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

Botox vs. Reloxin

As expected, the FDA has recently approved Reloxin®, which is priced 15% lower than Botox®. How will it affect the industry? With the current economic situation and everyone on tight budget, Reloxin® - chemically the same as Botox® - may be a good alternative for people who want to maintain the results achieved via Botox®, but at a cheaper price point.

You may have seen or read a lot more about Botox® recently. Rumor has it that Allergan has been ramping up their PR efforts online in order to prepare for their inevitable competition. So what’s the difference between the two?

Botox® VS Reloxin®
There are small differences between the two, but the essentially work the same way. Both relax the muscles, which in turn causes wrinkles to diminish. The effects of Botox® typically last anywhere between 3-6 months, and the makers of Reloxin® are claiming that results last a little longer with little or no side effects. Another plus of Reloxin® being FDA approved is that the lower price point may in turn drive down the cost of Botox®, which will certainly be beneficial for everyone.

It is still too early though. Botox has a 20 year proven track record, so it may not be prudent to change in order to save a few dollars. We will have to wait between six to 12 months to see how good it is. One thing for sure is that Reloxin® - the new kid on the block - is getting a lot of attention and the makers of Botox® will definitely be looking over their shoulder the next few months.

Photo source: http://kosmetologia.com.pl/zdjecia/wiadomosci/marzec2009/1028452_syringes_and_vial.jpg

Mother’s Day is a time of commemoration and celebration for your mom. It is a time of breakfast in bed, family, pampering and…cosmetic treatments? This year, give mom (and maybe yourself) some treatments to make her look and feel refreshed.

A great treatment to start with is BOTOX® as it reduces and eliminates the appearance of facial wrinkles. While it is a very common procedure in my office, most people are still unsure of how it works. Typically injected under the skin in to areas surrounding the eyes, forehead and mouth, BOTOX® smoothes crow’s feet, frown and worry lines, as well as lines on the neck area. Made from a purified protein, BOTOX® relaxes wrinkles and gives the face a rejuvenated look. Results can be seen within a few days and can last as long as 3-6 months.

Another great option are wrinkle fillers (“plumpers”) such as JUVÉDERM®, Radiesse®, Restylane® or SILIKON®. These soft tissue fillers are injected under the skin to “plump up,” contour and smooth wrinkles, lines and hollow areas in the face, and to augment the lips or cheeks for a younger, fuller appearance. These also work well for a more mature woman that has some volume loss in her face do to the natural aging process. A few strategic injections can make the world of difference and make any woman looks years, if not a decade younger.

If injectables aren’t your cup of tea, Microdermabrasion is a great treatment for achieving flawless skin. During this procedure, the top layer of skin is gently exfoliated leaving you with an immediate vibrant ‘glow’ to your complexion. This treatment is a perfect alternative to laser or chemical peels, as there is no downtime and results are almost instantaneous. Microdermabrasion is a great way to rejuvenate your skin and keep it looking and feeling healthy.

Finally, to complete the day of pampering, eyelash tinting is a great way to enhance your eyes. Lashes are dyed darker to give you fuller, more defined lashes in just 15 minutes. Eyelash tinting is especially beneficial to people that are sensitive to make-up and have little to no time (i.e. Mothers) to apply make-up daily. This means you can walk out the door each morning without mascara and no one will be the wiser.

If you still have questions, visit my website to read more on all of these procedures and more. Just one of these treatments will leave everyone questioning; “Is that your mom or your sister?”

Photo source: www.theflowerexpert.com

Our society’s intense appraise of beauty goes past mere awe and appreciation. It’s become increasingly obvious that our culture rewards those who are beautiful. Having come to accept this as a fact of life, women have long learned the way they look affects their performance in the job market. The male population seems to be quickly picking up on the strong signals. Now more than ever, male executives find themselves competing against a much younger demographic and therefore, recognize that looking more refreshed and vigorous can be a significant advantage in retaining or obtaining a position.

