What You Need To Remember if You’re Considering Injectables

Original Article by NewBeauty Editors

In the quest for smoother and younger-looking skin, getting cosmetic injections has become a very popular option. “Many people opt for this type of treatment because it’s quick, easy and effective,” says Edgewater, MD, dermatologist Sanjiv Saini, MD. If you’re looking to get injectables for the first time, here are five things to keep in mind before you go.

Know Which One Is Right For You
Different types of injectables and fillers address different concerns and therefore yield different types of results. Neurotoxins (like Botox, Dysport and Xeomin) are great for addressing wrinkles, crow’s-feet and frown lines by blocking the nerve preceptors that cause those signs of aging to form. Hyaluronic acid fillers help restore moisture and plumpness to aging skin, while gels like Juvéderm get rid of those lines around your nose and mouth.

Choose the right doctor

Once you decide which injectable is right for you, the next step is to find the right doctor to do your procedure. Besides looking at whether a doctor is certified, you also need to make sure they have experience and a good track record with patients (take a look at their before-and-after photos and testimonials), and can give you a realistic assessment of how effective the treatment will be.

Injectables Aren’t a One-Time Treatment
As much as we would like to have the effects of one treatment forever, it will eventually wear off. Depending on what type of filler you use, it may last anywhere from four months to three years. That’s why it’s important to plan on going back to your doctor for another treatment to keep up that youthful appearance.

Follow the Doctor’s Orders
To get the most out of your experience with injectables, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions for before and after the procedure. Things like not taking aspirin a few days before the procedure and not rubbing or scratching the treated areas can make all the difference between a great and not-so-great anti-aging treatment.

Don’t Plan Big Events
Because you may experience some swelling and bruising immediately following your procedure, it’s not a great idea to schedule any big events around your appointment. Allow yourself a week or two to fully recover, as well as let your filler fully set in.

10 Things Every Mascara Junkie Should Know

Original Article by Ashley Okwuosa

You can never own enough mascara. It’s the finishing touch to the perfect masterpiece; our lashes. Without it, we feel practically naked. To really get the best out of your mascara, take a look at the tips below on how you should be using mascara — even if no one’s ever told you these things before.

1. It doesn’t last forever: This might come as a shock to most, but mascara actually does expire. The average life span is about 3-5 months, so after that, get rid of your old mascara. Otherwise, you’re risking bacterial infections, and no one wants that.

2. Keep the wand: We hate to say goodbye to our mascara, but saving the wand is actually something you should do. Wash the wand and use it as a “spoolie” brush to help groom your brows.

3. Take it off: Sometimes we get too tired to wipe our makeup off before we go to bed, but leaving mascara on your lashes overnight does more harm than you know. When the mascara dries overnight, it can cause your lashes to fall off, and a stiff lash can actually scratch your cornea while you’re sleeping.

4. Turn up the volume: We love a voluminous lash, so to get the best out of your mascara, powder your lashes — using baby powder and a cotton swab — before application to for an extra lush look.

5. Moisturize your lashes: It’s easy to forget that our eyelashes are actually tiny hairs, and should be treated as such. Before bed, moisturize your lashes with olive oil or any moisturizer to keep them hydrated. Just be careful to keep anything out of your eye.

6. Not everyday is a waterproof day: Waterproof mascara is ideal for those teary moments, but using it everyday isn’t advisable. Since it can’t easily be removed, the continuos tugging at the lashes can cause them to become weaker and eventually make them fall out.

7. Keep your eyes open: The key to not blinking (and ruining your mascara) during application? Opening your mouth. When your mouth is open wide, it’s a bit harder to blink.

8. Never smudge again: Hate getting mascara stains on your eyelid? Avoid them by placing an old business card or plastic spoon on your eyelid, right above your lashes. Apply your mascara in this position, and any excess product will go onto the business card or spoon, not your eyelid.

9. Seal the deal: Give your mascara the finishing touch by coating your lashes with clear mascara after application. This will help to solidify your lashes and protect the mascara from smudging or running.

10. The perfect mascara: There are so many types of mascaras out there, you have to figure out what works for you and your lashes. Do you need to lengthen? curl? give volume?

Whatever it is you need, there’s a mascara out there waiting for you. If you can’t find it, find a few and make a mascara cocktail!

Say Farewell To Summer 2015 and Skin Damage!

