Dec
10
Giving Your Best Smile
Filed Under Aesthetic Medicine, Aesthetic Procedures, Beauty Tips | Leave a Comment
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Plaque. Since childhood, we’ve been trained to resist that dreaded enemy of teeth. Regular brushing and flossing are sure bets for dental health. What else could you be doing — or avoiding — to keep plaque off your knockout smile?
“Keeping plaque off your teeth isn’t complicated, but consistency is key,” says Richard Price, DMD, spokesman for the American Dental Association. “Good habits make for healthy teeth — for most people, it’s that simple,” Price tells WebMD.
What Is Tooth Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky mix of bacteria and the substances they secrete. Bacteria produce adhesive chemicals called mucopolysaccharides. The bacteria then live in this film on teeth, called a biofilm.
At first, this slimy layer is fragile and easily removed by tooth brushing. “Think of the film on a fish tank wall. It’s easy to wipe off with a washcloth, if you’re vigilant,” says Price.
And if you’re not? The bacteria in tooth plaque are free to release acids that damage tooth enamel. Regular acid assaults on enamel can wear holes in teeth, commonly called cavities.
If left alone, plaque buildup also gradually hardens, creating tartar or calculus on your teeth.
“Tartar is petrified plaque,” Price tells WebMD. “Once it’s there, you need a dentist’s help…tartar can’t be brushed off.” Tartar above the gum line also contributes to gingivitis, or gum disease.
The secrets to avoiding plaque buildup aren’t so secret. You’ve probably been hearing most of them since before you lost your baby teeth. But bad habits have a way of sneaking up on us. Make sure you’re pushing back against plaque by avoiding these five bad habits for tooth health.
Plaque Habit No. 1: Not Brushing Regularly
No one else might notice if you don’t brush your teeth twice a day, every day. But your teeth will.
“Plaque is a little like bees in the summertime,” offers Price. “One or two won’t really bother you, but if you let them build a beehive in the backyard, you’ve got a problem,” he tells WebMD.
Brush your teeth gently twice a day, using a fluoride-containing toothpaste. The exact technique isn’t so important as concentrating to make sure you’re softly brushing all the surfaces of your teeth.
Plaque Habit No. 2: Not Flossing Daily
Brushing doesn’t reach the spaces between teeth, but plaque does. A simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage.
“Flossing also cleans plaque at the gum line, another area that brushing doesn’t reach,” says Price. If left alone, plaque past the gum line can lead to periodontal disease.
If you just can’t stand flossing your teeth, consider using one of the many other ADA-approved products to clean between your teeth daily. They’re available in any supermarket or drugstore; ask your dentist if you’re not sure which one to use.
Plaque Habit No. 3: Avoiding the Dentist
Even if you brush and floss your teeth daily, you’ll miss some plaque. Over time, that plaque hardens into tartar that needs to be removed at your dentist’s office. Yet more than a third of people surveyed haven’t seen their dentist in more than a year.
“Even dentists don’t like to go to the dentist,” jokes Price. But studies show that in general, people who neglect regular dentist visits get more cavities and have a higher chance of losing their teeth.
Once a year teeth cleanings are considered the minimum. Twice a year teeth cleanings may be better for many people. “Most dentists recommend twice a year cleanings or more,” according to Price.
Plaque Habit No. 4: Neglecting Nature’s Toothbrushes
Long before toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste existed, certain foods played a role in keeping plaque off our teeth.
“Eating crunchy vegetables or fruits with the skin on can scrub off plaque,” Price tells WebMD. Carrots, apples, cucumbers, and many other raw fruits and vegetables are teeth-friendly, despite the sugar they contain.
In addition, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods helps protect you from obesity, heart disease, and cancer.
Plaque Habit No. 5: Indulging Your Sweet Tooth
Bacteria love simple carbohydrates like sugar. Eating candy or drinking sugary soft drinks lets sugar stick to our teeth, giving bacteria something to munch on. As the bacteria create a film of plaque, they digest sugar into acid, which damages teeth.
“All sugary candy, and most junk food in general, contribute to plaque formation,” warns Price. “High-sugar foods or drinks that are also soft or sticky are especially problematic. … Sugary soft drinks might be about the worst thing you can put on your teeth,” he tells WebMD.
Avoiding these five bad habits can help you keep plaque in check (and keep your teeth). There are other steps you can consider to prevent plaque, tartar, and cavities, too:
- Sealants. The pits and fissures on molars can be difficult to keep clean in some people, even with good dental care. Dental sealants are a clear plastic coating that covers the tooth surface, barring bacteria and acid from entering. Sealants are safe and effective in blocking plaque and preventing tooth decay.
