Does Laser Treatment Help Spider Veins?

Laser treatment is often used on spider veins when blood vessels are too small for sclerotherapy needles. By responding to color, laser light is sensitive enough to detect and treat these areas. Laser treatment is noninvasive; it feels like being snapped with a rubber band. Those with light skin and dark purple veins are likely to see the best results. Laser treatment is a relatively new and constantly changing technology for spider veins, and although many women are anxious to try it, there is no guarantee that it is completely effective.

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Defining Spider Veins

Spider veins are red and purple blood vessels that occur in patches on the legs and face. The network of vessels is often as delicate as a spider's web, which is how they get their name, but the patches also resemble tiny sunbursts, branching trees or just plain old lines.

Spider veins and varicose veins are not the same -- and one does not lead to the other. Whereas varicose veins are large, swollen and occur singularly on the legs, spider veins are delicate and tend to be come in cliques. They are, however, caused by similar factors.

Exactly what happens in the body to produce spider veins isn't known for sure, though there are several theories that address possible causes. One theory is that spider veins, which occur near the surface of the skin, are fed by underlying varicose veins too small or embedded too deeply to reach the skin surface. These underlying veins disrupt circulation, causing spider veins to grow above them. Another theory is that spider veins are little arteries that have latched on to the network of veins nearest the skin surface. Because arteries are highly pressurized and the surface veins have low pressure, the combination of the arterial blood (oxygenated blood flowing to the heart) with the venal blood (deoxygenated blood flowing away from the heart) causes spider veins to be visible.

Spider veins do not pose a health threat. Though they can cause aching and discomfort, spider veins are primarily a cosmetic problem.

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Sclerotherapy Treatment

Sclerotherapy is the most common and, to date, most effective way to get rid of spider veins. A saline solution is injected into a vein, causing it to swell, collapse and then disappear. When blood can't flow, the vein loses its purple color, turns to scar tissue and eventually fades away entirely. Because blood flow shifts to other healthy veins, sclerotherapy actually improves circulation in the legs. The saline injections are often followed by a mild burning sensation and, occasionally, muscle cramping near the site of injection, especially around the ankles. The cramping usually subsides within a few minutes. The site will look swollen and needle marks will show, but these symptoms clear up within two weeks.

Depending on the size, shape and network of your spider veins, a series of three to ten treatments is usually required. Unfortunately, the treatment is not always permanent; about one-third of all women develop spider veins again.

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Sclerotherapy Side Effects

There are certain possible side effects accompanying sclerotherapy treatment that can include:

• Stinging or pain at the site of injection, swelling of the ankles or feet, or muscle cramping. These usually disappear within 10 to 15 minutes after injection.

• Red, raised dots at the sites of each injection. These should disappear within a day or two, but if the procedure has been administered incorrectly and the saline has been injected into the skin and not the vein, the site can ulcerate.
• Bruises at the site where the needle penetrated the skin. These fade and disappear within a few weeks.
• Occasionally, a small blood clot develops in the injected vein, which can cause tenderness. If the vein is large and fills with coagulated blood, your dermatologist might choose to drain the blood from these areas a few weeks after injection.
• Brown lines or spots on the skin at the site of treatment can develop as a result of blood escaping the treated veins. This is more likely to occur in larger veins; in most cases, these disappear within a year.
• Blushes, or the development of groups of fine red blood vessels near the injection sites of larger vessels. About one-third of all patients develop blushes; most disappear on their own, but some last. Laser therapy is an effective way to treat these secondary veins.
• Inflammation of treated blood vessels. If inflammation occurs, it's easily treated with aspirin, antibiotics or a heating pad.

As with most invasive elective procedures, pregnant women should not undergo sclerotherapy. And because saline injections contain large amounts of salt, those diagnosed with high blood pressure and congestive heart failure should also avoid sclerotherapy. Women with clotting disorders such as lupus or deep-vein thrombosis should avoid treatment, as should women with a history of miscarriages.

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Are You At Risk For Spider Veins?

Women develop spider veins nearly four times as frequently as men. In fact, about 70 percent of adult women are afflicted with spider veins at some time in their lives. Some women are at greater risk due to heredity factors; others are predisposed to spider veins because of lifestyle. Women who are pregnant or use oral contraceptives are at risk, as are women who experience an increase in estrogen, which is said to weaken the vein wall. Overweight women are prone to this condition because they are more likely to develop circulatory problems, diabetes and heart disease, all of which hinder the flow of blood from the veins to the heart. Standing for prolonged periods of time increases the risk since it's harder for veins to fight gravity in carrying blood to the heart. Those who wear high-heeled shoes can stress leg veins by forcing calf muscle into prolonged contraction.

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Understanding Stretch Marks

We have three layers of skin: the epidermis, or outer layer; the dermis, or middle layer; and the subcutaneous stratum, or deepest layer. Stretch marks (also known as stria atrophica and striae distensae) occur in the dermis, the elastic, resilient middle layer that allows skin to retain its shape. If stretch marks formed on the skin's surface, they'd be much easier to treat. When the dermis is constantly stretched over time, the skin becomes less elastic and the connective fibers break. The result is the markings we know as stretch marks.

Depending on your natural skin coloring, stretch marks begin as raised pink, reddish brown or dark brown striations that then turn a brighter violet or purple. Gradually these bright marks flatten and fade to a color a few shades lighter than your natural skin tone. They usually become less noticeable over time.

Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body where the skin has been stretched (often as a result of weight gain). They're most likely to appear in places where fat is stored: the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, thighs and buttocks. They pose absolutely no health risk and don't compromise your body's ability to function healthily; they are purely a cosmetic issue and need to be treated accordingly.

