Erasing Ten Years Really Is Possible!
As the pictures indicate, erasing years really can be done. Quite easily. Here’s what we did: Fine lines and wrinkles:This lady benefited from starting a product that would turn her skin cells over faster, increase collagen production, thicken her skin, and increase the vascularity (nourishment) and health of her skin. We began with a 0.025% Retin-A (tretinoin cream). Retinoids are the only skin treatment that can achieve such a super anti-aging effect. After a tube of that, we moved to the Skin Medica Tri-Retinol Cream followed by the the Skin Medica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream.
Volume Loss: Even though she’s only 38, she had significant volume loss and muscle distortion. While there has been no significant weight loss or gain, she had previously been a smoker and a sun worshiper. Adding some Perlane and Restylane in appropriate areas (upper cheeks, naso-labial folds, marionette lines) gently added the look of youth and vitality.
Forehead Lines: We used both Botox and Dysport in her forehead and crow’s feet. Both work wonderfully!
For Uneven Skin Tone: We used Intense Pulse Light followed by Laser Genesis (Nd:YAG Laser) to entire face. This is the single best skin treatment for uneven skin tone.
Slight Lip Enhancement: Using 1 syringe of Juvederm Ultra, her lips instantly became a pretty perky pucker.
Get Carded! The best news? After her filler (and bangs), she went to Chili’s and was carded. That apparently had not happened in years and her elation continues today!
From Dr. Bonnie:
I ‘ve discovered three problems almost all my patients share. They are aging you far more than just getting older. I even prepared videos, which have become my “prescriptions”.
I’d love to share them with you, and there is no charge. The first is titled “The Dirty Little Secret of Multi-Tasking”. After watching this short video, you will see your “to do” list in a whole different light.
You will also receive my Beauty Tip of The Week every Friday. It’s also free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I look forward to emailing you these videos. Just give me your first name and a current email address below.
Dr. Bonnie
Skin Treatments for Puffy Eyes
If you google “puffy eyes” you will find a gazillion pages of home remedies and common sense strategies for attempting to alleviate those occasional and sometimes more persistent “puffy pads” under the eyes. These aren’t the heredity induced fat pads that are a surgical issue, these are the very unwelcome build-up of fluid in the very delicate under-eye skin. There is no acceptable surgical fix (other than to remove the tissue, resulting in a small scar) and other remedies run the gamut from ice to sleeping upright.
So What Works?
There are reports of some success with cold cucumber slices, cool water, cold vinegar, salt reduction, and of course the old-standby, Preparation H. The credit in the Preparation H goes to phenylephrine in today’s formulation but apparently there was a yeast extract that now is only available in the Canadian formulation. This brand name is call Bio Dyne and many give the most credit to this ingredient for the moderate shrinking of those annoying bags or puffs. Bottom line? There is no good cure at this time.
Prevention?
While the cause is not fully understood, inflammation is likely in the list of culprits. Daily supplements of antioxidants and moderation of foods that increase inflammation (such as excess alcohol, though a small amount of red wine can have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties), increasing intake of fruits and vegetables, and maintaining a normal hydration can help. Additionally, a good eye cream such as Revale Eye Replenishing Therapy or Vivite Revitalizing Eye Cream will help to keep the skin rejuvenated, nourished, and actually firmer than previous to use.
If you have a good solution, I would love to hear about it!
From Dr. Bonnie:
I ‘ve discovered three problems almost all my patients share. They are aging you far more than just getting older. I even prepared videos, which have become my “prescriptions”.
I’d love to share them with you, and there is no charge. The first is titled “The Dirty Little Secret of Multi-Tasking”. After watching this short video, you will see your “to do” list in a whole different light.
You will also receive my Beauty Tip of The Week every Friday. It’s also free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I look forward to emailing you these videos. Just give me your first name and a current email address below.
Dr. Bonnie
How To Achieve Make-up Perfection!
Jacquelyn Hill, Make Up Guru, answers your toughest questions.
Jacquelyn has graciously agreed to answer some of the questions I receive most often.
1. Are there any techniques or products that will help hide a last minute pimple?
First things first, resist the urge to squeeze! It is much harder to cover a scab or an oozing bloody mess. Cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser and use an acne medicine containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide directly on the blemish. Apply an oil-free foundation that matches your skin perfectly to your entire face, and then using a clean concealer brush, apply a concealer slightly darker than your skin tone (about a half shade) directly to the offending bump. Darker colors make things look smaller. Set by dusting with an oil-free translucent powder.
