SKIN, STYLE & SURGERY ellen lange

Evolence -- Injectables from a Pig?

The newest Collagen injectable for facial rejuvenation is Evolence.  It is a Johnson & Johnson product and it has really nice results  when injected as a face filler.  J&J claims it can last for 6 to 9 months - we like that!   But, YUK  -- this dermal filler is derived from pig's collagen.

 

Evolence should have less bruising and swelling associated with the injections because collagen has natural hemostatic properties, minimizing bleeding.  Evolence is a thicker product and it can be visible if injected too superficially.  Never under-estimated the skill needed by a physician to inject these products. 

 

I hear  "Evolence Breeze" is next.  This will be a thinner material that will be able to address fine lines and plump lips, which Evolence is not ideal for - can't wait!  

 

see the

Fox TV News Report

 

What ...No More Brazilians in NJ??

Waxing your more personal areas, often referred to as a "Brazilian" could be illegal in NJ.   Now professionally trained cosmotologists are doing thousands of "Brazilians" a year.  Why would the state of NJ make this treatment illegal?

Watch ABC-TV news "Brazilian Wax Ban"

Crisco Got Me Through The Winter

My hands are very dry and sting from just about every moisturizing product put on the market.   It was only recently that I decided to go back to an old remedy --the tub of Crisco.  There is more use for the Crisco in my bathroom, than in my kitchen. 

I learned this secret in the medical community.  Just about any dermatologist will tell you that Crisco is an old secret. Crisco contains partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil, mono-and -diglyceride, all ingredients that are effective skin moisturizers.

At Duke University, Crisco was referred to as Cream C.  It has 2 important uses: moisturizes and locks in moisture.   Use just small amounts at a time. 

I do not use Crisco on my face. I choose much more elegant moisturizers that won't clog pores and penetrates more evenly.

Duke University Cream C

 

Love That Photo Facial

I crave a photo rejuvenation treatment every few months.

This is me, having a treatment with the "ProLite" machine.  Prolite is just type of machine used for photo rejuvenation.  The treatments are very easy and within days my skin looks great.

Done in  a medi-spa, just one treatment can rejuvenate your skin and improve the appearance of sun damaged and aged skin.

Prolite, utilizes florescent light, to efficiently treat many skin problems -- including vascular and pigment problems.   It enhances the overall appearance and texture of the skin.

After the treatment my skin feels tighter and my pores are reduced. Even the color and tone of my skin is better -  I just find I don't need much cosmetic foundation for about a month after my photo rejuvenation treatment.

Photo Facials can be done on the face, neck, chest, and hands. There is no downtime with this treatment.  Combined with the right home care, your skin can be greatly improved.  Once you have one, you will be back for more. Click here to  see actual demonstration .

Scrub Away!

Exfoliating your skin with a scrub is one of the most effective ways to:

• remove dull skin,

• get a healthy glow and

• improve

skin care product penetration.

 

No need to be complicated, just a simple scrub with little beads work wonders, especially in these dry winter months.

I keep a jar of my favorite scrub in the shower and every time I wash my hair (a couple of times a week), I scrub my face.  Scrubbing doesn't sound like very sophisticated skin care, but it is actually one of the best  things you can can do to get glowing skin.

These day dermatologists and scientists have a name for it --mechanical exfoliation.

Look for scrubs that contain micro-fine polyethylene or jojoba beads.  Stay away from irregular shaped ground seeds that are often added to scrubs.  The sharp edges can damage your skin.

When you get out of the shower, apply your favorite moisturizing or treatment cream to your face and see how radiant your skin can be. Even the American Academy of Dermatology recommends this as a treatment.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-21-2005/0003065165&EDATE

Don't let your face go down with the Market!

We are all just watching our money and not spending, but come on we've got to move ahead looking good.  Right now I can live with my jeans from last year and make my haircuts last a bit longer, but I can't live without my regular beauty rituals. 

