A recent article (click here to read the story) described chewing gum as a contributor to facial wrinkles. In fact, gum chewers may even experience earlier loss of results after cosmetic fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm. How can this be?

It relates to movement.  Repetitive muscle movement creates lines, and this is why Botox is a wrinkle-reducer. It relaxes the muscles that create creases in the skin.  When there is extra movement, there may be more creases over time.  And this movement can shift and broaden the location of a filler, softening its effects. 

So far these claims have not been substantiated in a clinical trial.  For now, the vilification of gum is just a theory.

Aside from being smooth and plump, a young-looking hand has young-looking skin.  Age spots, brown discoloration, and fine wrinkles are all signs of sun damage that build up over years of exposure. The signs of sun damage on the hands can be alleviated with laser and/or light-based therapies.

Laser resurfacing works to stimulate collagen growth and eliminate pigment.  This leads to a reduction in brown spots and wrinkles. Excellent laser that accomplish these effects include Fraxel and ActiveFX among others.  

In a similar way, photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a photosensitising cream in combination with light therapy to target certain skin cells that have been damaged by sunlight. This treatment can even reduce pre-cancerous areas termed Actinic Keratoses. 

To summarize the steps to younger-looking hands:

STEP 1: Sclerotherapy to treat unsightly hand veins

STEP 2: Replacement of lost volume with fillers or fat

STEP 3: Skin resurfacing to improve sun damage

Step 2: Increase the Volume

A young hand has smooth, supple skin (as does a young face).  Over time, we lose some of the fat just underneath the skin, termed subcutaneous fat.  The same thing happens in the face, and it makes us look more sunken with more looseness. 

This lost volume can be corrected with volume replacement.  Temporary means of volume replacement include the injectable fillers, such as Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, and Radiesse.  These consist of injections of safe, malleable substances that will last for a period of months.  They lift wrinkles and creases in the face, and they can also replace volume lost with age.

 A more permanent method of volume correction is fat transfer.  Pure fat cells are taken from one area of the body using gentle suction and the purified fat (along with stem cells) is placed under the skin in another area.  By using your own fat, there is no rejection risk and the cells will continue to grow as they would have at the original site.  Occasionally, a second treatment is required to transfer additional fat, but the fat cells that survive will theoretically last forever.  Pictured above is an excellent example of volume replacement creating a more youthful-appearing hand.  

So far we've discussed the treatment  of hand veins and the replacement of lost volume to rejuvenate the hands.  

Stay tuned for step 3...

What is there to do for hand rejuvenation?  In the next few weeks, you'll find the keys to hand beauty here on Allure Medical Blog, in 3 steps. 

Obviously, a good moisturizer, preferably with a vitamin C component and definitely a good sunblock is a great start.  We often forget to protect our hands from the damaging sun rays while we slather our faces.  What next?

Step 1: Treat hand veins with sclerotherapy

Hand veins can become twisty and bulging, just like varicose leg veins.  These veins make the hands look older and less attractive.  Luckily they can be treated with injections of a solution that shrinks them safely.  Sometimes more than one treatment is needed, and there can be mild soreness and swelling for several days after the treatment.  If they are wrapped with gauze or an ace bandage after injections for 2 days, the results tend to be better.  Once in a while there are some lumpy areas after the injection that go away by themselves or with the next treatment. 

Stay tuned for step 2...

Join us for the Grand Opening of Michigan's premiere medical spa on December 16, 2009 at 6pm. A raffle will be held for a $5,000 dream makeover!! 

Read more about this exciting event, here.

Allure Medical Spa just moved into a new, state-of-the art facility, and we are thrilled!!

Our new location is still in Shelby Township, Michigan, just one building over from our previous location, at the corner of 26 mile road and Van Dyke.  We are soon to announce our open house so you can browse our new lobby and meet our staff. 

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Drs. Mok and Kotlus have used Sculptra for the past few years at Allure Medical Spa in Shelby Twp, MI, and patients love it.  The best patient for Sculptra is someone who wants to look more youthful by enhancing the fullness of the face where it is sagging from loss of fat.  In someone who has considered facial fat injections but doesn't have enough fat on their body to donate, Sculptra is perfect. 

Read more about Sculptra on their website, here.

Do your eyelids need a lift? Michigan's Allure Medical Spa has launched a new online resource for those interested in eyelid enhancement.  You can find it at www.EyeliftCenter.com

Dr. Kotlus is an eyelid specialist and a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive  Surgery.  He developed the site to answer common questions about cosmetic eyelid procedures.

The image above shows one of Dr. Kotlus' patients who underwent eyelid ptosis repair- a correction for droopy eyelids caused by stretching of the tendon that lifts the eyelids.