Jodi and Diane are opening the "Beauty and the Beat" event this Thursday at the Gables West Ave. If you are a resident, you're invited to come learn how to choose an aesthetics provider at 6 pm, then get your Latin groove on at 7 pm with a Zumba class taught by a former Dallas Cowboy cheerleader.        

View the evite here. 

Many of you have asked for recommendations on skincare products to help maintain and enhance your aesthetics treatments. After researching numerous skincare offerings on the market, we’ve decided to start carrying the Obagi Medical Skincare line.

Obagi Medical is the #1 prescription strength, physician dispensed skincare system in the U.S. From complete skincare regimens to adult acne treatments, and Retin-A & eye wrinkle creams to rosacea treatments and Vitamin C topicals, simply put – this stuff works.  Dr. Cain can dispense the Obagi NuDerm System, Obagi Medical’s ELASTIderm Eye, Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. System, Obagi Medical’s Tretinoin cream, Rosaclear by Obagi Medical, and Obagi-C RX.

Check out the Obagi Medical page on our website and call the office if you have any questions.

In this recent article from American Health and Beauty, the editors examine what is marketed as "healthy" menu choices.       

Read the healthy fast food article and tell us what you think.

     

In order to make sure we are offering the quality of services and customer experience you want, we're conducting a brief, 5-minute online survey.  Would you please click the link below and tell us what you think?  Results remain confidential.  Thanks in advance for your input.   

Innovative Aesthetics' Customer Experience Survey

Want long, lush lashes for the holiday season?  Then start LATISSE now.  It takes approximately 16 weeks on LATISSE for your lashes to reach their longest and fullest.  Stop by soon to pick up your free prescription! 

 

Innovative Aesthetics has been nominated in Click 2 Houston's "Best of Houston" online contest.  We're in the running for best Day Spa.  Please vote for us and share this with your friends!  We want to win!

Vote here!

To help introduce the new Juvederm XC formulated with lidocaine for added comfort, Innovative Aesthetics in Houston is offering a $50 rebate off your first injection.  Rebate good for one time use only.  Offer expires July 31, 2010.

 

Allergan's My Expressions of Kindness program is celebrating your acts of kindness.  Just fill out an online profile and tell them about your charitable contributions.  Once you are done, Allergan will donate $25 to one of three charities on your behalf - Dress for Success, Children's Action Network, or Make it Right. 

Whether bald by choice or bald by genetics, many men are choosing to channel their inner Bruce Willis and daring to go bare. It’s easy to see why. Bald heads are in. Vin Diesel. Howie Mandel. Chris Daughtry. Patrick Stewart. Andre Agassi. Taye Diggs. Some of the hottest actors, musicians, and athletes sport smooth and shiny bald heads.

From razors to moisturizer and sunscreen to conditioner, keeping a bald head shiny and clean requires maintenance. While it’s no secret that a bald head can be sexy, a dull, dry looking scalp can quickly take a man from “hot” to “not.”

Without hair to protect their scalp, bald men often suffer from the affects of sun damage - uneven skin tone, hyper-pigmentation, freckles, large hair follicles, and pre-cancerous sun spots. In the search for a solution to keep their bald head gleaming, smooth and blemish-free, men have several options:

1.  Chemical Peels – Chemical peels are a quick and easy way to exfoliate the dull, damaged outer layers of the skin. Light peels such as Alpha Hydroxy Acid (Glycolic), Lactic Acid or Salicylic Acid work well for those with minimal sun damage and who don’t have time to recover from deeper peels. A Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) chemical peel is considered a medium peel with more dramatic results, but they also require a longer recovery time. Vi Peels are a great solution for darker skin tones.

2. SmartXide DOT Laser - The SmartXide DOT laser reaches deep into the upper layer of the dermis on the scalp to stimulate collagen growth. Within 48-hours new, fresh skin starts to emerge resulting in an immediate tightening of the skin on the scalp, elimination of sun spots and freckles, and a more even coloring. Over the next six months, as collagen continues to grow, even more improvements in tone, texture, and clarity will continue to emerge.

3. Obagi Nu-Derm System – As the #1 prescription-strength, physician-dispensed skin care system, the Nu-Derm System can actually transform skin at the cellular level. The Nu-Derm System penetrates below the surface of the skin to transform skin cell functions at the cellular level and correct the damage within. By addressing the signs of photodamage and restoring the healthy function of skin cells, this system is clinically proven to result in younger- and healthier-looking scalp.

4. Obagi Nu-Derm Blender - A topical prescription treatment that contains 4% hydroquinone to target hyperpigmented (discolored) areas of the skin. It can be used alone or in conjunction with the Obagi Nu-Derm System.

A man’s hair, or lack of it, says a lot about him. Choosing to embrace a life without hair requires confidence, and most women find a confident man extremely sexy. It’s all about the attitude. Be bald AND bold!

After two long years of hard work, training, and hands-on clinical experience, I'm proud to announce that I have completed an Aesthetics Medicine Fellowship.  I trained with Dr. Sharon McQuillon of the Ageless Aesthetic Institute. The Fellowship Certification in Aesthetic Medicine is a program from the American Academy of Anti‐Aging Medicine.

Medical aesthetics is one of the fastest growing medical specialties in the U.S., yet there are not many aesthetics certification programs readily available.  Unlike some general fellowship programs, the Fellowship Certification in Aesthetic Medicine is only issued to physicians (MD, DO, MBBS). Additionally this program is the only ACCME accredited aesthetic training program in the United States to offer AMA/PR Level 4 certification.

The Fellowship was a six‐part series consisting lectures, hands‐on clinical training, case study submissions covering aesthetic procedures I personally had performed, and a written exam. This fellowship focused on:

• Lasers and Light Based Devices in Aesthetic Medicine
• BOTOX Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin A) Injections
• Facial Fillers for Aesthetic Enhancement
• Removal of Unwanted Veins with Sclerotherapy
• Chemical Peels for Skin Rejuvenation
• Body Contouring Techniques such as SmartLipo and VASER LipoSelection

Becoming a Fellow in Aesthetic Medicine is a significant professional landmark. It tells my patients that I am experienced, qualified, and well-trained in all of the cosmetic and aesthetic procedures offered at Innovative Aesthetics. 

 

Kalil Medical Products, the manufacturer of our newest chemical peel, the Vi Peel, is hosting a Facebook contest.  Just visit the Vi Peel Facebook page and post your Vi Peel story, pictures and everything and you will be entered to win a goodie basket of Vi Derm essentials.

You are doing your best to eat healthy and exercise, so having one soda isn't going to sabotage you is it?  Well, yes it just might.  This article from American Health and Beauty examines five foods that can wreck your diet. 

According to WBAL-TV in Baltimore, doctors have seen some success in using BOTOX for muscle spasticity associated with a stroke.  Read the whole story here. 