- Mouth rinse. Some people may benefit from adding a therapeutic mouth rinse to their daily routine. Several ADA-approved mouth rinses with fluoride have been shown to help prevent plaque and tooth decay. No mouth rinse can substitute for brushing and flossing, however.
“No one’s teeth can stay plaque-free 24 hours a day, it’s just not possible,” says Price. But good habits over a lifetime will help you beat back plaque and save your smile.
Taken from WebMD
Dec
7
De-wrinkle Yourself
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Aesthetic medicine, Beauty Tips, Plastic Surgery, Skincare | Leave a Comment
We’ve all heard the clichés: Wrinkles are a roadmap of your life. But many of us would rather not be reminded of the distance we’ve traveled. What can you do? First, understand what causes wrinkles. Then, if you still want to reduce wrinkles, explore your treatment options.
What Causes Wrinkles?
The following factors are the most significant:
Aging
Wrinkles are a by-product of the aging process. With age, skin cells divide more slowly, and the inner layer, called the dermis, begins to thin. The network of elastin (the protein which causes skin to stretch) and collagen fibers (the major structural proteins in the skin), which support the outer layer, loosen and unravel, causing depressions on the surface. With aging, skin also loses its elasticity, is less able to retain moisture, oil-secreting glands are less efficient and the skin is slower to heal. All of these contribute to the development of wrinkles.
Facial Muscle Contractions
Lines between the eyebrows (frown lines) and lines jutting from the corner of the eyes (crows feet) are believed to develop because of small muscle contractions. Smiling, frowning, squinting and other habitual facial expressions cause these wrinkles to become more prominent. Over time, the expressions coupled with gravity contribute to the formation of jowls and drooping eyelids.
Sun Damage
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (too much sun) can result in premature aging of skin. Premature aging of the skin is called photoaging. The ultraviolet sunrays that cause photoaging damage collagen fibers and cause the excessive production of abnormal elastin. When ultraviolet light damages skin tissue, an enzyme called metalloproteinase is produced. This enzyme creates and reforms collagen. During the process, however, some healthy collagen fibers are damaged, resulting in a disorganized formation of fibers called solar scars. Wrinkles develop when the rebuilding process occurs over and over.
Smoking
Healthy skin perpetually regenerates. While old collagen is broken down and removed new collagen is produced. Researchers have found that smoke causes a marked reduction in the production of new collagen. A lack of new collagen results in the development of wrinkles.
What Are the Treatment Options for Wrinkles?
There are numerous over-the-counter treatment options for wrinkles, including various creams and lotions. Prescription treatments, including the retinoid cream renova, are also an option.
Removing skin layers to reduce wrinkles or irregular depressions is an effective way to regain smoother, more youthful looking skin. Dermabrasion (scraping layers away) and chemical peels (dissolving skin away) are two of the traditional methods used in skin resurfacing. Laser skin resurfacing with an ablative laser (such as an erbium or carbon dioxide laser) is another technique that, like dermabrasion and deeper chemical peels, may require some downtime during the healing process.
Other lasers, known as non-ablative lasers, may also be beneficial in treating wrinkles. These lasers work by heating the dermis and stimulating collagen growth. This process, which leaves the outer layers of skin intact, has no downtime associated with it. However, the results are not as dramatic as the ablative lasers which actually remove the surface layers of skin.
Botox collagen and other injections are the addional techniques available to help minimize wrinkles.
If you are considering treatment for your wrinkles, ask your doctor which procedure is right for you. There is no replacement for your doctor’s professional advice. Each person has his or her own individual needs; similarly, each procedure fulfills its own specific need.
Taken from WebMD, Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic, Department of Dermatology.
Sep
14
All About Lasers
Filed Under Aesthetic Medicine, Aesthetic Procedures | Leave a Comment
Back in the ’90s, blasting wrinkles meant horror-flick-like oozing and months of redness as “ablative” lasers burned off the skin’s surface and a younger-looking version grew in.
Not so with the new generation of smarter lasers, which target the hallmarks of aging—creases, brown spots, broken capillaries, sagginess—without destroying the skin you’ve got. The result? Faster healing, so you can get back in makeup and return to work with smoother skin in as little as 24 hours. Still, any searing laser beam has the potential to scar or damage pigment (especially for women of color), so treatments are best left to an M.D., who can adjust the intensity to work with your skin tone. And sun-worshippers beware: Because many lasers target pigment, give the beach a four- to six-week break before your first session. Here, a laser-by-laser guide to the treatments that’ll suit your trouble spots, budget, and schedule.
