Prescription acne medication

Acne Vulgaris is associated with hormonal changes typical to adolescence and early adulthood due to increase levels of testosterone hormone levels typical  to teens and young adults of both genders. Acne is an infection of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles on skin surface. It typically affects the surface of the face, back, armpits, neck or other sweaty areas.  Acne can have several levels of severity in terms of surface size of affected skin, type of breakout and depth of lesions.  If an acne cyst becomes severely inflamed, there is a good chance that it will rupture and scarring may result. Prescription acne medication can be very helpful in the prevention of acne breakouts and with treatment of existing acne to avoid scaring and shorten acne breakout duration. Acne treatments work by reducing oil production, speeding up skin cell turnover, fighting bacterial infection, reducing the inflammation or doing all the above. With most prescription acne medications, improvement may appear only four to eight weeks after treatment begins, and at times the skin condition may get worse before it gets better. Prescription oral acne medication should be avoided during pregnancy especially during the first trimester.

The American Association of Dermatologists (AAD) publishes useful guidelines and information for treating severe acne. This includes useful information regarding possible side effects and wise words of cautiousness and things that are good to know about these available acne treatments.

Prescription acne medication can be divided into:

• Topical – creams and lotions applied to the skin –  may be prescribed for mild to severe acne.
• Oral prescription acne medication – (Systemic – works internally through the full body) prescribed to treat severe acne and may be used for moderate cases too.  It is very important that patients treated with oral prescription acne medication be in constant medical supervision as side effects can be harmful if left undiagnosed.

Topical prescription acne medication

If acne doesn’t respond to Over the Counter (OTC) topical treatments such as Benzyl Peroxide meant to dry up the oil, kill bacteria and promote sloughing of dead skin cells, a doctor or dermatologist can prescribe a stronger lotion.

There are two main types of topical prescription acne medications:

1. Topical products derived from vitamin A – work by promoting cell turnover and preventing plugging of the hair follicles.

Topical Retinoids are a common derivative of vitamin A used in topical prescription acne treatment. Retinoids work by unclogging  pores and preventing whiteheads and blackheads from forming as they increase oxygenation in treatment area hence preventing growth of the P. acne that thrives in an anaerobic environment ( without oxygen) . Topical retinoids can cause skin irritation, in addition, increased sun sensitivity of the skin is another common side effect. It is important to use sun protection and follow the dermatologist’s directions to maximize effectiveness. Topical retinoids currently prescribed for acne treatment in the United States include: Tretinoin, Adapalene, and Tazarotene. When using Tazarotene it is extremely important to combine treatment with a secure contraceptive regimen as it is known to cause skeletal birth defects.

1. Topical antibiotics – work by killing excess P.acnes bacteria on the skin, hence preventing acne bacterial infections.

In most cases, a combination of both topical types is required for optimal results. A number of benzoyl peroxide, an OTC topical, combined with prescribed antibiotic medication are available, including different dose combinations of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin (Benzaclin, Duac, Acanya) and benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin (Benzamycin). Some side effects of topical treatments include: stinging, burning, redness or peeling. A dermatologist can assist with reduction of these side effects by using a short application duration gradually increasing the dose or switching to another medication.

Oral prescription acne medication

Oral prescription acne medication can be classified as:

• Oral antibiotics
• Oral contraceptives
• Isotretinoin (Accutane)- Oral retinoid.

Oral Antibiotics
Oral antibiotics are prescribed for patients with moderate to severe and persistent acne. They work by reducing the P. acnes bacteria population, hence, decreasing inflammation. Treatment dosage with oral antibiotics varies; usually the dosage is reduced as acne conditions improve. In most cases, antibiotics are prescribed for a duration of about six months or less. When using oral antibiotics the P. acnes bacteria might become resistant to the specific antibiotic medication. If resistance occurs, an alternative antibiotic or alternative treatment should be prescribed. Some research has demonstrated that combining topical treatment using Benzyl Peroxide along with oral antibiotics, reduces the incidents of resistance to the antibiotic drug. Oral antibiotics may cause some common side effects, these include: upset stomach, dizziness or skin discoloration. These drugs also increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun and may also reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. According to a report on the AAD web site most common oral antibiotics used for treatment of acne in the United States include:

• Erythromycin. This antibiotic is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, including P. acnes. The most common side effect is irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Tetracycline and its derivatives. Tetracycline reduces the inflammatory lesions of acne. Tetracycline should not be taken by pregnant or breast feeding woman as it can affect the development of the child’s bones and teeth, causing skeletal defects. Long-term, low-dose tetracycline therapy may be continued for many months to suppress acne. Higher doses may be prescribed for very severe acne.

