Beautiful Skin Blog by Belisi

Ah, the joys of being a woman. We get to unabashedly spoil ourselves with spa treatments and beauty products delicious enough to eat. While men tend not to go to such lengths, they don’t have to. That’s right — they get to grow old gracefully with that thick skin of theirs and plentiful collagen reserves. And nobody lets us forget it.

Walk into any Sephora or even your local drugstore and you can go blind looking at all of the anti-aging products that remind us of how imperfect we are—and that we dare not let nature takes its course. Aside from the usual culprits—fine lines and facial furrows—one of the biggest beauty concerns for women are undereye circles.

According to a recent survey by Clinique, about 53 percent of the 13,000 women surveyed by the company cited under-eye circles and puffiness as their No. 1 beauty concern. An affliction that makes no exceptions for age or race, dark circles under the eyes is a pesky problem that’s hard to fix — but not for a lack of trying by skincare companies. One dark circles sufferer started a dark circles blog to share advice with others with under-eye circles.

The site lists the myriad reasons for under-eye circles including heredity (thanks Mom and Dad!), nutrition, medications, lack of sleep, blood circulation, allergies, sun exposure and dehydration. We just can’t win.

Sephora sells more than 50 products designed to specifically treat under-eye circles. Enter the words “dark circles” on Sephora.com and you’ll get eight pages of results. But not all products are created equally or treat the underlying causes. That doesn’t keep consumers from trying products that claim to turn back the clock or diminish undereye circles.

The challenge with treating under-eye circles is figuring out what’s causing them. Most people think dark circles mean you’re tired or tossed back too many margaritas at happy hour (which are possibilities—lack of sleep and alcohol do exacerbate dark circles).

The most likely reason for chronic under-eye circles is excess pigmentation in the skin. Dark circles can happen to people of all skin types but are especially prevalent among African-Americans, Southeast Asians and Southern Italians.

Dilated blood vessels close to the thin under-eye skin are another cause. Here’s a less commonly-known culprit: airborne allergens, which cause blood to pool under the skin. The good news is that people with allergy-triggered dark circles can often alleviate their symptoms with an antihistamine pill.

And we can’t forget about the aging process. As we get older our skin gets thinner—so those dark rings under the eyes can appear darker. Medications like birth control pills can also dilate blood vessels.

The problem with many products on the market is that most don’t work for people with excess pigmentation or dilated veins. For people who don’t know why they have dark circles, a topical product containing a plumping agent or alpha-hydroxy acid, which thickens skin, or vitamins C and K, which add volume, can diminish the appearance of dark under-eye circles.

If all else fails, there are laser treatments to resurface skin by destroying pigment cells. The process is not pain-free and it can take weeks to return to normal (i.e. public) activities. But if it means no more dark circles, it could be worth the discomfort and inconvenience.

Leading products that treat under-eye circles:

Shiseido’s White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment

uses vitamin C, which minimizes melanin, and chestnut rose extract, which the company says thickens skin. The brightening effect reflects light for a luminous glow while the Spot Deacti Complex addresses both melanin formation and poor local microcirculation, two major causes of dark circles.
The Dark Circle Targeting Complex reduces melanin and diminishes the appearance of melanin pigments.

Hylexin

Hylexin is designed to help reduce hemoglobin degradation by-products (the stuff that creates dark circles). It does this by optimizing enzymatic activity, fading red-blue pigmentation of dark circles. Studies indicate that Hylexin actually helps strengthen the capillary matrix to help stop the "leaking," so the delicate skin in the orbital eye area is protected against further damage. Katherine Hagel is reportedly a loyal fan.

Decleor Hydra Floral Deeply Hydrating Eye Contour Gel-Cream

Hydra Floral Eye Contour Gel-Cream dispenses moisture gradually throughout the day to keep eyes looking refreshed, smooth, and bright. Infused with a unique caffeine derivative and a plant-based firming agent, Hydra Floral helps to constrict and reduce dark circles and signs of dehydration.

No matter what, remember that not getting enough sleep, drinking too much alcohol and excessive sun exposure can cause dark circles to appear worse. So, treat your body with care!

The idea of adding to my beauty arsenal sort of terrifies me. For starters, I like to think my current products are working for me. Secondly, which product do I trade in? Which products can I use together? And then I think about all the different kinds of products on the market that all claim to do pretty much the same thing: brighten, tighten, lift, glow, erase wrinkles, age spots, and undereye circles and pay your taxes. Okay, not the last part.

So where do I start? I realize that sometimes a routine can become stagnant and a little change is a good thing. As the seasons change or if I'm in a new climate, chances are I should probably consider adjusting my skincare routine. One rule for me is that the products should derive from natural ingredients. Call me crazy but I just don't believe that any human-made ingredient can trump nature. That being said, sometimes nature is messy--and gross. The idea of smearing fresh egg whites on my face makes me cringe. It's just too close to nature. So sometimes scientists have to refine it. I've heard about the beauty benefits of egg whites before--that it's great for lifting and firming the face--and now it comes in a non-yucky product by JOEY called Egg Cream. It doesn't have a fancy name but the results it induces are ambitious.

JOEY claims that its nature-inspired Egg Cream tones, tightens, firms, contours, smooths, improves skin textures, hydrates and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. The company reports that studies confirm that when used regularly, there is a reduction of the appearance of superficial lines by 36% and an increase in skin firmness by 21% within 4 weeks. Is it true? I just ordered mine, so I'll let you know!

