3/2009

We all heard it “No pain – No gain!” We diet, exercise, and resist the urge to pick that last piece of desert. Still, one look in the mirror and here they are the stubborn bulges of fat and cellulite pockets that remain attached to us no matter how lean a diet or how much we exercise.

Mesotherapy is the long awaited answer for those who want a safe, natural and non-surgical alternative for women and men. It allows for smooth, beautiful contouring of the body.

So, what is the secret of this over fifty-year-old marvel technology? Why is it only now starting to revolutionize the way we view “lunch time” facial rejuvenation and fat reduction treatments? What makes it so effective and appealing?

A Little History

Mesotherapy is a technique invented in 1952 by Dr. Michele Pistor of France. He found that with multiple small injections of different solutions, it is possible to treat multitude of conditions. In the beginning, Mesotherapy was used in medical applications- neurology, gynecology, and dermatology. Later, this method became the treatment of choice for aesthetic practice.

Mesotherapy can help with cellulite and hair loss, correct or remove scars, slow down aging processes of the skin and eliminate fat and acne. It is used after chemical and laser peels as well as plastic surgery to reduce the healing time. It works great in combination therapy with Botox and injectables i.e. Restiline.

The Deep Secrets

In the last ten years, effectiveness of this method increased the acceptance and the popularity of Mesotherapy in the US. Often, result becomes visible after only one treatment. After series of treatments, it becomes long lasting.

This is achieved by delivery of active ingredients to the deep levels of the skin, where creams and gels could not reach. Mesotherapy cocktails are the most powerful because they delivered directly to the problematic area i.e. wrinkle or area of sagging skin. The volume of solution allows it be completely absorbed at the site without spreading to the other areas, creating great results, where it is most needed.

Who is your injector?

Over the past 50 years, in excess of 15,000 physicians worldwide have used a form of Mesotherapy daily in their practices. While the procedure has been practiced widely in Europe for years, Mesotherapy is now available in the US from a few highly trained and specialized practitioners.

Effectiveness of the procedure is highly dependent on the skill of the technician and the solution injected. Mesotherapy specialist needs to be versed in natural extracts, vitamins, homeopathic agents and pharmaceuticals. In most cases, their special qualities and interactions analyzed and interpreted to come up with the unique, individualized formula.

You’ve got delivery

With all its great results, why don’t we see Mesotherapy treatment being performed in every medical spa? Until about one year ago all Mesotherapy treatments where performed with needles. About 100 microinjections could be done per treatment.

Needless Mesotherapy revolutionized this method. The depth of delivery can now be controlled and extended. It delivers 99% of the prepared Mesotherapy formulation at the depth of 1cm, and approximately 65% at the depth of 6cm. This mode of delivery is not only non-irritating, it is painless- it is actually a soothing treatment experience that some say is addictively pleasant. Since there is virtually no side effects or down time one can return to their daily activities immediately. No pain- just the gain.

03/2009

You literally are what you eat. The foods you eat don't just disappear into a black hole. They become your skin, hair and nails, as well as your organs and blood. That means the healthier the foods are that you consume, the better your skin will look.

Our skin naturally takes care of itself through cell turnover. It replaces old skin cells with fresh cells and keeps your complexion looking fresh. However, as we get older, our skin cells get replaced less frequently and the amount of collagen decreases. However, we can get in trouble and not looking out best due to several circumstances.

The main causes of skin problems are:

• Inflammation: Inflammation is one of the main factors in aging. One of the keys to controlling inflammatory processes is avoiding foods that spike insulin levels.
• Constipation: When you don't excrete toxins through your digestive tract, the next stop is your skin. Skin is one of your body's largest organs of excretion, something we often don't think about.
• Poor Diet: Acne, specifically, is impacted by a poor diet. Eruptions on the surface of the skin usually indicate an acidic condition in the blood.
• Stress: Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that people who are prone to anger, hostility and depressive symptoms have higher levels of the reactive protein that indicates silent inflammation is in effect.

Luckily, we don’t have to live with blemishes, wrinkles or dry skin. There are so many ways of taking care of our skin and eating the best possible foods together with Mesotherapy go a long way.

Top 9 food categories for healthy skins:

Basically, when it comes to skin-improving foods what's good for your figure is great for your skin!

Berries and plums: Why: High in antioxidants

- Antioxidants act as soldiers in your cell, protecting them from intruders. When the

cells are protected from damage and disintegration, they are also guarded from premature aging.

Salmon, Walnuts, Canola Oil and Flax Seed: Why: Provide essential fatty acids

- Essential fatty acids are responsible for healthy cell membrane and act as a barrier to harmful things and a passageway for nutrients to come in and waste to go out. The cell membrane also holds in water, so the stronger the barrier, the better your skin can hold in moisture and that means plumper, brighter skin.

Healthy Oils: Why: Help keep with skin lubrication and feeling overall healthier

Turkey, tuna and Brazil nuts :

Why: High in selenium

It has  been shown to reduce the inflammation associated with acne breakouts.
 