THE TREATMENT: Nonablative (i.e., surface skin is left intact) Fractional Resurfacing
WHAT IT’S FOR: Smoothing fine-to-moderate lines, evening out brown spots, and improving overall glow with quick weekend recovery. (It’s often referred to as “Fraxel,” the brand that debuted the device in 2004.)
HOW IT WORKS: Heat generated by the laser penetrates deep into the skin and stimulates collagen production without annihilating your epidermis (translation: no oozing or rawness). It’s typically performed over a course of three to five 25-minute treatments, one to two months apart, under topical anesthesia. And it’s safer for ethnic skin types than ablative lasers, but even women as light in tone as Lucy Liu should proceed with extra caution (your doctor can calibrate the laser at a lower intensity to minimize risks, but you may need extra sessions).
HOW IT FEELS: Less painful than ablative procedures, these treatments give the sensation of heat rather than pins and needles. Feels like a bad sunburn for about 10 minutes post-procedure; afterward, skin is pink and sandpapery for three to five days but can be camouflaged with concealer.
PRICE: $600 to $1200 per treatment
THE TREATMENT: Ablative (i.e., skin-wounding) Fractional Resurfacing
WHAT IT’S FOR: Smoothing fine-to-deep lines and evening out brown spots in a single treatment. Can also help tighten lax skin and carpet bomb broken capillaries if they fall in the laser’s direct path.
HOW IT WORKS: The laser beam strikes the skin in thousands of places, destroying tissue a millimeter deep in those microscopic spots only (think perforated paper). Surrounding skin remains intact, allowing for faster recovery than the original ablative devices but more intense results than the nonablative fractional laser. The hole-punching fires up the body’s wound-healing response, which generates collagen and smooths wrinkles. It’s ablative and therefore riskier for women of color, but can be executed successfully at a doctor’s discretion.
HOW IT FEELS: Generally performed with local anesthesia similar to what you’d get in a dentist’s office. After 15 minutes of post-treatment discomfort and an application of ice packs, pain is minimal. For 24 to 36 hours, skin oozes and bleeds (just as pretty as it sounds), followed by five days of crustiness. Once crust peels, new, pink skin emerges and makeup can be worn; complete healing within two weeks. (FYI, this laser comes in three varieties: CO2, Erbium, and YSGG. CO2 is harshest, while YSGG offers the quickest, easiest recovery.)
PRICE: $1500 to $5000
THE TREATMENT: Ablative Carbon Dioxide Resurfacing (i.e., the original ’90s procedure)
WHAT IT’S FOR: Still the most aggressive fix for hard-core lines and acne scars; can also tighten loose skin but is safe only for fair skin types (olive tones and women of color risk permanent pigment loss).
HOW IT WORKS: By blasting away the skin’s top layer, this aggressive single treatment bulldozes wrinkles.
HOW IT FEELS: During, like needles across the face (it’s sometimes performed under general anesthesia). Recovery-wise, think burn victim on day one as open wounds ooze and bleed, followed by five to 10 days of rawness while your obliterated epidermis regenerates (sorry, no makeup for up to two weeks). Overall pinkness persists for two to four months.
PRICE: Approximately $4000 to $8000, depending on size of area treated
THE TREATMENT: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
WHAT IT’S FOR: Eliminating brown spots and other sun-induced discoloration and spot-treating broken capillaries. When performed with nonablative fractional treatments, can amplify skin-tone-evening benefits–but it has no effect on wrinkles.
HOW IT WORKS: While not a “laser” per se, IPL devices work similarly. Short pulses of bright white light pinpoint brown pigment cells and redness, which are damaged when they absorb the light and the heat it creates. Safe for most skin types, but a doctor may dial down intensity for darker skin tones to avoid slim risk of de-pigmentation.
HOW IT FEELS: Sunburn-like. Patients experience slight swelling and pinkness the day of the procedure, but there’s no downtime, which is why it’s often categorized as a “lunchtime” treatment.
PRICE: $400 to $600 per treatment.
Originally published on May 21, 2009, Feature from “Marie Claire”
Aug
24
Topical Botox Shows Effectiveness In Treatment Of Crows Feet
Filed Under Aesthetic Medicine, Aesthetic Procedures, Aesthetic medicine | Leave a Comment
NEW YORK – A topical, noninjectable form of botulinum toxin asserted its ability to effectively treat crow’s feet through impressive data from a recently completed phase II clinical trial released here.
Seventy-five patients at four study sites were treated with the novel topical toxin or placebo to the crow’s feet area. On a four-point static scale, a significant number of participants showed two point moves, according to Michael Kane, M.D., a principal investigator in the trial who released aggregate data from the study at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery annual meeting.
