Botox has also been approved for a number of non-cosmetic uses including urinary incontinence (overactive bladder), eyelid spasms, migraine headaches, strabismus (crossed eyes) and more.

But those relying too heavily on Botox might actually be reducing its effectiveness over time.

A new review published by German researchers in the Journal of Neural Transmission discovered that one in every 200 users develops antibodies (similar to how people become resistant to antibiotics) which counteract the effects of Botox.

Patients who used Botox for 10 years or more, or required larger doses, like those using Botox to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), spasms or other medical conditions, were the most likely to develop antibodies.

Other researchers who published in the British Medical Journal’s online forum also wrote that regular treatments with Botox “can trigger an immune response… which might lead to non-responsiveness to treatment,” as the injections are unable to freeze facial muscles.

Unfortunately, researchers can’t yet explain the immune response that occurs in some patients – but some believe it may partially be related to injection technique.

Others feel the phenomena could be explained by further studying the different mechanics of Botox and how it works within cells.

Are you considering Botox?

Resistance to Botox is rare – so if you’re considering treatment, it’s best to schedule a personal consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon. Following an exam and a discussion of your cosmetic goals, your doctor will be able to determine if Botox is the best treatment available for you.

Source: Daily Mail

That being said, enlarged pores are a bothersome cosmetic concern for many people.  Fortunately there are a number of ways to treat large pores with lasers, proper skin care and other topical methods.

What Causes Enlarged Pores?

Pores may appear enlarged for a number of reasons:

• Genetic predisposition
• Too much sun exposure
• Increased oil production
• Naturally due to age
• Smoking

Dirt, oil and dead skin cells tend to collect around pores, making them appear even larger.

Switching Up Your Skin Care Routine

There are number of ways to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, starting with your daily skin routine. Washing your skin daily is vital to a healthy, vibrant complexion. Just make sure to use a mild cleanser and exfoliant so that your skin doesn’t become overly dry. The body responds to dry skin by increasing oil production, which could exaggerate the appearance of already enlarged pores.

Daily sunscreen is also important. Protecting your skin with an SPF of 15 or higher will prevent the rims of your pores from becoming thicker and enlarged. Depending on your skin, a combination of topical treatments may also be recommended such as retinoids, salicylic acid, alpha hydroxyl acid or benzoyl peroxides to further minimize the appearance of your pores.

Professional Treatments for Large Pores

If switching up your skin care routine simply isn’t enough, there are a number of professional treatments that may help eliminate large pores, including:

• Chemical Peels
• Microdermabrasion
• Laser Skin Resurfacing
• IPL Photofacial

You will need to schedule a consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist to determine which approach is best for your skin.

Laser treatment before and after can reveal dramatic results with less discomfort and less recovery time than traditional surgery.

So what are your options?

Non-ablative (non-wounding) laser skin resurfacing.

Laser energy is used to damage collagen beneath the surface of the skin. This process stimulates the growth of new collagen, which in turn tightens the underlying skin and improves skin tone and texture.

This technique requires a series of treatments. Prior to treatment, a skin numbing agent may be applied to minimize discomfort. Following treatment, the skin will be temporarily red and swollen, but most patients can resume normal routines right away.

Ablative (wounding) laser skin resurfacing.

Laser energy is used to destroy the epidermis (the outer layer of skin), while also heating the dermis underneath. This process leads to collagen destruction and eventual regrowth.

Treatment is completed at a surgical facility and requires a numbing agent or anesthesia. Following treatment, the skin will be raw and swollen for a few days – and a full recovery will take about two weeks. Results are often dramatic and can last for several years.

Fractional laser resurfacing.

This approach uses the same laser technology of ablative and non-ablative laser technology. This difference is that fractional lasers emit tightly spaced columns of laser energy over broad areas of skin. Less damage occurs and healing time is minimized. The final results are comparable to more traditional approaches, but several treatments may be necessary to achieve desired results.

Are you interested in laser skin resurfacing? Contact us to set up a personal consultation. You’ll have the chance to look at laser treatment before and after photos and discuss your candidacy for treatment.

As the days get longer and the temperature begins to rise, it’s important to update your beauty and fitness routines. Check out some of our favorite springtime tips below:

Don’t Forget About Your Skin

There’s nothing like feeling the warm sun on your face after a long, cold winter. But as you’re enjoying the extra vitamin D this spring, don’t forget to put on sunscreen. Too much unprotected sun exposure is the leading cause of premature aging and skin cancer – so be careful. Remember to slather on SPF 30 or higher before you head outdoors.

Take Your Workout Outdoors

Even when the weather’s beautiful, it can be hard for most of us to get outside and enjoy it. One of the best ways to make the great outdoors apart of your daily routine is to switch up your daily workout routine. Instead of hitting the gym, head outside. Just remember to take the same precautions you would inside – warm up and stay hydrated.

