Allure Medical Blog

Poll reveals looking good may help in the workplace

2010-07-21T14:09:00Z

Almost 2/3 of Americans in a recent survey felt that appearance matters when it comes to succeeding at work. It was also found that people thought looks were more important when applying for a job than in getting promoted.

Other findings in the Newsweek Poll can be found here, along with a description of "Lookism" issues in the workplace. Both men and women have been seen to become increasingly aware of appearance in the workplace amidst the current economic climate. Cosmetic boosters, such as Botox are more commonplace among men looking to have an edge in the job market.

Are your skin products making you look younger?

2010-07-07T22:41:48Z

Allure announces surgical facility accreditation

2010-06-29T15:55:34Z

We are proud to offer cosmetic procedures delivered with quality, safety, privacy, and convenience in mind. As a measure of safety, surgical facilities often seek accreditation through independent organizations that monitor compliance. The surgical facility of Allure Medical Spa has accreditation through AAAHC, a nationally recognized entity.

You can visit www.AAAHC.org to learn about the high standards offered by facilities accredited by this organization.

How do you know if you're getting real Botox ?

2010-06-22T15:02:12Z

Recently, 4 docs in Albany, NY were fined for injecting a non-FDA-approved product called Tri-toxin, meant to deliver Botox-like effects. How do you know if you're getting the real Botox when you visit your doctor for anti-wrinkle treatments?

The real Botox packaging produced by Allergan has a holographic image on the label. Similarly, Dysport, another wrinkle-reducing injection has a hologram on the vial. If there is any question in your mind, ask your doctor if you can take a look at the label on the bottle and the expiration date. Your physician should not mind.

New laser eyelid wrinkle treatment published by Dr. Brett Kotlus

2010-06-15T14:37:28Z

A new laser treatment for eyelid wrinkles was published by Dr. Kotlus in the latest issue of Dermatologic Surgery, a peer-reviewed journal. He describes a "dual-depth" laser treatment using the fractional CO2 laser on the eyelid skin. The laser is also called ActiveFX and DeepFX, two applications of the laser that treat different levels of the skin. By treating superficial and deep skin layers at the same time, Dr. Kotlus has been able to improve surface sun damage, brown spots, and deep wrinkles in one treatment.

Shown here is a patient who received the dual-depth laser treatment at the same time as a lower eyelid lift to shift bulging fat, reducing the appearance of lower eyelid bags. The laser enhances the lower eyelid lift by firming the eyelid skin and creating a smoother appearance. Patients should expect about a week of redness after the laser, although swelling can last longer than a week.

Does Chewing Gum Create Wrinkles ?

2010-03-09T20:54:10Z

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.

Younger looking hands - Step 3: Resurface !!

2010-03-02T13:34:39Z

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

Younger looking hands - Step 2

2010-01-20T16:23:13Z

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...

Using a laser for cosmetic eyelid surgery

2010-01-13T19:52:23Z

Younger looking hands in 3 steps – Step 1

2010-01-11T20:19:06Z

The hands are often overlooked body parts when it comes to cosmetic medicine. Usually, the body and the face get all the attention. But when it comes to how we interact with others and how we are perceived, the hands provide crucial age cues. A smoother, even-toned hand looks younger and more healthy. And if a person has had cosmetic facial procedures, the hand may be left behind, creating a mismatch.

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...