Healthy Skin Expert Dermatology Advice

Pillow envy - The EnVy Anti-Aging/Wellness Pillow

This article is from the Windsor Star.  The enVy Pillow is now available at DLK on Avenue.

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How can this be so 'healthy'?

FIND YOUR COMFORT ZONE

- What: The EnVy Anti-Aging/Wellness Pillow

- Where: Exclusively at Esteem Medical Esthetics, 500 Manning Rd., Tecumseh, 519-979-2235

- Price: Suggested $199, with five-year guarantee from Young Innovations, the manufacturer.

I was hooked the minute I heard the name: The EnVy Anti-aging/Wellness Pillow.

Actually, the "wellness" part didn't even register when the pillow was reverently placed in my hands. I stroked the satiny fabric travel bag and gave the memory foam a squeeze.

The presentation was beautiful, but it was the anti-aging properties that caught my eye. And truth to tell, my eyes weren't looking so hot that day.

Years of sleeping on my side, my face mashed into all those fluffy feathers, were taking a toll.

The lines that used to disappear by the time I left for work? Still there at noon. The cheeks that liked to sink into the down as I drifted off to sleep? Sinking faster than the Titanic.

Here was a chance to set things right.

So I took home the Canadian-made EnVy pillow, which was invented by Kathy Young Keefe and Kim Renton, two registered nurses living in the Toronto area.

They'd come to the conclusion that all the Botox, injections and topical treatments in the world couldn't do their job if you were going to spend eight hours a night sleeping on your face.

It took two years to come up with a design that would accomplish both the anti-aging and wellness goals: A pillow that would protect the contours of your face while aligning your neck and spine to improve posture and take the pressure off your joints.

Chiropractors gave it their seal of approval because it helped realign the body to reduce muscle pain and headaches.

Those with TMJ and orthodontic appliances said it helped relieve chronic face and jaw pain. Those performing cosmetic procedures gave it the thumb's up for its therapeutic properties.

Now, I could go into all the ergonomic details and tell you about the sloped sides that cradle your head (it works whether you sleep on your side or back) and guides you into the perfect position based on the "V" design. But you can go to www.envypillow.com for more on that. You can even watch a video.

I'll just tell you that after four full months of using it, there's a definite difference. Would you notice? Maybe not.

But I've spent a lot of time scrutinizing the results, and from the first week I could see:

- Significantly reduced puffiness around the eyes.

- Less noticeable nasal labial folds from the nose to either side of the mouth.

- Fewer lines and less sagging on my neck.

- Better posture and less stiffness in the shoulders.

- More restful sleep, improved circulation and reduced snoring (even though I never snore.)

Perhaps the best endorsement came from a friend who said my face didn't look as "smunched" as it used to.

That was enough for me.

Now, you probably won't fall in love the minute you rest your head on the EnVy. It takes some getting used to. You'll have to wiggle around to find the best V slope that will tilt your head slightly up while repositioning your shoulders back.

But it doesn't take long to find the comfort zone. And once you've got that down pat, you won't leave home without it. Seriously.

When you do travel, take along that satiny travel bag.

OTHER FEATURES TO NOTE:

- The pillow case is made of 100 per cent bamboo, which is environmentally friendly, anti-allergenic, anti-bacterial and wicks away perspiration. The custom fit also keeps the case from creasing, which keeps you from creasing, too.

- The memory foam is made in Canada and relieves pressure points to help prevent sleep lines.

- It retails for a suggested $199, but is guaranteed for five years.

- Available at Esteem Medical Esthetics, 500 Manning Rd., Tecumseh.

From the The Windsor Star, Publish on November 7, 2009 - Written by Karen Hall

thirtysomething and ignored…by the skin care industry

In her starch-white lab coat, a modern-day alchemist squeezes a drop of this and a squirt of that into her plastic cauldron of youth, and gives it a good stir with her wand.

Beside her, Rya Prozes lies with her eyes closed, patiently waiting to receive her monthly balm.

The alchemist is skin therapist Cynthia Whaley. The potion, a brew of botanical mixers, multi-vitamin and hydrating agents.

Prozes, a health and wellness specialist, is a 39-year-old woman trying to claw back the aging process while still in her 30s – an oft-forgotten demographic in the skin care market.

