With Face-lifts, Beauty is More than Skin Deep
Plastic Surgery
Oct 16, 2006, 07:00
With Face-lifts, Beauty is More than Skin Deep, Stanford study findsProblems with deteriorating facial bones are more severe in women than in men
(HealthNewsDigest.com).. STANFORD, Calif. — Gravity and sagging skin aren’t the only roadblocks to a perpetually youthful face. Aging facial bones may be just as guilty of the telltale signs of advancing years, according to new research from the Stanford University School of Medicine.
This “dramatic” aging of facial bones also happens at a significantly younger age for women than men.
“As the skin sags, the bony framework underneath the skin deteriorates as well, contributing to the development of new folds, creases, wrinkles, droops and valleys,” said David Kahn, MD, assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Crow’s-feet, drooping brows, sagging facial folds—it’s not just skin deep.
Two studies by Kahn and Robert Shaw, MD, a resident at the University of Rochester Medical Center who was a medical student at Stanford when the research was conducted, document this problem. The second study is being presented Oct. 10 at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons yearly convention in San Francisco; the first was presented at the same conference last year and is scheduled for publication this winter.
Kahn and Shaw’s findings go beyond most previous research on facial aging, which focused primarily on changes to the skin, the researchers said. The two physicians sought to understand better the entire aging process of the face. They hypothesized that it was necessary for plastic surgeons treating patients who are hoping to reverse the aging process to consider what’s going on beneath the skin.
“If plastic surgeons attempting facial rejuvenation are only considering skin changes, it’s not enough,” Kahn said. “Skin tightening, collagen and fat injections, Botox injections, don’t take into account changes to the bones.”
Today’s single-dimensional approach to facial rejuvenation, Kahn said, may explain the sometimes-negative results of plastic surgery to the face that can result in odd, distorted looks.
“After you do a face-lift on some patients and look at photos of them when they were young, they look very different,” said Shaw. “Part of that may be the tightening of the skin over a bony scaffolding that has deteriorated and changed in shape from when they were 18.
”There’s a change in morphology or shape to the bones as well as a general shrinkage, Shaw said.
For the two studies, the researchers analyzed 30 men and 30 women separately using advanced, three-dimensional, computerized reconstruction of the facial skeleton. The participants were separated into three different age groups identified as young (25 to 44), middle-aged (45 to 64) and old (65-plus). They then measured the various bony structures in the face—the slope of the cheekbone and the opening for the nose, for example—and compared these changes between age groups and genders.
“In general, for most of our measurements, women experienced aging between young and middle age, and the men between middle age and old,” Shaw said.
Specific changes to different bony structures in the face seem to correlate with the various well-known visible changes to the face due to aging, Kahn said. Changes to the orbital aperture, or bony area around the eye, for example, could account for crow’s-feet and the drooping of the skin above the eye.
Aging bones in the cheeks could be part of the cause of the deepening of the creases between the lips and the nose and could cause the fat pad in the cheeks to sag and become more prominent. Much of these changes may be due to decreasing bone support, Kahn said.
“It’s a dynamic process,” Kahn said, which means it will continue to change even after those face-lifts. “It’s important to realize that you’re not working with the same facial skeleton as an 18-year-old.”
The solution? “The most effective approach toward facial rejuvenation should be twofold: restoring volume to compensate for the loss of bony volume, and lifting and reducing the aged and less elastic soft tissue,” Kahn said. “Plastic surgeons can’t turn back the clock. It’s more of a ‘freshening up’.”
www.HealthNewsDigest.com
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Our top-to-toe beauty guide
By SUE MOXLEY and CHERYL CARTER
October 16, 2006
YOU might think you know the basics when it comes to beauty, but you’d be amazed at how many mistakes we all make every day.
Getting the simple grooming laws right can make all the difference when it comes to looking your best.
DO blot your lips after applying lipstick. For extra staying power add a dusting of loose powder with a brush before adding a second coat.
DON’T over-pluck your eyebrows! Hold a pencil and line it up with the inner corner of your eye and your eyebrows — this is where your eyebrows should start.
Pluck any stray hairs that are in between your two brows, and any at the outer edge underneath the brow to create a nice clean arch. If you pluck when you have just got out of the bath, you will find the hairs come out painlessly as the pores will be open.
DO apply foundation under your chin and blend down your neck no matter how close the colour match of your foundation to your skin. Your chin shades your neck from the sun so your neck may be lighter in colour. Blending the foundation will minimise the difference in skin shades.
DO line your lips with a colour that is close to your own and use a cotton bud to blend away any hard edges. Alternatively, choose a lipliner that is close to your chosen lipstick. Do not use a dark lipliner with a lighter colour lipstick. This is a definite no-no. It is possibly the worst beauty mistake you can make!
DON’T rub your hair with a towel after washing, as this can damage the cuticle and cause split ends. Instead, wrap your hair in a towel and gently squeeze and pat it. Give your hair a holiday and let it dry naturally whenever possible.
DON’T backcomb your hair. Backcombing causes hair to split and break. But if you must do it, only backcomb from the root — never at the ends. When you comb it out, do it section by section and wash and condition with an intensive treatment
DO massage your scalp when washing your hair as this helps stimulate blood flow which feeds the follicles and allows healthy regrowth.
DON’T cut your fringe when it is wet. Some people insist on cutting their own fringe as a trip to the salon seems a touch indulgent for a tiny trim. But remember that when your hair is dry it will shorten. Snip very carefully in line with or just above your brows when your hair is dry.
DO apply false tan to the back of your hands. Most brands advise to wash hands thoroughly after applying but then you usually end up with white hands. Apply a small amount to the back of one hand straight from the bottle and then rub in with the back of the other hand. Avoid washing your hands for a few hours and your hands will be brown, but your palms will not.
DON’T scrub your teeth backwards and forwards. Cleaning too hard and too long can cause enamel to wear away. Always brush up and down or in small circular movements.
Hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and gently clean up into the gum. This is where food can stay hidden and cause gum disease. Try to finish with a mouthwash.
DO moisturise your throat, neck and chest. The skin here is very delicate and is one of the first places to show signs of ageing. Apply sun protection in the summer and moisturise daily.
DON’T load on the eye cream. Too much will cause puffiness under the eye and can actually do more harm than good by dragging and stretching the delicate skin. Apply a few dots under the eye and pat in with the fourth finger of your hand. Always use cream created for eyes as this is lighter than other creams.
DO cut your toenails straight across leaving the edges longer than the toe. Cutting too short at the corners can cause painful ingrowing toenails. If you prefer the rounded look file a slightly rounded edge with an emery board.
DON’T forget to exfoliate after shaving or waxing. Ingrown hairs occur when the hair gets trapped inside the follicle or the hair curls over and grows back into the skin. Using a gentle product to exfoliate away the top layers of dead skin will stop this happening.
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Improving your smile line
BY POORNIMA JAYARAMAN, SOUTHERN HEALTH EDITOR
When was the last time you saw a model with a gummy smile or crooked, yellow teeth?
With the mass media constantly bombarding us with images of beautiful, successful people, with brilliant smiles, there is a subliminal pressure of sorts to put your best face forward; since it just might open the magical doors of opportunity, help you leave a positive impression on your colleagues and peers and give you that all-important edge.
There's no doubt about it, beauty is definitely at a premium today.
The role of cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics
Since a smile can convey happiness, warmth, approachability and confidence; general dentists, orthodontists, cosmetic and esthetic dentists are literally in the limelight today as they admittedly have a lot to offer by way of smile design.
No longer are they just someone you go to see for a painful root canal or gum surgery, but they are also skilled, creative artists - the harbingers of hope, who can possibly change your life, by giving you the ultimate smile.
"The smile line refers to the amount of tooth structure that shows during a normal smile and an exaggerated smile," explains Dr. Kyle R. Childers, DMD, MS, orthodontist at Childers' Orthodontics in Benton, Herrin and Harrisburg. "An 'ideal smile' is when the upper lip just touches the point where the tooth meets the gum line. What you don't want to see is half an inch of gum tissue."
Dr. Christopher Hughes, DMD, Hughes Dental Arts Center in Herrin, agrees. "The gum tissue around the teeth is an important aspect of smile presentation. Since the teeth are framed by the lips; the lip position, fullness and color of the lips can also influence aesthetic appeal."
