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PRO ADVICE ON SKINCARE MUST-HAVES AND HAVE-NOTS

When it comes to skincare do you really get what you pay for? From the newest ingredients to the latest in-office procedures we connected with Board Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Margarita Lolis based in Northern New Jersey with her insights on how to tell a skincare zero from a hero.

Here’s what is certain; there are no firming or tightening products whose results can duplicate what you derive from in office procedures such as dermal fillers, Botox, lasers, or cosmetic surgery. Dr. Lolis explains that while there are anti-aging products or ingredients that do perform significantly better than others and can make a profound difference in the skin’s appearance, others are simply “false hope in a jar.”

Why don’t most products work the way they claim? Almost without exception, when you buy a product claiming to tighten skin, its effects, if any, are due to ingredients such as film-forming agents. Just like the name states, film-forming agents form a film on the skin, and that can make the skin “feel” tighter. The effect is temporary and you won’t see noticeable lifting of sagging skin, but the sensation is often enough to convince women that the product is working. Dr. Lolis stresses that, “Skin just feeling tighter is not the same as making a real change for the better in the tone or laxity of your skin. Using what really works will get you closer to the results you want.”

THE HEROES
1. Sunscreen
Dr. Lolis says, “Sunscreen of an SPF 30 or above is the best antiaging cream you can use. It prevents skin cancer as well as UVA rays that cause loss of collagen and wrinkles in the skin especially when reapplied every 2 hours. My favorite base sunscreens have titanium or zinc oxide in them as active ingredients.”

2. Retinoids & Glycolic Acid
“Retinoids are the go-to option to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and help boost collagen production,” says Dr. Lolis.” She adds, “Over the counter retinols are good, Neutrogena makes a good one, or prescriptions such as Retin- A.” Glycolic acid also reduces fine lines and wrinkles and helps fade pigmentary damage from the sun. “I often have patients alternate nights with retinoid and glycolic,” says Dr. Lolis.

3. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a great antioxidant which reduces free radical damage and is great for anti-aging and helps brighten the skin. Dr. Lolis often recommends it in the morning, underneath sunblock, or at night if patients are too sensitive to tolerate retinoids and glycolic acid.

4. Ceramides
Ceramides are a type of lipid found in the membrane of cells. Dr. Lolis states that, “They help hold skin cells together, forming a protective layer that plumps the skin and retains moisture. Ceramide levels decrease as we age which leads to loss of hydration, less skin turnover and dryer, more damaged skin. Replenishing the skin’s ceramide levels will help restore moisture and fortify the skin’s natural barrier, helping skin look and feel younger.” Lolis recommends using a moisturizer containing ceramide moisturizer for your whole body daily.

5. Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone works to even out sun spots, blotches, and mottled skin. A little hydroquinone goes a long way. “It’s the most effective ingredient for bleaching skin,” says Dr. Lolis. Hydroquinone fades hyperpigmentation by blocking the enzyme that triggers melanin production in the skin.

6. Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is loaded with nutrients called polyphenols, which have been shown to fight free radicals. Studies have found that ingredients in green tea can reduce sun damage and may protect against skin cancer when applied topically. Dr. Lolis offers that, “Using green tea extract under sunscreen can provide an extra dose of protection. Polyphenols in creams and lotions may help slow signs of aging, reduce sagging skin and decrease wrinkles.”

THE ZEROES
The majority of anti-aging creams are still based on moisturizers such as mineral oil. Wrinkles look worse when they are dry, so any kind of moisturizer helps, but its only temporary and doesn’t address the root cause of the wrinkles such as collagen loss, free radical damage, sun damage and environmental factors. Don’t be fooled by the antiaging labels. Unless there is an actual “active ingredient” such as retinol, the benefit is just moisture but nothing else.

1. B Vitamins
Many forms of vitamin B (like B12) can only be absorbed in the small intestine, so no matter how much is loaded into your moisturizer or serum, it’s not going to make a difference. “Vitamins like niacin can have an effect on the skin’s texture and color, but your skin can’t absorb them,” Dr. Lolis explains. If you really want to tap into the power of vitamin B to improve your skin’s glow and appearance, stick to eating leafy greens like spinach, asparagus, beans, and peas.

2. Caffeine
Much like a Starbucks latte for your brain, caffeine in skin creams can give a boost to your skin, too; until it wears off. “Caffeine can temporarily reduce puffiness, especially around your eyes,” explains Dr. Lolis. “But don’t expect permanent results.”

3. Botanical Extracts
These are ingredients extracted from plants (flowers, roots, stems, trees, etc.) used in skin care for everything from healing blemishes to reducing fine wrinkles. They have been used for centuries and have anecdotal purposes in many cultures. Botanical extracts need to remain on your skin in order to work. Dr. Lolis explains that, “In cleansers, there is simply not enough contact time on your skin for any true anti-aging benefit to take place. Another issue is that most botanical extracts are water soluble, which means that the moment you wet your skin and begin to wash your face, they’re watered down losing efficacy.