Two available synthetic derivatives of tetracycline are doxycycline and minocycline. Doxycycline is especially effective in treating inflammatory acne. It can cause sun sensitivity in some patients. Minocyline is often effective in treating acne that has not responded to other oral antibiotics. Minocycline also seems to produce fewer incidents of antibiotic resistance.

Oral Contraceptives.

Oral contraceptives are a treatment option for the improvement of acne in women. Commonly used oral contraceptives for treatment of acne include a combination of Norgestimate (progesterone hormone) and Ethinylestradiol (Estrogen commonly used in medications) Common names of these medications include Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cycle. Side effects common to contraceptives include: headaches, breast tenderness, nausea and depression. The most serious potential adverse effect of these medications is a slightly increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and blood clots.

Isotretinoin (Accutane)

In sever acne cases, when antibiotics are not effective, for example in cases of deep cysts, Isotretinoin (Accutane) which is an oral retinoid drug. Isotretinoin is a powerful prescription acne medication reserved as a last resort option.  Isotretinoin/Accutane is very effective, but people who take it need close supervision by a dermatologist because of the possibility of severe side effects. It is associated with severe birth defects, therefore women of reproductive age must participate in a Food and Drug Administration-approved monitoring program to receive a prescription for the drug.

Additional common side effects of Isotretinoin may include: dry membranes in eyes, mouth, lips, nose and skin, as well has itching. Other side effects may include nosebleeds, muscle aches, sun sensitivity and poor night vision. The drug may also increase the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood and may increase liver enzyme levels. Even though it has not been clinically proven there have been reports as if Isotretinoin may be associated with increased rates of depression and suicide. This following link proves no significant link between depression and Isotretinoin: http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/10/1231

This link claims reduction of depression following treatment with Isotretinon:

http://www.eblue.org/article/S0190-9622(87)70166-2/abstract

An alternative assumption could be made claiming that if indeed patients who consume Isotretinon are those that suffer from depression, this could be as a result of the fact that these are also the acne patients that suffer from the most aggressive and disfiguring type of acne.

Alternative methods for treatment of acne

The TriPollar solution

Alternative methods of acne treatments are available suitable for patients who are not willing or capable of adhering to a daily treatment regimen. Alternative acne treatment are also a relief for those who have failed medical management and for patients who prefer to avoid long-term drug treatment due to concerns or experience with the significant side effects associated with prolonged treatment using  isotretinoin and other acne medications. Alternative acne treatment options include laser therapy, phototherapy and TriPollar radio frequency. A study recently published following the treatment of moderate to mild acne using TriPollar RF technology, demonstrated that TriPollar Radiofrequency (RF) technology is a safe and effective solution for the treatment of acne vulgaris. (http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/14764172.2011.564626)

The patients that participated in the research showed an average of 42% decrease in acne vulgaris lesions after six weekly treatments as well as at a follow-up visit four weeks later. Having a safe and effective alternative acne treatment provides additional options for acne patients and broadens the options of available acne management.

Treatment of ageing skin that is aimed at correcting damage of years includes noninvasive, mildly invasive and invasive procedures. When searching for options, not all possibilities are suitable for all. Therefore, when selecting a treatment for ageing skin it is important to find out in advance are there any possible side effects? What are these side effects? Is there down time? Pain level?

Treatment of ageing skin includes the use of dermal fillers, botox, skin resurfacing, and more invasive surgical procedures. Lasers can be used to address issues of pigmentations, discolorations, abnormal skin growths etc’. The most effective treatment of ageing skin would probably combine the use of anti ageing technologies that induce strengthening of the skin from within with skin surface treatments that remove old skin damage and expose newer skin. Fine spot corrections can include the use of dermal fillers and botox for deep wrinkles.

