Secrets of the World Wide Sisterhood

Vi Peel

Just a quick update.....I got a Vi Peel last weekend.  It peeled all week long.  Yeah, it was miserable. By Tuesday, most had peeled off, but then, my face turned really red and got super tight.  The corners of my mouth were even cracking.  And then, on Friday it started peeling again.  And peeled until Sunday.  Today, it looks really good.  This is probably one of the best peels ever.  Most of my sunspots on my face are gone.  My neck and chest look really good, too. I really don't think it effects fine lines and wrinkles too much, but it works wonders on texture.  I'm going to start using my LED light again this weekend.  I also purchased Coppertone's new SPF 70 lotion and I am determined to use it this summer.  I'd like to get a little tan and use a lot of self-tanning lotions.      

Save Your Skin

I just read an article in Self magazine that said the ozone layer, which absorbs UVA and UVB rays before they hit the earth, has a hole that has grown nearly 250 percent in 20 yrs., due in part to man-made gases.  Doctors add that the larger ozone hole is one reason why melanoma rates have doubled over the past three decades.  It is more important than ever to wear sunscreen.  Even on days when the sun isn't that bright or it isn't that warm, you should wear sunscreen.  You should even wear it during winter months.  I am paying the price for years spent in the sun with little or no sunscreen at all.  I spend thousands a year on Botox, chemical peels, light treatments, and products.  All of this could have been minimized if I had just listened.  Luckily, I have become wise to the fact that sun can really damage your skin.  Especially now with the ozone layer increasing the size of the holes.  In the same issue of Self, I saw an add for Coppertone's new NutraShield that has Dual Defense.  It is a sunscreen with antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals to help skin repair itself and also has advanced UVA/UVB sun protection.  It has a 70 SPF and reduces visible signs of sun damage in just 2 weeks.  I love being in the sun and just can't avoid it.  But, I will definitely try this new product by Coppertone.  Not only is it a sunscreen, it is a beauty product.    

Crystal Light

I'm posting this article under Beauty Products because Crystal Light has a delicious new drink that can nourish your skin from within.  The Crystal Light Skin Essentials were developed with European dermatologists using natural plant extracts.  Plus powerful antioxidants, vitamins A,C, and E.  When I was grocery shopping this weekend I was shocked to see all the new flavors or Crystal Light.  Women who drink Crystal Light drink 20% more water than those who do not.  I believe this to be true.  Because I love to drink Crystal Light Lemonade during the summer.  And, I usually can't drink just one glass.  Also, I take it with me when I go to Atlantis every summer.  Those of you who have been to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas know how expensive everything is.  Soft drinks are very expensive and very small.  So, I found a healthy drink to take along.  I bought Crystal Light which comes in the little pots.  They're very light so you can pack several in your suitcase.  Then, when you get to the resort, go off the resort and buy some bottled water.  You can mix the Crystal Light and take it to the beach or out by the pool.  It is delicious and much healthier than soft drinks and not as boring as just water.  Crystal Light now has 22 flavors with only 5 calories per serving.  There are a variety of tea flavors.  The new ones are Red Tea Mandarin, Green Tea Raspberry, and White Tea Blueberry.  They all are packed with antioxidants and vitamins.  All of which benefit your skin.  There is also an Enhanced line for metabolism and immunity.  I was surprised to discover all the drinks Crystal Light has available.   

Glytone Lipid Recovery Cream

As you know, I'm a big fan of Glytone products.  Well, I've discovered a new one.  I just got a Vi Peel Sunday night.  It seems like it is going to be a good one.  My face is already peeling and is peeling pretty good.  Immediately after the peel it is not good to go back to your old products containing glycolic acid until your ph level has been restored.  Glytone's new Lipid Recovery Cream features camelina oil, rich in omega-3 and vitamin E, to help restore the skin's natural barrier after chemical peels, laser treatments, microdermabrasion, and injections.  You can purchase it at glytone.com for $38.   

Latisse

My friend Catherine just told me about a prescription product for longer lashes.  It is Allergan's new product called Latisse.  It received FDA approval at the beginning of the year.  It contains the prostaglandin analog bimatoprost (which was originally used as a glaucoma drug), and studies have show significant lash growth within 16 weeks when the product is applied along the lash line.  Latisse was approved for the treatment of hypotrichosis of the eyelashes-a condition where a person has inadequate amount of eyelashes.  I would love to have some comments of people who have used Latisse.  I will keep you posted as Catherine keeps me updated.  She began using the product a few days ago.  If you would like more information go to latisse.com.      