"The 30s mark changes physically and hormonally. For myself, I noticed slight wrinkles and smile lines in the eye area and furrow lines between the brows," Prozes said. "It was starting to become apparent that I was in my 30s."

The beauty industry can be divided into two clear markets: Harsh acne-fighting formulas for pimply teens and the rich emollient anti-wrinkle creams for the 40-and-up crowd.

Women in their 30s often get lost in the mix, forced to choose between moisture-stripping formulas and oily pore cloggers.

It's a common complaint Dr. Lisa Kellett, a Toronto dermatologist, fields from patients in their 30s. This demographic faces dual, competing demands: continuous breakouts and moisture loss, she said.

"It's frustrating for them. They say, `I'm getting crow's feet, but I also have acne. It's not fair.'"

That's because skin at 30 enters a transitional phase, straddling the tail end of youth and the cusp of age-related decline.

"In your 30s, you're starting to see the sins of your youth," said Dr. Julia Carroll, a dermatologist with the Meridia Medical Group.

"You're seeing sun damage, fine lines, and collagen isn't replaced as quickly as it was before. You also see volume loss. This continues as you get older."

A 20-year-lag also means the effects of childhood sunburns don't manifest themselves until we reach our 30s. Uneven pigmentation and brown spots – also known as liver and age spots – can likewise mar the 30s complexion, dulling the glow of youth and making it splotchy.

"What used to be cute as freckles, in time become age spots," Carroll said.

But the good news is that the aging process can be slowed if women take proactive measures during this pivotal stage, says Dr. Paul Cohen, a Toronto dermatologist.

"The 30s are an important time because there are a lot of little things you can do to prevent aging and make long-lasting changes. The trick is to take care of your skin in your 30s," he said.

For Prozes, the toughest part of her skin care regime is remembering to wash her face at night. Prozes, a petite woman with a mane of cascading dark waves, is a natural beauty, able to keep a relatively bare face: a few strokes of mascara, a light dusting of powder and a quick sweep of lip gloss are all it takes to face the world.

"Because I don't wear a lot of makeup, it wasn't a natural instinct to wash every night," she admits. "It just wasn't in my repertoire."

But experts advise it's important to wash "the city" off your faces nightly and give your skin all the help it can get.

That means amassing the right arsenal of skin care products: a good cleanser, an exfoliator containing a glycolic acid, a Vitamin A or retinol treatment and Vitamin C cream, and most important, a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.

"One of my biggest beefs is women who spend thousands of dollars on expensive skin care products, but who don't use sunscreen. They're not helping their skin at all," Kellett said.

Nor is it advisable to use rich, anti-wrinkle creams made for the over 40 crowd in a bid to pre-empt future wrinkles.

"These kinds of creams will clog pores and cause women to break out because they're too rich," Cohen said.

That's why Kellett developed her own line of gel-based, acne-fighting and anti-aging products, Clear Clinical.

After being "laughed at" by big pharma companies for daring to suggest they make acne-fighting formulas for women in their 30s – acne stops in the 20s, she was told condescendingly – Kellett came up with oil-free products targeted for women between the ages of 25 and 35 who struggle with the dual needs of this transitional period: Acne and wrinkle prevention.

"This is my big passion."

A common mistake Whaley sees among her clients in their 30s is confusing moisturization and hydration.

"You can have a lot of sebum but experience dehydration at the same time. Hydration is water, not moisturization," Whaley said.

Vertical lines for instance, are often the result of dehydration, not aging, Whaley said, and can be eliminated with a single hydrotherapy skin treatment.

Another common myth is that drinking water moisturizes the skin, experts said.

"The problem is water goes into your major organs, not just the skin," Whaley said.

The behind closed-doors activity of pimple-popping is another common mistake women commit, Whaley said as she pierced the tip of a white spot on Prozes' cheek with a specialized needle. Though not quite a whitehead, milia spots occur when dead skin is trapped in small pockets at the surface of the skin. These can also result from excess product the skin can't absorb.

With gloved fingers, Whaley gently squeezes the area to retrieve the embedded white goop. Professional extraction primes the skin, she explained, by softening the sebum and disinfecting the area. At-home popping can break capillaries and cause infection.