4. Collagen and Elastin
“Collagen and elastin in skin-care products can serve as good water-binding agents, but they cannot fuse with your skin’s natural supply of these supportive elements,” explains Dr. Lolis. “In most cases, the collagen molecule is too large to penetrate into the skin,” she adds.

It’s very important to do your research because there’s a lot of packaging and a lot of hype. The best thing to do is visit your dermatologist and aesthetician who can develop a skin care regimen that works to address your skin concerns based on skin type.

 

 

About the expert:
Dr. Margarita Lolis, M.D. is a board-certified cosmetic, medical dermatologist and a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon with over 20 years of experience. In her practice, she addresses common skin concerns such as acne prevention and treatment in both teens and adults, sun-damage, skin discoloration, wrinkles, changes to skin texture and loss of volume. On the medical side, she is a trusted expert in melanoma and over-all skin health.Dr. Lolis prides herself in honoring facial symmetry to deliver a natural look to her clients. She always recommends a healthy skin care regimen plus lifestyle habits that are aligned with her holistic approach to beauty. Dr. Lolis is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Mohs Surgery, and the American Society of Anti-aging. Her practice, Skin, Laser, and Surgery Specialists is in New York City and Bergen Country, New Jersey.

(featured image via pinterest)

DOCTORS DISH: WHAT’S WORTH IT WHEN IT COMES TO COSMETIC PROCEDURES

Every single one of us, though flawless, has at some point taken a look in the mirror and found at least one thing we’d like to change. Some of us learn to love the quirks in our looks and some of us think about getting a little fix. From the non-invasive to the surgical, cosmetic procedures are on the rise and there are a hundred ways to nip, tuck, lift and smooth just about any area of our bodies. Not all of it is vain and superficial. Some procedures have amazingly high satisfaction ratings; patients report not just looking better but feeling way more confident. According to the experts, these are the nips and tucks that are worth it and the ones you should skip:

Worth it: Breast Reduction

“By far, breast reductions produce the happiest post-op patients,” says New Bern, North Carolina board certified plastic surgeon and best selling author Dr. John Zannis, “The women (and sometimes men) that come to me for this procedure have usually been uncomfortable with the size of their breasts for years, in many cases since early puberty. You can really see an immediate boost to their confidence.” Overly large breasts have uncomfortable physical effects like chronic back pain and bad posture, but they can also become a huge self-esteem complex, especially for girls. Breast reduction surgeries report an extremely high satisfaction rate of almost 90% according to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Magazine.

Worth it: Non-Invasive Face Lifts

“Off the top of my head some of my happiest clients are non-invasive face lift patients,” says Dr. Kally Papantoniou, a board certified dermatologist who specializes in surgical and medical skin procedures at her New York office. “The skin on the neck and chin get a substantial lift and smooth with no cutting or general anesthetics, patients report not only looking younger but constantly say they feel better about themselves. Which is the key word I look for when gauging post-recovery satisfaction!”

Worth it: Rhinoplasty

“A rhinoplasty from a skilled plastic surgeon can completely change a face,” says Zannis. He adds, “The nose is the most protruding facial feature and sits right in the center; any sort of change alters how you look from different angles, how light and shadows hit you and can make the face look more symmetrical.” To become a full believer in the power of rhinoplasty just search “Bella Hadid before and after nose job” on Google. Literally a different person.

Worth it: Body Contouring

“Body contouring is easily one of my top three highest patient satisfaction procedures” says Dr. Papantoniou who provides the procedure at her practice. “These are non-invasive fat loss techniques and they give truly amazing results after about 3 months of treatments. There is no downtime, no pain. Some patients come in for them during long lunch breaks! Patients lose whole inches. Again, the most telling sign is how they stress feeling good after the procedure.”

Skip: Lip Fillers

Lip fillers can work wonders but they’re tricky. They don’t look the same on everyone; your end result could be Kylie Jenner’s lipstick-empire-building pout or Donatella Versace’s trout mouth. They’re more of a toss up and depend on too many variables, from the natural curve of your lips to the skill of your doctor to the type of filler used.

Skip: Cheek Implants

Cheeks have a very prominent position in your face. Like tweaking your nose, tweaking the shape and size of your cheeks changes your whole look, but like any other facial implant or filler; they are not one size fits all. In older individuals cheek implants are just as likely to drag your skin down as smooth it. Good results depend on implant type, technique, original face shape, and considering the natural effects of aging in the future.

 

(featured image via pinterest)

ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR A FACELIFT?

