My Beauty Space

I remember hearing about this controversial surgery way back when, but I thought it was only for patients who had legitimate need for lengthening their legs, such as an asymmetry in leg length, or some other disproportionate and medically challenging attribute where one leg grows longer than the other.  Well, it seems that now a clinic in Russia is offering a leg lengthening procedure for anyone who wants it, no matter what the reason - mostly for cosmetic reasons.

The remote Russian clinic employs interpreters for it’s foreign customers, which are plentiful since most other places, such as in the US and Britain, will not perform such a radical , risky surgery if there is not legitamate medical need.  They use a technique (brace yourself, it’s kind of gruesome), where the legs are broken just below the knees, and a device is inserted between the bones which prevents the bones from naturally generating more bone tissue and fusing the bones back together.

By tricking the bones into believing they need to generate more bone between, they keep moving the contraptions so that the body keeps creating more bone tissue, creating length in the lower legs.  They do recommend that patients don’t go any more than a few inches though, since all the length is really underneath the knee caps, and it can end up looking disproportionate to the thigh part of the legs if they add too much length below. 

Many people who are just five feet or barely over have opted for the surgery and been happy with the results, which usually end up with a faint scar just below the knees, however, the recovery process is gruesomely painful as reported by some, and take a long time.  For some patients, the bone growth is slower than expected, and they are debilitated for longer than they had hoped, which is a pretty big deal, especially for a surgery that is not medically necessary. 

There are people though that get it done for medical reasons, such as an asymmetry between the lengths of the two legs, and end up happy and able to walk normally.  The surgery to lengthen the legs is expensive, ranging from the upper seventies to over one hundred thousand dollars, once the physcial therapy and all is said and done. 

Enjoy - this is a short article that’s headed for publication soon on some article sites, it’s about the Fraxel and Titan lasers, both of which have demonstrated some pretty remarkable results for various reasons. 

We’re all looking for something that will help us age a bit more gracefully.  Some even go as far as getting a facelift, which we all know can backfire easily, many times looking unnatural and leaving you worse off than before, and actually making some people look “scary”, all in the name of getting rid of wrinkles and fighting aging.

The worst part is, surgery like this is not only painful and has a grueling recovery, but it’s also not reversible and can completely alter the way your face appears, making you look like, well - not you!

We’re lucky in this day and age though, because there are some excellent non surgical options that leave our bone structure and underlying facial tissues alone, leaving us looking like ourselves, just a younger version with tighter, more vibrant and youthful skin.  One such family of facial skin care treatments that can be performed in a professional facility, that gives beautiful results, are laser treatments.

The only problem is that they’ve evolved so much that many women and men get confused when looking for the type of laser procedures that will work best for their individual situation and skin care goals.

For example, do you have acne scarring, or is hyper pigmentation more your concern?  Are you looking for something to help smooth those crow’s feet and fine lines, or are you looking for something that will take away years of sun damage and restore the smooth texture of your skin?

Everyone has different skin care goals, and there are different types of laser treatments, none of them cheap unfortunately, but most of them very effective at targeting certain issues successfully, and many times with minimal downtime and risk.

So, let’s take a look at two of the most cutting edge and popular laser skincare treatments today, and talk about what they can do for your skin.

1.)Fraxel laser : This method is also called the fractional method, because the laser works on the skin to remove imperfections and sun damage, and restore a youthful even tone and brilliance, fraction by fraction of the skin.  This means because it works on such small areas at a time, it is able to “fine tune” each individual area, and perfect it before it moves onto the next targeted area.

This also is supposed to mean a very short recovery time and very little pain, however, I must caution that I’ve read discussion boards where women and men refute the claims that it is virtually pain free and say they did indeed experience discomfort during the process.  The cost of the fraxel laser method is pretty high, with a package of six treatments usually running a couple thousands dollars, depending on where you go to get them done.

2.)Titan laser skin improvement system : This one is very interesting indeed and is exciting because it uses a method that not only helps improve the skin’s surface dramatically, but it is also used to help regenerate collagen, and can even be used to soften and “fill in” nasal labial folds (the area on either side of the mouth, that runs from the edges of the nose to the mouth, these folds often get more pronounced with age).

The Titan laser is one of the deepest penetrating lasers, and that is how it claims it can help stimulate dramatic increases in collagen production and help to fill out lines and folds in the skin and make the face look “plump” again as it did when you were younger.  We do tend to lose facial fat as we age, which accounts for much of the aged look of the face, since the cheeks get more sunken, and this leads to an increased appearance of wrinkles as well.