Fall Photofacial Offer: FULL-FACE Photofacial 50% OFF

Hey, you! It’s not your fault. The one to blame for Age Spots you’re experiencing is the sun! If you made every effort to protect your skin from the damaging effects of sunshine in Summer 2015 but to no avail, have no fear! There are things you can do to help your skin recover and Radiance Medspa Atlanta is here to help! 

IPL Photofacial refers to the use of intensepulsed light (IPL) to improve the appearance of sun damaged and aged skin, as well as reduce spots and redness, resulting in more youthful-looking skin. These treatments consistently and predictably improve the texture,tone and color of the skin with little to no down time. IPL also stimulates the growth of collagen, decreases pore size and gives skin a youthful appearance. Any area on the body, such as the chest (decollete), hands, arms, back, and legs can be treated with IPL Photofacial.

For future reference, try your best to prevent further damage by continuing to apply generous amounts of broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply throughout the day. It also helps to wear sun-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and try to avoid the sun during the midday when it’s most powerful.

The Wonders of Modern Cosmetic Lasers

by Stephanie Schlageter

If the word “Lasers” makes you think of scientists and light shows, it’s time to learn more about the amazing applications these optical amplification devices can also provide in the world of cosmetic medical skin care.  Lasers have long been used in medicine for a wide variety of applications.  Over the last decade, numerous highly specialized Lasers specifically designed for use in improving the health and appearance of the skin have emerged and have quickly become the gold standard for treating symptoms of aging of the skin on the face and body.  These specialized cosmetic Lasers work by safely stimulating the body’s own natural healing processes.  Cosmetic Laser treatments have the ability to regenerate skin damaged by sun, aging and the environment, resulting in a natural looking, smooth and even complexion.  Furthermore, since different types of Lasers have different capabilities and can target specific skin issues, combining different types of Lasers in the same treatment (referred to as combination therapy) offers incredible, total skin rejuvenation.

One very popular type of treatment, called an Intense Pulsed Light (or IPL) photofacial, delivers intense light energy through the surface of the skin deep into the dermis and deeper skin layers to target unwanted redness, blood vessels and pigment.  While the surface skin remains intact, the intense light energy is absorbed by the unwanted targets under the surface, essentially destroying them so that they are naturally eliminated by the body as waste.  The result?  No more visible redness, brown spots, or broken blood vessels and no downtime.   After IPL, the skin looks significantly healthier and younger with improved skin tone and texture.

Adding Fraxel Laser resurfacing to IPL treatments during the same office visit provides an even more dramatic result.  Like IPL, Fraxel does not break the surface of the skin, and it goes even deeper than IPL.  Fraxel Laser energy thermally damages the skin and thereby stimulates significant new collagen production so that “old’ damaged skin gets replaced with brand new skin.  Through your body’s natural healing process, old skin is sloughed off, and lines, wrinkles and scars (even acne scars) go right along with it.  You will even notice tighter skin and decreased pore size afterwards.  This combination therapy can literally take years off the appearance of the skin.

Following an IPL and Fraxel treatment, there is little to no downtime and, except for sun exposure, you can return to normal activities immediately.  The fall season is an ideal time to get started because treatments are typically performed in a series of four, one month apart, and you will need to stay out of the sun between visits.  

It’s time to think about Lasers in a whole new way.  Scientists might not yet have figured out time travel, but with state-of-the-art cosmetic medical Laser treatments like IPL and Fraxel, you can now take your skin back in time.

How to Get Clear Skin

 By Eliza Martinez Read Article Here >

I love when my skin is clear and looking it’s best. On the other hand, when it’s not, I tend to spend a lot of time worrying about it. Turns out there’s a better way to use that time. Instead of freaking out, there are some easy #things you can do to clear up your skin, even if you don’t have more than a few seconds to get the job done. These tips come courtesy of the experts at Shape magazine and will change the way you take care of your #skin.

1. Use a Clear Body Spray on Acne – 45 Seconds
If you need to shower to get rid of sweat, bacteria and germs, but are running low on #time, use a clear body spray instead. These products are designed to get rid of the icky stuff without having to rinse. This can reduce the chances that you’ll get acne on your back, chest and rear end. As soon as you can, though, take a real shower.

Weekend Beauty Hacks: 5 Alternate Uses for Eyeshadow

By Alle Connell  Read Original Article >

We live for the weekends, and what
better time than Sunday to relax, rejuvenate and get your beauty game on point? These are the best easy beauty hacks to help you look—and feel—your
best in the week to come.

