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Caloric Restriction May Slow Down Aging Process

Monday, November 28th, 2011

slow down the aging process Eating fewer calories can help you lose weight, but it may have benefits beyond a slimmer body.

According to researchers at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg, consuming fewer calories can slow down the aging process. And the sooner one cuts down on calories, the greater the effect.

”We are able to show that caloric restriction slows down aging by preventing an enzyme, peroxiredoxin, from being inactivated. This enzyme is also extremely important in counteracting damage to our genetic material,” says Mikael Molin of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.

Other studies have shown that restricting calories can delay the onset of some age-related diseases, such as cancer and type 2 diabetes, but it was unclear why. The researchers were able to identify peroxiredoxin 1, Prx1, one of the enzymes needed for the anti-aging effects of caloric restriction to work effectively.

The study showed that Prx1 is damaged as we age, but caloric restriction counteracts this by producing more of the enzyme Srx1, which repairs Prx1.

“Impaired Prx1 function leads to various types of genetic defects and cancer. Conversely, we can now speculate whether increased repair of Prx1 during ageing can counteract, or at least delay, the development of cancer,” according to the study.

The enzyme has also been linked to disorders that affect the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The researchers plan to study if stimulation of Prx1 could delay the onset of these diseases.

The study’s results, published in Molecular Cell journal, are promising, but be sure to consult with your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet.

While cosmetic procedures can’t slow down the internal aging process, they can help you look younger. For instance, Botox and fillers smooth away wrinkles that appear as we age. Schedule a consultation with your cosmetic surgeon to learn more about procedures that are right for you.

Tags: slow down the aging process
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Smiling is a Simple Way to Look Younger

Monday, November 21st, 2011

Smiling is a way to express your happiness, and it may also be a way to look younger.

A new study found that our facial expressions have an impact on how old we look. Pictures of people who were smiling were estimated to appear on average two years younger than they actually were.

The study had 154 adults guess the ages of men and women with various expressions in more than 2,000 photographs. The face in each photo had one of the following expressions: angry, fearful, disgusted, happy, sad and neutral.

Participants guessed the ages of the neutral faces most accurately, but faces with emotion tended to throw off age predictions.

“Although age estimates can often be based on multiple cues, there are many situations in which a picture of a person’s face is the only information that is immediately available,” researcher Manuel C. Voelkle of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, and colleagues wrote.

For instance, on social networks, like Facebook and LinkedIn, a picture of a person may be the only content shared, without additional background information, according to the authors.

One thing to note is that researchers said pictures of happy faces may be misleading because smiling or laughing creates temporary wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. Because it’s hard to tell temporary wrinkles from real ones in photos, people give a less accurate age estimate, Voelkle said.

In addition, people tend to find smiling faces more attractive, so they may be judged to be younger than they are.

Another interesting finding was that older female faces were estimated to be over three years younger than older male faces. Voelkle thought this might be because women tend to pay more attention to their appearance than men do.

Learn about other non-surgical options for your face.

Tags: way to look younger
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Double Chin Reduction Injectable Looks Promising in Trials

Monday, November 14th, 2011

An injectable for double chin reduction has shown encouraging results after two years of a five-year follow up on study participants.

ATX-101, an injectable drug, reduces the amount of fat that develops under the chin (also called submental fat).

KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, maker of ATX-101, reported that 80% of participants in the study saw a significant reduction of fat under their chins after the first two years of the five-year trial.

“Treatment results with ATX-101 appear to be sustained and well-tolerated, which illustrates its potential as a novel, non-surgical approach to reducing submental fat,” said Kevin C. Smith, a dermatologist in Canada and an investigator in the Phase 2A and long-term follow up studies.

ATX-101 is a formulation of deoxycholate, which is a natural compound that breaks down dietary fat. The procedure is done over several sessions, during which the patient gets around 50 small injections of the treatment into the chin area. The injections work to eliminate fat under the skin’s surface.