One non invasive technology for treatment of aging skin uses Radio Frequency (RF) energy for facial contouring and skin tightening, inducing heat in the treated area, this heat stimulates the body’s own collagen generation and in addition, tightens the existing collagen. The result is an improved skin texture along with reduced laxity of the skin.

Combining radio frequency non invasive treatment with a more aggressive treatment of skin resurfacing (using laser or radio frequency fractional treatments), will result in the benefits of collagen build up from within due to the RF treatment and renewed skin surface. However, this combined treatment will require a healing period due to the skin resurfacing and does involve minimal down time.
Treatment of ageing skin also includes prevention of further damage. This will include good hydration by drinking plenty of water, eating healthy food, physical activity, avoid smoking and excessive drinking and most important of all BE HAPPY.

Rubens -The Three Graces

Unfortunately cellulite topics can even occupy precious major newspaper pages with useless information about sexy celebrities that have been spotted with cellulite.
Is the expression “sexy cellulite” an oxymoron due to media and fashion brainwash or has cellulite always been a non sexy feature.
In the past, during the Victorian era, cellulite and plumpness were signs of status and wealth. Paintings from this era portray nude women with large thighs embedded with lumpy cellulite areas. The painters invited to portray the images of high society celebrities could have painted them with smooth large thighs without the use of Photoshop but they chose to portray the dimpled skin of the thighs and buttocks, that cellulite was indeed considered sexy cellulite.

The celebrities of the 21st century are not so lucky; they were born in a different era when cellulite is considered a devastating condition even though about 90% of the female population is a victim of it. It is not “sexy cellulite” for these modern times it is very un-sexy.
Personally I despise the paparazzi photographers and newspaper journalists that ambush famous celebrities with the purpose of finding imperfections in the idol image. This is a sign of shallowness of modern times, media bashing with useless information regarding celebrities that we envy and are happy to find any imperfections that will reduce them from the status of gods.
Sexy cellulite? It is all a matter of social norms. This day and age we live in a society that regards cellulite as an unwanted condition. There are many technologies, creams, special diets and exercises that claim to reduce or eliminate cellulite, some of these technologies will help with reduction of cellulite appearance while others will not really perform the miracles they promise. If you have cellulite you are not alone and at least it is not a disease but only an aesthetic “problem” that can be treated to a degree.
If you want to take advantage of the available treatments for cellulite reduction, it is best to select a method supported by a professional clinic. One available option is the Maximus device that uses the TriLipo technology which combines TriPollar RF technology and Dynamic Muscle Activation (DMA) simultaneously.

trilipo-cellulite

Cellulite is caused by bulging of the fat cells in the adipose layer situated under the dermis layer of the skin. The Trilipo technology causes these fat cells to heat up, increasing the metabolism rate in them, initiating the break down of the fat stored in these cells and the release of  fatty acids to the outer cell area. The TriLipo Dynamic Muscle Activation increases the circulation hence improving the oxygen supply to the treated area and increasing the removal of the fat break-down and release bi-products. In addition, the heating of the treated area causes tightening of the existing collagen in the dermis layer, therefore improving the texture of the skin surface. The outcome of this treatment is the reduction of size of the fat cells under the skin and a general improvement of skin tightening, hence reducing the appearance of cellulite.

non-invasive treatment for the treatment of sun damage, ageing skin and other skin disorders

Laser rejuvenation is a cosmetic procedure for reducing the appearance of impairments in the skin’s surface and achieving anti ageing results. These imperfections include sun damage, ageing, and other skin disorders. The laser skin rejuvenation is used in order to break the molecular bonds of the damaged skin cells until a smoother layer of skin is attained and the damaged skin layers are peeled off.

