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Your “first” is always special, right? Whether it’s first love, first dance, first puppy, first day of school, first job or any first in a lifetime of new experiences. Everything that follows may be wonderful, but there’s only one that can be first.

And that phenomenon holds true in the world of cosmetic dermatology and the eternal search for that Fountain of Youth. We’ve talked about many fabulous changes and advances – modern miracles, actually – in the non-invasive treatments, procedures and products of this “Golden Age of Beauty.” And they are miraculous.

But in the hype and ballyhoo of the latest and greatest discoveries, let’s never forget the product that was FIRST. The product that lead the way for all the others to follow and flooded the waiting rooms with women – and men! –eager to enjoy the first promise of restored youth. BOTOX delivered on the promise.

Whether you have enjoyed many of the age-defying treatments of the day or this is your first introduction to the possibilities, BOTOX is the perfect beginning.

Convenient; no recovery time (do it over your lunch break and return to work!); mild, if any, side effects; virtually, pain-free; fast results; very affordable and stunning success for the first requirement – eliminating wrinkles!

And, by the way, while best known for removing frown lines, crow’s feet and other lines and wrinkles, don’t forget that BOTOX also has some wonderful “up-lifting”capabilities.

Strategically placed, by a skilled practitioner, a mini brow-lift may also be achieved. By subtly lifting your brow, a hooded eyelid also is opened, restoring a more wide-eyed, youthful appearance.

If you’ve been thinking about removing a few years from your appearance and adding a new fresh, vibrant and natural radiance – don’t delay. There’s never a better time than now for your first sip at the Fountain of Youth!

If one product performs two functions, both well, that goes into the “yes” column, twice; once for benefits, once for savings.

VIVITÉ® Daily Firming Lotion is a top-of-the-line, high quality skin care product and a double-action performer in the complete VIVITÉ® beauty regimen.

First, as its name implies, our Daily Firming Lotion tightens and tones your skin. Your pores are diminished, your skin appears polished and smoother. Applied in the morning, it helps prepare your skin for makeup; a fresher, clearer canvas.

But that’s only one advantage of our VIVITÉ® Daily Firming Lotion. Formulated with a unique 15% glycolic acid compound, one of the most effective Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids on the market, lines and wrinkles are reduced while your skin is generously moisturized and hydrated.

Applied at night, VIVITÉ® Daily Firming Lotion continues to work as the glycolic acid permeates below the surface level of the skin to boost your body’s own production of collagen. You awake to firmer, more supple skin. A more dewy, youthful appearance.

There are nine complementary products in the VIVITÉ® line. Applied individually, you will enjoy the benefits of each targeted formulation. But used together, in a carefully designed program of total anti-aging skin care, your results will not only be noticeable, they will be dramatic.

From day cream and eye cream to a nighttime renewal cream, from cleansers to toners, exfoliators and moisturizers to a lip plumper that wows them in L.A. – nothing feels better than renewing and repairing every telltale sign of pre-mature aging. And feeling fabulous.

Similar to the “discovery” of BOTOX, as a treatment for wrinkle reduction (originally used in the treatment of“crossed eyes”), Latisse (under the name, Bimatoprost) was originally used as a prescription treatment for glaucoma. But, once again, amazing side effects were soon discovered – incredible growth of eye lashes.

In fact, the statistics that were found, during the clinical trials for glaucoma, were rather amazing: in just 16 weeks, 78% of the participants had longer eyelashes; 106% had fuller lashes and 18% found their lashes, darker.

So, in 2008, the FDA approved Latisse for the purpose of darkening and lengthening the eye lashes. And, while it is not yet approved for additional purposes, it may not be long until very robust research also supports the use of Latisse for the eyebrows AND for balding, as well!

Once a day, morning or evening, apply one drop of Latisse to the base of your upper eyelids. Be careful not to use too much product and do wipe away any excess that touches your skin (you might experience a bit of darkening of the lid from contact with the Latisse). And do not apply to your lower lashes.

While a small brush is supplied with the product, you might want to use a very fine eyeliner brush, if you are more comfortable with your own beauty tools.

Some people see noticeable results within just 8 weeks but do be patient for the full growth and thickening between 12 – 16 weeks.

BOTOX is the Grand-daddy in the evolution of modern cosmetic dermatology. Hailed as the instant miracle-maker in the non-invasive treatment of wrinkles, BOTOX prepared and led the way for the facial fillers and other wonders that followed. And they are wonderful. Ask the millions of women – and men! – who use them. Frequently.

But while we delight in the magical disappearing acts of wrinkles and grooves, skin that sags here and hollows there and all the other premature signs of aging, we must also do our part.

Ours is the more mundane, but no less important, part. It won’t receive immediate applause or curtain calls. BUT – with time, with diligence and dedication, you will marvel at your smooth, fresh skin that glows with youthful vitality. For this is a whole new generation of skin care products, available for your daily use.

Like the BOTOX and Restylane, Perlane and full line of fillers, these products are high- tech, top-of-the-line and clinically-proven to restore your healthy, vibrant, younger-looking skin. Products like VIVITÉ® are specially-formulated to both rejuvenate damaged skin and protect it from further environmental and lifestyle stress.

But these are not your mother’s “face creams.” The unique VIVITÉ® line of products contain glycolic acid compound, one of the most beneficial Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids (AHA’s) used in today’s quality skin care programs. Glycolic acid is a miracle discovery, within itself.