Image maintenance is no longer exclusive to a woman’s domain. In recent years, the men’s grooming industry has been progressively expanding as men want to look and feel better regardless of their age. One may say a transition into cosmetic procedures is simply the next step. The number of men opting for treatments such as Botox®, even facelifts, is constantly on the rise with men including these treatments on their to-do list. Cosmetic treatments have become maintenance, the same as a trip to the gym or hairdresser.

Is this increasing trend a result of a change in attitudes and mentality, what is now perceived as socially acceptable, or an inevitable outcome of what advances in cosmetic surgery have made possible?

Many people forget that while 50 years ago men did in fact choose to let nature take its course undisturbed, they also had no other choice in the matter. Thus logic invites us to an evident assumption: why should men sit back and accept the signs of aging as an irrefutable phenomenon when often a simple and minimally invasive procedure can effectively “turn back time?”

Reports by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show over a million Americans do not [sit back]; the percentage of the male population sitting in the waiting room of a cosmetic physician’s office is growing rapidly as men from diverse ethnic backgrounds now comprise an increasing percentage of this market.

So, whether it’s done as a good “business move” to survive a moribund economy, a way to get back in the dating scene, or simply because they want to enhance their appearance, men are joining women in a common goal towards looking healthy, youthful and more attractive.

Photo Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Most people agree that the first thing they notice in a person is their eyes. From extravagant mascaras, lush fake lashes and extensions, women often go to great lengths to get lavish, full and long lashes. We can now add a new approach to the list: the doctor.

The FDA has recently approved the first ever prescription treatment, Latisse™, for inadequate and deficient lashes. Originally developed to help avoid vision problems caused by insufficient lashes, Latisse™ is proven to help lashes grow longer, fuller and darker. So women tired of the hassle that comes with uncomfortable extensions, a sea of ineffective mascaras and plain inconvenient fake lashes can now head to their doctor’s office for a consultation on this new miracle drug.

Developed by Allergan®, the makers of Botox® Cosmetic, Latisse™ contains years of research and a clinical trial during which patients noticed visible results in as little as four weeks, with gradual improvements after 16 weeks of regular use. The treatment, which should be available by March, is being marketed as an everyday medication; an easy application on the upper eyelid at the base of the eyelashes is expected to do the trick.

While it’s still not entirely clear why Latisse™ promotes growth, the answer may be in the active ingredient bimatoprost. This compound is drawn from fatty acids that bind to receptors in the eyelashes and could in turn contribute to the re-growth of hair follicles.

As all other medications that promise miracle results, Latisse™ does have minor side effects of which consumers should be aware. They include redness and itching around the eye area, dryness, and in rare instances, skin darkening where the medication is applied. All that aside, the results are still very promising and would make sought-after, thick, luscious lashes a reality for many. Next up, Allergan® will be researching additional cosmetic uses for Latisse™, including how it stimulates scalp hair and eyebrow growth.

Keep your eyes peeled as I discuss this topic more in coming weeks and months. If you’re interested in trying Latisse™ yourself, consult your doctor first.

Photo source: beaut.ie

Full and plump lips are not only a symbol of sensuality but also universally synonymous with youth. While for many the quest for ideal lips continues, today there are many options available to help achieve pout perfection. For those who would prefer to forgo the higher costs and implications of surgical alternatives, the good news keeps coming. Lip augmentation techniques have vastly improved with the use of injectables that temporarily enhance thinner lips, boost the shallow contours, as well as reduce and soften wrinkles caused by aging and smoking.

Lip augmentation via injections is a technique which entails injecting a natural or synthetic biocompatible material in the patient’s lips. Although temporary and requiring periodical repeats (longevity is contingent upon the material used), one injection is often sufficient to produce the desired results. For most patients, there is little discomfort and you may apply make-up immediately following the procedure.