Laser rejuvenation is a non invasive and non-ablative treatment; it is safe and effective, with minimal discomfort. It is also a much cheaper option than other invasive treatments such as deep peeling or other surgeries. In skin laser rejuvenation, the treatment starts from the internal layer of the dermis (therefore non-ablative). The skin laser light damages the production of collagen, and stimulates its production in the internal layers of the skin. This internal procedure eventually creates new skin cells in the underlying layers, and gently erasing the signs of age in the external layers of the skin, the epidermis, creating smooth and younger looking skin.
There are more than a few laser skin rejuvenation types in the market:
1.    CO2 Laser
CO2 laser or Carbon Dioxide Laser is an infrared laser and it is the highest intensity laser in the market. The CO2 laser uses heat to regulate collagen bands in the lower dermis, therefore removing the external layers of the damaged skin and deeper facial lines and wrinkles
2.    Erbium laser
Similar to the CO2 laser, the Erbium laser can be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles in the face, neck, back, chest, or hands. The Erbium laser is a little milder and less invasive treatment option than the CO2 laser, therefore more suitable for darker skin as it has less risk for pigmentation.
3.    Fraxel Laser
The Fraxel laser treatment is a relatively noninvasive method compared to other types of laser skin rejuvenation . In this method the Fraxel laser uses only small percentage (or fraction) of the skin each time, treating  fine lines and wrinkles, discolorations, acne scars, and giving the skin healthier appearance.
Laser rejuvenation treatments are performed in outpatient’s clinics. When needed, local anesthesia can be used. The procedure is usually simple, short (depends on the treatment area), and with hardly any side effects.  The recovery time depends on the type of laser used , and can vary from no downtime at all to few weeks.

The extension of the average human lifespan and the large ageing baby boomers population have generated a well of anti-ageing products and technologies that are aimed at targeting the “side effects” of ageing, helping in body contouring, wrinkle reduction, skin tightening and more.

Can Bottox stop depression?

Botox was one of the major break-through products introduced to combat the signs of ageing by reducing wrinkles caused by stressed facial muscles due to the fact it blocks activation of muscles; hence temporarily paralyzing facial muscles. Before it was introduced to the anti ageing industry, it was used for other medical conditions, for example treating crossed eyes, uncontrolled blinking facial spasms and more.

In 2006, Eric Finzi, MD, PhD, and Erik A. Wasserman, PhD, from Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Associates in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Chevy Chase Cosmetic Center in Maryland experimented with treating depression using Botox. They conducted a small pilot study on 10 subjects (9 subjects suffering from major depression and one subject suffering from Bi-Polar disorder.) Their study demonstrated a significant improvement in the subjects suffering form depression and an easing in symptoms of the one subject suffering from Bi-Polar disorder. Unfortunately this is the only study conducted on this matter and no other information is available on trials on this interesting concept. It makes sense that Botox will alleviate depression due to the numbing affect on the muscles responsible for frowning and sadness. Try to feel sad while your eyebrows are lifted and relaxed, it is a very strange experiment as the feeling that comes with this expression is of well being and happiness.

Maybe Botox helps the ageing population by improving the general feeling one has about him/her self and about life and not only by reducing the wrinkles.

Maybe the new expression for positive thinking should be “Have a Botox outlook on life”…think about it (without frowning).

Does sunscreen provide complete protection?