Keep the beauty routine simple, experts agree. While glycolic acid has long been accepted as an important exfoliator and anti-aging treatment, Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is another clinically-proven, anti-wrinkle weapon of choice.

"I advise women in their 30s to use retinol," Cohen said. "A pea-size amount of cream at night will help prevent fine lines, makes skin smoother and gives you a polished look."

That's because vitamin A is one of the few substances with a molecular structure small enough to penetrate both the outer and lower layers of skin, where collagen and elastin reside and generate the renewal of skin growth.

Botox can also help prevent the formation of deeper wrinkles later in life, added dermatologist Dr. Fred Weksberg.

"You don't have to get much, just enough to control muscle contraction and prevent the wrinkles from getting worse," he said.

While Weksberg is seeing more women in their 30s seek professional treatment, generally this age group still "looks pretty good" – perhaps one reason why skin care companies don't target this demographic, he said.

Unlike teens and older women, it's difficult to identify a problem and advertise their solution for the 30s crowd, Weksberg surmised.

"They'd rather their advertising dollars go elsewhere where they can be sure to sell their products."

From the Toronto Star, October 24, 2009 - Written by Vivian Song - Special to the Star

Truth Serum - Does your skin really need a serum? Top derms weigh in.

Layering is a big transformation for fall, and not just on the catwalks. Once considered a luxury skin treatment, serums - which you apply before your moisturizer - have hit the mainstream.

A serum is a concentrated formula created for a specific concern, and its benefits are purported to be cumulative. “Serums are clear liquids that contain active ingredients like antioxidants and vitamins,” explains Dr. Peter Vignjevic, a Dermatologist based in Hamilton, Ont. They’re also multi-taskers: Besides fighting wrinkles, serums can improve your skin’s texture, hydration and tone.

SPECIAL DELIVERY
The secret to getting the most out of the skin-care product is its delivery system - the method by which active agents like retinol, ceramides, and vitamins get into your skin. And that depends on whether a product is formulated as a cream, lotion, or serum. “Serums offer a more stable environment for unstable compounds,” says Dr. David Zloty, a Vancouver based Dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of Dermatology at the University of British Columbia. “They generally contain a higher concentration of silicone or glycols, and the active agents can be fat-loving. They tend to mix together more easily, and the ingredients are less likely to come out of the solution - but that depends on the quality of the formulation.” Say Dr. Lisa Kellett, a Toronto-based dermatologist: “Serums contain (more) actives because they’re created in a more concentrated form.”

Vignjevic and Kellett recommend serums as a part of the daily skin-care regime, but how they work is up for debate. Vignjevic and Kellett hypothesize that certain serums penetrate more deeply because they contain smaller molecules then those of moisturizers. “Most serums penetrate to the lower levels of the stratum corneum (the outer layer of the epidermis),” says Zloty. However, he adds, the active agents can stimulate signalling pathways that could transfer their benefits to deeper layers. And now there maybe a breakthough delivery system: after five years of research, this fall Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a Dermatologist based in Connecticut, is introducing Cold Plasma, which has been formulated to prevent and correct signs of aging with a delivery system charged by phospholipids, which mimic the lipids in the skin cells. Because they are skin compatible, nutrients are quickly absorbed through the cellular membrane, were they can be most effective.

SECRET AGENTS
Some ingredients in serums, such as retinol, have had impressive results. “There is little evidence that cosmetic and anti-aging products can produce similar effects to prescription – only topical retinols,” says Stewart Long, scientific advisor for Boots Skincare. “But our results shows that (the retinol-based No7 Protect and Perfect Beauty Serum) stimulates production of fibrillin, a component of the skin’s elastic tissue.” Besides retinol, Vignjevic recommends serums with vitamins C and E which he says can help repair sun damage and improve texture and hydration. If you have sensitive skin, start with a low concentration of retinol because it can be irritating. And, since over–the-counter products are not required to list the percentage of actives on their labels, consult a dermatologist first.

TARGET PRACTICE
No matter what serum you use, exfoliate your skin first, says Dr. Yves Hebert, a Montreal-based physician who specializes in aesthetic medicine. Then, “morning and night, apply a thin layer on clean skin and massage it in,” says Vignjevic. Since serums aren’t as hydrating as moisturizers, you will still need a lotion or cream and, of course, sunscreen.