2. How can I make my eyes look bigger?
It doesn’t matter if you are painting a room or painting your face, basic color theory always holds true. Light colors make things look bigger and dark colors make things look smaller. So for big, beautiful eyes the smokey look is out! Choose a light shadow, with a slight shimmer and apply to your entire lid. A deep color (try charcoal, chocolate or deep plum) applied in your crease will make your lids pop even more! Use the same deep color to line close to your lash line and add several coats of mascara to open your eyes wide! Finally use the trick models have known for years; line the inside of your bottom lashes with a white eyeliner.
3. What kind of mascara will lengthen my lashes?
Women as far back as Cleopatra have used “mascara” to enhance their eyes. Today there are many options in mascara but if you look for these basics, long lashes will be yours. Look for “lengthening” formulas; they have fibers that attach to the ends of short lashes making them appear longer. Lash primers are conditioners applied under mascara to add volume and length and most contain vitamins to strengthen your natural lashes. The smaller the mascara brush the more lashes it will coat with mascara, so for length look for smaller almost “comb like” mascara wands. Don’t be afraid to experiment with lash extensions or fun and flirty strip lashes, or see your doctor for Lattisse a prescription only serum, FDA approved to grow longer, thicker, darker lashes!
4. I want flawless skin but don’t have it. What make-up will make me look the most flawless?
The job of make-up is to enhance, so if you are not happy with the quality of your skin run to the nearest skin care center and enlist some professional help. In the meantime mineral based foundations and powders give excellent coverage while actually improving your skin!
5. I have fine smile-lines on my cheeks. Is there any way to make them less visible?
Smile and expression lines are evidence of a life well lived, but that doesn’t mean we want everyone to see them. Skin that is dry or dehydrated tends to show more lines and wrinkles. The key is to prep your skin. Use a gentle exfoliating cleanser to increase cell turnover, apply a hydrating serum with hylaronic acid, an ingredient that can hold 1000X its weight in water, and seal in the moisture with a ceramide cream to plump your skin. Also it is wise to invest in a silicone based primer that acts like a “putty” filling in fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores so that make-up “floats” over the skin creating a smooth, flawless appearance. For deeper folds see your cosmetic provider to discuss injectable options.
Jacqulyn Hill is a Make Up artist and cosmetology educator in West Palm Beach, FL.
From Dr. Bonnie:
When first meeting, my patients tell me they want to look younger, and we talk about their concerns. For most its a sense of not looking as “fresh” as they used to. As we continue to talk, I find many are under incredible stress, and it’s aging them beyond their real years. They’re aware of the pressure, and maybe even of the toll it’s taking. Unfortunately, its not easy to figure out how to get off this energy draining treadmill that’s sabotaging their chance to look great.
I ‘ve discovered three common problems that almost all of these patients share, and even went so far as to prepare three separate videos, which have become my “prescriptions”. Each deals with a different problem and shows step-by-step how to eliminate them from your life.
I would love to share them with you, and there is no charge. The first is titled “The Dirty Little Secret of Multi-Tasking” and as the title may hint, Multi-Tasking is not helping us save time nor get things done faster.
You will also begin receiving My Beauty Tip of The Week every Friday. In it I discuss things just like in the article above and can answer your questions, should you want to ask. It’s also free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Bonnie
The Cost of Anti-Aging and Beauty
How far does one have to go to look and feel young and vibrant? How do you know who to trust? With so many charlatans out there vying to take your money, how do you know when you’ve come to the right place?
It can be scary, and if money is tight, you want to get it right the first time. Step one: Assess where you are starting from (age, skin damage, sagging skin, etc.) and envision where you want to be. Then seek out several sources for achieving what you desire. You should be able to get a good idea of what your end result will be after your treatment plan is completed. I say “treatment plan” because it is rare to accomplish all in one visit, unless you have a simple issue like crow’s feet or a line between your eyebrows. If you have bigger issues, and don’t desire surgery, which is becoming more common today, Sculptra may be the answer.
