bonnie

A Guide to Younger Looking Lips

Your mouth may do the talking, but don’t let it tell your age.  The lips can impact the overall youthfulness of the face.  It can be an easy oversight, but taking care of your lips should be part of your skincare routine. The hallmark signs of aging lips include dryness, distress lines and loss of volume.  Today, plumper, prettier lips can be achieved from makeup to skin care to medical treatments.  Your lips can avoid the signs of aging with 5 different types of treatments.  Below is a quick treatment guide on how to perfect your pout.

• Exfoliate

Many of us are already aware of the importance of hydration when it comes to plump, vibrant looking skin.  However, it is common for many to skip the crucial first step, exfoliation, for achieving more youthful looking lips. This rule applies to the skin of your lips just as it does your face.  If exfoliation is overlooked, your favorite lip balms will sit on top of the dead skin and will not be able to effectively moisturize your lips.

• Nourish

Applying a hydrating mask after exfoliation is a great way to nourish your lips.  To start the day right, consider an overnight lip mask that helps repair your lips while you sleep.  This will restore, by infusing hydration into your lips, resulting in a healthier appearance.

• Go Natural

A lip balm composed of all natural ingredients such as oat oil, shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax should be applied throughout the day.  Unfortunately, many lip products contain unnatural ingredients such as alcohol, which causes dehydration and my even lead to crinkling or cracking lips.  Finally, your lips should be protected daily from the sun with an SPF of 15 or higher.

• Erase Fine Lines

Those pesky fine lines around the lip area continue to become etched into our skin when we talk, laugh and eat.  Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption exacerbates this problem greatly. Botox and filler such as JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC can be utilized to soften these lines and create a more rejuvenated appearance.

• Plump

When we are young, our skin is very plump due to an increased amount of collagen and hyaluronic acid.  As we grow older, our lips get thinner and flatten. The most effective method for achieving fuller lips for a substantial amount of time is with dermal fillers such as Restylane® Silk or JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC.  These dermal fillers mimic the natural feel of your lips and are specifically designed to add volume and fullness back into the lips.

You’re aging, but that’s ok because we have you covered.  The cosmetic tools to turn back the hands of time are no longer reserved just for ladies.  The best part is that there is no reason to feel shame, you’re far from the only one.  More men are increasingly enhancing their look with lasers, needles and chemicals at record rates. Recently, research revealed that men are the fast-growing segment in the aesthetic industry.  Per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the amount of men being treated with Botox has increased 310 percent since 2000.  A parallel growth is occurring with other noninvasive treatments such as dermal fillers and laser treatments.

We understand the importance of customizing our aesthetic treatments for you.  Top dermatologist in NYC, Michael Eidelman, M.D., advises in GQ magazine that aging in men tends to happen under the eyes and at the temples.  An arsenal of treatments such as fillers like Restylane, Juvéderm and Sculptra add volume to sunken eyes and cheeks and intense pulsed light (IPL) minimizes age spots and broken blood vessels.

“I think men are starting to realize you can get this stuff done without looking like you had it done,” says Cliff Kohler, a 38-year-old retired Air Force captain who now works in the pharmaceutical industry. “People say, ‘Oh, you look so much more rested.’ ”

If you are interested in sprucing up your appearance but not sure where to start, Here is a quick guide to give you an idea.

Lines & Wrinkles

Solution:  Injectable treatments such as Botox relax wrinkles for a smoother and rejuvenated look.

Brown Spots and Blotchy

Solution:  Intense pulsed light targets brown and red pigment associated with sun damage. The treatment causes sun spots and freckles to darken and flake off after a few days. IPL treatments also combat facial redness caused by spider veins and residual effects of acne damage.

Sagging Face

Solution:  Dermal fillers add fullness to the face, lift drooping areas and smooth out deep wrinkles.

Turkey Neck

Kybella is one of the hottest aesthetic treatments to remove submental (chin and neck fat) to achieve a slimmer, more youthful looking neck.

 Lastly, it is smart to protect your investment with regular medical skin care treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion and microneedling.  These types of treatments will keep the signs of aging at bay and keep you looking your best.

Life After Cancer: ThermiVA 

Life events such as childbirth, menopause and the natural aging process can alter a woman’s sexual health.  These changes can have a substantial negative impact on a woman’s quality of life.  Unfortunately, many products and treatments developed to combat these common feminine concerns cannot be adopted by those suffering from the same problems due to cancer treatments. Historically, the only options for cancer patients were lubricants, invasive vaginal surgery or hormones.

How Does ThermiVA Work?

ThermiVa utilizes radiofrequency energy, delivered through a thin, “S” shaped wand, to direct gentle heat deep into the tissues to stimulate the natural production of collagen.  A total of three treatments three months apart can successfully treat:

• Vaginal dryness
• Vaginal atrophy
• Lack of libido or painful intercourse
• Urinary stress incontinence
• Skin laxity
• Organismic dysfunction

Adverse Effects of Cancer Treatment

Unpleasant side effects of cancer treatments can wreak havoc on women’s sexual health and personal life in a multitude of ways.  Many suffer from severe vaginal dryness when surgical or medical menopause occurs due to the removal of the ovarian function. As extreme vaginal atrophy sets in the vaginal canal narrows making sexual relations very difficult to impossible.

Traditional treatments such as vaginal estrogen creams, dilators, pelvic floor physical therapy and lasers attempt to improve vaginal moisture by initiating tissue trauma and inflammation with laser heat.  However, patients often find that the laser treatment causes severe pain due to the size of the laser probes.  When the vagina is already extremely dry and tight, anesthesia becomes necessary. 

ThermiVA to the Rescue

ThermiVA was introduced two years ago to breast cancer and uterine/pelvic cancer patients who are not candidates for other conventional treatments.  Great success has been achieved for patients at all stages in their recovery. The slim wand allows for even the most severe cases of vaginal atrophy to be treated.  New collagen and elastin is generated both outside and inside the vagina with temperature controlled radio frequency.  There is also an increase of blood flow to the area due to the creation of new blood vessels.   This is what is ultimately behind the “The Viagra Effect.”  Natural vaginal discharge is formed because of the increased blood flow.  The soft and elastic characteristics of new tissues permit stretching that could not be achieved previously.  Typically, patients find they can renew their sexual relations within three months.   ThermiVA has delivered exceptional results without discomfort, hormones or surgery.

ThermiVA treatments are performed without the need for anesthesia and there is absolutely no downtime. The patient can engage in sexual relations, exercise or any physical activity she chooses immediately following the treatment.  The treatments take approximately 30 minutes to perform each month for three months with an annual touch up.

The key advantages of ThermiVA include:

• Non-surgical
• No downtime or lengthy recovery
• Painless
• Provides results after the first treatment

ThermiVA offers additional benefits such as skin tightening, leaky bladder, vulvar skin disorders and organismic difficulties.  ThermiVA is quickly emerging as the gold standard for non-surgical and non-hormonal treatment for countless feminine ailments for breast and pelvic cancer patients.

For more information on how ThermiVa can help you or a loved one, schedule your complimentary consultation at Bella Body Medical Spa, 215.622.7724.