Consumer Reports recently did a survey of 9 facial serums ranging in price from $20 to $65 per ounce. Their findings? None made any improvements to speak of after a use period of 6 weeks. According to the online article:

“Results were inconsistent

After six weeks of use, the effectiveness of even the best products was limited and varied from subject to subject. Every serum we tested produced a visual change in wrinkle length or depth for at least one person and did nothing for others.

Improvements were minor

When we did see wrinkle reductions, they were at best slight, and they fell short of the miracles that manufacturers seemed to imply on product labels. We don’t know whether using the serums for longer than six weeks would yield a greater improvement. But the dermatologists we consulted said our findings weren’t surprising, since the Food and Drug Administration, which oversees cosmetic safety and labeling, doesn’t require manufacturers to test the products for efficacy, let alone test for whether they meet their claims, though claims must be “truthful and not misleading.”

Natural didn’t cut it, either….Burt’s Bees Naturally Ageless Intensive Repairing Serum contained a laundry list of essential oils and no parabens or phthalates. And with a tiny bottle (less than one-half ounce), it was among the priciest products tested in terms of cost per ounce.”

In case you weren’t aware, as a Medical Doctor, I can prescribe a number of different creams that have proven results for efficacy. Ask me about it at your next visit…..

P

Schlessinger Eye & Face March Madness!!

Botox starting at $199 (normally $450)…Juvederm & Restylane starting at $499 (normally $650)…Microdermabrasion just $99 (normally $150)

*Entire month of march - free touch ups DO NOT APPLY*

Around this time of year, we can start to feel the effects of spending less time outdoors and the decrease in daylight hours. Our skin begins to really feel dry from the weather and the indoor heat. Are you feeling the Winter Blahs? You are not alone!

In addition to running a Special Event in my office in an effort to help you chase away those Winter Blahs and get you ready for Valentine’s Day, here’s a bit of advice on how to minimize the blues this winter.

Schlessinger Eye & Face Winter Blues Event

Aside from the pick-me-ups you can get in my office what are some other ways to combat the blues we feel from the long Winter?

• Keep up the exersize! Exersize is a great way to release those endorphins that make us feel good.
• Try to get out in the sun for 15-20 minutes a day. Some sun exposure can be beneficial as it is a great source of Vitamin D!
• Limit your alcohol intake. A glass of wine is fine but remember that too much alcohol disrupts your sleeping patterns and causes dehydration - not good for your skin!
• Drink plenty of water. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - water moisturizes your skin from the inside-out. Try to drink 24 ounces a day.
• Spend time with friends, especially those that make you laugh - a good laugh is the most fun way to do a crunch and work your abs.

After healthy living and good habits, what next? At Schlessinger Eye & Face, we will do our part to help you feel rejuvenated by offering some special Winter pick-me-ups including….

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light Photo Facial treatment) book 2, get second treatment at half price! A $900 value for only $675 through 2/28/2010 only

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) facial rejuvenation can correct or erase the signs aging. The IPL machine treats sun damage, brown spots, freckles, broken blood vessels, enlarged pores, rosacea and uneven skin tone on the face, hands and body. Following treatment, you will see smoother skin, smaller pore size and fading of sun spots. Rosacea, a common vascular problem, will show significant improvement.

Botox, Restylane, Juvederm $100 off of any of these injectables through 2/28/2010 only

Microdermabrasion 20% off. If you book a SERIES OF %, discount increases to 25%

A technique for gently exfoliating the topmost layer of your skin delivering immediate results for tighter, glowing, more beautiful skin. Microdermabrasion treatments for the face, neck and eye area combat the visible signs of aging and sun damage, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and diminish fine lines, as well as sun and age spots. Microdermabrasion is a wonderful alternative to laser or chemical peels because it is non-invasive procedure that requires no downtime. Ideal results are achieved over a series of treatments (customized depending on skin type and condition) approximately two weeks apart. Following treatment you’ll see an immediate vibrant ‘glow’ to your complexion which gives way to an overall rejuvenation of your skin’s total health.

January is almost over and Spring is just around the corner!!!

Schlessinger Eye & Face Winter 2010

Got last minute notice today that a segment that I taped for The Today Show was about to air. This is a piece that features a friend (and patient) named Leslie Adler.

Take a look at this interesting piece that explores honesty in relationships and how much information we exchange with our partners versus keeping some information personal. Here, Leslie takes a day to go shopping and get a little Botox. She takes the position (as many of us do) that there is nothing wrong with avoiding the days’ events when it comes to her spouse.

Here’s the clip. What do you think? In my line of work I see many couples who do not share their visits to my office with one another, and incidentally, those are “secrets” that stay in the confines of the Doctor/Patient relationship. As I state in the segment, there have been instances when I see one spouse in the morning and the other in the afternoon and both ask me to keep their visits in confidence….a favor I will of course honor without even being asked.

Certain subjects like cosmetic injections, plastic surgery and a day of shopping are ones that people view differently. Sneaking new clothing items into the house may be more difficult than smuggling in your newly injected  Juvederm.

As far as your visits to your favorite boutique, I will leave that to you, but you can rest assured….your visits to Schlessinger Eye & Face are a secret that is safe with me!

Oh, and for the record, I am an Ophthalmologist specializing in Oculoplastic & Aesthetic Eyelid Surgery, NOT a Dermatologist as stated in the segment.

Spa Week comes to Woodbury 4/13-4/20 2009

I’m excited to once again be participating in Spa Week during the month of April. Interested? The MediSpa at Schlessinger Eye & Face is participating in Spa Week on Long Island April 13th-20th. This is an opportunity to experience the spa lifestyle at a reduced price. We are offering our guests three fabulous full service treatments to choose from for only $50 each.

This is a way for you to try out our MediSpa, or if you’re already a loyal patient try out a new treatment! You can start booking appointments March 16th when the Spa Week website (www.spaweek.org) will go live with the spring treatments we are offering. Tell your best friend, your sister, your brother, your mother; they are all welcome. Plan a day to relax and enjoy one, two or indulge in all three. We look forward to seeing you!


Click here for Spring Spa Week info beginning on March 16th