Archives for July 2018

July 24, 2018

BeautyKind Donates 5% Of The Product Purchase Price To Their Customer’s Choice Of Charity

beautyblender sapphire

Image from: beautykindgives.com

 

BeautyKind, an online prime beauty retailer, gives 5% of the product purchase price on each and every purchase to a charity of their customer’s choice at no extra cost. Relaunched in May 2018, BeautyKind is under new leadership, bolstered by experienced marketing, brand and analytics teams and a fresh focus on revolutionizing the beauty industry through daily charitable efforts driven by its customers.

With more than 1.5 million partner charities, BeautyKind empowers customers to spread kindness and make an impactful difference. As part of the newly initiated #beautykindgives challenge, for example, customers can upload a video on their social channels sharing the importance of their favorite charity for an opportunity to be the Weekly Spotlight Winner and have $1,000 given by the BeautyKind Foundation to the highlighted charity in their name.

“While we are a beauty retailer first, our ultimate mission is to empower our customers to give back to the causes that matter most to them,” said Interim CEO, Neil Waterman, a father of three, including a son with Down Syndrome and a daughter with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. “We encourage people to Join the Movement, because together we truly can make the world a kinder place.” For more information, visit www.beautykindgives.com/pages/join-the-movement

With approximately 100 brands and counting available on its website, BeautyKind continues to carefully curate relationships with the coveted beauty brands its customers want and those who both embrace and embody BeautyKind’s passion for cause kindness. Under the direction of the new merchandising team led by Lisa Green, President of Beauty, the Company has recently brought on some of the biggest brand names in the industry (including Peter Thomas Roth, Stila, Philosophy, and beautyblender, among others), with exciting new additions scheduled in the coming months.

“We like to say ‘Beauty is our passion. Kindness is our cause’,” said Green. “After working in the beauty industry for more than 25 years, I felt compelled to make a positive impact.  That’s why I joined BeautyKind. Because everyone wants to be their most beautiful selves, but we also empower them to feel kind.  Collectively, we can help change the world, sparking a movement within this industry that is fueled by kind hearts and beautiful souls.”

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July 23, 2018

Male Model Makeover, Hottest Trend for Millennial Men

Male Model Makeover

Image: maleplasticsurgeryla.com

We live in an age where lookism is a way of life. What would have once been considered “Hollywood-ready” is now considered to be a standard appearance for both men and women. The demand for plastic surgery among women has grown steadily throughout the world, and with it, so have the number of specializations plastic surgeons can take.

In recent years, one genre of plastic surgery in particular has taken off: male plastic surgery. From the year 2000 to 2017, the number of men who have requested to go under the knife increased by 76 percent on average. Just last year alone, over 250,000 cosmetic procedures were performed on men.

It’s becoming clear that men are beginning to embrace the plastic surgery boom, and that they are quickly turning into a coveted market demographic. Celebrity plastic surgeons like Dr. Steinbrech have taken notice of this new development and have worked to create custom procedures to help men reach their aesthetic goals.

One such example would be the Male Model Makeover, which is a series of filler injections developed by Dr. Steinbrech as a way to add contour to a man’s face. Due to the fact that it has instant effects, has no downtime, and has long-lasting effects, it’s become a favorite at his office.

How high the demand goes is shocking, even to Steinbrech himself. According to Dr. Steinbrech, the Male Model Makeover procedure has seen a 300% increase in requests since last year alone. This year, it is very likely to surpass that growth, making it one of the most popular male-oriented procedures in history.

Will this trend continue? What will happen to the plastic surgery world if it does continue? If numbers are correct, men could be the next big plastic surgery demographic throughout the country.