The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of a sunscreen formula states the effectiveness of this cream when applied at an even layer of 2 milligrams per square centimeter, for blocking the effect of UV sunrays that cause sunburns. The SPF level is defined by comparing the effect of exposure to the sun causing burns to a body area with the evaluated sunscreen compared to the burns to a non coated area. SPF 15 means that compared to a body area without sunscreen, the area with sunscreen will require 15 times more UV to be equally burned compared to the same area without sunscreen.
SPF is evaluated per 2 milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter, unfortunately most people apply less sunscreen than needed. This causes the SPF value to be reduced dramatically hence the person thinks he/she is protected but in reality the effectiveness of the sunscreen is reduced. Thinking that you are protected when in reality you are not is very dangerous as you might linger in the sun for longer.
Another problem with sunscreens is the fact that many of them protect mostly against skin burning, caused by UV-B.  There are three types of UV rays emitted from the sun, the skin cancer foundation has a good explanation about UV classification on their web site. The different types of UV are: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. Both UV-A and UV-B pass the ozone layer and reach the earth, most of the UV-C is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not reach us.
UV-A is the most dominant UV radiation reaching us from the sun. It is present throughout the year and during all day light hours. UV-A penetrates glass and clouds and has a deeper penetration depth into the skin than does UV-B. UV-A is a main inducer of skin ageing, wrinkles and skin cancer. It is the main contributor to tanning, it does so by inducing changes in the cell’s DNA, the skin darkens due to synthesis of melanin to protect the skin from further damage form the UV exposure. Tanning salons use mostly UV-A as the tanning source, the intensity in the salons can be 12 times higher than the natural UV-A levels from the sun.
UV-B penetration depth to the skin is superficial and it plays a major role in skin burning. As apposed to UV-A, UV-B is present in lower levels during different hours of the day, different seasons and various locations on earth and it does not penetrate glass. Similar to UV-A, UV-B contributes to skin cancer, and skin ageing.
Sunscreens were created originally to prevent skin burning and to block mainly UV-B. In recent years manufactures of sunscreens have added UV-A protection too, however the level of protection from UV-A is not included in the SPF classification. It is important to verify, when purchasing a sun block, if the formula claims to protect from UV-A and UV-B. If not specified it is probably UV-B protection only.
The problem with sunscreen is that people feel protected from the damaging rays of the sun while they really are not safe. Most people will assume that if they apply sunscreen on exposed areas, they can allow themselves to walk freely in the sun during the extreme UV hours (10AM-4PM). This is a very dangerous assumption as applying the sunscreen needs to be in the correct amount and the sunscreen needs to be of good protection values. In addition, no sunscreen provides complete protection and it is wise to always stay away from exposure during the extreme hours mentioned above.
Another misconception is that after about 4PM and in early morning hours (6AM-10AM) there is no need for sunscreen as the UV radiation is lower. Very wrong assumption! As mentioned above, UV-A is present most hours of the day, so be ware!
Most people are not aware that they need to apply sunscreen when driving or sitting in a car, or if sitting in front of a sunny window at home, the windows will not protect you, (unless they are coated with a UV protection film).
Below are the Prevention Guidelines of the Skin Cancer Foundation for wise protection from the sun:

“Prevention Guidelines
•    Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
•    Do not burn.
•    Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
•    Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
•    Use a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher every day.
•    Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
•    Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
•    Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
•    See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.”

If your skin has been damaged by years of exposure to the sun’s damaging rays you might be happy to learn that you can help reduce the damage by treatments offered by various technologies. Sun spots (liver spots) can be removed by skin resurfacing technologies and photo-rejuvenation technologies. In addition, a RF technology exists, that targets reduction of wrinkles, collagen regeneration, skin tightening that improves skin texture and lessens the ill affects caused by UV radiation.  For example, TriPollar RF treatments, have been proven to effectivly reduce wrinkles and tighten the skin.  TriPollar based products are maufactured exclusively by Pollogen Ltd.    You do not have to wait till you are in your forties or later to begin treatments; the earlier you begin the better.
To finalize this write up, it would be nice if we adopted the fashion of un-tanned skin as our ancestors admired during the renaissance and earlier periods. Of course this should not include the discrimination against darker color skin that accompanied the earlier age admiration of non tanned skin.
And finally, if you do spend significant time in the sun, make sure to follow the guidelines mentioned above and minimize the damage to your skin.

I have been grey since my late thirties and have not had the urge to cover the grey. I believe you are as young as you feel or as old as you see yourself. To be honest, it has not been easy to withstand the pressure from society,  friends try to refer me to their favorite hairdresser or even better, say kind words like ”you look very young but you will look much younger if you dye your hair”. The hardest hit was when I came to pick up my son from kindergarten and heard the kids yelling “Your grandma is here to pick you up”!!!! But still I did not fall into the hair dying loop (once you start, it is hard to stop).

Ageing is a state of mind

Fortunately, grey hair has become accepted in some western countries. Images of graying models are accepted and are considered sexy and fashionable. It is not about the hair color, it is about how you carry your body, your skin complexion, what you wear and the energy levels you portray.