From ELLE Canada - October 2009 | Written by Michelle Villett

SWITCHED-ON BEAUTY - Forget rushing to appointments. New at-home devices remove hair, treat acne, and more.

Until recent innovations in home spa tools, if I wanted body hair removed, it could cost me thousands. It would take up to 45 minutes to get to a cosmetic dermatologist or medspa for laser treatment, another 15 minutes or so for the procedure, then a trek home. I’d have to do it about five times over six months for almost permanent results.

Now, I can stay home and take 30 seconds to “flash” a small area, like my underarm, with a light-based hair removal device. I would still have to do this repeatedly to get results, but the convenience had heated up demand for at-home high-tech tools, say Stacy Baker, the New York-based editorial director for the beauty chain store Sephora.

How do home machines for hair removal, wrinkles, deep cleansing and acne reduction stack up to in-office procedures? “They both get you from A to B,” says Dr. Lisa Kellett, a dermatologist in Toronto, but the in-office procedure “is significantly superior and will get you there faster and more effectively.”

That’s because the intensity of home devices is toned down for safety reasons. Even so, Kellett cautions you should check with a physician and read the literature that comes with the products before using them. And expect sensations such as tingling or mild discomfort.

FOR HAIR REMOVAL

Silk’n Hair Removal
WHAT IT DOES Silk’n uses pulsed light that targets the dark pigment (melanin) in your hair, disabling the hair follicle. You can use it on underarms, full bikini area and legs – anywhere except face and neck.
SIMILARITY TO PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT Though Silk’n is not a laser, it has been marketed as an at-home alternative to laser hair removal.
WHAT’S INVOLVED Touch it to the skin and push a button; you’ll see a flash of light. It may fell like the snap of a runner band on your skin. Use biweekly for the first few sessions.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR It’s not cheap, so it’s suited for those who regularly get hair removed professionally. Silk’n is made for those with dark hair and light skin because it targets your hair’s dark pigment – it won’t work as well on blondes, redheads or those with white or grey hair.
SAFETY CAUTIONS/CONCERNS Don’t use it on you face, tanned skin (including tans from a self-tanner), or after recent sun exposure; it may cause burns, scarring and pigment changes. Also, don’t use it on tattoos, large moles or scars.
RESULTS Clinical studies showed on average a 50 percent reduction in hair three months after three bi-weekly treatments.
PRICE $800

FOR FACIAL WRINKLES AND SAGGING

Tua Viso
WHAT IT DOES Electric stimulation tones facial muscles for a firmer face and neck.
SIMILARITY TO PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) and Thermage (intense heat treatment that stimulates collagen)
WHAT’S INVOLVED Hold unit to brows, cheek or jowls, then press the button to release a current that contracts the muscle. It takes 20 to 30 minutes for a treatment; repeat three times a week.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR Anyone concerned about wrinkles and aging skin.
SAFETY CAUTIONS/CONCERNS Don’t use it if you have a pacemaker, or in conjunction with Botox.
RESULTS A small clinical trial conducted at Bologna University in Italy showed visible facial lift and redefinition after three weeks.
PRICE $299

FOR DEEP CLEANSING

Clarisonic Plus with Spot Therapy Brush
WHAT IT DOES This device deep-cleanses the face, and smoothes elbows and knees.
SIMILARITY TO PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT Deep Cleansing
WHAT’S INVOLVED Sonic vibrations reduce rough, dry patches, giving you softer, firmer, smoother skin. You can use it daily.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR Anyone who wants a deep clean.
SAFETY CAUTIONS/CONCERNS If you have a skin condition, check with your doctor.
RESULTS By getting rid of dead skin cells, ithelps brighten skin.
PRICE $225

FOR ACNE

ThermaClear Acne Clearing Device
WHAT IT DOES It delivers a pulse of heat directly to the pimple, neutralizing P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne.
SIMILARITY TO PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT Intense Pulse Light.
WHAT’S INVOLVED Zap the pimple for two seconds in the morning and at night.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR Those with mild to moderate acne.
SAFETY CAUTIONS/CONCERNS Don’t use it around sensitive areas such as eyes, lips or skin lesions.
RESULTS It claims to clear up blemishes four times faster than not using anything.
PRICE $150