“While these results are still preliminary, they support our expectation that ATX-101 may result in a long-term aesthetic correction,” said KYTHERA’s chief medical officer Patricia Walker, MD, PhD. “We look forward to continuing to follow these patients and to further characterizing the long-term safety and efficacy profile of ATX-101.”

Surgical Options for Double Chin Reduction

ATX-101 needs FDA approval before it becomes an option for treating double chins. There are cosmetic surgical options for patients looking to reduce their double chins, which include a lower facelift or neck lift to make the transition between the chin, neck and lower face more defined. Neck liposuction is another surgical option for reducing a double chin and restoring definition to the lower face.

Laser Treatment for Skin Cancer Scars Yields Good Cosmetic Results

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

laser treatment for surgical scars A new study found that treating skin cancer wounds with a fractional CO2 laser yields good cosmetic outcomes.

The study found that fractional carbon laser treatment for surgical scars was effective, significantly improving the appearance of scars, reported Reuters Health. The laser procedure also allows for the scar to be treated immediately, rather than having to wait several months to have the scar resurfaced.

The study had ten patients who had Mohs surgery for skin cancers, with wounds that were from 3 to 9 centimeters long. Four of the wounds were on the face; three were on the neck; and three were on arms.

Half the wound was treated with a fractional carbon dioxide laser; the other half was not treated with the laser. The entire wound was closed with sutures, a liquid adhesive and Steri-Strips.

Nine of the ten patients said the side of the wound treated with the laser looked better than the untreated side at a two- to three-month follow-up visit. They also felt the laser-treated sides were “significantly better with regard to elevation, discoloration and erythema” (redness of the skin).

Three dermatologists who didn’t know which side of the wound had been treated with the laser reviewed photos of the scars and found the laser-treated side to be cosmetically superior in each case.

The authors are planning a multi-center study to confirm the results. “More importantly,” author Dr. David Ozog said, “we want to see if this technique will improve long-term outcomes of some of the most problematic scars such as sternotomy after cardiac surgery and large abdominal scars.”

For those without access to a doctor with a fractional laser, “dermabrasion still works, with a good safety profile,” said Dr. Kishwer S. Nehal, director of Mohs surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

Tags: laser treatment for surgical scars
Posted in Fraxel, In The News, Laser Treatment | No Comments »

Risks Appear to Outweigh Benefits of At-Home Laser Skin Treatments

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

At-home laser skin treatments appeal to some consumers because they may be cheaper than visiting your doctor, but their drawbacks appear to outweigh their benefits, according to The New York Times.

Several doctors weighed in with their opinions about the safety and effectiveness of these products, which are available to consumers for a variety of purposes, including for reducing wrinkles and hair removal.

While these at-home lasers may be less expensive than procedures at a cosmetic surgeon’s office, they may put you at risk of damaging your skin, according to the experts.

For instance, Dr. Sandra Lee, a dermatologist in Upland, Calif., worries about people misusing the product, for instance, using it more often than recommended. “If it says, don’t use more than once a day, but if you’re a teen and you use it more than once a day, are you then at risk for scarring?” Dr. Lee said.

There’s also the question of whether these products have been vetted. Because they are beauty devices, not medical devices, they do not have to be reviewed by the FDA, although some are peer-reviewed by medical experts.

“There may be unforeseen uses and unforeseen consequences that may arise,” even with effective devices, according to Dr. Mathew M. Avram in Boston. These include the possibility of scarring, soreness, redness and hyperpigmentation, and potential product malfunctions.

Patient compliance is usually a large problem with at-home lasers, according to doctors. For instance, one product requires the patient to beam a laser on her legs for 20 minutes a day. Doctors report that many people just stop using them because it’s too time consuming.

Because of these drawbacks, if you are looking for a laser treatment to rejuvenate your skin, to smooth and tighten your skin or to remove unwanted body hair, visiting your doctor may be your best and safest choice.

Laser procedures offered by Dr. Heffernan include skin resurfacing with the Fraxel Restore laser and laser hair removal.

