Sticking It to Fat?

Sticking It to Fat?

In the age-old battle of woman vs. fat, an arsenal of weapons have been deployed: creams, pills, devices, surgery and now, just in time for bathing suit season, mesotherapy -- a cosmetic treatment that involves injections.

Developed in France in 1952, mesotherapy was introduced in the United States several years ago. It involves a series of relatively painless injections into fat deposits below the surface of the skin. Some doctors inject small amounts of aminophylline or isoproterenol, drugs approved to treat breathing problems, while others prefer phosphatidylcholine, a drug not approved in injectable form by the Food and Drug Administration. Some doctors also use artichoke extract or other herbs.

"A lot of people are looking for a relatively noninvasive procedure" that is an alternative to liposuction, said Robert M. Adrian, a Washington area dermatologist who is among a growing number of cosmetic physicians offering mesotherapy. Some of his patients, he said, have had "fantastic results" from treatment.

But some doctors question whether mesotherapy is useful or benign.

New York dermatologist Debra Jaliman called it an "expensive procedure that doesn't have much medical validity." Some patients may be convinced it works because of the placebo effect, Jalliman said, or because "if you're paying $350 per week to get rid of your cellulite, you're more likely to pay attention to your diet and to exercise."

In an article published in the April 15 issue of the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, plastic surgeons who studied the treatment noted that there are few good studies of mesotherapy, that use of unapproved drugs is common and that complications, including infections, have been reported. New York plastic surgeon Alan Matarasso, co-author of the study, warns that patients should be wary of mesotherapy until more is known.

"There is a complete lack of standardization in this procedure," said Matarasso, an associate clinical professor of plastic surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. "With mesotherapy, there are so many unsubstantiated scientific claims."

Rod J. Rohrich, immediate past president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, was more emphatic.

"It is mind-boggling to think that a physician would inject patients -- or that patients would allow physicians to inject them -- with unknown, unproved substances based on hearsay and unsubstantiated clinical findings," he wrote in an editorial that accompanied the journal article. "Anything short of being on a diet, actually doing exercise or making any commitment to lifestyle changes always has a mystical appeal."

It's not clear how mesotherapy is supposed to work, but proponents say it may cause inflammation that results in the breakup of fat deposits, which are released into the bloodstream. Swelling and redness are common after treatments.

Treatments usually cost $250 to $750 for a session that lasts five to 10 minutes; most patients undergo three to 10 treatments, which are not covered by insurance. Some doctors say the results are permanent, while many say that periodic re-treatments are required.

Adrian said he was initially skeptical about mesotherapy, but after taking several courses in the procedure he was convinced it was safe and effective and began offering it three months ago. He said his office fields about 100 calls per week from patients interested in the treatment that Adrian advertises as a way to "lose inches in hours."

Dima Ali, one of the busiest mesotherapy practitioners in the Washington area, said she has treated about 1,000 patients in her Reston clinic. She calls the therapy "by far the most successful and progressive of all cellulite treatments available" and cites the experience of her patients as evidence that the treatment works.

The skepticism about mesotherapy, she said, reminds her of the reaction to Botox a decade ago, before it became one of the most widely used wrinkle-banishing treatments.

"We are doing controlled [studies of mesotherapy] right now," said Ali, who compares cellulite to "fat trapped in a jail cell behind steel bars" that is liberated by the injections. Like Adrian, Ali said she uses phosphatidylcholine, an injectable compound containing lecithin that is not approved for use in the United States. She also uses artichoke extract and collagenase, an enzyme that breaks down the protein collagen.

Lionel Bissoon, an osteopath who has helped popularize mesotherapy in the United States, said he has trained more than 140 physicians in the technique in three-day courses, for which he charges $5,000. Bissoon, who divides his time between clinics in Palm Beach, Los Angeles and New York, said he uses mesotherapy for more than 100 conditions, including the treatment of cellulite, migraines, back pain, acne and insomnia.

In Bissoon's view, the lack of standardization that critics decry reflects the multiplicity of approaches available to physicians treating any ailment.

"Is treating a cold a standard thing?" he asked, adding that physicians "have 300 antibiotics to choose from." (Medical experts note that colds are viruses and should not be treated with antibiotics, which are useless against colds.) Bissoon said he typically injects patients with aminophylline and isoproterenol, drugs used to improve breathing in patients with emphysema and other serious lung diseases.

Meostherapy is safe, he added, noting that there have been deaths from liposuction. "We have not killed anybody," he said, adding, "I think the plastic surgeons are looking at mesotherapy as invading their turf."