::A. Covington for Beautiful Me

Admit it or not but we’re all secretly hoping for a magic potion to keep Father Time at bay. While I won’t give up hope, I realize there really isn’t a fountain of youth. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit back and age “gracefully”.

Retinol has been around for a while—available originally through dermatogolists to treat hyperpigmentation, photodamage, and pore size.  Today, many products include retinol. Great, right? Saves a trip to the dermatologist. Unfortunatley, not all Retinol products are created equally. 

So how do you choose the most effective Retinol product for your needs and using it properly to get the results you want?

Follow these tips:

• Retinol products containing pure and stable Vitamin A are most effective. Retinol’s structure allows it to immediately get to work improving skin’s appearance. In contrast, Retinol esters (pro retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl propionate, etc.) first have to be converted into Retinol before they can begin to work.

• Retinol fights fine lines and deep wrinkles. Whether you want to prevent future signs of aging or want to appear years younger (or both!), there’s a Retinol product suited to your needs. For deeper wrinkles, opt for a formula that offers an ultra-effective combination of Retinol and an Essential Mineral Complex.

• Retinol’s strength is not only determined by its concentration.  Retinol’s effectiveness relies heavily on its formulation and delivery system. A product containing a higher percentage level of Retinol will not necessarily work better or faster.

• Retinol must penetrate skin to improve it. Delivering Retinol in an encapsulated form enables it to penetrate into the skin’s surface, improving performance. Many other over-the-counter products only topically coat the skin, compromising results.
• Retinol can degrade if not packaged properly. An air-tight, opaque tube or bottle helps maintain the formula’s stability by preventing oxygen or UV-light penetration.

• Retinol works best when introduced gradually to your regimen. Using Retinol is like training for a marathon. Slowly build up your tolerance level—begin by applying a product containing Retinol every other day. Once your skin adjusts to this effective ingredient, you’ll be able to incorporate it into a daily skincare regimen with little chance of flaking or redness.

• Retinol products can be safely used on sunny days. You don’t have to forego Retinol’s anti-aging benefits during daytime hours. A formula containing SPF 30 will provide adequate protection from the sun’s rays like RoC’s newest product Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer With SPF 30.

• Retinol will complement AHA (Alpha hydroxy acids). Alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate the skin, enabling Retinol to penetrate into the skin’s surface even more efficiently. A product containing both ingredients is best used at night to avoid sensitivity.

• Retinol can help prevent the signs of premature aging. Early use of products containing pure and stable Retinol will help to combat fine lines before they start to appear noticeable, so skin continues to look years younger than it’s true age.

• Retinol improves more than just wrinkles. It not only reduces the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles, but also improves skin tone, the signs of photodamage and pore size. Combined with sun protection, it’s the gold standard in anti-aging.

::A. Covington for Beautiful Me

So now you know how to clear up the occasional bout of adult acne, prevent fine lines and wrinkles (or at least try), and use makeup to hide imperfections (see Celebrity Beauty Secrets Part I and II). Now what about the rest of you? With warm weather knocking at our formerly frost-bitten doors, a girl has got to look golden. Say goodbye to pasty skin, lifeless hair and those extra winter pounds with these celebrity beauty secrets.

The Perfect Tan

So what do Jessica Alba, Britney Spears, Paris and Nikki Hilton, and Nicole Richie have in common? Yes they’re all famous and they’re never seen without a perfect tan (hey, you still should look good in your mug shot or psych ward intake photo right?)

And where else do these celebutants and leading ladies get their bronzed glows than LA Sunset Tan. You know, the notorious LA tanning spa featured on E! Entertainment’s hit reality TV show “Sunset Tan”. Who can forget the Olly Girls?

“At LA Sunset Tan, we provide the star treatment to our clients that keep celebrity clientele including Jessica Alba, Lindsey Lohan and the Hilton sisters looking radiantly bronzed," says Kevin Haman, CEO and Founder of LA Sunset Tan.  "Our signature “LA Sunset Tan Cocktail” offers guests VIP robe service and complimentary beverages as they slip from the state-of-the-art, high-pressure bed into a sunless spray unit in order to achieve the freshest golden glow."

LA Sunset Tan even offers a spray tan that defines muscles, giving the look of a six pack. Is anything real anymore? If it looks good, who cares right?

A Cure for Cellulite

From patented solutions to natural remedies, celebs have access to the best cosmetic surgeons and doctors. Besides the make-up artists, hair stylists and fashion designers, some stars turn to talented doctors to transform flaws into assets—literally overnight.

Dr. Lionel Bissoon (www.Mesotherapy.com), who brought the cellulite cure from France to the US eight years ago, then stabilized the solution and the delivery technique, turned his talents toward rejuvenation that can make a difference instantly.

Called Mesotherapy, this method is simply dozens of quick pricks with small amounts of solution injected almost painlessly into the middle layer of the skin. Mesotherapy produces consistently effective results for stars of any shape, size, or weight.

When celebrities need a quick lift, Dr. Bissoon uses The Mesolift, a rejuvenation technique that can take years off a face while also giving the illusion that the star has lost weight-a thinner sculpted face makes the body appear slimmer.