Tags: at-home laser skin treatments
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Restylane for Lip Augmentation Approved by FDA

Monday, October 17th, 2011

The FDA has approved popular dermal filler Restylane for lip augmentation.

The filler is already approved to treat facial wrinkles and folds, like the smile lines that go from the nose to the corners of the mouth.

Many cosmetic surgeons are already skilled at using Restylane for lip augmentation because they had been using it as an off-label treatment for enhancing the lips prior to FDA approval.

According to a release from Medicis, maker of Restylane, a clinical study showed that the results last up to six months.

The study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Restylane for lip augmentation had 180 patients. Some received Restylane injections at the beginning and then were retreated at six months. Participants who did not get treatment at the start of the study received their first Restylane treatment at six months. Patients kept diaries for two weeks after treatment.

The study found that Restylane was well tolerated and effective for lip augmentation; side effects included pain, swelling, tenderness and bruising, and none were serious.

Patients in the study were clearly happy with the results, as 80 percent chose to get Restylane treatment again after six months.

Restylane was the first hyaluronic acid dermal filler approved in the U.S. It launched here in January 2004, and according to Medicis, it has been used in over 10 million treatments worldwide.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the body, and over time, Restylane is resorbed by the body as the treatment results wear off.

Results can be seen immediately after your Restylane treatment, and there is no downtime or recovery period after the procedure.

Learn more about Restylane for lip augmentation.

Tags: Restylane for lip augmentation
Posted in In The News, wrinkle fillers | No Comments »

Courtney Thorne-Smith Educates Consumers on Botox Facts

Monday, October 10th, 2011

Botox facts Actress Courtney Thorne-Smith is helping to educate consumers on BOTOX® Cosmetic and changes in perceptions about the injectable since the drug launched almost 10 years ago.

Allergan, the company that makes BOTOX, reports that since FDA approval, the number of women who believe that BOTOX is an effective way to treat frown lines between the eyebrows has increased from 21 percent to 79 percent in 2010.

Women, like Thorne-Smith, have become more open about getting BOTOX treatments, and 90 percent of women who have had BOTOX say they would recommend it to a friend.

“I’ve used it, I like it, it works well for me. That’s just the simple truth,” Thorne-Smith told People magazine.

“I found I’ve been able to use it and have full expression and look really normal,” she said. “I found the frown line was distracting me – I was conscious of it. Now I’m not.”

Botox Facts

Here are some facts about BOTOX, in response to some of the most common questions consumers have about injectable treatments, according to a survey conducted by Allergan and HealthyWomen of 826 U.S. women ages 35 to 65.

Botox safety: For every injectable treatment, including BOTOX, it’s important to review the Important Safety Information and Medication Guide with your physician as serious side effects can occur. The most common side effects include pain or temporary bruising at the injection site, temporary tiredness, headache and nausea.

Cost of treatment: Cost varies across the country based on a number of factors. Allergan reports that according to one survey of doctors, the average cost of BOTOX is approximately $400 for treatment of the glabellar lines between the brows.

Facial movement after Botox: Injectable treatments such as BOTOX should not radically change one’s appearance. When BOTOX is administered by an experienced physician, a person can still frown and look surprised without lines between the brows.

Length of results: BOTOX treatment effects can last up to four months.

Discomfort from treatment: Discomfort associated with the injection is usually minimal and brief, and your physician may apply an ice pack or anesthetic cream.

Tags: Botox facts
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Functional Blepharoplasty Patients Often Enjoy Cosmetic Results

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

Although traditionally considered a cosmetic surgery procedure, eyelid surgery is sometimes considered medically necessary. For instance, droopy upper eyelids that impair vision are a common reason that patients choose functional blepharoplasty.

Mary Lou Lueders, 74, is one patient who never considered cosmetic surgery. “I just thought I would grow old gracefully,” she told tampabay.com.

However, when she found out that upper eyelid surgery would improve her vision, she decided to have the procedure and was happy with not only the functional results, but the changes to her appearance as well.