Focusing heavily on cosmetic dentistry and reconstructive dentistry, including implants, Hughes says beautiful smiles have several common ingredients like symmetry and proportion.
But as we age, our teeth get discolored, worn out and chipped, or suffer from further decay.
Sometimes we could have been in an accident and lost a tooth or chipped it. Cosmetic dentistry comes to our rescue here, by addressing all these problems, and helping to rejuvenate and rebuild our smile.
"Even an 80-year-old may come in wanting some cosmetic dentistry!" says Hughes. "And when we are done with it, they are proud as peacocks because they are so happy with the results!"
An orthodontist, like Childers, on the other hand can help redesign your smile by repositioning crooked, crowded, irregular or overlapping teeth, using braces, retainers and other devices.
Orthodontics can also help with other factors that hinder a nice smile, including spaces between your teeth, protruding teeth, misaligned jaws, tooth development and jaw growth problems.
"While children in general tend to have more problems with crooked, crowded teeth, it's simply because they haven't lived long enough to develop stained, worn teeth as yet," says Hughes. "In that case they visit an orthodontist and get help with their smiles."
"However braces won't help a 70-year-old lady with stained, worn teeth," suggests Hughes. "Her teeth are probably straight, but they just don't look good." In that case a cosmetic dentist sets about determining how best to help her out.
Thus while both cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics take an interest in improving smiles, how they go about it is different.
Bleaching
Bleaching procedures have experienced a phenomenal growth in the past few years. Scores of people buy over-the-counter teeth whiteners and visit their dentists regularly to avail of the latest in bleaching technology, to attain the pearly whites they have always dreamt of.
Indeed the most conservative and least expensive option to dramatically improve you smile, it is an extremely common procedure today.
Veneering
Made of porcelain, a veneer recreates the appearance of a new tooth. Also known as laminating, it's like a slip cover that fits over the front surfaces of the teeth and has both functional and aesthetic appeal.
"Cosmetics wise I seem to be doing a lot of whitening and veneering these days," says Dr. Kwonil Park, DDS, cosmetic and general dentist, Dental Group of Carbondale. "If the stain is inside the teeth, bleaching won't get it all. In that case, veneering and capping helps."
A conservative, minimally invasive procedure, Park says all it involves is polishing the tooth surface, where he's putting the porcelain in.
One important aspect of smile design is the relationship between the ends of the tooth to the lip, says Hughes. From our teenage years to our 20's, our teeth usually don't display much wear.
But as we grow older, the teeth start to wear out, just like the bottom of our shoe sole.
While the amount of wear depends on our diet, usage, genetics and personal habits, the teeth are slowly not displayed as much in our smile as we age. "For example, say your tooth was about 10 mm long when you were 18, by the time you reach 45 years of age, it may be down to about 9 mm in length," says Hughes. "With porcelain veneers, we can rebuild how the teeth should look and give a person back their original smile."
"You can also cross over and put veneers on teeth that have minor tooth crowding," says Hughes. "It all really depends on the individual case."
Gummy Smiles
Since the teeth and the gums are part of the portrait framed by the lips, diseased, discolored or too much of gum tissue on display, can take away from the aesthetic appeal of the smile.
A gummy smile, which is also known as the gingival smile line or high smile line commonly provokes strong concern from clinicians. When a person has a gummy smile, the anterior (front) teeth look like baby teeth, since the gum covers up a lot of the tooth, says Park.
"If the problem is caused by excessive gum covering the teeth, a procedure called crown lengthening can be done, where we fully expose the entire crown" says Childers.
The gum area is then reshaped in a procedure called a gingivectomy, using a conventional scalpel, radiosurgery or lasers.
Conventional Scalpel: For more radical removals of gum tissue, the conventional scalpel method works great, even if it can be a bit on the bloody side, which makes visualization challenging for the dentist.
Radiosurgery: Using an electric current, the doctor cauterizes minute pieces of loose, diseased gum tissue and gets rid of pockets between the teeth and gums in order to achieve a sculpted gum.
"I have a radiosurgery unit and I can tell you this: the procedure is very effective with minimal bleeding," says Hughes. "Visualize a sculptor gently and skillfully sculpting a sphere out of a piece of chalk. A gingivectomy is essentially an artistic kind of light application for sculpting gum tissue and I love it because it feels so creative."
Lasers: Used in various ways in general dentistry for the past five to 10 years, "The laser started being widely used in orthodontics only about three years ago," says Childers, who has over 16 years of practice under his belt.
The only one offering a laser gingivectomy in the Southern Illinois region, at present, Childers says the laser is great because it only works on gum tissue and doesn't damage the teeth.
After painting a topical anesthetic on the gum tissue and measuring the amount that needs removal, Childers uses a diode laser to vaporize the unwanted gum tissue in small increments of about half a millimeter at a time.
"It's less invasive, has hardly any bleeding and has no pain associated with it at all," says Childers.
While some people just get a laser gingivectomy done, Childers says he's used it in combination with other treatments with great success amongst his patients. For example, he adjusted the smile line of a young girl over a period of time.
The patient went through two phases of orthodontic treatment at first: slowing down the downward growth of her top jaw using headgear designed to restrict growth for one whole year, waiting two years for her permanent teeth to emerge and then using braces to push up her front teeth for a year.
"The final piece of the puzzle was the laser," says Childers.
Getting the Tom Cruise smile!
Since there are very few of us out there that don't want a good smile or value the way we look, modern dentistry comes to our rescue with several tools and techniques designed to restore teeth to their natural, gleaming beauty.
"Many people come to me and say 'I want to look like Tom Cruise!'" says Park, an ex-New Yorker, who has more than five years of experience in cosmetic dentistry. "What they don't realize is that his teeth are messed up! His center line is off, mid line is off. They just see how white his teeth are and want to emulate him."
With increased life spans and better quality of life, Kwonil says many of his patients have a positive outlook. They say, "I may be 60, but my life starts again. Now give me the whitest teeth you can!"
"People are more savvy today," declares Childers who has many patients coming into his office having already researched procedures they want done on the internet. "They know what they want and will ask for it. Of course it's up to us to determine if it's the treatment they actually need!"
The Big Picture
With the boom in cosmetic surgery, anti-aging products, weight loss procedures and body-beautiful therapies, is it any wonder that improving and redesigning your very smile is taking top priority on many people's lists?
"Everyone is so focused on having pearly whites, that they forget the bigger picture," says Rhonda DeMattei, RDH, Ph.D., assistant professor of dental hygiene, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. "The focus needs to be on oral health, hygiene and general wellness. What's the point if you have a nice smile, but still have gum disease?"
DeMattei admits that people possibly feel better about themselves, with an increase in self esteem, when they finally have a smile they are proud of. But she fears our society over-emphasizes the importance of a perfect smile and sacrifices the emphasis on dental health.
"It all goes back to our social expectations," says DeMattei. "With big businesses setting the standards, you always see models with the perfect smile, if you open any magazine or switch on the TV." The model then becomes the icon for beauty that everyone wants to emulate on a sub-conscious level.
DeMattei warns that there is a fine line between what's necessary and what the media and dental companies are pushing as perfect. "But on the other hand, thank goodness there are dentists who can give the patient whatever they want, be it veneers, bleaching, straightening teeth or just redesigning the way you smile," says DeMattei.
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Gretta's Got It: Fall beauty rehab routine
If dull, dry and damaged is how you describe your skin and hair, then it's time to freshen up for fall. Tonight, our style reporter Gretta Monahan is here with her "Fall Beauty Rehab Routine."
If your hair and skin are suffering from all that summer fun, then you are in need of what I call a fall beauty rehab.
So, let's start by bringing back those luscious locks by repairing damaged hair.
The first thing you'll need to do is to get your hair back in shape. This season is simple: cut it!
The sun and salt wreak havoc on our hair, especially on color treated strands, so even a trim will give you an instant lift and shine.
While daily conditioning is always a post summer salon treatment, it will restructure revitalize and strengthen your hair.
So treat your tresses by giving them the treatment. It's a great way to replenish the moisture stolen by the summer sun.
Treatments like this range in price from $25 to $85, so there's something for every budget.
The summer months are hardest on our skin, so the first line of defense is to exfoliate.