“As one of the study centers, I was not unblinded as to which of my patients had toxin and which were [treated with] placebo. But, clearly, by looking at the patients, there were those whose crow’s feet got a lot better and some whose didn’t,” Dr. Kane, a plastic surgeon in private practice in New York City, tells Cosmetic Surgery Times. “The difference was night and day, both at rest and smiling. The people who showed significant difference, unsurprisingly, had lateral brow elevation, as well. Obviously, the toxin was working on the muscle.”
TRANSDUCTION TRANSFORMATION
The concept of simply applying a topical to eliminate wrinkles is not new, but proving the theory has yet to be conclusively accomplished. Yet, researchers involved with the development of the topical form of botulinum toxin think they are close. Its developers at Revance Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held company based in Mountain View, Calif., claim that the topical allows large macromolecules to cross the skin and other barrier membranes enabling local, targeted delivery. Delivered through the firm’s proprietary TransMTS™ (Macromolecule Transport Technology), the neurotoxin is based on a single, straight-chain, peptide that allows skin to be a gateway for drug delivery, rather than a barrier.
“Adding a peptide as a separate component within the [toxin] formulation allows the toxin to cross the skin,” explains Jacob Waugh, M.D., co-founder & chief scientific officer, Revance. “The peptide forms an ionic bond with the toxin and the peptide also has a Protein Transduction Domain (PTD), which is responsible for transcutaneous flux. It is essentially a quite broad and powerful transduction.”
Although the topical toxin’s technology is fairly obscure and complex, the use of two pathways on both the dead and living layers of the skin allows for a significant result, according to Dr. Waugh. Currently, there have been 600 crow’s feet areas treated via the TransMTS™ technology, with a fairly low local irritation rate and no evidence of adjacent paralysis above placebo grade, say the developers.
“TransMTS technology relies on the fluidity of the dead skin, that essentially is the equivalency of the typical topical that loads the stratum corneum, but more interesting is the second pathway that [also] happens on the living cells,” Dr. Waugh details.
“Basically, it’s a variation the cell uses to take a drink, then it dumps the drink back out on the other side of the cell.”
The key to TransMTS technology, say its developers, is a protein carrier featuring protein transduction domains that hold on to the cell membrane and allow larger molecules to pass through it undisturbed. The transport technology is also currently being studied for early applications of new cardiovascular disease drugs. Additionally, three different cancer drug trials are being investigated based on the system’s ability to transport molecules, according to the firm.
ADVANTAGE: EYE
While TransMTS technology may benefit additional medical innovations including insulin and other compounds, a phase III trial is underway to establish the neurotoxin adjunct’s effectiveness and advantages when treating crow’s feet. An area greatly sensitive to injections, a topical toxin may be a relief to most patients.
“I don’t think there’s much question regarding [the topical toxin’s] clinical effect for lateral crow’s feet,” says Richard Glogau, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California and participant in the phase II clinical trial. “Yet, they [will need to] keep continuing to improve the formulation due to a delivery problem with the gel vehicle,” he adds.
The gel that allows the combination of the peptide and the toxin to get through the skin and the mechanics of using the gel present challenges in terms of getting it to stay where it is applied, according to Dr. Glogau, who completed a recent study for primary axillary hyperhidrosis with the topical form of botulinum toxin type A.
In that study, researchers used the topical agent to treat 12 patients in a randomized, blinded, vehicle-controlled study that also showed promising results: A 65 percent mean reduction of sweating on 10 axillae treated with the BTX-A (200 U) was observed after four weeks of treatment, compared with a 25 percent mean reduction in sweating on the vehicle controlled axillae. Although the topical toxin displayed its ability to reach the bottom of the dermis when treating hyperhidrosis, the one-time dosage upon which the crow’s feet trials’ results are based may be problematic says one investigator.
“It’s a very artificial situation, and I think that anything in dermatology ends up being a serial treatment — patients are looking for long-term effect,” Dr. Glogau says. “Yet, I think the neurotoxin is realistic in its abilities.”
“My one concern is that the topical toxin will be thought of as just the same as an injectable toxin, but in reality it’s another tool,” Dr. Waugh says. “Yet, it can be used to do some of the things that injectables can’t do.”
REFERENCE
Glogau RG. Topically applied botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis: results of a randomized, blinded, vehicle-controlled study. Dermatol Surg. 2007;33(1 Spec No.):S76-S80.
DISCLOSURE
Dr. Kane is a paid consultant to Revance Therapeutics with an ownership equity interest comprising stock options whose value is less than $50,000 during the time of the study and for one year following completion of the study. Dr. Kane does not have a proprietary or financial interest in a product, patent, trademark, copyright, or licensing agreement, and has not received significant payments from Revance exclusive of the costs of conducting the clinical study or any financial arrangements whereby the value of the compensation could be influenced by the outcome of the study or tied to sales of the product.
