“Lips to Love” for Summer Season

Little Known “Lips” Facts

Lips are more misunderstood and mistreated than any other body part. You’ll notice they'll be the first to indicate your body is trying to fight off an illness, stress or disease. Lips will be the first to show signs of unhealthy, destructive lifestyle (dryness, chapping, discoloration).

The aging process and our lifestyle choices result in constant wear and tear of the delicate lip area, which translates into dehydration, and loss of collagen/elastin thus making the lips appear wrinkled, shriveled and shrunken over time.

Good news is it doesn't matter how old you are, your lips can be rejuvenated. Beautiful healthy lips should be smooth and supple with very few lines, they should always have a healthy natural color, regardless of your age.

Causes of Lip Lines and aging:

Natural aging plays a part in the formation of these lines, but so do sun damage and cigarette smoke.  Some of these factors you can control, and some you can't.

Another cause of lip lines is, unfortunately, using your lips! Every time you purse your lips to drink through a straw or whistle a tune, you create folds in the skin. Over time, the repetition of this pursing motion can result in permanent creases and lines around your mouth. This is the main reason that people who smoke cigarettes tend to see lip lines develop sooner and more noticeably than nonsmokers do. When you add in the fact that smoking has a drying effect on skin and is known to accelerate the formation of wrinkles and loss of skin tone, it's clear that smoking is a major factor in the formation of lip lines.

Another cause of lip lines is loss of lip volume with aging. As you get older, your skin loses collagen and elastin -- the components of skin that give it a full and smooth appearance. In addition, facial fat, which accounts for some of your lips' plumpness, is lost naturally as you age. Lip lines, as well as other facial lines and wrinkles, become more and more visible as these components are lost.

Another main cause of lip lines is thinning skin. As you age, your skin tends to become thinner and more likely to become creased with use. All facial lines, including lip lines, are more visible as skin becomes thinner.

Sad Realities of Lip Product Formulation 

Most lip products (lipsticks, chap-sticks) contain wax or wax derivatives, which hold or bind the formulation together. Emollients are added to the wax foundation to give the product a creamy feel. As women, we have been conditioned to believe anything creamy is also moisturizing. As lip products are concerned, nothing could be further from the truth. When lip products that contain wax, wax derivatives, and petroleum-by products (all recognized for their ability to repel moisture) are regularly applied to the lip surface over an extended period of time, the lips' innate ability to keep its tissues hydrated naturally, is compromised, and eventually ceases to function at all.

Over time, this prolonged state of dehydration results in the loss of lip volume, vertical lines on the lip surface, the onset of lines along the upper and lower lip lines, and the dreaded and feared lines which extend above the lip and can also extend below the lips. If action is not taken that will interrupt this process, the lips will continue to shrink in volume, the vertical lip lines on the lip surface will become more prominent and increase in quantity, and lines above and below the lips will get deeper and extend further upward or downward, and their quantity will increase. 

Aside from giving up smoking and stop using wrong lip products, it sounds like there's little you can do to avoid lip lines. There are several things you can do to erase them, however.

Fillers for Lip Lines

One way to reduce or eliminate lip lines is to replace some of the volume that has been lost from lips over time. Dermal fillers can be injected into lips to make them fuller. These procedures are very similar to the ones used to give Hollywood stars their sexy pouts, except that the goal is to replace what Mother Nature gave you and gravity took.

Hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular dermal filler that is used to replace the lost lip volume, it also helps in tightening and smoothing skin. Several popular lip fillers used by cosmetic surgeons contain this ingredient, though the concentrations vary. These treatments are long lasting 3 months - up to a year.

Another option to rejuvenate lips is to have fat injected into your lips to reduce lip lines. You may be able to have fat from one part of your body (such as the stomach) extracted, treated and injected. This can reduce the appearance of lip lines and it can give your face a fuller, more youthful look overall. Fat injections can cause lumping or scarring, though, so talk with your doctor about the risks versus the benefits.

AminoGenesis™ “Lips to Love”

If injection-type fillers don't sound good, there are other options. AminoGenesis™ “Lips to Love” is a natural non invasive lip augmentation system; that helps to restore and augment at the same time.

Amino acids are the heart of the AminoGenesis™ formula. They are the actual building blocks of proteins like collagen and elastin, which are necessary for healthy and beautiful skin. Some amino acids are known as “essential” meaning the body can’t replace them on it’s own and needs an abundant supply from an outside source. As we age we start to lose these essential amino acids, collagen and elastin production stops and our skin begins to malfunction, resulting in wrinkles and discoloration.