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Preventing Stretch Marks

Imagine a balloon that has been blown up and then deflated. No matter how much you blow it up again, it has lost much of its original elasticity and will never look quite the same. So it is with stretch marks. They don't go away entirely. The key is to find ways to reduce their appearance. The earlier you begin treating stretch marks, the more likely you are to lessen their appearance; they are much easier to treat when they first appear as raised red or reddish brown marks. Once they begin to flatten and fade, they become less obvious and are more difficult to treat.

About 75 to 90 percent of all pregnant women (90 percent of white women) develop stretch marks during pregnancy. The sustained stretching on the abdomen as a result of weight gain usually means stretch marks will appear during the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy. But pregnant women aren't alone in being susceptible. Adolescents experiencing a growth spurt and athletes (especially bodybuilders who practice strenuous and repetitive exercise) are likely to get stretch marks, as is anyone who gains or loses a significant amount of weight in a short period of time.

If you never gain weight for any reason over the course of your life, you are not likely to develop stretch marks. But those of us who carry children or simply put on weight are likely candidates, as are those of us who practice strenuous and repetitive exercise. Some say that as our skin structure is genetically determined, we are predisposed to developing stretch marks; others disagree, pointing to the fact that there are ways to help prevent stretch marks. Prevention takes diligence, but certain things can help: Massage your skin with a massage brush or glove to increase circulation; apply moisturizing cream to the area of concern on a daily basis to keep the skin supple; and eat foods that contribute to the overall health of the skin, such as those high in vitamins C and E, zinc and silica (which helps to form collagen).

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Diminish Spider Veins

There is a common myth that vitamin K pills, creams and lotions diminish spider veins. The rumor stems from the fact that vitamin K has been long associated with blood clotting. Taken orally, vitamin K can cause blood clots, stopping the flow of blood through a vein or capillary and thereby making it disappear. This works with healthy veins as well, posing definite health risks. Although reviews are mixed on the effectiveness of vitamin K, most experts agree that applying vitamin K to the skin, will do very little to clot blood and minimize spider veins.

To help prevent spider veins, maintain average body weight. Exercise -- especially walking -- also helps circulation and contraction of the muscles. Wear flat or low-heeled shoes and don't use body shapers (updated girdles) that restrict blood circulation. Consult your doctor about support stockings; they can be helpful, but they must fit properly or the constriction will be detrimental.

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Remove Your Spider Veins

One of the most common side effects of sun-damaged skin are the tiny, burst capillaries that crop up on and around the nose. These spider veins are harmless, but visible enough to bother many women who have them. The good news: You can have them removed in one or two laser treatments in a dermatologist's office.

Cosmetic and laser dermatologist Dr. Melanie Grossman says the procedure only takes a few minutes and can be easily squeezed into a lunch hour. (She says you may want to carve out time to stay in the office to apply an ice pack to keep swelling down.) But swelling isn't a huge problem; she's treated patients who have been on TV the same afternoon they've been zapped!

In the course of a treatment the dermatologist will apply the laser directly to the capillary, which destroys the lining of the tiny vein. Your body will absorb what's left, and the capillary disappears from the surface of your skin. For the most part the procedure doesn't hurt....much. "It's like a moment of discomfort, a flicker," says Dr. Grossman. "Some people say it feels like a rubber band snap."

If you opt for laser vein removal, she says, make sure you see a dermatologist who is an expert in the procedure. It's probably no surprise, says Dr. Grossman, that the more experience the doctor has, the better he or she will be at using the laser to effectively remove veins. Also, start saving your pennies. Individual treatments can cost between $300 to $1,000 depending on where you are.

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Is It Possible To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks?--Fighters, Fixers and Facts You Need To Know

If you're like most women you're probably used to seeing air-brushed bodies in ads, fashion spreads and magazine covers. And you may not know that the large majority of the women, girls and even men have stretch marks. Why? Because growing causes them. If growth spurts during adolescence don't create these tiny skin tears, they will form at any time in your life when you suddenly get bigger, whether your stretched skin comes from bulging muscle, fat or pregnancy. (Ninety percent of women get stretch marks while they are pregnant.)

What can you do about stretch marks? First, be patient. Your reddish-purplish marks will eventually fade in color. Whether or not the marks disappear has to do with your skin type; the depth of the stretch marks and your determination to treat them. If you want a barometer of how your body will handle stretch marks, think of how your scars fade. Stretch marks are, in fact, tiny scars, formed when the lower layers of skin tear because they don't stretch as fast as upper layers of skin.

In some people it can take months and years for stretch marks to fade into barely-seen thin lines. In others, stretch marks may be thick and sit like scars on top of the skin, or as grooves in the skin. Doctors say it's possible topical creams can speed the fading process but there is no guarantee the treatments will make stretch marks invisible. If you go that route, you'll get the best results if you start early, as soon as stretch marks form. Prepare to be vigilant. Most products need to be applied two or three times a day.

"It's high- maintenance treatment but I've seen some results," says dermatologist Dr. Vivian Bucay, assistant clinical professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center. "I recommend a combination of treatments," she says, "beginning with an over-the-counter product like StriVectin-SD, which contains peptides," She says these non-irritating ingredients have been shown to stimulate the production of collagen in the skin, and can be found in a number of products, including Kinerase C6 Peptide Intensive Treatment and Olay's Regenerist. "If patients can tolerate it, I also give them a prescription for Retin-A, which helps rejuvenate skin, although Retin-A is too drying and irritating for some patients." In both cases products have to be applied at least twice a day, she says. The manufacturer of StriVectin-SD, which contains a patented oligo-peptide, claims the product can make a difference on older stretch marks. The company says in clinical studies their peptide performed better than retinol, vitamin C and a placebo.

If you have new stretch marks you may also want to try Mederma, a cream formulated to minimize scars. It contains a botanical mix of ingredients the company calls Cepalin which softens and smooth scars. It needs to be applied two to four times a day for at least eight weeks.

