These days there is no need to search very far because the newest, most effective beauty treatments are offered right at your local doctor’s office or medspa. One New York doctor, Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD, PhD, FAAD, is on the “cutting edge,” so to speak, at her dermatology, laser surgery and research center in Manhattan. She is also an attending physician at Lenox Hill Hospital, Yale/New Haven Hospital and Yale/West Haven VA Hospital. Her practice and academic work are focused on topical dermatologic anti-cancer and anti-aging therapies, laser technology and skin rejuvenation.

Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas explains today’s advances in facial rejuvenation using the evolastin laser from Syneron, the world’s first and only aesthetic procedure that delivers controlled energy directly into the deep dermis to stimulate natural reproduction of new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid – the components of youthful, radiant skin.

According to Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas, the evolastin laser allows her to know precisely how deep the laser penetrates, where exactly to place it on the patient and how long to hold it, while it correctly calibrates the perfect temperature. Although there may be a little down time, one single procedure is all it takes for most people compared to numerous visits using previous laser technology.

evolastin is generally performed under local anesthetic in about an hour, allowing patients to drive home safely post-treatment and return to normal activities within 24 hours with only minor redness, swelling or bruising for a few days. “We’ve gotten the swelling issue down to almost a science. If patients are willing to ice immediately afterwards for about an hour, there is practically no swelling,” explains Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas.

How it works

The evolastin procedure delivers bi-polar radio-frequency energy “directly” into the dermis tissue using insulated microneedles. The needles are insulated up to the tip to ensure that the energy is only delivered where it needs to be, bypassing any heat injury to the skin’s surface. The targeted treatment stimulates the skin’s natural healing response resulting in regeneration of new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid to naturally restore the volume, topography and overall skin quality. The evolastin procedure emits colorblind radio frequency energy making it a safe option for all skin types.

What’s coming

For facial rejuvenation that combines the volumizing effect of evolastin with the ability to effectively treat the epidermis, or outer skin layer, Syneron is announcing its newest eTwo device, which will be making its national stage debut at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting, March 17, 2012 in San Diego, CA.

eTwo is a comprehensive “all in one” facial rejuvenation option that uses energy/heat to super effectively stimulate collagen in the lower and upper dermal layers for a lasting period. eTwo has been shown to produce tightened, smoother and brighter skin, and treats wrinkles, acne scarring and sun spots with little or no down time. Treatment time with prep is less than an hour.

What’s the difference?

Think eTwo for, say, people – even younger ones – who have sun damage, wrinkles, acne scarring and other textural irregularities, and evolastin for those a little older with sagging skin, turkey neck and loss of volume.

While evolastin is usually done in one treatment, three treatments spaced four to six weeks apart is recommended with eTwo.

About Syneron

Syneron Medical Ltd. is the leading global aesthetic device company whose technology enables physicians to provide advanced solutions for a broad range of medical-aesthetic applications including body contouring, hair removal, wrinkle reduction, rejuvenation of the skin’s appearance through the treatment of superficial benign vascular and pigmented lesions, and the treatment of acne, leg veins and cellulite.

Headaches, indigestion, loss of appetite, muscle tension, sleep issues and allergic reactions could actually be signs of stress. Giving yourself time to pause, consider the situation and breathe deeply when you encounter these signals is the first step towards finding the cause and limiting it in the future.

Write down any unresolved symptoms that you experience this week, along with the situation that may have sparked them. Then, get some help to develop better coping strategies.

Symrise’s Karen Solari, vice president, marketing Scent & Care Division North America, Kari Arienti, vice president, senior perfumer Scent & Care Division North America and their videographer, David Castagneto, senior graphic artist, made the trek in search of undiscovered scents.

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavorings, cosmetic active ingredients and raw materials, as well as functional ingredients. The team brought a wealth of previously unknown scent impressions and profiles back from their trip which will be used to create new fragrances.

“Based on the results of a recent consumer study, we wanted to concentrate on the concept of purity. That’s why we decided to make the place with the purest air our destination for this expedition. The rainforest, on the other hand, allowed us to experience a plant and scent environment unlike any other, providing us with new horizons for fragrance creation,” explains Solari.

Since the local and protected plants that grow in the area cannot be taken back home for research, the team traveled with its own mobile mini-laboratory. This allowed them to analyze unusual new scents from leaves, blossoms, tree barks, and grasses directly on location and even begin their creative work right there.

Fragrances from indigenous plants such as Pink Leatherwood, lichens that grow on coastal rocks and the wood of the extremely rare Huon pine were collected and now belong to the new expanded repertoire of Symrise’s perfumers. Other native plants the group discovered include Tasmanian Pepperwood, Edge of the World Flower, Lemon Scented Boronia and a host of other unusual finds.