It is true we are all making sacrifices now, but you should not feel guilty about taking care of yourself.  The worst situation we could face now is that we feel "down" about ourselves. 

Everyone is now doing it at-home!

BUDGET YOUR BEAUTY

I am now looking at a 6 month beauty regime, instead of reacting at the moment.  I am planning ahead for my professional treatments and experimenting with more of the at-home beauty kits. 

In the past few years, there has been an explosion of new beauty products that are available at drug stores -- treatments for you to do in the privacy of your own bathroom, or shall we say  "Personal Spa". 

At-Home Peel Kits-  Use them weekly or in between your professional skin care treatment.  Go to the drug store and purchase an inexpensive facial scrub and mask.  Scrub and immediately follow it up with a mask.  This will definitely enhance the texture of your skin and bring out your natural glow.

Botox-  Keep your regular appointments, but try to stretch them out.  Botox has definitely been know to have a cumulative effect -- see if you can add a few weeks in between your appointments.

Hair Color - Many of the hair color systems are now formulated to match with professional salon color.  Instead of going every 6-8 weeks for color you might be able to go every 10-12 weeks.

Make a night of it -- put on a robe, put on your favorite music, open a bottle of wine and start playing like you were a girl again!

 

Watch Me Demonstrate How to Use Our Peels

I Say "Easy" (And Fun!), I Mean "Easy" (and Fun!)

People are always asking me how our Peel Kit works. It's pretty simple really, and it's fun too.  I could show you pictures and talk all day about how everything works, but I thought it would be more effective (and more fun) to invite you into my bathroom and let you see me and our Peel Kit in action. So I cleared out the house one afternoon and settled in with a videographer and made this video for you.

       

What do you think? When I say "easy," I mean easy! If you've tried my Peel Kit, or if you have questions about it, leave your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. I love knowing your feedback because it keeps me on my toes!

Don't forget your Treat for Halloween

October is such a feel good season for me.

Slipping on your favorite winter sweater, beautifully colored leaves and PUMPKIN PEELS for my treat.

The pumpkin, when used an ingredient in a peel, has so many benefits for your skin.

• Vitamin C & A nourishes your skin
• Salicylic Acidhelps enhance the skin's natural exfoliation process
• Antioxidants helps protect your skin

So if you are going to spend money on costumes and candy for your kids, don't forget to treat yourself.

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9611/01/nfm/pumpkin.mask/index.html

The Chin & Facial Structure

The chin is as important as the nose for an attractive profile.

There is a quick easy solution to a receding chin for men and women. Mentoplasty (as we call it in the industry) is a very simple procedure that allows a plastic surgeon to place a permanent implant in the jaw. This procedure:

• improves facial proportion
• balances a prominent nose
• enhances a neckline
• and rejuvenates the face and neck.

Mentoplasty can be combined with Rhinoplasty and/or liposuction of the neck.

A terrific innovative designed implant, that customizes the result for your face is the Glasgold Wafer (see illustration above).  Designed by Alvin Glasgold, MD, a leading facial plastic surgeon with one of the largest facial implant practices in the country.  http://www.glasgoldgroup.com/facecontour.html

Nail Polish - "IT" color!

Stroke of Midnight by Loreal is my favorite fall/winter nail polish color. I always get asked about the color of my polish.  As a working mother I am not one to wear polish often, but I stick to one color during each season.

 

This is a very dark neutral color with a hint of berry -- glossy DARK nails definitely show you are up-to-date.  Also add:

• a dark sweater with a cozy scar wrapped about your neck
• a great pair of black boots
• and large sunglasses.

With a pair of slacks or jeans you are set for the fall!

Looks like I am running over to Walgreen's today because they are on sale (2 for the price of 1)- can't beat that.

We definitely don't want to talk lipstick today.

http://www.walgreens.com/beauty/product.jsp?CATID=100339&navAction=jump&navCount=0&id=prod3067947