Reflections on Beauty

Having lush, thick hair on the top of your head is usually considered desirable, but when it comes to other parts of the body – such as the face, legs, arms and bikini area – most people would rather have smooth skin. That's why so many Americans pluck, shave and wax, but when you think about it, these methods can be extremely time consuming. The hair just keeps growing back again and again, week after week, until getting rid of it becomes more of a chore than anything.

That's where laser hair removal comes in. The technique may be a great alternative for those who are tired of yanking out hairs one by one or enduring the pain of waxing. Not only is it a quick, safe procedure, but the results are also permanent.

How does it work? When you come in for your appointment, laser specialists will apply a bright beam of light to whatever areas you want to remove hair from. The light is absorbed by melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color, and causes damage only to the hair shaft and follicle, not the surrounding skin. Many individuals report that the technique is efficient and pain-free.

"It's actually a very comfortable treatment. The advances in laser technology have made it more comfortable and effective than it was in the past," said expert Katie Olson, quoted by ABC 4 News.

Each procedure takes 30 minutes or less, and depending on a patient's hair color and density, the number of treatments can range from four to eight over a six-week period.

Because our hair grows in a specific cycle, coming in for a series of appointments is also crucial to ensuring the success of the technique.

There are three different stages involved in the growth of hair, according to Follicle.com. The first is known as the anagen phase, in which hair is actively growing and is nourished by the follicle. This process begins to slow down in the catagen phase and stops altogether during the third and last part of the cycle, called the telogen phase.

Typically, laser treatments require hair to be in the anagen phase. Because adjacent hairs can be in different points in the growth cycle at the same time, undergoing the procedure over the course of a few weeks is a good way to catch as many of them as possible. 

Most people are happy when the days get longer and the weather gets nicer, but summertime might make others nervous. After all, you can't hide the problem areas of your body when it gets too hot to wear anything but tank tops and shorts. If you have sagging skin or cellulite, you could consider surgery, but going under the knife is usually painful – not to mention time-consuming, since you could spend weeks recovering.

Fortunately, the skincare gods are sympathetic. Advanced 21st-century technology has made it possible for people to address their concerns through safe, minimally-invasive techniques such as the Thermage body treatment. This procedure is offered at leading facilities such as Reflections Medical Spa in New Jersey, where laser specialists help patients look great without having to undergo surgery.

Thermage could be an excellent option for people who want to lift, tighten and shape their bodies. The technique sends radio-frequency energy into the skin, where it reaches the collagen that is stored beneath the surface.

This protein is the main component of your cartilage, liagments, tendons and bone, and it is responsible for skin strength and elasticity. When we grow old, collagen degrades, leading to skin sagging and wrinkle formation.

Thermage works to encourage the body's natural renewal of this protein and since the energy is delivered in a precise, grid-like fashion, this ensures even, controlled stimulation. Most patients see satisfying results within six months – not bad for a one-time procedure that lasts only about an hour and requires no recovery time whatsoever.

"Men and women battling the appearance of fat deposits or sagging skin no longer have to endure a long and uncomfortable recovery," said skincare expert Bruce Katz. "With this latest advancement in radio-frequency technology, patients [can see] outstanding results without a large time or financial commitment."

The procedure can be performed on virtually any part of the body a patient wants to work on. This includes common problem areas like the thighs, buttocks and abdomen, or even the underarms and hands.

Thermage can also be administered to complement another rejuvenating technique such as laser liposuction. This powerful combination works to tighten the skin while shaping and contouring the body.

With such effective treatments at your disposal, there's no reason not to be excited for summer. Showing off fresh, young-looking skin and sculpted body can be as easy as speaking to a laser skincare specialist about the options available. 

Summer will officially be here in just a few weeks, and the American Academy of Dermatology is reminding sun-seekers to protect their skin while enjoying the weather. According to experts, using sunscreen is an effective way to prevent damage from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can lead to deadly cancers such as melanoma.

Beauty trends wax and wane over time, and tanning is currently a popular activity for men and women alike. Too much sun without enough protection, however, might be asking for trouble. The Academy reports that more than 3.5 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year and that an estimated one in five Americans will develop the disease in their lifetime. About 75 percent of skin cancer deaths are caused by melanoma, the incidence of which has been increasing over the past three decades.

This is the reason why skincare experts continually tell people to apply sunscreen before heading outdoors.