To strip away all that summer damage, start with a peel.
Microdermabrasion is another way. They both work by removing dead and dry skin, and soften fine lines revealing a new you. If you are a girl on the go, these exfoliating pads by Peter Thomas Roth are your skin's must have! They cleanse your skin and even give your skin a few essential vitamins. So once you revealed that new fall glow, it's time to re-hydrate. There's no better way to do that than with a relaxing and revitalizing fall facial. But if you can't sit still, there are plenty of products from pharmacies to department stores that will re-new and freshen up lifeless skin.
Want a beauty boost? This is one of the best things around.
The Beauty Booster by Trish McEvoy, this my secret weapon to awaking fatigued dull skin.
And the final trick in our fall rehab change up your makeup!
Add soft autumn hues for eyes, lips and cheeks. But before that blush brush hits your face, it's time to change your foundation.
You used this one for summer. Do see how it's a lot darker? This foundation color just blends into your skin.
OK, so not all of us are ready to say goodbye to the summer looking skin. So if you still need a summer glow, make it faux.
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Beauty is more than skin deep
Stanford University researchers have found that getting older means that our facial bones change, making us look less youthful.
That's why surgical face-lifts are just cosmetic.
"As the skin sags, the bony framework underneath the skin deteriorates as well, contributing to the development of new folds, creases, wrinkles, droops and valleys," said Dr. David Kahn, assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Two studies by Kahn and Dr. Robert Shaw, a resident at the University of Rochester Medical Center who was a Stanford medical student when the research was done, document the problem.
One of those studies was presented yesterday at the annual convention of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in San Francisco.
"If plastic surgeons attempting facial rejuvenation are only considering skin changes, it's not enough," Kahn said. "After you do a face-lift on some patients and look at photos of them when they were young, they look very different. Plastic surgeons can't turn back the clock."
Restoring volume to facial bones would be a solution, Kahn and Shaw concluded.
The studies also showed that "dramatic" aging of facial bones happens at a significantly younger age for women than it does for men.
"In general, for most of our measurements, women experienced aging between young and middle age, and the men between middle age and old," Shaw said.
— Don Kazak
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Makeover 911 : Vitamins and other supplements for the skin
By Kinny SalasLifestyle ColumnistInquirer
Posted date: October 12, 2006
THE MOMENT I TURNED ON MY COMPUTER to write about my exciting, new and reasonably priced beauty discovery from Malaysia, I was surprised to see 300-plus messages on my inbox. They were mainly excited reactions to my Visia Complexion Analyzer results from Belo clinic. Most of the questions are summed up by the query: “What supplements do you take for your skincare?”
The exciting Malaysian brand will have to wait till next Friday as I will have to answer the query or else my inbox will overload.
The bulk of my supplements I buy from any of Health Express’ (HE) 16 branches nationwide. Those featured here do not form my entire regimen; they are just for skin and immunity from HE. My weight maintenance and skin tablets from other brands like Belo, Herbalife, Imedeen, etc. are not included.
The in-house Health Express brand is actually the Nature’s Bounty line bought in bulk and repacked here, so the price is lower. If you become a member, you get 20-percent discount for succeeding purchases. Ask them how to go about it.
Good skin for now
The secret is tied to boosting the immune system by raising glutathione levels so your body can heal itself faster and can defend itself from free radicals.
Slight skin-whitening is merely a side effect of glutathione intake, not its main purpose. The treatment is really part of my immunity boosters that have contributed to the health of my skin, hair, brain, heart and body. Unless stated otherwise, I just take one tablet per day.
HE Time Release Radiance P980/100 tablets. A complete multivitamin that lasts up to 12 hours in the body, which is two to three times longer than others. It has extra nutrients other multivitamins lack such as gingko, ginseng, garlic, CoQ10, green tea and other trace minerals, although in very minimal amounts, so I still supplement it with extra tablets. I take it at night before sleeping as it makes me hungry when taken in the day so I tend to overeat.
HE Super Antioxidant formula P770/100 pcs. When the season changes or when I travel, I boost my immunities with this formula. It contains 25,000 iu of Vitamin A from Beta Carotene, which is good for the eyes, skin hydration, etc. It’s nontoxic.
It also contains 500 mg of Vitamin C for fighting colds, boosting collagen production, and raising glutathione levels. It also has Vitamin E d-alpha tocopherol—the purest form. (The d-alpha tocopherol is not just like most E capsules which are just synthetic, and absorption could only be as little as 1/8 of the pure form.)
Selenium skin protection works with Vitamin E; it prevents cancer and heart disease, improves thyroid function and boosts glutathione. Take it along with a meal as Vitamins A and E are fat-soluble and best absorbed with oils.
No time to eat? Ingest one tablespoon Virgin coconut oil, olive oil, or butter, then drink the tablets.
Intestinal, liver health
HE Garlic Oil 5,000 mg P420/100 tablets. Promotes intestinal health by killing bad bacteria without harming good bacteria. It kills parasites, prevents and heals colds, soothes inflammation, checks heart disease and lowers bad cholesterol.
HE Silymarin Milk Thistle 1,000 mg P520/30 tablets. This is the star product of Health Express as it is the liver’s best ally. You cannot find another brand with higher milligrams. It protects, detoxifies and regenerates the liver so our immune system can function properly and toxins are safely expelled from our system. If you take supplements like me or love drinking alcohol and eating fatty food, Silymarin is something you should drink daily for liver protection!
HE Coenzyme Q10 30 mg P1,600/100 pcs. Prevents and reverses gum disease in mild cases, gives energy, slows aging process, contributes to weight loss as it converts fat to energy, enhances endurance and aerobic performance, prevents cancer, and strengthens the heart. I take 90 mg with each meal.
Creams containing CoQ10 prevents pigmentation from age spots and heals existing ones.
HE Chromium Picolinate 200 mcg P400/100 pcs. Sugar ages your skin by clinging to and breaking down collagen fibers, causing the skin to sag and making you gain weight, too. I take two tablets of CP to lower my blood sugar, increase lean muscle mass, suppress appetite, control hunger, and reduce body fat.
Note: If you are a diabetic, consult a doctor before taking this or your blood sugar might crash and you would go on a coma!
The HE Gingko Biloba 100 mg for improved memory and circulation has gone down in price from P830 to P650.
Consult your doctor as these supplements may have harmful side effects for you. Look for the head pharmacist in Health Express branches for consultations on the products. I have been stopped by the pharmacist from buying certain supplements that would clash with my thyroid condition. Don’t hesitate to ask and don’t get mad when they prevent you from buying certain products. Check out their website at www.healthexpressph.com.
E-mail the author at kinnysalas@yahoo.com
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Quixtar's Artistry Time Defiance Skin Care Offers Benefits Beyond Procedures
ADA, Mich., October 10, 2006 –
Quixtar, the #1 online retailer of Health and Beauty products, launches the Artistry® Time Defiance® Skin Care System, the newest anti-aging development in skin protection and restoration. Backed by the most advanced science, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, and proven clinical performance, Time Defiance Skin Care is the secret to defying age beyond procedures.
“While cosmetic procedures can provide an immediate change to the skin, they can’t change the age of your skin, provide daily sunscreen protection, or daily hydration,” says Dr. Indira Misra-Higgins, Dermatologist and Diplomate, American Academy of Dermatology. “An anti-aging skin care system like Time Defiance provides these daily benefits that go beyond what procedures can provide to create younger-acting and younger-looking skin.”
Time Defiance Skin Care products offer the ultimate in anti-aging solutions at every step of the daily skin care routine. The system is formulated with Derma Cell Exchange technology to naturally awaken, connect, and protect the lines of cellular communication for 41% younger acting and looking skin. It includes:
• Cleansing Treatment• Conditioning Toner• Day Protect Crème/Lotion• Night Recovery Crème/Lotion
Derma Cell Exchange helps slow the natural breakdown of cellular communication in the skin, allowing it to act and look years younger. And, Time Defiance Skin Care products offer the most advanced protection from the two leading causes of premature aging with SPF-15 UVA/UVB and Defense 4 free radical protection. Artistry Time Defiance Skin Care offers the most advanced anti-aging skin care available beyond what dermatological procedures can offer.
The new AArtisry Time Defiance Skin Care System is available exclusively through Quixtar Independent Business Owners in the U.S. and Canada.