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July 23, 2018

Benefits of having timber floor in your home

When trying to figure out the best designs for your home, you go through various research processes, finding the perfect flooring for your house. Flooring for any house is very essential as everyone will notice it, and beautiful flooring can increase your aura by giving your house a finer touch. While having various options like granite, laminate, marble etc timber flooring is highly demanded and it provides your home a sophisticated and aesthetic look lasting for several decades. It is often recommended as the best choice. There are several benefits of choosing timber flooring for your home

Easy maintenance

A major advantage of timber (wood) flooring is that it is easy to clean and maintain than others. These can be cleaned daily and are also suitable for installing over a radiant heated concrete slab. These wood flooring does not accumulate much dust, dirt, debris, etc. sweeping or mopping is easy and can be done daily or couple of times a week. Laminate floor is very easy to clean and bears the brunt of moisture and scratching better than hardwood.

Beautiful look

This flooring type gives your floor the beautiful natural look that it needs. The color, grains of the floor increases the beauty of the room to the next level. This flooring brings prosperity and warmth to the home.

Better air quality

As the hardwood floors holds the advantage of not inducing dust, pollen, animal dander, allergens, they help to keep the air quality of the home a lot better. Even tiles and laminates have grout lines, which attracts dust particles and damage the air quality. Thus hardwood floor prevents formation of dust particles and keeps our home a lot cleaner and improves the air quality of our house.

Increase the value of your home

Having a timber floor, massively increase the value of your house. When you want to sell your house, having carpet flooring may cause many problems as the buyer may not want used carpets or old carpets. Having a nice wood flooring will attract most of the buyers and will make it easier to sell your house if needed as the floor designs are amazing and beautiful.

Color of the flooring

It can be seen that the color of many carpets will fade gradually over time. But in case of hardwoods, the color does not fade away giving the flooring a much longer life than the life of a carpet flooring.

Installation

Timber floor is very handy for those who are inexperienced in this field and the process of installation is also very easy. Thus makes it beneficial to apply this flooring than others.

Variety

This type of flooring offers a variety of designs, textures and finishes. They also offer unfinished and prefinished types of timber floors. You may choose according to your preference as both of them carry some advantages and some disadvantages. Beside many advantages, this flooring is also a very good insulator which helps in cold climates and makes it easier to apply. This is also water-resistant and most long lasting than all the flooring varieties.

Lasts longer

Timber floorings are the most long lasting floorings than any other. The rest floorings worn out very easily and tend to be damaged, but timber floorings last for decades and retain the value and character of it. If the timber floor develops any scratches then it can be renewed by applying various methods like sand or grind methods or by applying a fresh coat of urethane.

Cost-efficient

Though the initial investment for timber flooring is much higher than other flooring varieties, you will observe later that it is the most cost efficient method of flooring. Solid timber flooring is less expensive than all other methods when compared. Investment in timber floorings is like a lifetime investment and the flooring lasts for many decades whereas the average lifespan of a carpet is about seven to nine years.

Eco-friendly

With the advent of new timber harvesting methods, it is proving to be an eco-friendly method of flooring and is favored by the most. Due to the presence of several rules and regulations for the wood cutters, this is turning out to be an eco-friendly flooring method and is enhancing the market without causing degradation of the environment. Timber floors also hold the benefit of being made from old timber products which leads to recycling and use of old wooden products.

Thus we are able to see various benefits of using timber flooring in our house rather than other methods like granite, carpet etc. these several points given above prove that timber flooring is better and efficient and should be used by most of us. For further queries you can look for Timber Floor Polishing Brisbane and take a step forward and make your house a better place to live and increase its aura massively.

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July 23, 2018

Reese Witherspoon Wears The Mighty Company On Set For Big Little Lies!