AminoGenesis™ uses painstakingly purified 17; plant derived amino acids necessary to make our skin healthy and youthful looking. These amino acids are then carefully blended to match the optimum composition of collagen, giving our skin all it needs to become healthy and radiant looking.  A perfect pout at a fraction of filler price!

The miraculous oligopeptide formula present in “Lips to Love” penetrates into the delicate skin of lips instantly, increasing volume while deeply hydrating lips for a plumper, sexier pout that lasts all day long! It comes with a unique 3 speed vibrating applicator wand helps increase circulation and product penetration for maximum results. 

Benefits “Lips to Love”:

Increases lip volume instantly (filler like effect),

Natural looking results,

hydrates and softens lips as it plumps them,

Reduce appearance of lines and wrinkles

Provides lips with the vital amino acids which help to rebuild and restructure the skin collagen and elastin fibers.

Helps restore natural lip color due to skin healing properties of amino acids

Paraben free,

No side effects,

No animal testing

Exfoliate Radiate! Glowing Complexion for holiday season

As we age the skin cells turnover rates slows down resulting in a dull, lifeless complexion. Proper exfoliation can help maintain a healthy complexion.  Here’s a customized approach for different skin types to unmask that healthy glow.

For sensitive skin, a washcloth and creamy cleanser two or three times a week may be all that’s needed to gently remove dead skin cells. Immediately after using a washcloth, slather on a thick moisturizer to soothe and hydrate the newly exfoliated skin. People with sensitive skin should avoid scrubs and microdermabrasion, which can lead to excessive irritation. Before applying an exfoliating product, apply the product to a small test area. An ultrasound peel is a new approach; which can help exfoliate without causing any irritation. 

For normal skin, a variety of exfoliating options are available. One of the best is a skincare brush, which gently removes dead cells, debris and oil. It’s best used every other night with a gentle cleanser followed by a moisturizer. Once-a-week gentle scrubs or glycolic masks are also helpful to keep skin looking fresh. But don’t overdo it! In my practice, I commonly see patients who are red and irritated from over-exfoliation, which, over time, may actually accelerate the aging process. Post exfoliation …..moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

For oily or acne-prone skin, the skincare brush can be used daily with a glycolic cleanser. Another good option is the use of daily or every other day glycolic pads. These are pads soaked with alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid. You apply the pad to clean skin once daily to help remove oil, debris and dead skin cells that can clog pores. A popular beta-hydroxy acid ingredient is salicylic acid. Since daily use of glycolic acids can increase sun sensitivity, a good sunscreen is a must. A salicylic acid peel done professionally every 15-30 days keeps skin clear of break outs. Never use regular facials with stream. Stream over activates the oil glands in the skin and leads to open pores and blemishes.

Professional Exfoliation: Microdermabrasion and Chemical, Ultrasound or Laser Peels

Although regular use of at-home products and treatments can help keep skin exfoliated, in-office procedures such as microdermabrasion and light chemical peels can quickly remove large amounts of dead skin to deliver exceptionally smooth skin. In addition to leaving the skin smoother, microdermabrasion and chemical peels can address other skin issues such as discoloration and acne. Post peel you can pamper your skin with vitamins and hyaluronic acid mesotherapy using cryowizard (needle less mesotherapy). Seek out an experienced dermatologist who can give you the proper treatment for your skin type. Remember, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing when it comes to exfoliation. Excessively red, tight or dry skin is a sign of inflammation, which is an indication that you must decrease the frequency (or strength) of your exfoliation routine.

Brazilian Butt Lift

Celebrities like kim Kardasian, Beyonce, and Jennifer lopez have made a shapely rear-end a must have accessory. More and more patients are seeking body lifts, buttock lifts and nonsurgical buttock augmentations to shape and augment their bodies. Unlike going to the gym and contouring your stomach by losing pounds of fat off it, it is not possible to significantly contour your butt. One may be able to make some small changes, but the overall shape of one’s rear end is genetic and cannot be altered to a significant degree—until now. The Brazilian Butt Lift procedure finally allows women to have the big, round, curvy booty that they have always desired. The Brazilian butt lift surgery differs from a similar procedure known as butt implants. Both procedures result in a much better looking behind, but work in completely different ways. Butt implants involve using actual implants inserted in the rear end, similar to breast implants. A Brazilian butt lift, on the other hand, uses one’s own body in a procedure referred to as an autologous fat transfer. One’s own body fat is liposuctioned out from another area, such as the stomach, love handles, thighs, arms, etc. and then reinserted into the buttocks, making bigger, curvier, and more attractive.

How is the Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery Performed?