“People told me I looked 10, 20 years younger,” said Lueders after the operation. “Now I understand why women do this sort of thing. It makes them feel better and look better.”

In Lueders’ case, her eyelid procedure was considered medically necessary and was covered by Medicare. She also had a laser procedure to remove festoons under her eyes, which was considered a cosmetic procedure.

Candidates for eyelid surgery may have one or more of the following conditions:

Bags under the eyes
Sagging upper eyelids
A tired, puffy-eyed appearance
Crepey, excess eyelid skin
Impaired vision due to eyelid imperfections

After surgery, patients may have some swelling and tightness around the eyes, which should go away within two days after surgery, and a full recovery is usually within ten days.

For a total upper face rejuvenation, eyelid surgery can be combined with a brow lift or performed in addition to skin resurfacing around the eyes with a laser resurfacing treatment, such as Fraxel.

To learn more about eyelid surgery, contact Dr. J. Timothy Heffernan in Seattle.

Tags: functional blepharoplasty
Posted in Facial Plastic Surgery, In The News, Reconstructive Surgery | No Comments »

Topical Botox Gel Shows Promise in Treating Crow’s Feet

Monday, September 26th, 2011

Botox results without the needle? It may be a reality one day, as preliminary research for a topical Botox gel shows promise for reducing crow’s feet, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The gel contains botulinum toxin, which is Botox’s active ingredient, and results last about four months, which is similar to the results from Botox injections.

The study said that the gel “noticeably softened crow’s feet,” but there are still many unknowns about the new drug, including how much it would cost, when it might be available and how well it will work compared to injected Botox. More studies are needed before possible FDA approval.

If a Botox gel does prove to be safe and effective, it would likely be embraced by consumers. Botulinum toxins, such as Botox and Dysport, are the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the country, and the gel could offer a pain-free alternative to the injectables. The gel is applied to the wrinkled area around the eyes; after a half an hour it is then wiped off, according to study researchers.

In one study, close to 90 percent of patients who got the botulinum toxin gel showed a “clinically meaningful” reduction in wrinkles, compared to 28 percent of those who got a placebo gel. In another study with 180 patients who had crow’s feet, about 40 percent responded favorably, the researchers reported.

Topical Botox Would Require Your Cosmetic Surgeon

The botulinum toxin gel is a drug, not a skin cream. That means that if it were eventually to receive FDA approval, patients could only undergo the procedure at their physician’s office.

The researchers did point out that it may be difficult for a gel to get the level of precision that injections provide; however, the gel’s advantage is that patients can avoid the needle.

Tags: topical Botox, topical botulinum toxin
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The Five Most Popular Cosmetic Surgery Procedures for Men

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

most popular cosmetic surgery for men More men are getting cosmetic surgery, and a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) found that 12 percent of men said they plan to have cosmetic surgery at some point in the future.

Why are more men turning to cosmetic surgery? Spouses and significant others may play a role in encouraging it. Men may also feel pressure to maintain a more-youthful look for their careers.

Top Five Cosmetic Surgery Procedures for Men

Men seem to favor non-surgical procedures, according to the top five cosmetic procedures from the AACS. The most popular procedure for men is Botox, and laser hair removal and microdermabrasion also made the top five.

Surgeons say that men are more discreet about cosmetic procedures, and so they tend to look for outpatient procedures with little recovery time and subtle results.

Hair transplantation/restoration and liposuction also made the list of the top five popular procedures for men, according to AACS statistics.

For liposuction, men often focus on areas like the lower back, upper flanks and abdomen, otherwise known as the “spare tire.” However, removal of fat from under the chin — neck liposuction — is also becoming more popular for men.

Barry Lind, 52, said he chose to have cosmetic surgery after losing weight, which left him looking like a “12-year-old St. Bernard.”

“After successfully losing 30 pounds over two years, I decided to get a neck reduction at age 47,” Lind said. “That consisted of liposuction and tightening of my neck muscles.”

A year later, Lind got a chin implant. “I’ve maintained my weight, and I look great,” said Lind. “No regrets.”

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