As a rule, fair-skinned and light-haired patients are ideal candidates for chemical peels; however that leaves out a large section of the population. African-Americans, Asians, and Latinos face many of the same skin challenges as their fairer-skinned friends – uneven skin tone, hyper-pigmentation, acne, acne scarring, large pores, dull texture, etc. I’ve had many patients ask me what products and procedures they can use safely – and truthfully I didn’t have a great solution for them – until now. I was recently introduced to the Vi Peel and I’ve been very pleased with its results.

The Vi Peel is a combination of retinol, phenol, vitamin C, and salicylic acid that can be used on all skin types and is safe and effective for use on darker skin tones including Asian, African-American, and Latino without causing uneven pigmentation. Vi Peel is a chemical solution that is applied to the skin that is left on for five hours and then washed off at home. As the Vi Peel works, it causes the top layer of skin to slough or peel off, revealing the new, fresh, less wrinkled skin underneath.

The Vi Peel is virtually painless and requires no skin preconditioning. Most patients see results within a few days. Skin peeling is light and can go from 3 – 7 days, but it can be covered with moisturizer and makeup so you won’t be housebound during the healing process.

The Vi Peel reverse sun damage and the signs of aging, improves skin tone and texture, clears acne and reduces acne scarring, softens fine lines and wrinkles, gets rid of age spots, freckles, and rosacea, shrinks large pores, and treats hyper-pigmentation, including melasma. Bottom line is that it makes your skin look luminous!

How frequently you undergo a Vi Peel depends on how much damage there is to correct. For extremely damaged skin, the VI Peel can initially be done every two weeks repeatedly until you reach your desired results. However for most patients, one initial peel followed by regular peels three to four times a year is enough to repair sun damage.

For a limited time, we are offing a Vi Peel pricing special. Call and book your appointment prior to May 31, 2010 and you can try the Vi Peel for $100 (regular price $150!)

It was so much fun we're doing it again!  Dr. Cain and the Innovative Aesthetics team will be at the next Sip-n-Shop event brought to you by GlamShop Girls. On Wednesday, May 12th from 5-8 pm, join us at the aLoft Hotel to sign up for $10 a unit BOTOX injections and the new ViPeel for only $100 (normally $150!)

We'll help you sign up for the Brilliant Distinctions Loyalty Program so that you can start racking up cash rebates when you come in for your BOTOX appointment.

Last, but not least, we'll be giving away a free tube of Liquid Smile (a $60 value!)

Hope to see you there!

Register for your free admission to the Sip-n-Shop event here. 

Congratulations to Lynn Plumber who entered our contest to win a free Liquid Smile Professional Tooth Whitening Pen at the Sip-n-Shop event held April 14th!  She's now on her way to brighter, whiter teeth in the comfort of her own home.  Want to try Liquid Smile too?  You can learn more on our Liquid Smile page or call us at 713-468-8759. 

 

The future face of 40: Botox, fillers and high-tech face creams all mean the Big Four-0 doesn't look like it used to.  This article from the UK's Daily Mail explores why and how.

Everyone is always looking for a deal - well one just landed in our inbox!  One of Dr. Cain's favorite skincare lines, SkinMedica, is having a sale. Now through Tuesday, save an additional $5 off the award-winning TNS Recovery Complex and TNS Essential Serum from SkinMedica. Use code TNS5 in your shopping cart for a total savings up to 35%!

Also through Tuesday orders of $400 or more save an additional 10% with code XTEN. This code is good for every item on the site - a good opportunity to save big on more expensive items like Baby Quasar and NuFace. 
 

We have exciting news to share!  Innovative Aesthetics has partnered with MedChoice Financial to offer new, flexible cosmetic and aesthetic procedure financing.  Starting now, you can pay for any of the aesthetics procedures offered by Innovative Aesthetics with convenient monthly payments from MedChoice.  When you apply for MedChoice financing, you will receive a decision within 24-hours.  Plus they offer no interest payment plans, no downpayment options depending on credit history, and competitive interest rates.

With MedChoice Financial's flexible payment plans, you can look and feel your best without worrying about the cost.  Visit our Financing Options page to learn more and call the office whenever you are ready to apply.

The FDA today scolded six U.S. spas and one Brazilian company for making false and misleading claims about fat-melting injections known as mesotherapy, lipodissolve, lipozap, lipotherapy, or injection lipolysis.  As always we encourage our patients do to their research prior to undergoing any type of cosmetic or aesthetic procedure.  Often, if it sounds too good to be true, it is.  Read the WebMd article here.

Innovative Aesthetics will be at the next Sip-n-Shop event brought to you by GlamShop Girls. On Wednesday, April 14th from 5-8 pm, Dr. Cain and the Innovative Aesthetics crew will be at the Hotel Derek booking appointments for $10 a unit BOTOX injections. Plus you can sign up on the spot for the Brilliant Distinctions Loyalty Program and claim your $50 rebate. Last, but not least, we'll be giving away a free tube of Liquid Smile (a $60 value!) Hope to see you there!

Here's a link to the invitation.

Join Allergan's Brilliant Distinctions Loyalty Program and you will receive a $50 rebate off your next BOTOX treatment.  Here's how it works.  Visit the BOTOX website and register.  Print off the rebate form and take it with you to see Dr. Cain for your BOTOX treatment before 5/31/10.  Dr. Cain will sign the rebate form and then you send it in with a copy of your receipt.  Within 4-5 weeks you should receive your $50 coupon good towards your next BOTOX treatment.  It's that simple!

Cynosure, the manufacturer of the SmartLipo technology, recently launched a new website dedicated to answering patient questions, explaining the technology, before and after photos and additional medical information.   Visit the SmartLipo website to learn more today.

Allergan, the manufacturer of LATISSE, is offering a $20 Rebate if you join their Lash Perks program. Sign up through this link and start growing long, lush lashes today!  

VASER, Thermage and SmartLipo make readers choice list of top 5 minimally invasive body contouring techniques from American Health & Beauty.   Read the article here. 

Innovative Aesthetics is now offering Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Chemical Peels. TCA Chemical Peels are one of the most popular and reliable treatments available for eliminating skin imperfections and revealing fresher, more rejuvenated looking skin. A TCA chemical peel improves collagen and elastin in the skin to promote smoothness and vitality, improve color and tone, and reduce or eliminate fine lines, acne scars, and age spots. It is also highly effective in removing tattoos, warts, calluses, skin tags, and other skin irritations.

A TCA chemical peel is a safe and effective way to achieve a more youthful and radiant appearance, and can be customized for most skin types and tones, including those with olive and light brown skin. Depending on your skin type and the severity of your skin conditions, Dr. Cain can carefully control and monitor the degree and depth of TCA penetration within the skin to provide the greatest results and maximum safety.

TCA Chemical Peels penetrate deeper and are more effective in removing superficial skin than peels such as alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), glycolic acid, and other light peels typically performed in a salon or spa. By reaching deeper into the skin, the results are much more dramatic and can last up to two years.