Options include:

Juvéderm®, one of the top lip injectables on the market today [and my favorite option], is a smooth gel made of hyaluronic acid. When injected, the gel instantly restores volume and smoothes away facial wrinkles and folds – like “smile lines” or “parentheses” (nasolabial folds). The injection process takes approximately 15 minutes, with minimal downtime, so you can return to your normal activities right away. Results last six to nine months, or more.

Restylane® is a clear injectable gel made from hyaluronic acid – similar to Restylane® – and is very close to that naturally found in the body. A tiny amount of the gel is injected into the skin by means of a very fine needle. The result is almost instantaneous, producing a long-lasting, natural enhancement. The results are sustained for up to six months or even longer – almost twice that of collagen.

Silikon® 1000 is a medical-grade, pure form of silicon that has been used as a filler by cosmetic doctors for 30 years. Utilizing a micro droplet technique, the body forms collagen around Silikon 1000®, resulting in plumper lips. The amount of collagen formed depends upon the body’s sensitivity to Silikon® 1000, which can also affect the durability of the product. For this reason, I prefer the first two injectables listed above as I can more closely control the final results. If this is the option you choose, make sure you’re physician is experienced at using silicon due to its permanent nature.

If you’re still pondering about what you’d look like with a set of fuller, more sensuous lips or have already made up your mind that lip augmentation is for you; know that the choices are many. The procedure or product of choice depends on a number of factors. To find which is right for you, consult your cosmetic surgeon.

Due to the economic turndown of the recent months, most cosmetic surgery procedures have been on the decline. Despite the excellent results of the latest surgical techniques, many people simply cannot afford to spend thousands of dollars for major surgical procedures.

Despite this economic decline, injectable cosmetic treatments such as Juvederm® and Botox® have actually seen a slight increase. This is because the new injectable fillers can reliably enhance our appearance for longer periods of time and at fraction of the cost of surgery. With most of these treatments lasting over six months, the cost is less than that of our daily tall latte.

2009 didn’t only bring change in terms of a new President, it also brings a host of new injectibles to the market.

Reloxin® is the first true competitor to Botox®. It is made by Medicis, the makers of Restylane®. The early news is that the onset is slightly faster than that of Botox®, but it may not last as long. The truth is, we will not know its true nature for at least several months. The good news that it should drive the price of Botox® down. In anticipation of the arrival of Reloxin®, Allergan (makers of Botox) has not raised its price this January for the first time in over a decade.

Evolence® is Johnson and Johnson’s new injectable filler. It is made from porcine collagen (meaning it is derived from pigs for those of you that are kosher or vegetarian). The collagen is cross linked in a special way that J & J claim enable it to last 12-15 months. Unlike other collagen products, no skin testing prior to its use is necessary.

Elevess™ is made by Anika. It is a non-animal based Hyaluronic acid, which is similar to Restylane® and Juvederm®. What makes Elevess™ unique is that it is filled with the numbing agent Lidocaine. In theory, this should make the injections less painful.

Mentor, a leading manufacturer of breast implants, has introduced two new Hyaluronic acid injectables. Prevelle™ is for fine lines such as crow’s feet and those thin lines around lips. Puragen™ is a thicker injectible made for deeper lines (nasolabial folds) and for augmenting cheek bones.

One of the more exciting products on the horizon is Isolagen®. In this product, the treating surgeon takes a biopsy of the patient’s own tissue. The tissue is then sent to the company’s lab where the patient’s own fibroblasts (collagen producing cells) are cloned and sent back to the surgeon for injection. Since the patient’s own live cells are being re-injected, the results should be extremely natural-looking, safe and long lasting (maybe even permanent). While most of the other products are “me toos” this is a truly innovative concept. Stay tuned for further developments.