Ageing is a state of mind, rather than dyeing hair to conceal gray, I prefer dancing, going to rock concerts and staying young at heart. I think that if you feel younger when you dye your hair, than go ahead and do it, feeling younger makes you younger.

Declaring emancipation from hair dyes does not mean letting age take its toll and leaving all to nature. Personally, I use anti-ageing moisturizing creams every day and try to maintain a rigid exercise program to keep my body and spirit in high energy levels. I am fortunate to work in the aesthetic industry so I have accesses to variable technologies that target the ageing skin. I have found Radio Frequency (RF), particularly TriPollar RF face treatments to be to be very pleasant, relaxing and effective from the very first treatment. What I like about these treatments is the fact that the results are not so drastic so I do not look like I had a face lift. Don’t get me wrong, the results are noticeable, acquaintances that had not seen me for a while have all commented on my fresh looking skin and fine complexion. The wonderful thing about it is that it looks natural and is indeed a natural skin rejuvenation process triggered by the treatment; the skin creates new collagen during a few weeks causing the results to improve over time.

So, if you are in the early graying phase and have been pulling the gray out (ouch!), first, pulling them out will not induce growth of more gray than you pulled out so if you want to continue pulling, go ahead. However, you will have to pull out many more hairs as you progress in age, so let it be and learn to accept the random gray hairs and view it as exotic. Later when your hair is mostly silver it can help to adopt the positive attitude towards your hard earned silver crown and learn to enjoy the respect and beauty earned with silver hair. So, go wild – go gray and enjoy a youthful approach to life with a silver crown on your head.

With proper attention and treatment, ageing signs of the hands can be reduced

Most women and some men (metrosexual men…) apply facial creams, eye creams and other anti-ageing treatments to reduce the signs of ageing of the face and body. However, hands, that are also an important age indicator, are failed to be addressed by many. Hands are the most exposed body part to ageing elements like water, house-hold chemicals and the sun, major skin ageing inducers that can be dealt with through proper measures. When dealing with ageing of hands, the symptoms include: ageing spots, thinning of the skin, general thinning of hands and protruding veins. The skin in general, including skin of the hands, produces less collagen as we age hence causing thinning of the skin, thus causing the veins to protrude and the hands to look bonier.

With proper attention and treatment, ageing signs of the hands can be reduced and the hands can look a few years younger. For those of you still young with beautiful hands, make sure to take measures to postpone ageing of hands by applying sunscreen to your hands twice a day. It is also important to wear gloves when washing dishes or if handling house hold chemicals. This will protect your hands from dryness and from the harsh effects of cleaners, detergents etc’.

To help with dry skin, apply cream at night and wear cotton mittens over the cream to enhance absorption.
A few technologies and some invasive methods have been introduced to address the different aspects of ageing hands. Combination of technologies will enable a full spectrum of treatment, however it is important to understand these options in order to ensure the correct sequence of treatment protocol as one technology can interfere with the effectiveness of other technologies if performed in an inappropriate order, timing etc’.
Photorejuvination technologies ( IPL and fractional laser) are well established methods for skin rejuvenation. These methods can help with the reduction of age spots and general improvement of skin appearance of the hands due to induction of new collagen growth and removal of age spots. Healing from photo rejuvenation treatments can take a few weeks because the skin is purposefully damaged to cause superficial skin injury, that induces scabbing, peeling and healing.
Dermal fillers, which are normally deployed for facial wrinkles, can be used for the hands too (for example Restylane) in order to restore “plumpness” and improve the general appearance. If you decide to combine dermal fillers with photorejuvination technologies, it is important to undergo the photorejuvination treatment prior to the use of dermal fillers to ensure that you do not interfere with the dermal filler’s action. It is also important to allow the hands to completely heal before undergoing the next type of treatment.
For treatment of protruding veins on the hands, an invasive cosmetic surgery is available where the veins are removed (of course the doctor will asses the blood vessels on the hands to ensure that the surgery does not damage the blood supply). This surgery requires a long healing duration (a few months) and is usually performed on one hand at a time.
A non invasive safe technology for the improvement of hand appearance is TriPollar RF (Radio Frequency). TriPollar RF treatments can be performed during lunch break short  office visits with no down time and with no need for healing. These treatments induce formation of new collagen in the dermis, hence improving skin texture and resulting with smoother, younger looking hands. TriPollar RF treatments can be combined with photorejuvination treatments to enable removal of age spots along with improvements of skin texture. If combining these two technologies, make sure that the hands have completely healed after the photorejuvination treatments before starting the Tripollar treatment protocol.