The Mesolift process delivers vitamins, minerals and amino acids directly into the skin to nourish and rejuvenate, promote production of collagen and elastin, and stimulate the metabolism. Anti-aging solutions that are actually good for you.

The solutions work immediately, so sagging jowls, droopy eyes, a puffy face, or a double chin disappear almost as soon as they are injected. So the celebrity can even visit Dr. Bissoon Oscar day (or for any event in front of cameras) and walk out of his office looking refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated for the evening.

Almost as fast is body sculpting for love handles, back fat or saddlebags, which paparazzi capture with unflattering accuracy (or company picnic photos for the rest of us). Through the use of proprietary fat burning solutions injected into the "meso" or middle layer of the skin the fat cells are permanently destroyed and the body eliminates them naturally through the bloodstream in just a few weeks.

Oscar Day arrives and voila! celebs walk the red carpet toned and tightened with thinner thighs and smooth buttocks beaming with a healthy happy glow.

Crowsfeet and Fine Lines

“As nominees and celebrities prepare for their close ups, many of them look for small changes; maybe they are tired of the crows’ feet around their eyes or they would like fuller, plumper lips. For them, injectable fillers are a great answer,” says Dr. 90210 Plastic Surgeon Dr. Paul S. Nassif.

The key is subtle enhancements that don’t sound the alarm. That’s why Dr. Nassif developed "The Anti-Gravity Facelift," which leaves no visible scars and has been noted for achieving natural-looking results in the shortest recovery time.

You don’t have to have celebrity bank accounts to take advantage of the many non-invasive cosmetic procedures out there such as the diamond-abrasion photofacial (microdermabrasion without the messy crystals), which costs no more than $300.

No Fuss Hair

Ever wonder how celebrities look great even in those candid photos? Almost everyone looks fabulous if her hair looks fantastic. So do celebrities have stylists do their hair every single day? Of course not! They just know how to blow dry their hair. And you can too. Raymond Marc Salon in Walnut Creek, California offers blowdrying classes for the hair challenged (it’s hard holding the blowdryer in one hand and the brush in the other!). If you can’t make it to California, make an appointment at your local salon for a lesson, or pick up a hair styling video at www.stylelikeapro.com.

At-home beauty remedies

Want glowing skin like Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson and Reese Witherspoon without the high cost of chemical peels, facials and expensive spa treatments?

Look no further than your medicine cabinet! For smooth feet, glowing skin and gorgeous hair, Epsom Salt has been the beauty secret for stylish and savvy women for decades. For just pennies a pound and available at your local drugstore or supermarket, Epsom Salt is a proven way to achieve a red carpet ready look.

Epsom Salt is a great at-home spa treatment that is easy to use as a gentle face mask, an exfoliating skin treatment, or a bath salt, leaving skin radiant and glowing.

Exfoliate: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub away dry skin patches.

Gentle facial: Mix 1/2 TSP of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

Relaxing soak (remember, stress aging you): Add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent.

Hair volumizer: Combine equal parts of warm, deep conditioner and Epsom Salt. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.

Foot scrub: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub the heels and dry, rough patches on the feet. Repeat every few days.

::A. Covington for Beautiful Me

Celebrities know all the great beauty tricks for looking younger and hiding flaws. Now you can too.

Younger looking skin

In Hollywood skin regimens, it’s all about prevention. But let’s face it, sometimes Nature has its way with our skin before we realize what’s happening. Stars like Felicity Huffman rely on super serums like Leaf & Rusher Active Serum to stave off the signs of aging. In this heavy-duty beauty product Retinol and vitamin C join forces to battle fine lines and wrinkles and boost collagen production. 

Foundation that pulls double duty

Ever wonder why celebrity skin looks so great? According to Fatima Olive, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Christy Turlington, Jessica Simpson, Maria Sharapova and Petra Nemcova, it’s because professional makeup artists always use two to three different colors of foundation to highlight and low light different pigments all over the face. Most women don’t realize their skin tone varies and buy only one shade of foundation.

Here’s an easy pro trick: Use a dual foundation compact like Redpoint’s Transformative Dual Foundation. With two shades, you can easily blend and match to bring out a particular feature. The compact is also a great easy tool to have throughout the seasons as skin tone tans and fades. Check out more makeup tips from the pros here.

Even out skin tone

Reese Witherspoon, Daisy Fuentes, Nicollette Sheridan and Jennifer Hudson know something we don’t know … until now anyway. All are fans of Per-fekt Beauty’s skin perfection gel—all-in-one antioxidant enriched primer, sheer foundation and color corrector that dries with a gorgeous powder finish.

This power foundation glides on effortlessly to instantly even skin tone, control oil and reduce the appearance of redness, enlarged pores and fine lines. Alpha Lipoic Acids fight aging and Vitamins A & E repair and protect skin from future damage. Available in 5 sheer shades that perfectly match all skin tones for $57.50 at Sephora.com.

Get a Healthy Glow

Piling on tinted moisturizer is one way to try for the sun-kissed look, or you could hydrate and nourish from the inside out. Drinking enough water (yes, you really should drink 6-8 8 oz. glasses) is a start. Giving your body the nutrients it needs is another way to look like a dewy goddess.

CherryPharm (isn’t that clever?) is a favorite of Courtney Cox and Kate Bosworth for clear, glowing skin. CherryPharm is packed with antioxidants, helping to reduce inflammation and redness—and you get 2-3 servings of fruit in each bottle. Cherries and cheers to looking and feeling great!

