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| Who Are You? |
| Hundreds of people responded to our reader survey. |
| Adventures of a Middle-Aged Editor |
| GH Editor Michael Egan gets to the bottom of things in Waikiki. |
| Valentines for All |
| If you could send Dick Cheney, Hillary Clinton and your favorite cat lover a Valentine, what would you say? |
| Chocolate Isn’t Good for You |
| They’ve been lying to us all these years. How sad! |
| Leslie Wilcox |
| Leslie Wilcox is interviewed by Michael Egan in this month’s cover story. |
| Live in Sin or Do it Agin? |
| Is love really better the second time around? How about the third? |
| Off the Beaten Path |
| Learn about Oahu’s secret beaches and hidden hikes. |
| Heart Check |
| The American Heart Association offers women good advice...and a great new service. |
DEPARTMENT:
What People Really Want
by Patricia L. Chinn, M.D. Advanced Skin Care Medical Center
We
all want to look good for as long as possible. What does this mean
for baby boomers, currently 28% of the U.S. population? Signs of aging
in the face include spots (sun-damaged brown spots, known as lentigos),
melasma (diffuse brown patches common on the cheeks, thought to be
caused by hormones), tiny capillaries (telangiectasias), acne scars,
dry/thinned skin, enlarged pores, skin laxity, saggy jowls, hollowed
out areas, fine lines and wrinkles. Even after a great facelift, what
are you left with?—tighter, but still finely wrinkled thin skin,
with the same age spots and enlarged pores as before your surgery.
So, what is the answer? Rejuvenate your skin with effective new anti-aging techniques that are minimally or non-invasive, comfortable and quick, low- risk, cost-effective, and involve little or no downtime. Today’s main choices for age-reversal skin care include injectables such as Botox and fillers, IPL (intense pulsed light) and medical lasers, chemical peels, and truly effective cosmeceuticals (medical grade cosmetic preparations).
Botox: This is actually a neurotoxin that temporarily relaxes muscles, reducing dynamic wrinkles. In trained hands, it is extremely safe, without permanent adverse effects. Approved by the FDA about five years ago for glabellar wrinkles (frown lines between the brows), nothing else comes close. Initial results last 3–4 months for the first year.
Following this, results last longer, 6–8 months. Injections for frown lines and crow’s feet cost $350–$500. Forehead wrinkles, smoker’s-mouth wrinkles, irregular chin dimples, and ropy necks can also be treated. Occasionally, temporary bruising occurs, but lasts only a few days and can be covered-up with make-up if desired.
Fillers: Injections of hyaluronic acid fill out hollowed areas, plump up the apples of the cheek, fill in deep wrinkles such as the nasolabial folds (from corner of the nose to corner of the mouth), and can plump thinned-out lips. Results last six months to five years. Treatments cost $500 to $3000. Temporary bruising may occur.
IPL and Medical Lasers: This state of the art technology addresses issues of color, tone, texture, and tightening. Non-ablative IPL uses pulses of bright light to fade highly pigmented age spots and melasma, tiny vessels, and the redness of rosacea. Ablative lasers resurface acne scars, reduce enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles, and tighten skin by using light energy/heat to stimulate collagen production. Treatments can be virtually painless. Post-procedure pinkness and a comfortable warm feeling resolve within hours to 1–3 days.
Make-up is not necessary, but may be applied immediately post-procedure. A series of treatments are needed, each costing $350–$600. Hint: ask to see the doctor, and ask if the doctor or someone else will be performing your treatment.
Chemical Peels: Alpha hydroxy acids can reduce hyperpigmentation and resurface the skin. Medical doctors can use higher more effective concentrations than estheticians.
Cosmeceuticals: Truly effective new products offer great results. Products available from your doctor’s office will generally contain higher concentrations of active ingredients than weaker formulas sold under the same name in department stores. Read the labels—look for antioxidants that fight free radicals such as vitamins A (retinoids, retinol), C, and E, idebenone, grapeseed extract, coenzyme Q10, lycopene; moisturizers such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides; exfoliators such as glycolic acid, kojic acid; and whitening agents, such as hydroquinone. Sunscreen is a must—don’t forget your lips.
Start today! Look and feel your best.