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
T’is The Season To Gain Weight…
How do you lose weight in a season essentially designed to have you pack the pounds? OK, lose might be a bit exceptional, but it is not that difficult to hang tight at the current norm. So how do you avoid all those enticing entrees and edibles? You don’t. Indulge. Just know you have to either prepare or make up. You have to do this with all things in life. Your body is no different, but the problem is, it doesn’t nag you. You need to nag yourself. Don’t let up.
During the endulging spell, set out to do at least an hour of something aerobic, even if you have never done it before. In your entire life. Just do it. It goes fast, makes you feel fantastic, and gives you almost a superhuman outlook. Who cannot appreciate that? Run (or trot, or jog, or just walk fast and pretend you are running), bike (easier in a warm climate), swim, or go to a gym and take a spinning class. That will make you want to take up running just to avoid it in the future. If you do this at high points of indulgence you can proceed without guilt or worry. But, keep the eggnog and alcohol under control, or it will pack on the pounds from the back door, and you will not see it coming.
Do this exercise early in the day. Then, you can go on have make merry without worry.
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.
These videos have been a great help to my patients. I look forward to emailing them to you.
Dr. Bonnie
Wrinkles On the Upper Lip
“I don’t even smoke and I still have these wrinkles on my upper lip!”
I hear this so often, even from ladies in their early 30s. These lines are a result of continued muscle movement that end up looking much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. When you pucker, your mouth forms those lines. Eventually, they become permanent if you make that face often. One reason that face occurs often is because it’s a pensive face. You make it when you are thinking, and of course, you are thinking while you are sleeping so you are making it much more often than you realize. Just thinking about what you are doing with your face and decreasing the unnecessary animation will help decrease the appearance of these lines.
Skin treatments for this condition have included everything from collagen injections to heavy-duty laser treatments. The latter had the unwanted side effect of creating hypopigmentation (a whitish appearance) to the area treated. Therefore, it isn’t done much today. There still is a great need to find a perfect treatment.
A near-perfect treatment is something that I have named the “Lip Rescue”. With some carefully placed filler, Botox, and a moderate peel, the look can be nearly eliminated. The use of a retinoid or glycolic that will turn your cells over faster and increase normal dermal depth (skin thickness) will help it to continue to be smoother and healthier. The mouth lines will diminish greatly. One caveat: make sure you choose a practitioner who is an expert at placing Botox in this area. Too much can be disastrous and will persist for over a month, though it would seem like a life time.
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
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
Beauty With Botox, Restylane, Sculptra…
Occasionally my office will receive the “shopping phone call” meaning that the caller is simply calling offices in an attempt to locate the cheapest price for a desired procedure. Notice I did not say “product”, but rather “procedure”, but that is really what one ends up with: a procedure, albeit through using a product.
OK, so what are some average prices for various beauty enhancements? Varied, to say the least. Pick a city, anywhere, and you can vary by hundreds of dollars for the same named procedure. Think Botox: it can vary from $150 to $1,200 depending upon geographic area. These are internet searches, and do not specify things in great deail. It does not tell you how many units you are receiving (the only way to decipher strength of treatment), or how many areas are included. It also does not tell you what else you have to purchase to get the “great price”. Therefore, you can go to Iowa City, Iowa and pay $200, or go to Northern Chicago and pay $1,200. So why would someone pay $150? Remember, if it sounds to good to be true….
Also, why would anyone pay $1,200? I have no idea. Why would someone charge $1,200? My only two rather experienced guesses would be #1, the office uses very little Botox and wants to make sure the vial pays for itself with only one patient, or #2, the practitioner feels they are the very best and are worth the price. Neither of these are good reasons to pay that price. However, the $150 is equally as scary.
Restylane and Juvederm
One will occasionally see specials within a range from $300 to $700 for a syringe of either of these hyaluronic acids. If a price dips below $300, look at the fine print. It is probably for a half-syringe that won’t do much unless your needs are extremely subtle. The average is $500-$600, but may be a bit more for Perlane of Juvederm Plus (the larger-molecule products). Beware of the highest price, but be even warier of the lowest prices…these folks are most likely needing the business.
Sculptra
The prices for this magical product may have decreased slightly since its introduction in 2004 because the company (Sanofi-Aventis) has ever-so-slightly decreased the still-costly price. Sculptra comes by the vial, and occasionally by the cc. The average price for a vial is $750 to $900. The range is $700 to $1500. The most important consideration with this procedure is the experience of the practitioner. You do not want to be used for practice. In good hands, this treatment is phenomenal, just not immediate.
Radiesse
This is another product that has seen some reductions from the company since its introduction in 2004. This robust calcium based product really is the answer to immediate-effect sculpting. Originally priced around the $900 range, today you may see it advertised for as little as $500, with the top line still hanging around $900 per syringe. A unique difference is that you receive 1.5 cc in the syringe compared with 1cc in Restylane and .8cc of Juvederm.
Whatever you do, don’t shop simply for price. Find out about the practioner, experience, clinic volume (do you really want to visit an office that sees only 6 people per week?), product turnover, and reputation. A good reputation is usually worth a slightly higher price.
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