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.

Fat removal surgeries – short summary of the available options

There are many kinds of fat removal surgeries and it is important to understand which one is the best option for you. Many people think that the only answer to their body shape problems is fat removal surgery but there are also some non surgical alternatives. Below is a short summary of some of the options that are available today for body shaping.

Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic fat removal surgeries according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In this procedure, localized fat deposits can be removed from: chin, chest, back, stomach and thighs. A very small cannula is inserted to break up the fat cells and then used to vacuum out the fat. The more fat removed, the higher the surgical risk. Several factors limit the amount of fat that can be safely removed in one session and removing too much fat can cause “lumpiness” and/or “dents”.  The procedure takes about 1-1.5 hours and many patients are able to go home on the same day. Full recovery usually takes between 2-4 weeks and a supportive elastic garment needs to be worn around the clock for about 3 weeks.

Abdominoplasty – tummy tuck

Another popular fat removal surgery focused on the removal of fat and excess skin around the waist is the Abdominoplasty.

Procedure usually takes between 1-2 hours and 1-2 days are required for hospitalization. Full recovery usually takes between 4-6 weeks and a support garment should be worn for 6 weeks. For more information and better understanding of the procedure you can watch tummy tuck animation on: http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Patients_and_Consumers/Procedures/Procedure_Animations/Tummy_Tuck.html

LipoSelection: Ultrasonic assisted liposuction – Vaser.

This is a new ultrasonic procedure that uses ultrasound technology to break up and emulsify the fat that you want to remove. With this procedure fat is being liquefied and then removed in areas of the body including: abdomen, thighs, neck and arms. The treated area is filled with special saline solution to numb the site and shrink blood vessels. A small probe transmits ultra-sound energy which dissolves the fat cells. Then a gentle suction and massage removes the fat quickly and easily. Local anesthesia is required; the operation takes between 1-3 hours depending on the size of the area.  Recovery time is usually much faster than any other fat removal surgery and most people return to their usual activities after a few days. After the surgery it is necessary to wear a special garment for a week, 24 hours a day. After a week bandages and sutures will be removed. The procedure is usually a bit more expensive than the traditional liposuction.

Male Breast reduction surgery (Gynaecomastia)

Gynaecomastia, another  kind of fat removal surgery is becoming popular more and more. Liposuction is used to remove fatty tissue from male breast. This procedure is done under general anesthesia and usually takes between 1-3 hours, most patients go home on the same day. Recovery usually takes between 2-3 weeks in which a Lycra garment should be worn. It may take a few months before the full effect can be obtained.

TriLipo  – the non surgical alternative

A new non-surgical alternative for fat reduction is TriLipo without downtime.  TriLipo technology delivers results that are visible after the first treatment. The TriLipo RF

and TriLipo DMA work together to simultaneously stimulate the dermis, fat and muscle layers and cause the rapid release and clearance of fat cells from the treatment area. Treatment is completely non-invasive and the released fat is cleared by the body’s

natural metabolic processes. Concurrently, the TriLipo RF tightens the skin and reduces cellulite and stretch marks. To learn more about TriLipo treatments for body and face read more here: http://www.pollogen.com/TriLipo-Fat-Reduction/what-is-trilipo-technology.html

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.

Therapy also means that the procedures take time and must be done on a regular base. Some therapies can take months before seeing results. And in many cases the result is only temporary. The positive side of therapies is that they also work on the appearance of the skin that appears tighter, smoother and healthier.

Cellulite is fat cells and subcutaneous connective tissue found under the skin generally on the thigh and buttocks area, especially in women. It affects women as well as men although in much lower proportion, due to the difference in skin tissue structure between men and women.

Thin woman cellulite

Women and men have strands of connective tissue that separate fat cells into compartments and connect fat tissue to skin. In women, these fibers form a honeycomb-like pattern, so any increase of fat in a given area tends to bulge. You don’t see cellulite in men because their fibers run in a horizontal, criss-cross pattern that prevents bulging or dimpling.