First, your doctor will put you under local or general anesthesia. Then, liposuction is performed on other areas of the body to create “donor fat” that will later be purified, then reinserted into the buttocks. The areas liposuctioned will also compliment the new shape of your booty by removing excess fat in the areas around it, so the butt will stand out more. These areas will typically include the lower back, love handles, abdomen, and thighs. Just this alone will make your butt look better since it will now stand out a lot more, having the other areas contoured with liposuction.

Now that the donor fat has been collected, it is ready to be processed and purified before reinserted into the buttocks. This is where the cosmetic surgeon acts as a true artist. The fat will be inserted into many different areas of the buttocks at different depths and different locations. The surgeon will use many small, precise injections into different areas. The surgeon will take each individual patient’s specific instructions into consideration. Some women may need more fat placed on the lower portion of the butt, to create the “bubble butt” look, for example. As the doctor injects the fat, he/she will use massage techniques and feel around to make sure the fat is evenly distributed and smooth around the entire buttocks. This process takes a while, but the end results are well worth it.

Results After the Surgery

With any autologous fat transfer procedure, the main issue to worry about is how much of the re-transplanted fat will survive and how much will die. Not all of the fat injected after the procedure will live. A good survival rate is about 65-85%, and the rest will die off and be reabsorbed by the body. The reason why fat cells die when reinserted into the body is that they initially have no blood supply. The surgeon will try to inject the fat as deep and as close to the muscle tissue as possible so that the greatest amount will take. Also, there will be a great deal of swelling after the surgery. The two combined factors of swelling and not all of the fat that was initially inserted being able to survive means that results you see the day after the surgery will be different three months down the road. The butt will likely get smaller as swelling goes down and inevitably, some of the injected fat does not take. However, your plastic surgeon will plan for this.

Recovery from Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery

There will be a few weeks of recovery you will experience after your Brazilian butt lift, as you would expect after any surgery procedure. The main thing you will experience is soreness and swelling at the sights where fat was injected or removed. These areas may also experience some discoloration and bruising as well. You will experience some pain and soreness immediately following the surgery, but this should subside within a few days. You should be able to return to work, assuming it is not a job that involved rigorous physical activity, within two weeks or sooner. During your recover phase, your doctor will have you wear a special compression garment that will help the healing process. After about one to two months, you should experience a full recovery from any pain, swelling, bruising, and soreness, and you should be able to resume intense physical exercise.

Complications and Risks of Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery

The main risk of a Brazilian butt lift is that the doctor did not provide satisfactory results for one reason or another. These unsatisfactory results may include asymmetry (on butt cheek bigger than the other), the fat was not transplanted evenly enough resulting in an unsmooth look/feel, scarring, or he made the butt bigger or smaller than you wanted. These risks can all be avoided by thoroughly researching a quality plastic surgeon, as well as thoroughly describing the results you want prior to having the surgery. Rarer side effects include bleeding and infection.

Non surgical ways to enhance butt includes exercise check out these videos:

Long luscious lashes

Long, upturned eyelashes not only make your eyes look bigger, but they're also a characteristic associated with youth and beauty. Modern lifestyle, Dust, pollution, and harsh chemicals in our daily makeup or hygiene products damage skin and its appendages and can be responsible for not so glamourous lashes. Even though eyelash length and shape is genetically programmed, there are many products; which can improve on what genetics bestowed on you.

Latisse® is one of the first prescription medications which has become very popular for eyelash growth and enhancement. I am sure you have seen Brooke Shields as their brand ambassador in ads allover the TV, the magazines the works. Unfortunately we did see some untoward side effects with Latisse®. As, the active ingredient in Latisse® is a drug used for glaucoma patients, people are speculative about the safety of use issues.

Before we talk about natural enhancement of eyelashes we need to rule out any medical causes, which might be responsible for eyelash loss (madarosis) or growth retardation.

• One of the most common culprits for eyelash loss is a condition called blepharitis. Blepharitis, which is much more likely to affect adults than children, is characterized by chronic swelling of the eyelid, and it can also cause redness, itching, burning, and light sensitivity. Unfortunately, there is no cure for blepharitis, but there are long-term treatment options that can greatly reduce the appearance and intensity of symptoms. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications are often used in conjunction with eyelid scrubs, antioxidants, and massages.
• Allergic reaction to various skin and makeup products can cause lashes to fall out also.
• Drugs especially cancer treatments may cause eyelash loss.
• Hypothyroidism is usually associated with eyelash and hair loss. Treated properly hair comes back normal.
• Aging is one of the more common eyelash loss causes and well known reason for your lashes to fall out, it is a normal process that nearly everyone experiences as we grow older. Eating a good diet, drinking plenty of water, while reducing your intake of high cholesterol as well as getting adequate sleep and exercise and avoiding stress can aid you in keeping your lashes healthy.

