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!

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 

Are the Chinese on to something? Can an hour-long appointments with some pins and needles turn back the clock?

Cosmetic Acupuncture has been used in China for centuries but is relatively new to the US. It is one of the only cosmetic procedures that actually improves your overall health while giving you a more youthful look.  

The Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture System is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine works by helping our skin create more collagen and elastin through its response to the needling. The procedure also brings more Qi (energy) to the face, which gives your skin a very vibrant, youthful appearance.

According to Martha Lucas, Ph.D., L.Ac. practitioner and instructor of Chinese Medicine and Cosmetic Acupuncture Specialist, the cosmetic improvements include:

-Reduction or elimination of fine lines
-Smoothing of deeper lines
-Reduction in or lifting of the beginning of jowls
-Plumping of the high cheek area
-More defined jaw line
-Firmer skin that has more elasticity and looks great

The Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture procedure is a 10 treatment protocol, each treatment takes about 45 minu tes.  Your Practitioner/Acupuncturist may also use some herbal remedies or masks that can make each treatment last a little longer. Estimate cost: $1,200 for the entire series.

For more information: CosmeticAcupunctureFacelifts.com, AcupunctureWoman.com

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.

So maybe the idea of slathering raw hoherney on your face is getting a little too close to nature. That’s okay, there are plenty of products out there that offer all the great benefits of honey, without the sticky residue.

Honey Harvest Face Cream

A gentle blend of propolis, honey, and royal jelly soothes skin, as grape-seed oil fights free radicals, protecting your face from aggressive external elements.

Mimosa Hair Honey

There’s nothing like a mimosa to start the day right. This herbal-infused pomade controls frizzies and adds shine with a sweet citrus scent. Protective alkanet root and annatto seeds keeps color bright, while the pomade tames and softens unruly hair.

Honey Snap Out of It Scrub

Squeeze a drop of this almond paste with moisturizing honey and you’ll snap right out of that groggy stupor. It cleans and exfoliates all-in-one.

Jo Malone Green Tea/Honey Eye Cream

A blend of antioxidant-rich Green Tea, Vitamin C and honey help hydrate the skin  and reduce the appearance of undereye circles.

Laura Mercier Créme Brulee Honey Bath

Bath-time has never been this good. A rich delicious combination of caramel, peony petals and vanilla notes infused with vitamins A and E, plus natural ingredients such as sage, rosemary, lavender, ivy and papaya extracts work together to firm, lift, purify and tone skin.

L'Occitane Honey Body Balm

Propolis, Honey and Royal Jelly nourish skin the way only nature can. The luxurious gel texture turns creamy when applied, and quickly absorbs leaving skin silky soft and softly fragranced.

Lip Repair EX SPF 18

Did you know that chapped lips make you look older? This lip repair aid promotes collagen production to smooth the lip surface with silk-guanine and softens and heals with beta carotene, vitamin C, and royal jelly extract.