Reese Witherspoon was recently spotted wearing The Mighty Company while filming season two of Big Little Lies! The actress looked 80’s chic wearing the Amalfi in pink ($557, www.themightycompany.com).
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July 22, 2018

Dr. Christopher Calapai Natural Ways To Avoid Sunburn This Summer

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O., a New York City Osteopathic Physician board-certified in family and anti-aging medicine, suggests the following natural solutions to relish the sunshine without sacrificing your well being.

girl on beach hat glasses on beach

Pay attention to the timing of your sun exposure. Peak sunburn hours are around 11:00-2:00 (or more broadly, 10:00-4:00), so if you’re planning on spending a prolonged period of time outdoors, aim to do so earlier or later in the day than this time frame. Additionally, limiting your time in the sun is beneficial, as people of all skin complexions can absorb maximum vitamin D from the sun within an hour, and for fair-skinned people it can take as little as 10 minutes. Smaller segments of time in the sun will decrease risk of burn. Plus, as your skin gets darker over the summer through short increments, your skin will acquire an increased tolerance to the sun’s rays and you will be able to spend more time in the sun sans damage.

Defend your skin from the inside out. Many people do not know that what you eat has a massive impact on your skin’s reaction to sunshine. Build up reserves of powerful antioxidants in your body with a varied, healthy diet in the warm months. Green tea, tomatoes, red wine, fatty fish like salmon, almonds, citrus fruits, and greens all contain vitamins and antioxidant phytochemicals that can support the skin’s response to UV rays and greatly impede skin damage. As a general guideline, focus on colorful, whole foods and avoid refined oils and processed foods to maximize the skin’s response to the sun.

Keep your skin moisturized prior to sun exposure. Hydrated skin is healthy skin. Apply moisturizer before going outside in the sun to make sure your skin is in its most prime state to defend itself and not get dry, red, and damaged. Keep in mind, moisturizer is not enough in itself to prevent skin damage, but as an added measure, it can be very effective.

Check your medications. Many common medications, both prescription and OTC, can increase your skin’s susceptibility to irritation and damage from the sun. These include, painkillers like ibuprofen, antibiotics, antidepressants, and acne medications, among others. Check your medication’s labels to ensure that it is safe to be in the sun while on them.

Consider wearing light clothing. You do not need to have all of your skin exposed to enjoy the summer’s warmth and sunshine. Wearing loose clothing made with light fabrics like cotton or linen protects the skin from damage while allowing you to stay cool. Don’t forget your sunglasses, and you can enjoy the sun in comfort, style, and great health.

If you  use an over-the-counter sunscreen, go for a mineral-based one, rather than a chemical-based one. Mineral-based sunscreens include those that are zinc oxide- or titanium dioxide-based. These reflect, rather than absorb, the sunlight and seem to be safer than their chemical-based counterparts. As a rule of thumb, 15-30 SPF is as much protection as you need. Furthermore, the more familiar the ingredients are in your sunscreen, the better it probably is for your skin. Look for ones enriched with vitamins, natural extracts, and other antioxidants. These can greatly improve your skin’s response to potential UV damage.

About Dr. Christopher Calapai:

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed the “The Stem Cell Guru” by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer’s, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson’s. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham’s Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers. Connect with him via twitter @drcalapai or at www.drcal.net

 

 

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July 20, 2018

No Fuss Beauty, Summertime 2018 Essentials Chosen By The IAGT Team

No fuss products are what we need for hot summer days at work, the gym, the beach and for our beauty regimen. The lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are not always relaxing and fun but we need not fret. We can coast through summer with some help from the brands below. We have tried everything here and they all have our seal of approval.

 

Zoella Sweet Inspirations Body Mist

Zoella Sweet Inspirations Body Mist

 

First, let’s talk about a fragrance that is perfect for summer and perfectly priced ($12.95). Actually, it’s a mist for a subtler approach to fragrance. It’s light and fresh. It won’t cause the headaches that heavy perfumes may cause you or others in the hot summer weather. So there is no need to grab a cold compress just try Zoelle Beauty Sweet Inspirations Body Mist. It is available at Ulta. Ulta details the fragrance as “inspired by the scrummy scent of sweet macaroons, this deliciously chic fragrance will leave you smelling totally irresistible!” Some of the ingredients include (Sweet Almond) Oil, Mel (Honey) Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract. Sounds like a macaroon to me! For Amazon Prime members look for Zoelle Beauty products at Amazon.