Jeanne Whyte, a 55-year-old executive from Falls Church, isn't troubled by the controversy. She was Adrian's first mesotheraphy patient and is delighted with the results of the two treatments on her chin intended to eradicate small fat deposits.

"I can't believe the difference," said Whyte, who has had other cosmetic treatments, including Botox. "This was a cakewalk. I'd love it for my stomach, but you'd need a gallon of it." ?

Mesotherapy Not Proven as a Safe Alternative to Liposuction

Mesotherapy Not Proven as a Safe Alternative to Liposuction; Plastic Surgeons Caution Against Unknown Dangers

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., April 18 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The allure of shedding unwanted pockets of fat with a series of simple injections, known as mesotherapy, sounds too good to be true -- and it just might be. According to an ASPS Device & Technique Assessment (DATA) Committee report published in the April 15 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(r) (PRS), the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), patients should be wary of mesotherapy until the safety and effectiveness of the procedure are confirmed.

"The promise of a non-surgical, permanent method for fat removal and body contouring is obviously very appealing, but mesotherapy is not proven to be the miracle cure to a thinner you," said Alan Matarasso, MD, study co-author. "The problem with mesotherapy is the whole technique is shrouded in mystery. Liposuction remains the only proven method to safely and permanently remove fat."

Touted as a non-surgical alternative to liposuction, mesotherapy involves injecting medications and plant extracts into layers of fat and connective tissue under the skin. The injected ingredients may include agents that are used to open blood vessels, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, enzymes, nutrients, antibiotics and hormones. Mesotherapy may be used in conjunction with dietary modification, hormone replacement therapy, exercise and nutritional supplements. No drug is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in mesotherapy.

Although the practice of mesotherapy has been around for decades in Europe, it has only recently been introduced in the United States. There are no published scientific studies demonstrating if the effects are permanent, why or if certain ingredients work, or how safe mesotherapy is for patients. In addition, there is no standardization in mesotherapy. The types of drugs used vary from physician to physician as does the quantity and frequency of injections.

Mesotherapy may cost $1,000 to $1,500 per treatment with three to six treatments required. This can prove costly for patients who may not receive the desired results.

"Plastic surgeons are constantly researching better methods to help patients achieve their desired look; however, patients' health and safety is always foremost on our minds," said Dr. Matarasso. "There is no information on what happens to fatty acids once they leave the targeted area or how the various ingredients affect the body's organs and other tissues. There is simply too much we do not know about mesotherapy to say it is unquestionably safe for patients."

Currently, liposuction is the only method that has been proven to safely and effectively remove fat. According to ASPS statistics, liposuction was the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in 2004, with more than 325,000 procedures performed.

"Without data to support claims that mesotherapy works, the procedure appears to be a mystic type of therapy," said Susan Kaweski, MD, ASPS DATA Committee chair. "The DATA Committee has not seen any long-term studies that would prove mesotherapy actually removes fat from the body. We need to know a lot more about this procedure before plastic surgeons can endorse mesotherapy and recommend it to patients."

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. With more than 5,000 members, the society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. www.plasticsurgery.org.

Breast Reconstruction Surgery After Mastectomy

(NBC News) - Most of more than 200,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer this year will have a lumpectomy to remove just the tumor from their breast. But a significant number will need a mastectomy to remove the entire breast, and then breast reconstruction. But when should it be done, and is it safe?

Marjorie Belson is a breast cancer survivor, "I'd walk down Park Avenue and my jacket was open, so I'd look in the mirror and I'd say, 'Oh My!'"

There are many women who might say this about their figure, or at least wish they could. But Marjorie thought she'd never be able to say that after cancer was found in both her breasts, "I opted for bilateral mastectomies. I don't want to go back and forth anymore. The anxiety was too much."

Not only did Marjorie have breast reconstruction, she had it done at the same time as her mastectomies, which used to be controversial, until multiple studies showed that it is safe.

Dr. Mark Sultan, with St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, explains, "The complication rate of the reconstruction plus the mastectomy is no higher than the two procedures done separately, and it has been shown with large studies that there is no increased risk with recurrence if one has had reconstruction."

There are a variety of techniques used to reconstruct breasts, a woman's own tissue can be used or there's implants, either saline or silicone, such as Marjorie chose, which are a relatively simple but multi-step procedure.

In fact, a very recent study found women who chose breast reconstruction actually had better survival odds than women who didn't.

Dr. Sultan says, "It's possible that women who are offered reconstruction initially are possibly in a healthier, or that afterwards, because they had been reconstructed and feel healthier, that they might more frequently come back to their physician for a follow-up, or they might take better care of themselves, might eat better, etc., etc."