Pamper your way to better skin

Looking your best isn’t all pain—it can be a lot of fun taking care of your body and skin. Celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas’s Triple Crown Facial helps leading ladies achieve that young and dewy look (and without Botox!).

Offered in NYC and LA, the Triple Crown Facial begins with the “diamond peel” for gentle exfoliation to remove impurities. Next, the facial muscles and the skin are stimulated with a special microcurrent to tighten and enhance skin elasticity, then it concludes with an oxygen treatment that supplements the skin with all the needed nutrients through vitamin infused 98% pure oxygen.

Plump Up Lips

Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle appeared on The Today Show on Feb. 14, 2008 with gorgeously plump, lush, glossy lips. Her secret?  DermaQuest’s spectacular C-Lipoic Lip Enhancer.

This lip treatment is enhanced with Vitamin C and contains Alpha Lipoic Acid and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, plus additional ingredients to moisturize and increase lip volume. It also stimulates new cell growth for rosy, healthy lips and has a gorgeous orange fragrance and flavor!

Or, you could try a few tricks of the trade. “I find that the oldest trick is outlining in the 1950's ‘crueler’ style,” says celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff.  “Think of Joan Crawford, Lana Turner or Dorothy Dandridge. Going outside the lip line makes lips look dramatically bigger.  Of course if liner is something you don’t use, there are plenty lip plumpers out there.  My favorite is Lip Fusion which comes in many colors.”

Get Toned Skin

The Dynamic Trio: Grapeseed Extract, Green Tea, Hyaluronic Acid

Just like a Hollywood star is never a solo act (think personal assistants, managers, stylists, makeup artists, trainers, nutritionists, etc. that help her maintain a glamorous image), no one beauty ingredient treats all skin conditions.

There are three naturally occurring skin-tightening and anti-aging powerhouses catching the attention of celebrities: grapeseed extract, green tea and hyaluronic acid. 

“Grapeseed Extract is a natural skin brightening agent that diminishes uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation,” says David May of PRESCRIBEDsolutions,  a line of high-performance skincare products. It also has benefits as an anti-scarring agent.

Green tea (also known as Canellia sinensis) extract is a mixture of seven polyphenols that react rapidly to inactive free radicals (electrically charged oxygen particles) that are a source of major damage and aging of the skin.

“In clinical trials, green tea extract has been shown to prevent free radical attack 56% longer than an equivalent concentration of Vitamin E,” May says. “Green Tea Extract also enhances the absorption of anti-inflammatory ingredients into the skin.”

Hyaluronic acid may sound ominous but it’s actually an organic acid present in human skin, naturally making it the most effective natural skin moisturizer (it can hold up to 500 times its own weight in water).

According to LiveLonger123.com, hyaluronic acid has been scientifically proven to stimulate new cell growth. When should you use it? Use after exfoliation to protect, hydrate and moisturize (it’s great for all skin types).

You can find all of these ingredients in PRESCRIBEDsolutions’ skincare products including cleansers, anti-aging serums, hydrators  sold exclusively in medical offices.

It’s only natural that celebrities think they’re special enough to have beauty products customer tailored. But you can do this too! Think of it as having a dressed tailored to fit your body type. When visit a doctor’s office that carries the PRESCRIBEDsolutions line, they can customize your skincare solutions with condition specific boosters to address concerns like hyperpigmentation, anti-oxidant protection or the need for firming.

Three Custom Color Specialists is another beauty line that will custom blend makeup to suit your specifications. And there’s nothing like having your own signature style.

::A.Covington for Beautiful Me 

At-home LED machines turn back the clock

Without light we’d all be hollowed out—not to mention pasty—versions of ourselves. Plants wouldn’t grow and the earth would be blanketed in depressing darkness. But unlike those nasty tanning beds, a new kind of light is good for our skin, as much as our psyches. LEDs (light emitting diodes) have been available in dermatologist and cosmetic surgery offices for some time but treatments aren’t cheap and the progress is slow.

Photo: DermStore.com

While you’ll still have to be patient with results, a one-time investment of a few hundred dollars for the recently FDA-approved New-U home unit from Photo Therapeutics, Inc. or the an Evis Marvel-Mini, and getting to erase wrinkles while you watch American Idol seems worth it. The at-home versions don’t have the same amount of diodes per square inch as medical-grade LED machines, so you will have to do the treatments for longer; however the trade-off is worth hundreds, or thousands, of dollars. 

The Omnilux New-U device is designed to treat periorbital wrinkles and general signs of aging. The manufacturer hired Neil Sadick from the Weill Medical College at Cornell University's Department of Dermatology to conduct a clinical trial, which demonstrated a significant reduction in periorbital wrinkles and improvements in skin tone, clarity, smoothness and elasticity in participants.

When buying an at-home LED machine, experts advise to look for FDA approval, which means the device does what the manufacturer claims it does. Evis Marvel-Mini from Ageless Beauty Corporation offers three hand-hand LED devices that treat different conditions—the green to reduce hyperpigmentation, red to banish wrinkles, blue to zap blemishes into outer space.