Mehron’s Highlight-Pro palettes

Mehron’s Highlight-Pro palettes

 

For the face and body we love Mehron’s Highlight-Pro palettes. In the hot months forget the foundation and ditch your concealer, black mascara and eye shadow for a more natural look.  During the summer days we use a lighter approach to highlighting, brushing the highlighter on the parts of your face where light would hit but not just the cheekbones. Highlighter is the perfect cosmetics product for day into summer night wear. We especially love it on summer nights. We never forget to highlight our décolletage especially in the evening. At night we go a bit heaver on the highlight than during the day.

From Mehron’s website: “Highlight-Pro palettes are formulated with the highest quality ingredients to provide a subtle shimmer and illuminating effect for face and body. This professional pressed powder is perfect for accenting and highlighting areas such as the cheekbones, brows, inner eyes, bridge of nose, cupids bow and décolletage. Available in two palette varieties, cool and warm, each with three varying undertones.  These lightweight and long wearing highlighters will brighten all skin tones creating a soft, luminous glow.”

Follow Mehron Makeup on Instagram HERE.

 

Booty Shawls

Booty Shawl

 

This summer I am loving my Booty Shawl . It’s a hip wrap. This season, I am hiding a little extra belly fat (my booty is fine) so Booty Shawl is  perfect for that bit of extra coverage when hanging out at the beach house on the weekends. I am wearing it over my shortest  solid black biker short (instead of a bikini bottom) and with various bikini tops. It looks great and I feel comfortable and confident. I have the Black Lace Isabella Wrapalini style . Again, I love it!

I also wear it with a tee and ankle leggings, my denim skinny jeans and my yoga pants. For exercise class I am always on the search for tops that cover my lady bits in my tight exercise leggings but with Booty Shawl, I am covered! I can leave it on or just wear it to and from class. I definitely need to buy more colors and styles! I am already thinking of the wear possibilities for Fall and Winter. Patti Breen is the owner and founder of Booty Shawl. @bootyshawl

 

Invisible Spray Powder for the feet by Arm and Hammer

Invisible Spray Powder for the feet by Arm and Hammer

 

Finally for today, we have two products from Arm & Hammer that are summer “Must haves” for both men and women. I dance and, especially in the summertime, I feel like I am sweating though my feet!  My feet actually slide in my shoes. There are a lot of products out there for sweaty feet like foot deodorant, shoe deodorant spray, cooling insoles and more. One of our summertime “Must Haves” is the easy to use sweat activated odor defense Invisible Spray Powder for the feet by Arm and Hammer. You can easily pick it up or order it online from Walmart.com  It’s invisible. It sprays clear so you don’t have to deal with a white mess. It is talc free. Just spray it on evenly for a couple of seconds with the can about 6 inches away from your skin. It feels so good and refreshing going on and has a nice fragrance. It leaves no white mess on my feet or socks.

 

 Arm & Hammer Odor Defense Shoe Refresher Spray

Arm & Hammer Odor Defense Shoe Refresher Spray

 

Smelly feet cause funky smelling shoes.  Summertime foot sweating can worsen smelly feet. Arm & Hammer Odor Defense Shoe Refresher Spray can help. It has sweat activated odor control. The formula contains Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and other odor neutralizing ingredients. It’s available at under $6 at Walmart stores and Walmart.com . For best results spray your shoes and let them set overnight. De-stink your shoes for happy feet,  happy shoes and  happy office and room mates.

 

 

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July 18, 2018

Many Ethnicities, A Hair Care Brand Developed and Founded By Dr. Ena Hennegan

Many Ethnicities was created in 2014 by Dr. Ena Hennegan, a mother, a board-certified, practicing family physician in suburban Chicago. You can read Dr. Hennegan’s story HERE.