• Trauma to the eyelid and lash area can also lead to eyelash loss. If you have plucked any lashes or if you have a habit of tugging on your lashes or pulling them out, then it is very likely that is the cause of your eyelash loss. Trichotillomania (TTM) is an impulse disorder that causes sufferers to compulsively pull out scalp hair, body hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. If you have this compulsion, it is very likely that after time, the hair is going to stop growing back. Treatments for this condition vary; some people use medications, others rely on behavioral therapy and support groups and other alternative therapies. Many Trichotillomania sufferers elect to use false eyelashes rather than get involved in a comprehensive treatment regime for their condition.

• Alopecia areata is another possible cause of madarosis. This condition is actually an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack hair follicles. The hair loss caused by this affliction usually occurs in round patches at first, but in can progress to complete baldness and hairlessness, eyelashes included. While this is not a life-threatening ailment and there is no physical pain associated with it, it is very emotionally disturbing to sufferers and can cause a great deal of stress, especially in social situations. Unfortunately, this condition cannot be cured, and there are no approved treatments. However, there are some medications and treatments that are designed for other hair loss conditions that can sometimes help to re-grow the hair, such as Minoxidil, Anthralin, Sulfasalazine, topical sensitizers, oral cyclosporine, and photochemotherapy.
• In rare instances, madarosis can be caused by discoid lupus.

So, if you have been losing your lashes, you should seek help from a dermatologist or ophthalmologist who can pinpoint the cause for your eyelash loss. If your eyelids are red or irritated, you should stop using any cosmetics or lotions on the eye area until you have consulted a doctor because these substances could be aggravating your condition.

Now if every medical reason has been ruled out for eyelash fall out and you want to naturally enhance your own lashes. I would like to share my experience with a unique new product “LashGenesis”, an all natural product that helps condition and grow lashes. LashGenesis has been physician-tested and found to be non allergenic, and completely safe. It’s unique formulas is based on amino acids, peptides and natural lash conditioners. It helps to condition and nourish the lashes so they grow longer without falling out. After 4-6 weeks of use you will see the obvious results: longer, thicker and fuller eyelashes. 

How does LashGenesis work?

Your eyelashes are "manufactured" in the tiny hair follicles on your eyelids. Eyelashes are made mostly of various protein (like keratin) and water. These proteins are made of tiny building blocks known as amino acids. LashGenesis uses the exact and optimal combination of these natural building blocks to spark your lashes to grow abundantly, long and strong. Just like adding nutrients or fertilizer to your plants at home, LashGenesis uses natural eyelash "fertilizers" to achieve dramatic results.

LashGenesis stimulates growth of lashes and also helps condition lashes to make them appear fuller and longer. Good thing is it uses all natural ingredients so you don’t have to worry about side effects. It also helps moisturize delicate lashes while helping improve their overall appearance. It is simple to use one coat day and one coat night. It dries clear so no mess life goes on normally. It can also be used to condition Eyebrows. My personal experience has been wonderful I hope you girls out there will try it out. Wish you all a long thick beautiful eyelash experience!

Radio Your Way To A Younger Face And Body

The gold standard treatment for the many aesthetic aspects of aging has for many years been surgery in its many forms. However, with increasing patient demand for cosmetic rejuvenation and with the strong desire and drive by patients to attain aesthetic enhancement with minimal risk and rapid recovery, there has been a strong surge inspiring the field of nonsurgical skin rejuvenation. Traditionally, most of the nonsurgical methods have centered around those that destroy the epidermis and cause a dermal wound, with resultant dermal collagen remodeling and secondary skin tightening and rhytid improvement. Currently, there is growing interest in a wide range of nonablative interventions that, predictably, are claimed to rejuvenate skin and subcutaneous tissue "safely and effectively." Several nonablative systems have been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and been CE marked in Europe for the purpose of skin rejuvenation and lipocontouring.

Today I would love to review a particular nonablative radiofrequency device currently in use for skin rejuvenation, which utilizes Mono, Tri and Hexa polar mode of delivery to rejuvenate skin, zap fat and improve cellulite. The device is called Mabel Pro it has been CE Marked in Europe and currently awaiting FDA approval in the US.

First question that most people want to know is what is radiofrequency and how does it work?

Radio waves are basically high frequency waves on the electromagnetic spectrum (300 KHz-300GHz), which we use for TV, Radio, & Phone transmissions in our daily lives. When applied to skin or sub cutaneous tissue these high frequency waves generate a RF field by rotation of water molecules, which translates into friction and heat generation. Heat energy is absorbed in the dermis to generate collagen and elastin through fibroblast activation. Heat transmitted into hyo-dermis results in fat membrane disruption and heating up of the collagen bundles, thus reducing fat cells circumference and improving cellulite.