To learn more about a TCA Chemical Peel, contact the office at 713-468-8759 today.

Many patients have been asking me how to treat unsightly spider veins. It seems to be a top-of-mind concern for women who come into my office. Well you asked – so we've answered.

Starting in March, we are now offering Sclerotherapy – a safe, effective treatment to help diminish small to medium varicose veins, spider veins, hemorrhoids, other vascular abnormalities and other similar conditions. Heredity, childbirth, weight and pressure, age and stress can all contribute to these types of blemishes on your body. Unfortunately, spider veins aren't always a sign of aging since the onset of spider veins can show up while you are still in your 20s. No matter your age, or how toned and smooth skin your skin is, unsightly veins can still cause embarrassment.

During a sclerotherapy treatment, a sterile solution is injected directly into the vein, which creates a mild inflammatory response causing the vein to contract and become smaller or even vanish.

Spider veins, abnormal or bulging veins and other similar conditions can be treated on the legs, feet, hands, arms, breast, face, and most other areas.

Pain and discomfort from this procedure are usually minimal. You may experience mild swelling and stiffness, which passes within a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.

Call the office at 713-468-8759 today to schedule your Sclerotherapy consultation.

 

Want to look thinner without hitting the gym?  Try these tips from Charla Krupp, author of the book "Never Look Fat Again."   Read the article/photo essay in Time Magazine. 

Download this coupon and take it with you to the pharmacy when you fill or refill your next prescription of LATISSE and save $5. 

 

Dysport is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows.

To introduce this new frown line treatment, Medicis Aesthetics, the manufacturer of Dysport, is offering a $75 rebate off your first Dysport treatment. Then if you love it, receive a second Dysport treatment and receive an additional $75 rebate.

But even if you don’t like Dysport and choose to use another botulinum toxin type A product, Medicis Aesthetics will still rebate $75 of that treatment's cost!

Details:

1. The Dysport Challenge runs March 1 – April 30, 2010
2. Within 14-days of your first Dysport treatment, you must sign up for the Dysport Challenge at www.dysportusa.com , download your Dsyport rebate coupon form and mail the rebate form and itemized receipt. You will receive your $75 rebate whether or not you have a second treatment.
3. Within 15 – 30 days of your Dysport treatment, return to www.dysportusa.com to decide if you Love It or Leave It and download the corresponding rebate form.
4. You must wait at least three months between your first and second treatments.
5. Within 14-days of your second treatment, mail the rebate form and itemized receipt.

To schedule your free consultation, contact us by phone at 713-468-8759 or register online.

Did you know that exercising in the morning is better for your health, beauty, and diet? Recent studies have shown that those who exercise in the morning on a regular basis have better health and beauty benefits than those who exercise at different times of the day.  Why?  Because morning exercisers are more likely to stick to their exercise routine.

Exercising in the morning, like a good protein-rich breakfast, will sustain you throughout the day. I love the fact that working out in the morning actually brings you MORE energy to tackle whatever life may throw at you during the rest of your day. Morning exercise benefits not just your energy level, but your mental sharpness too.  Several research studies have shown that exercise increases mental sharpness for anywhere from 4 to 10 hours post exercise. 

Waiting until later in the day gives you more time to make excuses and abandon your workout plans. If you are tired after a long day of work or taking care of your family, it's just so much easier to blow off exercising altogether. Going out to dinner is always going to be more enticing than working out. 

According to WebMD - One study of overweight women between the ages of 50 to 75 showed that those who engaged in consistent morning exercise (about four hours a week) slept better than those who exercised less. The evening exercisers had more trouble falling asleep - even if they fit in the four hours a week.

Sleep deprivation increases the hormones that control appetite, so getting a good night's rest can help keep an even hormonal balance -- and make it easier to stick to a healthy diet. Morning exercise helps you sleep better – which equals a healthier life, and more beautiful skin. More sleep means a better temperament, a more rested body, and overall better appearance.

Do it for health, do it for better emotional stability, or do it for beauty – but do it! Exercising in the morning is ALL beneficial, and there are no drawbacks. Even if you are not a “morning person” - once you get going, you’ll gain the energy to finish.

A new study introduced at the annual meeting of the Society for Personal and Social Psychology last week discovered that BOTOX injections can have a positive result on your overall emotional outlook. The research is part of a burgeoning field called "embodied cognition," which posits that all our cognitive processes are rooted in, and reflected in, the body.  Read the entire NEWSWEEK article here.

We are VERY proud to announce that Innovative Aesthetics made the Houston Business Journal's list of Largest Area Day Spas for the first time!  Thank you to all of our clients who have helped us grow over the last year. 

Get your lips ready for Valentine's Day. Schedule your Juvederm treatment before February 14, 2010 and receive a certificate for a free VIVITE defining lip plumper (a $45 value) from Allergan.

Call us at 713-468-8759 to schedule your appointment today. Openings are filling fast!

*Offer must be postmarked by 2/14/10, so don't miss out.

 

Arnica Montana, also known as Leopard's Bane, is a perennial herb indigenous to Central Europe.  When taken two weeks prior to any cosmetic procedure (BOTOX, Dysport, injectable fillers such as Radiesse or Juvederm, or liposuction methods such as SmartLipo and VASER) arnica montana can markedly reduce bruising and swelling.  Arnica montana is most commonly available in pellet form.  Additionally, topical application of the arnica montana gel, cream, or ointment will speed the healing of any visible bruising should it occur.

I am extremely excited about Dysport, a new product similar to BOTOX Cosmetic we are offering at Innovative Aesthetics. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the New Year than to introduce this new product to our clients. The biggest advantage? Dysport works faster than BOTOX, so if you need a really quick fix, Dysport is your answer.

Dysport, used to treat forehead wrinkles and frown lines, has been referred to as BOTOX’s twin or first cousin. Like BOTOX, Dysport is an injectable form of botulinum toxin Type A. Small amounts of Dysport are injected into the wrinkle-causing muscles, paralyzing them.

According to research, the biggest difference between Dysport and BOTOX is that Dysport may act quicker. BOTOX takes three to five days to fully be effective, while Dysport seems to work within one to two days. In some cases, wrinkles begin to fade as soon as 24 hours after receiving a Dysport treatment. Side effects are similar to those with BOTOX. At your consultation, we will discuss these with you.

To help introduce Dysport to our clients, we are offering a pricing special. Through the end of the month, we are offering Dysport at $11 a unit, making it less expensive than BOTOX. Call our offices at 713-468-8759 to schedule your appointment.

 

According to an article in today's Daily Mail, Almost one in five cosmetic surgery patients in the UK are men.  We've seen a rise in male patients as well here in Houston, Texas.  Dubbed "boytox" by the media, this growing trend is catching on as more men decide that there is no stigma in undergoing BOTOX and other medical aesthetics and cosmetic treatments.

Read the whole article here.