The Titan is supposed to also help with acne scarring, and may be an especially good choice for acne scarring because of it’s “skin filling” abilities due to the increased collagen production, which would be ideal for filling in pitted acne scars and ice pick-type scars form acne lesions.

It’s called a “Local Secret” lotion in Maui, Hawaii, where the product is manufactured, and after using it I can sort of agree, but I did notice one drawback of the Maui Babe Browning Lotion, but it wasn’t really all that important since I did feel it worked.  The lotion has become somewhat of a hit with the tanning crowd, because it is supposed to give you a dark tan that is faster and even may help curb burning, although it does not contain any sunscreen, supposedly perhaps because it is such a dark lotion to begin with that may serve as somewhat of a screen against UV rays, but that’s really just my uneducated guess.

Maui Babe, contrary to what I said in my last post, is not in as small a bottle as I thought.  I thought the bottle size was a bit too small from pictures and just visualization before I got my bottles in the mail which I ordered from Amazon.com, but when I got them I thought they were well worth the ten dollar price tag, and after I used the product it furthered confirmed the value becasue a little bit of this super rich and thick lotion does go quite a long ways. 

The Maui Babe Browning lotion does have tons of emollients in it, and because it does, it helps to draw the sun to you a bit more, but it also gives a nice brown instant color because of the potassium iodide, which is also presumably what helps your skin tan a little faster.  I remember the old trick of putting iodine in baby oil when I was young and dumb and just fried my skin to get a tan, so it doesn’t surprise me that potassuim iodide is in this stuff, it’s probably what lends a lot of the dark color to it. 

Some of the other ingredients in the product that are great for the skin are a light mineral oil (less comedogenic than heavy mineral oil, which isn’t recommended because it clogs pores more readily), Kukui Nut oil, vitamins E, C and A, Kona coffee plant extract, aloe and potassium iodide. 

Some of those ingredients are antioxidant powerhouses, so it’s really got some great stuff in it.  My only complaint is that the product does seem a bit heavy and almost sticky, so you do want to be careful not to load up too much when you apply it, because you will feel sticky and gooey for a while, but I think that’s why it lends itself to being water resistant also, because it does stick to the skin very well.  One of the best parts about it is that it gives that instant color like tinted self tanners do, so it’s ideal to put on while you’re in a bathing suit so you can get a little extra brownness going on that looks good instantly. 

For those of us with curly hair or even wavy hair like me, attempting the super straight sleek styles is often an exercise in futility.  If you can get your hair straight and sleek with a flat iron and hair dryer, it will be back curling with the first hot humid day or light mist of rain.  Also, you’ll see lots of flyaways on the top of your head the moment you step into any sort of humid environment.
It’s often easier and can look more natural to work with what nature gave you if your hair just has a tendency to curl.  When going with the curly look, you want to avoid dryness or frizz in your hairstyle.  There are some hair styling product that work for frizzy and curly hair, but they work with it, not against, trying to straighten out locks that just naturally were not meant to be super straight, and this can often result in a fried, burnt out look.  See the hair product reviews for info on all kinds of good products for this. 

You can start with a good stylist to get a cut that works well with naturally curly hair.  When drying your hair, pat it with the towel but don’t rub as the friction will increase frizz.
Try out different products meant for curly hair to see which one adds the right amount of moisture for your hair.  Paul Mitchell has a foaming pomade that can add both moisture and volume to enhance curly hair.
If you opt to use a hair dryer, choose an ionic variety to decrease frizz.  For a conditioner, a product called Brilliance by Aveda is meant to be left in your hair and you don’t rinse it out.  Therefore, it retains much needed moisture for healthy looking curls without the frizz.
Many people with naturally curly hair do not use a brush or comb but just finger their hairstyle in. 
Another fine product for curl is Pureology Real Curl- Curl Define Creme.   This product cuts down on frizz and adds shine to your curls.  Other combinations of products for curly manes are Heaven in Hair for a conditioner coupled with Deva Curl Set It Free as a spray to add shine and definition to your curls.
If you go to www. bumbleandbumble.com, you can get Bumble and Bumble’s leave in conditioner together with their Curl Conscious Curl Cream to tame and enhance your curly hair.  As I’ve talked about before, I’m a huge fan of Aveda’s Be Curly also.  A curly hairstyle can define who you are and look stylish and healthy when dryness and frizz are kept in check.

