July 2010 Blog Archive

The thought of your bod in a bathing suit getting you down? Those stubborn deposits of excess fat that make us want to reach for the closest mumu are common among men and women of all ages. Often these unsightly bumps and bulges simply will not go away with diet and exercise alone. For many years, traditional liposuction was the only option for getting rid of these deposits. Recently, however, SmartLipo revolutionized the field of liposuction by introducing laser procedures that are safer and require less downtime. Thanks to the advanced SmartLipo systems, shedding unwanted excess fat has become faster and easier than ever before. SmartLipo Triplex, the newest system of laser lipolysis in the SmartLipo family, has taken the procedure to a new level thanks to the innovative use of lasers applied three individual wavelengths.



Unlike traditional procedures that pose risks and can require substantial healing time, SmartLipo Triplex can fit easily into your busy life. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthetic, and most patients experience little to no pain. The powerful lasers work to make removing unwanted fat cells gentler, easier, and less invasive than traditional procedures. As a bonus, the lasers also deliver dramatic skin tightening which creates natural, attractive contours in the areas where fat is removed. In general, most patients are able to return to work or other daily activities within just a few days following the procedure, making Smartlipo Triplex a great option if you want results without the recovery time.



SmartLipo Triplex can be safely used in most of the areas where deposits of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise commonly occur. These areas include the hips, thighs, knees, buttocks, abdomen, upper arms, back, and chin. Because only very small incisions are made, there is little risk of pain or complications during the healing process. To learn more about this revolutionary new procedure or to schedule an appointment, contact your local SmartLipo Triplex provider today. Ditch the mumu and show off that new body in your new itsy-bitsy, teenie-weenie, yellow (or black, or gold, or....?) bikini!

Have you heard of the Dysport Challenge? Medicis, the company that makes Dysport, have come up with a way to encourage loyal BOTOX users and new patients alike to give Dysport a try. The Dysport Challenge works like this: you visit your skin care specialist for a Dysport treatment, and then within two weeks visit www.DysportUSA.com and register for the Challenge.... and mail in your rebate form for a $75 check!

But wait! Three months after your treatment, you get another $75. If you are happy with your results, you go to the website, click ‘love it,’ and get a second Dysport treatment and check. But if you weren’t happy you can click ‘leave it,’ get another botulinum toxin type A (i.e. BOTOX) treatment, and still get $75 off the cost.

You’re not the only one who thinks this is a great deal—Medicis announced today that over 100,000 patients have registered for the Dysport Challenge. And it’s also proven to be a good deal for them, too—Medicis reported that to date, only 2.6% of all patients who have registered have made a selection to "Leave It" since the program was launched. That means more people trying—and ‘loving’—Dysport!

Originally, the Dysport Challenge was only planned to last until May 30th, 2010. However, due to the success and positive response from both skin care specialists and patients, Medicis has decided to extend the Challenge until September 30th, 2010. Take advantage of this great opportunity to save money and try Dysport today! To learn more about Dysport, Click Here.

Consider these phrases: 'Stem cells' and 'Fat injections.' Do images of beauty and youth come to mind? Probably not. But new cosmetic treatments involving both stem cells and fat may prove to represent a new era of aesthetic medicine.



Cell Enriched Cosmetic Surgery is the official name. Basically, these treatments involve removing fat cells from select areas of the body, treating those cells and encouraging them to multiply the stem cells that naturally occur in them, and then reintroducing the treated fat cells to the breasts, face, or other areas where volume and fullness is needed.



The idea is that the stem cells help the fat cells survive the transfer better. Some specialists also believe that the stem cells may serve as an anti-aging aid, since they may speed up the healing process and encourage tissue regeneration.



Sounds great, right? Yes, but it's important to keep in mind that some skin care specialists aren't sure that the stem cells are as effective as some people say, and are concerned that not enough clinical research has been done. Also, cell enriched cosmetic surgery procedures have not been approved by the FDA, though they have been performed for some time in Europe and other countries.