Aug 1, 2009
By: Beth Kapes
Cosmetic Surgery Times
Jul
1
B Kamins Eyelash Fortifier
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Beauty, Beauty Products, Review | 1 Comment
I came back home with the B Kamins Eyelash Fortifier on 11 May 2009, last Monday and started using it immediately, in hopes of getting longer thicker lashes.
It’s got a pretty neat packaging. Unlike other eyelash stimulators which usually come in a liquid form and needs to be applied with a fine brush tip like a liquid eyeliner, the Eyelash Fortifier is a gel based product contained in a tube with a rubber tip. There’s an opening in the rubber just a few millimeters away from the point, where the gel comes out through controlled by clicking of the barrel at the other end of the tube.
The stuff comes out in a small drop with each click, so you don’t have to worry about excess product oozing out. The gel is then smeared over the lash line with rubber tip. It is easy to spread over the lash line. The gel is a little sticky to the feel. But its not so uncomfortable, and I got used to it pretty quickly and forgot it was on my eye. After a few uses, I realized the click-turn barrel didn’t do much to control the amount of gel coming out. I realized that if I tipped the tube pointing down, the gel would just flow out- slowly. So keep in mind to store this tube upside down after use to prevent a whole lot of gel from oozing out into the tube the rest of the day. However, towards the end, standing the tube up will help to get those last drops of the product out.
The ophthalmologist tested formulation is a gel made up of peptide growth substances, natural plant extracts and multi-vitamins. It purports to be ‘an advanced eyelash conditioner that contains a powerful revitalizing complex which gets right to the root of the problem of lash loss by follicle aging. [The product] boosts micro-circulation at the hair follicles, as well as condition and protect delicate lashes. As a result, lashes are strengthened to resist environmental damage which can cause loss and breakage, and are fortified to appear fuller, longer and more youthful-looking, even without makeup.’ The product also claims to be suitable for thinning brows, but I am not trying the product for that purpose just yet.
I used the product for 4weeks, and at the end of the 4weeks I did notice a difference. Even my skeptical husband had to agree that it worked. My lashes were definitely fuller, and longer than 4 weeks ago when I started using the product.
Conclusion
I am pleased with the results of the product, which delivered its promise to give me fuller longer lashes at the end of 4weeks. I would continue using the eyelash fortifier, and recommend it to friends and family.
Ingredients listed on the box: water, panex ginseng root extract, arginine, acetyl tyrosine, arctium majus root extract, hydrolyzed soy protein, polyquatermium-11, PEG-12 dimethicone, calcium panthotenate, zinc gluconate, niacinamide, omithine HCL, citrulline, glucosamine HCL, biotin, glycerine, glycoproteins, butylene glycol, PPG-26-buteth-26, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, apigenin, olealonic acid, biotinoyl tripeptide-1, acer saccharum (maple isolate), phospholipids, tocopheryl acetate, retinyl palmitate, ascorbyl palmitate, panthenol, 1,2-hexanediol, caprylyl glycol, carbomer, glucamine, disodium EDTA. Made in Canada.
Jun
29
Rescuing Scars
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Skincare, plastic surgery | 3 Comments
Scars are a problem that affects everyone, and we often wish scars wouldn’t leave such an obvious mark on our skin. Sometimes it appears in places that can be conveniently hidden by clothes, but often the scars that concern us are those that are in obvious places- mainly our face, neck, limbs and shoulders.
BIOLOGY OF SCARS
Scar formation is a natural process which occurs after injury. It actually happens everywhere in your body, even in the inside of your blood vessels, organs and tissues. For this post, I’ll focus on scars on the skin.
After injury occurs to the skin, a rapid succession of events take place in that area to heal the skin. The blood vessels shrink to reduce blood loss from the area, and healing cells invade the area to clear up any bacteria, injured cells and debris. Soon after the injury settles, the healing process begins. An influx of fibrous tissue and collagen forms the scab and the scar tissue that we can see, and fills up the hole left behind by the injury. Many scars gradually fade and regain skin strength, but the process is slow and can take months to even years. The larger and deeper the injury goes, the longer you can expect the healing process to take.
Occasionally, the healing process goes into hyperdrive, and we end up with raised scars (hypertrophic scars) or scars that extend beyond the initial injury site (keloids). Hypertrophic scars can usually shrink over time, but may still leave a mark or remain hyperpigmented. Keloids are difficult to treat, and are often an angry red, itchy and can spread beyond the original injury site. Even surgical removal of the keloid can still recur. Some parts of the body are more prone to keloid formation- the earlobes, neck, shoulders and upper chest, as well as those of those of African descent.
