Monthly Archives: March 2021
How Looking Pretty May Actually Be Good For Your Health. Truly.
While hard data may be elusive, certain studies have shown that physical appearance plays a large role in the development of personality. The thinking goes like this: people form opinions about other people based on what they see. Then, the people being seen tend to fulfill the expectations that they think other people have for them. So, if they are viewed as pleasant looking or beautiful, they begin to think of themselves that way. If they believe that others think they are unattractive, they are conditioned to believe that, too.
This theory, then, links physical attractiveness with self-image. The more beautiful one is perceived to be, the higher the level of confidence and esteem.
If you take this notion one step further, you might make the case that confidence and self-esteem lead to happiness, or a certain amount of happiness. Look good/feel good, we’ve all experienced that. Interestingly, happiness has been correlated with better health, both in individuals and communities. Some studies have even suggested that states of happiness, positive mood, optimism and humor may be associated with lower stress-related hormones and better immune function, that general well-being can protect and predict health. Happy people may live longer, some might argue.
So, what does this all mean and how do we come in? If one way to boost self-image (and perhaps, health) is to look good, we can help you with that.
Fraxel Repair: This is the procedure of choice for deep lines, hard-to-erase lip lines, pronounced photodamage, sagging face and neck skin, facial wrinkles and discolorations, age-related/sun-damaged rough skin texture, acne scars and surgical scars. Fraxel Repair allows for deep dermal laser penetration in targeted areas, with greater response than other treatments.
Kybella: Finally, you can slim and contour the area below and around your chin and neck – without surgery. I’m proud to be one of the first physicians to offer the revolutionary Kybella procedure: the first and only FDA – approved, nonsurgical treatment to reduce submental fullness, more commonly known as “double chin.” Submental fullness affects both men and women, and can be influenced by several factors such as aging, genetics and weight gain. Submental fullness is often resistant to diet and exercise and can detract from a balanced facial appearance, resulting in an older and heavier look.
Smartlipo: Many times, no matter what we do, our bodies fail to look exactly the way we’d like them to. Body contouring, currently the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure, provides a sure way to achieve your ideal body shape. Smartlipo TriPlex is a minimally invasive method for removing unwanted fat and sculpting areas of the body that you’d like to change. A laser treatment that virtually melts fat cells and suctions them away, Smartlipo is one of the surest ways to boost self-image.
Thermage CPT: This nonsurgical facelift will actually transform skin all over your body. The Thermage CPT thermal lift will tighten loose skin on the eyelids, under-eye areas, abdomen, arms, legs and even your sagging buttocks. Thermage CPT, the most effective lift treatment for a multitude of concerns, yields dramatic results without incisions and recuperation. In the eye area, for instance, Thermage CPT reduces “hooding,” improves texture, and tones and softens fine lines and crow’s feet. This new treatment is a safe, effective and unique option for “eyelid rejuvenation.”
Call our office to find out how you can enjoy these dramatic results…and dramatic happiness and good health, too, we hope.
See you soon.
Perfecting our Treatments
When it comes to new treatments and procedures, we don’t simply provide them merely because they are available. My staff and I evaluate their merits, work with them at length and offer them to you only if we believe they are proven and valuable. You’ll know that any treatment that we provide has gone through a battery of testing in our office before we add it to our repertoire.
Kybella is a perfect example. We experimented with this fat-melting double chin procedure until we developed an optimal way to increase comfort and results. Many of you have come in for the treatment, and we are pleased with how great you all look. Kybella significantly decreases the submental fat under your chin and jaw line, and the results are dramatic and noticeable. Incidentally, now is a terrific time for starting Kybella—a couple of treatments are usually necessary and the improvements continue to happen week after week.
Meantime, come in for a complimentary consultation, and we’ll talk about how we can help you look and feel your best.
See you soon.