Able to penetrate to the cellular layer of the skin, glycolic acid stimulates the growth of the body’s own collagen and elastin fibers, lost in the aging process. This is what keeps the skin firm and supple and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Over time.

So with a glycolic compound concentration of up to 20% (compared to the usual over-the-counter 3 – 10%) and an extra infusion of an antioxidant to remove the damaging free radicals, a twice daily “date” with VIVITÉ® will, surely, put the beauty into the regimen! And the best part? It’s all up to you.

Come back soon and learn more about these unique products!

Try as we may, we simply are not able to see ourselves as we really are. At least, not after the age of 30. We latch on to one thing, that may or may not be there, and miss the other thing that is crying out for attention.

But whether we are able to pin-point the “something’s different” and know, with certainty, just what it is, we usually do know that something has changed. And it bothers us. It may take a while before it bothers us enough, but it doesn’t go away. Until we make it go.

And when the time comes to “look like ourselves again” it’s important to remember that it’s not our own mind’s eye that sees what needs to be done, it’s in the eye of a top-notch professional.

You may go for the wrinkle-removing magic of BOTOX L.A. when it’s really the facial filler of Beverly Hills Restylane that’s required. You might make an appointment for Laser Skin Tightening when it’s Intense Pulsing Light that will provide the right skin rejuvenation.

Today’s anti-aging treatments and non-invasive procedures are life-changing. On any birthday, at any age. Recognizing what needs correcting and the subtle procedure to achieve it is the gift awaiting in the office of an experienced cosmetic dermatologist.

In 2002, BOTOX shined a beacon of light on a brand new era of miracle, anti-aging products and procedures.  Out of the darkness of costly and painful surgical facelifts and less expensive, but ineffective, creams and lotions and potions promising youth and vitality for your aging skin, here was the real deal. Verifiable, indisputable and non-invasive results for diminishing or erasing lines and wrinkles, lifting brows and so much more.

And, of course, the fabulous facial fillers like Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Radiesse and others, basked in the following sunlight.

But oh, that sunlight, the double-edged sword. There is a litany of skin damage and signs of aging that are also linked to the sun. Age spots, premature wrinkles and hyperpigmentation also come under the sun’s ultraviolet spotlight.

Enter IPL or Intense Pulsed Light Photofacial treatments. Designed to treat the above sun damage, IPL targets so much more: blemishes, broken or “spider” veins, rosacea, acne scars, redness, broken capillaries, premature wrinkles, enlarged pores and other skin conditions as your doctor might advise.

While the face is the most popular area of treatment, any area with frequent sun exposure, i.e., your neck, chest, arms and hands are also ideal areas for IPL rejuvenation. The treatment, itself, is simple and is usually completed in 15 – 20 minutes. In most cases, there is minimal discomfort and numbing or freezing agents are not even applied.

A very intense pulsating laser light penetrates deeply below the surface of the skin and is calibrated to target very specific pigments in the skin. Red, discolored or darker pigments absorb the light in much greater amounts while normal skin is not affected. And the process also helps in the natural production of new collagen which results in firmer, smoother, more supple and youthful-looking skin. Modern miracles, indeed.

Depending upon the type and severity of the skin condition, several IPL procedures may be necessary, for total correction. But with no down time, short treatment duration and practically no side effects, Intense Pulse Light Photofacial treatments are light years ahead of the competition!

Do you want to hear something absolutely amazing about “aging?” It only happens to other people! Now how did we get so lucky? Easy. We see ourselves every single day.

But what if you didn’t look into the mirror for three or four years? Then you take a peek. Quick! – what do you see? A slightly startled face staring back at you, wondering.“When did that frown line grow so deep? My lips look so much thinner and I never even noticed the hollows in my cheeks. What happened to my face? Why do I look so…different?”

Gravity happened. Dry skin happened. The sun happened. Loss of volume happened. Age happened. Fortunately, it happens over time. Slowly, but relentlessly. So slowly, in fact, that not only do we never see it coming, we never see it even when it arrives. Until…

Until someone snaps a picture when we aren’t looking. Or we catch an un-posed glimpse in a mirror.

Do you want to hear something else absolutely amazing about “aging?”

To some, they’re called the facial fillers; to others, the Fountain of Youth. But no matter what you call them, they’re the reason that “70 is the new 40” and no one, in their 60’s, looks a day over 30. Or needs to.

Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and Radiesses…the new “Fab Four!” While Restylane was the first ground-breaking filler to receive FDA approval, in 2003 the family of products that followed, each added a nuance of difference and a more customized treatment for you.

Perlane, launched in the U.S. in 2007, is very similar to its sister, Restylane, as both products are created with hyaluronic acid, a natural substance already found in the body. No testing, no worries, no adverse allergic reaction.

So what’s the difference? Perlane is formulated with a larger or thicker “molecule” than Restylane and is better suited to diminishing deeper folds and wrinkles and for adding lift and volume to larger areas of the face. Lower cheek hollows or chin augmentation are perfectly suited for Perlane. But this is where the skill and experience of your practitioner comes in. Which filler for what desired effect is part of the artistry. Search for it. Use it. Love it.

And the love keeps coming. Perlane is known to last up to 8 months or so, if the right volume is injected or a touch-up session takes place within a month of the first treatment. It dissolves gradually and can be replenished just as naturally.

And the best part? Smoother, clearer and more supple skin. Your youthful radiance is restored. And that’s the most amazing part of the aging process. Reversing it…in an instant.