HOME REMEDIES
The best remedy for scars is prevention! No injury=no scars. But everyone is prone to injury some time or other, and here are some simple things you can do to help healing:
- Keep out of sunlight. New scars and new skin are delicate, and will burn easily. By preventing sun exposure, you reduce the opportunity for the scar to become permanently darker than the rest of the surronding skin.
- Apply Vitamin E cream.You can get a Vitamin E gel capsule from your local health shop and apply it to your skin daily.
- Aloe vera can also be applied after the wound heals. Aloe vera is said to soften the scar, and help it to heal faster as well. Look out for the concentration of aloe vera in your product, but the sap from the plant works the best.
- Take Vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential in the formation of new skin cells, and for wound healing.
- AHA creams. AHAs function to exfoilate the superficial layers of skin and allow newer skin to surface. However, it is advisable to try out different strengths of AHA creams, especially those with sensitive skin. AHA creams can be irritating, stinging or burning.
- Lemon juice. Lemon juice contains Vitamin C and AHAs. However, use it
- Hydrocortisone cream. Regular application of minute amounts may help to decrease the scar formation. However, regular use over a long period may cause thinning, weakening and whitening of the skin, so it is best used under medical supervision.
- Get a silicone gel sheet from the pharmacy. Cut out a rectangular piece and paste it over your scar. It helps to soften and flatten scars. It has to be worn round the clock for the best effect. It is self adhesive onto the skin, and can be reused until its not sticky- probably around 3-4weeks. You can also use surgical tape (also available from the pharmacy) to keep it in place.
USING MAKEUP
Using makeup is an option to help hide or reduce the appearance of scars.
- Corrector. A yellow based corrector can correct red based scars
- Concealer. Use a concealer which is one shade darker than your natural skin tone to conceal raised scars. For depressed scars, use concealer a shade lighter. It’s useful to use a highly pigmented concealer, and to set the concealer with powder. Try Dermablend, which is a popular, effective concealer for most scars.
WHAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN DO
Despite following the above advise, sometimes scars remain raised or pigmented, especially heypertrophic scars and keloids.
If you consult a doctor, he may prescribe one of the following:
- Hydrocortisone (Steroid) injections. Especially useful for hypertrophic scars and keloids, hydrocortisone can help to reduce the inflammation (post injury reaction), reducing the size of the scar and softening the scar. However, this requires a series of injections over a period of time, depending on the size of the initial scar and its response to the steroid injections. However, steroid injections into the scar also leads to thinning of the skin in that area, and may also case depigmentation of the scar and the surrounding skin- important for those with darker skin shades.
- Dermal fillers injections- for scars that have shrunken and left a depression in the skin.
- Dermabrasion and laser treatments. for healed scars with pigmentation. However, your doctor has to assess the skin before determining whether it is suitable for laser therapy. Few scars are amenable to laser treatment.
- Surgical removal. This may include borrowing skin from other places of the body (skin grafts) to replace excised skin. Also, there is also a chance of scar recurrence after excision.
Jun
15
Ways To Banish Cellulite
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Aesthetic medicine, Beauty, Beauty Tips, Skincare, plastic surgery | 15 Comments
What do you think of STAR broadcasting celebrity cellulite? Personally I feel sorry for these covergirls, its not a way I like to make headlines. However, cellulite is a woe of many women. It affects them by giving an otherwise smooth skin the appearance of lumpiness and dimpling commonly over the thighs, hips and buttock areas. It also occurs in both men and women regardless of size of weight- yes, even slim people do get cellulite problems! Although there are some treatments that can improve the appearance of cellulite, there has been no permanent cure found so far.
WHAT CAUSES CELLULITE?
The cause of cellulite has not been fully elucidated. However, from imaging and microscopic samples, it has been discovered that there is irregular criss-crossing pattern of fat cells and fibrous connective tissue that alters the architecture of the dermis, making the surface of the skin look bumpy and lumpy. However, the fat cells are otherwise normal. Obesity is not necessary for its presence. However, increasing age, genetics, hormones and weight gain can affect the appearance of cellulite.
Cellulite come in varying grades, from having only microscopic changes without visible skin changes, to having a visible dimpled, orange peel appearance and thinned skin. In most severe forms, there are painful nodules as well.
HOME REMEDIES
- Diet. Watch your diet. You don’t want to accumulate more fat stores which will exacerbate the cellulite problem. Take foods that reduce inflammation and improve circulation like omega 3 rich foods (salmon, mackeral), nuts, legumes, whole grain bread, green leafy vegetables, colourful vegetables, and berries. Also, cut down on the amount of salt and sugar. Increase fruits and vegetables in your diet. The aim of diet is to improve health of the skin, and reduce fluid retention which makes cellulite look worse.