It's January, and I bet each of you has included "I will exercise more" in your list of resolutions.  As a physician, I think that's great.  A regular exercise routine offers a host of benefits - to your heart, your brain, your muscles, and of course to your waist line.  However, exercising with the sole purpose of spot reducing (eliminating a belly, getting rid of under arm waddle) is a myth.  You simply can’t exercise away a fat pocket.  When you exercise, you tone muscle which makes the problem area appear to look better; but overall body fat must be reduced to lose fat in any particular area.  Even if you commit to 100 sit ups a day, you are only toning the muscles underneath your fat pocket.  Only when your body burns the stored fat can the muscles you are toning underneath shine in all their glory. 

The best fat loss programs include the combination of healthy diet, weight training, and cardiovascular exercise. And of course for those completely resistant fat pockets that just refuse to go away even after you’ve lost the extra weight, there is always SmartLipo or Vaser LipoSelection.  Or for those who want a non-invasive method, Thermage can tighten the skin in your problem areas too.

Here’s to a happy and healthy New Year!

Sending you and your family warm wishes for peaceful holiday season. May the blessings of Christmas bring you love, peace, and hope.  Thank you for the continued support you have shown over the past year.  It brings us great pleasure to wish you and your family good health, happiness, and prosperity throughout the coming New Year. 

Today's article in Time Magazine highlights the proposed "Botox tax" being floated by Senate majority leader Harry Reid as part of President Obama's health care reform package. This tax would apply to elective, but not reconstructive plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures, in the hopes of raising enough money to pay for other features of the plan.  As both an aesthetics practitioner and a taxpayer, I do not agree with this proposal and do not want to be forced to increase the cost of the services we provide to you.  If you too do not agree with this proposal, I urge you to visit  www.stopcosmetictax.org and sign the petition and register your support. 

If you are considering undergoing any type of cosmetic and/or aesthetic procedure, I encourage you to schedule your appointment soon.  Undergoing your procedure before the health care reform package is finalized is the only way to guarantee that you will not be hit by the tax.

Innovative Aesthetics will be closed Thursday and Friday, December 24 – 25 so that our staff can celebrate Christmas with their families.  However, we will be open on New Year’s Eve until 3 pm for your last minute Juvederm injections.  Our offices will be closed on Friday, January 1.

Get your mouth ready for that juicy holiday kiss! Your skin is not the only body part that falls prey to dryness during the winter months. Lips don’t have oil glands, so that means they dry out even faster than your skin does. Take care of your lips this winter with these tips from The American Academy of Dermatology:

 

1. Try not to lick your lips. They will chap even more easily due to the cycle of wetting and drying. Instead, moisturize them with petroleum jelly or lip balm.
2. Protect your lips when you go outside by wrapping a thick scarf around the lower part of your face.
3. Use a humidifier to boost the moisture in your home.
4. Use lip balm with sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher. Exposure to UV rays make chapped lips even worse, and white snow acts as a giant reflector.

 

Looking to plump your lips? Try Juvederm for fuller lips and to fill the lines around your mouth. Don’t forget your teeth, either! Keep them beautiful by getting brighter, whiter teeth in the convenience of your own home! Liquid Smile® Professional Tooth Whitening Pen whitens up to five shades in just two weeks.

With the American male accounting for 1.1 million total cosmetic procedures in 2008*, men seem to be changing their attitude about aesthetic services. Wanting to appear youthful and healthy well into their 50’s and 60’s has led men to re-think grooming and beauty procedures that were formally just the domain of women.

In the last year I have seen a rise in the number of male patients at Innovative Aesthetics. Whether it’s a result of prompting from their wife or significant other, or the fact that aesthetic procedures are safer and more widespread today, men are deciding to undergo medical aesthetics solutions at a rate higher than I’ve ever seen. And when celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay makes the news for getting BOTOX injections, you know we have reached a tipping point.

The majority of men who come to see me are looking for fat removal and wrinkle reduction. They undergo SmartLipo or VASER Liposelection to sculpt their pecs and get rid of any belly paunch. They ask for BOTOX and Juvederm to reduce and fill wrinkles. Or they remove age spots and sun damage with the SmartXide DOT Laser.

I am even seeing young men in teens, 20s and 30s in my practice. The younger male audience is most interested in the Tanda Professional Light Therapy system - a hand-held, take-home acne treatment. More serious cases of acne can also be treated with the SmartXide DOT Therapy resurfacing laser. Last but not least, we also see men who are looking for hair removal solutions, which we treat with the Silk’n hair removal laser.

Men who have medical aesthetics procedures are just as happy as women with the results. However, it’s not something that just comes up in normal male conversation. Men are reluctant to talk about their grooming habits. They will talk about their exercise regimen at the gym, but that's about the extent of it. So if there’s a man in your life who is interested in learning more about medical aesthetics, encourage him to schedule his free consultation today.

*American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Wrinkles, age spots – that “leathery” look on your hands – sound familiar? You spend all this time and effort maintaining your face, only to have your hands give your true age away. Hands take a beating—we use them as tools all day, every day, and don’t take care of them like we should. Because our hands are the workhorses of our body and are subjected to a lot of wear and tear, they require special care.

According to research, by age 30, skin cell production decreases 10 percent, making your skin unable to repair itself as it has in the past. Because the skin is thin on top of the hands, it can show age sooner than many other parts of your body.

Here are some ways you can pamper your hands to help them look as young as possible:

Everyday washing and cleaning - Washing your hands and using harsh cleaning products without gloves can do a number on your hands. Choose hand soaps that contain moisturizers that leave your hands feeling soft, not tight or dry. And don’t wash your hands with hot water, which can be drying. Use gloves when you clean.

Leathery texture - You have the sun to thank for the leathery texture on your skin. Leathery skin on your hands can be treated with home remedies such as applying a cooked oatmeal + honey mixture or an olive oil + sugar scrub. Massage into the backs of your hands once a week.

Smoothing rough skin – Use intense creams such as Aquaphor and Eucerin each night before bed can help return moisture to your hands.

Everyday protection – Use a hand cream with at least SPF 25 to guard against further lines, spots and to prevent skin cancer.

Reversing damage on your hands – You can turn back the hands of time by seeking more intense treatment with Thermage. The deep heating technology of Thermage allows skin to repair itself naturally, and creates natural looking results that get better with time. Thermage actually tightens and thickens the crepe-like skin and fades age spots that develop on the hands. Only one treatment is usually necessary to regain the smoother skin of younger years.

To treat sun damage, such as sun spots and age spots, on the hands, I suggest the SmartXide DOT Laser. The SmartXide DOT Laser is a next generation Carbon Dioxide (CO2) laser reaches deep into your skinto stimulate collagen growth, immediately tightens your skin, removes uneven pigmentation and sun spots, evens out coloring, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Lastly, a dermal filler such as Juvederm can be used to replace fat loss that occurs as a normal part of aging. Juvederm adds volume to the tops of your hands, reducing the appearance of prominent veins.