Or, you can grow to accept your stretch marks, comforted by the fact that nearly everyone has them. If you're OK with them but don't want to flaunt them, you can always diminish the appearance of stretch marks by using self-tanning products. There are dozens of sunless tanning products to choose from. St. Tropez Tinted Self Tanning Lotion claims to go on skin streak-free and hide stretch marks, varicose veins, and vitiligo.

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Different Types Of Cellulite

Hard, or solid, cellulite usually occurs in women who are active (such as dancers or runners). Hard cellulite is difficult to get rid of because it doesn't lift from the body easily. It's also harder to see because it attaches directly to the muscle.

Soft cellulite is not as concentrated as hard cellulite and is much more visible. It occurs in large areas and, because it doesn't attach so strongly to the muscle, it's looser, often sagging from the body. The result is often poor muscle tone. Even though it's easier to spot, it's also easier to remove.

To test for cellulite, lightly pinch or press an area of tissue between your thumb and finger (or in a larger area, between the palms of your two hands). Normal fat appears fairly smooth, but cellulite will reveal dimples or ripples -- like the skin of an orange. Cellulite tissue is also more sensitive and can feel cold to the touch. It might appear whiter than the rest of your skin.

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Do Cellulite Products Help?

Cellulite creams, such as those containing alpha hydroxy acids, help reduce and prevent the appearance of cellulite by improving the elasticity of the skin. They claim to do everything from strengthening to renewing and softening. In conjunction with increased circulation and a change of diet and lifestyle, some of these products do reduce the appearance of cellulite by strengthening the network of connective tissue. Keep in mind that once you stop using these creams, the skin returns to its original state since you haven't permanently altered the skin's natural properties.

Tell us what you think! Share products that have worked for you and hear what other iVillage Beauty women are saying on our Cellulite and Hair Removal message board. Here's what a few of our members have to say on the subject of cellulite products:

"Lipofactor works! I have used Lipofactor for about four months now and wouldn't be without it," says member sandrakeithharris.

"A couple of months ago I was reading COSMO and it said Nivea firming skin cream was very effective so I bought some and tried it out just to prove to myself that these magazines were full of it. But actually the cream has been very effective" says member serenity88.

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Is Surgery Effective On Cellulite

Liposuction has proven effective in taking off inches, but it does not counter cellulite. Liposuction removes collections of fatty tissue from the legs, buttocks, abdomen, back, arms, face and neck areas. It uses a "vacuuming" technique to remove fatty tissue, leaving minimal scarring. Because liposuction does not change the structure of the skin, it can't eliminate cellulite forever. Liposuction is a costly surgical procedure that can hinder the body's natural circulation and waste-elimination processes while the body heals.

For a temporary fix, iVillage Beauty member greattime suggests rubbing wet coffee grounds on cellulite-prone areas of the body. "I've read that models use it before photo shoots and whenever they need it."

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What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite is a kind of fat tissue in the subcutaneous layer of the skin that contains constricting bands of connective tissue. This connective tissue, which varies in thickness and is laced with fat cells, is held in place by a network of fibers that protects our body, cushioning our muscles and organs; it is surrounded by a liquid that both nourishes it and provides it with an effective waste system. When all is working well in the system, waste products are removed and smooth curves result; when fats, fluids and toxins are trapped deep in the skin (below the epidural layer), however, the connective tissue thickens and hardens, giving a dimpling effect. As we mature, the layer of skin thins, resulting in the rippled appearance of cellulite.

What is the difference between cellulite and fat? Though everyone has a smooth layer of fat, individual amounts depend on weight, lifestyle and genetics. This fat layer is an insulator for the body and cushions the organs, muscles and nerves. Cellulite, on the other hand, is lumpy and provides no padding whatsoever. It only occurs in certain areas of the body: the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and breasts. When men get cellulite, it tends to be on the neck and abdomen.

Cellulite is not necessarily a factor of body weight. You don't have to be heavy to have cellulite. Though diet and lifestyle affect cellulite formation, a large part of cellulite is comprised of toxins and fat that build up in the body, and can affect women of any size, weight and body structure.

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Who Gets Cellulite and Why?

It's primarily women who are the victims of cellulite. It begins to appear in girls around the age of 14 and increases as we mature and the subcutaneous skin layer thins and redistributes. Cellulite often forms in postnatal women and those who take birth control pills because the waste system can't get rid of the enormous flow of estrogen in the body. Cellulite can develop after a traumatic injury if the circulatory system has been disturbed. A sedentary lifestyle leads to a hardening of the connective tissue, causing a dimpling of the skin.

Men rarely develop cellulite because their network of fat cells occurs deep in the skin. If you were to look at a map of the female body from the inside out, you would see that the cells are smooth in shape and nearly reach the surface of the skin, causing a dimpling effect. Men's cells are shaped more sharply and reside deeper in the skin, rarely poking through to cause the ripples we associate with cellulite.

Some of the contributing factors for developing cellulite are:

• Heredity, but unlike the strength of your nails or the color and texture of your hair, you can do a lot to fight cellulite.
• Insufficient water intake. Water helps the waste system operate, flushing toxins from your body. Drink seven glasses of water a day.

• Diet. Poor eating habits (alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods) contribute to the formation of cellulite because the toxins they produce get trapped in the fatty tissue. And despite what you've heard, crash diets don't work to fight cellulite. In fact, crash diets increase the risk of cellulite because the body thinks it's starving and by attempting to compensate, it assists in cellulite formation. All saturated fats help build cellulite. These fats block the arteries and get trapped in the tissue as well, preventing sufficient waste and toxin elimination.
• Smoking is not only bad for the skin and lungs, it also weakens the skin due to the constriction of capillaries. It further damages the connective tissue that causes the dimpling effect of cellulite, too.
• Tension and stress can cause a muscle to seize up in pain; they can also cause the connective tissue that covers that muscle to seize up. Tension also blocks the tissue, preventing proper waste elimination and purification.
• Medication can disturb the body's natural processes, disturbing the purification system that is naturally in place. Diet pills, sleeping pills and diuretics can all lead to cellulite; oral contraceptives, which increase the body's estrogen, cause fat cells to enlarge, leading to water retention. Retaining water inhibits the body from flushing the system of toxins, leading to the formation of cellulite.
• Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the formation of cellulite. Exercise decreases many health risks and also helps fight cellulite. It improves muscle tone, circulation and overall well-being, helping to break blocked tissue and purify the body.