About Quixtar Inc.Quixtar Inc., a subsidiary of Alticor Inc., is a business opportunity company that offers entrepreneurs the ability to have a web-based business of their own. Through Quixtar's Independent Business Owner Compensation Plan, individuals are rewarded for product sales resulting from their business-building efforts.Since 1999, Independent Business Owners (IBOs) powered by Quixtar have generated $5.3 billion in sales at www.quixtar.com plus more than $396 million for Partner Stores, earning more than $1.72 billion in bonuses and other incentives. Their efforts have propelled Quixtar to be named the number one online retailer in the Health & Beauty category based on sales, and 20th among all e-commerce sites, according to Internet Retailer's "Top 500 Guide."
Quixtar currently supports independent businesses in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and various trust territories and independent island nations in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and Caribbean Sea.
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Simple beauty vices can spell addiction
This kind of getting baked could really hurt you.
Though not illegal, indoor tanning might find its way onto a lesson-plan in the D.A.R.E. program.
A recent study at Wake Forest University has found evidence that indoor tanning may be an addictive activity - and those who frequent the nation's 50,000 indoor tanning salons may soon be looking for the nearest gathering of Tanner's Anonymous for their 12-step plan.
Move over heroin, the real scourge of America's youth may be waiting for us in the tanning bed.
We live in a culture where competition guides our daily behavior.
We fuel up on caffeine to get ready, inhale cigarettes to get by and fake-tan to get noticed during the day.
But just because these vices don't put us behind bars doesn't mean they won't put us in the prison of dependency, disease and addiction.
Consequences don't always come weighed out in grams.
Addictions can come in any shape size or light-bulb bed.
But it's easy to make a pariah out of the heroin addict and (too much) light out of the overly-bronzed, fake-tanned, living and breathing statues who down UV's like cigarettes.
Since there's no smoke, we assume there's no fire.
And we don't worry about the costs of Sunkisting our skin because they are so far down the road. But it's a street we'll eventually have to cross in the form of damaged skin and skin cancer.
Throughout history glowing skin has been looked at as a sign of beauty.
But as people roast themselves toward perfection they run the risk of being physically hooked to bronzing themselves, with an ultimate penalty of skin cancer. And they end up looking like Syracuse Orangemen on a campus of Nittany Lions.
The Indoor Tanning Association lowers these red flags by saying that moderation is the key.
But we're a society that calls our cell phones when we can't find them; we have multiple copies of our car keys, put them on a key-chain, and still manage to lose them. In other words, moderation may be the key, but there's a good chance we'll forget where it is.
Tanners, unlike smokers, won't get kicked out of bars for their addictions or shuffled into squad cars like substance abusers.
The only speed bump the $2 billion industry is putting up to slow the race toward tanning salons is posting a warning touting the risks of over-exposure to ultra violet rays.
But just like the literature cigarette smokers read on their packs while lighting up, that type of measure is as ineffective as it is ironic.
Because nobody is passing out pins saying "I support tan-free faces" indoor tanning is not looked at as a problem. So these easy bake ovens will continue to burn.
And the ultra-violet junkies will continue to pursue their fix. According to a study done by the University of Texas, UV rays absorbed by the skin during tanning produce endorphins which make us feel good. We become addicted to this "buzz" and chase the dragon - we're not relaxed until we get burnt.
But skin cancer is chasing us all the while. And we continue to tan despite this pronounced harm - think "this is your brain, this is your brain on drugs," but in this case the fried egg is your skin and we're still not paying attention.
Though scientists are fine-tuning their connection between indoor tanning and skin cancer, people seem to be tuning out the risks as they try to bring their white bread to a golden brown, not realizing they'll soon be burnt toast.
Even on a sunny day the number of people stuffed into the waiting room of the downtown tanning salons is staggering. And as the sun visits Happy Valley less and less as old man winter starts to arrive, the numbers will rise exponentially.
Maybe we can urge the Sunny-Delight enthusiasts that even if beauty is only skin deep, with our skin gone - there won't be any beauty left at all. And the only thing on their face that should be glowing is their smile.
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A zest for beauty
By Diana Uy
A FEW years ago, I remember passing by a small cart in SM North Edsa that seemed rather out of place amid the jumble of kiosks hawking donuts, hotdog and bags . The open cart sat quietly at the center of the mall, waiting for passersby to take notice.
From what I could see, there wasn’t anything particularly eye-catching about the cart. But each time I passed, I noticed the crowds around the kiosk getting bigger and bigger. Curious, I took a peek at what the fuss was all about.
At a time when beauty products were largely the domain of foreign cosmetics companies, Zen Zest, with its unique line of handmade bath and beauty products, created quite a stir among young students and budget conscious individuals, first, because they were affordable, and second, because they were as good (maybe even better) than a lot of the imported lines that cost twice as much.
Best of all, the products are Philippine-made.
The mother of all zen
Zen Zest was conceptualized by Michelle Asence, its bubbly, free-spirited 29-year-old owner. A psychology graduate from De La Salle University, Asence is no stranger to business, as her family owns the Goto King chain of restaurants.
According to Asence, Zen Zest was created to provide consumers a line of locally made beauty products as inexpensive alternatives to the pricier foreign products. At the time, “zen” was a popular word and everyone was using it. Asence added ‘‘zest’’ to put color to the brand.
Creating Zen Zest was the most natural choice for her, she says, because she has always been fond of bath and beauty products from the time she was a child.
Determined to make her mark in the industry, she quit her job as a merchandiser for a top local clothing brand in 2001, hired herself a chemist, and single-handedly created the first line of Zen Zest products, which included lotions, body scrubs, fragrances and bars of soap.
With a working capital of P350,000 given by her mom, Asence opened her first stall in Megamall. In less than five years, she managed to parlay this into a thriving enterprise that made her a millionaire at the age of 23.
“I was surprised by the response of the people. Even during our first day, we were already selling, especially our fragrances!”
To date Zen Zest has already opened 40 kiosks and sells an extensive line of beauty and body care products, covering from head to foot. These products are reasonably priced from P65 to P250.
To her credit, Asence does not skimp on quality. Her products are made from imported ingredients and undergo strict monitoring that is at par with foreign brands.
Thus, its not surprising that their initial target of the middle class market extends to the upper class, whom Asence confides are her most loyal consumers especially during the holidays.
“The matronas, most especially, love our affordable and beautifully crafted Christmas gift sets which they hoard and give to their loved ones.”
Proof that Zen Zest has made a name as the local counterpart of such foreign brands as Bath and Body Works, Victoria’s Secret and The Body Shop is its growing list of aficionados. A list that includes sisters Gelli and Janice de Belen, one-time Pinoy Big Brother housemates JB Magsaysay and Cassandra Ponti, and even some high-profile socialites.
Award-winning products
It has also won numerous international accolades including the most recent Category Award for the Alternative Use for a Label Press Carton at the Federacion Internationale des Fabricants et Transformateurs d’Adhesif et Thermo-collants sur Papiers et Autres Supports (FINAT) in Warsaw, Poland for its 50 ml Water Eau de Toilette (EDT). The cologne is shaped like a teardrop that, when put together with the other variants form a flower. The packaging was designed by Kimberly Tiu of Kimbells.
Zen Zest’s best-sellers, however, are still its aromatherapy varieties, handmade bars of soap, fragrances, hand and body lotions, and its room and linen sprays.
For its aromatherapy line, lavender is the most sought-after scent what with its calming and stress-relieving effect. While the green tea soap is the bestseller in the soap category. The soap can also help prevent blemishes. Another bestseller is the oatmeal soap, which is good for sloughing off dead skin cells, suitable to people allergic to fragrances.
When it comes to scents, its “Sex and the City”-inspired cocktail set are a hit among young women. Top picks include cosmopolitan, which has a seductive tropical fruity scent ideal for evening wear; martini, a delicious combination of lush green and citrus; daiquiri, a fresh, out-of-the-shower fragrance perfect for outdoors; and margarita, a tangy melange of luscious fruits and tropical punch.
“We were able to capture the Filipina taste,” Asence explains the secret of Zen Zest’s success. “We also offer varieties suited for any personality and mood.”
Aiming high
Though Asence has created a profitable beauty empire, she still believes that success is yet to be achieved, “Maybe if the company has a billboard to its name already!,” laughs Asence.