Silicone breast implants are FDA cleared for breast reconstruction, as opposed to augmentation. If you're not comfortable with those, saline implants are available, or you can fashion a breast from your own tissue, although that operation is more extensive than implant surgery.

Seeking better breast implants: Doctors experiment with 'gummy bear' fillers, titanium coatings

Many women hoping for a more natural-looking alternative to saline breast implants were disappointed by the Food and Drug Administration's recent decision to maintain the ban on silicone-gel-filled implants. But there may be other options on the market one day, as doctors continue their quest to find better ways to boost a woman's bosom.

Among the most promising developments, they say, are cohesive silicone gel, leak-resistant implants with the consistency of a gummy bear and a new type of implant shell coating that may be less likely to cause inflammation and scarring in the surrounding breast tissue.

“I think we are getting closer to developing the perfect implant, in terms of durability, biocompatibility and natural shape,” says Dr. Mark Jewell, a plastic surgeon in Eugene, Ore., and vice president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Safety concerns linking ruptures of the silicone gel implants to autoimmune problems in some women caused the FDA to ban the sale of the implants in 1992, except for use in clinical trials and by women undergoing breast reconstruction. While the implants were somewhat exonerated by an Institute of Medicine report saying they do not up the risk of autoimmune disease, the new FDA ban calls for more study before they can be put back on the market.

Both saline- and silicone-filled implants have a silicone shell. But if the saline implants leak, deflate or rupture, which they often do, they would release only salt water -- not silicone -- into the body. The downside of the saline implants, though, is that they don't look and feel as natural as the others.

“Some people are concerned about the safety of silicone gel and many people are disappointed about the performance of saline implants, notably that they are associated with more ripples, have a more liquid feel and don’t look as natural as the silicone implants,” says Dr. Grant Stevens, medical director of Marina Plastic Surgery Associates, with locations in Marina Del Rey and Palos Verdes, Calif.

'Gummies'
Enter cohesive gel implants, which are currently on the market in Europe and Brazil, and now being studied in the United States.

"The ‘gummy bear’ implants have the positive attributes of the silicone gel, but lack the concerns of gel migration,” says Stevens, who is one of 15 U.S. doctors participating in a study of Silimed cohesive gel implants.

Dr. William P. Adams, Jr., agrees. “The gel doesn’t migrate, so there are potential safety benefits because if the shell should fail, the gel will not go anywhere -- it would just stay in one place,” says Adams, an associate professor of plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

And unlike saline implants, Stevens notes, “cohesive gel implants feel like breast tissue, not a water balloon.”

So far, he adds, the data and patient response are “overwhelmingly positive.”

Last October, 42-year-old Charlie Sheridan, who works in Stevens' office, traded in her saline implants for a pair of cohesive gel implants as part of the clinical trial.

“I am sporting a pair of gummies,” Sheridan says. “They have the look and feel of silicone, but don’t have the hardness or lack of naturalness of saline and there is no worry of deflation,” she says. One of her saline implants did, in fact, deflate which is why she opted for the newer model.

The companies Inamed and Mentor also are conducting studies of their versions of the cohesive gel implants.

Experts in the field say it could be at least three to five years before any such product is on the U.S. market, provided the FDA approves one.

But not all plastic surgeons are completely sold on these new implants.

“The problem is density,” says Dr. Lawrence Reed, a New York City plastic surgeon. “They may have value in reconstructive procedures because you need density and mass, but for normal women, they are too dense,” he says.

“Cohesive gel is a refinement of the current silicone implant, but it’s harder than usual silicone gel, so it’s not the total answer,” agrees Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the chairman of the department of plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Another product in the pipeline, he notes, is an implant filler made with a substance called polyethylene glycol.

“It contains a patented blend of polyethylene glycol and saline and results in an implant that has the look and feel of silicone,” says Rohrich, who helped develop the substance.

Hopes for indestructible implants
Titanium-coated breast implants may also be an option in the future. The product of a partnership between Poly Implants Prostheses, a French company specializing in implants, and GfE, a German aerospace company, Tibreeze implants are coated with a thin layer of titanium and filled with silicone gel.

“It’s not like you dip it in molten titanium, it’s a thin coating that bonds to the silicone,” Jewell explains.

“Titanium is a more biocompatible metal than even stainless steel,” he says, meaning that it is less likely to cause a toxic or otherwise injurious reactions in the body.

Researchers are hopeful that by coating the shell, the implant will be more resistant to infection, stronger and will produce less scarring and capsular contracture, a condition that occurs when scar tissue forms around the implant and results in painful stiffness of the breast and possible leakage of the substance inside the implant.