The incidence of skin cancer is increasing from what it used to be and it is also occurring at younger and younger ages.  Since skin cancer is easier to detect as it is on the surface when compared to other cancers, it is important to note what to look for when examining your skin.
Some of the signs of melanoma are as follows.   Look for changes in moles regularly and if you notice a change, see a dermatologist.  When examining any moles or growths, check for irregularity of the borders or any asymmetry.
Another sign of trouble could be present if the growth has varying colors such as tan, black, brown or red or has uneven coloring.  Also of signifigance when checking for signs of melanoma is the diameter of the mole.  If it is 6 mm. or greater, have it checked by a dermatologist.
When evaluating your risk factors for developing skin cancer, keep in mind that the genetic factor is signifigant.   Family history means you should be more vigilant and be checked more frequently for signs of melanoma.
The use of tanning beds definitely increases the chance of developing all kinds of skin cancer including melanoma.  While it is important to use sunscreen during sun exposure, it does not always make the chance of developing skin cancer a rarity.  The best protection is to cover up when in the sun as well as using sunscreen.  Also, limiting the amount of time spent in the sun is important.
Another misconception people have about skin cancer is thinking that time in the sun won’t increase the risk as long as they don’t burn.  The risk is determined by the accumulated effect of the ultraviolet light exposure.
People who have darker toned skin still need to use sunscreen when exposed to ultraviolet light.  You can get skin damage even on an overcast day from the UV rays that easily penetrate the cloud cover.   Outdoor sports enthusiasts that enjoy skiing should use sunscreen to prevent skin damage.  Areas that are not exposed to the sun can still develop skin cancers of all types, including melanoma.  So, check all of your body for signs of trouble including your torso and even the underarm areas.

A while ago my sister showed me this stuff she bought called Maui Babe.  It was in a pretty small bottle, actually a bit too small for the price, which was about ten bucks, and it was a rich, deep brown color.  She told me the stuff was great, it was a bronzing lotion that helped you attain a deeper tan with less burning (but with no sunscreen), and gave a richer, deeper brown color than normal tanning lotion, with a very pleasant scent and tons of emollients. 

Well, I forgot about that stuff, until I was searching for unrelated stuff on Amazon’s beauty section (which by the way I’m addicted to in case you couldn’t tell), and this Maui Babe stuff popped up because Amazon likes to show other items to people they think might like them based on their past shopping history with them, and I’m assuming since I’m the queen of self tanner shopping, and especially on Amazon since they have good deals on that stuff, that’s why it showed me this stuff.

Well, it got rave reviews from the people who posted about it pretty much, so I ordered a multipack, figuring since I was paying for shipping anyways I might as well order in bulk.  See, that’s how they get you to buy more, but I fall for it like a sucker every time   I’ll have a review coming on it as soon as I receive my shipment, which should definitely be coming this week.  I plan on wearing it out in the sun then next time I’m out doing gardening or lawn work, so I’ll let you know if it gives me a nice glow or if it’s a bust! 

I wrote a review on the Sedu flat iron some time ago, and had to post again on that very same hair styling tool because I really think it’s one of the best hair inventions ever for hair that tends to go awry in the humid weather, which we’ve had an abundance of here in Northeastern Ohio so far this summer! 

I bought a Sedu flat iron about three months ago, and I’ve had nothing but great results every time I’ve used the thing so far.  I don’t flat iron my hair every day by any means, because I do believe that’s bad for it, no matter what instrument you’re using on it because of the intense heat required for a good, glossy finish, but I do use it a few times a week. 

And since I only wash my hair once every two to three days, I still have an amazingly smooth, sleek set of locks even two days after I’ve used the Sedu flat iron, with no refinishing or restyling.  I’ve especially noticed how humidity resistant my hair is when I use the Sedu and go out into the steamy weather, because it stays just as straight and shiny as it was before I got our in the weather, and it doesn’t expand enormously as my naturally curly/wavy hair tends to when it gets out in the humid elements. 

I like to use a straightening cream, either by John Frieda or by Aveda, or I sometimes combine the two, but I’d stay away from the Redken straightener as it made my hair as dry as a broom, and also there is another one by Chi called Silk Infusion that is heavily scented that a lot of people believe works well, but it contains so much alcohol it’s not even worth it, and sure it may flatten the hair, but it also leaves it look lacklustre and like a bale of hay, especially for people who do not have thicker ethnic hair types, as I believe it is more for use on hard to straighten hair and so may use more harsh striaghtening ingredients. 