While cell enriched cosmetic surgery may be the future, it also may need to prove it's worth (and safety) in the lab. Check back with DermaNetwork.org for updates about stem cell related procedures. To consult a local specialist about these and other anti-aging treatments, click here.

So you’re headed home from a long, hot day at the beach, river, pool, lake, or waterpark and you start to feel that tingling, a stinging chafe where your bathing suit meets your back. Sunburn. As you mentally kick yourself for forgetting to reapply that sunscreen—or for skipping it entirely—it’s time for damage control. Here are some tips for managing the discomfort that sunburns can cause.

• Start taking a mild pain relief medication like aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol as soon as you begin to feel pain.


• Try making a cool compress by soaking a washcloth in equal parts of water and milk. Cool compresses containing Burow solution are another option; you can buy Burow packets at the drugstore.


• Aloe is a natural ingredient that has been used for years to help treat sunburns. It’s now available in a variety of lotions and gels, so you don’t have to suffer through both a sunburn and sticky, smelly natural aloe to benefit from it’s healing properties.


• Soaking in a cool bath might also sooth your singed skin, but be sure to keep the water cool (not ice cold), and avoid anything that might irritate the skin further, such as bath salts, harsh soaps, or scrubbing the skin.

If your sunburn is more severe, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. Symptoms like extreme blistering, nausea, dizziness, or fainting may require professional care or could indicate more severe problems related to sun exposure.

More regulation of cosmetic products is likely pending, with recent discussion from both the cosmetic and regulation industries.



The Personal Care Products Council, the cosmetic industry's trade group, proposed to establish more direct regulation over cosmetic products, and to develop a more involved role for the FDA in the supervision of ingredients. That's right--the cosmetic's industry itself is asking for more regulation on products like sunscreen, cleansers, and moisturizers, which ultimately will mean safer products for consumers.



Under the existing laws, the FDA isn't able to require cosmetics companies to test their product's safety in a regulated way. The FDA also doesn't have to approve the claims made on product labels (like "natural" or "safe"), or have the authority to order recalls.



The internet is abuzz with discussion about the seven-minute 'Story of Cosmetics' video, which was released today. The video advocates for higher safety regulation, saying that fewer than 20% of chemicals in cosmetics have been assessed by the industry's safety panel. The video is co-produced by The Story of Stuff Project, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Free Range Studios.



Today, Democrats Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill. and Ed Markey, D-Mass. in Congress proposed a bill that would empower the FDA and give it a larger role in determining the safety of cosmetic products. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is working on a similar bill in the Senate.



Only time will tell what kinds of changes are in store for the regulation of cosmetic products, but it certainly seems that all parties are on the same page: more regulation equals safer products, and safety is always important to consumers. Check back with DermaNetwork for updates and more information about FDA regulation in the cosmetic industry.

DermaNetwork.org gets thousands of visitors every month--people just like you looking for information about cosmetic treatments, conditions, and specialists who can help them.



What's the buzz about this month? Our Top 5 popular cosmetic treatments are:

1. FotoFacial IPL. Photo rejuvenation is a non-ablative (does not damage the skin) skin rejuvenation technique that is delivered through a series of applications of intense pulsed light. The intense, luminescent light is delivered deep within the skin, targeting problems like rosacea and sun damage without damaging the skin's surface.


2. SmartLipo. SmartLipo uses the high-intensity energy of a laser to dissolve and remove fat deposits and tighten the surrounding skin.Unlike traditional liposuction, with SmartLipo patients aren't 'put under' with general anesthetic, which means they get to start enjoying their body contouring results faster than ever!
   
   


3. Fraxel. Reaching deep into the tissue of the skin, Fraxel lasers target problem areas and stimulate the production of new collagen. This process of controlled skin damage in small areas allows for minimal healing time and highly effective rejuvenation of the skin.