:: A.Covington for Beautiful Me

Ultra hydrating mask leaves skin smooth

If you live in a seasonal climate, you’re skin is taking a beating from the harsh winds and the super dry air. Even if you live in a warm climate, you still need to feed your skin to keep wrinkles and blemishes at bay. One easy to get extra moisture is with a moisture mask like the Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Mask ($45). Slather on the hydrating mask and 20 minutes later your skin is left feeling soft and revitalized.

It's a New Year and a new you! It's time to take your beauty regimen seriously. If you haven't had time to formulate your beauty resolutions for 2008, we've done it for you:

I resolve to take care of my hair

It’s not pleasant to think about but our hair becomes a dead protein as soon as it emerges from our scalp, which means we need to take extra good care of it to ensure it continues to look shiny and lustrous as long as possible. Styling tools, harsh water, chemicals and products wreak havoc on your hair. Make a resolution to take better care of it and you’ll enjoy a New Year with fewer bad hair days, guaranteed.

I will wash my face every night

We’ve all done it. You stay out late or fall asleep in front of the TV, and the last thing you want to do is get up and go through your beauty regimen. But playing hooky with this critical step could have unpleasant repercussions, even if you only miss one face washing. Not only will makeup and moisturizer clog your pores, all of the environmental debris that’s landed on your skin throughout the day will … you guessed it … stay there! Think acne, wrinkles and dull, lifeless skin. Who wants that? Make sure to wash your face every night and on those nights when it’s too much work—use a one-use all-in-one makeup remover and moisturizer.

I will wear sunscreen everyday

We’ve been pounding this in for years now. Sun exposure leads to premature aging and skin cancer. Even on cloudy days, you need to wear an SPF to protect your skin’s elasticity and collagen supply. Think about it this way, it’s easier (and less expensive) to slather on a little sunscreen then it is to go through painful, unsightly and costly laser treatments down the road.

I will clean up my makeup drawer

Is your makeup drawer a mess? Broken eyeshadows and a scattering of lipglosses and makeup brushes? Get it under control! You’ll feel better and avoid frantic searches at the last minute for that new crème blush you bought. Invest in some pretty cosmetic bags to keep your beauty goods organized. And while you’re at it, get rid of old makeup applicators and containers. Dermatologists recommend throwing out beauty product after one year because we can transfer bacteria from their fingers to jars of moisturizers and other cosmetics.

I will get more adventurous

It’s a new year, a new you. Try some bolder eyeshadows, lipsticks and why not try a new fragrance? There are many options when it comes to rich, pure pigments to try, and flirty, sexy and feminine perfumes.

I will stop smoking

If you smoke, it’s not too late to stop. You know smoking is terrible for your lungs, makes you smell bad and violates the air space of everyone around you. But another great reason to give up smoking is to slow down the aging process. You can stave off those vertical lines that show up around the mouth, and the crows feet around the eyes and sallow, dry skin just by giving up a dangerous and all-around unsexy and uncool habit.

I will stress less and get more sleep

Being stressed out is never fun but if there was ever a reason to try to relax, it’s to keep your skin looking its best. It’s believe that psychological stress may impair the skin’s barrier function, which keeps bacteria out and water in. In fact, some studies show that people with chronic stress heal more slowly. Lack of sleep and stress can lead to skin disorders and illness, not to mention undereye circles and bags. Get to bed girl!

To help your skin get back on track, give it the detox treatment by Skyn Iceland.

~A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

Walk the aisles of any drug store or department store cosmetics department and your head will spin with all the different lotions, serums and elixirs that claim to tone, even out your skin tone, refresh dull skin, reduce fine lines and age spots and generally give you back that youthful glow. It's easy to get snared over and over again ... and before long your bathroom looks like a drugstore in its own right.

So I had the opportunity to try RoC Retinol Correxion Hand Repair for a week. And I can attest that this hand repair lotion with sunscreen really does turn back the clock on your hands. My skin is moisturized and the little lines are smoothed out ... after only 5 days! For only $12.99, can you afford not to try it?

You probably didn’t think science was cool growing up (unless you were one of those geeks who liked to make things explode). But according to the devoted fans of Hylexin® eye cream (actress Katherine Heigl among them), you'll be signing up for Science Club after you try it. Most of us know how hard it is to treat dark circles and that telltale morning puffiness that says, “hey look at me, I drank six dirty martinis last night and pigged out on a bag of potato chips). Hylexin is supposedly the answer to all our woes.

In scientific studies, Hylexin® was shown to help reduce hemoglobin degradation byproducts by optimizing enzymatic activity—reducing the appearance of deep discoloration and red-blue pigmentation. Studies also showed that Hylexin® can help strengthen the capillary matrix to help stop the "leaking", so your orbital eye area is protected against further damage.

See, isn’t science cool?

www.hylexin.com

:: A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper

I know, I know. How many potions, lotions and serums can you put on your face? I've tried a lot of elixirs and concoctions and this is one product you can't afford to skip--especially if your skin tends to be dry and acne prone. This lightweight formula is worn under your moisturizer and foundation. It rejuvenates your complexion like a daily multivitamin supplement with the added benefits of botanicals, and glycolic and salicylic acids to prepare skin for flawless application. The glycolic acid helps with skin turnover (important for keeping those pores free and clear) and the salicylic acid helps keep breakouts at bay.