So far, Jewell says, three women have received the implants as part of a clinical trial in Germany that began last year.

“We don’t know yet if it will have a durability advantage,” he adds.

Lunch-time breast lifts?
Women can get lunch-time injections of Botox and various facial fillers, and now researchers in Sweden may have found a way to boost a woman's breast size during the lunch hour as well.

In the near future, Rohrich says, injections of hyaluronic acid, a compound used to fill fine lines and wrinkles, could be used to do temporary breast enhancement.

"It is a non-surgical procedure and can be used to build up breast tissue and enhance the breast for a couple of years,” he says.

Currently the injections are being performed as part of pilot studies in Sweden by the manufacturer, Q-Med. Enhancements, however, are not permanent and eventually the hyaluronic acid will be re-absorbed into the body.

Peering into his crystal ball, Rohrich forecasted what else may be on the distant horizon, including grow-your-own breast implants.

“We may one day make our own implants from our own fat where surgeons harvest fat via liposuction and stimulate it to grow," Rohrich says, "so it will be natural but to grow that amount of fat and grow it consistently may be years and years away."

Facelift alternatives rid patients of neck 'wattle' without the downtime of surgery

Ties, turtlenecks, jewelry worn more comfortably

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – On the show Ally McBeal, a character was romantically pursued because of her neck "wattle" or loose skin – a scenario that would only happen on television, right? In reality, many people want to rid themselves of neck "wattle" to look younger or to wear certain clothes or accessories more comfortably, without having facelifts. They may feel they are too young or old for an invasive procedure, are not able to afford the prolonged recovery time, or only want targeted improvement of their neck region. Patients have less invasive options to rid the "wattle," reports a study in May's Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), through targeted neck rejuvenation techniques.

"Not every patient who seeks to correct facial aging wants or requires a facelift," said James Zins, MD, author of the study. "Today's patients are extremely active and may not want to undergo invasive surgery where they are unable to work or play for several weeks. With this alternative, many patients look younger without the financial cost and downtime associated with a standard facelift."

As people age, they often loose definition in their chin and jaw line due to fatty deposits, weakening muscles and loose skin where the neck and chin once made a right angle. By improving the neck region, patients' profiles look years younger and clothes and fashion accessories such as ties, turtlenecks, and necklaces are worn more comfortably.

Skin in the neck region differs from skin on other parts of the body because it maintains its elasticity and will contract after it is released from underlying muscle. Fat removal through an incision under the chin and behind the ears can be combined with muscle tightening and freeing the skin from the muscle, depending on the degree of aging and individual patient characteristics.

Younger patients, who generally have more skin elasticity and have a "wattle" because of an overload in fat deposits just under the skin, often benefit from liposuction alone. Middle-aged patients generally have fat deposits, as well as, loose neck muscles and skin, requiring the fat removal and muscle tightening technique. Patients older than 75 usually need more contouring in the neck region and require a facelift where excess skin is removed.

According to the study, 33 patients were treated using this combination of neck rejuvenation techniques. Twenty patients experienced moderate improvement to the neck region while 12 experienced a marked improvement.

"Approximately one in 10 patients is a good candidate for neck rejuvenation – but patients must maintain realistic expectations," said Dr. Zins. "These techniques are targeted specifically for the neck and chin areas only. The mid-face and upper-face are clearly not improved by these procedures."

According to ASPS statistics, more than 114,000 facelifts were performed in 2004.

New Trends in Plastic Surgery

New Trends in Plastic Surgery

The goal of Plastic Surgery 101 is to provide you with detailed plastic surgery information so you can make informed decisions as you consider having cosmetic surgery. Part of this information includes the newest trends in plastic surgery. To that end, we have compiled a series of articles to provide news on the latest techniques and advances in plastic surgery. Below is a list of the article titles along with their summaries. You can decide which topics interest you, and then click on the link to read more detailed information.

A Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Center Has Developed a Program to Speed Patients Back to the Gym Following Procedures
In Southern California, where most everyone seems to both work-out and get plastic surgery, Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery has launched a unique and innovative program to help patients return to physical activity shortly after plastic surgery - while guarding safety and protecting the cosmetic results of surgery. They call this innovative approach their "Back to the Gym Program."


Plastic Surgery Center Offers Specialized Services for Latinos
A renowned Beverly Hills plastic surgery center has unveiled a program that provides specialized care for Hispanic patients.


