GET YOUR CHEEKBONES BACK WITH VOLUMA
On May 2, the members of the FDA’s General and Plastic Surgery Devices Panel gave their nod to Allergan’s Juvéderm® Voluma® XC for the correction of age-related volume loss in the midface. Although Voluma still has to get through the FDA clearance phase, a recommendation from its advisory panel is a good sign. Voluma is well positioned to be the first NEW wrinkle filler to be launched in the US market in 2013, although it is already approved in 65 countries, including Canada.
So what’s new about Voluma? The name says it all. Voluma is intended to add volume to creases, deep folds, and areas in need of enhancement, such as cheeks and chins. It is used in Canada and Europe to restore facial volume that diminishes with age, for example, in the cheekbones. Having seen Voluma injected in the UK and France, the results are very impressive. If you have already had Juvederm, Voluma is like Juvederm on steroids. It is injected with a cannula or needle, and while Juvederm is great for lines, wrinkles, and lip contouring, Voluma is more robust. It is more commonly used to plump up regions of the face, in a similar way to fat grafting.
“The next generation of HA fillers is the latest development from Allergan with new technology and improved characteristics. This includes Voluma, a product that has been already approved and widely acclaimed in Europe, South America, and Canada. The main advantages of Voluma include its use in larger quantity facial volume restoration ,similar to the uses of autologous fat, while enjoying the ability to mold and sculpt with greater precision,” says Steven Fagien, MD, an oculoplastic surgeon in Boca Raton, FL.
Like Juvederm, Voluma contains 0.3% lidocaine to ease the sting of the injections. You may get some redness, swelling, or bruising after treatment. but ice compresses help. Makeup can be worn right away. Results can be subtle and natural, or dramatic because the injector can turn it up or down depending on what look you are going for. The major advantages of Voluma are that a little goes a long way, and it lasts well, up to 18 months.
According to Lisa Donofrio, MD, a dermatologist in New York City, “We have all been anxiously awaiting the FDA approval of Juvederm Voluma. Those of us that have been volumizing with fat for years feel that this will be the closest approximation of the dramatic results we can achieve with fat transfer. I have patients on a waiting list to be called first!”
BRONZILLAS – 6 BEST BRONZERS OF THE SEASON
‘Tis the season tanaholics long for—the time to show off their bronze goddess supremacy. Snooki and JWoww are not alone when it comes to the abuse of bronzers, self tanners, and spray tans. But orange streaks and sparkly cheeks are not a forgone conclusion for gals in search of some safe summer color without nuking their skin.
There are some tricks to knowing how and also how much bronzer to apply without crossing the fab to fake line. Choose a shade that is not too dark for you—about one shade deeper than your natural skin tone—and go lightly. Avoid coming to a complete stop at your jawline and leaving a visible line of demarcation. Apply bronzer where you would naturally tan (forehead, bridge of the nose, cheekbones, chest) and blend evenly, including the neck and decollete. P.S. Watch your hairline too.
Here are the BITB team’s 6 BEST bronzers for this season – from luxe to less than you thought:
Photo Credit: sephora.com
Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons Tailor-Made Bronzing Powder ($75) – Available in two palettes intended for brunettes or blondes, this bronzing powder quad has it all. Use the lighter tones for highlighting cheekbones and the deeper tones to contour.
Photo Credit: neimanmarcus.com
Tom Ford Beauty Limited Edition Illuminating Cheek Blush ($58) – A perfect pearly stick of luminosity that adds a lovely soft afterglow; try Guilt for a subtle look and lighter skin types, or go bolder with Bronzed Amber. It’s like an upscale variation on the classic Nars Multiples.
Photo Credit: lauramercier.com
Laura Mercier Baked Blush Bronze Compact ($36) – Pink pearly bits are mixed into this baked powder that adds a touch of sheen wherever you want it and goes on evenly.
Photo Credit: sephora.com
Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning ($35 at clarins.com) – A light, creamy whipped formula that goes on smoothly and suits fair blondes to brunettes with a natural looking sunkissed glow. Less is more with this one.
Photo Credit: clinique.com
Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator ($25) – We love this sheer liquid gold that comes in three great shades—Natural, Bronze and Blush—and is perfect for fair skin tones and anyone who wants a fresh hint of brightness.