Some women find diet supplements helpful in controlling cellulite. "I'm on the Herbalife program right now and I have noticed a big difference in the way my skin is," says iVillage Beauty member juliajewel. "It is much softer feeling and the texture is a lot smoother, too."

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Endermologie Treatment For Cellulite

The Endermologie machine, developed in France over a decade ago to reduce scarring, has been found to have a measurable effect in fighting cellulite. It uses rollers and gentle suctioning to deeply massage affected areas, increasing the circulation by 200 percent (manual massage increases the circulation by 60 percent). Toxins and abnormal water buildup are expelled as connective fibers are stretched.

Expect to wear a body stocking as a technician runs the suctioning rollers -- like a human vacuum -- over your body, concentrating on affected areas. Sessions usually run a half hour; a series of treatments is usually required to see visible results. A single session can cost up to $125.

Talk to other iVillage Beauty members and find out what they are saying about cellulite by visiting our Cellulite and Hair Removal message board. Member crazyaboutbooks says "Is anyone here familiar with Endermologie? It's a massage they give you with a machine. I'm on my eighth treatment and I'm really amazed at how great I look." Share your comments!

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Treating Cellulite

What can I do about cellulite?

This common problem, which is usually seen on the back of the legs, thighs and buttocks, has been difficult to treat. It has been observed that those people using a body lotion containing DMAE show improvement in appearance after only a few applications, with more dramatic benefits accruing with time. Also make sure to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

We always have to keep in mind that the skin reflects our internal state of health and nutrition. Therefore to achieve maximum therapeutic benefits to skin diseases or aging we must follow the anti-inflammatory diet and take selected anti-inflammatory nutritional supplements in addition to using topical antioxidant, anti-inflammatory skin treatments.

Recommended Products

• Alpha Lipoic Acid Body Toning Lotion
• RoC Anti-Cellulite Care

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The Fat Truth: Five Cellulite Myths Busted

reduce cellulite.

FALSE. In fact, the idea that drinking more water will help any skin condition is erroneous unless you're truly medically dehydrated. Nor does drinking more water eliminate any cellulite-causing toxins. Overhydration can actually increase the appearance of cellulite.

Exercise will prevent cellulite.

FALSE. Even the fittest female athlete can develop cellulite. Still, the less fat you have, the less likely it is to spill over that web of fibrous bands, so by all means, exercise away to burn fat and increase muscle.

Liposuction removes cellulite.

FALSE. Because tight bands of fibrous tissue cause cellulite, extracting the fat layer that resides just under the skin may actually worsen that dimpled look. "I would recommend liposuction for contour improvements in patients with stubborn fat deposits, but I would never recommend liposuction to anyone as a primary cellulite treatment," says Boynton Beach, Florida, plastic surgeon David Rosenstein, MD.

A healthy diet will prevent cellulite.

FALSE. Eating well is always a good idea, but specific foods won't prevent or cure cellulite. Still, junk food that makes you fat may make you more prone to dimples. And beware of all those so-called anti-cellulite supplements. There's no proof that they're effective.

Cellulite only occurs in women.

FALSE. Some men do get cellulite, and industry data show that at least 6,000 American males sought treatment for it last year. Recent research suggests that cellulitic males may have lower levels of the hormone androgen. Still, far fewer males get the dimples. One reason: Male connective tissue lies in a firmer crisscross pattern than the female connective-tissue matrix.

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A Look at Skin Rejuvenation Techniques

Cosmetic products can go only so far in improving the appearance ofwrinkles,acnescars, uneven pigmentation, broken blood vessels andage spots. Anyone seeking more dramatic improvements will have to look to other remedies -- some performed by aestheticians, but most by dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

Today there's a wide choice of facial rejuvenation techniques, making it possible to tailor therapies to the exact needs of the client. A variety of methods are used to remove the topmost layers of the skin (epidermis) to reveal clear, unblemished skin below. These methods are called exfoliation or skin resurfacing. Newer techniques penetrate to the layers beneath (thedermis) to boostcollagenproduction, which gives the skin a fresher, plumper, more youthful appearance. The medical term for these techniques is nonablative, which simply means that they work without destroying tissue. "Doctors often combine procedures so patients can get the maximum benefits from each," reports Tina S. Alster, M.D., a dermatologic surgeon in Washington, D.C.

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What's a Wrinkle in Time?

What are they? Wrinkles are caused by a loss of collagen and elastin-- the tissues in the skin that make it firm and elastic -- as we age. The degree of wrinkling depends on your genetic makeup, but smoking, dry skin and sun exposure (especially sunburns) make it worse. Dynamic motion -- making facial expressions -- also causes permanent creases over time.

Treatment

• Tretinoin(Retin-A), otherretinoids.
• Laser resurfacing. This process burns away the outer layer of skin, bringing a less wrinkled layer to the surface.
• Alpha hydroxy acids(AHAs). These slough off dead skin cells and stimulate collagen production, making cells look plumper.
• Collagen injections.
• Chemical peels.
• Botox injections.
• Fat transfer. Fat is taken out of the buttocks and injected into the creases in the face.

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What Causes Thinning Skin?

As you age, cells flatten and lose their plumpness, making skin thinner.

It's especially noticeable on your face and the back of your hands, where skin is most exposed to the sun.