Sweat-free celebs: the secret revealed

Ever wonder how Brad Pitt manages to pull off those tight shirts in 80 degree LA weather without looking like he fell into a pool? Curious as to how Angelina Jolie is able to shake hands with hundreds of journalists while maintaining curiously dry palms? The secret might be a heavy dose of Botox. I know, I just said we’ve all heard of Botox but you may not have heard of it being used like this.

A walk down the red carpet is a stressful event in itself without having to worry about unsightly sweat marks under the arms, or wet hands during introductions. Dr. Dolores Kent, who was recently featured on Tyra and Playboy Radio, shares the secrets of her celebrity clientele.

“Several injections of Botox into the underarms, palms, or just about any other site of chronic sweating will eliminate the problem,” says Dr. Kent. According to Dr. Kent, Botox injections in the hands and underarms have been a celebrity secret for quite some time. “Celebrities don’t want sweaty palms when greeting media, or have the dreadful water marks on their underarms show up in the next day’s tabloids.”  A few shots of controlled botulism toxin is all it takes.

How does it work? Botox treatment helps control this condition by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands don't receive chemical signals, the severe sweating stops. Botox is FDA-approved for severe underarm sweating that is not adequately managed with topical agents.

It’s that simple. And you thought celebrities were born without sweat glands.

Fixing a broken smile

Dr. Kent also uses Botox to fix "crooked smiles”. One of her patients suffered a facial injury as a result of a car accident. The muscles around her mouth are not doing their job properly, and as a result, her smile has a crooked appearance.

Although this use for Botox has been documented in medical journals, it is unusual to be used in this type of case.

“Most surgeons are hesitant to use Botox around the mouth area for fear of damaging the muscles that control the smile.” says Charles Downey, staff writer for cosmeticsurgery.com.

If the results are as Dr. Kent expects, the patient will have a beautiful, normal smile again.

~A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

You’re not the only who’s noticed that the stars of Desperate Housewives—with the exception of the young and vibrant Eva Longoria, look better now than they did 10—even 15—years ago. Demi Moore and Heather Locklear are as gorgeous as they ever were. And we all know it’s not by sheer luck. While there’s something to say for taking care of your skin, chances are a plastic surgeon (or two) played a part in helping these stars stay looking youthful, even though they’ll deny it.

In our society, growing old “gracefully” is seen by some as a euphemism for choosing to accept and live with what the ravages of time dish out. Public opinion is inching closer to being more comfortable talking openly about cosmetic procedures but it’s still somewhat of a taboo topic—depending on your audience.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery recently conducted a consumer survey, which revealed that cosmetic surgery is something only 6% of the adult population has done, but that almost 20% of the population aspires to do at some point in their lifetime.

Some other interesting revelations from the study:

• An overwhelming 5 out of 6 consumers believe that personal appearance is key to professional success.
• When asked how open they would be about a cosmetic surgery procedure, 33% of consumers said they would tell only those who asked, while 18% said they would tell only close friends and family.
• The two most wanted celebrity features, according to the survey, are Jennifer Aniston’s eyes for women (46%) and Nick Lachey’s abs for men (51%).

While you probably wouldn’t chat up the cashier at the grocery store about your desire to get a lipo, you’ve probably spent your fair share of hours watching stars who’ve had work done, or at least done exploratory research of your own. We all know about facelifts and Botox. But science has come a lot way in creating minimally, or non-invasive, procedures that require little or no downtime at all.

Ooh La La – Get those pouty French lips you’ve always wanted

You know what we’re talking about--deliciously plump, kiss-me-now lips. French Lips™ is an innovative new lip augmentation technique developed by Dual Board Certified Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Andrew Jacono to deliver sexy, pouty, bee-stung lips that look completely natural and totally kissable.

Using Restalyne®—a Hyaluronic Acid-based dermal filler–Dr. Jacono’s customized technique targets some 15 different anatomic zones of the lip versus the standard lip line (vermillion border) site currently favored by plastic surgeons and dermatologists worldwide

By injecting the Philtral columns (the two vertical lines above the lips), the center part of the cupid’s bow (to accentuate it’s curvature) and the outer half of the lips, towards the corners (which rolls the lip out ever so slightly), Dr. Jacono’s technique delivers the pouty, sexy lips which have come to define classic beauty and youth. Cost: $1,000. Results last 4-5 months.

“The lips are an essential component of facial symmetry and aesthetics,” says Dr. Jacono.  “Anthropometric studies have shown that wider and fuller lips in relation to facial width, as well as greater vermillion height are a mark of female attractiveness.” Thus, full lips have become increasingly desirable and are considered both youthful and beautiful. This is precisely why the demand for lip augmentation procedures continues to skyrocket.  In fact, The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual Survey ranked lip augmentation as the #1 most popular cosmetic procedure in 2005.

“As we get older the lips age with the rest of the face, resulting in atrophy of the lips,” says Dr. Jacono.  “The lips thin out.  Tiny vertical lines appear and the graceful cupid's bow of the upper lip begins to flatten.” 

Others may have been born with thinner lips, and simply want a more defined cupid's bow and greater lip volume to balance the other features of their face. “Using this new technique, I can strategically refine, enlarge and reshape the lips to deliver a natural looking pout that is far more desirable than the ‘overstuffed’ look which currently plagues a host of high profile women from Hollywood to Park Avenue.”