Getting Cheeky
Though it’s often a less obvious sign of aging, sagging and flattening cheeks can concern many of you. With time, you may lose the natural curve of your cheek, causing your skin to droop and your profile to lose definition. The shape of your cheeks has a huge impact on the look of your entire face. So, if you’re not happy with them, you may not feel so terrific in general. With a simple dermal filler, we can restore youthful fullness, in a natural and subtle way.
Previously, aging cheeks were corrected with invasive traditional surgery that tightened the overlying skin and lifted the deeper soft tissues. Now, Voluma XC, an injectable filler, can produce the same result, providing a lift that is free of incisions, anesthesia and recuperation time.
Juvederm Voluma XC is an FDA-approved filler that instantly adds natural-looking volume to the cheeks. It is made from a naturally occurring complex sugar, and studies have shown that results may last as long as two years after treatment. The next time you come in, be sure to ask me about how it might work for you.
See you soon.
Rescue Those Aging Eyes
So much of your appearance–how young or old, happy or sad, or refreshed or worn out–begins with your eyes. If you feel you’ve lost the sparkle that you used to have, you’ll be happy to know that we can help.
The delicate skin in this area is extremely thin and becomes thinner with time. Because it contains little subcutaneous fat, it is vulnerable to conditions such as dark circles, bags or swelling, hollowing, and drooping lids and brows. Also, it is especially sensitive to stress from facial movements such as laughing, squinting and frowning, repeated motions that contribute to the formation of lines and wrinkles such as crow’s feet.
Also, the thick collagen network that gives skin structural support begins to break down with time. Your body’s internal processes and external factors such as sun exposure increase the levels of enzymes that break down collagen.
What can help: We have a repertoire of nonsurgical treatments that are safe and effective. Here is a quick run-down:
Dermal fillers, such as Belotero, Juvederm, and Restylane will plump up crow’s feet, lines and wrinkles under the eye and hollowing that may result as we age.
Injectables such as Botox and Dysport will help minimize crow’s feet and lines caused by normal facial expression.
Lasers, including Fraxel Repair, Fraxel DUAL, Laser Wrinkle Reduction and Clear & Brilliant, will help add smoothness, glow and luminosity to the area around your eyes.
Finally, Microdermabrasion and GentleWaves Photomodulation are two more useful techniques for brightening your eyes by restoring vigor to the delicate skin surrounding them.
We’re confident that all of our treatments will help you look happy and younger and feel that way, too.
Call our office today to schedule your complimentary consultation. I’ll develop a treatment plan just for you.
See you soon.
Are You Washed Out From Winter?
There is nothing like a good northeastern winter to do a number on your skin. Right now, your face is probably feeling dry and tight from wind and cold, and sallow and blotchy from extra time spent indoors. March is the perfect time for restoring moisture and glow, and we have a few tricks up our sleeve for doing just that.
An assortment of procedures will enhance the quality of your skin tone and texture. Lasers such as Fraxel Dual and Fraxel Repair will remove the outer layers of your skin with controlled focused light, prompting collagen production, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, zapping spots, minimizing broken capillaries, hiding scars and improving overall skin texture.
DermaFrac is a simple pain-free alternative to fractional laser treatments. Incorporating breakthrough micro-channeling technology, the process infuses your skin with serums that target specific conditions.
Another non-ablative treatment for your face is Pulsed Dye Laser, which uses yellow light to stimulate your body’s own ability to form collagen. As this supportive material is produced, it fills in the lines and wrinkles that have emerged with age. You’ll see gradual smoothing over time, and the procedure takes less than a half-hour.
Finally, you might try simple microdermabrasion, which offers a terrific mid-winter boost. Often referred to as “the lunchtime peel,” this easy treatment rejuvenates and revitalizes your skin. It’s painless and quick, and helps to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (brown spots), acne clogged pores, scarring, blemishes, dry skin, oily skin and other conditions. Microdermabrasion may be used on light or dark skin, and on areas besides the face, including your neck, chest, arms, elbows, knees and hands.
Call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation. I’ll help you figure out the best treatment for fighting winter wash-out.
See you soon.