- Reduce oral caffine intake.
- Herbal supplements- Fennel tea, ginkgo biloba, sweet clover, grape-seed bioflavinoids, bladder wrack extract, oil of evening primrose, fish oil, and soy lecithin.
- Massage treatments. Here’s how to do an anti-cellulite massage from WikiHow.
- Exercise, exercise, exercise!
These methods are said to boost metabolism, improve circulation, protect against cell damage, and promote fat breakdown. However, these claims are anecdotal, and do not have sufficient scientific evidence.
COSMECEUTICALS
- Cellulite creams. Try Revitol, or if on a budget, Neutrogena Anti-Cellulite Retinol Active Treatment.
- Cellulite wraps. Many aestheticians offer cellulite wraps, which claim to reduce cellulite, decrease fluid retention and detoxify the body.
WHAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN DO
- Endermologie. A form of mechanical massage. It is FDA approved for temporary reduction of cellulite.
- Mesotherapy. This is a controversial method of injecting drugs (FDA approved drugs, but used for off label pruposes) into the fat cells in order to reduce fat deposits. Although seemingly safe, many physicians are still wary of this procedure.
- Laser treatments. Recently reported in the Nov/Dec 2008 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, a combination of laser energy and fat transplantation showed significant improvement for severe forms of cellulite. The Nd:YAG laser stimulates collagen formation, skin tightening and reduces fat. Fat transplant is used to fill up depressed areas. Some other laser therapies: TriActive, which combines laser therapy with suction and manipulation of the skin, and VelaSmooth, which combines laser and massage treatments.
- Liposuction. It is effective in reducing fat deposits and improves body contour. However, sometimes it can exacerbate cellulite.
- Fat Injections.
- Lower Body Lift.
However, regardless which option you choose, all treatments, be it home remedies, creams, wraps or surgical, they all have their limitations and side effects. Also, cellulite is a chronic problem which recurs as part or natural body processes, so there are no short cuts and continued, multiple treatments over time may be necessary. There are no miracle cures for cellulite just yet, but you can control its appearance by starting on the above steps!
Jun
8
Home Botox Kits
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Aesthetic medicine, Beauty, Press Release, plastic surgery | 1 Comment
Botox and injectable fillers are the top aesthetic procedures done in the USA, with over 2.5million botox injections and 1.2million dermal fillers administered last year in the doctor’s office. Recently, DIY Botox kits have been surfacing on the internet over ebay. The DIY kit was going for US$95, but has since been removed. Similarly, DIY dermal fillers can also be found on the internet!
No, these are not creams for you to smear over your face. These are real DIY kits that come in your mailbox complete with the drug, syringe and needles, a face chart and an instruction sheet in the box. And all these are bought without a prescription.
THE PROBLEM WITH DIY KITS
This is shocking news indeed. Botox and dermal fillers can be potential poisons and should be administered only under medical supervision. The many problems that could arise with this internet kits include:
- Incorrect administration- wrong injection sites, wrong doses.
- Dissemination of the drugs causing toxicity
- No 1st aid help around if a medical emergency arises- for example, if severe allergic reactions occur causing breathing problems, or affecting cardiac function
- Non purified or substituted ingredients- what could be worse than putting unkown ingredients into yourself?
CONCLUSION
Despite the lure of the cheap set and the convenience of doing it yourself at home, please keep in ming: These internet DIY kits are ILLEGAL. Only licensed medical professionals can purchase and administer the drug. The US FDA would take action against companies and individuals marketing and selling the drug illegally.
Don’t put your health and face at risk of a botched job. Consult your doctor and get a proper job done.
Jun
5
Are Your Hands Giving Your Age Away?
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Aesthetic medicine, Beauty Tips, Ingredients, Skincare, plastic surgery | Leave a Comment
As obsessed as we are about taking anti-aging measures on our face and neck, we often neglect our hands. In truth, our hands are also an important point to remember in our anti-aging regime, because our work and daily activites do take toll on our hands and make them appear older than they actually are! In fact, 68% of women claim their hands make them look at least 10 years older! Take a look at your on hands- are they giving your age away?
The skin on the hands are susceptible to the aging process. It’s thin, and there’s little fat under the dermis. So the bones, veins, wrinkles and callouses all show up pretty early in life. It doesn’t help that we use it extensively in our day to day activities. Try not using your hands for an hour, it’s tough. Not using your hands the whole day? Impossible! They are constantly moving and working. They come into contact with everything- office equipment, household items, chemicals, sun exposure… In fact, they may even look older than they actually are due to all the pressure its going through! Unfortunately, too often we concentrate on facial care and neglect our hands in the process.