 

Image from manyethnicities.com

Image from manyethnicities.com

 

The products are designed to be safe, healthy and easy to use. The products are manufactured in small batches with premium ingredients. There are products for adults and children. The Many Ethnicities Family 6-Pack includes product for both (pictured below). All individual products can be found manyethnicities.com

 

Many Ethnicities Family 6-Pack

Many Ethnicities Family 6-Pack

 

This Family 6-Pack contains the  Many Ethnicities Invigorating Shampoo,  Moisturizing Conditioner and a  jar of the Many Ethnicities Leave-In Conditioning Cream.

Also it contains a Kids Gentle Shampoo, a bottle of the Kids Light Conditioner and a jar of the  Kids Leave-In Conditioner.

This brand is still fairly new but has years worth of great reviews. We had our team member Elizabeth Colen give the grown – up products a try. Her review is at the end of this posting. She was pleased and really spent a lot of time trying and researching the products. When Elizabeth does that, she really feels that a product is worth the time and extra effort. And Elizabeth is a very busy lady! You’ll be amazed how busy!

Here is what Elizabeth has for us #hookmeup:

 

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July 17, 2018

Stained Teeth and Bad Breath? Here Is What To Do About It

image from eversmile.com

image from eversmilewhite.com

 

Stained teeth and bad breathe? Each day we eat and drink things without giving a second thought about the impact that they may have on our teeth or breath. Yet we will look into the mirror and wish our teeth were whiter, or find throughout the day that we suddenly have breath that makes us want to hide from talking with others. What we eat and drink can have a major impact on the color of our teeth, as well as the freshness of our breath. This makes it important that we know which products are the main culprits and what we can do about it in order to help protect our smile and reputation.

“We know well how important it is that people have beautiful teeth and fresh breath,” explains Dr. Michael Florman, a Los Angeles-based orthodontist and the chief executive officer of EverSmile, Inc. “That’s why we have created our line of EverSmile products. We want to help people be able to enjoy the foods and beverages they want, but still have the smile and breath they can be proud of.”

Here are foods that can stain teeth and what you can do about it:

  • Beverages. Coffee, tea, red wine and cola are favorite drinks of many people, but they can all stain your teeth. They contain pigments that attach to the teeth, causing discoloration. If you are going to drink these beverages, opt for a reusable straw for the cold ones, which will help minimize staining of the cold beverages. For all of them, rinse your mouth out with water when you are done drinking them. You can also use a quick tooth whitener, such as WhitenFresh, which will help you keep your teeth white and your breath fresh with just one quick spray from the airless spray bottle.
  • Citrus. Everyone loves to sip some lemonade, but they won’t love what consuming a lot of citrus can do to their teeth. Citrus erodes enamel on the teeth, which leads to discoloration and make it more prone to decay. Your best option is to minimize citrus and rinse your mouth with water after consuming it.

Here are foods that can cause bad breath and what you can do about it:

  • Garlic. Love it or hate it, garlic has a strong aroma that lingers due to its sulfuric compounds. When you eat it, especially if you eat a lot of it, you will be exhaling the strong scent of garlic for hours. If you don’t have breath freshener on you after you eat a dish with garlic, ask for some parsley to chew, which will help minimize the odor.
  • Onions. Just like garlic, onions are notorious for causing bad breath, which comes from the sulfur compounds in them. When they have been cut into, they release that mix with bacteria and create an unforgettable scent. You can help minimize the smell by carrying a breath freshener to use or chewing on some anise seeds.
  • Dairy. Many people love dairy products, but when the amino acids from them mix with the bacteria in your mouth it can cause a real stink. Bad breath often follows the consumption of dairy products, so be prepared with having some breath freshener on hand.

“Nobody wants to give up having these foods and beverages, but we also don’t want stained teeth and bad breath,” added Dr. Florman. “It’s all about knowing how to battle back. We help make it easy to do just that.”