What beautiful (fake) eyelashes you have

Eyelash transplantation was originally developed years ago as a reconstructive procedure for trauma victims, but just recently became a hot new "must-have" cosmetic surgery for image-conscious women. The surgery allows women to create Hollywood-style eyes (e.g., J Lo) by transplanting real hair follicles from the back of the scalp into the upper eyelids.

Only a handful of doctors around the world are qualified to perform eyelash transplantation. Dr. Alan Bauman is one of them. Recently featured on Extra and Access Hollywood for his pioneering work in this field, Dr. Bauman has seen the number of eyelash transplants he performs go up by 300% in the past few months.

Artefill®

Cosmetic injectable dermal fillers are extremely popular right now, however they are temporary, usually lasting about 6-9 months, meaning that repeated doctor visits are necessary to keep up the appearance. ArteFill is a  synthetic filler like the others but it doesn’t biodegrade over time. 

Three to six months following an ArteFill injection, the bovine collagen is gradually absorbed and replaced by the body’s own newly-created collagen, which forms to encapsulate the ArteFill microspheres in a natural biologic process.

ArteFill’s microspheres provide a permanent support structure beneath the skin to fill out wrinkles and to prevent further wrinkling in the treated areas.  The microspheres do not migrate nor are they degraded by the body, therefore, they remain surrounded by your natural collagen, providing permanent volume to keep your skin smooth and wrinkle-free in the areas you were treated.

Dr. Mirabile, a leading plastic surgeon and founder of Best Impressions Medical Spa and Surgical Skin Rejuvenation Center is one of the only plastic surgeons in the nation currently trained and approved to administer ArteFill. While offering a permanent solution to deep wrinkles and lines, there is some controversy surrounding Artefill.

Doctors such as Dr. Stuart Kaplan, a Beverly Hills cosmetic dermatologist and surgeon, raises the point that the face doesn’t hold a permanent position over time (hence one of the reasons we need cosmetic procedures), so what happens when the face shifts? Some patients have experienced lumps that don’t go away (after all, the procedure is permanent), so be sure to do your homework and thoughouly investigate your doctor before committing to having a procedure done.

LiveFill

LiveFill is live fat and fascia (a flat band of tissue below the skin that covers the underlying tissues and separates different layers of tissue). tissue that is used for filling in deep facial wrinkles and augmenting lips.  It is harvested from fatty areas of your body and placed in the target areas during a minor surgical procedure. According to Dr. Brent Moelleken, LiveFill is fully alive unlike fat injections, which are approximately 20% live tissue.  Estimated cost: $4,000 - $10,000.

Fraxel Laser

Fraxel is a second-generation, non-ablative skin renewal laser treatment that reaches dermal layers without damaging the surface skin. The laser goes beneath the skin’s surface to trigger new collagen production and regenerate healthier tissue that replaces damaged cells. The surface layer of skin remains unaffected by the new “fractional” laser technique, resulting in reduced healing time. 

Fraxel is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brown patches, and acne scars.  Fraxel is supposed to deliver the results of traditional, more ablative lasers but with a downtime of only a couple of days.“In the past, I have shied away from non-surgical treatments,

such as Thermage and CO2 lasers, because they did not yield results I would endorse,” he says.

“Fraxel is the first non-ablative laser procedure I will offer my patients because the technology is something I truly believe can meet expectations.

Juvederm

Fraxel provides excellent results alone, but accompanied with the other facial rejuvenation techniques I offer it enhances the overall outcome.” Another advantage of Fraxel is that it is safe on pigmented skin to allow

Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans to benefit as well. Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, a facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, actively practices and advocates Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing.

Juvederm is a dermatologic filler made of hyaluronic acid, the same substance in our joints that help them move more smoothly.  It recently received FDA approval for nasolabial folds and other wrinkle correction.

“It is good for patients who have vertical lip lines from aging and smoking, lip augmentation for patients who want a little more pout, or those whose lips have lost volume from aging, mild laugh line wrinkles and at the corners of the mouth,” says Dr. Diana Nguyen.  “It’s also great for patients who have sunken tear troughs.

“Juvederm works very well in combination of treatments to give the best results for patients.  For example, in combination with Botox and Thermage to the forehead, the eyes can appear more youthful from raising the brows subtlety, smoothing out fine lines and softening under eye circles.”

The benefits of juvederm include the fact that it is biodegradable, doesn't need skin testing, and lasts for an average of 6 months.  In fact, due to its cohesive nature, Juvederm lasts longer than Restylane and is easier to inject, and less painful to patients.  This is very good, because I personally don't believe in permanent fillers, since our skin is an organ that continues to  age and move with gravity.  A permanent filler may make a person's face look awkward, different, unnatural.

Juvederm is not for anyone who has had allergic reactions to any form of hyaluronic acid, including Restylane and the like.  Juvederm is not meant to correct deep wrinkles or restore large areas of volume loss.

Triple Crown Facial

Not all facials are the same or provide the same results--celebrities understand this tip well. Joanna Vargas, the highly respected senior aesthetician at the Tracie “Facialist to the Stars” Martyn Salon for the past five years, recently opened her own skin care studio on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan where she offers her signature anti-aging and anti-wrinkle Triple Crown facial, which combines treatment from a micro-current machine with the revolutionary healing and skin renewal powers of a hyperbaric oxygen treatment. 

“The micro-current actually stimulates the face muscles like a gym workout – which is why some of my clients refer to me as their ‘personal skin care trainer,” says Joanna.