Voss Andreae sculptures are inspired by his scientific knowledge

The exhibition “Bodies”, that has been circling the planet, takes the integration between science and art a step further and turns science into the art pieces.
However, art and science are further linked by art work that is inspired by biological and physiological structures. Julian Voss-Andreae is an artist that combines his scientific background with his creations. He studied physics at the universities of Berlin, Edinburgh and Vienna and focused on Quantum physics for his graduate research. Voss Andreae has created large sculptures that are inspired by his scientific knowledge. Among his sculptures is the installation Unraveling Collagen.  According to Voss Andreae: “Unraveling Collagen is based on the structure of collagen, the most abundant protein in humans. In this sculpture I placed the initial emphasis on the structural role collagen plays in our bodies. The triangular cut-outs reveal the dominant force lines, reminiscent of contemporary steel construction. Collagen is mostly known for its role in aging: It is responsible for skin elasticity, and its degradation leads to wrinkles that accompany aging. During the creation of the piece, I departed from the actual molecular structure and opened up the intertwining helices towards the top which connects the piece metaphorically with aging.”
It is quite fascinating and symbolic that Voss Andreae chose to create the unraveling collagen rather than “healthy young collagen”, it is the natural process of nature and is actually a truer symbol of life and time line of the living body rather than a perfect intact triple helix collagen fiber.
“Fighting” the aging process of the collagen is the target of technologies in the beauty and aesthetic industry. It is the desire of most ageing women and men too, to slow down the signs of ageing and to repair the damage already done; this is achieved by stimulation of new collagen growth and tightening of the existing collagen hence mending of the “unraveling” collagen.

Collagen is mostly known for its role in aging

Slyle-M Clinic staff. Ms. Muraki Hiroe second from LEFT

Ms. Muraki  Hiroe, of Style-M and the Matsukura clinic in the fashionable Omotesando Hills district in Tokyo Japan, has been voted as the No1 aesthetician 2 years in a row by a few magazines in Japan.
Being voted as the No 1 Aesthetician in Japan is not a trivial or minor honor, taking into account the high value the Japanese culture places on beauty, body care, aesthetics of appearance, generally talking the art of beautifying the body to its highest level.Ms Muraki Hiroe studied in Tokyo and is still in the process of studying while working as an aesthetician for the past 15 years. Ms Hiroe does not see herself as a master, she acknowledges that her wide and diversified knowledge along with her constant search for methods and technologies that obtain results in an effective and efficient way, are what placed her on top of the ladder. According to Ms. Hiroe, many aestheticians are into general healing and treatments that will be pleasurable for the minute, while her focus is on the obtaining lasting results.
Ms. Hiroe’s advice to beginning aestheticians is to invest in education and strive to achieve higher levels of knowledge. The more one knows, they will understand what they are doing and how to combine the best methods to obtain the best treatment protocols. Ms. Hiroe wants to focus on different good treatment methods and combine them to obtain the best results.

Ms. Hiroe treating with the apollo device

To a question regarding her favorite present treatment, Ms. Hiroe answered without hesitation “The apollo is my favorite now”. (I stressed while I presented the question to Ms. Hiroe that she does not have to answer ” the apollo” just to please me…). Ms. Hiroe loves working with the apollo because she sees wonderful results, it is very pleasant for the client being treated and there is no pressure and stress while treating.
At present, Ms Hiroe is studying a method that works through adjustment and very specific alignment of the bones and muscular structure to improve structure and facial contour (This is very different than chiropractic work). She works mainly on the facial structure and is just about to take examinations.  We wish you luck Ms Muraki Hiroe, we are sure you will do very well.