4. Chemical Peels. A chemical peel is a cosmetic procedure that rejuvenates the surface of the skin and treats various skin issues like fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, and mild scarring. There are a multitude of chemical peels to choose from, so your treatment can be customized to your individual needs.


5. Restylane. Restylane is an injectable dermal filling gel that is used to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles, nasolabial folds (the folds from the nose to the corners of the mouth) and for sculpting lips. Patients love that Restylane is a natural cosmetic dermal filler that is made of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid--meaning that it poses fewer risks than many other dermal filler options, but provides fantastic results.

Got you thinking about one (or more!) of these popular treatments? Click on the links to learn more about the treatments, and then let us help you find an experienced local specialist who can tell you more.

DermaNetwork.org is constantly working to provide solid information and interactive features to our site visitors, through a variety of media.



DermaNetwork just launched it's own Facebook page, viewable here. By embracing social media we can keep you in the loop and provide a convenient way for you to tell your friends about DermaNetwork. Keep informed about the latest news and treatments available in the cosmetic dermatology industry. Read and comment on our updates, check out the latest news, and give us feedback about our site. "Like" DermaNetwork and recommend us to your Facebook friends today!



Running with the social media theme, you can also connect with DermaNetwork on Twitter. Check out twitter.com/DermaNetwork for tweets about everything from sun protection to Smart Lipo!

No pain, no incisions, no recovery time, and no one will be able to pinpoint what you've done to look so amazing! Zerona Laser Liposuction provides a non-invasive alternative to traditional liposuction that delivers great results.



Since its approval by the FDA, many doctors are recommending Zerona to help their patients to get rid of unwanted pockets of fat. Zerona works by melting fat with a specially-developed laser. The laser targets fat cells, encouraging to release their fatty cargo which can then be metabolized by your body and leaves it as a natural waste-product. The result? Contoured curves and an overall slimmer look in the problem areas you want to address.



Zerona treatments don't hurt, and you can go on with your normal everyday activities right after your treatment sessions. During the procedure, you will lie down and your doctor will use a low frequency laser to target fatty areas while you relax.  Most patients have a series of treatments customized to their needs. Talk to a specialist today to learn more about Zerona Laser Liposuction, and how it can help you achieve the sculpted physique you've been waiting for!

It's summer! The season of sun, sand, and... cellulite. The smaller the bikinis and shorter the shorts, the more those cottage cheese thighs make you sick--or at least, very uncomfortable poolside.



But don't worry, you're certainly not alone. Did you know that over 90% of women have cellulite? Even men can develop it. And because it's actually considered a skin condition, even skinny celebrities can suffer from cellulite. Knowing all this can help you cope, but you may still be unhappy when you look in the mirror. Here are some tips to help reduce the appearance of cellulite:

•     Maintain a normal weight: heavier people tend to have more pronounced cellulite


•     Quit smoking


•     Reduce your intake of high-fat foods, salt, alcohol, coffee and highly processed foods


•     Eat plenty of fiber


•     Drink an adequate amount of water daily to cleanse your body of toxins


•     Exercise regularly

Of course, following these rules can help, but they may not get you the results you are looking for. Cosmetic specialists have developed a number of light and radio-frequency devices that can diminish cellulite after repeated treatments. Have you heard of Velashape, SmoothShapes, or TriActive? All of these treatments are non-invasive, fast, and are designed to target cellulite. Click on the links to learn more, and visit DermaNetwork.org to find a provider near you.

Are you sick of shaving that 'stache? All women have at least some facial hair, but for certain women the hair on their upper lip, cheeks, or chin may appear thicker, darker, or coarser than they would like.



There are many options when it comes to addressing unwanted facial hair, including bleaching, shaving, and waxing. But these fixes are incomplete--they don't do anything to prevent new hair growth. But now, a great non-invasive product is available to do just that.



