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Monday, August 10, 2009
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Adding Volume to Aging Cheeks
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As you age, many people lose definition in their facial features. To counter this effect, Dr. Gregory A. Buford has created Deep Cheek Volumization (DCV) procedure to restore youthful and full cheeks. A collagen or hyaluronic acid filler is used to plump up the cheeks from deep within the injection site.
"In the past, Facial rejuvenation has primarily focused on the softening of lines and wrinkles. But by just addressing lines, we forgot the most important part of aging--loss of volume. By specifically replacing lost volume to the deep cheeks, nasolabial folds are lifted, cheeks are shaped, and a natural restoration is accomplished" says Dr. Buford in a press release this week.
There is little recovery time needed for the DCV procedure. About four injections are used during the 15-30 minute procedure. Women can add more definition to existing cheekbones, or create the illusion of cheek bones with the injections. The DCV procedure is meant to rejuvenate the face in a way that looks natural for patients.
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Thursday, August 06, 2009
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The Danger in Do-It-Yourself
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Many companies have released cosmetic enhancement products for consumers to be used at home. These include chemical peels, laser hair removal, and even collagen injections. Although the directions may seem clear on the packaging, there are many risks to using these products at home by those who are not properly trained.
One plastic surgeon discussed these dangers regarding IUP (Intense Pulsed Light) at-home treatments to Mail Online. "There is a real risk of people coming to harm from these devices. Because they are low powered compared to the lasers we use in our clinics, this may give poor results and tempt people to use them outside their correct settings."
Without proper knowledge of the products, at-home treatments may damage the skin to a point where professional care is needed. Consumers hoping to save a dollar on treatments they could do themselves may end up paying much more to salvage their skin. These products should only be used as directed and with caution.
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Thursday, July 16, 2009
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New Technique to Stimulate Collagen
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A new procedure called Percutaneous Collagen Induction (PCI) or needling is being used by med spas nationwide to increase facial collagen. A derma roller is covered with tiny needles that pierce lightly into the skin when rolled across the face. The skin is stimulated to produce excess collagen to repair the needle marks, leading to a smoother facial appearance.
The process can be quite painful but the swelling subsides in less than a day. The main concern many patients may have is sanitation. "Since the rollers penetrate the skin, the problem of infection is always a possibility. You must be cautious that everything is sterilized clean" stated a dermatologist to the LA Times.
Derma rollers are to be sanitized often or replaced after every use. This procedure is conducted in many medical spas, but kits are also sold to consumers. Consumers should take caution before performing this technique themselves. The packages warn to not apply too much pressure, or needling will cause more harm to the face
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Thursday, May 14, 2009
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Reprimanding Quick Fixes
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We mentioned recently that the idea of do it yourself Botox and other facial
fillers had been gaining popularity in the US and abroad. Many women have
fall victim to the dangers associated with do-it-yourself kits. Cosmetic
fillers are meant to be applied by professional physicians and clinicians
only. Do it yourself kits are recipes for disaster and danger for the
person attempting to do it at home.
Sky News reported on a case saying, "What began as a lunchtime beauty
treatment ended up with general anaesthetic as a surgeon sliced open her
lower eyelid to cut away the leaching substance. Four surgeries and several
thousand pounds later she is still scarred. Her before and after pictures
tell a starkly different story to advertisements for the procedure, and
experts say her case highlights the potential dangers of cosmetic fillers.
Made of varying substances including hyaluronic acid and collagen extracted
from cows, dermal fillers - injected under the surface of the skin to plump
it up - are widely used in Hollywood."
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Monday, March 23, 2009
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Two New Facial Fillers
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Alongside the ever popular Botox, Juvederm and Restylane two new facial fillers are emerging onto the dermatology market. One of the new wrinkle-ridding products is called Evolence and it is a spin-off of collagen injections. Evolence comes from pigs, and according to doctors does not require getting tested prior to injections to make sure you don't have a reaction to the product. The second product is called Prevelle and is made from hyaluronic acid. Prevelle is used to plump wrinkles and fill the wrinkles. Both products have been on shelves and have been injected in Europe for a few years now.
CBS News affiliate reported on the new products, "Both products are approved for nasolabial folds, those "smile lines" that often deepen with age. But doctors say they'll work well in other places too, such as the lips."
In an industry that heavily relies on Botox injections, we'll see how patients respond to these new kids on the block. It is also important to remember that just like Restylane and Botox, these fillers are not permanent wrinkle removers. They simple are spot treatments for short periods of time.
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Friday, February 13, 2009
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New Wrinkle Treatment
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As the recession blues deepen so do our wrinkles. Allergen and Botox are struggling, but there is a new anti-aging procedure in town called Evolence. The treatment is new to the US, but has been used in Europe and Canada for several years. The only caveat to this new wrinkle-ridding gem, is that it is made from pig fat and pig tendons. Many medical treatments use pig-related products as well as other animal products, but injecting such products in one's face is new territory for many intrigued potential consumers.