So why does cellulite seem to appear out of nowhere and get worse as we get older? There are two reasons. First, skin tissue changes as we age. Those strands of connective tissue thicken with age, and our skin gets thinner and the combined effect is more pronounced cellulite. Second, and not less important, the average woman loses 2Kgs of muscle and replaces it with about 6Kgs of fat every decade of her adult life. Because fat is exceptionally soft, it doesn’t keep our skin tight like muscle does. It also takes up more space, so it bulges out.

You can not get rid of cellulite like normal fat. Diet and exercise will help, but not solve the problem. Cellulite is also linked to pregnancy, puberty, menopause, even stress. Seeing cellulite never goes away, it will always look worse with time.

Now let’s see 5 mythos regarding cellulite:

Will drinking 2 liters of water a day reduce cellulite?

NO. Drinking lots of water is very good for you, but it will not do anything for your cellulite.  The manufactures of cream for massages add ingredients that eliminate excess water in the body. Drinking a lot of water will help flush the toxins from your body.

Is there a diet for eliminating cellulite?

NO. There are no foods that will eliminate or reduce cellulite. It is advisable for many other health reasons to avoid alcohol, refined foods (white flour and bread) and saturated fats.  Like any good diet, you must eat lean meat, fresh vegetables, low fat dairy produces and fish and of course don’t smoke.

Cellulite is for fat people only!

NO.  Even thin people that exercises have cellulite. Cellulite is in the hypodermis (in the skin layer) so it does not get burned up like body fat does with exercise or diet.

Do only old women have cellulite?

NO. Even girls as young as 14 can have cellulite. Cellulite is hereditarily, so if it’s in the family it’s very likely that even young girls will have it. In older people the skin is not as elastic and is thinner, so the appearance of cellulite is more evident.

Are there no Cellulite treatments that work!

NO. There is no miracle treatment for cellulite, but there are treatments that can reduce its appearance:
Endermologie is a mechanical deep massage therapy done with vacuum suction so that the dermis and hypodermis are kneaded into a rolling device while negative pressure holds the skin in the rollers. 14-28 treatments are needed 2 times a week. This treatment will not solve the cause of cellulite and excessive massage can break tiny capillaries!

Mesotherapy is a treatment that requires injecting a combination of medications or vitamins into the mesoderm (the middle area of the skin), directly affecting the fat cells.  The number of treatments varies from 4 to 14 (according to the medication) and can leave soreness, bruising, and pain during and after the injections.

Massage can be used for reducing cellulite. This stimulates microcirculation and allows drainage of fluids. These massages are done with many products and ingredients. Creams, essential oils and serums are used to help the treatment and leave the skin soft and smooth.  Body wraps are also used as part therapy to fight cellulite. Many treatments are required for results.

TriLipo technology uses a combination of focused TriLipo RF energy and TriLipo  Dynamic Muscle Activation (DMA) which are delivered into the skin in a unique simultaneous application.
The triple action of TriLipo technology consists of RF deep volumetric heating combined with internal muscle contraction and external mechanical force which together yield maximum fat removal and lymphatic drainage as well as skin tightening. Four treatments once a week are required for long lasting results. It is clinically proven to be safe and effective cellulite reducing with no side effects.

Cellulite reduction therapy is a process. No cures, not even surgery, are permanent since the processes which create cellulite – heredity, skin structure, stress, and hormones – are still in effect.

Can breast cancer in men be found early?

The breast is made up mainly of lobules (glands that produce milk in women), ducts (tiny tubes responsible for transferring the milk from the lobules to the nipple), and stroma (a fatty connective tissue around the ducts and lobules, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels).
Until puberty (usually around 11 or 14), young boys and girls have a small amount of breast tissue consisting of a few ducts located under the nipple and areola (the darker area surrounding the nipple). At puberty, an increase of female hormones causes the ducts to grow and the amount of lobules to increase. In addition the amount of stroma increases, causing the breast to grow in volume in females. In boys, male hormones produced by the testicles, keep breast tissue from growing much. Men’s breast tissue does have ducts, but not many lobules.
Breast cancer is less common in men because their levels of female sex hormones are usually significantly lower than in women and as a result, their breasts do not grow and in addition, their duct cells are less developed than those of women.