These products are regulated as over-the-counter drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are available in many different varieties. They contain at least one active ingredient that works to absorb, scatter or reflect UV light, such as oxybenzone. Some media reports have questioned the potential health risks associated with this compound, but FDA scientists say that it is perfectly safe to use.

"Contrary to recent reports, available scientific literature and decades of public use does not support a link between oxybenzone in sunscreen and significant health issues in humans," said Ronald L. Moy, president of the Academy. "The FDA has approved oxybenzone in sunscreen for use on children older than six months, and dermatologists continue to encourage protecting [kids] by playing in the shade and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen."

Other compounds commonly found in protective products include retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A that may help counteract the aging effects of UV exposure. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are also found in many sunscreens, and generally leave a white residue on the skin that appears to vanish by converting into smaller nanoparticles, which enhances their ability to block UV light.

Although reliable techniques such as laser skin rejuvenation can help improve sun-damaged skin, protecting yourself with sunscreen in the first place is a good idea. Applying the product – and popping a bottle of it into your bag before heading out – can help everyone in the family stay safe while enjoying a little fun in the sun.

Ours is a society in which body image plays a very important role, both in our perception of ourselves and of others. Men and women all over the country want to look their best, which is why so many people are trying to make better lifestyle choices, like walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator or choosing a salad over a cheeseburger.

While exercising and eating healthy are two of the most important things you can do in terms of losing weight, sometimes you may need an extra boost in order to achieve your ideal figure. Many Americans are in the same boat, which is why so many people are talking about laser liposuction.

The minimally invasive technique can be performed on multiple areas of the body, such as the stomach, love handles and thighs, and works to sculpt your shape without the need for major surgery. Most people only need a day or two to recover from the procedure, which relies on targeted laser energy to eliminate fat.

However, people always wonder: "Will the fat come back later or is it gone forever?" Researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine recently teamed up to address this question.

Led by physician Robert H. Eckel and registered nurse Teri L. Hernandez, the scientists discovered that in some patients, the fat returns within one year to other areas of the body, particularly the upper abdomen.

"The fact that fat returned is of great interest to us as scientists," Eckel said. "It supports the idea that levels of body fat are very tightly regulated by mechanisms we have yet to uncover. This was the hypothesis we were testing and it was confirmed."

He added that the same observation was made in rats, as the animals experienced a return of fat following its removal.

The researchers suggested that the brain somehow knows how much fat the body contains and responds in order to regulate that weight.

According to Eckel and Hernandez, the findings emphasize that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. Rather, it is a technique that can complement healthy lifestyle choices and allow patients to sculpt their bodies to achieve the contours they desire.

"Despite fat returning, the cosmetic shape benefit was retained and [the patients] have been very happy with their surgery results," Hernandez concluded. 

However, there is an excellent chance that the fat will not return for those who are willing to work hard to maintain the results of their liposuction. Experts recommend that individuals who are considering the procedure begin making healthy lifestyle choices ahead of time, which can help them keep it up afterward. In fact, many people who undergo liposuction find it easy to remember to eat well and exercise after seeing their satisfying results.

A newly sculpted, shapely physique can be a great motivator, encouraging people to keep the fat off and get into the best shape of their lives. 

When you think about it, your skin takes quite a beating over the years. During your lifetime, your face is exposed to sunlight, harsh weather, cigarette smoke, layers of makeup or even that fast food meal you know you shouldn't have eaten. Is it any wonder, then, that wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines and other blemishes begin appearing as you grow older?

But have no fear – that's what techniques like Fraxel laser treatment are for. Through the application of laser energy to the skin, the procedure addresses everything from acne and hyperpigmentation to sun damage.

"The perfect candidate for Fraxel laser is someone who is equally concerned about their appearance aesthetically and about the condition of their skin medically," said Phillip Werschler, a clinical professor at the University of Washington, Seattle, quoted by Modern Medicine.

Some experts recommend undergoing Fraxel in combination with Thermage, a procedure in which radio frequency technology stimulates the production of new collagen in the skin. Together, the two techniques work to firm and smooth while improving overall tone.

Treating yourself to a fresh, revitalized face can be as simple as talking to a laser cosmetic specialist at your local medical spa.

When we see Hollywood celebrities in movies and magazines, sometimes it can be hard to remember that they're just human beings like us. They may have flawless skin, dazzling smiles and perfectly toned bodies, but they too have flaws.