Tanda Clear Acne Light Therapy Treatment
WHAT IT DOES It delivers blue light from a light-emitting diode (LED) to kill P. acnes bacteria.
SIMILARITY TO PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT Intense Pulse Light.
WHAT’S INVOLVED Treat pimples for three minutes in the morning and at night. Blemishes begin to clear in 24 hours.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR Anyone with mild to moderate or hormonal acne. Studies show it also improves rosacea.
SAFETY CAUTIONS/CONCERNS Don’t use it if you are taking any kind of steroids or have suspicious lesions on your face.
RESULTS An in vitro laboratory study for Tanda showed an 86 percent reduction in acne-causing bacteria after six minutes of exposure. A clinical study by the Tennessee Clinical Research Center found a significant reduction in acne and overall improvement of the subject’s skin.
PRICE $275

From Best Health Magazine - September 2009 | Written by Doris Montanera

NEW PRODUCTS HELP YOU SLEEP AND WAKE REFRESHED - Serums and creams applied at bedtime help you waken with supple skin and silky tresses

Sleep is a precious commodity. And in our ever-quickening lifestyle it's no wonder we've started to put those twilight hours to use: Getting your beauty sleep is now a more literal phrase than ever, from youth-restoring serums to hair repair creams, our beds are the new beauty salons.

The concept of nighttime-specific creams is not new. It's common knowledge that, when free of makeup and sweat, our skin can absorb and benefit from a richer cream, especially if it's packed with antioxidants, peptides and all the hi-tech and natural ingredients that promise to do their duty in maintaining youth. But the technology behind the latest batch of overnight beautifiers does cover new ground, offering formulas that address more than one concern at a time and venture beyond the face and into the hairline.

Not only are these products meant for multi-tasking when it comes to a beauty routine, but some of these same formulas work to induce a natural fountain of youth: a solid night's sleep. In fact, recent findings in Medical News Today show that sleep deprivation actually speeds up the physical decline of old age. The state of deep sleep activates growth hormones, which restore skin's elasticity, helping smooth out wrinkles and strengthen the hair and nails.

Since 40 per cent of Canadians report trouble sleeping, does that mean we're all aging faster too?

According to Nadine Pernodet, executive director of research and development at Estée Lauder, getting your Zzz's can, in fact, stave off the aging process.

"Many studies have shown that at night skin's activities are different than during the day," she says. "Nighttime is the optimal time to support the skin to maximize existing natural processes that occur because the skin is not trying to fight off all the external environmental aggressors at the same time, as it does during the day."

With no disturbances from the environment, she goes on, the skin is more receptive to ingredients that help it to repair itself naturally.

But while Toronto dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellett agrees that sleep is a regenerative state, she says there's no difference between how the skin functions at night or during the day.

"Your skin is constantly regenerating," Kellett says. "It regenerates during the day as well as during the night. Anything otherwise doesn't make any scientific sense."

Whether or not they work more efficiently after you've gone to bed, these products do make multi-tasking a breeze. Simply slap them on overnight and presto, you wake up to a more supple-skinned, luscious-locked you.

Working from the premise that the damage our skin suffers during the day can be counterbalanced at night, both Sisley's Supremÿa and Estée Lauder's newly formulated Advanced Night Repair are the newest nighttime creams that bank on the skin cell's intrinsic timing.

Guerlain Issima Midnight Secret makes any sallow complexion look refreshed, despite late nights, and reduces puffiness, despite too many cocktails.

Prescriptives' cheekily named Good in Bed couples a hint of self-tanner with light-reflecting optics in its wrinkle-smoothing formulation, promising you'll awake with naturally glowing skin the moment your alarm goes off.

Forget hair masks that take 15 or even 30 minutes to repair tresses. Both John Frieda's Frizz-Ease Overnight Serum and Frédéric Fekkai's Overnight Hair Repair work to resuscitate damaged locks for a full eight hours without having to sit around in a shower cap.

For tense-looking skin, Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Night Health Bedtime Face Cream incorporates buckbean and St. Paul's wort extracts with camomile, lavender and mandarin essential oils to ensure you reach the state in which facial muscles are completely relaxed and a good night's sleep is within reach.