There are also several agencies run by general practitioners. chiropractors, therapists, etc., that offer holistic therapies geared toward keeping you young. Please research, research, and then research these entities. Often they are the most adept at taking your money. Sometimes they are legit. Research!
On Friday we will have a post of average costs of treatments that will help to preserve or revive your youth. Keep in mind, you need to have a few opinions to determine what is best for you. Also, if you seek the bottom dollar, you are unlikely to find what you may really need. You can achieve excellent results with Restylane, Radiesse, Juvederm, Botox, Dysport, even collagen, but your plan has to be just that: Your plan. In addition, many are offering anything from basic supplements to full blown cleansings and “toxic reducing” therapies. Please, again, research. And by the way, you need to go beyond the particular page or site of the therapy. Remember, you aren’t jsut reducing or removng wrinkles, you are eliminating their causes!
Great things are always coming!!!
From Dr. Bonnie:
When first meeting, my patients tell me they want to look younger, and we talk about their concerns. For most its a sense of not looking as “fresh” as they used to. As we continue to talk, I find many are under incredible stress, and it’s aging them beyond their real years. They’re aware of the pressure, and maybe even of the toll it’s taking. Unfortunately, its not easy to figure out how to get off this energy draining treadmill that’s sabotaging their chance to look great.
I ‘ve discovered three common problems that almost all of these patients share, and even went so far as to prepare three separate videos, which have become my “prescriptions”. Each deals with a different problem and shows step-by-step how to eliminate them from your life.
I would love to share them with you, and there is no charge. The first is titled “The Dirty Little Secret of Multi-Tasking” and as the title may hint, Multi-Tasking is not helping us save time nor get things done faster.
You will also begin receiving My Beauty Tip of The Week every Friday. In it I discuss things just like in the article above and can answer your questions, should you want to ask. It’s also free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Bonnie
Beauty Without Botox
Every once in a blue moon I get a question in a consultation that goes something like this: “I hate these lines around my eyes but I wouldn’t dream of doing Botox. How can I get rid of them?”
Good question, since Botox or Dysport is a home run. Lines and wrinkles caused by dynamic muscle movement are tough to deal with. Unless you stop moving the muscle, or at least minimize the movement, the lines will continue to form. Plus, as one ages, one loses the hyaluronic acid (a liquid found throughout the body that lubricates and hydrates) that allows the skin to “slip” over the muscle. Eventually the skin starts to adhere to the muscle and takes on the shape of the contracted muscle. This is seen in the forehead, crow’s feet, and especially the chin.
So, in order to see a reduction in the line or wrinkle, one has to change a few things. Using products that will increase skin turn-over is essential. A retinoid such as Retin-A or Tazorac speeds up the skin reproduction and actually will increase the depth of the skin. Common myth: Retin-A thins your skin. Truth: It thickens it. It does thin your epidermis a bit which is actually a good thing. Alpha-hydroxy acids help too. So does good nutrition. Training yourself to make fewer unnecessary movements can reduce wrinkling. Of course you want to be expressive, but many folks overdo it causing excessive over-wrinkling. Also, microdermabrasion may make a subtle difference with several treatments.
Fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane may help, depending upon the area. They are not great for crow’s feet, but will help the verticle lines between the eyes.
Botox and Dysport have a significant place in facial rejuvenation because they work well. Take good care of your skin and you will look beautiful naturally with or without them.
From Dr. Bonnie:
When first meeting, my patients tell me they want to look younger, and we talk about their concerns. For most its a sense of not looking as “fresh” as they used to. As we continue to talk, I find many are under incredible stress, and it’s aging them beyond their real years. They’re aware of the pressure, and maybe even of the toll it’s taking. Unfortunately, its not easy to figure out how to get off this energy draining treadmill that’s sabotaging their chance to look great.
I ‘ve discovered three common problems that almost all of these patients share, and even went so far as to prepare three separate videos, which have become my “prescriptions”. Each deals with a different problem and shows step-by-step how to eliminate them from your life.
I would love to share them with you, and there is no charge. The first is titled “The Dirty Little Secret of Multi-Tasking” and as the title may hint, Multi-Tasking is not helping us save time nor get things done faster.
You will also begin receiving My Beauty Tip of The Week every Friday. In it I discuss things just like in the article above and can answer your questions, should you want to ask. It’s also free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Bonnie