When I use the Sedu hair styling tool, I take section of my hair, starting at the bottom when I have it clipped or otherwise flipped over my head (I’m lazy about sectioning it off and usually in a hurry, so I improvise, if I didn’t I’d probably have an even better result), and quickly and gently run the sedu down the shaft of the small section until I reach the top.  In about five minutes I have a pretty straightened head of hair, and it really does resist the elements, which is key especially in the summer months. 

Well, of all things, it seems odd that a bullfrog, those big guys with the bumpy skin that make all the noise is swamps and ponds, may be the source for the newest class of a super antioxidant that may be particularly useful for treating aging skin and preventing free radical damage. Scientists in Korea believe they have found an extraction that can be used to make a cheaper and more effective strain of vitamin E to be used topically on the skin, from the skin and muscles of bullfrogs.

I had long heard, years ago, that a boar bristle brush was better for the hair and made it look a lot better than a regular brush that is made with metal or plastic combination bristles.  Also, if you get one with a vented middle, you may also get an additional fast drying benefit if you go this route.  As far as worthy hair care products and tools go, I know that when I’ve used any kind of brush that’s a large round one with a vented middle, it does seem to dry my hair faster because of the additional air circulation that goes through the other end from the dryer.

Boar bristle brushes are made with the 100% natural boar bristle, and it will be marked that it’s 100% authentic, so don’t be fooled by fakes that try to look like a natura brown bristle if it’s not marked that way.  Supposedly the benefits you get from using a boar bristle brush as opposed to any other bristle is more shine, less static, and a smoother appearance to the hair. 

I have to say, after I bought mine, which by the way is not vented but I wish it was, at first I wasn’t a fan because my other brush, made with some sort of plastic composite stiff bristle, seemed to get through my hair more like a comb would, whereas the boar bristle brush - at least the one I purchased, seemed to just kind of drag through my hair, and get caught in it without really separating the strands like a more substantial “hard bristled” brush would.

But, once I realized that it did impart more shine to my hair and my boyfriend even started using it to control the flyaways and flipped edges of his longer hair he’s growing out, I am hooked.  Next step though is to get a better, salon quality vented boar bristle brush, and this way I’ll not only have the smoothness and shininess, but also it will hopefully dry much faster with my Sedu thermal ionic hair dryer (which I still love by the way, although the ionic smoothing action seems to be running low after about a year and it may need to be replaced soon which I’m not too happy about). 

Well, for those of you that loathe that spongy, loose looking flesh that tends to accumulate so much on women in the same “problem” areas such as the hips, thighs and buttocks, and occasionally even the belly and lower legs (calf area), there may be some very exciting news in cellulite reduction.  But brace yourselves, because it’s probably the most expensive cellulite treatment to date. 

At a rate of about $4,000.00, you may have access to getting cellulite reduction that actually lasts, and also where results can be seen after just one session.  Normally, cellulite treatments take several sessions to gain results, and then take monthly or biweekly treatments just to keep those results going, but this Thermage cellulite reduction treatment may be a little better than what’s currently out there when it comes to permanent results and quick ones too.  It’s called the Thermage Therma Tip CL cellulite tool, and it’s bound to cause a buzz in the beauty and spa industry as soon as women see results after the very first visit, if it works as they company says it does.

Thermage is a system that has been used for a while now, and is usually used on the face as a means of anti aging and wrinkle control.  It is a series of radio frequency waves and heat that are transmitted through the skin via a professional hand held device, and it supposedly can penetrate layers of skin more effectively than even the best layers currently can do. 

This is why they are saying it is so effective at breaking up fat and helping rebuild collagen while improving the circulation and promoting blood flow to help break it up more, and why it is great for breaking up cellulite problem areas, and very quickly.  The cost though is very high, and that is definitely a consideration and something that is casting it into the only-the-rich-can-afford stratosphere of beauty and personal care, so it may be very limiting, but often times when something is first introduced it’s astronomically prices and then comes down shortly thereafter. 

Unfortunately, this is so new that I have not read any reviews or user experiences with the treatment yet, but I do know that many users complained about Thermage that had it done on their face, that it was extremely painful.  This may be different though, since it is not being performed on such a sensitive area, and it may also produce a different set of feelings because traditionally where there’s cellulite, there aren’t many nerve endings of blood flow, which is why it bruises so easily, but which also may be why the pain could be totally tolerable in this area.