October 2006 Blog Archive
Monday, October 23, 2006
New Zit Zapper
I was researching the web to find the newest technology for acne treatment and came across a great article. The article is about a "Zit Zapper", a new tool that looks like a pen and uses heat to get rid of pimples. When I was a teenager I had really bad acne and would do anything to get rid of it. I wish they had something like this when I needed it. Check out the link and read the article, maybe it will work for you!!
http://wnbc.healthology.com/skin-problems/skin-problems-news/article1235.htm
Thursday, October 19, 2006
How do I camouflage my imperfections?
-Many women suffer from severe acne outbreaks or broken or "thready" veins on the nose or cheeks. Some out of fear avoid using make-up tools. It is possible to perfectly cover and conceal your red blotches by using camouflage
-Do camouflage. It is an ideal way to create balance or symmetry on the face you need to correct imperfect lips, eyes, etc. Once the area is blended, you can redefine uneven lips by "drawing" a corrected line with a lip pencil and filling in with lip color. The same technique can be applied in the eye area and eyebrow using an eye or eyebrow pencil.
-To disguise a severe area of red blotches, firstly ensure you use a camouflage cream which has good coverage strength. Secondly, make sure the make-up reflects a natural look. You can achieve this by applying camouflage in thin layers. For a perfect coverage, apply more thin layers on top of each other rather than one thick layer. It is recommended to use a moist sponge for applying camouflage cream.
-Most often people will try to avoid the area under the eyebrow into the hairline - where they may appear to be camouflaged everywhere else, it shows through under an eyebrow or on the scalp. It's best to dab and pat concealer through the hair until you achieve proper coverage. A small moustache comb or toothbrush can be used to gently stroke the makeup out of the hair. When needed, go back with an eyebrow pencil or mascara and recolor the hair.
-Do apply corrective cosmetics directly to problem area for maximum coverage. On remaining areas of face, apply with a damp sponge to blend and even out skin tone. The most common mistake women make when applying any kind of makeup is that they do not blend enough.
-Do use a moisturized base to achieve the most natural look and to eliminate caking.
-Do use a shade lighter than one's skin tone to cover an inverted scar. This creates the appearance of a smooth surface. Using a shade darker than natural skin tone on a raised scar will have the same effect. Blending on highly textured skin is critical, as the makeup will tend to accentuate the uneven skin. Using minimal makeup, apply with finger and work into the area so the makeup doesn't merely sit on the surface creating more texture. Go light on the powder, if you feel you must use any.
-Do use a light shade as a primer to tone down color when camouflaging very dark areas such as intense bruising, age spots and tattoos. After concealing, use a shade that matches skin tone to further hide the imperfections.
-Use a light patting motion, rather than rubbing in makeup.
-Don't use camouflage makeup on any suspicious skin conditions, including unsealed cuts and burns, active acne, or raw or irritated skin. If these conditions exist, see your doctor.
-Don't assume that the color that is right for your face is right for your body. Skin on the body tends to be a shade or two darker than the face.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Mesotherapy - What Does it Do?
Proponents have noted that an injection of a "cocktail" of vitamins, plant extracts and medications into the middle layer of skin, i.e., the mesoderm, may benefit patients in a variety of ways. Dermatologists have been using mesotherapy -a different methodology and different ingredients in the injections - for treatment of a number of conditions. Techniques and results for rejuvenating the face, reducing cellulite and treating hair loss with ingredients chosen based on the condition being treated.
Mesotherapy works by breaking up fat deposits and is may be much more targeted than if a patient takes carnitine orally or if gels or lotions containing ingredients such as carnitine or theophylline are used topically.
Criteria for mesotherapy treatment in cellulite:
Injected compounds include tefamine and carnitine.
As many as 50 injections for the treatment of the thighs are made 2 cm apart on the affected area and are between 1 mm and 2 mm in depth.
Five cc of injected compound is used for treatment of the stomach area, and 10 cc for hips and thighs.
One treatment is scheduled per week for four weeks, then bi-weekly maintenance for several months.
Depending upon products used, redness and edema should be gone within one day - although some redness may last up to two weeks, especially if phosphatidylcholine is used. Mesotherapy works by breaking up fat deposits. Cellulite is not considered to be weight; but a positioning of fat and alteration of the conjunctive tissue that makes the skin look dimpled.
Mesotherapy used to treat cellulite will make the skin smoother and diminish the circumference of the thigh, for example.
Face
The idea behind facial rejuvenation is that collagen production can be stimulated through fibroblast activation.
Criteria for facial rejuvenation are:
Ingredients include dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE).
Injections made are a maximum of 1 cm apart but can be as close as 1 mm apart - closer than cellulite treatment - and are more superficial, extending just 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm into the skin.
2 cc to 4 cc of compound are used for the entire face.
Course of therapy consists of about 10 consecutive treatments at seven-day intervals for about 10 weeks.
With the proper technique and the right compounds injected at the appropriate depth - redness and swelling should not last more than 30 minutes. With products that diffuse slowly, it is important to inject a bit deeper and to avoid the formation of papules.
Hair
Mesotherapy may help minimize hair loss and make hair look thicker in men and women suffering from alopecia or from hair loss associated with the aging process. The treatment does not regenerate hair growth.
Criteria for hair loss treatment are:
Compounds consist of a "cocktail" of antioxidants, vitamins, hyaluronic acids and vasodilators.
Treatment injections are between 0.5 cm and 1 cm apart and are also more superficial - 0.5 mm to 0.6 mm in depth, slightly deeper than the facial injections.
Treatment consists of about 5 cc of compound for the entire scalp.
Treatment regimen is once a week for four weeks followed by monthly maintenance treatments, which are important to maintain results.
The only side effect may be some bleeding, which may last a few minutes after the treatment. Using mesotherapy in combination with more traditional therapies - such as using Botox (Allergan) and Restylane (Q-Med) cooperatively for facial rejuvenation may enhance the already desired result. Although one does not typically use topical anesthesia for any of these three modalities, EMLA numbing cream (AstraZeneca) could be applied prior to treatment.
The fact is that a combination of any of these treatments can lead to a very desired outcome. It is important to ask your specialist how this may work for you, and to understand what your options are.
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