From The Toronto Star - August 6 2009 | Written by Malena Harbers Special to the Star

10 Bridal Beauty Musts - Get gorgeous for your day in the spotlight by signing on for one (or all) of these high-tech beauty treatments.

1. Microdermabrasion
What is it? At Toronto’s DLK on Avenue (dlkonavenue.com), microdermabrasion is one of the most popular treatments for brides-to-be because it produces immediate and dramatic results. The 30-minute procedure is a superficial type of treatment using very fine laser-cut diamond crystals to remove the dead outer layer of the skin resulting in a smoother skin surface.
Recovery time: None.

2. Restylane
What is it? This dermal filler is largely comprised of hyaluronic acid—a substance found naturally in your skin—that is used to plump and volumize areas of the face which are showing fine lines and signs of aging. Prime treatment areas: forehead lines, eyebrows, lips, marionette lines and cheeks. Over time, hyaluronic acid will be reabsorbed by your body so follow-up Restylane treatments are required every few months.
Recovery time: Next to none. There may be a little redness and skin swelling at the injection site, which typically lasts less than a week.

3. Intense Pulse Light (IPL) Therapy
What is it? If you suffer with hyperpigmentation, rosacea, facial spider veins or have fine lines you want to wave goodbye to, IPL will literally blast them out of sight. Medical grade lasers are used during treatments, which help minimize any redness present in skin and also work to stimulate the production of your own collagen and elastin so skin appears smoother and tighter.
Recovery time: A few days. Post-treatment skin can appear pink and flushed or may even swell depending on the area being treated (ie. the skin in the eye area is very thin and delicate and can be prone to swelling).

4. Oxygen Facial
What is it? A favourite of Madonna (she apparently has one before every show on her “Sticky & Sweet Tour”), this wonder treatment is available in Canada and the only one to have is the one endorsed by her Majesty: the Intraceuticals Oxygen Infusion Treatment. During the 45-minute session your skin is cleansed and prepped with Intraceuticals professional products, which are then activated when medical grade oxygen is sprayed onto your skin. We tried this one at Toronto’s DLK on Avenue and looked 21 again!
Recovery time: None.

5. Laser Hair Removal
What is it? The process is essentially the same as IPL, but this time the laser is aimed at unwanted hair follicles. Gentle lasers, pulsed light and radio frequencies are used to eliminate unwanted hair growth. The best candidates for laser removal are fair-skinned with dark hair. Also, it’s important to note that laser hair removal requires a series of treatments to produce optimum results and sessions are usually booked six weeks apart.
Recovery time: Treated area may appear slightly red following treatment, but that will quickly fade.

6. Botox
What is it? An injectable drug used to relax furrows and facial expression lines. Results last three to four months and a session takes just 15 minutes in your doctor’s office. The most commonly treated areas include eyes, forehead, and lip and nose area. Botox injections are also used to treat hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating of the underarms, feet, palms and wrists. Botox blocks the chemical signal from the nerve to the sweat gland, stopping that area from sweating.
Recovery time: None.

7. Laser Tooth Whitening
What is it? Laser tooth whitening uses a combination of formulated lighting and hydrogen-peroxide-based bleach to whiten teeth. The two work in tandem to bleach away stains without affecting the structure of your teeth. The results of one treatment are often very dramatic, lightening teeth by six to 10 shades! Ongoing maintenance and touch-ups are required to maintain results.
Recovery time: None.

8. Sclerotherapy
What is it? This treatment is designed to diminish and erase spider veins from the legs. A dextrose/salt solution is injected into the vein, which irritates the vein wall causing it to close. Results are visible in one to three weeks. For stubborn veins, IPL treatments may be used in conjunction with sclerotherapy.
Recovery time: None.

9. Cellulite Treatment
What is it? At DLK on Avenue, cellulite is treated via UltraShape Treatment, a non-surgical body contouring treatment, clinically proven to deliver measurable results. The procedure uses a handpiece with advanced tracking and guiding, which targets fat to remove it. Treated areas appear smooth and uniform—bye-bye orange-peel skin. A series of sessions are recommended.
Recovery time: None.

