If your goal in getting a facial is just to be pampered, chances are good that you’ll find what you’re looking for. there’s really no downside. People who have had facials often report feeling relaxed after the treatment has finished.

For others, a facial is primarily a way to improve the look of their skin. The body’s natural processes can dull facial skin. Your skin constantly sloughs off dead cells. These cells can clog pores and give the skin an aged look. Daily exposure to the sun and other elements also take a toll on the skin [source: Angier].

Facials are believed by many to fix these common skin problems. Exfoliation, with astringents, masks or peels, can reach deep into the skin’s upper layer to strip away dead skin cells and reveal newer cells underneath. Treatments such as oxygen facials are said to help boost growth of new skin cells and soften the skin to eliminate lines, at least temporarily. Other procedures included in facials use electric microcurrents to stimulate facial muscles and — again, temporarily — give the skin a firmer, tighter look [source: Saint Louis].

Of course, a facial isn’t a magic cure, and you have to be willing to take proper care of yourself to look and feel healthy. Even the world’s greatest facial won’t do much good if you chow down each day on greasy foods and consider channel surfing the ultimate in daily exercise. Still, many people who get facials find benefits. Skin often looks and feels better after a treatment, even if the improvement is temporary.

In addition to the potential benefits, a facial, like most other treatments, isn’t without risks. For example, you might have an allergic reaction to some of the products being used or find that they increase breakouts on your skin. There’s also the chance that an accident will occur, such as getting burned by a dripping steamer or getting sick from equipment that wasn’t properly sanitized. You might not be able to avoid all risks, but doing your research and speaking with the spa or salon staff beforehand is always a good idea.

You now know what a facial is, and you know what to expect. So how much will the whole thing set you back? That’s up next.

Read More Here  http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/beauty/skin-treatments/facials3.htm

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The SHAW Center for Aesthetic Enhancement in Scottsdale, Arizona, was pleased to be visited recently by Bristol Palin and her younger sister, Willow. The SHAW Center was included as part of a recent episode of Bristol’s television show, “Bristol Palin: Life’s a Tripp.” This lively, enthusiastic pair was referred by a friend of Bristol’s; each young woman had a session of CoolSculpting™. The entire episode can be seen here:
It was a memorable day. We found a way to squeeze a camera crew and equipment into our treatment rooms, and enjoyed gauging their different reactions to the procedure. This is a great way for the public to get an idea of what CoolSculpting™ involves. During the episode they raised the question, “What happens to the treated cells?”
The body starts to eliminate them over time by the natural metabolic process. When cooled just above the freezing point, fat turns from liquid to solid (much like butter) and over the next few weeks after the treatment, that cooled fat will start the apoptosis process (controlled cell elimination), which leads to a release of inflammatory mediators. Within the next months, these inflammatory cells gradually digest the fat cells. The lipids resulting from those cells are then metabolized like any other food fat – they are transported by the lymphatic system and then processed out of the body. As this happens, the circumference shrinks around the treated body areas (sometimes up to one centimeter with a single treatment). Of course, a more thorough explanation can be read on our website: http://www.coolsculptingscottsdale.com.
It takes several months to see the best results from the CoolSculpting™ process. We look forward to hearing from both Bristol and Willow about their results.


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The VeinWave treatment is a new way to treat spider veins without pain or downtime.

Spider Veins can be embarrassing and sometimes even painful issue that occurs when the blood flow between larger and smaller veins is disrupted, causing a build up of blood in the smaller veins. They are a common issue, affecting men and women of all age groups. Though they usually are not serious, many want to hide away their legs from the world because of embarrassment from their spider veins.

VeinWave(TM) is a product new to the US. It is FDA approved, and known to be safe and virtually pain free. A very small needle is injected just below the skin, right near the spider vein and sends heat energy via an ultrasonic pulse, causing the blood cells inside to coagulate and disappear almost immediately.

Dr. Alexander Rivkin, a cosmetic surgeon in Los Angeles, stopped by the set of The Doctors recently to discuss the Veinwave procedure. “It’s so precise, that spider vein is shut down. It goes away permanently and instantly so you can see it go, and there’s not a lot of collateral damage, so you don’t get the swelling, you don’t get the bruising, you don’t even get the pain. We don’t have to use numbing cream for this.”