“We still plan to export and open more branches in Asia and the Middle East.”
In the meantime, she focuses on her new line of VCO hair and body products and preparing for new packages for the coming holidays.
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Flaws and effect
By JOCELYN NOVECK
the associated press
NEW YORK -- That guy in the Abercrombie & Fitch ad doesn't have a head, but does it really matter? His upper body is as sculpted as Michelangelo's David -- chiseled muscle, washboard abs and not a follicle of chest hair.
You don't just see him in the provocative ads for Abercrombie, the youth-oriented clothing chain: On billboards and in magazines everywhere, it seems, there's a male Adonis -- buff, sleek, hairless. Like that famous 500-year-old statue, it's nice to look at. But how does it make the average guy feel?
Maybe not so great. With all the recent attention on how paper-thin models and actresses can affect girls and women, it's worth noting that men can suffer from body image problems, too.
"Body image is not just a concern for women," says researcher Deborah Schooler, who has looked into the adverse effects such media images can have on male self-esteem. "It affects men, too, and it demands attention."
In the past, research has understandably focused on women and the dangerous eating disorders that can stem from body-related emotional issues. When looking at men, researchers asked the wrong questions, Schooler argues.
"Asking men about just weight or size misses the boat," Schooler, a research associate at Brown University, said in a telephone interview. What men are more concerned about, she says, are other "real-body" factors, like sweat, body hair and body odor.
In a study published last spring and recently featured in Seed magazine, Schooler, then at San Francisco State University, and a colleague looked at 184 male college students. The more media these men consumed -- especially music videos and prime-time TV -- the worse they felt about their bodies' "real" aspects.
Further, they found that such negative feelings affected their sexual well-being, in some cases leading to more aggressive and riskier sexual behavior. The study appeared in the journal Psychology of Men and Masculinity.
Does all this mean that it's unhealthy for "Average Joes," as the researchers titled their study, to aspire to the lean, muscular body idealized by Michelangelo and Abercrombie alike? One prominent promoter of men's fitness argues no -- unless, of course, it's an obsession.
"What's good about that image is that it's the picture of health," says David Zinczenko, editor of Men's Health magazine and a bestselling diet author. "With diabetes rates skyrocketing over the past 70 years, a little more 'lean' wouldn't hurt us."
Indeed, the very concept of the male ideal appears to change with the seasons. "We seem to go from rugged to smooth, rugged to smooth," says longtime fitness personality Richard Simmons. "You're either the Marlboro Man or you're the Surfer Boy. You're a cowboy, or you're a lean, mean swimming machine."
Simmons calls body image "a very personal, private thing for guys -- something they don't want to talk about." But make no mistake, he says: "Getting into a pair of jeans is just as important for a man as a woman. He wants to look good."
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USA : Coty aims to be a top-five beauty company globally
October 7, 2006
Coty Inc announced that 2006 fiscal year sales were $2.9 billion, up 38 percent from the previous year. In the five years since Bernd Beetz was named chief executive officer, Coty Inc has doubled in size. Today, Coty Inc is the largest fragrance company in the world and an emerging leader in the global beauty industry."
By fueling creativity, our truly cosmopolitan management team continues to develop relevant products that drive our fragrance and beauty lines," said Beetz. "Specifically, we have created a formula to develop and market high- caliber products faster than anyone else."
This accelerated performance stems from a combination of organic internal growth, acquisitions, line extensions, new licenses and consistent top-line growth. Moreover, Coty Inc. has a high rate of successful product launches, reinforcing the company's reputation globally as an innovator.
With fragrance as the largest segment of its business, Coty Inc is the No. 3 prestige fragrance company in the U.S. and is quickly gaining market share globally with blockbuster fragrance lines, including Calvin Klein, Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker. Additionally, the company's color cosmetic business is the No. 2 in Europe led by Rimmel, which is experiencing double-digit growth.
Going forward, Coty Inc aims to be a top-five beauty company globally. Currently the eighth largest beauty company in fragrances, color, cosmetics, skin care, sun care and toiletries, Coty Inc is positioned for growth by segmenting its portfolio into designer, celebrity and lifestyle brands, while continuing to work on distribution, media and innovation.
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Ancient Hair Remedies Unveiled By Amazon Beauty, Cocoon Hair Studio and Ecoagents
New York, NY (PRWEB)
October 6, 2006 --
Amazon Beauty (Cocoon Hair Studio) and Ecoagents, an environmental advocate, are collaborating efforts to launch the exclusive Rahua, a powerful ancient serum that breathes new life into the hair, bringing beauty and creating the healthiest hair and scalp possible.
Fabian Lliguin, notable New York City hair stylist and color expert, started applying the exclusive serum on his clients several years ago. Now after treating clients for some time, Rahua has become a success with the New York City community. Now, women from places as far as Japan and Germany are contacting Lliguin in hopes of possessing and benefiting too from this ancient Shamanistic knowledge.
This intriguing pure and natural oil, Rahua, has a very unique history. For hundreds of years, deep in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, women from the Quechua-Shuar tribes have been collecting Rahua nuts from the jungle floor during the gathering season. The next cycle of the ancient tradition is dependent on nature, when the moon is full and when the orchids are peaking into bloom. Once the natural oil is prepared, the Rahua is then infused with wild sweet gardenias and medicinal herbs hand picked from the Amazon jungle floor, creating exquisitely rare fragrances taking the senses to new heights.
This is an exciting time where ancient knowledge is offering many solution to today's issues. Now a revolutionary product, Rahua, is curing dry, damaged, brittle, frizzy and over-exposed hair as well as scalp unbalances. These issues are a direct result of the daily use of heat tools harsh chemicals and medications which affect and deteriorate the health of the hair and scalp. These common hair and scalp conditions have made Rahua the exclusive answer for everyone who desires beautiful glossy natural hair and a healthy balanced scalp. A couple of drops of Rahua will unlock the magic of every mane.
The CreatorsThis truly amazing product, Rahua, has been perfected by Quechua women over the centuries using nature's ancient technology combined with Amazonian shamanistic knowledge. As the tribe members are sharing their knowledge in turn they are receiving a new boost to their local economy. Also exciting is the revival of customs on the verge of disappearing, and a new sense of pride among these tribal women.
Anna Ayers is a gifted trend forecaster and fashion designer in New York City. Ayers is a full-hearted ecological agent involved in many projects that promote the preservation of the Amazon Rainforest.
Fabian Lliguin, a 20-year veteran of the hair industry, comes from a long line of hair stylists from his native Ecuador. Among his attributes Lliguin has been recognized as the Hair Shaman, due to his expertise of formulations and treatments from the Amazon Rainforest, and his natural hair coloring techniques. He has trained with Vidal Sassoon, Wella, Lanza, Redken and more, and has worked throughout Europe including London, Monaco, Paris, and Berlin, as well as throughout South America. He has styled for New York City’s “Fashion Week,” and his expert opinion is often sought after by upscale media publications. Since coming to America in 1986, Lliguin has owned and operated several salons in New York City, most recently Cocoon Hair Studio, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
As ecological agents for the Rainforest, Lliguin and Ayers often travel to the Amazon Rainforest and educate tribesmen and women. As a result of his long-standing personal relationship with the Quechuan Indians, Lliguin has been able to bring this ancient hair treatment to the upscale market in the “modern world.” He has spent the last seven years researching and perfecting the use of Rahua to give his clients the most beautiful healthy hair. This completes the circle and a mutual gift is shared that transcends time and borders creating a brighter future for the world.
Contact Information: For more information, interview requests, and photography contact:Anna Ayers at Amazon Beauty 318 East 70th Street NY, NY, 10021 or call 212.879.5630cocoonhair.com ecoagents.org
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(What I Saw on Telly)
By Ruslina Yusoff
BEAUTY and its secrets - this is one topic which will always generate interest.
While there are many stories about fashion and beauty products from the West, there are few that feature traditional beauty practices.
Production house Grand Brilliance Sdn Bhd has made the right move to produce the documentary entitled "Beauty Secrets of the East".
This half-hour documentary reveals traditional beauty secrets from many communities in Asia.
Natural ingredients such as herbs, spices, oils, nuts and volcano lava are used in health and beauty regimens.