Vaniqa is the only prescription cream approved by the FDA to reduce the growth of unwanted facial hair in women. How does it work? Vaniqa absorbs into the skin and affects the enzyme that promotes hair growth. The active ingredient in Vaniqa goes below the surface of the skin to block this growth process, thereby slowing down hair growth. For most women, it also causes hair to grow in finer and lighter in color. Most patients will find that they are able to use their preferred hair removal treatments less frequently when they use Vaniqa regularly.



Interested? Contact a local skin care specialist to learn more, or visit the Vaniqa page on DermaNetwork.

Selphyl may not provide the immortalized glow of 17-year-old skin that everyone's favorite vampire enjoys, but it IS one of the newest options available to those interested in wrinkle-fighting dermal fillers. Selphyl is called the "vampire facelift" by some because of it's unique, natural make-up. Rather than injecting synthetic products into the skin, the patient's own blood is drawn, treated and modified, then injected to smooth wrinkles.



Using a centrifuge and a chemical catalyst, the specialist is able to divide the components of the patient's blood to use only the platelets and fibrin to form a thickened concentrate to be used as a dermal filler. Only a small amount of blood is needed, and the procedure typically takes less than an hour to complete.



Selphyl is a natural preparation which the body readily accepts. Because the material comes from your own body, your body won't reject it or react like it might if a synthetic filler is used. When injected just under the skin, Selphyl activates new skin cell growth and, over time, leads to a stronger collagen support structure. Selphyl secrets a protein that stimulates new cells growth and spread throughout the treatment area.



Learn more about Selphyl and other dermal fillers by exploring DermaNetwork.org.

Nutational Infrasonic Liposuction, more commonly known as Tickle Lipo™ is the latest FDA approved laser liposuction treatment available. Unlike traditional liposuction that involve inserting a cannula into the skin tissues and manually moving the cannula to break up fat, the Tickle Lipo device uses a cannula that rotates and vibrates on its own, making it easier for the fat to break apart easily. The vibration of the cannula can affect the nerve fibers, which is why many patients report a mild 'tickling' sensation. The entire procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so recovery is fast, and most people see results within one month after the procedure.



Benefits of Tickle Lipo include:

•     Can be performed under local anesthesia


•     Can be performed on several parts of the body


•     Different sizes of cannula available, providing a more targeted and precise treatment


•     Fast recovery time


•     Less bruising and swelling than conventional liposuction


•     Fast healing  of scars


•     Costs less than other liposuction procedures


•     Helps create a smooth, contoured appearance

Learn more about Tickle Lipo by clicking here. Look for more information about Tickle Lipo on DermaNetwork--coming soon! Meanwhile, learn more about other laser liposuction procedures and local physicians who provide them by clicking here.

If you’re over 40 years of age, chances are you have – or will soon have – age spots, those pesky tan, gray or brown spots and patches that typically occur on areas of the body that have been exposed to the sun. Most individuals experience at least a few age spots once they reach middle age, and fortunately, there are treatments that can help fade or eradicate the spots before they become too noticeable.



Also called sun spots or liver spots (although these discolorations have nothing to do with the liver), age spots are harmless, and occur when melanin – skin’s natural pigment – becomes concentrated in a specific area. In addition to sun exposure, the aging process and even genetics can play a role in how many age spots an individual will develop over their lifetime.



Age spots usually can be faded using bleaching creams and vitamin A gels (retinoids) over several months, but individuals looking to get rid of the spots faster have other options. Laser treatments destroy overactive melanocytes (melanin producing cells that cause age spots) beneath the skin’s surface without damaging the skin itself. Usually several treatments are needed to adequately fade the spots. Chemical peels may also be used to remove the upper layers of skin, where age spots occur. Chemical peels use acids to destroy upper layers of skin, and in most cases, multiple peels will be needed to effectively fade the age spots. Dermabrasion is another popular treatment for age spots. Using a wire brush, the upper layers of skin are removed, allowing fresh, clear skin to form in its place.



With so many options to choose from, there’s no reason to suffer with pesky age spots. Talk to your clinician today to determine which treatment option is best for you.