Drink Plenty of Water

As the weather starts to heat up, it becomes easier to get dehydrated. Up your daily water intake this spring and you’ll see improvements in both your fitness and beauty. Staying hydrated will give you the added boost you need during a hard workout and it will give your skin a nice, healthy glow.

Time for Cosmetic Enhancement

Spring is one of the best times of the year to get cosmetic enhancement. Most of us still have some paid time off to burn from work and it’s still cool enough to cover up during recovery. If you’re interested in more invasive procedures, it’s also a good time to take care of them so you’ll be ready for a full reveal come beach season.

Source: Surgery.org

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Back hair

Fortunately, back laser hair removal has made the process a whole lot easier.

What is back laser hair removal?

Laser technology is one of the latest trends in hair removal. During treatment, a concentrated beam of light is aimed at the unwanted back hair. The light is then absorbed by the hair’s pigment (color), which damages the hair follicle – delaying future growth.

How Long It Takes: Each treatment session will take less than an hour, but eight treatments or more may be needed to achieve desired results.

Best Candidates: Generally speaking, laser hair removal works best on patients with light skin and dark hair. However, there are certain lasers that may still work regardless of your skin/hair color combination. Your cosmetic surgeon will be able to point you in the right direction.

Final Results: Once a full series of treatments is completed, results will be long-lasting, if not permanent. Annual touch up appointments may be necessary to maintain results.

A few things to keep in mind before treatment

• Multiple treatment sessions will be needed. Hair grows in indeterminate cycles. And for laser hair removal to be effective, hair needs to be caught in the growth phase.
• Treatment may be a little uncomfortable. Depending on your natural pain tolerance, lasers hair removal can feel like a mild pinch or the snap of a hot rubber band. Your cosmetic surgeon may use a numbing agent to minimize discomfort.
• You won’t be beach ready immediately following treatment. Post-laser breakouts are common because laser hair removal leaves the hair follicles open for a few days. Using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream is a good way to prevent blemishes.

Are you interested in laser hair removal? Contact us today to set up a personal consultation.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The treatments below all cost less than one thousand dollars:

Chemical Peels

One of the oldest cosmetic treatments in the world, a chemical peel is an acid-based solution that removes the top layer of skin, revealing a more youthful complexion underneath. Chemical peels can be used to treat a wide range of skin imperfections, including fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, uneven skin tone and superficial acne scars.

Intense Pulsed Light therapy

Intense pulsed light therapy (or IPL) is similar to cosmetic laser treatment – but instead of emitting only one wavelength of light, IPL treatments emit a broad spectrum with each pulse. This makes IPL diverse enough to offer significant improvement after a single treatment. IPL is an effective treatment for sun damage, wrinkles, vascular birthmarks, rosacea, broken capillaries and facial redness.

Botox Injections

Botox is the most popular minimally-invasive procedure in the world – and for good reason. It’s both effective and affordable. A quick and easy injection, Botox can be used to treat wrinkles between the brows, forehead creases and lines around the eyes. It can also be an effective way to rejuvenate cleavage or eliminate neck bands.

Tretinoin (Retin-A)

Originally developed to treat acne, Tretinoin is a topical cream also known for its powerful anti-aging properties. Continued use of Tretinoin speeds up the cell turnover process and increases collagen production beneath the skin. The result is a reduction in fine wrinkling, sun damage, skin roughness, and loose skin.  Tretinoin creams are available in prescription-strength doses, as well as over-the-counter.

Are you interested in learning more about our anti-aging treatments? Contact us to schedule a personal consultation today!

In the most recent issue of Allure Magazine, the 71 year old former model turned business woman revealed some of her most intimate beauty tricks, including the secret behind her blemish-free complexion:

“I rarely get blemishes now, but if perchance I’m starting to get one, I extract it with my old-fashion fingers, unless I’m getting a facial later that week. I don’t like metal on my face.”

“I’ve tried Botox…”

Martha also wasn’t afraid to admit she ops for the occasional Botox and Juvederm touch-up:

“I haven’t had facial surgery yet, but I did get Juvederm filler after my dog bashed my lip and split it open. I tried Botox. It works for certain things, like for skin under the chin, but I don’t want a taut jawline and a quizzical look.”

As for her more conventional beauty tricks, Martha says she cleanses her face with a hot, steamy cloth every night to loosen up her makeup. She also uses some of her expertly crafted DIY skills to formulate her very own beauty products:

“I’ve made all kinds of things. For instance, I love salt. So I use sea salt, grated lemon peel and sesame seed oil (but not hot sesame oil). That’s s a very good scrub. Sesame oil is the best oil for your skin. It has no smell and dries like a powder.”