The Rodeo Drive Couture Breast Augmentation
A renowned Beverly Hills plastic surgery center has developed an approach to customize breast augmentation so the overall result both matches a woman's body and creates the best form for wearing fashionable clothing. The procedure is called the Rodeo Drive Couture Breast Augmentation.


The Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery Gift Card
Marking the ultimate evolution of plastic surgery from extravagance of the super-rich to lifestyle mainstay for the broader public, Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills has unveiled its plastic surgery gift card.


The Rodeo Drive Chin
A Beverly Hills plastic surgery center unveils its approach to creating a neck and chin contouring procedure to match the high-end styles found on Rodeo Drive.


Web Site Highlights Latest Trends in Plastic Surgery
A plastic surgery informational web site has launched a compilation of the latest news and trends in plastic surgery. It is a one-stop location to get information on cutting-edge plastic surgery.


Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Center Unveils Novel Program to Create Minimal-Pain Plastic Surgery
A world-renowned plastic surgery center in Beverly Hills has developed a unique program that works to minimize patient discomfort following plastic surgery procedures.


Plastic Surgery Calendar
A Beverly Hills plastic surgery center has released a plastic surgery calendar so people can plan their procedures in time for important life events.


Los Angeles Skin Cancer Program
Now that summer is approaching, a Beverly Hills plastic surgery center has launched a skin cancer awareness and prevention program.


Skin Activating Liposuction
A Beverly Hills plastic surgeon has unveiled a novel approach to liposuction that seeks to address both excess fat as well as the overlying skin.


Rodeo Drive's Real Nip and Tuck Center
The characters on the hit television show may be moving to Rodeo Drive, but in real life there is only one plastic surgery center on the world's most glamorous street located in Beverly Hills, California.


The "Rodeo Drive" of Plastic Surgery
There's a new "boutique" smack in the heart of Rodeo Drive. Among its neighbors are the likes of Chanel, Armani, and Hugo Boss. Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery is the first and only plastic surgery center on ultra-glamorous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California.


The Shaped for Fashion Breast Reduction
Rodeo Drive's only plastic surgery center does breast reduction surgery that not only reduces size, but works toward allowing patients to fit into the fashionable clothing styles sold by their elite boutique neighbors.


New Blogs Report Trends in Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is a rapidly changing specialty. One Beverly Hills plastic surgery center has launched an innovative series of blogs to help keep the public up to date on the latest developments.


Plastic Surgeon Unveils Breast Augmentation Information Center
The FDA approval of silicone breast implants has led to some confusion on the part of potential breast augmentation patients. One Beverly Hills plastic surgery center has created a Breast Augmentation Information Center to provide information about all aspects of breast augmentation.


The Rodeo Drive Breathe Easy Rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills
Two plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills have developed a novel approach to rhinoplasty, commonly known as nose surgery or "nose job." Using an interdisciplinary approach to the procedure, they work on both appearance and function at the same time.
Read more

Rodeo Drive Chin Rejuvenation
A Beverly Hills plastic surgeon's minimally-invasive neck and chin rejuvenation procedure helps patients look slimmer and younger.


The Rodeo Drive Belly Button
The only plastic surgery center on world-famous Rodeo Drive unveils its unique tummy tuck procedure that creates a beautiful belly button.


Drs. Abbott Krieger and Lloyd Krieger Develop Innovative Surgery to Help Breathing
Dr. Abbott Krieger has developed an innovative surgical technique to reanimate the diaphram in severly injured patients, freeing them from a lifetime confined to a ventilator.


The Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery Transformation Vacation
More people are traveling for plastic surgery. To best serve these clients, Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills has developed a unique program to conveniently provide plastic surgery to visiting patients.


More Men Seek Plastic Surgery But Need Unique Procedures and Techniques
One million men had plastic surgery procedures last year, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgery, and the number is growing. Lloyd M. Krieger, M.D., founder and Medical Director of Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, notes that the bodies, goals and temperament of men are different from those of women -- so men need special procedures and techniques.


Rodeo Drive's First and Only Plastic Surgery Center Opens
The street known around the world as the showcase for new trends and the finest products is now home to reasonably priced liposuction, face lifts and breast augmentation. Located among the boutiques and bistros in the world-famous Rodeo Collection, Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery is the first and only plastic surgery center on Rodeo Drive.

Beware Fat Melting Injections

Beware Fat Melting Injections — Not FDA Approved

Just a quick note and a pointer to a recent USA Today article on the FDA cracking down on spa use of fat-melting injections. Known as lipodissolve and also as mesotherapy, these injections are being billed as nonsurgical alternatives to traditional liposuction, however, they have not been approved by the FDA and they can be harmful.