Treatment:

• Tretinoin (Retin-A), other retinoids
• Moisturizer, Lotions make skin feel more supple, but they won't affect the underlying cells -- only the surface layer.
• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), These make the top layer of skin tighter and seal in moisture.
• Chemical peeling
• Dermabrasion
• Laser resurfacing

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What Speeds Up The Aging Process?

For the most part, skin that you perceive as being old is probably sun-damaged. It's true that skin gradually breaks down as you age, but if your skin had never been touched by the sun, the look and feel of old skin wouldn't show up until very late in life. Protecting your skin from the sun is the most significant thing you can do to prevent wrinkles, sagging and discoloration. Smoking also ages your skin before its time -- it reduces blood flow to the skin, which leads to wrinkles -- and interferes with the skin's natural defense againstfree radicals.

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Identifying Crow's Feet

What are crow's feet?Crow's feet arefine lines and wrinkles radiating from the eyes. For the most part they're caused by sun exposure, but smoking can make them worse. Years and years of smiling and squinting can also play a part in how they're formed.

Treatment

• Sunscreen. Wear one every day and try to avoid prolonged sun exposure.
• Moisturizer. Applying lotion every day won't cure crow's feet, but it will make your skin look more supple and decrease the appearance of wrinkles.
• Tretinoin(Retin-A), otherr etinoids. When applied to the skin these drugs help increase collagen production, strengthening the structure of the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
• Alpha hydroxy acids(AHAs)
• Collagen injections. These will temporarily plump up the wrinkles.

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What Is Laser Resurfacing?

Laser resurfacing works by directing a precise and intense beam of laser light back and forth over areas of skin to be treated. Each pass of the light vaporizes the upper layers of damaged skin and causes the skin to contract. This results in tightening thecollagenand elastic fibers of thedermis, producing a new skin layer that is tighter, firmer and more youthful looking.

There are two types of lasers: CO₂ and erbium. Doctors often combine the two on different areas of the face. The results of laser resurfacing are long lasting.

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Dealing With Age Spots

Age spots usually begin to appear on sun-exposed areas such as the back, chest, arms and hands in your early 30s. Although they may look similar to moles, the two are very different. Moles are genetically predetermined; age spots are the result of cumulative sun exposure throughout your life.

There are several over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed treatments for age spots. Before treating your spots, see your dermatologist first to rule out skin cancer. If you've gotten enough sun to develop age spots, you are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer. Once your doctor has given your skin a clean bill of health, discuss with her which options are right for you.

Remember, though, that with whichever method you choose, results will vary depending on how severe the spots are, how much time you spend in the sun and how consistently you follow treatment. It is essential to protect against new age spots and prolong the results by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen on all exposed areas every day, even in the winter.

Fade Creams
What they are: Over-the-countermoisturizerscontaining 2 percenthydroquinone, a bleaching agent.

What they do: Gradually lighten age spots over a couple of months. They work best when used in conjunction with a glycolic acid moisturizer, which smooths out the skin.

Drawbacks: It will take a few months to see a difference, and they don't have much effect on darker, more stubborn spots.

Retinoids
What they are: Prescription-strengthvitamin Acreams such asRetin-AandRenova.

What they do: Fade discoloration while stimulating the growth of new, healthy cells. They are often used with prescription-strength hydroquinone for a stronger bleaching effect.

Drawbacks: Retinoids can be drying and harsh for some skin types, and it will take two to three months to see results.

Chemical Peels
What they are: Dermatologist-administered peels that use 30 to 70 percent glycolic acid to remove hyperpigmented skin, wrinkles andfine lines.

What they do: Smooth and firm skin and lighten age spots gradually. The treatment can be done during your lunch hour, and there is no recovery time.

Drawbacks: A series of several peels done once a month is needed before you'll notice any fading.

Laser Resurfacing
What it is: An in-office treatment where age spots, wrinkles and lines are burned off with a laser.

What it does: Removes most traces of age spots and discoloration, usually in one treatment.

Drawbacks: It's expensive. One treatment can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how big the area being treated is. Your skin will be red and peeling and most likely scab in the days after the procedure. Expect recovery time of about a week.

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What Is CoolTouch Laser Treatment?

What it is: Also referred to as cool laser or thermescent laser treatment, this special kind of machine shoots out a cooling agent to lower the temperature of (and thus protect) the epidermis, so that it is not burned by the beam directed to the collagen-producing layer below. The treatment can be performed on any facial area and takes only 15 to 30 minutes. It usually requires three to six treatments every two to four weeks; patients often start to see a tightening of the skin as well as a reduction of fine wrinkles and small scars after the third treatment. The minimal reddening of the skin usually fades in a few hours.

Costs: $250 to $500 per treatment

Good for: Diminishing acne scars, especially on the cheeks, and fine lines around the mouth, upper lip and eyes.

Reality check: This is a gentle procedure that produces gradual, rather than dramatic, results. Patients are spared the prolonged redness and healing time that follows many skin resurfacing techniques. While it's not effective for brown spots or uneven pigmentation, this procedure does work on all pigmentation and skin types.

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Botox: Know The Facts

We may love our expression lines because they speak of our experiences, but let's face it, they can make us look tired when we're not. And they can make us look older than we feel.

More and more people are having their deep lines injected with Botox to wipe them away. But do results stand up to the hype? Apparently so. In 1997, about 65,000 Botox procedures were done; in 2001 1.6 million were performed. To determine if it's something you'd like to try, check out the facts we uncovered with help from Dr. Bruce Katz, Director of the Juva Skin & Laser Center:

What is Botox? "To be precise, it's a purified protein derived from clostridium botulinum bacteria," says Dr. Katz. "When injected into a muscle, it acts as a nerve impulse blocker; in other words, it keeps muscles from contracting, which makes them appear relaxed or smooth." He says this temporary paralysis literally freezes the expression muscles so that, depending on how much is injected, your ability to move your muscle will temporarily disappear along with your wrinkles.