The documentary also tries to unravel some of the intriguing techniques used to maintain "eternal" youth and beauty.
They include the renowned susuk, which was common practice among Malays and Indonesians, "flower bath" where at least seven kinds of flowers are used, ayuverda treatment, acupuncture, massage and yoga.
The informative programme briefly goes through the history and culture of Asian communities in relation to beauty care.
In Thursday night's episode, the programme covered pantang practices during post-natal periods in Nepal, Korea and China.
Nepal has a dying breed of midwives who look after young mothers for about three months. They use special oils to massage the body to rid it of toxins and wind.
Even the newborn is massaged. Like Malays, mothers also go through the tangas process where herbs and spices are warmed over a slow fire in a clay pot while the mother is enveloped in a cloud of scented fumes.
For the baby, the midwife will catch the fumes and press them on the baby's abdomen. The newborn's eyes are also lined with herbal eye kohl to stimulate nerves.
I am not sure whether the baby is tightly swaddled to avoid flatulence as traditional medicine believes that wind is the cause of many ailments.
The programme did not show whether the mother used a traditional girdle to get back into shape. Or is a pencil-slim figure only the West's perception of beauty?
In Beijing, chi, yin and yang come into play to restore a mother's health and energy.
Weak and strong pressure massages are applied to balance the body system. The face is also massaged, focusing on the chin and forehead. The back, waist and buttocks are massaged to get rid of toxins.
Mothers are advised to complement traditional treatment with fruit juices for healthy skin.
Korean mothers practise kuok san do, a combination of tai chi and yoga, both of which emphasises breathing control. The semi- meditational kuok san do improves the flow of yin and yang while stretching the muscles.
In all the segments, the mother will state how she had benefited from the treatment.
- By Ruslina Yusoff (
ruslina@nst.com.my)
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Common Culinary Spice Has “Roots” in Ayurveda: BODY BISTRO® Brings Benefits of Turmeric to Your Beauty Regimen.
BODY BISTRO® introduces a line of luxury organic bath and body products for the soul.
Beverly Hills, Calif. (PRWEB) September 25, 2006 -- Many of today’s herbal remedies are far from household names: Arctic Root, Bladder Wrack, and Cat’s Claw. However, there is one herb with health and beauty benefits that is as close to you as your pantry: Turmeric. Derived by grinding the yellow, ginger-like roots from a small plant, native to India, into a powder or paste, Turmeric has a history of healing that dates back 5,000 – 7,000 years ago to the Vedic Texts that outline the practice of Ayurveda (the science of longevity). Here is a quick lesson on the healing, balancing and beautifying properties of this time-honored spice.
Sacred Turmeric and the Asian Culture
The Turmeric plant is sacred to the Himalayan Monks and plays an important role in their herbal rituals. In many Asian cultures, brides and grooms are anointed with Turmeric on their wedding day in order to balance their mind, body and spirit and prepare them for their new roles as husband and wife. In addition, mixing Turmeric with lime creates the distinctive red forehead mark of spiritual followers – the kumkuma. Turmeric is also added to the water used daily in the ritual ablution of the Deities and mixed with unpolished rice as an important offering during puja (prayer).
Turmeric and the Fight against Cancer and Other Diseases
Ayurvedic doctors have long used Turmeric as a medicine for treating diabetes, wounds/bruises, skin rashes, arthritis, bronchitis and liver problems. Today, Western medicine is discovering that this powerful spice also can help the body battle cancer. Recently, researchers at Detroit’s Henry Ford Health System found that the active ingredient in Turmeric, curcumin, can boost the cancer-fighting power of treatment with a naturally occurring molecule called TRAIL, which helps combat cancer cells. Other studies have found Turmeric to be as effective as hydrocortisone in treating cases of arthritis and acute inflammation – without side effects. Turmeric also has important antibacterial properties and is effective in killing Salmonella and E. Coli bacteria.
Turmeric and Beauty
Asian women rely on Turmeric to help them achieve younger-looking, smoother, more brighter and radiant skin. This ancient “beauty secret” is often applied to the body in paste form before a bath to cleanse and revitalize the skin, achieving tighter pores and refined skin texture. Turmeric also is widely recognized to have antioxidant qualities, which fight free radicals and thereby help slow the aging process. For such skin problems as rashes or acne, sandalwood extract is often added to the formula to enhance its antibacterial action.
Turmeric and You
Before you run for the spice rack to douse yourself with a layer of this beneficial spice, take a deep, cleansing breath and relax. BODY BISTRO – the world’s most authentic, comprehensive line of Ayurvedically based skin and body care products – can bring the benefits of Turmeric to your beauty regimen with skin and body care products formulated with the most effective, pure extracts of Turmeric available.
No matter what your skin type, you can design a regimen to harness the healing powers of Turmeric with Body Bistro products:Dry Skin: Cleanse with Tomato + Amla Cleansing Crème. Follow with Tomato + Sage Hydrating Elixir. Moisturize with Apricot + Lavender Soothing Serum to defend skin against aging free radicals. Hydrate and prevent wrinkles with the Carrot + Sandalwood Eye Butter.
Sensitive Skin: Follow the Normal/Combination/Dry Skin regimen above and substitute Apricot + Lavender Soothing Serum to soothe and protect. Hydrate and prevent wrinkles with the Carrot + Sandalwood Eye Butter.
Oily Skin: Cleanse with Apricot + Clove Cleansing Gelle. Follow with Apricot + Neem Rejuvenating Elixir. Finish with Apricot + Lavender Soothing Serum to defend skin against aging free radicals. Depuff the eyes with the Green Apple + Neem Eye Jelly.
About BODY BISTROBased on Ayurveda—“The Science of Longevity”— BODY BISTRO products address the needs of mind and body according to the Ayurvedic concept of Doshas, the three metabolic types found in the human system. Each product is characterized by Dosha —Vata (dry), Pitta (Sensitive/Acneic) or Kapha (Oily). Doshas are easily identifiable through distinctive packaging, which is based on Vastu Shastra (Indian Feng Shui), and is color-coded to correspond with each Dosha’s signature balancing gem color. Utilizing point-of-purchase materials, or the BODY BISTRO® website (www.bodybistro.com), consumers determine their individual Dosha and select the products suited to their needs. For an even higher level of customization, clients are prompted to choose a product based on “How Are You Feeling Today? ™”—ensuring that their skin/body condition is treated quickly and effectively.
Ayurveda may be a new approach to skin care, but it is a time-honored philosophy of wellness, according to BODY BISTRO® founder Carina Chatlani, who studied the ancient Vedic texts in the Himalayas. Working alongside Tibetan and Indian sages, she grew herbs, extracted essences and created plant oils according to 5,000-7,000 year old practices. Determined to bring the healing benefits of Ayurveda to the Western community, Chatlani earned her degree in Biological Sciences, and then embarked on the long and arduous process of developing, testing and refining formulas. The result is today’s full line of BODY BISTRO® skin care products, now available online at www.bodybistro.com.
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Non-invasive Beauty Treatments
BY KATRINA STACKHOUSE, SOUTHERN HEALTH CONTRIBUTOR
With fall in full swing, many of us are seeking ways to fix the damage we've done to our skin over the course of a long, hot summer. We've spent many a day baking our skin in the sun's harmful rays and swimming in skin-drying, chemically treated pools.
The summer's warmth helped us re-discover our love for outdoor activities like biking and hiking and in return, our muscles and joints now beg for a quiet and lazy fall. With the kids back in school, many parents' schedules are finally opening up.
So why not spend this precious time reinvesting in yourself?
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to undergo major cosmetic or surgical reconstruction to feel refreshed and rejuvenated after an active summer. There are many ways to discover the "new you" through non-invasive beauty treatments for the mind, body and spirit.
The fastest way to revamp your looks is to peel the years off or get rid of that unwanted fat! Non-invasive, anti-aging, anti-cellulite treatments like microdermabrasion, lipodissolve and The Perfector are great options for turning back the clock and undoing the damage of years of neglect.
Lipodissolve
For those of us who spent the entire summer trying to find creative ways to cover up unsightly fatty areas, lipodissolve may be an appropriate non-surgical option. An alternative to liposuction that uses natural chemicals found in our bodies to breakdown fat and cholesterol deposits, lipodissolve, like liposuction, is mainly used to reshape or contour areas of the body; however it differs from liposuction in that it's non-surgical.