Whole-wheat bread, cereals, and whole grain products, beans: Filling up on high fiber foods help keep insulin levels regulated, which helps prevent inflammation. Fiber also helps with digestion, moving toxins out of the body quickly through the colon instead of the skin.
- B Vitamins help relieve dryness and itching

Green Tea: Why: Anti-inflammatory properties
Studies show that it can reduce the risk of damage from ultraviolet light and it also helps protect the cell membrane.

Sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, carrots: Why: Help with cell turnover, growth and repair of cells and antioxidant properties

Green leafy vegetables: Why: Antioxidant properties, fights free radical damage, fights skin infections. - Leafy greens are a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. Skin enhancing vitamins found in leafy greens are Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin A.

Water:  Why: Keeps cells hydrated, carries nutrients to cells and removes toxins from the body. Drinking enough pure, clean water is one of the easiest things you can do to have great skin. Not only does it keep your skin hydrated, it also helps cells by moving nutrients in and moving toxins out. It also helps us sweat more efficiently which keeps the skin clear as well.

5/2009

Breaking out? It can happen to anyone at any age-acne does not discriminate.

Defined in terms of grades, acne can show up in the form of:

Grade 1: clogged pores, whiteheads or blackheads

Grade 2: the small pimple, technically named the papule, which is slightly pink and tender

Grade 3: more inflammation visible (technically this is now a pustule - I know, it doesn't sound or look pretty)

Grade 4: this is the big guy with much more sensitivity and larger amount of swelling

Grade 5: the cystic breakouts (this is what most of us think of when we hear the word "acne")

Acne can occur at different ages and show different symptoms, but recent research shows the root of the problem is inflammation (even at the very first stages.)

Traditional acne treatments have all had the same goals: get rid of excess oil, kill bacteria, and help the skin exfoliate. These treatments are usually inflammatory, meaning they cause inflammation. They also dry out the skin (which can lead to major problems if treating adult acne.) While there is some benefit in controlling oil and bacteria, these treatments merely address the symptoms of acne, not the actual problem. In addition, some of the treatments come with various side effects like dryness, sun sensitivity, and in some cases - stress on internal organs.

In order to get real results without sacrificing the health of your skin, you need to address the root of the problem: inflammation.
New studies define acne as a systemic inflammatory disease, let's break this down:

Systemic

- affecting the whole body system, internally and externally
Inflammatory - describes a local response to cellular injury that is marked by swelling, redness, heat, or pain and that serves as a mechanism initiating the elimination of harmful agents and of damaged tissue
Disease - ("dis-ease") an abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions

Any time the body is under stress and duress, inflammation occurs. This inflammation causes free radical damage, uses our natural supply of antioxidants and white blood cells, and ages us prematurely. It also can lead to improper exfoliation inside our skin's follicles - which leads to clogged pores!! (*by the way, the solution is NOT excessive exfoliation - which does not affect the inside of the follicle and only creates inflammation.)
Examples of inflammatory situations:

Hormonal imbalance - birth control, pregnancy, puberty, HRT, menopause

Stress - physical (too many reps at the gym), emotional (just got dumped), or mental (big meeting, loss of job, worrying)

Diet - too much sugar, not enough good fat, too many processed foods or fake substitutes

PH balance - not enough fruits, veggies and greens, too much meat or dairy

Topically induced - too many peels, excessive cleansing and exfoliation, use of harsh synthetic ingredients

The point: acne can flare up from many different situations, but these situations all have one thing in common - INFLAMATION. So, whether you're 16 or 56, limiting inflammatory situations will help clear your skin and prevent future acne breakouts.
Sounds simple enough, right?
The catch: you actually have to make a commitment to change your diet, lifestyle and skin care regime to get the results.

 What's good for the body is great for the skin, so both internal and external supplementation is recommended. Here are some tips for clearing your skin:

Use a gentle antibacterial cleanser that wont strip your skin (avoid SLS as the active cleansing agent)

Try natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory ingredients for topical use instead of harsh acids

Try the non-acid form of Vitamin A instead of Retin-A or Accutane

Get regular facials - but skip on the acid peels, hydrogen peroxide and microdermabrasion - instead try enzymes for exfoliation and infusions of antioxidants along with lymphatic massage or light therapy

Change your diet: read Dr. Perricone's Clear Skin Prescription for some great suggestions; visit your local holistic nutritionist

Drink more water and green or herbal tea. Eliminate coffee and soda

Just say no to sugar, including FAKE sugars like splenda and sucralose

Forget low fat diets and just eat the good fats - like olive oil, avocados, and nuts

Leave the stage makeup for actors - it doesn't really cover the breakouts and it makes the acne worse (instead try crushed minerals - like: www.everydayminerals.com)

talk with your doctor and naturopath / nutritionist about birth control (no matter what kind or oral or patch contraceptive it is, it's still synthetic hormones going into your body - see if there are other methods that are better for you.)

QUICK FIXES:

Try a juice fast: www.juicefasting.org  

Take a wheatgrass shot:  www.wheatgrass.com

Make water the ONLY beverage you drink

Sweat it out at the gym or in the steam room (this is not recommended for acne grades 4 and 5)

The bonus: By taking these steps to clearer skin, you will also feel healthier, more energetic and lighter on your feet (literally!)