EverSmile has created WhitenFresh, a product that comes in a small airless spray bottle that can be carried in your purse or pocket. It has been specially designed to whiten teeth, get rid of bad breath, and kill germs at the same time. Plus, it’s something that has been formulated so it won’t cause sensitivity. People can use it up to six times per day. EverSmile products use patent pending EverClean™ technology, which cleans and whitens using proprietary surfactants, solvents, and hydrogen peroxide. It breaks up organic stain particles that discolor the teeth and dental appliances.

EverSmile’s line also includes products that will help those with braces, aligners, and retainers keep their appliances clean. At the same time, they will be able to clean their aligners, whiten their teeth, and freshen their breath. The cleaning products are now available in 4,800 CVS stores around the nation. The entire line of products includes EverSmile WhiteFoam, which gently cleans aligners or trays, EverSmile OrthoFoam, which cleans under and over braces, and EverSmile WhitenFresh, which is a freshening and tooth whitening spray that kills bacteria that cause bad breath and tooth decay on the go.

Dr. Florman, who practices in Los Angeles, is considered to be one of the top Invisalign providers in the country and has over 25 years of consulting experience for oral care companies including for Colgate, Arm & Hammer, and others. Dr. Florman has invented multiple dental products and has brought several products from inception to commercial success. For more information about the company and products, visit their site at: www.eversmilewhite.com.

About EverSmile

Located in Los Angeles, EverSmile’s mission is to create new and advanced oral care products that will change patients’ lives. Currently in development are our new sensitivity-free whitening agents, dry mouth formulations, low-abrasion toothpastes, and a complete children’s dental line. For more information about the company and products, visit their site at: www.eversmilewhite.com.

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July 17, 2018

Try These 6 Eating Tips for Healthy Weight Loss

Weight loss has become one of the most popular topics among many people and discussions that many techniques have been put forward for it to be effective. There are plenty of ways ideas and even myths that have been suggested, but only a few of them have proven to really work maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Remember that not all diet tips are effective and healthy. One technique may work for someone, while another may not. Therefore, it’s good to choose techniques that are natural and proven to be effective. Here are 6 eating tips for a healthy weight loss.

  • Eat slowly

Take your time when eating. Chew your food well and swallow it properly. Chewing food well is essential to its full digestion and extraction of nutrients from the food you eat. On the other hand, not chewing well can result in indigestion and stomach ache.

Eat at the proper time of the day, too. Breakfast, lunch and supper times should be followed because these are specific times when your body need the most nutrients and energy that you get from your food.

  • Listen to your hunger

A diet technique of “not eating” is never an effective one. Depriving your body of food without proper medication can bring more problems in your health than solve them. Hunger is your body’s way of saying it needs more nutrients to see through the rest of the day, and if you do not feed your hunger, your organs may not function properly.

Online Phentermine information can be easily searched, and this drug can help with repressing appetite which is used on many weight loss programs.

  • Consume a low-calorie diet

Feeding your hunger does not mean you can eat anything you want. Of course, you need to be mindful of the food you choose to eat. Calories are the enemies when we talk about weight loss, instead of being an unhealthy choice, calories can add to your weight, instead of subtracting from it.

Choose food types that are low in calorie content. Check the nutritional contents of the food you buy from stores, or better yet, eat more fruits and vegetables instead of store-bought food.

  • Stay well hydrated

Hydration is a very important factor, not only for your general health but also for daily survival. Water is the only natural way to stay hydrated. Doctors recommend drinking eight glasses of water every day, the more the better.

Water does not only keep you hydrated, it is an effective and natural antioxidant that cleanses your body from toxic from the food that you ingest daily. The more water you drink, the cleaner your body inside and out will be.

  • Be mindful of trendy drinks

When we say trendy drinks, there are several types – coffee, unnatural tea, energy drinks and concentrated juices. These drinks, although you may argue that is needed by your body to give you the energy boost you need on a day to day basis, are actually toxic to the body.