Risk factors for breast cancer in men

It is not completely clear what causes breast cancer in men, but there are several factors that may increase the risk of getting it.

Aging

Aging is an important risk factor for breast cancer in men. The risk of breast cancer increases as men age. The average age for breast cancer in men is about 68 years old.

Inherited gene mutations

Mutations in certain genes, are highly linked to breast cancers in women and probably account for about 1 in10 breast cancers in men. In cases of mutations, there is usually a high incident of breast and/or ovarian cancer in the family too.

Family history of breast cancer

About 20% of men with breast cancer have close relatives with the disease (females or males). The risk for breast cancer in men is increased if other blood relatives have had breast cancer.

Klinefelter syndrome

This condition affects about 1 in 1,000 men. It is caused by an increase in the number of X chromosome in these men. (Normally men have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome). These men have two or more X chromosome in addition to their Y chromosome. The symptoms of Klinefelter syndrome include small testicles, lower levels of male hormones and higher levels of female hormones. In some cases these men are infertile because they are unable to produce functioning sperm cells. Compared with other men, they have lower levels of androgens (male hormones) and more estrogens (female hormones). These men often develop gynecomastia (benign male breast growth), which is like a hardened button-like growth under the nipple and areola, which can be felt and sometimes seen. The risk of breast cancer in men with this disorder seems to be increased.

Radiation exposure

Men who have been exposed to radiation on their chest area have a higher risk for developing breast cancer.

Liver disease

Men with severe liver disease such as cirrhosis have relatively low levels of male sex hormones and higher estrogen levels, hence, these men may have an elevated risk of breast cancer.

Alcohol

Heavy consumption of alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer in men. This may be because of its effects on the liver (see previous paragraph).

Estrogen treatment

Men consuming high doses of estrogens for purpose of sex change are at a higher risk for breast cancer in men. On the same note, men going through hormonal therapy for prostate cancer are also in a higher risk as this therapy uses estrogen-related drugs. However, this risk is small compared with the benefits of this treatment in slowing the growth of prostate cancer.

Obesity

Fat cells in the body convert male hormones into female hormones (estrogens). This means that obese men and women have higher levels of estrogens in their body. Recent studies have shown that obesity in adult life increases the risk of breast cancer in women. Obesity is probably a risk factor for breast cancer in men too.

Testicular conditions

Certain conditions that affect the testicles might increase the risk for breast cancer in men. These are: un-descended testicle, having mumps as an adult, or having one or both testicles surgically removed. However more research is still needed.

Certain occupations

There are some reports that link breast cancer in men to exposure to very high temperatures on a regular basis (for example, men working in steel mills). The assumption is that exposure to high temperature affects the testicles (see previous paragraph). Men heavily exposed to gasoline fumes may also have a higher risk.

Lowering the risk of breast cancer in men

Following the list above of risk factors for breast cancer in men, it is obvious that there are a few steps a man can take to lower the risk of breast cancer: restricting alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping an ideal body weight. However, since the cause of most breast cancers is unknown, there is no known way to prevent them.
For now, the best strategies for reducing the number of deaths caused by breast cancer in men is early detection and prompt treatment. Unfortunately, early detection has been a problem in the male population, because men tend to ignore breast lumps and seek medical help too late, only when the lumps have gotten large. In general, men are diagnosed with cancers at more advanced stages than are women.

Can breast cancer in men be found early? To help with early detection, men should know the possible signs of breast cancer to watch for:
•    A lump or swelling, which is usually (but not always) painless
•    Skin dimpling or puckering
•    Nipple retraction (turning inward)
•    Redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin
•    Discharge from the nipple
These changes are not necessarily caused by cancer. Still, if you notice any breast changes, you should see your health care professional as soon as possible.