Some patients may experience some slight redness at the treatment site which typically only lasts for a couple of days. There are little scars where the veins used to be, but those should clear up within about two weeks. One treatment is all that’s needed, however, though the treated veins won’t return, new veins may still pop up, so more visits may be necessary to clear those up.
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Every year, millions of patients visit the dermatologist office complaining of skin problems including fine lines and wrinkles, persistent red complexion, sun spots, acne scars, large pores and other blemishes. Various treatments, including microdermabrasion, chemical peels and laser resurfacing have been used to improve these conditions. Intense pulsed light is a new, non-ablative technique to treat the above described conditions and is also called photorejuvenation.

How does IPL (Fotofacial) work?

The IPL hand piece delivers high intensity pulses of broadband light that is different from the narrow band light of lasers. IPL, which stands for intensed pulsed light, is non-ablative meaning that is does not damage the surface of the skin. The intense light is delivered to the deeper parts of the skin (dermis) and leaves the superficial aspect of the skin (epidermis) untouched. There are different versions of IPL available on the market that target different structures in the skin. The PhotoDerm VL targets vascular lesions such as spider veins and vascular birthmarks. The PhotoDerm PL targets pigmented lesions such as melasma and age spots. The PhotoDerm HR and Epilight target hair. The thermal effect of IPL also causes production of new collagen, leading to improvement in wrinkles.

What are IPL’s advantages?

As discussed above, IPL does not damage the skin surface, unlike dermabrasion and laser resurfacing. Therefore, there is virtually no recovery time.” Treatments take approximately 30-45 minutes. Patients can apply makeup before leaving the office and return to work the same day. There is also minimal pain with IPL, unlike laser or radiofrequency resurfacing which both require topical anesthetic. Also, with IPL, a larger area can be treated at one time than with laser treatment.

What are IPL’s disadvantages?

Given that there is little damage to the skin surface, several treatments may be required to see the desired effect. For best results, approximately 4-6 treatments, spaced 3 weeks apart, are needed. Side effects can include transient redness and increased or decreased pigment in the treated area. Minimizing sun exposure can reduce these side effects.
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Say Hello to CoolSculpting®

SAY GOODBYE TO STUBBORN FAT.

It’s called stubborn fat for a reason: no matter how much you eat healthy and exercise, it’s virtually impossible to lose those annoying muffin tops, love handles, and belly pooch. You’re left with two options: live with them or think surgery. Neither is cool by us. That’s exactly why we developed CoolSculpting. Only CoolSculpting targets fat cells alone, eliminating them in an easy, non-intrusive fashion that exercise and diet can’t achieve as quickly or as effectively.

THE COOL SOLUTION IS THE MORE NATURAL SOLUTION.

Procedures that use laser, sonic waves and even surgery to remove fat can actually destroy other tissue in the process by burning, shattering or extracting non-fat cells. This requires downtime for your body to heal. Totally uncool. Fortunately, CoolSculpting doesn’t burn, shatter or extract any cells. Developed by Harvard scientists, our unique, FDA-cleared, patented procedure uses a targeted cooling process that kills the fat cells underneath the skin, literally freezing them to the point of elimination. Only fat cells are frozen. Your healthy skin cells remain, well, healthy. No knives. No suction hoses. No needles. No scars. Once crystallized, the fat cells die and are naturally eliminated from your body. In a few months, boom: say hello to a new you.