I never thought I’d “have to” color my hair, tweeze a stray hair from anywhere but my eyebrows or actually need readers but those ships have already sailed. What this has taught me is to never say never when it comes to trying out beauty treatments or procedures.

We as women are expected to age gracefully, yet remain beautiful and youthful looking and for some, good genes, diligent skincare and sun protection are enough. Others add in minimal use of non-surgical procedures and that helps them find their happy place. And still others bring in the big guns. The truth is, no matter how well you take care of your skin, the underlying structures do change as we age. Fat below the skin that’s evenly distributed starts to thin out over time and shift downward so that skin is more lax with visible wrinkles and sagging. A combo of botulinum toxin injections, facial fillers and laser treatments can do a lot to help restore a more youthful look, but non-surgical treatments cannot reposition tissue that has sagged because of gravity. If you’re not getting enough results from over the counter and in-office non-surgical procedures or are finding it hard to justify the cost and time commitment of having to repeat temporary liquid facelifts (neurotoxin injections and filler injections combined) over and over again a proper facelift might be what you’re looking for.

If you have been “buying time” this way, be aware that studies have shown that a facelifts have much better long term results when performed on those who are younger and are performed as a corrective/maintenance hybrid so you might not want to wait. There’s a higher satisfaction rate for those that do it when they’re less than 50 years old and only showing minimal signs of facial aging vs. those that do it later. They tend to be able to hold onto their youthful looks and are happier with their results at least 10 years after the fact compared to those who wait longer to do it. A possible reason  to support these results is that there’s less obvious post-operative changes while enabling patients to hold onto a more youthful look longer.

Your surgeon can assess if a facelift is right for you, but if you’re in relatively good health, are not severely overweight, and your skin has good elasticity even if your face and neck tissues might be lax, wrinkled or with jowls, chances are you’re a candidate.

Facelifts vary greatly depending on your aesthetic goals, your facial anatomy, the areas being treated and your preferences regarding risks, recovery and downtime. Before undergoing surgery, you must also be willing to consider  the possibility of unexpected complications, possible scarring, numbness, a change in hairline, facial paralysis, nerve damage and other potential risks. If you still think a facelift might be the right answer for you, do schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who can discuss your options and the pros and cons of each with you so you can make an educated decision.

 

(featured image via pinterest) 

 

NO KNIFE PROCEDURES: THE LATEST IN NON-INVASIVE BEAUTY TREATMENTS

 

If lines and wrinkles, loose skin, pockets of fat or any other beauty issues are keeping you from feeling your confident best, know that you’ve got options. There are many new non-surgical treatments to address the issues that are keeping you from feeling and looking your absolute best.

Click here for my latest Zwivel.com story and discover the latest non-invasive beauty treatments to help you strut your stuff!

 

 

(featured image via pinterest)

THINKING OF PLASTIC SURGERY ABROAD?

If you’re thinking of getting plastic surgery abroad, this story I wrote for Zwivel.com is a must read! xoxoNancy

 

 

Can essential oils help you handle plastic surgery? You betcha!

I was first turned on to the many benefits of essential oils when I met the founder of 21 Drops, Advanced Clinical Essential Oil Specialist, Cary Caster. She studied aromatherapy in Europe where aromatherapy is widely recognized as a medical treatment — It’s based upon the principle that oils, extracted from various parts of plants, can help support your body’s physical and mental well-being. Essential oils can be anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, have healing properties and strengthen your immune system. They also have many other benefits including the ability to help you focus, feel more passion, control your appetite, detox and even control stress and pain, which makes them the ideal complementary medicine for everyone, including those about to undergo surgery.

As someone who gets anxious before any doctors appointment — be it the dentist for a cleaning, my yearly checkup with my primary care physician or a full body skin check with my dermatologist — I can attest that the use of essential oils to help you relax can be a game-changer as the anxiety is always worse than the actual procedure. Though many swear by anti-anxiety medications like Xanax or Valium, I’m a big fan of essential oils because you can reap similar benefits, without the side effects or possibility of addiction.

Essential oils work through inhalation, topical application or a combination of the two, but are usually most effective when both methods are combined. With inhalation, you simply breathe them in which ignites a physiological response that stimulates changes in your body depending upon the specific essential oil being inhaled. When you apply it topically, minuscule-sized molecules of the essential oil are easily absorbed through the skin where they then pass into the bloodstream to affect change. For better penetration, it’s best to apply to freshly cleansed skin and if the essential oil isn’t already blended, you should mix it in with a thin carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil instead of the heavier ones like olive oil.

