Archive for June, 2009

Latest Recession-Proof Enhancement: The Permanent Makeup Makeover

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Permanent makeup is quickly becoming the procedure of choice for enhancing your looks on a budget.

Permanent makeup artists create the illusion of bold features; for example, by embedding colored pigment into the skin to create perfectly shaped eyebrows, enhancing the eyelids with permanent eyeliner, or creating the illusion of fuller, younger-looking lips by filling them in with a shade of pink or red.

The procedure creates a subtler look than a traditional tattoo and allows many people to enhance the vibrancy of facial features that have diminished over time.

For pure convenience, permanent makeup shortens the daily ritual of applying makeup before work or other social functions.  Patients say they especially love it in the summer months because it is waterproof, so their eyes still look attractive and vibrant after activities like swimming or exercising.

To minimize risks, you should always choose a physician with several years of experience in permanent makeup application. Ask to see photos of other patients who received the same treatment, or talk to former patients if possible.Permanent makeup only requires a topical anesthetic. Healing can take up to two weeks depending on the type of tattoo.  Permanent Makeup is in-demand so call one of our Minnesota offices today to find out more about the permanent makeover.   Also, see our permanent makeup web page for before & after photos!

Posted in Cosmetic Surgery | No Comments »

Skin Speaks Spa for The Summertime!

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Summer in Minnesota is lovely.  It’s when we hit the beach, take the kids to the pool, barbeque with our friends, and enjoy the warm weather. Meanwhile, protecting your skin from the sun and choosing the right treatments can prevent premature aging and keep you healthy and looking your best. If you are heading out for some fun in the sun this summer, here are some skin management tips and rejuvenation methods that can keep you looking hot while you’re out in the hot sun.

If your skin is in need of rejuvenation, a few microdermabrasion treatments each year can make a big difference.  Microdermabrasion removes the top layer of skin to reveal a fresh, healthy layer underneath. It also stimulates collagen production, which improves skin elasticity.  It’s an easy procedure, and it can reduce the appearance fine lines, wrinkles and even some forms of skin damage.  If you use skin products (we recommend medical grade), it can increase penetration, so your daily skin care regimen is more effective.  For many patients, this combination of at-home skin care and microdermabrasion is all it takes to achieve smoother more silky looking skin.

If you exhibit age spots, zap them away with a Fraxel laser or Chemical Peel. Rejuvenate your skin while reducing or removing age spots.

Professional Facials are another great way to remove dead skin cells from the skin surface, and they feel great! If you don’t need an intensive treatment but want to freshen up your look, a facial may be the right treatment choice.

Sunscreen is important any time of year, but especially during these hot summer months. Choosing the right sunscreen for your face – one that addresses your skin type and skin conditions – is not always easy.  Use a sunscreen every day. For days spent mostly indoors, use a foundation with an SPF15 or higher. For outdoors you want at least an SPF45 that is waterproof or water-resistant. The right sunscreen can prevent sun damage, skin problems, and even skin cancer.   Harmful UV rays can damage skin cells deep within the skin surface, making your cells vulnerable to toxins (free-radicals) in the environment. We can help you select the right sunscreen for your skin.

Self conscious about unwanted facial or body hair? Laser hair removal can erase excess hair to keep your skin looking smooth and buff, reducing the need for shaving and waxing.

Let us help you maintain the health of your skin. Come visit us at Skin Speaks Spa to find out which treatment will work best for your skin type; then look forward to looking hot all summer long!

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How Did The New Eyelash-Enhancer Latisse Come to Be?

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

Drugs in the United States often make their way to the market inadvertently, becoming hugely popular for uses that were never intended; such is the case with Allergan’s new offering, Latisse. The hot new eyelash enhancer was born out of a group of popular medications called topical prostaglandins, drugs frequently used to decrease intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

What was first labeled a complication or side effect of using these topical agents was hypertrichosis, a condition characterized by darkening, thickening, and lengthening of the eyelashes.

Allergan offered the topical prostaglandin Lumigan in 2001, a drug that contained the active ingredient bimatoprost. Two important precursors to Latisse occurred after the FDA gave clearance for Lumigan.

Jan Marini Skin Research Inc had over $2 million worth of product seized by the Food and Drug Administration.  The product, Age Intervention Eyelash, evidently contained bimatoprost, which was unapproved for cosmetic use at the time. Allergan later filed a patent infringement suit against Jan Marini and several other companies that had tried to market bimatoprost in their eyelash enhancing drugs.

Some doctors started prescribing Lumigan off-label to enhance eyelashes.  Knowing the desirable side effects it could produce. But Lumigan was not formulated for cosmetic use and many believed more research was needed to confirm the safety of topical prostaglandins for cosmetic use.

Clinical trials and further research is exactly what Alllergan Inc did.  In one early study, 278 healthy adults with minimal to moderate eyelash prominence applied bimatoprost or a placebo to their lash line.  The results were favorable; researchers observed that the average patient’s eyelashes were 25 percent longer, 106 percent fuller, and 18 percent darker, while only 3.6 percent experienced itchy eyes and redness, and only 2.9 percent experienced skin hyperpigmentation.

Latisse received FDA approval late last year for the treatment of inadequate eyelashes. Allergan now owns the patent on use of bimatoprost for eyelash enhancement.

Contact Skin Speaks for more information on Latisse in Minnesota.

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Why Do Patients Like Botox and Wrinkle Fillers?

Monday, June 1st, 2009

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has given us a bit of insight about patients who choose wrinkle treatments. Last March, researchers sent questionnaires to 687 patients who had received Botox and/or dermal filler treatment.

The following statistics illustrate the opinions of the ‘typical’ patient. Who is the ‘typical’ patient?  According to the survey results, she is a married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000.”

Approximately 70 percent of the respondents claimed that Botox and dermal fillers played an important role in their cosmetic routine.

When asked what their motivation was for pursuing Botox treatment, 34 percent said their appearance looked “stressed” or “angry”. Others said that a friend, family member, or their physician had recommended it, or they were preparing for a social event. 66 percent said they received Botox treatment 2-3 times per year. 72 percent of the respondents chose Botox to treat glabellar lines ‚ the vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows.

When asked about their motivation to use hyaluronic acid fillers, the majority (63 percent) of patients reported a desire to remove facial wrinkles and folds – mostly the nasolabial folds that travel from the nose to each side of the mouth.

A full summary of the results is available (in MS Word) here. For more information on wrinkle treatments in Minneapolis, see our homepage.

Posted in Botox, Wrinkle Fillers | No Comments »