Radiofrequency can be used in Monopolar, Bipolar or Uni/Multi polar modes. Using Monopolar mode of application a single electrode is applied to the treated area and the opposing electrode is applied relatively far removed; in the form of a back plate, so that when the current is applied to the skin it heats up point of application and then goes deeply through the body disperses and gets removed from the second plate. The treated area is heated rather deeply (usually up to 20 mm) & we can achieve skin rejuvenation as well as fat contouring. If too much energy is delivered it can lead to serious side effects like burns and scars.

Building upon the success of monoploar mode of delivery and trying to avoid the side effects Bipolar mode was put into practice. Bipolar mode lets the energy pass between two electrodes approximated few cm apart, hence heating the superficial tissue (dermis) only. This mode is used mainly for skin tightening and collagen production.

Unipolar mode is further improvising of Monopolar mode to avoid side effects associated with it, yet retaining the efficacy. This mode sends smaller amounts of energy into the body through a single probe, as the amount of energy deposited into the skin is very small it does not need to be removed by a second remote electrode. This energy produces the desired effect near the application probe and then disperses into the body without causing any harm. More heat is absorbed at the point of application and that is where main action takes place dermis and hypodermis.

Multi-Polar (tri, hexa) mode uses multiple Unipolar heads to apply energy to the treated areas. This combination is synergistic and allows to reduce the required intensity of energy through each probe and application of multiple probes covers bigger surface area and speeds up the treatment time, thus minimizing side effects and possibly increasing effectiveness.

Mabel pro uses Mono, Tri and Hexa polar heads. Which means through its sophisticated control algorithms for optimizing the concurrent application of the two types of Radio Frequency it can transmit multiple energies at lower frequencies synonymously to reduce the side effects and increase the efficacy of treatment compared to the other RF devoices in the market.

Mabel pro is typically used to treat skin laxity and sagging, usually of the face and neck but also elsewhere on the body. It also has good potential to treat cellulite and perform body sculpting. 

Zapping Fat With Ultrasound

If I divide my patients into categories; around 50-60% come to see me to loose weight and contour their bodies. Diet and exercise are the two focus subjects we talk about during our body contouring consults. We all know it often takes more than a healthy lifestyle to give your body the shape you want.

Some of the technologies I have been using successfully in my practice include: Liposuction, Radio frequency( Accent XL, Mabel Pro), Mesotherapy, Low Level Laser and vaccum massage (Triactiv). Recently we have added a new and exciting Ultrasound Technology (Luvitra Twin) at our Al Tababah Clinics to zap away those unwanted lumps of fat.

Ultrasound body contouring is now a clinically proven body contouring solution to combine totally non-invasive with durable measurable results. The treatment, involves focused ultrasound waves that target that "impossible to diet away" fat found on the hips, thighs, arms, and stomach. There is no incision, each session lasts about 40 minutes to an hour, and patients can go right back to work after a treatment. We get clinically demonstrated fat thickness and circumference reduction.  The lysed fat cells (adipocytes) are removed via the body’s natural physiological and metabolic pathways. Average circumference reduction ranges between 10-15 centimeters with each session. Multiple treatments deliver incremental circumference reduction. Most patients need three or four treatments.

During the session there may be slight tingling, but patients don't find this to be painful. There is some ringing of ears; which can be a bit annoying but easily tolerated.

How Does Ultrasound FatBlaster Work?

The UltraSound treatment uses scientifically proven focused ultrasound energy that selectively targets fat cells in the chosen body area and disrupts them without harming surrounding tissues such as nerves and blood vessels. During the UltraSound treatment, the membranes of the fat cells are disrupted. The fat cell content, primarily comprised of triglycerides, is dispersed into the fluid between the cells and then transported through the vascular and lymphatic systems to the liver. The liver makes no distinction between fat coming from the ultrasound blasted fat and the fat originating from consumed food. Both are processed via the body’s natural mechanisms.

The procedure is not for people who want to get rid of a lot of excess body fat. Instead, it is for those who have isolated areas of extra fat that are not helped by diet and exercise.

Brow Lift

I usually write about topics which pop up frequently at my busy practice at Al Tababa  Clinics. Today we are going to analyze what options do we girls have for improving frames of our eyes as we age ; Eyebrows !

Lets analyze, with aging, gravity causes the eyebrows (brow) to move downwards.  We compensate for this by contracting the muscle (frontalis), which raises the eyebrows.  Contraction of this muscle causes wrinkle lines across the forehead.  Eventually the muscle relaxes and the eyebrows become lower.  This typically makes you look slightly sad and tired.  It can also increase the fold on the upper eyelid making it difficult to apply makeup.