Body by Thermage

As we age, not only our faces age, but our bodies do, too. Sure we can diet and exercise and keep the weight off, but what about the crepey, wrinkled, sagging skin caused by loss of collagen.  Lotions and creams can keep the body hydrated and improve the look of aging skin, but sometimes that's not enough.  Nothing can tighten loose skin, except a procedure called Thermage.  The Body Shape procedure by Thermage helps tighten, firm, and shape arms, thighs, buttocks, "love handles" and tummies.  The Celluliteprocedure by Thermage helps improve dimples and smooth skin texture and long lasting results. Hands by Thermage is a great way to help restore firmer and smoother hands and eliminate unsightly age spots.  Combined with IPL dramatic results are achieved.  Body by Thermage procedures generally show some improvement on the patient immediately and continues for up to six months.  And another great thing is that there is little or no downtime.  You can quickly return to your daily activities and you do not have to avoid the sun as with laser treatments.  How does Thermage work? Its capactive radiofrequency (RF) technology safely heats the deeper layers of your skin, stimulating existing collagen and promoting new collagen growth.  What does the procedure feel like?  When the energy is applied, you'll feel a deep but brief heating sensation, which is an indication that collagen is reaching effective temperatures for tightening.  To protect the surface of your skin, a cooling spray is delivered before, during and after each application of energy.  Is the procedure safe?  Thermage has an excellent safety record.  Of course, as with any procedure there's always some risk.  Side effects are generally mild and may include redness, swelling blisters, bumps and rare instances of surface irregularities.  How long will the results last?  The procedure stimulates new natural collagen production for up to six months following a single treatment.  Results can last for years depending on your skin condition and natural aging process.  The average costs starts at approximately $400 per treatment.  Call your local plastic surgeon to see if he/she performs this procedure.  It's time to get ready for summer!!! 

Creating Fuller Lips

Because the skin on the lips is thin and holds little moisture, it tends to age quickly.  When collagen, oil and water diminish from the lips they can shrink, wilt, and droop.  It is very important to replace those nutrients through the help of your doctor or with products.  The fuller your lips are the more support they provide for the surrounding skin which minimizes those lip lines and wrinkles.  Injectables and fat grafting can make lips look and feel fuller, but semipermanent makeup can create the illusion of fuller lips by contouring the lip line.  It is usually a one hour treatment.  The lip line is injected with pigment that's customized for your lip and skin tone.  The results can last from one to three years and is usually about $850.  You may also opt for hyaluronic acid injectables like Restylane, Juvederm and Parlane.  This is performed in a plastic surgeon's office or doctor who has been trained in this procedure.  Your own fat can also be injected into the lips.   Fat injections last longer than the other injectables.  For a quick fix, try a lip-plumping gloss.  I love Victoria's Secret Lip Plump. I use it every day.  Moisturizing is one key to keeping your lips looking young, full, and plump.  Most people ignore their lips when it comes to aging.  In fact, very people even use a separate sunscreen on their lips.  It is very important to moisturize and keep the lips hydrated.

Fatgirlslim

The weather is finally starting to warm up and it's time to start spending time outdoors and wearing shorts.  Of course, there isn't anything as effective as exercise for toning up and firming the body, but to give yourself a little extra boost, try Bliss's Fatgirlslim.  Using this twice a day for just 28 days, 87% of testers saw a firming effect, 85% felt a slimming effect, 72% saw a sculpting effect, and 73% noticed a reduction in the appearance of cellulite.  You can get this from Bliss for just $29 or supersized for $54.  Use this with the Slimulator for just $22.  It gives dimples the rub-around.  It has nubs that help stimulate micorcirculation, enhances effectiveness of products applied after its use, and helps remove trapped toxins and fluids associated with cellulite.  Bliss also sells pills that help dislodge excess fat and stimulate microcirculation, smoothing the look of those unwanted puckers from within, right where they form.  The supplements are called Equave Cellulite Supplements. ($48)  Using the above products, teamed up with a healthy diet and exercise you will definitely be ready to start off the summer season wearing shorts with confidence.  Now is the time to start. Don't wait until it's too late!

Marley & Me

I just watched Marley & Me.  This was a great movie, but really sad.  I guess it was so sad for me because I have two dogs who are getting up in years.  I love my dogs as if they were people.  Some people have dogs and leave them tied up outside and just ignore them.  My dogs are members of the family who stay in and are by my side almost all the time.  Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson play in this movie and they do an excellent job.  This is one of the most "true to life'" movies I've seen in a long time.  If you love dogs, you would love this move.  Just make sure you have a box of tissues.   

Didn't Get Your Beauty Sleep?

I have found that the most important beauty product or procedure isn't a product or a procedure at all;it is sleep.  We've all had those sleepless nights.  In fact, I've had three this week.  I've been taking a cake decorating class.  It is so much fun, but it is really time consuming.  Since I work all day, I only have evenings to get my cakes baked decorated.  It has been midnight before I've gotten into bed three nights this week.  I'm a person who needs at least seven hours of sleep.....not only to feel better during the day, but to look halfway decent.  As you get older, lack of sleep can really make you look like an old hag.  It's funny how you can look good one day and then all it takes, is one sleepless night to look like a completely different person the next day.  I hate it when I go to bed early and just cannot sleep.  I lie there thinking, "I'm going to look awful tomorrow.  I've got to get some sleep!" And I think that makes it worse.  Because the fragile skin under the eye is thinner than the rest of the face, dark circles and puffiness appear more prominent when there is a lack of sleep or an overabundance of stress.  What do you do when you've only gotten a couple hours of sleep?  One product you might try is Freeze 24/7 Eyecing Fatigue-Fighting Eye Cream. You can get it on amazon.com.  It is quite expensive at $115.  But I like their products. They also have a good lip plump.  The eye cream has anti-aging ingredients like ginseng and black tea-derived kombuchka to improve puffiness and dark circles.  What if your lack of sleep was due to staying out late at a party?  There is a product called The Alchemist's Mask from Mod.Skin Labs that detoxes post-party skin.  It is a unique powder formula that features organic wheat grass to oxygenate, along with revitalizing white birch and purifying white clay.  Simply add water to the fresh-scented powder to form a thin paste that brightens a drab complexion in as little as 15 minutes.  However, your best bet it to try to get enough sleep!!