Atlean (caution: this website is in French!) is a gel that is filled with calcium phosphate. This natural compound stays in the skin for a long time and may even stimulate collagen growth. It is very similar to Radiesse® and should also last 12-18 months. Aquamid® is a gel filled with small plastic beads (polyacarmide). This should give a permanent enhancement to deeper lines. The downside is that there is the potential for permanent bumpiness.

We are all looking to 2009 to be a year of change. For our country we are all hoping for a quick resolution to the economic turmoil and our conflicts abroad. In our own small world of cosmetic surgery, 2009 should bring exciting changes that will hopefully lead to better and longer lasting results. The one caveat is that not all change is for the better. Time will tell which products will work and which will not.

During a recession, women (and men) take many cost-cutting measures to help save money on their household budgets including dialing back the thermostat and shopping for their families in bulk at their local wholesale club. When it comes to their beauty regimens though, this is one area where they aren’t cutting back.

Instead, many are taking a DIY approach by performing their normal salon beauty treatments – pedicures and hair color – at home. Even laser treatments, normally performed by a licensed medical practitioner in a controlled environment, are making their way into homes across America. But how safe and effective are these treatments?

The typical in-office laser has an energy level of 3,000mW - 10,000mW (this varies from laser to laser). What does that mean for the patient? Generally speaking, the higher the intensity, the quicker you’ll see results.

According to StarliteSkinLaser.com, one of the many companies now offering at-home laser devises, their low-level laser therapy (LLLT) uses 1mW - 500 mW of energy to help “stimulate cellular processes including more effective and faster cell renewal, the absorption of vital nutrients needed for repair, collagen production, ATP (energy) production and stimulation of the mitochondria in skin cells.” Is this true?

While I have not tested the machine or reviewed any of their clinical data, consumers should see some positive results from using this and other similar at-home devices. The key is to have realistic expectations. Since the energy levels are a fraction of what you would experience in a professional setting, you’ll require many more treatments to see any visible results. Also, the low energy levels help ensure consumer safety.

Though at-home laser technologies may become the wave of the future, I think we’re at least five years away from the technology that would provide adequate results in an at-home device.

Having finished a very busy month in the office, I was looking forward to a few days of R & R in Florida. I didn’t know that it would be a working vacation. As my wife very meticulously prepared the 25lb turkey for the long stint in the oven, she noticed a 3 inch laceration in the skin on the breast. Afraid that it would lead to an unprecedented dry turkey, we quickly got out my mother-in-law’s sewing kit.

I urgently sewed up the laceration and while I was at it, my wife asked me to truss the bird and close up the cavity where she’d put the secret stuffing.

When company arrived, I was summoned by Cousin Stacey to the bathroom for a 20 minute consult. I advised her to have a lower-lid blepharoplasty, chemical peel and Juvaderm injections and got back to the business at hand….I am also the resident turkey-carver.

A side note - the turkey came out perfect. My Thanksgiving tip: The best, most juicy turkeys always flirt just a little with Salmonella. Remove the turkey as soon as the thermometer 140 degrees!

I am now happily back in New York and looking forward to the work week ahead.

Botox®. Juvederm®. Evolence®. When it comes to fillers and injectables, there are as many options as there are reasons to have these procedures performed. And the options don’t end there. Enter Isolagen, a new cellular processing system that creates “a natural, living cell therapy” by way of the body’s own collagen cells.

Currently in clinical trials, one of the final steps before being submitted for FDA approval, “The Isolagen Process™ is an innovative cellular processing system that multiplies a patient’s own collagen-producing cells or fibroblasts into tens of millions of new cells,” according to statements on the Isolagen, Inc. website.

The therapy is designed to improve the appearance of the skin by diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, acne scarring and burns. There is also a clinical trial underway for treating tissue loss resulting from periodontal disease. The uses for this new technology are varied and if approved, could open many more doors in the art of cosmetic treatments.

For those interested in this injectable, it is important to know that this technology is still new and in a number of different stages of clinical trials. Keep checking back as we update you with additional details about ISOLAGEN.