Your hands are also the most viewed part of your body (after your face). Its hard to hide them, and even if you’ve done a terrific anti-aging job on your face, your hands can still give the game away. Here’s some steps to take to minimise letting the cat out of the bag:
HOME REMEDIES
- Hand Cream
- Sunscreen with a high SPF
- Weekly “mini-facials”. The skin on your hand is thinner than the skin on your face! Hand-facials are just as good for nourishment and rejevenation as well!
- Wear gloves. Especially in the bitter cold winter season. You can wear thin gloves in warm weather as well to protect from the sun, and when you’re driving your car or gardening. Another time to put on your gloves is when you’re dealing with chemicals- detergent, dishwashing, etc…
- Moisturize!!!!!
- Ingredients to look for
- Retinol- increases cell turnover, reduces appearance of fine lines and reduces pigmentation (sun spots)
- Shea butter- is a rich moisturizer
WHAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN DO
- Chemical Peels. Besides rejuvanation, this procedure can also help with decreasing pigmentation.
- Microdermabrasion
- IPL (Intense Pulse Light Therapy)
- Thermage
- Veins sclerotherapy
- Injection of fillers
- Surgery- Fat transplant. This surgery will help ‘plump’ up your hands, making it look younger!
Regardless of your age, start looking after your hands now! Make it part of your skin care routine to pamper your precious hands!
May
18
Perfect Facial Proportions: The Eyebrow
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Beauty, plastic surgery | 1 Comment
The saying goes’ the eyes are the windows to the soul’, and the eye brows are the window frames. It is important that these frames are fitted correctly and aesthetically pleasing.
MEASUREMENTS FOR A PERFECT EYEBROW
Look into a mirror when you are totally relaxed for best evaluation of your own eyebrow. Tense facial muscles will affect the position of your brows, so it’s best to close your eyes, take deep breaths for a minute or two to relax those forehead muscles, then open up your eyes again.
(illustration from the Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America)
For proportions fitting a pleasing eyebrow:
- The inner brow should start at an imaginary vertical line positioned at where the flares of the nose join the face (the alar-facial junction).
- The outside of the eyebrow should then taper and end at a point where a line extended from the alar-facial junction passing through the outer corner of the eye meets the brow. (see diagram)
- The inner and outer corners should lie in the same horizontal plane (but individuals may have their own preferences).
- The inner edge should have a club head appearance, and the outside end tapering to a point.
There are also differences between the male and female brows.
The arch in a female brow should lie at least 1cm above the upper eye socket rim, with the highest point positioned above the outermost edge of the iris (coloured portion of your eye) when looking straight ahead. In men, a lesser arch is preferred, and should be in a more horizontal plane along the upper rim of the eye socket.
Other interesting measurements for a aesthetically pleasing eyebrow include
- a distance of 2.5cm between the midpupillary line (a horizontal line passing through the centre black portion of the eye) and the lower edge of the brow,
- a distance of 5cm from the upper edge of the brow to the hairline (although this may not be possible in all individuals), and
- the distance between the two innermost edges of the brows to be the same as the distance between the alar-facial junctions on either side of the nose (also corresponding to one-fifth of the face and the size of the eye)
THE AGING BROW
In aging, the brow undergoes many changes and can end up with the problems such as eyebrow thinning, drooping of the eyebrow (sigh, the effects of gravity!), wrinkles and lines in the glabellar region (the area between both brows).
SHAPING YOUR BROW
You may realize that your eyebrows are not symmetrical, but relax, that’s normal. Here’s where shaping of your brows can help to balance both sides. It’s best to get the job done by someone professional to achieve the look and shape that fits your style best. Thereafter you can continue the maintainence yourself, with the occasional upkeep by a brow specialist. The above measurements are a guide to an aesthetically pleasing brow shape, but you may make adjustments as your face and natural brow shape just doesn’t fit into the measurements above.
A brow site I’m totally in love with is The Model Brow Blog by Elke Von Freudenberg. She does an amazing job and her blog and brow tips are succinct and easy to follow. She gives great advise too, like ‘once the arch has been tweezed too far on the outside of the eyes, it can make the eyes look cross-eyed’ and commenting that ‘problem with arching [the brow] too high is that it creates the dreaded ‘happy face’ brow’.
WHAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN DO
- Asymmetrical brows- brow lift, brow correction
- Droopy brows- brow lift, forehead lift,
- Thinning brows- eyebrow hair transplants
- Wrinkles- botox, face/partial face lifts
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