Don’t overlook your hands – they require extra-special care to look and feel young and soft. Call our offices today for a consultation to see if we can help turn back your hands of time.

Cottage cheese, orange peel, hail damage – it’s a condition so despised that no one wants to call it by name. Cellulite, the dimpled, lumpy fat deposits often found on a woman’s thighs and backside strikes up to 90% of women – and it’s becoming more prevalent worldwide, even in countries where obesity is not a problem.

The medical community has yet to determine the exact cause of cellulite, but new research points to the notion that environmental toxins contribute to this condition. Fat cells are the primary storage sites for all types of toxins – and most of those storage cells are located in the bottom and thigh area. The fat is stored in honeycomb-like structures – drops of fat cells trapped by vertical strands of collagen that run beneath the skin. Over time, the strands criss-cross, stiffen, contract, and squeeze the fat droplets, like squeezing peanut butter in your hand. Cellulite happens when fat bulges out between the fibers.

Other factors that contribute to the formation of cellulite are medications, ethnicity (it is more common in Caucasians than in African-Americans or Asians), heredity, diet, posture, depression, exercise, tight clothing, and smoking.

When my patients ask me what they can do to get rid of cellulite, as a physician, my first suggestion is always to have a healthy lifestyle: eat a balanced, healthy diet and exercise as much as possible. Unfortunately, while diet and exercise can help you lose weight, nine times out of 10, you will still see the dimples after weight reduction. Once you get them, they stick around. A size 0 Hollywood starlet can just as easily have cellulite as a size 12 mother from Houston Everyone has fat cells, which means everyone has the potential to fall victim to cellulite. And the “hail damage” look isn’t the only problem.

Cellulite can be associated with life-altering symptoms: pain, cramps, heaviness, restless legs, cold feet, dry skin and skin discoloration. This is probably due to the localized inflammation, ischemia, and scarring.

The honest truth is that there is no silver bullet for curing cellulite. Studies have shown that oral and topical medication, mesotherapy, electrostimulation, radiofrequency, lymphatic massage, infrared exposure, detoxification, and Smartlipo™ and VASER Liposelection can all be effective at minimizing cellulite’s appearance. In my practice, I have personally achieved success with Smartlipo and VASER LipoSelection.

Smartlipo and VASER LipoSelection remove the fat cells and break up the fibrous cages. Both techniques tighten the skin, which improves the overall appearance. Smartlipo and VASER LipoSelection take one to four hours, depending on how much fat removal is desired and how many areas are involved. You can normally resume most routine activities in 24 hours.

If the only dimples you want to see are on your cheeks, come visit with me. Together we can design a treatment plan to regain your smooth, healthy skin.

Allergan and actress Vanessa Williams have teamed up to raise awareness and funds for Dress for Success.

Dress for Success is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has helped more than 500,000 women work towards self-sufficiency.

Allergan will donate $2 each for the first 25,000 people to visit http://www.expresssuccesscampaign.com/ and register. Visit the site to learn more.

Need another reason to consider having VASER or Smartlipo done? Researchers have discovered that liposuction leftovers can be converted into stem cells. Check out the full story at SmartPlanet.com.

One minute you are wearing low-cut dresses and shirts with confidence. Next thing you know you’re camouflaging your chest with turtleneck sweaters and layers of necklaces. Around the age of 40 is normally when a woman’s décolletage begins to show her age. Signs of aging include skin sagging and thinning or “crepe-like” appearance. Blonds and redheads seem to be the hardest hit.

The biggest cause of a damaged décolletage is the sun. Most everyone remembers to use sunscreen on their face, but what about your chest? As our skin ages, freckles, sun spots, age spots, uneven pigmentation, broken blood vessels, and moles become more prominent. Your may develop Poikiloderma of Civatte on your décolletage and neck, which is a chronic, non-cancerous skin condition where the follicles look raised and resemble a plucked chicken skin. The result is often a high contrast between the fresh, protected skin on your face and spotty, damaged skin on your décolletage.

There are a range of treatment options to return your décolletage to the smooth and beautiful skin you remember from your youth. In my practice, I have seen the best results with the SmartXide DOT Laser and Thermage. Both are non-invasive and allow you to return to normal activities immediately. The treatments can take from 15 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the area to be treated. Best of all – with both – one treatment is all you need to tighten and smooth the skin on your chest.

• Thermage works best if you have crepe-like or sagging skin. Thermage emits a radiofrequency pulse that safely heats the under layer of skin, tightening your décolletage’s collagen in all three layers. Improvements in tone and texture will continue and become even more noticeable for 4 - 6 months following treatment as new collagen grows. Thermage can be used on all skin types and colors.
• SmartXide DOT Laser is best for eliminating fine lines/wrinkles and sun spots, as well as for improving acne scars. Instead of removing the entire surface of the skin, the SmartXide DOT Laser removes thousands of microscopic dots, leaving the skin around the perforations intact. This technique allows the epidermis to heal from the edge of these tiny holes very rapidly, significantly improving overall complexion and speeding healing time to 48 hours.

If the wrinkling is minor and contained to the cleavage area a dermal filler such as Juvederm can be used to fill in the lines and folds between, and just above, your breasts.

Taking your skin care routine down a notch (as in below your chin) can help as well. Make sure to cleanse and moisturize your neck and chest as often as you do your face. Always apply sunscreen to any area of your skin that will be exposed to the sun.

Even if you get plenty of sleep, and haven’t had a drink in years, you can still have dark circles under your eyes. And while it’s true that fatigue makes your skin dull, the biggest contributing factors to dark under-eye circles are genetics and heredity.

As you age, your face loses fat and your skin starts to sag. And because the skin under your eyes is extremely thin to start with, when you lose fat under your eyes, it can make dilated blood vessels appear more obvious. What you see as dark rings under your eyes are sometimes just shadows or hollows that are a normal part of aging.

Other contributing factors to dark under eye circles are:

• Allergies and nasal congestion – Causes blood to pool in the vessels under the skin of your eyes
• Sun exposure – Prompts your body to produce more melanin
• Birth control pills – Dilates blood vessels
• Alcohol – Dehydrates and thins the skin
• Heredity - The frustrating truth is that some people are just born with excess pigmentation in the skin.

To treat dark under-eye circles, look for topical products that contain alphahydroxy acids and plumping agents, which can thicken the skin. Topical products that contain vitamins C and K can inflame skin and add volume in the short-term as well. But if you’ve tried the cold compresses, expensive cosmetics, and over-the-counter creams to no avail, it may be time for a more permanent solution.

Juvederm can be used to fill in the dark hollows between your cheek and eyelid, eliminating dark circles for up to one year. Juvederm is a smooth-consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps add volume and hydration. Injections take approximately 15 minutes and the results are instant.

If you’re ready to vanquish your under-eye circles for good, save the cucumbers for your salad and contact Innovative Aesthetics Houston today for your free consultation.

