TAKE BACK THE RIGHT TO BARE ARMS WITH MIRADRY
One of the hottest beauty treatment categories on the scene is the taming of overactive sweat glands. This trend began with A-listers getting Botoxed under their arms to avoid staining their couturier gowns on the Red Carpet. miraDry offers a variation on that theme with an innovative microwave technology that destroys your sweat glands in just two sessions.
So why do we sweat? It isn’t just some evil plan devised to ruin a silk blouse (or stain a wifebeater). When you get hot and sweaty, the moisture evaporates and cools you down. Emotions can affect the sweat glands too, which accounts for why you sweat up a storm when you get nervous, anxious, or flustered. When sweat makes contact with bacteria on your skin, it can produce an odor, which is where deodorant comes in handy. Antiperspirant stops sweating, while deodorant stops odor, but most of us need a combination of both and even that doesn’t always get the job done.
miraDry is a non-invasive solution to the common problem of excessive sweating, called hyperhidrosis. Here’s how it works. First, your underarms will be numbed with local anesthesia before the procedure because that is a sensitive area for most people. Your doctor can customize the procedure for your personal pit to locate the offending sweat glands to be knocked out. The miraDry system heats up the deep layers of the skin where sweat glands live. While the deep layers are being heated, the system protects and cools the top layers of the skin to prevent damage. As the sweat glands are heated up, they get destroyed. Because sweat glands don’t grow back once they’re obliterated, results can be long lasting and even permanent. In case you were wondering if you might need those sweat glands in the future, no worries – your body has about 3 million of them.
According to Dermatologist Michael Kaminer, M.D. of Skincare Physicians of Chestnut Hill, MA, “We are now offering miraDry to our patients, and the response has been impressive. Patients are drawn to the idea of eliminating troublesome underarm sweat…permanently. They are finding the procedure to be easier than expected, and early results have been extremely promising. I definitely expect the demand to increase even more as summer approaches.”
Two procedures are typically recommended spaced about three months apart for best results and duration, and the treatment takes about an about an hour for both underarms. There can be some minor swelling, soreness or redness after the procedure, and the area may feel numb for a short time. Most people have no real downtime and can go back to their normal routine right after the procedure, and go back to the gym in a few days. Localized soreness or swelling is normal, and typically clears within a few weeks. In some cases, an additional treatment may be needed. A series of two treatments costs from $3,000 – $4,500 – but just think of what you’ll save on your dry cleaning bills.
“In a clinical study, the average sweat reduction with miraDry was 86%. As with any medical procedure, results will vary by individual. Patients typically experience patchy and lighter hair growth in the treatment area after a miraDry procedure,” said Dermatologist Gregory Nikolaidis, M.D. of Westlake Dermatology in Austin, TX. For now at least, miraDry is only used under the arms, and not for sweaty hands and feet or other unmentionable areas, but we can expect to see more applications for this technology in the future.
So as the hot days of summer draw near, and the thought of temperatures rising causes extreme anxiety about your pits, don’t sweat it, microwave it with miraDry.
To find a miraDry doctor near you, visit miraDry.com
SLOUGHING STUFF – NATURA BISSE GLYCO EXTREME PEEL
If you are in the mood to spoil yourself silly, stop by a Natura Bisse counter and try some of their signature celebrity coveted formulations. One of the all time must-have’s of this luxe international spa range from Barcelona is the skin-glowing Glycoline. With a high concentration of glycolic acid and natural alpha hydroxy acids, this uber popular range will turnover dead cells to reveal a smoother, softer, healthier skin tone and texture. No wonder it’s on so many A-list celebs ‘can’t live without’ lists – like Nicolette Sheridan, Oprah, Madonna, Beyonce, Faith Hill, and more beauties.
Say goodbye to blackheads, grime and debris with weekly use, and it can be used for oily skin and mature skin, as well as any skin type. You will know it is working because you may feel a little tingling. The heavenly clear gel formula spreads nicely all over your face, neck and chest and a little goes a long way. For a department store brand, all the products in the Natura Bisse Glycoline contain high levels of actives so your skin will not just feel good, it will look good and for longer too.
For newbie peel-ees, Natura Bisse has the classic Glyco Peeling ($140) that gently exfoliates. But if you’re a hardcore exfoliator, the Glyco Extreme Peel ($245) is the way to go. The whole home peel process takes less than half an hour from start to finish. After cleansing your face, massage 14 pumps of the Glycopeel on your face, neck, décolleté, even hands and arms. Leave on for about 15 minutes and gently wash away with a sponge or soft wash cloth dipped in warm water. You will feel the difference in your skin instantly, and with regular treatments, it just keeps getting better.
You can find the whole Natura Bisse collection at a Neiman Marcus near you, Bergdorf Goodman, Harrod’s, and at some of the world’s most luxurious spas including the Wilshire and Agua Spa at the Sanderson. naturabisse.com
Photo Credit: annickgoutal.com
STARRY, STARRY NIGHT – NUIT ETOILEE BY ANNICK GOUTAL
For me, fragrance has to be French. Annick Goutal is one of my all time favorite houses of scent. Ever since I visited her shop on rue de Castiglione on the Right Bank, I was intoxicated by Gardenia Passion at first whiff.
Since 1980, Annick Goutal has been making the world smell a little sweeter, one spritz at a time. Their latest addition, Nuit Etoilee, is no exception. It's fresh woodsy aroma evokes an evening stroll through the Tuilleries or a night under the dark sky of the French countryside. The strikingly intense blue bottles symbolize the romance of the night sky. There are two variations - the classic Annick Goutal atomizer for women complete with a little blue bow and their signature cream and gold tag, plus the tailored looking masculine scent. The square bottle of the men's fragrance vaguely reminds me of No. 4711.
After Annick's untimely death at age 53 in 1999, her daughter Camille has carried on her legacy along with fellow perfumer Isabelle Doyen. Together they continue Annick’s vision creating a series of unique scents including Mandragore, Songes, Un Matin d’Orage and Ninfeo mio. Through their work, Annick Goutal’s world and beliefs of emotion, creativity, authenticity and excellence live on. In the U.S., the success story continues, as the brand often ranks as the #1 fragrance collection in specialty stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. They have also expanded to include luscious candles and home fragrances and a facial and body care collection.
Nuit Etoilee will be available in May exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue - and the collection sells for $51 - $72.
FINAL VERDICT: RDW (Run Don't Walk)
BY WAY OF: SAMPLED
Would you buy it again? YES
Would you recommend it to a friend? YES
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