Fox News says, "But using pig collagen, taken from pig tendons, as an injectable wrinkle-filler, was only approved by the FDA last year. The treatment is called Evolence, and is used on the lines from the nose, to under the corners of the mouth. Evolence is an alternative to other facial treatments, such as Botox, which is a toxin; Juvederm and Restalyne, which are acids; or other fillers that use cow collagen."
Johnson and Johnson is hoping for full FDA approval to use the Evolence product for full facial filling. Who know's, this may become the more cost-efficient anti-aging treatment.
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Monday, October 27, 2008
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Sun-Damaged Skin Treatments
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Have you spent endless summers basking in the glory of the sun? Taken every opportunity to holiday on the beach? If years of sunkissed skin is catching up to you, there may be a procedure on the market to help your sun-damaged skin. The topical solution coupled with laser treatment developed by DUSA Pharmaceuticals may help rejuvenate aging, leathery and far-too-much-tanned skin. Many avid beach-goers suffer from sun-spots and wrinkles – even at an early age – so dermatologist have improved the procedure to remedy the unattractive skin and diminish unwanted skin-damage.
The University of Michigan researchers are paving the way with these studies and experiments. Their research shows sound success for sunbathers, "In a group of 15 women and 10 men aged 54 to 83 with sun-damaged skin, the researchers found that the therapy increased production of collagen -- a protein that helps provide skin its texture and elasticity -- and promoted the thickening of the top layer of the skin."
Although the treatment has yet to flood the derma-world, the progress the researchers are making leads many to believe the treatment will be making an appearance fairly soon.
Photolink
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Thursday, October 16, 2008
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The 411 on Stretch Marks
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Unfortunately many women are stained with unappealing stretch marks. Whether it happened post-pregnancy or during a period of drastic weight loss, these pesky skin ailments are not very easy to erase. Loads of products are being advertised and promoted on TV and by some doctor's, however very few can actually remove the stretch marks. The marks typically occur when parts of the skin lose elasticity due to collagen loss, and the unfortunate news is most of us will get them at one point in time. Since stretch marks are such a common occurrence amongst women, I decided to outline some helpful hints and pointers.
Yes, they start out fairly dark and unattractive, but some stretch marks may lose their dark pigmentation over time, possibly with the use of products like coco butter – which is yet to be scientifically proven. Before jumping on the bandwagon for laser removal, do some research – many technologies may not yet be FDA approved. So take some time and speak to a dermatologist or professional before purchasing creams, lotions and voodoo magic tricks they can help inform you of possible new treatments or the best purchase. Also, check out dermanetwork.org for related information, research and professionals in your area.
Photolink
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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Estrogen Stimulates Collagen Production ... Sort Of
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Researchers are regularly working on ways to improve the ability of the body to stimulate collagen production. Natural collagen stimulation allows the body to retain an un-aged appearance that comes across as really natural-looking which is what people are seeking when they come in for anti-aging treatments.
One of the things that has been discovered recently is that estrogen can play a crucial role in collagen production. Utilizing the hormone properly can allow the skin to naturally regenerate. Wrinkles may disappear as collagen naturally rebuilds in the body.
But don't get too excited. A study found that this is only useful on parts of the body that are not regularly exposed to sunlight. Exposure to the sun reduced the benefits of the estrogen and made the results unnoticeable. This means that the areas that you're most likely to want to reduce aging in (like your face) are the areas that are least likely to benefit from the use of estrogen to stimulate collagen production.
Question of the Day: Is there a way to use estrogen to improve collaegn production on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun regularly?
photo link
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Tuesday, September 09, 2008
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New Facial To Take Place of Botox?
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Botox is considered to be a non-invasive cosmetic procedure which allows patients to get rid of the appearance of wrinkles without having to undergo surgery. However, it's not an entirely pain-free procedure since it does involved needle-based injections. A new facial product aims to take the place of Botox by offering the same wrinkle-reducing results without the need for a needle.
"The Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Facial utilizes mineral-rich products from the Pro-Collagen range, including a wonder-serum and mask, to not only target those pesky lines but also improve skin firmness by encouraging cell production." (source)
Like with other procedures that are designed to give you great results in reducing wrinkles, it is recommended that you go through a series of treatments rather than a single treatment to get maximum results. Six treatments is the optimum number for this procedure. It's not right for everyone but may be an alternative to Botox for some people who don't want to deal with needles but also don't want to deal with wrinkles!
Question of the Day: Does a product like this facial product really have the ability to give you the same results as a slightly more invasive procedure like Botox?
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