“Tasmania is a volcanic island with extremely nutrient-rich, brick-red soil that produces plants with some of the most incredible aromas we have found,” says Arienti. “The air was so pure that we could smell every little nuance of scent on the wind.”

The results of the scent expedition to Tasmania will now be developed into new fragrance concepts for fine fragrances and home care and introduced to Symrise customers. Perhaps the most important scent to come from the expedition is the one the group named “The Cleanest Air on Earth.” The scent of “everything yet nothing,” is the description the group gives. “It’s almost magical what this scent does when added to the finished fragrance,” enthuses Arienti.

Symrise works with its clients to develop new ideas and market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of everyday life. In doing so, the company combines its insights into consumer trends with cutting-edge technologies, focusing on innovative trend and lifestyle products that have additional practical value for the consumer.

Your weekly tip from The Monday Campaigns: Use nutritional labels this week and see if you’re getting the most bang for your bite! Try replacing some of your empty calories with nutrient-dense foods.

Want to look youthful? Then add some sporty stripes to your wardrobe. The Glam Gals show you 3 ways to incorporate this “now” look into your wardrobe at Fabulous after 40.

Deb of No-Nonsense Beauty Blog finds a true beauty ingredient.

We love watching the celebrities on the red carpet during the award season, but how do they get that glowing skin? Fab Over Forty interviews celebrity skin specialist Kate Somerville to see what skin care treatments the celebrities get and how we can create their look at home.

Injured? Female Fat Loss Over 40 expert, Shawna K gives you five tips.

Black Cat Plus takes a look at how the plus size market compares in fit, price and fashion trends.

FabOverFifty gives a red carpet wrap up — now you tell us, which dress deserve a Golden Globe?

There’s no doubt that music and mood are closely related – that’s why lullabies exist! Listening to happy, upbeat tunes tends to make you more cheerful than when you listen to slow, sad music. Your emotional state plays a big role in how you perceive the world, so your favorite songs may actually help you have a more positive day.

Set yourself up for a better week this Monday by composing a CD or playlist of music that makes you smile or feel happy. Listen to your tunes if you feel blue, start stressing or just want to enjoy. Have you heard about Spotify, the digital music service that gives you access to millions of songs? Check it out and start being the DJ you always wanted to be.

Sure, some models starve themselves to stay thin, but what about the rest of them? I wanted to know their secrets.

So I started doing a little research and stumbled upon some of the best-kept secrets in the modeling industry. And they all had one thing in common… boosting your metabolism.

Your metabolism is like your body’s inner personal trainer. It works 24 hours a day using calories as fuel to give your body the energy it needs. But as you get older, your metabolism slows down. This is what can account for stubborn excess fat even if you watch what you eat and exercise.

But thanks to the healthy supermodels, I now know a few tricks these smart women have up their sleeves that keep their metabolisms running at full speed.

Here are the top five ways to help you get your own super-charged, supermodel metabolism:

1. Drink your water on the rocks. If you tend to drink cool or room temperature water, try throwing in some ice cubes. Everyone who knows me knows I love my water icy cold. By drinking ice water, you can bump up your metabolism because your body uses extra energy to heat it up. Don’t forget to drink water throughout your day either… many times you think you’re hungry when you’re really just thirsty.




2. Spice it up! Next time you’re preparing a delicious dinner or going out to your favorite restaurant, pick a dish with a little extra spice. Black pepper, ginger, chili peppers and cinnamon all help accelerate your metabolism because they’re thermogenic. They raise your body temperature and help you drop the excesss fat a little faster.




3. It’s tea time! Asian cultures have been onto the metabolism-stimulating qualities of green tea for thousands of years. Green tea works to keep your blood sugar in check and helps keep fat from being stored. It’s also a great natural appetite suppressant. But what’s even better about this lovely green beverage is that one of the components – ECGC – is also thermogenic. Have a couple of cups a day (skip the sugar and cream) and you’ll notice a difference.




4. Eat… more! That’s right. You must eat, especially if you’re trying to drop a little weight. Eating more often helps your metabolism do its job. But you have to choose the right types of food. Do your best to stay away from processed foods and make sure you have some protein at each meal – don’t forget to load up on those veggies! Also try to scatter your meals throughout the day into five or six small ones, instead of three larger meals. This will keep your inner furnace constantly burning and your metabolism running high. 
   Extra tip: Eat before you become too hungry so you don’t eat everything in sight (yes, it’s happened to me!).




5. Pump up the intensity. Swap out long, boring workouts for short bursts of progressively intense exertion — like in Dr. Sears’ PACE fitness program. PACE consists of short rounds of intense activity (think jumping jacks, pushups, lunges, etc.) followed by brief periods of rest. The best part is that your metabolism stays fired up even after you’re finished. In fact, your body will keep using up calories to recover from your workout for up to 24 hours.

Have a Youthful Day,

Jackie Silver