Results from lipodissolve are not immediate as treatments are scheduled two to three weeks apart. However, physical results are usually visible with just one to four treatments.
Dr. Ted G. Van Acker, board certified dermatologist and owner of Southern Illinois Dermatology, is certified from both the leading training and support organizations for the lipodissolve procedure, namely the American Society of Aesthetic Lipodissolve and the International Meso Lipotherapy Society.
Having gotten the golden opportunity to work directly with Dr. Patricia Rittes, who originated the procedure, he now offers lipodissolve in ten locations across Southern Illinois.
According to Van Acker, lipodissolve can treat both the face and the body, eliminating fat deposits from various areas including the cheeks, jowls, double chin, arm folds, triceps, back-bulges, love handles, and upper and lower belly.
As a non-invasive treatment there is no recovery time associated with this treatment but patients should avoid physical activity, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, and saunas for 48 hours, he says. Van Acker cautions that lipodissolve is not a suitable therapy for severely obese body types and says prospective patients first need to make an appointment to find out if it's a suitable treatment for them.
Since each individual may experience pain differently with multiple injections, topical anesthesia is used during the procedure to help minimize pain. It is normal for the patient to experience minor itching, bruising, and redness for a few days following treatment, says Van Acker. Swelling is also to be expected. "After the swelling subsides, there is a noticeable reduction of localized fat in the treated areas," says Van Acker. "The skin of the treated area then naturally retracts, without need for surgery."
"I have found that this technique is in high demand in Southern Illinois, and has shown very good results," says Dr. Nelson Gauto, plastic surgeon and owner of Southern Illinois Plastic Surgery and The Aesthetic and Rejuvenation Center located in Herrin.
Available at Southern Illinois Dermatology, Southern Illinois Plastic Surgery, Wise Health Solutions and Holistic Healing Arts, amongst other places; lipodissolve uses multiple injections of fat dissolving medicines for fat reduction, cellulite treatment, skin retraction and overall body contouring.
Microdermabrasion
If smoother skin is what you're aiming for then microdermabrasion may be the right choice for you. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), microdermabrasion is a skin-freshening technique that helps repair aging and damaged skin. During the microdermabrasion process the skin is sandblasted with a spray of tiny crystals, causing a gentle abrasion to remove the dead, outer layer of skin.
"Microdermabrasion is used to soften the skin, to help to get rid of unsightly sun spots and fine wrinkles," says Gauto. "Chemical peels can be customized for different skin types and sometimes they can be performed with microdermabrasion to enhance the results," he adds.
Body Wraps
In addition to microdermabrasion and chemical peel services The Aesthetic and Rejuvenation Center also offers body wraps or the Soft Pak wrap.
"The Soft Pak involves wrapping the body with moisturizers, herbs, and exfoliants," says Gauto. "The client is then immersed in a water bed that "wraps" the whole body giving the sensation of zero gravity. There are only 12 other machines in all of North America that can provide this service."
Other places like the Egyptian Revival Day Spa and Wellness Center in Carterville offer an array of enticing and healthful body wraps, with exotic names such as the Sacred Honey Body Wrap, the Nile Fango Mud Wrap and the Ankh Seaweed Detoxification Wrap.
The Perfector
If you're interested in turning back the years and the winkles and laugh lines that go along with them, then you may be interested in the The Perfector Facial Sculpting & Skin Rejuvenation system.
The Perfector is a corrective and preventative technique that uses micro-current technology to boost your skin's elasticity through collagen production, the most important variable of healthy, young looking skin.
According to Dr. Kristen Jacobs, family physician and co-owner of Wise Health Solutions located in Mt. Vernon, the technique is known as the "non-surgical face-lift. "What makes this technique so effective is that it gives results that are superior to micro-dermabrasion in the sense that it is both non-invasive and non-abrasive," she says.
"The Perfector uses a low current that sends tiny electrical impulses to the muscles, which stimulate them, causing cell regeneration which results in firmer skin," shares Jacobs. It also strengthens and tones muscles, giving a firmer appearance to the face, she adds.
Massage Therapy
There are many varieties of massage therapy available through local spas and massage centers that can help to relax and repair the pulled muscles and joints that past activities may have aggravated.
Not only is massage therapy is a great way to relax the body, but it is a great way to invigorate and stimulate the mind as well. Massage therapy is all-inclusive, treating the whole person, inside and out; and is an appropriate option for persons who suffer from stress, painfully tight muscles, back paint, joint restriction, fibromyalgia, and carpel tunnel syndrome.
According to Lynne Thompson, fitness and programs coordinator for the Lifestyle Enhancement Center in Carbondale, there are numerous benefits to massage.
"Massage begins as a great way to relax the whole body and release tight muscles, but it also calms the nervous system, strengthens the immune system, and enhances skin tone," shares Thompson. "In addition, massage improves concentration, promotes restful sleep, and aids in mental relaxation," she adds.
Besides the more popular Swedish and sports massages, there are several effective, yet little known, massage variations offered throughout Southern Illinois including reflexology, myofascial massage therapy, and neuromuscular massage therapy.
Myofascial Massage Therapy
"Fascia is tough connective tissue that surrounds all the muscles in the body...think of it as a big, thin body stocking that surrounds your muscles, explains Marty Griffin, licensed and nationally certificated massage therapist and operator of Southern Illinois Massage in Herrin. "When you heat up the fascia it enables it to expand and relax, thus reducing tension, improving flexibility, and improving your body's structural balance.
According to Gauto, myofascial massage therapy is used to improve alignment and the function of deep muscle and joints. It consists of slowly applied pressure to the fascia and movement that encourages stretching. Using these techniques in combination allows the fascia to expand, thus relieving tightness.
Southern Illinois Massage and The Lifestyle Enhancement Center offer myofascial massage therapy as well as neuromuscular massage therapy and reflexology. Focusing on the care of soft tissue such as muscle, ligaments and tendons, neuromuscular massage therapy is a great option for people who experience chronic pain.
Reflexology
A massage variation that focuses on the relationship between various glands located throughout the body that are linked with the hands and feet, reflexology uses pressure point in the hands and feet to target and relax specific areas on the body.
Reflexology is an amazing art," says Griffin. "In my experience this technique does not work for everyone, but I have clients that visit the center specifically for this modality. In fact, many times my clients can accurately guess what area I'm targeting," he adds.
It is important to remember to seek a qualified massage professional before undergoing any massage therapy services to avoid any unnecessary injury or strain.
"I recommend this to people who are looking for a good massage therapist," says Griffin. "Look in the phone book and look for a nationally certified therapist, a licensed therapist, or at the very least a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. These individuals will ensure you get the quality of service you're looking for."
Other Options
In addition to these message therapies, acupuncture may also be another option for persons seeking pain and stress relief. According to Jacobs, acupuncture can also play a major role in helping people lose weight and stop smoking. Other popular massage modalities are deep tissues massages, shiatsu, and hot stone massages. Many of these massage variations are available throughout the Southern Illinois area.
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Beauty is skin deep....
IF life is about change, skin is proof of it. In 1956, Dr Denham Harman, the “father” of the free radical theory of ageing, defined “ageing” as a result of the damage free radicals do to all the molecules of the cell. Now, scientists believe that the free radical theory of ageing also applies to the skin1.
The skin is actually one of the most hardworking and the body’s largest organ. This sturdy stuff comprises 20 square feet in most adults and weighs anywhere from six to ten pounds. It’s washable, stretchable, tough and waterproof. And, it’s much more complex than it appears on the surface!
Our skin consists of three individual layers; epidermis (area that you touch, feel and see), dermis (the thickest section of the skin where blood vessels, white blood cells, nerve endings, hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands can be found) and subcutaneous layer (which is composed of an extensive network of connective tissue laced with fat cells).
Collagen is a major structural protein in the skin. It makes up 75% of our skin; thus, the smooth, plump appearance of young, healthy skin is due to the presence of healthy collagen levels.
Collagen is a connective tissue and is the cement that holds everything together – the primary mortar between the bricks of all of our smooth muscle tissues such as blood vessels, digestive tract, heart, gallbladder, kidneys and bladder.