10. Tattoo Removal
What is it? It takes time and patience, but tattoos can be successfully removed using a combo of treatments: ruby lasers, IPL, epidermal peels, medical skin care and topical prescription meds. Amateur tattoos are generally easier to remove than professional ones and the number of treatments you need generally depends on the size of the tattoo and the amount of pigment in it.
Recovery time: Skin will be tender but treatments should be painless when a local anesthesia is used.

From WeddingBells - Fall/Winter, 2009

Middle Ground - Reveal trim, toned abs just in time for summer

You’ve got your eye on a chic little bikini to wear on the beach this summer—but like many women, you’ve got a little extra padding in the stomach region. Blame it on Mom and Dad. “Women often genetically have a pot-belly in the lower abdomen,” says Dr. Robert Thompson, a Vancouver-based plastic surgeon. It’s also hard to maintain your midriff post-pregnancy. “After a baby, women may lose fat, but they can be left with lax skin, especially around the belly button,” says Dr. Lisa Kellett, a dermatologist at DLK on Avenue in Toronto. But there are solutions, including tried-and true tummy tuck and liposuction procedures, as well as less invasive treatments like Thermage and UltraShape. Here’s how to show off your flat abs—fast!

Tuck in
If you’ve had a baby or lost weight and have loose skin, you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck. Also known as abdominoplasty, the procedure is typically done under general anesthetic. The surgeon makes an incision at the bikini line to remove the extra fat and skin and tightens the muscles in the abdominal wall via sutures. Partial tummy tucks involve the removal of fat deposits below the navel; in a full tummy tuck procedure (which takes two to three hours) more incisions are required and your belly button is relocated because it needs to be separated from the underlying tissue. After the procedure, the doctor places one or two tiny, tube-like drains in the upper and lower abdomen to remove excess fluid; they'll be removed after three to seven days. Healing takes up to one month, although you can resume light activity after two weeks. Costs range from $6,000 to $10,000, depending on the extent of fat removal and muscle tightening required. Expect permanent results, as long as you maintain a healthy body weight.

Smooth move
Smooth Move Got a potbelly or love handles that just aren’t responding to exercise? Liposuction may be the answer. Performed under local anesthetic, it involves the removal of fat via suction through tiny incisions. You’ll need an assessment by an accredited surgeon to determine if you’re a good candidate (most of your abdominal fat should be above the abdominal muscles). According to Thompson, if most of the fat is under the muscle, liposuction may not offer good results. “If someone is slightly overweight, sometimes they’re disappointed because only a portion [of the fat] is above the muscle,” he says. Healing time takes about two weeks and the cost can range from $3,000 to $6,000. Results are permanent if you maintain a normal weight.

Shape shift
If invasive surgery isn’t for you, consider body contouring, which dissolves fat and tightens the skin without injuring the skin or requiring any downtime. UltraShape uses focused ultrasound waves to liquefy fat, and is ideal for people who are fit but have stubborn areas that don’t respond to diet and exercise. Results are subtle. “It’s not for weight loss,” says Kellett. “When you look in the mirror you can’t see it, but your clothes [will] start to fit better.” Expect to lose up to one pant size. It usually takes three treatments to see results (which are permanent); each session costs about $600.

Tight spot
For some, fat isn’t the issue—it’s loose skin. If your belly shape hasn’t bounced back after baby, you might want to try Thermage, which stimulates collagen production via radiofrequency energy, resulting in tighter skin. Although you’ll be sedated during treatment and will need a ride home afterwards, there’s no downtime involved. You'll see results after just one treatment. “Expect to be smaller in circumference and tighter overall,” says Kellett. The cost varies depending on the size of the treatment area, but is usually about $2,500 for one session. Results are permanent, although the treatment won't prevent normal skin aging.

From Elevate Magazine written by Kristen Vinakmens - July/August 2009

RIPPLE EFFECT - THE PERFECT COMPLEMENT TO MIRACLE JEANS AND SPANX, CELLULITE-BUSTING PRODUCTS ATTACK THE FAT

“LIKE A SWIFT MIGRATING FISH, THE WORD CELLULITE HAS SUDDENLY CROSSED THE ATLANTIC.”