Photo Credit: lorealparisusa.com
L’Oreal Sublime Bronze™ Luminous Bronzer ($11) – This fast drying lotion with self-tanner and vitamin E gives your complexion an instant boost that lasts.
NOTE: None of these contain sun protection, so make sure you use an SPF30 daily.
Photo Credit: helloalle.com
THE PEEL MEISTERS
“Honey, I had a little something done and it’s not as bad as yesterday, but… I’ve looked better” – those famous words from Samantha Jones in SATC explaining a peel treatment are forever engrained in our minds. That scene gave peels a bad rap for awhile, but now they seem to be having a rebirth.
Chemical peels are really just a form of mild to deep exfoliation, a minimally-invasive and essential component of facial rejuvenation. Peels are beneficial for all skin types, even sensitive skin, and can help many conditions from acne to melasma. They are also not only reserved for your face; peels can be done on any area, including hands, chest, and legs.
“Peels correct and reduce conditions of weakened skin such as damaged skin surface, pigmentation, uneven texture, lines and wrinkles. Not only will peels reverse these conditions, but they will increase the overall health of the skin,” says Beverly Hills Dermatologist Zein Obagi.
For starters, a peel is not a peel is not a peel. Peels come in all forms and sizes, and the more sun damage, discoloration or scars your skin has, the deeper the peel or the more peels you may need. Peels help remove damaged outer layers allowing a fresh, new layer of skin cells to naturally emerge. This results in stimulating a renewal process that reverses damage and makes skin look, feel, and even act younger.
Chemical peels have dual cosmetic and medical benefits. Cosmetically, skin renewal by peeling improves pore size, mild pigmentation, texture and fine lines. Medically, a peel can improve acne and actinic keratoses. “I recommend peels to those who want a more rapid improvement than a topical product could provide, but who don’t have time for laser treatments,” says Bonnie Marting ARNP at Anushka Spa, West Palm Beach, FL.
Chemical peels offer various benefits depending on skin type and desired result. Light peeling agents such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)—glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids—beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and salicylic acid are milder acids that induce a faster sloughing of the cells in the epidermis. Deeper peels are achieved with tricholoroacetic acid (TCA) and stimulate renewal in the dermis. The epidermis heals in a few days giving the skin an renewed appearance, a more even color, smoother texture, and a healthier glow.
- Decrease fine lines, especially under the eyes and mouth
- Improve mild scarring and some types of acne
- Reduce discoloration, such as sun spots, age spots, freckles and blotchiness, melasma and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Help topical products to penetrate better by removing the top layer of dead cells
In addition to professional peels, skin peeling can be achieved by using retinoids—a class of compounds derived from vitamin A. At-home peels have also become a mainstay in bathrooms everywhere. The concept of sloughing dead cells in the privacy of your own home appeals to many, and the choices are expansive.
The new ZO Invisapeel™ Intensive Resurfacing Peel ($70) from ZO Medical is formulated for both facial and non-facial skin such as hands, arms, and legs—any place that can use some smoothing, firming, and brightening. “This peel is suitable for a wide range of skin types and ages. It addresses a broad spectrum of skin concerns ranging from acne and sun damage to flaky skin and roughness,” says Dr. Obagi. Invisapeel™ targets the accelerated repair of problems like acne, discoloration, flaky skin, and roughness with a specialized enzyme blend. The enzymes papain and bromelain, plus glycolic acid, enhance and accelerate repair while diglycerin restores moisture to prevent irritation. Usage is simple: apply after cleansing and leave Invisapeel™ on for one to three hours.
Another good one to try is the Neostrata Skin Active Perfecting Peel, which comes as a two-step kit that is simple to use. Just open the foil packet and apply, leave on for ten minutes, then open the second foil packet to neutralize the peel and you’re done. It is formulated with a 20% blend of alpha hydroxy acids, glycolic acid, and citric acid. With regular weekly use, the Perfecting Peel has been clinically proven to improve skin clarity and brightness and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Ole Henriksen Lemon Strip Flash Peel ($48) is a lovely little jar of lactic, glycolic, and fruit acids, which exfoliate, and algae extract to calm skin down. It comes with its own brush to apply; leave on for 10 minutes or so, and wipe away. The fresh lemony scent is a nice touch.
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