In This Skin

If you follow reality television at all then you haven't been able to miss the show Keeping up with the Kardashians. Whether you love it or hate it, it represents the next genre of reality television shows in which we've started watching quasi-celebrities reveal their lives in order to become a new kind of celebrity. One of the characters who has gained some serious attention as a result of the show is Kim Kardashian, the stunning beauty who has revealed all in magazines like Playboy.

People who are interested in Kim's appearance may want to know what kind of treatments she's gotten done over the years. A few of the non-invasive procedures that Kim has reportedly had include:

- Laser hair removal. Who can blame her; no woman wants to shave if she doesn't have to and Kim has a busy, busy life.

- VelaShape cellulite reduction and body shaping treatments. These are non-invasive treatments designed to melt the fat right off of the body.

- Basic skin rejuvenation. The treatments she's had are varied but she's done some work to keep her face looking smooth and fresh.

As more of Kim's life gets revealed through reality TV, we might find out more about the different treatments that do and don't work for her over time.

Question of the Day: Do you love or hate Kim Kardashian?

photo link

As the weather starts to get warmer, most of us will be making a few changes to our standard skin rejuvenation treatments. For one thing, we're more likely to get laser treatments done towards the end of the work day when the sun won't be so harsh on the skin. We're also more likely to get treatments that help give a moisturized appearance to the face. But one of the most important things that we'll be doing is ramping up our use of sunscreen.

Dangers associated with skin exposure include everything from unsightly sun spots to fatal cancers. Luckily, a new study shows that there have been advances made to the sunscreens on the market which should make them more effective in protecting our skin. The key is to look for a sunscreen that has a higher SPF level than others on the shelf as well as to make sure that you choose one which protects against UVA rays as well as UVB rays.

Despite these advances it remains up to each individual to do what it takes to protect the skin. Studies have proven recently that people who work outdoors are increasingly less likely to get screened for skin cancer. They've also shown that self-exams (possibly with the help of a loved one) can be crucial in making sure that you get early treatment of any problems that do arise.

Make sure that you work with your dermatologist to figure out what changes and precautions you need to take as the summer sun starts to heat up. Consider the pros and cons of sunless tanning and make sure you understand the impact of the sun on any regular treatments that you get done.

Question of the Day: How well your skin rejuvenation routine change as we enter the summer months?

photo link

When you think about the reasons that someone might get Botox, you probably come up with a mish-mash of causes that all boil down to a general desire to look younger. However, not everyone has the same goal in mind. An interesting article published recently over at Metro Spirit discusses a situation in which Botox can actually be used to rid yourself of some of your youth (in a positive way).

The article is written by a woman whose husband opted to get Botox with the goal of removing a deep-seated wrinkle between his brows. The wrinkled caused his face to have an angry look, making people mistake him for being a meaner man than he really was. Although not traditionally interested in cosmetic procedures, he jumped at the chance to get Botox to remove this wrinkle.

The article's author points out that her husband was a somewhat angry / angsty teenager who had a chip on his shoulder about the world. As he got older, the angst faded away and he became a chilled-out kind of guy. The brow wrinkled that made him look mean also made him look like he was still an angry teen. Removing it with Botox helped his face reflect the more mature approach to life he'd taken over the years.

What an interesting twist on the typical Botox story!

Question of the Day: Do you think that women can also use Botox to leave their youth behind or is this a strictly male thing?

photo link

There is a lot of interesting news coming out of this year's American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) meeting which is taking place this week in San Diego. One of the releases that has been announced is the possible move forward of a new facial filler which is designed to augment and contour the face. The product, called Aquamid(R), is intended to be a long-lasting treatment which will allow the patient to achieve results that do not require extensive follow-up.

The information presented was based on a five-year study of the treatment that has just concluded in Europe. That study showed that the new product is successful in its goal of improving the appearance of the face by changing its volume and toning its contours. It also showed that the product appears to be safe for the use of patients.

It is believed that the makers of Aquamid(R) will now move forward with clinical trials in the United States. Those trials will, of course, take some time so don't expect this product to be on the shelves of your local dermatologist's office quite yet. However, it's looking to be a great new product which could supplement the dermal fillers that are currently being used and so is something to keep an eye on for the future.

Question of the Day: Would you be interested in participating in a clinical trial for a product like this facial augmentation filler?

photo link

Lipodissolve is a procedure which has gained a lot of attention as a non-invasive procedure designed to provide some of the same effects as liposuction, reducing weight on the body and providing a more toned and slim appearance. However, the cosmetic surgery industry seems to be divided as to whether Lipodissolve is a good product or one that should be avoided by patients. One doctor recently argued that those surgeons who are opposed to the use of Lipodissolve are biased by the fact that the product may take away from their more invasive surgery practices.

