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Just when we think that the Fountain of Youth, indeed, runneth over and the search has ended. After BOTOX, the Laser, IPL, Chemical Peels, Restylane and the rest – what else could there possibly be to reverse the signs of aging?

Meet Voluma, the newest sister product to the popular filler, Juvederm, and created by Allergan, the same powerhouse company that also manufactures BOTOX, Voluma is unique, exciting and available now!

Just approved by the FDA, Voluma has been highly anticipated for the last five years. It’s results in other countries, prior to its release in the U.S., have been remarkable in achieving the very specific benefit for which it was created, adding volume to the “hollow” mid-cheek area of the face.

While the signs of individual aging may vary, a bit, according to skin type, skin care, heredity, lifestyle, environment and other considerations, the basics are universal: lines, wrinkles, folding or sagging skin and hollow or “sunken” areas at the temple, under eye, cheek and chin.

As noted earlier, cosmetic dermatology has addressed the first few conditions with many non-invasive procedures and products. But the shifting of fatty tissue and the structural changes, over larger areas of the face, have presented a different challenge. And Voluma is a different product.

Voluma is a part of the derma filler family. It even contains one of the key natural ingredients, hyaluronic acid, that is already produced by the body and found in the most successful filler products. But, injected into the deeper layers of the skin, Voluma also lifts as it adds volume to flattened, drawn areas. The natural, attractive curves of the face are restored.

As with all injectables, there are some temporary side effects that might appear, following treatment, including swelling, tenderness, redness and bruising. But there is evidence that these symptoms are milder, with Voluma, and their duration is shorter.

And here is one of the best benefits of this new product – the duration of it’s side effects may be short, but the duration of its results are long-lasting! The effects of Voluma have been consistently noted to last up to two years. Perhaps that’s why this new procedure has been referred to as “the liquid face-lift.”

Unwanted hair remains one of the most consistent concerns in the beauty industry. And it’s a concern for women and men alike. Women are primarily concerned with facial hair while men are more troubled by excessive body hair on the chest, back and arms. But regardless of the area, hair growth is very persistent, very visible and, often, very embarrassing.

Traditionally, the treatments for removing unwanted hair have ranged from the razor, leaving stubble, nicks and nubs in its wake; depilatories, which are messy, irritating and, often, requiring touch ups with the tweezer; waxing and electrolysis, destroying each hair follicle individually, requiring between 15 – 30 treatments at a considerable cost.

So is it any surprise that the Laser Hair Removal process is one of the most commonly-performed cosmetic procedures in the U.S.?

Laser hair removal in Los Angeles is performed by targeting the hair follicle, directing a concentrated beam of light and heat to its root and destroying it while the surrounding skin remains unharmed. Small areas, like the upper lip, can be removed in minutes, at little cost, while larger areas (legs or bikini area), require more time. And sometimes, all hairs are not available to the laser, being in a dormant stage of growth, and five to six treatments are required for total hair removal.

During the treatment, you will be given special goggles or eyewear, to protect your eyes, and you might request a numbing topical cream to reduce the, usually mild, stinging sensation. A cooling device is also administered throughout the process to further reduce any discomfort.

With virtually no side effects, although there might be some brief swelling or redness, immediately following the procedure, both larger and smaller areas of treatment requiring a fewer number of sessions, the laser is the most high-tech and highly effective procedure for permanent hair removal available.

Call Your Laser Skin Care and put an end to the constant concern of unwanted hair today.

One of the least invasive of the “non-invasive” skin care treatments is the chemical peel. Unlike BOTOX or the derma fillers, the peel is not used for deep frown lines or to add volume, eliminate sagging or fill hollowed areas around the cheeks or eyes.

But many times, it’s the skin itself, not the surrounding structure, that needs some attention. The chemical peel is used to reduce acne scars, age and sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles, rough patches, skin pigmentation, freckles or other signs of sun exposure.

As the name implies, this procedure “peels” or removes the outer, damaged layer of your skin and reveals a clearer, fresher new layer, below. Within a short period of time, your skin will look smoother, more radiant and years younger.

Your Laser Skin Care is proud to be one of the selected physician’s offices to offer you Skinmedica Chemical Peel products, specially-formulated with three different levels of treatment: Illuminize Peel, Vitalize Peel and Rejuvenize Peel. Owned and produced by Allergan, one of the leading healthcare companies, in the world (and the producers of the leading dermatology drug, BOTOX), Skinmedica is a top-of-the-line chemical peel product.

So how does the peel work? First, the doctor will determine the current type and condition of your skin, your goals and the preferred depth of your treatment. After cleansing, the product will be applied. Cool compresses may also be used to alleviate the short five to ten minutes of a burning or stinging sensation.

Then, depending upon the type of peel, the reaction will be similar to a sunburn. Milder procedures may produce some redness and scaling that will crust and peel within three to seven days. Medium to deeper peels may result in some swelling and blistering that will peel off in about seven to fourteen days.

The doctor will provide you with all the information about precautions you will need to take prior to the procedure and directions for care following your peel. For example, after a chemical peel your skin might be, temporarily, more sensitive to the sun and require a “broad spectrum” sunscreen, applied frequently, throughout the day.