Interested in learning more about Martha’s beauty routine? Check out her latest book Living the Good Life, a practical beauty guide for women over 40, which is due to hit store shelves late April.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Like all cosmetic procedures, IPL laser treatments do pose the risk of side effects, but before we discuss them, it’s helpful for you to understand how IPL laser treatments work.

What is IPL laser treatment?

First off, IPL laser treatments aren’t really “laser” treatments. IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. Treatment is non-invasive and works by emitting short bursts of light (a spectrum of colors from different wavelengths) to the skin. This enables selective light-absorption, making it possible to target a variety of unwanted skin imperfections.

IPL is commonly used to:

• Lighten sun spots, age spots and signs of discoloration on the face, neck, chest or hands
• Reduce facial redness related to rosacea, dilated or broken blood vessels
• Minimize fine lines and wrinkles and improve pore size through collagen stimulation

What are the most common side effects?

Some of the most common IPL side effects include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Minor Bruising
• Itchiness
• Peeling
• Scabbing

While virtually all cosmetic procedures carry inherent risks, it’s possible to greatly improve your odds of a successful outcome and avoid IPL side effects by:

• Seeking out a qualified expert to administer all of your IPL treatments
• Carefully follow all pre and post-treatment instructions and guidelines

Before seeking out treatment, it’s also important to make sure you’re a good candidate. Generally speaking, the best candidates are healthy and possess realistic expectations.

If you are currently pregnant, taking certain skin medications like Accutane or Isotretinoin, or have an active skin infection – you probably won’t quality for IPL treatments at this time.

The study, which was published in the medical journal Cancer, is by far the largest of its kind. Researchers at the Women’s Health Initiative were able to gather data from nearly 60,000 post-menopausal women over the course of 12 years.

During their enrollment, these women regularly answered questions about their diet, lifestyle habits (including sun exposure) and medication use.

Aspirin and Melanoma Risk

What researchers found was that women who took aspirin at least two times per week showed a nearly 21 percent lower risk of developing melanoma (the most deadly form of skin cancer) than women who didn’t take the pain killer.

“We’re really excited aspirin could be used as a potential preventive agent for melanoma,” the study’s senior author Dr. Jean Tang of Stanford University said in a recent interview. “In terms of cancer prevention, a lower melanoma risk by 20 percent is very large and significant.”

And the longer women stayed on a regular dose of aspirin, the lower their risk. In fact, women taking aspirin for five years or longer had a 30 percent lower risk of developing melanoma.

Additional Research is Necessary

Despite the results, the study’s senior author was quick to point out that this type of observational study isn’t enough to prove anything in concrete terms.

“We would have to do a large clinical trial, randomizing women to receive aspirin versus placebo, following them for 10-plus years.”

So the question remains: Should you start popping a couple aspirin tablets a week to lower your risk?

Opinions are certainly split on the matter, but Tang had this advice to offer women:

“In somebody who’s at high risk for melanoma, I would say that taking aspirin is a good idea.”

High risk means anyone who has previously been diagnosed with skin cancer (whether it be melanoma or a less dangerous form) or individuals who sunburn very easily.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), laser skin resurfacing is on the rise, nearly doubling since the year 2000 – while facelift surgeries have been on the decline.

So if you’re a little weary of surgical enhancement, you’re not alone. Minimally invasive procedures like laser skin resurfacing are on the rise for good reason.

Laser Skin Resurfacing Recovery and Downtime

Significant recovery time is a huge deterrent for many patients considering cosmetic enhancement, which is part of the reason we’ve seen increased interest in laser skin resurfacing.

While most laser procedures offer phenomenal results with little or no down time –it’s important to understand the details of your recovery in advance. Ultimately the type of laser you choose as well as the condition you’re treating (e.g., fine lines, lax skin, sun damage, scars, port wine stains) will have a major impact on your recovery.

Ablative vs. Non-Ablative

Ablative lasers such as CO2 resurfacing actually remove the outer surface layer of skin, which means you’ll experience more significant improvements, but also more significant side effects during recovery. Non-ablative lasers like Fraxel resurfacing are far less aggressive. Instead of removing the outer layer of skin, they gently penetrate it to precisely target and destroy damaged or irregular skin cells. As a result, they require more treatment sessions to offer significant improvements.

Most Common Side Effects

Healing can take anywhere from 7 to 21 days, so no matter which treatment you choose, it’s likely that your skin will be sensitive after laser skin resurfacing.  Some common side effects include the following:

• Stinging or skin itching
• Skin redness and swelling
• Skin irritation (similar to sunburn)
• Skin discoloration
• Extreme sensitivity to UV-exposure

Generally speaking, most of these side effects are temporary, but in rare circumstances, it is possible to experience more severe and sometimes permanent side effects such as scarring or changes in skin pigmentation. Your dermatologist will review all potential risks with you during a consultation and discuss your likelihood for developing them.

Image Credit: OlgaGogoleva