Clinical studies have shown that specific essential oils can help get a handle on your daily life and can even be used before during and after surgery to help alleviate a variety of issues. In regards to pre and post op procedures, here’s what you can expect:

  • They can help ease anxiety. Choose lavender, orange, rose or Roman chamomile to reduce stress and apprehension about your upcoming surgery.
  • They can help reduce pain. Eucalyptus has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Rosemary has analgesic and antispasmodic properties. Sandalwood will help relax the nervous system, thereby reducing nerve pain. Depending on what’s causing you discomfort, there’s an oil to help you bear it.
  • They can help with post-operative nausea or vomiting. Choose ginger or peppermint essential oil to help relieve digestive issues.
  • They have anti-bacterial properties. Choose cinnamon, tea tree or lemongrass for help with healing.

It’s important to note that some essential oils are not suitable for pregnant women or people with certain medical conditions as they can have possible interactions when prescribed drugs are involved or when they’re used on those with certain metabolic conditions. Always check with your doctor before incorporating essential oils in any form of your treatment plan.

Click here to see more of my work on Smart Beauty Guide.

 

(featured image via pinterest)

I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING

Getting lucky. Doing the deed. A roll in the hay. Knocking boots. Call it what you may, but do it if for no other reason than good sex boosts your immunity, reduces stress, promotes sleep and increases your self-esteem. And if I can appeal to your more superficial — though no less important side– it also gives you great skin. That’s right! The increased blood circulation helps oxygenate your skin so it glows and even makes your lips a little fuller, albeit temporarily. It also increases collagen production to help decrease and prevent future wrinkles. Work up a good sweat and it’ll eliminate toxins, cleanse your pores and balance hormones to prevent and help control acne.

Want a brighter, younger-looking, clearer complexion and have no partner in sight? If you don’t foresee an active sex life in the near future and aren’t in the mood to take matters into your own hands you can still have great skin.

Here, how your doctor can step in to help:

BOOST COLLAGEN:

Ultrasound energy and radio-frequency devices like Ulthera and Thermage are non-ablative (meaning the skin’s surface is not affected) and heat your skin below the surface to boost collagen production and help reduce sagging, thereby tightening the skin. Chronic exposure to to the sun’s ultraviolet light can break down collagen, the major structural component of the skin. These devices can help rebuild and restore collagen, and help reverse the damage.

PLUMP LIPS AND FACE:

When it comes to facial fillers, less is most definitely more and you’ll want to be in the skilled hands of cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist that shares the same aesthetic as you. Your doctor can use hyaluronic acid filler or other fillers to subtly swell your lips and add volume to other areas of your face that can use a little lift. Your doctor will inject them directly into problem area and build up the tissue underneath.

TREAT ACNE:

Your doctor has many solutions to help treat acne, among them prescription topical treatments such as Aczone, oral care like Accutane and laser therapy such as blue light or pulsed dye lasers. Since many are not without side effects your doctor can help you determine which is the right choice for you.

Looking for a doctor who can give you what you need. Check out smartbeautyguide.com.

 

(featured image via pinterest)

 

HOLIDAY HAIR TREND: LADYLIKE

Save your beachy waves and messy updos for another time. This season, a more “done” approach to hair is trending. Embrace polished ponytails and updos and accessorize with a beautiful barrette or hairpin. Right now, I’m loving the Stellar Hair Set ($48) with 3 gold and glimmery options.

anthropologie.com

anthropologie.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(featured image via harpersbazaar.com)

GET YOUR FREE GIFT!

Today, 12/2/15, L’Occitane is partnering with Uber NYC as part of Uber’s inaugural “5 Days of Giving.”

To get your L’Occitane gift (valued at over $100), just follow these simple steps:
1. Open the Uber app, tap the Profile icon in the top left corner, then tap Promotions
2. Enter promo code TAPGETGIVE to unlock the special HOLIDAY option
3. Request HOLIDAY between 11am and 3pm on 12/2 in Manhattan (59th Street and below), Williamsburg, & Greenpoint (no ride required!)
4. If connected, an Uber driver-partner will arrive curbside at your location to hand off your gift (while supplies last)!

*One VERY LUCKY person will also receive an unforgettable grand prize: a four day trip for two to the South of France!!!
During the campaign, Uber will be teaming up with a different brand each day to give you FREE, on-demand, luxurious presents in NYC! Yesterday it was VINCE, today it’s L’Occitane’s turn and the next few days it will be other spectacular brands. 

What are you waiting for? Get lucky!!! xoxoNancy

GRAB YOUR GIRLFRIENDS AND GO!

 

This Thursday, November 5th, 2015, grab a bunch of girlfriends and head to your local L’OCCITANE store to kick off the holiday season with complimentary mini-facials, hors d’oeuvres and champagne.

If  you spend $65 or more you’ll receive two travel-size products from their new macaron-inspired collaboration with Pierre Hermé, as well as an exclusive invitation to a private sale.

See you there!!! xoxoNancy