If there’s one thing we love, it’s multi-tasking beauty products. And the most
multi-tasking makeup product of them all? Eyeshadow. While we live to create amazing eye looks, eyeshadow is capable of so much more than just shading
our lids. So we’ve rounded up our very best shadow hacks to inspire your makeup game to new heights this week. Here are 5 brilliant eyeshadow
tricks guaranteed to change your beauty life.

1. Turn it into long-wear eyeliner.

By now, we all know that water + angled brush + eyeshadow = passable liquid liner. But water dries, and eventually your colorful cat-eye will
revert back to a powdery, potentially smudgy mess. And really, who wants a sub-par cat eye? Exactly. Instead, use contact lens solution to
wet your brush; not only will the resulting liner be a lot smoother, the saline means that the solution will really set on your skin. Goodbye,
liner smudges—hello hours of flawless wear.

5 Simple Recipes for Glowing Skin at Home

By
Taylor Post
Read Original Article >

The magical concoctions you’re purchasing at the store or receiving at the spa may seem like a skin secret, but the truth is there are some facial
masks made with simple household ingredients that work wonders for your skin. If you want to save a buck or two and get creative in the kitchen, start
by putting together your own healthy and healing face masks.

You’ll be shocked at the simple ingredients and few short steps to clear and beautiful skin. Below, we’ve made a list of five skin enhancing
DIY face masks that take hardly any time at all.

Avocado Face Mask

It’s hard to believe that the guacamole ingredient, avocado, can be used for more than just a delicious snack. There are actually a number of natural
ways to use the green fruit for beauty enhancing, one being for facials. This avocado mask contains vitamins and protein that will moisturize your
skin.

How to Take Care of Your Skin this Summer


The majority of us tweak our hair color and makeup according to the
time of year. But, not all of us apply that same concept to our skin
care, although we should. It’s important to make sure that your skin
care routine matches up with the seasons because certain skin issues can
become exacerbated as the temperature changes. Here’s what your skin
needs (and what to avoid) this summer.

Opt for lighter moisturizers
The warmer the weather, the more humidity in the air, which keeps skin hydrated.
“When the air is warm, you only need a light moisturizing gel or
lotion,” says celebrity aesthetician Susan Ciminelli. “Skin sweats more
and it just needs hydration at the surface.” Light hydrating lotions,
fluids, serums, elixirs and oils, are good, too, because they contain
emollients. Anything too heavy can clog pores and make skin look greasy.

Try this: Rich in sea botanicals that are packed with skin-nourishing fatty acids, Cellex-C Sea Silk Oil-Free Moisturizer ($59) offers long-lasting, lightweight hydration.

Cleanse with light gels
Gels are perfect for
warmer temperatures because they lend a cooling effect and leave skin
feeling refreshed. They often contain acne and oil fighters—two problems
that go into overdrive in the heat. “The higher incidence of alcohol
leaves less oil in the skin than other cleansers,” says New York
dermatologist Patricia Wexler, MD.

Try this: A lightweight antibacterial gel cleanser that doesn’t smell medicinal in the least bit, Skin Authority Daily Cleanser ($42) wipes away makeup, oil and dirt for skin that feels clean and looks fresh.

Exfoliate (with gentle products) more often
“Skin
needs to be exfoliated more during the warmer months to remove oil
and dead skin because it sweats more,” says Ciminelli. You’re probably
exposed to more sun this time of year, too, so also pay attention to
exfoliating agents. “Retinol acts as an exfoliator. You may want to cut
back on it when you’re going to be in the sun—it makes skin more prone
to burning,” says Miami dermatologist Janelle Vega, MD.

Try this: Diptyque Multi-Use Exfoliating Clay ($65),
which can be used on both the face and body and doubles as a scrub and a
mask, really works to lift away dead skin cells thanks to the powerful
exfoliating properties of marble powder.

Save hair removal treatments for winter
Skin is typically more tan during the warmer months, so reserve laser resurfacing and hair-removal procedures
for the winter. “Skin doesn’t tend to be as tan when it’s colder out,
making it a perfect time to do treatments like Intense Pulsed Light
(IPL),” says Dr. Vega. “Radiofrequency treatments and injectables can be
done year-round because they don’t affect the skin’s surface.”