Brow lift treatments are aimed at elevating the eyebrows.  This widens the eyes and makes you look less tired.  After surgery people are often asked if they have been on holiday as they look refreshed.  The effects are subtle and most people will not be able to pinpoint the exact change in you but will notice that you look fresher.

The eyebrow in females should be gently arched with its’ highest point lying 2/3rds of the way out from the centre.  In men the eyebrows are usually flatter and raising them is not usually appropriate as this can make them look slightly surprised.

In the past, the only satisfactory way to perform Brow lifts was with a surgery operation.  This procedure is normally carried out by keyhole surgery.  Small incisions are made within the hairline and the tissue is gently separated allowing the eyebrows to rise.  Most people recover quickly from the procedure and are back at work within 10 days.

Chemical Brow Lift

More recently, however, medical aesthetic injection techniques have been used to lift the eyebrows.  Selectively weakening the muscles which pull down the eyebrows (using Botulinum Toxin) will result in them rising.  The muscles which pull down the inner part of the eyebrows cause frowning in the centre of the forehead.  The muscles which pull down the outer part of the eyebrows cause the crows-feet smile lines which occur on the temple on the side of the eye.

Unlike surgery, injections to weaken these muscles can be performed as a quick and easy outpatient procedure. Many people have the treatment during work breaks or at the end of the day.  The effects are not immediate with most people noticing a gradual decrease in the frown and crows feet wrinkles a week following treatment.  This effect last between 4-6 months and will need to be repeated.  Usually after a 3 treatments in a year the muscles relax more permanently and the effect last for longer and longer.

Non Surgical Thread Lift

Botox or chemical lift of the eyebrow is dependent on the strength of your (frontalis) muscle, if the muscle is not very strong and the forhead skin is drooping you might not be the right candidate for chemical brow lift. The thread lift is an exciting new non surgical approach to brow or face lifting and represents a significant advance in minimally invasive facial rejuvenation. A lunchtime procedure, the thread lift uses plastic non absorbable, bio-compatible threads to lift and support sagging skin. The threads used in this type of lift are lined with numerous small directional fibers; which are able to fix onto the soft tissues underneath the skin. Once the threads are inserted the sagging tissue is lifted the fibers anchor the soft tissue in the corrected position. Over a number of months, new collagen formation around the threads strengthens the support.

Accordingly, the threads are able to lift and support a drooping eyebrow. The thread lift is a very safe procedure as the threads are made of bio-compatible material and their safety has been established over the years as permanent sutures. Unlike face lift surgery results are natural and there are no scars. It’s a simple walk-in walk-out procedure which takes 30 min.s or so to perform. Recovery is quick and you can get back to work in 2-3 days. Studies demonstrate that the threads stimulate collagen formation around them and results are long lasting. Unlike surgical lift this procedure can be reversed if requested.

It is important to remember that everybody’s face is different and the consultation process is important to assess which treatment is most suitable for your patient.  This should ideally start with a skin analysis and discussion of the treatments available.

ACE Your Way To A Radiant Youthful Skin

 Our skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside our body, and all skin conditions, from psoriasis to acne to aging, are the manifestations of our body's internal needs, including its nutritional needs.

What is your skin trying to tell you? Often the skin is a metaphor for deeper issues and a way for your body to send up a red flag to warn you that all is not well underneath. When our skin is unhealthy it is usually a reflection of the internal state of our bodies, and is often a sign of poor elimination of toxins and waste products.

Is it possible to achieve smoother and radiant skin by eating healthy? And the answer is absolutely YES!

These days health circles are talking about the ACE Method

A- Vitamin A (retinol and beta carotene)

Retinol sources include cod liver oil, liver, butter, milk, cheese, eggs
Beta carotene: green vegetables (avocado), orange fruits and vegetables (carrots, apricots, mangoes, squash, sweet potatoes)

C- Vitamin C  (ascorbic acid) such as Fruits (especially citrus fruit) and vegetables (watercress, sweet peppers, potatoes).

E- Vitamin E (tocopherol) such as nuts, vegetable oils (soya, corn, safflower, sunflower, peanut, olive), egg yolk, green leafy vegetables, wheat germ

As we age, cell turnover slows down and creates dry rough patches. We also make less oil as we age. If you want a radiant skin that glows from inside out try

omega 3 foods. Best omega 3 foods (salmon, sardines, mackerel) 2 servings per week are sufficient.

If you want to soften up wrinkles eat diet that is rich in anti-oxidants. This will clear up the free radicals that cause fine lines; blueberries are a great antioxidant.

STUFF TO AVOID:

Fluoride disrupts the connective tissue, causing excessive cross-linking, cysts, and premature aging of the skin!

