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