Who can benefit most from these injections? "Botox works best for what are known as dynamic wrinkles, those that appear when you frown, smile or laugh," says Dr. Katz. Some doctors even inject it into neck muscles to tighten folds and some say they have good results with injections into lip lines.

Are the results permanent? "No. They last from 3 to 6 months and the procedure must be repeated to maintain results." Costs can range from $300 to $700 per treatment depending on how many injections you have.

How long does the procedure take and does it hurt? "Injections take a few minutes each. If a topical anesthetic cream is applied to the area prior to the procedure, the area becomes numb and there is no pain. Otherwise, patients just feel a needle prick." Additionally, injections can cause redness and swelling at the injection site and possibly bruise the area. Dr. Katz advises his patients to stay vertical for several hours after being injected so the Botox doesn't travel. In rare cases, Botox injections too close to the eyelid muscles can cause the eye area to temporarily droop.

How soon will I see results? Results take from 3 to 5 days to appear."

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Lines, Wrinkles & Crow's Feet

Can anything short of surgery eliminate wrinkles?

An aging face is characterized by both wrinkling and sagging. In order to have a more youthful appearance many times we turn to the cosmetic surgeon to correct the sagging aspects of the face. We also look to other invasive procedures for the wrinkling aspect such as laser resurfacing, deep acid peels and Botox injections. As we are all aware, these aggressive procedures carry risks. Also, they can often leave us with an unnatural appearance.

How else can I get rid of frown lines, wrinkles and crow's feet?
Recent research using topical anti-inflammatories such as alpha lipoic acid, DMAE and Vitamin C Ester indicate that significant correction of both the wrinkling and the sagging component of the aging face can be corrected. Topical DMAE causes immediate increase in the appearance of skin tone and with continued use significantly lifts and contours the sagging face. It is especially important to apply liberally and often to the chin area, jaw line and neck as this area is particularly susceptible to sagging. When combined with either alpha lipoic acid or Vitamin C Ester surface defects such as fine lines, large pores, discoloration, lack of radiance, as well as dark circles and puffiness under the eyes are significantly improved.

Is there any treatment for those deep lines that run from the nose to the chin?
Those deep lines are called the nasolabial folds, and they are just that -- they are more than lines, they are folds. This means that those are caused by sagging and elongated facial muscles. Twice daily application of a DMAE lotion can significantly improve the appearance of these defects. In a recent study, a DMAE lotion combined with electrical stimulation of facial muscles over a 12-week period showed even more improvement.

Recommended Products:

Prescription Products, For the Face

• Retinoids

For Wrinkles and Sagging of the Face

• Alpha Lipoic Acid Face Firming Activator with DMAE
• Vitamin C Ester Concentrated Restorative Cream with DMAE
• Phosphatidyl-E Face with DMAE
• Products containing Copper Peptide
• RoC products containing Proteint

For Wrinkling and Sagging Eyes

• Alpha Lipoic Acid Eye Area Therapy with DMAE
• Vitamin C Ester Eye Area Therapy

For Wrinkling and Sagging Lips and Lip Lines

• Alpha Lipoic Acid Lip Plumper with DMAE

For Wrinkling and Sagging Body

• Alpha Lipoic Acid Body Toning Lotion with DMAE

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What Are Free Radicals?

Free radicals are oxygen molecules that have lost an electron in interactions with other molecules. As a result, these molecules are extremely unstable or reactive. Free radials steal electron from other healthy molecules in order to try and heal themselves, creating more free radicals in the process. This leads to damage in skin cell components, which leads to aging. Free radicals are a by-product of normal bodily processes like breathing air and digesting food and external factors like sunlight, cigarette smoke, and air pollution. You can help to fight the effects of the free radicals with an anti-inflammatory approach.

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DMAE Supplements On Skin?

I am taking supplements including DMAE, will this help my wrinkles? Can I break them open to apply them to the skin?

DMAE is a wonderful supplement to take as it has been found to enhance mental cognition and clarity. Supplementation is an important aspect of health and skin care as it can often provide things that your body is lacking. Supplements can contribute to an overall program that can help the skin from the inside out.

That results will be found by breaking open capsules and applying the contents to the skin is something of an old wives' tale. Doing so is similar to rubbing aspirin on an injury -- it does nothing. The molecules are often too big to be absorbed by the skin. I recommend instead trying products that contain DMAE immersed in a vehicle that is readily absorbed by the cells.

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Quick Wrinkle Fix?

How can I get The Wrinkle Cure in a bottle?

There are ways to fight the signs of aging -- many of which do not simply come in a bottle. While topical applications of Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C Ester, and DMAE are a wonderful start in approaching aging skin, they are only a component of the proverbial "big picture". Proper diet (including salmon), moderate exercise and nutritional supplements help to complete the regime and send you on your way to a healthier overall being; healthy young skin is a by-product of a healthy body.

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Renew Your Facial Skin At a Dermatologists Office

It used to be that the best way to "renew" the skin on your face was to remove the top layer with a chemical peel. Cosmetic and laser dermatologist Dr. Melanie Grossman explains that today a procedure called non-ablative laser skin rejuvenation can be used for similar results - and your skin is not 'peeled.' Therefore there is no healing time needed.

The treatment is comprised of a dermatologist applying laser light to your skin, which stimulates the lower layers of skin to produce new collagen. "The treatment does not involve using any man-made substances or injections," says Dr. Grossman. "We're actually using a laser to produce a biological response." She claims monthly treatments over five months can minimize pore size, improve skin texture, decrease skin sagging and help with fine wrinkling.