Polyunsaturated oils and eat plenty of saturated fats. Consumption of vegetable oils is associated with wrinkles while saturated animal fats and coconut oil help prevent wrinkles.

Stimulants such as coffee, tea, and sugar.

Highly refined carbohydrates and sugar, including white bread, white rice, French fries, and sugar-laded soda, can increase acne and speed aging by causing glycation-the result of sugar breaking down and bonding with protein molecules-which reduces the elasticity of collagen in your skin.

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients, such as vitamin A, that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin (fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity). In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — may contribute to wrinkles.

Acne Vaccine

Sounds like a miracle, doesn’t it? 

Prayers from millions of people who suffer from adolescent and/or adult acne would be answered if it happens. A vaccine company Sanofi Pasteur from France has partnered up with University of California, San Diego, to develop an investigational vaccine for acne. It’s still a long shot away but preliminary work is already in progress. 

The vaccine would target a protein called CAMP made by the Propionibacterium acnes. Instead of killing the bacteria, like current antimicrobial acne treatments (topical antibiotics and benzyl peroxide) the vaccine would basically render the bacteria harmless. Simply eradicating Propionibacterium acnes is not viable because it still has important functions to perform on the surface of the skin. By targeting the protein thought to be responsible for the inflammation, just that function can be controlled, leaving the bacteria to perform other functions that are still necessary. And, unlike antibiotics, there would be no worry of developing resistant strains of bacteria. Plus, the vaccine wouldn't harm other bacteria. The proposed vaccine may be delivered locally, using micro needles, within the skin of people with acne.

Before you shout, "sign me up!" remember that this is still in the developmental stage. Even if all research goes as planned, and they are actually able to develop an acne vaccine, it will most likely be years before this is ready for the public.

And though I'm thrilled about the idea I have doubts that a vaccine would actually work as a single miracle cure. As we know, bacteria are only one factor that contributes to acne. Other factors include a proliferation of dead skin cells, retention hyperkeratosis and overactive sebaceous glands. We already know that treatments that target just one factor of acne pathogenesis don't really do much to clear the skin. Combination approach targeting the multiple causes of acne gets much better results. Exciting stuff would be to have a new weapon in our fight against the age old acne. 

Treatment rationale and options for the aging face

Lets divide aging process into 3 major time-zones.

20-30’s What are the first signs of aging? Loss of freshness and turgidity of the skin. Loss of skin collagen & elastin and appearance of fine lines and deepening of expression lines.

30-40’s Aging shows a 3-D effects along with collagen and elastin loss the gravity pull shows muscle and fat drooping the lacrimal groves, nasolabial furrows and marionette lines go deeper. Face looks tired and pulled down.

40-50’s The 3-D aging process goes more aggressive as we age our bone mass lessens. Our fat & subaponeurotic facsia loosens and our muscles loose tone and sag too. Skin becomes progressively thin and wrinkles heavily.

Based on the brief overview of the facial ageing process, a treatment plan should be suggested in order to target specific anatomic structures.

Cosmoceuticals: They are the starting point for undertaking an antiaging regimen and vital for maintenance of any procedures done. The most important ingredients to look for in cosmoceuticals are: vitamin C, vitamin A, Green tea extract, and Peptides. A good moisturizer and sunscreen completes the regimen.

Injectables: Mesotherapy with multi-vitamins and antioxidants coupled with hyaluronic acid helps nicely in regaining the turgidity and glow to a tired face. Cross-linked hyaluronic acids and calcium hydroxyapetite injectables aid in nicely plumping the deeper furrows and giving some volume to facial contours. Fat is even better for volumizing and rejuvenating the face, décolleté and hands. PRP and stem cell treatment are recent advances in injectables; which help in 3-D restoration of aging face or hands. Combination series of deep and superficial injections help restore all damaged layers from bone to dermis. Results are more natural and long lasting. A touch of botox works magic on the expression associated wrinkles.

Lasers: There is a plethora of devices available in the market, which claim to return the damage done by time and age. Deep infra red lasers, radio frequency and focused ultrasound devices have shown very promising results. Fractional laser CO2 in particular has shown excellent results in expert hands.  Lasers work mainly by stimulating production of collagen and elastin tissue in the dermis.

Surgical options: From blepharoplasty to a full face lift there are so many options. Idea is to look natural and not get carried away. Opt for natural results.

It should be stressed that a thorough analysis of the ageing face is mandatory for planning appropriate treatment, monitoring, achieving optimal outcome, and furthering the knowledge.

Tummy Fat Bad News!!!