Since Victorian times, a shapely ankle has been a mark of beauty. And this summer’s gladiator sandal and cropped leggings trend is focusing a lot of attention on the ankle. But unfortunately for those who are predisposed to have thick ankles (or “cankles”), this season’s hot trend is difficult to pull off.

Cankles can be caused by obesity, lack of exercise, fluid retention, venous disease, or tendonitis; but for some people there’s no medical reason. You may simply have a genetic predisposition.

If you are a healthy body weight, in good physical condition, and have eliminated any potential medical condition listed above, the next step could be to use liposuction to shape your lower legs.

Both Smartlipo and VASER Liposelection are effective ways to rid the body of cankles. With Smartlipo and VASER, I use laser light technology to remove fat deposits and shape and sculpt your entire lower leg. Done in an outpatient setting, this twilight surgery (done under local, not general anesthesia) can be completed in 2 – 3 hours. You will need to stay off your feet for at least 24 hours, but you should be able to be back at work by day two or three. Results are immediate, with continual improvement over six months.

In my last blog, we discussed beneficial ingredients to look for when purchasing skincare products. Now, let’s talk about ingredients you should avoid. You might be surprised at what common ingredients have potentially dangerous effects on your body.

Skip the artificial colors. Moisturizers with artificial colors are dangerous, especially because they are applied to a large area of the skin, and they are left on the skin for long periods of time. Not only have some colors proven to be carcinogenic, but some contribute to skin cancer.

Fragrance is the number one ingredient that causes allergic reactions! If that alone isn’t enough to convince you to avoid it, consider the fact that phthalates, or chemical plasticizers used in cosmetics as a solvent, have been shown to cause birth defects, reproductive impairments, and liver damage in lab animals. Instead, look for products that are scented with essential oils, or ones that are labeled "fragrance-free.”

Preservatives and glycols are linked to various health issues. Paraben preservatives, including methyl-, butyl-, ethyl-, and propyl-, often cause skin irritation, and it may even be linked to breast cancer. Derived from hydrocarbons, glycols are often used as humectants or solvents in moisturizers. Some glycols have been known to affect the reproductive system or cause birth defects, and excessive use can result in kidney damage and liver abnormalities.

To become a decisive and smart skincare shopper, print out the list of ingredients below and take it with you when you shop for skincare products. And of course, you can always consult me or any member of the Innovative Aesthetics staff if you have any questions.

INGREDIENTS TO AVOID:

ARTIFICIAL COLORS (found in many moisturizers and creams)
FD&C Blue
FD&C Green 3
D&C Red 33
FD&C Yellow 5
FC&C Yellow 6

FRAGRANCES
Methylene chloride
Toluene
Methyl ethyl ketone
methyl isobutyl ketone
Ethyl alcohol
Benzyl chloride

PRESERVATIVES
Bronopol (often listed as 2-brono-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol)
Diazolidinyl urea
DMDM hydantion
Imidazolidinyl urea
Quaternium 15

GLYCOLS
Anything with methyl-, butyl-, ethyl-, and propyl-
Propylene glycol
Glycerin
Ethylene glycol
Carbitol
Diethylene glycol
EGPE, EGME, EGEE, DEGBE, PGME, DPGME

When you're grocery shopping, you read ingredients lists to make sure you know what you’re putting into your body. The same should be true for skincare products. Considering that the skincare industry is not regulated by the FDA, being mindful of what goes on your skin can help you avoid unnecessary or harmful ingredients.

As a physician, I’ve seen the studies that show how natural ingredients like soy, lycopene and green tea have been proven to be beneficial to the skin. And did you know that aloe vera, tea tree oil, and prickly pear reduce redness? Ingredients you may have never heard of such as Kojic acid and paper mulberry can actually help lighten the skin, while witch hazel and papaya combat oily skin.

To become a decisive and smart skincare consumer, print out the list of ingredients below and take it with you when you shop for skincare products. Every skincare manufacturer (there are dozens) has a different proprietary formulation, so finding the product that works best for you will still take some trial and error. And of course, you can always consult me or any member of the Innovative Aesthetics staff. If the label at least includes the ingredients listed below, you know you're on the right track.

TOPICAL INGREDIENTS THAT HAVE A KNOWN BENEFIT TO THE SKIN

• Alpha-lipoic acid
• Argireline
• Curcumin
• Ellagic acid
• Fibroblast growth factors
• Green tea
• Hexapeptide
• Hypericin
• Idebenone
• Lutein and Lycopene
• Niacinamide
• Pentapeptides
• Picnoginol
• Retanyl palmitate
• Retinol
• Retinyl propionate
• Rosmarnic acid
• Silymarin
• Soy
• Ubiquinone
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E

AGENTS TO IMPROVE OR DIMINISH REDNESS

• Alantoin
• Aloe vera
• Bisabolol
• Evening primrose
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Green tea
• Panthenol
• Prickly pear
• Tea tree oil
• St. John’s wort
• Saw palmetto

AGENTS TO DECREASE PIGMENTATION

• Aloesin
• Arbutin
• Ascorbic acid
• Azelaic acid
• Glabridin
• Glycolic acid
• Hydroquinone
• Kojic acid
• Niacinamide
• Paper mulberry
• Retinol
• Soy

AGENTS TO TREAT OILY SKIN

• Niacinamide
• Papaya
• Retinol
• Salicylic acid
• Soy
• Witch hazel

TO TREAT ACNE

• Glycolic acid
• Lactobionic acid
• Niacinamide
• Retinol
• Salicylic acid
• Retinol
• Retinyl palmitate
• Zinc

BENEFICIAL INGREDIENTS IN MINERAL MAKEUP

• Bismuth
• Bismuth oxychloride
• Chromium oxide green
• Iron oxide
• Kaolin clay
• Manganese violet
• Mika
• Oxychloride
• Titanium dioxide
• Ultramarine blue
• Zinc oxide

Check back next week when I post a blog entry about skincare ingredients to avoid.

According to a research team at Cardiff University in Wales – yes.

In a new study about the psychological effects of BOTOX, researchers found that patients who smooth out their frown lines seem to enjoy a boost in mood.

Dr Michael Lewis, experimental psychologist at the university's school of psychology, recruited 25 women to take part in the research, which was carried out with Court House Clinics, London. Twelve received BOTOX injections into the frown lines between their eyebrows, while the remaining 13 had other cosmetic treatments. Two weeks later all 25 participants completed questionnaires, including the Irritability-Depression-Anxiety Scale test.

Dr. Lewis found that the BOTOX patients were significantly less irritable, anxious, and depressed than the other group. And while it is easy to assume that the participant’s positive attitude is solely a response to their new, younger look – that’s not the case. Both groups reporting being equally satisfied with their cosmetic procedures and resulting appearance.