In April 1968, Vogue made what’s documented as the earliest editorial reference to the dreaded dimple, pointing to a growing awareness of the genetic affliction. Today, it’s no new phenomenon. And the truth is that most women – and a handful of men – will develop cellulite at some point in their lives.

In addition to genes, your skin’s thickness, diet smoking and lifestyle are factors. With age, adipocytes (cells designed to store fats) can enlarge, pushing against tissues beneath the skin. The result is a dimpled, puckered appearance commonly noticed in the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and sometimes even the arms. Unfortunately, admits Toronto-based dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellett, it’s a plague to which no mere mortal is immune.

While existing skin depressions are typically there to stay, evading new lumps and bumps is always an option, so Kellett advises, “Exercise, maintain a healthy body weight and consume a well-balanced diet.” Also, laser treatments, which use lymphatic drainage to improve the appearance of cellulite, and injectables such as lipodissolve, are on the menu at medical spas through the country. They are, however, pricey and can be limited in their effectiveness.

Fortunately, topical at-home options available in droves. Packed with diuretic agents and toning plant derivatives, these formulas won’t have a Polyfilla effect, but they can make temporary improvements to the surface of the skin. To maximize firming and toning benefits, be sure to follow instructions with precision.

From Zoomer Magazine, text by Jessica Green - June 2009

Ask A Derm - Is mineral makeup good for my skin?

Question: Is mineral makeup good for my skin?

Answer: “There is no evidence to support the claim that mineral make up is any better for your skin or that it allows your skin to ‘breathe’ more than conventional makeup,” says Dr. Lisa Kellett of DLK on Avenue “The term ‘mineral makeup’ is not regulated, thus it’s a case of ‘Buyer beware.’ However, mineral products that contain titanium dioxide can double as an effective sunblock. Look for one that offers SPF 30.”

From ELLE Canada - May 2009

Cosmetic Undertreatment - More are opting for subtle results with less invasive procedures

With the obvious exception of certain Hollywood stars — Nicole Kidman, we’re looking at you — in most cases, today’s name in the cosmetic-enhancement game is “undertreat.”

Top cosmetic dermatologists and surgeons are taking a judicious approach to injectibles such as Botox and Juvederm (a filler) and incorporating chemical peels and laser treatments such as IPL (intense pulsed light) and fraxel to help patients look naturally youthful rather than plastic.

“In L.A. the objective tends to be to erase all expression,” confirms cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jean Carruthers, clinical professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of British Columbia and one of the pioneers of Botox use in facial rejuvenation.

“Stars know their faces are on display at least 10 times the size of reality and in high definition. But in other cities, we’re seeing more sensitivity to needing movement and character in faces.”

A proponent of combining Botox treatments with fillers to lessen time’s boot-print on the face, Carruthers says facelift numbers are actually down from previous years.

“We lose volume in certain areas as we age,” she points out. “Fillers were about filling in a line or wrinkle, but they’ve become more important when it comes to replacing volume. They give a softer effect than, say, cheek fillers, and work better with each patient’s unique features.” Fillers also mean no down time and relatively little discomfort.

Dr. Diane Wong, owner of Glow Medi Spa in Toronto’s Yorkville area, says most women still don’t want anyone to know they’re having anything done.

“My patients don’t want the skating-rink forehead; they’d rather keep a few fine lines or small wrinkles. So I take a baby-steps approach.” Her objective is not to change the face, but simply to rewind a few years. Wong’s undertreat philosophy sometimes has the occasional patient thinking she can’t see a difference, but Wong says it’s because over time patients adjust to the changes. “Going through all the ‘before’ photos we took together always reassures them.”

Glycolic-acid peels and IPL, Fraxel and ProFractional laser treatments smooth skin, reduce wrinkles, stimulate collagen production and even out the complexion, all of which contribute to a younger looking face without going over the top, says Dr. Lisa Kellett, owner of DLK on Avenue, also in Toronto’s Yorkville area. “Non-surgical skin tightening technology such as Thermage also continues to get better and better,” she adds.

There’s a line in the cosmetic-procedure sand, says Carruthers. “Cross it and you look done. Most people don’t want that anymore.”

From metro Toronto, text by Janine Falcone - May 19, 2009