means that the result is also much more significant, but the downside is that your downtime is going to be longer. At the Quintessa Aesthetic Center we have a variety of different combinations of lasers treatments and lights that we treat patients with to maximize their results while minimizing their downtime and frequently we can make great strides in improving the patient’s skin with only one to two days of downtime and yet if somebody wants very significant wrinkle reduction and skin tightening we may do a series of treatments that have several days of downtime with each session. Ultimately, I think it is really about customizing the care of patients so that they ultimately get the result that they desire while minimizing cost and any downtime.