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.

Michele Obama’s personal trainer shaping body tips

Try to think about it, how many times have you been to the gym? Michele Obama’s number is 1,872 (12 years of working out 3 times a week, do the math yourself…). But just going to the gym won’t do it, Obama’s personal trainer McClellan came up with a routine that works on multiple muscle groups making arms, shoulder and legs toned. On top of this McClellan adds a weight session to further tone her muscles. To finish it up, another set of weight lifting is done at very fast pace causing burning of tons of calories. To try out, step by step, the first lady’s shaping body workout, press here.

Another option is to check out a new body shaping treatment at  pollogen.com and look for a TriLipo treatment near you. One of the highlights of the Maximus system, a new device powered by the new TriLipo technology its ability to tone and lift muscles using the Dynamic Muscle Activation energy. This energy, combined with TriLipo RF energy can give you a list of benefits like: localized fat reduction, circumference reduction and body shaping, enhanced blood circulation and oxygenation and also skin tightening. The treatment is pleasant and fast.

If you liked the above you might like this: 10 minute fat burning exercise

If you are one of those people that really like to try out new treatments and gadgets, you might want to check out this before:  9 cosmetic treatments to rethink

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 she suffer from cellulite?

I have been searching through photos of active women athletes and I have to admit it is very rare to see cellulite on the exposed thighs or arms. Most athletes are very young and it would make sense that they would suffer less from this problem. However, it seems that active mature female athletes and ballet dancers suffer less than the average woman from dimpled skin.

While searching for photos of female athletes with cellulite I realized how absurd the very few photos I found were and how intrusive the actual photo capture is to the life of a person. It is almost as if the photographer and his audience are relieved to realize that they found some defect they can highlight in an idol or celebrity. If when searching the web for photos of athletes and dancers with cellulite only 2-3 incidents pop up, it means it is not a common phenomenon. When I finally found 2 photos, they displayed the thighs of a famous figure skater sitting crossed legged with very few dimples caused by the pressure of one leg on the other or a photo displaying a very small area of lax skin and a few dimples on beautiful figured thigh of a famous tennis player. If this is the cellulite they are pointing at to prove athletes suffer from cellulite too, it is really not convincing.

Yes some athletes suffer from cellulite too but the prevalence is close to zero compared to the general population.

Cellulite is caused by the enlargement of fat cells that underlie the dermis. The combination of the dermis weakening due to age and the fat cells enlarging causes the uneven dimpled look of the skin. Some theories add that cellulite is more common in areas of the body with slower metabolism and poor drainage.

Women athletes have a lower percentage of fat and significantly less cellulite. This simple fact should encourage us to tackle cellulite prevention by controlling the caloric intake in order to reduce the percentage of body fat. In addition exercising the muscles will improve circulation in the area and improve muscle tone, again reducing cellulite.

Len Kravitz, Phd, writes in his essay “Cellulite: Everything You Want to Know and More” the following sentence: “The subcutaneous fat rests on top of muscle, and if the muscle is weak and flaccid, this can contribute to the ‘bumpy’ effect of cellulite.”

Dr. Kravitz recommends resistance training exercise to target the thighs and buttocks.

For those of us that will not join the force of diet and exercise, there are many “cures” and cellulite reduction treatments offered in the market. Some of them have no effect and some can reduce the appearance of cellulite to a degree. TriLipo is a new technology recently introduced to the market that combines the well established radio frequency technology proven to reduce cellulite along with muscle stimulation. This technology takes cellulite reduction to a new level by targeting the muscles underlying the skin while at the same time reducing the size of the fat cells in the adipose layer using radio frequency. Of course the effects will be enhanced if one combines treatments with a caloric intake reduction and well structured aerobic exercise but reduction of cellulite will also be noted if one undergoes treatments with the TriLipo technology without added exercise.

But, do not misunderstand me… I highly recommend exercise and controlled diet however, it is very hard for me to stand behind my advice and to provide a good living example…I tend to go for the “fixing” technology.