Studies are under way now to determine the efficacy of the injection of certain bile salts under the skin and into fat to determine if fat can be safely dissolved and then absorbed by the body. I advise against the treatments — most especially when offered by unsupervised medical spas — and believe it should not be done at all until these studies are completed.

Lipodissolve and mesotherapy, which is a chemical injection, should not be confused with the SlimLipo laser treatment, which is FDA approved.

Non surgical facial treatments

Look great without the expense and risk of surgery

In the present economic environment not many people are willing to spend large sums of money for elective services such as cosmetic surgery. On the other hand, concerns about aging remain. So what can be done to improve one's appearance short of actual surgery? Choices fall into three categories: topical treatments, botox and injectable fillers, all of which allow you to mantain appearance without the expense and downtime of cosmetic surgery.

Topical Treatments

The Obagi System

The color and texture of facial skin reveals signs of aging. If you look carefully in the mirror you will probably see variations in pigmentation, particularly in the cheeks, forehead and around the mouth, and your skin may have a rough appearance with large pores and a dull finish.The Obagi regimen will remove the outer keratin layer of skin (the layer of dead cells which has not yet fallen off), and will also blend the pigment in your skin, giving you a more uniform color rather than blotchy multiple colors. The overall effect is a smoother, brighter, younger appearance.

The treatment is a series of six creams combined with prescription-strength Retin A which you apply twice per day. Initially your skin will peel, much like a chemical peel, removing the outer layer and leaving the skin slightly reddened. After a week or two the peeling will stop. Once the improvement has reached its maximum, you would stop the aggressive treatment and switch to a maintenance program. Before and after photos will show a dramatic change. The product comes as a kit with all six ingredients, and one kit lasts approximately two months.

Because it contains prescription ingredients, the Obagi regimen is only available from a physician.

Teamine

Discoloration of the lower eye lids or "dark circles under the eyes" is a very common complaint. Although this is more common in older people, it can occur as a hereditary factor in young people, males and females. Teamine cream will significantly reduce the dark circles from the lower eye lids after four to six weeks of daily use.

Nectifirm

Sagging skin and wrinkling of the neck are one of the earliest signs of aging. Nectifirm, a topical cream, can improve this situation. If you have significant sagging skin Nectifirm will not correct your problem, but if you are in the early stages of loose skin and creases on your neck, then Nectifirm may improve your appearance and help postpone the need for a surgical neck lift.

Latisse

Several years ago people using a certain medication to treat glaucoma (an eye disease) noticed that their eye lashes were growing. Research proved that the active ingredient of the glaucoma medication did indeed cause the eye lashes to increase in length, and now that medication has been released in a formula specifically for growing longer eyelashes.

Latisse is a topical liquid that is applied to the upper eye lid just above the eye lashes once daily. In one to two months the lashes begin to grow significantly. After several months most users decrease their treatments to every other or every third day just to maintain the new lash length. If you stop using it the lashes will go back to their original length.

Botox

Botox has been around for years and is widely used by men and women to reduce the signs of facial aging. The most common areas for Botox treatment are the vertical lines between the eye brows, the lines of the forehead and the laugh lines on the outside of the eyes. Botox can also be used to raise the eye brows, raise the corners of the mouth and decrease the lines of the upper lip.

Botox is usually priced by the number of units used, and it takes 20 units to correct the lines between the eyebrows.A treatment with Botox will usually last about three months, and should be administered by or under the direction of a physician.

Note: there is a new product on the market called Dysport which seems to be very similar to Botox both in cost and effect; however, it has not been studied as long as Botox.

Injectable fillers

Injectable fillers have been available for many years, but when hyaluronic acid fillers were introduced a few years ago, the procedure was revolutionized. This gave us a very stable, pliable filler with no possibility of an allergic reaction, easy to administer and with minimal complications. It has been used primarily to reduce the wrinkles of the face, especially the upper lip, the folds next to the nose, the lower lip and chin. By reducing wrinkles and folds and adding fullness to the face, the fillers are a wonderful tool to reduce the effects of facial aging without surgery.

Most treatments can be accomplished using one cc of filler although sometimes a second cc may be necessary. The most I have ever used at one sitting is 4ccs. The average cost of the hyaluronic fillers is $500 per cc.

Serious Skin Care's FirmA-Face

Serious Skin Care's FirmA-Face

A cream that promises an instant facelift

Serious Skin Care is usually a credible skin care line from the wife of Sylvester Stallone - Jennifer Flavin-Stallone. Unfortunately, Firm-A-Face does not live up to the reputation of the line as a whole.