If you go for this rejuvenation procedure, expect to pay between $300 and $1,000 per session. Each treatment takes about 10 minutes and you may experience a slight redness in the treated area immediately following treatment. You'll notice an improvement in your skin over the course of the next six weeks, she says, adding that skin will continue to improve as you get treated. As with all cosmetic dermatology procedures, don't make an appointment unless you've checked out the credentials of the dermatologist. You want someone who has done hundreds of similar treatments. (Feel free to ask to see before and after photos!)

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Do Skin-Firming Products Work?

Avon claims it has found a rival to collagen injections in its ANEW Clinical Line and Wrinkle Corrector. Exhibit A: The "after" photo shown here was taken 12 weeks after this model began using the product all over her face every night.

ANEW Clinical contains what Avon calls Derma-3X Technology, which claims to stimulate the production of all three key dimensions of skin: They say it helps rebuild collagen to create a firmer foundation for less-lined skin, recreates elastin for improved resilience so skin is less prone to wrinkling and regenerates hydro-proteins for increased skin density and minimized creasing.

There are 10 natural active ingredients in the Derma-3X Technology, including coconut and pomegranate juices and extracts of olive leaf, carrot root, alfalfa, fennel fruit and apple root.

Avon claims the product will help smooth fine lines and wrinkles in just one overnight use, and says that after one week 82 percent of women agreed their skin felt "rebuilt and renewed."

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Saving Face--Six Steps to Perfect Skin

You manage to find the time to incorporate manicures, pedicures and haircuts into your busy schedule on a regular basis. But do you treat your skin right? Washing your face and removing makeup before bed is a start, but a weekly deep cleaning is essential to keeping your skin looking and feeling its best. We asked Manhattan-based skin care expert Lia Schorr to give us some tips for an easy and effective skin cleansing regimen to prep skin for changing seasons.

Step 1: Cleanse

Cleanse your face with a gentle, creamy liquid cleanser. "Bar soap is not only drying, but it's not hygienic," she says. "The dirt that comes off your hands ends up on your face." Put your liquid cleanser on a ball of cotton and then apply it to your skin. (Your hands just aren't clean enough, she says.) Make sure you rinse with lukewarm water because hot water can aggravate the skin and inflame capillaries.

Step 2: Tone

In the old days, toner was analogous to harsh. But there are a multitude of toners on the market today that are gentle and formulated to balance the skin. Schorr recommends using a gentle toner over your face and neck after you have rinsed thoroughly. This removes the last traces of your cleanser and restores the pH balance of the skin so it won't over-secrete or under-secrete oil. For oily or combination skin, you can use a toner that is more astringent. For oily skin, look for ingredients like witch hazel. It's true they are drying, but oily complexions may need this drying effect.

Step 3: Exfoliate

The purpose of gently exfoliating the skin is to remove the buildup of dead skin cells that causes breakouts. Also, you want to smooth the skin's surface so your treatment products can be absorbed more evenly. But don't use exfoliators that are too harsh, says Schorr. Look for very fine abrasives. Scrubs that contain ground-nut shells or apricot pits may irritate the skin because the edges are uneven and can cause microscopic tears. Never use loofahs and buff puffs on your face, she says. "Your face is not a floor and should not be scrubbed like one," she says. "Over-exfoliating will only result in removing healthy new skin."

Step 4: Steam

Gently steam your face once a week for five to ten minutes as part of your deep-cleansing ritual. Place a handful of chamomile in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Turn the flame off and let the mixture "brew" and cool. When it's cooled enough so the steam doesn't burn you, place a towel over your head for a tent-like effect and expose your face to the vapor. However tempting it may be, do not squeeze or pick any blemishes after you have steamed.

Step 5: Revitalize

Facial masks are used to revitalize and tighten the skin. For those with oily skin, clay- based masks are best. Hydrating gel masks or cream masks should be used by those with dry or sensitive skin. If you have combination skin, apply a mud mask only over the T-zone, which is the center of the forehead, nose and chin and the center of cheeks. For a real at-home "spa experience," soak two cotton balls in rosewater and then apply to eyelids while the mask is drying. Schorr recommends doing a "patch test" on your leg before applying a new type of mask to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction to it.

Step 6: Moisturize

Regularly moisturizing your skin is critical to maintaining young and healthy looking skin. Another very important reason to wear a daily moisturizer is for protection against the sun's damaging rays. Moisturizers should be used every morning and every night for maximum results. (Even oily complexions need some sort of moisturizer. Just make sure you find one that's non-comedogenic and formulated not to block pores.) Nighttime is the best time to apply repairing treatments such as anti-aging or anti-wrinkle creams. During the day, make sure you use a moisturizer that contains an SPF of at least 15.

Recommended Products

Product Name: Silky Milky Cleanser
Price: $35 for 8 ounces
Available: Lia Schorr Day Spa, 212-486-9670

Product Name: Cucumber Bracer Toner
Price: $34 for 8 ounces
Available: Lia Schorr Day Spa, 212-486-9670

Product Name: Azuline Face Mask
Price: $40 for 2 ounces
Available: Lia Schorr Day Spa, 212-486-9670

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Makeup Situation: Foundation Exaggerates Wrinkles

I'm over 40 and beginning to wrinkle slightly just around the eyes and mouth, and my foundation seems to exaggerate the wrinkles. But I don't want to give up foundation, because it evens out my complexion. What can I do?

I so know! And I'm always getting excited with new promises of age-defying or age-erasing foundations, but I must be honest: None seems to stand the test. Foundations of all kinds seem to accentuate my wrinkles. Hey, makeup companies, prove me wrong! In the meantime, here are my thoughts:

Don't give up foundation. It's a great tool for evening out the complexion (and a shout out goes to Make Up For Ever Face & Bod Liquid Makeup— it's my absolute favorite), but I have to concede that, in my experience, you're better off not using it above your mouth and around your eyes and your nasolabial folds (the lines that run from the bottom of the nose to the chin, also called the "marionette lines"). Wrinkles in these areas seem to stand out the most when foundation is applied. Just make sure your foundation matches your skin color exactly, so it's not noticeable. If your foundation is darker or lighter, it will look strange if you avoid certain areas of the face!