This doctor makes the point that the main argument used by anti-Lipodissolve surgeons is an invalid argument. These surgeons are warning consumers that the FDA has not approved Lipodissolve for use in the market. However, this doctor points out that the FDA does not approve procedures (only products) and that Lipodissolve is a procedure. Therefore it's not something that the FDA would have any reason to approve.

The reality is that there are pros and cons to Lipodissolve as compared with liposuction. There are more risks involved with liposuction but there may also be more rewards. Patients have to weigh their own needs against the information provided by their doctors in order to determine which of the procedures (if either) is right for them.

Question of the Day: What is your initial stance on the question of Lipodissolve?

photo link

People who go to cosmetic doctors frequently get lured in to the use of creams that claim they can do what the doctors are doing. Common creams include those intended to remove fat and get rid of wrinkles. In most cases, the people who try these creams find after a short period of time that they need to go back to their doctors to see real effects.

However, it is possible to use some creams and gels, usually in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures, in order to improve your appearance. An article over at ReviewJournal.com recently took a look at multiple products and gave some insightful information into which products do and don't work.

The purpose of the products reviewed in the article included getting rid of stretch marks, offering the appearance of a flat stomach and reducing the wrinkles around cleavage that can reveal a woman's true age. The products discussed in the article were all on the pricey side but they did create some success for the individual who used them.

Your best bet is to work with your doctor to choose creams and gels that will supplement the cosmetic procedures that you are getting done. This can reduce the need to see your doctor on a frequent basis and enhance your appearance over time.

Question of the Day: Which creams have worked for you and which have not?

photo link

If you want to get laser treatments - such as laser hair removal or laser resurfacing - in the UK, you need to go to a doctor. However, that may not be the case in the near future because the UK is considering the deregulation of these laser devices. UK doctors who are experienced in working with laser technology are expressing their opposition to the deregulation.

The concern, as you might expect, is that unqualified people will set up laser treatment practices. This could result in bad cosmetic work being done throughout the UK which would then give a negative slant to the entire practice. When done by a qualified doctor, these laser treatments are all believed to be safe. However, lack of qualifications seriously increases the risk of harm during treatments.

Learn more here.

Question of the Day: Should the UK deregulate cosmetic laser technology?

photo link

There is an interesting report at Medical News Today which is intended to remind women that they should be careful in protecting their lips from the sun. The reminder is a good one but the article itself is interesting because it brings up a point that not many people realize; your lips may be more prone to aging as a result of the sun than your skin is. This is something to keep in mind when using preventive and treatment methods for skin care protection.

The article specifically discusses the importance of being careful when using lip balms and lip glosses. These are items which actually draw UV rays to the lips (as opposed to protecting them from the sun like sunscreens do). However, it's important to do more than stop wearing lip gloss. You should also be actively working to protect your lips from aging. Your skin rejuvenation doctor could be a useful resource in this area.

Question of the Day: Were you aware that the lips may be more prone to signs of aging than the skin?

photo link

An important article over at Health News Digest recently took a look at the way that each of us should approach skin rejuvenation treatments during different decades in our lives.

Some of the information coming out of this article includes:

- In your twenties, you should focus on protecting your skin. Take care of adolescent skin problems such as treating remaining acne with photo rejuvenation.

- In your thirties, start looking out for early age spots and nip them in the bud with microdermabrasion. This is also when you should be looking into dermal fillers to end those emerging wrinkles.

- In your forties, you'll start upping the ante on anti-aging treatments. This means working with your skin rejuvenation doctor to create a plan that makes sense for you in terms of frequency of treatments like dermal fillers and chemical peels.

- In your fifties, you'll find that you may be interested in plastic surgery to supplement your cosmetic procedures. You may also find that hormonal changes require the use of laser hair removal that wasn't needed in the past.

Of course, each individual situation is going to be different. You may find that different treatments are right for you at different times than what is suggested here. But this is a common guideline to follow if you'd like to start considering new treatments.

Question of the Day: During what decade do you think you're most likely to be interested in skin rejuvenation treatments?

photo link

A doctor in the UK has been prosecuted after advertising and selling a fat-reduction product that is not approved for use in the UK. The drug appears to be similar to products such as LipoDissolve which are intended as injectables that break up the fat in the body and help to trim inches off of the waist and other fatty areas. However, this product has not been tested for cosmetic use and should not have been sold to people for that purpose.

The drug is called Lipostabil and is approved in Germany for non-cosmetic medical purposes. This UK doctor was advertising it under both the product name and the name Fat Jab. He was warned against continued advertisement of the illegal product and continued to offer it to his patients anyway. He has been found guilty in the court system and has been fined. Patients in the UK and the surrounding area are being warned to be wary of advertisements for this type of product.

Learn more here.

Question of the Day: What precautions would you take to make sure that an advertised cosmetic drug was approved in your area?

photo link