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SKIN DEFENDERS
Cosmeceuticals are hotter than everPart cosmetic and part pharmaceutical product, these hybrids are springing up in new formulations that feature natural ingredients, according to Dr. Benjamin Barankin of The Dermatology Centre in Toronto. New to the marketplace are products with licochalcone (licorice extract) and avenanthramides (extracted from oats), designed to reduce inflammation.Also watch for collagen restorers such as N-acetyl glucosamine, Matrixyl, to help firm skin, and decrease skin pigmentation. An old-time herb, feverfew, is being tapped for its ability to reduce UV damage, along with new high-tech ingredients like polyphenols.
NEW SUNSCREEN PRODUCTS
These new products arriving on store shelves soon offer truly full-spectrum protection against UVB and UVA rays. The old UVA filters weren’t optimal. They broke down with UV exposure. New sunscreens will protect your skin against sun damage better and incorporate ingredients that make the skin feel more comfortable after sun exposure. Double check the expiry date on your sunscreen. Chuck it if it’s old and replace with one of the new breed.
HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
Effective laser hair removal is a reality, and no longer an empty promise. Clinics like the Institute of Cosmetic & Laser Surgery (ICLS) in Oakville, Ontario are seeing a boom in happy patients who can now put away the razor. Dr. Sheetal Sapra from ICLS removes hair with the Lightsheer Laser, which, unlike earlier technology, can put the brakes on any regrowth. One recent patient, a woman with light brown skin and dark hair, is still pleased by her lack of facial hair almost one year after her Lightsheer Laser treatment.There’s big news on the home front for hair removal. Soon, you’ll be able to buy the Silk’n, a hair removal device that uses a low energy, pulsed light. It successfully gets rid of 40 to 70% of hair permanently.
NEW SUNSCREEN PRODUCTS
More DIY treatments at home
• How’s this for space age? SunSoul has developed blumöd clothing made with specially treated fabric that converts harmful ultraviolet light into therapeutic blue light. Worn just a few hours a week, the garmets can improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin. Blumöd clothing was developed by a Toronto company and has been approved by Health Canada.
• In the drug store, watch for microdermabrasion kits to become more plentiful. Ones to try include: Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Microdermabrasion System for Body, and the two-step Dermaglow Radiance RX kit for the face. In April, NeoStrata launches a Skin Renewal Peel Solution with 20% AHA to help make skin flawlessly smooth.
• Be on the look out for an energy-based device from Procter & Gamble, still in the approval stages, that will allow you to treat fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and cellulite at home. |
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BOOM IN NON-SURGICALS
More men and women are opting out of going under the knife, or delaying it, by using non-surgical procedures. According to Dr. Stephen Mulholland of SpaMedica in Toronto, the demand is rapidly growing. It may be because there is less of a stigma attached to them, or perhaps it’s because they require less recovery time.
• Subdermage is becoming a popular treatment for tightening the face without surgery. Under local anesthetic, a fibre optic laser is inserted under the skin to directly stimulate cells. Dr. Mulholland has seen results that last up to five years.
• Laser fractional technology is becoming a major player for tackling wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage and brown spots. This revolutionary treatment delivers impressive results with much less downtime. It has also shown up to 50% improvement on those hard to treat stretch marks.
NEW CELLULITE TREATMENTS
• LipoLite effectively reduces the size of fat cells using a laser-like energy and radio frequency. Dr. Mulholland guarantees its results, promising a four cm reduction around the stomach, and two cm around the thighs. It’s a non-invasive option for tackling localized fat that is difficult to shed through diet and exercise.
• Smartlipo is a new kind of liposuction that is less invasive than traditional types. It melts fat cells with a Nd:Yag laser, while coagulating blood vessels. Dr. Mulholland likes Smartlipo for its ability to minimize bruising, swelling, and shortened healing times. Another bonus: it tightens tissue so excess skin is not a problem.
THE SMILE FILE
Teeth whitening
Forget the mega-white smiles of Hollywood. A shift has occurred and patients who elect to have their teeth whitened are opting for more natural-looking colour. Dr. Sol Weiss of The Art of Dentistry in Toronto has a major interest in cosmetic dentistry and has witnessed the change. “Now, people want teeth that appear healthy and give them a nice overall appearance,” says Dr. Weiss.
In the whitening procedure itself, there’s positive news. With refined techniques, the amount of time it takes to get dramatic results can be as little as one hour. For those with sensitive teeth, Dr. Weiss gives patients a special fluoride toothpaste, designed to reduce the potential for discomfort, used for one week before a whitening session.
Getting a crown
This used to mean a significant investment of time with return visits to the dentist. Now, new technology has patients walking out the same day with completed crowns. A laser impression of the teeth is taken, then a computer digitizes it and sends the image to a milling station where the crown is created. This technology can be used for fillings and porcelain veneers too.
Full lips
Still hot this season. For a perfect pucker, buff away the dead cells leftover from winter dryness. New products use fruit enzymes to gently peel away the rough stuff. Smooth lips ensure a flawless surface on which to apply lipstick. |
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