Not only does extra weight around the middle increase a woman's risk of heart disease and diabetes, new research suggests it also ups a woman's risk of developing osteoporosis.
In a study of 50 premenopausal women of various sizes, Harvard researchers found that women who had more fat around the abdomen were more likely to have lower bone mineral density, which can eventually lead to osteoporosis.
"All fat isn't the same. Tummy fat has a damaging effect on bone health," said the study's lead author.
As many as 10 million Americans, most of them women, have osteoporosis, according to the U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Another 34 million Americans have low bone mass, putting them at risk of developing osteoporosis, reports NIAMS.
Risk factors for osteoporosis include a deficiency in estrogen, a diet lacking in calcium and vitamin D, eating disorders, certain medications, a sedentary lifestyle, drinking too much alcohol and smoking, according to NIAMS.
Extra weight was previously believed to somewhat protect against bone loss has been proven to be a mere myth.
The average body mass index (BMI) of the women recruited for the study was about 30, with scores ranging from 19 to 46. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal, while a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
All of the women underwent a special imaging technique called MRI spectroscopy that allowed the researchers to accurately measure fat deposits, including fat found in the bone marrow.
Women who had more visceral fat, meaning fat around the mid-section, were more likely to have a lower bone mineral density. In addition, an association between visceral fat and the levels of bone marrow fat was noted.
Visceral fat is deep belly fat, and it's been found to be bad for heart disease and diabetes. This type of fat releases fatty acids into the liver, and it also releases other substances and hormones that have an effect on the heart and the pancreas, and also probably on bones. But, currently we don't know exactly what it is in visceral fat that causes problems.
As for the increase in bone marrow fat, a lot of bone marrow fat makes the bone weak.
This study is more bad news for obesity. The one good thing we thought obesity might do -- protect the bones -- isn't true. 
Being a healthy weight and trying to control visceral obesity is becoming important from so many different angles. You need to make lifestyle changes that focus on overall health and wellness, and exercise is very important for helping prevent osteoporosis and other illnesses. If you haven't been moving, just try to get out and go for a walk. Ideally, you'll work up to regular exercise, but get out and get some exercise.
Researchers are currently studying fat distribution and bone mineral density in men to see if the patterns hold true for both sexes.

New Green Solution!!!

Environment friendly line of paint products ideally suitable for the Middle Eastern countries.

What is COOLDRY?

• It is an Exterior Thermal Insulation Paint (made in Germany) which contains pure acrylic emulsion with high-tech heat reflective components.

How does COOLDRY work?

• COOLDRY reflects up to 90% of solar energy (heat, light, UV-light)

• significant reduction of roof temperature (up to 40 °C)

• your building stays considerably cooler insideWhat is your benefit?

• Significant savings on air conditioning (up to 50%)• more comfortable temperature = improved work efficiency and safety

• less air conditioning power required = longer lifetime and lower maintenance costs

• long-lasting protection against: bitumen-membrane cracking, UV light gradation, rainwater• enhancement, extended usability and value-protection of your building

• easy and low-cost application

COOLDRY is an excellent product that saves money, reduces room temperature and protects your roof and exteriors. The product is beneficial and useful for numerous uses:

• Water tanks and reservations: Dramatically Cool the water from your taps and showers .

• Factories: Cool the Roofs and Dramatically reduce the heat inside

• Buildings: Reduce your electricity bills

• Homes & Portable Housing: Keep cool inside your homes

• Malls: Reduce your electricity bills

• Warehouses & Hangers: Reduce your electricity bills and save your products from being damages

• Airports: Cool the facilities and and Go Green and save on electricity bills

• Oil tanks: Protect from evaporation and damage, keep the tanks cool and protect from fire risks and environmental damage.

This product is certified by (ASTM) American Standard Testing Method ASTM E 1585-93 & ASTM E 1980-01, ISO9774-2008 and ISO470-2002 Certificates & (SASO) Saudi Arabian Standard Organization.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/CoolDry-Middle-East/115009605261038

Eyes are windows to our soul(age)

New Technologies for Non-Surgical Face and Eye Rejuvenation

Most people are afraid to go under knife to restore the signs of aging and hence, non surgical procedures are getting more in demand.

The biggest recent advance in cosmetic eyelid treatments includes the deep fractional lasers. Lax skin around the eye is not easy to treat but with “dual depth resurfacing”, using “a combination of deep fractional ablation and superficial fractional ablation lines can be smoothened out and skin tightened in a matter of minutes with very little down time recovering. In many cases, a patient can look like they had a blepharoplasty without surgery.  It treats problems in skin layers affected by photoaging- the mid to deep dermis and the superficial dermis at the same time. Patients can combine dual-depth resurfacing with botox and filler for synergistic enhancements.