The promise made both on TV and on the product itself are that Firm-A-Face provides a very slight face “lift” if applied correctly. There are however, three major problems. First, it is difficult to determine the right amount of product to apply in order to get the desired results. It will take several hit and miss efforts before one sees the promised results.


The second problem is that the cream must be applied in a thin, even coat. If the application is too thin or too thick it will not work at all.



Thirdly, the intended results, which include a light tightening around the eyes, forehead, mouth and nose, are extremely temporary in nature. They disappear as soon as the product is rinse off as outlined in the (clear-cut) instructions.

Before using Firm-A-Face, the facial area must be cleansed of any makeup and dirt. The skin must also be totally dry. This process will take about 5 to 10 minutes of preparation.

Once the cream is applied in a thin, even coat, the muscles of the face must be held completely still for about 5 minutes. This gives the product time to dry to do its lifting magic. If the product is applied correctly, the wearer will feel and be able to see the tightening action in the mirror.

After the tightening has stopped, it is time to rinse the face with splashes of cool water. The customer is advised to use his or her fingertips to pat excess product away so that none remains on the face. If it does, it will show an unsightly white scaley-looking film.

According to Serious Skin Care, the face should retighten as it dries. Unfortunately, I found no evidence of that fact. As far as I could tell Firm-A-Face’s “nanoencapsulated technology” provided nothing more than a momentary illusion of lift. I find much better results with the company’s Inst-A-Tox.

I cannot therefore, in good conscious recommend this product even if it was one tenth of its very expensive

EAT LESS TO LIVE LONGER

We are living in an era where women strive to be the ubiquitous size 0 (UK: size 4). About 5 years ago, most of us didn’t even know this size existed, and prior to watching ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, I thought it was a made-up size for 10-14 year olds, not a real dress size for grown-up women.

It may surprise you therefore to learn that there is a movement which has been gathering momentum over the decades which claims that eating less will help you to live longer. I first came across this about 20 years ago watching a documentary about an experiment in America on a small group of people. The group was really too small to show any proven results but the idea was there.

Much research has been done since the 1930s, mainly comparing a group of calorie restricted animals with a control group of normally-fed ones. The experiments revealed that calorie-restricted mice lived longer and were healthier, more active and more mentally alert than their unrestricted counterparts.


Back in the 1970s, a research team from Michigan State University headed by E D Schlenker followed the history and diets of 97 women over a period of 24 years. They all started off in middle age and by the end of the research, among those that were still living, the ones who consumed fewer calories were more in number and looked younger!

In 2004 a team from Washington University published their findings after following a group of 36 volunteers between the ages of 35 and 82. Half the group followed a calorie restriction regime for 6 years, while the other half a typical Western diet. At the end of the study, tests proved that the calorie-restricted group had vastly lowered risks for heart disease as well as a lower percentage of body fat. Furthermore, 3 of the low calorie group found their originally high cholesterol levels lowered to the point where they no longer needed medication.

So what is the reason for these results? It is believed that decreasing your calories sends a message to the body that you’re in for some hard times, so it puts itself into self-preservation. Your metabolic rate slows, your temperature drops and ageing occurs at a slower pace.

Of course you have to use common sense and not apply this lesson to growing bodies, ie babies, children or teenagers who are still laying down their bones. Roy Walford, a scientist from UCLA and one of the pioneers of calorie restriction has recommended that you could start at around middle age and still have enough time to extend your lifespan.

The trick to success in calorie restriction is to plan and research thoroughly before starting. Walford found that it is very difficult for humans to follow this regime properly if calorie restriction is introduced quickly. But if it is done gradually over the space of 5-7 years with the end goal of cutting back about 20-25% of what you currently eat, this is more easily achievable. Leslie Kenton in her book Ageless Ageing writes that you can cut back your calorie intake to 60% of what you currently eat, although some people may see this as extreme.

Walford insists that calorie restriction is not like a slimming diet, nor is it starvation. As with the animal experiments, the quality and varied balance of the food is essential. It must be rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fats. All processed food and junk food must go, as whatever you put in your mouth must benefit your health.

Another piece of the puzzle is you then help protect your health by supplementing with potent quality supplements. The supplements should do as their name suggests, that is, supplement your diet – they are not a substitute for high-quality, nutritious food. The essential part of calorie restriction is to ensure that what goes in will nourish you, not just feed you.

Interestingly, some researchers found that intermittent and regular fasting could produce the same results as calorie restriction. The recommendation is to spend a week alternating between fasting (for 2 or 3 days) and normal eating. This is unlike religious fasting where you eat before dawn and after sunset; for the days you fast, you live on water while the remaining days you eat normally. According to research carried out on animals, lifespan was increased by 20-30% and the rate of ageing was slowed.