The oxygen machine Vargas uses is brand new to the industry and advances the oxygen facial technique of years past. Infusing the skin with pure oxygen, green tea, hylaronic acid and Vitamin A, C and E serums hydrate and regenerate new skin cells, as well as promotes elastin and collagen production—in turn reducing lines and wrinkles.

For first-time treatment customers, Joanna always does one side of the face and then takes delight in showing the client the difference in the mirror.
“It is both exciting for me as an aesthetician as well as for the client,” Joanna says.  “Most people had no idea they could get their skin to look so youthful without going under the knife.”

Walk towards the light

I bet you never thought lightbulbs could help you look younger. Unlike those harmful tanning bed bulbs, LED (Light Emitting Diodes) treatments are beneficial.  LED treatments (also called LED Photo Rejuvenation and photofacials) consist of cold laser light therapy that rejuvenates the skin by producing collagen and new tissue. The best part? There’s no down time and can be done on your lunch break, which is great news for the woman on the go.

With no down time or discomfort, Osmotics LED treatments are offered at-counter in select Nordstrom stores or at your local Medi-spa.  Unlike micro-dermabrasion, lasers or chemical peels, LED treatments are non-invasive and offers instant results, although you may need a few to achieve optimum results. Osmotics LED Photo Rejuvenation stimulates the skin's fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastic proteins.  Unlike laser technology that relies on high-powered coherent light to create heat energy, LED triggers the body to convert light energy into cell energy without thermal injury to tissues.

Osmotics Cosmeceuticals Signature LED Treatments retail for $75 or a series of six treatments for $375 and are available at select Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor stores, visit the Osmotics website.

Know before you go

As more consumers look to define beauty, the need continues to grow for education on cosmetic surgery to ensure all patients are safe and in the right hands.

With so much information on cosmetic surgery floating around on the Internet (this article included), how do consumers know what's best? The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is spearheading this patient education campaign to arm patients with the facts about cosmetic surgery, patient safety and the qualifications of practitioners so they can make informed decisions about cosmetic enhancement. The Be Wise About Beauty campaign offers consumers a bevy of resources at their fingertips, including information about specific procedures and an interactive ‘Beauty Monitor’ quiz that can help patients determine whether cosmetic surgery is the right choice.

The Web site is great, and is a resource your readers should know about. It cuts through all the clutter, and tells prospective patients exactly what they need to know when seeking cosmetic enhancement.

Here’s a rundown of some of the newest and most innovative minimally or non-invasive cosmetic procedures available right now at a doctor (or dermatologist or accupuncturist or esthetician) near you.

We’ve all experienced a fashion emergency or wished we could improve out beauty regimen with easy, inexpensive adjustements. So here are some quick and easy ways to stave off that unsightly pimple, keep undereye bags at bay and have gorgeous skin all year long.

Pimple Rx

Feel a pimple coming on and can’t walk around with chalky white toothpaste on your face? Try dabbing some of your perfume on the blemish a few times throughout the day. The alcohol in the perfume will help dry it out (plus you’ll smell great!).

Sleep better

Have trouble falling asleep but you’ve exhausted your sleep aid prescription? Why not try to catch some Z’s the natural way? Lavender is known to promote alpha waves, which are necessary for restful sleep. Try soaking in a bath before bed with Lavender salts or Lavender oil. 

Here’s another idea: take a Lavender face pillow and pop it in the microwave on low for a couple of minutes, then place inside your pillowcase. Put your arms over your head and clasp hands, then stretch your clasped arms as far to the right as possible (make sure you remain comfortable) and then back over your body to the left. Repeat about five times. Breathe in deeply as you do these stretches, which will get the oxygen flowing.

Perfect that Pout

We can only dream of having lips like Angelina—well naturally anyway. Most of us have at least thought about using a lip plumper, hoping to look in the mirror and see gloriously luscious lips smiling back at us. The key is getting lips ready for lip plumper, so it can penetrate and do its job.
Here’s a little trick that won’t cost you a dime. Apply a small amount of Vaseline on a soft bristle tooth brush that’s been moistioned with warm water. Ever so gently brush lips for about 2 minutes—you might want to do this while watching TV, two minutes can feel like forever. Remove the Vaseline with moistened towelette or soft washcloth and then blot dry. Apply moisturizer, sunscreen and lip plumper. Then go show off your beautifully plumped lips.

p.s. If you don’t want to splurge on a store-bought lip plumper, dab a tiny—and we mean tiny—amount of Cayenne pepper on your lips. It’ll sting a little, but what’s a little pain in the name of looking gorgeous?

Baby Soft Skin

Wonder why some women appear to have plump, hydrated skin even in the middle of winter while yours is so dry it hurts to smile? Chances are those other ladies are doing a few things differently—or else they are genetically perfect and we don’t like them anyway.

When it comes to keeping your skin hydrated it only makes sense to drink lots of water. Water keeps the cells in your body quenched, so your skin looks luminous and your appetite is curbed (great skin and a trim figure—it’s too for the price of one!). You’ve heard it before but we’ll say it again, get eight 8oz glasses a day. Your skin will thank you.

Here’s something you may not have heard before: distilled water is the best for drinking because chlorine and other contaminants are greatly reduced when the water is boiled. To hydrate your skin throughout the day try a purified water mister.

Moisturizing Basics

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