This small scale study reinforces the idea of “facial feedback” originally suggested by Charles Darwin. Darwin’s hypothesis was that facial expression can influence your mood – and there’s a growing body of evidence that this is true. If the act of frowning makes you unhappier then conversely smiling should result in happiness.

And although the study did not  specifically include Juvederm facial filler, because Juvederm also reduces frown lines and wrinkles it could be inferred that the combination of Juvederm and BOTOX would have an even greater psychological effect.

While this was a very small scale study, it does lend itself to the idea that BOTOX offers a little “pick-me-up” in more ways than one.

Thicker. Bolder. Darker. Who doesn’t want their eyelashes to be all three? Lots of products claim to give the appearance of longer lashes. But up until now, lush lashes were only possible with the help of fake eye lashes and loads of mascara. All that changed last December when the FDA approved LATISSE™. Instead of making your eyelashes look longer, this prescription drug actually grows your eyelashes by up to 25%.

LATISSE™ is the first and only science-based treatment proven to increase eyelash length, thickness, and darkness. Available through prescription only, LATISSE™ is a once-daily treatment applied to the base of the upper eyelashes. LATISSE™ users can expect to experience longer, fuller and darker eyelashes in as little as four weeks, with full results in 16 weeks.

LATISSE™ makes lash growth possible because of its active ingredient: bimatoprost, which has been used safely for years as a treatment for glaucoma. Eye doctors noticed that their patients on Lumigan (bimatoprost) were growing significantly longer lashes as a side effect; so much so that some had to actually trim their eyelashes.

Wanting to harness this beneficial side effect, Allergan (the maker of both Lumigan and BOTOX® Cosmetic) conducted a Phase III, multi-center, double-masked, placebo-controlled study to assess its safety and efficacy. The FDA reviewed clinical study results to verify the safety of LATISSE™ and approved its use in December 2008.

We’re excited to be one of the first in Houston to prescribe LATISSE™. If you’d like to try it, come in for your free consultation and I’ll write your prescription. Then you take it to the pharmacy of your choosing to have it filled. Depending on the pharmacy, a monthly supply can cost $100 - $120. So for about the same price as your daily cup of coffee, you can have long, lush lashes year round.

Unfortunately, acne isn’t just for teenagers. In fact, adult acne affects 25% of all adult men and 50% of adult women at some time in their adult lives. As you age, stress, cosmetics, hormone fluctuations and birth control pills can all wreak havoc on your skin. Over the counter treatments work, but they can irritate the skin. For more severe cases, dermatologists usually prescribe a course of oral antibiotics.

When my son started fighting acne, I did what doctors do. I searched for a solution. One that didn’t require drugs to clear his skin. In the aesthetics field, I come across many products that claim similar results – but one really peaked my interest - the Tända™ Professional Skincare System. After researching it thoroughly, we tried it – and the results were impressive. Within 24 hours my son's inflammatory acne started to clear, and when used as part of his daily skin care routine, it has kept his acne at bay for over a year.

In addition to banishing acne, the Tända™ Professional Skincare System has an added benefit. It also stimulates collagen growth – which means it diminishes fine lines and wrinkles. This makes it a great product for our adult clients as well.

You can get all the details on how Tända™ works here. But in a nutshell, The Tända™ Professional Skincare System is a hand-held device that delivers clinical levels of blue and red phototherapy directly to the skin. It’s FDA approved, non-invasive, and can be used in the privacy of your own home.

Not to be confused with the over-the-counter version available at Sephora, the professional version we use is available by prescription only from Innovative Aesthetics Houston.

Acne doesn’t have to be a fact of life. If you’ve tried over the counter treatments and found them to be ineffective, talk to us about Tända™. We’ve tried it, and we know it works.

Turkey neck. Saggy jowls. Double chin. Waddle. No matter what you call it – it’s an unwelcome reminder that gravity packs a powerful punch. As you age, skin on your neck starts to lose its elasticity because of a combination of gravity and genetics. And because the skin on our necks is more delicate and thinner than facial skin, it loses elasticity faster. So even if you’ve spent thousands of dollars on keeping your face young, the sagging skin under your chin still announces to the world that you’re not getting any younger.

Traditionally the only way to fix the problem was an overall face lift. Luckily for those who don’t want to undergo the knife, recent advances in minimally invasive procedures offer new ways to turn the clock back on those Shar Pei-like folds.

· BOTOX® Cosmetic can be used to relax the muscles in your neck, which reduces the horizontal lines and the vertical 'strappy' look.

· SmartXide DOT ®, a CO2 laser skin resurfacing technology, directs thousands of tiny bursts of energy that heat the collagen layer, stimulating new growth and reversing the appearance of skin laxity and texture.

· SmartLipo™ uses a carefully calibrated laser to liquefy fat deposits through the top layers of the patient's skin. As the fat is removed through a small cannula, the laser energy also interacts with the dermis resulting in collagen shrinkage.

· Thermage® uses a unique radiofrequency (RF) technology to tighten the early stages of sagging skin and subcutaneous tissues around the neck and sides of the face to create a sharper jawline.

Your neck definitely tells your true age—and sometimes can make you look older than you really are. Never fear—don’t let sagging skin get you down. There are many options to choose from to make the skin under your chin smoother, tighter and more beautiful. The only turkey neck your friends will see after your treatment will be on Thanksgiving!

It used to be that women mainly worried about their hips, waist, and their thighs. Now they want defined arms. Not just defined – chiseled even. Think Madonna – or Kelly Ripa. The problem is that as we age, collagen --- a fibrous protein found in connective tissue, bone and cartilage --- stretches, making skin sag and wrinkles appear. To top it off, a woman’s arms are generally the first body part to go. If you want to know a woman’s age, take a look at her upper arms.

Arms, also, are the most difficult if not impossible part of the body to get right by exercise. Many women ask me about SmartLipo™ for arm flabbiness, which gives excellent results.  With SmartLipo™ we can quickly and permanently remove the fat deposits that you just can't get off in the gym. 

However, if your arms have loose skin without much fat, there is a noninvasive tool that may work just as well with no recovery time. Thermage™ is a non-invasive FDA approved technology that uses radiofrequency energy to penetrate the dermal layers of skin, tightening existing collagen and stimulating the production of new collagen growth. The end result is tighter, firmer skin. Goodbye flap. Hello definition.

Thermage™ results are noticeable after just one treatment and continue to improve over time as new collagen is produced. Results can last years depending on your skin and ageing process. Best of all? There’s no downtime. You are awake and alert and able to resume normal activities immediately after your Thermage™ treatment is finished. In fact, Thermage™ works so well that I am using it in conjunction with SmartLipo™ on patients with excess skin.

As with any aesthetics procedure, exercise and a balanced diet will help ensure you achieve the results you want. But SmartLipo™ and/or Thermage™ will definitely give you the confidence to reclaim your halter tops.