As with all eating regimes that go against conventional thinking, calorie restriction has its supporters and critics. Extreme calorie restriction is media grabbing, and even moderate restriction is not controversy-proof. In July 2009, scientists at Stanford University suggested that studies showing underfed animals to live longer and healthier lives could not directly apply to humans, because the animal case studies had been living in pristine, clinical conditions and not in the real world. They tested calorie restriction on fruit flies and exposed them to bacteria. The calorie reduced flies, when infected with salmonella, lived twice as long as the normally fed flies, but when infected with listeria, survived 30% fewer days. [1]

Another US team led by Raj and Forster contested the claims of calorie restriction saying that it only extended lifespan if used on obese patients or people who gained weight early on in adulthood. Otherwise, they said that for normally healthy non-overweight people, calorie restriction would show little difference. [2]

There is an ongoing study in America, probably the largest conducted on human subjects, which is following 132 people to examine the effects of calorie restriction by 25% over a 2 year period. Called “Calerie” (Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy), the study has taken individuals who have a normal-to-slightly-overweight BMI. The study provides regular counseling, suggesting how difficult calorie restriction could be for most people. We await the results with interest! [3]

There is plenty of food for thought here and a growing movement on both sides of the Atlantic on this subject. Lisa Walford, daughter of Roy Walford, has written a book called The Longevity Diet. In it she recommends calorie restriction by 13-15% of your baseline level, the baseline being the number of calories needed to keep you at a stable weight, which differs from person to person. She sees anything other than this moderate level as extreme. Sadly, there will always be extreme cases who give notoriety and bad press for the movement.

* The official Roy Walford website
* Calorie Restriction Society website
* Caloric Restriction Optimal Nutrition Society or CRON-ies website

About the Author

Doreen has had a passion for massage since she was 15 years old. She still has that passion, and offers massage, specialist facials and other beauty treatments in her home-based salon in Surrey. With any energy left over she will devour all the beauty pages of all the magazines she can lay her hands on!

Ten beauty tips using common household items

Use coffee for cellulite, tomato juice for your hair!

Lots of us today are just plain tired of throwing away big bucks on beauty products that simply don’t work as advertised. Rather than throwing more good money after bad, some women today are pulling out products that they already have on hand to make their own beauty products. Here are some of my favorites:

Tip #1 – Repair dry, damaged hair with an avocado conditioner made right in your own kitchen. Cut the avocado into small pieces and throw into your blender, food processor, or Magic Bullet. Mix in one-half cup of mayonnaise or a few tablespoons of olive oil. Next, wash and towel the hair. Apply the conditioner liberally and work it throughout the hair using a wide toothcomb. Cover it with a shower cap and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Rinse, dry, and style as usual.

Tip #2 – Lighten skin discoloration while you soften it by adding buttermilk to your bath water. Between a pint and a half-quart is more than enough to do the trick. You can also add in a few drops of your favorite essential oil to make a luxurious spa treatment that your skin will love.

Fruits and vegetables - nature's beauty products

From canteloupe skin cream to bananas for your hair

Everyone understands the health benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables. However, few people think about using those very same items to make healthy, all natural beauty products. However, the truth is that both fruits and vegetables are chock full of antioxidants and valuable vitamins, minerals, and nutrients like vitamin A, B, C, D and E, carotenoids, co enzyme Q 10, phytonutrients, polyphenols, potassium, selenium, and zinc to name a few.

Combined with other ingredients, fruits and vegetables are extremely useful in making some of the best facial masques, skin creams, bath treatments, and skin ointments that can be found anywhere.

Fruits such as bananas, berries, cantaloupe, grapes, lemons, oranges, peaches, and pineapple can be used to make facial masks, luxurious skin creams, cosmetics and anti-aging products. Vegetables like avocados, carrots, cucumbers, greens, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes have similar valuable uses. Below are some examples:

The latest trends in cosmetics

What's happening in cosmetics this year and next

The woman of the 21st century is more conscientious about everything. Today's woman is strong, active, and beautiful and she intends to stay that way.

She is concerned about her planet. She is learning to control the food that her family eats and she is helping them build a healthier lifestyle. She exercises regularly so that she can maintain her own busy schedule. And she is taking care of the only skin she will ever have.

The modern woman is learning to embrace her natural beauty, even those freckles that she once considered anything but beautiful. She is moving away from the overdone mannequin look of the past and choosing to wear much less makeup than ever before.