MINIMAL DOWNTIME AND LASTING RESULTS

Unlike a lot of other procedures, CoolSculpting takes very little time and is pretty simple to fit into your daily life. After your CoolSculpting treatment you can typically get right back to your busy day. Each treatment lasts one hour – the same time you might spend at the gym. So you can easily fit your appointment into a lunch break.
After one visit, you’ll typically see a noticeable reduction of fat. It takes a few months to fully realize the effects, mainly because it takes that long for your body to naturally dispose of the fat cells. And yes, you can lose even more with additional appointments if you and your doctor deem it necessary.
So after a few months, your clothes will fit better and you will look better. What’s more, there are no pills or supplements. And as long as you maintain your normal diet and exercise, your long-term results should remain stable. Hello, you again. How cool is that?
Read more here: http://www.coolsculpting.com/how-it-works
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Whether it’s due to aging or genetics, the double chin is a cosmetic concern that plagues many. “Patients usually dislike their side profile or feel they are too full from the front,” says Dr. Lawrence Shaw, founder and principal at The SHAW Center in Scottsdale. “The concern is usually about fullness with or without sagging or laxity.”
double chin woman
Of course, as with any cosmetic issue, weighing one’s options is key. “Someone who is a board certified plastic surgeon or well trained in facial plastic surgery is best apt to diagnose the problem and suggest the best solution,” Dr. Shaw says.
When it comes to transforming one’s chins (plural) to a singular chin, there are a number of cosmetic procedures in a plastic surgeon’s arsenal. Here, Dr. Shaw explains the procedures and practices that are most effective in the battle against the neck bulge.1. Liposuction
Touted for its sliming and reshaping capabilities, liposuction has proved an effective option for persistent fat pockets in the neck—known to most as the dreaded double chin. “In liposuction, we are just going after the fat that causes fullness under the chin,” Dr. Shaw says. Simple liposuction to the submental area (below the chin) is done through a very small incision and fat is removed from the submental and submandibular (lower jaw) regions creating a more defined jawline.2. Laser Lipolysis (SmartLipo)
Different than traditional liposuction, SmartLipo (or Laser Lipolysis) does not involve suctioning of fat, but rather a laser to melt fat. Dr. Shaw utilizes an upgraded SmartLipo MPX device that has two laser wavelengths, one for melting fat and the other for tightening the skin. “Smart Lipo actually has the ability to tighten the skin by heating the dermis from the underside and causing contraction,” Dr. Shaw says. A large perk of Smart Lipo is minimal scarring as the entire procedure is completed through a one-millimeter incision. SmartLipo is often combined with liposuction to enhance the result. Pictured below is an actual patient of The Shaw Center, who underwent only a single SmartLipo procedure.before and after 1
3. Ulthera (Ultrasound)
An in-office option for patients who exhibit mild laxity of the skin is ultrasound therapy. One form of ultrasound therapy is Ulthera, a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure that tightens and enhances collagen build up over a two to three month time period. Though not a replacement for surgery, these types of transdermal therapies can prove beneficial for very mild cases.4. ReFirme
Another non-invasive option for those seeing to firm up the neck region is ReFirme. Based on the concept that heat causes contractions and, in turn, tightening, ReFirme uses radio frequency and light energy to heat dermal tissue in specific treatment areas. The virtually painless procedure can help to achieve a more youthful and lifted jaw line. The SHAW Center often combines ReFirme with Photofacial (Intense Pulse Light) and a light Laser Peel, in a single treatment, for impressive results.5. Surgical Options
“In those with moderate to severe laxity of the neck, cosmetic facial surgery may be indicated to get the tight, toned jaw lines exemplary of youth,” Dr. Shaw says. Sometimes a poor neckline is due to separated platysma muscles, which create those bands running down from your chin. There is often fat beneath these muscles as well. A Platysmaplasty procedure involves the direct excision of this fat and sewing the muscles together like a corset with redistribution of the neck skin.
A Complete Facelift can be performed when laxity of the neck is combined with facial laxity as well. “By doing a complete facelift, I am able to lift the skin and muscles of the face and neck at the same time,” explains Dr. Shaw.6. Chin Augmentation
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, chin augmentations grew by 71 percent from 2010 to 2011, making them the fastest-growing procedure in cosmetic surgery. Through the use of chin implants, or prosthesis, plastic surgeons can create the contour and definition that come with a sharper jaw line. “[Chin implants] come in different shapes and sizes,” Dr. Shaw says. “I use an extended anatomical implant that actually wraps around the mandible (jaw) that enhances the contour of the neck and the profile.” Chin augmentations can be used in concert with other surgical neck procedures.7. Fat-Dissolving Injectables
Fat-dissolving injectables could prove to be another method for reducing volume under the chin. Currently in development is ATX-101, an injectable that is being specifically tested for the dissolution of pockets of submental (under the chin) fat. “[The medical research industry] is not there yet, but hopefully there will be something in the near future that we can inject to reduce the fat in this area,” Dr. Shaw says.
 To Learn More
The Shaw Center
480.767.1900www.TheShawCenter.com
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7 Ways to Diminish the Double Chin
Written by Nichole Brophy




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