Our clients have been asking for laser hair removal services - and we've done one better.  We are now offering a laser hair removal system that you can use AT HOME!  Recently seen on the Rachael Ray show, Silk’n™ uses a patented Home Pulsed Light™ technology (HPL™) designed exclusively for carrying out safe and effective removal of unwanted hair at home.

With Silk’n, you can remove hair on any area of the body below the neck, including legs, underarms, arms and bikini line. Treatment sessions can take around 30 minutes for one leg, or ten minutes for each underarm. Treatment sessions should be spaced every two weeks for the first three to four sessions. As with any laser hair treatment, hair can appear to be growing back after a treatment. However, within two weeks of the treatment, many of these hairs will fall out.

Black and dark brown respond the best, although brown and light brown hairs will also respond but typically require more treatments. Silk’n™ cannot be used on tanned skin, naturally dark skin or skin that has just been exposed to the sun. This can result in adverse effects such as burns, blisters, and skin color changes (hyper- or hypo-pigmentation).

Normal activity can be resumed after using Silk’n™, as long as no abnormal complication has been experienced. Side effects and complications are not common if Silk’n if used according to the instructions and precautions included with the device.

Call our offices to learn more about the Silk’n™.  We'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified form of botulinum toxin A - a protein derivative of the bacteria that causes botulism. Sounds a bit scary doesn’t it? Let me explain further. It’s true that toxins are naturally occurring substances that at high doses are capable of causing illness. However, botulinum toxin A has been used safely since it was first approved by the FDA in 1989.

More than 13 million BOTOX® Cosmetic aesthetic procedures have been successfully administered since 2002. While it’s wrinkle and frown line reduction use is the most well known, BOTOX® has also been proven effective for everything from the treatment of excessive underarm sweating to migraine headache and TMJ relief.

When low doses of this natural purified protein are injected into specific muscles, the outcome is perfectly safe. Yet, this is still a product that should always be administered from the hands of a trained, skilled physician.

As we age, the skin over our eyes begins to sag. And while no one really likes the droop - surgery, scalpels, and scars don’t sound like much fun either. Luckily there are ways to lift and tighten the skin above your eyes that require no surgery, no general anesthesia, and minimal downtime.

The first is with Thermage™ - an FDA approved technology that uses radiofrequency energy to penetrate the dermal layers of skin, tightening existing collagen and stimulating the production of new collagen growth. The end result is tighter, firmer skin and brighter looking eyes. This non-invasive treatment reduces eyelid hooding, improves texture, tone and smoothness of the eye area, and softens fine lines and crow’s feet. Results are noticeable after just one treatment and continue to improve over time as new collagen is produced.

The second is with BOTOX®. Injecting BOTOX into the muscles outside your eyes (in your crow's-feet area) and above your eyebrows will relax these muscles; which is turn will lift heavy eyelids and help open up your eyes for a more awake look.

While it is true that a surgical lift will definitely take years off your appearance - they aren’t for everyone. If you are looking for an alternative to a “going under the knife” solution, give Thermage™ or BOTOX® a try first.

In my practice, one of the most frequent questions I receive is "how do I decide what is right for me?" Many cosmetic manufacturers make competing and similar claims, so it is hard for the consumer to decipher the marketing hype.And no where is that more challenging than with Restylane® and Juvéderm™.

Both Restylane®and Juvéderm™ injectable gels are dermal fillers designed to temporarily add volume to facial tissue and restore a smoother appearance to the face. Both Restylane® and Juvéderm™ come in both high and low concentrations of hyaluronic acid.Lower concentrations are for treating fine or medium lines in the face – specifically the lines from your nose to the corner of your mouth. Higher concentrations of Juvéderm™ and Perlane® (the higher dose/larger gel particle brand of Restylane®) are used for treating deep wrinkles and skin folds in the same area.

Both are made of hyaluronic acid, are FDA approved, and offer long-lasting, safe, and natural looking results. Both are effective at smoothing wrinkles and adding volume to the lower facial area, both are minimally-invasive, and recovery time with both is little to none. It typically takes two to three days for the swelling to subside after either a Restylane® or a Juvéderm™ treatment.

And although Restylane® and Juvéderm™ share many benefits, there are differences as well. Let’s start with response time. Juvéderm™ reports that results can be seen instantly while Restylane® results won’t be fully evident for about a week.As for results, Juvéderm™ typically lasts up to one year and Restylane® results can last for up to six months.

Restylane® has been in use for longer than Juvéderm™ so it has a longer track record for safety. At the end of the day it really comes down to personal preference.In my practice, I prefer to use Juvéderm™ as the results last twice as long for a similar price; but both products have outstanding results. So no matter which you choose you should be happy with the outcome.

The number of Americans seeking aesthetic procedures is skyrocketing. According to the American Academy of Aesthetic Physicians, treatments such as chemical peels, laser procedures, and Botox and wrinkle-filler injections have increased more than 700 percent since 1997. And why not? New technology has cut costs, procedure time, recovery time, while improving results.

While procedures such as laser skin rejuvenation are very safe in trained hands, horror stories about cosmetic laser surgery gone wrong abound. Yes, it is laser surgery! Lasers produce a controlled burn to induce collagen formation or other desired effects. In Texas so called medical spas are sprouting up faster than Starbuck’s; most offer laser procedures. But the term “medical spa” is deceiving. Just because the word medical is in the title does NOT mean that the technicians have any medical background at all.

In the State of Texas both a barber and a cosmetologist need 1,100 hours of training before they can be licensed, yet there is no definition of appropriate training or standard of care for treating patients with lasers. Pretty much anyone can use a laser on you legally in Texas as long as a doctor has bought the machine and the procedure is performed “under the direction” of a medical doctor. But that’s no guarantee that a doctor is even on site!

It’s crucial that you check the credentials and experience of anyone offering cosmetic treatments. At a minimum you should ask your aesthetics provider about his or her experience on the machine being used, how many patients he or she has used it on, and if you can speak with past patients about their experiences.

As you are researching aesthetics/cosmetic procedures, red flags to look for include:

• No doctor on site. Be wary of facilities that operate under “the direction of a physician” as it implies that the facility is operating under a “ghost doctor” – those who back a facility but rarely walk through its doors.
• Technicians who are not willing or able to discuss the risks associated with your chosen procedure. All procedures come with some inherent risks. Beware of those who claim otherwise.
• Avoid a facility that does not ask for your medical history.
• Check for complaints against the facility with the Texas State Medical Board.
• For injectables, beware of pricing that is significantly lower than the going rate in Houston. Some unscrupulous doctors could be watering down the injectable or using products from overseas.
• They don’t ask you to sign a consent form.
• A facility that will quote you a price over the phone without first seeing you.

The bottom line is you want to put your face in the best, most qualified and experienced hands possible. If it appears too good to be true, it most likely is. There is no cosmetic Holy Grail. Just because a friend has had this procedure it does not mean that the same procedure is right for you. Be sure to consult a doctor for an individualized treatment plan.