As an alternative to foundation, I love the new "glowing" moisturizers. They give just a hint of impressively uniform color and don't enhance wrinkled areas at all. Use them just like you would a moisturizer. I especially like Olay’s Touch of Sun Moisturizer, which I use about twice a week, alternating with my regular moisturizer.

Another alternative to cream foundations are loose powders made from ground-up minerals that lie evenly and lightly on the face. In my experience, these work best on normal to dry skin and do not increase the look of wrinkles as much as liquid and cream foundations do, but I still maintain you should skip the distinctly wrinkled parts of your face; the powder can settle into creases.

If you have areas of darker pigmentation that you'd like to cover, you might consider trying a product with hydroquinone, which is a lightening agent. Hydroquinone works by increasing the breakdown of melanin pigment granules in the skin's pigment cells (melanocytes). Murad makes a good one, which I've recommended below.

I know I've said this a hundred times, but foundation (or foundation alternatives) will only lie as smoothly as the skin underneath it, so to look its best, skin must be well moisturized and exfoliated regularly — you might like to look for a moisturizer with light-diffusing properties; they'll reflect light to make the area appear brighter and smoother.

Recommended Products:

Olay Touch of Sun UV Facial Moisturizer
This is a great, great product that imparts a smooth, even, heightened color to the skin — plus, it's easy to blend, smells nice and is lightly moisturizing.
Price: $11.99

Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion & Peel System
Wow! I love this product. I couldn't stop stroking my face afterward, which felt as smooth as a rose petal! It's a two-part procedure: an exfoliating mask with fine crystals, over which you apply an activating serum. Highly, highly recommended.
Price: $29.99

Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel
This awesome preparation contains hydroquinone and glycolic acid, which help to fade unwanted pigmentation while exfoliating the skin to even out skin tone.
Price: $55

Murad Eye Treatment Complex SPF 8
Dr Murad's wonderful treatment lotion with glycolic acid and antioxidants (vitamins C and E and grape seed extract) gently exfoliates, and in doing so reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Price: $55

Perricone Concentrated Restorative Cream
Dr. Perricone's glycolic treatment cream combines a high concentration of vitamin C Ester with his patented NTP Complex and is one of the highest-quality creams available.
Price: $95

Elizabeth Arden Allergan Prevage
Elizabeth Arden coupled with Allergan (the pharmaceutical company that makes Botox and the original Prevage, available only in doctors' offices) to create this version, which contains the same special ingredient, Idebenone, but at a lower percentage than the product you can get at your dermatologist's office.
Price: $150

Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup
This is the best, the lightest and the most fluidly blending foundation I've ever tried, and I've tried a lot (though I still skip the wrinkled areas of my face).
Price: $38

Bare Escentuals BareMinerals SPF15 Foundation
This natural mineral foundation (free of preservatives, talc, oil and fragrance) has an extremely light texture and evens out the complexion.
Price: $25

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Stop Wrinkles Before They Happen

Good habits and good genes can only take you so far when you're competing against the biological clock. Like it or not, there will come a day when you'll look in the mirror and realize that some of those "smile lines" are sticking around. You probably know that day can be delayed if you eat right, exercise and guard against the sun. But if you, like the rest of us, don't always succeed with the healthy-lifestyle approach, turn to this list of fallback options from Charlene Haines of Euphoria Day Spa.

 Oxygen Facials

 Botox Injections

 Facial Fillers

 Epifacial

 Thermage Non-Surgical Face-Lift

Oxygen Facials

A truly blissful option, this facial cleanses, hydrates and exfoliates the skin while it pumps in plenty of fresh air, improving circulation, stimulating cell rejuvenation and killing any blemish-causing bacteria hiding in pores. Ever wonder how celebs like Jennifer Aniston look so luminous even without makeup? Now you know.

Botox Injections

This common procedure involves using small needles to inject traces of a substance that "paralyzes" the muscles underneath, where lines are forming — usually around the mouth and eyes and on the forehead. It temporarily freezes the muscles that form these expression lines, cutting down on the repetitive movements that help create wrinkles. It's fast, easy and relatively painless, but make sure to pick a doctor with experience, and undergo an allergy test first. You'll have to get Botox shots every few months, but the results are dramatic and, over the long haul, can delay the formation of wrinkles.

Facial Fillers

Gone are the days of lumpy, bumpy injections to plump up lips and sagging cheeks. Now it's all about Restylane or Radiesse, two natural fillers made of hyaluronic acid a natural substance already present in the human body) that are injected right into creases and wrinkles to make them disappear. The effects last for about six months and are less prone to infection and clumping than previous treatments. Britney Spears uses Restylane to give her bow-tie lips a slightly fuller look.

Epifacials

A highly effective procedure that's one step below a laser treatment, this is actually nothing like a facial. Doctors turn an intense, pulsating light on your skin (officially known as nonablative rejuvenation) that fades pigmentation, reduce large pores, clears up acne and really does a number on fine lines and wrinkles. It's quick and fairly painless (you might feel a slight zap) and can take 10 years off your skin in a matter of minutes.

Thermage Non-Surgical Face-Lift

Non-Surgical Face-Lift One of the newest anti-wrinkle options to hit the market, this medical device uses radio-frequency technology to eradicate lines and wrinkles that formerly could be reduced only with a surgical lift. It works by chilling the skin and then applying tightening energy from radio frequency. It's not entirely without discomfort, but the results are worth it. Dermatologists prep patients with a topical anesthetic and a strong painkiller before getting busy.

Unless things are really headed south, Charlene advises, don't go under the plastic surgeon's knife. Radical procedures like face-lifts will yield disappointing results if they're done too early, she says. Better to prevent problems today so you won't have to fix them tomorrow.

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