Take Kim Kardashian, for example. The 29-year-old Armenian-American beauty is known for her pretty face and shapely body, but Hollywood Life reports that she's not completely perfect. The model and actress has confessed that she undergoes a particular cosmetic treatment to ensure that she looks fabulous in a bikini.

"I am obsessed with laser hair removal," she admitted to the news source. "Arms, bikini, legs, underarms – my entire body is hairless!"

Getting smooth, beach-ready skin is not only a goal for celebs like Kardashian, but is also a common aspiration for women all over the country.

According to ABC News, laser hair removal is effective and minimizes the chance of scarring because the light energy directly targets hair follicles without harming anything else in the skin.

This may be why the technique is among the most popular cosmetic procedures sought by Americans as summer gets closer and closer. 

The problem with getting old is that aging physically and aging emotionally are two separate processes. Just because wrinkles and fine lines begin appearing in your 40s and 50s doesn't necessarily mean that you feel any different than you did in your 20s and 30s.

Thankfully, there are ways to ensure that you look as youthful and energetic as you feel. Banishing those lines and furrows can be as simple as getting Botox treatment, a non-invasive therapy that is currently the most popular aesthetic treatment in the world.

In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that the frequency of Botox treatments has increased by 3,641 percent since 1997. The procedure, in which a purified protein is injected into wrinkles to smooth and revitalize skin, accounts for 32 percent of all non-surgical treatments in the U.S.

"These figures show that Botox has grown rapidly in a very short space of time," said a spokesperson from The Hospital Group, quoted by Private Healthcare UK. "It can hold back the signs of aging in a way that no cream or healthy living plan can offer."

The immense popularity of Botox is a testament to its effectiveness. With its relative painlessness and versatility, it's no wonder so many people are turning to this technique to look as young as they feel. 

As wedding season rolls around, bridal boutiques and flower shops aren't the only ones seeing more newlyweds-to-be – cosmetic specialists are, too. In preparation for the big day, brides and grooms alike are seeking ways to make sure that they look picture perfect.

Clinicians have reported an upsurge in the number of people seeking out laser liposuction, according to the Calgary Herald. In particular, more men are asking about the minimally invasive technique, which uses targeted laser energy to remove fat from areas such as the abdomen and thighs.

According to specialist Sean Hintz, this non-surgical cosmetic treatment is both safe and effective. However, he warned against relying on laser liposuction alone to achieve a better body, saying that the technique is meant to complement healthy lifestyle choices such as eating nutritious food.

"I would not recommend that someone come in and have this done, and then eat at McDonald's every day," Hintz told the Shreveport Times.

Those who exercise and eat a healthy diet may be most satisfied with the results of the procedure. Most people just need a day or two to recover, making laser liposuction a smart choice for busy brides and grooms who need to get right back to wedding planning. 

High school may be over, but the chance of getting acne is definitely not. The characteristic pimples and blackheads of the condition can appear well into the 30s, 40s and 50s, and are typically caused by pores clogged with secretions from overactive oil glands.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is becoming more and more common among adults. The average age of acne patients in the U.S. has risen from 20.5 in 1997 to 26.5 in 2007.

"There are two main reasons: changes in our diet and exercise patterns, as well as the increased stress we endure every day," said dermatologist Ava Shamban, quoted by StyleList. "We ingest low-quality nutrients that don't support our skin. Our stress levels go through the roof as we try to juggle too many responsibilities."

While eating right and getting enough rest can certainly help, Shamban added that people for whom the condition is most severe may want to look into laser acne treatment. This minimally invasive option utilizes light to target overactive sebaceous glands, allowing skin to stay clean and clear.  

With summer just a couple of months away, it's likely that many families are planning fun vacations for when the kids get out of school. While buying a new swimsuit may be at the top of your list, experts say that sunscreen should be, too.

If you know you will be in the sun for more than 20 minutes, taking the time to apply sunscreen could prevent the development of serious diseases later on, according to the American Melanoma Foundation.

There are many choices available on the market today, but experts recommend using a product with at least SPF 15.

Chemical sunscreens are effective for most people. These tend to be colorless, form a thin film and act as filters that reduce the amount of UV radiation penetrating the skin. However, those who are especially sensitive to sunlight should opt for physical sunscreens, which are often visible when applied, do not easily wash off and work to physically block out UV radiation.

Although safe, effective treatments such as laser skin rejuvenation exist to address sun damage, making efforts to protect skin in the first place is a good way to go.