Skin Secrets for Women Who Work Out


You hit the gym to be healthy and look hot, so it’s a bummer
when you walk out with an embarrassingly bright-red face. Let’s not
even discuss the backne, sports-bra-induced boob chafing, and hives. Or
rather, let’s: “Internal factors such as allergies and skin
type play a key role in how your skin responds to exercise, but
external factors like clothing and the weather can help or hurt
workout-related skin problems too,” says Jeannette Graf, M.D., an
assistant clinical professor of dermatology at The Mount Sinai Medical
Center. [Source: WomensHealthMag.com]

Meaning, you have a lot of control over how irritated your
flesh gets. Besides, working out can be good for your skin. “Exercise
increases circulation, which makes your skin glow,” says Graf.

Check out these four simple skin tips for what you can do before, during, and after workouts to reap the radiance-bestowing rewards, minus any flare-ups.

Excessive Redness
“This is the most upsetting workout-related skin issue I hear about,”
says Graf. Especially for women who have rosacea or sensitive skin—those
prone to severe flushing. “Women with rosacea have more broken
capillaries, so any vasodilation caused by working out makes it worse.
Sensitive skin just gets irritated very easily, so heat combined with
sweat will cause a flare-up.”

Prevent it: Start using anti-redness
moisturizers formulated for sensitive skin; soothing ingredients like
thermal spring water, zinc, licorice extract, or feverfew will get your
moisture barrier in peak condition and make skin more resilient. Try: (1) Eucerin Redness Relief Daily Perfecting Lotion SPF 15 ($15, drugstore.com). Avoid using treatments that irritate skin—such as retinol, acne products, or chemical peels—the night before a big workout.

Keep your body temperature as low as possible during your workout by spritzing yourself with a cooling body spray like Restore Instant Hot Flash Aid ($25, restoreaid.com). Another good find: Mission Athletecare Enduracool Large Instant Cooling Towel ($15, at Dick’s Sporting Goods); use it to wipe your face when you start feeling hot.

Cure it: De-toastify yourself fast. As your
body temp drops, so does the flushing, says Graf. Suck on ice chips or
splash cold water on your face. Rinse with an anti-redness cleanser,
followed by an anti-redness face cream that contains licorice, green
tea, oats, or feverfew. Try: Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 ($17, drugstore.com).
Cover remaining blotchiness with a CC cream, whose optical diffusers
help visually color-correct redness, then apply a yellow-based
concealer. Try: Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30 ($35, clinique.com) and Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit ($34, bobbibrowncosmetics.com).

See the rest at Women’s Health Magazine 

Why Skin Ages and What to Do About It


Aging is a part of life. No matter how many products we
slather on and no matter how many procedures we undergo, the aging
process rolls on. But why does our skin have to show it? And how can we
slow the roll? We spoke to Miami dermatologist Dr. Janice Lima-Maribona to get the answers. 

Dr. Lima-Maribona explains that skins shows signs of aging
due to a lack of collagen and elastin, as well as a decrease in
collagen repair and the formation of oxygen radicals with decreased
binding. [Source: NewBeauty.com]

The most visible signs of aging are a direct result of these changes. They include sagging skin and decreased elasticity, dullness of skin tone and quality and hyperpigmentation (aka age spots).

But can the process be slowed down or even stopped? Dr.
Lima-Maribona says that the earlier you start taking care of your skin,
the better. “When you are younger, the first and most important thing is
to use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher,” she says, adding that
you should also avoid midday sun and tanning beds.

“As you get into your mid-twenties, use a vitamin C antioxidant serum. My favorite is by SkinCeuticals,”
she says. “And use glycolic acid and a vitamin A derivative like
retinol or retinoic acid at night to keep your skin looking taught and
fresh.” 

If you’re starting at a later age, don’t panic, there are
still options. Follow the same regimen as above, but more intensely.
“Add more in-office treatments like IPL (intense pulsed light), microneedling,
dermaplaning, Pixel laser treatments, and fillers and neurotoxins that
restore volume loss and decrease the appearance of saggy skin,” she
suggests.

Lima-Maribona says that the biggest anti-aging mistake
people make is relying on products and procedures that are more about
flash than flesh. “They’re using over-the-counter products that have no
cosmeceutical value, or having plastic surgery procedures and forgetting
about the health and quality of their skin tone and texture.”