With the FDA-approval of the revolutionary drug, BOTOX, in 2002, the cosmetic dermatology industry changed forever. BOTOX softens or eliminates the most common signs of premature aging: wrinkles, lines, furrows between the eyebrows and crow’s feet crinkles, at the corner of your eyes.

From 2012, the stats are in. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 14.6 million procedures were performed in 2012; an increase of 5%. But 6.1 million of those procedures were from BOTOX; an increase of 8%. With an increase of 5% for the derma fillers, 4% for laser hair removal and 2% for chemical peels, a full 13 million of the total 14.6 million were for the minimally invasive treatments.

Breast enlargement (still the most popular of all surgeries, although declining in numbers), facelifts, tummy tucks, nose jobs and other surgical procedures comprised the remaining numbers.

In addition to erasing some of the most prevalent lines and wrinkles, BOTOX is still one of the most affordable, pain-free and with the fewest side effects of all the latest and greatest beauty treatments. And, depending upon the individual, the results may last up to four or five months.

If you live near or are visiting the area, BOTOX in Los Angeles and BOTOX in Beverly Hills remain among the most conveniently located and most customer-oriented BOTOX capitals in the country.

BOTOX Cosmetic is best known for its major contribution to the beauty industry. But, according to its manufacturer, Allergan, the medical uses of the drug, may, eventually, outweigh the cosmetic.

Today, medical BOTOX is used in the treatment of migraine headaches, excessive sweating, incontinence, chewing and swallowing problems, “gummy” smile, some muscle spasms and, most recently, is being studied for relief in teeth-clenching. Allergan currently has over 90 patents either owned or pending.

We have often suggested consulting with your doctor or practitioner before approving or receiving any cosmetic procedure such as Botox or Juvederm for example. Remember, the more you know the more you will be able to participate and prepare for every stage of the procedure.

OK, so what kinds of questions should you bring to the consultation. First and foremost, ask about anything you are unsure of or have questions about regardless of/in addition to the following suggestions:

1. If you have not yet decided exactly which procedure or product you want, this would be the time to get advise and direction from the expert. Talk about your goals or wishes and reveal what features/areas/problems you’d like to address. Be open, be honest. Your professional will do the same.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask about your practitioner’s experience and success rate in your procedure of choice.
3. Ask for realistic expectations about the results. Know what is possible and what is not. Don’t set yourself up for surprise or disappointment.
4. Ask how you may best prepare for the treatment. Are there any supplements, foods or activities you should avoid?
5. Inquire about levels of discomfort, if any, which may occur during the treatment and what precautions may be taken to minimize or eliminate them.
6. Discuss expected side effects, recovery time, if any, and what you might do to hasten the healing.

Today, lip augmentation is fast and, depending upon the product, may last for several months or, even a year. With no real downtime. Some soreness and swelling may occur but is, usually, resolved within a week. And the look is truly lovely.

Along with the ease of the procedure, fillers allow the practitioner great control over the volume of the product used as well as its perfect placement. It may even be done over a series of appointments for a very gradual and natural look. And finally, an added bonus of using fillers is that the little vertical lines, above your upper lip, may disappear as part of the process.

So who might benefit the most from the lip enhancement procedure? Perhaps your upper lip is too thin and tends to disappear when you smile. Or you have a “gummy” smile and would like to expose less of your gum line. The natural aging process, and resulting loss of volume, may have changed the shape of your mouth or caused the corners of your mouth to droop a bit, turning downward. Your lips might be uneven and a bit more fullness might add just the right touch of balance and symmetry.

There are many reasons for enhancing the size and shape of your lips but remember that everyone is different. You and your practitioner should spend time really studying your face, your mouth, your skin and talking about the best look for you. There should never be a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to your unique features and style.

And do keep in mind that lips are a, particularly, delicate area of your face and you should have a very experienced doctor or practitioner performing procedures on it.

Do your homework. Then relax and call Your Laser Skin Care center for a free consultation on creating your shapely new smile.

Here are some of the simplest suggestions to maintain the glow and keep the Holiday Season shining.

First and foremost, make a promise to never again go to sleep with your makeup still on. It’s caking and clogging your pores and making your skin dry, dull and lifeless and prone to break-outs. Just like every inch of your body, your skin needs oxygen to breathe. It needs to be clean to look fresh and clear. To be healthy.

So, buy yourself a fine-quality, gentle cleanser and use it, morning and night. And follow it up with a soothing, hydrating moisturizer to keep your skin soft, smooth and supple. Love the skin you’re in around the clock and it will love you back from year to year.

To really make a change to your beauty regimen, schedule yourself for a new, a follow-up or a different beauty treatment every month. Perhaps a monthly facial, a derma filler touch-up, every 4 – 6 months will not only help to maintain your youthful look but will refresh your spirit, as well.

Combine or alternate any of the above with a quarterly BOTOX treatment to remove that frown, relax that wrinkle or erase those crow’s feet…and, perhaps, five years from your age-defying appearance.

With so many options and so many ways to look younger, more radiant and more vibrant than ever before, why not make this year your time to shine? If you want to learn more about all the possibilities and which ones may be best for you – come in for a consultation and let’s start the New Year right. Taking care of yourself is often the best resolution you can make.