Coffee and tea have been proven to have good effects, as they have antioxidant properties that help rid the body toxic. However, too much consumption may not be a healthy choice. Energy drinks and concentrated juices may be effective in containing your hunger and giving you the energy boost needed, but these types of drink are toxic to the body.

  • Ditch sugary drinks and sodas

Juices, sodas and energy drinks are only a few of the most common sugary drinks that may seem harmless. Some types of coffee, especially iced and frappuccino, contain more sugar than the regular freshly brewed coffee. Sugar, as studies will tell you, is the leading cause of heart problems.

Sugary drinks and sodas can result to higher blood sugar levels; too much sugar consumption is not an ideal way to lose weight, and too much sugar can eventually lead to heart and/or kidney problems. Better lower your sugar intake not only on drinks, but from all other food choices.

An effective weight loss technique is not when you are eating less. You may still eat more, as long as you eat properly and choose food that is healthy. Dieting, or eating less, may make you lose weight, but be sure to accompany it with supplements that can balance the nutrients needed by your body.

Losing weight is not something that can happen just overnight. It takes time, discipline and self-control, but the result is always better – a longer, healthier, happier life.

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July 16, 2018

LASERS TO BALLOONS, THE SKINNY ON SLIM-DOWN TREATMENTS

The skinny on slim down products

 

 

LASERS TO BALLOONS, THE SKINNY ON SLIM-DOWN TREATMENTS

New treatments and procedures claiming to blast fat and smooth skin enter the market regularly, offering the possibility of a contoured, toned body. Many people who exercise regularly, and watch what they eat find stubborn weight collecting anywhere from the back, arms, abdomen, hips, thighs and derrière. Frustrated, they seek solutions, but which ones deliver and how safe are they? To give us answers, we turned to Dr. Stanley Poulos, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in the San Francisco Bay area and co-founder of Plastic Surgery Specialists who has over 3 decades expertise in body aesthetics.

What is driving women’s decisions to try these treatments and how have attitudes changed from a decade ago?

Ten years ago, women would come to my office with photos of celebrities who were working with highly effective fitness trainers. Today both women and men come to my office, show me a random “hot body” in their Instagram feed, looking fabulous in a swimsuit, and want to look like that person. Social media bombards people with images, and they feel if these people aren’t well-known celebrities and look great, then they can too.

What are the most common frustrations when it comes to achieving their desired look?

Well, most people try their best to work out, watch what they eat and try to take care of themselves. They notice, though, that through pregnancies, hormonal and metabolism shifts that happen with age, gravity is winning. Men notice more fat around the waist and “breasts”, women notice cellulite dimples in their thighs and buttocks, bra rolls, extra fat at the waist despite maintaining their diet and exercise routines. A workout routine at 45 will not yield the same results as 35; it becomes frustrating. Collagen production typically falls off a cliff at a certain point in the early 50s; this means treatments need to treat both fat deposits and skin tightening.

What do you advise them to do? There are so many treatments to choose from. It can be overwhelming.

Absolutely, and it’s very important to approach any procedure with the facts and a realistic expectation of what’s achievable, and required.. Some women think they just come in for a few hours and they are magically transformed. In some cases, results are immediate, and in other cases healing can take up to 2 to 3 months.

Ok so let’s explore these treatments. What’s the best one out there to deal with cellulite? It seems like most women struggle with cellulite.

 Cellulaze

Yes, cellulite is a very common issue women want a solution for, and fast. Cellulaze is a treatment that safely and effectively treats cellulite under local anesthesia with initial results appearing in one to four weeks, with significant results due to thickening collagen by four months. The 2-hour treatment involves an injection of a local anesthetic and wetting solution onto the cellulite, which is then zapped with a laser. This unique side-cutting laser removes the contracted fibrous bands responsible for the cellulite. Finally, the subdermal region is treated for increased collagen production. The result is tight, smooth, supple skin where the cellulite once was. Many women opt to get Cellulaze along with liposuction to address several concerns at once.