Collagen, along with elastin, is a key structural component of bones, cartilage, tendons, the skin, lung tissue and blood vessels. Collagen provides structure and firmness to body tissues, while elastin provides flexibility to those same tissues.
Collagen is produced in our body by cells called fibroblasts. As we age, our body’s production of collagen slows down; from the age of 25, collagen levels start to deplete at a rate of 1.5% every year, and by the age of 40, the body stops manufacturing collagen altogether.
As ageing occurs, cellular proteins hook together or change shape. These changes keep the proteins from doing their jobs properly, resulting in a loss of collagen and less firmness to body tissues. This process eventually leads to wrinkles.
Thus, one important target of wrinkle prevention and elimination is to reduce collagen breakdown and increase its supply. Stimulating collagen synthesis in aged skin has been shown to improve the appearance of fine lines and even deeper wrinkles.
When most people think about the good things that they can do for their skin, they usually think about things they can apply on their skin rather than what they can consume to make their skin healthier. Although topical application of skin care products is essential, equally important is the nourishment of the skin from the inside.
Some of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that can give your skin the youthful glow of good health include the following.
Marine extract
Marine extract2,3 is well known as “skin food from the sea”. It provides amino acids and glycosaminoglycans needed for skin cell replacement. The role of marine extract is to nourish the skin from the inside and maintain the highest levels of skin texture through the continuous renewal of its cells, preventing dehydration and minimising the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks.
Marine extract helps boost collagen production naturally (the primary structural support system of the skin), strengthens nails and hair follicles, smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, increases the elasticity and firmness of the skin, and gives skin a younger and shining look.
Acerola extract
Acerola4,5,6, also known as Barbados cherry, West Indian cherry or cereza, is one of the highest sources of vitamin C available. It is derived from the Malpighia glabra tree native to Central and South America. Just one tiny acerola has over 80mg of vitamin C
Vitamin C plays an important role in determining the condition of the skin. It is essential for efficient synthesis of collagen, bones, teeth and blood vessels. Many of the symptoms of scurvy (vitamin C deficiency disease) such as bleeding gums, skin haemorrhage and poor wound healing are due to impaired collagen synthesis.
Adding vitamin C to a culture of skin cells (fibroblasts) dramatically increases the synthesis of collagen. On the other hand, supplying extra vitamin C can accelerate collagen synthesis, especially when other key ingredients are also in abundance.
The antioxidant property of vitamin C also helps to maintain healthy skin and reduce skin damage caused by free radicals.
Zinc
Zinc7,8,9 is an essential trace mineral which is most important for cell production. Every cell in the body needs this nutrient and hundreds of body processes rely on it, from the immune system and the enzymes that produce DNA to the senses of taste and smell.
Zinc is concentrated in the muscles, bones, kidneys, liver and skin. It is important in the metabolism of vitamin A and collagen. It helps maintain skin protein synthesis and repairs the skin’s top layer in part by helping to process the essential fatty acids that encourage healing.
In some studies, zinc has been linked to skin health because it enhances the immune system, reduces inflammation, and promotes healthy hormone levels. Acne may improve as a result.
There aren’t too many women that haven’t flipped through magazines, wishing they had youthful, flawless skin like the models in the ads. Sure, there is a lot of air brushing that goes on to get that flawless look. But wouldn’t it still be great to wake up to skin that really looked like that every morning? It can be achieved with a little work and a lot of pampering. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Don’t pick pimples.
2. Drink plenty of water! Water hydrates skin and hair as well as flushes toxins out of the body.
3. Fruits and vegetables are important for healthy skin and overall well-being.
4. Take supplements.
5. Limit sun exposure. Sun ages the skin and increases the risk of skin ailments.
6. Limit stress or learn to manage it effectively. Stress is harmful both emotionally and physically. Find the stress reliever activity that works best and use it on a daily basis!
7. Wash your face at least twice a day.
8. Don’t sleep with makeup on. Your pores need to breathe.
9. Do facial exercises and get facials.
10. Get plenty of rest.
11. Keep your hands away from your face. Hands carry germs that are often transferred to our faces.
12. Don’t forget suntan lotion and sunscreen.
13. Flaxseed oil is great for healing acne, eczema and dermatitis.
References:
1. Nicholas Perricone, MD. The Wrinkle Cure. Unlock the Power of Cosmeceuticals for supple, Youthful Skin. 2005.
2. Fisher GJ, et.al. 1997. Pathophysiology of premature skin aging induced by ultraviolet light.
3. Advances in Biology of Skin, vol 6 (Montagna W. ed). Springfield: Charles C. Thomas, 1957
4. Derse Ph, Elvehjem CA. Nutrient content of acerola, a rich source of vitamin C. J Am Med Assoc. 1954 Dec 18;156(16):1501.
5. Clein NW. Acerola juice, the richest known source of vitamin C; a clinical study in infants. J Pediatr. 1956 Feb;48(2):140-5.
6. Motohashi N, Wakabayashi H, Kurihara T, Fukushima H, Yamada T, Kawase M, Sohara Y, Tani S, Shirataki Y, Sakagami H, Satoh K, Nakashima H, Molnar A, Spengler G, Gyemant N, Ugocsai K, Molnar J. Biological activity of barbados cherry (acerola fruits, fruit of Malpighia emarginata DC) extracts and fractions. Phytother Res. 2004 Mar;18(3):212-23.
7. Reader’s Digest. The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs 2000;390-391
8. Gottlieb, William. The Complete Book of Vitamins.
9. Phyllis A. Balch, CNC and James F. Balch, M.D. 2000. Prescription for Nutritional Healing Third Edition.
Note: This article is courtesy of VitaHealth. For more information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
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Beauty buffers
By Manveet Kaur02 October, 2006
To fill in the lines and creases on your faces, you use a... primer? MANVEET KAUR finds out out that, like walls and furniture, your skin also needs a similar product. I HAVE never associated a primer with my face. The wall maybe (you have to prime those sometimes before you slap on a fresh coat of paint, right?) and wooden furniture (should you want to paint them) but my face?
Well, opinions change. Imagine a product that fills in the lines and creases on your face before you apply your foundation so it does not run in your own private “rivers”. Wow!
The best kind of primer, I soon found out, is a lightweight lotion that prepares the face for makeup application by filling in fine lines and smoothing out imperfections, thus creating a flawless surface.
It provides a barrier between the skin and foundation to ensure freshness and long-lasting colour. It can also brighten the face. Now that’s what I call impressive.
Stila Angel Light UV Base (RM110)
Stila Angel Makeup Base SPF30, exclusive to Asia only, is part of the Angel Light series and gives a soft glow to the skin.
It is a good makeup base and creates a smooth, invisible layer that acts as a buffer between the skin and makeup.
For best results, let it dry a few minutes before applying your foundation or pressed powder. You can also use it alone as sunscreen
Lancome UV Expert Make-Up Base (RM145)
It takes no effort to put on. It glides onto skin, doesn’t slide and clings onto it throughout the day.
After a few minutes, I patted some pressed foundation powder around my T-zone. The result is a flawless complexion.
This comes in various formulas: anti-dullness, anti-redness and anti-yellow. Although the bottle is small, it lasts really long because you need so little.
Chanel Whitening Modeling Effect Base (RM152)
This primer feels very lightweight, yet has real staying power. Even without foundation it made a significant difference to the tone and texture of my skin. It is so sheer that it basically just wakes up your skin a little bit.
Instead of your makeup sliding around on a thick silicone base, this stuff will hold your makeup all day without that oily feeling that can occur late in the day.
MAC Prep+Prime Skin (RM85)
A white cream-gel with tiny sparkles that adds the barest shimmer to your skin, giving a lil’ kick to it.
It goes on smooth and dries quickly, leaving a smooth finish for foundation to glide on.
Once applied, I noticed that my skin appeared more even right away. Only one pump of product is necessary for the entire face.
Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch (RM95)
This is great because it is thicker and has heavier coverage. It doesn’t just fill in pores but also smooths out areas on my face that seem uneven to me.
It contains “acacia micro-pearls” that fill creases and act as little sponges to absorb moisture, then expand to fill in lines.
A tiny pea-sized amount is enough to cover the whole face. If you have small superficial acne scars, large pores, uneven skin or tiny superficial lines, this will help to make your skin look flawless.
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