Vaser Hi- Def liposculpture

Yes, let’s talk about liposuction. How has that treatment changed?

Well, I’ve seen significant improvements over the years. Now, we have a much more precise method called Vaser Hi-Def LipoSculpture. This method is liposuction, but with techniques and tools that precisely suction out localized fat deposits from various parts of the body. This technique is used effectively, for example, in “sculpting” the washboard abs so desired by many. The fat that is harvested can then be used to fill out other areas of the body. The differentiating factor between Vaser Lipo and traditional Liposuction is the preliminary step taken to break down the fat: ultrasound frequencies. The acronym Vaser stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance.

The vibrations emitted cause expansion and contraction of air bubbles located in tumescent fluid which is ejected from the Vaser Lipo instrument. The procedure is tissue-selective, targeting fat while protecting other tissues from damage. This means eight times less blood loss, easier fat removal, stimulated skin elasticity, less bruising and a tiny incision. Through this process, the fat that is collected is separated to use for fat injections in other areas. The surgeon has the ability to truly sculpt the body.

Balloon Weight Loss Method

What about people who have 20-50 pounds to lose, but not enough weight for gastric bypass surgery?

 These patients can be considered for the Balloon Weight Loss Method. An ideal candidate for this procedure has a body mass index of 30 to 40 and did not had previous weight loss surgery. Patients diagnosed with bulimia, binge eating, compulsive overeating, high liquid calorie intake habits or similar eating related psychological disorders are not good candidates.

This non-surgical outpatient procedure begins with a diagnostic endoscopy, to ensure that there are no contraindications and that it is safe to perform. Once the patient is mildly sedated and comfortable, the procedure can begin. The deflated gastric balloon is inserted through the esophagus and into the stomach. A syringe is then used to fill the balloon with a sterile saline solution. Once the weight loss balloon has been filled with saline, it expands to approximately the size of a grapefruit and remains there for 6 months. The entire procedure takes about 20 minutes. Patients can usually return home after the placement or removal procedures within 30 minutes. Over the last 20 years this procedure has helped over 277,000 people. The gastric balloon encourages portion control while patients make healthy changes to diet and lifestyle. After six months the balloon is then removed.

What’s key here is to find a doctor who provides the full support and team to address diet and exercise to achieve and maintain optimal results. Dr. Poulos has assembled a team that has achieved some of the best nonsurgical weight loss results in the country.

Regardless of what you choose it’s important to do your research by speaking to doctors and understanding the instruments used, the process and what’s needed for an optimal recovery and result.

 About Dr. Poulos:

Dr. Poulos is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Co-Founder with Yngvar Hvistendahl, M.D of Plastic Surgery Specialists recognized as one of the premier aesthetic surgery clinics in Northern California.

Dr. Poulos helped pioneer the quick lift facial rejuvenation surgery in California and has extensive experience in body contour procedures. With over 30-years’ experience in aesthetic procedures, Dr. Poulos has been on the forefront of innovative procedures such as the quick-lift facial rejuvenation, mommy makeover, and vaser lipo-contouring. Dr. Poulos combines his consistent knowledge of new treatment options with his mastery of facial and body symmetry.

His recent focus has been on the gastric balloon, a groundbreaking, non-surgical, medically assisted, outpatient procedure offering weight loss to those seeking to lose between 30 and 75 pounds who may be ineligible for the more invasive gastric bypass surgery. This exciting new procedure allows patients to achieve optimal health and, when combined with exercise and proper nutrition, the results have been exceptional.

A graduate of the University of Texas Medical School, Dr. Poulos completed his internship and residency at UC San Francisco. He completed surgery and plastic surgery training in San Francisco prior to entering private practice in Marin County where he co-founded PSS (www.psspecialists.com)

 

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